Loved The Soulmate Equation. A great, fun read about unexpected love. If you've liked Christina Lauren books in the past you'll love this one.

Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read an early copy.

DNA testing sites are surging in popularity and are now showing up in all sorts of books - thrillers, nonfiction and memoir. Christina Lauren brings it to the romance genre with "The Soulmate Equation" and the end result is a highly readable book that's perfect for summertime. Although it's a touch predictable, "The Soulmate Equation" features likable characters and a compelling plot. Buy it for your beach bag.

This was my first Christina Lauren book. I had heard these authors speak on a romance podcast I follow and decided to read one of their books. I enjoyed this book. I liked the plot and characters. I will read the backlist to Christina Lauren and look forward to new books.

Review will be posted on my blog on 5/3/21.

Likes:
*Jess is a single parent of a 7 year old girl, Juno. I totally related to Jess as a mom being frazzled and just trying to get through the day. I’m not a single mom, but there are times when I feel like one haha, so I admired how Jess did what she had to do to keep them afloat with the help of her grandparents and best friend.

*Jess’s best friend Fizzy is the BEST ever. 😍 I love how she’s a romance author. Fizzy is funny, adventurous, says what she wants to say, does what she wants to do and she and Jess have the best relationship. The two of them together made me laugh so much! Their dialogue was perfect.

*The importance of family comes through in this one, not only because Jess is a mom, but her own mother gave her up, and was out of her life for a very long time. Jess was raised by her grandparents and they are the sweetest. I love their little family.

*What is it about the geeky guy turning handsome/hot/successful that I love? Revenge of the nerds much? I love how River is this gorgeous guy, very much into his work…but he used to be the unpopular geeky kid in high school. Awww!

*The romance is so good! The chemistry is palpable. I love how they meet, how they get together, how they grow as a couple and try to figure out their feelings. This story made me feel good and happy. 😍

*I found the matchmaking app using DNA very interesting. Some of the science and statistics went over my head but it was still very fascinating.

Random Notes:
Jess’s mom is a recovering addict or she’s supposed to be. She shows up in Jess’s life to ask for money and I feel for Jess but like River says, she definitely takes charge when she has to and is decisive.

Final Thoughts:
I thoroughly and happily love The Soulmate Equation. I was invested with Jess and River’s love story and their chemistry is off the charts. I love how they could talk science and statistics and understand one another even when I didn’t understand them. I laughed a lot because Jess’s best friend is fantastic and for me that was the other love story in this book, the love in friendship. This is that kind of book where I wanted to find out what happens after the ending because I fell in love with this little family. This story is heartfelt, fun, smart, and I wish it never had to end.

Did I finish an ARC of
@ChristinaLauren
’s The Soulmate Equation in 1 day?

Yes, yes I did. Open book

Once again CL gives us characters to root for, chemistry for days, memorable secondary characters, & a very clever plot involving dating thru DNA matchups. I adored this book! Smiling face with 3 hearts

I dove deep and swam freely thru the NERDYNESS this book contained. And as a consumate book (and other types of) nerd I am, I must say that the story of Jess and River is one of those equations that, in the beginning don't make quite the sense -that enemies to lovers trope- but after an array of math problems and DNA testing and simple solutions, it all seems to match. Trust me, Im the ones who took math 101 FOUR TIMES in college, so I was absolutely curious to see what Christina Lauren would bring to us with this fantastic couple. Juno and bff Fizzy are the absolute queens of stealing the show, and I think the heartwarming and truth telling about insecurities and comfort zone and going out of your way to learn what real love means, is the ultimate HEA. It's not logic, it's love.

Christina Lauren once again does not disappoint! This was such a feel good romance that was also a little different than what your usual rom com book is. I enjoyed the relationship and it’s build up immensely, amazing amazing read. Thanks Netgalley for the ARC!

I honestly don't know if I should focus on how cute and fun this book was to read or how fascinating the science/idea of our genes as an indicator for compatibility is!

Whenever I am in a rut, Christina Lauren's books are guaranteed to make me smile and this one is no different. This book is about two people who get matched via a new dating site that is based on science. Specifically, compatibility of their genes. And to make it more interesting, our hero (River) is one of the founders of the dating company. Jess and River don't have the best of starts- he doesn't make a very good first impression- but their relationship is sweet. I love how awkward they can be- and I admit I really loved the science jokes. But the star of the show is Jude. She doesn't really speak like a seven year old, but she is the coolest of kids, and I love the family they have built. I also loved Jess' best friend. I wish she was focused on a little more- but maybe she is getting her own book soon :)

Overall, this was a sweet and fun read.

