"The Soulmate Equation" by Christina Lauren, is a quick and engaging read for those looking to throw a little science into their romance.

Jess is a single mother dead set on finding a companion, but only AFTER her seven year old daughter goes to college. Her plans are thrown through a loop when she and her best friend Fizzy sign up for a new start up company 's dating app that promises to find their member's soulmates through DNA matching. Skeptical about the promise, Jess is surprised to find that not only has the company found her a match, but its the highest compatibility rating the company has ever seen. Only problem, her match just so happens to be a jerk that Jess has had several unpleasant encounters with. Are they truly a match, or is the science behind it anything but fact?

There are a lot of things about this book that I really enjoyed. The best thing about a Christina Lauren novel is their writing style. It's smart, witty, relatable and structurally flows well allowing for a quick and engaging read; and they don't miss a beat here with TSE. I really appreciated that the main character was a single mom. I don't really see that often in romance genre, and I really appreciated bringing in that element. But what I really loved about this book were the cast of characters around our MC. Her daughter Juno is a an old weird soul stuck in a child's body, her best friend Fizzy is a romance writer who is game for anything, and her sweet grandparents Jo and Ronald who made me gush and warmed my heart with everything they did in this novel. I really enjoyed the supporting cast, and actually wish they had been in the book even more then they already are.

I also appreciate how much research went into the scientific aspect of this plot. Yes, at times it was a bit cumbersome and overwhelming, but it only added a more realistic element that this kind of dating app could actually exist and that the science behind it was plausible.

Unfortunately, there are some downsides to this book. My biggest one with with the character of Dr. River Pena, who is Jess's match. I was bothered at how early we meet him in the book. He is in the first chapter, so it wasn't that big of a surprise that he ends up being her match later on. The authors tried to set it up as an enemies to lovers situation, but it wasn't executed very well. Yes, they are enemies, and River comes off as an insensitive, self righteous jerk, but his personality completely changes when they start dating. So quickly in fact that I had to go back and reread to make sure I didn't miss anything because he turns into this weird love sick puppy, who is clingy and uses weird phrased like "had you on lock" and calls Jess "woman." It was a personality shift I just didn't believe and it did take me out of their connection. I also wasn't a fan of their "instalove." Again, it was built as enemies to lovers and I was expecting a slow burn, but these two characters fell in love way too quickly and the spicy chemistry they had when they were at each others throats was lost.

Overall though, I did enjoy the book even with the few things I wasn't a fan of. I would recommend it for fans of Christina Lauren for sure, and anyone looking for a fun, quick summer romance. Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for giving me an advanced copy.

You can never go wrong with a Christina Lauren book!
I loved this one. There was something about the concept of the data based dating app and the 98% match that totally hooked me on the chemistry between the characters! Jess is a single mother who has a wonderful support system. Her grandparents, her best friend Fizzy, they all were so supportive of her as a single mother raising her daughter. It was so nice to see such loving relationships all around. Fizzy especially was a great character. This book also had twists I didn't seem coming and wasn't expecting at all.

The Soulmate Equation is a really enjoyable contemporary romance about a single mom and a seemingly unfriendly scientist who are matched by a DNA-based dating app. The story follows the two as they begin a fake dating experience that could become more.

Jessica Davis is a single mom who has decided not to focus on dating until her daughter gets older. Her priority is being a good mom. River Pena is an innovative scientist behind the new dating app GeneticAlly, which claims to be able to match people to their soulmates via DNA analysis. When Jess submits her DNA on a whim, she learns that she is a 98% match with the River, who she knows as an unfriendly, rude café patron that she sees every morning. When the company offers to pay her to explore the match, she begins a fake relationship with River. The focus of the story is whether the two of them actually are compatible. Will they fall in love?

The characters in this book are extremely likable. Jess is a funny, down to earth protagonist. Her independence and dedication are admirable. River, though he seems standoffish, is actually a genuine, likable man. Their chemistry is believable. Secondary characters in this book are perfectly complementary to the main characters. Jess's best friend is hilarious, and her grandparents are so sweet and compassionate. The characters really stand out as an asset to this story.

In terms of plot, the book does a good job of taking subject matter that is a bit unbelievable (matching through DNA) and making it seem realistic. There are some moments when the science and math talk is a bit much, but it is necessary to make the events believable. The conflict that arises to possibly derail the romance is completely believable in the context of the plot. It is not overdone and exaggerated, which I appreciate.

Overall, this is one of Christina Lauren's best books in a while for me. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and look forward to what they create next!

Not my favorite of the duos. The concept was basically a ripoff from John Marrs The One (which I read recently) and the ending made me roll my eyes. It was just okay for me. Loved the side characters though - Fizzy for the win.

