I LOVED this book!! I loved the story line, so unique. I loved the writing. I loved all the characters. I couldn't wait to find out how it ended but I also didn't want it to end either! I lovely heartwarming, funny, sweet, touching story.

What a great way to get the message across in a way that was so enjoyable to read.

Elizabeth is a chemist. Calvin has won the Nobel prize. They work in the same lab in different areas, yet their lives come together first in a negative way so things can only get better, right? Wrong, as there are a few more negatives thrown in before their lives together can begin.

Elizabeth wants to be known for her work and is afraid his reputation will make it look like she is hanging on his coattails instead of rightfully earned. She's tired of the descrimination against women at work and elsewhere and finds herself fighting that battle over and over, as most women did then (in the 50's) and still do now.

The story of their relationship and consequences was told in a way that I didn't want it to end. Such a joy to read.
Thank you NetGalley for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest opinion.

5 stars / This review will be posted on goodreads.com today.


I give this one six stars! I loved this book.

Elizabeth Zott is ahead of her time. She’s a chemist. Working in a male dominated world and treated like a lab tech rather than a woman with a masters in chemistry. The men may have the titles and the tenure, but Elizabeth is the one they come to with their questions.

Except for Calvin. Calvin Evans is a renowned chemist with his own lab at Hastings. No one is quite sure what he does, except that he keeps getting published and winning awards. Calvin had his pick of research labs, but he chose Hastings for its location.

When Elizabeth ventures into Calvin’s very off-limits lab to steal some test tubes, their worlds collide. Two people were never more suited for one another than Calvin & Elizabeth. While everyone else is envious of their relationship, Calvin & Elizabeth are oblivious. Two great minds working together to solve more than just chemistry’s little mysteries.

Happiness, like everything else, can be very short lived. Lessons in Chemistry shows us how true that can be, but also how the human spirit perseveres in times of trouble.

When I say five stars aren’t enough, I meant it. I’m sure this book would not appeal to everyone, but I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. Elizabeth is an awkward but likable female protagonist. Garmus touches on life, love, determination, faith in one’s own beliefs. Truly, a ‘when life gives you lemons’ kind of story, but not a depressing one at all.

Lessons in Chemistry was an absolute delight to read! I loved Elizabeth and Calvin so very much and their daughter, Mad, was pretty awesome as well.

The fact that Elizabeth didn't allow herself to be overlooked in her chosen career had me cheering for her and of course, Calvin, her knight, had me swooning. Don't we all want someone who will do everything they can to support our choices?

The pivot to Elizabeth hosting a cooking show was awesome! Her show reminded me a little of Alton Brown's and all in all, something I would enjoy.

This book is such a great read ~ just when you think you have it nailed down, something changes and *poof* Elizabeth has changed up the story on us. Sit down, get cozy, and prepare to be charmed with the wonderfulness that is Lessons in Chemistry!

Thanks to Netgalley, the author, and publisher for allowing an ARC at my request. All thoughts are my own and happily shared.

I agreed to read and review this book because of its comparison to The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. In all honesty, I almost DNFed this book at 40% because it was so drawn out. The beginning was nothing like I expected it to be and I honestly did not care for any of the characters. At the halfway point the story picked up a bit more and I started to like it. I don’t think I can say that I loved the characters too much. Out of all of the characters, Harriet was my favorite.

I loved this supremely original story and all of its unique characters, my favorite being the dog named Six-Thirty. Elizabeth Zott is a brilliant female chemist in the 1960s, when women mainly stayed home with the kids and did not necessarily go to college or pursue careers beyond the home. She is smart, witty and resilient, making her a victim to so much prejudice, sexism and scrutiny for being a "dumb woman" in a male dominant field.

Calvin Evans is a Nobel prize worthy chemist and rower who is largely known for holding grudges. He grew up in a boys home and has had a rough go at life. He meets the dazzling and irresistible Elizabeth Zott and they quickly become inseparable.

A turn of events finds Elizabeth Zott as a single, unwed mother just trying to raise her exceptionally intelligent daughter, Madeline, in a cruel world. She meets Walter, a TV show producer, who casts her as the host of an afternoon cooking show called Supper at Six, where Elizabeth puts her own spin on it.

