Member Reviews
I have loved Christina Lauren for a very long time so when I was approved for this book, I screamed. This book was so genuinely sweet and surprising. CL books are always good when you want something sweet, something to make you laugh, and something that you can get through relatively quickly, but without feeling like you're missing anything and Soulmate Equation does all of that.
I loved Jess as a character--her single mom struggles (relatable), her frustration with dating, her desire to just find something (or someone) understandable. I loved all of it. The witty banter that is classic CL style is embedded throughout and I often found myself laughing out loud, literally, while reading. I think it's fun to have main characters who are nerdy for once instead of the alpha male central role that dominates romance a lot. It was really fun to watch them grow into each other, if that makes sense.
The pacing is perfect, the characters are charming, and the story is unique from anything else they've written. I continue to love Christina Lauren novels and this one is no exception!
I recently finished the Soulmate Equation a few days ago and this book was easily one of the cutest reads of 2021 so far! As a fan of Christina Lauren for quite awhile (some faves being the unhoneymooners + autoboyography) I knew I would absolutely adore this book.💛
This book follows Jess Davis, a single mom, who stumbles upon a new DNA based matchmaking company called GeneticAlly. (Get it 🤣). The concept of a matchmaking company based on one’s own DNA, easily got me hooked. The concept was just so unique and different from other “match making” based plots I’ve read in the past. Besides this, the chemistry between the main character and love interest was 🔥 It was enemies to lovers,, so I meaaan,, ofc I loved it😌 Jess also had an amazing support team consisting of her grandparents, best friend Fizzy and adorable daughter, Juno. I loved the interactions between all of these characters and ofc Fizzy and Jess’ opinions on our beloved Americano 😉
If you are a fan of CL’s books or want a fast / fluffy read, this book will not disappoint!!
-thank u gallerybooks + netgalley for the arc!
As with most Christina Lauren books, I found the Soulmate Equation enjoyable and easy to read and like. I thought the premise was interesting and liked the non-typical setting, I would definitely recommend this to those who enjoy easy-to-read romances.
Thanks to Netgalley for an advance copy
Romance is not my usual genre, but I did enjoy this one. I loved the support Jess has from most of her family, but was annoyed with her relationship with her mother. The premise of DNA determining your soul was interesting. However, I felt some parts were a little cheesy..
These characters were really adorable and my biggest complaint is that the book wrapped up too quickly -- I really wanted to read more. Maybe a sequel? :) The side characters were great, too. I'd really like to see Fizzy get her own book. The chemistry and tension between the two main characters were really well written. Although, the resolution may have come a little too simply, ultimately I didn't care because I just really wanted these two to be together.
Not my favorite Christina Lauren, but a solid romance between single mom Jess who is too busy for romance and scientist River who just might be her scientifically verified soulmate. Sweet and a little spicy. Great to see a single mom romance, and full of great side characters.
I enjoy getting my hands on whatever Christina Lauren writes. The Soulmate Equation had an interesting premise that reminded me a bit of Kismet, by Luke Tredget. The concept that a number could determine a couple's lifelong success is fascinating.
The story took a while to build up to the heart and when the conflict came in, it was resolved quickly because it was so close to the end. The characters were good, however, and I liked Jess's relationships with her grandparents, best friend, daughter (who sounded really cute), and--of course--River. The science talk got to be a bit much at times, though. I couldn't wrap my head around what they were saying. There were some really sweet moments that I enjoyed a lot. Now I want Fizzy to have her own book!
Movie casting suggestions:
Jess: Sofia Black-D'Elia
River: Justin Baldoni (I pictured him right away!)
Fizzy: Anna Akana
Nana: Dianne Wiest
Pops: Richard Jenkins
Jamie: Pauley Perrette
It was an intense, emotional, and captivating love story. I was invested from the very beginning and truly enjoyed these characters. I definitely recommend this book and hope we get more stories from it.
Advance copy received through NetGalley for my honest review.
The Soulmate Equation is another solid romance from Christina Lauren and one of my favorites of theirs because it borders on the edge of practical with enough steam to keep it in the romance category. I loved that this book featured an independent, smart, strong mom lead with Jess. I loved her spunky daughter Juno as well. Love interest River is swoonworthy, but also not without his faults. There's a bit of enemies to lovers here, but not in a way that makes you think the characters are pretentious jerks, so it's easy to root for them. My favorite character was Jess' friend Fizzy, who adds so much comedic relief and fun into the book and Jess life. I could have easily read 100+ more pages of their antics!
I also found the concept of compatibility being a part of our DNA. After reading The One earlier this year, and seeing the more negative sides of DNA match potentials, the Soulmate Equation was a refreshing read and It'll be interesting to see if our future includes DNA matches/dating sites. I'm skeptical but intrigued!
At this point it's just a given - If Christina Lauren writes it, I want to read it. I don't have to worry if it will be good or not, because it will. They just know what they're doing. And The Soulmate Equation is no exception.
I loved Jess and River, I love the kooky family unit that Jess has created, and I don't have a bad thing to say about this book!
What if you could take out all the guesswork and know for certain that you’ve found your one true love? Like a DNA test that can tell you under scientifically calculated terms who you’re meant to be with?
When single mom Jess Davis is genetically matched with the surly hot guy who frequents her coffee shop, she scoffs at the results — an unprecedented 98% compatibility rating. And since said surly hot guy is also one of the founders and chief scientist of the company that matched them, it’s in everyone’s best interest to pursue the results if just for the pure marketability of it. The two agree to embark on a series of dates and interviews to get to know each other and see what happens. Are we really genetically engineered to be linked with a specific person?
