If my math adds up correctly, this book is a 4 star book for me! This book took a unique take on the modern world of online dating. Many people turn to online dating in hopes of finding someone compatible to spend the rest of their lives with. Dr. River Pena took this idea one step further. His version of online dating takes an in-depth view of what makes you who you are, literally speaking. His techniques of DNA matching align individuals with someone who share DNA characteristics that will likely make you a perfect match. From there, it is up to you to try and make the connection and sparks last. Once creator River Pena finds out he is matched with Jess, a woman he met in a coffee shop, he feels the need to try and see if the math adds up. He and Jess have only had less than friendly encounters with one another and they are both doubtful that they are each other’s true soulmate, but are willing to see if the numbers and stars align. This book was such a fun and unique idea, and I was loving every minute of it. The story and characters had me laughing out loud, and I felt such a connection to the eccentric characters in this book. I thought the science and math background of this book made it so unique and I really enjoyed seeing how the science and math translated to emotional capability. I didn’t need a calculator, or my DNA analyzed to fall in love with this book!

I will preface this review by saying that the only book I've read by Christina Lauren was "The Unhoneymooners" and it was HILARIOUS (the first half was anyway), so I had high hopes for this one!

The Soulmate Equation isn't quite as funny as The Unhoneymooners, but it still had it's funny moments for sure!

My biggest note is that at about 35%, I felt like earlier on, Jess and River could have hated each other more. Jess's negative feelings towards River seem.... inflated, compared to her actual interactions with him.

Also, what is an IPO and a CSO? Sure I could look it up, but it would have been good to have it explained in the book ;)

I love that there's a cat in the story, I love the science and math stuff, and, since I recently read "The One" by John Marrs, I love that it's SO different from that story!!! (The only thing similar is the whole DNA-love aspect.).

Without giving anything away, I would have liked to know a solid answer about the number at the end, rather than just hinting at it.

This book could have EASILY earned a 5-star rating if it was just a bit funnier (I love the COM in a rom-com), and if earlier on River and Jess had more negative interactions to warrant her "I feel like I want to commit a felony when I think about him" thoughts ;)

I really enjoyed The Soulmate Equation.  I found the characters to be well-developed and absolutely likeable.  The storyline was both engaging and entertaining, and speaks to both leaving things to fate, and making sound choices. I appreciated the strong, intelligent female protagonist and how this character represents women in her chosen field. I would also like to acknowledge the special relationship that Jess had with her Grandparents.  It was great to see that Jess hadn't followed in her mother's footsteps which speaks to this relationship and the support she had received.  Most of all, I thoroughly enjoyed Juno's character.  This charming, precocious seven year old absolutely melted my heart!

THE SOULMATE EQUATION by Christina Lauren is another five star romance by them!! I absolutely loved their other books Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating, The Unhoneymooners and In a Holidaze so I was really excited to read this one and I loved it too!
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This novel is about Jess, a single mom, who tries a new dating company using DNA to find a match. I fell hard for these characters and this story. I loved the way the relationship between Jess and her match unfolded slowly, the heartfelt emotion not only between Jess and her love interest but also with her family and there was just the right amount of steam.
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I really appreciated the diversity in this book but it was a little bit odd to me how some characters races were stated and others weren’t.
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Overall I loved this romance novel and I was so swept up in it that the end made me cry. I’d definitely recommend this book and I truly cannot wait to read their next book!
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Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada for my advance reader’s edition!

Wonderful! Fabulous! AMAZING! Christina Lauren is the duo I plan on trusting until the end of time. I'll throw down for them if they needed me to. I don't know what magical powers their brains have but I'm not complaining... I'll always be one of the first in line to buy whatever it is they're giving us. This has been one of my most anticipated books this year and I'm kind of sad it's over now but wow did I love it.

Jess and RIVER. R I V E R. WOW. First of all, this is the second single parent trope I've read in the last little bit and wow this was SO GOOD. Jess and Juno were a treat. I could read about Juno and her facts for so much longer... I absolutely fell in love with her. Jess was a great voice to follow but overall just one of the best moms I've ever read. Jess truly had the best support system ever - Fizzy, Nana, Pop.... even Daniel in the small glimpse of him that we had... she had a family, as unconventional as it may have been.

I loved River. I don't know why I adore the quiet men of few words but wow did River sell me early on. I loved how much these two relied on numbers and fact and just let their chemistry run free as soon as it bubbled to the surface. THE ROMANCE WAS JUST LOVELY. Everything was so special and exciting to see unfold. The end broke and fixed me all in one go. I just sat here basically crying until the very end.

All this to say, I loved this... not that I'm surprised. I will live and breathe Christina Lauren until my final days probably (which hopefully is many moons from now and I have all the time in the world to enjoy them).

