Member Reviews
Christina Lauren have wowed me with so many of their romance novels but this is truly one of their best. A passionate love letter to romance and its readers and I’m so grateful!
I’ve loved so many of their novels and unique stories that this author duo is still a one-click writing team for me but I really couldn’t wait to get my hands on this story.
Yes, I was interested to get Fizzy’s story (who we first met in Christina Lauren’s The Soulmate Equation) but once I saw what this was about, I was chomping at the bit.
Now, I should say that I am NOT a fan of reality TV. In fact I avoid it like the plague, but a reality TV show starring a romance author with men representing different romance book hero types is something I could definitely get behind and watch.
I think it’s hilarious that Fizzy threw out that idea anticipating it would derail her chances of being cast on the show but Connor stepped up and delivered (the casting of a vampire was genius!).
And so launches Fizzy’s entrance into reality TV, which she’s hoping will either distract her from her current writer’s block or simply inspire some joy and spiciness in her life again. She just didn’t anticipate clicking and then falling for the producer of the show!
This book is all about Fizzy. I found her to be refreshingly “real” in the sense that she was a woman who lived life on her terms – writing romance and dating tons of guys – even if others may judge her for it.
There were so many one-liners that had me laughing out loud because this woman just said what was on her mind and I loved it.
I felt for her struggle to get words on a page and to wonder if she’d ever find the epic love that she once easily wrote about.
There are some nods to familial expectations related to her work and lack of finding a partner and starting a family compared to her siblings, but these were just nuggets to give more context to her character but didn’t weigh down the focus on her growing relationship with Connor.
Connor was a different character in that his personality slowly came to light the deeper you get into the story. He wasn’t easy to flush out at first but it worked because what finally did emerge was this hero that surpasses any stereotypical romance hero.
I loved the backdrop of the reality TV show to grow their “forbidden” connection. It totally reminded me of the made for TV movie, The Reality of Love, starring Bradley Cooper. (If you have a chance to watch it- definitely do!).
But even without having a visual representation of this TV show to watch, I could “see” the chemistry jump off the page between Fizzy and Connor in so many moments and I adored their confessional tapings.
What I love most about Christina Lauren’s storytelling is that every book is so fresh and their writing only gets better and better. Their plotting and character development is spot on in this one. While it might have been a tad slow in the first quarter, they really set the stage for how the book later progressed.
Even the moment of conflict was really perfect - not what I expected and yet it wasn’t this drama filled event. It fit these thirty-something characters and showed their maturity which I adored.
Thank you Christina Lauren for this love letter to romance. I loved it and can’t wait for even more. Truly one of the best of 2023.
*Thank you to Netgalley for the advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.
This book was SO cute!! I really loved the main character Fizzy. I will definitely go back and read Christina Lauren’s other book The Soulmate Equation, because there are some overlapping characters in this book. You do not have to read them in order though. I read this so fast and I couldn’t wait to see what happened in the end. I am not usually a huge romance fan, but really liked this story line.
Christina Lauren have done it again! The True Love Experiment takes us back to the DNADuo story but this time Fizzy gets her chance at finding love through a reality show using the DNADuo and potential matches that all fit a certain romance leading man trope.
This was such a cute story and had me hooked from the start. I mostly read this book in the middle of the night while feeding and/or pumping for my newborn, and I loved having Fizzy and Connor for company during those late nights. I also have been on a reality tv kick lately too so that definitely didn't hurt that the storyline involves a reality show that I would 100% watch. Fizzy is such a likable character that I remember loving from The Soulmate Equation so I was very happy that she got her own book entirely.
Some of the sex/banter was a little over the top for me, though I feel like that fit in with Fizzy's character quite well so it made sense for the story.
I am so excited to have gotten this as an ARC - thank you to NetGalley and the publisher. I would absolutely recommend picking this one up later this year when it comes out!
