I really wanted to like this series, and assumed I would, that I requested this novel but I had to DNF the first novel...

DNF @38%

I was fooled again by a cover! This cover reminded me of A Lady's Guide to Mischief and Mayhem, and saw that it was about women in science. It sounded like a historical romance with a touch of mystery and feminism. Instead, there is a slight mystery that is more to explain why a woman who doesn't need a man needs a man. The women in this science society were also a bit catty to one another, and that saddened me. Maybe that was the realistic aspect of this novel, but it just made me a bit sad that women could not work together. I like books where women rise with other women. It was hard to pick up again once I put this book down, and in three days I barely made it 40% so I was done. I really wanted to like this series, I requested book two. I might try and give it a chance, as it might have gotten better.

I am so glad to let you guys know that my 5-star streak for historical romances is still in a flawless state. I should have started reading Historical romances like... 5 years ago??? Books like "A Perfect Equation" keeps making me fall with this genre EVERY SINGLE TIME. This is the 2nd book in the "Secrets Scientists of London" series by Elizabeth Everett, but I had no problem reading it as a standalone. That being said, I cannot wait to pick up the first book in the series, because I absolutely loved reading A Perfect Equation! :') <3 The book comes out today, so I want you guys to run to the bookstore and grab a copy of this book asap. Letty and Grey will always stay close to my heart.

I am a woman in STEM myself - I am pursuing my undergrad in Biomedical Science, so reading about women in STEM, especially in a story set during the Victorian Era, made me incredibly happy. The feminist theme of A Perfect Equation was a masterpiece. I cheered for Letty and the other female scientists from the book throughout the story. :') Also, Letty loves romance novels. I adored her so much.

NOW THE ROMANCE. OMG. Letty and Grey were such fascinating protagonists to read about. The chemistry between them literally bounced off from the pages, and I didn't want their story to end at all. I especially loved how the enemies-to-lovers trope played out for them. They had their own flaws, yeah - especially Grey, but the author made sure to give our male lead a story to empathize with him and understand him better.

I cannot recommend this book enough. And I cannot stop historical romance novels. I want them all!!!!

Wow! This book is so good! Every time I picked up "A Perfect Equation", I was whisked back in time, and went on quite the journey with this story.

This is the second book in Elizabeth Everett's "The Secret Scientists of London" series. Ms. Everett's writing style is so vivid, visceral, detailed, and enthralling. The characters she writes feel like such real people, and you truly feel as the reader that you get to know each and every one. Furthermore, the past jumps right off of the page, and I can only begin to imagine the amount of research that Ms. Everett must have done to make the Victorian Era come to life in such a powerful way.

(Possible Spoilers!)
Letty and Grey...oh my goodness! This is such a fantastic enemies-to-lovers romance. You truly can feel the chemistry fly off of the page. Their banter is incredible and witty, and they truly are able to bring out the best in each other as well. Both have sadly been treated poorly in the past, are understandably have fears because of it, but, these two come to truly understand and respect one another. They grow and learn throughout the story, and their character arcs are very well-written.

I love how strong the women of Athena's Retreat. Full of incredibly brilliant women scientists and mathematicians,
they persevere and fight for what is right. They support one another through the good, bad, and everything in between, and are truly one another's family.

I have not yet read the first book in this series, "A Lady's Formula for Love". There were portions of this book that I feel referenced events, people, and moments in book 1, and I wasn't always entirely clear what was going on, or how everything connected. I do think this would have been much clearer from having read the first book, and I look forward to doing so soon. However, even with this said, I still had such a difficult time putting this book down, and was drawn into the story.

If you enjoy Victorian Romance and / or Historical Fiction, I highly recommend this book! It kept me turning the pages to see what would happen next!

Thank you so much to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the ARC of this book, and to Berkley Publishing Group for having me as part of the blog blitz for the novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

There was so much heart and emotion in this lovely romance novel! Letty and Grey were truly perfect for each other. They both had a lot of baggage to work through, which they helped each other with as they grew closer and could no longer deny their feelings. The deep care and attentiveness they showed was really sweet. It was very easy to be swept up in their steamy romance, thanks to their chemistry, the great pacing, wonderful supporting characters, and so much more. I easily read this book all in one day!

While some aspects were focused on a bit too much for too long (Letty not wanting to accept the other women as friends, Grey hiding his childhood health condition, both MCs hardcore denying their feelings), this book was very enjoyable even with all of those things considered. The humor in this series is on point while not being over the top - the more romantic feelings are still more prominent and important to character development and overall plot.

I am very much looking forward to the third and final book of the series (I don't want to have to wait until next year!) after the little hints of ~history~ and ~tension~ at the end of this novel!

