I enjoyed this book but didn't love it. Fizzy was just too much for me. I liked how she was strong and independent and fun, but she could also be mean and insulting. She's supposed to be 37 and some of her antics were too over the top for my taste. That doesn't mean this wasn't a great book. Its just one that rubbed me the wrong way, and I'm sure others will love it way more.

I loved Connor. He was fun but also a responsible adult. He recognized his flaws and made corrections. When he realized (with some help) that he judged romance readers wrongly he adjusted his behavior. The banter between Connor and Fizzy was fun and well timed. I don't even watch TV and I enjoyed the idea of the show and liked the concept brought to completion through the story. The ending was a bit predictable but still fun.

I really loved this book. I’m still catching up on all the Christina Lauren books, but this is my fourth one and now my favorite. I loved the characters, I found the premise incredibly compelling, and I was especially taken with the way the book talked about the form.
Because it is a about a romance novelist (Fizzy) taking part as the “Heroine” of a dating show, the book talks about tropes of romance novels in an extremely loving way. Fizzy’s romance with Connor begins due to her inability to categorize him – the novel points out the importance of these tropes, but also acknowledges their limitations. It also talks about reality TV with warmth, although it is willing to critique reality TV to make it more like a romance novel. The focus on fandom and fangirling as a positive in this book made it a joy to read. This book was just so FUN.
In my experience of reading romance novels the 3rd act conflict between the two leads is often a major let down in a book. However, The True Love Experiment offers the best of these conflicts that I’ve ever read. The reasoning and logic behind why Fizzy and Connor’s relationship break down made so much sense but was also something that felt entirely fixable. Sometimes in romance novels the conflict feels so out of the blue that it is hard to imagine the couple coming back together, or it feels so forced that it’s silly. Not so in this excellently plotted and paced book.

First, thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC and for always giving me ARCs of Christina Lauren books. I don't know how I keep getting approved, but oh man I'm thankful.

This was so charming, fun, and horny as hell. It was lovely to see Fizzy again after she was so fun in The Soulmate Equation, and Connor was the swoony DILF we never knew we needed. The concept and execution of the reality show was compelling, if not so predictable in parts, but that didn't stop me from devouring it.

This will absolutely be a instabuy and re-read for me in May when it comes out.

The True Love Experiment is a novel full of heart and comedy.

I fell in love with Fizzy while reading The Soulmate Equation and hoped that Christina Lauren would give her her own novel and they did. While both books feature cameos of characters from both you could read them separately.

When Fizzy, a best selling romance author, meets Connor Prince, a tv producer trying to get Fizzy to do a reality dating show, sparks fly and not necessarily in a good way. Thanks to a careless remark between Connor and his business associate Fizzy makes it as hard as possibly on Connor when choosing her bachelors. And what a riot it was to see the list Fizzy gave him and Connor rise to the challenge finding exactly if not better than what Fizzy thought would be impossible.

The banter and tension between Connor and Fizzy fly off the pages, the only problem is he’s the producer not a contestant.

Fake dating
Bachelorette tv show
Spice
Comedy
Opposites attract






This is the perfect summer read to sit by the pool and get easily lost in.

Christina Lauren has done it again, though is anyone really surprised because is there any story that can’t they can’t tell. I absolutely loved Fizzy and Connor’s story, and despite not reading The Soulmate Equation, I loved the other characters as well. The True Love Experiment has become one of my favorite Christina Lauren books, as well as one of my favorite books read this year.

I am obsessed with this. I predicted part of the twist at the end pretty early on, but the story was so sweet that its predictability didn't even spoil it for me. I absolutely adored the characters and the reality tv atmosphere. It felt so believable and still so swoon-worthy.

This is laugh-out-loud funny. Felicity aka Fizzy has a heart of gold and she also got them jokes! This makes it so I am definitely rooting for her to find love throughout the book. I find Fizzy to be way more memorable and affable than her counterpart, Jess. 3 quick annoyances: being over 6’ doesn’t automatically make you attractive/a good lead. If every romance author would quit that nonsense, that’d be coo. Where my short kings at?! The other is: I think writing a story set on a reality/dating show is getting overdone. Also, maybe I wanted some futile details trimmed, but those were minor.
Yet…Christina Lauren writes another hit for all of us RomCom lovers! You are whooping it up for the protagonists, smiling, and hopeful for love on their journey. What more could ya want? Thank you Christina Lauren, NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for my ARC.

