This novel is set in the same world as "The One" by John Marrs (and I later discovered several other of his speculative thrillers). "The Family Experiment" focuses on a reality show, by the same name, set in a future where the Metaverse is developed and a company is trying to promote a new product for release - a virtual child that one can raise in the Metaverse. Contestants raise a Metaverse child through accelerated life stages, the final contestant having a choice between keeping their Metaverse child or taking a lump sum of money to use to start a real world family. As the contestants progress through the show, they must work increasingly harder to make sure some of the proverbial skeletons in their closets are not revealed.

I found this an absolutely fun read. As someone who has watched various reality shows over the years - Survivor, Project Runway, etc. - the premise was engaging as well as the questions it raised. The different dynamics of each family participating (and the secrets they had) were diverse and entertaining. It was also a really interesting thought experiment regarding AI and its role, not just economically but socially.

The storytelling format was very similar to "The One" so if you enjoyed that you would probably like this book. It may be worth reading his other speculative thriller works in the same 'world' before this one - I got the sense that certain worldwide situations were references to events outside of the book, so finding out that there were other books set in the world prior wasn't terribly surprising, although it does work as a stand alone novel too.

This was my 3rd John Marrs book and I really enjoyed it! I liked some characters story lines more than others but overall became invested in everyone. I love the quick chapters with cliffhangers, it kept me invested and wanting to read more! Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy!
4⭐️

I didn’t know if John Marrs could write something that topped The One, and I have to say, he proved me wrong! I love how you can see how this world is plausible in the not too distant future. Between the reality show and raising AI children, the concept was so interesting. I could not put this book down and have been telling all of my reader (and even some non reader) friends all about this one.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

“It’s the same principle as parenting, only in a different setting. It’s our job to raise our son or daughter as we would a biological child.”

WOW! Can you say the future may be scary? The Family Experiment by John Marrs is taking Reality TV and turning it into a psychological social experiment in the Metaverse. Six families are ready to start a nine month show where they raise a MetaBaby that experiences multiple Developmental Leaps from being a newborn to reaching 18 years old in this time frame. These babies are “computer-generated image[s] living in a three-dimensional version of the internet.” But when 6 different family units all have a past, and something to hide – with scheming in the background by Awakening Entertainment – and a world that can log in and watch, analyze, critic, post about, and rate at all times, you know this is an experiment that will end in a way that no one can predict or expect!

Marrs really took the all-encompassing word of “family,” added in a full AI approach set in the not-to-out-of-grasp future, and created a psychological thriller that will leave you deep in your own thoughts. Even the concepts of Re:Born and Match Your DNA are so brilliant, it’s amazing to me whatever is going on in the author’s head to develop such ideas that may be more of a reality in the future than we (the reader) can even comprehend.

This was my first book by Marrs and he made a fan out of me! Saying this, there are tons of trigger warnings that I could give, so make sure you understand the basic concepts before jumping right in. In addition, I read this on my Kindle and it took me a little longer to get into this book trying to mentally remember all of the characters, the children’s names, the backstories etc. I think this needs to be a book you can easily jump back to the start to easily know – who is married to who and whose baby belongs to what parent. Due to this, I was probably about 40% into the book before I became fully invested – once my memory kicked in (and characters started being limited!).

Overall, this was a mind-blowing futuristic story that will leave your jaw dropped (but I did end the book with a smile!). The plot was fascinating, the concept new and not predictable, and the creative nature of this novel oozed out of the pages. Just as The Family Experiment Reality TV show was extremely addicting, once you get to the second half of this book you will likewise be addicted and unable to put it down!. 4.5 Stars (lowered from 5 simply because of how much information had to be absorbed with too many characters in the beginning – which may just be this users error).

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this arc; all opinions are my own!

