A really lovely read which puts a new slant on this genre of books.
A love story that slips between present day and the late 1600,s and involves a very different love triangle.
For Andrea the story only covers her early life to her early twenties whilst for Isaac his whole life.
The ending although poignant and sad was very satisfying.
I really enjoyed it and thoroughly recommended it.

What a lovely story this was! I love stories with time travel and alternate or unusual timelines. I was a huge fan of The Time Traveler’s Wife – this one felt redolent of it for a while, although it wound up (much to my delight) traveling down a more original path than it suggested at first…

There’s a beautiful timeless love story, of course, but there’s also a fascinating exploration (although I don’t know how true – this is, after all, fiction) of Isaac Newton’s early years and a very original take on the inspiration for his major discoveries/theories. The characters really come alive in this one. Isaac himself is fascinating, of course – how could he not be, he’s Isaac Newton! But more interesting, I think, is Andrea. She’s a brilliant enigma, a girl of immense talent with immensely complicated relationships. She really brought the story to life for me. The ancillary characters (her father, Nate) were always present but were clearly set up in supporting roles (even though they were essential to the story)

There’s a twist – I will admit that I saw it coming, but that didn’t lessen the joy of the reveal for me at all. Instead it made it richer and feel like a coming-full-circle wrap up that tied things together nicely without feeling twee or too cozy. This was a very enjoyable and easy-going read, and I will definitely keep the author on my radar…

Wow. What a beautiful story. I had to grab tissues at the end. I will now count Samantha Sotto as one of my new favorite authors. I will definitely check out her other novel. 'Love and Gravity' is very reminiscent of Selden Edwards' 'The Little Book' which I also loved. Time travel and romance always make for great companions especially when combined by a talented storyteller such as Sotto.

I reviewed LOVE AND GRAVITY on 2/16/17 for the Dear Author review site. (Link is below.)

This is a beautiful story weaving music, math, science, and time travel with love, family, and destiny. I am not sure my review could do it justice.

Andrea has cello music in her blood. At the age of 7 while playing, she opens a wall into the room of a young Isaac Newton. The song doesn't always work. Eventually, she is visited by a mysterious old man named Oscar Ian Westin. He bring her letters that Isaac wrote to her. These letters are riddles as to things that will happen. Interwoven is how Andrea is not living in the present as she chases the past and the heartbreak of her best friend, Nate, loving her.

A story that is both heartbreaking but full of hope.

Words fail me. The currently popular love-found-while-time-traveling theme, combined with Isaac Newton, is surely a combination made for nerds AND romantics. Combine a cellist who appears to have a bit of synesthesia (seeing and tasting sounds), a loving father, and you have just about everything one could hope for, tied up with a ribbon made of historic tidbits.

This is almost a five, in my opinion.

"There were two things that Isaac had come to rely on in this world: numbers and Andrea. On the surface, they were polar opposites. The first existed in the universe of logic, the other in the realm of magic and dreams. But they shared the one thing that mattered. Together, they made the world make sense. Numbers gave life order. Andrea gave it meaning."

From the age of 7, cello prodigy Andrea Louviere has been trying to merge her modern-day existence with that of young Isaac Newton's. She discovers that, by playing a song she composed, a crack in the wall of whatever room she is in bursts open and gives her a glimpse of this brilliant young man living in the mid-1600s. They fall for one another as they exchange letters delivered back and forth by a mysterious elderly man, and toss gifts to one another through the crack.

In fascinating fragments, Andrea's past with Isaac/future in the 21st century unfold. But she is forced to make difficult choices, realizing that Isaac's love for her could have significant repercussions for the two of them, and for the world at large.

"Love and Gravity" was a departure from the norm in terms of what I typically read. I'm not much into the fantasy genre, but what hooked me on this book was the concept of time travel. Like many time travel stories, there is so much that hangs in the balance depending on the choices that are made.

My brain isn't wired to easily grasp mathematical and scientific concepts, and I knew even before starting this book that that would pose a challenge for me. At the same time, though, part of the fun of reading "Love and Gravity" was how it pushed me in terms of comprehension.

