When Marlowe is faced with her first break-up, she is desperate to win her ex-boyfriend Josh back. In meeting and being stuck with her project partner Ash, she strikes a deal with him to learn to be more romantic in exchange for helping Ash with his band.

This book was just so sweet and cute, it’s the perfect romance in my opinion. The banter between Mar and Ash was just so funny, I was highlighting the entire book. Not just that, but her friends Poppy and Odette were full of personality as well. They were such amazing friends and it felt just so warm and fuzzy to experience.

I loved the representation of autism, and how Marlowe was just such an amazing character. Not only was she intelligent, she was also super quirky and funny. It was so fun to read from her perspective. She was so invested in becoming, what she thought was, a better version of herself. I love how she always gave 100% in everything she did.

I enjoyed that it was a slow burn, which I don’t usually like. But it was completely worth the wait and the ending was just so cute. I can’t stop saying “cute”!

This was such a refreshing read and I’m so grateful to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Wednesday Books for this opportunity to experience this book.

This was a cute YA romance. There were parts of the story that felt slower than others.

I loved the main character and her conflict with self throughout the story. Loved that she was a neurodivergent character to give everyone a glimpse into that life.

I really liked this book of the girl discovering herself. The only things I didn’t like was that since this was set in high school, I felt like that was the target audience, but the mention of sex and hard liquor could have been done without. I know high schoolers so that stuff but I don’t want to encourage them that the behavior is ok.

When Marlowe is dumped by her boyfriend Josh, she turns to her best friends, Poppy and Odette, her English group project partner, Ash, and a series of romance novels guaranteed to teach her how to be romantic - so she can win back Josh and love him the "right" way. Although none of her friends are happy with her plan, they agree to support her journey, hoping she'll find a new destination. As Marlowe begins to open up to new possibilities, will she be brave enough to embrace something new.

This was a wonderful teen rom-com. I love the cast of diverse characters. I'm always looking for great ND characters for book lists and recommendations - Marlowe and Ash are perfect in their imperfections.

thank you netgalley for the opportunity. this was a cute young adult that i think a lot of people will enjoy! the author did a fantastic job at character development as well as portraying romance with the slow burn. this will have you drawn in instantly. so good!

I devoured this book. It's so charming that I think I had a smile on my face the majority of the time I was reading it.

I loved the neurodivergent representation. To be shown the world through Marlowe's eyes was so special, and I'm glad autism didn't define who she was. Instead, she's a multi-dimensional character. Honestly, all of the characters are well written and add so much to the story. I especially adored the friendship between Marlowe, Odette, and Poppy.

I think Kaylor did an excellent job capturing how difficult it is being a teen, trying to figure out who you are and what you want with the added complexity of autism. The discussion of toxic love also felt important as this is a YA book.

It's a slow-burn between Marlowe and Ash. He clearly falls first and he's so patient, helping her with her mission (even though he hates it) while waiting for her to realize what they could have together. Honestly, a love story between a nerd and an emo kid - where was this book when I was a teenager?!

[Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Wednesday books for the ARC!]

This was a perfect story. From the very beginning I felt like I just wanted to see Marlowe find her happiness. I was her biggest Champion and cheerleader. I celebrated her wins and stressed over her losses. She is such a lovable character and I felt every emotion alongside her. And of course we need to discuss Ash. What a man!!! I SWOONED. I GASPED. I adored him!!!

I love when a story grabs me by the collar and doesn’t let go, and that’s exactly what this one did. How am I supposed to recover from this!?

This book was really good I thought the two characters had really great chemistry I loved how they both loved books that was probably my favorite part about it ten out of ten

Representation matters and this book will be a great one for teachers to add to their bookshelves not just for kids who are a step or two on that autism spectrum, but even more importantly, girls who are.

Marlowe has a brain that prefers math to language arts, black and white to gray, straightforward to complicated. And while she *has* feelings, she doesn’t always know how to navigate them in herself and certainly not in others.

So it was with quite a lot of surprise among her peers at high school when popular, handsome, football playing Josh took her hand and brought her into the light. A weird girl who was easily ignored became someone the popular kids had to at least acknowledge now as Josh’s girlfriend.

But when Josh returns for their senior year and breaks up with her, she’s shocked and broken hearted.

Taking his words verbatim, “you aren’t romantic enough” she decides to teach herself the ways of the romantic, sure she can win him back.

Enter Ash, clad in all black with a lip ring, multiple piercings, and smudged eyeliner. Marlowe has never given him a second look, but when she is paired with Josh for an English project the morning he dumps her, it’s Ash who agrees to swap partners, coming to her rescue.

It’s Ash who agrees to teach her about romance. It’s Ash who listens to her. It’s Ash who explains things that are out of her grasp. It’s Ash who is clearly in love with her.

It’s Ash who stands by and watches as Marlowe tries and tries again to win back a boy who it becomes increasingly obvious is toxic for her.

And so it is here that the book hits on another topic that it’s important for young girls to read about: you don’t have to do what a guy says in exchange for him to like you.