“Anything-and anywhere-was possible in the Metaverse”

The Family Experiment by John Marrs is a thought provoking exploration into the world of virtual reality and sci-fi. A company in the UK develops a program where couples can create their own virtual child by subscribing for a monthly fee. To launch this program, the company develops a reality show called The Family Experiment. The world can view these couples interacting with their virtual child online. For the couples that subscribe to raising a virtual child, a winner will be chosen once the children are raised. Upon winning the couples are left to decide if they want to keep the child or get support to raise a real child.
This book is so engaging and entertaining! You have to keep reading to find out the outcome of the reality show! This book is an automatic 5 star read!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

John Marrs writes incredibly thought-provoking stories, especially his speculative thrillers. Whenever I finish one of his books I am stuck in a state of limbo where I am constantly thinking what I've just read and contemplating real life..

It's so difficult to explain but this book had so many levels of depth. The amount of emotion I felt while reading this was like a whirlwind. One minute I was horrified, the next I was heartbroken. It's dark and sinister and creepy and incredibly vivid and I just loved it. Despite it's intricate and detailed plot, it was such an effortless read. Before I knew it, I had read 200 pages and hadn't realised! There was no coming up for air, this book was completely devoured in two sittings.

It was so fascinating seeing the characters lives pan out through real life and the meta verse. It gives the impression that anything is possible which makes it so scary and even more intense. And just when I thought I had read the twistiest part of the storyline, the next chapter would leave me completely mind-blown... I'm not kidding... My brain cells felt like they had been fried.

This was a very intriguing, attention grabbing read!

When ten couples join a competition which involved raising an AI created child, conflicts are bound to arise. This concept is extremely believable, and I found the book really captivating. At times I did struggle to remember who was who, because there are a lot of POVs to keep up with. But this provides the reader with the story from every possible backstory, which is nice.

Would definitely recommend the read!!

Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ARC

This felt like a Black Mirror episode in the best way. Marrs does it again with a not-so-far-in-the-future concept that freaks me out. This whole book was one big mind fuck. There were definitely a few characters I liked over others. I found myself not really that invested in a few of them. The ending though! I really enjoyed this book all the way through.

It’s also wild to read something like this because it’s not too far in left field that you’re like “this would never happen” but it’s just the right amount of “futuristic” that blows your mind and gets you thinking.

I have really enjoyed reading John Marrs books lately. First I read “The One” then “The Passengers” now “The Family Experiment”. They all take place in the same future universe. Concepts from both earlier books are referenced in this book.

The story is about a reality show that is based on contestants competing in the Metaverse to raise an AI baby/child. Viewers from all over can vote to save them and their virtual child. The winner can continue to raise their AI child or they can take the money and raise a biological child.

The contestants are mostly straight couples with one gay couple and one single man. We find out a lot about their back stories and why they wanted to be a part of this competition. There are chapters that go back in time to some children getting smuggled to somewhere, presumably in Europe. The kids are forced to work and live in an unknown place with little to no memory of their past. The setting is very much a dystopian environment.

At the same time tensions run high during the contest and some contestants start to break under the pressure of raising the children and constantly being watched.

I enjoyed this book very much and didn’t see the twist until near the end. With all the talk of AI in the news this is kind of a warning about what could possibly happen in the future. Definitely recommend!

Thank you to Hanover Square Press and NetGalley for this ARC.

I've become a big fan of John Marrs' books over the last few years. The Family Experiment is set in the same universe as The One and The Marriage Act. I'm not sure that I would want to be an actual person in that universe, but the books are thought provoking and very twisty. The Family Experiment is about several couples and one single man who are all competing in a reality series in which they are to raise a virtual child for 9 months with advances in age from infancy up to age 18 at the end of the competition. In true Marrs fashion, there are details about the seemingly loving couples that come out over the course of the competition that are pretty twisted. I don't want to give anything away, but I wasn't able to predict anything that was happening throughout this book!
Thank you to John Marrs, Hanover Square Press, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book in return for my honest review.

I want to start my review by stating up front that I'm a huge John Marrs' fan. After reading The Passengers, I knew I needed more. Marrs style of writing is unique, and it's possible it's not for everyone. He jumps around between all of his characters involved like a true ensemble cast. It's typically a little bit of a slower start while you're figuring it all out, but by the end, you are more than invested in all of their lives. This book was no exception. With a variety of family types and personality types, this book keeps you on your toes. Even knowing that you should expect twists and turns around every corner and knowing that everyone has a secret (per his typical style), it always catches me off guard. If you've never read Marrs work before, I definitely recommend checking this one out. You'll be revving to follow up with his older novels at the end!

