👧 Book Review 👧

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for my honest opinions.

Publication: July 9, 2024

Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

I was sucked into this book and I couldn’t stop until I figured out all the secrets! I loved Marrs science fiction and even though this book is a series, it can definitely be read as a standalone.

I loved Woody & Tina and Hudson’s story the most. I felt they had the most secrets to them!

For fans of:
❤️ Dystopian
👧 Set in near future UK
❤️ Speculative fiction
👧 Popcorn thriller
❤️ Various POV’s
👧 Mixed Media (internet chats, articles, etc)
❤️ Secrets and twists
👧 “Reality” show

📕 Book Recs 📕
📚 Upgrade by Blake Crouch (genetic speculation)
📚 The Handmaid’s Tale (dystopian)
📚 Ready Player One (dystopian metaverse)

I love John Marrs & all his books & this one is no different. It’s a strange concept, the character development is great, & the ending was fantastic. It was one of those books where I was mad that I had to stop reading to get work done bc I didn’t want to put the book down! I can't say enough good tings about John's writing. It's easy to read & understand without being simple. I definitely recommend this book! Thanks so much to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this ARC!

This book was SO unique and readable. John Marrs does such a great job with speculative fiction and this was no exception. It was set in the same world as The One and The Passengers (you don’t have to read them first, but it’s fun if you do, because there are lots of connections!) and grappled with the ethics of AI in our future. Specifically- what would it be like if people had AI children? It gave me a lot think about while being fast paced and entertaining. Highly recommend if you’re looking for a plot driven, speculative fiction thriller.

I have been a John Marrs fan for years, so when I was approved to read “The Family Experiment” I screamed! This one was a dark and twisty page turner, taking place in a futuristic world where AI has become the norm. There is a new reality TV show where families are each given a virtual child to raise in the metaverse. Each family is competing to be the winner, which would include prize money or the choice of keeping your virtual child. As with his previous work, nothing is exactly as it seems. Every family has something to hide, and a big reason to win. I loved how there were tie ins to his previous books as well. Thanks so much to NetGalley and publisher for this ARC!

This was an amazing concept and I really enjoyed it. I think that a lot of people are in fear of AI right now and this was a new take on how we might use it in the future. The book could be an entire season of Black Mirror. The reality TV aspect was very realistic and how people will watch it more then they would watch a King taking the throne. It's shocking how this social commentary, in this fake world, rang very true to today's issues.

I would absolutely recommend this book to friends, family, followers etc.

Some constructive criticism:
- Adam's story felt really rushed and like a weird after thought to the rest of the story. I wish he were sprinkled in more throughout.
- I wish the Monthly Challenges were more explained. They were brought up many many times but only one couple actually had it and they killed their metababy. I just wonder if ,maybe I was missing something here but for it to be discussed so much to then not be able to recall any feels like an oversight.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this book. This is my second book by this author, and sadly I almost DNF. The characters were just not for me, and some of the story line and the comparison between parents of terminally ill children and being parents of an avatar who may cease to exist after the experiment was such a wild comparison to me. The final chapter was a little bit of a shock to me, but that's it. Overall 2/5

John Marrs does it again with "The Family Experiment"

I went into this book as blind as possible. A book about AI children raised through the scope of a reality TV competition. That premise alone was enough to keep me turning pages until I reached the end. John Marrs doesn't just do straight forward plots. There's a lot of surprises in this story. Lots of twisted shocking moments. By the end of it, I was thoroughly entertained.

John Marrs is a auto buy read every time and "The Family Experiment" is a new favorite from his catalog!

I thoroughly enjoyed this. Marrs has crafted a unique and timely, futuristic mystery/thriller that was hard to put down.

Set in a futuristic version of the UK, The Family Experiment looks at the effects of population overcrowding, the use of virtual reality and AI, and many other timely topics.

I am a sucker for multiple POVs, short chapters that end of cliff hangers, and reality TV thrills, so this was right up my alley. I will definitely go back and read through Marrs previous efforts now.

Very different from my typical read but I was intrigued from the start, even though it scares me how plausible this seems!

I received this book from the Publisher in exchange for a honest and fair review via Netgalley.

Having read and enjoyed Marrs' book The One, I was excited to read this. I wasn't disappointed.

The book centers around a reality TV show titled ‘The Family Experiment’ and follows five couples and a single as they compete to begin their own family - they are to take care of a meta child until 18 years old, and if they win the contest, they will get the money needed for invitro to start a family of their own. If they don't win, the "child" is terminated.

The children's lives are not 18 years but shortened into nine months with nine life stages.

