A group of girls is at a bar, and we follow Leonie, the only single one in the group, as they attend their monthly meeting. One of Leonie's friends recently got engaged, leaving her as the only single person in the group.
Leonie’s friends set her up on a dating app that matches her with Jack, who is the complete opposite of her ideal man. They have a one-night stand and she thinks she'll never see him again. However, fate has other plans. Leonie's brother-in-law offers her a job that leads to another meeting with Jack. As they navigate through embarrassment, denial, and shock, a twist in the story takes place that completely catches the reader off guard. Jack is an Irishman who is traveling for business and feeling down in the dumps. When Leonie's friends decide to take a trip to Paris to celebrate an engagement, they jokingly set her up with a person who is the opposite of what she's looking for in a partner using an "opposites attract" dating app. That person turns out to be Jack.

If you're someone who enjoys a combination of geeky tech speak and steamy romance, then Once Upon an Algorithm is the perfect book for you. However, if you're not into tech, you may find that it gets a bit heavy on the details at times. The author seems to have put a lot of effort into researching or has worked in the world of product development, which is great for those who want to learn more about it.

I thoroughly enjoyed the story, even though both characters constantly jumped to the wrong conclusions and had huge chips on their shoulders about their upbringing. Although the stepbrother was as irritating as he should be, I found myself wanting Leonie to put him in his place.

*An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review*


TW: MMC is a married man that cheats.

This book started out as a romance but at the end fell flat. The characters didn't havem much cheimistry and the side charaacters such as the FMC family was abusive and terrible. Additioanlly, I didn't find the MMC likable (see TW). To be honest, it was really hard to finish this book.

Sorry in advance, but this review is FULL of spoilers. You deserve a warning before jumping into what is marketed as a STEM romance.

Once Upon An Algorithm starts out feeling like a romance with a one night stand between our FMC and a man from an opposites attract type of dating app. Turns out she has to work with him! Classic romcom.

Well. DO NOT BE FOOLED. There is cheating. There are horribly toxic friends and manipulative family members. There is workplace sexual harassment. And we are expected to laugh it all off? No. This is a stort of the absolute TRASH that woman are handed in life, it is not a romance.

This seriously could have been a fantastic time if the characters weren't so terrible to our FMC. If it was just her family being terrible, this would have been great. But a married love interest is a hard pass.

I finished it in hopes that there would be some little redemption to bring it back to a romcom, but that did not happen. So, here goes my review.

Let me start with the lesser offenses. If you are not well educated in programming or UX, you will get lost. There is too much writing about coding, usability, and user design for a romance. Even as someone with some programming and UX experience from college, I was getting lost.

Next up, the family and friends. Eric, FMC's stepbrother, is literally terrible. He is abusive and manipulative. Over 80% into the book, FMC's MOTHER excuses his behavior as FMC "let him" make her feel like she didn't belong in the family. WHAT??? Then her "Greek chorus". They force her into going on the date that ends up being a one night stand. Then continue to give FMC the literal worst advice ever. At 90%, everyone has fully convinced FMC that everything is her fault.

And honestly, I could have forgiven a lot of those smaller offenses. BUT: the love interest is married. We do not get confirmation of this until >75% of the way in. They have had sex. They have had SO MANY intimate interactions. Hell, on their first date FMC asks if he is married and that's why he doesn't want to have sex!!!! AND HE SAYS NO. So over half of this book we are under the impression that this is at least kind of okay. And then this man decides to pull some MAJOR BS, saying how maybe he won't get divorced, which obviously doesn't make FMC feel good that he just wants her to what, be a side piece? He also villainizes his WIFE repeatedly for their "loveless" marriage. He went multiple years working 12+ hour days, 6 days a week not spending any time with his wife, but it's her fault?

We end with some totally romantic dialogue, such as "I told you, my new requirements aren't that hard to meet." Yeah honey, please raise your standards from a man that was cheating on his wife with you and sexually harassed you in the workplace.

