A Perfect Equation
by Elizabeth Everett
The Secret Scientists of London - Book 2
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: February 15, 2022
Reviewed by PJ
How do you solve the Perfect Equation? Add one sharp-tongued mathematician to an aloof, handsome nobleman. Divide by conflicting loyalties and multiply by a daring group of women hell-bent on conducting their scientific experiments. The solution is a romance that will break every rule.
Six years ago, Miss Letitia Fenley made a mistake, and she’s lived with the consequences ever since. Readying herself to compete for the prestigious Rosewood Prize for Mathematics, she is suddenly asked to take on another responsibility—managing Athena’s Retreat, a secret haven for England’s women scientists. Having spent the last six years on her own, Letty doesn’t want the offers of friendship from other club members and certainly doesn’t need any help from the insufferably attractive Lord Greycliff.
Lord William Hughes, the Viscount Greycliff cannot afford to make any mistakes. His lifelong dream of becoming the director of a powerful clandestine agency is within his grasp. Tasked with helping Letty safeguard Athena’s Retreat, Grey is positive that he can control the antics of the various scientists as well as manage the tiny mathematician—despite their historic animosity and simmering tension.
As Grey and Letty are forced to work together, their mutual dislike turns to admiration and eventually to something...magnetic. When faced with the possibility that Athena’s Retreat will close forever, they must make a choice. Will Grey turn down a chance to change history, or can Letty get to the root of the problem and prove that love is the ultimate answer?
How in the world did I miss the first book in this series (and Elizabeth Everett's debut): A Lady's Formula for Love? I corrected that error in a hot second as soon as I turned the final page of A Perfect Equation. And, oh, by the way, I had to get out of bed and turn on my computer in the middle of the night to do it because I finished Grey and Letty's story somewhere around 3:00 AM. But did I care? No, I did not. Because, oh my goodness, this book was so freaking awesome!
First of all, a secret collective of brilliant lady scientists in Victorian London? Yes, please! An opinionated mathematician spurned by society because of an unfortunate scandal years earlier? I am absolutely in her corner. Add a prim and proper Viscount who leads a regimented life devoid of emotion (for reasons), would do most anything for his stepmother (our mathematician's best friend), and, oh yes, had a major role in society turning their backs on Letty all those year's ago? Drop him in the middle of those brilliant, eccentric, and incredibly stubborn lady scientists (including Letty) and you just know his life will never be the same. It's so much fun to watch him unravel. Even more fun to see him begin to open up, explore, and embrace joys he's avoided with previously unbreakable tenacity.
The romance between Letty and Grey is beautifully paced with plenty of witty banter, sizzling chemistry, and realistic growth. From mistrust to reluctant attraction to forced proximity to surprising respect to forgiveness to love, these two experience it all on their journey and I loved every single bit of it.
Don't miss A Perfect Equation by Elizabeth Everett. It's going on my keeper shelf and I've already begun following (stalking) the author's website and social media for information about future books.
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Have you discovered Elizabeth Everett yet?
Have you discovered any new or new to you authors recently?
In honor of Galentine's Day and to celebrate all you wonderful friends (because I do consider you friends) who visit the Dish, four randomly chosen readers who post a comment before 11:00 PM (EST), February 14 will each receive a package of books from my home library.
*U.S. only
*Must be 18
*Void where prohibited
