Brilliant Petite Scientist + Sardonic Alphahole = Love Match

Enemies to lovers, forced proximity, and a setting in a Victorian STEM institute run by women--A Perfect Equation has many things going for it. The book was laugh out loud funny from the get-go with an action-packed introduction and wonderful steamy tension.

What happened to our heroine, Letty Fenley, six years ago? The answer, when he finally understands it, will bring our hero Grey (the Viscount Greycliff) to his knees and give him a glimpse of what it is like to be a woman in a world which many men believe is theirs by right.

"Lord save us from men who have all the answers," Letty huffs at Grey. It is satisfying to see Grey's transformation from a hero who very much believes he has all of the answers into a slightly gentler, slightly more humble man. However, it is also difficult to get over Grey's original harshness, his essential slutshaming of a seventeen year old girl from a much less privileged class than his own, and his innate instinct to be self-serving at the cost of the Athena Society for large parts of the book. For this reason, I found Letty a much more sympathetic character and had a harder time appreciating Grey.

Letty's brother and the rest of this cast of eccentric and charming friends also add a much needed dose of comfort to a book that contains a great deal of stress-inducing, all-too-realistic sexism. Grey is a forceful, alpha hero who falls hard when he finally admits he is falling, and the outstanding banter between Grey and Letty is cackle-worthy. If you enjoy enemies to lovers, this is one where the trope is strong and the writing excels.

Thanks to NetGalley and Berkeley for the advance reader copy of this book!

Outstanding Quote: "Yet once Letty did become irresistible, like everyone had told her to, she was punished for it.
Be pretty, but not prettier than the others. Look like you want their attention, but turn away from it when offered. Act as though you wish to kiss him, but do not do it. Spend your time and money to get them to want you, but then you must deny them. Make him love you, but do not act upon it.
A cunning trap for girls who listened to their hearts instead of the messages not so subtly communicated by society.
In the pages of a book, love is its own reward.
In the real world, it was a transaction."


Steam Level: Steamy

4.5 Stars
Six years ago, the Viscount of Greycliff, Grey, gave Leticia Fenley a judgmental set-down when she was at her lowest and the words sting still. Now they must work together to oversee Athena’s Retreat since Violet and Arthur are leaving the city.

Outwardly, Athena’s Retreat is a social club for ladies to gather and discuss lectures on science, but secretly the women conduct experiments and study science, something highly frowned on at the time. It wasn’t easy for woman to be a scientist in the 19th century when women had few rights. Grey and Letty must put aside their differences to keep the club safe since they’re being targeted by the radical Guardians of Domesticity, who’d like to keep women in their so-called place.

Letty was such a fun character with a fearless drive to stand up for women, especially the women of her club. She was more insecure when it came to standing up for herself, but Grey gave her the courage to hold her head high and shine. Grey had his own insecurities to battle with and I appreciated that neither dismissed the concerns of the other, but rather supported each other to face the issues.

A Perfect Equation was a delightful enemies-to-lovers romance, with clever banter and emotional depth. A cast of quirky and fun secondary characters made many hilarious scenes that had me laughing out loud. Add in an adorable hedgehog and this story was a complete win! I’m eagerly awaiting Grantham and Margaret’s story next!

Enemies to lovers, a bit of forced proximity, and a controversial club for women in Victorian London make for a delightful romp of a read in Elizabeth Everett's second Secret Scientists of London romance, A Perfect Equation.

As they are left in joint charge of Athena’s Retreat, a haven for women engaged in scientific pursuits, Lord Greycliff and Miss Letty Fenley have a long history of animosity. Grey is a rule follower, determined never to indulge in strong drink, or strong emotions, in his pursuit of the directorship of The Department, a clandestine agency. Letty is a mathematician who was disgraced by his Godfather’s son, and Grey was scathingly clear that he was not on her side.

In different ways, both are prisoners of the past. As they attempt to navigate this unlooked for partnership, their attraction grows and their interactions take a decidedly personal turn. But a rival appears and threatens both Grey's ambition and the club, and the past and their ambitions come to a head when Letty pursues her dream of proving a mathematical theory at a competition that does not allow women to enter.

With a good dose of humor, banter, and a lively cast of secondary characters, this story is especially delightful when including Letty’s (and her brother Sam’s) chosen reading material, The Perils of Miss Cordelia Braveheart.