Christina Lauren are always a must read for me, but The True Love Experiment might just be their best one yet! I couldn’t put it down and loved all the romance and humor throughout this story. I loved the main character Fizzy in The Soulmate Equation and was elated to get to know her more in this 5 star read. This is a must read that is super fun while it also pulls at your heart strings!

This is another solid A for me. I loved the main characters and how each chapter flipped back and forth. A true “can’t put it down” book. Thank you Netgallery for an ARC!

Christina Lauren is back! I didn't care for a title or two in the middle, but this one MORE than made up for it. I love Fizzy. I want to BE Fizzy!! The dialogue was fantastic. It kept me laughing out loud. In fact, I stopped about six chapters in to text a fellow librarian to get online and request the ARC - it was THAT good. The romance tropes were spot on. I'm not a reality TV fan, but I'd SO watch this one. And, Connor. Connor, Connor, Connor. Ugh. I can't say anything else without spoiling it! It's a perfect read I didn't want to end.

Thank you so much to Net Galley, the publisher, and authors for providing this book for my honest review. What a great sequel! This is maybe my favorite Christina Lauren book! Fizzy was wonderful as a side character in The Soulmate Equation and she is even better as the main character in The True Love Experiment. This book is the perfect mix of humor, flirting, romance, and heart warming love. I highly recommend it! Christina Lauren books are an auto buy for me and I can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy. Thank you again to Net Galley, the publisher, and authors for providing one of my favorite reads of 2023!

I was lucky enough to get an eARC on NetGalley and so happy I did!
If you read the Soul Mate Equation, you’ve met the secondary character Fizzy. This is her love story! She’s hilarious and I’m so glad we got a whole book for her.

I loved this one so much. Connor and Fizzy have excellent chemistry and banter. I did predict the ending but it didn’t diminish my enjoyment. These characters are loveable and sweet.

If you’re a fan of shows like The Bachelor or Love is Blind or you have read The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun this one is for you !

This book manages to be incredibly sweet while also being devastatingly sexy. The concept itself isn’t anything groundbreaking, but serves as a fun backdrop upon which the story unfolds. Connor, an environmental documentary producer, has been tasked by his studio with creating a reality dating show, because they need something that’s going to reign in the profits. Reluctant to work on something so far removed from his normal passion, he gets the idea to cast Fizzy, a popular romance author, as the lead, knowing that the audience she’s already built and her natural charisma will help make this a success. Fizzy happens to be going through a dry spell after a tough breakup and is looking for something to reignite her romance brain, so she agrees.

The openness and honesty between her and Connor is quite refreshing. They lust for each other from the beginning (and tell each other so), but Christina Lauren still manages to create plenty of delicious tension between the two throughout the story. This has been described as a “love letter to romance,” and that is a very fitting description. There are plenty of romance tropes at play in fun ways, and the grand gesture at the end makes for a satisfying HEA. This book was super fun to read and a nice way to spend the weekend reading.

I loved this one. Christina Lauren brings back characters from the Soulmate Equation. )I really need to go back and read that one again.) in this book though, romance author meets tv producer to create a bachelor like reality show. The contestants all have dna matches to the girl but nobody knows how high of a match until the end. I really enjoyed the twist at the end. Thanks #netgalley #christinalauren #thetrueloveexperiment

Oh, Christina Lauren- the best duo! I was absolutely ecstatic to receive an ARC of The True Love Experiment!! Thanks so much!

I loved The Soulmate Equation which featured Jess, River and DNADuo. River created a dating system that matches you by your DNA. This concept is so cool to me and I love that they brought this alive in their story. (I would recommend reading this first.)

In The True Love Experiment we follow Fizzy, Jess’s best friend. She was loved in the first story- apparently enough by readers that the authors felt they had to write this book. Fizzy is a romance author who really hasn’t had any luck with romance.

Connor is a network executive who loves to produce animal, save the planet type documentary’s. Unfortunately his boss pressures him into producing a reality live show (Bachelor style). He is less than thrilled but stumbles upon this famous romance author and decides she’ll be the perfect fit. In pure Fizzy fashion she makes it very difficult for Connor to meet her demands- but he does it!

