I felt so-so about the first installment of this series. The hero of the book just didn't do it for me. But this sophomore effort is much improved. The love interests have better chemistry and I like the characters for what they do, say, and how they act and not just because the author says I should like them or because other characters say I should I like them. This is a classic tale of enemies to lovers but there is an enjoyable read.

Review forthcoming on Smexy Books
Set in the early part of the Regency era in England, the Perfect Equation is a book that features a bluestocking heroine, a mathematician no less, as well as a bottled-up hero ready to be uncorked. The setting of the novel occurs against the noisy and disturbing backlash against women working and becoming educated.

Lord Greycliffe, or Grey, was my favorite part of this novel. He was raised in seclusion because of the epileptic fits he displayed as a child, and the efforts of self-control and even temperament that his godfather and mentor Earl Melton taught him have become an emotional straitjacket in his adult life. It is fascinating to watch him awaken throughout the book and re-evaluate both his method of living and his mentor. He is about to take over Melton’s role as head of the Department, a quasi-governmental agency that is somewhere between MI5 and the army, when he meets Leticia Fenley, a founding member of Athena’s Retreat, a secret women’s STEM haven.

Letty and Grey are put in charge of Athena Retreat while Letty’s best friend, the owner of the building, is in the country. Without giving anything away, they have conflicting purposes, which adds to the tension as the novel progresses. Just as Grey’s childhood has shaped who is, Letty is also constrained by a scandal that damaged her reputation six years before.

Elizabeth Everett does a great job depicting oily villain, Victor Armitage. He is the leader of the Guardians, the rabblerousing group trying to send women out of the workplace and back to the kitchen and the hearth. A bad, bad guy: I really wished harm upon the man.

The most disappointing part of the novel was the depictions of what went at Athena’s Retreat. Most of the science occurring there was depicted as silly, comical, or out of control. The explosions and damage made several of the women seem irresponsible. There were other moments, like when Letty is working through her equations, where the process reflects a more purposeful inquiry. I found it hard to believe that these women, who risked so much to pursue their science, would come off as so slapstick.

Years ago Letty made a mistake that cost her and her family their tenuous place in society, it also caused the rift between her and Grey. A rift that remained intact until they were forced to work together and Grey learns the truth of what really happened versus the “truth” his godfather Lord Melton told him. Plagued through childhood by seizures, Lord Melton was the man that took Grey under his wing and molded him into the disciplined, emotionless, serious man he is today. He is also the man that brought Grey into the “Department” a secret government agency that manages domestic strife, and now that he is retiring, he has offered the position to Grey, but when the leader of the Guardians vies for the position, Lord Melton suggests that Grey close down Athena’s Retreat will show the funders of the department that he is the best choice.

As a brilliant mathematician, Letty fights tooth and nail to dissuade Grey from closing the club, a place that is a safe haven for so many women, herself included. And at the same time fights to keep herself from falling in love with a man she should despise! Because despite his many flaws, Grey shows her great kindness and respect and she finds she is not as immune to him as she thought. Together they try to find a way to keep the club open and out of the Guardians sites – but when danger strikes, Grey may have to betray Letty to keep her safe and the price may well be their HEA.

This is the second installment of the Secret Scientists of London series, but this well-written novel can certainly be read as a standalone title. This book is not quite as wordy as the first book and while a lot is going on, it also seems more focused than the first book. The book does sport some steamyish love scenes, great secondary characters, a few amusing scenes, secrets, closure, and a sigh-worthy ending. I did enjoy this book more than the previous offering, but with that said, I still felt that romance was muted and not quite as satisfying as I had hoped for. Overall, this was a very good read, which I would happily recommend and I am looking forward to the next installment!

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*

Whenever I think I can’t love Ms. Everett’s books more than I already do now; she just blatantly proves me wrong, and one cannot ever see me complaining; because, perfect equation, was such a perfection. I really like the MCs the angst, and the chemistry. But, more than that I quite loved how the topics like equality and diversity has been so well acclimated with the story.

