I absolutely loved this book! I could not put it down. The premise is so smart that I woke up in the middle of the night thinking about it. The characters - Jess and River as well as all the supporting characters were loveable and easy to identify with and the love story was precious! Although the ending was predictable, it was more satisfying than I expected. Pick it up ASAP!!

I read this book it one day- it's just one of those you don't want to put down! The Soulmate Equation is such a fun and easy book to read. It's a unique take on romance and dating and I really enjoy it! I love Christina Lauren's writing, the character development is suburb. I was interested, involved, and rooting for all the characters the whole time, especially River and Jess.

This book is out in May 2021, put it on your to be read list now, I highly recommend it!

Thank you @netgally @gallerybooks and @christinalauren for my arc.

I really enjoyed this one and I also kind of hate that I enjoyed it so much because it was so predictable and simple. But it was also cute and quick and charming, so I'm not really too upset. The premise is simple, the romance comes together fairly quickly, especially considering it looks like it's going to be an enemy-to-lovers romance, and the problem is easily overcome. All of these things are great if you're looking for a quick, easy romance. And there's definitely nothing wrong with that. If you want a lot of soul-searching or character growth and depth, you won't find it here. But you will find a cute set of grandparents, maybe my best friend ever in a book, a cute kid, and a fluffy romance. Also, a lot of nerd talk. There are also brief mentions of parental abandonment, drug use, and a short hospital stay. But this book stays away from anything too dark and is really just an enjoyable, easy-to-get-lost-in book.

*Thank you to NetGalley, Christina Lauren and Gallery Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review*

Suspend belief for a moment and imagine you could submit your DNA and be matched to your soulmate? This is GeneticAlly and the premise of The Soulmate Equation.

Jessica Davis, a single mother who feels her life is missing something. Every day she goes to the coffee shop and spends the day freelancing, while her best friend Fizzy writes her books. Each morning at 8:24 am, they wait for "Americano", the mysterious man who comes and orders a coffee every day. River Pena (Americano) is a scientist who has founded a DNA matchmaking company that is about to go public.

When Jess and Fizzy learn of GeneticAlly, they find an excuse to talk to River and he invites them to come in and give a sample. When Jess sees Fizzy getting lots of matches from her sample, she sends hers in and is shocked when she receives an unheard of Diamond Match with Americano. She cannot understand, when they clash on every level, the validity of this match. When she tells them she believes it is not valid, though a data scientist herself, they offer to pay her $10,000 a month for three months to date River. With her finances dire, she agrees.

Despite their rocky beginning, their first date is magical. There is definite chemistry, and I loved their banter. This book is primarily about the romance between Jess and River, but all the people in Jess' life are wonderful -her grandparents, her daughter, Juno, and her best friend Fizzy—they all show up.

This is a wonderful romance with very little angst. The characters are well developed and the situations are relatable as a single mother.

The Soulmate Equation takes tinder to a whole new level. Jess is a single mom that is trying to get by with the help of her family and friends and River is the broody guy at the coffee shop that has a mysterious career. It’s a fun novel with great characters. I thought the chemistry was so great between Jess and River and also the secondary character. The dialogue was clever and the storyline was fast paced and sweet! I will definitely be rereading it.

The cover and summary drew me in, but once I was there, I was stuck.
The beginning moved at a slow pace. One could argue it was for build up, but I need to be HOOKED, and that didn’t happen here. Then we met River, and he kind of came across as a jerk. But not the enjoyable kind, just a jerk. And Jess. She was so intent on never dating again that her voice became kind of shrill in my mind. Constantly harping on the same things. It was a little annoying. And the last thing I REALLY didn’t like.... all of the science jargon. I felt like I needed to head back to college to finish reading and understanding this book, and that’s not what I thought I was getting into.
Now the highlights of this one? Fizzy, beyond a shadow of a doubt. Actually, just expand that to most of the secondary characters. The storyline itself, the premise behind it all, also a hit. The relationships with Juno.
Overall, this was a swing, and it connected, but I wouldn’t call it a hit for me.

