I have been in the biggest thriller slump lately. And by slump, I mean I haven’t been reading them as much anymore because fantasy has taken over my life lol. However, this book has brought back my thriller mojo! It is an interconnected stand-alone from The One, which is one of my absolute favorite thrillers. The second book is The Marriage Act, which was one that was not my favorite, but its John Marrs so still really enjoyed. This one though! This one was so dang good!

All three books have a recurring theme of technology overload, but make it dark. This one takes you through a new live series where couples compete for a chance to win money to start a real family of their own. The only catch is you have to take care of a “real” child in a very intense virtual reality.

I absolutely loved everyone’s POV. I am a multiple POV girlie, so this book hit the spot. Each character had some sh*t they were harboring and each couple had challenges purposely given to them as a test. If you like more scientific thrillers that are quick and attention grabbing, then this entire interconnected series is for you!

Thank you so much NetGalley for a gifted ebook in exchange for an honest review!

"The Family Experiment" by John Marrs is a mind-bending, twisty thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. The plot is full of unexpected turns, and the characters are complex and compelling. Marrs expertly weaves together suspense, drama, and shocking revelations, making it impossible to put down. Huge thanks to the publisher for the ARC! I’ve already grabbed a copy for my library system. If you’re a fan of psychological thrillers with jaw-dropping twists, this one is definitely for you. Highly recommend it for anyone who loves a good, wild ride!

A gripping read with unexpected twists! Just when I thought I knew what was going to happen, TWIST! The character development was incredible too.

Love John Marrs and this is my new favorite! Kept me guessing as he always does! 5/5 stars! Loved it

I have now officially loved every single book by John Marrs that I pick up, and The Family Experiment was no different! While his last few more sci-fi leaning books have hit a little close to home with everything going on in our country lately, I really enjoyed my time with them and always look forward to his next release. I could live in his sci-fi worlds forever!

The Family Experiment is a reality show where a select group take on the challenge of raising a child through all of life’s stages… VIRTUALLY. Over the course of nine months, they navigate the ups and downs of digital parenthood. The grand prize? A choice: keep your virtual child or walk away with the funds to start a family in the real world.

What I liked:
The cast felt spot-on for a reality show—imperfect, dramatic, and deeply human.
Each family brought their own chaos, which made the drama super compelling.
The plot twist was unexpected!

What I didn’t like:
There were too many characters. Great for a Netflix ensemble, but at times it got overwhelming trying to keep track of everyone.

John Marrs’ The Family Experiment is a thought-provoking exploration of parenthood, technology, and ethical boundaries. Set in a near-future society grappling with overpopulation and economic challenges, the novel introduces a reality TV show, “The Substitute,” where ten couples raise virtual children, or “MetaBabies,” over a condensed nine-month period. The winning couple faces a poignant choice: keep their virtual child or exchange it for the opportunity to have a real baby.  

Marrs’ narrative delves into the complexities of human relationships and the moral dilemmas posed by advanced technology. The story is set in the same universe as his previous works, The One and The Marriage Act, offering a familiar yet standalone experience for readers. 

Readers have praised the novel for its engaging plot and timely themes. One reviewer noted, “The Family Experiment is another phenomenal installment in a fantastically entertaining and brilliantly developed dystopian world created by the ever-impressive John Marrs.” 

However, some readers have expressed concerns about the depth of character development and the handling of complex themes. A Goodreads reviewer commented, “All the couples could’ve been so interesting but they were missing just enough to be just… too vague.” 

Overall, The Family Experiment offers a compelling narrative that challenges readers to reflect on the implications of virtual reality and artificial intelligence in personal relationships. While opinions on character depth vary, the novel’s exploration of contemporary issues through a speculative lens makes it a noteworthy addition to Marrs’ body of work.

I was speechless by this book as I am with most of John mars books. This very futuristic book follows families in a reality show to compete for money. If I wasn’t concerned about AI before I certainly am more now.

Thank you NetGalley for an arc of this book

**A dystopian future where the Meta verse is the place for starting a Family. Set is Dystopian UK people can no Longer afford to have children so a reality Tv show is created where contestants to experience having a child at an accelerated rate. following 10 couples the win will get to keep their child!**

John Marrs never disappoints with a fast paced unputdownable book so many twists and shocks throughout. he has a knack of making every character unlikable

Bizarre scifi thriller read and I devoured this upppp!!! Honestly any book by John Marrs is a chefs kiss for mee

Another thought provoking very creative book by John Marrs! I absolutely loved The One so I was excited to read this one and it didn't disappoint. I was immediately drawn in and read almost 75% of the book in one day. There are a lot of characters to keep up with though, but I thoroughly enjoyed this either way! I really enjoy that these books both feel far fetched but also that they could happen in the future with the way that tech is going.

