I'm going to go ahead and give this book a solid 3.5

Starting off with how hard it was for me to get into this at first - I must've started this book atleast 3 times, the beginning just wasn't giving, couldn't grasp my attention literally at all.

I wish our main girl here thought more about herself and what she was feeling, not what everyone else expects of her or what they wanted from her. Taking the phrase "What does Marlowe want" to a whole different level. I feel like the whole story she was chasing the guy and what he wanted from her instead of doing things for herself.

I also wish the storyline between Marlowe and Ash was developed a bit differently, I feel like he was trying to make her see his feelings and she just brushed it off, didn't notice it etc and then when they finally got together it was like the last chapter was all we got of them and their happy ever after..

I will say - the story was an easy read, fast paced but not in a bad way. It had me hooked in a weird way where I wasn't heavily invested but I still wanted to pick up the book and find out what happens next, loved the representation and the different family dynamics.

overall - I wasn't obsessed with the book but it was a good and quick YA read, the format was super easy, I loved the short chapters but also how much we got in one chapter was great. The pacing of this book was overall really good.

Goodreads review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6300516413

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

My no spoilers review:

Marlowe Meadows is a Southern, mushroom-obsessed math nerd who has been dumped by her golden boy boyfriend because she apparently was bad at being romantic. She starts the school year determined to prove him wrong and win him back by enlisting the help of her AP English project partner, the moody Ash Hayes whose rock band song lyrics make Marlowe believe he's the perfect love tutor who can help her.

This was a fun read that I obsessed over for the weekend because it hit the right notes of sweet and funny. Marlowe has autism, and her ex seemed to imply that he didn't think she loved him back because she just wasn't able to, which is objectively awful. Still, the author does a good job of developing why Marlowe is hung up on him despite that. They were in a relationship for two years and Marlowe was made to feel loved and special despite her tendencies to not always do/say the "right" things (again, yes, her ex is awful). Where Marlowe shines is when she is allowed to be herself, supported by her friends, family, and, of course, Ash.

Ash's character was almost too good to be true, but that's fine because this is a YA romance and a large part of the book is dissecting romance tropes. Ash works at a bookstore that exclusively sells romance books. This is not the first romance book I've read that decides to get a little meta with its own genre, and I think it works here.

This is a YA romance that I can actually put in my classroom because it's not spicy at all. It's sweet! And to prove it, there are several occasions when Marlowe stress bakes mug cakes. You'll probably end up looking up your own mug cake recipe before you finish reading it.

There's so much to love about Serena Kaylor's books - chief among them is the delightful and unforgettable characters. I'll keep coming back for more.

Thanks to the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my review.

Thank you to Wednesday Books for the eARC, provided in exchange for an honest review.

I approached this one with caution -- autistic representation in books is SO important, and with an autistic daughter, I care deeply about seeing it done right.

Thank you, Serena Kaylor, for doing it right. Marlowe is a great character: I so appreciated the honesty with which she looks at herself, and the sometimes ferocious way that her friends and family defend her right to BE herself. It was painful to watch her encounter Josh's ableism, but ultimately so satisfying for her to realize what I hope every autistic person knows: there is nothing wrong or broken about them. Experiencing the world differently doesn't mean anything except that.

The book itself: loved it. Loved Ash, loved Marlowe's journey to learning more about herself through reading romance novels of all kinds, loved the wonderfully quirky supporting characters ... really loved how it all turned out in the end. This is exactly what I want from a YA book, and to have it feature such lovely neurodiverse representation makes it all the better. Serena Kaylor just became an auto-buy author for me.

This is a lovely love story. I love stories where opposites attract. I feel like it is beautiful to see that people can connect with someone they maybe didn’t expect to. The love story itself is just beautifully crafted and it is so fun to watch the growth that happens, especially with Marlowe. Her asking herself what I do want, I think is so important because sometimes people really don’t stop and check in with themselves enough when it comes to relationships. I also enjoyed the allusions Cyrano. I am a sucker for modern books drawing from the classics. I think overall teens will really enjoy this book. It is a fun read, that maybe will help them look at something in their own life just a smidge differently.
Thank you so much to St. Martins Press, Wednesday Books, and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.

Romance books. Mushrooms. Math. Heartfelt letters. Grand gestures and one broody musician.

We’re back!!!! I loved this journey of self-discovery and love and righting the wrongs of Wuthering Heights.

