Zoe and Jack are Harvard students who embark on a journey of researching a drug that will prevent aging. As their research takes off, they end up dropping out of Harvard, gathering investors and starting a startup company to pursue this drug. But things take some dark twists along the way.

This book gave me The Social Network meets The Circle vibes. The dark start up culture is always intriguing to me. This one involving the pharmaceutical world and the topic of aging made it interesting. I didn't find myself being pulled in by either of these characters, and I did find this book to be oddly paced. The tone was academic at times but with some stream of consciousness chapters that I felt brought me out of the story. Overall, not exactly for me but I can see where this would be very much up some people's alley.

I do recommend the audiobook if you are going to read. It is well done and helped me push through some of the drier chapters.

3 stars

This felt like it would be too similar to Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, but then it went in a different -- and much more interesting direction.



Review copy provided by publisher.

This book is a well written tragedy/romance that I found engaging and yet very sad. Two brilliant students have a great idea and then are caught up in the bio-tech whirlwind with little guidance or support and left to navigate a system designed to use them and spit them out. Throughout this whole story I kept forgetting that they were just in their early 20s and expected to handle the science, the money, the media, the expectations of a potential new anti-aging theory, etc. all on their own.

The backstory of Zoe is shared right from the beginning of the book but we don't learn about Jack's backstory until the closer to the end. His motivations and decisions are more tragic and his 'solution' to their problem even more crushing.

There is a lot of science in this book but do not let that deter you. The book is written in a way that it is easy to understand what is happening and demonstrates the research the author took that makes the story more compelling. The book reminded me of the Theranos story about the hype and pressures on a new startups. The relationship between the two main characters reminded me of Zevin's book: Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow.

The book is narrated by Helen Laser and Shahjehan Khan and both do an excellent job that makes the book interesting and easy to listen to.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

A rollercoaster thriller debut, Notes on Infinity blends the high-stakes world of biotech with the vulnerabilities of early love and first jobs. Set against the backdrop of Harvard’s labs and Cambridge proper, the novel follows Zoe and Jack—two brilliant young minds who stumble upon a discovery that could change the direction of human life forever.

It's a touching and thrilling story! While Zoe hasn't had the difficult life that Jack faces, the glass ceiling still exists and her tenacity adds a personal layer that I loved. What was most touching however, was their connection—emotional and cerebral and it is the engine of the story. It's a thriller, it's a romance, it's a coming of age story.

This is not your average romance. It’s smarter, colder at times. The science is fascinating as is the trajectory of the biotech experience. If you like your fiction with ethical quandaries, scientific intrigue, and a dash of romantic ruin, this one’s for you.

The voices were superb and I cannot recommend them enough!
#notesoninfinity #austintaylor #macmillan. #HelenLaser #ShahjehanKhan

This didn’t work for me, but those more interested in scientific research and developments may find it enjoyable. I was expecting more romance and found myself struggling to get through it.

DNF - I had high expectations for this book, but after starting it, my attention was not grabbed in the way I prefer. This is not necessarily a bad book, but I'm not interested in finishing it at this time.

Austin Taylor’s Notes on Infinity is a breathtaking meditation on creativity, love, and the limitless nature of human connection. With lyrical prose and deeply resonant themes, Taylor crafts a story that feels both intimate and expansive, much like Gabrielle Zevin’s Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow.

Much like Zevin’s exploration of partnership and the blurred lines between art and reality, Notes on Infinity captures the beauty and heartbreak of chasing something bigger than oneself. The characters are richly drawn, their relationships layered with nostalgia, ambition, and the bittersweet weight of time. Taylor's writing evokes the same emotional depth and intellectual curiosity, making this novel a compelling read for those who love stories about the intersection of creativity and human bonds.

Fans of Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow will find a familiar yet fresh resonance in Notes on Infinity—a novel that lingers in the mind long after the final page. A truly stunning work.