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!

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

CW: parental abandonment (past), cheating (past)

While this can be read as a standalone I would recommend reading the The Soulmate Equation first for some backstory

I would recommend if you're looking for (SPOILERS)
-m/f contemporary romance
-friends to idiots to lovers
-insta attraction
-single parent
-forbidden relationship elements

I fell in love with Fizzy in The Soulmate Equation and was so happy to see her get her own book. This book is such a celebration of romance mashed up with a romance show. Just fun, great chemistry, and a bit of Fizzy chaos. Because how do you get out of a writing slump but become the featured contestant on a dating show. I adored how they made the contestants reflections of dating tropes and just had fun with it.

I adored Connor. Gruff, adores his daughter, and just not interested in finding love until he can commit himself to it. But of course he falls for Fizzy. I love how these two became friends first, just found joy and tried new things, got to know each other first all while fighting the sexual tension. Connor fighting his jealousy as he watched Fizzy on the show, how supportive he wanted to be of her but how he wanted to be with her.

Every moment that they were on the page sparkled. This was just fun and in their CLo ways I kept turning the page needing to know what happened and how these two were going to get out of their own ways and make it work. I had fun reading this one.

Steam: 3

Christina Lauren has done it again. They never fail to deliver a fabulous romance. I love a fake dating trope and this did not fail to deliver.

Thanks to NetGalley for the gifted copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
The True Love Experiment is a follow up to the Soulmate Equation. This story follows Fizzy, a romance writer, who is in a writing slump. She is propositioned by Conner, a tv producer, to participate in a reality dating show. Fizzy is a hoot, and her journey to finding true love was sweet, spicy, and had a nice HEA.

And once again, Christina Lauren hurls me out of a reading slump. First with Love and Other Words, and now with The True Love Experiment. I enjoyed The Soul Mate Equation, but not enough that I was going go read TTLE. But yet again, because I was lucky enough to get access to an ARC, I decided to read it afterall.

I'm so glad I did. I ADORED this book. I DEVOURED it.

Fizzy is one of my all time favorite MCs. She's hilarious, intelligent, sexy, confident, and her jokes and timing are perfection.

Oh. And Connor? Yes, hi hello, one of my new top 3 favorite love interests, or "heroes," following very closely behind Elliot (LAOW). He's a cinnomonroll. I've said this in other reviews, but I'm so done with the possessive grump. He's boring. Give me a flawed, hilarious, genuine sunshine any day, ESPECIALLY if he's written by Christina Lauren.

READ THIS BOOK. It's fantastic. It's everything you want and need from a romance. Tension? A+. Banter? A+. Spice to plot ratio? A+. GO READ THIS BOOK.

I always go into books blind. When I started reading this I was happy to realize the character was Fizzy, from The Soulmate Equation- another great read. This book was SO good. I could not stop thinking about it and trying to talk to people about it. I loved this love story, that was also a love letter to the fans of rom-coms. Well done, Christina & Lauren!

First, I want to say that I SO appreciated all the dialogue regarding the romance genre. I have spent years having these same conversations/comments when others hear that this is my favorite genre. It is completely misunderstood and under-rated in my opinion.
Now...as for the book. Christina Lauren is (are? not sure how to write this as it's 2 people!) a favorite and will always be. Once again, they have written characters that you fall in love with and truly feel like you know them by the end of the book. The character Fizzy was often so brazen that I thought I would not like her but there is such a balance with her and her softer side that liking her was inevitable. As a random side comment, I liked her banter/interaction with River. I don't know why that makes me smile so much but it did. It shows her fun relationship with her best friends husband and reminds us of their previous book.
The plot is a nice contemporary storyline. Or rather and familiar forbidden love trope within the context of a contemporary situation. I thought it was slightly predictable that they ended up sticking Connor in as a contender at the end. Honestly this part I didn't love because during that whole finale all I kept thinking was "aren't they in breach of contract?" I feel like there was such a point made earlier in the book about getting sued, contracts...but then at the finale it was forgotten about because the audience voted him in. That part I thought needed some more explanation. However, this is a weird thing no one else probably even noticed.
As with other Christina Lauren books, I had to finish quickly because once I started reading, I was so curious to see where it would go next. Overall, not my favorite from this author but I still loved it and will recommend it!

I think this might’ve been better than the Soul Mate Equation! This time the spotlight is on Jess’s best friend Fizzy, beloved romance writer, who is in a funk. Unable to write, or connect with new partners, she agrees to be the love interest lead on a reality show. Predictable chaos ensues when she develops feelings for the producer, but what a joyful ride this is. Fizzy is so funny, Connor is so sweet, and the authors’ absolute defense of the genre is well-earned.