Ahhh... this Romance duo really gets me - this was a great read! I loved the main character being a single mom (I was a single mom before so I know how painful the dating scene can be when kids are involved and it's not easy), so when a hot doctor comes around with a dating app based on genetic matching, why not give it a shot?! I love this geeky science twist with romance, because it feels "realistic" and man, you could feel the chemistry with these two! Loved the best friend as well and I finished this in a few days - perfect Summer Romance read!

Single mom meets rich businessman who developed a dating company that uses genetics to find suitable companions, only to find out that they are a near perfect match.

To be honest I was worried this would be a little far-fetched, but I was really relieved when it didn't go the route of "there is one perfect soulmate for everyone" and instead used the genetics angle to present options to its users based on percentage of compatibility.

I loved the main character, Jess. She was logical, communicative, and strong, and it made such a huge difference during any sort of conflict in the book. River and the secondary characters were also wonderful so it overall made this book delightful to read.

I received this ARC and as soon as I started reading, I just couldn’t put the book down. I have read almost all of Christina Lauren’s books and most were hits while a handful were missed so I was not sure where this would land. Luckily, this was definitely a hit! I really liked how the protagonist was a smart independent women with a family. Also sexy Dr. River sounds like a swoon-worthy book boyfriend.

I am a HUGE Christina Lauren fan and this book did not disappoint! The book built such an wonderful story from the very beginning and is the perfect combination of romance, emotion, laughs, and even some slight science.

This book follows young single mom Jess, who in a moment of weakness, signs up for a matchmaking service that uses DNA to determine compatibility. To her surprise she matches — with the founder of the company, someone she’s already not fond of. So begins a story of opening up your heart, giving and taking chances, and finding the balance between fate and choice.

I absolutely LOVED all the characters in this book. Each character had their own beautiful story, and were all incredibly real. Watching Jess as a young, established woman who’s also juggling motherhood learn to allow herself to love; watching River as quiet and brooding man learn to open up and choose love; watching adorable little Juno just be a young child full of life — all of it made it so easy to empathize and understand each character, and even see a little bit of myself in each.

The concept of a DNA matchmaking service was so interesting as a plot, and allowed for some great plot points in the book. I loved the concept, and this heartwarming tale will immediately move on to my “comfort reads” list! I was left craving more, and I know I'll be rereading this book multiple times.

I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

True story, my husband's watching a new Netflix show while I was reading this book.

He: the new show I am watching is actually kind of good.
Me: same.
Him: It's about how people can be matched together based on their genetics to find the perfect partner.
Me: OMG, that's exactly what my book is about, based on people DNA, they can find their soul mates.
Him: really?! Then there's this murder that took place.
Me: Ohh, that's NOT what happened in my book.
(The show is called The One btw )

So the premise of the book is about a company using genetics to match people with their soul mates. Jess, who's a non- beliving, got no time for romance, working single mom, is matched up with drop dead gorgeous founder of the genetic match company. Woman meet Man, disliked each other based on stereotypes, but then forced to get together for experiment purpose, and predictably , falls in love.

Things I enjoyed from this book: I liked Jess' support network, her grandparents, her bestfriend, and how much she takes working and providing for Juno seriously. I wish I also had a great Thai restaurant that's in my back yard.

The book lost some steam half way through, as there was a LOT of scientific jargon thrown around, and I didn't particularly buy the romance storyline.

Overall, recommended for Christina Lauren fans, and fans of general romance books.

This was so. Freaking. Good. The characters felt the most real of any romance novel I've ever read: Fizz was a highlight, and Juno, but of course the main couple shone as well.

I loved the way this book commented on 'compatability' as a concept - there is a little bit of miscommunication trope that was frustrating but resolved quickly.

I am now a Christina Lauren stan.

Where to start with this?? I loved this book! I'm relatively a new reader of rom-coms and this one was so satisfying and ticked lots of boxes for me: a double trope of enemies to lovers AND fake dating, geeky science humour, diverse and adorable characters and slightly steamy.

Not only did this have romantic love, the other love featured involves how we love and value our families, friends and careers. I was left grinning ear to ear as I turned the last pages. I really loved the characters!!

Like previous Christina Lauren novels that I've read, the plot flows and I like style of writing. Most of all, I enjoyed that this was such a feel good story! Some days, that's exactly what I need!

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Canada for the advance e-copy.

This is a perfect summer read and will be published May 18, 2021.

This review will be posted on my Instagram (@tays_booknook) on March 26.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Soulmate Equation - Christina Lauren

Thank you @simonschusterca & @netgalley for the gifted e-copy in exchange of an honest review!

The Soulmate Equation is the feel good love story I have been craving lately 🙌🏻.

