A cute, fun, slightly messy and perfectly imperfect take on contemporary romance.

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the ARC.

This is my favorite CL title so far. The science aspect is fascinating. Jess and River know each other by sight from their daily coffee shop overlap. A new dating app that pairs people with matches based on DNA (definitely a lighter version of "The One".) I must confess that my absolute favorite character was Juno, Jess's 7-year-old. The romance takes a while to get off the ground, but then takes off like a rocket ship. You know the crisis is coming. How will it affect the relationship? The company? Definitely would recommend this to fans of "The Kiss Quotient" and "The Wedding Date." Spice level = medium.

Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I'm a fan of this authors and loved her earlier books. The characters were likable, and there was some familiar witty banter, but it took a bit to get the story moving and remain engaged.

Jess is a single mother who begrudgingly participates in a dating site based on dna matches. She discovers she is a match with on the sites owners and is hesitant to believe the findings could be real. River, who is one of the founding scientist, also has the same reservations. But to River, the findings are based on science and he cannot ignore that the two could be a viable match. They decide to explore the experiment to get to know one another and true feelings begin to develop. As they let their guard down and jump into their newfound relationship, a shoe drops and both have to make decisions about their future.

The story was entertaining and River and Jess were interesting characters. I enjoyed the supporting characters and really wanted more from their point of you.

This book is just perfection! I loved Jess, River, and Juno so much. Jess and River's chemistry was fantastic, Jess's parenting was so damn cute and admirable, and River Nicholas's relation with June Merriam was just the cutest thing ever. These characters and all the relationships in this book just felt so real. Fizzy and Jess's relationship was relatable and funny.

The entire concept of using your DNA to find a perfect match is wild and kind of scary to think about. I love how this book took that idea and both ran with and challenged it throughout the story.

This book, while including a sizzling romance, is about so much more than finding your soulmate. The family dynamics in both Jess and River's families were great to read about. Jess's anxiety over being the perfect mom and granddaughter not only added to her character but also helped make her relatable. Her fraught relationship with her mom added to the conflict but also made me was to jump into the story to defend Jess. River's relationship with his sisters was so authentic and adorable and helped make him feel a bit more dynamic. The characters, plot, and conflicts were all well-developed and helped make this book really immersive and interesting.

This is definitely one of my favorites from Christina Lauren. It just felt so realistic and kept a stupid smile on my face throughout almost the entire book. What more can you ask for?

Jess is a mathematics whiz. She raised by her grandparents who now help raise her daughter Juno. She has been left behind so often that she has a hard time trusting people. When she hears about the new DNA-based company that combines DNA with dating and finding soulmates she's a little skeptical. Her friend Fizz convinces her to give it a try. When her test shows a 98% match with Dr River Pena, a founder of the company who is stubborn, stuck up and definitely not soulmate material or is he?

A refreshing new look at fake dating and enemies to lovers is a huge win in my book. Those are two of my favorite plot lines when it comes to romance. This is a laugh out loud funny storyline with unique and authentic characters. I loved the slow build relationship between Jess and River and it had just the perfect amount of steam for me. Certain parts were a bit predictable but the story is still very enjoyable and I would love to see it play out on the big screen!

Cute, engaging, unputdownable. Cheese upon cheese, but you know what - I’m fine with it. Not my favorite of theirs but I really enjoyed the two main characters and their chemistry.

This is now my favorite of this authors' books. I loved the characters and the premise of the book was unique. A dating app that uses DNA to match their clients and it made for a cute enemies to lovers story. This would make great summer reading! Thanks to Netgalley for this review copy.

This is my favorite Christina Lauren book so far. I had read a few that just weren’t for me but there is such a big fan base, I decided to try again and I’m glad i did. This one was a lot of fun. I loved all the secondary characters as well.

Every Christina Lauren book is a five star read in my book and The Soulmate Equation is no different! Highly recommend this sweet story of a single mom with no interest in dating who, on a whim, sends her dna into a new service that could match her with her soulmate....and it works....but her match is someone she's already familiar with, and not too keen on.