This book was good, but I found it hard to connect with. I think the main reason for that was the beginning was slow for me. However, when the book picked up I really enjoyed the moments between Letty and Grey, they're awfully cute together. I do wish there was more moments of just them together though. I also admire Letty's growth and her strength, one thing I love about this series is the strong women. I did get thrown off by the end of this book, I felt the last chapter was rushed and really would have benefitted from an epilogue.

Thank you so much to Berkley Romance for an advanced copy of this book. I LOVED IT!

Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Historical Romance
Pub Date: February 15, 2022

Holy smokes, this book was fabulous! A Perfect Equation roped me in from the first chapter, and I was immediately sucked back into the world and struggle of women in STEM in historical England.

I loved so many things about this story. First, Letty is phenomenal. I love reading about women in quantitative fields, no matter the time period, because it gives me a chance to see myself in the story. As a woman in STEM, I enjoyed the attention to historical detail in this book. Elizabeth Everett based Letty off of a real life character, and that was so cool! Letty is fierce, and I can really identify with her hiding behind a stoic, harsh attitude to protect her feelings. She feels deeply and has been hurt my life, and she hides under an armor so her heart doesn't break again. I thought her "journey" towards friendships and love was believable in this book, and I felt like her armor slowly fell away until she gave into her feelings. She is also a truly fierce mathematician, and I love that!

Second, Grey...be still my heart, Grey, because I think I found me a new book boyfriend! I love him. He is everything I look for in a regency gentleman, and his character is written to perfection. I think what I enjoyed most about Grey was his protective instincts; he truly wanted to keep the women of the club safe. While his methods were suspect, his heart was in the right place. I also liked that he was the type of man who admitted he was wrong when needed, apologized, and moved on. I think it was courageous to write a regency man who struggled with illness, too; those are not common in historical fictions, and I like that it gave readers another way to identify with a character. I liked that Grey was stoic to a fault, and then as the story progressed, his personality came out more and more in the writing as he became more comfortable with the ladies and the club. I really liked the internal monologue about Arthur and the "competition" between the two men; I laughed out loud at several points.

Third, I really liked that while this a historical fiction novel, it felt very prevalent in today's world. Today, women are still judged for their actions more harshly than men, women still face pushback in scientific fields, and women are not given the same validation as men are given. I like that this story addresses those issues with real, practical steps to solve the problem. Even thought he problem was presented in a historical context, I feel like there are many lessons to be learned from it for today's actions we can take as women.

Overall, I loved this book. I literally could not put it down. And, I'm waiting in HIGH expectation for the third installment after that little teaser at the end!

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

Miss Letitia Fenley - Letty to her friends - may be one of the smartest mathematicians in England, but as a woman, she's looked down upon for it. Readying herself to compete for the prestigious Rosewood Prize for Mathematics, she's also asked by her best friend, Violet, to look after the Athena's Retreat for other intelligent women, alongside Lord William Hughes, the Viscount Greycliff. Since they met, Grey and Letty have been at loggerheads, not helped by the explosive chemistry between them. Grey thinks it'll be easy to achieve to his stepmother's wish, but running the retreat is harder than he ever expected, and soon he's learning more than he ever expected. But Letty is hiding a secret from her past, and when their past comes back to haunt them, will Grey let go of his past feelings, and the control of his uncle, to find happiness and love?

I was so happy when I was approved for my copy of this book (thanks Berkley), and couldn't wait to get started. It was clear in A Lady's Formula for Love that Letty and Grey had a past, and their hatred for each other was masking stronger feelings that neither wanted to explore. I needed to know more about what had happened between them, and if they could be together, and this book did it perfectly! Grey was a stickler for the rules, and initially seemed to look down upon the lady scientists, but when he spent more time at the retreat, and learnt about them all, it was nice to see his aloof exterior start to crack. He had been a sickly child, and the strong hand of his uncle had helped him 'overcome' his weakness, including never eating cake and being strict in his routine. He really didn't let anything or anyone in, so seeing how Letty first angered him, and then made him fall in love, was a joy. I loved both of the characters, but I think Grey had such a growth, that he is definitely my favourite! This series is quickly becoming one of my favourites, with swoony characters, amazing plot lines, and perfect writing - I can't wait for book 3!

