4.5 rounded to 5
John marrs never fails really. I love the way to takes sci-fi and real life situations and makes a completely insane story. I loved the concept of this book- a reality tv show with couples who want to start a family but for some reason can’t IRL, can create a virtual child. They are competing against 10 other families, to raise this “child” from birth to 18, but in 9 months. Whoever wins, gets to keep their child. I loved the multiple POV’s from all the couples and the flashback chapters as well. He also incorporated mixed media which was also great. The ending was a bit slow, but really enjoyed overall.

This book is also part of the same world as The One, The Marriage Act and The Passengers.

John Marrs has easily become one of my auto buy authors and his speculative fiction books have all been a hit. This one was no different. The One was previously my favorite John Marrs book, but now I think this one is tied for first place. This book might have been long, but it didn't feel that way at all. Short chapters with cliffhangers that keeps you saying "just one more chapter..." until you are up half the night reading!

This was my first John Marrs book, and I was pleasantly surprised by how the story unfolded. The concept of having a virtual child is intriguing on its own, but adding the competition element—alongside each couple’s personal struggles and drama—makes for a truly engaging read.

The story is complex, with a large cast of characters, and each couple comes with their own unique backstory, so it feels like you're getting multiple stories in one. I especially loved the game show aspect, where the public gets to vote, adding an extra layer of tension and unpredictability.

What really stood out were the legal questions raised—such as whether virtual people could be held criminally responsible—even though they aren’t “real.” It highlighted just how much our world is evolving with technology and pushed me to think about the ethical implications. A thought-provoking and entertaining read from start to finish.

I love John Marrs. He writes engaging books that are technically science fiction but feel so real to our technology's capabilities today. These short chapters will having you turning them quickly to the very end. Loved it.

Set in a near-future UK grappling with overpopulation and economic strain, the narrative introduces a controversial solution: a reality TV show where couples raise a virtual child, known as a "MetaChild," from birth to adulthood in just nine months. Participants vie for the opportunity to "keep" their virtual offspring, challenging the very essence of what it means to be a parent.

As much as I appreciated the innovative concept, I felt the execution felt short. I didn't connect with the characters and I DNF'd at around 50%.

I think the book offers a powerful commentary on technology and its implications on parenthood, but this just wasn't for me.

This book was a wild ride! Not my usual genre but I enjoyed the complexities of each couple and learning of how they all reacted to this experiment.

This book hooks you from the start and doesn’t slow down. It’s a twisted, scary take on relationships, AI, and reality television in a future that seems closer and more plausible every day. It’s a great addition to John Marrs’ other interconnected speculative fiction novels (starting with The One). Would highly recommend this book!

John Marrs once again proves he’s the master of near-future psychological thrillers with The Family Experiment, a provocative and relentlessly compelling addition to ‘The One’ universe. This time, John Marrs explores the terrifying implications of genetic matchmaking applied not just to romantic partners—but to children.

Set in a world where The Match Your DNA program offers a revolutionary way to build families by pairing strangers to conceive the “perfect” offspring, Marrs asks all the right (and wrong) questions: What happens when science overrides choice? What if your ideal co-parent is someone you don’t trust—or worse, someone you fear?

Told from multiple perspectives, each voice feels sharp and fully realized, with twisted secrets, moral gray zones, and emotional gut-punches throughout. As is signature for John Marrs, every chapter ends with a revelation or cliffhanger that makes the book impossible to put down. The speculative element is disturbingly plausible, and the social commentary on parenting, privacy, and power is as timely as ever.

While it can be read as a standalone, fans of The One, The Passengers, and The Minders will appreciate the nuanced callbacks and expansion of John Marrs’s unsettling and futuristic world.

Dark, daring, and deliciously addictive. A must-read for fans of Black Mirror-style fiction. 5 stars.
Thanks to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is my first time reading a John Marrs book. I realllllyyyyy loved the concept of the book....but I wasn't in love with the execution.

It felt a little convoluted and all over. You have to keep up with a lot of information and timelines, and keep them straight...which is difficult because they don't feel that different overall, so you waste a lot of time wondering where it's going.

Felt like lukewarm buildup to lukewarm reveals. I just don't think the full plot was flushed out and delivered with enough impact or wow. Overall, let down.

Thank you NetGallery for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

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.