We get Fizzy's love story!!! Y'all, my whole heart. I absolutely loved the vivacious and effervescent Fizzy from "The Soulmate Equation" and was so excited to see Christina Lauren was blessing us with her story after all. Filled with their signature rom com magic and charm, this story was a JOY to read! The premise was so fresh and fun and essentially a love letter to romance lovers everywhere. Connor was a hunky, sincere, single dad British dreamboat of a romantic lead and his chemistry with Fizzy sizzled off the page. I love their flirting and banter, as well as the glimpses of Jess and River from "Soulmate Equation."

Thank you Gallery Books and Netgalley for my copy.

“The True Love Experiment” is a must read for all romance fans and the perfect sequel to “The Soulmate Equation.” This book can be read as a stand-alone, but you would get more if you read “The Soulmate Equation” first. I think that this has become my new favorite Christina Lauren book. There's nothing better than a rom-com that really leans into the romance and the comedy. I was so glad when I saw the Fizzy was getting her own story! I absolutely loved her in “The Soulmate Equation” and wanted her to find her HEA. Her sex-positivity, bluntness, and humor made her so likable and there was something special about watching her find joy in a place where she least expected to. This book has the best banter and there were sooooooooo many times that I was laughing out loud. I loved how sincere, caring open and honest Connor was. The way that he fell for Fizzy and appreciated who she was, was perfect. Both of the MCs were easy to root for and their chemistry was insane. You can feel their connection through the pages. I had steam coming off of my kindle at various times I loved that the book was a dual POV. I think that dual POV is excellent in rom-coms as it allows the reader to see interactions from both MC’s perspectives. It also allows you to connect so much better with them. We really needed to be in both of Connor and Fizzy’s heads. I was surprised, but glad at how big of a roll that Jess, River and even Jude played in this book. It was nice to see how happy they are as a family. The authors did an incredible job with the reality show concept and creating the wonderful ensemble cast of crew members and contestants. Casting the men as romance tropes was iconic! Stevie and Juno were an absolute delight throughout. Everyone and everything in this book was a delight! You’ll find yourself rooting for every character, and left feeling pure happiness at the end. Connor’s grand gesture was spectacular! Christina Lauren has become an auto-buy author for me! I have yet to read a bad book from them. Thanks to Christina Lauren, Netgalley and Gallery books for an e-arc in exchange for my thoughts. I can’t wait to read whatever they write next!

I watched so many Bachelor and Bachelorette shows growing up, that I'm kinda over them at this point. But put them in a romcom and I am all over them! This is definitely the case with The True Love Experiment.
We first meet Fizzy in The Soulmate Equation where she hangs out a lot with her bestie Jess. She's a super fun and bubbly character who is a romance author and has a fun social/ dating life. Fast forward a bit and Fizzy is struggling with not only her romantic life, but also writing her next romance. She's lost her muse and is having a hard time getting her words down.
Connor Prince is a documentary filmmaker and single father.
He's not big on reality types of TV shows, but his boss tells him the network needs him to come up with something big. When Connor realizes that his ex-wife's favorite romance author is
Felicity Chen aka Fizzy -a beautiful woman who Connor recently saw at a bar - Connor immediatelv realizes this is who he wants for the reality show. But their first encounter doesn't exactly end on good terms. Felicity thinks Connor is a bit of a douche-bag and immediately says no to the show, unless Connor agrees to her very specific terms. When Connor says yes, Fizzy realizes this could be fun and she could potentially find her soulmate.
The more these two work together, the more they realize that their chemistry seems to be flaring offset while the rest of the contestants wonder who Fizzy will end up picking.

This book was everything!!!! I loved it so so much and laughed the entire time. This will definitely be in my top 10 favorites this year. So so so good.

The True Love Experiment is another great book by Christina Lauren. We met Fizzy before in the Soulmate Equation and I'm so happy she got her own HEA! Connor is a great hero for her. They are both complex characters that need to figure some things before they can truly be together. I absolutely loved all of the little 'odes' to the romance genre. I loved the premise of this dating show. I'd so watch it. I liked that none of the guys were truly awful and I liked it even more than none of them stayed on the show for entertainment value.

