Thank you to Celadon Books for the ARC and ALC of Notes on Infinity! All opinions in this review are my own.

I enjoyed this one more than I thought I would! I was intrigued by the biotech startup storyline, but was surprised at how quickly I got sucked into Zoe's story and her quest for success. My only complaint is that I didn't like the part that Jack narrates. While that part of the story needed to be told, I didn't like how it jumped around chronologically, especially when it rehashed parts of the story that were already told. However, I found the end satisfying and would read more from this author!

I participated in a Read Together Initiative this month for Notes on Infinity by Austin Taylor. I was able to discuss it with some new awesome bookish friends.

This one sounds awesome! It's academic, which I often love. Zoe has big dreams and goals. Then she meets Jack in one of her classes. They work together, and Zoe has a theory they want to prove. They put all of their energy into it and drop out of school. Companies are throwing money at them to help in their research. But then there's a snag, and things happen.

No spoilers, so I can't tell you more.

Some people in our group really enjoyed this book. I did not. I loved it until I didn't. The ending made me angry. The writing was great, and I loved the characters. I just really struggled with the ending.

SPOILERS BELOW HERE!!!

Jack fell in love with Zoe early on. He thought the only way to get her was to prove Zoe's theory correct. *Insert eyeroll here*. Jack does come with a tragic past, but still, when everything starts crumbling around them because of something JACK DID! He decides the best way to deal with it is to kill himself. There was no lead-up to it. No serious depression issues. Honestly, I thought his diabetes was going to kill him. I think that would have been a better way of wrapping up the story. Why leave the one he supposedly loved and sacrifice their entire futures to make her happy? Why leave her on purpose? I just don't get it. It made me angry.

3.5 stars

Thank you to Celadon Books for sending me a physical finished copy ahead of release and inviting me to join in on a "read together" with other book reviewers.

This was a very interesting read, that was focused on science and lab research at Harvard. I really liked the storyline and loved the characters. This book definitely made me cry and broke my heart so many times. The scientific aspect was very interesting to read even if I didn't understand it all. The concept of this book is what kept me reading and I think many people will enjoy this book greatly

Austin Taylor’s Notes on Infinity City is a fresh summer read and an intriguing addition to a modified Science-in-Fiction format, blending intellectual depth with romance.

This novel reminded me of classic science fiction—the kind that feels ripped from the headlines, grounded in possibility and plausibility. This is where Taylor’s talent shines. Her ambitious, intellectually rigorous storytelling thrives on its intricate exploration of time, biotech, and human ambition. As someone drawn to layered narratives, I appreciated how the structure mirrored the infinity loop—looping back on itself in a way that reinforced its thematic weight. However, the repetition slowed the narrative pace and often felt like a restart.

Despite its sharp execution and strong premise, I found myself more intrigued by the logic than emotionally connected to the characters. Taylor’s science background shines through, but it creates a distance—her storytelling feels precise, but less visceral. The novel’s structural repetition, though fitting for the motif, grew tedious at times. However, the strength of the story—and the intrigue of where the characters would ultimately land—kept pulling me back.

While Notes on Infinity City is an impressive debut, its heart felt just out of reach. A thought-provoking read, but one I engaged with more as an observer than a participant. That said, Taylor’s talent, imagination, and storytelling are undeniable, and I’ll definitely be back for her next work

Thank you Celadon for my.gifted print copy and Net Galley for this ecopy

Another Celadon buddy read book and I was lucky to have such a great group with a lot of fun discussions.

Notes on Infinity has been compared to Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by many. I can see that if you like Tomorrow x 3, then you’ll like Notes on Infinity. The similarities really end with the relationship of the main characters that toggles between jealousy, friendship, and love. I personally liked Notes better because I liked the science and the concept. However, there was a lot of build up around their business world and jargon that I wished for more of their relationship building.

I liked having the story done from Zoe’s POV and then switching to Jack’s. Jack’s POV switches between past and present and his backstory was more compelling.

Overall, this was a good debut from Austin Taylor and I look forward to see what she writes next.