4.5 Stars

Well, this book was positively delightful! When I first came across it, I got Big Bang Theory vibes from the title and blurb. And while it didn’t turn out to be quite that nerdy, it still satisfied my nerd-loving heart. The premise was a fun twist on internet dating. Taking it up a notch from your standard questionnaires to find matches, instead, it incorporates genetic testing to find your soulmate. It’s a very intriguing concept! I can certainly understand why data and statistics loving, Jess Davis would want to give it a try. Being let down time and again in her life, she’s been hesitant to let anyone new in but GeneticAlly’s scientific approach to finding a match is something she can get behind. What she didn’t expect is to be matched with the company’s founder, River Pena, who she knows as the arrogant man who wouldn’t even give her the time of day when their paths cross daily at the coffee shop they both frequent. But not only are they a match their DNA also produced the highest number ever recorded. As they’re shoved together and presented as the new face of marketing for the company ahead of their big launch, will they overcome their mutual dislike of each other and discover that the science had it right?

This book had a really great cast of characters. Jess was hard-working, loyal, and a fantastic mother to her young daughter, Juno. She intentionally keeps her circle/support system small, in order to avoid being burned again. Her tribe mainly consists of her grandparents and her best friend (who was fantastic!), Fizzy. Despite busting her butt to make ends meet, Jess has a pretty good thing going and so it’s understandable why she’d be hesitant to bring River into the fray once they learn of their score. I loved getting to know River more, finding out what made him tick and the reasons he could come off as arrogant and aloof. If you’re into hot nerds, I think River will check all the boxes!

The story was mostly light and fun with a twist toward the end that created just a bit of angst. I wasn’t expecting the twist but I loved it. And I was really pleased with how everything turned out. If you’re looking for an easy, feel-good read, I think you should give this one a shot!

I'm obsessed with anything Christina Lauren writes, but this one was SO spectacular! Reminded me of a more fun version of THE ONE. Sometimes I felt that the love interest was a little bit rude and it was kind of glossed over. But I loved this one regardless!

Statistician and single mom Jess can't help it if her eyes wander to the handsome but grumpy businessman she sees every morning at 8:24 a.m. at the coffee shop where she meets her best friend before work. Aside from his looks, there's nothing about him she finds attractive. When she learns his company is building a matchmaking service based on genetics, she's not interested. But her BFF convinces her to give it a try. After all, Jess hasn't had a serious boyfriend since her daughter's father informed her he had no desire to be a dad and signed away his parental rights.

To Jess's shock, after she does the cheek swab thing, it turns out she's a match with coffee shop guy. (River. His name is River. How could such a buttoned-down guy have such a cool name?) In fact. not only are they a match—they've got the highest compatibility score of any couple in the company's history. Reluctant at first, she finally agrees to date him when the company offers to compensate her for her time. If the relationship works out, after all, it will be a huge publicity boost for the company before their stock goes public. Could this man she seems to have nothing in common with really be her soulmate?

I LOVED this book. It started off slow for me—I'm not a big fan of bad date stories or best friends talking about how the other's reproductive organs are going to dry up if they don't let loose and have fun once in a while. But when Jess and River actually started talking to each other, the story picked up quickly. Their chemistry is off the charts, and River's interactions with Jess's daughter will hit you right in the ovaries. So freakin' cute.

The tone of this book falls about halfway between THE UNHONEYMOONERS and TWICE IN A BLUE MOON. It's not laugh-out-loud funny, but it won't make you bawl your eyes out, either. It's light and fun, witty and charming, yet still deeply emotional. So, so good. I can't recommend it highly enough.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Okay, I know I keep doing this, but *THIS* is my favorite CLo book. I read it in a single sitting, which is very unlike me. I usually don't have enough time to read an entire book in a day, but as my husband can attest, I couldn't put this one down. I was also smiling like a weirdo the whole time (which my husband can also verify).

I looooved this premise. I mean, I'm a former researcher and a romance reader/editor. THIS BOOK WAS CLEARLY WRITTEN FOR ME! It also had a fake-dating vibe to it, even though they were actually dating, and everyone here knows that's my catnip.

There were lots of funny and swoony and sweet and not-explicit-but-still-sexy moments, and the supporting cast was really, really great. (Fizzy is A+ BFF material!)

