I’m a huge speculative fiction fan and believe it or not, this is my first John Marrs book. I was excited to dig into this one as the description sounded intriguing.

In a future United Kingdom, an economic crisis looms and people can’t afford to have and raise children. So of course a corporation swoops in on this “opportunity” and naturally exploits it!

This novel follows several families who participate on a reality game show. Each family is given an AI virtual child to raise in the metaverse. The experience is complete with goggles, haptic suits and all that futuristic stuff that is supposed to make the metaverse seem real. Ages birth to 18 are condensed into 9 months as the public watches, votes and even participates in the direction of the show/contest. At the end, the winning family gets to make a choice: keep the AI child they have bonded with or take prize money to have a family and start a real family.

I will say that for about the first half of the book, it’s a bit difficult to keep the families straight. I read the e-book and I find it a tad hard to back up and re-look at things in that format. But, as the story unfolds, it does get easier. The families take on unique characteristics and they’re easier to track. There’s a single dad who wants to show that a one parent family can be successful,, a male gay couple where one partner is a quasi-celebrity influencer and a few straight couples, several of which have controversial pasts. This gives the watching public plenty to engage in and gossip about.

The hardships and baggage that these families have was interesting to read about, too. Marrs gives away little tidbits as the book progresses, which is a good tool to make you want to keep reading, if you ask me.

This was a fun, not super-heavy read. It does delve into some touch topics, but nothing is too spicy. This book should appeal to fans of sci-fi, speculative fiction and mystery-thrillers with a futuristic vibe. To me, the second half of the book was better than the first, and as mentioned above, a big reason for that was that the story settled in and the characters were easier to track.

Thank you to Netgalley, Hanover Square Press and John Marrs for the opportunity to read this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Wow, this book is incredibly intense! It had me completely engrossed, following the intertwined stories of five couples and one single person on a reality show raising a virtual child. Throughout the book, ethical dilemmas abound, keeping me on the edge of my seat with each unexpected turn. John Marrs, the author, skillfully crafts a thought-provoking world that feels eerily plausible.

The Family Experiment is a gripping story that will have you on the edge of your seat. As more characters are introduce you realize all of them have secrets they don't want getting out. It leaves you wanting more at every turn. With its clever take on our society today giving us a glimpse of what it could look like in the future, you question everything there is to know about AI.

Interesting idea with lots of twists and thrilling situations as virtual families are created in a world of over-population. Seems to me that you get all the same issues plus even more in this unique sci-fi tale.

This is absolutely unhinged! This book had me submersed and invested in all the different storylines. 5 couples and 1 single are participating in a reality show to raise a virtual child. The entire book is just a huge ethical paradox. The twists keep coming, some moments tug at the heartstrings and many more moments my jaw was on the floor. John Marrs - Author did an amazing job creating a frightening world that doesn’t seem so far out of reach.

I love a good sci-fi read, and this futuristic thriller truly hit the mark. The Family Experiment tells of a future dominated by AI, a very real possibility closer than we think. As you advance through the multiple POV’s, more is uncovered of a society in which families can purchase a monthly prescription to create a virtual child with any features of their choosing. I was so fascinated with the concept of a Meta-verse and the present day issues intricately woven throughout the entire book. 10/10 recommend to anyone who wants a dark, twisty, Black Mirror-esque page turner! Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC!

Pub Date: July 9th, 2024

I've always heard great things about John Marrs and had his books on my to-read list. The Family Experiment stood out to me with it's storyline of a reality competition based in the metaverse in which real-life families would be raising VR children. Many webinars recently have focused on AI and how we can adjust to these changing technologies. Seeing what could be a glimpse into the future (maybe?!) is creepy, thrilling, and fascinating at the same time.

Due to context, I assume I should have read the Marriage Experiment first, but it's not a requirement, you can definitely understand the context without it. Although I will likely go back and read it now.

I highly recommend this book to fans of thrillers, especially those who enjoy a touch of a futuristic post-pandemic twist.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of the book for an honest review.