I did think the book started a little slow. It took me a while to get into it, but once I was in, I was hooked. I also had some trouble believing the reasons for the third act break up. However, I'm more than willing to overlook that because the way they got together again was just perfection!

I really enjoyed this book. It was so lighthearted and cute. I really liked it. I was smilling all through reading it. I still liked the first one in the series better but this one was more than great too. This series continues to delight. I find it fun and exciting and this book was no exception. I liked the concept of the story and paired with authors' writing style made it a fast read. Fizzy and Connor's story was entertaining. I loved that they both had their own insecurities and they were not "perfect". Both of them were such a wonderful match, these two flawed, yet fantastically strong individuals finding each other was a complete treat to witness. Them falling in love was very nicely done and believable as it didn't happen overnight but it took time for their affections to grow. I really appreciated that. And I also enjoyed the wider dynamics of the reality tv show. Good banter, great MCs, and a bit of family drama. I was a bit sad when it ended because I wanted just a little more, but it also did end at a perfect time.
Overall, I have no regrets whatsoever reading The True Love Experiment. It satisfied my craving for a sugar sweet happy ending and made me giggle a lot. Will I wait and crave Christina Lauren's next book? Yes, I will.

The True Love Experiment was just as good as it's predecessor. It was a cute story about falling in love with the wrong person in the wrong timing. I found myself reaching to pick it up whenever possible to see what would happen next. I figured out the ending about 3/4 through the story but it was still an enjoyable read for me.

The True Love Experiment
Christina Lauren
Pub Date: May 16, 2023
Gallery
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Chick Lit
This is my favorite book so far by this duo!, I loved the plot, Fizzy, Conner, the flirting.
And all the pop reference cited.
I loved this book. I am recommending it to anyone who likes forbidden-love and a British hero,

This was an adorable book about joy and love. It had some definite laugh out loud parts mixed with some swoon worthy parts. I really enjoyed it! Can we also take a moment to admire this gorgeous cover! I'm in love with it!

Thank you @netgallery and @gallerybooks for this ARC!

Synopsis:

Fizzy Chen ( who we met in The Soulmate Equation) is struggling in all areas of her life. She is a well known romance author who is having major writers block. She's realizing she is writing about love and romance but also noticing she's never had those feelings for someone. Enter Connor Price, a dad and documentary filmmaker. His money hungry boss forced Connor to make a reality TV show and who other than Fizzy to play the romantic lead. Connor's work is cut out for him when Fizzy orders certain demands that need to take place. When all eyes are on her, she might realize who she truly is interested in and it could be right behind the camera!

This book is great as a read alone in itself; however it is technically the sequel to The Soulmate Equation and has several overlapping characters that bring the story more context. The love interests in this spicy rom-com really couldn't be more different. Connor is likable, charming, and thoughtful. Fizzy is bossy, outspoken, yet playful and funny. The two main characters don’t seem like they would hit it off at first, however their chemistry ends up simmering into something that makes you want to devour every page. Christina Lauren's books never disappoint in the chemistry department and leaves you swooning until the very end!

Well, Christina Lauren went meta on this one. Part love story for a love story & part commentary on our “reality” obsessed culture, this one was truly a fun read. Fizzy is irreverent, untamable, & exactly who I want for a friend. I have been listening to more than I have been reading in print lately & I am so glad that I encountered it in this format. I had to look back at some of Fizzy’s one liners a number of times because they were just so good! I would not have been able to appreciate them as much in audio format. The writing is fresh & moves at a brisk clip. I suspect that this will be the big summer read on lots of booktok accounts!

The True Love Experiment follows Fizzy from The Soulmate Equation. This story follows up in a way that both connects and stays true to the integrity of the dating app from TSE, but also is it's own story with it's own loveable characters.

Fizzy is eccentric and quirky, as well as quick witted and intelligent. She writes a lot of romance novels and has a large fanbase, which attracts her to Connor, a single father who gets asked to produce a dating show. Every twist and turn is presented through quick and fun banter. I found myself highlighting so many phrases that were just so lively.