When Madeline is assigned a family tree project at school, she seeks to find out more about her family, particularly her father, and she helps to uncover truths that have been buried for decades.

I quickly fell in love with Madeline and Six-Thirty, both of which are so smart and loyal to their family. Mad is so inquisitive and a lot like her mother, who is known for going against the grain. While there are some heavy parts to this book, it is also charming, witty, humorous and fun! This book will likely take a top slot my top 10 books I've read in 2022.

Overall, this debut novel is a hit, and I would recommend it to any of my friends. You don't need to be a science nerd like me or know the lingo to love this book and everything it has to offer its readers.

Special thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Elizabeth Zott is a woman beyond her times; in the early 1960’s it is unusual to be a woman chemist. Her place of work doesn’t share her views on equality except for brilliant but hermitic Calvin Evans who she falls in love with. Years later life finds her as a single mother and a star of a cooking show on TV.

When I really, really love a book, I write 5++++++ in my journal, and that’s what I did here. I knew right from the beginning that I’d love it because the author’s writing style is incredible. It reminded me a bit of Alice Hoffman, which I also really enjoy. This story was witty, one of a kind, hilarious, and also had a compelling sentimental story hidden among the main plot. On top of that, we have a strong, non-traditional, woman in STEM from the 1960’s. I’ll definitely be rereading this one and hope everyone else will read it as well!

“Don’t worry the system. Outsmart it.”

“Take the helm. Steer. When in doubt, pretend.”

Lessons in Chemistry comes out 4/5.

DNF @ 30% - I think I’m in a romance reading slump. I just did not love any of the latest romance ARCs that I’ve gotten recently. while the ideas and premise was excellent for this one, the characters were just too irritating for me to continue 🥲 I wasn’t rooting for anyone to get together so the friends to lovers just didn’t pan out for me. if you’re into workplace romances, this is definitely the move for you!

Another book that is sure to be a hit this year that is similar to Where'd You Go Bernadette, Lessons in Chemistry gives us the witty, matter of fact, intelligent Elizabeth Zott.

Set in the 60's we read about a smart female scientist trying to make it in a man's world. This book is inspiring, laugh out loud funny, heartbreaking, and quirky. My favorite part of this book though was the dog, Six Thirty. Oh I loved him so much! He added a special element that I enjoyed reading so much. And I, of course, teared up during the author's note when she acknowledges her own dogs.

I would recommend this book to anyone that loved Where'd You Go, Bernadette. I hope this becomes a movie or TV series because I think it would translate well.

TW: sexual assault, suicide.

**Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me an advanced copy of this book and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion. I am posting this review to my Goodreads account immediately and will post it to my Amazon & Instagram accounts upon publication.

Historical fiction with a contemporary feel, Lessons in Chemistry tells the story of Elizabeth Zott, a chemist turned TV cooking show host and the series of events that took her from one to the other as she battles the sexism of the 1950s/60s. The best thing I can say about this book is that it's nice. In the way getting an extra candy bar from the vending machine is nice - it feels good in the moment but you likely won’t remember it long term.

There is zero character development and it was hard to understand how Zott, an adult woman who has lived her entire life in mid-century America, could still be so naive about how the world works. Except for the times she wasn’t. She’s that annoying breed of book character that was clearly written with a modern sensibility without any of the historically accurate baggage.

I’m sure there will be many people who will love this book, but I knew it wasn’t for me the moment we started getting the dog’s perspective.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
👩🏼‍🔬Elizabeth Zott fights to be a chemist in the 1960’s.

👍🏼I adored the humorous and touching writing in this book. There is an amazing cast of characters, special shout out to Six Thirty the dog, but Elizabeth truly shines here, I honestly loved everything about her.

✅This book is hard to fully describe but it is a fabulously written witty and poignant debut that I promise you will love! Go in blind and just enjoy the chemistry 🧪

Thank you to Netgalley and Doubleday Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

4.5/5

Damnnn this book was epic. I need more badass women chemists like Elizabeth Zott!