This one just…didn’t do what I hoped it would/expected it would. This novel struggles with pacing and character development, moving slowly through the first 50% before finally gaining momentum when it becomes most engaging. While the author captures the startup world and explores the challenges women face in male-dominated tech industries, the execution falters under the weight of too many scattered storylines that feel inserted for shock value. This novel struggles with pacing and character development. The protagonists (Zoe and Jack), remain frustratingly one-dimensional and difficult to connect with throughout, and the heavy focus on technical details and scientific exposition bogs down the story until the final act. Though comparisons to "Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow" may have raised expectations, I was ultimately disappointed in the lack of coherent storytelling.

I was lucky enough to be a part of Celadon’s Read Together Program for this novel which was a fun opportunity to connect with other readers and share our thoughts as we read the book!

I love a story about a woman in STEM, so I was instantly drawn to this book and was intrigued by Zoe’s curiosity. While this book was not a romance, it did have romantic aspects that kept me invested in their very complicated world. I really enjoyed the addition of Jack’s perspective as it provided a lot of background and helped further my understanding of his behaviors. I would definitely read more from this author!

Thank you Celadon for the ARC!

Rating: 4⭐️ | Spice: 2🌶️ | Audio: 4.5🎙️
What to Expect:
Literary/Science Fiction
Women in Stem
Academia Setting
Found Family
Dual POV

Thank you @celadonbooks for the gifted hardback and @macmillan.audio ALC!

Shout out to Celadon Read Together Program who connected me with these awesome bookstagrammers:
@BookBimbo
@Booked.With.Julia
@bookedwithmel
@bookeshh

Review Title & Vibes:   
{PLEASE TAKE NOTE} I am slightly nerdy and couldn’t put this story down. I may not be a true STEMist in real life, but I highly enjoy a cross between litfic and romance.

This was a story with complex character dynamics, fascinating scientific theory, and shocking plot twists. I was hooked even though the “science” technical jargon was way over my head. The tension was undeniable and one of the slowest burns.

The ending had me wiping tears from my eyes - hello redemption and rediscovery of purpose.

Audio Notes:
Helen and Shahjehan performed wonderfully. I would highly recommend the audiobook specifically to increase the easy of pronouncing the science terminology.

Recommended to...  
All you nerdy book girls - take note and add this to your TBR

Narrated by @hlaserwolf @shahjistan
Produced by @macmillan.audio

This book centers on two college Harvard students, Jack and Zoe. They share a passion for science, working in the same lab with a common vision to develop an anti-aging drug. While Zoe is more outgoing, Jack is more driven to the science. They become successful, drop out of Harvard and build a start-up company.

We follow our main characters Zoe and Jack through a soul mate like friendship to lovers, into betrayal, hope and tragedy. The biotech elements are well written so that anyone can understand the science. Austin Taylor does an amazing job showcasing the world of start-ups, women in a male oriented business and how fragile dreams are along with the secrets that can break them.

I loved this book and happy that Celadon paired me with amazing readers.

Two Harvard students, Zoe and Jack, become inevitable intellectual partners as they connect through their progressive, innovative ideas on anti-aging, which begin their whirlwind journey through the allure and promise of scientific discovery and the rise and fall of celebrity and success. I really enjoyed the structure of the novel and while most of the story is told through Zoe’s POV, we get Jack’s towards the end, which really provided the emotional punch, ultimately revealing how the characters experienced their shared journey very differently and the complexity of their relationship. This was a very emotional read about ambition and acceptance, and I could not put it down once I started reading and would recommend for those who enjoy character-driven stories.

Thank you to Celadon Books and NetGalley for a copy of the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I started great, but by page 46, I missed the direct dialogues between the characters. This is why I am DNFing, as I cannot relate to the female main character.

I’m not sure whether the comparison to Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow helped this book or did it a disservice. I guess that may depend on what you thought of Tx3. I absolutely loved Tomorrow and rated it 5 stars. This one just…didn’t do what I hoped it would/expected it would.

Yes, they both center students building a startup, and there's an undercurrent of a love story - but that was where the similarities ended for me. I didn’t expect this to be Tx3, but I did hope for some solid characters and captivating plotline, both of which landed in the middle for me. I flew through the audiobook, but some of the formatting choices made listening difficult.

I saw this book described as “A cautionary tale of venture capital culture” and if that doesn't hit the nail on the head.

Reviews on this book are all over the place, so take mine with a grain of salt. I still think it's an impressive debut from a young author, and I'll be very interested to see what she does next.

