Review: Love and Other Unknown Variables by Shannon Lee Alexander

Title:  Love and Other Unknown Variables

Author: Shannon Lee Alexander
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Publishing Date: October 7th 2014
Pages: 350
Genre: YA Coming of Age
Series: Stand Alone
Source: Hardcover

  

Charlie Hanson has a clear vision of his future. A senior at Brighton School of Mathematics and Science, he knows he’ll graduate, go to MIT, and inevitably discover solutions to the universe’s greatest unanswered questions. He’s that smart. But Charlie’s future blurs the moment he reaches out to touch the tattoo on a beautiful girl’s neck. 

The future has never seemed very kind to Charlotte Finch, so she’s counting on the present. She’s not impressed by the strange boy at the donut shop—until she learns he’s a student at Brighton where her sister has just taken a job as the English teacher. With her encouragement, Charlie orchestrates the most effective prank campaign in Brighton history. But, in doing so, he puts his own future in jeopardy. 

By the time he learns she's ill—and that the pranks were a way to distract Ms. Finch from Charlotte’s illness—Charlotte’s gravitational pull is too great to overcome. Soon he must choose between the familiar formulas he’s always relied on or the girl he’s falling for (at far more than 32 feet per second squared).

SO I have to admit something. I did not read the synopsis all the way. I read it fast, and bits and pieces and thought it sounded cute so I put it on my TBR. By the time I bought the book and read it I forgot what it was about.. without ever knowing for sure what it was about to begin with, and I sat down for a cute light read. Whoops. It's not what I got but I am so glad I didn't reread the synopsis when I started the book. If I had I would have put it off because I wanted  a light read... I am so glad I didn't. I fell in love with this book right away and once I started it, I had to finish it. Loved every part of it. The characters, the story, the emotional roller coaster ride. Full of laughs, tears, and romance. 

Charlie is a real geek.. (my favorite) and he loves math. He has plans for his future and even though he has been putting off his MIT application, he is sure he knows what he wants. He is focused. He has 2 really good friends and a great family. He has no time for girls and really probably couldn't get one if he tried. Then the Crispy Creme happened. The girl in front of him had  a tattoo that he was just drawn too. That was a start of a wild ride and a pretty good romance... oh and lots of life lessons. 

I loved loved loved this book. I loved the romance, the story, the laughs, the tears, the characters, it was all just well loveable. First the romance. It was sweet, it was cute actually adorable, it was fun, and it was humorou.  Charlotte was very free spritited and Charlie well wasn't . Charlie was serious and focused. Charlotte loved old movies and great classics. Charlie loved math and logic. 

Together they were just perfect. 

The characters. Charlie was a big math geek. He was a bit shy at first but he was able to get over that fast. He was very smart, logical,  he thought everything out. He was not a spur of the moment kind of person. Charlotte was a very spur of the moment kind of person. She was creative, loved art, love stories and sugar. They were total opposites and I adored them both. I would have loved to be both of their friends in high school. They were real and charming. Flawed but only with flaws that made them more adorable. 

There were plenty of great characters and each one had a very important part in Charlies life. Tons of laughter with all the character interactions. Each one held their own and made their place in the story. Which brings me to the story.... 

The story was powerful, intense, without being overwhelming. When I finally figured out that Charlotte was sick and something bad was going to happen I was totally invested and figured I would push through it. I have to be in the mood for these types of reads. This book made this kind of story easy to push through. There were a few sad moments that made me tear but really it wasn't til the end when I lost it. The romance and the growth of Charlie made the read light at times and fun. The story wasn't about Charlotte being sick, it was about Charlie letting people in and living life. Charlotte made this possible of course with the help of a few others.  It was  SAD yes but the journey was not sad. The journey was wonderful. The ending was sad but the wonderful journey made the end worth every moment. I really fell in love with this book. 

It was the perfect read just right for what I needed.... without me even knowing I needed it. I am very excited to see what's next from this author. 

Shannon Lee Alexander is a wife and mother (of two kids and one yellow terrier named Harriet Potter). She is passionate about coffee, books, and cancer research. Math makes her break out in a sweat. Love and Other Unknown Variables is her debut novel. She currently lives in Indianapolis with her family.