Without giving too much away, what I found irritating was the sappy dialogue and love scenes between Andrea and Isaac. But I suppose if I were in Isaac's position, having waited all those years to be together with a crack in a wall and letter-writing as the only ways to communicate, I might wax poetic and act a bit too clingy, myself.

I also felt sorry for/was exasperated with Nate, who's been Andrea's best friend since around the same time the crack first appeared in Andrea's wall. Even though he lashes out at her when he feels like she's taking advantage of him, he just keeps coming back even though she continually treats him like crap. I was never sure if she really loved him or just kept him around for her own selfish reasons.

Relational bugaboos aside, I really did enjoy "Love and Gravity." It's a unique story with an intricately-woven plot and tons of surprises.

3.5 stars

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Love and Gravity is a beautiful blend of prose and poetry, music and words and of course a love that defies the rules of time and space. In Ms. Sotto's newest book, fictional characters are interspersed with real figures. Here we meet a young Isaac Newton in the past and Andrea a musical prodigy who lives in the present day. When these two first meet, it was through a small crack in the wall, an anomaly of space. As they get older, their meetings becomes a bridge towards a love that defied logical explanation but is as eternal time.

I had hoped that this book would enthrall me as much as The Time Traveler's Wife did, unfortunately, I just couldn't find the book to be as good. I don't read much romance, but this time-travel romance between a modern girl and Isaac Newton caught my attention and as I just love time-travel stories did I feel the need to read this book. Also, the cover us absolutely stunning!

As for the story, it has its ups and downs, it started off interesting, but somewhere around halfway through did I find myself losing interest in the story. The story started to drag on with the main characters Andrea and Isaac just pining after each other. I just wanted them to meet (not really a spoiler) since it's apparently clear when reading the first chapter, what would happen. And, it was sometimes just so saccharine that I felt like I was getting an overdose of sweetness. I wanted more passion, more drama, more surprises and stronger characters. It was a promising book that just failed to live up to my expectations. There is also a triangle drama in the story as Andrea from that she was young had a guy friend called Nate that she also loved. Yes sir, she loved them both and could not decide which one to choose. Thankfully, I quite liked Nate, he was a nice solid guy that steadfastly stood by her side.

Love and Gravity were a book that in the end felt too much like a young adult novel that tries to be deep, but in the end, fails. The story could have been better if Andrea and Isaac's love-story had not been so predictable, saccharine and to be honest boring. I would have loved to have read more about Isaac Newton, the man, the scientist. But, all one get is his pining after Andrea. It gets too much in the end. Also, the happily ever after ending was almost too much for me. So, no this was not a book for me.

There is something about time travel books that hold a place near and dear to my heart!

I guess it’s because I love the thought of me myself being able to just fall into a new time period. I think it’s romantic and exciting so whenever new books come up with time travel as a theme, I am almost always on board with reviewing them.

I don’t know much about Isaac Newton but I thought this book sounded compelling and I was anxious to review it based on the time travel component.

Andrea Louviere is seven years old the first time he appears. While she’s alone in her bedroom, practicing her beloved cello, the light shivers and a crack forms in the wall. Through the crack, she sees a candle, a window, a desk—and a boy. Though no sound travels through the wall, the boy clearly sees Andrea, too. And then, just as quickly as it opened, the crack closes, and he vanishes.


Over the years, summoning the bright, magnetic boy becomes something of an obsession for Andrea. Then, on her seventeenth birthday, she receives a three-hundred-year-old love letter from Isaac Newton. Andrea knows that Isaac will change the world with his groundbreaking discoveries; the letter tells Andrea that she will change him.

As Isaac’s letters intensify in passion and intimacy, Andrea grows determined to follow his clues to their shared destiny—despite a burgeoning romance in the present. Only when she discovers the way into Isaac’s time does Andrea realize that she faces a heartbreaking decision: between what was . . . and what might be.