Historical Romance with women in STEM, set in a time when this would provoke such labels as "unnatural," and strong men who support them (eventually), this series and this story are sure to please. Recommended with a note that this is general market, open door romance and while I haven't charted it, I do believe the heat factor has been turned up in this second outing.

This review refers to a temporary digital galley I voluntarily received and read via NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher. A positive review was not required and these are simply my own honest opinions.

I wanted to love this one more than I did — I thought the plot was really original, and it’s got some great romance tropes, including a slight enemies-to-lovers.

But, there was something slightly off for me. It was slightly repetitive, I couldn’t get into the character’s heads at all so I was often surprised by their actions, and I found the sex scenes weird but I won’t say why, since it’s a spoiler. I also wasn’t aware this was part of an interconnected series, and I do think reading the first book might have helped me understand the overall premise better.

That being said, I read it, enjoyed it and there were certainly some swoony, sexy moments. I could see myself reading another book in the series, but maybe only from a library.

Synopsis: Letty Fenley has made her share of mistakes and she and her family have paid the price. But she’s unwilling to let go of her favorite pastime - Athena’s Retreat, a women’s society dedicated to scientific education and experimentation. However, she never had expected to have to team up with Viscount Greycliff, whom she practically hates for his role in her downfall and insecurities, to save it. Greycliff isn’t thrilled about it either… and yet, he can’t find it in him to say no to Letty. This is the second installment of The Secret Scientists of London series by Elizabeth Everett.

I came across this book somewhere and, intrigued by the premise, snapped it up, before realizing it’s the second in a series (The Secret Scientists of London). Luckily, I’m not a stickler for reading in order.

Letty Fenley and Lord William Hughes, the Viscount Greycliff (known as Grey) are acquaintances and adversaries as the book opens. They are bound by their connection to Athena’s Retreat, the secret society founded by Grey’s stepmother Violet (heroine of book one). Athena’s Retreat is a club that ostensibly allows women to pursue gentle pastimes like growing orchids; really it provides a space for female scientists of all stripes to work on experiments or other scientific pursuits. Letty, a mathematician, is a member of the retreat and Violet’s second in command.

Letty and Grey have another connection, dating back six years, one that explains their mutual hostility. Letty was once in love with Grey’s cousin, another budding mathematician. Letty thought that they would be married once her beau overcame his father’s objections (Letty, the daughter of a shopkeeper, was considered too much of a step down socially). Instead, the two were caught in a compromising position, her lover abandoned her, and Letty became persona non grata in society. Grey was given to understand by his uncle, a man who mentored him and treated him better than his own father did, that Letty was a shameless social climber trying to trap Grey’s cousin.

Now Letty and Grey are thrown together – following a personal loss, Violet and her husband Arthur are withdrawing to the countryside for a while. But Athena’s Retreat needs looking after. A rowdy group of malcontents calling themselves the Guardians have been picketing the house after word gets out that female scientists are experimenting there. These are the sorts of men who think that a woman’s place is in the kitchen, barefoot, pregnant and making her man a hearty meal. There’s a very real threat of violence, and so Violet decides that her stepson Grey – with whom she is very close – and her close friend Letty can run things together. Grey will handle security and Letty will take over as president of the club, managing the daily operations of Athena’s Retreat.

Grey immediately tries to put his foot down and scale back operations at Athena’s Retreat, citing the threat of the Guardians as a reason to lay low for a while. But he has another motivation, one that casts his concerns in a more self-interested light.

Spoiler: Show

Letty is preparing to compete (disguised as a man) in a prestigious math competition called the Rosewood Prize. She has never recovered from her “disgrace” six years before; while she believes in women’s equality, she’s internalized messages that lead her to feel shame over her mistake. She’s retreated to the orderly and safe world of mathematics; that and her family, whom she lives with and who have apparently not judged her, sustain her.

There were a couple of scenes that painted math the way that Letty sees it in a way that I found interesting (as a non-math-person), such as this one:

Today, she walked a familiar path to an empty beach where waves of numbers lapped at the shore. Wasting no time, she set her bare feet, one after the other, into the water. Swimming out to the center of her ocean, she then sank along the y axis, ribbons of theories tickling her bare calves, until she reached her current work.

I have no idea if other math people experience numbers and theories in a similar way to this description, but the concept intrigued me.

