Sara Read

I received this book for free, this does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review

Suddenly we really saw each other, and it surprised us both.

Meg has lived hidden away for the last fifteen years at her grandmother's home, showing up at twenty-three when a panic attack finally chased her away from a professorship. In the beginning, genius Dr. Meg Brightwood worked to solve a centuries old mathematical proof, nicknamed “The Impossible Theorem” but the last few years show more have been caregiver to her grandmother. When her grandmother dies, Meg finds her safe, secure world starting to come apart. Her father, who never stopped pressuring her growing up, and uncle want her out of the house, but a will gives her two years in the home. It all becomes moot though, when Meg actually solves the proof and the boy she loved comes back into her life.

I wasn't a scared little girl anymore. I was a scared grown woman---which is different.

This was a contemporary fiction, lit fic, and romance story that I hope gets put on a lot of people's radar. Told all from Meg's point-of-view, I could feel her choking and helplessness during her panic attacks, they don't get magically solved at the end and still suffers from them but her character growth from the first page to the last allows her to become better equipped to handle them. Even though this was mainly Meg's story, Isaac, the troubled youth boy that used to do handy work around the grandmother's house, got a full character story. His troubled childhood of having a bi-polar mother, take her anger out on him grandmother, and older sister that tried to raise him but ran into her own problems with drugs, not so oddly gave him common ground and understanding with Meg, the come from money mathematical genius with a father who didn't let her have a childhood and jealous of the attention older sister. There were a couple flashbacks to when she was twenty-three and he nineteen, learning each other and talking to give the reader some foundation for why they're drawn to each other when they meet back up again fifteen years later but most of the meat of their togetherness is in the present, with open-door scenes.

One thing I knew---we both needed contact, each the anchor to the other's faltering ship.

This had a little bit of a slower start but if you're a frequent lit fic reader, it wouldn't faze you, there were a few times where the writing went to lit prose and therefore felt a bit overwritten to me but the emotions are there, making this a story that hits you. The second half didn't have the pacing issue of the first and Meg must deal with her father trying to steal her work and helping Isaac deal with a huge issue hanging over his head, all while they both try to navigate their love for each other; I'm not good enough for you, I'll ruin/be a pain in your life, etc. A cousin of Meg's and Isaac's older sister were fantastic secondary character additions, each bringing out a part of Meg and Isaac's character. There's not a lot of “math” talk, think a watered down movie Queen's Gambit but sexism, misogyny in the mathematical world, academia, is discussed and how Meg was affected by it for some of that world setting. This wasn't light or fluffy but will have your mired in the emotions, wanting Meg to stand up for herself and Isaac to allow her to fight for him. show less

Sara Read's book portrays the life of Dr. Meg Brightwood, who is a mathematical prodigy and solves the Impossible Theorem. The story focuses on Meg's struggle with anxiety, sexism in STEM, and emotional abuse from her father who values her only for her academic abilities. As Meg tries to find her place in a male-dominated field, she reunites with her childhood love, Isaac Wells, who offers her the unconditional love and support she needs. The novel is about self-discovery, overcoming trauma, show more and fighting for recognition. Sara Read's writing beautifully captures Meg's battles and triumphs, making it an inspiring read. It profoundly resonates with themes of self-acceptance, resilience, and the courage to claim one's space. show less

Strong, Layered Romance With Atypical Lead. Up front, I'm a guy that got a degree in a mathematics related field (Computer Science) and because of the quirks of the way I attended college (also, as our lead here, at 16yo,fwiw) I came within just a couple of semesters of getting two other separate mathematics related degrees at the same time. Like our lead, I too had a flash of utter brilliance at that young age (well, in my case I was 20 yrs old) that is now, 20 yrs later, seemingly being show more realized in the real world. (Damn I wish I had applied for a patent, but I thought nothing of it other than as a paper for a Bachelor's Degree level class - even if Senior Year.) And yes, like our lead, I've also known close friends of that era later struggle with various legal issues. So maybe the book worked so well for me *because* I am in a rare position of having a similar enough background to *really* feel it. Perhaps. But I also think these issues and situations are still prevalent enough and general enough that even if you've never been in or near situations with these exact particulars, you've been in or around similar *general* situations (strains on parental relationships, lonely, questioning yourself even as a 30 yr old adult who is "supposed" to "know what you're doing" by now, etc).

And that is what makes this book particularly great. Yes, it is messy. Yes, it can be convoluted at times. Yes, it may or may not feel particularly "swoon worthy" romantic at times. Hell, there are times when it feels like our lead exists for little more than sex. (That is rare, btw, but yes, "clean"/ "sweet" crowd... you've now been warned that this may be a bit racy for your tastes.) But all of this, to me, makes it feel all the more "real". Because let's face it, our lives rarely feel any of those things all the time (thank God, really).

And while some may scream at me "But I don't read romance to feel REAL!!!!! I *WANT THE FANTASY DAMMIT!!!!*", my argument here is that because this *is* more real, *knowing* that this book fulfills all romance requirements I am presently aware of means that despite the realism, *you still get the fantasy as well*. You still get that happy ending - at least one that works for this couple in this story in this world. You still get that "awww" and that catharsis that everything works out in the end, no matter how shitty and messy it gets in between.

And to me, that makes the story *stronger*. *Because* it was more real and more heartfelt.

This was my first book from this author. It very likely will not be the last.

Very much recommended.

This review also appears on BookAnon.com. show less

Meg has finally succeeded in solving the Impossible Theorem. It has been her life’s work. She has been reclusive and terrified of the world. But now that she has solved this mathematical problem. She must present it to the public. Unfortunately this plagues her with anxiety. So she hides the math problem in a safe. When she tries to retrieve it, she realizes it has been stolen…BY HER OWN FATHER.

At some level, I can relate to Meg. I can relate to her reclusiveness. I would definitely stay show more at home all the time. I know, I know, that is not exactly her issue. I absolutely loved her. I loved her intelligence and how she grows throughout this story. She develops a backbone and it is a joy when she does!

Oh and how could I not talk about Isaac. At first, I was not sure if I should trust Isaac. I really thought he could be the bad guy in this. But he turns out to be a jewel and Meg’s champion.

I absolutely loved this authors first book Johanna Porter is Not Sorry. And I also enjoyed this one. This author is quickly becoming a mainstay for me. Her characters are so real! And this story puts a smile on your face!

Need a brilliant romance to take you away…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review. show less