Very sweet, fun book. Elizebeth Everett has a wonderful style of writing that is such a joy to read. I appreciated the direction she took the MC's, often in a different way than I was anticipating. I very much enjoyed this book! I am looking forward to the next in the series.

A romance featuring women in STEM? But make it historical? In Elizabeth Everett’s capable hands, this combination is what makes A Perfect Equation an amazing, must read book.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Letty Fenley is one of the women who flourishes at Athena’s Retreat, a Victorian ladies club where women in STEM can research and study their fields. But, the club is threatened by outside groups who think women should stay home, take care of their families, and certainly not think for themselves. Lord Greycliff has been tasked by his former stepmother Violet to help protect the club. He works for a secretive government agency, and is used to intrigue. Letty and Grey continually argue and bicker, and he doesn’t understand why he can’t unilaterally make decisions about this retreat by and for women.

Anytime a main character looks at other people in love and thinks he’ll never give in to deep emotions of any kind, the reader knows he is going to fall hard. Letty and Grey’s interactions highlight the sexual tension and grudging respect between them. Their attraction is clear to everyone else, but both have a difficult time seeing past their own secrets and struggles to truly open up to the other.

I loved Letty’s belief in true love, even in the face of logic and her own experiences; it’s difficult for an author to make it convincing in light of Letty’s past, but Everett pulls it off. I also liked how both Letty and Grey are fully developed characters in their own right, with their own career aspirations, not just part of a romantic pairing that only relate to one another.

If you like strong, well developed characters in a historical romance, A Perfect Equation is a must read. It illuminates smart women within the restrictions of Victorian London, while also making a case for true love to triumph.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Enemies-to-Lovers fans rejoice. With Elizabeth Everett's latest novel in the Secret Scientists of London series, we're given a dose of romance with a dash of angst.

Letty Fenley has lived in the shadow of her one poor decision, one poor relationship, she had years ago. To everyone outside of Athena's Retreat, she's damaged goods, not worthy to give the time of day, which has worked just fine for her because she's too busy solving a massive mathematics formula. When Violet's stepson Lord Greycliff takes over the responsibilities of her science haven, she has to intercede and speak for the members of the club. Grey thinks of Letty just as the rest of London, that she seduced a man for her own endgame, when the truth comes out he reckons with what he thought was true, and the actual truth. Barbed quips are exchanged and romance ensues.

I loved Everett's latest venture into the world of our favorite London scientists. Letty's wit shines on the page as well as her vulnerability. Her chemistry with Grey is off the charts, as we want it to be in an enemies-to-lovers story. Tension is palpable from the pair and Everett exceeds in hitting all the marks of their romance.

Thank you Elizabeth Everett, Berkeley and NetGalley for the early read. It's my first and favorite romance of the year thus far.

“You have no reason to hide from them,” Grey declared. “You are brave, and you are good. Shine, Letty.” Brighter than every single candle in all the ballrooms of London, Grey’s smile burned away the fog of guilt and shame. “Let them see you shine.” So for the rest of the dance, Letty shone.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I really enjoyed the girl power, STEM themed cast of women in this book. I enjoyed the tension and the relationship between the strong, intelligent Lettie and the stern, serious Grey. Their love story was part opposites attract and part mistaken identity as Grey learns that he misjudged Lettie those many years ago. This story is about healing from past pain and judgement, being vulnerable with those closest to you and finding a way to your own happily ever after. It was an entertaining and enjoyable read. Could be read as a standalone but would make sense with an introduction to the cast of characters from book one first. Many thanks to the publisher and netgalley for an advanced copy!

Content: open door romance, parental abandonment, healing from past shame

NetGalley provided me with an ARC in exchange for my opinion.

I reread the description of A Perfect Equation, and it doesn't list it as steamy, but it is! To be fair, I didn't read the first one to know what I was in for. I can usually read romance series out of order without a problem. The premise of women scientists trying to find their way in this historic setting appealed to me.

The author does a great job of interweaving modern sensibilities about race, class, and sexual orientation into this historical romance. I kept wondering if stodgy Grey, the love interest, would have been so blasé about some of the women's orientation and partners.

