Collegiate setting in a STEM startup premise following Zoe and Jack; classmates in an organic chemistry class at Harvard who found each other’s smart brain to be useful and decided to entwine as colleagues at a lab setting off on a new project to immortality— of an antidote to ageing which later get them both to bring it to an investor, drop out of Harvard and form a startup.

Dense wirh nothing too twisty on the storytelling as the execution was more towards the scientific ethics and entrepreneurial insight following the startup progress and how it impacted Zoe’s life and struggles in meeting the expectations, ambition and its success. Having a glimpse on morality and gender bias in between with a touch of a first love tale regarding Zoe’s feelings towards Jack and Carter; the second guy that I can’t hate, somehow loving Carter interactions with Zoe a lot. Smart, mysterious Jack who wants to conquer death through science— I want to swoon over him and Zoe at first but along the way his character did not entice me much that by the time his backstory came (which on the later part) I did not care much about his narrative and why he did what he did.

Fairly engaging dynamic for Zoe; a love-hate on the characterization, I really wish she won’t quit Harvard and just do the startup on the side (or be a more ‘badass’ female lead, at least) but can’t blame her much for it— brilliant and young, she must be too eager when Jack said the results were encouraging. Loved how the whole mess go bit psychological afterwards— think the later part hooked me the most for its emotional friendship and familial gaze as well how Zoe confronted and healed from the aftermath. Bit mellow, foreseen that ending and loving how the last chapter was crafted.

(Thank you Times Reads for the ARC!)