Grey has his own trauma, of course. As a child he was given to epileptic fits, and as a result his father hid him away, both out of shame and because he believed that keeping Grey quiet and away from other roughhousing children was the best way to avoid a fit. Grey’s uncle finally took him under his wing and taught him to rigidly control his habits and emotions; Grey has not suffered an episode of his epilepsy in many years and credits the regimen his uncle taught him.

So you have two characters who for different reasons are both very afraid of falling victim to passion and possibly love. Grey was ultimately the tougher nut to crack, which is one reason I found Letty to be a more sympathetic character.

One aspect that I felt ambivalent about was that the womens’ scientific pursuits were often played for laughs in the story. The running joke is that their experiments frequently lead to explosions, but I didn’t find it that funny. It seemed to undermine the “empowered female scientists” theme. Plus, not everyone at Athena’s Retreat was a chemist. What are these other ladies (entomologists, etc.) doing that would lead to such chaos?

Spoiler: Show

A Perfect Equation didn’t break much new ground, but it was well-written held my interest pretty well. I’ll give it a high B, and will consider trying other books in the series.

Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A Perfect Equation by Elizabeth Everett

The past must stay in the past right? But what happened when it comes knocking. What if the one that broke Letty's heart has been tasked to care for Athena's retreat, a secret haven from England's women scientist with her. But perhaps, they've both underestimated the feelings that linger, even after six years apart.

CW: Mention of miscarrage (off page, not MC), sexism (because of history).

Once again, Elzabeth has dazzled us with a tale of romance, lust, wit and sweetness. I'm glad she offered them the chance a second chance. I loved their banter and their dynamic. They felt meant to be from the second they stepped on the page, even through with difficult history they prevailed. They both had so many walls keeping them hidden from everyone, but as they fell deeper for each other, they were able to shine, not only for each other but for the world. I loved how fiercely Grey loves Letty, how supportive and protective he was of her, how mesmerized by her intellect he was. They both loved the way the other needed to be loved. Grey needed to be cherished and validated in his need to be himself and not control every aspect of his life. Letty's freedom, the one she forged at Athena's allowed her to be exactly what he needed, a safe refuge, but also somewhere to be exactly who he is. The spice in this book was delicious, they couldn't take their hand off each other, never long enough to actually get to a bed.

Thank you @berkleyromance and @elizabetheverettauthor for gifting me an advanced reader's copy through @Netgalley. As always, all thoughts and opinions are honest and my own.

#ElizabethEverett #APerfectEquation ##AllWeReadIsLove #BooksConnectUs #SecretScientistOfLondon

Ah! This book is so good! I love Everette’s first foray in this series, and A Perfect Equation is every bit as good. If you’re a fan of Martha Waters, Manda Collins, or India Houton, this book is for you. The characters are multi-dimensional, the story is phenomenal, and the topics are historically specific yet still relevant today.

This STEM historical romance was in some ways an improvement for me from the series' first outing, but it ultimately still wasn't a good fit. The love story unfolds between mathematician Letty and Grey, the man who accused her of trying to entrap his cousin six years previous. I enjoyed seeing Letty convince dubious friends (and Grey) of the joys of gothic, romantic novels. I also liked the plot where Grey discovers his godfather isn't quite the hero Grey cast him as in childhood. The romance wasn't bad (and I think spicier than the first), but the pacing didn't happen to fit with my personal tastes. The two make out before Grey has changed his demeaning view of Letty an iota. So while I wish them all the best, I was confused by that whole dynamic. The concept of "the Department" left me uneasy throughout the book; it's an extra-governmental organization run by and serving the whims and agendas of wealthy aristocrats. I was relieved to approve of the outcome for this group.

In terms of messaging, there's an idealized but likable presentation of science as a mindset that champions risk and error to bring about change. I also appreciated the first indication in the series that intersectional identities can cause rifts among the lady scientists. Yes, they share a common purpose and passion in some ways, but their different classes can push them apart (other identity differences don't get as much attention).

I was feeling slightly (like so so slightly) more amicable towards this book than to its predecessor UNTIL Letty gets into a public argument about sexism and education at a ball-- a promising start that quickly derailed for me when she proclaims, "[men] will be free to travel the world and bring the ideals of our culture to another place..." whereas women lack these opportunities. And I just *record scratch* is this a complaint about women being held back from participating in colonialist acts??? Because. I am having a hard time imagining another way to interpret that statement.