If you love romance, I honestly can't imagine you *not* enjoying this story.

RATING: A

Unfortunately I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I did Christina Lauren’s other books I read. I think one of the reason was I know the test results from the synopsis so it takes too long to get that point. You are 50% into the book still there is no action. I wish it has more mystery or action that could keep me excited and turn the pages. I

Christina Lauren's best rom-com yet! Single mom Jess is constantly trying to make ends meet, and her best friend is begging for her to get back into the dating game. Enter: a DNA matchmaking company? Jess is unconvinced, but the hot coffee shop guy she keeps bumping into of COURSE just happens to be the CEO of the dating company. My favorite parts of this tag-team writing duo are the dialogues between Jess and her best friend Fizzy. I like to think that because the two authors are friends who make up this writing them, this dialogue is authentic to the two of them, and what keeps the novel sparkling and fresh and such a fun read. Of course, the romance is also filled with wonderful tension and genuine emotion; it's just lovely. Pick it up this summer on the way to your vacation spot!

I'm always anxious for the latest release from these ladies, and this didn't disappoint! It was a fun, cute, fast-paced read - exactly what I've come to expect and (usually) love from this author duo. I enjoyed the unique concept of the story. Especially from the perspective of science bringing two adults together, but ultimately they make the decision to be and stay together. Some of the scientific jargon got to be a little much at times, but it's easy enough to skim over.

Thank you @netgalley & @gallerybooks for this #gifted ARC

📝SUMMARY:
You’ve got single mom, Jess Davis out here trying to provide the best life for her sweet 7yo daughter, Juno when she finds out she’s lost one of her biggest clients. Then you’ve got River Peña, aka “Americano” who is one of the regulars at her coffee spot. He happens to also be CEO of a new dating app “GeneticALLY” where it can match you with your potential soulmate. So when Jess decides to turn in her kit (picture a 23andme type of kit), can you guess who comes up as a match? An unseen before 98% match?! None other than the CEO himself.

Let’s talk about what’s to LOVE:
🧬The concept of finding a soulmate through a DNA match
🦸‍♀️Jess, a bad ass mom! Working hard while being there for everyone she cares about
🙆🏻‍♂️River - I can’t even describe how bad I want this man 🤤🤣
👯‍♀️Her BFF Fizzy, that friend you know you can count on no matter what and genuinely wants to see YOU happy
🌶Those swoon worthy scenes minus the 🧀 (I can’t stand the kind that me cringe) these scenes def had that signature CLo spice 👌🏽😅

What I didn’t love:
👎🏽 The sciency parts had my eyes reading gibberish so it went over my head but it was still interesting to think about & at least it was only for a few split seconds.

4.5 stars

Christina Lauren have another hit on their hands with The Soulmate Equation! Romantic, witty, and full of wonderful characters, this book put a smile on my face and had my heart all aflutter.

At first glance, the incredibly scientific concept feels like it would be completely antithetical to a good romance, but it is a testament to the authors' skill that they pull off something this good. I appreciate that they didn't rely on a leading lady that was overly quirky to the point of feeling disingenuous - Jess manages to be grounded and immensely funny at the same time. There were a few odd lines that knocked down the half star for me, but I definitely think that this is one of Christina Lauren's best books of the past few years.

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review!

.This book was exactly what I hoped it would be. The unique storyline was refreshing, and I loved the development of Jess and River's relationship. Plus, I was charmed by every single secondary character! You'll definitely want this one for your summer reading.

🚨New Release coming from Christina Lauren, May 18th. When a new book comes out they are a must read for me and never disappoint! They are quick, fun and rom com at it’s finest.

“The Soulmate Equation” 🧬was no different. Jess is a single mom feeling kinda lonely so she decided to take the DNA test that can maybe find her soulmate. Little did she know that she would have a 98 % match with the app developer, River. So for PR and their own curiosity they decide to get to know each other. Will a dna test decide their destiny or will they have a choice in their future? Are there even such things as soulmates? Jess and River take you on a fun journey either way and worth the read.

#julesbookshelf #arc #christinalauren #thesoulmateequation #netgalley #18 #romcombooks #booksofinstagram