This might be one of my favorite Christina Lauren books I have read and I have pretty much read them all! It had a completely different premise I have never read before and I was here for every second of It! I fell in love with all the characters and was rooting for Jess and River the whole way! The relationship he made with Juno was beautifully laid out. Great job ladies! I can’t wait for what is in store next.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

Jess is a single mother to seven-year-old Juno and a data statistician who works hard to provide for her daughter and make ends meet. She lives across the street from her grandparents, who raised her and now help with Juno. Content with her life, Jess has no interest in dating, and when she is convinced to try a new dating app, she is more interested in the data behind it than the actual matchmaking. She never expects to find a match.

River is the founder GeneticAlly, a matchmaking app that uses DNA to match its customers. He is shocked when Jess’s DNA proves almost perfectly compatible with his. Determined to use this rare match to his advantage, River’s company convinces Jess to “date” him, which, in turn, promotes the success of GeneticAlly.

Neither expects to fall in love. They can barely stand each other. Jess is stunned that this grumpy scientist could be her soul mate, even if he looks like Keanu Reeves. Jessica is certain the data is faulty and agrees to date River so that she can fully analyze the situation. However, both might just realize that GeneticAlly’s compatibility matching is more accurate than expected.

Jess is a fantastic protagonist. A loving mother and granddaughter and a great friend, Jess is the kind of person I’d want to hang out with. She’s smart and a bit skeptical, and she doesn’t trust easily, which makes sense considering how people in her past hurt her. The sting of rejection and abandonment runs deep, and it is difficult for Jess to let people get close to her because of that. However, once they do, Jess loves deeply and fully.

Though I didn’t love River at the beginning of the story, he quickly grew on me. He isn’t the jerk he initially appears to be and instead is more of a shy and awkward man. As Jess gets to know him, she begins to see him for who he truly is too. I love their love story, and though it had many obstacles, I wholly rooted for this couple and their slow-building romance. Often fear, miscommunication, and secrets hinder a relationship, and it’s interesting to see how this couple handles these situations and their feelings for each other. Plus, their chemistry is off the charts! Even when they spar, their attraction and connection are clear.

I also love the supporting characters in the novel, especially Fizz, who is a total scene stealer! She and Jess are friendship goals, and I adore their relationship. Juno is also fantastic, as are Jess’s grandparents. All of the characters are richly developed and add so much to the story. I can easily see a sequel to the book that focuses on Fizz. That would be fantastic!

A fun, original, and intelligent story that will make you feel all the feels, The Soulmate Equation is perfect for readers who enjoy rom-coms and contemporary romance. I also think people who enjoy STEM-related romances will love this one! Some technical and scientific explanations totally went over my head but really made me think about the existential issues involved in genetic matches. Thanks so much to NetGalley, Gallery Books, and Christina Lauren for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

Cute rom-com based on the idea that perfect compatibility may be found through algorithmic matching of two people's DNA. Luckily the bad-tempered owner of the DNA that matches Jess' is an unattached hunk as well. Decently written, a great BFF in "Fizzy" and a nice escape. Don't expect too much from the genetic stuff -- pure hand waving.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book for review. Pub Date: May 18, 2021. Wow. I loved The Soulmate Equation even more than The Unhoneymooners, if that's even possible? Jess and River had amazing chemistry, and I felt so much empathy for Jess throughout the whole book. I also adored the friendship between Jess and Fizzy because it felt reciprocal and supportive. I'm so sad that I finished the book because I wanted to stay in that world, but I'm looking forward to Christina Lauren's future releases!

After reading and enjoying In a Holidaze, I couldn’t wait to read more that Christina Lauren had to offer. The premise of this book is so interesting and different from any other romance I have ever read, and the story was just as good as the premise!

This had a mixture of enemies-to-lovers and fake dating tropes, and it was done so well. River truly infuriated me at the beginning of this book, but by the halfway mark he had me swooning! I laughed, I swooned, I gasped at so many points throughout this story because it was truly that good. And once I hit the halfway point, I truly couldn’t stop reading.

This is a romance, but there are also some tougher topics as well. Being a single parent, having an absent parent, and addiction, to name a few. I personally have never experienced any of these things, but I thought that they were well incorporated into Jess’s story and made me love her as a character even more.

