Principles of Emotion

by Sara Read

A smart, poignant novel perfect for fans of Lessons in Chemistry
“An incredible STEMinist read.”—The Honey Pop

Mathematical genius Dr. Meg Brightwood has just completed her life’s work—a proof of a problem so impenetrable it’s nicknamed the Impossible Theorem. Reclusive and burdened by anxiety, Meg has long since been dismissed by academia. Now everyone wants to get their hands on what she alone possesses—especially her own mathematician father.


Having grown up a prodigy in a field plagued by sexism and plagiarism, Meg opts for a public presentation so there will be no doubt of her authorship. But a panic attack obliterates her plans. In defeat, she goes home and locks away the only manuscript of her proof.


Then chance sends her the unlikeliest of allies: Isaac Wells—carpenter, high school dropout, in trouble with the law. And the one love of Meg’s life. Fifteen years ago, they did little more than hold hands. Now, they find a tenuous space where they can love and be loved for who they are as adults.


But when Meg goes to retrieve her proof, she finds it missing. Her fight for the achievement of the century will test the limits of her brilliance and the endurance of two vulnerable hearts.

• ISBN10: 152583665X
• ISBN13: 9781525836657
• Publish Date: 9 January 2024
• Publish Status: Active
• Imprint: Graydon House
• Edition: Original ed.
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 304
• Language: English

Reviews

[Jeff Sexton]

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 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.