I just finished #TheTrueLoveExperiment and I absolutely LOVED it and it was a five star read for me! 🤩It has everything I love in a romance — swoon worthy characters, funny banter, spicy scenes and an absolutely adorable plot line that kept me turning the pages so fast! I’ve been a long time fan of the Christina Lauren duo and this book may be one of my favorites of theirs (fitting that it’s also their 30th book!) 📖 If you’re looking for a new book to pick up this summer, just go ahead and buy this one! I promise, you won’t regret it! 💓

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy!

This was just fine.

I think The Soulmate Equation was an outlier for me because I loved that so much but the rest of Christina Lauren’s books fall so flat for me. And don’t get me started on Something Wilder.

I was glad to see Fizzy get her own story but this lacked a lot of depth I was able to find in Jess from Soulmate. I saw promise at the start but the pacing of this book was so off. The whole plot revealed itself within a few chapters and it was very predictable. I’m glad it ended the way it did but honestly, cut out the whole show story line and it would have been a great novella.

Christina Lauren has done it again! This is an excellent companion novel to The Soulmate Equation. The way the characters are written helps the reader connects with them and come to life on the page. One of my favorite things about this book was the hero tropes!

I really enjoyed hearing Fizzy and Connor's love story- she's a best-selling author and he's a documentary filmmaker. Their worlds collide when he is forced to make a love dating show and chooses Fizzy to be the star. When on dates with suitors, she finds her eyes constantly traveling back to Connor. He finds her beyond charming. Sparks fly even more between the two when she demands he be the interviewer each week. Even America notices their chemistry!

Absolutely loved! Now we just need the true love experiment show to become a reality - with Christina and Lauren at the helm! Will follow these authors wherever they take their readers next!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️The True Love Experiment by Christina Lauren

Let me start by saying until I read the acknowledgements, I didn’t even realize this was a spin-off book from The Soulmate Equation. Probably because, in all honesty, I only rated that book ⭐ ️… But this one…muchas better!

I really do like the Christina Lauren writing duo. I think they have this rom-com system down-pat. This book is another example of hitting it to the fences (not quite out of the ball park because I thought Fizzy dragged in places.)

Felicity “Fizzy” Chen is a romance author who gets convinced to star in a reality dating show by Connor Prince III, the producer. Connor normally produces more thought-provoking documentaries but is left without a choice in the matter. His ex-wife suggests he get her favorite author, Fizzy, to be the star. Connor and Fizzy battle it out, get hot for each other, fight the attraction, give in to the attraction, fight the attraction…after all Fizzy is the star of a reality dating show! She can’t date the producer. But in true Christina Lauren fashion…you know how this is going to end.

Fizzy is an over-the-top character that got grating at times, a bit annoying, and too in-your-face. She did have some redeeming qualities - very sex positive, self-assured, confident… Connor…muwah…perfection. He is a charming, larger-than-life, sweet, magnetic, likable, loveable, fetching, hot character. I couldn’t help rooting for them behind the scenes -- even though I should have been rooting for one of the men on the show. And maybe I would have if we had been given more of those men…but then again, that would have taken pages away from Connor…and to that I say no.

So overall, a well-written, entertaining rom-com from the dynamic duo that is Christina Lauren. You know those authors that you read without even needing to know what the book is about? That’s them. They’re those authors. I can’t wait for the next one!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this title for review.

So I loved the beginning of this book and basically binged it in a day. The middle also loved. The banter was amazing. Fizzy is a girl I’d love to be friends with. But I didn’t love something that was mentioned in the later half of the book….

When Connor talks about his first marriage ending bc he cheated I was so thrown. I hate cheating. Absolutely hate it. And then to have him be so upset that Fizzy was so upset about it?! To me it made sense that she would be upset. That this was a big deal to her. I get that they later talk and get together but just wasn’t a fan of the cheating bombshell and his initial reaction. So it went from five to four stars for me. Maybe 3.5 stars?? Idk. I did love the majority of the book.

What a fun, cute rom-com. I really enjoyed how the author's tied in Fizzy being a romance writer both in her "real life" and with the show she was creating with Connor. Like always, an easy and romantic read from these two authors.

The True Love Experiment is going on my Top 10 Summer Reads for 2023! I don't usually watch reality TV (although my kids love it so I do see some shows when they're around watching ones like The Bachelor) but Christina Lauren's books are such a pleasure to read so of course I had to give it a go! Fizzy and Connor's love story was just so swoony and I've been recommending it to everyone for an entertaining summer read. I loved seeing characters from The Soulmate Equation again too! I read this in one day...I just couldn't get enough of it!

