I really enjoyed The Soulmate Equation, so this was one of my most anticipated books of this year.
I will say, even though there were only 8 Heroes, which isn't a lot when you think of current reality dating shows, I found it difficult to discern who was who, other than when they are immediately introduced. Apart from one or two (mainly the two who make it to the final), it was difficult to remember which man was which, so I really had no investment in those almost throwaway characters. And then even the final 2 really had very little personality either.
I liked Fizzy and seeing her experience true love for the first time and what she had been writing about for years, despite never having lived it herself. Seeing them fall for each other at their little days and nights out was nice too but then a lot of my enjoyment stalled in the third act.
The night at the hotel had a great pay off, only for them to break up even when it is clear they are both in love with one another, which was pretty frustrating.
The actual final episode of the dating show and how everything was revealed to Fizzy in front of the world felt a bit off for me, for some reason, too. Seeing Connor holding her hand and kissing her on-screen, after them staying apart for the sake of the show and his career, didn't feel all that authentic for me and I was almost cringing when reading that part as Fizzy is supposed to be some dumbstruck that this is all happening now.
As I say, I did enjoy it but it had a few issues for me.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book was so much fun! Setting the story in the behind-the-scenes of a reality TV show was an original and inventive idea. I was actually really hooked by the concept of the show itself because I liked how it weaved in classic romance tropes. It was a sweet nod to the genre.

I liked both lead characters as individuals but they really sparked as a couple. Fizzy brought energy and excitement to the page. She was lively, charismatic and occasionally spiky, but was never one-note. Connor was the perfect person for Fizzy to bounce off of. Their chemistry crackled and their dialogue was seamless. As they spent more time together, both Fizzy and Connor noticeably grew.

Overall, due to its fun, inventive premise and two lead characters that effortlessly bounced off each over, this romance was such an addictive and entertaining read.

True Love Experiment

When romance writer Felicity gets approached by film maker Conner to take part in a dating show she sees it as a chance to get her lost mojo back, and it doesn’t hurt that he happens to be a DILF/Hot Brit!

I really liked that there was none of the frustrating miscommunication that you so often get in these slow burn romances, Connor and especially Felicity are very open about their feelings and desires!! 😳

For me I think this was a case of ‘right book, right time’. It’s very unusual that I give 5 stars to a rom com but I absolutely loved it, and the ending had me sat there with a great big smile on my face!

I’d not actually realised this was linked to their other book, The Soulmate Equation, which is sat on my shelf ready to be read asap, but think this works just as well as a standalone

I had so much fun reading this one!

I'll start off by being honest and saying that I don't love ALL of the authors’ books, but this one was amazing! So if you're like me and maybe didn't love all of their other books, do give this one a chance.

The True Love Experiment is in a way a love letter to readers of romance novels because it's always playing with the stereotypes of heroes we see a lot in the genre. However, a bit like Book Lovers by Emily Henry, it's very meta about how it works with this, as our main character is an accomplished romance author. She is also such a fun person, a real firecracker, but she's recently lost her groove when it comes to her writing because she's personally hadn't had much luck with love.

She is then invited to star in a reality tv dating show, which uses the technology of finding true matches that I believe readers were first introduced to in Soulmate Equation. The main producer of this show is Connor, a documentary filmmaker who is obligated to be a part of this show, which is very much out of his comfort zone. The two spark something in each other, but the circumstances do make it difficult for them to be together

I didn't know at first that this book was a kind of spin-off of another Christina Lauren book — Soulmate Equation —, but now that I do I'm definitely on my tbr.

Thank you, NetGalley and Piatkus (Little, Brown Book Group UK) for this ARC!

I liked this book but didn't love it. Fizzy and Conner had chemistry but her desperation for him and his standoffishness to her annoyed me a little and didn't endear me to him. I prefer when the male love interest chases the protagonist. Other than that, I though the story was okay. It didn't bore me but didn't blow me away either. I liked that Fizzy was a romance author and the love interest tropes were incorporated into the dating show.

While I did enjoy this, I think I prefer Soulmate Equation. I think it might be down to the fact that I'm not a fan of dating shows or reality TV, but something didn't hit the mark for me.
I hoped for more of the science/DNA aspect that we got.from the first book :)

I don't know whether it's because it's an ARC but I also found some of the writing a bit choppy at times. Scenes were cut off and we didn't get some depth into others, almost like it was rushed. Even the sexy scenes felt rushed (unless that was just me?).

On a positive note, I did really enjoy the story overall and the characters were great - loved Fizzy and Connor - and it was nice to be reunited with Jess and River. They all had such good banter.

Juno and Stevie are also absolutely adorable!

