I absolutely screamed when I got approved for this book. Christina Lauren is one of my fav authors. This writing duo can do no wrong. The premise of this book was great. The banter between Fizzy and Connor was too notch. Will probably live rent free on my head. The writing just pulls you right in. This book will make you laugh and it will you swoon. Connor is a single dad and you KNOW how I’m a sucker if there’s a kid involved. I loved the role Jess & River from book 1 played in this one. I couldn’t put this book down. The chemistry & tension between Fizzy & Connor was palpable. This book gets all the stars.

Thank you NetGalley & Gallery books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Rounded up from 3.5 stars.

First, let me preface with the fact that I didn't realize this story was a sequel to The Soulmate Equation until I was halfway through the book. I did not read The Soulmate Equation, so I went in to this one knowing nothing about Fizzy or Jess and River's story. That said, I don't feel it is necessary to read The Soulmate Equation prior to reading The True Love Experiment. I don't feel like I was missing anything from not having read the first book.

Now that that's out of the way...Overall, I liked this book. I didn't love it...didn't hate it...just enjoyed it. It was a quick, easy read with short chapters. I thought the characters were well written, and I enjoyed the will they/won't they aspect to Fizzy and Connor's relationship. I also liked the overall storyline of the dating show and that it played on romance hero tropes so heavily. I loved the romance hero archetypes that were chosen.

I didn't love, however, just how many sexual innuendos were written in to this. I get that Fizzy is a romance author, but seriously, every other sentence from her was some sort of sexual joke. It got old pretty quickly, and I felt like I was constantly rolling my eyes.

Overall, I'd say that if you loved The Soulmate Equation or just love CLo, you will probably at least enjoy this book.

Read if you like:
✔️ Friends to lovers tropes
✔️ Short chapters
✔️ Light and flirty female leads

I loved this book! It was a little slow in the beginning but the chemistry between Fizzy and Connor was undeniable. I loved the premise for the book and how their relationship blossomed from strangers, to friends and then to lovers. I thought Fizzy’s character was so funny and also embodied a strong woman. I thought I’d predicted the outcome but the way it was written completely shocked me. Definitely will be recommending this book to everyone when it is released.

A romance author finds herself the star of a dating show to find her one true love... except her true love might actually be the hot British producer of the show. Felicity “Fizzy” Chen is a famous romance author but after a horrible breakup, she’s never had a real relationship since... and now just doesn’t even know if she’s ever really been in love. Fizzy is all about lust, but now... she’s tired of it, she wants something else. Cue Connor Prince, a documentary filmmaker and single father who was just ordered to create a reality TV show that is putting his job on the line if it doesn’t work. He is being given big money to do it and he has to make it a success, and who better than to star in it than a famous romance author. The only issue is that upon meeting Fizzy, Connor realizes that he actually lies her and now has to spend the next couple of weeks not only finding her a soulmate but dealing with the fact that he’s falling for her and that loving her is strictly forbidden. Fizzy finally finds herself feeling something she’s never felt when she begins spending time with Connor except he is adamant that they can’t be anything more than friends, he keeps rejecting her and setting boundaries... yet she’s willing to take anything he is giving her because one taste is enough for her. Yet despite it all, he is the Hero she wants in her story but can they make it work when everything is working against them and not only is his job on the line but both their hearts? Can this romance author make her own happily-ever after? This was a cute story about two people finding their second chance at love after their previous experiences, people who can’t stay away from one another but are forbidden from being together... all on the backdrop of a reality dating show. I love Christina Lauren’s books and this one was another sweet and fun read.

*Thanks Netgalley and Gallery Books for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Thanks to Gallery books for the copy of this ARC.

This book is just fantastic, and if you are a romance reader, it’s pretty much a love letter to you along with an incredible storyline. Fizzy and Connor have top-notch tension and pining from the get-go… no waiting around in this book! The reality dating show was SO much fun, as well as watching Fizzy and Connor clearly fall fast and hard. Jess and River were expertly woven into the story, and I appreciated the overlap of their lives with Fizzy & Connor’s. Most of all, I love that Christina and Lauren addressed romance reading stereotypes and talked about elevating joy over pain in stories, then executing just that in this book. Chef’s kiss.

Read if you:
- are a romance reader
- watch The Bachelorette
- love some good tension
- need to get 100% lost in the pages of a book

I'm going to start by saying I will read anything that Christina Lauren writes. They are by far one of my favorite authors so I was so glad to get this arc. Given that I have read multiple books by them this one just might be my favorite.
It was funny and heartfelt and all-around amazing. It felt like watching two people fall in love the entire time and the way their relationship was forbidden in a way and they struggled with that but truly found their way to each other in the end. I do not think I have read a book that had this much tension between the characters and it just made it so funny to read watching them avoid what was so obvious they had. The ending truly gave me butterflies and was simply the best possible ending. It was so obvious that the characters had growth throughout the book and that is truly something that makes or breaks a book for me.
Overall, I know this is going to be a big hit when it comes out because it is simply one of the best books Christina Lauren has written.

