Title: Safety in Numbers
Author: Sophie Penhaligon
Published: 3rd January 2022, BooksGoSocial
Pages: 230
Source: Netgalley
Format: ARC
Rating: 3.5/5
When a tragic accident leaves mathematician Seraphina Ellis broken and despairing, she is convinced that she will live out the remainder of her life in lonely solitude. Determined to conceal her disability from her co-workers, she hides away in her desolate cubicle, crossing off the days of her life, unfulfilled and defeated.
Pages: 230
Source: Netgalley
Format: ARC
Rating: 3.5/5
When a tragic accident leaves mathematician Seraphina Ellis broken and despairing, she is convinced that she will live out the remainder of her life in lonely solitude. Determined to conceal her disability from her co-workers, she hides away in her desolate cubicle, crossing off the days of her life, unfulfilled and defeated.
A chance meeting with irascible but mesmerizing billionaire scientist and CEO Milo Grant provides her with the job of her dreams, and the chance of escape from cubicle land. But Grant is haunted by his own monsters and is increasingly interested in more than just her mathematic magic.
In this touching and sexually charged contemporary romance, Sophie Penhaligon manages to deliver a novel that is lighthearted and fun whilst dealing with the difficult topics of loss and disability.
Safety in Numbers is a nice quick read about Seraphina, a woman who suffers from aphasia, as she rejoins the world of work. This is a romance so of course, she meets the grumpy, bit-of-an-ass Milo who happens to be the CEO of the company.
Safety in Numbers is set mainly in Seraphina's workplace which was different, but I wish this had led to a bit more "lab talk" to provide more depth to the characters and help the setting feel more real. It did suit the characters, but I wanted more.
The characters were likeable enough. It was really interesting learning more about aphasia via Seraphina. However, I hated Seraphina's self-hate and belief that she was worthless. But I could understand the struggles aphasia could cause. I kind of preferred Milo as a character (even though his name just reminds me of The Tweenies). I really liked his grumpy but soft in the centre personality and his patience with Seraphina. He was a bit of a gem.
Safety in Numbers is told from both Seraphina and Milo's perspectives - not quite alternating every chapter but almost. I think this helped open up both characters to the reader more. I could really understand how aphasia affected both Seraphina and Milo as he communicated with her. I do not suffer from aphasia so cannot tell if the representation is accurate but I learned and went on a Wikipedia trip to find out more.
The story was slightly predictable as I could who was going to be the problem as soon as they were introduced. I do wish there was more confrontation at the end to add a bit more drama.
Safety in Numbers was an interesting read that had me researching. I wish there was more depth to both the characters and the story, but it was an enjoyable palate cleanser after some heavier reads and I flew through it. I would definitely recommend it to fans of easy, contemporary romances.
My favourite parts? The beach scene where the characters actually start to communicate plainly with each other.
My favourite character? Milo.
Did I learn something? A lot more about aphasia as a result of my own research.
Will I read Sophie Penhaligon again? Maybe.
Will I read the rest of the series? n/a.
Worth the price? Provided in exchange for an honest review via Netgalley.
I do enjoy a nice easy, contemporary romance sometimes. Nice review!
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