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yessica's review against another edition
4.0
Loved it!!!!! Let me know if you want a more detailed review
eska's review against another edition
5.0
I received an advance digital copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
What a book! I can't remember the last time I laughed so much because of a book. My thoughts are going wild right now, so I'll try my best to structure them a little bit.
"It's not that simple."
"Nothing worth doing ever is."
1. Things that I personally really love:
MJs parents are chinese and norwegian (๐) and surprinsigly her norwegian mother is the "evil" parent. Her viking ancestors are to blame.
There is also a dog. He just says hi in a chapter, but even that makes me really happy ๐งก
It's science related! I am not a huge chemistry fan (I enjoy physics a lot more) but the book still works for me perfectly. It's more about how hard it is to achive something in STEM and how people think in those fields.
"How's uni?" "Goind well. I'm really enjoying the education lectures this semester." Both studying to be teachers. How claustrophobic.
2. Reasons why you should read this book:
It's a sweet and authentic lovestory. No hate to love story but a story between two differently thinking people who learn how to complement each other. It's not full off passion and more down to earth with getting to know each other without unnecassary conflicts.
The missing of a stupid plot twist: people, those books excist! Yes, there is a missunderstanding due to the lack of communication. But right after that incident they speak with each other in a civilised way and everything is all right.
The friendship between MJ and Sandy doesn't have much room to evolve, like the relationship between MJ and her brother Theo, but they're still a huge part of the story and great supporting characters. But there is still a little bit good old drama ๐
I sigh and reach into the bag of chips again. "If he's into you, he'll try to get into your personal space, find excuses to touch you, on your shoulder, your hand." I pop a chip in my mouth and flick her a glance. Her brow is back to imitating corrugated iron. Probably analysing her last study seesion with the guy. "He'll also be real attentive, hang on your every word, that sort of - what are you doing?" She' rummaging around in her messenger bag, pulling out a - you've got to be kidding me! "Will you put that away!" I make a grab for the notebook and pen she's produced, but she's too quick and pulls them out of my reach. I shake my head. "This isn't the kind of thing you can study for, MJ." "Why not? Attraction is a science. Inexact maybe, but still a science."
Last but not least: Luke and MJ. I love the alternating chapters between the two of them. They complement themself perfectly. Especially Lukes pov was an eye opener to me. His snarky thoughts commenting MJs behaviour are hilarous! I didn't find her way of thinking that shocking therefore it felt naturally to me as a physicist, but I can totally see why he is so confused and amused at the same time. I also love that he doesn't use this to his advantage and just enjoys it silently. Theo is right: Luke is a good one.
I look around the study space, just to make sure I'm really in the library and not stuck in some weird rom-com version of the Matrix.
3. It reminded me a bit of Simone Elkeles' [b:Perfect Chemistry|4268157|Perfect Chemistry (Perfect Chemistry, #1)|Simone Elkeles|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1439792475s/4268157.jpg|4315675] which is more a classical love-hate lovestory with quite a lot unneccessary drama. In the end I would compare it more with Rainbow Rowells [b:Fangirl|16068905|Fangirl|Rainbow Rowell|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1355886270s/16068905.jpg|21861351]. Take the fanfiction-stuff away and put science into it and then you have Beat the Chemistry. MJ has here awkward moments, too, but the difference is, she doesn't know.
What a book! I can't remember the last time I laughed so much because of a book. My thoughts are going wild right now, so I'll try my best to structure them a little bit.
"It's not that simple."
"Nothing worth doing ever is."
1. Things that I personally really love:
MJs parents are chinese and norwegian (๐) and surprinsigly her norwegian mother is the "evil" parent. Her viking ancestors are to blame.
There is also a dog. He just says hi in a chapter, but even that makes me really happy ๐งก
It's science related! I am not a huge chemistry fan (I enjoy physics a lot more) but the book still works for me perfectly. It's more about how hard it is to achive something in STEM and how people think in those fields.
"How's uni?" "Goind well. I'm really enjoying the education lectures this semester." Both studying to be teachers. How claustrophobic.
2. Reasons why you should read this book:
It's a sweet and authentic lovestory. No hate to love story but a story between two differently thinking people who learn how to complement each other. It's not full off passion and more down to earth with getting to know each other without unnecassary conflicts.
The missing of a stupid plot twist: people, those books excist! Yes, there is a missunderstanding due to the lack of communication. But right after that incident they speak with each other in a civilised way and everything is all right.