"Once Upon An Algorithm" by Clara O'Connor is a delightful and engaging romantic novel that adds a fresh and modern twist to the world of love and algorithms. Leonie, armed with her personal dating algorithm, stumbles into an unexpected encounter with Jack, a brooding stranger in Paris who doesn't fit any of her criteria. As their paths cross again in a tech start-up, the novel explores the sparks of chemistry that go beyond the boundaries of a well-designed algorithm.

O'Connor skilfully blends humour, romance, and elements of the STEM field, creating a narrative that is both entertaining and contemporary. The juxtaposition of Leonie's carefully curated dating algorithm with the unpredictability and passion she experiences with Jack adds depth to the story. The exploration of the role technology plays in modern romance and the balance between logic and emotion makes for a compelling and relevant theme.

The characters are well-drawn, and the chemistry between Leonie and Jack is palpable. The author captures the essence of their connection, making it easy for readers to root for their relationship. Leonie's journey of self-discovery and questioning the limitations of her algorithm adds a layer of personal growth to the narrative.

The pacing of the novel is well-balanced, with a mix of witty banter, romantic tension, and moments of introspection. The incorporation of a tech start-up setting adds a unique backdrop to the story, giving readers a glimpse into the fast-paced and innovative world of the characters.

"Once Upon An Algorithm" is a charming and light-hearted romance that will resonate with fans of Ali Hazelwood and Sally Thorne. Clara O'Connor's storytelling is engaging, and her exploration of love in the digital age provides a fresh perspective on modern relationships. This novel is a delightful addition to the genre, offering readers an enjoyable and heart-warming escape into the world of algorithms and unexpected romance.

Thank you net galley but I couldn’t finish this one. I didn’t like the writing, was mildly confused and I couldn’t engage with the characters

Thank you to Clara O'Connor, Harper Collins and NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was so excited to read this book after the comparison to Ali Hazelwood's work, but unfortunately "Once Upon an Algorithm" fails to deliver on the promise of a compelling STEM romance. The narrative is marred by inconsistent characterisations and an irritating portrayal of interpersonal dynamics. Leonie, purportedly a mature woman in her late thirties, comes across as remarkably clueless and passive, leading to a lack of relatability and a degree of frustration for the reader.

The supporting characters, particularly Leonie's friends, are portrayed in a grating manner, hindering the overall narrative. Rather than providing meaningful assistance, these characters adopt a pushy and invasive approach, reminiscent of clichéd matchmakers. Furthermore, the dual personality attributed to the male lead, Jack, vacillating between a sympathetic golden retriever type and an inappropriate tech figure, introduces an unwarranted inconsistency to his character. The lack of a coherent tone and the overwhelming presence of technical jargon diminish the overall appeal of what could have been an engaging tech-infused romantic plot. The revelation of Jack's marital status without prior clarity or foreshadowing serves as a disruptive element rather than an effective plot twist. In essence, "Once Upon an Algorithm" falls short of expectations, delivering a narrative that struggles to balance its technological backdrop with a compelling romantic storyline.

Unfortunately this one wasn't for me. I didn't like the style of writing and DNF'd after chapter 1. I felt there were too many characters introduced in chapter 1 for me to connect with the MC.

2.5 stars for the tech scenes

In Clara O’Connor's 'Once Upon An Algorithm', 39-year-old single Leonie has a steamy encounter with much younger Jamie in Paris which ends badly, only to later discover she's stuck working with him.

This book had a really interesting premise and I wanted to like it, but I found it a slog. I also didn't see any real connection or chemistry between Leonie and Jamie, only lust, and I found those scenes just cringy. Their communication was also terrible and didn't get any better towards the end.

I think the plot and character development really needed a re-draft as I found them allover the place.

Plotwise, I hated the ridiculous drama over the secrets Leonie's stepbrother Eric made her keep and how she allowed him to manipulate her. Why the hell did Leonie assume so much when she never trusted her stepbrother Eric from the get go?

While I understood Jamie had a chip on his shoulder because he of his poor background, he demonstrated no redeeming features. He even lied to Leonie about something she'd asked him from day one. Leonie also also constantly cutting him off, refusing to explain and at times really immature for someone worried about their age gap. I normally don't mind those things if they've grown by the end of the book but I didn't really believe she did.

