Series: The Secret Scientists of London, Book 2
Publisher: Berkley
Genre: Historical Romance
Release Date: February 15, 2022
Source: Publisher
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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?
One passionate mathematician plus one aloof viscount equals an entertaining second installment in the Secret Scientists of London series. A Perfect Equation is an enemies-to-lovers tale with endearing characters, romantic tension, and the odd hedgehog or two. In other words, it’s the perfect formula for an engaging read.
Letty is a brilliant mathematician who is preparing to compete for the Rosewood Prize. She doesn’t need distractions, but her best friend has left her in charge of Athena’s Retreat – a secret club for female scientists. It’s hard enough making sure the place doesn’t burn down without adding the maddening distraction of Viscount Greycliff, with whom she shares responsibility for the club. Letty has isolated herself from all but her family and her best friend. She was hurt six years ago and the scandal that resulted from that betrayal made her retreat behind a shell. She’s sharp and cynical, but beneath all that lies a romantic I wanted to see get the happily ever after she so deserves.
Grey has lived his life strictly controlled. He has his reasons for not wanting to give into excess emotion, but Letty has a way of knocking him off-kilter. The two of them bicker over how to handle Athena’s Retreat and the dangerous, sexist men targeting it. Author Elizabeth Everett weaves the political and social issues of the era into the background of this book and it works really well. Grey is a protector by nature so it’s a war within him between pulling back and jumping forward to protect the scientists of Athena’s Retreat from harm. He has conflicting loyalties between the path he and his uncle have in mind for him and his growing understanding of the importance of Athena’s Retreat and what it means to the scientists for whom it’s a safe haven.
A Perfect Equation is a story of stepping out of what is comfortable and safe in order to shine; I loved watching Letty in particular do so. Her romance with Grey was a slow burn, but once things got going it was steamy and all together delightful. The two of them are wonderfully imperfect protagonists you can cheer for, and I finished their story a well-satisfied reader. I cannot wait to see what Everett has in store for the next Secret Scientists of London book!
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
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