Thanks to Wednesday Books for a widget via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I loved Serena’s debut novel Long Story Short, published in 2022, and I was so excited to get to this book last weekend. I mostly listened to the audiobook (which Stephanie Willing narrates beautifully!) but I finished by reading the last few chapters by ebook because I couldn't wait for my headphones to recharge. Which only takes ten minutes, btw - that’s how much I couldn’t put this down!
The Calculation of You and Me follows Marlowe after her boyfriend, Josh, dumps her because he wants someone more romantic. First of all, ew. Math nerd Marlowe recruits her English class project partner to help her write romantic notes to Josh to win him back. Asher not only writes lyrics for his band but he works at a romance bookstore, so he’s the perfect guy to help. But Asher also helps Marlowe realize that Josh wasn’t as great as she originally thought. The high school friendships depicted in this book give me hope for the future - they were so sweet and supportive!
With great neurodiversity (autism rep) and realistic, relatable characters, The Calculation of You and Me is one of my favorite YA reads of the year. I will be recommending it to my students when school starts back up in the fall - I can’t recommend it now because tomorrow is the last day of school (which is mostly meetings and random stuff, instead of the normal classes with students). But yay last day!
If you have high school aged readers in your life, I highly recommend introducing them to Serena’s books. They are nerdy in the best way! Being a high school math teacher, I wanted to make a nerdy math-y picture, but I read this while traveling and the only nerdy math-y things I had with me were my calculator earrings 🤓🧮

Thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday books for the advanced copy of this novel. I was a big fan of Serena Kaylor's debut novel, Long Story Short.. Kaylor sticks with the neurodivergent heroine, but this one reminds me more of Cady in Mean Girls, if instead of the Plastics, she kept hanging out with Janice and and Damian. Marlowe, the protagonist of this book, has just been dumped by her Aaron Samuels, THE popular guy named Josh who made her feel included and directed her behavior so she didn't have to stress over missed social cues or other autistic hurdles. On the first day of senior year, goth guy Ash Hayes swoops in to save her from a Josh humiliation. As they work on a Wuthering Heights project together, Ash seems very much Heathcliff to Josh's Edgar Linton. In fact, Marlowe's life starts to parallel the book to an extent as she struggles to decide whether it's a safe place in society coupled with Josh or love with the passionate outsider Ash that she truly wants. But as she gets to know Ash, she finds out that although he make look like the bad boy trope,he's really patient, kind, and accepting. Heathcliff's brand of toxic masculinity is actually embodied in her ex. This book is very effective in organically showing how neurodivergence can complicate decisions and understanding subtext and what's really going on in social situations. It has a wonderful cast of quirky supporting characters who give Marlowe support and the space to discover herself. The ending was a little anti-climatic, but overall, this was an enjoyable read.

A couple of years ago Serena Kaylor published her debut novel, Long Story Short and I wrote that it was sparkling. Guess what? Her newest novel, The Calculation of You and Me, is as well. I enjoyed reading every moment of it, and sparkle it did!

Marlow Meadows is a mathematics nerd. Math is about order. There are no surprises in math unlike the one that her no ex-boyfriend, Josh, has dumped on her. While Marlow thought everything was going so well, Josh said it wasn’t working because she wasn’t romantic enough. Not one to ever drop a challenge, Marlow is intent on learning how to be romantic enough so she can win Josh back and things can return to normal. However, when she is partnered for an English AP assignment with Ash, a goth-looking seeming-loner, nothing will ever go back to being normal again.

Serena Kaylor has taken what would simply be a run-of-the-mill ya romance and made it into something special, and it’s mostly do to her creation of charming, unique characters that make the story a joy. Besides Marlow, who is on the spectrum, there are her best friends, Poppy and Odette. Odette is described as looking like a doll, but her straight-forwardness and saying exactly what is on her mind are definitely not doll-like. She rocked with her ability to say the unexpected. Poppy is probably the more rational and thoughtful (as in thinking and being organized) friend, who balances the trio of girls. And, Ash defies categorization. Why would anyone want to go for the typical sports hero when a studious, caring, soon-to-be rock god is around?

The story has energy, wit, and some angst that kept me reading–happily. But mostly it was adorable and just made me smile.

I hope Serena Kaylor’s books continue to sparkle!

Many thanks to Wednesday Books for sending me a copy.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced review copy!

The premise for this sounded fun, but unfortunately, it fell so flat for me.

First, the good. I enjoyed Ash’s character for the most part and really loved that he valued Marlowe, which was needed for her in this story. I also liked Marlowe’s love of math and how she viewed the world through that lens.

However, I otherwise didn’t love Marlowe’s character or find her endearing. I found it really frustrating that she spent the majority of the book pining after someone who obviously didn’t care about her.
Additionally, for a book that felt so long, there wasn’t a huge chunk of time spent on the actual romance. And the ending was super rushed!

