This book was a great follow up to the Kiss Countdown. In this book we meet Brianna who is a middle school bide principal but is having a little bit of an identity struggle but is trying her best at life. She has eyes for Roman, one of the teachers at the school but it won't work because his dad is her boss the principal. When Bri wants to do something good for the kids by having them get a new library, she finds the only way to get the money is to participate in a Mars simulation in close proximity with Roman. This was such a cute forced proximity romance with two MCs that had had great banter between them. We also got a great cast of supporting characters who had personalities of their own that I felt also was a plus for the book. I love Etta's writing and I think that she doesn't romance in such a cute, fun ad fluffy way that its always an enjoyable read for the folks who love contemporary romance.

This is an enemies to lovers romance about a group of school teachers, 2 in particular, who take part in a space simulation that puts them on Mars for 6 weeks. In return, the teachers get a bonus and their school gets a new library.
Brianna is the vice-principal of an elementary school, and Roman is a handsome teacher whose father is the school superintendent. Brianna and Roman engaged in some low level flirting during the school year. When he signs up for the Mars simulator, Brianna knows she’s in trouble.
I liked reading about life inside the simulator, the interpersonal dynamics are really interesting. I also liked how the romance developed, from stolen looks to a fully realized relationship. 4 stars.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley, I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

3.5/5⭐️
2/5🌶️

This story was cute! I liked the tension of the forced proximity and the rivals-to-lovers storyline. Roman was adorable and I just wanted to give him a hug the entire book, despite him being a little shifty and shady here and there. I liked the relationship and thought it was a cute, quick and fun read.

I loved the Kiss Countdown but I loved The Love Simulation even more! For reference, both are complete standalones. Tbh I almost thought I had the wrong book at first because I went in blind (something I rarely do) because this starts off at the FMC's workplace, a school where she works as the Vice Principal. Until Mars came into play as a simulation challenge a teacher convinces her and other coworkers to partake in, in efforts to win $ prize for themselves and a bonus for the school if they make it all 6 weeks.

Okay, the simulation sounded so freaking COOL. Where do I sign up?! I loved all those details. This book went by so fast because I was so locked in. There was humor of course that it was literally a simulation but at the same time this author really pulled off high feeling stakes. I also painfully related to the FMC creating boundaries with her colleagues in efforts to stay professional while feeling like an outsider looking in as a result. The side characters were also hilarious and had their own mini arcs. Loved the ace rep with one of them btw!

The romanceeee. Omg this man had been admiring her from afar for a WHILE. No notes. It was swoony and excellent. There is eventual on page spice, I'd say like 1.5 scenes and it takes a slow burn.

Thank you Berkley for the free book!

Vice Principal Brianna thinks she is going on a two week cruise when school is out for the summer, but instead she signs up for a 6 week Mars simulation with a small group of other teachers, in order to try to win the grand prize to fund a new library for her school. The funds were originally promised to her at the beginning of the school year, but they will instead be used to upgrade the middle school's football field, no thanks to the school's principal. Brianna knows her students can benefit from having a more diverse book selection and she knows how much the kids are missing out on with a limited selection. When she goes into training for the simulation, she learns that the cute science teacher Roman, and also the principal's son, is joining the group, and might try to sabotage her mission.

Brianna's love for books was so relatable, especially the fact that she loves books with werewolves, shifters, dragons, and aliens. The forced proximity aspect in a Mars-like environment was so fun and I liked reading about the different ways the group would keep themselves entertained. This was my first Etta Easton book and it was a breeze and I loved all the little references she would throw in like DBZ and different song titles. Overall, this was a great, light romance read!

Thank you NetGalley, Berkley Romance, and the author for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

While I personally did not love this despite LOVING The Kiss Countdown, I think that this would be a great book for people who enjoy slow burn, forced proximity, and workplace romances.

