Cover Image: The True Love Experiment

The True Love Experiment

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

This book centers around two main characters, Fizzy and Conner. Fizzy is a romance writer, currently suffering from writers block after having a relationship end badly. Conner is a producer who makes environmental documentaries. However, the production company forces him to produce a dating series. His ex-wife is a big fan of Fizzy's books and he decides she'd be the perfect star for his new series. Except he's never read a romance novel and she's quick to dislike him at their first meeting. This is another fantastic book by Christina Lauren!

Was this review helpful?

Reading anything by Christina Lauren is like throwing on cozy blanket and curling up in front of a fire with a mug of hot cocoa... you know that you'll never be disappointed and you'll be left with that warm and fuzzy feeling. The Love Experiment is all of that and then some.

Fizzy Chen is back and in an unprecedented slump. She hasn't written any of her trademark romance novels in quite a while and she also hasn't dated anyone in just as long. When she's approached to star in a reality dating show by Connor, the gorgeous producer, she agrees but only if her list of outrageous- and outrageously funny - demands are met. As Connor and the network rush to find a cast of Heroes that meet all of Fizzy's requirements, a bond forms between Connor and Fizzy that may just be lust... or is it the love story that our favorite romance writer has been waiting for?

Was this review helpful?

Thanks to Gallery Books and NetGalley for this eARC!

I loved this reality show rom-com about Fizzy, a romance author who needs a bit of a life reset and Connor, a single dad who is producing the show she's on.

The banter was great, and I LOVED the dual perspectives here. We really needed to be in both Fizzy and Connor's heads. Just a pure delight (except for the break I had to take when the big ~complication~ occurred, because I was sad).

These reality show-set romances are very much working for me, and this one has a lot of sparkle!

Was this review helpful?

It’s been two years since I started reading and reviewing ARCs, and this came full circle for me, as The Soulmate Equation was the first book I ever received from Netgalley. Awful titles aside, both books are pretty great.

“Sparks fly when a romance novelist and a documentary filmmaker join forces to craft the perfect Hollywood love story and take both of their careers to the next level—but only if they can keep the chemistry between them from taking the whole thing off script.”

I didn’t realize this would be a sequel, in a way, to the Soulmate Equation (TSE), so I was pleasantly surprised to find River Peña appear at the very beginning of this book. If you haven’t read the first”, you aren’t going to be confused at all, as it’s a true stand-alone book. I don’t remember much of Fizzy’s character from TSE, but I liked her even more in this one. She’s funny and a wonderful friend, truly a likable character.

This one was slightly slow to start, with many ups and downs between the two leads, but it still worked. Some of the writing was truly remarkable, almost Taylor Jenkins Reid-like, which is exciting to see from these authors. (It’s been a long way since Beautiful Bastard!). The reality show aspect of the story reminded me a bit of Lauren Layne’s Runaway Groom, which I do mean as a compliment, but the ending in this one was a little less cheesy.

After the underwhelming Something Wilder, I’m happy to see this duo sharing something worth reading more than once again. Would recommend!

Many thanks to Netgalley and Gallery Books for sharing a digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Was this review helpful?

Add to your TBR and pre-order right now. As much as I tried to slow down and savor, I absolutely devoured the best Christina Lauren book yet. A follow up to The Soulmate Equation, Fizzy agrees to a dating show to try to get her mojo back, but has pants flutters and capital Feelings for the producer instead of the contestants. Funny and full of heart, this book, while it has its own love story, is a love letter to the romance genre and romance readers.

Also loved the appearances of Jess and River, the healthy inclusion of therapy, and all the pop culture references, but especially the shout out to Crash Landing on You, unequivocally the best K-drama.

Thank you to Net Galley and Gallery Books for an advanced e-book in exchange for an honest review!

Was this review helpful?

I LOVED this book! The True Love Experiment follows Fizzy, from the Soulmate Equation (released in 2021). I had read that book last year and didn’t remember the details about Fizzy’s character, but immediately fell in love with her through this book. The True Love Experiment is fun and funny. Reading it, I was smiling and laughing as I went. The story is great, the timing is wonderful, and the banter is witty and positive. Connor, our male hero is sweet and prioritizes his daughter over everything else. I loved the conversations and interactions with her, and Juno *(the daughter from Soulmate Equation). I will definitely be purchasing this book when it comes out!

Was this review helpful?

I am obsessed with the Soulmate Equation have been wanting a Fizzy book ever sense. This book was everything I wanted. At first, I was worried that no book would both do her justice while showing a different and deeper side to her, but this book delivered.

Basically, Fizzy goes on a dating show in the hopes of doing things differently while she struggles with a dry spell and writers block. During her meetings with the producer before the show, she realized she’s falling in love, jeopardizing both of their futures.

I loved this story! Fizzy is great and is well complemented by Connor. We get another adorable kid and plenty of River, Jess, and Juno.

The duo states that this book is for the romance lovers out there and it’s definitely that. So much talk about the romance genre.

Basically it’s great and I’m already excited to reread it! ❤️

Current linked post is a teaser. Will post full review closer to pub day as well as on pub day.

Was this review helpful?

