I was nervous going into this one, I’ll be honest. The last release was a struggle and I worried the east flowing writing was gone for this duo. But I’m so glad I jumped in on this one- delightful rom com that checks all the boxes and makes me want more. Can’t wait to get this in customers’ hands!!

I love it!!!! All my favorite things, romance, comedy, reality tv, joy, fun. I really loved the soulmate equation, and I think I loved this one even more. The chemistry between the two characters is so great, you can feel the pages sizzle. I love the snark about romance writers and readers. This one is a gold standard for modern romance.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Gallery Books for an advanced copy of this book- it may have been the best thing that’s ever happened to me.

Romance author Felicity Chen is in a slump. A romantic slump AND a writing slump after having a relationship end terribly. Fizzy no longer believes that she'll be one of the lucky few to get her true love in this life and for the most part she accepts that. As with most big life changes though she has a tough time approaching living after that and basically puts her life on hold until a handsome producer asks her to be the star of a reality dating competition.

Connor see's Fizzy charisma from a mile away. He is also able to detect that this would translate well to the screen so after he is forced to create a dating show by his production company, he is determined to have her as the star. Fortunately for him, the only way she'll agree is if he commits to helping her and himself find joy in the month leading up to filming. (Basically these two idiots date for a month lol )

This book had me laughing just as much as it had me crying. Connor turned out to be one of my favorite MMC like EVER and the pure joy of having this book be emotional almost strictly due to the feelings they had for each other was so magical. I love when characters have real life struggle on paper and these two certainly had a degree of that but the real meat of the story was their love and that could have killed this book rapidly but it was so well executed. I actually don’t understand how CL continuously write BANGERS.

One of my favorite things about this book is how it is a love letter to the romance reading community. The different romance tropes are basically the outline for the entire book as Fizzy is a romance author I think this is the only way this book could have been written. It also has the very real conversation about how people view romance readers and writers. People who watch reality television and read romance aren't any less intelligent than those who don't

I am a forever CL stan for a reason, that reason is beautiful books like this!

YES, YES, YES! This book was one of my absolute favorite reads from the romance writing power-duo, Christina Lauren. The wit and banter were ON POINT - and there was a Ted Lasso reference? I mean, COME ON!

Romance readers will love this, because not only is the traditional rom-com element there, the FMC is a ROMANCE AUTHOR! A definite 5-star rating, and I wish I could give it more!

*Shoutout to NetGalley for allowing me access to a digital ARC and for Gallery Books for granting me permission to read and review this book!

Fizzy Chang is back with her own story. The best friend from "The Soulmate Equation" is back, starring in her own reality television show. When Connor Prince's production company tells him he has to produce a bachelor-type show or lose his job, Connor asks Fizzy to star since she has 18-49 female market covered with her romance novels. But Connor goes from looking down on romance novel writers, to falling in love with one as he and Fizzy get close as they create the show.

This book is smart, funny, and hot. All things *I* want in a romance novel and all things that seem to go along with a Christina Lauren book. Loved it!

Thank you netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I am a huge fan of this author. I have read most of her books and have loved her style of writing. Unfortunately, the usual slow burn feeling was missing from this novel. Both characters rushed into this romance with plenty of chemistry but not enough sexual tension. It was too much of a sex feast for my taste.

Christina Lauren does it again! I loved this book. It was such a fun read. The banter between Fizzy and Connor was great. Connor is the perfect book boyfriend. I’m forcing all my friends to read it when it’s released!

Overall really enjoyed this one! This was a cute romance story, perfect for fans of previous books by these authors and fans of the romance genre. I read this on vacation and it was perfect. Loved these characters so much!! Easy to follow and an enjoyable read.

4.5/5 stars! This was such a cute follow up for The Soulmate Experiment, where we follow Fizzy as our main lead.

As we know, Fizzy is a romance author and she’s approached by a producer to be part of a reality tv show, where she dates a group of men who match with her on DNAduo (discussed in book one). Hijinks ensue, and people fall in love, and in classic Christina Lauren fashion, the banter is the absolute best part of this book.

I love that it can be read as a stand alone, though I do recommend reading The Soulmate Experiment first. I loved the characters and the story, the pacing was perfect, and I devoured it in less than 24 hours.

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

Received a physical early copy also via the publsiher - will be reading and reviewing on Goodreads and Amazon Thank you!

I LOVE CHRISTINA LAUREN SO MUCH! This book was so much fun, and I am absolutely obsessed with it. I haven't read The Soulmate Equation, but I absolutely have to now. The friends to lovers and single parent trope completely sold me with this one, and I couldn't get enough.

