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3.2 AVERAGE
3.2 AVERAGE
I used to remember loving this but I reread this recently and it was so bad I swear a third grader could write a better book like idk why I ever liked this in the first place-
This is a book about a breakup, essentially. Maya has just finished high school and is preparing to go to college in a few months when her boyfriend, a year older and a college freshman, breaks up with her out of nowhere, citing that he loves her but he's starting to feel things for a friend, and he wants to explore those feelings. What comes after is Maya's attempt to understand and reverse the breakup through something she's exceptionally good at: science.
I know people are going get annoyed with Maya's reaction to the breakup. Yeah, her actions are a bit silly and childish. But honestly? It's her first boyfriend! I was with my first proper boyfriend for 7 years from the age of 18, and I think we both saw the breakup coming, but I was still an irrational mess when it happened, and I was 25 by then. So while I may not have behaved exactly like Maya in that situation, I could empathise and understand her need to irrationally rationalise and address her heartbreak.
I particularly enjoyed the very different people in Maya's life, from her best friend Bryan, to her lab friends, to her mother's former chemistry protégé. She had a great support system around her during the breakup, even if not everyone tried to console her in the best way. But then that's entirely too relatable as well haha.
While flawed scientifically, I liked reading Maya's experiment unfold and go unexpectedly wrong. Well, unexpectedly for her, but us readers all knew things wouldn't turn out the way Maya planned. And in the end, I got one of my favourite tropes out of the story! My only issue was the ending; it was a little underwhelming, but I guess it was more realistic that way.
I can see this book being a bit Marmite-like for readers, but it was easy, fun, and super quick to read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I know people are going get annoyed with Maya's reaction to the breakup. Yeah, her actions are a bit silly and childish. But honestly? It's her first boyfriend! I was with my first proper boyfriend for 7 years from the age of 18, and I think we both saw the breakup coming, but I was still an irrational mess when it happened, and I was 25 by then. So while I may not have behaved exactly like Maya in that situation, I could empathise and understand her need to irrationally rationalise and address her heartbreak.
I particularly enjoyed the very different people in Maya's life, from her best friend Bryan, to her lab friends, to her mother's former chemistry protégé. She had a great support system around her during the breakup, even if not everyone tried to console her in the best way. But then that's entirely too relatable as well haha.
While flawed scientifically, I liked reading Maya's experiment unfold and go unexpectedly wrong. Well, unexpectedly for her, but us readers all knew things wouldn't turn out the way Maya planned. And in the end, I got one of my favourite tropes out of the story! My only issue was the ending; it was a little underwhelming, but I guess it was more realistic that way.
I can see this book being a bit Marmite-like for readers, but it was easy, fun, and super quick to read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Cancer, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail
Man oh man did I get played. I read the book and I was swooning and filled with excitement. I was ready to be swept off my feet and ready to finish the book and mope around on how action-less my life is (yes I do that). I'll have you know, I was NOT swept off my feet but I did mope around on how action-less my life is, but that's a personal problem, it had nothing to do with the book. The main character is mildly annoying and needy. Like if your boyfriend left you for someone else, girl you do NOT need him please don't dig up your dead mother's science experiment and use some bio-shit to win him back. There was nothing cute nor swoon-worthy about it. All in all, meh... that's really all I had to say.
FINAL VERDICT- This is why I dropped all science related courses in high school smh.
FINAL VERDICT- This is why I dropped all science related courses in high school smh.
Chemistry Lessons follows a 17year old named Maya at a turning point in her life. She’s recently lost her mother to cancer, has been broken up with by her boyfriend, Whit, and she’s on the verge of attending her dream college for the first time. In an effort to get Whit back she uses her mothers old research notes to create a love potion and chaos ensues.
This book was everything I never knew I needed. I devoured this in one day and wish there was more for me to read. Although I did find some of the situations to be a bit unrealistic for a 17 year old (or maybe that’s just my tainted view because my parents were strict), I loved this book so much. I enjoyed the fact that there were multiple lessons going on; it wasn’t JUST a love story, quite frankly I don’t even feel like it’s true purpose was the love story. I felt it revolved more around Maya reconnecting with who her mother was. So. Good.
This book was everything I never knew I needed. I devoured this in one day and wish there was more for me to read. Although I did find some of the situations to be a bit unrealistic for a 17 year old (or maybe that’s just my tainted view because my parents were strict), I loved this book so much. I enjoyed the fact that there were multiple lessons going on; it wasn’t JUST a love story, quite frankly I don’t even feel like it’s true purpose was the love story. I felt it revolved more around Maya reconnecting with who her mother was. So. Good.
this was a cute read, really enjoyed the chemistry tidbits
It’s hard to give this book such a low rating, but based on how long it took me and the fact that I didn’t enjoy it too much I’m giving it 2 stars. I had a hard time getting into the plot, even though the synopsis is what made me want to read this book.
I thought I wouldn’t be able to finish this because it got annoying halfway through the story, but I’m giving it 3 stars because of that cute open ending. Also because Bryan was awesome.
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
