This book is a follower to The Soulmate Equation, in which Felicity "Fizzy" Chen was Jess's best friend. As a romance writer, Fizzy has gone dry. She can't write! Then Connor Prince, eco-documentary maker, asks her to participate in a reality TV show based on the DNA matchmaking technology in Soulmate. Fizzy has no better ideas at the moment, and it'll help Jess's husband River, who invented the tech. So she tells Connor yes, she'll be the Bachelorette, but it'll be on her terms. And this leads to a really fun, original story! Since she's a romance writer, Fizzy demands that each of her matches--DNA-screened for compatibility--must represent a romantic hero archetype. So she gets a Bad Boy, a Billionaire, a Rock Star, a Hot Nerd, etc. all vying to be her true love. Of course, there's a wrench in the form of Connor, to whom she is drawn irresistibly, and vice versa. This novel was everything I love about a Christina Lauren romance. LOL funny, snarky, smart, sweet, hot, and a satisfying HEA. Five stars!

Oh goodness I loved this book. I thought the premise was unique and there was no “catch” with the characters or their story. The ending made me so happy. I think this might be my favorite Christina Lauren book!

4.25 stars

The True Love Experiment is a romantic comedy with loveable characters and a lot of heart.

Felicia “Fizzy” Chen is a best-selling romance author who has lost her joy and, thus, her ability to write the genre she loves so much.

Connor Prince III is about to lose his joy when his job changes from a producer of environmentally focused documentaries to trashy reality shows. His first assignment is to produce a reality show, a la Bachelorette style, featuring a woman with many suitors.

When the two characters cross paths, not only is a reality show created with inspiration from romance novels, think of Fizzy as the heroine with her suitors being her potential hero, but an intense chemistry between the lead, Fizzy, and producer, Connor puts the show's success in danger.

Fizzy is such a fun character. She has a biting, quick-witted, dry sense of humor. She is also sex-positive and has no qualms about expressing her thoughts and desires.

Connor is a quieter character, maybe a little too vanilla, but in the end, he compliments Fizzy well, and he grew on me. Their chemistry takes a bit to develop, but it works and given Fizzy’s no-holds-back sex positivity attitude, their sex scenes were blush-worthy.

This book was so much fun to read. It’s smart and quirky, and I loved the commentary on romance as a genre. It is not sappy or too over the top. The grand gesture had me misty-eyed instead of cringing and rolling my eyes, which is my usual response when reading romance novels.
But what made this book a true standout is Fizzy; she is truly an admirable heroine.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Gallery Books in exchange for an honest review.

I LOVED this book. Fizzy is so fun and unapologetic. I loved the chemistry between the leads. The dialogue was flirty and fun. The sexy times weren’t too overdone or descriptive - still steamy, but more about the emotions and less about the mechanics. Highly recommend.

I would like to thank NetGalley, the author, and the publishers for providing this ARC copy to read and review. All the statements above are my true opinions after fully reading the book.

This book is the perfect sequel to The Soulmate Equation. I absolutely adored the main character, Fizzy. Her personality sucks the reader in from the very first page and makes this book hard to put down. It was a pleasure to witness her and Connor's love story. This book has all of the Big Feels!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the incredible opportunity to read and review this ARC.

*squeals for ten minutes straight*

I have enthusiastically read all 30 of Christina Lauren’s books. I have swooned over many a hero. I have cheered on our incredible heroines. I have proudly proclaimed several of their heroes as my book boyfriends. But dear Lawd, let me tell you, this book—this boooooooooook—has my little romancey heart forever. This is the hands-down best book they have ever written. I am lucky enough to have also gotten an ARC for The Soulmate Equation before it came out in May 2021 and I enjoyed Fizzy for her ferocious loyal nature towards her best friend Jess and her adorable, frenetic energy, but I could never have dreamed of a better heroine for this story. This book has EVERYTHING I love in a romance and in love and life: reality television; tweens who are wise beyond their years; leaning into the romance book tropes and calling them out; wise-cracking, brilliant, beautiful, emotionally raw heroines who go after what they want; a hot British buttoned-up hero who just wants to do good and not let a little thing like love stand in the way of providing for his family; beautiful, heartwrenching moments that take your breath away; bestie banter; and so much more. I’m in love with this love letter to love and romance writing and reading and reality television and all of it. It made me cry. That is all. Write 900 more, ladies. I can’t wait for everyone to read this one when it comes out.

