THE CALCULATION OF YOU AND ME, by Serena Kaylor, Wednesday Books, June 18, 2024, Paperback, $13.99 (young adult, ages 14 and up)
A calculus nerd tries to win back her ex-boyfriend but falls for her surly classmate instead in The Calculation of You and Me, by Serena Kaylor.
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.
As the semester heats up with yearning love notes, a syllabus of romance novels, and late nights spent with a boy who escapes any box her brain tries to put him in, Marlowe starts to question if there’s really a set solution to love. Could a girl who’s never met a problem she can’t solve have gotten the math so massively wrong? —Synopsis provided by Wednesday Books
The Calculation of You and Me is a sort of predictable slow-burn YA romance that features classic literature, letter writing and music.
Marlowe is a cute, sort of awkward girl who makes you want to learn more about her. Marlowe is neurodivergent, and doesn’t quite “get” social cues, particularly when it comes to romantic relationships. But she does know how she feels. She knows what she wants. And she’s willing to take the steps to get there. Of particular note on Marlowe’s side are her two best friends, who love her for exactly who she is.
The Calculation of You and Me isn’t spectacular, but it’s good. Author Serena Kaylor’s pacing is fairly steady and she works humor in throughout. Her writing is comfortable and easy. And the tropes are familiar. I suggest this one as a library read prior to purchase.
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