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.

I’ve read many Christina Lauren books, but I think this might be my favorite. I actually reread the last 10% three times now. I read through the book so quickly, that I had to go back to savor the ending. I’ll probably read it again and again.
What worked:
1. Romance author turned reality tv heroine Fizzy is the best. She’s confident in who she is, loves a challenge, and apologetically seeks out joy.
2. Environmental documentary producer Connor is an A+ heroine. He doesn’t want to make a reality show, but his boss says he has to in order to continue working at his San Diego based company. British and somewhat buttoned-up, he is enthralled with Fizzy and her approach to life.
3. The kids. I normally don’t love kids in a romance novel, but Juno and Stevie are hilarious.
4. The secondary characters. There were A LOT, but they were all necessary and it never felt like too much.
5. I have to admit I mixed up the bachelors on the reality show, but I don’t think they were supposed to be more than “background.”
6. The conflict. I honestly didn’t know how Fizzy and Connor could work things out when millions were watching her date and hopefully fall for 1 of 8 different men. I actually felt anxious whenever they were together knowing the stakes were so high.
7. The banter between Fizzy and Connor was the best. There’s no way anyone could miss their chemistry.
8. The ending. SO good.
What didn’t:
1. I wish we saw more family reaction to the ending. Maybe a short “extra” chapter?
2. It ended.
Thank you to Net Galley for providing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Christina Lauren is a notorious author duo known for releasing major hits in the book world with their romance novels making us laugh aloud in public. Their new release, True Love Experiment, is no exception, and may even be a contender for my new favorite Christina Lauren book! If it gives any indication of how good this book is, I was DOWN FOR THE COUNT with the stomach bug, and still was sucked into the book that I had to continue reading it with one eye open.
True Love Experiment is somewhat of a spin off from a previous book, The Soulmate Equation (which I also loved!) I remember when I was reading The Soulmate Equation a couple of years ago and falling IN LOVE with the main character's best friend, Fizzy. Well lucky for me, this new release is focused on Fizzy with her humor and quick wit being a main theme throughout the novel.
True Love Experiment is about a romance writer, Fizzy, and although she is known for many dates and many men, she cannot find THE ONE. Until one day a hunk of a producer, Connor Prince, approaches her to do a reality show where they find her “perfect match” using a DNA app and having tv viewers vote on who goes home each week. As we all know from romance books...nothing is as easy as it seems.
I was SHOCKED at how much I LOVED this book because dating reality shows are not really my thing. To say I would tune in for this show every week would be an understatement. I became obsessed with the concept but even more obsessed with the characters. I loved Fizzy from the previous book but fell in love with her even more. She has no filter comments, sexualized jokes, and a personality that I really resonate with.
If you are curious, you do not need the previous book to follow along with True Love Experiment. They are two separate stand-alone books that have similar characters. This book will be FLYING off the shelves when it is released May 16th,2023 and was an easy 5 out of 5 stars for me!!

Fizzy Chen is a spirited romance writer, who’s never been in love. She herself in a slump in her life and her writing. Connor Prince III wants to make marine documentaries, but his boss forces him to make a reality tv show instead. He approaches Fizzy to be his leading lady. As the two grow closer while working on the show, their chemistry is hard to ignore.

I loved Fizzy as a protagonist. She was great in The Soulmate Equation, and I’m so happy she got her own book. Connor is a wonderful hero and I appreciated his growth. There were plenty of swoon worthy moments. I even got butterflies a few times while reading.

I’d give this 4.5 stars. Half a star taken off because I didn’t love how the conflict towards the end played out.

4.75 stars

Fizzy Chen has a great career as a romance author, but her next book just isn’t coming to her. She’s just realized it’s due to the fact that she has never been in love. She doesn’t practice what she preaches. When documentary filmmaker Connor Prince comes to Fizzy with a crazy idea (or the perfect idea), Fizzy finds herself the lead of her own dating show to find her perfect match. Let the True Love Experiment begin!

I was not sure I would be able to get into the whole reality TV concept in this one, but was worried for nothing. It was not over the top and I found myself looking forward to each of Fizzy’s dates.

Speaking of Fizzy - I’ll be honest. I had forgotten who she was at first (beyond being the best friend of Jess). However she quickly became a force of a character with a fabulous family. I just loved these characters.

Connor and Fizzy had ridiculous chemistry in these pages with fun witty banter and non stop flirting. The slow burn friends to lover’s relationship felt so real!

Not to repeat myself but I really loved all of the fun characters in this story. We even got to reunite with our faves from The Soulmate Equation. But don’t worry if you haven’t read that one- this totally stands on its own. Though that book is great too so why wouldn’t you read it!?

*Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

“I don’t know how to go about the rest of my life pretending I don’t want her with a force that rivals the pull of the tides.” - Connor Prince III (aka Daddy Prince)

^ what a dude, honestly. Also, preface: I did NOT read “The Soulmate Equation” before reading this.

Easily a 4.8 star ( round up to 5 ). Maybe tied for top book of Christina Lauren’s that I’ve read thus far. Had an overwhelming amount of great humor, quick wit, sarcastic banter, and STEAMY scenes. I love Connor & how authentic he is without feeling fake, I love the realness of this without it feeling like it’s written from someone who doesn’t buy their own groceries or do their own makeup.

I always have a bit of an issue with that Romance Novel Thing™️ 3/4 of the way through where they have a ‘breakup’ moment ( definitely not a spoiler, every romance book has it )- but this one did not make me nearly as upset and angry as other books have. It felt resolved nicely, wrapped up in a neat little bow, and there were no backstabbing/overly-jealous/rude ass men in this, honestly. Everyone got a fair moment and I didn’t have to suffer through 315 pages of a ‘Heroine’ that pissed me off, a ‘Hero’ that was problematic, or a best friend/sister trope that made me want to rip my hair out.

Overall, really damn good. One of my top books by far. I hope to read so much more that hits this same level of intrigue, heart-swooping realizations, swoon worthy love, and overall- figuring shit out together.

I love Christina Lauren books and was so excited to read a follow up to The Soulmate Equation. I loved Fizzy in the Soulmate Equation as a supporting character and was so happy that she got her own storyline in The True Love Experiment. She is so likable and was a fun character to read about. I also really liked Conner. He was such a great character. He was so likable, sincere, caring, and honest. I loved reading how he fell for Fizzy for who she was. Their flirting was amazing and their banter was the best. I also really loved the Pop Culture references. Overall, a great, fun read.

The True Love Experiment by Christina Lauren is a wonderful sequel to their earlier book The Soulmate Equation. I was a little hesitant at starting this book because I was worried the whole "Bachelorette"-vibe wouldn't interest me, but they did a phenomenal job writing a slow-burn romance between Fizzy and Connor. It was another great success for Christina Lauren!