4.5 stars

I loved the one! Only issue for 5 stars is it felt a teeny bit dragged out. But I feel like I relate to Marlowe so much. Trying to force something when you have someone right in front of you that you know you have feelings for. I love that she worked through her quirkiness and realized that there is someone out there who will love you for exactly the person you are.

I'm not sure I was able to get passed the main characters here. Marlowe was written as "quirky" when she has autism. I think if the author went into more detail about it instead of her just being considered quirky, I think it would've made it better. Nothing super memorable about this, but I thought it was a decent YA.

Even though this YA love triangle rom com it didn’t feel like one. It felt more like just a girl not realizing what as actually in front of her.

I was immediately hooked by the Edelweiss banner featuring a Goth boy love interest, and I really enjoyed this YA romance. Kaylor showed significant improvement from her first book, especially in how she handled the portrayal of neurodivergence. Marlowe, the protagonist, is openly autistic, and her experiences and how her neurodivergence impacts her relationships felt more genuine and relatable this time around. However, I do wish there had been more attention paid to how her ex-boyfriend blamed her autism when breaking up with her—it felt like an important issue that wasn’t fully explored.

The plot was a lot of fun, with Marlowe helping Ashton’s band with their website in exchange for lessons on how to navigate relationships. The whole "teen romcom" vibe worked well, though I did find it a bit unrealistic that a teen boy would be so into reading historical fiction romance. Still, it was an enjoyable and lighthearted dynamic.

#ARC #netgalley

When Marlowe's boyfriend breaks up with her, she enlists the help of Ash to win him back. Marlowe and Josh had been going out for years and he told her she just wasn't romantic enough. Ash works at a bookstore that only sells romance. Marlowe feels he is her best option. What Marlowe fails to see is the crush he has on her.
Opinion
This is a great young adult book. Marlowe is on the spectrum and just doesn't see things the way most people do. This sets the course for and interesting book as Ash tries to teach her what she wants to know.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. It evoked emotions from me quite often. (Her ex boyfriend, Josh, made me cringe multiple times and Ash made me swoon.) I really think that teenagers (and adults alike) will enjoy this book.
Many thanks to Net Galley and to St. Martin's Press for providing me with an ARC of this book.

I absolutely adored this love story! And has easily become my current favorite when it comes to high school romances! It was just so freaking cute!

We follow Marlowe, who’s on the spectrum as she navigates high school and love. Her boyfriend breaks up with her right before summer break which she took as meaning just a break. So when they get back to school and he wants nothing to do with her, she’s heartbroken and feels broken. Claiming she wasn’t romantic enough, and telling her that not everyone is capable of being romantic. She wants to fight for him, win him back, and prove him wrong, that she can be capable of being romantic. She enlists the help of the school outcast, Ashton to teach her how to be romantic. But the more time she spends with Ashton, she struggles to decide what she truly wants.

As romances go, the story arc was not unpredictable in the slightest. But I ate it up regardless. I finished this in a single sitting! I just could not put it down, it was so cute.

I found Marlowe to be adorable to follow, with all her quirks and interesting fixations. But she was incredibly sweet as well. And so were her friends! Who all encouraged Marlowe to do and go for what made her happy, even if they didn’t necessarily agree with her. It was so fun watching Marlowe hanging out with her friends. I especially loved the friendship that blossomed between her and Ashton, this moody goth teenager, who appeared the complete opposite of her but was actually very sweet, especially towards Marlowe. He went into helping her despite loathing her ex and making it known. The more time we spent with Ashton, how could anyone not fall in love with him?

My favorite aspect was that this book is about books! And easily my favorite part about this story. We get to watch all our characters bond over romance books. And seeing Marlowe fall in love with reading and connecting with Ashton over them was so endearing. These were by far my favorite parts of the book!

Well… except for this one scene about Marlowe questioning Ashton who made his band’s website and he goes “The bassist, Mateo’s, little brother. He did it for fifty Pokemon cards and twenty rides to the mall.” I laughed so much at this conversation. So much so, that I shared it with my boyfriend, and he joked with me saying “do mean you’ve never taken pokemon cards as a payment for one of your jobs?!” - I’m a graphic designer for my day job - when I told him no, he teased me saying “you’re missing out then!”

So, if you enjoy young adult romances set around high school and featuring some books about books vibes, I highly recommend this one! It’ll be sure to make you smile and laugh along the way!

The Calculation of You and Me
By Serena Kaylor

The Calculation of You and Me is easy to read and easy to follow along. It was fast paced which I liked but there was one main thing for me that I don’t think I could have overlooked.
Marlowe… Well not the character or anything she was fine and all but what I didn’t really like that much was the autism reputation wasn’t the best, in my opinion.

I liked the autism rep in the book, which we need more of, but maybe it could have been handled in a different way.


Thank you to St.Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ebook in exchange for my honest opinions.

