Single-mother Jess Davis is a wiz with numbers and statistics. That's why she knows getting back out into the dating pool would be a set up for disaster. Instead, Jess places her focus on raising her daughter and making sure she can make ends meet with her freelancing job. Adding in a relationship will only add in more complications. Regardless, Jess does find herself wanting a partner. Someone to lean on and help. Someone who will love her.

When Jess hears about GeneticAlly, a company who matches people based on their DNA, she doesn't think she really has anything to lose and she submits a sample of her own DNA. When Jess ends up matching with a 98% score, she almost can't believe the numbers. When she finds out she's matched with GeneticAlly's co-founder, Dr. River Peña. This wouldn't be so bad, except Jess already kinda, technically knows Dr. Peña and they don't really see eye to eye.

When GeneticAlly offers to pay Jess to spend time with River so they can really see the numbers at work, she can't turn it down. But when Jess's feelings for River turn from animosity into something more, can she trust the numbers?

As a concept I think Soulmate Equation hits all the marks. I loved the idea of these two people who are supposed to be meant to be, that just don't really like each other. I loved the exploration of a kind of fate and destiny over chance and compatibility. The idea that both Jess and River are so into the facts (her being a statistician and him a scientist) is one point where they actually agree. They both want to find "the one" but when you look at the numbers for love and relationships, they don't really add up. So when River and Jess's score comes back astronomically high, you can't help but question. Then when they're together you can't help but wonder: are the numbers right? Are they really meant to be together? Or is it them getting to know each other and forming a connection that has ultimately brought them together? I loved seeing the building blocks of Jess and River's tentative start and how it forms itself throughout the story.

If anything, I wish the book would have gone farther in exploring these ideas. I think Christina Lauren kind of kept things a bit centered. I understand because I feel like, with numbers, there are an almost infinite possibility of where things can go. So many branches could have been introduced and we would have had a book that was a thousand pages instead of the three-hundred plus that it comes out as, but I think introducing a couple more scenarios between Jess and River would have just upped the enjoyment factor of the entire book.

Such as, getting River's point of view on a few key moments would have helped not only enrich his character, but could have help enrich their burgeoning relationship as well.

One aspect of the book that I really thought Christina Lauren did a great job of representing was the exhaustion of parenthood. And in Jess's case, on top of that, single parenthood. I could feel Jess's love for her daughter bursting off the page, but I could also equally feel how rundown and tired she was. How the weight of all the responsibilities is just adding pressure and how essentially dealing with it on her own (even though she does have a great support group) makes her feel lonely. It's something I could at least partially identify with.

As I said, Jess isn't completely on her own. She has the help of her grandparents - also responsible for raising Jess herself as a child - and her best friend Fizzy (Felicity). Although growing up with an absent mother, Jess feels like asking for too much help from those she loves will make her like her own mother. This couldn't be further from the truth, but Jess doesn't want her daughter to think for one second that she's not first in Jess's life. Seeing Jess begin to understand that it's ok to ask for help. That in taking care of herself, it's like another level in helping to take care of her daughter. I loved seeing Jess get to that place.

Of course River and Jess's tentative start and build up of a relationship is near perfection. I loved how at odds they were with one another even though they are more on the same page than they at first realize.

This is another winner from Christina Lauren. I thoroughly enjoyed this one as I've enjoyed the others. Ultimately I like thinking about the "what if" aspect of love and relationships that The Soulmate Equation presents.

Jessica a single mom, who is raising her daughter with the help of her grandparents is just fine with the way things are, or so she thinks. A statistical analyst she finds comfort in numbers and data. So when a new kind of dating platform offers a chance at romance by the numbers she is reluctantly interested. Until she finds her match is a man she is all too familiar with and holds strong opinions against. She has observed and dismissed him as cranky, entitled and a bit arrogant. They go to the same coffee place mornings. Fate and life offer her an answer to a financial prayer so she submits to the company’s offer to pay her to date the man who always complains. I loved the character of the best friend and the author ramps up the tension expertly. A good beach read.

What if you could find your soulmate through a DNA sample? Dr. River Pena believes this is possible, and his company GeneticAlly sets to do just that. Single Mom, Jess submits a sample thanks to the encouragement of her best friend, not expecting much. She gets a call from the company a few days later saying she has an unheard of 98% match - with Dr.Pena himself. There’s no way it can be true though, because in their few interactions they have not gotten along AT ALL. When River and Jess begin to get to know each other, they realize the match may be more accurate than they thought.

This one quickly become one of my favorites of Christina Lauren! I loved the premise, I loved the characters, and I loved that the relationship felt more mature. I adored the secondary characters, Juno was such a sweet addition to the story, and Fizzy is best friend goals.

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

Any book by these authors is automatically on my "to be read" list. This book should definitely be on your list! I enjoyed this light=hearted dating story and loved the characters which made it a great read for me. A single mom, cute little girl, sarcastic best friend, and a gorgeous gentleman as the love interest. This story of finding a soul mate will be one of your favorites, too.