Lessons in Chemistry follows chemist Elizabeth Zott. Elizabeth has her share of troubles trying to get taken seriously as a woman chemist in the 1960s. Add into that single motherhood and things are looking shaky for her. Then comes Supper at Six, a cooking show that skyrockets Elizabeth to fame for her unique perspective and way of addressing her audience. Not everyone is happy, because not only is she teaching about nutritious meals, she's also daring her fellow women to challenge the status quo.

I really enjoyed this book! I need more women in STEM in my books. I loved the friendship between Elizabeth and Harriet. I loved how determined Elizabeth was to follow her passion. When she built her own lab in her kitchen while pregnant, I knew I was a goner for her. Every time Elizabeth comes against sexism and misogyny, she stays so cool and logical. I wish I could be as contained as her. She has so many good come backs to the stupid shit men tell her too. I'm just going to have to remember everything she says so I can strive to be that much of a badass.

Besides facing misogyny and sexism in her work, there's also a family saga going on in the background of this book. I don't want to say too much about it because seeing it come together in the ending was so rewarding and made my heart fill with joy. I really loved how family was an important theme in this book, in all its various forms. Also Six-Thirty is the best dog ever! And he does not die in the book.

The only thing that detracted from this story was the obvious lack of women of color in this book. There were no notable women of color. And the fact that this takes place in the 60s makes me question where they are. Elizabeth was incredibly knowledgeable. She mentions more than once in the book that discrimination based on skin color has no scientific founding and is ridiculous. It made the lack of WOC much more obvious.

Rep: white cishet female MC, white cishet male MC, white cis gay male side character, fat white cishet male side character, various other white straight side characters.

CWs: Sexism, misogyny, sexual assault, sexual harassment, rape/attempted rape, death, car accident (someone is run over on page), grief. Moderate: past mentions of child abuse/death, homophobia/homomisia, suicide, religious bigotry, death of parent, consensual sexual content, domestic abuse (side character). Minor: pedophilia, racism mentioned, past mentions of car/train accident (not shown on page but discussed).

Thank you Netgalley and Doubleday for the eARC of this book.

Wow! This was super quirky! I felt like I was riding the Timberwolf at my local amusement park as I vacillated back and forth between do I like this? I don't like this. Am I crying? What is happening?

In the end, the last half of this book was more entertaining for me than the first.

Sidebar - Why are books 400 pages? It takes me back to reading law school textbooks and that ship has sailed. I just want a book that can tell a great story in 300 pages or less. I said it.

The last book I read (Unmasked - RTC) made me think everyone was trying to kill me in the dead of night, so this book did give me a reprieve from my thoughts of impending doom.

It had some funny parts. If you are a science buff, this book will likely be right up your alley. I don't remember ever taking Chemistry, so there is that.

What else?

There was a talking dog. Well, at least a dog that knew hundreds of words and could have an internal dialogue with himself.

Love cooking shows? There is one of those. I'm obsessed with all things food, so I loved reading about the unorthodox cooking show where beakers and bunson burners were used over your standard kitchen equipment.

This story takes place in the late 1950's, early 60's, so the whole you should be a Susie Homemaker and no one will take you seriously because you are a woman asinine bullshit was also present throughout. I did appreciate the main character giving that stereotype the bird and then some.

This book is classified as historical fiction, but it also has a little bit of romance and mystery, but who cares about labels anyways.

I liked it.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author, for an ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
The synopsis of this book sounded intriguing to me so I requested a copy to read.
Unfortunately, I have tried reading this book on 2 separate occasions and during this 2nd attempt, I have
decided to stop reading this book
and state that this book just wasn't for me.
I wish the author, publisher and all those promoting the book much success and connections with the right readers.

A joyful and witty feel-good novel with a feminist touch, introducing Elizabeth Zott, a brilliant chemist and accidental star of a television cooking show. Despite her groundbreaking research, nobody takes Elizabeth seriously as a scientist at her lab. In fact, everyone belittles her, steals her work, and even abuses her, except for Calvin Evans, the shy and accomplished star chemist. When Elizabeth finds herself a single unemployed mother, she reluctantly agrees to be the lead of a cooking show, but only if she can teach her audience of California housewives about science, equality, and self reliance along with her recipes for chicken pot pie and spinach casserole.

