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The Flower Sisters #1
Adding Up to Love
When Alex asked for Fern’s help courting her twin, he agreed to help her get into Oxford, but he didn’t expect to fall in love with the wrong sister.
Fern loved nothing more than math. Relating more to numbers than to people, she dreamed of becoming a mathematician at Oxford University, an impossible path for the youngest daughter of a powerful aristocrat. After living her life in her sister Rose’s shadow, a chance encounter with a handsome student gives her the opportunity to chase her dream. Falling in love with Alex was not part of the equation.
Alex Carroway did not believe in love at first sight until he met his perfect match at a masquerade. Marrying Rose would be the smart choice and give him the future he always dreamed of — if only he hadn’t fallen for her quirky, brilliant sister. With his plans in jeopardy, Alex realizes that doing what is smart is not always what is best.
Now he can’t stop thinking about the woman he wasn’t supposed to notice, and their lives together won’t add up. Will a future with Alex be the one problem Fern cannot solve?
This is the perfect witty book for readers who love smart heroines and a good dose of angst. Adding Up to Love is a standalone slow-burn, steamy historical romantic novel featuring a happy ever after. It is the first in the Flower Sisters Series.
Fern loved nothing more than math. Relating more to numbers than to people, she dreamed of becoming a mathematician at Oxford University, an impossible path for the youngest daughter of a powerful aristocrat. After living her life in her sister Rose’s shadow, a chance encounter with a handsome student gives her the opportunity to chase her dream. Falling in love with Alex was not part of the equation.
Alex Carroway did not believe in love at first sight until he met his perfect match at a masquerade. Marrying Rose would be the smart choice and give him the future he always dreamed of — if only he hadn’t fallen for her quirky, brilliant sister. With his plans in jeopardy, Alex realizes that doing what is smart is not always what is best.
Now he can’t stop thinking about the woman he wasn’t supposed to notice, and their lives together won’t add up. Will a future with Alex be the one problem Fern cannot solve?
This is the perfect witty book for readers who love smart heroines and a good dose of angst. Adding Up to Love is a standalone slow-burn, steamy historical romantic novel featuring a happy ever after. It is the first in the Flower Sisters Series.
378 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 15, 2023
108 people are currently reading
330 people want to read
About the author
Ginny B. Moore
10 books65 followersGinny was the kid who loved kissing scenes in movies and always rooted for Mulder and Scully to hook up. Her first piece of writing was a horrendous fanfic romance based on The Three Musketeers when she was thirteen that will never see the light of day.
Ginny started writing romance with purpose in 2021 to avoid doom-scrolling social media and has never stopped. To pay the bills, she is a middle school assistant principal and has been in education for fifteen years. Most of her writing is done on her phone or in the parking lot of her kids’ extracurricular activities.
When she is not writing, Ginny is a very slow long-distance runner or making a dent in her endless “to be read” list. She is the mother of three kids, two exceptionally stupid dogs, two codependent cats, and the grandmother to a hermit crab.
While she started writing during the pandemic, she has found it to be a new lifeline and form of self-care and has already planned her next five books in the series.
Ginny started writing romance with purpose in 2021 to avoid doom-scrolling social media and has never stopped. To pay the bills, she is a middle school assistant principal and has been in education for fifteen years. Most of her writing is done on her phone or in the parking lot of her kids’ extracurricular activities.
When she is not writing, Ginny is a very slow long-distance runner or making a dent in her endless “to be read” list. She is the mother of three kids, two exceptionally stupid dogs, two codependent cats, and the grandmother to a hermit crab.
While she started writing during the pandemic, she has found it to be a new lifeline and form of self-care and has already planned her next five books in the series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
January 30, 2023
Overall: 3.5 rounded to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥
Humor: Just a bit
Perspective: Third person from both the hero and heroine
(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 (yours ratings may vary depending what gives you feels and how you prefer you sex scenes written, etc) except the Steam Scale which follows our chart from The Ton and Tartans Book Club )
Should I read in order?
This is the first book in Moore’s Flower Sisters series, but there is a prequel novella about the parents that is a freebie newsletter grab (And I really enjoyed it!)
Basic plot:
After a love at first meet encounter, Alex can’t get Rose out of his mind. But it’s Fern that he is spending all the time with when they come to a bargain agreement.
Give this a try if you want:
- Victorian time period (1899)
- Oxfordshire setting
- masquerade
- twins switching places
- secret identity
- hero is not a virgin, but not very experienced either
- bargain – heroine will help the hero secure an engagement to her sister if he helps with with mathematics
- lower steam – slow burn with 2 full scenes but they are very close together so I counted as 1 flame
- bluestocking heroine that loves mathematics
- neurodiverse rep
- working class hero and daughter of a viscount
Ages:
- Hero is 27, heroine is 20
My thoughts:
This is Moore’s full length debut and I am really happy to see a new voice in the historical romance world. I read the prequel novella of the parents first and really loved her writing style, humor, and how some of the plot devices didn’t go quite like I thought they would.
In this one, I did have a bit of a character disconnect though. It was purely personal – I just never came to love either the hero or the heroine so I struggled a bit. Secret keeping is always hard for me to love in romance and that is a decent part of the plot in this one. So if you don’t have those hang ups, I think this one will work a lot better for you!
I enjoyed how different this one felt from my recent HR reads. I haven’t read too many where the heroine is interested in studying a ‘forbidden’ subject and really appreciated the history and author notes and the time spent integrating those aspects into the novel. I liked how real the family felt. I appreciated Fern’s struggles and perspective with how she views the world. There were some really sweet scenes in this one I appreciated and I do think I will like some of the later books in the series with the sister’s stories and Alex’s friend, Henry.
Quotes/spoiler-y thoughts:
Content warnings:
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥
Humor: Just a bit
Perspective: Third person from both the hero and heroine
(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 (yours ratings may vary depending what gives you feels and how you prefer you sex scenes written, etc) except the Steam Scale which follows our chart from The Ton and Tartans Book Club )
Should I read in order?
