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.

I was so excited for another book by Etta and it was as fun as the first.

Brianna is a middle school vice principal who yearns for a new library and is promised a new one by the Principal..... Until he decides they need the football field redone instead. So Brianna enters a "Mars simulation" another teacher had asked for volunteers for before and she rejected. If this team of teachers win, they could get prize money to get a library back on track.

6 weeks of trying to get the teachers to see her as not only their semi-boss but as a friend without her getting too close at the same time. Roman, the science teacher and Principal's son makes it hard.

I liked the 4 tasks they had to do in the simulation. Tempers can run high, Jordan (the team leader) is bossy, the "food" sucks and close quarters are not always ideal. There is an incident with the school nurse and a spider and I felt bad for what happened to her, though...SAME GIRL! I would have freaked too!

I really loved that this gave Brianna the courage to pursue something that is a better fit for her. I never felt suspicious of Roman though he gave some valid reasons TO suspect him sometimes.

Read If You Like:
- Enemies-to-lovers romance
- Forced proximity
- STEM settings
- Slow-burn chemistry

Brianna is determined to secure funding for her school's library renovation. When the principal reallocates the budget to the football field, Brianna seizes an unconventional opportunity: participating in a Mars simulation competition that promises a grand prize. Her resolve is tested by the unexpected inclusion of Roman Major, the science teacher and son of the principal, whose she is wildly attracted to and also doesn’t trust as far as she can throw him because of his dad and the issues Brianna has had with him when it comes to what’s best for the school.

As they navigate the challenges of the simulation, their initial animosity evolves into mutual respect and undeniable mutual attraction. Brianna must confront her preconceptions and decide if she can trust Roman with both the competition and her heart as they wind up the final two on their team left in the simulation and the school library is riding on their shoulders.

The Mars simulation setting serves as a unique backdrop, intensifying the stakes and fostering genuine connections among the characters. Easton's storytelling and the fun rid bits added ensures that readers are invested in the outcome, making it a compelling read for fans of contemporary romance.

Thank you to Berkley for my ARC! .

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of The Love Simulation in exchange for an honest review.

Brianna, the youngest of four siblings, has always felt overshadowed by their successes. Determined to carve out her own path, she takes her role as vice principal seriously, ensuring professionalism is never compromised. However, she can't ignore the growing attraction she feels toward Roman, the school's charming science teacher—who also happens to be the principal’s son. Given the difficult time his father has given her all year, Brianna refuses to blur the lines.

When the school’s library renovation plans fall through, and rumors circulate about her possibly leaving, she begins to suspect Roman is involved. To secure the much-needed funding, Brianna joins a six-week Mars simulation competition, hoping to win the grand prize. However, when a last-minute crew change forces Roman to take the nurse’s place, Brianna is convinced it’s another attempt by the principal to sabotage her efforts.

Forced into close quarters with the man she's been secretly pining over, Brianna struggles with her feelings. As they grow closer, she still can't shake the suspicion that Roman isn’t being completely honest. When she finally discovers he was sent to interfere with the mission, she’s left questioning everything—was any of it real? Determined to see the project through, she finishes the mission on her own.

Brianna and Roman’s relationship was built on assumptions and secrets, making their slow-burning chemistry all the more engaging. I loved watching Brianna break free from the pressures of living in her siblings' shadows and finally choosing what made her happy. Roman was incredibly intentional in showing his feelings for her, which made their connection even sweeter. However, the predictable moment when he hesitated to tell her the truth after they finally got together felt a bit cliché. The ending also felt somewhat rushed, but I was glad to see Brianna and Roman find their way back to each other.

Overall, this was a cute slow-burn romance with a unique premise, compelling tension, and a satisfying conclusion. While the pacing at the end could have been smoother, Brianna’s journey of self-discovery and the chemistry between her and Roman made it an enjoyable read.

This one was such a fun enjoyable read! I really enjoyed reading about Bri and Roman and this environment that they were in due to the Mars simulation that they were in for 6 weeks!

The characters were so much fun. It’s probably what I enjoyed most about this book. I related so heavy to Bri, not only because she was the youngest sibling, but also because she didn’t really know what she wanted to do in the future and what her career was going to be. She had a job and not exactly a passion. However, as the story progresses, she finds the perfect thing and everything just feels right in that.

I really enjoyed her as a FMC, although she was SO clueless about how down bad Roman was for her. It was so obvious and I couldn’t see how anyone else didn’t notice it sooner. She was hilarious and I loved the cameo of The Mead Mishaps series and all that discussion about the first and second book. It’s so hilarious and I love that they started a book club!!!

Roman was such a golden retriever teddy bear of a MMC. I loved and adored him. He was nerdy and sexy at the same time. I however think that the thing that he did was not right and agree with Camille with how she said things to Bri after she came back from the simulation.

Jordan, Simone, and Angie were such wonderful side characters. Angie was so unhinged but hilarious. The beef between her and Jordan was so funny to read about. I loved what little we saw of Simone and think that her relationship with her family was so cute.

This definitely taught me so many things I did not know about conditions on Mars and how to survive them. I did not know all of that but it was so fun learning about it all. I think, if presented with the opportunity to do a simulation like this, I’d definitely be up for it.

The whole save-the-library campaign was so amazing. I liked that this book showed how schools are so underfunded and they never like to contribute money to the arts and instead use it for sports. The ending was SO CUTE and I loved to see it so much.

There were just like, two comments made in this that I thought were questionable, but not enough for me to rate it anything less than 4.75 stars. (My final rating is 4.8!)

Etta’s writing is so amazing and I really enjoy it. Definitely would recommend this and am looking forward to reading future books from this author.