Since my first discovering of the author-duo, I have read several. The first I read by Christina Lauren was The Un-Honeymooners, which I adored as it was sweet, sexy, sunny, and pretty believable. After that one I read a couple I liked, but they didn't compare to my love for The Un-Honeymooners. The Soulmate Equation moves up to my second favorite Christina Lauren. I can tell you that the supporting character of Fizzy is what elevated The Soulmate Equation above most of the others. Christina Lauren can do humor SOOOOOOO well when they set out to do that.

The premise of a matchmaking company using actual genetics is really interesting and actually pretty believable...I am setting aside my disbelief of all the factors besides genetics that go into attraction and finding a lasting relationship. Jess was an ok, if a bit vanilla, lead. Juno, River, and Fizzy definitely had a bit more memorable characteristics, but as a reader, I rooted for single mother Jess, who loved her daughter, the grandparents who raised her, and was so loyal to her best friend. I wanted her to get her happy ending.

The Soulmate Equation is the perfect summer read or a perfect palate cleanser after a few heavy themed novels. It also solidifies my status as a Christina Lauren fan!

I am so glad that I pre-ordered it because I am loving it! This is one of my top CLo books! For me it ranks right up there with In a Holidaze and The Unhoneymooners.

Genetically matched soulmates- can you imagine how bizarre that would feel? It’s like fake dating with some fate thrown in. It's a great book to talk about because everyone will have an option on whether or not they would join a matchmaking agency that genetically matches you with potential partners.

Jess is a single mom doing the best she can. She's also a freelance statistician trying to make ends meet. She and her awesome best friend, Fizzy (I would love for her to get a book) ,meet Dr. River Pena at the coffee shop where they work together. Turns out he's a scientist who is behind the science of GeneticAlly, a new technology that can match you to potential partners. Jess and Fizzy both decide to give samples and see how they match. Jess is surprised to learn she has a very high match (unheard of high) with the attractive, but annoying, Dr. River. And, since the company is planning a stock offering soon, they offer to compensate her for trying out a relationship...

I thought this was really well done. While the science seems far-fetched, it also seems believable. The side characters are wonderful. I like River and Jess. I recommend it!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

I read the ARC of The Soulmate Equation, by bestselling author, Christina Lauren, courtesy of Simon and Schuster’s Gallery Books in exchange for an honest review. I have read several of her books, but I think this one is my favorite, so far. It combines cutting edge genetic research with romance and the life struggles of being a single mom.

She had me when she started talking about p-values and means — confused? Read on. This is a funny, sexy, romantic comedy. Even better, there is some educational information woven into the story — kind of like your mom slipping veggies into your brownies. It could also make you wonder what’s really possible.

Jessica Davis is a statistical analysis par excellence. She is also a
single mom with a precocious and intelligent daughter. River Pena is a Ph.D. level geneticist who wondered what would happen if he tried to match people based on their genetics. Would they be attracted to each other?

Jessica is too busy to date, maybe fearful of commitment, and protective of her daughter, Juno's, heart. River is gorgeous, but is he an arrogant jerk -- or is he completely absorbed in his work and painfully shy?

After speaking with River in the local coffee house, Jessica and her friend take the DNA test for his company, GeneticAlly, as a lark. How is it possible that Jessica matches with that unfriendly snob, Dr. River Pena?

The staff of GeneticAlly persuade Jessica to get to know River. They even offer to pay her for three months so they can get publicity for the company they are about to take public. Needing money, Jessica agrees. Will sparks fly?

Love a good romantic comedy? You’ll love The Soulmate Equation.

What made The Grumpy Book Reviewer grumpy?

Not too much:
• A few typos;
• Several split infinitives;
• Verb tense disagreement.

The Soulmate Equation is another absolutely fantastic book by Christina Lauren. I love them with my whole heart and they can do no wrong, IMO. I adored Jess and River, and adore is really not a strong enough word. Jess is a very relatable character for me in terms of the struggle that parenthood can be and dealing with a parent that's an addict. It is spot on. Things I loved about this book, the single pov from Jess that makes River a complete mystery, the angst, all the nerdiness (seriously there are not enough books where the heroine is smart), Juno (I want to pinch her little imaginary face), Fizzy (everyone needs a friend like her) and it's hot. Things I didn't like, there's nothing on this list. The Soulmate Equation was just everything, it made me cackle out loud, made my heart hurt a little, and I learned some things about genetics and statistics. Honestly, it's perfect, 10/5 stars.

Jessica Davis is a single mother who through a series of events, learns about a DNA-based matchmaking company, and she submits. She finds out that she is one of their highest matches and her possible soulmate is none other than Dr. River Peña, who annoys her near-daily at their shared coffee shop. He is so rude she is sure there must be a mistake, but of course, the more time they spend together, the more they realize their first impressions might have been wrong.
I cannot say it enough. I loved this book. I loved watching Jess and River’s love story. Every time I read a new Christina Lauren novel, I am reminded how many different ways there are to tell a love story. It feels like they are pushing themselves and still giving their fans what we want-romance, heart, humor. Even to a dating website skeptic like myself, this book did the key thing. Looking for love is about being hopeful, and this book has plenty of it.

