Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy of the book.

This is a great pandemic read, quick escapism from the reality of today. The characters are fun and relatable and the story has a "ripped from the headlines" take to it.

While this one did start out a little slow for me, I did really get into it and actually enjoyed this rom com by my favorite duo! Christina Lauren is known for their rom-coms and while sometimes I feel like they have felt flat in the past, I thought the scientific touch put on this one was a change from the usual cheesy rom-com scenarios!

Jess Davis is a single mom to a 7 year old. She lives with her grandparents and has a best friend, Fizzy. While money is tight, Jess Davis seems to be happily living her life. Until her best friend Fizzy decides it's time for Jess to get back into the dating game. However, in putting a modern twist to today's dating scene, Jess gets a test kit from a new company that's about to go public, called GeneticAlly. The company manages to match individuals in their data base solely based on their DNA equations. When Jess' score happens to match in the high 90's (which is unheard of) with another individual, she's shocked to find out it's none other than Dr. River Pena, the creator of GeneticAlly.

Dr. River Pena is as closed off as ever and meeting his own soul mate was not at the top of his list. Their first encounter does not leave the best of impressions. But when he finds out he's matched with Jess, well, it takes on a life of its own.

Of course, there is a twist, like any good rom-com, but it leaves Jess wondering if there match was truthful or if it has been tampered with. And if it was tampered with and this was not based on pure numbers, did River know the whole time? Was he keeping up pretenses for the benefit of his company right before it's about to go public?

I thought it was a great plot to have something different than the usual rom-com scenarios. The scientific references to DNA while did leave me confused, I did find interesting and a breath of fresh air!

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Romance novels are a dime a dozen nowadays. I have read so many myself, there is no way I could count. My top requirements for a romance are they must make me laugh, cry, swoon, and when the book has a little kid, it automatically gets bonus points with me. This book gave me all of that and more.

I have read a few Christina Lauren novels, and this one is by far my favorite. The book description sucked me in. A single mom who comes across a DNA-based matchmaking company? What!? I immediately looked this up by the way, and it IS a real thing. It was so intriguing to me!

I dived right in and fell in love with Jess, her daughter Juno & her best friend Fizzy! Everyone needs a Fizzy in their life by the way. Fizzy is a romance author and Jess does freelance statistical work, so they meet every morning at this coffee shop called Twiggs. This is where they find out about the DNA match making company from one of the baristas and they meet one of the founders, River Pena. Jess is very interested in finding out about this company, so she approaches River and he invites she and Fizzy in to find out about the company and give a couple of samples. Jess' whole world is turned upside down when she finds out she matches an unheard of 98% with River!

River is my favorite kind of hero. He comes across as quiet, stoic, and brooding, but as you get to know him he is just a romantic, loving, guy who is as good as they come. I loved the chemistry between he and Jess, it was off the charts!! I enjoyed how the story unfolded from page one and I devoured it!! I give this book 5 stars and it is going on my shelf to re-read! Not many books fall into this category for me!

Bravo to Christina Lauren for another great romance. Please never stop giving us amazing characters and stories!! You two rock.

I've had fun reading every Christina Lauren book I've come across, and The Soulmate Equation is no different! Jess and River had a rocky (and entertaining start), but I found myself enjoying the novel the most once we got past the meet cute and into the true romance, which absolutely made me swoon! The novel explores the ideas of soulmates and genetics vs choice and emotions, and is absolutely hilarious while doing so! I loved Jess's best friend Fizzy, who is also a romance novelist (I can't help it - I always love writers and readers in books!). And I found myself loving the aspect of Jess being a single mom. Maybe it's because I'm a new mom myself, but I thought the scenes of her daughter bonding with River were some of the sweetest in the entire book.

I definitely recommend this to fans of contemporary romance and romantic comedies! Can't go wrong with these authors!

PS: I got this one on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review :)

This was reminiscent of The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang - using mathematics and science to achieve the perfect romantic match. But using DNA to achieve optimum romantic connecting was a pretty interesting concept to present in a romance novel. I thought the story line was tried and true. Single mom, professionally successful but romantically barren, who finds herself inexplicably matched up with the one man she's deemed too haughty and pretentious to stand. Then, BOOM. They fall head over heels, have mind blowing sex, and everything just falls right into place. Until it doesn't. I thought the conflict was a little meh, but it couldn't have really gone any other way. Funny, sexy, and a good read for when you want some nerd love thrown into the mix.

I ABSOLUTELY loved this book. I think it's their best one yet!