More, Serena!!!! Moreeeeeee

After spending a good part of Junior year as a couple, Josh dropped quite the bomb in Marlowe Meadows’ lap. He didn’t think she was reciprocating his romance very well, so he decided they needed a break. She did not agree with this assessment since she’s done nothing but everything he told her to. Suffice to say, Marlowe has been dealing with the rejection quite badly. But as senior year’s start approaches, she’s excited (and nervous) to see if he’s ready to get back together. Well, uhm, that break? It was actually a breakup. Why? Well, some people just aren’t built to be romantic the way he prefers, so buh-bye.

Marlowe is not ready to let go. She’s a level headed, science minded woman (who is also neurodivergent) she knows that the right kind of training can overcome this. Unfortunately, her besties Odette and Poppy cannot seem to help her. The romance novel her mom was reading seems to provide a good set of pointers, but what works on nabbing a fictional Duke just does not work for a real life high school football team player. She is going to need to consult a subject matter expert.

Enter Ashton Hayes. He’s a musician who is in touch with his feelings, and he has to know all about being romantic. Also, he stepped up to help her out of a bad embarrassment situation on two different occasions. Well, it takes some convincing and a contract where she agrees to revamp his band’s website in exchange for his services, but he finally, begrudgingly agrees to be her goth romance professor. This way she is sure to get her boyfriend back and return to her happy place, right?

Not unless they act quickly because Josh has set his sights on another girl. Hopefully, Marlowe is a quick study, otherwise her hopes will be sunk. However, Josh does not really deserve her attention and devotion. The real catch is someone she never considered before …

Serena Kaylor presents a lovely mix of romance and comedy in the socially awkward and utterly charming YA novel, The Calculation of You and Me.

Told in the first person, Kaylor’s book relays Marlowe’s journey in a surprisingly immersive and intimate fashion. Our protagonist is a young woman in touch with her own emotions, but who nevertheless lives a life of the mind. When confronted with a Hallmark Channel story of romance about a woman who gives up her job for a career in cookie crafting and the love of the hunky fireman next door, Marlowe thinks that would be fun for a long weekend. She has her eyes set on a career in biotech and the mind to make it. If only she could make the rest of her life work …

What she fails to see, and what we readers see all too clearly, is that she’s pining for the wrong love interest. Josh might be easy on the eyes, and his kisses might be swell, but damn if he isn’t a self-absorbed and manipulative tool. Gaslighting is not yet in his repertoire of offenses, but only because he hasn’t figured out an effective way to employ it yet.

And yet, falling for him is an honest mistake on Marlowe’s part. He is the first guy to look past the girl everyone teased since elementary school for being different, for saying occasionally crazy things, for being an embarrassment to everyone around her, and to ask her out. Kindness and attention is some powerful magic for someone who is not used to it. We cannot help but spend a good part of the book trying to figure out if Josh is playing some kind of cruel long game or if we should simply take him at face value.

And yet, Marlowe has a decent support group. Sure, her mom is clueless as to her daughter’s real needs, her little sister is all about the popularity and prettiness games, her divorced dad checks in regularly and supports as well as he can but he’s halfway across the country in Denver. Odette and Poppy are solidly on Marlowe’s side, young women who balance brains, sarcasm, charm, and support. However, Marlowe herself is just incapable of expressing her needs and wants in ways that others seem capable of understanding.

Being a transplant to the small Georgia town that Marlowe calls home, Ashton has a special and wildly different perspective to the others. So, he is best equipped to help her, even though he is reluctant to do so from the beginning.

Eschewing the meetcute aspects of romantic-comedies that often appeal to me, Kaylor instead offers up a smorgasbord of cute moments, social awkwardness that can send folks sensitized to such material screaming, clever turns of phrase, and believable but nevertheless comic situations. This is not necessarily laugh aloud material. It’s a book where we might giggle, certainly smile, occasionally roll our eyes in sympathy, and otherwise have a fine old time.

One of the nicer touches is the clever use of literary allusion. Marlowe and her friends chat about Cyrano de Bergerac, citing it’s grosser elements (well, gross if taken from a 21st century high schooler perspective), but it’s nevertheless a book that Marlowe subconsciously appeals to when she asks Ashton to write her some romantic letters she might use. Likewise, Wuthering Heights is a work that gets mention early on, a book that she and Ashton are teamed up to write about and prepare a presentation on. Marlowe is a quick read in the nonfiction realm, but fiction gives her plenty of trouble, so she does not read it as quickly as her partner. Those in the know can see how it will tie into her story as well.

The author’s presentation of the romance, the coming of age elements, and the general journey is done in as engaging a fashion as possible. This is solidly written material, and it is enjoyable as hell.

The writing style is what we might expect from Marlowe, as it is first person and told from her perspective. Instead of lengthy paragraphs, they are all concise. There is little time for rambling, we get cut and dried details and quick conclusions. The reliability is called into question by the responses from other characters, emotional cues that the narrator does not necessarily understand but nevertheless records.