Wow, wow, wow, I loved this book. The characters had witty banter with one another but also undeniable chemistry and honest and emotional conversations. The conflict was a naturally driving force and the transition from fake to real dating was flawless. I can’t decide which side character I loved the most - they were all amazing. The overall theme of choice versus destiny resonated and the novel as a whole felt perfectly paced.

I'm always a huge fan of Christina & Lauren and this book didn't come to disappoint. I was a little weary of it towards the beginning, but as the book progressed I was hooked! Definitely another must read!

A cute, fun, slightly messy and perfectly imperfect take on contemporary romance.

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the ARC.

This is my favorite CL title so far. The science aspect is fascinating. Jess and River know each other by sight from their daily coffee shop overlap. A new dating app that pairs people with matches based on DNA (definitely a lighter version of "The One".) I must confess that my absolute favorite character was Juno, Jess's 7-year-old. The romance takes a while to get off the ground, but then takes off like a rocket ship. You know the crisis is coming. How will it affect the relationship? The company? Definitely would recommend this to fans of "The Kiss Quotient" and "The Wedding Date." Spice level = medium.

Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I'm a fan of this authors and loved her earlier books. The characters were likable, and there was some familiar witty banter, but it took a bit to get the story moving and remain engaged.

Jess is a single mother who begrudgingly participates in a dating site based on dna matches. She discovers she is a match with on the sites owners and is hesitant to believe the findings could be real. River, who is one of the founding scientist, also has the same reservations. But to River, the findings are based on science and he cannot ignore that the two could be a viable match. They decide to explore the experiment to get to know one another and true feelings begin to develop. As they let their guard down and jump into their newfound relationship, a shoe drops and both have to make decisions about their future.

The story was entertaining and River and Jess were interesting characters. I enjoyed the supporting characters and really wanted more from their point of you.

This book is just perfection! I loved Jess, River, and Juno so much. Jess and River's chemistry was fantastic, Jess's parenting was so damn cute and admirable, and River Nicholas's relation with June Merriam was just the cutest thing ever. These characters and all the relationships in this book just felt so real. Fizzy and Jess's relationship was relatable and funny.

The entire concept of using your DNA to find a perfect match is wild and kind of scary to think about. I love how this book took that idea and both ran with and challenged it throughout the story.

This book, while including a sizzling romance, is about so much more than finding your soulmate. The family dynamics in both Jess and River's families were great to read about. Jess's anxiety over being the perfect mom and granddaughter not only added to her character but also helped make her relatable. Her fraught relationship with her mom added to the conflict but also made me was to jump into the story to defend Jess. River's relationship with his sisters was so authentic and adorable and helped make him feel a bit more dynamic. The characters, plot, and conflicts were all well-developed and helped make this book really immersive and interesting.

This is definitely one of my favorites from Christina Lauren. It just felt so realistic and kept a stupid smile on my face throughout almost the entire book. What more can you ask for?

RATING: 4.5 stars

Easily one of my favorite books of 2021 so far. I might even argue that I liked The Soulmate Equation more than The Unhoneymooners. It took a little bit for me to get into this, but only the first three or four chapters - after that, it was over. I was sold. I could not put this book down. While it feels as though this book has been written time and time again - finding your perfect match via a dating app - Lauren does a phenomenal job of making it unique by factoring in users DNA. This book is charming, funny, entertaining, and heartwarming. As the story progressed, I felt myself cheering for Jess and getting mad at River. I wanted the best for Juno! And then you add in Nana Jo and her scare. I found myself cheering for the characters the entire time.

Lauren did a great job with character development and truly made them relatable to the reader. While stories may not be in complete parallel, there are countless factors which lead you to find yourself saying: "Wait, that's me!"

This book is exactly what I was looking for and needed to read. I would argue this may be one of the best books of 2021. Strongly recommend!

Jess is a mathematics whiz. She raised by her grandparents who now help raise her daughter Juno. She has been left behind so often that she has a hard time trusting people. When she hears about the new DNA-based company that combines DNA with dating and finding soulmates she's a little skeptical. Her friend Fizz convinces her to give it a try. When her test shows a 98% match with Dr River Pena, a founder of the company who is stubborn, stuck up and definitely not soulmate material or is he?

A refreshing new look at fake dating and enemies to lovers is a huge win in my book. Those are two of my favorite plot lines when it comes to romance. This is a laugh out loud funny storyline with unique and authentic characters. I loved the slow build relationship between Jess and River and it had just the perfect amount of steam for me. Certain parts were a bit predictable but the story is still very enjoyable and I would love to see it play out on the big screen!

Cute, engaging, unputdownable. Cheese upon cheese, but you know what - I’m fine with it. Not my favorite of theirs but I really enjoyed the two main characters and their chemistry.

