I loved the Kiss countdown and liked the easter eggs in this one referencing those characters. I think the Mars simulation contest was one of the most unique plot points I've ever read about in a rom com.

Unfortunately, I didn't really connect with the characters. I'm not sure if it was their chemistry or the characters themselves, but I found I wasn't cheering them on like I normally do in a romance.

But I do love the author's writing style and my ease of reading the book in addition to fresh ideas. I would definitely pick up her next book.

Unfortunately this was a DNF for me. I wanted to like it - the concept was good. But unfortunately the writing just wasn’t engaging and I wasn’t enjoying the characters.

Special thanks to @berkleypub @berkleyromance for my gifted copy‼️

The Love Simulation is my first book by the author and while it was a cute story the book didn’t really hit like I wanted. Vice principal Brianna Rogers is determined to get funds approved for the school’s library renovations. But the principal seems to block her in every direction. When the perfect opportunity comes along she doesn’t hesitate spending her summer in a Mars simulation to win prize money for the school. But when the principal’s son/the science teacher Roman Major shows up at the simulation Brianna suspects nothing but trouble.

Most of the characters lacked development in this one Bri was really the only one with real depth. I also found her character to be really uptight, very concerned with how others perceive her especially at work, and her obsession with Rome being out to sabotage her was sending me. After a while it’s like okay sis relax let your hair down a bit. The interactions between both MC’s honestly seemed awkward and forced. The spice was black pepper which we could’ve done without. The last few chapters were also a little predictable to me. Overall, the book was meh could just be me but if you’ve read her first book The Kiss Countdown then you might enjoy this one too‼️

This book took me a minute to get into - because I was like huh where did this simulation come from and why? BUT once I got into it, I got REALLY into it. I loved the dynamics between Brianna and Roman in the simulation - which added pressure and unexpected problems to their relationship. How people say you don't really know someone until you've traveled with them - SAME for a Mars simulation lol. I loved that Brianna was a strong FMC looking out for the best interests of her students - I really think society does not appreciate the teachers and administration who are essentially raising the next generation. This is the second book in this series but can be read as a standalone.

Is it possible for a scenario to be too unique? I love this authors writing but the plot and scenario we are in just don’t feel realistic. It makes it kind of hard to feel in the place of the characters we are following. Don’t get me wrong. The details of the simulation made perfect sense and seemed realistic but what are the chances of this happening in real life?

Outside of that the story itself was very cute. The authors writing is well done and overall this was fun. If you are looking for something lighthearted and unique to read it will get the job done. I look forward to more of this authors writing.

Thank you NetGalley for the Arc

Sadly, I’m not really sure how I feel about this book. I thought the Mars simulation itself was refreshing and a really dope idea for the story! But it didn’t hold my attention or have me in my feels like I was hoping this romance story would. The romance was awkward and cute, but somehow…sudden and too much at certain points? It felt as if the FMC was pressedddddd for him and some insight into his inner dialogue would’ve been helpful as a reader.

The third act miscommunication also made me mad 😭 but overall a pretty solid romance story with a refreshing storyline.

In THE LOVE SIMULATION (Berkley, 305 pp., paperback, $19), the sequel to Easton’s excellent “The Kiss Countdown,” the middle school vice principal Brianna Rogers is brutally strict about work/life boundaries. Especially because the hot science teacher Roman Major is also the principal’s son and a rival for Brianna’s job. The elder Major has been vengefully thwarting Brianna at every turn, even redirecting her library funding to a new football field — so when Brianna finds a fellow teacher is putting together a team to do a simulated Mars mission for a cash prize, she sees a chance to get that library budget back.

Unfortunately, Roman also ends up on the team. Brianna’s sure Roman’s there to sabotage her on his dad’s orders, even though he insists otherwise. As simulated Martian dangers and close quarters turn up the heat, it’s up to the two of them to decide how much they can trust each other — and if they can be more to each other than merely colleagues. Easton’s books are a blend of family tension and bubbly fun, with a spark of chemistry at their hearts.