The first half of this book is incredibly boring because it feels like nothing is happening. On top of that Brianna's constant comparison of herself to her siblings and the pressure that only she places on herself is very annoying. She is constantly making up scenarios in her head with nothing to back them up. She not only does this with the expectations of her family but also with Roman and the way that she jumped to conclusions about him joining the simulation just to sabotage them.

I would definitely still read from this author and will always recommend The Kiss Countdown which was my #1 read of 2024.

The love simulation. This is a quick beach read romance book. When the new vice principal and the science teacher, who is the principals son. Sign up to do the summer project of a mars simulation There is a lot of learning of each other than mars. This clean romance is a good read for young adults

The Love Simulation by Etta Easton was such a fun and unique read! The whole concept of a Mars simulation as the setting for an enemies-to-lovers romance? Love it.

Brianna, our main character, is a vice principal who signs up for this six-week Mars simulation to win funding for her school’s library. Sounds easy enough, right? Except Roman—science teacher, son of the principal, and the one guy who really gets under her skin—ends up joining the team last minute. Cue the tension, banter, and so much forced proximity.

I liked how their relationship developed throughout the book. The back-and-forth between them was sharp and entertaining, and their chemistry felt really natural. It’s got that perfect mix of slow-burn frustration and sweet moments that make you root for them. Plus, the whole simulation aspect added an extra layer of excitement—like, how do you navigate romance when you're pretending to live on Mars?

My only small complaint was that some of Brianna’s inner struggles dragged a little at times, but honestly, it didn’t take away from my enjoyment. If you love a romance with a fresh setting, great banter, and just the right amount of emotional depth, definitely give this one a shot!

The Love Simulation presents a charming narrative featuring Brianna and Roman, whose longing for each other is palpable despite the challenges posed by their respective jobs. The chemistry between the main characters is truly engaging, and the side characters add depth to the storyline.

That said, there are a few areas where the story could be improved. At times, the narrative feels drawn out, and a more streamlined pace might enhance the reading experience. The term “slow burn” certainly applies here, so tightening up some sections would have made the emotional connection even between our couple more impactful.

Additionally, I would have loved to seen more of the relationship between Roman and his father explored, as this dynamic seemed to hold potential for greater depth. Lastly, the ending came across as a bit rushed; it would have been beneficial to see Principal Major apologize to Brianna on page, as this would have added resolution to the conflict.

Overall, while I found the book enjoyable, addressing these aspects could elevate it even further.

Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read and review.

The Love Simulation is so perfect!

Such great chemistry between two characters that were hesitant to even stand in the same room together. I love the build up tension with each scene of these two being alone together.
I appreciate the academic setting as well, it's nice to read about primary school workers deeply care about their students.

I also love the STEM aspects of this. A great romance for everyone to read!

Forced Proximity ✔️
Workplace Romance ✔️
He falls harder ✔️

This was my first book by Etta and I’m so excited to read more by her. It was lighthearted and fluffy in the way I love romances to be. I loved that I was able to relate to so much of the culture in the book being a black woman in corporate America. There was symbolism that I appreciated that was voiced in the book. I highly recommend reading if you’re interested in a strong and independent FMC. That you net galley for giving me the opportunity to read this!

While thoroughly enjoyed Easton's The Kiss Countdown, The Love Simulation left me a little disappointed. The premise, a Vice Principle and a group of her teachers spend the summer in a Mar's simulation, including the one science teacher she has the hots for but can't trust, has the makings of an interesting and fun book. However, I had some significant problems getting invested in this one. Primarily, the narrator and FMC was just a bit too self absorbed for me. She is constantly second guessing herself in ways that felt repetitive. I liked how the story confronts the real issues of professional boundaries (both in terms of friendship and romance) and the way in which it makes Brianna feel isolated and limited, but her lack of trust in Roman is based on many assumptions about him that she can never quite let go. Instead of growth, it read as repetitive and made her seem somewhat shallow. Similarly, I didn't feel the connection between her and Roman. The story is all through her POV, in part to keep his motives a mystery to the end, but the result is Brianna's main attraction to him never quite gets beyond the physical. In keeping him closed he felt more like a cardboard cut out to me, which made the romance feel dry and forced.