Adorable friendship ✅
Ultimate mother daughter duo ✅
Swoon worthy romance ✅
A little bit of science ✅

All of it was SO GOOD. I loved Jess & Rivers relationship, and how the book managed to stay light while still dealing with some heavy topics (like addiction and absentee fathers) that made the characters come to life and gave the book a realistic feel.

While the romance portion was excellent, the best part of this book is watching River and Juno’s relationship develop, and how he cares for her as he becomes more of a father figure. So so good! Easily one of my top Christina Lauren books to date!

I loved this book! I’m usually a fan of Christina Lauren books but sometimes they just hit me harder than others. This one was so good and I loved all the friendships throughout the book. This book isn’t that deep and didn’t dive into the mother daughter relationship as much as I thought it would but I still really enjoyed it!

4.5/ 5 stars

The Soulmate Equation was my most anticipated read of Spring 2021. So I was beyond excited to get to read it. And I moved it to the front of my TBR pile immediately.

This is my tenth book by this duo. I have read and loved all of their books from the past few years. So I had very high hopes for this book. And I wasn't disappointed.

I went into this book completely blind. And now looking at the detailed book blurb I am glad that I chose to do it this way.

The narrator was 29 year old Jessica/Jess (3rd person POV). She is a nerdy statistician. And I absolutely loved her.

Jess lives with her 7 year old daughter, Juno. And honestly Juno is my favorite kid ever. I adored her. I also absolutely loved Jess' best friend Fizzy. And Jess' grandfather Pops. The supporting characters in this book were so great.

This book has to do with a new match making idea that uses genetic profiling to make matches. And honestly I was obsessed with this idea. What a great idea that ties in so nicely to the title of the book.

The story is set in San Diego, California. But my favorite part of the setting had to do with the apartment complex where Jess lived. I loved how everything was close to her (from restaurants to where her grandparents lived).

I really liked the romance. It took a while for this part of the story to really take form. But once it did I enjoyed it immensely.

This book made me smile. And I was very teary-eyed by the end. And there was a part towards the end that I was not expecting, which made me happy. Because I don't like when things get too predictable.

Overall, I really liked this book. I would definitely recommend it. Especially if you've enjoyed these authors' previous books.

Another cute romantic comedy(ish) from Christina Lauren! Kind of “enemies to lover”, the story was predictable as romance books tend to be but the storyline was one I hadn’t read before. It was really intriguing to consider the possibility that compatibility with partners could be detected biologically. There was a lot of statistical and scientific jargon but still easy to follow. A satisfying story if you are a fan of this author or this genre, definitely a must read.

Thanks to netgalley and Gallery Books for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

When Jess and her best friend Fizzy hear about a dating service based on DNA, she’s convinced to sign up. The problem? Jess doesn’t want to fit dating into her life. She’s a statistics expert, and is happy raising her daughter with the help of her grandparents that raised her. Her match, the founder Dr. River Pena, is the hot, brooding guy from the coffee shop that she can’t imagine getting along with. But with the highest match rating ever seen at GeneticAlly, she’s paid by the company to get to know him and prove their service right.

This book was so good! Christina Lauren are always excellent, and this book was exceptionally creative. It didn’t really follow any trope, which made it so fun and unpredictable, and it had such a fun cast of characters. Juno, the adorable 7-year old daughter, the cutest grandparents, and the firecracker best friend, Fizzy.

If you love rom coms, The Soulmate Equation is for you! It makes you really think about soulmates and the element of choice. My only complaint from this book is that I wanted more.

HOLY MOLY. I loved this book.

Jess is a single mom holding it together with scotch tape. River has a DNA-based matchmaking company dedicated to finding your soulmate based on your genetic data. So think of it, in the words of the authors, as a mix of 23andMe plus OkCupid. What happens when two people who strongly dislike each other get almost the perfect match?

This amazing book happens. I read it from cover to cover in one sitting. It has such an interesting premise, making the standard hate to love story a new dimension.

The authors took their time to develop each character, as well as some pretty amazing side characters. Her best friend Fizzy was one of my highlights. The banter between Fizzy and anyone else in this book is hilarious, because she is fearless, flirty and bubbly. We also get to witness both of our MCs change and open up for love.

This is definitely a slow burner. Imagine a 700g Yankee Candle that burns for days. I felt like the author teaspoon fed me the romance and I was like agggghhh, give it to me already! And Jess was totally thirsty, giving this romance some deliciously steamy scenes. I have to admit, I was so invested and caught up, burning with anticipation from chapter to chapter.

I have never read an ARC faster than I did this! Not only is this my first Christina Lauren book, I also just happen to be in a mood to read a lot of romance! If Santa this year brings me all of Christina Lauren books I won't mind.

Who would like it? Obviously, if you love romance, hate to love romance, funny banter, slow-burn romance, puns and nerdy talk in combo.