DNF @ 33%. I feel so bad about DNFing "The Love Simulation" by Etta Easton because I have heard nothing but good things about this series and this author, but I just could not get into this book and this story. The portion I did read was incredibly underwhelming, and I found myself bored while reading it. I love books about nerds/nerdy characters, as well as black love stories, but I did not feel like Brianna and Roman would ever be a solid couple I could see myself rooting for. Their chemistry was tepid at best. I was interested in them separately, but not as a couple. There was no sizzle, no spark between them. I love a good enemies-to-lovers tale, but this wasn't it. I was way more interested in the plot about Roman's dad, the principal of their school, trying to usurp and meddle in Brianna and Roman's affairs (he wanted Roman to be vice principal, but Brianna beat him out for the job). I will go back and read the rest of this series and maybe pick it up again in the future, but for now, it's a DNF because of a lack of interest in the characters and their basic chemistry.

Thank you to NetGalley, Etta Easton, and Berkley Publishing Group for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

Thank you to Netgalley, Berkley, and PRHAudio for the ebook and ALC arcs!

I requested this one because I read the other by this author, I love anything space related, and it’s such a cute cover. This was a fun listen. The characters work together and are going into a simulation for six weeks to try to win prize money. Our female lead wants the money to help the school’s library, and our male lead’s dad is the principal at their school, someone who gives Brianna a hard time.

I liked the premise here, I thought the chemistry developed well, but the story moved a little slow for me. Overall, pretty good!

I loved this author's debut but this one missed the mark. Most of it took place inside of the Mar simulation but I couldn't for the life of me picture what it looked like or what was happening at any given time. The romantic relationship between Brianna and Romance felt tepid at best on a chemistry level. Also the author made Briana and big reader and it felt like in book promotion the amount of times she name dropped certain titles.

I enjoyed Etta Easton’s debut novel last year, The Kiss Countdown, and couldn’t wait to read her latest release, The Love Simulation. I listened to the audiobook version thanks to my local library (Libby). Unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy The Love Simulation as much as I enjoyed The Kiss Countdown, and I’m disappointed about that.

I still enjoyed some aspects of the story. I admired the FMC, Brianna, for her determination to upgrade the school’s library and her commitment to completing the Mars Simulation alongside her fellow teachers. Throughout the Simulation, Brianna faced numerous obstacles, but she persevered and proved not only to herself but also to others that she could succeed. She truly was an inspiration, and I was rooting for her character the whole time while doing the Simulation.

My main issue with the book was believing the romantic relationship that developed between Brianna and Roman. Throughout the Simulation, Brianna struggled with trust issues regarding Roman, fearing that he might sabotage everything. I completely understood her concerns, as I also had my own trust issues with him. He was the Principal’s son, and the Principal was the very reason the library upgrade wasn’t happening. I think if Etta had included Roman’s point of view, I might have been convinced that he genuinely cared for Brianna. While I occasionally enjoy reading a single POV, I definitely prefer dual POV, especially in this case where I didn’t particularly like Roman.

I wanted to love this story, but unfortunately, it didn’t quite meet my expectations compared to the first book. Brianna was the main reason I kept reading; I wanted to see her prove the Principal wrong by securing the funding from the Mars Simulation to upgrade the library without his or the superintendent’s help. She was truly inspiring.

I give this book three stars, and I would still recommend it to readers who enjoy contemporary romance and stories about a heroine who is determined to step out of her comfort zone to achieve at completing the Mars Simulation.

What to Expect:
✔️Hate to Love/Enemies to Lovers
✔️Workplace Romance
✔️Forced Proximity

The Love Simulation is a delightful, heartwarming romance that follows Brianna Rogers and Roman Major as they navigate an intense summer spent in a Mars simulation. What starts as a rivalry quickly evolves into something deeper as the two teachers clash and connect in unexpected ways. Brianna’s determination to improve her school and Roman’s hidden layers make for an engaging read filled with tension and chemistry. Thank you to the publisher for the ARC! I’ve already purchased a copy for my library system. This book is a perfect mix of romance, humor, and heart—highly recommended for fans of slow-burn love stories!

I don't think this was a bad book at all, it was actually well written. I just think some of the elements in this story didn't work for me to where it took away from me enjoying the overall story.

I found it hard to believe the love story between our main characters Briana and Roman. Her being a vice principle and him a teacher at the same middle school as her set this up as a workplace romance which is a hit or miss for me. However the romance never blossomed in the workplace, but instead outside of the workplace in a forced proximity kind of setting.
I will say the fact that Roman's father is actually the principal and he doesn't like Briana and wants his son Roman to be the vice-principal instead was juicy and definitely added to the ending of the story with how everything played out.