By far my favorite Christina Lauren book of all time. The chemistry between the main characters is extremely well written and Fizzy is immediately likable. Well done!

I was excited to get my hands on this because Christina Lauren books are either a hit or miss for me, and I just had to know! At the beginning, I was kind of annoyed with Fizzy’s brazenness and not into following her love story at all—she acted like a 20 something year old, so no wonder she’s single. But then Connor, Dear Connor. He saved me from a DNF, and when he started planning the actual show, I was hooked.

Once this book got there, it drew me in quick, and I didn’t put it down. I loved the premise of the dating show and wished it was an actual show I could watch! The forced chemistry started to feel real, and all the reasons I had in my brain about why I *should* hate this book took a back seat.

This ended up being a fun True Love Experiment! It was fun, flirty and steamy! Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

Ummm…where is the 6-star rating option on here? Wow. Holy goodness, was this good. I’m struggling to know how to write a review for this one, because all I want is for people to go read it. Immediately.

Two years ago, the writing duo known as Christina Lauren, put out The Soulmate Equation. They hadn’t planned on writing a sequel to the series. Last year, when attending one of their book signings, they shared that Fizzy would be getting her own book. The story was there for them & am I ever glad they sank into this story line.

Fizzy, a romance novelist, is quirky and fun, and I can’t help but think our authors resonated with their main character. Fizzy has a case of writer’s block and is just plain stuck. Connor, our male lead (and single dad), produces documentaries, but his boss has asked him to switch gears and produce a reality love show (think: The Bachelor-ish). He casts Fizzy as the lead. In the months leading up to filming, they spend time getting to know one another, and beautiful friendship is born. Their chemistry and connection is undeniable. By the time filming starts, they realize they have feelings for each other, but because of the show, they can’t explore them.

These characters were grown up and mature. I was concerned the “miscommunication trope” might sneak in (which I despise), but it never did. They communicated well. They were real about their feelings. All of it just felt real. At one point, I just wanted to cry for these characters because I just wanted them to find happiness.

I loved the way they included River and Jess from The Soulmate Equation. While this serves as a standalone, I highly encourage reading TSE first. The GeneticAlly company that River started plays a big role in the reality tv show being produced in this book. Also, it’s just a good book.

When all was said and done here, I just felt pure, unadulterated joy for having read this. At 30% in, I knew it was a top read of the year. By 70%, I knew it was my favorite book of theirs & was simply hoping the ending didn’t ruin it. News flash—the ending didn’t ruin anything. This was, hands down, their best work. Easily.

Christina Lauren describes Fizzy & Connor as having “a bone-deep sense of connection,” and they were 100% spot on. That connection jumps off the page and grabs you from the start.

No need to wait until May. This book is perfection. It can go to print right now. I wouldn’t change a thing.

Can you tell I loved this one?

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Be sure to put this on hold at your library or pick up a copy at your favorite retailer when it releases in May.

A true chick-lit reader, I was thrilled to get approved for "The True Love Experiment", the latestnrom-com by author duo Christina Lauren (who I almost aways enjoy)! And tis one is another winner! What happens when a stuck romance writer ends up on reality TV with a hunky producer? Sparks fly, along with their clothes in this one!! A fun show biz romp with the quirky MC's, Fizzy & Connor - recommend so much!! My sincere thanks to the publisher & Net Galley for the complimentary DRC in exchange for my thoughts.

I’m a sucker for a love story and this was no exception. I just wanted to keep reading to see if true love would be found through the True Love Experiment. Spoiler: it is ☺️

Oh my goodness, where to even start?!? Christina Lauren have done it again with another amazing book. I knew it would be amazing after I read the dedication. “This is a love letter to our genre.” And it was, it really was. I have already preordered this book, but getting to read it a little bit early gave me all the feels.

