I will admit heading into this book I was skeptical. As a follow up to The Soulmate Equation per say I was hoping it was better as because I didn't love that.

But I was blown away. Fizzy is now one of my all time FMC and Connor is everything I need in a book.

I love their story and how they work through everything to get to the ending.

Writing is on point and keeps you engaged.

It’s finally Fizzy’s turn to find love friends! When she loses her mojo, aka her writing ability and her drive for dates and sex, Fizzy is worried she is broken forever. When Connor asks her to be the lead on the new show The True Love Experiment however, she has a hard time turning it down. Too bad her feelings are starting to pop up again, just not for any of her suitors.

Ahhhh yes! We have all been impatiently waiting for a Fizzy book, and it is finally here! Good news for everyone, it is as wonderful as we thought it would be! I adored Connor and Fizzy, and the setting of a bachelor type dating show, but where the audience votes off the men was just absolutely fantastic. As the bachelor is my guilty pleasure tv show (though I shouldn’t call it that anymore according to Nat!) I love any book that has a similar idea behind it! Fizzy was the perfect best friend in The Soulmate Equation, and turned into the perfect main character here! I just adored it all!

The True Love Experiment is basically a love letter to romance and romance readers! It gave me lots of joy and really just so many good feelings while reading it. I smiled a lot! Fizzy is the best She if funny and real and she struggles just like the rest of us . Fizzy with Conner made my heart so happy! And Stevie too! I just can't write this without adding lots of exclamation points!!! I am SO glad that C & L decided to give Fizzy her own book. I can't imagine a better story for her. I am generally not a fan of reality TV, unless you count The Great British Baking show, but I would watch Fizzy's dating adventure experiment in a heartbeat. TTLE is the sequel that I didn't know that I needed. Catching up with Jess, River and Juno was so much fun too!

This was a fun, lighthearted follow up to The Soulmate Equation. The story follows Fizzy, romance author extraordinaire, as she embarks on a new journey as the lead in a reality tv dating show produced by hot single dad Connor. I liked the idea of the plot in theory, but wish it had been more of a slow burn between the two main characters. I didn’t enjoy the way the plot developed prior to the dating show beginning. However, I did like how everything wrapped up in the end (even if it all felt a little too convenient at times). 3.5 stars

Even though I do no reality shows this was a fun quick and witty read.
Fizzy a romance write is slated to be the contest on a new love reality show. Connie the EP has fallen hard and fast. Drama at the station railroads their potential relationship but…… who will be Fizzy love interest!

Thanks NetGalley e ARC.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy. This book was fine. The main character was fun and super likable, but I did think it was a little off for these two authors to write a Chinese American main character. Like…if you need to list 3-4 sensitivity readers in the acknowledgments…maybe you shouldn’t be writing that character?!?! Also, I thought the conflict
that initially pulled Connor and Fizzy apart was pretty weak. It just didn’t ring true that Fizzy got that upset over an action Connor took a decade ago. I don’t know…it just felt a little overblown and like the authors were reaching for conflict. Overall, the story is entertaining and it’s probably going to be one of the beach reads of the summer, it just wasn’t really for me.

I was pleasantly surprised by the True Love Experiment. To be honest, the only book I've read from Christina Lauren was The Unhoneymooners -- a big miss.

This book reads like an actual season of the Bachelor, and even though I hadn't entered the "world" of the story through The Soulmate Equation, the Gattaca-style DNA pairing was readily easily explained. Connor and Fizzy make a lovely pair, although I admittedly let out a couple giggles when I would just be suddenly reminded of Connor's British-ness through some offhand slang.

It was very sweet! The "ode to romance novels" tone is pretty omnipresent and may come across as a bit self-indulgent to some, but I'll definitely be recommending this book to lovers of the genre.

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.