Although it took me a little to get into it at the beginning (I think because I haven't read The Soulmate Equation and had no connection with Fizzy) this ended up being an amazing read. I enjoyed reading it and the tension between Fizzy and Connor was gripping, keeping me reading way past my bedtime.
I really liked the characterization of Fizzy and Connor. I felt like they were very defined characters. Sometimes romance leads can feel generic and like every other romance character, but Connor and Fizzy definitely made a lasting impression on me and their romance was so fun to watch develop.
The entire premise of the dating show was very interesting to me and even though some of the contestant fell flat, I felt like they each had their thing that made them different, even if they weren't very prominent.
I really enjoyed this read and I could see myself coming back to it sometime in the future because Fizzy and Connor are just like likable and their story is just that compelling.

I'm a fan of this author and enjoy the writing no matter what the storyline normally is. This book wasn't my favorite, but the story and the characters are always well written. My main issue is that the main character was just not my favorite, from the other book she was in I liked her fine but didn't need a full book about her. The premise of the book and the story was a lot of fun, this was just not my favorite overall. Still a fan and will continue to enjoy these books, but this was just not as much of a favorite as the past books have been. Any way you cut it though, it's a fun book to read still.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

Christina Lauren is often a hit-or-miss author for me, and "The True Love Experiment" was an absolute HIT!

I really wasn't expecting a follow-up to "The Soulmate Equation" but I am SO glad we got one! Fizzy was one of my favorite characters from the first book, and seeing her get her own story was such a nice surprise. I also love how strong she was written; she fought for what she wanted and got it because she wasn't willing to back down on her morals.

The Bachelor-esque dating show was incredible... the idea of choosing men to date based on book tropes?! Sign me up!

I loved this book from beginning to end, and I can't wait to see what comes next from Christina Lauren.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

I love love love most of Christina Lauren's books. The only exception being Something Wilder. I was hesitant to request this book, because I didn't want to have to leave a review if I was unimpressed. However, I am thrilled I got the opportunity to read this and leave a review. This is my favorite book of Christina and Lauren.
The premise of this book, a reality tv show, is difficult to nail, but it was really well done! I also loved how the ending was believable and didn't force anyone to make any sort of decision that wasn't adventagious to one of the characters.
Speaking of the characters, they are THE BEST of all of Christina and Lauren's books. Fizzy is hilarious, and Connor is sweet and mysterious. Fizzy is my number one female main character right now.
I'm recommending this to everyone that loves romcoms! It is also a great book to read to lighten the mood if you recently read anything heavy.

Books by Christina Lauren hit my auto buy every single time I see one. This was no exception. I love how they write and since there is two of them it always sets the voices of the different characters apart making it a well rounded story. I will say that one of the things that made me most excited about this book was Ali Hazelwoods review of it. It literally had me laughing out loud going YEP I NEED TO READ THAT!!!!!!!

Okay now on to the book
CONNER
I love him. I get where he was coming from and I loved that he admitted to screwing up in the past but that he had actively worked on those things to make him a better person. I love that him and his ex were able to work together to be the best parents for their little girl and how open their communication was and that they genuinely were trying to be supportive to one another. Also I loved that he isn't afraid to be supportive of his daughters interests and shows that support publicly.
Spoiler ALERT: HIS DAD IS AN ASS

FIZZY
I love that we are able to get more into her character and that she herself realizes that just become someone was the other woman in a situation doesn't mean that they are always at fault. My heart breaks for her knowing that she was put in a bad situation but I love that she doesn't blame the girl who lashed out at her. I do wonder if parts of her were autobiographical... Writers block... Fizzy's character is like listening to your best friend talk and that was the best part.

Honestly the guys who are on the dating show are fantastic. And the final two would be my final two as well!

Future note for CLO you should totally write a book about Juno and Stevie when they are grown up. I would read the crap out of that!

Fizzy got a book!!!! I loved The Soulmate Equation, so I was thrilled to learn Fizzy was getting a book of her own. As soon as I received my coveted ebook copy, I started reading and finished this masterpiece in one sitting!

Are you a fan of witty banter with sexual tension that you can feel throughout the pages? Do you love reality TV? Do you enjoy great character development and a story that keeps you engaged throughout the entire book? If so, The True Love Experiment should definitely be added to your TBR. The romance writing duo Christina Lauren delivered a highly entertaining book with great characters (Fizzy is the best protagonist and Connor Prince III is a book boyfriend that's easy to love) and a story that's easy to get lost in.

Thanks to the publisher for my early copy!