An entertaining, swoon-worthy historical romance featuring, Letitia, a mathematician and a woman in STEM. This was definitely an easy to read, thoroughly enjoyable Victorian love story perfect for fans of Evie Dunmore. I really, really enjoyed that Gray was a character with a history of seizures - it just made him so much more three-dimensional and relatable. Full of feminist fervor and many steamy scenes (none of which involve a bed!). Fans of this series will not be disappointed. Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advance review copy!

An excellent addition to the historic STEM universe especially adding in that enemies-to-lovers spice.

Letty has a history of naivete and hurts from a past of "'reaching above her station" in a love affair with a nobleman. Rather than live in shame, she bands together with other women in a not-so-secret society of other women interested in STEM education. When the president of the society is required elsewhere, Letty is asked to take over. Unfortunately, her male counterpart is one she'd much rather never see again. Their animosity is visceral, despite their obvious attraction.
I haven't read the first book in this series and, while the characters do have cameo appearances in A Perfect Equation, I found that this easily read as a standalone. I love to see feminist empowerment in a historical romance but sometimes I find that I want more empowerment and less focus on romance. Such is the case here. I would have loved a stronger connection to how women have struggled rather than so many references to their bodies/attraction. I can't complain about the wit throughout, however, as I found myself smiling. I do love a quick repartee particularly between enemies.
Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
Romance: Steam on page

Overall very delightful! I enjoyed this one much more than the first in the series. This one was more polished and had a lot of the world building out of the way. I connected with this one a lot more, and thought it was quite romantic, although there were definitely moments I questioned what the two main love interests really saw in each other.

I love seeing a woman in STEM and pioneering female intellectuals. This book straddles the line between girl boss feminism and the more intentional, nuanced feminism I personally prefer in novels. I also appreciated how our heroine was a "fallen woman" and how she learned to reckon with her status. The hero's history with epilepsy added an interesting dynamic to their relationship and his growth as a character.

I felt like there were perhaps a few too many characters, which were hard to keep track of. This wasn't as bad as the first book, but still a slight issue.

Letitia is a strong, intelligent woman who made a mistake and is still living with the consequences of said mistake. All she wants to do is compete for an award in mathematics when an opportunity arrives to manage a secret haven for women scientists.
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Lord Hughes feels confident he can manage Letitia but little does he know there is no managing her. Two intellectuals end up drawn to each other and change all the rules.
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This was a fun one but hands down here is my favorite line from the book.
“Reading the story of a love—great or small—might even inspire a person to take a risk and search out a love of their own.”
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Thank you @berkleyromance for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Letitia Fenley has a lofty goal - to win the Rosewood Prize for Mathematics, something actually denied to women. However, the brilliant young woman has more than that on her plate. Tasked with managing a retreat that is for England's women scientists, Letitia certainly has her hands full. More than that, she has been dealing with the consequences of an uncertain past.

Letitia soon finds herself working with Lord William Hughes, Viscout Greycliff. Either the pair are knocking heads, they discover a different type of tension, that of a shared attraction. As things turn out, their conflicts grow exponentially when it is made clear that Grey could prevent Letitia from reaching her goal.

What an excellent second book in an already delightful series. I love reading historical fiction books set in the Gilded Age and this book reminded me of some of those. One thing readers might appreciate are the less than perfect protagonists, especially Grey with his history of seizures. In addition, these forward-thinking women in this series pioneered in fabulous ways and although this is a fictionalized story, readers will enjoy the setting, the characters, the experiments and the mathematical and scientific advancements. I look forward to reading the third book in the series, Love by Design, set for release next year.

Many thanks to and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

When I first read A Lady's Formula for Love last year by Elizabeth Everett. I was very on the fence about the book when I was writing the review. While I enjoyed the book, I felt that something was missing from the book. However I enjoyed it enough that I wanted to continue to read the rest of the series and I am so glad I did. Everett's sophomore novel delivered the heat and then some! It was absolutely stunning. The chemistry between Grey and Letty was off the charts and I never wanted their story to end. If you are looking for a Bridgerton/The Love Hypothesis mash up then I highly recommend this book. It has steam, heart and lots of explosions!

Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley for allowing me to read an eARC in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own.

A Perfect Equation is the second book in The Secret Scientists of London series by Elizabeth Everett. A historical romance that is full of drama and lots of romantic tension. I cannot wait for the third installment in this amazing series.

A Perfect Equation is perfect follow up to A Lady's Formula for Love! Book 1 was one of my very few 5 star reads of 2021, and A Perfect Equation is my first 5 star of 2022. Lettie and Grey were just perfection.