FANTASTIC! As expected from John Marrs! One of the most creative and unique reads with such a relevant topic. It really made me think after finishing the book - which is when I know its been a good read :)

I expected to have trouble keeping all the different characters and families straight, due to the large number of them, but this was not an issue at all! The writing of each family differed so greatly that I was hooked into each family from the start. I would have finished this in one sitting if I could - constant twists and turns kept me guessing right until the (literal) very end!

ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Special thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy of this book. This is definitely not something I would typically read, but the concept behind it sounded fascinating so I gave it a try. It is a little unsettling when talking about raising AI babies in a virtual world and how something like this could actually come to be. It took me awhile to figure out who all of the characters were in the virtual now and then I still had to figure out their stories in the real world back in time. After that the story started to get better, the ending wasn't my favorite but if you're looking for something a little futuristic and creative then give it a try.

John Marrs doesn’t miss.

I love his books. The way he weaves the plot for his speculative thrillers is perfection.

Imagine you have the opportunity of a lifetime. You’ve always wanted to start a family but due to a number of reasons you’ve been unable to. Now you and 9 other couples have the opportunity to raise a virtual child from birth to 18 over a period of 9 months while the world watches. If you win the reality show you can keep your virtual baby or you keep the money and have the chance to start your own real family. What could possibly go wrong?

This would KILL as an audiobook with the numerous POV’s, commercials, advertisements, and television voiceovers that take place.

There’s something very very wrong with each couple which makes for the ultimate dark and twisty story. The hidden secrets, the lies, the nods to previous books, and the way it all ties together at the end? Obsessed.

This was my first book I have read by John Marrs. I have heard great things about him as an author so jumped at the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book. Man did this not disappoint. It took me a little bit over a day to finish this. It was a little bit hard to follow at first just because of all the characters, but due to the nature of the books (trying to avoid spoilers here!), it became a lot more manageable. This was just a creative concept for a book and definitely had some very relatable points as a parent. Overall, a great read!

John Mars never lets me down, he’s always providing me a quick reading page turner that keeps me on the edge of my seat. The Family Experiment lived up to all of my expectations and beyond!

Nobody writes sick and twisted speculative fiction quite like John Marrs.

I’ve absolutely ADORED his other spec fics. The One, The Passengers, The Minders and The Marriage Act are all written in a similar format as The Family Experiment. They all start with seemingly normal people experiencing new technology in the near future and devolve into chaos and mayhem. Literal masterpieces.

In The Family Experiment, 5 couples and 1 single father are assigned a virtual child in the metaverse. Over 9 months, the child will have developmental jumps until they’re 18 when the audience will vote for the winner. In true John Marrs fashion, all hell breaks loose.

If you put the Black Mirror episodes Arkangel, Nosedive and Striking Vipers in a bag and shame them up, you’ll get something close to The Family Experiment. The twists and turns this book will take you on while leaving you with your jaw on the floor at the end of each chapter. I truly hope he never stops writing these books.

Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC!

AMAZING AND CAPTIVATING. Each family had their own story and backround that was more shocking than the next. This book kept me on the edge of my seat.

Thank you to John Marrs, NetGalley, and Harlequin Trade Publishing | Hanover Square Press for allowing me the pleasure of reading on arc of this just absolutely fantastic book.
If you’re familiar with John Marrs, then you know any time he releases a new book, you’re in for a treat. From start to finish, this book was captivating and you will have no choice but to become fully immersed in the MetaVerse and all the avatars and the RealWorld people behind some of the avatars.
The premise is simple. A reality TV show called The Family Experiment will follow ten couples as they raise a Virtual Child from birth to the age of eighteen but in a condensed nine-month time period. The prize: the right to keep their virtual child, or risk it all for the chance of a real baby… For those who cannot afford to start their own family in the RealWorld, this may be their only opportunity. But what happens when each of the families vying for the prize may have ulterior motives or secrets of their own that they don’t want shared with the home viewers?
Told in multiple perspectives, complete with chat room dialogue, news coverage and even a few commercials, this book will keep you reading. John Marrs does it again!