DNF at 44%

I've been avoiding YA romance recently, and this book served as a reminder of why. It's just so juvenile! And I liked the idea of Ash as a character, but he had nowhere near enough page time. The writing didn't draw me in, the characters weren't particularly intriguing. There was nothing that made me want to read more, and a whole lot that made me want to stop reading.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review

This was a cute little YA romance, but i was not the primary audience for it so it fell a little short for me, but i can totally see the appeal for the younger audience. This was a new to me author as well--thanks so much for the digital copy!

This was a great read! Loved Marlowe and Ashton! They had a lot of great character development and I loved how their interactions were so easy to get into and enjoy! I was hooked right away on this story! Such a fun read! Definitely recommend reading this one!

This was predictable, but cute. I loved Odette & her humor…in fact, I found every character to be fleshed out and engaging. The premise was important & it was well told!

The Calculation of You and Me by Serena Kaylor is a sweet and witty YA novel. It is full of representation, and I love seeing a positive portrayal of girls in STEM.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me.

This was a cute YA romance, that had me chuckling at times and kept me engaged.

I appreciated the inclusion of a neurodivergent character in the book, but wished it was expanded on a little more. I think the book is great for a wide variety of audiences.

Overall, it was a cute read.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Such a cute book. I loved that there was a neurodivergent female MC. She really grew on me - and probably knowing her disability endeared her to me more. I loved the character growth that she made throughout the book and I think I am drawn to neurodivergent troupes.

Overall this was a cute book ant fit YA romance very well. It was great to see a neurodivergent FMC, but I will admit that I needed some patience with her character on more than one occasion. The atmosphere really did pull me in right from the beginning. I felt like I was reading a book that could be easily adapted to a movie.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed this book and read it in one sitting! I would definitely recommend this book. I loved the way the characters grew and the storyline. It is one of my favorite troupes!

I received an ARC of this book and though I am dreadfully behind, I enjoyed it! I enjoyed the autism/neurodivergent rep, the storyline of the deal they made, the fun adventures and assignments and fieldwork, the friendships, and the idea that you realize who you are and who builds you up not who is what society might think is right or normal. How talking things through and saying things always clarifies things, and I just enjoyed the quirky banter and love of math and mushrooms! So cute!

This was a cute book. Went into completely blind and actually requested based on the cover!
I felt a little ick when autism was made as like just a quirk. But overall love the representation.

Loved the characters and it was a sweet little romance.

3.5 stars

Marlowe is having a hard time after her boyfriend Josh breaks up with her. When she ends up working with Ash, another classmate, on a project she comes up with a mutually beneficial plan. She will help Ash with his band and he will help her win back Josh.

Marlowe grows a lot as the story progresses and really comes to understand herself better. That felt true to the teenage experience. She and Ash were also well matched despite seeming so different in the beginning. It was interesting seeing how their relationship changed and grew as they got to know one another.

I listened to this book on audio and the narrator was. well cast and did a really nice job bringing the story to life.

The Calculation of You and Me by Serena Kaylor is a delightful and heartwarming young adult romance that beautifully blends humor, emotional depth, and the complexities of teenage life. This book is a must-read for fans of slow-burn romances and well-developed characters.

Top 5 Reasons to Read The Calculation of You and Me:

Character Development: Marlowe and Ash are incredibly well-rounded characters. Marlowe's journey from a math-obsessed girl to someone who learns to embrace her emotions is both relatable and inspiring. Ash, with his moody exterior and hidden depths, is the perfect foil to Marlowe's logical mind. Their chemistry is palpable and their interactions are filled with witty banter and heartfelt moments.

Humor and Heart: Serena Kaylor masterfully balances humor with emotional depth. The book is filled with laugh-out-loud moments, especially as Marlowe navigates the world of romance with her analytical mind. At the same time, the story doesn't shy away from exploring deeper themes such as self-discovery, acceptance, and the complexities of relationships.

Unique Premise: The idea of a calculus nerd trying to win back her ex-boyfriend with the help of a rock band frontman is both unique and refreshing. The book's exploration of the intersection between logic and emotion adds an interesting layer to the story.

Supporting Characters: The supporting cast, including Marlowe's best friends Odette and Poppy, add depth and richness to the story. Their unwavering support and encouragement help Marlowe grow and embrace her true self.

Representation: The book features authentically described neurodiverse and LGBTQ+ characters, adding to its inclusivity and relatability. Marlowe's neurodivergence is portrayed with sensitivity and depth, making her journey all the more impactful.

Final Thoughts: The Calculation of You and Me is a charming and emotionally resonant story that will make you laugh, cry, and root for the characters. Serena Kaylor's writing sparkles with wit and honesty, making this a standout contemporary romance. Despite a few minor flaws, it's a book that will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy.

Recommend to Fans of: Jenny Han, Becky Albertalli, Rainbow Rowell.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5