I DEVOURED this book. Fans of John Marrs are going to love this one! And if you haven’t read John Marrs yet…what are you doing!?!?!
This is a futuristic sci fi thriller in the meta verse. The same universe as his other novels, The One, The Passengers and The Marriage Act.
And now they are coming out with metababies. They are launching it with a reality tv show called The Family Experiment. Couples and a single man are competing against each other in the metaverse with they raise an AI baby all with everyone watching them live. The AI baby will leap through milestones and adulthood in months. The public will vote on a winner who will either be able to keep their meta child or walk away with money to start their own biological family.
This one was so deliciously twisty and shocking. Each couple seemed to have a secret that would come out and I did not see them coming. Also, short chapeters!!!
Absolutely loved this one and recommend.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, what a ride!! In typical Marrs fashion, this book takes you on a roller coaster ride of events and emotions with surprises at every turn. You’ll encounter numerous characters with insane plot lines, plus mind bending content that is somehow relevant, humorous, and morbid all at the same time. Don’t expect to like or relate to the characters, that’s not the point. Just sit back and enjoy the adventure that unfolds from the dark, twisted, and incredible mind of the author.

John Marrs does it again. These sci-fi, psychological books seriously freak me out. I could definitely see this happening in the future which makes it even crazier.

I really enjoyed the layout of this book. It really gave me a sense of a fully immersed experience. Also made me a little afraid for what the future of AI and technology hold for us, because this could easily become very real.

I loved that the author referenced his other books, but you certainly don’t have to read them first to enjoy this one!!

John Marrs' "The Family Experiment" is an engaging and thought-provoking novel that masterfully blends elements of psychological suspense with heartfelt family drama. Marrs' storytelling prowess is evident in his ability to create complex characters and weave an intricate plot that keeps readers hooked from beginning to end.

The novel explores the dynamics of family relationships under extraordinary circumstances, delving into themes of trust, loyalty, and the lengths one will go to protect loved ones. Marrs' keen insight into human nature is showcased through his nuanced character development, making each individual in the story feel real and relatable.

The pacing is impeccable, with each chapter building suspense and revealing new layers to the story. Marrs' writing is both crisp and evocative, drawing readers into the emotional depths of the characters' experiences. "The Family Experiment" is not just a gripping thriller but also a poignant exploration of what it means to be a family.

In summary, John Marrs has delivered yet another compelling novel that will captivate readers and leave them pondering long after the final page. "The Family Experiment" is a must-read for fans of psychological fiction and anyone looking for a story that is both thrilling and deeply moving.

The Family Experiment takes you on a wild ride of different POVs and timelines. It all culminates at the end of the reality show by the same name. Set in the future where we spend a lot of time in the metaverse, a company has created a way to give people who wish to have children a near exact experience virtually. It’s definitely a page turner.

I really enjoyed this fast paced book! There were many characters with diverse and different backgrounds. Each couple had a very interesting history that kept the reader engaged. I liked the realistic futuristic plot. Made me wonder what life would be like if we lived in a world with AI and avatars. It did seem like the ending was a bit rushed due to the large amount of characters that each needed a finale. This story was very similar to two popular shows that almost seemed like this book’s idea was from. John Marrs is a fantastic author. I really enjoy his twists and turns, jaw dropping moments.

Mind blown!! This was my first time reading a John Marrs book (Don't judge me) and I was addicted. It was a legit rollercoaster of a ride from start to finish. The twists and turns just keep coming and it is sooo hard to put down. I didn't think I was a sci-fi fan but this.. THIS.... changed my mind :) Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the e-arc.

I had such a fun time reading this! It's my first John Marrs. I loved all the subtle hints that you were in the future (besides the obvious one wrapped around the plot 😉) like body dryers and everyday objects they would use. I loved all of the moral and ethical discussions that could be had with the concepts in this book. I will say, however, that it's pretty long and took a while to get through. It is also set in the same world as The One and The Passengers (probably the Marriage Act as well) and as someone who hasn't read those books yet I was worried about spoilers. I don't think there is any, or at least very minor.