Member Reviews
This book was super cute! CL did it again! This duo blows it out of the water every time! For all you romantic science nerds… here you go!!! One of my favorites of the year, cover included!!!!
When I think about romance, I’m happy that Christina Lauren can write them and write them well.
This time, this pair has succeeded again in crafting interesting characters in Jess, River, Juno, and Fizzy. Furthermore, this one had a futuristic undertone by using something like GeneticAlly.
The premise: With just a small sample of saliva, you can be successfully matched with your soulmate. Forget about the dating apps when DNAduo can tell you which relationship will have a favorable outcome.
Jess is a single mother who's doing the best she can for her daughter, Juno. Her grandparents are a big part of her life since her parents are not. Her father or better said, sperm donor was never in the picture and her mother was a junkie. Juno's father is also not in the picture. He bailed when she was pregnant without a backward glance. Juno's friend, Fizzy, wants Jess to start dating again but Jess is not sure she is ready. Then on a night when she is feeling down, she decides to submit her own sample. She is shocked when she learns they have found a match for her and the identity of this so-called match is even more astonishing.
For River Pena, the scientist behind the technology, learning that he has his own diamond match (98%) astounds him. If he was not the scientist who created it, he wouldn't believe it. A diamond match is almost unheard of and this could make his company become an instant success. Learning that Jess is his match flabbergasted him until he starts spending time with her and Juno.
I know I should mention how much I enjoyed The Soulmate Equation but I think I should say instead of how much I loved Fizzy and Juno in this one. Fizzy was everything someone should want in a friend to be and Juno simply put, was adorable. They made the story more believable and complemented Jess and River's storyline perfectly.
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Gallery Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I loved this one so much. These ladies are usually a hit for me. This one has a single mom, hello all your single moms out there. Cheers ladies cause it is hard work. Throw in a super hot scientist who made a dating app, yeah I am all in.
This book did not disappoint. I loved it. The science bits weren't too sciencey. The romance was crazy hot. I loved River and Jess. Their chemistry was off the charts. I had the opportunity to listen to the audiobook as well and loved it. I flew through it in less than 8 hours.
4.5 big stars from me.
Thank you to the authors, the publisher, and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review.
The soulmate equation is such a fun idea, that DNA can actually show romantic compatibility, with equally great execution. It was a little difficult to get attached to the characters at first, but once we get to know River, the founder of a new revolutionary dating app based on DNA, the chemistry starts to flow. I would recommend this to fans of Christina Lauren and romance in general. It was a fun story that kept my interest the entire time.
Not my favorite Christina Lauren book. I felt like the characters fell a little flat and I didn’t feel invested in their story or journey. Great concept but wasn’t executed all that well in my opinion.
The Soulmate Equation definitely takes a different look at romance. There's definitely quite some science in a dating app that matches you based on genetics and DNA. Besides that this is still a romantic comedy that we're used to getting by this author duo.
When I picked up this book it had me laughing the first few pages in. We follow our main character Jess. She's a single mother of an amazing little girl (she truly added an extra element to this book and make me laugh quite a few times). Jess is focused on her daughter and their life and has no interest in dating. She's a smart woman who works hard for the ones she loves.
River starts off as a character I wasn't sure what to think of. He's a bit arrogant in the beginning (or so it seems). I really think that River is a character you come to love as you learn more about him. He's also very smart and is trying his best to get his company off the ground and doesn't seem to have much time for anything else. In the end, he becomes a character that left a smile on my face during most scenes. River ends up being a very caring and protective individual and the interactions between him and Jess' daughter were very sweet. He knew she belonged in Jess' life and didn't want to do anything to hurt her.
Then there's the romance. For me it was definitely a slow burn romance. It took River and Jess quite some time before they truly gave their high matching score a chance. I feel it fit this story though and until then I loved their banter. It fit these characters and made it even more fun when they finally gave in. Neither of these characters expected to fall in love, but they can't deny their attraction. I have to say I think I would've gotten just a bit more invested in their romance if we got a few chapters from River's POV. In romance books I need to get the thoughts and perspective from the other character as well.