This is the first book in Moore’s Flower Sisters series, but there is a prequel novella about the parents that is a freebie newsletter grab (And I really enjoyed it!)
Basic plot:
After a love at first meet encounter, Alex can’t get Rose out of his mind. But it’s Fern that he is spending all the time with when they come to a bargain agreement.
Give this a try if you want:
- Victorian time period (1899)
- Oxfordshire setting
- masquerade
- twins switching places
- secret identity
- hero is not a virgin, but not very experienced either
- bargain – heroine will help the hero secure an engagement to her sister if he helps with with mathematics
- lower steam – slow burn with 2 full scenes but they are very close together so I counted as 1 flame
- bluestocking heroine that loves mathematics
- neurodiverse rep
- working class hero and daughter of a viscount
Ages:
- Hero is 27, heroine is 20
My thoughts:
This is Moore’s full length debut and I am really happy to see a new voice in the historical romance world. I read the prequel novella of the parents first and really loved her writing style, humor, and how some of the plot devices didn’t go quite like I thought they would.
In this one, I did have a bit of a character disconnect though. It was purely personal – I just never came to love either the hero or the heroine so I struggled a bit. Secret keeping is always hard for me to love in romance and that is a decent part of the plot in this one. So if you don’t have those hang ups, I think this one will work a lot better for you!
I enjoyed how different this one felt from my recent HR reads. I haven’t read too many where the heroine is interested in studying a ‘forbidden’ subject and really appreciated the history and author notes and the time spent integrating those aspects into the novel. I liked how real the family felt. I appreciated Fern’s struggles and perspective with how she views the world. There were some really sweet scenes in this one I appreciated and I do think I will like some of the later books in the series with the sister’s stories and Alex’s friend, Henry.
Quotes/spoiler-y thoughts:
Content warnings:
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
March 18, 2023
I really enjoyed this new to me author! I liked her writing style and the book itself had a lot of dialogue, I love that!
Fern is a bookish, math obsessed women who is basically the opposite of her twin. At their family’s ball they decide to switch places however in doing that they change their fate. Fern who is dressed like her sister Rose is swept off her feet by Alex who is a doctorate student at Oxford. Studying non-other than math.
Fern decides she will help Alex win her sister Rose (without him realizing he has the wrong twin) if he will help her get into Oxford. Spoiler at the time Oxford was female-phonic and had SDE so they wouldn’t admit women.
Everything is going just fine until Fern realizes she likes Alex and Alex realizes he likes Fern and it all starts to get a little out of control.
This was really fun and I highly recommend!
Fern is a bookish, math obsessed women who is basically the opposite of her twin. At their family’s ball they decide to switch places however in doing that they change their fate. Fern who is dressed like her sister Rose is swept off her feet by Alex who is a doctorate student at Oxford. Studying non-other than math.
Fern decides she will help Alex win her sister Rose (without him realizing he has the wrong twin) if he will help her get into Oxford. Spoiler at the time Oxford was female-phonic and had SDE so they wouldn’t admit women.
Everything is going just fine until Fern realizes she likes Alex and Alex realizes he likes Fern and it all starts to get a little out of control.
This was really fun and I highly recommend!
April 6, 2025
Really interesting story centered around the MCs who both have a love and gift for mathematics.. set in Oxford and the university. Only small quibble… near the beginning of the story the heroine is described as putting on a sweater. That’s not a word used in England even to this day. Cardigan and jumper or perhaps describing the garment differently would have been better. I like books that are accurate for the place and time period. Very creative ending that made it possible for a HEA. Looking forward to more books in this series.
April 1, 2024
Love hurts… and this tale is so much more than just a heartbreakingly beautiful romance!
A little eccentric and a brilliant mathematician, Fern is the youngest of Viscount Redborne’s daughters and trapped in a privileged world that doesn’t understand her. She wants to attend university, not balls.
Alex is basically a good guy with big dreams, a bright mathematical mind ready to present his doctorate thesis at Oxford. His parents are working-class. Hard work, dedication and a thick skin his only weapons in a high-class crowd where he doesn’t belong.
They first meet in a university library - his natural habitat and off-limits to her. They meet again at a masquerade, but only now Alex thinks he met her twin and possible the love of his life.
Afraid he will spurn her like everyone else, Fern keeps the truth and her feelings to herself and offers to help him court her picture perfect sister if he helps her get into university. His own future in mind and what the connection to her family might mean, he agrees to Fern’s plan.
Yes, they both selfishly think of their own dreams first, and of course it becomes one big tangled mess…
Both odd ducks in their own pond, working together feels like coming home. It’s a whole new world for both of them. Friendship, respect, acceptance, admiration and attraction. It’s puzzling, comfortable and just plain wonderful, and the more Fern pushes Alex into her sister’s arms, the more doubt settles in.
It’s a strange and fascinating journey - a trainwreck waiting to happen and you can’t look away.
The essence is pure, heartbreak inevitable and not being together unimaginable. An impossible choice. And even though she’s the one to make the grand gesture in the end, they both get their dream. I adore these MCs and their exquisite slow burn! It’s fragile and heartwrenching, but also full of humour, tenderness and care. It’s jealousy, hurt and confusion. It’s half a dozen kinds of love, and I absolutely loved every second of this exceptional tale!
A little eccentric and a brilliant mathematician, Fern is the youngest of Viscount Redborne’s daughters and trapped in a privileged world that doesn’t understand her. She wants to attend university, not balls.
Alex is basically a good guy with big dreams, a bright mathematical mind ready to present his doctorate thesis at Oxford. His parents are working-class. Hard work, dedication and a thick skin his only weapons in a high-class crowd where he doesn’t belong.
They first meet in a university library - his natural habitat and off-limits to her. They meet again at a masquerade, but only now Alex thinks he met her twin and possible the love of his life.
Afraid he will spurn her like everyone else, Fern keeps the truth and her feelings to herself and offers to help him court her picture perfect sister if he helps her get into university. His own future in mind and what the connection to her family might mean, he agrees to Fern’s plan.
