
Member Reviews

This was a cute little YA romance, but i was not the primary audience for it so it fell a little short for me, but i can totally see the appeal for the younger audience. This was a new to me author as well--thanks so much for the digital copy!

This was a great read! Loved Marlowe and Ashton! They had a lot of great character development and I loved how their interactions were so easy to get into and enjoy! I was hooked right away on this story! Such a fun read! Definitely recommend reading this one!

This was predictable, but cute. I loved Odette & her humor…in fact, I found every character to be fleshed out and engaging. The premise was important & it was well told!

The Calculation of You and Me by Serena Kaylor is a sweet and witty YA novel. It is full of representation, and I love seeing a positive portrayal of girls in STEM.
Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me.

This was a cute YA romance, that had me chuckling at times and kept me engaged.
I appreciated the inclusion of a neurodivergent character in the book, but wished it was expanded on a little more. I think the book is great for a wide variety of audiences.
Overall, it was a cute read.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Such a cute book. I loved that there was a neurodivergent female MC. She really grew on me - and probably knowing her disability endeared her to me more. I loved the character growth that she made throughout the book and I think I am drawn to neurodivergent troupes.

Overall this was a cute book ant fit YA romance very well. It was great to see a neurodivergent FMC, but I will admit that I needed some patience with her character on more than one occasion. The atmosphere really did pull me in right from the beginning. I felt like I was reading a book that could be easily adapted to a movie.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed this book and read it in one sitting! I would definitely recommend this book. I loved the way the characters grew and the storyline. It is one of my favorite troupes!

I received an ARC of this book and though I am dreadfully behind, I enjoyed it! I enjoyed the autism/neurodivergent rep, the storyline of the deal they made, the fun adventures and assignments and fieldwork, the friendships, and the idea that you realize who you are and who builds you up not who is what society might think is right or normal. How talking things through and saying things always clarifies things, and I just enjoyed the quirky banter and love of math and mushrooms! So cute!

This was a cute book. Went into completely blind and actually requested based on the cover!
I felt a little ick when autism was made as like just a quirk. But overall love the representation.
Loved the characters and it was a sweet little romance.

3.5 stars
Marlowe is having a hard time after her boyfriend Josh breaks up with her. When she ends up working with Ash, another classmate, on a project she comes up with a mutually beneficial plan. She will help Ash with his band and he will help her win back Josh.
Marlowe grows a lot as the story progresses and really comes to understand herself better. That felt true to the teenage experience. She and Ash were also well matched despite seeming so different in the beginning. It was interesting seeing how their relationship changed and grew as they got to know one another.
I listened to this book on audio and the narrator was. well cast and did a really nice job bringing the story to life.

The Calculation of You and Me by Serena Kaylor is a delightful and heartwarming young adult romance that beautifully blends humor, emotional depth, and the complexities of teenage life. This book is a must-read for fans of slow-burn romances and well-developed characters.
Top 5 Reasons to Read The Calculation of You and Me:
Character Development: Marlowe and Ash are incredibly well-rounded characters. Marlowe's journey from a math-obsessed girl to someone who learns to embrace her emotions is both relatable and inspiring. Ash, with his moody exterior and hidden depths, is the perfect foil to Marlowe's logical mind. Their chemistry is palpable and their interactions are filled with witty banter and heartfelt moments.
Humor and Heart: Serena Kaylor masterfully balances humor with emotional depth. The book is filled with laugh-out-loud moments, especially as Marlowe navigates the world of romance with her analytical mind. At the same time, the story doesn't shy away from exploring deeper themes such as self-discovery, acceptance, and the complexities of relationships.
Unique Premise: The idea of a calculus nerd trying to win back her ex-boyfriend with the help of a rock band frontman is both unique and refreshing. The book's exploration of the intersection between logic and emotion adds an interesting layer to the story.
Supporting Characters: The supporting cast, including Marlowe's best friends Odette and Poppy, add depth and richness to the story. Their unwavering support and encouragement help Marlowe grow and embrace her true self.
Representation: The book features authentically described neurodiverse and LGBTQ+ characters, adding to its inclusivity and relatability. Marlowe's neurodivergence is portrayed with sensitivity and depth, making her journey all the more impactful.
Final Thoughts: The Calculation of You and Me is a charming and emotionally resonant story that will make you laugh, cry, and root for the characters. Serena Kaylor's writing sparkles with wit and honesty, making this a standout contemporary romance. Despite a few minor flaws, it's a book that will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy.
Recommend to Fans of: Jenny Han, Becky Albertalli, Rainbow Rowell.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Serena Kaylor is one of the best newer authors to come out in the past few years! I love Serena’s first book so I was so anxious is the best way to get her new book. This book did not disappoint. The love interest 😍 omg and the main character is just the best. Please pick up a Serena Kaylor book you will not be disappointed!!

