Review Detail
Young Adult Fiction
236
overall cute YA contemporary romance
Overall rating
4.0
Plot
4.0
Characters
4.0
Writing Style
4.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
N/A
THE CALCULATION OF YOU AND ME is an overall cute YA contemporary romance. After her boyfriend of two years dumps her for not being romantic enough, Marlowe feels set adrift, but she knows she must put in the work to get him back. After she is paired with Ash for an English project and realizes he might know something about romance, she decides to ask him for his help - he will teach her how to be more romantic and she will help him promote his band online.
However, as they spend time together, Marlowe begins to ask herself more frequently what she really wants - and the answer may not be what she had thought it would be.
What I loved: This was an overall cute book with characters that were easy to like. Marlowe is confused about her life and love, and she has an idea of her family and her parents' former marriage that helps to convince her that maybe her ex was right. As the book continues, Marlowe does learn about romance and love, but it was not what she originally thought. I appreciated that some of the key lessons come from characters who are not just Ash, as they give their insights on Marlowe's perceptions/misconceptions. In particular, her parents and BFF's have some key insights that help to bring some epiphanies.
The dating was very cute, although couched as lessons. Ash was very sweet as well, and it was easy to like him and to like him for Marlowe. Themes around self-worth, the power of a good romance novel, and what love really is were all really great. The representation was great as well, with several characters having autism and side characters on the LGBT+ spectrum.
What left me wanting more: As a small thing, the middle of the book felt pretty repetitive as Marlowe gets stuck in between what she thought she wanted and what she cannot yet admit to herself that she does want. There were a few scenes that felt like they repeated, likely due to her personal confusion. The end did finish strong.
Final verdict: THE CALCULATION OF ME AND YOU is an overall very cute YA contemporary romance about love and finding your own way.
However, as they spend time together, Marlowe begins to ask herself more frequently what she really wants - and the answer may not be what she had thought it would be.
What I loved: This was an overall cute book with characters that were easy to like. Marlowe is confused about her life and love, and she has an idea of her family and her parents' former marriage that helps to convince her that maybe her ex was right. As the book continues, Marlowe does learn about romance and love, but it was not what she originally thought. I appreciated that some of the key lessons come from characters who are not just Ash, as they give their insights on Marlowe's perceptions/misconceptions. In particular, her parents and BFF's have some key insights that help to bring some epiphanies.
The dating was very cute, although couched as lessons. Ash was very sweet as well, and it was easy to like him and to like him for Marlowe. Themes around self-worth, the power of a good romance novel, and what love really is were all really great. The representation was great as well, with several characters having autism and side characters on the LGBT+ spectrum.
What left me wanting more: As a small thing, the middle of the book felt pretty repetitive as Marlowe gets stuck in between what she thought she wanted and what she cannot yet admit to herself that she does want. There were a few scenes that felt like they repeated, likely due to her personal confusion. The end did finish strong.
Final verdict: THE CALCULATION OF ME AND YOU is an overall very cute YA contemporary romance about love and finding your own way.
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