Okay I want to start this off with the fact that I'm a big Christina Lauren fan. The Unhoneymooners is one of my favorite books and I re-read it often. I really liked the plot, and the characters were great. I loved the relationship between Jess and Fizzy. I also liked the idea that they really drove home that there's a pressure that comes with "knowing" someone is your soulmate. I liked how developed the characters were and their relationship with each other and the growing attraction between Jess and River. I also had a few issues with the book though because I found there to be a really big pacing issue. The beginning, for me at least, moved way too slowly. It took forever to get to the inciting moment. Once we really got down to it I enjoyed it a lot more but that was already like 20% into the book. Also, I felt like the end was a little rushed and I did not like the conflict at all because we still don't know if they're "soulmates" or not but then again I guess that was the point, that it doesn't really matter. Overall, it was good but not my favorite.

I loved this book. Christina Lauren (as a writing pair) never disappoint in the heartfelt, fun romance department. A central part of the plot of the story is DNA testing and some of the outcomes that this technology can bring about. It also delves into what leads to attraction, why we love who we love, and how much of a role biology plays in human connection.

Jess submits her sample for testing by a new startup company aimed at matchmaking through DNA. She is very skeptical until she ends up with a remarkably strong match with a man she really does not like in person, Dr. River Pena. The pair is persuaded to explore their connection as publicity for the company (her match is one of the founders). Both Jess and River are scientists so they are intrigued by the possibilities and quickly find that there may be something to the DNA technology.

I loved every character from Jess to her family to her best friend Fizzy. My favorite has to be her daughter Juno though, who steals every scene. Both Jess and River are mature, well-rounded people and their individual personalities add to their connection. Every romance story has to have a plot twist but this one felt very real and in tune with how each character would react to the situation. I highly recommend this book.

Thanks to Christina Lauren, Gallery Books, and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I just finished The Soulmate Equation last night and it was such a cute story. Jess Davis is a single mom, raising her daughter Juno with the help of her amazing grandparents. Jess hasn’t even tried to make time to date men or find love in her life, she is completely focused on her daughter and her work. So when her best friend Fizzy mentions a new company that vows to find your soulmate using DNA based matchmaking, Jess is skeptical. But she figures what is the harm in submitting her DNA as long as she sets the perimeters high- only matching if the results are Diamond level (basically a perfect match result).

Jess never imagines that she will actually be matched with someone, and not just anyone...the founder of the company who is not only drop dead gorgeous but seemingly the biggest jerk she’s ever met. The company is ready to launch soon and their Diamond level results could help really sell this science- so they make a deal with Jess...spend time together and get to know Dr. River Pena and we will compensate you. Jess needs the money and she is curious about their results, so why not?

Correct me if I’m wrong but I think this is the first Christina Lauren book that follows a single mom finding love and I absolutely adored this story. It is full of heart and wonderful characters. I’m so thankful I was able to read this early, thank you Netgalley and Gallery Books for this advance reading copy. This is one you don’t want to miss out on so make a note- it is available 5/18/21.

This is a lovely story about a single mom, Jess, who lives with her 7-year-old daughter Juno close to Jess' grandparents who raised her. And it is about a new 'dating' app where you are matched through your DNA from a company called GeneticAlly. When Jess finds she is matched with an unbelievable high score to River Pena (whom she has met and they have not exactly hit it off), she hesitantly agrees to a couple of dates with River to promote the company.

I have read Christina Lauren before (years ago) and it was actually not my style so this was a bit of a gamble and purely based on the blurb. And fortunately it paid off, as this was a very nice and enjoyable read. The main couple had a believable romance, I loved Juno and Jess' best friend Felicity.
So now I will be on the lookout for more books by this/these authors.

I'm not a big fan of Christina Lauren. Some of their other books I read weren't much to my liking so I went into this one with my expectations low. When I got the chance to read this ARC I was hesitant about it but finally decided I give it a chance. And I'm really glad I did (maybe my expectations being low was a good thing). I enjoyed The Soulmate Equation, I liked the plot, I enjoyed the twist on the online dating/dating app trope & I liked the characters (even if I didn't always agree with their actions), I even liked Juno and that's saying a lot because I'm not a big fan of children in plot (Jess being a single mother was actually one of the reasons I was heistant to read this book, it's something I usually don't enjoy in the stories so I try to avoid it). And I liked that it was a slow burn romance and that the couple didn't fall into bed right away. So why 4 instead of 5 stars if I liked everything so much? Well in my opinion, River got forgiven for his behaviour way too easily. I think he should be made to grovel. The way he acted when the shit hit the fan was so not ok and Jess forgave him too easily in my opinion. That's it, that's why 4 insted of 5 stars. But otherwise this was a really sweet, low angst romance book and I enjoyed it a lot. Rocommended.

This was a sweet, cute, and charming read. I really enjoy this authors work and I feel like this was a book that is needed to bring up my spirits. It definitely hit the mark for the feel-good romance. I really enjoyed getting to see the characters grow and learn to care for one another. And I especially loved the growing sexual tension. Overall I’m very happy with the book.