Connor casts 8 men (all with crazy extreme backgrounds per Fizzys requests) and also crosses them through DNADuo. The premise is that some of these men are really high matches and some are not. The catch is that the audience gets to vote each week on who stays- hoping to figure out who is the highest match.

The real catch here is that Connor and Fizzy seem to have a magnetic draw to each other. They start off rocky but in an attempt to be friends find themselves feeling much more than that. Fizzy is contractually obligated to stay true to this dating show and Connor’s career is hanging on by a thread. Yet they can’t seem to resist each other.

I loved both Connor and Fizzy’s characters. She’s loud, expressive, fun and he’s reserved but has a heart of gold. I struggled a little with their strengthening love as she was “dating” these other men. It almost had a cheating vibe to it which I didn’t love. But deep down who can resist true love? The ending of this book was absolutely adorable.

4.5 stars! Another masterpiece! I’d read anything these two write! Also this would play out so beautifully on the screen!!

Once I started reading this book, I couldn't put it down. The love story between Fizzy and Connor was perfect and I honestly could read more with them. I was so sad when it ended! Connor might be my new favorite fictional boyfriend!

This book is everything I love in a romance. A great plot, character development, sexual tension. And lots of steamy love. Fizzy is darling; I wish I knew her! The reality tv show part of it was cute and I LOVE the little girls. Christina Lauren hits it out of the park again! Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery books for this amazing advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Before I get into my review, a quick thank you to both NetGalley and the publishers over at Gallery Books for giving me access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review. When I saw my request for this one had been approved I had to get it on my TBR as soon as possible. I found Christina Lauren through a Christmas romance and have been loving their new releases since. This one is a companion novel to The Soulmate Equation where the main character finds love through a genetic test to find soulmates. In this one, we follow Fizzy who is a romance novelist who has lost her spark. She can’t write and she can’t do her second favorite thing in the world--find a romantic connection of her own. So when she’s approached by Connor, a single dad who produces TV shows, to do a reality dating program featuring her favorite hero archetypes she can’t say no. But what happens when the connection between the two of them can be felt through the screen? The True Love Experiment comes out on May 15th and is available for preorder now.

At this point, Christina Lauren releases are just auto buys for me. I have yet to be disappointed by them. And I was so shocked when I read this one to find that I actually like Fizzy’s story better than the original couple in the first book. Fizzy was a great side character in The Soulmate Equation but she really got to shine in this one. Even though I knew what the ending would be pretty much straight away, I found so much joy in following Fizzy and Connor on their journey. I also love how the author manages to still give so much life and authenticity to the side characters. And I cannot get over Juno and Stevie fangirl-ing it up at a boyband concerts while Connor and Fizzy watch them from the sidelines. It was so obvious that Connor loves his daughter and Fizzy is the amazing cool aunt that shows so much unconditional love for Juno. But I think the thing that got me in this one is actual two pronged: the romance. First, that pining though as Fizzy goes on date after date with these men who all seem great. Second, the believability of the romance. I completely bought in to the romance from the word go. Even when they had just met and had some misunderstandings I was there for it. The sex scenes were tasteful but hot which you know is my preference as an asexual romance reader. There were more of them in this one than in the Soulmate Equation which surprisingly helped the rating for me.

I, of course, wish there was more. Is this my brand? Good books are never long enough for me and have room to get even better. Bad books are bad because they aren’t long enough for the story they’re trying to tell. Excellent books need to be longer because I don’t want to be done. In this one, I would have loved to see more of the actual dates Fizzy goes on during the dating show portion. I know they probably didn’t want it to feel repetitive, but I could have done with so many more scenes of their pining and longing and angst. I want the angst to make me physically hurt for them. (Stop judging me. I can feel the weight of your judgment from here.) But overall, this was so fun and so cute and just another hit from this author duo. I absolutely cannot wait to read more from them.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I am a lover of chic lit books. This book checks all the boxes. It’s fun, it’s light hearted and it’s a feel good story.

If you’re looking for a great chic lit read then look no further.

loved every second. I love the dynamic between Fizzy and Connor. I loved their relationship. I love that their family situations were unique. I loved the reality of it. I just love Christina Lauren!