While the plot is a little farfetched and unrelatable (dating show - come on) I enjoyed the characters. I did feel like it was a bit light on romance, like it was a slowburn romance which isn't really my jam. I have read almost all of Christina Lauren's books and loved the majority of them but this one was just an alright/4 star one for me.

did i know this was book #2 in a series when i read it? nope! did it matter? not really! (it’s more of the best friend’s story than a sequel story about the first book’s main couple.) it was an easy breezy love story centered on a reality show and a DNA based dating site, and i loved seeing a flirty, sex-positive female main character take the reins on what she wanted in the way society so often only wants cishet men to do! but also, her nickname being fizzy just really made me like 🤨 AND ALSO until i read the author’s note at the end and realized this had been a highly requested spinoff story from the first book, i was uneasy about two white women writing a story with a chinese american main character (i have so many feelings and thoughts about this and i don’t know how to resolve them all!!)… lots to ponder there.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ in the end for this one! #radthreestarreads

Special thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy of this book.

'The True Love Experiment' was a funny and romantic but predictable book. Cute!

I am a big fan of Christina Lauren, but I just could not get into this book for the life of me! I just didn't gel with the writing style this go 'round. The characters' voices just felt so underdeveloped to me and the dialogue was sometimes too cringey. A bummer for me, but so many people have loved this book!

Christina Lauren is a master of words and creating that HEA. True Love finds the dips and turns, along with the RomCom-ness of all Christina's books to take you on a little journey of reflection and finding love. Great book, enjoyed the characters and story evolvement.

I have been in such a rut with reading lately (for many reasons), and this book FINALLY broke me out of it. I really enjoyed this read so much and could not put it down. Christina Lauren books to me always have great chemistry with the characters and there was no exception with Fizzy and Connor. Lately, I have been in a reality tv binge to just escape for a bit and what is better for that than some trashy reality tv with my favorite bravolebrities? This book was such a fun behind the scenes reality tv storyline that just catered to all of guilty pleasures in the best way possible.

The True Love Experiment was the perfect mix of funny, intense, sexy, light and heartwarming. The characters were all likable and I really have a hard time finding much I would change here.

I have read all of Christina Lauren's books, with the exception of a few novellas.

I wasn't super excited to start this one, however.

I loved The Soulmate Equation and Fizzy, but I was turned off by the idea of another reality TV dating show plot.. Reality television has never been something I enjoy. I have not seen a single episode of The Bachelor/Bachelorette. The entire concept has turned me off since Joe Millionaire. Yes, I'm Joe Millionaire years old.

Christina Lauren proved me wrong. Fizzy Chen was just the character to help them do it. Connor Prince was pretty okay, too.

The banter was spot-on, trademark CLo. They perfectly blended the tender moments and steam to allow me to root for Cizzy. Seeing Jess, Juno, and River again was delightful.

It was everything I needed it to be: Joy.

Absolute love these authors. Loved the story. Loved the characters. Loved the writing. I’ll read just about whatever they publish.

Another amazing lady scientists in history romance. Oh the longing! The pinning! The meddling, precocious daughters!

I’m so thankful there are companion books to look forward to.

I REALLY enjoyed this book! Fizzy was a funny and feisty MC, Connor was a perfect book boyfriend, the plot was creative and I loved the character and plot crossovers from THE SOULMATE EQUATION.

Such an adorable story. Okay, I’m a HUGE cLo fan and even more after hearing them speak recently. I did not love Soulmate Equation, but for me—this was the redemption.

Likes:
🌹 As a lifelong bachelor/ette fan-I adored the reality show aspect of this book. I do think some of the twists of the show were unrealistic but—we still loved it.
🌹 Fizzy is just a GEM of a human. She’s hilarious and has the story we never knew we needed.
🌹um, I think I adored the single dad trope??

Dislikes:
But this isn’t really a dislike… was the story earthshatteringly (it’s not a word but go with it) amazing? Nah, but it was a nice light hearted read and I did really enjoy the story.

Christina and Lauren do it again! The true love experiment was just what I was hoping for. It was fun and the characters pop, like the cover. Christina, Lauren is an automatic read for me and I would recommend the True Love Experiment.

Thank you NetGalley for my digital arc in exchange for my review.