I clearly just saw Christina lauren and gif request bc I didn’t realize this was Fizzy‘s book lol. I loved her in the soulmate equation and I’m so glad she got her own story! Fizzy is an absolute delight and as a fellow 30 something who’s still single (although I’m closer to Conners age) she is oh so relatable. Connor is really sweet and a great dad and a wonderful balance to Fizzys larger than life (and amazing) personality.

And can I just say, I would totally watch this reality show! I loved the idea of literally casting to archetype and how all very normal it was. No sequestering or group dates or expecting a marriage proposal after 5 dates. It was fun, and way more real than most the shows on real tv. Although I still watch a lot of them 😂

I really loved this book. It hooked me from page 1 and was so good I stayed up late finishing it bc I couldn’t put it down. Another great Christina Lauren book to add to the collection!

The Soulmate Equation made my list of top books of 2021, and I loved the forward-thinking, techie spin on romance. The True Love Experiment takes sidekick Fizzy, the romance novelist, and turns her into a heroine— literally. She’s cast as the lead in a dating show, where literary archetypes (think hot nerd, Navy SEAL, vampire, etc.) vie for her affection AND a chance to win $$ and a trip to Fiji. Of course, she only accepts to make sure the surly, yet hot, producer doesn’t mess things up. I love everything Christina Lauren comes up with and this is no exception!

A successful romance writer, whose writer’s block starts after she begins to question of love will ever truly happen for her. A tv show producer pushed into the reality dating show scene, targets her as his show’s star. And agrees…after he agrees to her terms. Fizzy wants all of her favorite romance novel heroes cast as the men who will be her potential “match” (hot nerd, tattooed bad boy, millionaire CEO, Navy SEAetc.) However, the real sparks start flying before the show ever begins between when producer…& DILF, Connor, becomes her new best friend. So with feelings blooming off camera, the build is wondering how it will all end.

Let me say, the build up of tension with this two is worthy of their first “rumble”. 🔥 This is a great story! One of my favorites by this author to date. Read it! You won’t regret it.

I received a ARC of this book from the publisher for review purposes. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

I was lucky enough to get an ARC copy, thank you NetGalley

I’ve been waiting with baited breath for this book. The Soulmate Equation is one of my favorite romances of all time and I knew immediately that Fizzy needed (demanded) her own sorry! She was so much more than just a side character, she was her own main character!

This book was a love letter to romance readers everywhere. Fizzy’s story and her journey to finding true love was funny, exciting, heartfelt, sexy, and vulnerable. And I couldn’t have imagined a better hero for her! Conner was swoooony and so perfect for her in every way. The yin to her yang.

Christina Lauren never disappoints, they are one of my autobuy authors for sure!

Thank you to Christina Lauren, Gallery Books, and Net Galley for an ARC!

I was a bit nervous going into The True Love Experiment wouldn't live up to my love for The Soulmate Equation... and instead it KNOCKED The Soulmate Equation out of the park for me. This book was SO funny and I fell in love with Fizzy and Connor instantly. The character growth was so amazing to read and the relationship between them felt so genuine. It was cheesy, but in the best way, and I absolutely ate it up.

I loved the little cameos of River and Jess but it wasn't overdone or super obvious that this was a "sequel" (or like *this* character's book) at all. The pacing was done really well and I loved how Fizzy connected with Connor's daughter. I wish we got to see a little more of Fizzy and Nat as she's her favorite author, or a true epilogue, but that's really my only complaint. Going to tell all my friends to read this book now :)

This was the absolute perfect romance I was looking for, it had all the warm feels and was just so wonderful. I actually read it again right after I finished it because I loved it that much. Valentine's day isn't too far away, and I promise you, this book should be on your list to read for it! I loved everything about this book, and highly recommend it!

Oh I loved this book! Fizzy Chen is a successful romance writer who is in a personal and professional slump. She's 37 years old and makes a living writing about love, but she's never even been in love. Is her life a lie?

Connor Prince is a single dad and documentary filmmaker whose hard-headed boss forces him to create a reality show in the hopes of producing a cash cow. He's a Serious Guy and finds dating shows and romance novels a bit ridiculous. But he needs to keep his job to stay close to his daughter. A chance run-in with Fizzy gets his wheels turning (and heart-racing)- he thinks Fizzy is just what he needs to get this show off the ground. And now.....he gets to stand behind the camera and watch as this beautiful, interesting, charming, woman dates a series of other men. Fun.

This book got me out of a slump of my own- it's my favorite one I've read in ages! Fizzy and Connor's banter is funny and first rate, as is Fizzy's relationship with her best friend Jessie (from The Soulmate Equation). The characters are so genuine and likeable, I was smiling the whole time. Steamy as well, the heat factor is on par with their other contemporary romances. 6 stars!

Adorable and sexy. I loved that this was a follow up sequel to the Soulmate Equation. Fizzy definitely needed a book of her and and a happily ever after.