Well if this wasn’t the sweetest book ever then I don’t know what is!
I think Marlowe will go down as one of my favorite FMCs. She’s everything. I loved her journey in this book so much. She was also pretty funny.
Ash. I’m obsessed. He was so attentive and understanding with Marlowe. Also, I love the way he called her Marlowe and not Lo like everyone else. He did a lot of small things for her. One of my favorite things is that he tells her not to apologize. For the things she says or the things she doesn’t understand. It’s a small sentence ‘don’t apologize’ but it was beautiful to say that to someone like Marlowe who is constantly questioning what people are thinking and if she is correctly understanding the things happening around her. I love that the things certain other people found annoying or ‘too much’ about Marlowe were the things he liked the most about her.
Every side character in this book is amazing as well. I’m so happy for the fictional world Marlowe belongs to. She has really great support in those around her.
I absolutely loved the autism rep. I also loved the use of romance books and how they were precious in this book. There’s no making fun of them or diminishing their worth. Loved it!
This was a really good book. This is YA and a slow burn but the banter, the tension, and mutual understanding and growth was perfect. There was never a dull moment in this book for me so I read almost straight through it in one sitting!
🥹 I’ll be rereading this one day soon. 🧡
Thank you to the author, SMP, and netgalley for the arc.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

This was a sweet YA romance! I always appreciate a romance with a neurospicy main character because I feel like it's not super common in modern romance. And I also felt like Marlowe was written very well. My main hold up with this book is that I just didn't feel the romance was very believable, but it was still an enjoyable read.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book.

Ohhhhhh this book was so, so swoon worthy. The only thing that could have made this better would be a dual POV where you could see the pining on the end of the MMC. I also wanted to shake the FMC for trying so hard to get that trash dude bro ex of hers when she had the real deal right in front of her the whole time. But, the autism rep and book loving was relatable and the whole thing was so cute and a joy to read.

The Calculation of You and Me is a heartwarming and clever YA novel that blends romance and math. Marlowe, a logical and math-obsessed teen, meets Ash, her emotional and spontaneous opposite, sparking a journey of self-discovery and love. Kaylor’s writing is witty and engaging, and the slow-burn romance feels natural and real. This book thoughtfully explores themes of identity, relationships, and the messiness of life. A smart, sweet, and highly recommended read for fans of contemporary YA.

truly the most perfect book. couldn't put it down. i hope this one gets made into a movie!!! marlowe and ash have my whole heart

THE CALCULATION OF YOU AND ME by Serena Kaylor (Long Story Short) is a feel-good book whose pace is a little slow, but that all made sense when I read the author's acknowledgment page and realized how difficult the time working in an ICU during COVID had been for Serena Kaylor. Her second novel featuring neurodiverse characters centers on Marlowe Meadows who has been "dumped" for not being romantic enough by manipulative boyfriend Josh at the start of their senior year in high school. Marlowe turns to a new classmate (and her AP English partner) Ashton Hayes to learn about writing romantic letters, reading romance books, and completing "fieldwork" activities in an effort to win back Josh. She is also supported by loyal, but quirky, friends Odette and Poppy. Kaylor includes a great deal of musing by Marlowe as she attempts to understand others whose brains work differently than hers. Along the way, readers become aware of her increasing attraction to Ash (who seems too kind and mature at times) and Marlowe's own growth and maturation: "I could decide that I didn't want to learn to dance, and that would be fine, but I'm capable of doing hard things. Unexpected things. I might even be good at them. Or not, and that would be okay too." And later, "That's what it's all about, right? Figuring out who we are and what we like and trying everything until we find the answers?" THE CALCULATION OF YOU AND ME received a starred review from Kirkus ("A delightful, richly characterized slow-burn romance about figuring out what you want").