Okay, that wasn't really funny or romantic, it's just a confusion of unfortunate circumstances.

The stories of the individual characters would have been enough for one story, but it's quite exaggerated.

It's about an app that looks for a partner who is basically the opposite of what you are looking for.
But somehow it never turns out what the two of them are actually looking for.

They harmonize well, but the whole environment is mostly just toxic.

Exaggerated and not funny.

A fun and easy read. I love little stories like this that you can pick up and get straight back into the story

This was an easy romance read and although it wasn't the best I've ever read, it was enjoyable. Definitely a cute one.

Once Upon an Algorithm
⭐️⭐️.5
Author: Clara O’Connor

I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and Harper Collins and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.

Synopsis: Leonie’s personal dating algorithm:

1. Over 6 ft Tall
2. Funny and carefree
3. Well-travelled

But when a dating app leads Leonie to one night in Paris with brooding stranger Jack – the total opposite of what she’s looking for – she realises her list is missing out the most important thing: chemistry. And the chemistry between Leonie and Jack is off the charts!

Could the algorithm be on to something? When Leonie starts her new job at a tech start up the last person she expects to see is Jack. But there he is, sitting in the boss’s office, the man behind the code and the best night of sex of her life…

My Thoughts: Normally I put my trigger warnings within the body of my review, but is going here: cheating MMC. I really struggled with this book. The fact that he is married when he initially met with and had sex with our heroine just rings all kinds of bells for me. I could look past a married but long separated issue, but our hero lives with his wife, he then has no business trying to pin our heroine down. Onto the what the story is actually about. Our heroine, Leonie, has a dating algorithm of a few items. She meets a charming man while in Paris, has a one night stand, and looks to add “chemistry” to the algorithm. After she starts a new job with a tech start up, she runs into Jack again. Where will their path’s cross now? Can true love be found beyond the algorithm? Or is the damage already done and it is time to move on?

There were a lot of coding references with no explanations, making it very difficult to follow. I think having tech language in a book is fine, as long as there is an explanation somewhere behind it. In any other STEM I have read, if there is tech language, there was an explanation on why x was. Then we find out that the MMC is married three quarters of the way through? Not cool. Let’s talk about the friend group, who were not supportive of our FMC. Friends are supposed to uplift you, give you guidance that will allow you to be a successful person, not give you very misguided advice. The MCs chemistry was not solid, it was fluid, sometimes there and sometimes not. Lastly, the spice was one foot in the door and one foot out of the door. I enjoy both closed door and spice books, but this was neither, which made it difficult. The ending was not what I would like to have seen.

It has been a really long time since I have given such a low rating and it pains me to do so. While I liked the premise (expect for the married part), I think it could have been done differently and it would have been stellar. Unfortunately, I would not recommend this to other readers as presented. I will be on the lookout for the next work from this author since this was her debut novel.

I really enjoyed this book. It was different than anything else I've read recently. I couldn't put it down! I will keep an eye out for this author's future work!

I am grateful to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

I really tried to give this one the benefit of the doubt, even after reading what a lot of the other reviews had written. Unfortunately, I have to agree with a good many of those reviews.

The friends of the FMC immediately struck me as being incredibly annoying. They simply never stop talking and chatting. When they force the FMC to go on a date in Paris with an unidentified person, things take an unexpected turn.

There was no chemistry at all between the FMC and MMC. They truly kind of hated each other after their second meeting, and it's all because of a thoughtless error.

Wow! Once Upon An Algorithm kept me reading through the night. I just couldn’t stop no matter how tired I felt. This story stars two great characters in Leonie and Jack, but there was also a great supporting cast including Leonie’s entitled and utterly awful stepbrother Eric. I loved the enemies to lovers trope that played out between Leonie and Jack and the group chat messages Leonie received from her friends as the story unfolded. There was plenty of tension, both romantic and otherwise and enough plot twists to keep me guessing. I really loved this story.

This book was not for me. The FMC Leonie’s “friends” were way too pushy in my opinion and from the little bit I read, really didn’t come across as actual friends. I felt like the only thing that was focused on was the fact that She was single and NEEDED a significant other, specifically a male significant other, in order for her life to be complete. Beyond being annoyed with how toxic the friends are, I found myself bored and unable to find a solid story line

Dnf at 19%

The friends were literal psychopaths and mean friends.

The guy was too sus. And then come to find out he’s a cheater?! WTF. They also had no chemistry. And the FMC was mediocre at best

An interesting story and blend of romance, tech, and unexpected chemistry. I did not like Jack AT ALL and he made the book less pleasant for me
Many thanks to Harpercollins UK and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I can't do the whole married thing. I hate cheating or close to cheating tropes. That whole plot point was far too muddled for me and kind of ruined the whole book. It was cheesy and sweet right until that reveal. This man sounds like he is still obsessed with his wife and Leonie deserves better than that.

really had high hopes for this but overall just fell flat. i wasn't interested in the plot, characters or setting at all.

DNF at 27%

I couldn't get into this. I thought the main character was unrelatable, complaining about everything and her friends were obnoxious. When she met the love interest, the interaction was weird and it gave vibes that he might be cheating and I am not here for that.

I really enjoyed the first 50-60% of this book and then it went a bit downhill. There were a few too many references by Eric on Leonie owing the family back, I think it took her far too long to stand up for herself and it became a bit annoying. I also think the drama at the end was polished up a bit too quickly it was quite unrealistic. I still gave it three stars as I overall enjoyed the book and didn’t find the Irishness of Jack too stereotypical.

This is the first book I have ready by this author

A fun easy read

I enjoyed it, it was easy going and fun based on dating.

It did what it said on the tin!

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.

This was the most random confusing book I’ve ever read. As a stem girl myself I was so excited to get a book after the brief description and the title. A couple pages into it I realize that this is more STEM based than romance. You seriously had to understand coding and app based knowledge to understand half this book.

Do not compare this to Ali hazelwood. She is a queen and this book is not in the running with her. It was confusing as hell and honestly you didn’t need half the book. The chapters were long and drawn out. It was honestly boring and did not keep my attention.

Lastly, and warning spoiler, I hated that they made jack married. Like she took back a married guy. That is not okay at all. And the stepbrother was awful. I know that was the point but like it was not enjoyable. This book was not enjoyable. I hated it and I don’t say that lightly. Do not read this book.

Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced copy.

I really enjoyed this one! I love a nerdy romance and this one was right up my alley. Leonie and Jack were great and while it took a bit for the book to build up, I found it to be a satisfying read.

This was well sell to me. Chemistry! I love them so much. It's so cute. Their relationship is full of cuteness but also hot and healthy. Love that for them! I loved this book, the writing style is on point.

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I really wanted to like this one. It was almost there but there were some issues for me personally.