I honestly had SO much fun with this.
Christina Lauren really said, "What if we took a second-chance romance, threw in top-secret science, a marriage on the brink, a man with amnesia and just enough chaos to keep everyone stressed?" And somehow... it works.
The second-chance romance was genuinely so satisfying because Emery and Luca already love each other. They just have years of hurt, secrets and terrible communication standing between them. Watching them slowly find their way back to each other had me completely invested.
And Luca???
Respectfully... where do I order one?
He's basically the definition of golden retriever energy and somehow stays ridiculously lovable even when absolutely everything around him is falling apart.
I also loved how this balanced the romance with the mystery. Every time I thought I had figured out where the story was going, something else happened and suddenly I had another twenty questions. The science storyline could have felt over the top but instead it just made everything even more addictive. I genuinely couldn't stop turning the pages because I needed to know how all these pieces were going to come together.
The banter was exactly what I expect from Christina Lauren. Funny, effortless and full of chemistry. Even when things got emotional there were still moments that made me smile, which made the heavier scenes hit even harder.
Honestly this book reminded me why Christina Lauren is such an auto-read author for so many people. It's funny, romantic, a little ridiculous in the best way and somehow manages to mix rom-com, mystery and sci-fi into something that feels completely unique.
And that ending? I closed the book with the biggest smile because it was exactly the kind of fun, heartfelt chaos I was hoping for.
If you're looking for a romance that's equal parts swoony, funny and completely bonkers in the best possible way, I'd definitely recommend picking this one up.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Christina Lauren really surprised me with this one. 🤭💗🧬🔬 (Also, side note: I love women in STEM!!!!)

From the very beginning, this felt so different from their usual romances, and I was completely hooked. Within the first 20% I was anxiously sitting on the edge of my seat... in the best way possible. I genuinely couldn't look away!!!

Then around the 30% mark... okayyyyy, thriller vibes?! Suddenly everything became so much more intense, and I found myself flying through the pages because I needed to know what was going to happen next. The suspense was balanced so well with the romance that neither overshadowed the other.

I also absolutely LOVED the main characters. Emery and Lucas completely won me over. Watching them navigate love, grief, and second chances was emotional, heartfelt, and so easy to root for. Their relationship felt incredibly genuine, and I found myself smiling just as much as I was stressing over what was happening.

And can we talk about that plot twist?! I genuinely didn't see it coming. It made the story even more memorable and kept me thinking about it long after I'd finished.

This book was so unique, with sci-fi-inspired elements (if I can even call it that!) that added something fresh without ever taking away from the emotional heart of the story. It was a risky concept, but for me, it absolutely paid off.

This isn't your typical Christina Lauren romance, but that's exactly why I enjoyed it so much. It's equal parts romance and suspense, with plenty of heart throughout. If you're looking for something a little different that will keep you glued to the pages while still delivering all the feelings, I'd definitely recommend giving this one a go!!!! 💗

Out 14th July!
Thank you to NetGalley, Hachette, and Christina Lauren for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.