Each of these people have a story and some are pretty crazy. It was a wild ride, one I enjoyed. Highly recommend.

John Marrs’ speculative fiction has always been top tier, and this was no exception! I loved this book. His plots always feel like a real warning as to where society could end up if we’re not careful.

Pacing-wise, this book was perfect. Marrs loves his short sweet chapters that give you just enough plot advancement to keep you interested before jumping POVs, and because of that, this book flew by for me. I couldn’t put it down, saying “just one more chapter” for hours.

The characters were compelling, none of the twists felt cheap or drawn out, and I loved every minute of this ride. I can’t wait to push this book on friends and family looking for a quick thriller read.

I really enjoyed this new read by John Marrs! This was the first book l've read that is in his collection of books that are set in the same world. Not reading the others didn't hinder my experience of reading this one so it can definitely be read as a standalone. The chapters were short and each labeled so you knew exactly which couple's experience you were reading about.
I loved how this one combined science fiction and suspense. You didn't know what the couples were hiding nor how the competition would play out. This book gave me the same vibes as the show on Amazon called "Upload". I really enjoyed that one so this book was a hit for me.
Definitely an awesome read for those who love dystopian worlds, speculative thrillers, and science fiction involving Al!

What a wild ride that was. I have never read any of John Marra other novels, and I came into this ARC absolutely blind. I'm so glad I did because this book was GRIPPING.

The entire synopsis drew me in. An experiment with tamagochi like children in the metaverse. The millennial in me was super curious. Plus, plot twist it's a GAME SHOW!

I was in shock by how closely John paints a picture of today's society only just a little further along into technology. Everything that happened seemed like something that could happen in the near future, which added to the creepy factor of this book.

I really don't know how else to put this, but you must read this book. Fans that like mysteries, games shows, DRAMA, and a little bit of reality, and some sci-fi elements will love this book. It took me by suprise.

Thank you for providing an arc!

Definitely recommend reading The One and the marriage act before reading this one!

I still really liked it, I was just a little confused until I read the other books set in this world!

John marrs is quickly becoming one of my new favorite authors!

I normally very much enjoy John Marrs, but this book felt like it dragged quite a bit. Not my favorite.

I was so excited for this one and I enjoy John Marrs books but this one fell flat for me. I DNF’d this one. The plot was too weird for me that I couldn’t keep reading.

You’ll love this new futuristic book from Jon Marrs about 6 couples fighting to win a competition where they parent AI children. It is up to the public to choose who will win! Theres lots of twists and events you don’t see coming. I highly recommend it!

The Family Experiment
By John Marrs
Publishing date: 7/9/24

Rating: 5 stars

Another intense, twisted, thoughtful, and entertaining page-turner by John Marrs!

“The Family Experiment” examines the lengths people will go to have the perfect family, the dehumanizing elements of entertainment, and the horrors of technological advancements.

“The Family Experiment” takes place in the same world as “The One” so I’ve been reading the books in order to fully understand the references to the previous books. It’s not necessary, but it does enhance the experience and there are quite a few fun references in this book.

I love the use of mixed media (i.e. chat room conversations and news articles) that quickly paint a picture of societal and technological norms in this setting. It’s a clever approach to creating a world and informing the reader of changes since the last book and differences from our current society.

As always, Marrs’ seamless execution of multiple POV’s is used as a plot device and keeps the pacing very fast. Each POV is unique and starts off seeming simple but gets more intense and shocking as the story goes on.

The examination of society, family, and technology was gripping and endlessly entertaining. This book has some brutal moments but I love that about this author because you truly never know what will happen. The book leaves off at a place that makes me really excited to find out what comes next.

Thank you NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and John Marrs for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Title: The Family Experiment
Author: John Marrs
Publishing Date: July 9th, 2024

5 stars 🌟

This book was an engrossing page-turner. I devoured it in just two days, and it took me another two days to process everything I had read.

"The Family Experiment" by John Marrs is a riveting and thought-provoking novel that dives into the complexities of human relationships and the lengths people will go to create a version of the perfect family. Marrs is known for his captivating and often unsettling themes, weaves a story that is both emotionally charged and psychologically complex.

"The Family Experiment" is a gripping novel that combines psychological drama with social commentary. John Marrs has created a story that is both entertaining and mentally stimulating, making it a must-read for lovers of fiction and thrillers.

Thank you Netgalley, John Marrs and Harlequin Trade Publishing for allowing me a ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I am not a huge fan of science fiction but I do love me a good John Marrs book! His books never cease to terrify me of what the future holds - with AI running life's and metaverse babies!