Okay The Soulmate Equation has to be my favorite Christina Lauren book and up there with my top favorite romance books of all time.

River and Jess had everything- the chemistry was off the charts, the drama was believable, but mostly, they had so much heart. I went into this one expecting an easy romance (which I NEEDED during this pandemic so I say that with all of the love) but I got a book with so much heart and soul- not rip you open and make you cry soul but wrap you in a blanket of love soul, Jess' grandparents and daughter, Juno plus her best friend, Fizzy AND River's sisters and the Fuchs- it was so sweet and lovely and a spotlight on the life that I would love to have. I would love to look around me and see so many lovely and supportive people- I truly loved the side characters and what they all individually brought to the table. But back to River and Jess- these two main characters were hesitant in a way that felt deeply honest and real, the things in their path did not feel contrived in any way, and their love was slow but fast and stunning to read.

I enjoyed this one more than I can explain and it was everything I wanted and so much more. I definitely cannot recommend this one enough!

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Christina Lauren and Gallery Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Despite not loving Christina Lauren's previous release, I was very excited to read The Soulmate Equation. The book's premise of using a DNA test to determine compatibility with a potential partner was intriguing to me. I found that the book started a bit slow, but it did eventually pick up along the way. Overall, I found it to be an enjoyable read.

This review comes with a warning. Basically, you shouldn’t read it if you haven’t read the book. And pretend my 4 stars up there is 2.
Bc here’s the deal - I went in expecting...meh. I have loved books by this author (these authors). And I’ve hated them. So my attitude as I went into this was literally “I’m in a reading slump. I hate all the books. I might as well sacrifice an ARC to my mood.” Lo and behold, I enjoyed the heck out of this.
Yes, I skimmed some science. Yes, I thought parts were ridiculous or silly. But...I wanted to read it. I looked forward to picking it up. The story pulled me in.
That means a lot to me. Reading can often seem an obligation - particularly ARCs. I go months without requesting any. I resent them before they’re even started.
This one, however, had that light-hearted magic that had me coming back for more.
All of this said, I think expectations need to be low. Not because the book is crap - but because so many books die on the altar of The Buzz. Everyone’s reading it. Everyone’s loving it. And when you start it you’re rightfully unimpressed. This sweet little book can’t handle that kind of pressure. You’re going to be torqued off if you go in thinking grandiose.
Open this up when you want light and easy that isn’t dumb. And you’re okay being aggravated a little. ;)

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to offer my unvarnished opinion.

I spent 2 years on Plenty of Fish, Bumble, Tinder and OKCupid just looking at profiles until I met my the love of my life. I was holding out for a 90% or better compatibility on OKCupid (and striking out) when I accidentally swiped UP (superlike!) on a not-yet-divorced man on Tinder (a site I barely used, because I was looking for long term, not a quick hookup). Tinder was a stopover for him while he was perfecting a J-Date profile. I'd like to think if we had completed all those tests on OKCupid, we'd be a solid 90% match.

In The Soulmate Equation, single mom statistician Jess has just sworn off dating. She and her best friend work from a local coffee shop, a place where you could set your watch by the attractive man who comes in at 8:24 every morning, face buried in his phone. When it turns out he runs a dating company the finds matches based on genetic compatibility across 200 genomes, Jess and her friend romance novelist Fizzy end up getting a tour, the pitch and sending in a spit sample for a possible match; Jess ends up 98% compatible with the grumpy but hot owner.

The company, poised to go public, offers to pay Jess $30,000 to date River for three months; the match is too good not to share, and a real relationship for the two of them would solidify the data. Jess agrees, so long as her adorable 7 year old Juno is kept out of the PR spotlight. River comes up with the clause they are under no obligation to get physical. Jess and River find themselves ordering the same meals, making similar gestures on their dates, and their chemistry is palpable. River shows up for Jess in all kinds of ways - picking up Juno at school, standing vigil at the hospital after the grandmother that raised her had an accident - but when Jess comes upon some information that could compromise the data, and the company, she can't remain silent, even though she risks losing everything she ever wanted.