This was a fast read, but mostly because I refused to put it down. I didn't want it to end, I didn't want to continue reading because I knew it would end. Definitely a conundrum.

This author(s), there is just something about the way they write a modern, contemporary romance, and the characters, the supporting characters, you fall in love with them. You want to be their best friends, their neighbors, their dinner party companions.

I really can't say enough good things about this book. Jess and River, gah! The chemistry was palpable from just reading. Imagine being in the same room as them. Oh, wait. They are not real. Ahem.

Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to review this book early because Christina Lauren is quickly becoming one of my favorite romance authors, and I’ll read anything they write!
To start with, the premise of this story was so unique and captivating.
Our main character, Jessica, is a single mom, just getting by -ok- in her life when an opportunity arises to send her DNA in to a company that matches a person’s DNA with his/her genetic “soulmate”.
I really loved how Jessica was nerdy, and she owned it!
Another thing I really enjoyed about this story was the side relationships. Jessica’s grandparents were endearing, her daughter, Juno, adorable, and best friend hilarious. It really rounded out the romance to have such a good supporting cast.
The only thing is that I wanted more of the book! More of the many implications from this DNA matching. And more of the romance between the main characters.
I would for sure recommend this to romance readers, especially those who like fade-to-black scenes because the steamy scenes were minimal and mild (in comparison to most other romance novels).
I’m so happy to have read this and will be recommending.

I've read several books by Christina Lauren and was eager to read this one. It was enjoyable, but not my favorite. I never totally bought in to the concept of the biological matching system so that might have contributed along with the inconsistencies in Jess's financial situation. She struggled for money but always seemed to have extra cash when she needed it? I wasn't sure about that.

Overall, an enjoyable read and I"ll look forward to snatching up new titles by Christina Lauren in the future.

I thought the premise was cute and overall well done. It was a predictable rom com without being overly done. My main complaint was that, while the side stories were representative of real life, there were so many and they weren’t fully explored so they just felt thrown in there. 3.5 stars rounded up.

From the beginning, I knew this book was just what I needed. A light, fast-paced romance with some quirky characters. Jess is a single mother, down on her luck and River is the brains behind the dating app DNADuo, where people are matched together based on the compatibility of their DNA. Imagine their surprise when they match together, even though they don't like one another very much. I really liked the concept of this novel, finding your soulmate based on DNA and an app. I loved seeing how Jess and River navigated the pressures and challenges that came with being matched. And Jess's best friend Fizzy? I loved her! She was the perfect balance to Jess and what a true best friend should be. There is a lot of science and math talk in this one, as both Jess and River have jobs based in those fields. Christina Lauren is one of my absolute go-to's when I need a romance, and this one is in my top 3 of their books. This one releases in May 2021, and this one definitely gets a recommendation for me!

Thank you NetGalley for my ARC copy of The Soulmate Equation. This was a really cute story and I give it four stars. Yes, it was slightly predictable, but the cast of characters made it a fun journey. Three things I loved: how down to earth the characters ended up being, the laugh out loud funny bits of writing, and the overall story of River and Jess. I felt like the book ended a bit abruptly and (no spoilers!), but there is one piece of information at the end I would have loved knowing!

Jess is a single mother to a seven year old and doesn’t really have a dating life because she feels like she is being selfish if she doesn’t devout herself to her child, grandparents, friend, and work. Her friend Fizzy gets her a dna kit for a dating company for Jessica’s 30th birthday. She ends up matching 98% with one of the lead scientists. However, she has met him before she got tested and thinks he is an arrogant jerk. Will sparks end up flying?
I loved how cute this is. I loved the banter and getting to know Jess, River, Juno, and Fizzy. I did find the ending to be a bit slower and not have an enough umph like the first and half of the book. It was still a fun read and one of my favorites by this author duo. I suggest everyone to check this book out on May 18th. Also, I want to thank the publisher, Christina Lauren, and Netgalley for allowing me the chance to read this arc. I usually get declined for their books and I actually squealed when I got approved for this book.

I loved this book. So let's start with the premise: a matchmaking app based on genetic compatibility. River is the lead scientist who ran the studies and invented the algorithm for compatibility. When Jess's friend drags her along to get her profile done, she and River are the highest match that the company has ever had. And wow, are they ever compatible.

I loved both of the protagonists. They are complicated, and they have awesome STEM careers, and they have great families. River's sisters and Jess's grandparents and daughter are so well rounded and fabulous.

I especially loved Fizzy, Jess's best friend. Fizzy writes romance novels (including a series featuring Jess as the villain) and always carries around a notepad for when she is inspired. I always love strong female friendships in books, and this was a great example. And I loved how her character celebrated the romance genre.