This book is marketed to fans of THE TIME TRAVELERS WIFE and I would agree, it is very similar plot description but I thought this book was uniquely it’s own. I think one of the things I liked best about this book was that it made me think about the mechanics of the story. I found myself wondering how the time travel elements worked in the story and the author did such a fantastic job explaining things and helping the reader navigate the story all around. The time travel elements were a huge complex part of the story and I absolutely loved that aspect!

I also loved the two character perspectives. Andrea and Isaac were well drawn and constructed and I couldn’t help but fell in love with their love story. I knew right away that I could relate to Andrea and I loved how their story unfolded. Isaac was charming and a great romantic male figure. I really really adored them as a couple and felt that their relationship was memorable and one that other readers will feel stands out in literature.

The only thing that I wasn’t really a fan of was the cover. I liked the violin and the writing on the cover but the couple on the cover just didn’t do anything for me. If I had seen this book in the store, I probably wouldn’t have picked it up. I think the single violin and writing in the background on a navy cover would have been more eye catching and held a kind of mysteriousness for the book. Something about the cover just wasn’t working for me.

Overall I really loved this book and felt like it was a quick, absorbing read. And by quick I mean I could have read it in one sitting! It was catching right from the start and if I had had the time I would have read it in one sitting, but I was glad that I could stretch it out a little longer so I could truly enjoy each page. If you like time travel romance novels, this book will not disappoint and I would highly recommend it!

Challenge/Book Summary:

Book: Love and Gravity by Samantha Sotto

Kindle Edition
Expected publication: February 7th 2017 by Ballantine Books
ASIN B01DRXCPP4
Review copy provided by: Author/Publisher in exchange for an honest review
This book counts toward: NA

Hosted by: NA
Books for Challenge Completed: NA
Recommendation: 4.5 out of 5

Genre: Romance, time travel, historical fiction

Memorable lines/quotes: NA

LOVE AND GRAVITY is beautifully written. I was completely enchanted by the whimsical story-telling. This is, in the true essence of the word, a romance. Not just of love, but of life and passion. It's reminiscent of The Time Traveler's Wife novel, but with a voice of its own.

The story is fictional, but I almost believed, or hoped really, that Isaac Newton was capable of such fierce passion. All the characters have so much depth and emotion. I experienced so many feelings and emotions as well. What Isaac and Andrea shared was an all-consuming love that defied space and time. I can't tell you how many times Ms. Sotto had me tearing up.

I'm more of a conventional happily ever after type of girl so I don't normally read this type of story, but I'm glad I took a chance. I'd definitely recommend LOVE AND GRAVITY to all readers. While reading, however, I do suggest you have plenty of tissues handy. This one's a tear-jerker!

***I want to thank the publisher for generously offering me a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. All conclusions reached are my own***

Ever since I watched the movie "Somewhere in Time" I have been intrigued by the concept of time travel. I was excited to be given an ARC copy of this book through Net Galley and was not disappointed.

Andrea first encounters Isaac while playing her cello... a crack appears in the wall of her room and she spies him sitting in his room. Their encounters happen similarly through the years and their fascination for each other grows with each encounter. The author did a great job of moving from the past into the present and of keeping the mystery and the nuances of time travel at the forefront.

Samantha Sotto obviously did her research on Isaac Newton as the details of his life and accomplishments were included seamlessly. I enjoyed the book but have to admit,when it ended, I was left shaking my head and muttering " how can that be?" Time travel is still a mystery but certainly fun to read about.

Andrea Louviere was destined to play the cello. Her father, a celebrated concert cellist, made sure of that. He taught her how focus her exceptional talent and about just how much power that music really has.
Even he couldn’t have imagined just how true his lesson would prove to be.
One day while practicing, her music opens a crack in her wall to reveal a beautiful boy with a smile that she can never forget. And so begins her desperate search for a way to see him again.

A mysterious man suddenly appears on her doorstep carrying letters from the boy beyond the wall. In his words, she finds strength to overcome her fears and a love that dares to transcend time.

"Andrea, stop. Pray, take a breath. I swear to you, this is real. I am the boy behind your wall and you are the girl behind mine. Do not cast my words away.
Her heart lurched. If this was a trick, it was a cruel one. Tears burned behind her eyelids.
You are seventeen and the time has come at last to tell you how everything began, how I have come to love you above all else, and how you will come to love me."