I loved this book. The start was slow, but I was quickly pulled in, rooting for Marlowe to find herself and then notice the romance book loving, hot lead singer, quietly perfect in Ash.

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC to read and review. Available June 18, 2024.

I have mixed feelings on The Calulation of You and Me. I liked our two main characters Ash and Marlowe but it was frustrating how long it took Marlowe to realize that her ex was not as good of a guy as she thought he was. And why her friends didn't try to point this out to her I don't understand. I also felt like sometimes her friends were a little bit distracting from the story.

Content Warning:
Underage drinking, one f-bomb, and mentions of sex

I'd like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review of the book.

After getting her heart broke and thinking that she can’t go on without this boy, Marlowe decides to get a romance tutor to win him back. While she learns different ways to romance her lost love, she realizes that maybe she doesn’t need to change. Along the way she falls in love with cheesy romance novels and all the amazing tropes they possess, and also the boy that introduced her to all the different types

Serena Kaylor's "The Calculation of You and Me" is a delightful blend of romance, humor, and mathematical intrigue that will leave readers with a smile on their faces and a warm feeling in their hearts.

Marlowe Meadows, our protagonist, is a refreshing departure from typical romantic heroines. As a self-professed calculus nerd, she approaches life with logic and precision, believing there's a solution to every problem, even matters of the heart. When faced with the unexpected end of her relationship with golden boy Josh, Marlowe embarks on a journey that challenges her beliefs and introduces her to the unpredictable nature of love.

One of the highlights of the book is the dynamic between Marlowe and her unlikely partner in crime, Ashton Hayes. Ashton's brooding exterior and musical talents provide a stark contrast to Marlowe's analytical mindset, leading to plenty of witty banter and unexpected sparks. Their collaboration on love letters for Marlowe's quest to win back Josh evolves into a deeper connection that defies the calculations Marlowe is so accustomed to making.

Serena's writing is engaging and humorous, seamlessly blending mathematical references with heartfelt moments of self-discovery and romance. Marlowe's growth throughout the story is both relatable and inspiring, reminding readers that love doesn't always follow a predictable formula. "The Calculation of You and Me" is a charming and uplifting read that will appeal to fans of both romance and unconventional protagonists. Serena’s unique storytelling and endearing characters make this novel a standout addition to the genre. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a heartwarming tale that will leave them believing in the power of love, even when it defies calculation.

I was scrolling through titles of upcoming books and the art on this one caught my eye first! I then read the synopsis and wanted to read more! I love a YA book for when i just want to escape life without having to follow along complicated world building or series that contain intense amounts of backstories to keep up with.
This book is a great example of the fake dating trope... which totally sucks me in every single time. The characters are developed and unique. I have not read this author before, but I will definitely be diving into more of them ASAP!

I loved this so much. This is one of those books that I will use indefinitely to convince people to read YA even if they think it’s too “young” for them.

Marlowe is an intelligent girl who understands a lot, but didn’t understand she was falling short on romance in her relationship with the school Golden Boy, Josh, until he dumps her and tells her she might not be cut out for love. Marlowe won’t go down without a fight though, and she recruits her elusive classmate, Ashton Hayes, to teach her how to be romantic.

Ash, a young prince goth emo rocker who works at a romance book store? I adore. He is so sweet and every smile or laugh Marlowe gets out of him feels earned, but not in a way that he’s holding back in a manipulative way. He’s been overlooked by the people who are supposed to put him first and he’s guarded. He’s not checked out either. He’s observant in ways that show so much maturity. The way he is with Marlowe is so genuine and shows his respect for her. He recognizes that there are some conclusions that she needs to reach on her own and never gives her a shortcut. He just flat out tells here that she is smart and he believes she’ll figure it out. Have I mentioned I adore him?

Marlowe is such a great character and her arc felt so authentic. There was a lot of self discovery that she had to face, and that isn’t easy at any age, much less as a teenager and her neurodivergence adds another layer of complexity. I admired her ability to ask herself tough questions and really allow herself to go deep in her reflections to face things. The way Marlowe’s feelings developed for Ash and the progression of her realization of those feelings added to her authenticity. I felt like I was experiencing the emotions right along with her.

Something else I really loved about this book was the importance of the secondary characters. Poppy and Odette were the epitome of friend goals. The friendship love story between Marlowe, Poppy, and Odette was easily one of my favorite things about this. It was so special. Not only that, every secondary character really had importance to the story and added so much depth.