I would give this book 3.5 stars it’s a fun idea and story! Quick and easy beach read. I really liked the characters but felt they were a little too perfect. The chemistry between them was great! If you are a fan of reality romance shows ala Bachelorette you will love this!
you know that book that gives you literal chills, sobbing tears of joy, actual laugh out loud moments, and all of the squealing because the characters are just too damn cute and made for each other?
yeah, that’s this book 💝
it took me approximately a year (lmao, more like a month) to read this one because I wanted to savor every chapter and every moment of our queen fizzy chen!!! after completely falling in love with her in THE SOULMATE EQUATION, I was beyond ecstatic for her to finally get her happily ever after too 🥹🥹🥹
and connor, woooo boy connor, is our british daddy KING (and yes, even the fans in the book know it) 😮💨 I love a good mutual pining between two characters who are absolutely perfect for each other but somehow believe that the other is too good for them!!!!
I loved the concept of a bachelor-style show for fizzy because it was realistic and so adorable for our hot mess of a FMC 🫶🏼 and of course, seeing jess and river again was an added bonus
the ending, however, was what sealed the deal for a 5 star review for me 🥹🥹🥹 I literally was simultaneously sobbing and squealing at 1am because when I tell you, it was absolutely perfect - I’m not lying
so moral of the story: please read this one, it may take the cake for being my favorite christina lauren novel yet!!!!!
a ginormous thank you to netgalley and gallery books for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review! I’ve already pre-ordered my copy!!!
rating: 5 stars
wine pairing: sonoma coast sparkling wine
Ok. This was a DNF for me. I have read these ladies' books before, and they can be a hit or miss for me. I just wasn't in the mood for this one at the time. I might try it again at a later date.
Thanks Netgalley for the ARC.
*ARC received from NetGalley*
This was a slower read for me, especially the first 25% of the book, then it started getting good.
I enjoyed the Connor character more than the Fizzy character for a couple reasons, one I felt he was more relatable and two because his actions were a bit more logical. Fizzy (Felicity) is a more off the walls character with a bit more angst.
I picked this up in part because I wanted to see where Christina Lauren took the series following the Jess/River romance in the "The soulmate equation" and this book was on par. Connor is a bit more relatable that River however I liked Jess more than Fizzy. Either was not an over the top dramatic romance but still a decent quick read with the steamy scenes built in.
Overall yes I am glad that I read it and Christian Lauren is still in my top list of Romance authors.
So glad we got to hear Fizzy’s story! Loved the bachelorette vibes reality tv show with the men fitting different archetypes. Loved Conner and his relationship with his daughter. Oh and can’t forget the chemistry between Fizzy and Conner or should we say Cizzy!
I've read and enjoyed a lot of CLo books but this one really blew those out of the water! Fizzy and Connor are both such great characters, the LONGING in this book is off the charts, and truly I live for characters that communicate with one another. Read this ASAP!! You won't regret it.
Thanks NetGalley for an E-Arc of The True Love Experiment by Christina Lauren in exchange for an honest review!
This was another great romance by a tried and true duo! A successful romance writer who has slowly lost faith in love agrees to do a dating show but things take a turn when she begins to fall for the producer instead of one of the contestants!
Fizzy is such a strong, opinionated, funny FMC who openly communicates her feelings and says exactly what she's thinking (for better or worse). She really was the "star" of the book. Her juxtaposition with Connor's careful, patient demeanor paired really well and their banter was my favorite part of the book.
My only complaint is that the third act conflict felt a little out of character. For someone who has spent the entire book pushing boundaries and openly communicating her feelings, it felt out of character for Fizzy to clam up and run away instead of talking it out with Connor once the conflict emerges. This is eventually overcome, and the finale (of the book and the show) is one of the best romantic gestures I've ever read!
Overall, this is a great read and I highly recommend it!
This is the perfect companion novel to The Soulmate Equation. We finally get Fizzy's story! If you are a fan of the Bachelor or the Bachelorette you will love this. Fizzy a romance author who is friends with Jess and often writes about the DNAduo dating website that was created. She is asked by Connor who she might have a crush on to star as the lead female hoping to find her Golden Match as she embarks on a reality dating show where the audience gets to pick who they think is her perfect match. This is told in dual perspective between Fizzy and Connor. I really enjoyed the dual perspective and loved seeing the dynamic between Fizzy and Connor grow. This was fun and light. I really enjoyed the plot and all the characters involved.