Also, once again there was an amazing side character. Jess' best friend Fizz was so much fun and I'd love to see her get her own romance. If you're looking for a fast and fun summer romance I definitely suggest picking up The Soulmate Equation!
I loved this book! I especially enjoyed the science aspect of it. It seemed extremely realistic, given how far science has been advancing. I also loved the chemistry between River and Jess, and how important the best friend was in this story line, as well as Jess's daughter and her grandparents. On the surface it seems like just another romance, but on a much deeper level it was about family, doing what is right, and science. 4.5 stars!!
Sometimes we just need to read something fun and cleverly written, and this book does the trick. It was a joy to read. I believe most of us would love to feel the person we decide to spend our life with is our soulmate. What if there was a way to scientifically predict the success of one’s relationship? That’s the premise of this book, sort of. It’s also about love, romance, life, and all the people in our lives that make us happy and unhappy.
Jess is a smart, young, single mom determined to make it on her own. “But then Jess hears about GeneticAlly, a buzzy new DNA-based matchmaking company that’s predicted to change dating forever. Finding a soulmate through DNA? The reliability of numbers: This Jess understands. At least she thought she did, until her test shows an unheard-of 98% compatibility with another subject in the database: GeneticAlly’s founder, Dr. River Pena. This is one number she can’t wrap her head around.”
This is a fairly quick and easy read. I enjoyed the characters and I laughed aloud several times, which is always nice. If you are looking for a fun-pick-me-up read, pick up this book.
Thanks to the publisher, the author, and NetGalley for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
I have recently found Christina Lauren books, and The Soulmate Equation was good. Not my favorite, but I did enjoy it. I think the premise of the book was a little out there, but I did enjoy the characters except for Fizzy. I don't really understand her as a "best friend character" she was a little grating. Overall I would say I enjoyed this book, but I have read better ones from Christina Lauren.... ALSO, it is outrageous that this is a hardcover book at Barnes and Noble right now. That is so crazy and doesn't add up at all.
I really loved this one, it was the perfect amount of fun and sweet. I did not enjoy some of the name choices but everything else was perfect.
I adore this writing duo. They never disappoint with their stories and this one was no different. I loved the storyline. It was creative and engaging and even had a little bit of a twist that I loved. I loved these characters and related to the nerdy aspects if I'm being honest. I can't wait to read more from these authors and to see what they have in store for us next.
Wow, this romance totally got me! I was a little nervous going into this once I discovered that the hero actually has the same job as me (I'm a software engineer in scientific research and also write AI nets). But Christina Lauren clearly did their research! This book was the perfect balance of sweet moments, humor, realistic characters, with a fun, unique premise.
I loved the concept for the data app and the way the heroine got pulled into the startup. I love a bad a meet cute and this definitely fit that bill. The hero is lovably grumpy (at first) and watching him warm up to the heroine melted my heart.
Jess is a single mom and just trying to make ends meet - and I adored her. She's was strong yet vulnerable, and super relatable (even though our lives are literally nothing alike).
There were so many moments that made me laugh and swoon. This book is definitely more on the romantic side than the sexy side and it was exactly what I needed. I loved the communication between the characters and thought they solid chemistry once they broke down each other's walls.
I also really liked that there wasn't an overabundance of unnecessary conflict thrown in.
While the final conflict was a miscommunication, it felt organic and realistic. Plus the hero did a good amount of groveling (and who doesn't love a groveling hero).
Christina Lauren books are so comforting and romantic and this one was no exception. Definitely a recent favorite of theirs!
This review is live on Goodreads!
What a standout book for Christina Lauren! A new, interesting topic -- can you find love through genetics -- and a steamy romance created throughout. A wonderful, summer beach read.
I loved this book! The story was so well written. It was unique and fun. I loved the romantic relationship journey between Jess and River is beautiful. A great mix of sexy and sweet moments, A great level of drama but a perfect resolution, wish there was more!