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Publication date: 16 May 2023

If you want me to read a book, a surefire way is to make the setting a reality dating show. Add Christina Lauren to the mix and you know you have nothing to worry about.

The True Love Experiment is delightful. Fizzy and Connor are great protagonists and their story is full of heart, humor, and hot sex.

I enjoyed The True Love Experiment more than The Soulmate Equation. The plot is predictable, but it was such a fun, easy read. This book definitely seems like Christina Lauren's love letter to their fans and romance readers in general. If you're not already familiar with Christina Lauren's books or similar authors, you probably won't enjoy this one - this author duo is hit-or-miss for me personally, but I laughed a lot and thought the romance was sweet.

I don’t really watch much reality TV, but The True Love Experiment has me wishing this was a real-life show! Romance author Felicity (Fizzy) Chen was a fan-favorite in The Soulmate Equation, and for good reason - she’s hilarious, fierce, and loves her friends with her whole heart. But she’s never been in love for real and doesn’t think it’s in the cards for her. When approached to start in a reality dating show by Connor Prince, documentary filmmaker who needs to show to save his own job, she decides to jump in - as long as they follow her rules. But no one was counting on the sparks to fly between Fizzy and Connor way more than between her and any of the actual men on the show. This book hooked me from page one! I adored their story and it had all the right notes for the perfect romcom. Thank you, Gallery Books, for the advanced reading copy, receipt of which did not impact my review.

A romance novelist and a documentary filmmaker partner on a reality show and along the way find joy and love, in Christina Lauren’s latest, THE TRUE LOVE EXPERIMENT.

Beloved romance author Felicity “Fizzy” Chen has lost her mojo – she’s suffering from a bad case of writer’s block, likely because she’s yet to find that all-encompassing, fireworks kind of love. Her last entanglement ended chaotically, leaving her scarred in a way she won’t soon forget.

Single dad and producer Connor Prince is stuck too, forced to shoot a dating reality show instead of the socially conscious documentaries he prefers. Desperate for an idea to make the show unique, he stumbles on Fizzy—the romantic lead everyone is sure to love.

Fizzy’s immediate answer is ‘no way’—unless Connor can meet her unusual list of demands. And when he does, The True Love Experiment really begins.

Fizzy and Connor spark immediate chemistry, finding something special in each other. The problem is Connor should be helping Fizzy find her soulmate and any relationship between them is strictly—and legally—forbidden. As tension and chemistry reaches a fever pitch, the show, their careers, and their futures, hang precariously in the balance.

As they always seem to do, Christina Lauren delivers a perfect romcom. The story felt fresh, exciting, and yet familiar, as they play with romance archetypes throughout. This is their love letter to romance authors and readers alike, making it even more enjoyable to read.

But it’s Fizzy and Connor who bring the story to life spectacularly. Fizzy is such a funny and charismatic heroine, the ideal complement to the caring-yet-pragmatic Connor. You could really feel them falling in love page after page. Their banter, their chemistry, it all makes this romp an utter delight to read, and a joyful, one-weekend binge.

God this book was so freaking GOOOOOOD!!!

Felicity (Fizzy) Chen was probably one of my all time favorite side characters, and the fact that she got her own book made me the happiest reader EVER. We liveeeee to see a romance author find her HEA!!?? Also, I love a book about books (to some extent) so this was awesome on that angle alone!!

I loved the concept of this one. A romance author who lost her mojo is asked to be on a dating show. She says why the heck not, and does it in hopes of getting her writing spark, and her horniness (oooof that dry spell), back on track. But what she doesn’t expect is to feel some type of way about the hottttt British producer who happens to be a daddy in more ways than one 🫠🤤

The chemistry between these two, connor & fizzy, was sizzling hot & I loved their banter & flirtiness with my whole heart. There were so many swoony moment, my heart is actually still melting as we speak. I am seriously so mad at myself for waiting so long to read this. It was perfect. I cackled so much but also got some butterflies, both in my stomach & 🐱 ;). Can’t complain there hehe.

The relationship that Connor had with his ex wife is probably my favorite ever in a single dad romance, and it made my heart really happy. No toxic exes for the win! ALSO. LETS HERE IT FOR EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION!!! I love to see characters that actually say what they feel and don’t hold anything back (ily fizzy).

Getting to see some of my favorite people from the soulmate equation again made me happy… IM TALKING ABOUT YOU RIVER, JESS & JUNO! I really enjoyed the soulmate equation, but this one kicked it out of the park! And we get to see DNAduo again!

Everyone needs to read this book. ESPECIALLY if one is looking for a feel-good book that is hotter than you would expect & you won’t be able to put down!!