I’m going to just go with the viewpoint that I’m not the target audience for this one. There are lots of positive reviews, so take this one with a grain of salt.

Not going to lie, I was considering adding this book to my short DNF pile within the first couple of chapters. I was cringing my way through them. Then, somehow, the book transformed into a wonderful story that I couldn’t put down for the last 3/5 (in honor of Marlowe). I’m not sure if it was the high school setting or needing to know more about Marlowe before liking her, but once the story really gets going, it is so incredibly sweet. Marlowe is autistic and it took a bit of time to catch on to her specific autistic quirks and her relationship with her friends to understand the book more. I loved her friends and I especially enjoyed when they started interacting with Ashton’s band. Ashton himself seemed so certain of who he was, which is rare in a high schooler, but made sense as his background came to light. Marlowe had such growth as a person and it was fun to see it happen throughout the story. This is a really cute read with great disability representation as a high schooler figures out more about love, friendships, and family. 4⭐️, 1🌶
Note: The description doesn’t fit this book well at all. I can’t recall calculus or Python ever being mentioned but they make the description? Just say she likes math and mushrooms and that’s far more detailed in the book! Also, I struggled to picture the characters and the front cover doesn’t help at all, especially with Ashton.

This was such a great YA romance read!! I enjoyed the neurodivergence rep (Marlowe is autistic) and the whole forced proximity plot involving a goth bisexual boy who Marlowe begs to help her win her ex back when he dumps her for not being romantic enough. The chemistry between Ash and Marlowe was exceptional! I loved their banter and the fact that Ash had to school Marlowe in romance by giving her a list of books to read. There was also an excellent cast of secondary characters from her sister Bluebelle to Ash's bandmates. Great on audio narrated by Stephanie Willing and a must read for fans of authors like Jackie Khalilieh and Jen Wilde. Many thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for an early digital and finished copy in exchange for my honest review and to Librofm for the ALC!

I thought this was adorable. The Calculation of You and Me follows Marlowe through her attempts to win back the boy that broke her heart, only to realize that some things are not worth fighting for just because they’re what you’ve always known. I also loved the autism representation. This was the first book that I’ve read by Serena Kaylor but I have already ordered Long Story Short and look forward to seeing what she writes next.

So I loved this book so much! So many things to talk about! First of all the main character, Marlowe, is neurodivergent, she is on the spectrum. I could see how people might find her annoying, but if you take into consideration that aspect, her character makes so much sense in how she behaves. And I loved how the whole romance bookstore came into the story, and how Ash had her read romances in order to help her with her trying to get her ex-boyfriend Josh back. Not to mention how she picked up one of her mom’s romances and got sucked in. Yep, that’s just a perfect representation of how so many of us probably got started with them!

I loved how Marlowe would write in a notebook her “assignments” from reading the books. Including NSFW drawings, one coming about as her mind tried to figure out the logistics of a stairway sex scene, lol. I know my brain has tried to figure out some scenes at times, and while I can’t/don’t draw them, I’ve gone over and over some of them in my mind trying to figure them out and how they actually worked! And I know that a lot of people might have problems with romances being encouraged reading for high schoolers, but I’m going to argue with people on that. Of all the ways for girls to see healthy relationships, there honestly are so many romances out there that are perfect for that. Even with the sex in them. Why shouldn’t those girls learn that sex can be good, can be more than just letting the guy enjoy himself and then leave her wanting? Anyway, off my soapbox about that. And I promise that I’m not offering them in my school library for anyone that might be offended, I just think it the parents are okay with it, there is nothing wrong with it.

And then Ash and Marlowe choose Wuthering Heights to do their English project on, and I also LOVED that they both felt the same way about the book and how it is NOT a romance! Seeing more than one character in a story have the same feelings and thoughts as I did after reading it made this book even better for me! Not to mention the way Marlowe “rewrote” one of the most favorite quotes from WH for their final project. Oh, and when the grand gesture make up scene takes place at the Winter formal dance, I love the comment about how something that didn’t happen was because this wasn’t “a teen movie y’all.” I giggled at that for sure.

There were so many great characters in this book besides our main couple. Marlowe’s best friends Poppy and Odette were hilarious. I loved Marlowe’s parents as well, all of them, even her real dad who was also autistic like she was. And then there was the supposed ghost of her Meemaw that haunted her room, slamming or opening the door.

I adored this book so much, and need to go back and read the author’s other book as well as I’ll be waiting impatiently for another book from her!