Ashton is a terrific foil for Marlowe. Sure, he wears all black, is prone to moodiness, but he also gets some of the funniest lines in the book. He’s got more than enough of those Lord Darcy qualities to make him intriguing. However, this is Darcy with a rock ‘n roll pulse. H possesses a cutting sense of humor and a quick mind. He may be a musician who works in a romance novel bookstore, but he is not a cookie cutter character by any means. There are layers here, which we will want to explore far sooner than Marlowe does.

Readers looking for even a dollop of suspense are encouraged to go elsewhere. The Calculation of You and Me is a charming story with a foregone, happy ending that we get a pretty clear sense of from early on. However, the joy of the book is in following Marlowe, her friends, her family, and her new professor around to see how they get from the opening scenario to the happily-for-now conclusion.

Kaylor’s novel is a captivating read, the sort of page turner than makes time itself evaporate in service to the story. This is a stay up late read, a don’t even think about doing anything else until you’re done kind of book. Witty and funny, heartbreaking and bold, emotionally honest and oh so sweet, it blends all the colors of wonder into its pages. Well worth seeking out for readers looking for a joyful excursion into high school rom-com territory.
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A special thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

#NetGalleyARC This was a fun YA read. I really enjoyed that the MCs weren’t your stereotypical YA leads and that they were very relatable. A perfect summer beach read.

Even though you knew how this would end it was still so cute! And it has age appropriate young/new adult relationship situations as well.

Marlowe Meadows understands a lot of things. She understands that calculus isn’t overwhelmingly beautiful to everyone, and that it typically kills the mood when you try to talk Python coding over beer pong. She understands that people were surprised when golden boy Josh asked her out and she went from weird, math-obsessed Marlowe to half of their school’s couple goals. Unfortunately, Marlowe was the one surprised when Josh dumped her because he’d prefer a girlfriend who's more romantic. One with emotional depth.

But Marlowe has never failed anything in her life, and she isn’t about to start now. When she’s paired with Ashton Hayes for an English project, his black clothing and moody eyeliner cause a bit of a systems overload, and the dissonant sounds of his rock band make her brain itch. But when she discovers Ash's hidden stash of love songs, Marlowe makes a desperate deal to unleash her inner romantic heroine: if Ash will agree to help her write some love letters to win back Josh, she’ll calculate the perfect data analytics formula to make Ash's band go viral.

Wonderful representation in this story! I love reading anything that highlights women in STEM, and this was a real treat for me! I loved Marlowe and her quest to become more romantic. So much fun! I thought some things were a bit juvenile, even for YA, but that would be my only complaint, and a very minor one. Overall great story and tons of fun!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced digital reader's copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review!

I really loved this. The cast of characters was excellent and the story was super engaging. Marlowe was very relatable and Ash was great book boyfriend material. I also loved Marlowe's relationships with her best friends. Josh made a great and unwitting villain, and I loved to see how Marlowe evolved in her thinking about him. It felt very real, which isn't easily done, IMO.

"Whatever our souls are made of, mine is my own. I am not a shared existence— always half and lacking without the other. I'm an entire galaxy and I need nothing or nobody to orbit."

This book was so good!! I loved it so much. The story follows Marlowe Meadows, a calculus nerd who prides herself of understanding things. However, she's blindsided when her ex decides to dump her because she lacks the emotional and romantic depth he wants. When she's paired up with Aston Hayes, her school's resident surly rock musician, for an English project, she can't help but use it to get back with her ex. Ash agrees to help her learn about romance, in exchange for her helping out his band. As the semester proceeds, Marlowe comes to realize that there's no set algorithm for love.

"Then when I got the chance to actually spend time with you, I knew I would never recover."

This book is so cute. I read Long Story Short by this author the year it came out, and I really enjoyed it. This one was even better in my opinion. I loved the fact that Ash was already so in love and enamored by Marlowe, and she was just so unaware. That's one of my favorite tropes: enamored boy and clueless girl. I also enjoyed the self-exploration and discovering who you are outside of a relationship. I think the only reason it wasn't five stars was because I've gotten used to the arc of adult romance books and it's a little different than young adult stories. It's not a bad thing, but I'm so used to that type of story, this one was just different.

Marlowe, determined to prove herself in the realm of romance after a breakup, embarks on a heartwarming journey when she strikes a deal with Ash for a school project. Their agreement—love letters for marketing tips—sets the stage for a tale of self-discovery and worth that left me hugging my kindle at the end.