Isaac Newton was historically known for being a loner. He never married and never committed to anything – other than science. But what history doesn’t know is that his heart belonged to a girl that he could never really have. The brief glimpses that he had of Andrea kept him going through a lifetime of solitude and sadness.

He would find a way to cross all barriers to tell her what was in his heart and maybe that would be enough to hold on to when even reason failed him.

But laws and hearts are meant to be broken and it’s a price that he will gladly pay for the beautiful girl made of magic and music.

"There were two things that Isaac had come to rely on in this world: numbers and Andrea. On the surface, they were polar opposites. The first existed in the universe of logic, the other in the realm of magic and dreams. But they shared the one thing that mattered. Together, they made the world make sense. Numbers gave life order. Andrea gave it meaning."

I expected a sweet and simple love story when I began to read Love and Gravity. And what I experienced was something far different. Samantha has created a wildly passionate tale filled with such longing and heartbreak that I couldn’t hold back the tears. She blended the new and the old with poetic precision and I was completely swept away by the music, the adventure and the infinite tenderness. It’s a feeling that I know I won’t forget for a very long time…

I read the last page and my feelings were all over the place. Never once did I feel like I had a good grasp of what I thought and felt of this book. Guess that comes with the territory when one is dealing with a story of this nature that crosses the genre lines.

So what to say…

Let’s start with the summary. Andrea Louviere is a gifted cellist and was a child prodigy of sorts though her social anxiety kept her from the usual path of training and performance. A much more incredible reason also influences the direction of her life. Andrea grows up with her father and new family after he remarried, her music, and her friend from childhood, Nate, being her enter world. At least her entire world on this side of the wall.

When playing Isaac’s song that she created in a low time of her life, Andrea’s music opens a seam in time to a world on the other side of her wall where she gets glimpses of first a boy, then her friend growing older as a brilliant young man. The mysterious connection is unbelievable, but the friendship and later the deeper emotion of love make her believe in the magic and hold tight to it when others would beg her to live in the real world and take the love offered that she can see, hear, and touch all the time.

On the other side of the wall, young Isaac Newton is first curious about this friend who takes away the loneliness and inspires him to search out how their connection is possible. His mathematical and scientific genius finds a way to broaden the connection across time and a romance is born that he will do anything to have and keep. But can even he break the laws of science to bring about his heart’s desire?

So, this story that twisted me around and around makes for a difficult review. In essence, I both liked and disliked it, loved and hated it, and- you get the idea. Let’s just say I had rather mixed feelings. I think one of the reasons is because I couldn’t figure out what type of story it was. It doesn’t read like straight-up any one thing so it was hard to get a pulse. Was it a time travel romance? Yes. But, did it feel like historical or general fiction? Also yes. Now, let’s not forget the young adult and romance elements…

The story starts with Andrea and Isaac as children. I found this background and introduction interesting, but I also felt it opened the story in a way that didn’t sustain my interest. I had to wait a third of the book for things to really start happening. If I hadn’t already known that I was getting a time travel romance involving Sir Isaac Newton, I probably would have set the book aside before the more interesting part kicked in.

And then, I nearly put it down again when I discovered there was to be a love triangle and I do mean a true triangle. Andrea was in love with two men- one in the past and one in the present. This love triangle stuff isn’t fair to anyone involved and creates an unrequited love situation that is just not my idea of a good time. But, yes… mitigating circumstances happened. My own curiosity kept me reading along with my need to see which of two very worthy men would get their happiness. See? Hate the triangles. Someone is always hurt. Ugh.

There was Nate. Nate was Andrea’s childhood friend and later the boy and then man who fell in love with her and waited for her to see this and love him back. They share an early love of music and understanding. Nate knows what they have together. Andrea doesn’t see it because she is blinded by the magical connection she has with Isaac through their brief glimpses across time and then Isaac’s mysteriously delivered letters so she pushes Nate away sometimes cruelly. I get it, how can she tell him the truth. Though she does learn from how she dealt with Nate and told Isaac the truth that her heart is split between two loves.