I don't know, people. There are attempts here to be inclusive and thoughtful about social issues, and it just missed the mark for me. Regardless of my opinions, I appreciate Berkley Romance for providing my copy to read and review.

“Everyone knew a women’s place was in charge, if you want something done right.”

London 1843. The Guardians of Domesticity movement is growing traction, boycotting businesses that employ women. When the movement sets their sights on Athena's House, the future of the safe haven for women is left in the hands of Letty and Greycliff, sworn enemies who don't see eye to eye on anything ever. But could their animosity truly be attraction?

The second book in the Secret Scientists of London series, A Perfect Equation an enemies to lovers, steamy historical romance complete with lots of sexual tension and constant pining. Even though is is the second in the series, Everett does a great job recapping the connections between the characters and what happened in the last book, so that it can be read as a standalone.

Letty's character was one bad bitch and I loved her so much. A total spitfire determined to take down the patriarchy, she holds her own and I was constantly highlighting her brilliant zingers and one-liners. A mathematician, Letty has her sights set on the Rosewood Prize, despite the contest's refusal to allow women to enter. Her passion for mathematics bleeds through the page and I love that this series celebrates women in STEM.

Greycliff was such a mystery to me in the first book and it was quite the journey getting into his head in this book. I loved how his character transformed from someone who wouldn't allow themselves to have attachments or feel passion to a man who aims to please and just wants to be loved. I found it incredibly sexy how he continually fights the urge to touch Letty while not giving into his desires.

The pair together were absolute fire on page and I loved that they got down and dirty anywhere but a bed. Despite Letty's frosty manner and high walls of defense, Grey worked hard to wear down her armor and melt her inhibitions slowly. But what I loved most was the way Grey spoke to Letty, telling her exactly how he saw her that brought Letty the confidence she needed. “You have no reason to hide from them…you are brave, and you are good. Shine, Letty.”

A Perfect Equation is amazing entertaining second book in The Secret Scientists of London series that revolves around a mathematician Letitia Fenley (Letty) and Lord William Hughes, the Viscount Greycliff (Grey) who find their perfect equation of love. The story is about past mistakes, getting over fears and boundaries set by past, societal differences, the beginning of suffrage, unrest in London among social class, love, friendship, belongingness, rights, and sisterhood.

Writing is entertaining, engaging, vivid, and fast paced. The story is written in third person narrative from alternative perspective of Letty and Grey that was perfectly balanced. The setting of 1843 Regency London with the beginning of suffrage is amazing.

Book is second in series and can easily read as standalone but after reading this I want to get back to first book and every book in this series releasing next.

The plot is interesting with hate to love romance. Synopsis is perfect. I enjoyed the beginning with people supporting Guardian of Domesticity (I had to laugh at that name) rallying against women working in shops, the introduction of Athena’s retreat club- a secret club of scientist women of London- and its members and how both Letty and Grey, who has history, have to work together to protect the club from activities of Guardians while Violet (president of club) is away for few months.

It was interesting to read what is the history between Grey and Letty, what he said to Letty six years ago and how they will overcome it to keep club and its members protected, will Gurdians rally against club as well, if Letty can put her past and fears behind and if Grey will let emotions in his life or turn down his chance in politics to find their perfect equation for love and happily ever after.

All characters are interesting and I adored main characters, especially Letty. She is great mathematician and also romantic at heart but her mistake six years ago made her stay within the safe sanctuary of Athena’s Retreat. She is smart, intelligent, brave, loyal, and capable of looking after herself but within, she is vulnerable still hurting from her mistake and wound it left behind, still not comfortable to be in a social circle and face society. She even distanced herself from her friends. I could easily root for her and feel her pain, fear, and anger. I could see how hard it might be for her to work with Grey and come across her past more than once. I loved how she made her thoughts and feelings clear with Grey from the beginning and even with all hurt and pain she was ready to change it, move forward, and find a middle ground to work with him. Her love for the club, its member, numbers and novels is amazing. I admired her spirits and determination. I loved how being with Grey she could leave her armor and learn to be herself, be brave, and take control of her life and what is rightfully hers.

Grey is type of hero I always love- serious, brooding, tall and handsome who has gone through a lot than he shows. Grey is amazing throughout the story. He is strong, brave with cold demeanor but has kind heart. I loved how he isn’t like men in that era. He supported women of science, members of club, and Letty and admired their work even though he isn’t a person of science himself. He has his baggage too. He suffered from Seizure in childhood and the way his father treated him left impression on his heart and soul. He keeps himself and his life within walls of rules and focus on goal of life. But Letty brings out a different side of him. With her he is like a child who was denied fun and happiness for so long. It was amazing to see him transform, discover what it’s like to let in emotions, understand club and its member, what is love, and what it’s like to live outside the walls of rules he created.

