Thank you for the opportunity to review this novel.

It's always so exciting when Christina and Lauren comes out with a new book! Love this author duo.

I actually read this one in day because I couldn't put it down! Love the premise and River... Jess was great too but I got frustrated with her relationship with her mother. At the end I thought things were a bit far fetched.

Overall I would say this novel is one of their better ones, but The Unhooneymooners are my favourite!

The Soulmate Equation was a fun romance that I flew through. I enjoyed the characters and the storyline. There were even certain phrases that reminded me of The Hating Game, which I also loved. Some of the science parts of the story were lost on me but that didn't affect how much I was able to enjoy it.

Sweet and nerdy. The story follows Jess a freelance mom and statistician. Jess sort of by chance joins a genetic matchmaking app and gets paired with one of apps creators. At first, it’s an unlikely match but that soon changes.
The nerdiness of the characters seemed balanced and realistic. I appreciated that Jess loved statistics and it wasn’t a flaw or the reason she was single. It was a positive part of who she was. Likewise, River was a scientist and a bit of a workaholic, but his job wasn’t the entire root of his problem. It made the love story easy to fall into. I kind of wish it would have been a little longer with maybe a little more back story but overall it was sweet enjoyable book.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

I am a fan of Christina Lauren books and their newest doesn't disappoint. Dating apps have evolved where your DNA can find your soulmate. Single mom Jess reluctantly joins and receives the highest match ever seen with the found Dr. Pena. She receives an offer she can't refuse to see where that match leads. This book was fun, predictable, easy, and an escape for a few hours.

ARC thanks to #NetGalley.

The dynamic duo that is Christina Lauren has done it again! The Soulmate Equation poses some really interesting questions about what would we do if sequencing our DNA could predict who our soulmate is. Would we believe the science or would we be skeptical like our Jess, our Heroine? I could not put this book down. The plot was compelling, there were some fantastic comedic moments, and characters that are easy to fall in love with.

Jess Davis is a single mom and a statistician whose parents aren't in her life, but that's okay because her grandparents help her raise her 7-year-old daughter Juno. She is convinced she doesn't have time to date - until she hears about the GeneticAlly, a DNA-based dating company - and is intrigued. However, she is a 98% match with the company's founder, and can't quite wrap her head around it. Is it be too good to be true? Christina Lauren does it again - I was sucked in from beginning to end.

4.5 stars
What a fun read- can you find love through a DNA test? Loved the characters and even though the story was a little predictable, it still made me smile. If you're looking for an easy, fun love story, this one is for you.

The was a refreshingly different type of romance- yes it had all the elements one wants but the base premis was unique and that is the refreshing part. I didn't feel like I was rereading a story we've all heard before just told a different way- this was new from start to finish. It makes you think- is it possible? Could this really happen? Are there people out there already working on something like this? Wouldn't shock me if they did, but also wouldnt' shock me if totally not possible. And that's the gem of this- it's believable. Light, and will reach a range of customers.

The Soulmate Equation was everything I was hoping and expecting it to be- sweet, funny, sexy, predictable in the way that doesn't irritate but satisfies.. all things a light chick lit or beach read should be.

Frankly, I enjoyed everything about it, and will be reading other books by these authors (yes, Christina is one person and Lauren is another!)

4.5 stars. :)

Thank you so much to the publisher and Netgalley for a galley edition of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I love Christina Lauren books and this one did not disappoint! It had the witty dialogue, great cast of characters and sizzling chemistry. I really felt the connection between Jess and River. I loved the relationship with Jess and Fizzy as well as her grandparents and daughter, it kept everything a little more grounded and not so fantasy love story. Fun read, will recommend to all my romance lovers out there.

Single mom Jess is totally devoted to her young daughter, her aging parents, her friends, and her career as a self-employed statistician. Yet -- if love came into her life, she'd welcome it. Enter River Pena, an executive with the exciting tech startup GeneticAlly, which aims to match people up by compatible DNA. Jess and River end up having an extremely rare high compatibility match, and that makes them the focus of lots of media attention, and Jess in convinced to pose as River's girlfriend to help promote GeneticAlly's business. Turns out there are some glitches in the DNA data, which causes a glitch in their relationship. We truly care about these appealing characters and want them to end up happily ever after. Great book that I am looking forward to recommending.

