Notes on Infinity is a debut novel about Zoe and Jack, two Harvard students who, after discovering a potential cure for aging, dive into the high-stakes world of biotech startups. As their groundbreaking work gains attention, their love story becomes entangled with ambition, secrecy, and the dangers of success. This thought-provoking tale explores the cost of chasing immortality and the price of dreams.

3.75 stars.
4 for the first 60%, 3 for the remainder.

This is NOTHING like Tomorrow x3. Don’t let anyone tell you differently.

If you see a book that says it's familiar to Tomorrow x3, there's a 90% chance that it's nothing like it.

The first 60% of the book was intriguing: Zoe and Jack meet in Harvard, where they discover they can create an anti-aging drug.
Or have they really? There are moments of science that I am the last person to define here, but it will remind users of ELizabeth Holmes, now spending twelve years in prison after her failed attempt at creating a machine that will solve modern medical issues. Yes, Holmes was dynamic, smart, strong, a WOMAN, but Theranos didn't actually work.
When Zoe and Jack's company Manna has in common with Theranos, is a dynamic female CEO, which investors find fascinating. Turns out, the two don't actually have a working drug, just a data insight.

I wish this story delved more into the crime committed, the court case, and the aftermath. The remaining 40% seemed to rush through this, while focusing more on their relationship.

I think this book will be on many reader's radars, and looking at the release date, will possibly be a BOM.
While I didn't hate it, I felt a little unsatisfied by the end.

3.5 rounded up. Thanks NetGalley for the arc. This is a strong debut novel that gave Tomorrow,tomorrow, tomorrow vibes without giving copycat vibes. I was immediately drawn in to the story and really liked the premise. I loved the plot, the characters and I was fully invested in the story line but had a few issues with the book. To me the book was disjointed at times with shifts in narration style and timelines without much transition. I also wish that switch to Jack’s prospective would have been interspersed instead of tacked on at the end. The story had been building up until that point and then went back, covering things that already happened in addition to adding new information and insight. It was like a big truck stop in my mind that messed with the flow. I didn’t really have a problem with all the science as I have a science background but see it putting some readers off, however, I didn’t understand the Gilgamesh references or tie ins. I also didn’t really understand the end either because of my criticism above about jumping around without explanation and narration style. Overall, I think this was a successful debut and I would highly recommend it to those who like character driven stories like Tommorrowx3.

It’s giving Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow meets Bad Blood with all the messiness of founder lies and secrets. I liked how the backgrounds were shown to us and the motivations behind the characters. The ending was heartbreaking and made me think about how people move forward after such high expectations. This was such a deep read that I would definitely tell others to check out.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc

“There was no greater joy than to be consumed by such an obsession, to be successful in an inquiry, to stretch the mind to its fullest extent in service of understanding a problem no person had ever understood before.”

I already feel like this is gonna be the next litfic darling. Two college students become obsessed with the idea of immortality, starting a company to create an anti-aging drug and create real infinite life. They’re both scientists. But as the story goes on, Zoe is pushed into the role of CEO and presenter, while Jack takes the role as the scientist. The writing was good, if a bit weighted down by all the science references. For somebody who knows little about science, going into this was confusing. This book however fell flat the minute we got Jack’s perspective. Because the way the author tried to make him sympathetic after he quite literally lied, gaslit, and ruined Zoe’s life was insane. I didn’t feel sympathy or pity for him. He was a terrible man who deserved what he got. Zoe’s ending was so tragic, she deserved so much better than what he did to her and their company.

pretty cool, well written book. interesting ideas, although the setting is not super well set. the ending was predictable but still well written. 4.5 stars. tysm for the arc.

I thought this would be a sci-fi thriller, but it is much more literary than that label suggests.
Two stories from a young research scientist's past are nested into her present, as we get some insight into the issues a woman faces in the Boys Clubs of scientific academia and venture capitalism. The structure is more elaborate than that, and just when I'm getting comfortable with the belief that such a woman's point of view is actually accessible to me, the author shifts to that of the other main character, a man. And renders that every bit as well. Brilliant! "Enter Here to Grow in Wisdom"

Thank you to Celadon Books, NetGalley, and Austin Taylor for my advanced reader copy. I was so excited to read this book after hearing fans of Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow would love it. Although there are similarities, the stories were their own and I really enjoyed this book. Without a scientific background, I can’t speak to how accurate the story portrayed the science community but it was entertaining to read although some of the jargon was a little much at times.

Without giving away any spoilers, the ending isn’t something I enjoyed. I did love the main characters, Jack and Zoe and enjoyed reading about their journey and relationship. If you liked Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, are a Normal People fan or were interested in the Elizabeth Holmes case, I think you’ll enjoy this book.