Yes, they both selfishly think of their own dreams first, and of course it becomes one big tangled mess…
Both odd ducks in their own pond, working together feels like coming home. It’s a whole new world for both of them. Friendship, respect, acceptance, admiration and attraction. It’s puzzling, comfortable and just plain wonderful, and the more Fern pushes Alex into her sister’s arms, the more doubt settles in.
It’s a strange and fascinating journey - a trainwreck waiting to happen and you can’t look away.
The essence is pure, heartbreak inevitable and not being together unimaginable. An impossible choice. And even though she’s the one to make the grand gesture in the end, they both get their dream. I adore these MCs and their exquisite slow burn! It’s fragile and heartwrenching, but also full of humour, tenderness and care. It’s jealousy, hurt and confusion. It’s half a dozen kinds of love, and I absolutely loved every second of this exceptional tale!
February 20, 2023
What a delightful historical romance, fern and Alex were so adorable and my heart could barely take how much he saw her.
February 1, 2023
Adding Up to Love is a beautiful debut historical romance. Fern leaps off the page from the start - funny and ambitious, brilliant and unique, it's no wonder that Alex can't help but fall in love with her. This friends to lovers romance is complicated by a case of mistaken identity and a heart wrenching love triangle. It is rare to see a love triangle handled with so much depth of feeling on all sides, and each character desperate to save the others from heartache and ensure their happiness.
In Adding Up to Love, Ginny Moore displays an immense talent for banter and romantic comedy. Watching first the friendship and then the love blossom between Alex and Fern is a delight, with charming interludes and moments so fraught with sexual tension they leap off the page. Ginny Moore's considerable skill as an author really shines in her ability to craft multi-faceted characters, including her large cast of supporting characters. I cannot wait for Henry's book and am thrilled to know we'll also see Fern's sisters again.
In Adding Up to Love, Ginny Moore displays an immense talent for banter and romantic comedy. Watching first the friendship and then the love blossom between Alex and Fern is a delight, with charming interludes and moments so fraught with sexual tension they leap off the page. Ginny Moore's considerable skill as an author really shines in her ability to craft multi-faceted characters, including her large cast of supporting characters. I cannot wait for Henry's book and am thrilled to know we'll also see Fern's sisters again.
February 7, 2023
A glorious, completely unique and utterly decadent debut novel!
Ginny Moore brings some heat in her debut, slow-burn period romance. Alex and Fern may have spent their lives thinking of their as prime numbers, with the only factors being themselves and one, but they slowly realize that if they solve for each other, sparks will fly.
Alex and Fern avoid too many preconceptions; Fern doesn't suddenly become the "diamond of the season" nor Alex the most desirable bachelor in all of England. Instead, they both grow through a coming of age story and a journey of discovery that grips the reader and compels just a few more pages... until you suddenly realize that an hour or so has passed after you planned to go to bed.
Ginny brings witty banter and sparkling wit to her scenes and characters. A veritable bouquet of supporting characters builds out her world, and presents new options and opportunities for future novels, some of which are coming later this year - I'm excited to see more of Henry and if his rakish nature or good-hearted friendship will prevail. I particularly appreciated the attention to details; the constraints of Oxford University and the changing social dynamic match the time, and Ginny doesn't run afoul of creating the world her characters wished over the one that was; instead Fern and Alex move forward through a realistic, well researched world that could have been.
Ginny Moore brings some heat in her debut, slow-burn period romance. Alex and Fern may have spent their lives thinking of their as prime numbers, with the only factors being themselves and one, but they slowly realize that if they solve for each other, sparks will fly.
Alex and Fern avoid too many preconceptions; Fern doesn't suddenly become the "diamond of the season" nor Alex the most desirable bachelor in all of England. Instead, they both grow through a coming of age story and a journey of discovery that grips the reader and compels just a few more pages... until you suddenly realize that an hour or so has passed after you planned to go to bed.
Ginny brings witty banter and sparkling wit to her scenes and characters. A veritable bouquet of supporting characters builds out her world, and presents new options and opportunities for future novels, some of which are coming later this year - I'm excited to see more of Henry and if his rakish nature or good-hearted friendship will prevail. I particularly appreciated the attention to details; the constraints of Oxford University and the changing social dynamic match the time, and Ginny doesn't run afoul of creating the world her characters wished over the one that was; instead Fern and Alex move forward through a realistic, well researched world that could have been.
February 14, 2023
This is author Ginny B. Moore’s full-length debut, and she is a wonderful new voice in historical romance. Moore even manages to make math romantic in this unique tale. I really became invested in Fern’s character. I thought Moore did a great job writing a neurodivergent character without making autism the character’s whole identity. Unfortunately I was much less invested in Alex’s character, and I frequently became frustrated with him and with Fern’s twin sister, Rose. I found the ending less than completely satisfying due to the status of the relationship between Fern and Rose. In a romance novel, I like everything to be wrapped up in a bow by the end, and this book didn’t give me that. In the interest of full disclosure, I’m not a huge fan of secret identities or love triangles, and this book had both. That said, I thought it was well-written and the characters were engaging. I’ll be reading more of this series. I received an advance copy from the author. This is my honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 31, 2024
wonderful book, difficult to read because I identified so strongly
This is an extremely good book. Normally I would read something like this in a day but this one took several weeks. Once I got past the first third of the book a could barely read a page or two at a time. The emotional aspects of the writing gripped me firmly and I’d have to walk away for an hour or a day to process what I’d just read before I could pickup the book and read another page or two.
The steam is incandescent, not because it’s smutty but rather because the writing is so captivating, so descriptive that you get carried away feeling what the characters felt in their night of passion.
The world building and complexity of the various characters is wonderful. I basically have no reservations about recommending this book to anybody who likes HR.
I look forward to the next in the series. I’m happy to have discovered this book in my Kindle Unlimited collection.
This is an extremely good book. Normally I would read something like this in a day but this one took several weeks. Once I got past the first third of the book a could barely read a page or two at a time. The emotional aspects of the writing gripped me firmly and I’d have to walk away for an hour or a day to process what I’d just read before I could pickup the book and read another page or two.