Later on, I really connected with Isaac. Isaac got his wish of having Andrea with him and then must set his brilliant mind to finding a way to keep her. There is a surprise twist in Isaac’s story. Wow, didn’t see that coming. The author took known facts of Newton’s life and created a secret life that would fit within that which I thought well done. Though tissues… I required a few tissues before all was said and done.

So yes, this book had me wanted to set it aside a few times, but also pulled me in and grabbed me emotionally at other moments. From this end of the book, I am glad to have read it. I do think those who enjoy a historical fiction-feel to an emotional time travel romance will want to read this one.

My thanks to Penguin-Random House for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was an enjoyable time travel story. Musical prodigy falls for Isaac Newton. Ms. Sotto created an amazing world where a modern heroine falls in love with one of the most acclaimed and influential scientists of all time. There’s something magical and fresh about this plot. Cant wait to read more from this author.

Eminent 17th-century scientist Sir Isaac Newton never married, and he reportedly wasn’t romantically involved with anyone. What if that wasn’t true? Sotto, author of Before Ever After, delivers another time-bending romantic adventure with her latest, which imagines a love story between Newton and a modern woman, a gifted cellist, who manages to bridge the 300-plus years through music. The premise is fanciful, but Sotto is reliably good at traveling along life’s offbeat paths.

Andrea Louviere first sees Newton when she’s seven, after a crack in her bedroom wall opens wide enough for her to glimpse a boy about her age. The only person she dares tell is her school friend, Nate, who doesn’t believe her. As Andrea grows up, and her relationship with Nate turns romantic, she and Isaac develop a mysterious bond. When Andrea is seventeen, she begins receiving Isaac’s letters via an elderly messenger who somehow has contact with them both. She determines to unlock the mystery of the shared future Isaac speaks of, but this seems impossible, since the objects they exchange through the time-portal all turn to dust.

Most of the novel is set in the present, with lengthy sections showing Newton’s childhood in Woolsthorpe in Lincolnshire and his later years at grammar school and at Cambridge. The novel isn’t as substantive historically as it could be, and the secondary characters are mostly vague shadows. Someone like Nate deserves better than the second place to which he’s relegated, too. The time-travel mechanism is clever, though, one that takes into account both parties’ talents, and the story grows significantly poignant in the last third or so. This isn’t The Time Traveler’s Wife, which it clearly emulates, but it’s an entertaining diversion for romance fans open to something different.

Linked below.

I was not able to sleep right away after reading this last night. A lingering sadness had permeated into my soul. On the contrary, the story had a happy ending but not for everyone. I think not for Isaac. Yes, the man himself, Mr. Gravity and Calculus--Isaac Newton. My heart bleeds for him.

I think this is going to be my most beautiful read of 2017. I know, seems pretty premature. But allow me to convince you why.

First, the writing is poignant, melancholy and poetic at the same time. It is brimming with rapturous and clever words and metaphors that will strike you and stick with you. They will endlessly tug and pull hard on your heartstrings. This story will entrance you with the melody of a cello that is both sweet and bitter. This will turn you inside out with its vivid descriptions. It's as if it's almost possible that I can play the cello just by following Andrea's tutorials in this book.

What is it with stories with cellos? Remember, If I stay? I don't know, but me reading stories with cellos are always a sweet and emotional combination. It always turns out to be both a happy and heartrending journey. I think a note from a cello can turn the hardest heart of stone into mush, can crack the hardest shell open and can warm the coldest of hearts. Its hypnotic melody can render anyone vulnerable to get carried away and helplessly surrender to get swallowed by its whispering notes and then lose oneself in its music. I can't imagine anyone who listens to a cello being played and not grew serious. Its song will demand your full attention and compel you to take it seriously. I can still hear in my head the enchanting songs played by Andrea on her cello.

This time travel between worlds, three hundred years apart, was done seamlessly and magically. I can find no fault in it but let myself be swept away in this timeless tale of friendship, family, love and discoveries. Isaac Newton was made flesh and blood in this story. Like all of us, he grew up with life's trials hanging over his head and was at the mercy of his tormentors. This larger-than-life brilliant historical figure was made human and even more admirable because of his flaws. The sad and humble beginnings of how he came to be one of the greatest.