The romance is best part. As it’s enemies to lovers, sparks and banters are inevitable. Chemistry between Letty and Grey is wonderful. It doesn’t take long for first kiss and feel the sexual tension. It was fun to read how they got carried away and felt distracted from their work. Sex scenes are amazing, there are many light moments along with their doubts and conflicts. It was great how they came to understand each other well and developed along with their feelings.

Along with Romance, setting, Athena’s R̥etreat and other subplots is also best part of the story. I better say every aspect of this book is best. The setting of 19th century London and the club made the story even more fantastic.

I loved how women who were ahead of their time- were labeled crazy and eccentric for their ingenuity, were neglected and shunned for challenging the social order- had their safe haven, at Athena’s Retreat. A place to meet and socialize with like-minded and also work with their experiment. It was inspiring to see them come over all obstacles world put on their way. I enjoyed knowing more about these women. Willy, Milly, and Madan Gault are my most favorite. The sisterhood between these STEM women also gave found family vibe.

I enjoyed reading in author’s note about Sophie Germin being the inspiration for Letty’s character and little more about scientific info like Fermat’s theorem and number theory which went over my head as I’m not math person. But I can see a math lover will enjoy this book.

Climax is interesting. I could see few things coming but I still enjoyed reading it all. Letty’s presentation, heartbreak, and challenges all came together at this point and I loved how author wrapped it up. I enjoyed reading Grey finally getting over his fear of emotions and his big gesture that is squashed early but just reading his plan was fun. End is uplifting, lovely happily ever after. I’m excited for next book that includes my favorite Earl Grantham and Margret’s story. Too bad it’s releasing in 2023, a whole year to wait.

Overall, A Perfect Equation is fun, entertaining, uplifting, and swoon-worthy historical romance with enemies to lovers trope.

I highly recommend this if you like,
Historical romance
Victorian era
Story in beginning of suffrage
Theme of rights and respect
Enemies to lovers trope
Women in STEM
Heroine in STEM
Hero suffered from Seizure
Found family vibe
Sexy swoon-worthy chemistry
If you’re Math person you definitely shouldn’t miss this.

How in the world did I miss the first book in this series (and Elizabeth Everett's debut): A Lady's Formula for Love? I corrected that error in a hot second as soon as I turned the final page of A Perfect Equation. And, oh, by the way, I had to get out of bed and turn on my computer in the middle of the night to do it because I finished Grey and Letty's story somewhere around 3:00 AM. But did I care? No, I did not. Because, oh my goodness, this book was so freaking awesome!

First of all, a secret collective of brilliant lady scientists in Victorian London? Yes, please! An opinionated mathematician spurned by society because of an unfortunate scandal years earlier? I am absolutely in her corner. Add a prim and proper Viscount who leads a regimented life devoid of emotion (for reasons), would do most anything for his stepmother (our mathematician's best friend), and, oh yes, had a major role in society turning their backs on Letty all those year's ago? Drop him in the middle of those brilliant, eccentric, and incredibly stubborn lady scientists (including Letty) and you just know his life will never be the same. It's so much fun to watch him unravel. Even more fun to see him begin to open up, explore, and embrace joys he's avoided with previously unbreakable tenacity.

The romance between Letty and Grey is beautifully paced with plenty of witty banter, sizzling chemistry, and realistic growth. From mistrust to reluctant attraction to forced proximity to surprising respect to forgiveness to love, these two experience it all on their journey and I loved every single bit of it.

Don't miss A Perfect Equation by Elizabeth Everett. It's going on my keeper shelf and I've already begun following (stalking) the author's website and social media for information about future books.

ARC received for fair and unbiased review

A Perfect Equation is the second book in Elizabeth Everett's The Secret Scientists of London series. A historical romance series featuring women in STEM. As a woman in STEM I'm always looking for new STEM romances. The connection between Letty and Grey was sizzling. I enjoyed watching their communication thrive and their walls break down. Grey was supportive of Letty and I loved the space created in this book.