The steam is incandescent, not because it’s smutty but rather because the writing is so captivating, so descriptive that you get carried away feeling what the characters felt in their night of passion.
The world building and complexity of the various characters is wonderful. I basically have no reservations about recommending this book to anybody who likes HR.
I look forward to the next in the series. I’m happy to have discovered this book in my Kindle Unlimited collection.
did-not-finish
January 24, 2025DNF @ 18%. Cute and has its charm, but I’m not vibing with how modern the dialogue feels. That’s not always a dealbreaker, so may just be my mood.
February 27, 2025
Adding Up to Love
I thought I read the Flower Sisters book but I must have missed the epilogue. Because the ending was different.
I thought I read the Flower Sisters book but I must have missed the epilogue. Because the ending was different.
March 8, 2024
First in late Victorian romance series
Adding up to Love is the first book in The Flower Sisters series. This is a new to me author and I like the idea of the series being about sisters who are named after flowers and their mother dressed them in the flowers’ colors accordingly. Like it’s one of those things a parent thinks is a perfectly reasonable and great idea.
I really enjoyed this late Victorian/turn of the century lighthearted story. I instantly felt for the neurodivergent FMC, who knew her family loved her but also felt that they thought her difficult and didn’t fit in. I wanted to be mad at the family because of how they treated her but in the end they came off as humans who loved Fern but also struggled with their imperfections too. I love when the heroine feels they’re seen for the first time by the hero and the hero wants to protect her and be the person that paves the way for her to have what she longs for - and I thought Alex was all these things. I haven’t read a love triangle trope in a while and everything definitely got entangled here. I feel the author did a great job with it all starting innocently enough and by the time it began snowballing it didn’t seem that bad of a situation until right before everything explodes and you realize that it’s a pretty bad situation. I enjoyed the resolution and how it wasn’t all perfectly tied up in a bow and brushed over either. I can’t wait to read the rest of this series.
There are open door detailed two encounters or one long one depending on how you look at it. There was a bonus encounter in the second epilogue available when signing up for the author’s newsletter.
Adding up to Love is the first book in The Flower Sisters series. This is a new to me author and I like the idea of the series being about sisters who are named after flowers and their mother dressed them in the flowers’ colors accordingly. Like it’s one of those things a parent thinks is a perfectly reasonable and great idea.
I really enjoyed this late Victorian/turn of the century lighthearted story. I instantly felt for the neurodivergent FMC, who knew her family loved her but also felt that they thought her difficult and didn’t fit in. I wanted to be mad at the family because of how they treated her but in the end they came off as humans who loved Fern but also struggled with their imperfections too. I love when the heroine feels they’re seen for the first time by the hero and the hero wants to protect her and be the person that paves the way for her to have what she longs for - and I thought Alex was all these things. I haven’t read a love triangle trope in a while and everything definitely got entangled here. I feel the author did a great job with it all starting innocently enough and by the time it began snowballing it didn’t seem that bad of a situation until right before everything explodes and you realize that it’s a pretty bad situation. I enjoyed the resolution and how it wasn’t all perfectly tied up in a bow and brushed over either. I can’t wait to read the rest of this series.
There are open door detailed two encounters or one long one depending on how you look at it. There was a bonus encounter in the second epilogue available when signing up for the author’s newsletter.
June 5, 2024
3.5 stars rounded up. I’d read and loved A Rose Blooms in Brooklyn, the third book in this series, which features one of the twins embroiled in the love triangle which is the main crux of this story, and I connected much more to that romance and story overall, but Fern and Alex, the protagonists of Adding Up to Love, were just so lovely and sweet that I could look past some of my hangups with their book, especially considering this is the author’s full-length debut.
I absolutely loved Fern, the fifth daughter of a viscount, a woman on the spectrum with a keen intellect and a huge heart, who often does not know how to act appropriately and has all but given up hope for a happy marriage and children because of her strangeness. I thought she was respectfully and delicately portrayed, and my heart absolutely broke for her in the scenes when her family dismissed her, relegating her to the sidelines while allowing her vivacious and beautiful twin Rose to take center stage. The family was often casually cruel to Fern, dismissive of her feelings and plain exasperated with having to accommodate Fern’s mood swings and the frustration she felt because she often couldn’t express herself. While they weren’t deliberately mean to her, it was difficult to read about how she didn’t fit in even with those closest to her and how she felt apart from them. I also loved Fern’s ambition to study mathematics at Oxford and admired her for her ability to adapt when that plan went awry.
Alex, the PhD candidate that Fern ropes into helping her achieve her academic ambitions and who she falls in love with while he’s courting her sister, was just the sweetest. I loved that he wasn’t an aristocrat, but rather a commoner who stands out thanks to his intelligence and hard work. It was so lovely to read about a man who applies his vast talents not to amassing obscene wealth or carrying out a revenge plot, but rather to scholarly pursuits. His relationship with Fern and his admiration of her were absolutely wonderful, and the fact that he was ostensibly courting her sister provided some delicious angst and made both Alex and Fern more human and relatable because they made mistakes and inadvertently hurt people around them in their pursuit of happiness. However, I did think they were judged too harshly by Fern’s family. While it wasn’t ideal that Rose’s feelings got hurt, it was a little illogical that they were both so convinced that Alex’s ambitions and future would be destroyed if he chose Fern. Not to be indelicate, but wouldn’t Fern’s parents be relieved that their odd daughter managed to actually find someone and that he would, there’s no way around it, take her off their hands?
Overall, I loved the central couple; their sweet and charming partnership was founded on mutual respect and admiration, and it believably blossomed into an actual love story. However, I did connect to the romance much more in A Rose Blooms in Brooklyn. The biggest qualm I had about that book is also present here: the at times anachronistic verbiage and some therapy talk-sounding dialogue during the denouement of the conflict. Regardless, I enjoyed this book and found the protagonists believable and relatable, and the charming epilogue bumped the whole thing up for me.