Zevin’s Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow meets Powers’ Playground in this emotion-fueled whirlwind of love, science, and… immortality? Zoe and Jack meet at Harvard and become unlikely friends; after a series of pivotal moments together, they spend a night developing a potential cure for aging . They begin to put their theory to the test, and suddenly their lives are a whirlwind. We proceed to follow follow Zoe and Jack as they navigate their personal lives while also running a multi-billion dollar startup, all while still in their early 20s. What follows is beautiful, thought-provoking, and heartbreaking.

A book hasn’t made me feel emotions this strongly for a long time. The depth of character was so important to this story, and was executed beautifully. Taylor made each character, but especially Zoe and Jack, come alive. I also appreciated the structure of the book, and how the storytelling changed towards the end, revealing parts of the narrative we had only guessed. This is a gorgeous debut novel, and I can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy!

Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon Booksfor the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

OH MY GODDDD ?!$&@?!!!!!!!!!

ok ok, wow! I loved? but also hated?? this book!! it was sooo good, but the ending killed me.

I read another review that said this book was as if Lessons in Chemistry and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow had a baby, and I couldn’t agree more. But I’d also add in a touch of The Dropout.

I couldn’t put it down!

(Thank you, Celadon Books, Macmillan Audio, and Netgalley for the ARC and audiobook ARC in exchange for my honest review.)

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, both in the ebook and audiobook format, and am looking forward to recommending it to patrons and fellow readers alike. Taylor has perfectly captured the pressurized world of academic science and the start-up culture while managing to also create very relatable characters that break your heart and infuriate and everything in between.

I really loved this book. Zoe and Jack meet as undergrads at Harvard and find they both are fascinated by science--but for different reasons. They start independent research, and discover something that could change the way we age. From there, they form a start up and -- well--- things get overwhelming. i really enjoyed the perspectives on why the two main characters were so invested in science--Zoe to show women in STEM could be successes, Jack focused on the money--and how their families influenced their choices. Really well written and two great if highly flawed characters in Zoe and Jack.

Very reminiscent of Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow with a distinctly Silicon Valley scandal bent, Notes on Infinity is at its core the story of Jack and Zoe, two students at Harvard that are struggling to create an anti-aging product. Their lives become intertwined as they grow together while facing a major business incident that could discredit all they have worked so hard for.

I really enjoyed the narration of the audio version of this book. Told from both Jack and Zoe's POVs, we learn how the challenging work and rising fame affects each of them. The characterizations and the effects of Silicon Valley fame and fortunes take their toll on both protagonists differently and in an extremely complex and damaging fashion. A timely, relevant story of growth (perhaps even stunted growth?) as being in the public eye affects these young people who start out trying to make the world a better place. 4.25 stars.

I received this advance audio copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review and feedback.

Notes on Infinity is a fascinating story: imagine blending the themes of Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, The Social Network, and the Theranos saga. That mash-up would give you something like Austin Taylor's story.

I loved how the story wove scientific inquiry into aging (and I promise, nerd though I am, it was totally readable!) with the raw messiness of being smart, young, and in college. It captures the intensity of academic pressure, young love, and the struggle to carve out your own path.

I was completely captivated, especially through the first half to three-quarters of the book. As the narrative shifted from Zoe’s voice to Jack’s, I remained interested, but the pacing slowed a bit for me. The shift felt like it focused more on tying up threads as Zoe’s and Jack’s stories intertwined and diverged. Still, I was surprised by how deeply the story pulled me in—especially Zoe’s world of science, her family dynamics, and her complicated connection with Jack and their shared ambitions.

On the audiobook: I wasn’t as drawn to Shahjehan Khan’s narration of Jack compared to Helen Laser’s portrayal of Zoe. That said, Khan’s voice acting did capture Jack’s character well, I just didn’t find those sections as engaging to listen to. I still appreciate the performance even if it didn’t fully click for me.

Thank you to MacMillan audio and Celadon books for review copies!

Fans of Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow will enjoy this. Lots of parallels—young upstarts with a complicated relationship stumble upon success and what it will mean for their lives. I really enjoyed the interiority of the writing here. I appreciated how complex the two main characters were, even if we spend most of the book at a remove from Jack.

When we switch POVs to Jack, the book starts to lose me a bit. I found myself missing Zoe’s perspective. Also at this point in the book, there is a turning point, after which I found the story less engaging. Once the “twist” is revealed, there is really only one way for the story to go. It felt like the wind got taken out of the sails a bit.

Some minor oversights that bothered me a bit—a mention of Jack mismanaging his (presumably type I) diabetes, yet we get not a single mention of the illness when we flash back to his adolescence. There is a throwaway line about Zoe having a certain illness as well (being vague to avoid spoilers) that is never alluded to beforehand.

The prose in the book is lovely, and readers with a fondness for Cambridge/Harvard will likely enjoy the attention to detail in the setting. I look forward to what the author will publish next.