Bizarre and definitely outside my comfort zone reads. Virtual AI children given to families in a reality TV setting to raise as their own and feel the real emotions. Strange but also could not stop reading.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade for an eARC.

4.5 out of 5 stars. Wow! This book had me on the edge of my seat the entire time I was reading and even when I wasn’t reading, I couldn’t stop thinking about it! The Metaverse and AI aspects are so interesting to think about but also kind of frightening, and I think John Marrs did a great job of portraying that. I almost had the BIG twist pegged 1/4 of the way through but was off by a tiny bit, but by no means was it predictable.

I love John Marrs books. But sadly this book was just not for me. I ended up DNFing it. It was just a bit too futuristic for my taste. Rating it 3 stars because while this book wasn't for me it might be the perfect book for someone else. Plus I still love John Marrs.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the E-ARC

All thoughts and opinions are honest and my own.

No one does realistic sci-fi better than John Marrs! Wow! John Marrs' "The Family Experiment" was dark, thought provoking, and scarily realistic. In the latest "blow your mind" work from Marrs, we are introduced to a world in which having biological children is difficult and cost-prohibitive for many people. Enter "virtual children". How it works is this: Several couples apply to have a virtual child, and join a reality TV concept in which they raise said virtual child, while being watched by the public for up to 24 hours a day. Controlled by headsets in a realm referred to as the "metaverse", each year of the virtual child's life lasts approximately 3-4 weeks. Couples are voted off one at a time, leaving the final couple with the option to either keep their virtual child, or be offered 250K to put towards having a real, biological child.

While these couples are being watched, viewers are witnessing how well they do, and do not, parent. Family secrets, child abuse, and betrayal/lies abound within the families, as each competes to hopefully be the final family standing at the end of the competition....with or without their child.

As usual, Marrs blew me away. The freakiest part is that this could theoretically happen in the future. The plot is eerie, to say the least, and I was completely hooked on each character and invested in the lives and the choices that they made. Highly recommend starting with "The One", then moving to "The Marriage Act", before reading this latest novel. While it's not necessary, you will have a greater sense of context, and some of the characters are repeaters from other books. Marrs is a talented writer, and this is not one to be missed!

3.5 stars rounded up

I am quickly learning that if you are in the mood for a psychological thriller set in the futuristic United Kingdom, John Marrs is the author for you! This is my second book by him, and it did not disappoint.

Like The One, The Family Experiment (which is set in the same universe, though it's not a sequel) changes characters each chapter. This, at first, is a little confusing to keep the characters straight, but after a few times through, you start learning who is who.

I think the author does a great job with balancing the development of intriguing characters with an edge of your seat thriller. Each chapter leaves you wanting to continue the story, which makes it a fast read.

The book really makes you think about how AI is going to effect our lives going forward. I think Marrs' books, while fiction and set in a world we have not yet reached, still feel like they could happen.

This was a great thriller! John Marrs knows how to write a good book with unexpected twists and fantastic plots. I will be recommending this to all thriller fans

This is a story about modern families.

I love a good John Marrs multiverse entry- they never fail to be unsettling. That being said, this wasn’t my favorite of his because I hated literally every character- by the end I was hoping they would all be hit by driverless cars. YMMV, the premise is absolutely well executed and the pacing kept me hooked.

Thank you so much @hanoversquarepress for the eArc- it’s a very exciting #coffeeandcurrentlyreading

3.5 rounded to 4!

The Family Experiment by John Marrs is the first Marrs book I have read, and it won’t be the last. The concept of being able to raise virtual children along with a television show documenting every twist and turn, was extremely compelling to me and it did not disappoint. I loved the different points of view and the journey to find out who Hudson was and how he got onto this show in the first place. I really was hooked from the beginning and found the whole plot intriguing. I believe the story is very appropriate given the nature of our society right now and it presented many interesting questions and points. It’s really not difficult to see something like this happening now or in the future, which is certainly unsettling.

The Family Experiment by John Marrs is another masterclass in high-stakes storytelling, blending psychological suspense with a chilling exploration of human nature. Marrs takes a seemingly simple premise—what happens when technology and family collide—and spins it into a rollercoaster of twists, ethical dilemmas, and jaw-dropping moments.

Known for his fast-paced plots and morally gray characters, Marrs doesn’t disappoint here. The narrative is sharp, layered, and filled with unexpected turns that keep you guessing until the very end. His ability to weave complex character dynamics with dark, thought-provoking themes makes this not just a thriller, but a deep dive into the consequences of tampering with human connection.

The pacing is relentless, the twists perfectly timed, and the ending? Absolutely unforgettable.

5 stars — a brilliantly crafted, twisty read that will have you questioning everything. Perfect for fans of smart, addictive thrillers with a dark edge.