I just discovered Christina Lauren's books a couple a years ago and am so glad I did! They are all fun, spicy and full of heart and the True Love Experiment is no exception. This follow-up to The Soulmate Equation is just as good, if not better than its predecessor. I immediately fell in love with Fizzy and Connor and was rooting for them throughout the book, not only as a couple, but also as individuals.

This is the perfect summer read and I will definitely be recommending it to our library patrons!

majorly conflicted tbh. like i gave it 4 stars but idk if it deserves it.
here’s the summary:
felicity ‘fizzy’ chen is a bestselling romance author who is loud and proud. she’s funny and crass and in afraid to take up space in a room. however, she soon finds herself in a dilemma: she can’t find the spark of attraction or romance anymore and she has a new manuscript due in a few months.

connor prince wants to produce environmentalist documentaries and short films. his film company is losing money and needs views, so they push him to take on a reality dating project. as much as connor wants to leave and move to LA to find a new company, he wants to stay to be near his daughter. he happens upon fizzy’s books and decides there would be no better reality show than one in which a romance author dates multiple men and the audience has to decide which of them she seems to have the most chemistry with.

fizzy is not what he expects. connor is not what she expects. as the two work close together to develop the perfect show to save connor’s career, fizzy starts to remember those feelings of romance and attraction. so what happens when connor has to watch fizzy date 10 other men and end up with someone who isn’t him?

so the review thoughts:
- fizzy is a lot. in a good way to me. though clearly going to be a divisive heroine for some.
- connor is a true dreamboat (and a dilf)
- the first 30-40% is them going on these friend dates to get to know each other?? which i don’t even remember how that fits into the plot but it was definitely on the slower side, though it does build out the romance thoroughly
- this book needed to be edited down, too slow at parts too rushed at others
- that being said it gave me back my reading a bit (i am currently in the worst slump of my life)
- the 3rd act breakup was predictable, however… i wanted a lot more from connor when they got back together, not necessarily groveling but she had this grand love confession and his was so mid???

so i don’t know. but honestly, my favorite christina lauren i’ve read so far and i usually find their books aggressively mid or just plain bad.

*POST SCHEDULED FOR MAY 13 ON BLOG*

The True Love Experiment by Christina Lauren is a contemporary romance novel which acts as a companion to another book by this author duo, The Soulmate Equation. In the The True Love Experiment, single dad and documentary producer Connor Prince III is recruited to develop a romance reality television show in order to boost ratings for his network. As a result, Connor enlists Felicity "Fizzy" Chen, an outgoing romance author, as the show's lead. If Fizzy fails to find love, it could mean the end for Connor's career. However, Felicity is more interested in Connor than the men recruited for her show.

Christina Lauren's book are usually hit-or-miss for me. My last few books that I've read by the author duo resulted in average age. I didn't even finish their new release last year, Something Wilder, as I found the synopsis didn't really match the contents or tone of the actual book. That being said, I was hopeful that I would enjoy The True Love Experiment as I really enjoyed The Soulmate Equation. While there were some aspects of The True Love Experiment that I did like, there were other areas where there could have been stronger execution.

The highlight of The True Love Experiment would have to be Fizzy, the main female character. Fizzy has a strong, likable personality. Fizzy can also be quirky, but not in an immature or unbelievable way. That being said, as with both main characters, I wanted a little more from their backstories. At the end of the book, I felt like I had a very surface-level understanding of Fizzy and what she needed in a relationship.

On the flip side, I found Connor to be a little bland. When I think of Connor, I can name several other similar protagonists. While I appreciated his maturity in approaching his relationship with Fizzy, there wasn't much that stuck out about him to me. Additionally, in very pivotal moments within the book, I found his words and actions to be inconsistent with the characters that had been developed throughout the novel. Also, similar to Fizzy, I felt like I had a very surface-level connection to his character. Although I didn't dislike Connor and Fizzy together, this prevented me from becoming fully invested in their relationship.

My biggest issues with The True Love Experiment were the plot and pacing. One of the big parts of the book's synopsis is the reality television show. However, the show doesn't really start until about 40% of the way through the book. Early in the book, Fizzy and Connor go to a boy band concert with Connor's daughter. Fizzy attends a soccer game where Connor is a coach. These scenes really didn't add much to the story for me, as it is established without these scenes that Connor is a devoted father. I found myself just wanting to push through these scenes to get to the real plot of the story.

