Genre:
Contemporary Romance, Rom-Com
What is it?
Elementary Romantic Calculus is Book 6 of stand alone books in the Chemistry Lessons series
Release Date:
May 18, 2021
My Brief Thoughts:
Elementary Romantic Calculus has a lot of bright spots in it about learning to accept yourself for yourself, and not pushing yourself to fit into the mold of others. Mia has to find herself, and break free of her father’s expectations once and for all, if she’s to let herself be happy with her life. It’s something we all face, but she has to do it while also accepting that she isn’t going to be able to follow her life plan. Do I think she could have done at least the latter part more graciously? Of course, she was downright snobby about her outlook on Crowder, and even Josh, at first.
This book also felt different to me than the others in the series, and I think it was more of a set up for the new series than it was truly a standalone book like the others – though it was nice to see Brooke pop up in this one, even if it was brief!
I liked this book. I can’t say I LOVED it like I can the others.
I give it 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 for because it’s good enough to not round down.
Keep reading for my full review!
Author’s Blurb:
Mia has had her whole life mapped out since she was 18. She’s supposed to follow up her math PhD with a research postdoc, but her 20-year tenure plan takes a surprise deviation when she’s forced to settle for a temporary teaching job at a small-town university.
It’s not easy adapting to rural life when you’re an inveterate city girl, but Mia tries to make the best of it until she can get the heck out of Podunk—er, Crowder, Texas. Things finally start to look up after a run-in with some terrifying local wildlife sends her careening into the arms of a sexy goat farmer/cheesemaker.
Mia finds herself unexpectedly drawn to Josh’s gruff cowboy charms, especially after she learns what lies behind the thick walls he’s built around his heart. The deeper their connection grows, the more Crowder starts to feel like home.
But Mia can’t afford to stay. Not unless she’s willing to give up on her dream—or trade it in for a new one.
If you’ve followed me for much time at all, you’ll have seen me discuss my love of this series. (Here are my reviews for Experimental Marine Biology and Applied Electromagnetism.) I was incredibly saddened when I saw that this book would be the last in the series, but was still really excited to read it as it had been nearly a year since the last one came out. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it and dive into the last of these great smart-woman stories.
The problem is, I don’t know if I’ve changed or if these books have, but I have to say I’m not sure this book holds up to the others.
First, even though I did like her, I found Mia to be snobby, thinking she was too good for Crowder, TX without ever having been there. She takes the job because she couldn’t get anything else, and instead of being grateful to have a position, she thinks the place, the college, and the people are all beneath her before ever setting foot in the town. Did she deserve a position at a bigger school? Maybe, but with as many times as she reminds herself she’s lucky to have gotten an offer, it seems like it should have sunken in at some point.
Josh seems pretty great from the start, though it’s quickly clear there’s some serious back story with him, which, honestly, just made me even more curious about him. The care with which he takes care of his goats is endearing, and he’s smart and funny to boot. All-in-all seems like a great guy, and I love that we get to learn more about him a little bit at a time. I wasn’t sure if you could make all the cheeses mentioned with goats milk, but it does appear to be the case, so I learned something too!
The side characters, as with many books, help make this book. Andi and Wyatt are the most loyal friends (and sister) you could ask for. However, I think they’re also the source of my biggest complaint about the entire book:
This book feels like it was mostly written simply as an introduction into Nix’s new series.
There were points throughout the whole book where it seemed the hints being dropped didn’t quite sit right in THIS book, like Nix was thinking about something else at the time. However, when after the end of the story I found a note talking about how Wyatt’s family, the Kings, will be the focus of her new series, it kind of all made sense.
Do I want to know what happens with his family and him? Yes, I’m curious.
Do I feel a little like this book would have been better if it wasn’t a set up? Yes, absolutely.
Will I continue the series?
Each of the books are currently $4.99.
This is the last book in the series, so there isn’t a continuation!
Will I read the King books? Maybe. I am curious about Wyatt and Andi.
How to find it:
Amazon
Goodreads (Includes links to all sellers)
Find Susannah Nix:
Susannah Nix is a RITA-nominated romance author who lives in Texas with her husband, two ornery cats, and a flatulent pit bull. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading, cooking, knitting, watching stupid amounts of television, and getting distracted by Tumblr. She is also a power-lifter who can deadlift as much as Captain America weighs.
Fangs & Femmes 