This was such a cute YA romance. The conceit is pretty familiar, awkward girl who is told she is "bad at love and romance" uses common romance conventions in order to win back her ex-boyfriend, and of course using the moody, cute boy to help her. Marlowe is an extremely likeable protagonist and I especially adored her friends and their relationship. Her romance with Ashton is also exceedingly lovely and I love that when she opens herself up to this other possibility at love, it also opens her up to realizing a lot of things about herself. It isn't so much the boyfriend she misses, but that predictability and stability that she craves, and she slowly realizes that she isn't actually "bad at love" but maybe the things she thought she liked, are actually wrong for her.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the opportunity to read an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

I DNF'd Serena Kaylor's debut release a few years ago, but I really loved The Calculation of You and Me. Marlowe was so sure of herself—she knew her and her friends were strange, but they stayed true to themselves. She through writing love letters to her ex, she was discovering that he wasn't a great guy at all.

GENERAL INFO

The Calculation of You and Me-a standalone

Publication date: 6-18-24, Read 6-13-24

Format: e-Book, 297 kindle

🙏🏾Source: Thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for this ARC🧡! I voluntarily give my honest review and all opinions expressed are my own.

Genre: YA, Contemporary Romance

Tropes: small town, coming of age, neurodivergent h, dating coach, opposites attract, book lovers, divorce

Setting: Riven Haven, GA

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Synopsis/Plot Summary: Marlowe Meadows is a self-admitted calculus nerd who was in love with Joshua Stallings the "it guy" at school. After two years, he breaks up with her because she wasn't romantic enough towards him. He knew about her autism and taking medication, but still asked for a break. When Marlowe gets put together with the "goth guy" Ashton Hayes to work on a English class project, she agrees to a business arrangement. If Ash, lead singer of Never Mind the Monsters and avid romance reader, helps her write anonymous romantic letters to get Josh back. In exchange she will revamp his band's online presence to get them some gigs. Can Marlowe get Josh back or will she formulate a new plan with Ash?

Marlowe went from the "in crowd" dating Josh to becoming a social pariah. She did have two BFFs Odette and Poppy who were supportive and protective. Josh was the popular guy who wanted to have his cake and eat it too. Marlowe was obsessed with him and believed herself in love, until Ash accepted her for who she was. Her mother Bunny also gave her a great talk about Josh and love.

AUTHOR OVERVIEW

Serena Kaylor- new to me author

PERSONAL OVERVIEW

Overall Rating: 4 ⭐

Do You Recommend This Book: yes

Will You Re-read This Book: maybe

Would You Read More Books by this Author: yes

COMMENTS/NOTES: I'd recommend this for high schoolers because it addressed being different, bullying, and coming of age in a clean romance.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this free ARC in exchange for an honest review. Pub date: June 18, 2024

I was so upset at the beginning of this because no one seemed to call out her patronizing, manipulate ick-monster of an abusive ex. Thankfully everyone comes to their senses in this one and by the end I felt like I would fight anyone who came for Marlowe! This gave me some 10 Things I Hate About You vibes and I was definitely cheering on the sidelines for this to go a certain way. Great cast of supporting characters in this YA romcom!

Marlow found herself!

Marlowe Meadows was devastated when her boyfriend broke up with her because she wasn’t romantic enough because he made her feel bad when she didn’t follow along with his plans. Marlowe decided to figure out how to be more romantic by getting lessons because she had never failed anything. But getting paired with Ashton Hayes for a project and finding out that he worked at a romance bookstore. Marlow getting help from Ash made her realize that there was more in life than trying to get Josh in her life.

I really didn’t like Marlowe when the book started because her boyfriend Josh Stallings put her in a box but she figured out who she was with the help of her friends and family plus romance books.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the author and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a bit over the top for my tastes. Dropping the neurodivergent a bit too frequently, lest the reader forget. It was also incredibly angsty (even for ya)

Marlowe Meadows is a genius when it comes to math, science and mushrooms but needs help in the romance department. When her boyfriend turns their summer break into a breakup by telling Marlowe she’s bad at love, she resolves to get better and win him back. She enlists grumpy goth musician Ash Hayes to help her learn romance. Before long Marlowe finds that she doesn’t really know the answer to “what do you want, Marlowe?” after all.

This was a super cute YA romcom with excellent representation on many fronts. I loved Marlowe’s friend group of Odette and Poppy and how they worked together to embrace their diversities. I loved that Ash wasn’t the stereotypical hot jock that so often gets the girl in teen romance. I love that Ash really helped Marlowe be honest with herself when discovering what she really wanted.

The last chapter is one of the cutest things I’ve ever read and had me kicking my feet and grinning like a fool. I am so completely charmed by Ash and Marlowe!

Highly recommend this one for all the YA romance lovers out there!