The best bits for me were how well the author demonstrated Leonie being good at her job. While I have no idea if her project management style was as authentic as it could be for fiction, but I appreciated it nonetheless. Also her mentorship of Max and about taking space was just perfect. I think this book would've worked SO much better if it was about Leonie working in a tech firm being kick arse at her job and mentoring other women, and focusing on why she has such rigid lists for potential suitors.

I also enjoyed her 'Greek chorus' of supportive friends and the scenes of California. I would read a future Clara O'Connor book though, but this just wasn't my cup of tea.

Thanks to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for the ARC.

I wanted to like this read, the description sounded cute and exactly like something I'd pick up.

Unfortunately, the story just didn't flow for me and I ended up DNFing for a week before picking it up because of lingering questions. The couple was super hard to root for with all their drama, and the in the ended I hated the mmc. As other reviews have stated he was MARRIED THE WHOLE TIME!!!!!!!!!! and if you can some how bring yourself to ignore that he ran so hot and cold, and basically punished the FMC because her family grew up wealthy.

Overall, it wasn't my cup of tea.

A fairly decent one night almost stand to enemies to lovers tale. I wasn't too crazy about the heroine, and the age gap got to me a little. But the plot stood up.

title: Once Upon an Algorithm

author: Clara O'Connor

publisher: One More Chapter

publication date: January 19, 2024

pages: 329

peppers: 3 (on this scale)

warnings: none

summary: While at her friend's bachelorette trip, Lenora has one weird night with Jack in Paris. Then, it turns out that she has to work with him on developing and launching an app her step-brother has borrowed money from her step-father to create. If she fails to help with the app, her step-father and mother will be financially ruined.

tropes: 

I'll never see you again
evil step-sibling
raised by a single mom
doesn't fit in with step family
keeping big secrets

what I liked: there were some funny lines in this book

what I didn’t like:

The main character changed her mind a lot, was self-centered, and wouldn't listen to people.
There was too much technical talk/jargon about the app and people developing it. It seemed like she was trying to get the same readers who likely Ali Hazelwood's books without having AH's talent for creating likable characters in STEM.
This book would have been more enjoyable with a more ruthless editor; 25% shorter would vastly improve it.

overall rating: 2 (of 5 stars)

I absolutely love these characters! Leonie is smart, but complicated with a huge chip onn her shoulder and prone to assuming things. Jack is… the same. Misunderstandings ensue, as they always do, and I get whiplash from all the emotional about-faces… but that’s what makes them interesting. We have a great cast of friends (the chat Greek Chorus), and some real personal growth- which is basically my catnip. I love watching characters grow- learn to think differently, begin to heal from their past, just grow up… all of it. I found this book fairly satisfying in that reguard.

Leonie’s family life is complicated- her feelings about the step father that swept her single mother off her feet. I love that she can see how good he is for her mother at all times, but at the same time can at least acknowledge the fact that his money money and excessive generosity made her uncomfortable. Growing up never feeling like you belong…this would put walls up. Mike was unexpected. Hardly the evil step-father but one that simply tried to hard and didn’t know how to connect. I loved that he and Leonie could talk, that he cared about her so much. Eric, though, is almost cliche in his evil stepbrother/ spoiled rich boy persona. I nearly found his sections difficult to get through- I understand the need, for the plot he was absolutely necessary, but it didn’t make his addition to the story any less cliche. Still, it was a charming, funny fast read that checked all my rom-com needs. I would give it a four.

⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
As far as adult content, there’s a lot. Drinking, language, and sexual content (Level three spice, and still way more time spent on building the relationship than writing sex scenes). Trigger warnings: gaslighting and possible cheating. There was nothing too over the top, I would say new adult and up.


I was lucky enough to receive an eARC of this book from Netgalley and One More Chapter in exchange for an honest review. My thanks.

When what was supposed to be a one night stand with someone completely not your type turns into a life lesson!

It's been a while since I've read a single POV book so it took me a couple of chapters to get into the book but once I kept reading I ate it all up.