I wanted to try it to see how it compares to Colleen Hoover and I would definitely recommend it to Romance readers. It's just a little too shallow for me.
This book was everything you could ever want in a love story and more!!
I think the reason Fizzie is my favorite Christina Lauren heroine so far is because she is everything we all want to be. She is hilarious, a great friend, beautiful and smart. She is a writer (hello, how many of us readers would love to write a book), and above all, she finds the strength to put her feelings out there, no matter the cost. She lets herself be completely vulnerable in the name of love, and that takes enormous strength!! My Fizzie is Ashley Park!! I can't even imagine anyone else as her.
Now, let's discuss Connor. My Connor is Henry Cavill. What other tall sexy British actor could I possibly imagine? I think Christina and Lauren did a fantastic job fleshing out Connor, and dang, did I not blame Fizzy for falling for him. He was a fantastic dad and lover, yet still not infallible. He had his faults, which made him even more perfect!!
Connor and Fizzie's chemistry was electric. Friends to lovers is my favorite romance. I am NOT a fan of reality shows AT ALL, but I loved the premise. It was fun and different. I would totally love it if they made this into a movie. This book and The Soulmate Experiment are by far my favorite Christina Lauren books!!
Thank you so much for giving us Jess and River and Fizzie and Connor. You created 2 couples who we readers not only love but admire and strive to be in their own love lives.
Honestly, I had a harder time getting into this one than other CL books. I LOVED Something Wilder & The Soulmate Equation so I had high hopes for this one, but I couldn't get past chapter 4. I think I will try it again soon, but for right now, it just wasn't what I needed.
A great addition to the rom-com genre! It was a fun read with a original concept. While the story may have been a bit predictable, it did not take away from my enjoyment of reading the book. It is one that I will recommend to lovers of this genre!
So much pining! So many entendres! So much fun!
I freaking love Fizzy. (Cast akwafina as Fizzy and make this into a movie!)
I credit their wishes for booksellers in the acknowledgements for my Suga tickets. 😂
y'alllllll – we love a christina lauren moment, these two always give us a fun romance moment and this book is exactly what i wanted of a character we'd met previously. connor is dreamy (the only word that feels appropriate! an accent! a good relationship with his ex partner! we love him!), and i always love when we're living in the same universe as previous MCs. this is (for once!) an open door romance, so there are some mildly spicy scenes. perfect chill day quick read or beach read, like pick it up in one sitting and read it straight through because it's that fun!
This is my first Christina Lauren book. I did not realize that it is connected to The Soulmate Equation (which I have not read). I think it had a decent premise but the author did not deliver. The obstacles the couple faced didn’t make much sense and it was just frustrating how it was drawn out so long. If this is a typical example of the author’s writing, then her books are not for me.
Fizzy Chen is a celebrated romance writer who has lost her desire. Conner Prince III is a single-dad documentary producer who’s boss is making him switch directions and enter the realm of reality TV. Sparks start flying when these two team up to create an epic new reality dating show.
I have always been a Christina Lauren fan, but this one is, hands down, my new favorite. I love that we were able pick up with Fizzy from The Soulmate Equation. She is the best friend you’ve always wanted and I loved seeing her get her moment to shine instead of being just a side character.
I immediately feel in love with Conner. His dynamic with Fizzy hooks you from their very first meeting. He is the best dad to Stevie. When I first saw the relationship with his ex-wife, Nat, I was worried that it was going to become an issue later, but thankfully it didn’t and it became clear how much mutual respect they had for each other.
This book was addicting and I couldn’t put it down. I can’t even remember how many times I laughed out loud. And the BANTER! perfection.
I cannot wait to get my hands on a physical copy when the book is released in May.
4.5
christian lauren doesn’t miss. really liked this one, but i think i remember liking the soulmate equation more. BUT that doesn’t mean this one isn’t super great. fizzy is the perfect heroine, and i enjoyed all the meta stuff that came with her being a romance writer and the dating show. i think they struck a great balance between pure fizzy & connor moments and their commitment to the rest of the plot points.
#netgalley