I think I may have just outgrown Christina Lauren? Which is totally fine! They are still great books, just no longer for me.

SOULMATE EQUATION... I LOVED this book!! I'm looking to see who is going to be starting this kind of dating app and where to sign up!

Christina Lauren you never let me down and yes, I know that there are two of you who write this addictive romance novels.

Thank you CLO for redeeming yourself after your last 2 books that were not my fave! This was the CLo I love, amazing banter, great chemistry and some spicy steam. This was such a fun concept and I just adored the relationship between the 2 MCs. A perfect rom com with a unique plot you can’t go wrong

This is my second book from Christina Lauren and it's safe to say, I'm officially a fan! I love the writing style and the book was the perfect amount of sweet!

The science aspect of the book was really unique and something I havn't read before. Being able to find your soul mate through DNA and scientific testing? What a cool concept! I thought this was very interesting, especially in a time when online dating apps have become popular.

I loved the characters so much. I thought that main character Jess was so relatable. She was a single mom with a young daughter and I really liked how she always put her daughter's feelings first. River, the male lead was so perfect! The best book boyfriend! He was very stand off-ish at the beginning, but once he started opening up he was just the sweetest. One of my favourite things about him was how sweet he was with Jess' daughter Juno! I loved the side characters as well. Juno was adorable, Jess' grandparents were the sweetest couple and her friend Fizzy was so sassy and awesome!

Loved this book and highly recommend picking it up!

3.5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐💫
The Soulmate Equation is author-duo Christina Lauren's latest romcom and I'd file it under the enemies-to-lovers and sort-of-but-not-quite the fake-dating trope.
The way the tropes were developed worked well enough for me to show interest in the main characters' relationship, get on board with it, and root for it to succeed- though the chemistry and spark wasn't quite flaming hot!
However, while this was a quick read and overall cute story, it was also a fairly predictable reading experience. Everything sort of went in the direction I thought it would. Sometimes something familiar and predictable is just what you're looking for; is comforting. If you're looking for that, this one's for you. Other times you want that fresh, new, unique feel. The latter is what I was hoping for when I read The Soulmate Equation.
So did I like it? Yeah.
Was it memorable? No.
Would I recommend it? Sure.
But would I read it again? Not likely.



TW/CW: Addiction; Alcoholism
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*Complimentary copy for review provided by Simon and Schuster Canada. All opinions expressed here are honest and entirely my own.

As always, iconic duo "Christina Lauren" deliver yet another adorable romantic comedy. The Soulmate Equation brings us a hate-to-love trope with single mom Jess and entrepreneur River. This book has everything you hope for, though entirely predictable.

Fans of Christina Lauren won't be disappointed!!

I absolutely loved Christina Lauren’s Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating and Dirty Rowdy Thing, and definitely enjoyed Dating You/Hating You. The Christina Lauren book that I read before this one (The Unhoneymooners), however, was definitely not for me, so I wasn’t sure what to expect from The Soulmate Equation…

I am happy to say, now that I’ve read The Soulmate Equation, that I loved the first half (maybe even up to the 3/4 mark). I don’t generally read romance books featuring single parents, but I absolutely loved Jess as a character as well as her daughter Juno. I also loved how they interacted with each other!

I wasn’t too sure about River at first, or about the chemistry between him and Jess. But once I was a few chapters in, I was definitely on board. The sexual tension was almost palpable! I was definitely rooting for Jess and River to get together.

And I also enjoyed the whole science, genetics, statistics aspect of this story. I don’t know much about any of those subjects, but based on my small amount of knowledge, I felt that the authors made all of it feel quite believable!

I loved the characters, and I loved most of the story! The reason I say “most of” (and I mentioned the halfway or 3/4 point earlier) is that after that point, I wasn’t as interested or invested in what was happening. I guess certain things (including how things were wrapped up) fell a little short.

That aside however, the parts that I enjoyed, I enjoyed a lot (to explain my rating below). And I’m sure that there are many readers out there who loved The Soulmate Equation from start to finish. My experience and my review, (as all experiences and reviews) are relative.