This is now my favorite of this authors' books. I loved the characters and the premise of the book was unique. A dating app that uses DNA to match their clients and it made for a cute enemies to lovers story. This would make great summer reading! Thanks to Netgalley for this review copy.

This is my favorite Christina Lauren book so far. I had read a few that just weren’t for me but there is such a big fan base, I decided to try again and I’m glad i did. This one was a lot of fun. I loved all the secondary characters as well.

Every Christina Lauren book is a five star read in my book and The Soulmate Equation is no different! Highly recommend this sweet story of a single mom with no interest in dating who, on a whim, sends her dna into a new service that could match her with her soulmate....and it works....but her match is someone she's already familiar with, and not too keen on.

4.5 Stars

Well, this book was positively delightful! When I first came across it, I got Big Bang Theory vibes from the title and blurb. And while it didn’t turn out to be quite that nerdy, it still satisfied my nerd-loving heart. The premise was a fun twist on internet dating. Taking it up a notch from your standard questionnaires to find matches, instead, it incorporates genetic testing to find your soulmate. It’s a very intriguing concept! I can certainly understand why data and statistics loving, Jess Davis would want to give it a try. Being let down time and again in her life, she’s been hesitant to let anyone new in but GeneticAlly’s scientific approach to finding a match is something she can get behind. What she didn’t expect is to be matched with the company’s founder, River Pena, who she knows as the arrogant man who wouldn’t even give her the time of day when their paths cross daily at the coffee shop they both frequent. But not only are they a match their DNA also produced the highest number ever recorded. As they’re shoved together and presented as the new face of marketing for the company ahead of their big launch, will they overcome their mutual dislike of each other and discover that the science had it right?

This book had a really great cast of characters. Jess was hard-working, loyal, and a fantastic mother to her young daughter, Juno. She intentionally keeps her circle/support system small, in order to avoid being burned again. Her tribe mainly consists of her grandparents and her best friend (who was fantastic!), Fizzy. Despite busting her butt to make ends meet, Jess has a pretty good thing going and so it’s understandable why she’d be hesitant to bring River into the fray once they learn of their score. I loved getting to know River more, finding out what made him tick and the reasons he could come off as arrogant and aloof. If you’re into hot nerds, I think River will check all the boxes!

The story was mostly light and fun with a twist toward the end that created just a bit of angst. I wasn’t expecting the twist but I loved it. And I was really pleased with how everything turned out. If you’re looking for an easy, feel-good read, I think you should give this one a shot!

I'm obsessed with anything Christina Lauren writes, but this one was SO spectacular! Reminded me of a more fun version of THE ONE. Sometimes I felt that the love interest was a little bit rude and it was kind of glossed over. But I loved this one regardless!

Statistician and single mom Jess can't help it if her eyes wander to the handsome but grumpy businessman she sees every morning at 8:24 a.m. at the coffee shop where she meets her best friend before work. Aside from his looks, there's nothing about him she finds attractive. When she learns his company is building a matchmaking service based on genetics, she's not interested. But her BFF convinces her to give it a try. After all, Jess hasn't had a serious boyfriend since her daughter's father informed her he had no desire to be a dad and signed away his parental rights.

To Jess's shock, after she does the cheek swab thing, it turns out she's a match with coffee shop guy. (River. His name is River. How could such a buttoned-down guy have such a cool name?) In fact. not only are they a match—they've got the highest compatibility score of any couple in the company's history. Reluctant at first, she finally agrees to date him when the company offers to compensate her for her time. If the relationship works out, after all, it will be a huge publicity boost for the company before their stock goes public. Could this man she seems to have nothing in common with really be her soulmate?

I LOVED this book. It started off slow for me—I'm not a big fan of bad date stories or best friends talking about how the other's reproductive organs are going to dry up if they don't let loose and have fun once in a while. But when Jess and River actually started talking to each other, the story picked up quickly. Their chemistry is off the charts, and River's interactions with Jess's daughter will hit you right in the ovaries. So freakin' cute.

The tone of this book falls about halfway between THE UNHONEYMOONERS and TWICE IN A BLUE MOON. It's not laugh-out-loud funny, but it won't make you bawl your eyes out, either. It's light and fun, witty and charming, yet still deeply emotional. So, so good. I can't recommend it highly enough.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Okay, I know I keep doing this, but *THIS* is my favorite CLo book. I read it in a single sitting, which is very unlike me. I usually don't have enough time to read an entire book in a day, but as my husband can attest, I couldn't put this one down. I was also smiling like a weirdo the whole time (which my husband can also verify).

I looooved this premise. I mean, I'm a former researcher and a romance reader/editor. THIS BOOK WAS CLEARLY WRITTEN FOR ME! It also had a fake-dating vibe to it, even though they were actually dating, and everyone here knows that's my catnip.

There were lots of funny and swoony and sweet and not-explicit-but-still-sexy moments, and the supporting cast was really, really great. (Fizzy is A+ BFF material!)

If you love romance, I honestly can't imagine you *not* enjoying this story.

RATING: A