The True Love Connection by Christina Lauren is the sequel to The Soulmate Equation and includes plot points about the DNA-Duo tech and we see River and Jessica as secondary characters to Felicity (Fizzy). Fizzy is a romance writer who is in a bit of a slump and agrees to be cast in a reality dating show where she is the Heroine and gets to date 8 Hero archetypes found in romance novels (The One that Got Away, Vampire, Bad Boy, etc). She hopes that this will kick start her creative juices. Instead, she falls head over heels with the executive producer Conner (DILF Hot Brit) who just wants to get this reality show over with so he can go back to filming and producing his beloved nature documentaries.

I didn't remember much about The Soulmate Equation, and I thought the first half of this book was really slow. Once we got to the filming of the reality show, things picked up for me and held my interest. I enjoyed Connor's character. I liked the mature way he and his ex co-parented their daughter. I didn't love Fizzy, though. I thought she was crude, vulgar, and it was just a bit too much for me. I also thought the spice level was a little too high for me, personally. I prefer more closed-door romances - but that is definitely a personal choice.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

dnf - the soulmate equation is by far my favorite christina lauren book so i was incredibly excited for this one. unfortunately it just didn’t hit like the first book. i didn’t feel any chemistry between the characters nor did i really care about the outcome of their relationship so for that i did not finish this book

God, I loved this book! Fizzy is a romance author and when a TV producer, Connor, is tasked to produce a dating show, he wants Fizzy. She agrees, but only if her suitors match up to dating tropes (think golden retriever, boy next door, bad boy, cowboy...). But the chemistry between Fizzy and Connor is undeniable - they both bring out the absolute best in one another. They compliment each other, his steadfastness being the perfect pairing to her fierce joy - Connor sees her like no one else does.

It's a book for the romance readers, not only is their romance but Fizzy is a staunch defender of the genre and will fight anyone who tries to diminish it's impact on the literary world. The side characters are also amazing, you get some oldies with Jess, River and Juno but also Connor's family unit speaks to the maturity and love that can be shared in co-parenting. LOVED it.

I love the world that Christina Lauren has created within this book and the Soulmate Equation. They are both by far my favorite titles by these authors. I genuinely love each character and the plots feel realistic enough that I am invested what each character is experiencing but have that element of magic that requires some suspension of disbelief, allowing for the perfect read in my opinion.

This was just okay. I found it kind of boring and I didn’t know what the plot would be before requesting it. I didn’t love the reality tv type of situation.

Christina Lauren beautifully captures the complexities of love, lust, and the search for true happiness in this story. Fizzy and Connor's chemistry leaps off the pages, and their journey from skepticism to vulnerability is both relatable and heartwarming. The authors skillfully navigate themes of self-discovery, the power of second chances, and the importance of following your heart. The witty banter and humorous situations will keep readers thoroughly entertained throughout the book. Christina Lauren's writing style is engaging and addictive, making it difficult to put the book down. Additionally, the exploration of family dynamics and the challenges of balancing career and personal life adds depth to the story.

The Most Anticipated Contemporary Romance Books of 2023

The True Love Experiment by Christina Lauren

2021’s The Soulmate Equation posed some probing questions about dating app compatibility and self-fulfilling prophecies, so it’s great to see Christina Lauren dipping back into that world.

Felicity “Fizzy” Chen was introduced as a successful romance novelist, but it turns out she knows a lot more about following lust than actually falling in love. Like her friend Jess, Fizzy signs on to be part of a rather public dating experiment, in the form of a reality dating show helmed by documentary filmmaker (and single dad!) Connor Prince. Fizzy will only do it if her love interests represent different romantic archetypes… but the joke’s on her, because she’s going to have the most attraction with the man behind the lens.

I loved THE SOULMATE EQUATION and was beyond excited to see that Fizzy was getting her own book. Sadly, I loved THE SOULMATE EQUATION and was a bit disappointed in this one. In the start, it was soooooooooooooo slowwwwwww. I almost DNF'd. It was just way too much background and inner turmoil for Fizzy and I was like let's get this show on the road!! The back end of this book REALLY picked up and that's what really brough this book back up to 4 stars for me. I actually listened to it on audio and enjoyed the narration so much. I thought the premise was so sweet, essentially a reality show "BACHELORETTE" type lead falling in love with the producer. Read this if you like enemies to lovers, SLOW BURN, girl in the drivers seat type of romance. Warning: I would read THE SOULMATE EQUATION first!