I also was not a fan of the heavy pop culture references, outdated slang and even TikTok dance references. It dated the novel in a way I eventually found to be cringey.

The space simulation seemed so interesting, but I feel as if the adults over there were acting like children, and making some careless poor choices.

I did like Roman's character and loved how crazy he was about Briana, but beyond her physical attraction to the man, I questioned her liking of Roman.

I'm glad others were able to enjoy this story and I look forward to more from this author.

thank you net galley and berkley publishing for an eARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I wish I liked this more 😓 but sadly, it just wanted it for me. Idk what it was missing, but it was missing something.

The Love Simulation follows Brianna and Roman. Bri’s the vice principal of a middle school, and Roman is the son of the current principal and also a teacher at the school. These 2 were supposed to be enemies but ended up mutually crushing on each other all school year. And when Bri gets a chance to raise money to upgrade their school’s library, she collabs with some other teachers (including Roman) to enter into this space simulation challenge.

I liked Bri and Roman together, but I just wish there was more to it. And the space challenge itself was kinda boring ngl. I also didn’t really like how Bri and Roman’s 3rd act conflict played out. But this wasn’t the worst thing I’ve ever read, just wish it had more to it.

Thanks to Berkley for the eARC; all opinions are my own.

Etta's first book, The Kiss Countdown, was one of my faves in 2024, so I was very excited to find out that her second book, The Love Simulation, was going to be in the same universe, with one of Vincent's sisters, Brianna, as the FMC, AND have a space-related theme! woohoo!

Brianna felt so relatable to me: am ambitious woman trying to find her path and purpose in life, trying different ways to get there, wanting to do right for her students and community, and also loves reading. YES PLEASE.
Roman provided a great MMC as well as a counterfoil to Brianna. He challenges her, supports her, but she still has her suspicions given his father is the principal of the school and doesn't really care for Brianna. There were a few things Roman did that made me go "umm... no. don't do that" but I liked that over the book, he acknowledged his wrongdoing, took accountability, apologized, and did better.

But honestly, I was NOT prepared for the scene when Brianna boots Roman. OH MY GOODNESS. That was a surprise to me. I understood where she was coming from and yeah, Roman kinda deserved it. At the same time, it showed that Brianna still had a lot of work to do to be vulnerable, ask for help, and realize she doesn't have to do everything on her own.

A great book and I am excited to read more by Etta!

This was a fun and easy listen. It went by really fast and I really enjoyed the school/teacher part of the story at the middle school and then enjoyed the Mars simulation as well. I thought the relationship between teachers and even with the administrators was relatable for anyone who has worked in a school environment. Although the big bad principal was a little over the top, it overall was an entertaining read. Highly recommend this one on audio.

Another sweet contemporary romance from Etta Easton. The Love Simulation follows Vincent's sister, a middle Vice President trying to do right by her students and resist temptation from one of her teachers. This book is for lovers of slow burns and workplace romance.

Did not finish the book. Stopped at 31%.

I was excited to read this because I enjoyed The Kiss Countdown. This one didn't hit the same. I made it to 31%. It was not holding my attention, and I wasn't connecting with the main characters. I was more interested in if they'd win the Mars simulation contest than the love story.

Thank you partners for the gifted copies of this book! The premise of this book was super unique and I really liked that about the book. I love how both of Etta’s books have had to do with space because I don’t feel like we get enough space/astronaut type romances.

The Love Simulation follows Brianna Rogers (sister to Vincent from book 1), and she joins a space simulation to help upgrade the schools library where she works as a Vice Principal. The simulation should be a piece of cake, except Roman is there. Roman is the Principal's son who Brianna thinks hates her because he wanted her job. Their relationship has been hot and cold all year, and it isn't until they're stuck in this simulation that she really gets to know him and who he is.

There were parts of this story I really liked, but what I liked most was Brianna staying true to herself and not changing herself or her plans for this guy. There was a moment in the end where I was like FK YA BRI! The simulation felt real, and again, was different to read about and try to imagine. I don’t know I would survive the way they did.

I honestly love how the title matched the theme of the book. This was sweet and cute. The characters were relatable.