Felicity Chen (Fizzy) writes epic romance novels beloved by the masses, but lately has been feeling joyless in her own personal life. How can she write swoony, true love tales when the possibility of finding a soulmate for herself seems continually out of reach? Connor Prince is a stranger to the world of romantic fiction, typically producing eco-documentaries- but to keep his job and stay close to his young daughter, has agreed to produce a reality dating show. He wants Fizzy to be the star, knowing her wide fan base will draw in viewers and help him keep his job. Reluctant, Fizzy agrees only if Connor actually tries to make the show enjoyable for romance readers and casts stereotypical male romance archetypes to woo her. In the months leading up to the taping of the show, Fizzy and Connor grow closer as they navigate what joy, friendship, romance and love will look like on screen as she dates the handful of men cast to be her potential forever love in the True Love Experiment. Can Connor watch Fizzy accept that she may fall for one of these men, or is true love happening behind the scenes of this show instead?

Fans of Christina Lauren, and those who fell in love with Fizzy’s character in The Soulmate Equation will not be disappointed in this gem of a romance book. Although it has strong ties (hello Jess, June and River), it’s not necessarily a sequel so can be read as a stand-alone. The True Love Experiment is another warm hug from this best-selling author, and a book I will be thinking of for a while to come. Fizzy is funny and cool, thoughtful and smart. She’s a good friend, daughter and sibling. Her honesty, humor and sparkling personality pop from the pages and make you love her. She is wonderfully likable, but not without flaws. As her friendship with Connor progresses it feels natural how they both begin to realize that their attraction to each other may prove inconvenient when it comes time to film the show. Connor Prince doesn’t fall into one of Fizzy’s romance archetypes. I love how she can’t quite pin him down- is he the Hot Millionaire Executive, the Sexy Lumberjack, the DILF? He’s quiet and reserved, just a generally nice guy who seems just as surprised as she does that they have such good chemistry together. Because the reality show is the premise of the book, there is much talk during filming and behind the scenes of what true love is, does it occur naturally, or can it be forced. It had the perfect split of Fizzy being qualified to answer those questions because of her profession, and also not knowing at all because of her personal history. Most of us know how reality dating shows are filmed and executed so while the final few chapters that focused on that felt a bit predictable or inevitable, it didn’t take away from the overall joy and delight of the book. After all, Happily Ever Afters are what we want in our romance books! Or so says romance author Fizzy…and the millions of fans of Christina Lauren.

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for the ARC of The True Love Experiment.

Favorite quotes:
-I need to get my shit together. As much as I’m glad I’m a butterfly coming out of the cocoon of sexual stagnation, I probably shouldn’t fly directly to the first flower I see.

-How does anyone really know what and who they want? It’s all such a risk. Who chooses to fling their heart into the blackness of uncertainty, blindly hoping someone catches it?

-We’re afraid of being vulnerable or rejected, we’re scared that we’re weird or say things that no one else thinks. And that’s okay. I’m not scared of that with you. I know I’m being rejected, I know I’m weird, and I know for a fact that no one else thinks exactly what I’m thinking right now because no one knows you the way I do. No one loves you in this exact, perfect, consuming way.

Premise: Successful romance writer, Fizzy Chen, is cast as the lead in a reality dating TV show produced by documentary filmmaker Connor Prince. While the show aims to find her soulmate, the chemistry between the two is overwhelmingly apparent.

Tropes: single parent / coparenting relationship! forced proximity! forbidden love (ish)!

I’m surprised that this wasn’t marketed more clearly as a sequel to The Soulmate Equation! I went into this blindly, so I was so happy to see that this was about Fizzy finding her HEA. She’s possibly one of CL’s best characters to date – I love her confidence, humour, and intelligence. She absolutely lights up every page that she appears on. Also, the Hero archetype angle was a great, and the English teacher in me really loved it.

The characters were super well-developed and self-aware. Connor’s backstory was especially well-constructed, and I loved his relationships with Nat (his ex-wife) and Stevie (his daughter). The healthy co-parenting relationship was fantastic. I also enjoyed how the story highlighted the criticisms that readers of the romance genre often face – the process of Connor unlearning these views was really thoughtfully written.

River and Jess… I love them. I love their story. They played a much larger role than I was expecting, which was a pleasant surprise. Readers really have to buy into the fictional DNADuo technology in order to appreciate this book. I can see some readers being skeptical because of this, but honestly, it just made for a fun and light-hearted read.

Thank you, NetGalley, Simon and Schuster Canada, and Christina Lauren for this ARC of The True Love Experiment.

I LOVED THIS ONE!!!! It was SOOOOO good!

We first meet Fizzy in The Soulmate Equation, where she hangs out with her bestie Jess. Fizzy is a fun and bubbly character who, as a romance author, enjoys a lively social and dating life. Fast forward a bit and Fizzy is struggling not only with her romantic life but also with writing her next romance novel. She has lost her inspiration and is having a hard time putting her thoughts down on paper.