I absolutely loved Fern, the fifth daughter of a viscount, a woman on the spectrum with a keen intellect and a huge heart, who often does not know how to act appropriately and has all but given up hope for a happy marriage and children because of her strangeness. I thought she was respectfully and delicately portrayed, and my heart absolutely broke for her in the scenes when her family dismissed her, relegating her to the sidelines while allowing her vivacious and beautiful twin Rose to take center stage. The family was often casually cruel to Fern, dismissive of her feelings and plain exasperated with having to accommodate Fern’s mood swings and the frustration she felt because she often couldn’t express herself. While they weren’t deliberately mean to her, it was difficult to read about how she didn’t fit in even with those closest to her and how she felt apart from them. I also loved Fern’s ambition to study mathematics at Oxford and admired her for her ability to adapt when that plan went awry.
Alex, the PhD candidate that Fern ropes into helping her achieve her academic ambitions and who she falls in love with while he’s courting her sister, was just the sweetest. I loved that he wasn’t an aristocrat, but rather a commoner who stands out thanks to his intelligence and hard work. It was so lovely to read about a man who applies his vast talents not to amassing obscene wealth or carrying out a revenge plot, but rather to scholarly pursuits. His relationship with Fern and his admiration of her were absolutely wonderful, and the fact that he was ostensibly courting her sister provided some delicious angst and made both Alex and Fern more human and relatable because they made mistakes and inadvertently hurt people around them in their pursuit of happiness. However, I did think they were judged too harshly by Fern’s family. While it wasn’t ideal that Rose’s feelings got hurt, it was a little illogical that they were both so convinced that Alex’s ambitions and future would be destroyed if he chose Fern. Not to be indelicate, but wouldn’t Fern’s parents be relieved that their odd daughter managed to actually find someone and that he would, there’s no way around it, take her off their hands?
Overall, I loved the central couple; their sweet and charming partnership was founded on mutual respect and admiration, and it believably blossomed into an actual love story. However, I did connect to the romance much more in A Rose Blooms in Brooklyn. The biggest qualm I had about that book is also present here: the at times anachronistic verbiage and some therapy talk-sounding dialogue during the denouement of the conflict. Regardless, I enjoyed this book and found the protagonists believable and relatable, and the charming epilogue bumped the whole thing up for me.
July 27, 2024
Tropes: neurodivergent MFC/academic MMC; MFC pretends to be her twin; Big Secrets
Steam level: 3
First in the series
3.75 rounded up. I have a habit of sometimes reading series out of order; this is the case here, since I started with Violet's story. I was intrigued right away by the idea of the MFC being a brilliant mathematician who wants to try to enter Oxford but doesn't have the support of society or her academic father, and an MMC who feels like a fish out of water at Oxford due to his lack of money and social status. I have to give the author kudos for breaking out of the mold with the premise and creating a genuinely interesting relationship between the MC's. However, disappointingly, the characters end up being too constrained by standard romance plot-points by the end.
Things I liked:
--As mentioned, MC's are out of the ordinary for the genre and they share some smart, sharp banter. I liked the cerebral side of their relationship almost as much as the more emotional side.
--Just like in the author's previous books, solid writing style and research of the time period.
--Spot-on portrayal overall of Fern's neurodivergence. I have a family member who is on the spectrum and Fern's reactions to and interpretations of the world seem pretty real. She isn't perfect but I sympathized with her.
--The angst hit hard. The scene between Fern and her mother around the 60% mark and the scene later when Fern has a panic attack and Alex rescues her from a drunken crowd are genuinely moving. The scene when Fern is in her room and has given up on her dreams had me in tears.
What I wasn't crazy about:
--The whole "twins switch places" contrivance, which I've never been a big fan of. It seemed awkwardly set up here and I felt that the MC's could have come together at the masquerade without Rose being a part of it. I never understood how Alex couldn't have known the truth after a period of time and his scenes with Rose were super uncomfortable.
--Alex and Rose's reaction to the Big Secret(s). I hated how Rose's character morphed throughout the book and Alex's reaction toward the end. Rose was the one who pushed Fern into the masquerade in the first place, because she wanted to feel less pressure from her family, and Alex assured Fern that he was going to help her with the Big Revelation but was too wrapped up in his own ego. At any point earlier he could have broken things off with Rose, and he chose not to for his own selfish reasons.
I ended up not really liking him, Rose, or the parents. This brought the book down from a solid 4-4.5 stars for me.
--Sex when Fern believed Alex and Rose were still going to marry. 'Nuff said.
I always appreciate HR's that attempt to approach neurodivergence with authenticity and grace. Emma Leech's Flaming June is still my favorite HR featuring a neurodivergent MC, with Felicity Niven's Convergence of Desire coming in second place. This book has good intentions but unfortunately follows the typical romance contrivances too closely and left me wondering if Fern really had found her HEA.
Steam level: 3
First in the series
3.75 rounded up. I have a habit of sometimes reading series out of order; this is the case here, since I started with Violet's story. I was intrigued right away by the idea of the MFC being a brilliant mathematician who wants to try to enter Oxford but doesn't have the support of society or her academic father, and an MMC who feels like a fish out of water at Oxford due to his lack of money and social status. I have to give the author kudos for breaking out of the mold with the premise and creating a genuinely interesting relationship between the MC's. However, disappointingly, the characters end up being too constrained by standard romance plot-points by the end.
Things I liked:
--As mentioned, MC's are out of the ordinary for the genre and they share some smart, sharp banter. I liked the cerebral side of their relationship almost as much as the more emotional side.
--Just like in the author's previous books, solid writing style and research of the time period.
--Spot-on portrayal overall of Fern's neurodivergence. I have a family member who is on the spectrum and Fern's reactions to and interpretations of the world seem pretty real. She isn't perfect but I sympathized with her.
--The angst hit hard. The scene between Fern and her mother around the 60% mark and the scene later when Fern has a panic attack and Alex rescues her from a drunken crowd are genuinely moving. The scene when Fern is in her room and has given up on her dreams had me in tears.