Thanks to Gallery Books and Net Galley for the ARC!

I read this wonderful book last month, and loved it!

The book is about single mom Jessica, mom of adorable seven year old daughter, Juno. She has her best friend and grandparents to help with Juno, but her dating life is almost nonexistent. On a whim, she signs up to a DNA dating matchmaking service that is supposed to match her DNA to her soulmate. The big surprise comes when she is matched to one of the founder’s DNA, Dr. River Peña, and at 98% the highest number in the company’s history! Jessica knows River from a couple of run ins at the local coffee shop, and well, he’s mostly a jerk. Did the DNA get it wrong? Should she give River a chance?

I really loved All the characters in this book! From the grandparents to River, Juno, and her best friend, Fizzy! I also loved the unique story line, which ended a little different than how I thought it would!

What if you could find your soulmate just with a swab of your cheek? That's not really on single mom Jess Davis's mind as she is trying to step back into the dating world while raising her daughter, Juno and taking care of her grandparents. Jess then hears about a new up and coming company called GeneticAlly that says they can find your soulmate based on your DNA. After her crazy friend, Fizzy, talks her into, Jess doesn't think anything about it and goes back to her life. Her life is turned upside down when she gets a message from the company and finds out that she is a 98% match with the company's brooding CEO.

This was such a fun ride of a book. Perfect for summer in its romance and drama. It gives math and science for the nerds out there. I loved it!

I wasn’t sure if I would be able to get into the premise of The Soulmate Equation, but I should have known that team Christina Lauren would have it all under control! I loved it and stayed up way too late reading it!

Jess Davis is a single mom, a stats fiend, and has zero intention jumping back into dating. That is, until she impulsively sends her DNA to GeneticAlly’s DNA matchmaking company and ends up paired with the last person she thought she would be compatible with.

Per usual, their relatable and swoon characters pull you right in and tug at your heartstrings! I also loved that the locations were real and local to me which made it even more fun!

This fun, swoony book was exactly what I'm come to love about Christina Lauren books. The characters are loveable and the story was a delight.

I love love LOVED this book! First of all, give me a brooding tall scientist whom I imagined as Oscar Isaac the entire time. I loved the whole premise of intimacy and connection maybe being a scientific formula but by the end of the book, we realize that while River and Jess have amazing chemistry, it really is not about a formula. It's about entering each other's lives at the right place and time. Would I send in my DNA sample to this company if it were to exist? No, and that's the exact reason why I liked that the plot was not about science but about feelings and love.

One of my favorite current author's is Christina Lauren (who are really a duo of best friends tag teaming their authoring duties, which makes them even more compelling to me). I think I have read pretty much all of Christina Lauren's books at this point and was super excited for The Soulmate Equation! I thought the book started out kind of slow but once it got going I couldn't put it down. I love the concept of the book, DNA telling you who your soulmate is, and I love the dynamic between Jess and River from the very beginning. I also like the strong bonds Jess has with her family and her daughter. This book was equal parts funny and sweet, with a health dose of drama to keep it interesting. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys contemporary romance novels.

Another excellent read by Christina Lauren! They are a forever favorite and their books are so readable in the best way. This is a perfect slump buster with an amazing romance, loveable side characters, and a super fun premise. So excited this is out in the world now!

*I received a free copy of this novel from NetGalley and Gallery Books for my honest review.*

Jess is a single mom who was raised by her grandparents and obviously has issues with relationships. And everyone is pushing for her to find someone. Jess and Fizzy, her BFF, spend their days working at the local coffee shop and can set their watches by the daily visit from Americano - the stuffy, but wildly attractive man who orders Americanos. After finding out that the man is a doctor who created a genetic matchmaking company that is about to go public, Jess and Fizzy head to their offices to get more info and end up getting tested. And Jess has a very high match to River, aka Americano, which she is highly doubtful of since their interactions were fairly antagonistic. And then the company offers to pay her to "date" River and do a few interviews with the press to help with their standing for the IPO.

This was a smart premise and story was intriguing and well paced. The banter and writing was excellent. The conflict was very plausible but seemed to be wrapped up too quickly and too easily. The only thing that I would have left out or found a different way to handle was the company paying Jess to date River. It felt a little Pretty Woman'ish and a little icky.

My second novel by Christina Lauren and I think it was a solid rom com novel!

You really can't go wrong with a Christina Lauren read, and this one was by far their best work. Love that it was slightly different from their previous work. Yet just as charming and feel good as you would expect.

Cute, fun, sweet, and sexy! A perfect summer vacation read. Definitely an improvement over their last book Holidaze.

I loved this book so much! The authors included science and math puns and a nerdy heroine, which I adored. As usual, Christina Lauren doesn't disappoint with a well paced plot and an accurate depiction of single motherhood. This book was a lot of fun!