The story won't allow you to predict and prepare for what's coming next. You will be forced to give up your theories and assumptions of where the story will take you. You will have to trust that it will take you far beyond your expectations. It will most definitely not disappoint but still it will leave you sad, if not mellowed, once you have reached the conclusion. It's ironic. The ending made sure that all misunderstandings and doubts were resolved but still you can't help ending up in tears. Maybe because of relief yet not quite happy tears. That was how it was for me.

This story had me thinking a lot of questions. I was curious if the author was once a cello prodigy. Was Isaac Newton her favorite of all the brilliant scientist in history? Were science and math her favorite subjects? Was the author fascinated by discoveries, tinkering and creating new things out of scattered and useless objects? Did she at one time want to be a scientist? Some of these questions were answered on the facts about the author.

I give this book all the apples in Woolsthorpe Manor orchard--5/5. This story will effortlessly and easily crawl its way into your heart and would never leave. I am so proud that another Filipino has broken into the halls of international novel writing. Miss Samantha Sotto, you have totally made it. This book is proof. I won't be surprised if this one ends up on the New York Time's Bestsellers' List. Thank you so much for this opportunity to read your amazing work. I am definitely a fan and a proud kababayan. Congratulations!!!


We try to get what has been forbidden for us, and we always want whatever we have been refused.
- Ovid, Amores -


His words were made from the darkest hot chocolate, every sound creamy, comforting, and spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
- Samanta Sotto, Love and Gravity -

loveandgravity
"No two objects can occupy the same place at the same time."
-Love and Gravity by Samantha Sotto
I cannot even begin to describe how incredible this book was. I was so very captivated with the story from start to finish. Samantha Sotto stated in the book that, Isaac and Andrea's connection was "unbreakable, timeless, and absolute." This is a perfect description of them. I'm sure you are asking..Who are they? I feel like I can both tell you and not tell answer this. I love these characters so much that I feel like I may not do a good job describing them. I hope I can do them justice in giving some information about their story.

So for starters the book is about a girl named Andrea and a boy named Isaac. Isaac Newton that is. Heard of him? Yes, that's the guy. Law of Gravity. And many other accomplishments. He's a pretty well known guy in history and has contributed so much to science. But back to the story. Andrea and Isaac. Andrea is a child prodigy and plays the cello wonderfully at a young age. She plays the cello in her bedroom and essentially opens a time rift in which she meets Isaac.....in his own time. Say what?! Andrea in our time meets Isaac in his time. And they are able to interact somewhat. They can't hear each other though. But it is still pretty incredible that they are able to see each other. They each get a glimpse of each other's worlds. But it is a small glimpse and it fades away quickly. Now Andrea meets Isaac quite a few times through the rift and as they both grow through the years, they fall more in love and can't seem to let each other go. Ready for a wrench to be thrown in? Andrea has a childhood friend named Nate who has grown up with her and they are in a bit of a complicated relationship. Andrea has feelings for both Nate and Isaac. That's where the top quote is from. She can only give half of her heart to each and that isn't fair to either guy or to Andrea herself. But how can you choose? The man you grew up with and who has been a friend for so long, who knows you in and out? Or do you choose the one who you can never have but who your heart yearns for despite time and circumstance? Can you have both? Should you? So many questions! No worries though, the book answers everything and it all ties up by the ending. I felt the ending was very appropriate and even found myself shedding tears for the characters.

This book gets a 5/5 stars from me. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I am not one to go back and reread books because I just don't usually enjoy them enough to read them again but I have a few that are sacred to my heart and I just added this one to that list. If you love romance, suspense, time travel..read it! It gives off sort of an Outlander vibe if you are a fan.

This e-book was provided to me free of charge from Netgalley and I am so thankful for this! The book is set to release February 7, 2017 so be sure to add it to your Goodreads and purchase a copy!

Sir Issac Newton and music, love and science. This was an awesome read.