What I wasn't crazy about:
--The whole "twins switch places" contrivance, which I've never been a big fan of. It seemed awkwardly set up here and I felt that the MC's could have come together at the masquerade without Rose being a part of it. I never understood how Alex couldn't have known the truth after a period of time and his scenes with Rose were super uncomfortable.
--Alex and Rose's reaction to the Big Secret(s). I hated how Rose's character morphed throughout the book and Alex's reaction toward the end. Rose was the one who pushed Fern into the masquerade in the first place, because she wanted to feel less pressure from her family, and Alex assured Fern that he was going to help her with the Big Revelation but was too wrapped up in his own ego. At any point earlier he could have broken things off with Rose, and he chose not to for his own selfish reasons.
I ended up not really liking him, Rose, or the parents. This brought the book down from a solid 4-4.5 stars for me.
--Sex when Fern believed Alex and Rose were still going to marry. 'Nuff said.
I always appreciate HR's that attempt to approach neurodivergence with authenticity and grace. Emma Leech's Flaming June is still my favorite HR featuring a neurodivergent MC, with Felicity Niven's Convergence of Desire coming in second place. This book has good intentions but unfortunately follows the typical romance contrivances too closely and left me wondering if Fern really had found her HEA.
July 8, 2023
I really enjoyed this new-to-me author's debut novel! Although a Victorian HR, the main plot takes place outside of London and the usual ton activities. The main action is centred in and around Oxfordshire, where the MMC, Alex, 27, is in his last year of studies in mathematics at Oxford. Fern, 20, the FMC, lives with her family at their Oxfordshire estate, is neurodivergent and a math genius forbidden from attending Oxford because the university only allows women to study in the arts. Their meet-cute first in the library and then at a masquerade is both original and lays the foundation for a fraught journey to love. The main tropes of the novel are social class difference (Alex is from a working-class family in Birmingham, and Fern is a Viscount’s daughter), hidden identity (Fern and her twin, Rose, switch identities at a masquerade and keep this hidden from Alex), forbidden love and keeping secrets.
What I enjoyed most about this novel was the character development, the well-drawn secondary characters and Moore’s writing style which is beautiful, poetic, clever, and intelligent. I really liked the selflessness that the main characters showed as the novel progressed and the aching longing they felt for each other. Because Alex thinks the woman he fell for at the masquerade is Fern’s twin sister, Rose, (a secret that is kept from him), he fights his feelings for Fern as she does her feelings for him. The reasons for the subterfuge are explained and developed in the story, but mainly centre on Fern’s desire to prove herself through her mathematics work and earn a spot at Oxford (for which she needs Alex’s help). Things get messy, but Moore handles the plot in an original way, and I appreciated the unpredictability of the plot. I especially liked the sensitive portrayal of Fern, and Alex’s unique ability to connect with her. Moore ties earlier parts of the book to the end with her clever use of metaphors and analogies. There is a truly lovely epilogue to leave the reader with a deep sense of satisfaction. Looking forward to the next book in the series!
What I enjoyed most about this novel was the character development, the well-drawn secondary characters and Moore’s writing style which is beautiful, poetic, clever, and intelligent. I really liked the selflessness that the main characters showed as the novel progressed and the aching longing they felt for each other. Because Alex thinks the woman he fell for at the masquerade is Fern’s twin sister, Rose, (a secret that is kept from him), he fights his feelings for Fern as she does her feelings for him. The reasons for the subterfuge are explained and developed in the story, but mainly centre on Fern’s desire to prove herself through her mathematics work and earn a spot at Oxford (for which she needs Alex’s help). Things get messy, but Moore handles the plot in an original way, and I appreciated the unpredictability of the plot. I especially liked the sensitive portrayal of Fern, and Alex’s unique ability to connect with her. Moore ties earlier parts of the book to the end with her clever use of metaphors and analogies. There is a truly lovely epilogue to leave the reader with a deep sense of satisfaction. Looking forward to the next book in the series!
February 14, 2023
3.5 ⭐️Rounded Up
Fern and Alex strike sparks off each other when they first meet. And not like the ones hot from an anvil that forge an almost unbreakable bond. Their sparks are reluctant admiration with a healthy dose of marveling at a rarity.
Fern baffles Alex. She’s blunt and forward and unlike anyone he’s ever met, regardless of gender. She’s nothing like her summery ( more malleable and less intransigent) sister, Rose. They strike what is most certainly a Devil’s bargain and will surely prove to be a disaster. Fern will help Alex woo her sister and he’ll help her secure an audience with a mathematician.
The more time they spend together, the more the whole point of the bargain eludes them. Because they can only think about kissing each other.
What I loved:
- Fern’s unapologetic refusal to be anyone but herself and the very poignant portrayal of her struggles to navigate social structures she doesn’t understand.
- Alex’s depth of understanding for Fern and his unstinting acceptance of her.
What I struggled with:
- the conflict between the sisters seemed to arise from nowhere
- the hero’s outrage at the heroine’s deception because it seemed disproportionate.
I look forward to reading more from this author!
Fern and Alex strike sparks off each other when they first meet. And not like the ones hot from an anvil that forge an almost unbreakable bond. Their sparks are reluctant admiration with a healthy dose of marveling at a rarity.
Fern baffles Alex. She’s blunt and forward and unlike anyone he’s ever met, regardless of gender. She’s nothing like her summery ( more malleable and less intransigent) sister, Rose. They strike what is most certainly a Devil’s bargain and will surely prove to be a disaster. Fern will help Alex woo her sister and he’ll help her secure an audience with a mathematician.
The more time they spend together, the more the whole point of the bargain eludes them. Because they can only think about kissing each other.
What I loved:
- Fern’s unapologetic refusal to be anyone but herself and the very poignant portrayal of her struggles to navigate social structures she doesn’t understand.
- Alex’s depth of understanding for Fern and his unstinting acceptance of her.
What I struggled with:
- the conflict between the sisters seemed to arise from nowhere
- the hero’s outrage at the heroine’s deception because it seemed disproportionate.