San Francisco is a strong presence in the book, and Jess's grandfather's love of crossword puzzles is one of the things that adds depth to the characterizations. Jess's addict mother Jamie keeps everything a little too real. I completely geeked out over all the data science. My only complaint is I would have liked some remaining questions answers.

If my love and I were able to get a genome sequencing, like the characters in the book, would we come out with a strong match? I think so. Would we want to know the results? Again, I think so - it would just prove what I already know to be true.

I received a free copy for review purposes from #NetGalley
#SoulmateEquation

Another 2.5 star read from Christina Lauren...I'm seeing a pattern emerging...

While the premise of finding a soulmate through DNA was interesting, it's been done before, and better in my opinion (check out The One by John Marrs for the same idea with a thriller bent). The plot followed your typical rom-com flow, with nothing unexpected or unique to make it stand out in the sea of similar storylines out there. There's a lot of scientific jargon that made my eyes glaze over and the romance between River and Jess didn't feel authentic to me. I felt way more invested in the secondary characters, and they're really what kept me reading.

Christina Lauren's books have officially become more of a miss than hit for me, so it'll take an eye-catching plot summary and rave reviews to convince me to request the next.

I received this book complimentary from NetGalley but all opinions are my own.

Christina Lauren is one of my favorites of all time. This was no exception. Jess was interesting and smart and unique. Juno and Fizzy were delightful. River was enchanting. The plot was fascinating. The story was well-written and charming. As usual for Christina Lauren. Another excellent book. I will be waiting for the next.

Jess is a single mom who lives a pretty lonely and boring life. River Peña is a scientist who would rather work in a lab than go out and meet people.

River has devised a technique to match people with their soulmate through their DNA. Jess is talked into submitting her DNA by her best friend Fizzy. Turns out Jess and River are the highest compatibility match yet. Can these two introverts get out of their own way to find love?

Jess and River are really great characters. I love how the writing duo Christina Lauren are able to take interesting stories and great characters add a little romance and some drama to boot to come up with wonderful books.

I was provided this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

I very much enjoyed this book. It was charming, funny, and romantic. I really enjoyed getting to know these characters. Jess, River, Fizzy, Juno to name a few. I loved how passionate our nerdy lead characters got when talking about science and statistics! I especially loved the shout out to the pink haired librarian.

One million thank you to NetGalley, Gallery Books and Christina & Lauren for gifting me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion!
Let’s talk about our favorite authors! I read my first Christina Lauren book only last year. I know, I know, WHERE HAVE A BEEN?! The answer? I’ve been seriously missing out is where I’ve been. Since then I’ve been trying to read their older work and devouring their new stuff! Every time I connect deeply with one of their characters I think they can’t make me love their work anymore... and then I read the next book.
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I pre-ordered The Soulmate Equation as soon as I heard it was being released. Imagine my surprise when I hopped on NetGalley yesterday and saw it waiting for me to read! I had requested the book forever ago and completely forget it was even on there. I was 3/4 through an Amazon Unlimited book but I immediately put it down and started to read this one. I stayed up way too late to finish last night and I was excited to share my review... and then I realized it releases in MAY. I’m honestly sad this isn’t available for everyone yet because it was SO. GOOD. I debated saving my review until then but the book is already all over Booksta, so what’s one more early review to raise the hype?
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I honestly don’t know who I loved more in this book. Strong and independent Jess, her hilarious and spunky best friend Fizzy, her smart and sassy daughter Juno or the handsome and brilliant River. I mean seriously, I LOVED this cast. I need to see this movie/show on the screen ASAP. I was dying at Fizzy. She reminded me so much of me with my own best friend. My dear friend is Jess. Responsible, put together and with a filter. Me? Well I’m those first two also, but I may or may not have lost my filter a few years back. Juno was a joy. Sometimes kids in books are written in without their character really getting much page time. Juno had such a fun personality and she really did add the comedic relief you needed!
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I’m such a sucker for a good enemies to lovers trope and I would say there’s a hint of fake dating. Like a smidge. There were a few times I really wanted to lay into River and I loved reading a female lead who did it for me. Jess wasn’t afraid to advocate herself and we love to see it in a romance! We need more strong female leads. River was a tough nut to crack but what was inside was so worth the fight. When I closed this book I may or may not have tears up a little because I just felt so satisfied. 10/10 recommend buying this ASAP!!