**Review of "The Family Experiment" by John Marrs**

"The Family Experiment" by John Marrs is a captivating novel that delivers a thought-provoking exploration of the ethical dilemmas surrounding genetic engineering. Marrs skillfully crafts a narrative that is both compelling and morally complex, inviting readers to ponder the consequences of scientific advancement on humanity.

Set in a not-so-distant future where genetic manipulation is the norm, "The Family Experiment" follows the intertwined lives of several characters grappling with the implications of altering their genetic makeup. Marrs expertly navigates the moral gray areas inherent in this subject matter, presenting readers with a riveting and thought-provoking narrative.

The strength of the novel lies in Marrs' ability to create fully realized characters who feel both relatable and authentic. Each character faces their own moral quandaries, and Marrs skillfully delves into their motivations and struggles, allowing readers to empathize with their choices and dilemmas.

Furthermore, Marrs' prose is engaging and propulsive, ensuring that the story moves at a brisk pace while still allowing for moments of introspection and contemplation. The result is a novel that is not only entertaining but also intellectually stimulating, prompting readers to consider the ethical implications of scientific progress.

In conclusion, "The Family Experiment" earns a resounding five stars for its compelling narrative, well-developed characters, and thought-provoking themes. It is a must-read for fans of speculative fiction and anyone interested in exploring the moral complexities of genetic engineering.

John Marrs continues to WoW and amaze with his latest thriller. It Hooks from page one and is terrifying with accuracy of where our society is headed in regards to AI. Death is a tragedy, but would the same level of sadness hold true if the death was an AI character? We follow these couples who could win it all to have a family and the layers of deception and fear are magnified by the intense feelings that are battling for sense and the gray areas of right and wrong. This is not to be missed and not to be ignored. Bravo John!

Fantastic!!! John Marrs has done it again. Imagine a world where you raise a virtual child that ages quickly. Going through all the phases of growth in 9 months, instead of 18 years. Every decision you make in that child’s life will be judged by an audience who votes on who stays and who goes. If you win you will get to keep that child or get a the chance to try for a real child.

This book kept me hooked from the beginning. With many twists and turns you won’t want to put it down. Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

I was obsessed with this book! I did not want to put it down.

The story takes place in a dystopian future (that really doesn't feel too far off from where we are headed as a people). The economy has taken such a turn that a lot of families are unable to afford to have biological children so a company has rolled out a program for AI MetaChildren that are advertised to feel close to identical to having your own children.

To introduce this new program, the company creates a reality TV show that streams 24/7 where a handful of couples are chosen to raise their MetaChild for the world to watch.

This story had twists and turns and everything came together so perfectly in the end.

I loved the use of different mediums throughout such as some chapters would be news clippings and some chapters would be online chatroom conversations, etc.

This story was so unique and so fascinating and I'm sad I've finished it already.

Thank you NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing | Hanover Square Press and especially John Marrs for allowing me to experience The Family Experiment ARC :)

I am quickly becoming a John Marrs fan! This is the 2nd book of his that I've read and I recommended the first "The One" frequently. The Family Experiment is an equally relevant and important read. Marrs skillfully wraps up ethical and moral issues that we are soon to be facing as a society in a fast paced and gripping read. With the onslaught of AI that we are facing alongside a ridiculous amount of "reality" TV this novel is a must read to stimulate conversation and critical thinking as we move forward. Yes - this book is fiction but just as many authors before him, Marrs is also calling us to pay attention and think critically about the changes we are seeing and participating in - some willingly and some not so much. And of course - Marrs does this in an entertaining and creative manner. While this read is a thrilling one and one that you will finish quickly - it will also stick with you and generate numerous conversations when you recommend it to others. Congratulations John Marr on this fabulous read! I'm looking forward to your next offering already. 4.5 stars!