I'd recommend it to any CL fan or anyone who likes similar authors and the current romance trend. Definitely worth reading!

it was a lot of fun and a good time!

Wah! What can I say about this book other than that it is perfect!!

I looooooove Fizzy (my new mantra is to Be More Fizzy) I adored Connor beyond all measure - sexy British hero, hello! - and the whole story was compelling and funny, steamy and dramatic, fully emotional and heart-burstingly romantic.

I am not a reality TV person - I have never watched Love Island or Married At First Sight or any of those other things and have zero interest - but I loved the premise of this book, and it has one of the most breath-holdingly, devastatingly romantic and satisfying denouements (one of my all time favourite words) of any romance book I’ve read.

I LOVE Christina Lauren and I LOVE Fizzy and I LOVE Connor and I am obsessed with this book. It is romance perfection. 💖

Somehow I didn’t realise until after I started reading this book that the main chat was Fizzy from the soulmate equation. But I was so happy when I did realise. I loved her as Jess’s friend and I loved her even more in this. The blossoming romance was just pure joy to read but also fuzzy just made the book hilarious.

Give this one ALL THE STARS!!!! I love Christina Lauren books and The Soulmate Equation is my all time favourite of theirs, so my expectations for Fizzy’s book were HIGH. Let me tell you, this did not disappoint. Such a funny, raucous, joyful celebration of a book. I loved the clever concept which worked beautifully, and I could have spent 500 more pages just hanging out with these characters. I laughed so many times, welled up at several points and luxuriated in the romance-book chat which was handled impeccably- savvy and insightful and wise on a genre that is so important to its readers. This is a romance written FOR romance readers, and the love, respect and appreciation leaps off every page. Can you tell I loved it???

I am a sucker for a Christina Lauren read, and when I saw that this bad boy was coming out, I couldn’t click request fast enough. The whole premise of the reality TV show definitely intrigued me, and felt like a fun and fresh idea. I’m definitely guilty of indulging in many a dating show binge. However, this book just didn’t quite hit the mark for me.

Don’t get me wrong, our cast of characters are certainly likeable. Fizzy is your typical funny and feisty female main character, with Connor being the almost too perfect gentleman. I liked them as a couple that’s for sure. Their chemistry translated well onto the pages, and it was evident that they had strong feelings for each other from the get go. It did feel a little too much like ‘insta love’ for me, but it was enjoyable.

I did want more of a focus on the dating show element of the story, and it ended up not really being what I expected. However, it is defiantly a chilled and easy read and one that I enjoyed.

Swoon, swoon, swoon - all the way!

Thanks NetGalley, Little Brown Group UK, Piatkus, for the ARC!

Well, Christina Lauren just know how to get the fireworks crackling with their books, don’t they!

Synopsis -

Fizzy Chen is a well-established romance author, but currently struggling with a writer’s block. Meet the gorgeous, charming Connor, a document producer - who has the idea of a lifetime to come up with a dating show, starring Fizzy, with the ultimate goal of finding her soulmate.

Review -

#TheTrueLoveExperiment checks every romance lover’s dream wishlist -

💖Book about books✅
💖Relatable, witty, funny and quirky heroine ✅
💖Tall, huge, irresistibly handsome and drool-worthy hero ✅
💖An ingenious premise ✅
💖Sizzling chemistry ✅
🌶️Just the right amount of spice✅
💖Unputdownable mystery element✅
💖Confetti splashing grand finale✅

Need I say more? If you are a lover of the genre, you simply cannot miss this book!

OMG, I won’t stop gushing about this. I am in awe of how brilliantly the authors picturize an entire season of a reality show in their book, while also delving deep into these characters, their flaws, imperfections and troubled pasts.

What starts as slow burn, gains momentum gradually, as the attraction and tension build up to a pinnacle between Fizzy and Connor. The impeccable cast of Fizzy’s contenders for the show, does not help the bubbling jealousy and yearning between the two!

The highlight is obviously the filming of the show and I will just say one word – WOW! It was as if I really binge watched it on Netflix, unable to contain my excitement and extreme adoration.

The grandeur finale was mesmerising and I was only left with some serious withdrawal symptoms once it ended. I truly wished the show was real!

Christina Lauren have smashed it out of the lovers’ park again and you don’t want the FOMO. Do you?

Another great book from this author! I loved the whole time I was reading and I couldn’t put it down!
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for early access to this book!

You know, I'm not the biggest romance fan but I enjoyed this one. I've had bad experiences with Lauren's writing in the past but it was better in this one.

Thank you publishers & NetGalley for my ARC.

This story was funny and frothy and delightful.
Our protagonist Fizzy (also known as Felicity) takes a break from her romance writing for a golden opportunity to star in a reality dating show.