Thank you to NerGalley and Gallery Books for allowing me to read an ARC copy of this book. An honest review is HAPPILY given after finishing it up!

This book follows Fizzy, a character that was introduced in The Soulmate Equation (another must read). While the book can be read as a standalone novel, I loved that we got updated on Jess, River, and Juno in this book also. She is a romance author who has found herself in a bit of a slump, romantically and with her writing. When approached by Connor, a documentary producer turned/forced producer of a dating show, to be the lead in a new dating show, she eventually agrees.

Connor and Fizzy’s story doesn’t disappoint at all. The witty banter is amazing and I found myself laughing frequently. Fizzy’s family is adorable and I just loved her parents. The supporting characters are wonderful. This is a fun take on the romance genre and reality dating shows. It’s beautiful watching her character grow. I love that we get dual prospectives: Connor and Fizzy POV chapters. I have no complains at all; except, how can we get another follow up?!?

Another winner by Christina Lauren!
Fizzy is a little lost, has writer’s block and hasn’t been with a man in who knows how long…
Conner is maker of nature documentaries who has been given a new reality show assignment....
Their two worlds collide and sparks fly.
This was a fun look at behind the scenes of a reality dating show, when the contestant really doesn’t want to pick any of her choices.
Will they figure out a way to find true love ?
Thanks NetGalley for the advanced copy!

I’ve been waiting for this book ever since being introduced to Fizzy in “The Soulmate Equation” two years ago (the best part of that book imo). While I didn't enjoy the first book very much, I knew that if Fizzy was given her own story, I'd have to give it a shot.

"The True Love Experiment" is a cute story with a reality show concept that's unique since it uses the DNAduo technology from the first book. The banter and chemistry between Fizzy and Connor is the highlight of their romance. A couple things that bothered me were the emphasis on the MC's looks early in their relationship (why do all romances feature tall, buff guys and petite, pick up with one hand women?? I'd love to see more body diversity in this genre) and the fact that Fizzy did not act at all like a 37 year old woman. If her age hadn't been mentioned, I would have guessed 25.

So, If you like your romances tropey, predictable, and full of beautiful people, then this ones for you!

I love Christina Lauren and this new book does not disappoint. The story is so cute and the main characters are so great together. This book is IT.

The Soulmate Equation was my favorite Christina Lauren book prior to reading this, so when I heard we were getting Fizzys story I was so excited!!!! And let me tell you The True Love Experiment did not disappoint! I loved that this story managed to capture the fun chaotic energy of Fizzy, but was balanced with such emotional depth.

I cannot recommend this enough! If you thought you loved Fizzy in the Soulmate Equation - just wait! This is an instant favorite and is taking its rightful place as my new favorite Christina Lauren book!!!!

I absolutely adored this story. Fizzy and Connor are such a heartwarming pair and I loved the DNA Duo storyline continuing from the Soulmate Equation as well as the Jess/River portions. The ending with the big reveal by Connor brought me to tears. As always, a great piece by Christina Lauren. Thank you for the opportunity to read!

Loved this latest by Christina Lauren. I will recommend it for all of my friend's summer beach bags,

Positives: readers get to revisit Fizzy from The Soulmate Equation as well as some other fan favorites (River/Jess), a new twist on reality dating shows, incredibly likeable characters including a very positive single dad portrayal who has a healthy relationship with his ex, the backdrop of a writer of romance books trying to find her next best seller, great pacing.

This one was great and one of my favorite's of hers. Thank you for the chance to read it early. It jumped right to the top of my TBR pile.

FANTASTIC! Christina Lauren does it again. Fans will love seeing familiar characters again as Fizzy gets her own love story this time around. Less steamy than some of the original Christina Lauren romance novels, this book has an innovative plot for a romance and a true love connection for Fizzy.

Oh man! I don’t even know where to start. I was so excited that Fizzy was getting her own story and I am so beyond excited she did! This was perfect. The story. The characters. The banter. Yes to all of it. It was a romance lovers dream. We got a book about books, the main character is a strong woman who knows herself and what she wants. We get a dating show with main romance tropes, and I just absolutely adored this one! Thank you so much for the ARC I can’t wait for the world to read Fizzy’s story!