Beyond that, this book made me think. It's not usual for me to spend lots of time reading a rom com wondering about genetics and eugenics and the ethical implications of using our DNA to find out soulmate. But I did. I can't say enough good things about this book. It's a new favorite, and River is a new book boyfriend. I'll be preordering a copy because my eARC won't be enough.

Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for the eARC.

Thank you so much @GalleryBooks & @NetGalley for giving me this eARC in exchange for my honest and unbiased review (Release Date | 18 May 2021)

SYNOPSIS | Jessica is a struggling single mother who is a freelance analyst, but has recently lost one of her biggest clients & is struggling financially. She submits her DNA on a whim to a new genetics-based matchmaking service & discovers that she has a platinum match with one of the scientific founders.

WHAT I LIKED:
- a really cool & fresh STEM romance concept that focuses on finding your soulmate through genetics
- the side characters were oh so delightful (especially her daughter Juno & best friend Fizzy)
- the friendship between Jessica & Fizzy was just #goals

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
- i don't think the "enemies" in this enemies to lovers romance was set up as well as it could have been
- that we as the readers don't learn the actual compatibility score (I would be down for this ambiguity if River didn't allude to it being higher than 98%)

Like all of the other Christina Lauren novels, this one doesn't disappoint. The characters are believable as well as the storyline.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of The Soulmate Equation.

I needed a lighthearted read after my usual murder mysteries so I was pleased when my request was approved.

I used to read romance regularly years ago but stopped when the premises began to blur together. That's why I was intrigued by the premise of The Soulmate Equation, the author using the increasing popularity of dating apps as the backdrop to the story.

Jess Davis is a hardworking single mom to a precocious daughter, Juno. She has a great BFF, equally supportive grandparents and a lust/hate thing for the dude who picks up his daily Americano at the coffee shop they both frequent, Dr. River Pena.

When River and Jess' worlds collide as a result of his revolutionary dating app based on genetic compatibility, the both of them soon realize that genetics and data will never explain the most complex of all emotions: love.

Pros:

1. Jess' BFF, Fizzy and her wonderful grandparents
2. Jess is likable, relatable, hardworking, smart and a good mother
3. Diversity of social circle and supporting characters.

Cons:

1. Typical tropes including Jess constantly talking about how hot River is
2. The precocity of Juno
3. Silly, rom-com scenes like when Jess and Fizz are in the library, hiding the newspapers
4. Unnecessary drama between Jamie and Jess, which I felt was added just to add tension
5. I never really believed in Jess and River falling for each other. It was a slow burn, which I appreciate, but I always felt they just had great sexual chemistry, not destined to be soulmates

The writing flowed and there are a few serious moments between Jess and her mother, who struggles with sobriety and drug addiction.

The Soulmate Equation was a good break from the usual genres I read.

When single mom and data statistician Jess Davis takes the new DNA-based matchmaking test to find her soulmate, no one could be more skeptical when she learns she matched at an almost perfect score with GeneticAlly CEO River Peña. He can’t believe it either but as it’s his company, he wants to believe in his science.

Anyone who knows me knows I am an unabashed fan of all things Austen and Austenesque fiction. So when Jess overhears Dr. Peña disparage her looks, declaring her “entirely average”...well, my Mr. Darcy-senses were activated. But, of course, this puts Jess against the brooding, tall, handsome, and aloof scientist at once... No way Peña could be her soul mate! She even describes him to her grandparents:
“Think Mr. Darcy, but without the lovely proclamations. He called me average, didn’t hold the elevator, speaks with less emotional fluency than the Alexa in your kitchen, and doesn’t know a thing about parking lot etiquette.” —Chapter 9.
Boom! I was hooked. (The two other mentions of Austen made me like these characters all the more.)

When GeneticAlly offers her a generous stipend—simply to get to know the handsome Dr. River Pena, see if there is something to the numbers after all—she agrees. However, after only a couple dates, their surprising, natural compatibility and their undeniable attraction shrouded in sexual tension makes her start to believe the science too.
“I don’t know about soulmate, but I’d admit to lust.” She turned her face to the side. His mouth was so close to hers.
River stilled, glanced down at her lips. “Is that right?” —Chapter 12.

She discovers his quiet charm, his thoughtful actions to her and her quirky author friend, Fizzy, and his amazingly generous way with her young daughter, Juno, make her reevaluate her first (and second impressions) of him. Then she learns he wants her too:
“I want to be here to bring you coffee. I want to take you out to dinner and order the same food and hear you recite the odds that we would have met. ... I want to feel like I can kiss you again by your car at the end of the night.” He swallowed. “I want you in my bed.” —Chapter 17.