Enter Connor Prince, a documentary filmmaker and a single father. While he is not a fan of reality TV shows, his boss needs him to come up with something big for the network. When Connor realizes that Fizzy, the woman he recently saw at a bar, is his ex-wife's favorite romance author, he immediately decides she would be perfect for the reality show. However, their first encounter does not go well, and Fizzy thinks Connor is a bit of a douchebag. She agrees to participate in the show only if Connor agrees to her very specific terms. When he says yes, Fizzy realizes this could be fun and could potentially help her find her soulmate. As the two work together, their chemistry starts to flare off-screen, leaving the other contestants to wonder who Fizzy will choose.

Fizzy's character is delightful, and I loved her in The Soulmate Equation as well. Her personality is fun and bubbly, but we also get to see her insecurities and vulnerabilities. As for Connor, I found myself surprised once again by how much I enjoyed the single-parent romance trope. He is caring and lovely with his daughter, and I appreciated how he owns up to his past mistakes.

The True Love Experiment is a romantic comedy that had me laughing out loud, but also tugging at my heartstrings. There were some beautifully angsty moments that brought tears to my eyes, and I found myself rooting for Fizzy and Connor to be together.

If you're looking for a rom-com with great banter, humor, and a spicy romance, I highly recommend The True Love Experiment.

A new fave CLo. A new add to my fave romances ever.

Love love loved this one-- a must for fans of pop culture, books about romance readers/writers, fully developed cast of characters, FORBIDDEN LOVE.

I absolutely loved this book. The story focuses on Felicity 'Fizzy' Chen, a romance author cast on a bachelor-type dating show trying to find love after a series of failed romances. Connor Prince is the super handsome producer of the show, not ready for a forever romance himself. Can he help meet Fizzy's list of demands for the perfect cast of men in hopes that one of them will be her match?
While this could be read as a stand alone, I'd highly recommend reading The Soulmate Equation first. This book was everything I hoped it would be and took me back to earlier works by the author that I love so much. The story was so sweet, there were many laugh-out-loud moments, and the level of spice was just right. I highly recommend!

Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC! I love Christina Lauren. I have read all of their books. And this one did not disappoint. This was a really new and interesting take on a romance plot. I loved the main character Fizzy. She was written so well! She was smart and really funny! I loved how upfront she was and confident and was honest about everything. I loved the romance between her and Connor. I definitely recommend this one for romance buffs.

Loved this book! I think it may be my new favourite by Christina Lauren. Fizzy and Connor are well developed characters with great chemistry and I really enjoyed the slow build up to their relationship.

Felicity is a bestselling romance writer who just realized she has never really been in love. When Connor, a documentary filmmaker and single father, approaches her to be the participant in a Bachelorette-type reality TV show to find her true love with the help of the audience's votes, she is reluctant at first, but quickly makes a list of demands Connor is more than happy to oblige too.
I was so excited when I got accepted to read the ARC for this one! I love Christina Lauren! I did not know this was part of a sister series, but I did read the first book last year (The Soulmate Equation) and I loved it. And I loved seeing a lot of Jess and River in this book too. It was a predictable, slow burn of a sweet read, single parent trope romance. It was a bit repetitive at times, but I loved the side characters (the contestants), and the character development was great.
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

OMG yes please! I was so excited to receive an advanced copy of The True Love Experiment!! And I LOVED it!! I love Fizzy. I love Connor. I love Fizzy + Connor in love.

Christina Lauren had a huge hit on their hands with The True Love Experiment. Its the Bachelorette meets work place/forbidden romance but done SO well. It's spicy, it's funny, it's heartwarming. I could not put it down.

Read this book as soon as you can get your hands in it - you won't be disappointed! I haven't read The Soulmate Equation (yet), but now it's an instant add to my TBR, so don't feel like you need to read it first to enjoy/understand The True Love Experiment - it absolutely stands on its own. An easy 5 stars!!

Thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster Canada, Gallery Booksfor an advanced copy of The True Love Experiment, in exchange for an honest review.

I have been waiting and anticipating this one. And let me tell you. I did NOT disappoint

Fizzy has always been one of my favourite characters. And then to have a full book about her, perfection. Every single page i grew more in love with fizzy and Connor. Their connection continually growing. No matter how much they fight, they are just an ultimate true pairing.

I just kept thinking, how can this get any better, and then it did. The ending just left me in a ball of happy tears. I loved the concept and the twists. Every single character is so loveable and relatable. Everyone meshed so well together. .

It’s a twist to the Bachelorette, and of course mixed in with the Soulmate Equation. I just loved this so much. It really lived up to the hype in my head, I’m so excited for this to be released and for everyone to read this. This is by far my favourite book of Christina Lauren now.