This was a great historical romance and I cannot wait to read the next book in the Secret Scientists of London series!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

A PERFECT EQUATION is the second book in THE SECRET SCIENTISTS OF LONDON series, and I’m looking forward to reading more. It was nice to meet up with characters we’ve met before from the Secret Scientists and see where they are now in their scientific endeavors. This is Letty and Grey’s story, and it is both heartwarming and heartbreaking since they never seem to be on the same page at the same time.

When Violet and Arthur leave for a while to get their lives back on track, Letty and Grey are left in charge of Athena’s Retreat, the meeting place of the lady scientists. Letty and Grey don’t see eye to eye on keeping Athena’s Retreat open. He seems to have secretive reasons why he believes it should close.

As the story twists and turns with talk of politics and behind-the-scenes wrangling, Grey shows why he makes certain decisions. He and Letty have secrets—his from his childhood and hers from six years before. They seem to understand each other and somehow reveal thoughts about their lives that they normally keep hidden. The story has a good flow but sometimes gets bogged down with all the scientific and mathematical explanations.

A PERFECT EQUATION is filled with family and friends and has a wonderful romance. The playful cover fits the story well. There is an excerpt in the back of the book for the next book in the series, A LOVE BY DESIGN. I look forward to reading it!

In this follow-up to A Lady's Formula to Love, we see another of the co-founders of the secret Athena's Retreat--a secret society for the advancement of women in STEM--finding love. This time it's Letty, the outcast mathematician, falling for Violet's nephew Grey. But Grey has shown cruelty towards her in the past, and Letty is reluctant to give into her attraction. With her place in society as damaged goods, she's not fit for nobility, so she thinks. At the same time, Letty competes for the Rosewood Prize in mathematics and takes a stand against a men's group set on closing the club.

I enjoyed this one nearly as much as the first novel in the series, though it lacks a little bit of the spark of ingenuity you get when a new and unusual premise is introduced. Grey and Letty butted heads a little bit too much for me to understand their pairing, but I appreciate the triumphant themes of redemption in this book and think it's a great follow-up to its predecessor. I'm excited to see where the third book takes us!

Thanks to Berkley for my free eARC and finished copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

4 stars - 8/10

#BerkleyPartner #BerkleyIG #penguinrandomhousepartner #BerkleyBookstagram

Big thanks to Berkley for the e-ARC of this book via NetGalley. This review is being given honestly and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Overall 4-4.25/5 stars

CWs: misogyny, slut shaming, double standards, patriarchal ideology

This was a really good book but I def found the patriarchal antagonists very triggering because they were very much in your face, in the book. I really liked the dynamic between Letty and Grey because it definitely portrayed the idea of a man realizing how much the patriarchy and misogynistic ideas have influenced them, even if they consider themselves modern/progressive men, like Grey. I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVED the groveling scene at the end of the book and how Grey finally realizes some things 😍.

This book had me pretty *head empty heart full* for the most part BUT I did find myself wanting to beat Grey up big time, but I got over it, ya know?

*I'm in love with the idea of Alice and Winthram getting their own book in due time

The 2nd in The Secret Scientists of London series as Violet is heading off on a trip and leaving Letty and Grey in charge of Athena's Retreat, that houses the secret society of women scientists.

Letty and Grey have some past as Letty made a mistake in giving her heart to his cousin 6 years prior. Well more than her heart but she was not what she seemed then and she is still not what she seems. She is small in stature but her theories on mathematics and female equality are huge!

She was cast out of society in a way so her only place is Athena's retreat and that could be taken from her. Grey is getting way more than he bargained for with close proximity with her and his place in his position is shaky with the opposing party trying to take power.

I loved the refuge for the "undesirable" women in society the learned ones that would have made a difference if men weren't so small minded at the time. 

I really enjoyed A Lady's Formula For Love and I'm excited for A Love by Design the snippet was intriguing!

Read if you like:
🔬Close proximity
❤️‍🔥 Second chance romance or second chance at life
🔬 Women in Stem

Thank you berkleyromance and netgalley for the e-ARC for my honest and voluntary review.

A Perfect Equation by Elizabeth Everett is the second book in The Secret Scientist of London series. Letty is a Mathematician at Athena's Retreat, a club for women scientist to work on their experiments. Letty reluctantly agrees to manage the retreat when Violet, the founder needs to go away for a while and Letty needs to co-manage it with Viscount Greycliff. Greycliff and Letty cannot stand each other because of a mistake Letty made 6 years and she is still facing the consequences she made when she was 17. Letty and Grey need to put their differences away and try to keep the retreat open despite the political challenges that Grey has to face.