Letty is a mathematician and has a women's club with other scientists. Grey has a unique past and is now asked to help Letty protect the club by a dear friend. Are there metaphorical and actual explosions? You can bet there are! And the women's experiments were some of my favorite parts–making me laugh and smile.

Letty made a lot of sense to me because she's fighting against the patriarchy. I can't imagine how much harder this would have been back in the day. Grey's background made his stalwart and unbending nature make sense. There were a few times when I didn't understand either Letty or Grey. With Letty's negative experience being brought on from having sex in book 1, why would she want a physical relationship with Grey without a commitment? Sure one kiss might have set you on fire, but still... And why would Grey's facade break so quickly over some of the experiments as if he was carefree? Those moments didn't add up to me. I loved how everything didn't work out in Letty's favor all the time. Sometimes she was irascible, down, happy, strong, brave, and frightened. These are the things I love to see in my heroines.

If you didn't understand earlier, the relationship between Letty and Grey is very steamy. Hot tamale heat level to me. Their first kiss is adorable, and I don't want to spoil it, so I won't say more about it. Their other "moments" could have had less detail for my comfort level. Keep this one for adults!

Perfect Equation


QOTD: Reviews - just vibes or lots of facts? (I have no idea this word vomit just happens to me.)

So - full disclosure - this is one of my most anticipated reads of 2022. I adored book one which was an amazing debut and an awesome read in general. But Elizabeth Everett doesn’t have a sophomore slump in any way. I absolutely adored this book. You should read it if:

A) you have ever been mansplained to in any way. Ever.
B) you want to both laugh and grab a tissue.
C) you enjoy a solid sibling representation.
D) you have always wanted to be more than one thing - more than just a logical mathematician say, like you want to be both a rosy romantic AND terribly logical.

In all seriousness though - the discussions of socially acceptable chauvinism, women’s rights, and fighting to have a space that is sacred to you - are all beautiful. Not to mention an awesome historical representation of seizures! And possibly a villain based on the Cheeto dude. I cannot wait for book three!


TL/DR Review
Stars: Five Stars
Series: Secret Scientists of London #2 - can be read as a standalone but more fun as a series
POV: dual third person
Steam: super hot consent, no-one needs a bed, multiple scenes
Tropes: prickly heroine, opposites attract, banter, competence kink
For Fans Of: Devil of Downtown by Joanna Shupe
Theme Song: I’ve Just Seen a Face by The Beatles
Subgenre: historic romance
CW/ TW: references to parental abandonment, period specific slut shaming, some minor violence on page, lots of sexism

Thank you to the author and publisher for my complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Berkley for the ARC to read and review.
I tried this author again to see if the first book was a fluke for me as I didn't connect with it, but no I just don't think the author and I are going to work out.
Great things within this book. Heroine is a scientist and a feminist. She is passionate about women in STEM. She does not like her leading man and he does not like her and they are forced to work together to keep the Society open.
I guess its the writing style? Im not sure, but the heroine just comes across as mean. Not inspiring.

Will he let his misled opinion shatter others’ dreams …

I missed the previous release so I was much curious about this one, a lover of any romance with scholars, I was happy to jump into the pages of this tale.
From the start, the witty banters, fun bickering and quips between the main couple but also secondary characters set the pace, and while it gave some lightness, it also deals with rejections, of people not belonging, fitting because they are seen as different or unworthy.
Grey and Letitia are such persons, they bear the scars of their shame and by hiding them from others, they retired into a jail of their own making.

A woman’s reputation functioned as currency in the “polite world” of London. Damaged reputation denied one access to anything resembling a normal life.

Lettie made a mistake six years ago, one she since has payed for and is still covering from. Why science has become her refuge, her salvation. When she loses herself into the intricate paths of her mind, she is not facing the outside world, she is safe and secure with no one to judge her nor throw to her face her one lapse of discernment.