Lettie is one of the women scientists at Athena's retreat, and her focus is really more mathematics. She is brilliant and driven, and after having her heart broken in the past, not interested in men at all. Grey has spent his life in the shadows and once savagely put Lettie "into her place". So, these two have history for sure, and now they are left to keep Athena's Retreat running in Violet's absence.

Lettie is a beautiful mix of fierce and independent with a dash of naivety. It is impossible not to root for her! I loved Grey in book 1, but after finding out about his past with Lettie, I was less thrilled with him. But, Everett really redeems him beautifully and I just wanted these two to be blissfully happy!

A Perfect Equation is delightful and a must read for those who like their historical romances to have unique, quirky heroines. I cannot say enough good things about this book!

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy. This did not affect my rating.
*4/5*

A Perfect Equation is the second book in the Secret Scientists of London series by Elizabeth Everett.
Athena’s Retreat is a secret society of women who study the various sciences, and, in this book, we
follow Letty Fenley.

Letty studies mathematics and is a shopkeeper’s daughter. She has a scorned past with a nobleman’s son. Letty is a spitfire. She says what she thinks and believes in the good of Athena’s Retreat with all her heart. Letty is also a lover of romance novels – a girl after my own heart.

Lord Greycliff, Grey, is a starchy rule-follower. He is a handsome viscount and former spy. When they are alone, spark’s fly.

I loved this enemies to lovers STEM historical romance. It was fun and funny. The steamy parts were really good (*ahem* anywhere but a bed)

You could see Grey changing the more time he spent in the presence of the lady scientists. He was learning to let his guard down and see the world from Letty’s perspective – even reading a romance novel along the way.

I highly recommend this one. I can’t wait for book 3.

Pretty good story, but I didn't enjoy it as much as book 1. 3.5 Stars.

Miss Letitia Fenley is one of the founders of Athena's Retreat, a secret club for England's women scientists. It's been her haven the last 6 years after she made a mistake that changed her life. She still has her family, but the club has been her only real social activity in years. Which is why it pains her every time she visits her friend Violet, whose home is attached to Athena's building, and has to see Violet's former stepson, Lord Greycliff.

Lord William Hughes, the Viscount Greycliff has promised his former stepmother that he'll stay at her home temporarily and keep an eye on the ladies at the club while she's gone. But, that means he also has to contend with Letty, and they've never seen eye to eye. On anything. Grey is also nervous about becoming director of the secret agency he works for, now that his godfather is retiring.

Letty and Grey had bad interactions in the past, and they each thought the worst of each other for a long time, even throughout their mutual love for Violet. So it was a hard battle for them to begin to see each other in a new light. Grey let others influence his thoughts about Letty and her past. Letty let her past cast a shadow on everything she did, or didn't do, and it kept her from really enjoying her life. So they both had a LOT of issues to work through.

The side characters here were fun. All the ladies in the club are hilarious, and I loved Earl Grantham again in this story too! But, I was bummed out by the things going on with Violet and Arthur and why they left town. That soured the story a bit for me from the start.

Grey had so much emotional trauma from his childhood that has carried on, and Letty doesn't think herself worthy of his station because of her past, so they had a hard time of it, and it was a little slow going for me. I really felt for both of these characters, and I was happy when they started to figure things, and each other, out. But, it didn't add up to everything I was hoping for out of the story.

I'd still be interested to read Grantham's book, assuming that's next, though it seems to be set up as a second chance story, and those are hit or miss for me. So, we shall see.

✨spicy times on everything but a bed . . . carriages, walls, desks, etc. 😏✨

As a woman in STEM, I am always on the search for a new STEM romance that will pass my high standards. This book passed with flying colors and left me pining for the next installment right after.

Tropes:
🥵 enemies to lovers
🧮 mathematician heroine
😫 protective hero
🦔 super cute hedgehog
😏 competence k*nk
🔥 slow burn
🗣 BANTER
😳 sizzling s*xual chemistry
🤤 dirty talk
👯‍♀️ strong female friendships

How can I even put into words how thoroughly, utterly in love with this book I am. I am obsessed.

The hero had me swooning and blushing like an absolute idiot ☺️☺️ Once his hard exterior melted away, he was never ashamed about how badly he wanted the heroine and wanted to make her happy 😩😩 He also had so many adorable, wholesome moments. HE READ A ROMANCE NOVEL and wanted to talk with her about it!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME? HOW DOES ELIZABETH EVERETT EXPECT ME TO RECOVER AFTER THAT 😭😩🥵

As you all know, I am a WH*RE for a competency k*nk in romances. Two MCs who just so thoroughly complete each other in every way. Equals in every sense. That was Letty and Grey 😩🥵

While giving us a sizzling hot plate of amazing romance, Everett seamlessly wove the very real stories of women, a system insistent on seeing them fail, and how the women of those times battled the patriarchy head on!

