A slow burn exploration of friendship and family, Notes on Infinity took my breath away with its thought-provoking themes and poignant emotional depth. After all, it was a love story for the ages—albeit one with some very dark angles. Reminiscent of The Circle with a Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow feel, the well-developed, realistically flawed characters had me in the palm of their hands. For me, though, the scientific world building was what won me over hook, line, and sinker. As a former researcher myself, Taylor pulled this aspect off with utter precision. Creating an environment that brought me straight back to my own days in the lab, it was a solid backdrop describing women in STEM—in both the good and bad ways.
So how would I describe this book if asked? A mix of speculative and literary fiction with a definite coming of age feel, it had everything I could want in a non-thriller read. With a well-layered plot and emotionally rich prose, it took me on a ride that had me gripping the hand rails until my nail beds paled. You see, not only did I love the friends to lovers romance and found family vibes, but there was also an authentic atmosphere that I could feel down to my bones. Throw in one heck of a ground-shifting twist, and you’ve got a plot that kept me enthralled. I mean, who can resist a book with an academic setting, expertly written dual POVs, or a storyline straight out of the Theranos scandal? I loved it, and I’m betting that you well as well. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Zoe, the daughter of an MIT professor who grew up in her brother’s shadow, can envision her future anew at Harvard. Jack, a boy in Zoe’s organic chemistry class with unruly hair and a gleam of competitiveness, matches her intellect and curiosity with every breath. When Jack refers Zoe for a position in a prestigious professor’s lab, the two become entwined as colleagues, staying up late to discuss scientific ideas. They find themselves on the cusp of a breakthrough: the promise of immortality through a novel antiaging drug.
Zoe and Jack set off on their new project in secret. Finding encouraging results, they bring their work to an investor, drop out of Harvard, and form a startup. But after the money, the magazine covers, and the national news stories detailing their success, Zoe and Jack receive a startling accusation that threatens to destroy both the company they built and their partnership.
Thank you to Austin Taylor and Celadon Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: June 3, 2025
Content warning: drug use, suicide, addiction, domestic violence, infidelity, child abuse, misogyny