Thank you to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for the advanced copy to read and review. All opinions are my own. The Calculation of You and Me will be out on June

*All of my reviews are spoiler-free!*

*I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you so much to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for this ARC!*

When I started this book, it struck me as a typical high school romance. The main character is dumped, and she asks another boy to help her win her ex back. But, this book has such surprising depth that it had me turning the pages faster than I could have ever expected!

Marlowe seems like your typical teen girl who has been dumped by her boyfriend. She is embarrassed and desperate to win him back. What I didn’t see coming was her autism diagnosis. She is very open about her struggles with typical social situations, as well as “appropriately” showing affection. I loved that this book discussed this topic so openly and honestly. I feel like it is fairly rare in YA to see the female main character struggle with autism. We see it a fair amount in male characters, so this was a refreshing change of pace for me.

Ash is my new favorite dark and moody teen. He puts up this moody and gruff persona, but he is really a sweet, sensitive little teddy bear on the inside (albeit one that is dressed in all black with smudgy eyeliner). I loved seeing Marlowe and Ash become friends and bring out sides of each other that they were afraid to show to the world.

Marlowe and Ash’s friends were so much fun, and I loved when they all started to intermingle. I liked that Marlowe’s friends were so supportive of her, even if they didn’t feel like she was making great decisions. Love a good female support system!

Overall, I thought this was such a sweet romance! It was a lovely story of finding yourself and not making your entire personality about who you happen to be dating. Not to sound like an old lady, but this is such an important message for teenage girls 🙂 Pick up this book if you want to read a great romance with some depth and lovely friendships.

My Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2

I gave The Calculation of You and Me 4.5 Stars!

Rating:4.5/5
I received eARC for my honest opinion

This book is about a girl named Marlowe, and after having her boyfriend of two years break up with her during the Summer break she is determined to make it right with him. However, there is one small hitch to her plan, he broke up with her because she was not good at all the love and romance stuff that he was craving. Marlowe gets Ashton, a student in their grade, to agree to help her understand the art of romance, but she wasn’t expecting to start having feelings for Ashton while doing this. Who will Marlowe pick, Ashton the eyeliner wearing gothic or the jerk that dumped her?

I loved this book. The author did an amazing job with connecting high school life drama to readers of all ages. I could relate to the characters and I understood the reasons why Marlowe felt that she would have to change the person that was to make someone else happy. I thought the pace of the book was good, I didn’t feel as though it was dragging in areas. I thought the author handled the autism rep well, I didn’t see any harsh representation on it, but more of an understanding on how people with autism handle things differently. I liked that it was talked about throughout the book, because it was something Marlowe understands and accepts but she would like to better herself in different areas. I liked that it was not the main focus of the book. You will find friendship, love, romance, acceptance and understanding, great rep for Autism and overall a really cute romcom. Oh and chow can I forget to say the slow burn romance in this book was done so well.

Marlowe, I would love to be her friend. I love how she thinks and plans things out. I can understand that is more of her Autism side of her but having a family member on the spectrum I have found myself loving those qualities. She is smart, determined and funny. I loved that she wasn’t scared to have to learn new ways to do things that fit her, when she was showing her love. Also, to have another book nerd that happens to fall in love with romance books because one night she picked up a historical romance novel. Ashton, I really liked this character a lot. He is smart, knows what he wants, he is confident in himself that he doesn’t care what others think of him. He wears eyeliner and gothic clothing but he is also in a band! When I found out where he works, in a romance book story!!!. I fell in love with him right away, not just because he works there but he also reads the books too. I liked that he didn’t judge Marlowe, he accepted all of her for who she was and didn’t want to change her but help her understand what she needed.

I loved that in this book you will find a great read, but so much more you will see an understanding of yourself/acceptance and your own worth. It’s a powerful book with great meaning. I highly recommend this book to all readers.It comes out on 6/18

I want to thank NetGalley and St.Martin Press for the opportunity to review this book.

This opposites-attract romance was really wholesome & entertaining!

Thank you Netgalley and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Calculation of You and Me is an absolutely adorable slow burn strangers-to-friends-to-lovers small town YA romance with on-point neurodivergent representation.

The takeaway of this book, for me, was to get rid of anyone in your life who doesn’t see and accept the fullness of who you are! Don’t change yourself to fit someone else’s expectations. There are people out there who will see you, validate you, and love every quirk. A message for teens and adults alike!

(I also learned a lot of mushroom and jellyfish facts and I’m here for that.)

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC!

I had such a fun time with this. I read it at just the right time when I needed something breezy and light hearted. Another well written YA from Serena. I do wish Marlowe's autism wasn't such a passed over discussion but also I'm glad it wasn't the full focus. I ended laughing out loud at a couple of parts and that is usually a hard thing to come by in YA anymore for me, however the over use of 'hot' for Ash was A LOT to handle.

Thank you St. Martin’s Press, Wednesday Books, and NetGalley for this arc.