I absolutely loved Fizzy requesting the contestants’ by romance archetypes, such as
* hot nerd
* Scottish rogue
* Dilf
* Dom
* Tattoed bad boy
* Millionaire CEO
* Darcy
* Himbo
* Cinnamon roll
* The one that got away

The chapters alternate between Fizzy & Connor’s perspectives. I felt that Fizzy’s chapters were engaging and hilariously inappropriate, that you couldn’t help but fall for her. In comparison, Connor’s seemed a little flat.

It just reminded me of the TikTok audio, “We’ve all seen the pictures, she looks absolutely beautiful. And uh, he’s there”

Regardless I’m immediately buying a copy for me, and another for my friend who happens to be the embodiment of Fizzy.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for accepting my request to read adn review this book!

I loved this book so so much, I adored the chemistry between the two, I adored the premise of the show, I loved the family components, and I loved the humour. Christina Lauren know how to make readers swoon, laugh and cry.

That ending literally had me in tears it was so good.

I also loved how this book swayed on the spicier side than some of their others books.

ALSO I ADORED Fizzy's outbursts of innapropriate jokes, and non-selfconcious sexuality, and the way she speaks what she wants. What a GEM of a protagonist!

This was the first Christian Lauren book I’ve read in a while and I really enjoyed it!

We meet Fizzy who is hilarious and a little feisty, she’s a romance novelist that hasn’t been able to find love herself and it’s causing her to have writers block. She needs help to get out of it.

Enter Connor, he produces documentaries but the company he works for has changed direction and asked him to put together a reality dating show which Fizzy is a part of as the lead! He’s also a single dad, so SIGN ME UP!

Fizzy and Connor had so much chemistry and I could feel their connection. Their banter was amazing and they had some banger one liners that made me laugh. The added bonus of forbidden love and forced proximity while they were both filming added some good angst and tension which I always LOVE. The secret looks, silent messages and everything else had me glued to the page. The authors have done a great job!

This was such a fun book and I really recommend reading it if you love rom coms especially with the added forbidden trope!

I am both a huge Christina Lauren fan and a huge reality tv show fan so this really was the dream book.

It has everything I need in a book: hot DILF, relatable female lead, cute kids, steamy romance, will-they-won't they?

This book was soo good, I snuck it into my lesson and read it on my kindle!

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy.

I really enjoyed this and it helped me spend a three hour flight.. I love Christina Lauren but it probably wasn’t quite as good as her other books but still worth a read.

I’m not a fan of dating shows so the main plot line was difficult for me to keep reading through. I’ve read books by these authors before and enjoyed and I’m sure if the storyline was different I would have managed this one.

The true love experiment

"This one is a blatant love letter to our genre. There be romance in these pages. " What a brilliant dedication for a book, and it's true, there is romance in abundance in these pages.

Having just read the soulmate equation, can I tell you I went into this already loving fizzy. I'm glad I decided to push reading this book back to give myself the opportunity to read that first. Fizzy is hilarious. She's confident and above all else unapologetically herself. But she's hit a bit of a slump both in writing and in dating.
"Last week, I considered going jogging in flip flops just to remind myself how sex sounds." Tell me that is not comedy gold. We hadn't even made it 20 pages in.

Then we have Connor. All he wants to do is make documentaries about marine animals buy his boss says no give me a dating show. So this genius decides to get his ex-wife's favourite author as his leading lady.
I must say the book really benefitted from the dual POVs. Getting inside both their heads was very helpful given the setup for the book.

I enjoyed seeing how the characters from the soulmate equation are doing 3 years on and having the dating tech used for the show was a great way to tie back to fizzy being rhe one who convinced jess to do it in the first place. Plus, we finally get to know what River and Jess actually scored. I will say I wish we got more of Juno and Connor's daughter Stevie. Specifically, them interacting with Fizzy.

"...People aren't the same as fruit. You don't look for new ones if they're bruised." These kids are brilliant, I'd read a book about them when they're older. I bet they'd get up to some wild stuff with Jess and Fizzy as role models.

I did wind up giving it 4.5 stars (5 for rounded up, come on can we get .5 stats on all platforms please) because I fell out of love with Connor at the 70% mark when the cheating bomb hit. I'm not a fan of cheating in my reading, especially not as a 3rd act plot twist.

Overall, I think the setup with the show really worked, and I loved the ending we got. Sadly, it just came down to a trope I don't like to knock the rating down from the full 5 stars.

I received an advance review copy of this book, and this review represents my honest opinion. Thank you to netgalley, Christina Lauren, and the publisher for the opportunity to read the book.