A dating app that genetically matches you to your soulmate? This should totally be a real thing! Jess and River loathe and lust each other at first sight. Jess is a single mom to adorably precocious 7 year old Juno. She’s just trying to be the best mom she can be and take care of her daughter. But she’s lonely and on a particularly lonely night, she spits in a tube and sends off her sample. River is a pompous workaholic who started a project to genetically match people with their soulmate but lived an empty life himself. Sparks fly when these lovebirds receive a higher than normal match percentage. I found this novel to be hilariously delicious.

Thank you @netgalley and @gallerybooks for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

CLo is at it again with another laugh out loud, extremely cute story. I loved the premise and the characters right away. Plus it has one of my favorite tropes - enemies to lovers. I couldn’t put it down and read it in less than 24 hours (basically how how CLo books go for me). The only aspect I didn’t love was the money plot line but I think they did a great job of addressing it over and over.

This is our May 18th and for CLo fans: this has the laughter of The Unhoneymooners but the sweetness of Love and Other Words!

NOTE: Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a free advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.

Another good one from Christina Lauren. Can your DNA predict your soulmate? Single mother Jess is about to find out. This fun, if somewhat predictable, book could be called Hot Nerds in Love, as statistician Jess is matched with scientist River, one of the founders of the genetics dating company. There are some memorable side characters including Jess's BFF Felicity (her nickname Fizzy is a bit too cute for me, I admit), her precocious daughter Juno, her grandparents and River's older sisters who make a too short appearance.

Some elements of the story didn't quite add up for me - I had an issue with the timing of the publicity surrounding the match being way too quick and with Jess's ethics concern with one client but seemingly little questioning of the ethics with this company. But if I glossed over those writer missteps, I could enjoy this book for what it was: a fun, vacation read from a reliably writing duo who always manage to turn out want-to-read stories.

I flew through this book with a smile plastered on my face. The unique premise gives us a single Mom Jess who gets matched with the Dr. River Pena, founder of the revolutionary DNA-based dating company. I know this book is heavy on the math, but the chemistry between these two was off the charts (cheesy puns totally intended).

Christina Lauren crafts another enjoyable romance--smart, funny and heart-warming. I loved all the characters, from her endearing grandparents to her sassy best friend and adorable daughter Juno. There were moments of cuteness that made this total sap tear up.

Still pinching myself that I was able to read an ARC of this, but so glad I did! Special thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the opportunity to share my honest review in advance of this being published on May 18th!

I enjoyed this book so much. I work in a quantitative field, and I really enjoyed reading a romantic story about two people who also worked in a quantitative field. I really liked Jess, and I identified so much with her struggles, insecurities, and doubts. And River...Oh.My.Gosh. I about melted every time he was on the page. He is one of the best male leads I’ve read in a romantic comedy/romance in a long time. He was so kind, and I loved that he was a shy guy. As someone who is shy herself, it was nice to see a romantic lead not be a smarmy, outgoing guy for a change, and for River to just be a normal person. I found the whole concept of the story fascinating, and I could not put this book down. I loved the idea of meeting my soulmate with a genetic link, and I thought the twist at the end was well-done.

One issue...In Chapter 16, Fizzy is described as being out of town in LA, and that’s why she can’t help Jess pick up Juno. In the next chapter, though, Fizzy was detailed as being in New York while Jess needed the help. I think this inconsistency should be corrected.

Overall, I loved this book!

I plan to post my review for this book on my blog and my instagram page. My blog review will be available on 2/22/2021, and my Instagram review will be available on 2/28/2021.

Please contact me at chasingmrdarcy@outlook.com if you have any questions or concerns. I would love to review another Christina Lauren book in the future.

This morning, I just finished THE SOULMATE EQUATION by everyone’s favorite: Christina Lauren. After finishing another romcom yesterday, I knew this was exactly what I needed to continue my reading streak (is that the opposite of a slump?). On a whim, and under her BFFs insistence, single-mom Jess Davis submits her DNA to a new company: a DNA-based matchmaking company. Think Bumble meets 23andMe! Wildly, she is match at a 98% compatibility (a wildly high number, never seen in the company’s research) with the handsome Dr. River Pena. But can science really determine your soulmate?

This book was just wildly cute. The attraction between Jess and River (what a hunky name, right?) was palpable, but I appreciated that Jess was a whole woman with family concerns, a wonderful daughter, and a job as a statistician - not a one dimensional heroine. For me, I think these types of books are really made on the cast of characters - not just the two MC - and this book has a zany BFF, supportive grandparents, and a host of characters involved at the DNA company.

To me, Christina Lauren can just do no wrong - they’ve delivered another hit, that I’m sure we will see all over booksta in the next few months.

THE SOULMATE EQUATION is out May 18, so pre-order now!

[Side note, may have found a typo when Fizzy is out of town? At one point it says she was in LA and then it said New York?]