Finally, there were so many great themes as well. Feminism, friendship, family, trust, and love are just a few of the heartwarming themes mentioned throughout the story. Also, I want a friend like Fizzy in my life!

This is my second CLo, but it will NOT be my last!

This book was fantastic! As an avid reader of contemporary romance/romantic comedies, it's exciting to come across one that really stands out among the rest. And, as an avid reader of Christina Lauren, it's exciting to feel like their slump is over!

What I loved:
The enemies-to-lovers trope was executed perfectly.
The main characters *and* supporting characters were all well-developed, unique, and not annoying.
The book was smart, and I think this is what sets it apart from other similar romance novels. Not only was it well written, but the plot didn't feel implausible. It all felt real.

I don't have a single complaint about this book, and I honestly hope we get to see Fizzy star in her own romance.

For fans of:
enemies-to-lovers
Christina Lauren
nerdy rom-coms

A huge thanks to Netgalley and Gallery books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

When I found out about this book I knew I had to get my hands on it ASAP! My two fave romance tropes (enemies/lovers & fake dating) in one book?! I’m here for it. Christina Lauren has out did themselves with this one. It’s so cute & original!! I had such fun reading it. Jess was such a great mom and her willingness to put her child first at the expense of her happiness was just #momgoals . I am glad that she came to realize that it’s ok to do things for yourself and that it doesn’t make you a bad parent to want more! The chemistry between Jess and River was on point.. like how dare they even try to deny it lol. It was so heart warming witnessing them open up to each other and the idea that they really do belong together. I do wish that there was a tad more steam though. I feel like it was a pretty closed door romance. Obviously you know what’s happening but the descriptions are pretty PG-13

I LOVED this book! Jess and River both drink coffee at the same shop every day at the same time for YEAR'S. They finally interact and he invites Jess and her friend to join his research in finding the perfect soulmate based on your DNA. Jess and River each have their nerdy moments over statistics and genetics, and have some hilarious bad science jokes! While everything seems to be progressing you find Jess wondering whether everything is real between her and River, or if the connection is because of a predicted compatibility based on their DNA. I am a nerd for genetics, enjoy some stats, and my favorite trope is enemies to lovers, so this was the perfect romcom for me!

This was the type of enemies to lovers I enjoy the most. There was a perfect amount of banter, annoyance, and sexual tension . The relationship with Jess and River had a believable, natural progression.

This also highlights a relationship between a single mom and her daughter as well as with her own family. This book handled involving a child in a romance in a tasteful way, and I adored all of the interactions with June.

My only complaint is that I desperately wanted a chapter of their first interactions told from River's point of view! I need more River!!!

Thank you so much Negtalley, Christina Lauren and Gallery books for my early copy in exchange for a honest review!!

LOVED LOVED LOVED!!! This is my new favorite novel by this author!! Smart, funny, entertaining! It was so complete and enjoyable!! I never wanted it to end! Full review to come!!

Two data driven scientists not looking for love end up finding it... after spitting in a tube and having their DNA tested and compared against thousands and thousands of other samples?? Sign me up.

This is a classic Christina Lauren for long time fans. Predictable but cute and enjoyable.

I loved this book. The characters where fun and well developed. Is it possible to find your soulmate via DNA test? While the premise of this book is similar to others, it stands alone as a true romance novel. This book is entertaining, heartwarming and one of this duo's best!. Jess is a single mom who works and lives for her daughter. Jess has a best friend named Fizzy who feels that Jess needs to start dating or at least have a couple of quick 'hook-ups'! Of course things never start out smooth and that's where the fun and love truly begins.

I liked this one, but ultimately I found the romance forgettable.

Jess is a single mom and data analyst who has sworn off love. River is a stiff genetic researcher who has developed DNA sequencing that can identify the components that align to romantic compatibility.

When Jess and River's respective DNAs make an unheard of match, they try out a relationship, despite both being very dubious that they could have a lasting love match.

I loved the premise and Christina Lauren clearly did their homework. There was a lot of data and DNA talk, maybe a little too much at times, but it helped make the story more believable. What I found less believable was how fast Jess and River fall in love, especially given Jess's misgivings and history. I'm not a big fan of instalove, and they went from dislike with some attraction to River picking up Jess's kid and taking her to ballet and sleeping over in a matter of weeks. To me, that made the romance aspect forgettable and just ok even though I really liked Jess as a character.