Okay I loved this book! I thought it was so fun and I loved the romance with Jess and River!It had a fake dating style romance that was slightly different, I thought that was fun! I will say that I wished the relationship had developed a lot faster, but that is more of a personal preference. I loved seeing them get to develop a friendship of sorts and how that turned into a great romance between River and Jess! I loved also their banter! They had such fun banter! I loved the idea of their Diamond match bringing them close together and bringing about their friendship turned relationship. It was fun seeing them discover each other and see the traits they have and how that brings them closer together! I also liked how nerdy River was as a character! He was hilarious at times, and Jess was also really sassy as a person and I loved that! I also loved her nerdy moments too! I loved seeing two nerds fall in love! I also loved the relationship between Jess and her daughter Juno! Their love for each other was so sweet, and I loved how Jess was such a good mother! And I loved the support system she had with her friend Fizzy and her grandparents! The love they all had for each other was so sweet and I adored seeing it! It kind of makes me long for a relationship with my grandparents. I never knew my grandpas, and I barely talked to my grandmas, and so it kind of makes me long for a relationship like Jess had with hers. Overall I enjoyed this book so much! Christina Lauren never disappoint when I read any of their books! I cannot wait for their next book!
LIKES:
📝 hilarious, compelling, unputdownable writing plus some deeper moments!
🧬 LOVED the science/stats vibes! I once worked with genotyping data so this was super fun for me 👩🔬
👨👩👧👦 the main characters were all so real! I especially loved Fizzy and Jess’ friendship
👩 I also just loved Jess!! She was nerdy but also dynamic, sarcastic, and relatable - so far from the one-dimensional leads in a lot of romances!
🤵♂️ I’m an absolute sucker for enemies-to-lovers AND fake-dating/date-plans AND the-emotionally-repressed-a$$hole-guy-who-is-only-nice-when-in-love-and-has-a-secret-heart-of-gold (could I have made that longer? Place ur bets in the comments 😂)
⏱ Perfect pacing...
🥵... and tension 👀...
💗...and ROMANCE!!!!
•
DISLIKES:
✳️ had no dislikes personally but here are some disclaimers for others!
🤷♀️ The whole dna-soulmate premise requires some suspension of disbelief and was far-fetched but I think that made it fun!
🤺some of the reasons for being “enemies” are a stretch
👩🔬 has a decent amount of science and math jargon
•
VERDICT: if you like science/stats and LOVE romance then TSE is for you! A perfect enemies to lovers romance with dynamic characters and such a fun, unique premise of DNA-matchmaking!
Lauren never fails to disappoint! I was hooked from the beginning. So funny and such a fun light read.
The Soulmate Equation by @christinalauren
4.75 ⭐️
I loved this book! It was cute, sweet, funny and nerdy, what’s not to like? @christinalauren were so amazing, I was fan-girling like a teenage girl when she meets a rockstar she loves. The Zoom chat was amazing and we laughed and leaned a lot of cool things, like did you know that Lauren was a neuroscientist? 🤯 I also loved learning how well they worked together and their writing process. They also told us that they think THEY WOULD BE A DIAMOND MATCH and I have no doubts about it. 👭🏻 Any minute now, these 2 powerhouses will come up with this amazing technology for sure! 🤣
What I loved ❤️: The banter and chemistry were really good ❤️ The side characters, specially Pops and Juno were my favorites ❤️ The whole concept of DNA compatibility is really interesting.
What I didn’t like 👎🏼: It was a bit steamier than I like and Jess’ body reacted too much in River’s presence.
What I liked 👍🏼: They are auto-buy authors for me because I know that I’m always going to have a good time reading their books, this one was no exception, they are fun and their books are fun! 👍🏼 I loved that they used a lot of real places that we could Google and that way picture the scenes better ☺️
💎: “You are so quiet. This concern you, too, you know. I realize your default energy level is Cardboard Cutout, but I can’t get to know you if you don’t speak.” 🤣
Thank you so much @leoprny for sending me a copy of this book! 🙌🏼🙌🏼
I loved this book so much I stretched it out so I wouldn’t finish it in one sitting. Such a great adult romance by the amazing duo Christina Lauren! Now I’m officially out of their recent books and will have to dive into their older collection.
As always Christina Lauren does not dissapoint! This was such a fun concept and I loved the DNA aspect. Love the way its written!