I felt there was multiple lessons to be learnt while reading this book. They weren't only romantic ones but also life ones. While reading this there were times where I would sit and think about what happened.

I enjoyed the chemistry of the 2 characters and would like to read more from the author.

Unfortunately, this was a DNF for me.

I just really struggled to get behind the style of writing and found the abundance of characters overwhelming from the get go. There was just no spark for me in what was happening and I loveeee a book that has female friendships rooted in the centre!

Interesting concept that unfortunately did not deliver for me.

Once Upon an Algorithm by Clara O’Connor blends the spicy elements of a love story with the backdrop of the tech world. Leonie, an American living in London, embarks on a romantic journey guided by a dating app. However, her list of preferences is challenged when she finds herself in Paris with Jack, a brooding stranger who doesn't fit her criteria but sparks undeniable chemistry.
The plot thickens as Leonie starts a new job at a tech startup, only to discover that Jack is working there too. The narrative skillfully weaves geeky tech speak into the romance, making it a compelling read for those who enjoy both chick lit and a touch of technology.
The story remains engaging, exploring themes of love, humor, and the complexities of modern dating.
Leonie and Jack, navigate through constant misunderstandings and confrontations stemming from their backgrounds. The step brother adds an extra layer of irritation, making readers root for Leonie to stand up for herself.
Once Upon an Algorithm offers a blend of romance and tech, creating a captivating reading experience with an intriguing plot.

She almost gave up on ever finding someone, but her friends are not letting it go. When they go on a trip they download a new dating app and insert the opposite of all the things she would like in a guy.

The dating app leads her to meet a mysterious stranger. He is younger, but the sparks between them are undeniable.

They ran into each other again, but this time at her new job.

I liked the storyline at first, but there were some things that I just couldn't get past and I didn't like the male MC.

Freaking PERFECTION. 10/10. This was just so so good. I couldn’t get enough of it and wanted a thousand more pages of this. I am so glad I read this. For any fans of Ali Hazelwood, this is for you.

This started off as a good idea. A woman looking for her perfect man ends up going on a date with someone a complete opposite from her “list”.

But that’s about the only thing I liked about the book. It was described as a rom com but there wasn’t any comedy to be found. The main character has rude friends, a step brother who belittles her, and then finds out she was lied to the whole time.

I was hoping for another Ali Hazelwood, but it definitely was not.

I'm a simple woman: the synopsis says for fans of Sally Thorne and Ali Hazelwood, I request the ARC! Once Upon An Algorithm is a contemporary romance book that has a complex rollercoaster of a relationship between the STEM FMC, Leonie, and a STEM MMC, Jack. Their rollercoaster could be summed up in tropes by strangers to lovers to enemies to lovers! That's a whole lot of movement! There are also some other tropes such as age gap, witty banter, and workplace romance, which all make for a really interesting read!
I really enjoyed the beginning and middle of this book because the chemistry was 🔥 BUT the ending was a little hard to read.... I can't say much because of spoilers but it was a really interesting turn of events that I was NOT expecting and didn't really love... BUT you definitely get the anxiety of wondering if this book would be an HEA or not! 👀
Thank you so much to One More Chapter and Harper Collins UK for a free e-ARC of this wild ride of a book!💖

The first thing I noticed in the beginning of the book was that I couldn't really picture what was going on because there wasn't enough description of the characters' surroundings. There was too much exposition about their lives that I felt could have been explained differently. Show don't tell. Or use dialogue to explain it. Next, I noticed that the dialogue was using the wrong kind of quotes. It used single quotes (') instead of the standard double quotes ("). Third, it's written in the present tense instead of the standard past tense.

I didn't like the plot of the story. Stella sets up Leonie for a date with someone the opposite of what she likes. Stella used Leonie's phone and set up the date even as Leonie protested and said no. Her date, Jack, is creepy and not nice. He does things like kissing her without her consent. Leonie doesn't like him, yet she still falls for him because of his looks.

There aren't enough dialogue tags. Sometimes I can't tell who's saying what.