The characters are the true stars of this narrative. Marlowe's depth and Ash's brooding charm create a captivating dynamic, with Marlowe’s portrayal of autism adding a refreshing layer to her character without defining her solely by it. Serena Kaylor's writing effortlessly draws readers into Marlowe’s emotional rollercoaster, and Ash emerges as the quintessential book boyfriend, with depth that extends beyond his emo exterior.

Marlowe’s journey resonates beyond romance, serving as a reminder of the importance of self-discovery. The supporting cast, including Marlowe’s friends and family, adds richness to the narrative, while the sweet, slow-burning romance between Marlowe and Ash steals the show. Their "dates" are pure joy, leaving readers kicking their feet in delight, and their growth together is utterly swoon-worthy.

Overall, this book is a gem—a light-hearted read perfect for any YA romance enthusiast. Serena Kaylor’s skillful character development, coupled with nods to classics like Wuthering Heights, kept me hooked until the very end. With its seamless blend of STEM vibes and romance, alongside Marlowe’s neurodivergence adding a unique dimension, it's a story that not only entertains but also reminds us to embrace our true selves and recognize our own worth. I truly loved this story!

Thank you to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for this ARC. High schooler Marlowe is coping with the painful breakup with her boyfriend while also trying to get him back. Add in a semester-long English class project with Ash, resident eyeliner-wearing rocker and secret poet, her best friends Poppy and Olivia and a neurodivergent outlook on life. Loved the layers of reading a romance while the characters are reading romance novels.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it! A cute YA with lots of representation, great messages regarding toxic vs healthy relationships, and a sweet slow burn romance with all the feels.

This book was so good, I loved it. It’s a YA romance that takes place Senior year of high school, but it doesn’t feel young at all. In fact it’s tackling some big themes with Marlowe, our heroine, who is autistic and is told by Josh that she’s “bad at love” which makes her question her ability to be romantic and sets her on a journey to discover herself. She wants to win him back and enlists Ashton Hayes, or Ash, a tall, hot goth boy in all black, with piercings, eyeliner and who works in a romance book store. Since he’s a romance genre expert, he agrees to be her “romance tutor” via books and writing letters in exchange for Marlowe improving his band’s website and social media presence (the NEVER MIND THE MONSTERS website is hideously green with blurry photos prior to her help). Of course they catch feelings for each other and its delightful. It’s also quite funny!

“I’m officially Team Ash” – Ash has quickly been added to my Best Book Boyfriends list. Not only is he my tall dark edgy gothy type, but he’s sensitive, kind, patient and thoughtful and is not afraid to show his love for romance or to BE romantic. He knows about historical romance books. Come on people! The meta aspect of a romance bookstore and romance binge reading within a romance novel is so fun. Marlowe turns both her sister and her best friend on to romance and by the end of the book they are devouring everything they can get their hands on! Just like me!

The angst and suspense and pay off are very satisfying. I couldn’t put this one down and read it in two days. One of the better YA romances I’ve read lately that leaves you with a lot to think about. Oh, and I cried at the ending. It was so sweet.

Thanks so much to NetGalley & Wednesday Books for the ARC !!!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher (Wednesday Books) for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Full stop: I absolutely ADORED this book. It is firmly in the YA category, firmly about high-schoolers, and yet it was relatable and fun/hilarious/emotional to read (by this 30-something year old). You really *feel* for Marlowe and her struggles, as much as you sometimes want to shake her and go WRONG GUY WRONG GUY. I loved her constant thought/refrain of "What do you WANT, Marlowe?" as her motivations/actions change and she *realizes* what she truly wants.

I loved how this book was centered on romance, romance books, a romance bookstore, and a romance between two very relatable teens. ROMANCE, y'all!!!!! Also, as a friend put it, as an easter egg (kinda sorta), it's pretty funny/accurate how Marlowe is steered away from the monster romances ("slow down there newbie"), bc, yeah, with romance books you gotta wade in gently before you learn about all your hidden kinks (*then* you can read Ruby Dixon's excellent backlist and the like).

It was very satisfying that Kaylor flips the "evil mother, evil stepfather, and evil half sister" trope on its head and makes them all real people worth rooting for--people who DO love Marlowe and accept her as she is, even if they are very different.

I loved that their project is on Wuthering Heights and how Marlowe gradually learns that it is NOT a love story to model one's own love life after. (I also love how firm she was with a certain someone when they acted like it has ~one of the most romantic declarations ever~ and she was like "lol no you're wrong".)