Grey lives by the rules book, having buried firmly any strong emotion in the recesses of his soul to only allow himself mild, tepid feelings. This way he feels safe, to him, sentiments only bring chaos and mayhem.
So when being asked to help protect a group of women who are the epitome of everything he deems the opposite of cautious and prudent, he knows he is in for trouble. And as his ambitions stand against his new task, his choices turn to not be easy as he thought at first.

I loved Lettie, the young girl who had her hopes shattered, she rose stronger from her ashes, different, more circumspect, less trusting but still willing to fight for those different, not fitting any mold with her dreams still intact, but kept hidden.
Grey let his black and white view of the world decides for too long of his path, until a wisp of a woman shows him there are many shades between these two extreme colors, like his name, there is an universe of in between, not everyone /everything is all good or all wrong. He will learn fairness is not putting people in boxes because it is easier than letting them make their own experiences, whatever the outcome.
4 stars

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 hot, hot

I have been granted an advance copy by the author, here is my true and unbiased opinion.

A Perfect Equation by Elizabeth Everett is the 2nd book in her The Secret Scientists of London series. I have not read the first book in this series, but this did read very well as a standalone. We meet our heroine, Letitia (Letty) Fenley at the start, as her best friend Violet wants her to manage Athena’s Retreat, while she is away. Letty accepts the challenge, but when she learns that Lord Greycliff (Grey), our hero, has been asked by Violet’s husband to watch over things; she is not happy. Six years ago, Letty thought she was in love with a young man (from a powerful family); his father humiliated her when he caught her in bed with his son. The father made sure to ostracize her within society, causing damage to her family as well. At that time, Grey was very demeaning and nasty to her, as Melton (the boy’s father) was like a father to him.

Letty wants nothing to do with him, and vice versa, but soon they are forced to work together and things begin to change. They both learn more about each other that they did not know, and they move past their dislike of each other; as Grey also discovers his treatment to Letty was truly unwarranted.
Athena’s Retreat is a women’s club for female scientists, who are smart, savvy, independent, intelligent, women who work on their own time to practice and learn how to create scientific things. The women shine in their secret haven, exceling in many areas, such as Letty being a brilliant mathematician, with others being scientists, engineers, etc. They all support one another, and fight against the injustices that women should stay home and let men do the work.

What follows is a slow build romance between Grey and Letty, as he recognized how great she was, and did not deserve the awful treatment years before. The banter between them was fun, and the sexual tension between them grew; with their chemistry off the wall. When a nasty group, Guardians of Domesticity push to close Athena’s Retreat, Grey goes against Letty and the other women to close the retreat; as he is up for the director ship, and knows what they expect of him to win. This causes problems between Grey and Letty, that may harm their budding relationship.

A Perfect Equation was an enemy to lover’s trope, which was at times humorous, sexy, suspenseful and angst. Letty and Grey were a great couple, with lots of chemistry. I also liked many of the secondary characters, including Sam (Letty’s brother), Winthram, Grantham and the ladies of Athena’s Retreat. A Perfect Equation was well written by Elizabeth Everett.

More of a bodice ripper then a mystery/girl power. I just found this book would fit in a different category then I thought when I picked it up. Not much happens but the romance and the characters figuring themselves out. I thought it would be more girl power mystery and it just isn't that. With detailed intimacy fairly often this just falls into a different category and readers who want one or the other are going to be confused by this.

I highly recommend this book. I loved every minute of it.

This is the second book in the series, and you should definitely read them in order. There are a lot of spoilers, and while you could read this book as a stand-alone, you’ll be missing a lot.

 This book has my heart. It’s very funny but also deals with some tough subjects relevant to the era and also today. It’s very frustrating what these ladies had to live with. I wanted to punch some people.

The science is hilarious, and also beautiful. Explosions and fires of the smelly and dangerous kind. Bird hats! Fermat! And so much more.

I also really love the book within a book that becomes integral to the plot. No spoilers, but it’s so funny.

I adored Letty and Grey. The attraction between them was fantastic, and their barbs back and forth were great. At first I found Letty a little prickly and annoying, but by the end of the book I wanted her to have everything she wanted. She was wronged in every way possible, and I felt so bad for her and the unfairness of it all. And Grey :sigh: what a babe. He really tries his best, and I love his messed up childhood. Some of his decisions were aggravating, but you always understood where he was coming from. His grovel scene is the funniest I’ve ever read and probably my favorite ever. I was so happy when they got their HEA.