Once I finally got to the show, I found that it lacked the tension which I expected. Fizzy's feelings for Connor are established before the show even starts. As a result, I never saw Fizzy as truly invested in the show. The dates which take places on the show are typically summarized very quickly. During Fizzy's time on the show, I felt like an outsider as a reader which took me out of the story. I assumed going into this novel that the show would be the main tension between the characters. As Fizzy's relationships would grow with the contestants, she would find herself more pulled towards the producer. Since her feelings were established so early on in the novel, the television show part just like a formality to pass by in order to get to the happily ever after. While there were still some stakes, such as Connor's job on the line, the stakes could have been much higher if the story was structured in a different way.

While I didn't dislike The True Love Experiment, I didn't find myself fully invested or engaged in the story. I was constantly picking this book up and putting it down. In the end, it took me about two months to finish this book. I give this book 2.5 out of 3 stars.

A truly fun, romantic story about a famous writer of romance novels who is asked by a documentary filmmaker to fall in love on camera. She doesn't want to do it, but, along with a list of demands, she finally agrees. Lots of action here, and a fun look at publishing and filmmaking as well. Readers who have always enjoyed Christina Lauren's books will love this, and it is so strong that it will attract new readers as well.

“Book people are just better, I swear by it.”

An ode to romance readers everywhere I absolutely loved this book. Fizzy is funny and built off the small amazing kernels of her we got in Soulmate. Connor is hunky, sweet, unable to be put into a singular box. Honestly this might be their best work.

*quick note that I am not Chinese American and neither are CLo. I know they had Chinese beta readers to support their creation of Fizzy and her family and I think their involvement shone through. I will say I generally dislike when white authors name race of POC but not white characters, and never once did Fizzy actually state that she is Chinese American (nor is there a strong character description imo). And for the first 40% or so I felt like Fizzy could be any race until her brothers wedding. And that’s when her race and culture really shone.*

My favorite part about The Soulmate Equation by the same author was Jess's friendship with Fizzy. This book is centers on Fizzy when she's approached to star in a reality dating show. Reading about the dating show was fun because all the eligible bachelors fit different romantic hero types such as hot nerd, tattooed bad boy or second chance. I liked that Jess's daughter Juno is featured often throughout the book and also the dating show incorporates the DNA matchmaking company from the previous book. Fizzy doesn't think much of the director Connor but as they plan the show together and start spending time together, they start to fall for each other. If the public finds out that Fizzy is seeing someone outside the show, she could be potentially sued and if Connor is found seeing Fizzy, he could lose his job. Will Fizzy and Connor find their way to one another?

“He is the stillness to my storm, the shadow to my bright sunlight, the Styles to my Harry.”

I AM SQUEALING WITH DELIGHT OVER THE EXISTENCE OF THIS BOOK! 😭🥹😍🤩😮‍💨

This is @christinalauren at their FINEST!! I am. OBSESSED.

I assumed I couldn’t love Fizzy more than I did in THE SOULMATE EQUATION (if you haven’t read it yet, you must!) but I was wrong. She’s an ALL TIME favorite female MC for me now 💞 She’s unapologetically herself, hilarious, smart, a fan girl, and the ultimate romance book supporter 🫶

And in THE TRUE LOVE EXPERIMENT we get to see Fizzy opposite Connor 🥹 a NEW TOP TIER book boyfriend 😮‍💨 a hot, British, single dad!! He coparents with maturity, cares about the planet, admits when he’s wrong, and knows what he wants 👏

This book was truly a love letter to romance novels! For those who write them and read them 🫶 how important they are, how condescending it is to call them a “guilty pleasure”, how they are joyous and sexy stories, yes, but also about challenging the status quo and social change! And everyone deserving a happy ending 😭

The romance in this particular romance book? INCREDIBLE! I was SWOONING and literally grinning ear to ear reading it. But it was also laugh out loud funny, had plenty of Harry Styles references, featured a romance trope reality tv show, and was a smidge spicy 😮‍💨

Obviously it got 5 SHINY ⭐️s from me - I loved it!! It was everything I wanted + more!! It was like if you took JOSH + HAZEL and THE CHARM OFFENSIVE (aka 2 of my favorite romance books) and mushed them together. It’s out 5/16 so preorder your copy now!! Read the first one if you haven’t!! And tell me all your thoughts while reading them because I can’t wait to have more people to gush over this one with 🥹🥰

Thank you to @netgalley + @gallerybooks for the eARC 💜

My favorite part of this storyline was the representation of Romance as a genre and its readers. I LOVED the way it was explained and defended.
This book as a whole was just what we've come to expect from this dynamic duo. Fun, flirty, spicy, and heartwarming.

<i> This book was given to me by NetGalley in return for an honest review. </i>

I had high hopes for this books and it did not disappoint! I LOVE Fizzy and Conner. I couldn’t put this book down. I just wanted to keep reading it every-time I had to stop. I can’t wait for it to be release to have my own copy.