I thought it was a unique premise. I loved a lot of the characters, the familial aspects, the premise of the story was compelling and I wanted to love this one but there were a few things that just didn't work for me personally. I preferred the Unhoneymooners.

My goal in 2021 was to read Christina Lauren’s backlist, and with every Lauren read, I am never disappointed. And with The Soulmate Equation, I was just as entranced as I normally am. Lauren is an auto-buy author for me and I will read anything these ladies write. I loved the plot, the banter, the sarcasm and the love. Who wouldn’t love to know who their soulmate is?!

Thank you Simon and Schuster for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

I knew May was going to be filled with a lot of rom coms and I kicked things off with the queens of the genre. The Soulmate Equation is Christina Lauren's latest novel and I found it to be absolutely delightful. I laughed and swooned and cringed and loved every second of it.

Here's the book's description:
Single mom Jess Davis is a data and statistics wizard, but no amount of number crunching can convince her to step back into the dating world. Raised by her grandparents--who now help raise her seven-year-old daughter, Juno--Jess has been left behind too often to feel comfortable letting anyone in. After all, her father's never been around, her hard-partying mother disappeared when she was six, and her ex decided he wasn't "father material" before Juno was even born. Jess holds her loved ones close, but working constantly to stay afloat is hard...and lonely.
But then Jess hears about GeneticAlly, a buzzy new DNA-based matchmaking company that's predicted to change dating forever. Finding a soulmate through DNA? The reliability of numbers: This Jess understands. At least she thought she did, until her test shows an unheard-of 98% compatibility with another subject in the database: GeneticAlly's founder, Dr. River Pena. This is one number she can't wrap her head around, because she already knows Dr. Pena. The stuck-up, stubborn man is without a doubt not her soulmate. But GeneticAlly has a proposition: Get to know him and we'll pay you. Jess--who is barely making ends meet--is in no position to turn it down, despite her skepticism about the project and her dislike for River. As the pair are dragged from one event to the next as the "Diamond" pairing that could make GeneticAlly a mint in stock prices, Jess begins to realize that there might be more to the scientist--and the science behind a soulmate--than she thought.
I never know exactly what I'm going to get with Lauren's novels. I always enjoy them but there's definitely a scale on my enjoyment level. The Soulmate Equation? It's joined Roomies and The Unhoneymooners right at the top of the scale. It might have been partly a case of "right book, right time" but mostly it was just because this was a damn good book. It doesn't take itself too seriously but it's not a mindless read, either. It hit the balance of what I love in a rom com and I was sad when it was all over.

The data and science in the novel seem a bit far fetched but if you just kind of roll with it, you'll be incredibly entertained. You can gloss over the science if you want or you can soak up every detail. Either way, you'll still get a lot out of the storyline. I mean, how can you not be intrigued by finding your soulmate through your DNA?

Speaking of soulmates, one River Pena is pretty damn swoonworthy. He's such a grump to start but I knew, a little before Jess did, that he probably wasn't the asshat he was appearing to be. The more Jess (and the reader) got to know him, the more you couldn't help but fall in love with him. The sexual attraction was real and I couldn't wait for them to finally give into that attraction. Fireworks! I've heard quite a few people already request a Dr. Pena of their very own. I totally get it.

The secondary characters in this story are great. Juno was an absolute delight and I, someone who is not a kid fan, would love to babysit her for a day and do all sorts of fun stuff with her. She'd probably ask me a million questions that I would not know the answer to (seriously, the kid is smart!) but we'd have a great time. Jess's grandparents are so solid and dependable and wonderful and there was a scary moment when I thought things would go so badly. Because I loved Jess so much, I was so glad that she had people like her grandparents in her life. And Fizzy! Oh my word, Jess's best friend was AMAZING. She needs her own book. She's a romance author and is so smart and funny and is searching for her own soulmate, one fling at a time. Having a main character with so many people around her is always great because it helps solidify their amazingness.

