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!

The “True Love Experiment” is a refreshing story that cleverly dismantles romantic archetypes in an effort to peel back the layers of relationships to get to the heart of what really makes romance satisfying. It was at once hysterical and heartwarming. Highly recommend Christina Lauren‘s latest book.

Another hit by my faves! I couldn't put this book down! This is a fun romance that will keeping you laughing and cheering all the way through! There are crossovers from The Soulmate Equation, so you will recognize some characters from that if you've read that one. This is one that I will read over and over again, just like all of CL's books! Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for my honest review!

"The True Love Experiment" is a captivating exploration of the world of reality TV and its impact on our understanding of love and relationships. The author skillfully weaves personal experiences with the dynamics of reality shows, backed by solid research, offering a unique perspective on how these programs shape our perceptions of love. With a relatable writing style, the book prompts readers to reflect on the influence of reality TV on modern romance, providing valuable insights and tools for navigating the complexities of these on-screen relationships and their real-life implications. A must-read for those intrigued by the intersection of pop culture and love, it left me with a renewed perspective on the captivating world of reality television and its effects on our own quest for love.

Another great read from the Christina Lauren duo! This didn't live up to The Soulmate Equation, but was still so much fun.

This wasn’t one of my favorite Christine Lauren books but was still a pretty good read. I will definitely buy her next book!

So I love CL books. I think I should have read the book before this one as there were some references I didn’t get the full story for but over all it’s a pretty solid book

it took a while for me to finish but overall i enjoyed this read. christina lauren is a hit or miss for me, some stories i love, some i don’t. and although i enjoyed this one, i just didn’t love it.

This was such a cute book that I think everyone should pick up. The characters are adorable that will melt your heart. I have not had a good experience with Christina Lauren book but this one is A definitely recommend from me.

100/5 stars!!! I can’t describe how much I loved this story and its characters. I read two very disappointing books this past week that I was looking forward to and just happened to remember I had an ARC of this one (sorry for such a late read!). Gah!!!! I actually hate reality tv and steer clear of books with that sort of premise, but holy shit it was done perfectly. I had butterflies throughout because I absolutely loved the chemistry between Fizzy and Conor. I’m dead. I can’t move forward from this love. Ugh. Lol but I want a bonus epilogue I do not like not knowing a few years in the future!!!!!!!!!

This one actually surprised me! I'm happy to see these authors did a great job. It took me a bit to get into but once I did, I couldn't stop reading it. Highly recommend it if you love romance.

I was surprised by how much I loved this one! Christina Lauren’s last few books had disappointed me but this one was funny and sweet. Loved it.