This is a steamy book. There are some sex scenes, but it’s also pretty romantic; the chemistry is sizzling.

Also, I loved, loved, loved all the characters in this story, from the main hero and heroine to all the side characters. I would read another book about any of them. Milly and Willy, Grantham, Letty’s brother Sam, Winthram, all the ladies, basically everyone. Seriously, give me all the books.

I will definitely be coming back for the next book in the series!

This book was provided to me by the publisher. My views are my own.

"Bring back the better days of Britain!" a crowd of angry men yell, as they protest women working outside of the home. "What has science done for the common good?" their broadsheets proclaim. This historical romance feels quite relevant and current.

Letty and Grey are tasked with managing Athena's Retreat, the club for women in science while the founder is away. The two fell out 6 years ago. They avoid each other as much as possible to maintain a truce. In their new roles, both determine to work on their own and ignore each other. This romance follows the classic enemies-to-lovers tale.

My favorite parts were the mathematics and celebration of women's intelligence. Some of the prose was amazing, and I found myself highlighting and enjoying huge passages. But I found aspects of the romance less compelling. Lettie's small stature was emphasized too frequently. And I didn't always like Grey or find his motivation clear.

I appreciate the celebration of women in STEM and women's progress. And I enjoyed the historical notes. I recommend reading for those, rather than for the romance.

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. These opinions are my own.

3.5 stars rounded up

I grew up watching screwball comedies from 1930s Hollywood, and it's one of my favorite movie genres — and one that's hard to replicate in writing, where you can't rely on actor's faces and visual comedy to earn the laughs. But there are a few romance writers out there who, Lord bless them, are giving it a shot and... actually succeeding beautifully? One of them is Elizabeth Everett, whom I only encountered recently, and I've thoroughly enjoyed her sparkling dialogue and swoony romance. Best read (or listened to) at top speed, for full His Girl Friday levels of screwball delivery.

Sparks fly and variables shift when middle class mathematician Letty Fenley and aristocratic semi-governmental agent Lord Greycliff are entrusted with the leadership and protection of the secretive Athena's Retreat, a lady's club where (wonderfully eccentric) women gather to conduct scientific research. Letty and Grey have been at each other's throats for years — the result of a disastrous misunderstanding between the passionate young woman and the cold, inflexible lord. But working together has them questioning all their previous conceptions of each other... and increasingly unable to resist their magnetic attraction. Just as animosity is morphing into something more tender, however, Athena's Retreat is threatened by political maneuvers that put their responsibilities and ambitions at odds. Can Letty and Grey resolve their differences and find a solution that protects everyone?

A Perfect Equation was another wild romp of comedy and romance, building upon the attributes of the first novel and rectifying some of its omissions. As the daughter of a wealthy merchant (and as a disgraced, "fallen" woman) Letty's struggle to find her place in society felt like it had higher stakes, and I appreciated that Everett took the time in this entry to acknowledge the female scientists who were working before and at the time this series takes place (in the mid-1840s) and to point out why these women were the exceptions rather than the rule for how academically-minded women lived in a patriarchal world. The writing can be a bit on-the-nose, but it's also energetic and full of fast-moving comedy and drama, so it's only a minor complaint.

Letty and Grey were compelling and swoony, divided as they are by society, priorities, and misunderstandings that, thankfully, resolve quickly. I loved watching them learn to fight with instead of against each other, and the shift from antagonism to affectionate teasing was beautifully done. And while I'm typically not one for grand gestures, Grey's plan to win Letty back after he, unsurprisingly, made a mess of things was perfect (and perfectly, hilariously awkward) and proved that he finally understood what he'd lost by denying himself love for so long... and that he was finally ready to embrace all the messy wonder of love.

All in all, this book is a delightful read — I think I zoomed through it in about 24 hours (it would have been far less, if life hadn't interfered!), and I'm very much hooked. I can't wait for more adventures in love and science at Athena's Retreat.

My thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.