Another winner from Christina Lauren!

There is new tech on the block, and it is a DNA compatibility testing kit by new start up company, GeneticAlly. Dr. River Peña is one of the developers of the DNA test, and when he scores highly with another of the company’s customers (98% compatibility!), of course the first thing the publicists think is dollar signs as the launch of the new company looms closer.

Jess Davis is a freelance statistician, single mom, and the other half of the 98% compatibility pair (called a ‘Diamond pairing’). When she is approached about dating River for publicity of GeneticAlly and their new launch, she is skeptical. When the company offers her money to date him, she can’t refuse. The two start off pretty rocky, but as they start to get to know each other, sparks fly, but can a lasting relationship really be built on a genetic match?

I loved this fresh look at internet dating based on the scientific method! The romance was amazing as usual with Christina Lauren, but we also get to explore some complex ideas with the DNA aspect of the matching. A feel good read with lots of math and science goodness that will make the geekiest heart pitter patter!

Thank you to netgalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

Yes!

I so enjoyed this book by the dream team Christina Lauren. Not gonna lie, they've been a bit hit or miss for me lately but this one I'm happy to say I devoured in one day and can't stop thinking about it. It's more in the chic lit rom com area than the smutty sexy area, but I didn't mind that. It was a sweet romance that didn't have a lot of hot and heavy scenes (sad) but was romantic enough and kept my interest so I didn't mind (yay!)

Jess is a single mom who, on a whim, spits into a tube to find her soulmate. Little does she know she's perfectly matched up to the company's number one scientist and sorta asshole, River. The set up? Spend time together in the name of science before the company launches of course! And sparks fly.

I really like how Jess does not like River. I mean, really does not like River. And sorry but yeah, he's kinda a jerk. It's a perfect enemies to lovers set up as River and Jessica both drop their guards and get to know each other as people. Their chemistry felt a little forced at first, but once the story got going, it was very easy to imagine them together. I love Jess's background and how family oriented she was. I also really liked River's sisters who gave him a lot of humanity. I wish there were more scenes with them!

There is some drama at the end and I'm happy to say it was completely and totally believable. Not drama for drama sake. I don't want to give anything away, but it was very satisfying to see these two characters face hurdles and overcome them.
This book was so much fun, I can't wait to buy it for my friends.

Really lovely characters! particularly Juno. The humor was wonderful but I really was left wondering what number they had! All good wondering though.

I love Christina Lauren books. They are the perfect blend of angsty, romance, love, and great dialogue. In the Soulmate Equation, while not exactly believable, the use of DNA and some data science as a way of finding your true love is a fun take in the age of dating apps!

2.5 stars

I was very disappointed to find that after really enjoying the beginning of this book, it only went downhill from there. I'll start with my positive thoughts: I couldn't get enough of the beginning! This book has a really unique premise and I was racing through the beginning because I was so excited to see what would happen. I really loved the main characters (especially Fizzy) and I liked the love interest, River Peña. The story started off with River and Jess (mostly Jess) not liking each other, and it was fun to read and imagine how on earth they would feel about their impending high match. Here is where I felt the story started to deteriorate.

To me, it felt like as soon as they got their 98 and briefly spoke, they lost all their previous animosity and began to develop feelings for each other FAR too quickly. Everything in this book felt rushed, and I can't understand why. WHY couldn't their story keep their animosity a bit longer, or at least hold off on their feelings? At some point in the book, the main character said they were "fake-dating" which was laughable because almost immediately after they began "fake-dating" they were attracted to each other and got along SO well. They didn't actually have any qualms about being together like there usually would be in fake-dating, so please don't go into this expecting that. It took any suspense/anticipation from the book because almost immediately they are very into each other. Obviously, I won't spoil what happens, but the ending of this book felt VERY messy/rushed. I was getting whiplash from how quickly they forgave each other and the book basically just ended right afterward. It felt like that would usually happen in any other romance book and there would be at least 25 pages afterward to neatly end the story, but here we got maybe 4 and it was just done.