I am pleasantly surprised at how fun it was to read about the production of a dating show. And the steam was great, too!

Love this and I think fans of Christina Lauren will continue to find themselves impressed with and engrossed in this story!

Thank you to NetGalley and the Christina Lauren crew for the ARC of the True Love Experiment. If I could give a review in one word it would be “awwwwwwwwww!” I absolutely loved this book with all my heart. When I was awarded this ARC I didn’t realize that it was the second in a series so I had to read the first one first (took me one day it was that good!) and couldn’t wait to start this one. Highly recommend this book (and the first one)!

Sometimes when I read multiple books by the same author, they lose their magic. This doesn't seem to happen with Christina Lauren books. I loved this one.

I loved Fizzy as a character- I thought she was hilarious but also tethered to reality. I loved Connor and his relationships with his family and also Fizzy. He is quiet but sincere and honest. I also really enjoyed how much Jess and Juno pop up in this book. Sometimes authors write a sequel or another book in the same universe and the previous characters only flash through once quickly. Not here, and it works well.

I was nervous for a bachelorette reality show story line, but it is managed well in the book. I thought it was a clever tie in to The Soulmate Equation by using River's dating app.

Two quick things that I did wish for:
First, the men on the show- the "Heroes" are all given an archetype when they are introduced. The second time we see them they aren't reintroduced or referred to them by this again. Since I read this digitally I couldn't flip back to check and I felt that this took away from some of the characterization of them.
Second, the book is steamy, but I do feel like Christina Lauren books are losing a bit of steam as they publish more.

Overall, I thought this was great and it will be a great beach read for the summer. I'm jealous of everyone who gets to read it for the first time.

I loved this book!! This story picks up with Fizzy's story from the Soulmate Equation, when we first met her as Jess' best friend & author.

When the story begins, Fizzy has had a major heartbreak and it has thrown her entire life off balance. She agrees to appear on a reality show in order to help her through the rough patches in her personal life but also because she is aware that it may help to boost her book sales. Win-win, right?? Except, when she begins to fall for the one person who is off-limits in her reality show agreement.

First time reader of this author & it didn't disappoint! Yes, there was some predictable rom-com type events but it was a pleasant read. Both main characters definitely had depth that you could understand beyond the pages. Thank you NetGalley & the publishing company for this arc!

Christina Lauren does it again! The Allstar writing duo has given me a new favorite.

Loved that Fizzy was the main character .. and Jess, River and Juno .. from The Soulmate Equation. BUT, I do think this reads as stand alone and you don’t need to read that book first.

Loved that Fizzy is a romance author - that this genre is discussed and divided - and of course how incredibly likable she is. She is funny, smart, witty and confident.

Connor is so swoony and the chemistry and banter was *chefs kiss*

There was not a shortage of romance and spice.

Add to cart & preorder - publishes May 16, 2023

I received this copy of The True Love Experiment as a digital ARC from NetGalley, but my opinions are my own.

This follow up to the Soulmate Equation focuses on Fizzy Chen as she struggles with her writing and love life following a bad break up. I found it funny, sweet, heartwarming and steamy. I really appreciate the healthy examples of feminine self worth in this book, and I was drawn into the characters' world. I definitely recommend this if you've enjoyed Christina Lauren before or are a fan of Alisha Rai, Courtney Milan, Talia Hibbert and others like them.

I thought The Soulmate Equation was my favorite Christina Lauren book ever - but The True Love Experiment may have knocked it down to my second favorite. This book was so good - some of the best banter I've ever read - off the charts amazing. I loved Fizzy as Jess's best friend in The Soulmate Equation - but to see her in all her unapologetic glory in this novel was incredible. And Connor is the perfect match for her - challenges her and is able to keep up with her wit. I laughed out loud at so many moments! This novel definitely helped me get out of a bit of a reading slump. I'm so excited for this to come out in May! Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for the chance to read this book in advance.

This was a solid story. I feel like it could have been edited a bit tighter. There were some redundancies and the story seemed longer than it needed to be. The relationship between the main protagonists was handled well, with lots of humor and longing. It was fun to revisit some of the characters from the previous Soulmate Equation.