While this idea of DNA matchmaking isn’t new (John Marrs’ The One comes to mind, especially with the Netflix adaption just released), this interpretation of events falls into the sweet adorable romcom variety that Christina Lauren excels at. I loved it!
Thank you @netgalley, @gallerybooks, and @christinalauren for the advanced copy of this book! The perfect #beachread, this book will be released on May 18th so pre-order now!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren / Pages: 368 / Genre: RomCom / Release Date: May 18, 2021
I loved this book so much. The scientific aspect was fresh and interesting and Jess was an amazing mother. I loved getting to know her family and River.
Thank you netgalley for the ARC
I really wanted to love this book since I found the premise to be so interesting. The plot was a little far-fetched, but still engaging and thought-provoking. The major problem here is that a plot like this requires the characters to be likeable, and I didn't like Jess or River. There was so much promise here but in the end it just fell flat.
The Soulmate Equation is a witty romcom filled with science, romance writers, an adorable 7 year old, dating apps, and spice. I loved Jess and River and their chemistry! (Hehe science) I am not normally a science person but I loved the numbers and science of this book! It was fun to see their relationship through the lens of data. The spice was the perfect amount and I enjoyed the supporting characters! I will be recommending this to everyone!
Christina Lauren is an author duo I adore...half of the time. I really really love the super sexy books, but the tamer books are just not for me (except for Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating, I would die for that book)
This newest book is cute, quick to read, fluffy, funny, and predictable in the way I want in a romance novel. I love a nerdy science heroine, and there was a feeling of fake dating/enemies to lovers, which is always fun. The side characters are excellently written, as always. The concept of the story is really fun. Overall, a fun read, but not my favorite Christina Lauren.
I was 100% over the moon to get this ARC from @netgalley and now that I've read it, I can honestly say it surpassed all expectations! I could have read it one sitting because I could not get enough of River and Jess! Christina Lauren, the dynamic author duo, have done it again!
Jess is a single mom and lives for her daughter Juno, data analysis and statistics. River happens to be the dark, brooding coffee drinker she sees every morning at her favorite coffee show. Oh, and also the founder of a genetics based dating company that touts being able to find your match via genetics.
On a whim, Jess sends in her sample and her and River match with an unheard of 98% compatibility. What follows is pure romance gold: RIver, the brooding grump, is a perfect nerd-romance leading man. Jess is a devoted mom trying to giver her daughter the life (and mother) she never had. All while trying to find her person, caring for her child, working, and keeping up with aging grandparents.
If you're on the fence, don't be... pick this one up ASAP!
Once again, I have stayed up past 1am finishing a Christina Lauren book. I loved the characters in this one. Although I'm not a fan of dating apps, and wasn't sure that this plot would hook me, of course these ladies did it again. This book was interesting *and* sexy. What more could you want?
Jess is a single mom and a freelance statistician, and her dating life has been almost nonexistent since her daughter was born 7 years ago. Her romance novelist best friend gets her a DNA kit from a new company that could match her with someone genetically proven to be her soulmate, and she decides to go for it. She’s already hit rock bottom, so what’s the worst that could happen? But, as Jess well knows, numbers don’t lie. And when she finds out that her perfect match is none other than the jerk she sees at her local coffee shop each morning, Jess has to decide whether she wants to pursue a relationship or risk losing her soulmate for good.
This book has three of the best tropes in the romance genre: soulmates, fake dating and enemies to lovers. Christina Lauren are my all-time favorite romance novelists, and they’ve honestly done it again. It’s such a feel-good, lighthearted romance that just gave me the warm fuzzies. My very, very minor critique is that the main character was very ... well ... thirsty. It made me slightly uncomfy at the beginning, but I was more than happy to read the intimate scenes as Jess and River’s relationship grew and developed. Overall, though, great book! 4/5 stars!
There were highs and lows with this book. I enjoyed the family themes but the romance was a bit lacking. The main characters seemed forced to me, and they weren’t authentic. I wanted to love this story but unfortunately it was just meh overall. In terms of the DNA plot line, I was initially intrigued, but it fell flat as well. It was an easy read and I was invested in finishing but needed more. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
This book is the fourth one I’ve read by the writing duo, Christina Lauren, and I’d say it’s my favorite out of the bunch. What stands out with this romance novel is the premise is so darn intriguing. Part of the fun in reading this book is contemplating whether your genetic code might be the key to finding your soulmate.
Single mom Jess Davis works as a freelance statistician. She's only been on a few dates since the birth of her young daughter, Juno. Jess and her friend, Fizzy, frequent a neighborhood coffee shop. A handsome man they have nicknamed "Americano" comes in to place an order every day. They finally talk to him one day and that's when they find out his name is Dr. River Pena and he works for the DNA-based matchmaking company, GeneticAlly. Basically a group of scientists compare your genetic code to other test subjects and have a point system that indicates how likely you are to be a good match. The higher the points, the better odds a long term romantic relationship could be successful. If Jess submits her DNA to the company, what could happen? Will she find a good match?
The concept of this DNA based matchmaking company is fascinating and it makes you wonder if something like this is in our future. For the most part, the science stuff in the story is easy to understand on a basic level. You certainly don't need to be genius to get the gist of it.
At one time or another most of us have given some thought to the term soulmate and whether that special someone is truly out there. And that's why this premise works so well because its combining science with that natural curiosity. What if it were this easy to find the love of your life? It would significantly reduce all that time spent on awkward or downright horrible first dates as the science is essentially giving you a heads up as to who will pair up best with you.
I enjoyed the story and thought the characters had good chemistry. However, it felt like something was missing which prevented it from being an awesome read. River wasn't a fully fleshed out character in my view. I think there was more to tap into when it came to him. To be honest, this is just teeny tiny criticism as this is a nice romance novel I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to other readers.