I also had a problem with the steam ( or lack thereof) in this book. I have come to realize that Christina Lauren have moved away from their previous steamy romances, so I didn't expect much going into this, but I was still disappointed. It felt like there was some promise of steamier scenes, like the main character would talk constantly about what she wanted to do to River and how much chemistry they had, but then the scenes themselves were SO tame. Maybe I sound ridiculous, but it was so annoying being told multiple times how strong their connection/chemistry was and not getting ANY of that from the very brief sex scenes. It made me even more frustrated with this lacking story and was one less positive thing about this book. I ended up finishing this book with pure will (and love for Fizzy) and felt very underwhelmed.

What do soulmates and genetics have in common? Apparently quite a bit. GeneticAlly claims to have found a way to predict compatibility by comparing genes of two samples after a simple spit into a cup by its donors. Can it really be so simple? On a whim single mom Jess Davis submits her sample following pressure from her bestie and after a particularly hard day. Sample submitted, she didn't think much of it. Until her results were returned with a 98% match--the first time such a close match happened in the company's history. This may change everything.

To add another twist, the match is to the company's founder Dr. River Pena, who she has seen daily for the past two years at her favorite coffee shop. And she can't stand him. How can she possibly share a 98% compatibility with this man? But maybe there is more to him than meets the eye...

Christina Lauren books never disappoint and this one is no exception. This book was funny, smart, and a feel good story. It was also difficult to put down! I highly recommend the Soulmate Equation. A special thanks to Gallery Books for an advanced reader copy.

My first two experiences reading Christina Lauren caught me hook, line, and sinker. While I've enjoyed others they've written since, nothing has brought about those same The Unhoneymooners and My Favorite Half-Night Stand feelings.
Until Now.
The writing is what you expect from a typical Christina Lauren. There's a funny, quirky supporting character - in this case, Fizzy - who sometimes shines brightest on the page. There's witty banter and funny, cringey snapshots. And there's a heroine to root for with a yummy hero.
I wouldn't say this is anything necessarily innovative. It is a rom-com, after all. But it's completely charming. I will definitely be enjoying a re-read in the near future and I can't see how it won't be one of my favorite reads this year.
Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.

The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren was the perfect pick for a beach trip I took and it did not disappoint. The character development of Jess and River along with friends and family was perfectly played out. I found myself smiling, swooning and cheering throughout several chapters and had a hard time putting it down so I could take in the beauty of the ocean in front of me. It is an easy read and has some beautifully written, steamy scenes.
I took one star off as I thought the ending felt rushed and somewhat unfinished. As an example, I would have liked to have read more about Jamie as no one could really believe that she would just “go away” and an interaction between her and River would have been interesting to say the least.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Gallery Books for the opportunity to read this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. I look forward to reading more books by the same author.

Thank you to Gallery Books and Netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Do you believe in true love? What if you're genetically disposed to be someone soul mate?

According to Jess, only 26% of women believe in true love. Jess is living her life as best she can. A single mom to 7 year old Juno, at times, she is barely holding it together, but the one bright spot in her day is watching Mr. Americano grab his coffee from Twiggs coffee shop.

When a new matchmaking service emerges using cutting edge DNA technology, no one is more surprised that Jess to find out that not only is River (Mr. Americano) the creator of the company, he's also her 90% diamond match. Prickly, but shy, River keeps Jess at arm's length as the two enter into a fake relationship to help publicity for GeneticAlly.

I really enjoyed this new one from Christian Lauren. I loved how both River and Jess fought the relationship at ever turn, but slowly gave into their desires as time went on. River's personality was adorable, being shy at first, but proving his feelings to Jess through help and good deeds without batting an eye.

The supporting characters have my heart. I loved Juno so much and her facts about giraffes, roller coasters and snakes at the funniest points were adorable. I also LOVED Fizzy, Jess's BFF. Not only was she hilarious, making dead-pan comments then scribbling in her notebook, she would also do anything for Jess, including pushing her to get over herself and just give into love.

The book also touched on the hardships of being a mother. Jess's mom was a piece of work and I loved how she tried so hard not to repeat history with Juno. But her mom guilt and struggle to be everything for everyone was so relatable and refreshing to see in a novel.

While I still love Christina Lauren's earlier work best, this a fun book with a truly unique plot!