Having said that, the forced proximity dynamic of the group of teachers is fun and it is the side characters that bring most of the humor. Brianna does grow and by the end has learned a lot about herself, but it is a long slog through her internal monologue to get there. Overall the book tells a sweet story, but for me there was something missing.

This was a really fun follow-up to The Kiss Countdown. I was definitely wondering how the space theme was going to continue without an astronaut, but having a school fundraiser take place on a Mars Simulation was such a clever way of making it space-y but not unrealistically so.

I loved the two main characters--Roman was a little more mysterious, and while I never really thought he was out to sabotage Brianna, I did enjoy that the storyline added a little bit of intrigue and interest. Brianna was sweet, dedicated, and VERY concerned about professionalism in a way that I actually really enjoyed? It bothers me when workplace romances just pretend like there will be absolutely no problems or consequences for the two characters being together and I appreciated her level-headed takes on it, as well as the way in which the book resolves the conflict.

This is not no spice (it is explicit) but the scenes are relatively short and not overly descriptive for people who prefer a little less spice in their romance novels.

From the beginning, Brianna’s character shines. Her journey resonates with anyone who has ever felt overshadowed by more accomplished family members or struggled to find their purpose. As she navigates her career shifts, Brianna is on a quest to find her true passion. Despite her feelings of inadequacy, she pours her heart into everything she does, and her supportive family is a constant reminder of her worth.

This slow-burn romance hits all the right notes, featuring wonderful, relatable characters, simmering tension, and a unique backdrop. The chemistry between Brianna and Roman, a reserved science teacher and the principal's son, is palpable. Their relationship is fraught with obstacles, yet their attraction is undeniable. I appreciated the gradual development of their connection, filled with swoon-worthy moments and genuine support, as Roman shows a keen interest in Brianna and her aspirations.

The side characters add another layer of fun to the story. The teachers bring their own quirks, with no filter Angie providing plenty of laughs and science enthusiast Jordan fully committed to the mission. It’s also a joy to see familiar faces from The Kiss Countdown, especially the dynamic between Brianna and her sister as well as Vincent giving mission advice.

Overall, The Love Simulation is a sweet and lighthearted read that left me smiling and chuckling throughout. Etta Easton has crafted a story that beautifully balances humor and heart, making it a perfect escape.

THE LOVE SIMULATION by Etta Easton

Thank you @berkleyromance for my #gifted copies. #berkleyig #berkleyromancepartner

🚀 Enemies-to-lovers meets a Mars simulation in Etta Easton's new rom-com!

Brianna Rogers is a vice principal with a mission—win a high-stakes Mars simulation competition to fund her school’s library. But she wasn’t expecting to be stuck in a tiny fake spaceship with Roman Major, the brooding science teacher (and her boss’s son). Cue the tension.... and the undeniable chemistry. ⚡

There's so much to love about The Love Simulation— great main and side characters, witty banter, nonverbal love language 👀, and a slow-burn romance that really pays off in the end.

Additionally, I appreciate Easton's exploration of the ways both main characters' roles within the school led to feelings of isolation and loneliness, as well as the importance of literacy in schools. These components added depth to an otherwise light-hearted, feel-good romance.

3.5 rounded up to 4-This was such a cute read! I totally nerded out over all the space elements and loved that the story took place in a unique setting, far from a traditional backdrop. The plot revolves around Brianna, a vice principal, and Roman, a science teacher, who unexpectedly end up competing together in a space-themed competition. Brianna has always kept her crush on Roman in check, maintaining professional boundaries. But with six weeks stuck together in the competition, will she be able to stick to those boundaries? If you’re a fan of forced proximity and slow-burn romance, you’ll definitely enjoy this charming rom-com.