Lessons in Chemistry is a hilarious and heart-warming dramedy with a lot going for it: there are nonstop plot twists and a whole parade of quirky characters, including a plucky protagonist, a supportive genius boyfriend, a battalion of villainous bosses and envious colleagues, a witty and kind sidekick neighbor, a precocious child, a magnificently trained dog called Six-Thirty, and an early 1960s Southern California setting, filled with sunshine, opportunity and workplace misogyny.

While I didn’t adore the book, I found it enjoyable to read as a nice break between heavier novels. I thought the characters and the plot were entertaining but exaggerated (everyone is a genius, including the dog!) and the story a bit formulaic, like Mad Men meets Julia Child with a secret Dickensian benefactor. Despite my reservations, I think it’s a well written and high spirited novel, which will no doubt become a bestseller and a smash hit TV series. If you’re looking for a charming, witty, comforting read with unforgettable characters, you will be enchanted by the intrepid no-nonsense Elizabeth Zott. A delightful debut by Bonnie Garmus.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Doubleday Books for allowing me to read an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

I know we’re only a few months in, but I’ve already found my favorite book of 2022! “Lessons in Chemistry” and its wonderful protagonist Elizabeth Zott are absolutely intelligent, refreshing, witty, and completely engaging. Zott is a woman ahead of her time – a female scientist struggling against bias and sexism in a male-dominated profession, where her brains and talent are routinely dismissed and her research stolen by less capable men looking to take credit for her work.

Set in the 1950s and early 1960s, this novel is smart, wryly observant, and simultaneously heartbreaking and heartwarming. Its pointed commentary on gender and society remains all too relevant in our current day, showing us how far women’s equality has come, and how far we still have to go.

This novel made me feel all the feels – delight, pride, and awe in Elizabeth’s triumphs; frustration, anger, and sadness at the injustices she endures. Some parts of the story will have you laughing out loud, others will move you to tears. Rich and impeccable characterization is the key to making this novel extraordinary. Elizabeth’s voice is fresh and unique, and I felt like I was in her head the entire time. I love how this novel highlights the power of female friendships and the importance of women empowering each other. "Lessons in Chemistry" is the kind of book you want to share with your friends and is perfect for book clubs too!

I AM COMPLETELY ENAMORED, OBSESSED WITH, AND GENERALLY IN LOVE WITH THIS BOOK. It has everything! There's feminine independence, clever writing, switching perspectives, even a love story (that doesn't manage to overshadow the rest of the plot). There's even a dog who can read! Honestly, what more can a lover of books and dogs and cooking ask for?!

And if Elizabeth Zott isn't a female protagonist you root for, then I'm not sure one exists.

I will be recommending this book forever and always; honestly, it's going to be hard to beat this one as my favorite of 2022. It's only March, and I can already tell you that. Completely wonderful. I loved the characters and the plot and the structure. I'm so impressed by the mysteries that revealed themselves but didn't dramatize what was already a wonderful story. I'm in love, that's all there is to it.

This book was great! I enjoyed Elizabeth. She really makes this story a stunning one! I loved the other characters as well, even the bad ones! This was such great writing. The story was fantastic!

Truly enjoyed this book. Could totally relate to being a woman in a man's world - it was the norm in the 50's & 60's. This book covers that subject in so many ways.

Loved the unlovable Elizabeth and Calvin - would have loved seeing their story together play out.

Great read - would be an awesome book club selection.

"Lessons in Chemistry" by Bonnie Garmus
PERSEVERE you might learn something
In the beginning I PERSEVERED, in the middle I LEARNED some things, in the end I LOVED this story. For me about the first quarter of the book the story seemed to rather slow. I'm not sure if it truly was the story or if it was just how my mind-set body was relating to the world at that point in time. But I did persevere and I am so very glad I did. Because the bits and pieces in the first two-thirds of the story began to blend together and create a cohesive whole. A story that made me laugh and cry. For anyone with an open mind or willing to open their mind, well this is certainly a book club worthy read. Whether you are male or female be prepared to relate and most likely learn. Happy Reading ! !
NOTE: I requested and received an ARC of this story from the publisher.
This review expresses my honest opinion.