I adored the neurodivergent and LGBTQ rep in this book. Kaylor does a great job of depicting Marlowe's autism *without* using it as an excuse (I love when Marlowe *knows* she's crossed boundaries and apologies for it (instead of using her autism as an excuse to not to), and when she recognizes when OTHER people cross boundaries and acts accordingly.) Also loved how the LGBTQ relationships in the book were written as normal human relationships and not weird ones or relationships put on a pedestal.

Love that Marlowe's ex gets absolutely zero redemption and Marlowe gets closure.

The ending was very satisfying and so cute, I was clutching/pounding my chest at the end.

5/5 stars, highly recommend!!!

I devoured this read! I haven’t read a romance book in so long, and honestly.. I don’t why I did that to myself. I NEED more romance books in my life. If I’m honest, this is probably more like a 4.75⭐️ but it was really good. The end had a cringe moment for me, but I think that’s just part of the romance category: to have some cringe. I loved the characters so much. Marlowe, Odette, and Poppy sound like the friend group I would have wanted to be a part of in high school. I loved how brilliant and real they all were. I loved their dynamic and connection. The STEM/math/science/comp sci vibes were amazing, and I am here for it! I liked that the male lead wasn’t your “typical” love interest. He had so many layers and was so gentle and sweet despite his appearance and what one might infer/assume from that. I loved that the main character was neurodivergent! Like yes, please! I love how it was subtle throughout the book though because she is just a regular teen, but one who might have more difficulties in social situations and navigating certain things. I liked how her disability was included as a part of her story, but it wasn’t the spotlight. It just added so much more dimension to her character and made me love her even more! I also really enjoyed the Wuthering Heights parts. I read that book earlier this year, so that was really cool for me to see if referenced in this book and to draw from my own knowledge of reading that classic. Overall, this was quick, light-hearted read. Def would recommend. I’m so thankful this book reignited me to read more romance!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, St. Martin’s Press, for this irresistibly sunny and sweet ARC!

Taking the "love tutor" trope and applying it to a neurodiverse character certainly brings a welcome, extra level of complexity to a standard storyline. Marlowe and her girlfriends were a delight. They're exactly what you want to be true for everyone, but can be so hard to find--friends who truly understand all your personality traits and love you for them and support you with whatever you need. Marlowe's story arc, trying to win back the quarterback golden-boy boyfriend with help from the loner, goth rocker, is predictable, but the message here really can't be said too often--love that wants to change you isn't love at all. My favorite thing about this book (besides such a thoughtful approach to illustrating life as an autistic teen) was that it was also a love letter to the romance genre. The fact that Ash was a romance fan was AWESOME (I've always believed men should read more romance), and using romance books as an educational tool to dissect her own life through the lens of romance tropes was a fun way to move Marlowe along her growth arc.

“The Calculation of You and Me” by Serena Kaylor is a delightful novel that combines the beauty of mathematics with the unpredictable chaos of love. Kaylor weaves a story that will resonate with anyone who has ever felt like an equation waiting to be solved.

Meet Marlowe Thompson. She’s our brilliant protagonist who understands calculus better than most people understand their own emotions. She's the kind of person who can recite the quadratic formula in her sleep but stumbles over simple small talk. When golden boy Josh asks her out, Marlowe's life takes an unexpected turn. Suddenly, she's half of the school's couple goals, and her mathematical mind is put to the test in the realm of romance.

But when Josh breaks up with her, citing a lack of emotional depth, Marlowe refuses to accept defeat. She's never failed at anything, and she's not about to start now. Enter Ashton Hayes, the brooding classmate with black clothing and moody eyeliner. Marlowe strikes a deal with him: she'll help him write love letters if he helps her make Ash's rock band go viral. As they collaborate, sparks fly, and Marlowe begins to question whether love can be reduced to an algorithm.

The blend of mathematics and romance is refreshing. Kaylor's portrayal of Marlowe's struggle to balance equations and emotions is both relatable and endearing. Marlowe and Ash are beautifully flawed characters. Their growth throughout the novel is heartwarming, and their chemistry is electric. The banter between them is sharp and entertaining. Their exchanges had me grinning from ear to ear.

Kaylor seamlessly integrates mathematical concepts into the narrative. Whether it's discussing prime numbers or plotting love trajectories, the math nerd in me was thrilled. Beneath the surface, this book explores vulnerability, self-discovery, and the messy, unpredictable nature of love. It's not just about equations; it's about the human heart.

“The Calculation of You and Me” is a heartwarming journey that reminds us that love cannot be neatly calculated. Sometimes, the most beautiful moments defy logic. Kaylor's writing is witty, poignant, and utterly captivating. I highly recommend this novel to anyone who believes that love is more than just a sum of its parts.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Wednesday Books for a temporary e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.