I look forward to reading more from this author!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 17, 2023
Adding Up to Love is set at the turn of the 20th century as the entire world is about to change. Fern and Alex are the perfect protagonists for this era, as both are revolutionary in their own way. A tradesman's son with superior intelligence studying at Oxford, and a nobleman's daughter with a brilliant mind who would like nothing more than to study at Oxford. When their paths intersect these two are instantly attracted to one another. But they are from very different worlds and obstacles aplenty stand in their way.
Fern's character is what we would now know to be on the autism spectrum, but at the time her family thought of her as "different" and "eccentric". Ginny Moore does a beautiful and sensitive job explaining Fern's state of mind in an all-encompassing, descriptive way that somehow stayed true to the time period and didn't interject 21st century knowledge to the past. It was deftly done and very impressive.
But it is first and foremost a romance and a thoroughly satisfying one at that. I was totally rooting for Fern and Alex to have their happy-ever-after. And the sparks fly between them. Adding Up to Love combines a heartwarming story as well as delivering some steamy love scenes. It is an amazing debut novel, and I'm already looking forward to the next book.
Fern's character is what we would now know to be on the autism spectrum, but at the time her family thought of her as "different" and "eccentric". Ginny Moore does a beautiful and sensitive job explaining Fern's state of mind in an all-encompassing, descriptive way that somehow stayed true to the time period and didn't interject 21st century knowledge to the past. It was deftly done and very impressive.
But it is first and foremost a romance and a thoroughly satisfying one at that. I was totally rooting for Fern and Alex to have their happy-ever-after. And the sparks fly between them. Adding Up to Love combines a heartwarming story as well as delivering some steamy love scenes. It is an amazing debut novel, and I'm already looking forward to the next book.
February 3, 2023
Ginny B. Moore’s debut novel is a captivating read! Fern and Alex have an unconventional beginning, but they both touched my heart.
Fern is on the autism spectrum and has always relied on Rose, her twin, to be her buffer. Fern has a brilliant mind, but she’s misunderstood by most. Alex is the son of a printer whose brain and determination are his ticket to move up. He and Fern are kindred spirits whose journey to happily ever after has some twists and turns long the way.
This book was difficult to put down. Ginny created wonderful characters whose chemistry is something special. My dad is a twin, and I feel like she did a great job illustrating their special bond. Characters who have special needs can be difficult to write well, but I feel like she took extra care to develop Fern as a character who happened to be on the spectrum, but it wasn’t her whole identity. One of the reasons Fern and Alex work so well as a couple is because he realizes that too.
The epilogue gives us a glimpse ten years into the future, and includes the tidbit that this is the first in a series of five books. I can’t wait to see how the series develops!
Fern is on the autism spectrum and has always relied on Rose, her twin, to be her buffer. Fern has a brilliant mind, but she’s misunderstood by most. Alex is the son of a printer whose brain and determination are his ticket to move up. He and Fern are kindred spirits whose journey to happily ever after has some twists and turns long the way.
This book was difficult to put down. Ginny created wonderful characters whose chemistry is something special. My dad is a twin, and I feel like she did a great job illustrating their special bond. Characters who have special needs can be difficult to write well, but I feel like she took extra care to develop Fern as a character who happened to be on the spectrum, but it wasn’t her whole identity. One of the reasons Fern and Alex work so well as a couple is because he realizes that too.
The epilogue gives us a glimpse ten years into the future, and includes the tidbit that this is the first in a series of five books. I can’t wait to see how the series develops!
August 29, 2024
I don’t believe I’ve read a historical romance before, but after seeing Ginny's fantastic posts on IG, I gave this a try.
I loved the slow burn and could relate to some of Fern’s frustrations. It was heartbreaking to see her struggling to fit in, be understood, or even be cared for. But it was exciting that she found Alex, who might see the real her. Of course, there were lots of hurdles, some that seemed impossible to jump, including things involving her twin sister.
The drama and what I’m sure was a neurodivergent FMC really added something interesting, new and relatable. As the story unfolded, I wanted to look away, but I was also desperate to flip the pages and rush through to find out what was happening next. It was a fantastic and unique story with lots of tension and romance and beautifully written too.
I loved the slow burn and could relate to some of Fern’s frustrations. It was heartbreaking to see her struggling to fit in, be understood, or even be cared for. But it was exciting that she found Alex, who might see the real her. Of course, there were lots of hurdles, some that seemed impossible to jump, including things involving her twin sister.
The drama and what I’m sure was a neurodivergent FMC really added something interesting, new and relatable. As the story unfolded, I wanted to look away, but I was also desperate to flip the pages and rush through to find out what was happening next. It was a fantastic and unique story with lots of tension and romance and beautifully written too.
January 29, 2023
Who says math can't be sexy? Me, it was probably me. But I was wrong! Thank you to the author for an early copy of this beautiful book. This one gave me all sorts of emotions. I absolutely adored the FMC, Fern. I want to wrap her up and keep her safe forever. Her interactions with her family were heartbreaking even though there was no real villain in this story—just imperfect people trying to do their best.
And Alex, our sexy math nerd MMC, was perfect for Fern. I loved that they both felt like they didn't belong but then found acceptance and love with each other. (And the 'oops we got all wet and now our clothes are sticking to us' scene was historical romance gold.)
I definitely almost skipped making dinner for my children to keep reading this one!
And Alex, our sexy math nerd MMC, was perfect for Fern. I loved that they both felt like they didn't belong but then found acceptance and love with each other. (And the 'oops we got all wet and now our clothes are sticking to us' scene was historical romance gold.)
I definitely almost skipped making dinner for my children to keep reading this one!
February 15, 2023
I read a comtemporary short story by this author called "What Goes Around" which inspired me to get her book. While still in the romance genre, "Adding up to Love' is a historical romance with Downton Abbey and Bridgerton vibes. The characters and setting come to life and at the end of each chapter I wanted to keep reading to find out what happened. There were some scenes that were laugh-out-loud funny and others are steamy-the perfect formula for a romance.
One of the ways you know you're reading a good book is that you can imagine everything that's going on which made me think that this would make a great Netflix series. While I'm waiting for that to happen, I can't wait to read the next book in the series...
