Simply Connected

I originally picked up this title to meet one of the prompts for Around the Year in 52 Books Challenge 2023. Chosen for my affinity with the “Sporty” personality of the Spice Girls growing up, I wasn't prepared for just how seen I felt because of the character that didn't fit that description at all. Perhaps that could be because I was always both a nerd and a jock. Perhaps it's just the fact that Simply Connected manages to elevate itself above just another opposites attract romance novel.

The characters drive the story, and the fact one of the love interest's kids is a fully fleshed-out character and not just a plot device (usually just a romantic foil) speaks volumes. All of the supporting characters in general still manage to feel more multi-dimensional than many main characters I've read elsewhere. Yet, the author was still able to keep those more minor characters from stealing the spotlight too much. And their “realness” helped make both of the leads feel more real too. Incredibly competent in their respective fields, Christie and Blaise had me worried at first that I'd be reading a romance between Mary Sues. To liken them to such after reading their story though, doesn't do them justice at all.

My only complaint character wise would be that Blaise can be a little whiny at times...but it's never piled on too much, and it's usually justified for the most part. If I was to be completely honest, my issue with it might also just be because of how much of myself I found in common with them. Not just a mathematician but someone mired in it. Finding patterns where other people wouldn't even think to look. Or amusing oneself with the numbers that make up our lives. It reminded me of the numerology movie with Jim Carrey without the added dose of horror. But to have a character not only see the world that way but also struggle with the realization they don't quite fit the mold society thinks they should because of the equipment they were born with, I'm very thankful I read this book.

Despite that personal connection with Simply Connected and how much I enjoyed the characters, I couldn't quite give it full marks though. For me, I need a novel to be near perfect on both a technical standpoint and a content-based one. It was right about there on the content side for me, but there needs to be more polish when it comes to the technical. There are quite a few errors scattered throughout, usually confused homonyms or punctuation. In addition, there's just a bit too much repetition, especially when it comes to inner monologuing. 

I love smart complicated stories and Alex Washoe gives us one with Simply Connected.

Washoe mixes sports and math in a creative way and with different viewpoints. At the same time, they explore gender identity through the main character of Blaise.

Check out the rest of my review at Phoebe's Randoms. Link in bio.