Thank you NetGalley, Simon and Schuster Canada, and Christina and Lauren for allowing me this ARC. I was so over the moon excited when I was accepted. I will recommend this to everyone.

I’m just in awe, and may be in a book slump after reading one of my most anticipated reads. The limit does not exist on how amazing this book was

Christina Lauren NEVER misses!!
This book was funny, cute, sexy. I love a female character that is authentically herself whether that be quiet and to herself (which Fizzy is not) or loud, blunt and doesn't care what others think. And Connor "hot Brit." Need I say more!
The banter in this book was perfection, and the way that they right chemistry between characters is also perfection!
On May 16th 2023 do not wak but run to your nearest book store and grab yourself a copy!!
Thank you netgalley for the arc!

I was given an ARC by Netgalley and Simon and Shuster Canada in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed this! Christina Lauren has knocked it out of the park again!

I loved the Soulmate Equation so when I heard we were getting another book set in the same universe I was super excited. This book did not disappoint! I loved this forbidden romance/friends to lovers book. I loved the dynamic between Fizzy and Connor. I loved the growth of both our main characters throughout the book. I loved the Bachelor setting type book because I’m a sucker for those. I loved the 8 heroes Fizzy went on dates with when all she wanted to be was on a date with Connor. I loved this book! Be sure to pick this up on May 16,23.

Felicity Chen (the best friend from The Soulmate Equation) is looking for her true love. Connor is the documentary filmaker who is going to help her find the perfect match.... They end up falling for each other....of course.

With any Christina Lauren books, you can expect lots of humor, steamy romance, swoony-worthy hero and heroines. This one is no different. The main characters are fun and I love their banter. They have great chemistry and are terrific together. I love reality show books so this one is especially a favorite. It bears repeating that the humor is top-notched and made me laugh out loud so many times. A wonderful read.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.

I never knew why I couldn’t quite pick a number 1 Christina Lauren book (I had a top 7), but now I do.
It’s because this one hadn’t been written yet.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

This book has 2 super lovable main characters - Fizzy, who we met in the Soulmate Equation & Connor.
Fizzy is a romance author who has lost her spark, & love for love. She’s never been in love, and was burned by her attempt at a more serious relationship.
Connor is a British, divorced, single dad - or DILF rather - who is trying to save his career & stay close to his daughter. His boss assigns him the task of a producing a dating reality show, and Fizzy is the perfect fit to star in it.

I loved the brutal honesty between the main characters and lack of miscommunication we read all too often these days. They had the BEST chemistry!!
I can’t even fully put into words how much I loved this book.

Read if you enjoy:
⭐️ Opposites attract
⭐️ Older characters (33 & 37)
⭐️ Forbidden romance
⭐️ Forced proximity
⭐️ Reality tv show
⭐️ Dual POV/first person

A super huge THANK YOU for an advanced copy of my most anticipated book of 2023 to Simon & Shuster Canada and NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This is hands down my new favorite Christina Lauren book!! A MUST read for all romance fans and the perfect sequel to The Soulmate Equation.

What I LOVED:
1. The Premise! A successful romance writer is casted as the lead in a reality dating TV show and falls for the show's producer. What could be better?!
2. Fizzy! I loved her in The Soulmate Equation as a supporting character but she made an even better main character. Her sex-positivity, bluntness, and humor made her so likable and there was something special about watching her find joy in a place where she least expected to.
3. Connor! I know I say this after many romance books but he is now my book boyfriend. I loved how sincere, caring, open and honest he was. The way he fell for Fizzy and appreciated her for her was perfection. Plus, he's British... and tall
4. The FLIRTING! Seriously this book has the BEST banter and there were so many times I was full on laughing out loud. The added element of forbidden love and forced proximity while filming made all the angst and tension shine.
5. The single parent trope! Connor is a single parent, which is a favorite trope of mine because I always love when romances add kids to their stories.
6. All the Jess/River! I was surprised by how big of a role Jess and River, and even Jude, played in this book. CL did a great job refreshing you on all the small details from The Soulmate Equation too, so I didn't feel lost in the beginning, especially because DNADuo was tied into the reality show.
7. All the pop culture references!!! Yes, Harry Styles got
mentioned twice :
8. The grand gesture! It was perfect and while it easy to predict how the story would play out, it didn't take away from the enjoyment whatsoever.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC copy!

This book was phenomenal! I have to say, if this was a real reality show, I would absolutely be losing my mind at the end of it (not that I wasn’t already doing that). The chemistry between Fizzy and Connor was amazing; their banter was so entertaining, and the sexual tension was through the roof. The side characters were also great! I loved Natalia and Jess. I haven’t read The Soulmate Equation yet, but I think I might have to now! Overall, another win from Christina Lauren! This is definitely one of my favourites from them.