The Soulmate Equation was so fun to read. It had smarts and heart and those are two of the most important things I want in my romantic comedies. Christina Lauren have given readers yet another entertaining contemporary read that I think will be in many hands over the summer!

*An egalley of this novel was provided by the publisher, Simon & Schuster Canada, via NetGalley in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*

I am a huge fan of Christina Lauren’s older books. Their last three books have just been okay for me. I am happy to report that this one blows those last few out of the water. This was everything I wished for in those one.

This book made me swooooon. Over and over again - that giggly, giddy, first crush type feeling. River is the sweetest, a totally perfect love interest. He’s elusive at the start and then once you get to know him m, he’s charming and has the biggest heart. I loved that Jess was a single mom, and the unique aspect of having her navigate a love life while keeping her daughter a priority. The scenes with River and Jess’s daughter Juno are seriously heart melting.

Also - is there a better side character than Fizzy? Nope. She NEEDS her own book (and I’d love to see Jess & River make another all rest to too!! )
I liked the science aspect. Sure, a lot of it went over my head, but I enjoyed the uniqueness to it.

I absolutely adored it. I loved watching the relationship between Jess and River evolve and how much her daughter seemed to fall for this new man in her life. I adored Jess as a character her tight bond with her grandparents. I found her so relatable in the fact she never asked for help, she was a strong independent single mom who felt like the weight was on her shoulders. A perfect summer rom com, with a little heat that I definitely think you should add to your tbr.

In the Soulmate Equation we follow Jessica a single mom, who along with her friend have a DNA sample for the newest Soulmate matching program. Jessica turned out to be a 98% match with River the CSO of the DNA testing company. Jessica is then proposed with a fake dating contract with River. They begin to fake date when real feelings begin to arise. Are the feelings real or just a play for the media?

This is a good one for sure! I think my favourite thing about Christina Lauren books is the comedic timing. I found myself laughing out loud at some of the things the characters said. Fizzy had some hilarious one liners in this book and I enjoyed reading every one of them. I would say my only critique would be that at times the explanations of how the matches were generated were a little too scientific for my brain to understand. But other that that, I loved this book and can’t wait for their next one!!

Thank you Simon and Schuster Canada for the copy of this book!
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Read if you like: cute rom-coms.
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This was such a cute book and I absolutely loved it. Jess and River were a perfect couple who went from not liking each other to a strong relationship! I really loved the idea of finding your soulmate by comparing your DNA, and how Jess and River get paired up is really fun!
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One thing I really appreciated about this book was the main character, Jess, had a job in a STEM field. We don't see this a lot in books, so I really loved her love for numbers and statistics, which balanced River's love for science. Jess worked so hard to provide for her kid, even though she has gone through so much trauma! Loved her!
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CW: sexual content, drug addiction, abandonment, single parent.

Thank you so much to Simon and Schuster Canada and Netgalley for a copy of The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren.

I loved this earc so much I pre-ordered a physical copy! I really enjoyed the writing and the characters in this book. It reminded me of the feel of some of my favourite Christina Lauren books (Josh and Hazel and the Unhoneymooners!). It was a fun take on online dating and I also loved all of the science and math/stats discussions.

I loved the cast of characters in this novel. I loved the relationship between Jess and her grandparents, her daughter, and her best friend. I would love to read more about so many of these characters! I also loved the romance! This book made me smile, swoon, and made me feel so many different emotions. I highly recommend it!

CW: strained mother/daughter relationship, maternal abandonment, drug use/addiction, mother asking/guilting for borrowing money from child, hospital scenes (waiting for results/recovery).

Christina Lauren always deliver and this book quickly became one of my favourites. The idea the your DNA could find you a soulmate it wild and when Jess and River get a 98% compatibility they are both somewhat skeptical. As they go one dates and get to know each other the connection and chemistry becomes real fast until a wrench gets thrown in their plans and things go awry. With a well developed group of side characters and a twist I really didn't see coming this made for a superbly well done rom com! Go Christina Lauren! Can't wait to read their next one!