This one was a sweet workplace romance with just the right dash of enemies to lovers’ dynamic. I really appreciated how the story kept the space theme that I enjoyed in 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝐾𝑖𝑠𝑠 𝐶𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡𝑑𝑜𝑤𝑛. It added a unique charm to Briana and Roman’s love story and tied the narrative together beautifully.

I also enjoyed the nod to 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝐾𝑖𝑠𝑠 𝐶𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡𝑑𝑜𝑤𝑛. The mentions of Amerie and Vincent felt like catching up which I did not expect. It’s always a treat when connected stories give us a glimpse of previous loved characters from previous books. As for Briana and Roman, their progression was heartfelt. However, Briana’s relentless overthinking about her feelings for Roman did get a bit tedious for me. I understand the weight of her responsibilities as vice principal and her passion project, but there were moments I just wanted to shake her a bit and say, “Just let it flow, go with your heart!”

Audiobook bonus…listening to Sisi Aisha Johnson narrate the audiobook was a highlight as well. She brought the emotion whether, anger, frustration, love, and nuance that kept me listening. Overall, this was an enjoyable romance experience to read and listen to. It had sweetness, tension, and heartfelt romance, a perfect pick for fans of workplace loves stories!

I enjoyed The Kiss Countdown so I was excited to recieve an earc of The Love Simulation! This is a fun premise, I enjoyed seeing old characters again, and the new characters were a hoot (I'm lookin' at you, Angie!)

This was my first read by Ms Easton. This was such a cute story. As a book lover & patron of my library, I loved the premise of school personnel trying to find ways to raise money due to a shortfall. Who doesn’t enjoy a little romance mixed with schoolhouse drama. I can’t wait to read her other works.

I had trouble connecting with our main characters and their relationship was weird. Bri's obsession was offputting. Like I get it, but also, just no. I liked the concept of the simulation and the drive to provide the winning funds towards the school library. However, this fell flat and suffered from second book syndrome for me.

Synopsis: As vice principal, Breanna Rogers has been committed to securing funding for a much needed library update for her school. When the principal rescinds the funding to update the football field instead, Breanna decides to enter into a Mars simulation competition to win money for the library. The only wrench in her plan is the arrival of Roman, the handsome science teacher who also happens to be the principal’s son.

Thoughts: This is a really cute romcom! I felt like I was reading an episode of Abbott Elementary, which I loved! The main characters are admirable with their compassion for teaching, and the entire Mars simulation crew is super likable. The setting is a fun, unique take on forced proximity. I was waiting for a little more chemistry and a little less miscommunication from the romance, but overall it still worked for me. A note on the audio: Narrated by Sisi Aisha Johnson, the audio is a very fun listen!

Read this if you like:
🛸 workplace romance
🛸 forced proximity
🛸 astronauts
🛸 teachers

The Love Simulation is a nice sophomore novel from Etta Easton, also focusing on a space related romance between two rival educators. OBVIOUSLY I loved that Brianna's reasons for competing in the simulation was to raise money for a quality library for her middle school. This was cute, and it's downfall may be that it's actually a little too cute, making the characters seem younger than they are at points.

Feel. Good.

That's how The Love Simulation made me feel. Good. I didn't stop smiling throughout this book. It lit me up. I had the best time!

Our heroine Brianna is a school vice principal who joins colleagues for a Mars simulation event in which participants who last through the end of the program receive a significant monetary prize; a prize Brianna is desperate to win in order to build a better school library. The school principal has continuously rejected Brianna's efforts to gain funds, so this is her last shot at success. However, she hits a roadblock in the form of Roman, fellow colleague, reserved science teacher, and son of the antagonistic principal who Brianna fears could sabotage her efforts. But Roman isn't just a potential saboteur, he's also very much the recurrent visitor of Brianna's secret dreams. Furthering her inner turmoil and heart and reason battle.

The narrative is told entirely from Brianna's perspective and I so loved the way she journeyed through life. It immersed me so wholly into her story. I admired her resiliency, I sympathized with her insecurity in feeling less in comparison to the accomplishments of her family, I related to her self-doubt, and I was so inspired by her resolve to attain the goal she strived for. With every roadblock in her way, she continuously found another path forward. She's a wonderful heroine and one so deserving of all the success- and all the love as well.

My gosh! The way I swooned over her romance with Roman. My gosh, y'all! Usually I prefer dual POV, to get into the heads of both protagonists, but in this case I loved that Roman's inner thoughts were kept secret. He is an already incredibly alluring man that keeping us from his thoughts positively served to strengthen that pull towards him. I wanted more and more! You immediately want to know more about him, the same as Brianna. To peel back those layers, one by one. To find the charm beneath the reserved. The big heart beneath the stoic exterior. Watching Brianna peel those layers back made for such a fun and heartfelt journey. Especially as she battles her ever growing crush on Roman alongside her mistrust of him. It may be clear to the reader where Roman's feelings lie, but it's pure delight waiting for Brianna to catch up in knowledge. For there's hijinks to be had first! And it brings the giggles, the swoons, and all the heart. Once the barriers are passed, the romance that blooms between Brianna and Roman feels earned-- and feels right.

Also bringing the giggles and heart is the enchanting supporting cast of Jordan, Angie, and Simone! I may or may not have cried out a dramatic noooo when their respective spots in the Mars program may or may not have been compromised. They added such vibrancy to the narrative, and it made me want to explore more each character individually. That's how much I came to love them.

This is a certified comfort read. When you need a pick me up, just hold onto The Love Simulation. It'll pull you through.

Thank you so much to Berkley Romance and NetGalley for this advanced complimentary copy, I leave this honest review voluntarily.