• when zoe & jack meet in a harvard o-chem class, they each see a bit of themselves in each other. the two quickly become entangled as colleagues when zoe takes a lab job on jack’s recommendation, leading them on the cusp of scientific discovery: a cure for ageing. starting their project in secret, and quickly turning their research into a multi-billion dollar startup, the two are suddenly making national news. however, when someone accuses them of false research, their company & partnership are put to the test.
• this book is like if the theranos/‘bad blood’ scandal was a love story, in a really good way! i love how the romance unfolded alongside the development of the drug.
• zoe & jack’s story was propulsive & page turning. i couldn’t look away from the drama! the mix of POVs really helped build the suspense around the ending.

Notes on Infinity is a beautiful story that is full of emotion. As a debut author, Austin Taylor tells a story chock full of detail from the scientific aspect as well as two main characters who have passion for their craft but also get a lesson in what happens when success and fame has a downside.

This book feels written in the same vein as Tomorrow, Tomorrow and Tomorrow which is one of my favorite books. It’s not the same book but it shares elements. I thoroughly enjoyed this book but I also had a few issues with the book.

This isn’t my typical type of read but I know a few people who will enjoy this much more than I did. If this is Austin Taylor’s debut, I’m excited to read what she has coming next!

3.5 stars!

Earlier this year I started to hear some great buzz on Notes on Infinity. I was very eager to dig in on this one.

Jack and Zoe are sophomores at Harvard and on the brink of discovering the cure for aging. After Jack refers Zoe to a lab position at a prestigious professor’s lab, they become colleagues and quick friends. As they find theirselves on the cusp on a breakthrough, immortality through an anti-aging drug, they set off on their findings in secret. Knowing they’re close, they drop out of Harvard and start their startup, seeing encouraging results. When a startling accusation arises, it threatens to bring the entire thing down around them and destroy everything they’ve been working for.

I saw a lot of comparisons to Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow for this story, but I don’t see that. This story is vastly different from that novel and I was with it largely in the first half. I thought the author did a good job painting this world for us and helping us understand who Zoe and Jack were. I loved the forming of the startup and the breakthroughs they were finding. I will admit that I felt some of the science did bog the story down a bit and if you’re not someone who understands the biotech space, it might be a bit difficult to understand.

After the big revelation in the middle of the book though, I struggled with this. Largely I struggled with the shift in POV. After all we’d built, I didn’t think it added all that much to the story and it put a wrench in the forward progress of the story that doesn’t pick back up again until 85% into the novel. While I was satisfied by the ending, I just wanted more of the fall out.

Ultimately, I fall somewhere in the middle on this book. I didn’t hate it, but didn’t love it as I thought I would.

Thank you to Celadon Books and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When I heard this debut novel was being compared to Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin I knew I needed to read it. However, it’s very much its own novel. This is a very creative novel. I loved the premise. There is definitely an addictive quality to the authors writing that I loved. I’ve never read anything like it is quite the genre bender.

I loved the campus setting and the characters. The author made very astute observations on race, class, ambition, and wealth. I loved that there was romance in it, but it was a different kind of love story. It was fascinating to see a start up story like this. Some aspects of the book may seem unbelievable but I truly enjoyed the ride. I will be thinking about Zoe and Jack as characters for a long time because they were so well written.

My only criticisms keeping this from being a five star read is that it is really science heavy. I had to google lots of terms. In addition, I think some of it would have been very confusing to me if my husband was not a bio PHD who worked in academia turned biotech employee. However, that could just be a me problem. The author clearly knows her stuff and even more so in reading the acknowledgments. It is truly one of the smartest novels I’ve ever read and the author truly did her research. Some of the end of the book was confusing with timelines. In addition, a lot of the Gilgamesh/Greek tragedy stuff was confusing for me. I will definitely be looking out for more of Austin Taylor’s books in the future.

A huge thank you to Celadon for granting my wish! I’m still shocked and honored my wish was granted. Thank you so very much! As always a thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to be an early reader. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

There are multiple parallels in this novel between the fictional life of the protagonist and the real life of a publicly disgraced female biotech entrepreneur recently convicted of fraud. The storyline makes for an interesting and tragic expose of the relationships between academia, research, and venture capitalism. It also serves as a cautionary tale about the brilliance of youth going astray without the tempering influence of maturity and perspective.

Zoe and Jack, two undergraduate students at Harvard University, both have promising futures in scientific research. They join forces to explore an exciting theory that holds the promise of increasing human longevity. Lured by the heady combination of power and money, they drop out of school to establish their own start-up branded “Manna.” Complex connections between friends, family and romantic partners are woven into the storyline as the trajectory of the company unfolds.

Overall, the novel kept me engaged, but it was not necessarily an enjoyable or satisfying experience. Neither Zoe or Jack were particularly likable or sympathetic characters, although the inclusion of Jack’s backstory in the latter portion of the book added dimension and understanding of his behavior. While I have a science background (health care), I suspect that technical jargon related to the theories and experiments may prove to be challenging for many readers. The end notes include many published references substantiating the premise of the book.

My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This review is being posted immediately to my GoodReads account and will be posted on Amazon upon publication.