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc for an honest review!

Alright Christina Lauren fans, buckle up! Like me, I’m sure you’re top favs are likely Josh and Hazel and The Unhoneymooners. Well get ready to add a new one to the top of your lists.

This is yet another CL masterpiece. You will not be disappointed in the slightest (especially if you love fake dating as much as me).

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 “I haven’t been home in years, but I feel that way with you.”

What You’ll Find:
✔️Romantic Comedy
✔️Enemies to Lovers
✔️Single Parent
✔️Slow Burn
✔️Singular POV

This book has serious chemistry, literally and figuratively. Add in some humour and emotion, with a family feel that will warm your heart and have you turning the pages long into the night!

Calling all science lovers, this is a story I think you’ll enjoy! Jess is a data analyst and single mom, barely making ends meet. When she’s highly matched with founder of the site Dr. River Pena and they offer to pay her to spend time with him, it’s an offer she can’t refuse. They are anything but compatible with such a strong dislike as Jess has for the man. But as they find themselves getting to know each other for appearances sake, Jess finds there’s more to the scientist, and the science, than meets the eye.

Jess was such a strong personality. But she was a little lost. A little broken. And at times there’s emotion that you can’t help but feel for her. And River, what a nerd in the most lovable way. Shy. Almost standoffish. But just so endearing once he puts his true self out there. You get the feeling he’s more comfortable in scientist mode. I like that he’s not always a great communicator, but he does so well at showing how he feels instead. They had chemistry for days. But these enemies to lovers, took more of a slow burn journey to the bedroom. It did feel a bit rushed to the I Love You’s though for me.

One of the things I loved most was Jess and her bestfriend Fizzy’s relationship. There’s not much I love more than some fierce and hilarious bestfriends. Alone they are funny but together they are hilarious. This book has some really quick zingers that had me bursting out laughing. Chicklets for example- if you know, you know!

There’s also some great discussion on romance books too that I loved. It took me a bit of time to get into this one- perhaps the science talk slowed me down. But once I did, I was turning the pages chuckling late into the night to finish it. Definitely recommend it if your looking for a light and fun, humorous read!

* I received a gifted eARC for my honest review.

The Soulmate Equation hit pretty much all of my romance sweet spots: it made me laugh, it made me swoon, it made me happy cry, and I fell head over heels in love with the hero (seriously, where can I find my own Dr. River Pena?). Add in one of my favourite tropes - fake dating - plus a fun concept (a dating app that uses DNA to match people) and a cast of incredible characters, and The Soulmate Equation is officially my new favourite Christina Lauren book.

I’ll admit, after how much I loved CLo’s last book, In a Holidaze, I was nervous to read this one, especially since the one before it, The Honey-Don’t List was just an okay read for me. But the heroine, Jess, quickly won me over with her intelligence, independence, and humour, and I knew I was going to love this book. The relationships were done so well - obviously Jess and River’s relationship (hello, chemistry), but also Jess’s relationships with her daughter, Juno, her grandparents, and her best friend, Fizzy. Even the strained relationship she had with her mother, while painful to read, added a lot to the story and made me connect to Jess even more. I ran the gamut of emotions with this book from heart soaring to heart dropping, and I finished reading with a happy sigh and huge smile on my face.

The Soulmate Equation should be on every romance fan’s TBR this summer.

4.5 stars!
I absolutely LOVED this book!! It was such a fun read and delivered on many aspects.

- The characters were so well developed and the female lead was very easy to love.
- The chemistry and built up felt very real - I was sold on this romance!
- It was such a unique take on dating and it made the storyline so much more intriguing.

I found the first 15% a little hard to get into but it was all uphill from there! I personally would have loved a little more steam but there was one scene that definitely brought up the heat!!! The male lead was so swoon worthy. I would love to see this become a movie.

Overall, a big win for me! Highly recommend picking up this book!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a free advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.