I haven’t gotten a chance to read the first book in this series but you better believe I am running to my bookshelf to read it right now. 😍😍

Please pick this book up so I can get off the floor from begging on my knees.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars | 🌶🌶🌶/ 5 steam

Thank you to Berkley Romance, Netgalley, and Elizabeth Everett for an eARC and finished copy in exchange for my honest opinion ❤️

Read if you like: enemies to lovers, women in science.
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This book was so fun! Letty is a smart mathematician and a part of a club of women scientists. Six years ago Letty was caught up in a scandal, putting her and Grey at odds with each other. But when they must work together to keep the club running smoothly, Grey realizes that Letty is not who he thought she was.
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Loved this exploration of women in science, as well as women being able to explore their own sexuality, which was frowned upon at the time (and to a degree still is).
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Letty and Grey are fun characters, both hard working and loyal, and I loved reading about them connecting.
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CW: sexual content, sexism, violence, miscarriage, seizures

A wonderful romance!
This is definitely for fans of Evie Dunmore and Ali Hazelwood. This book is practically a blend of both their books.
The heroine is witty, tenacious and a baddie in her own right. The hero can be a bit stiff but think of him as Mr. Darcy at the beginning of Pride & Prejudice. He improves by the end of the story and these two can certainly heat things up!
I haven’t read the first book yet (it’s on my TBR!) but I had no issues while reading this one. Definitely can be read as a standalone.

Thank you to Berkeley and NetGalley for the opportunity to review an arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Perfect Equation = perfect enemies-to-lovers tale, with a heroine who loses herself in mathematical formulas and a hero who is trying, but not always succeeding, to do the right thing.
This book mixes a wonderful love story, true skulduggery and threads in the very real strains of Victorian life as women reach out for more than their assigned roles of the time.
If Elizabeth Everett's debut was spectacular (and it was) the second in this series is every bit as worthy.
Our heroine, Miss Letitia Fenley, still is suffering in society because of a mistake she made in falling love with a cad six years ago. The consequences have been severe, but she lives with them. She has her mathematics and is preparing to compete for the prestigious Rosewood Prize for Mathematics. In the midst of her work, she is asked to manage Athena’s Retreat, the haven for England's female scientists. It's a secret, of course, but secrets have a way of getting out, and there is an element in England that wants women at home, not in the lab.
Helping her — or not — is Lord William Hughes, the Viscount Greycliff, who is in his own competition. He is close to fulfilling his dream of directing a powerful clandestine organization for England. He is asked to help Letty keep Athena's Retreat safe and that brings the two enemies together. Where they clash, years of enmity finally spilling over.
Unlike some books where the characters meet and immediately dislike to each other and later fall in love, Letty and Grey actually are enemies. The cad she loved is related to Grey, and he despises her, thinking her unscrupulous and grasping.
Part of the appeal of this book is that they can come to forgive and understand each other, all while dealing with their intellectual ad professional endeavors and managing Athena's Retreat. And what a place the retreat is, with quirky scientists and a fascinating house and club staff. And that's why this tale is so rich. It has plot, a moving love story and details that add depth and context to the story. In the end, these enemies become friends and lovers — they can't help themselves despite their past, and we are rooting for them all the way. (I received an ARC from NetGalley, thanks to the publishers. Opinions mine.)

A Perfect Equation does a great job of grabbing the reader right away with interesting characters. It’s not often in a historical romance where our heroine is a mathematician and actually gets lost in her mathematical formulas. Furthering her learning in Athena’s Retreat introduces the reader to a cast of wonderfully quirky and real characters that provide diversity and a feeling of realness to this historical romance novel. These women are striving towards equal rights and a better future for women and the reader is given a real feel for their struggle in live and in love.

Grey also has interesting aspects to his character. Not your normal “Lord” he has epilepsy and fears having seizures and appearing weak in front of his peers. He was taught from an early age that if he controls his emotions he can control his seizures and he’s a bit of a cold characters. HIs place in charge of the ladies of Athena’s Retreat allows him broaden his horizon in regards to equal rights, but it also introduces emotion into his heart. How does he handle the fear of having emotions which may cause him to have seizures? You’ll need to read the story and find out!

I hadn’t read the first novel in this series and although I don’t think I mentioned a thing, it did make me curious enough to look for it in the library and check it out. You don’t need to read it though, to enjoy A Perfect Equation, never fear! ❤️❤️❤️❣️

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for my honest review and it was honest!