O.M.G. I just finished this after binging the last half in one evening, and I came straight here to rave about it....

This is the BEST ROM COM EVER!!!!! 🙌

I can say, without a doubt, that this is my favorite rom com in the entire world!!! I loved every single second of it!!

I fell in love with Chrisrina Lauren last year when I read "The Unhoneymooners." I read a few others over the last several months, and while they were all great, "The Soulmate Equation" is their absolute best work!
This book needs to be made into a movie PRONTO!!!!

Confession: I like rom coms, but I struggle with them sometimes. Too many are cheesy, unrealistic, and I have a hard time not rolling my eyes. 🙈 And rarely do they actually make me laugh. 🤷🏼‍♀️ So I guess you could say I'm picky. But "The Soulmate Equation" is the perfect romantic comedy. No cheese. Tons of humor. I laughed out loud MULTIPLE TIMES!!!! The authors clearly have great senses of humor because it was actually really funny!!
But you know what else? I got teary-eyed as well. This wasn't just a rom com.. there were a lot of deeply moving, emotional moments as well. I *felt* these moments in my bones.

The writing was superb. So smart and witty and well-executed. I actually stopped reading multiple times to point things out to my husband... "You see what they did here?? That is the epitome of good writing!!"

I absolutely adored the characters! Jess was so relatable. I *LOVE* that she was a single mom. I was a single mom for 8 years and I related to soooooo much of what she went through. I thoroughly enjoyed the chemistry between Jess and River. And River... *swoon* 🤤🤤🤤 Fizzy is the greatest... we all need a friend like Fizzy in our lives. Juno is just the coolest kid in the world. There was so much to love, and love it I did!

I will be screaming from the rooftops about this book for years. Thank you NetGalley, the publisher, and Christina Lauren for allowing me the privilege of reading and reviewing this wonderful book. I feel honored to have been among the lucky readers to receive an advanced copy. 💜💜💜

A fun and somewhat different plot, but written like a typical and drawn out light romance. River and Jess are matched through a new type of dating app and romance ensues. I enjoy most books by these authors but this was a tough one for me. I liked it at first, and thought the “older” single mom angle was different and fun too. Unfortunately it bored me once the story got going and I had a hard time finishing.

Christina Lauren books are like brain candy, and I enjoyed this particular treat in one sitting on a lovely weekend afternoon. I loved the way the authors ran their sexy-but-socially awkward River and the brilliant and assertive single parent Jess through the fake dating trope. But some of my favorite moments came from the supporting characters, especially Jess's darling daughter, her supportive grandparents, and her friend who suffers a terrible break-up just as Jess's own relationship is taking off. Much fun.

**I received an ARC from the publisher on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I loved loved LOVED this book!!! I couldn't read it fast enough. I think this is my favorite one that Christian Lauren has written. I'm not even a fan of romance but I absolutely love Christian Lauren's books and especially this one. The Soulmate Equation is a must read!

The duo behind Christina Lauren did it again, another great read! I really enjoyed this book and was absolutely engrossed in the story right from the beginning. It’s a tad predictable but I actually appreciate that in this context. But the characters are developed so well that I was really invested in what happened to them. I also love the banter between Jess and her best friend, Fizzy. Christina Lauren not only do wonderfully steamy sex scenes but I always enjoy how they write female friendships.