Warning: Despite all the steam and smart dialogue, Fizzy, Jess’s best friend and bestselling romance author, steals the scene every time she’s on the page. Every time.
“...if you think I haven’t written down every word of this, you’re both high.” —Chapter 25.
Trust me. She’s the ideal best friend.

The writing team of Christina Lauren’s prose is tight, quick-witted, and sprinkled with comic deadpan dialogue yet always with an honest connection. The characters feel alive and the story so unbelievably believable, you can’t help but want it to be real. The passion between River and Jess is white hot even before their pants come off. Christina Lauren give their characters words that we wish we had said as well as the all too human ones we regret. “The Soulmate Equation” will make you laugh out loud and, in the next breath, weep.

My favorite romcom of the year! Surely Hollywood will option “The Soulmate Equation” for film ASAP. Let me know if you are interested in my Dreamcast. I have a shortlist.

If I could give this book 10 stars I would. I adored it. Laugh-out-Loud funny, sweet, and just lovely. Jess is one of the best heroine's I've read in a long long long time. She is a single mom working as a freelance statistician. She lives next door to her grandparents in one of the most expensive cities in America - but she is making it work. Since her daughter was born seven years ago, Jess has pretty much been on her own. She has her grandparents - but like a lot of single parents - she is a one-woman show and doesn't feel comfortable asking for help. She is very determined not to be like her mom, who consistently chose herself over her daughter.

Jess and her best friend Felicity (Fizzy), who is a romance writer, sit and work at a coffee shop almost every day. Fizzy is a serious highlight of this book. She is just awesome. Everything you want in a friend and I would 100% read her books. At precisely 8:24am every day a very hot guy they call Americano comes in - but doesn't say much of anything and comes off as a serious jerk. When Jess and Fizzy find out that he is part of a company about to launch a DNA based matchmaking service - Fizzy jumps in with both feet to find out more. Eventually Jess submits her DNA for a match - and it turns out she and Americano are an almost perfect "diamond" match.

The only problem is that Jess and Americano, Dr. River Pena, are not a love at first sight kind of couple. But once they stop judging each other and take the time to learn each other - it doesn't take much for them to fall for each other. River is definitely a neurodiverse character - he is over-the-top smart, socially awkward, and has been hyper focused on his work. As Jess comes to see this - and understand him - they find each other easy to love.

Throughout the book you will challenge yourself as to whether you'd want your score with your partner. I was fascinated by the concept . I also loved the different varieties of couples we see throughout the book that show long term love and the other side of the coin. The authors don't shy away from the pros and cons of considering the effects of the different types of matches have on the characters. It was both thoughtful and thought provoking.

I can't recommend this more highly!

I was extremely blessed to receive an ARC of the book from NetGalley and Gallery Books, but these deeply felt opinions are all my own.

I loved this one! A main draw for me was the main character, Jess. You immediately root for this smart, funny, wonderful single mom. Her chemistry with River was off the charts and the idea of DNA based dating was something I haven't seen in the genre before. I loved Jess's best friend Fizzy, her daughter Juno, and her grandparents too.

This book was a wonderful read for February, especially with a twist on the concept of soulmates. This was my first Christina Lauren read and I was not disappointed! The story is fast-paced and has moments of both humor and romance.

The only thing that really kept this from being a five-star read for me was how scientific it was at the beginning. Of course, when writing about soulmates by way of DNA and biological matches, there is going to be scientific jargon and I agree it is absolutely necessary for readers to understand how the company, GeneticAlly gets their match scores. The jargon lost me a bit, but it is also what sets this book apart from others. The concept of finding a soulmate through a DNA match simultaneously feels a bit sci-fi, but also feels like something we will see in the near future.

River and Jess gave major enemies to lovers vibes as well as the beloved fake dating trope for the sake of the company. The use of these tropes and including Fizzy's experience with her matches from GeneticAlly's database helped keep the story interesting and made it feel more realistic, Writing about two best friends, Jess and Fizzy, and their two very different journeys with GeneticAlly mirrored what one might see in their own life with friends who are Tinder lovers and friends who are reluctant to have 'Single' in their About Me on Facebook because they are just that uninterested in dating.

I really enjoyed The Soulmate Equation because it includes a plot I never knew I needed but would love to see pan out in real life! I cannot wait to see this one fly off the shelves.