One of the ways you know you're reading a good book is that you can imagine everything that's going on which made me think that this would make a great Netflix series. While I'm waiting for that to happen, I can't wait to read the next book in the series...
November 22, 2023
This is the first book I have read from this author, I enjoyed it and I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series. Adding Up to Love is a delightful historical romance that features a smart and quirky heroine, Fern, who loves math and dreams of studying at Oxford. She agrees to help Alex, a handsome and charming Oxford student, woo her twin sister Rose, in exchange for his assistance in preparing for the entrance exam. However, things get complicated when Fern and Alex develop feelings for each other, despite their different backgrounds and expectations. The book is full of witty banter, steamy scenes, and a love triangle that will keep you hooked until the end. I enjoyed the author’s writing style, the historical setting, and the unique plot.
February 22, 2023
4.5 ⭐️
This is the first historical romance i have ever read, and let me tell you, it did not disappoint.
I absolutely loved this book. Fern was such a good character. I loved how relatable she was and how she just wanted to be herself and didn't want to conform to the social norms of the time.
Alex was such a swoon worthy mmc. He accepted Fern for who she was and embraced all of her differences, and that's what made him love her more.
The book kept me hooked to the very last page. This is an amazing debut book. The writing was witty and entertaining. A real page turner. I can't wait to read more about the flower sisters in the rest of the series.
This is the first historical romance i have ever read, and let me tell you, it did not disappoint.
I absolutely loved this book. Fern was such a good character. I loved how relatable she was and how she just wanted to be herself and didn't want to conform to the social norms of the time.
Alex was such a swoon worthy mmc. He accepted Fern for who she was and embraced all of her differences, and that's what made him love her more.
The book kept me hooked to the very last page. This is an amazing debut book. The writing was witty and entertaining. A real page turner. I can't wait to read more about the flower sisters in the rest of the series.
July 22, 2025
4 ⭐️
This novel was super sweet and also hella stressful at times. I always get that way with love triangles, especially when it involves a sibling. But Fern and Alex were so perfect for each other right from the start; you know they're who should be together. And while Rose was a great sister (at times in the beginning), she also needed to get a little bit of a wake-up call.
I thought Fern's autism was so well-handled and I found her thought process really interesting to navigate. And Alex's way with her in every situation, from when she's thriving to frustrated to completely immobile, really gave his character moments to shine. Thank god for that, too, because he really pissed me off during that third-act breakup. But I love when a mama talks some sense into an MC, and I appreciate the happy ending even more when it's earned. And this one felt so very earned between the endless obstacles and our MC's stubbornness.
I'd recommend this if you enjoy academic storylines, a math-minded FMC with hidden depths, and a swoony MMC who is there with her through it all.
This novel was super sweet and also hella stressful at times. I always get that way with love triangles, especially when it involves a sibling. But Fern and Alex were so perfect for each other right from the start; you know they're who should be together. And while Rose was a great sister (at times in the beginning), she also needed to get a little bit of a wake-up call.
I thought Fern's autism was so well-handled and I found her thought process really interesting to navigate. And Alex's way with her in every situation, from when she's thriving to frustrated to completely immobile, really gave his character moments to shine. Thank god for that, too, because he really pissed me off during that third-act breakup. But I love when a mama talks some sense into an MC, and I appreciate the happy ending even more when it's earned. And this one felt so very earned between the endless obstacles and our MC's stubbornness.
I'd recommend this if you enjoy academic storylines, a math-minded FMC with hidden depths, and a swoony MMC who is there with her through it all.
January 25, 2025
Unique story.
I gave this 4 stars because it started slowly; I almost didn't continue reading. The story is unique because Fern is a brilliant mathematician for her time and struggles to find her place in the ton and especially her family. She finds a good friend in an academic, not wealthy or part of the ton, who sees her worth and encourages her as he struggles to find his place in the world. Continue reading through the slower part of the story and you will enjoy a well written journey of these two finding their way through their trials and tribulations.
I gave this 4 stars because it started slowly; I almost didn't continue reading. The story is unique because Fern is a brilliant mathematician for her time and struggles to find her place in the ton and especially her family. She finds a good friend in an academic, not wealthy or part of the ton, who sees her worth and encourages her as he struggles to find his place in the world. Continue reading through the slower part of the story and you will enjoy a well written journey of these two finding their way through their trials and tribulations.
May 5, 2023
This book surprised me on a few points. Even though it fits well in a couple of different tropes, nothing about this book felt tired or 'done before'. The characters feel realistic and were written well, the time period was depicted perfectly, and the storyline kept me interested. This is an author I'll be reading more of!
May 18, 2023
I love the idea at the heart of this book - about a woman trying to find her voice in academia, and finding a man who supports her! The writing itself also has a level of sophistication that I appreciated, especially in a new author. The plot was well-paced, the characters felt real and had true depth, and the story was so clever. I'm already a fan!
June 19, 2023
I struggled with how the hero and heroine behaved towards one another and the heroine's sister. Don't want to spoil too much, but this just left me feeling cold towards both of them. That said, I liked how Moore depicted the heroine's autism and her burning desire to learn in a time where women had scant chances of a higher education. I just wish I could have enjoyed the romance more.
January 9, 2025
Tame and long winded
I slogged my way through this one. It took forever to get to the 'steamy' part and then tortured me some more to get to the point. Usually, I complain stories are too short, but this one is so slow and drawn out it seems unending. I abandoned it twice but managed to finish, much to my surprise. Not worth a second look.
I slogged my way through this one. It took forever to get to the 'steamy' part and then tortured me some more to get to the point. Usually, I complain stories are too short, but this one is so slow and drawn out it seems unending. I abandoned it twice but managed to finish, much to my surprise. Not worth a second look.
April 16, 2025
This historical romance will appeal to readers who enjoy strong, unconventional heroines, complex relationships, vivid historical settings, stories of love and self-discovery, and the struggle between duty and desire. Fans of Jane Austen, Charlotte Brontë, or Georgette Heyer are likely to enjoy it.
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