The friendship between MJ and Sandy doesn't have much room to evolve, like the relationship between MJ and her brother Theo, but they're still a huge part of the story and great supporting characters. But there is still a little bit good old drama ๐
I sigh and reach into the bag of chips again. "If he's into you, he'll try to get into your personal space, find excuses to touch you, on your shoulder, your hand." I pop a chip in my mouth and flick her a glance. Her brow is back to imitating corrugated iron. Probably analysing her last study seesion with the guy. "He'll also be real attentive, hang on your every word, that sort of - what are you doing?" She' rummaging around in her messenger bag, pulling out a - you've got to be kidding me! "Will you put that away!" I make a grab for the notebook and pen she's produced, but she's too quick and pulls them out of my reach. I shake my head. "This isn't the kind of thing you can study for, MJ." "Why not? Attraction is a science. Inexact maybe, but still a science."
Last but not least: Luke and MJ. I love the alternating chapters between the two of them. They complement themself perfectly. Especially Lukes pov was an eye opener to me. His snarky thoughts commenting MJs behaviour are hilarous! I didn't find her way of thinking that shocking therefore it felt naturally to me as a physicist, but I can totally see why he is so confused and amused at the same time. I also love that he doesn't use this to his advantage and just enjoys it silently. Theo is right: Luke is a good one.
I look around the study space, just to make sure I'm really in the library and not stuck in some weird rom-com version of the Matrix.
3. It reminded me a bit of Simone Elkeles' [b:Perfect Chemistry|4268157|Perfect Chemistry (Perfect Chemistry, #1)|Simone Elkeles|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1439792475s/4268157.jpg|4315675] which is more a classical love-hate lovestory with quite a lot unneccessary drama. In the end I would compare it more with Rainbow Rowells [b:Fangirl|16068905|Fangirl|Rainbow Rowell|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1355886270s/16068905.jpg|21861351]. Take the fanfiction-stuff away and put science into it and then you have Beat the Chemistry. MJ has here awkward moments, too, but the difference is, she doesn't know.
kaylareads's review against another edition
3.0
"Attraction is a science. Inexact maybe, but still a science."
3.5 stars. To be honest, I wasn't sure if I was going to like this book at first. I don't usually read a lot of contemporary, but I quite enjoyed this one! I've never read anything by an Australian author before, so I'll admit a bit of the lingo was lost on me. It might have been a slight cultural barrier, but nothing I couldn't get past.
I really loved Luke's character all around. He was such a great friend, son, and brother. He's a very genuine person and just very likable overall. On the other hand, I found MJ hard to relate to, and she could get annoying at times. Her backstory was what connected me to her, and I like how the book touched on overbearing parents, especially mothers. I really liked the representation of down syndrome in Luke's sister, Rose. She was such a great character, and that representation isn't seen a lot.
This is an opposites-attract story with a nerdy science background, which is immediately what made me read it. I don't read a lot of romance centered stories, but the opposites-attract trope is my weakness. The romance was enjoyable, and this was a quick but fun read that I would recommend!
3.5 stars. To be honest, I wasn't sure if I was going to like this book at first. I don't usually read a lot of contemporary, but I quite enjoyed this one! I've never read anything by an Australian author before, so I'll admit a bit of the lingo was lost on me. It might have been a slight cultural barrier, but nothing I couldn't get past.
I really loved Luke's character all around. He was such a great friend, son, and brother. He's a very genuine person and just very likable overall. On the other hand, I found MJ hard to relate to, and she could get annoying at times. Her backstory was what connected me to her, and I like how the book touched on overbearing parents, especially mothers. I really liked the representation of down syndrome in Luke's sister, Rose. She was such a great character, and that representation isn't seen a lot.
This is an opposites-attract story with a nerdy science background, which is immediately what made me read it. I don't read a lot of romance centered stories, but the opposites-attract trope is my weakness. The romance was enjoyable, and this was a quick but fun read that I would recommend!
srk001's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
What I thought would be a typical teen romance, turned out to be a read full of hidden gems.
Content Warnings
Minor: Medical content
Tiger parent (FMC's mom)alyp01's review
4.0
This was a super cute, fun read! MJ and Luke are totally different people and that's what makes them good together. They clash constantly, she's a type A personality who wants to control everything and he is more relaxed and goes for what he wants. MJ and Luke had great chemistry and I had a great time watching their relationship develop and them bring out the best in each other.
MJ is a bit hard to like at first. She can be condescending and made snap judgments about Luke, but she grows gets better and I was happy for her at the end.
Definitely recommend this book!
MJ is a bit hard to like at first. She can be condescending and made snap judgments about Luke, but she grows gets better and I was happy for her at the end.
Definitely recommend this book!
morganblanch's review
4.0
This was such a sweet, beautiful story. I've been moving away from contemporary reads recently, but this particular book made me think that I should try picking up a few more because there are clearly some gems out there.