If anyone who isn’t a teenager doubts their ability to relate to a YA novel or to find emotional depth in the pages should read this book and have their mind changed. Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Loved this book! Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Sometimes I wanted to scream at Marlowe Meadows, but most of the time I was just reading whenever I could find the chance to make sure the story ended with the HEA I wanted. I know some people would argue about some of the unrealistic for high school aspects of this story, but the truth is it made me smile, want to read when I was supposed to be doing other things, and made me want to jump back in and read again when I finished,

100% a serena kaylor fan now.
i ATE this book up omg… and there were so many things to love about it?!

the book stars marlowe who’s a redheaded nerd who has autism (yay! neurodivergent rep is always a plus!) and her trying to get her ex boyfriend back after he dumped her. to do so, she teams up with her classmate and english project partner ash (who is an emo bookworm who works at the local romance bookstore and he’s also in a band?! honestly what more could you want?) and they have their own little romantic journey together!

the characters in this novel were SO lovable. marlowe, ash, and marlowe’s friends poppy and odette were all a JOY to read about! the other minor characters (except josh, lord i despised him so much) were too. i DESPERATELY need to go to the bookstore with sloane. everyone seems so well thought out and developed!

my favorite part of the book were ash and marlowe themselves. it’s been sooo long since i’ve been this smitten with a couple! but AH the little fieldwork “dates” they went on were SO CUTE. i was definitely kicking my feet over them. and they both compliment each other so well? ash is so patient and marlowe is great too!

i didn’t expect to like this book as much as i did but it was soooo unbelievably sweet and i truly enjoyed every moment. marlowe’s development was great to read and the whole thing made me so giddy <3 there’s so much i can say but honestly you should just read it. i recommend this book to anyone who wants a lighthearted read and loves ya romance! it’s definitely a new favorite for me!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin,, Wednesday Press for this 2nd book 8 have read from this author.

Anyways, Marlowe is on he brink of her breakup with her jock boyfriend Josh. In her English class there is an emo boy there named Ash. They are paired together for a project. Marlowe asks Ash for his help to win Josh back, as they get to know one another starts to wonder if that's really what she wants. This was just a delight of a read, and I love the way there was humor and honesty sprinkled throughout. I will recommend this to my cousin, maybe this will give her hope for ghe future of her son.

“The Calculation of You and Me” is a slow-burn YA romance that should appeal to readers of the genre and those who like romances with a neurodivergent lead.

There’s strong friend and family relationships around Marlowe, the autistic FMC. The MMC, Ash, is a bi goth rocker boy with absentee parents. They connect in AP English, and soon Marlowe enlists him as her “love coach” to win back her controlling ex.

I love Ash and the fact that he fell first. The banter is heavy; Marlowe and her friends are extremely quirky, so that may or may not be your thing. But also, these characters don’t feel entirely real. The redheaded, autistic mathlete girl was in a long-term relationship with the golden boy football star, after she had been ignored in school her whole life? And then Ash is not only an emo kid, he works at a romance bookstore and knows all about the books, and he’s an AP kid? It’s all a little too perfect, but perhaps this former AP kid is just jealous.

If you love Lynn Painter and are missing Wes and Liz, this is for you!

Marlowe and her boyfriend Josh are on a break that seems way more like an actual break up. According to Josh, she doesn’t know how to love someone or even what it is. She’s just plain bad at love. She doesn’t like to blame her autism for anything, but realizes she may need a little help in the romance department. Regardless, she vows to get Josh back and prove to him she can love him how he needs. Enter Ash, a brooding boy in a band who writes beautiful, romantic lyrics. When Marlowe convinces Ash to help her get Josh back, she learns more about herself and her wants and desires in the process. She also begins to wonder if she ever even knew Josh at all. As her and Ash become closer, maybe she’ll find that Josh wasn’t what she needed and there’s someone who completes her in a way he never could.

Josh is a dick. Someone had to say it. He’s controlling, manipulative, condescending, a gaslighter and I hated him from page one. Marlowe deserved so much better than that. Honestly, everyone does. If you find yourself with a boyfriend like this-leave. Immediately. Okay, mini rant over.

I honestly can’t tell you the last time I legit laughed out loud to a book, but this one had me snorting and crying with laughter! It was witty, romantic, charming and fun! The romance was spot on and I devoured every page!

I loved following Marlowe on her romance journey and watching her find herself again. Who is she without Josh? What does Marlowe want? Ash was so patient and kind and loved all the parts of her that her ex felt made her less than. Ash was perfect! The characters-even the side ones-were incredibly developed and I felt like I knew them.

This was fast paced and swoony as hell! I honestly can’t say enough good things about this book! If you love YA romance, this is a must read!

Thank you for the ARC!
As Marlowe is navigating a breakup, she is told by her ex that she doesn't know how to be romantic so she embarks on this journey of learning how to romance her ex back. In the meantime, as her new friend Ash is helping her with the task, things get blurry and sparks start to fly.
Marlowe is a great example of what a great mc is supposed to be like, in my opinion, likeable and unlikable at times. Her friends are supportive and are by her side through all the ups and downs. I also loved how supportive and patient Ash was (no spoilers so that's all I can say).
The fact that Ash's relationship with his parents wasn't resolved was great in my opinion - I believe it's more realistic that way. The fact that Serena didn't make a big deal out of Marlowe having autist was also great - The autist didn't define who Marlowe was, and it didn't stop her from doing anything, it was just something she has.
However, I still had so many questions when I finished reading the book. I had a lot of "whys?' still in my head, and also foreshadowing/mirroring of Wutgering Heights was just too much.