Thanks so much to Berkley Pub and Berkley Romance for the free book! #BerkleyPartner

The Love Simulation was such a fun, quick read—it was also incredibly educational? I'm not really into/in the know of the happenings in space or what astronauts tend to get up to up there, so experiencing a portion of it via a simulation was actually very fun, and Etta Easton does a great job of not overwhelming the reader with this information in a way that is boring or unengaging.

Brianna and Roman were a magnetic force, and their love story was multilayered and interesting. I loved how they immediately resolved things each time they had conflict, even if that resulted in some distance or avoidance—it somehow didn't feel like things were being left unsaid, which I really appreciated. However, I did think that Brianna was a little too into Roman before she knew exactly how he felt, and I think this book would have benefitted from dual POV for that reason. Bri tended to have these internal conversations with Roman that were entirely one-sided, and it just would've been nice to be in his head instead of pretending these characters were having these conversations without saying a word. I haven't read The Kiss Countdown yet, but now I definitely want to, as the family dynamic between Bri and her siblings was something I really enjoyed, especially as the youngest sister in the family.

All in all, I don't know if I could ever go to space, let alone do a space simulation, but this was a lot of fun, and I overall really enjoyed Easton's writing style!

4 ⭐️
1 🌶️
🚨 Pub Date: 3/4/25

3.5 ⭐️ 1.5🌶️

If you enjoy Abbott Elementary, I think you'll enjoy this book as well. I really enjoy the show and I can see the similarities in this book. If not for anything else, it'll make a great rom-com for streaming! Bri and Roman remind me of Jeanine and Gregory from Abbott. The energy was very much like Jeanine and "we have to do it and it has to be perfect for the kids!"
The story was fine but at times the main characters felt a little childish and it was hard for me to connect with them as a reader. I found myself wanting a dual POV. And that just may be my preference because I wanted the same in The Kiss Countdown. I long for Roman's POV and exact thoughts.

The forced proximity, workplace romance, and slow burn were definitely giving major, major trope vibes. At times, Bri felt like she was isolating herself and in her head A LOT about whether or not Roman liked her. I longed for a better romance build up between the two. I love a good slow burn but I needed more chemistry between the couples. The romance was the backburner to the story and it made it hard for me to just NEED them together.
The epilogue was fun and saved a lot of the story for me. It was good to see some familiar characters from The Kiss Countdown. I always love a friend or sibling group with updates! All in all, this was a nice read, I just wish I connected with the characters more.

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the eARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

The Love Simulation was such a cute read. My inner science and book nerd loved reading about Brianna and Roman. Brianna and Roman both worked at the same school and joined their colleagues on a 6 week Mars simulation in order to redo the school’s library. They were secretly pining over each other but a few weeks into the simulation, Roman made his feelings for Bri known. In the story, Brianna was also trying to find a career that worked for her. I appreciated how much she went out of her way to increase literacy for kids and I also applaud the author for including this into the storyline. Bri even got Roman into reading werewolf romance books lol They were such a cute quirky couple who made the perfect match. Add this one to your list if you haven’t already! Happy reading!

My goodness, how I loved this book! The Love Simulation features a group of teachers - and their vice principal, Brianna - on a six-week Mars simulation over the summer. The goal? To finish out the whole project in order to win necessary funds to fix the school library, which is desperately need of repair and restocking. The issue? One of the teachers, Roman, is also the principal's son - and may have been sent to sabotage the trip in favor of fixing up the football field instead.
Brianna was so relatable as she struggled to find the balance between professionalism and friendship in their six-week simulation, along with trying to figure out what truly makes her happy. Roman, while we didn't get his POV, was well-represented in the pages and the reader was given good insight into his thoughts through his words, gestures, and body language. Their slow burn started in chapter one, and once their romance was in full swing, readers were definitely rewarded! The Mars simulation tasks, and relationships built with other team members, were a wonderful addition to the story. All in all, a very enjoyable book, and one of my top reads so far this year. This is my first book by Etta Easton but it won't be my last! Thank you, Berkley Romance, for the free copy of The Love Simulation, receipt of which did not impact my review.