Some books whisper their way into your soul, while others burst through the door with all the confidence of someone who knows exactly where they belong. The Chemistry Test by Georgina Frankie falls firmly into the latter category, delivering a debut novel that sparkles with authenticity, vulnerability, and the kind of romance that makes you believe in the beautiful complexity of human connection.
The Science of Storytelling
Penny Steele arrives at university armed with determination, a brand-new wheelchair, and dreams of proving that chronic illness doesn’t define her limits. When she encounters CJ Taylor—a charming actor taking a break from his HBO series to study biomedical sciences—their chemistry is immediate and undeniable. Yet both harbor secrets that threaten to derail their connection before it truly begins.
What makes Frankie’s storytelling particularly compelling is her refusal to treat disability as either inspiration porn or tragedy. Penny’s Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) aren’t obstacles to overcome but integral parts of who she is. The author crafts Penny’s experience with remarkable nuance, capturing the daily realities of chronic illness without ever making it the sole focus of her identity.
The dual perspective structure allows readers to experience both Penny’s fierce independence and CJ’s struggle with depression following his grandmother’s death. Their alternating chapters create a beautiful symmetry that mirrors the push and pull of their developing relationship.
Characters That Breathe Life Into Pages
Penny emerges as a protagonist who defies every stereotype about disabled characters in fiction. She’s brilliant, sassy, and wonderfully complex—someone who enjoys exams (yes, really) and runs an anonymous advice blog called “Closer Than Yesterday.” Her voice crackles with wit and intelligence, making statements like “hands out smiles like confetti” feel natural rather than forced.
CJ proves equally compelling as he navigates the complexities of fame, grief, and young adulthood. His struggle with dyslexia, his passion for both acting and medical research, and his deep connection to his late grandmother create a character who feels refreshingly real. The author skillfully avoids making him a perfect love interest, instead presenting someone genuinely trying to figure out his place in the world.
The supporting cast—particularly Penny’s housemates Amy and Ro—adds depth and authenticity to the university setting. Their friendship dynamics feel lived-in and genuine, providing moments of levity that balance the more serious themes.
The Language of Love and Life
Frankie’s prose style mirrors her protagonist’s voice—accessible yet intelligent, warm yet unflinching when addressing difficult topics. The writing flows with natural rhythm, particularly during the romantic scenes that manage to be both swoon-worthy and believable. The author has a gift for dialogue that captures the particular way young people speak without resorting to forced slang or outdated references.
The medical terminology is woven seamlessly into the narrative, never feeling like a Wikipedia dump but rather the natural language of someone living with these conditions. This authenticity extends to the university setting, which feels genuine rather than the Hollywood version of college life.
Where Chemistry Creates Complexity
The novel’s greatest strength lies in its portrayal of a romantic relationship where both partners bring their own challenges to the table. This isn’t a story about a disabled person being “saved” by love, nor is it about someone overcoming disability through romance. Instead, it’s about two young people learning to support each other while maintaining their individual identities and dreams.
However, the pacing occasionally falters during the middle section, where the anonymous blog storyline sometimes feels disconnected from the main romance. While the eventual revelation of CJ’s identity as Penny’s online correspondent creates dramatic tension, the setup requires considerable suspension of disbelief.
The novel also sometimes struggles with balancing its various plot threads. The academic pressures, family dynamics, and romantic development compete for attention in ways that don’t always feel seamlessly integrated.
The Emotional Laboratory
What elevates The Chemistry Test by Georgina Frankie beyond typical YA romance is its emotional intelligence. The book tackles heavy topics—chronic illness, grief, depression, family expectations—without ever becoming preachy or overwhelming. Frankie understands that love doesn’t fix everything, but it can provide the courage to keep experimenting with life.
The representation of invisible disabilities deserves particular praise. Penny’s use of a wheelchair as an ambulatory user, her bad days and good days, and the way her condition affects everything from studying to dating feels authentic and respectful. This isn’t disability written by someone who Googled symptoms; it’s clearly informed by lived experience.
Similar Reads and Author Context
The Chemistry Test marks Georgina Frankie’s debut, making this accomplished novel even more impressive. Readers who enjoyed this book might also appreciate:
- Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell for its authentic teenage voice and complex family dynamics
- The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta for its exploration of identity and belonging
- Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas for its blend of romance and personal growth
- The Miseducation of Cameron Post by Emily M. Danforth for its coming-of-age themes
For readers seeking more disability representation in YA romance, consider Five Feet Apart by Rachael Lippincott and The Shattering by Karen Healey.
The Final Analysis
The Chemistry Test by Georgina Frankie succeeds brilliantly at what it sets out to do: tell a love story that happens to involve disability rather than a disability story with romance tacked on. Frankie has created characters who feel like real people dealing with real challenges while still delivering the swoony moments romance readers crave.
The novel’s greatest achievement is its refusal to treat chronic illness as either limitation or superpower. Penny is simply a young woman navigating university, relationships, and her own ambitions while managing a chronic condition—just like millions of real people do every day.
While the plot occasionally wobbles under the weight of its various elements, the emotional core remains strong throughout. The romance between Penny and CJ develops with patience and authenticity, avoiding both instalove and unnecessary drama.
Why This Test Deserves a Perfect Score
The Chemistry Test by Georgina Frankie represents exactly the kind of representation the YA genre needs more of: diverse characters who feel authentic rather than tokenistic, romance that develops naturally rather than through manufactured conflict, and prose that trusts readers’ intelligence.
Frankie has written a debut that announces her as a voice to watch in contemporary YA romance. For readers seeking stories that reflect the beautiful complexity of real relationships and real life, The Chemistry Test provides the perfect formula.
This is a book that will make you laugh, cry, and believe in the transformative power of finding someone who sees all of you—including the parts you’re still learning to love yourself. In the laboratory of love, sometimes the most unexpected combinations create the most beautiful reactions.