Leveled by Serena J. Bishop is a quirky romance that explores what happens when we try to use logic to find love.
Dr. Persephone (Perse) Texeira is a chronically anxious historian who has zero interest in settling down. Even her new role as a professor at CBU has her palms sweating. After a series of disastrous relationships, she decided many years ago that sex is great but relationships just aren’t worth the effort, especially not when family gets involved.
Dr. Stefanie (Stef) Blake, biologist, loves everything to be perfectly ordered, including her relationships. After the death of her aunt, she decides that it’s time to settle down, but she can’t do that with any woman, they need to be properly vetted first. They need to work through her carefully thought out relationship levels.
When an instant attraction sparks between Perse and Stef, Perse is intrigued by the relationship levels and agrees to be Stef’s first test subject.
The Characters
When I saw Perse was a historian, I was really interested to see how that would factor into the story because I love history. If I’m honest, I would have liked to see a little more of her experiences getting settled at CBU and a little more of the interdisciplinary discussion of biology and history that’s hinted at early on. All that being said, I really enjoyed Perse’s internal journey throughout this book. Her anxiety plays a huge part in who she is right from the start, and getting a glimpse at her coping mechanisms added a sense of humanity that I’ve loved seeing.
Stef has a lot of energy for life. She’s lost a lot in her life, but it hasn’t dampened her spirit. Stef knows exactly what she wants and she’s willing to go out and find a way to get it. She likes order, lists, and logic, but she still has this fun-loving personality that feels like it should be at odds with her desire for order but it’s not.
By the end of the novel, I was convinced that these two were perfect for one another and would find a way to make it work.
The Writing Style
This is a dual point of view novel, but perhaps not in the way you might expect. Instead of delving into the points of view of Perse and Stef, the novel is told mostly from Perse’s point of view with occasional scenes coming from Perse’s sister Missy. It’s a rather unique stylistic choice that I wasn’t sure I enjoyed to begin with, but by the end of the novel I was eagerly awaiting the next Missy insight because her character was hilarious.
My Favourite Parts
There is a strong theme of family throughout the entire novel that resonated with me. If you’re feeling a little sick of your family after months of not being able to do anything or go anywhere, this novel is the perfect reminder that as chaotic as family can be, the people we choose to surround ourselves with (chosen or blood) are in our lives for a reason.
Heads Up
There’s a little recreational drug use happening in this one, but nothing I think will cause any issues for readers—think pot brownies and gummies.
The Conclusion
If you enjoy scientific experimentation and an irreverent sister, then this is a going to be a fun read for you. There’s also plenty of sexual tension to enjoy.
Excerpt from Leveled by Serena J. Bishop
She was so lost in her thoughts she hadn’t noticed someone behind her until a muttered curse was uttered. Rather than turn around, Perse saw the individual’s distorted reflection in the display case. The agitated person was an athletically built woman in shorts and a tank top, with shaggy blond hair. She had a cute figure, and based on her profanity, she either desperately needed sugar or she was in a hurry. Perse turned to learn that the face matched the figure. “You can go ahead of me if you’d like.”
The petite woman looked at her with a sheepish grin. “I’m guessing my lack of patience is pretty noticeable. I just need to pick up a birthday cake, and my friend is circling the block since there’s no parking. Sorry, that was more information than you needed.”
Perse observed her more carefully. She had slight sunburn on her nose and cheekbones, tawny eyes with the faintest crow’s-feet surrounding them, and at the bottom of her heart-shaped face, a chin cleft. There was only one word to describe her: adorable. “I’ve never been here before and have no idea what to order, so I don’t mind if you butt in line.”
“That’d be great! Thank you so much. And, um, everything here is pretty good. You can’t go wrong. Well, maybe that’s not entirely true. The brownies are too fudgey for my liking.”
Perse laughed, not so much at the statement, but from the serious tone. “I don’t think a brownie can be bad. Cookies on the other hand…”
“What’s wrong with cookies?”
“They’re hit and miss. I don’t trust a baked good that needs dunking in milk or coffee to add moisture. The moisture should be there.”
“I won’t deny that moisture is essential to a quality cookie. Even different types of cookies can have the appropriate moist-factor if the math is calculated correctly.”
Perse grinned. “Would you care to elaborate on this calculation?”
They barely acknowledged the movement of the line. Perse was surprisingly amused by the in-depth conversation, which made it more difficult to keep flirtatious notes out of her voice. She found it particularly entertaining that she heard the phrase “manipulation of surface area to volume ratio” come from the stranger.
“Next,” the teenage cashier announced with a touch of impatience.
“Looks like it’s your turn,” Perse said. “Thanks again for this. Picking up a birthday cake for Blake.”
The teen turned and retrieved a large sheet cake off the tiered stainless-steel cart behind him. “And before you ring me up, could you add on an iced chai with coconut milk and a salted toffee cookie for the woman behind me?”
The order brought Perse out of her current state of admiring the woman’s short shorts. “Oh, you don’t have to do that.”
“I know I don’t have to. I want to. Think of it as my way of paying it forward and, based on what you told me, I think you’ll really like the combination.”
She paid, then picked up the cake, which brought out the definition in her shoulders and arms. “Thanks again for letting me cut in line… Ah. I’m sorry, I didn’t get your name.”
“Perse. And Blake, I presume?”
“That’s me,” she said, slightly dumbstruck. “I have to run, but hopefully I’ll see you around. Maybe after your yoga class next week?”
Get It Online
When you use the links in this review and buy within 24 hours of clicking then we get a small commission that helps us run the site and it costs you nothing extra
[tweetthis]I just read this review for Leveled by Serena J. Bishop[/tweetthis]
Bits and Bobs
- ISBN number: 9789492935243
- Publisher: EOS Publishing
- Serena J. Bishop Online
If you enjoyed this book then you should also look at
Note: I received a free review copy of Leveled by Serena J. Bishop. No money was exchanged for this review. When you use our links to buy we get a small commission which supports the running of this site