Spice: 🌶️🌶️.5

Tropes:
Forced proximity
Workplace romance
Friends to lovers
Single dad
Reality TV show vibes
Found family

Thanks to Gallery Books for my ARC!!!

Such a clever book! Fizzy is an author in a writing slump who agrees to do a dating show to try and get out of it. Witty banter and cute premise!

I loved this book. It was wonderful to hear Fizzy’s story and get to know her as more than a best friend. I loved seeing the characters from the first book as well. It was fun to see the continuation of their story while hearing Fizzy’s. I feel like all romance books, of late, are riddled with multiple unnecessary sex scenes. I was thankful this was not. I felt it focused on the love affair, feelings, banter, and angst more than the sexual descriptions. It still has a spicy scene or two, but it wasn’t the whole end of the book which I appreciated. I really enjoyed this more than The Soulmate Equation, which up until now was my favorite of theirs!

I read The True Love Experiment without having read The Soulmate Equation and felt this book easily can be read as a stand alone.

While I struggled to first get into this book, I ended up thoroughly enjoying it, giving it four stars.

Fizzy is such a fun character, she's outgoing and to the point but unfortunately we find her in somewhat of a slump with her career and personal life.

Connor comes off as someone who is very steady and sure, but is also going through a shake up in his career.

I loved the relationships amongst all of the characters! Connor and his ex-wife have a great co-parenting relationship. They all root for him in his relationship with Fizzy. In the end they help each other get through their respective slumps, and you can't help but root for them along the way.

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for a honest review.

And they are back! I was personally so disappointed with their last novel I was worried this one would be a let down. However, I couldn't put this down once I started it, Fizzy is such a great character-don't let the fact that she was in a previous book sway you from this one if you don't remember her, that fact is easily covered in the plot without being repetitive. I felt like this book showed such grown-up ways to handle a relationship-where people listen and learn and grow. Of course, there has to be a conflict but it felt believable.

While I adored Love and Other Words, True Love was insta-love and dragged on but with little tension. Fizzy and Connor are instantly attracted to one another and the reader is privy to all their lusty thoughts. I am usually a fan of this but it felt rushed and unfiltered, especially Fizzy. The dating show was a fun element but felt skimmed over because Fizzy only had eyes for Connor. The tension with why they couldn’t be together came way to late in the story. It would have had more impact if we knew they couldn’t be together earlier on due to work issues rather than just trying to keep their feelings hidden because…Connor just couldn’t see that he was the best fit? Overall, an okay read with a strong female lead and fun family and friends.

The True Love Experiment by Christina Lauren is a delightful romantic comedy that pairs a romance novelist and a documentary filmmaker in a quest to create the ultimate Hollywood love story. With sparks flying and chemistry sizzling, this novel offers a charming and entertaining ride that takes both characters' careers to new heights.

Felicity "Fizzy" Chen, a successful romance novelist, finds herself at a crossroads when she realizes she hasn't truly experienced the all-encompassing feeling of love she often writes about. This realization prompts her to question her own beliefs and prompts an exploration of her personal life. Fizzy's character is relatable and endearing, and readers will find themselves rooting for her as she embarks on a journey of self-discovery.

Connor Prince, a documentary filmmaker and single father, is faced with the challenge of creating a reality TV show to save his job. When he crosses paths with Fizzy, an opportunity arises to showcase a real-life romance involving the queen of romance herself. The chemistry between Fizzy and Connor is palpable, and their banter and interactions are both entertaining and heartwarming.

Christina Lauren's writing style is engaging and filled with wit, creating a breezy and enjoyable reading experience. The story unfolds with humor and charm, capturing the essence of a romantic comedy. The pacing is well-balanced, ensuring that the plot moves forward while allowing room for character development and relationship building.

The supporting characters, including Connor's daughter and Fizzy's friends, add depth and additional layers to the story. Their presence enhances the emotional connections and provides moments of levity and heartwarming family dynamics.

One of the highlights of The True Love Experiment is the exploration of the romance genre itself. Through Fizzy's character, the authors delve into the ideals and expectations of love found in romance novels, challenging those notions and offering a fresh perspective. This self-reflection adds depth to the narrative and allows for meaningful discussions about the nature of love and relationships.

However, there are instances where the plot feels slightly predictable, following some familiar rom-com tropes. While this may not detract from the overall enjoyment of the story, readers seeking unique twists and surprises may find themselves longing for more originality.

In conclusion, The True Love Experiment is a delightful rom-com rollercoaster that offers a charming and entertaining read. Christina Lauren weaves together the worlds of romance novels and reality TV, creating a captivating story filled with chemistry and self-discovery. If you're in the mood for a light-hearted and feel-good romance with engaging characters and a touch of humor, this book is definitely worth picking up.