It’s not easy these days to find a romance novel that is unique and special, but this one fits the bill. What an engaging premise with thoroughly relatable and believable characters, especially Juno! Even tho the plot points were somewhat predictable, the premise was more than fascinating enough to keep me reading chapter after chapter. Witty dialogue and vivid emotional descriptions also kept me intrigued page after page.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I have a few favorite Christina Lauren novels and this one is up there. Jess is a single mom with not much time for a love life. When she finally meets the dashing and cold stranger in her favorite coffee shop, she founds out that he is the brain behind GeneticAlly, a dating site based on DNA matching. One a low night, she sends in her dna and matches with River. She is then offered an opportunity and broke single mom cannot afford, but is she actually falling for River. Don't want to include spoilers but this was so sweet.

The Soulmate Equation (Hardcover) by Christina Lauren

This is a different kind of dating app story. River is working on a app that uses DNA to match couples. Jess is a single mom statistician (daughter Juno) and she sees River every morning in the coffee shop she and her friend Fizzy (romance writer) go to everyday to use their wifi to work. They think he's handsome but stuck up. They end up giving samples and she is a 98% match with River. This book is fast moving and funny, there are also tears, angst, deceit, her close family and feelings of being left behind, and plenty of steam. I had a little problem with River toward the end (but I forgave him) and enjoyed their HEA.
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Witty Unpredictable Page-turner Romantic Original Tear-jerker Entertaining Wonderful characters Great world building Easy-to-read Funny Happily Ever After Steamy

4.5 stars. Jess is a statistician and single mother who has not dated since her daughter was born. On a whim, she and her BFF submit a sample to a new company matching soulmates based on DNA and genetics. She is astonished when she is matched with the company's founder, who just happens to be the handsome grumpy man from the coffee shop that she frequents; even more so when the company offers to pay her to date him. This book is funny and a quick read. There were several laugh out loud moments, especially involving the best friend Fizzy. It is somewhat predictable but still a sweet and entertaining story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced e-copy of this book in exchange for a review.

Loved the book right from the start!! Didn’t want to end & wanted to know more about Jess & River’s journey. Jess & Juno gave me some Gilmore Girls vibes, & everyone needs a Fizzy in their life. I always look forward to anything written by these great authors, & this one did not disappoint.

The Soulmate Equation was so lovely, I can't handle it. Christina Lauren is (are) always a must-read for me, but I must admit that the last couple books didn't click with me the way the ones before them did. But this one gave me everything I was missing. And River Nicolas Peña might be my new book boyfriend. This was the perfect amount of fun, heartwarming, and steamy, and I loved every single character (well, you know, except the ones I wasn't supposed to love).

An endearing 5 stars, or 5 hearts. Rom-com is not a go to genre for me but I've loved every Christina Lauren book I've read so far. There's a certain magic, a spark that no other author duo can replicate. The writing is fantastic. The characters feel real and are relatable. The story is fleshed out and paced superbly. The only major hiccup for me was how quickly (or so it seemed) the characters fell in love. There was one other, smaller annoyance but I don't want to spill a spoiler by explaining it. I'll continue to read CL's books as long as the keep making me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a copy. This is my honest review.

The Soulmate Equation makes everything logical out of romance by using genetics to match people up, but just as quickly shows that while checking the right boxes at the DNA level is only as important as the emotions at the full human scale. Jess and her friend Fizzy camp out at Twiggy's, a local coffee shop, everyday and see the same good-looking man come in every day to get his coffee. Said man, River, runs a genetic dating company in beta testing, and comes off as a complete jerk. Which is a problem for Jess when it turns out they're genetic equivalent of soulmates. They seem to go from hating each other to crazy about each other just a little too quickly, and there's moments where it's hard to get past River's inclinations but that's about the only downside to the story. Jess is a great, well-rounded person with a daughter, wonderful parents, a horrible mother, and a best friend most people can only dream about. The story's told only from her point of view which makes it easy to root for her finding happiness as the every woman we all seem to be - especially when she has her down moments.