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jcurry447's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
mothmans_mum's review against another edition
5.0
Quinn Ivins books be like, eight hours of impressing each-other with their knowledge of statistical models and data analysis skills, then they kiss at the end.
chaya_v's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
4.5*
Romance always hits. And this was my fav kind, slow burn, age gap and obvi wlw.
This had a student-professor relationship but not an unhealthy or predatory one. Last month I read "pages for you" which had a relationship between a TA and a student but I couldn't get into it because the student was only 17 and their relationship took place while they were student and teacher. Here we don't have that same issue as despite their mutual attraction, the professor didn't make her feeling known to her then student. Only once they weren't in that context anymore did they get together. Also they 30 and 39 which immediately changes the whole thing. Anyway all that to say that I really enjoyed this.
I also loved the secondary storyline with Grayson. I always really enjoy when it isn't only about the romance.
Would recommend for the wlw girlies.
Romance always hits. And this was my fav kind, slow burn, age gap and obvi wlw.
This had a student-professor relationship but not an unhealthy or predatory one. Last month I read "pages for you" which had a relationship between a TA and a student but I couldn't get into it because the student was only 17 and their relationship took place while they were student and teacher. Here we don't have that same issue as despite their mutual attraction, the professor didn't make her feeling known to her then student. Only once they weren't in that context anymore did they get together. Also they 30 and 39 which immediately changes the whole thing. Anyway all that to say that I really enjoyed this.
I also loved the secondary storyline with Grayson. I always really enjoy when it isn't only about the romance.
Would recommend for the wlw girlies.
spencer0200's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
aliu6's review against another edition
4.0
4.25 stars
This was an engaging read, but it felt short and left me wishing we had gotten to know the characters a bit better. I was still rooting for Carmen and Molly, and Molly's crush on her cool and aloof professor was fun to watch. Like in Something's Different, Quinn Ivins is great at drawing clear boundaries around any potentially icky power dynamics.
The book spends a substantial amount of time on statistics (lol) and a tour through recent queer rights history (which was interesting). I appreciate the amount of research that went into making this story feel authentic, but the science-y language and the gross homophobia of some of the characters meant this was not the light-hearted romance I was in the mood for.
Still, I think the book is good at what it sets out to do. I just wish more time had been spent on the romance.
This was an engaging read, but it felt short and left me wishing we had gotten to know the characters a bit better. I was still rooting for Carmen and Molly, and Molly's crush on her cool and aloof professor was fun to watch. Like in Something's Different, Quinn Ivins is great at drawing clear boundaries around any potentially icky power dynamics.
The book spends a substantial amount of time on statistics (lol) and a tour through recent queer rights history (which was interesting). I appreciate the amount of research that went into making this story feel authentic, but the science-y language and the gross homophobia of some of the characters meant this was not the light-hearted romance I was in the mood for.
Still, I think the book is good at what it sets out to do. I just wish more time had been spent on the romance.
rachelslacey's review against another edition
5.0
This was such a fun read and so refreshingly different, being set in the 90s. I enjoyed all the politics and social references (Carmen and Molly's discussion of the X Files was absolute perfection haha!)
hsinjulit's review against another edition
5.0
Due to recession and her activist past, Molly Cook decides to pursue a PhD degree in political science. In advanced statistics by Dr. Carmen Vaughn, an aloof professor with incredibly high standards, Molly shows promising performance. When she stumbles upon a scandal of a homophobic faculty member, Molly seeks guidance from Carmen. The two begin to spend more time working together, and their professional boundaries blurs. But Carmen is closeted and would never get involved with a student. Little does she know, Molly is not entirely sure if she would finish her program, either.
Set in 1997 and 1998, The Love Factor is an academic intrigue romance with great historical context. As a Millennial-Gen Z hybrid, it was not a time I remembered but definitely lived through. And that heightened the reading enjoyment as I experienced those years with Molly and Carmen.
I confess I have a weak spot for stories set in academia. Being a grad student and teaching assistant, I immediately connected with Molly, and to some degree, Carmen as well. It goes without saying that teaching a university class is incredibly challenging. I deeply admire both Molly and Carmen for their confidence and strong technical knowledge.
Molly is very hands on. She truly internalizes what she has learned and flawlessly integrates her statistics expertise into things other than coursework. Meanwhile, Carmen is suffocating from the conservative political science department, struggling between being content with current situations and standing up for what she believes in. Both are strong women in their own ways, and though I tend to have trouble believing in ice queen romances, Ivins's The Love Factor is very solid. Never once did I question their mutual attraction. Since Molly and Carmen build their relationship from mutual respect and passion for statistics, they make mathematics super sexy. I had an urge to crack open my textbooks and study to be as good as they are.
Though the sex scene escalated a little fast for me and the scandal was outrageous, I believe everything Ivins delivered. She did a wonderful job at storytelling. I love how both Molly and Carmen significantly grow as characters, going from being unsure of themselves to flourishing. Also, it was a cute decision to make the scene break notations Molly's scrunchies.
If I were to sum up this book in one sentence, it would be "lesbians taking down a sexist homophobe using advanced statistics." And if that does not sound appealing, I don't know what does. The Love Factor is a perfect romance for nerdy people like me.
I received an e-ARC from Ylva Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
Set in 1997 and 1998, The Love Factor is an academic intrigue romance with great historical context. As a Millennial-Gen Z hybrid, it was not a time I remembered but definitely lived through. And that heightened the reading enjoyment as I experienced those years with Molly and Carmen.
I confess I have a weak spot for stories set in academia. Being a grad student and teaching assistant, I immediately connected with Molly, and to some degree, Carmen as well. It goes without saying that teaching a university class is incredibly challenging. I deeply admire both Molly and Carmen for their confidence and strong technical knowledge.
Molly is very hands on. She truly internalizes what she has learned and flawlessly integrates her statistics expertise into things other than coursework. Meanwhile, Carmen is suffocating from the conservative political science department, struggling between being content with current situations and standing up for what she believes in. Both are strong women in their own ways, and though I tend to have trouble believing in ice queen romances, Ivins's The Love Factor is very solid. Never once did I question their mutual attraction. Since Molly and Carmen build their relationship from mutual respect and passion for statistics, they make mathematics super sexy. I had an urge to crack open my textbooks and study to be as good as they are.
Though the sex scene escalated a little fast for me and the scandal was outrageous, I believe everything Ivins delivered. She did a wonderful job at storytelling. I love how both Molly and Carmen significantly grow as characters, going from being unsure of themselves to flourishing. Also, it was a cute decision to make the scene break notations Molly's scrunchies.
If I were to sum up this book in one sentence, it would be "lesbians taking down a sexist homophobe using advanced statistics." And if that does not sound appealing, I don't know what does. The Love Factor is a perfect romance for nerdy people like me.
I received an e-ARC from Ylva Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
extrafolklore's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
guardianrock's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5