This was a nice enemies to lover trope with great banter. It was nice to read about the struggles a woman scientist faced in this historical romance. Both Letty and Grey are likable and strong individuals who don't let their guard down. Though the book reminded me a little of Bringing Down the Duke, I still enjoyed reading this book. I'm definitely going back to reading book 1 and can't wait for the next one in the series.

Thank you Berkley Romance & Netgalley for the ARC of this book.

I really wanted to like this series, and assumed I would, that I requested this novel but I had to DNF the first novel...

DNF @38%

I was fooled again by a cover! This cover reminded me of A Lady's Guide to Mischief and Mayhem, and saw that it was about women in science. It sounded like a historical romance with a touch of mystery and feminism. Instead, there is a slight mystery that is more to explain why a woman who doesn't need a man needs a man. The women in this science society were also a bit catty to one another, and that saddened me. Maybe that was the realistic aspect of this novel, but it just made me a bit sad that women could not work together. I like books where women rise with other women. It was hard to pick up again once I put this book down, and in three days I barely made it 40% so I was done. I really wanted to like this series, I requested book two. I might try and give it a chance, as it might have gotten better.

I am so glad to let you guys know that my 5-star streak for historical romances is still in a flawless state. I should have started reading Historical romances like... 5 years ago??? Books like "A Perfect Equation" keeps making me fall with this genre EVERY SINGLE TIME. This is the 2nd book in the "Secrets Scientists of London" series by Elizabeth Everett, but I had no problem reading it as a standalone. That being said, I cannot wait to pick up the first book in the series, because I absolutely loved reading A Perfect Equation! :') <3 The book comes out today, so I want you guys to run to the bookstore and grab a copy of this book asap. Letty and Grey will always stay close to my heart.

I am a woman in STEM myself - I am pursuing my undergrad in Biomedical Science, so reading about women in STEM, especially in a story set during the Victorian Era, made me incredibly happy. The feminist theme of A Perfect Equation was a masterpiece. I cheered for Letty and the other female scientists from the book throughout the story. :') Also, Letty loves romance novels. I adored her so much.

NOW THE ROMANCE. OMG. Letty and Grey were such fascinating protagonists to read about. The chemistry between them literally bounced off from the pages, and I didn't want their story to end at all. I especially loved how the enemies-to-lovers trope played out for them. They had their own flaws, yeah - especially Grey, but the author made sure to give our male lead a story to empathize with him and understand him better.

I cannot recommend this book enough. And I cannot stop historical romance novels. I want them all!!!!

Wow! This book is so good! Every time I picked up "A Perfect Equation", I was whisked back in time, and went on quite the journey with this story.

This is the second book in Elizabeth Everett's "The Secret Scientists of London" series. Ms. Everett's writing style is so vivid, visceral, detailed, and enthralling. The characters she writes feel like such real people, and you truly feel as the reader that you get to know each and every one. Furthermore, the past jumps right off of the page, and I can only begin to imagine the amount of research that Ms. Everett must have done to make the Victorian Era come to life in such a powerful way.

(Possible Spoilers!)
Letty and Grey...oh my goodness! This is such a fantastic enemies-to-lovers romance. You truly can feel the chemistry fly off of the page. Their banter is incredible and witty, and they truly are able to bring out the best in each other as well. Both have sadly been treated poorly in the past, are understandably have fears because of it, but, these two come to truly understand and respect one another. They grow and learn throughout the story, and their character arcs are very well-written.

I love how strong the women of Athena's Retreat. Full of incredibly brilliant women scientists and mathematicians,
they persevere and fight for what is right. They support one another through the good, bad, and everything in between, and are truly one another's family.

I have not yet read the first book in this series, "A Lady's Formula for Love". There were portions of this book that I feel referenced events, people, and moments in book 1, and I wasn't always entirely clear what was going on, or how everything connected. I do think this would have been much clearer from having read the first book, and I look forward to doing so soon. However, even with this said, I still had such a difficult time putting this book down, and was drawn into the story.

If you enjoy Victorian Romance and / or Historical Fiction, I highly recommend this book! It kept me turning the pages to see what would happen next!

Thank you so much to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the ARC of this book, and to Berkley Publishing Group for having me as part of the blog blitz for the novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.