🎧 The audio was narrated by Helen Laser and Shahjehan Khan, both did a fabulous job, but this story may have made a bigger impact (personally) had I read with my eyes.

A powerful story of intellectualism, hubris, and the undeniable connection between two people. This is a tragedy, set in the scientific start-up world, powered by love and intelligence.

When Harvard sophomores Zoe and Jack meet, their intellectual connection sparks an explosion that they quickly lose control of. They have a theory to cure aging, and it feels like nothing can stop them, but the higher they rise the farther than can falls. The fallout from the way they crash into each other is fascinating and heartbreaking.

If you loved Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow, don't hesitate to pick this one up.

Thanks to NetGalley and Celadon Books for the eARC.

Notes on Infinity was a book that reminded me so much of the real life company, Theranos, that I couldn't look away. Did parts of it feel uber pretentious? Yes. Did I love it regardless? Yes.

I loved this heartbreaking book about twenty-something 2020s ambition, success and love set in Cambridge. It's a little bit Love Story, a little bit Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow, part cautionary tale (the book invokes Icarus) and a very Gen Z-centered view of making it in the world.

Set in the science labs of Harvard University and centered around a nepo baby in the world of science and a brilliant but troubled boy from a poor background, this book looks at friendship, obsession and more!

Thanks to Celadon books for the e-ARC and for including me in their read along for this book!

Thanks Celadon and Netgalley for gifting me a copy of Notes On Infinity and creating a buddy read. I had such a good time and met some great readers!

I definitely got a lot of Tomorrow x 3 vibes so if you liked that book you might wanna check Notes On Infinity. There is a lot of discussion about science but you don’t need to understand the science to enjoy the story.

I haven’t read a book like Notes On Infinity but it does bring up some interesting topics such as longevity and business ethics.

I don’t want to spoil anything but I would recommend researching possible triggers for this one!

I did not expect a book about a biotech startup to make me feel so many things! This wasn't a business drama, it was a coming of age story in a world that only cares about money and success. (Relatable because that's the world we're all in. #capitalism)

Coming of age too in that the characters are learning to navigate both fabricated and genuine connections with one another. The book spans a long enough time period we really get to see the different relationships/friendships evolve.

Dual POV with a twist: We don't get Jack's POV till near the end and then we get a recap of all of the book's events since the first day he met Zoe. The recap provides Jack's motivations, his thoughts we hadn't seen before, and really illustrates the difference between how men and women stereotypically approach the world and relationships.

Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon Books for an eARC of this book! This is my honest review.

Notes on Infinity follows Zoe and Jack, two undergrad students at Harvard who start a biotech company with the goal of “curing” aging.

The first 60% of this novel was incredible. I was completely enamored by Zoe, her theory on aging, and her relationship with Jack. My science knowledge is minimal, so a lot of the details went over my head, but the language was very readable & approachable.

However, a little over halfway through the book there is a reveal and narrative shift that I really didn’t enjoy. I found that this twist completely changed my perspective on certain characters and the entire story in a way that really hurt my reading experience. To be fair - this was the definitely the author’s point! It just didn’t work for me personally.

Though the narrative direction this novel took was not my favorite, I do think this was a really strong debut from Austin Taylor. Taylor has a unique writing style that I really enjoyed - almost dreamlike in a way that felt like we were floating through scenes. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for her future releases.

Thank you to @celadonbooks for sending me a copy and allowing me to participate in the Read Together Initiative for the first time 🫶

This one was a wild ride through Harvard’s labs. Zoe’s a total brainiac obsessed with cracking the anti-aging code. She teams up with Jack, another science whiz who’s just as intense. Together, they dive deep into the world of test tubes and tech startups, launching their own company, Manna, with big dreams and even bigger hype. But of course, not everything in the world of miracle drugs goes smoothly.

I liked the duo along with Carter and Zoe. The science was over my head, but the story had me hooked. And whew, those final chapters? Total gut punch. Sad, emotional, and beautifully done. If you like brainy drama with heart, this one’s worth checking out.

This was the best book I have read all year. It smacked me in the face with it's emotional impact. I fell in love with Zoe and Jack and felt conflicted just as they did through each mistake they made. They were phenomenally well-rounded characters and were flawed in the best way. The writing was impeccable, and I am so impressed by this being Austin Taylor's debut. I will read anything she writes in the future.