My new favorite Christina Lauren book. It's all the romance things I ever wanted and can't believe how much I loved Fizzy and Connor's story. It was wonderful to revisit some of my favorite characters and to fall into this beautiful romance. Absolutely loved it. Thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

Was this review helpful?

My FAVORITE of theirs. Run and pre-order!

Fizzy is the romance writer who seems to have it all. But that comes crashing when she realizes that life isn't just a one night stand.

Connor is the TV producer who is obsessed with saving the environment and his daughter Stevie. When his boss tells him he needs to produce a reality television dating show, Felicity aka Fizzy is the first person to come to mind.

Hence The True Love Experiment. But what happens when this experiment is more than what was bargained for?

I read, laughed and cheered while reading the latest Christina Lauren. Both authors shine and take care to tell Fizzy's story with the gusto that was needed. The ending was well written and the spice is one of the highest yet seen from the duo.

Do yourselves a favor and pre-order from your favorite indie!

Thank you Netgalley and Gallery Books for my arc in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own!

Was this review helpful?

Anyone who has read THE SOULMATE EQUATION knew Fizzy brimmed with life and a story...and here it is! THE TRUE LOVE EXPERIMENT surprised me - I already had high expectations (if Christina Lauren writes it, I will read it)...but it exceeded every expectation. I fell head over heels for Fizzy within the first ten pages with her fantastic humor, irreverent sass, and beautifully vulnerable heart. Then, tall, British, dimpled Connor stepped onto the page and, as the two began trading jabs and banter, I was hooked. I laughed, squealed, and blushed as I read.

This is a beautiful story. Make sure you read the dedication - it is so very true. And you'll quickly see that it will be an easy favorite for those who love this genre.

Was this review helpful?

No words can express how much I LOVED this book. All the hearts, the stars, the puppies, and the rainbows go to Christina Lauren.

Was this review helpful?

Well, this book was perfect!
While you don't have to have read The Soul Mate Equation to enjoy this book, I still recommend reading it first.
The True Love Experiment had just the right mix of romance, self-doubt, hilarity, and character growth. Bonus- it avoided pitfalls like pages and pages of miscommunication where you are just screaming at both characters.
I loved both Fizzy and Connor, and the supporting cast was full of winners too.

Another homerun from Christina Lauren.

Thanks to Netgalley and Gallery Publishing for an early copy for review.

Was this review helpful?

The True Love Experiment follows Fizzy who is a beloved romance author. The thing about Fizzy is that she has never been in love. Connor is a documentary filmmaker however, his boss wants him to do something different. His boss wants him to create a reality TV show. He creates a dating show where Fizzy is the star and is going to find love. Fizzy may not need the show to fall in love. Since Connor might just be the one she ends up falling for.

I love Christian Lauren books. They are one of my go-to romance authors. I screamed when I was approved for an ARC of this book. This book was so good. This book is a follow up to The Soulmate Equation ( which I also LOVED). I will say that you do not need to read The Soulmate Equation before reading this one, but I would highly recommend it. I loved everything about this book. Fizzy and Connor were just so cute. I loved the whole plot of this book. I like how it had little call backs to The Soulmate Equation. This book does have similar vibes to The Charm Offensive. So if you liked that book you will love this one. I higly suggest this book and every book that Christian Lauren writes.

Thank you so much Netgalley, Gallery Books, and Christian Lauren for the ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

This duo has just won my heart! The chemistry and sexual tension jumped off the page. Fizzy's admission and Connor's grand gesture were perfection. This was the story I didn't know I needed when reading The Soulmate Equation.

Was this review helpful?

This is hands down my new favorite Christina Lauren book!!! A MUST read for all romance fans and the perfect sequel to The Soulmate Equation.

What I LOVED:
1. The Premise! A successful romance writer is casted as the lead in a reality dating TV show and falls for the show’s producer. What could be better?!
2. Fizzy! I loved her in The Soulmate Equation as a supporting character but she made an even better main character. Her sex-positivity, bluntness, and humor made her so likable and there was something special about watching her find joy in a place where she least expected to.
3. Connor! I know I say this after many romance books but he is now my book boyfriend. I loved how sincere, caring, open and honest he was. The way he fell for Fizzy and appreciated her for her was perfection. Plus, he’s British… and tall.
4. The FLIRTING! Seriously this book has the BEST banter and there were so many times I was full on laughing out loud. The added element of forbidden love and forced proximity while filming made all the angst and tension shine.
5. The single parent trope! Connor is a single parent, which is a favorite trope of mine because I always love when romances add kids to their stories.
6. All the Jess/River! I was surprised by how big of a role Jess and River, and even Jude, played in this book. CL did a great job refreshing you on all the small details from The Soulmate Equation too, so I didn’t feel lost in the beginning, especially because DNADuo was tied into the reality show.
7. All the pop culture references!!! Yes, we Harry Styles got mentioned twice :)
8. The grand gesture! It was perfect and while it easy to predict how the story would play out, it didn’t take away from the enjoyment whatsoever.

Thank you SOO much Gallery Books for the ARC! This one comes out May 16th :)

Was this review helpful?