Cover of The Chemistry Test featuring a stylised illustration of a young woman in a wheelchair and a young man alongside her. Title reads: The Chemistry Test at the top in orange and the author's name, Georgina Frankie is in all caps and orange below. Cut-out blue arrows point to the cover and a green speech bubble reads Book review. A pink document and blue pencil illustrate the other side.
Books and Literature

The Chemistry Test by Georgina Frankie

Laura Graham

By Laura Graham

Category: Book review

Audience: Young adult

Genre: Romance

Themes: love, anxiety, grief, friendship

Disability representation: hEDS, anxiety, PoTS

Reviewer rating: *****

A representation of what it’s like to live with EDS and PoTS written by an author who lives with the conditions herself.

I have Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDS) and Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (PoTS) so I was excited to see a book that has a heroine with both of these conditions. This book exceeded my expectations so much.

Lots of relatable moments in here from the way the main character Penny struggles to manage getting ready in the morning to her determination to do things despite how much it costs her physically. And of course the reality is that her illness cannot be pushed through.

This is a novel that really didn’t shy away from showing the reality of living with a chronic illness.

Penny is so loveable and it was lovely to see her learn to accept the love of those around her. Her friends and love interest Cam didn’t find her disability a hindrance to them and enjoyed helping her when she needed it which, in turn, helped her to learn it was OK to have help. Such a beautiful message.

‘I wish people realised that you don’t have to need a wheelchair all the time to need a wheelchair.’

Both the love interests help each other grow in different ways and I love to see that in a romance. Cam struggles with anxiety and grief. Penny helps him through that. Because disabled people still bring so much to the table!

I really loved the cat rescue elements of the story too 🐾 

Healing relationships were a real highlight of this book. The friendship, love and support the main characters experience is a fantastic example of what you, the reader, deserve for yourself.  

Paperback, audio and Kindle available on Amazon.

Information and support for the conditions mentioned

For more information and support with Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDS) visit www.ehlers-danlos.org

For support with Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (PoTS) visit potsuk.org 

Author

  • Laura is a white woman with long brown hair. She has red lipstick on, and a pink dress. She is sat in the back of a car.

    I’m Laura, and I’m a podcast host on Ramp it Up. My focus is amplifying the perspective of the childfree, disabled, and neurodiverse.

    I have an Instagram page called @fainting_into_books where I share a range of book recommendations. I also share a look into my life as a disabled author and reader. Writing is another avenue I use to highlight the childfree and disabled perspective. I write neurodiverse and/or disabled childfree heroines.

    I love the outdoors, animals, fudge, and being silly. My friends describe me as having golden retriever energy. Come get excited with me!

Laura Graham

I’m Laura, and I’m a podcast host on Ramp it Up. My focus is amplifying the perspective of the childfree, disabled, and neurodiverse. I have an Instagram page called @fainting_into_books where I share a range of book recommendations. I also share a look into my life as a disabled author and reader. Writing is another avenue I use to highlight the childfree and disabled perspective. I write neurodiverse and/or disabled childfree heroines. I love the outdoors, animals, fudge, and being silly. My friends describe me as having golden retriever energy. Come get excited with me!

Laura Graham has 1 posts and counting. See all posts by Laura Graham

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