Parenthood + AI + virtual children + reality TV - what could go wrong? Apparently, A LOT can go wrong, which is exactly what happens in The Family Experiment. People compete to win a competition based upon raising a virtual child over the course of nine months in the metaverse. Whoever wins the competition has a big decision to make at the end. They may continue life with their virtual child, or destroy the child and accept prize money to start their own family in the real world. Millions of people are watching the contestants' every move, and they are not holding back with their opinions. As the competition progresses, viewers are in for some surprises as they discover that the contestants are as perfect as they're led to believe. And let's just say that the show's finale ends up being quite grand!

The Family Experiment was such a wild ride! The book's plot is unique and unlike anything I've yet to read. While the summary may initially seem a bit far-fetched, it really isn't outside the realm of possibilities when you think about how much technology and AI play such a big role in our lives today. There was so much more going on behind-the-scenes than just a reality TV show. I loved how some of the characters and other story lines tied into each other. This book will really make you think about the impact of emerging technologies and AI. I couldn't put it down and loved how it ended!

John Marrs! I love this. This one kept me on the edge of the seat and turning the pages. Intriguing until the very end

Absolutely amazing, the multipler POV’s gives the reader a wide view of the world. Characters were well written and the plot had me at the edge of my seat.

Unfortunately i made the decision to DNF this book after multiple failed attempts to consume. I hope to pick it up again at a later time.

John Marrs never disappoints me - he does such an incredible job pulling in a reader and holding their face close to the proverbial screen from page 1 until the final sentence.

John Marrs can be hit or miss for me, but I really enjoyed this one! If you loved The One, you'll definitely love The Family Experience. The plot is incredibly unique, and the short chapters make it easy to stay hooked from start to finish. Marrs keeps the story engaging throughout, and the fast pacing is a definite win. A great pick for anyone who enjoys a suspenseful and thought-provoking read!

I just started reading John Marrs book and I'm totally addicted this book had me addicted by the first chapter.. totally awesome read.. I don't want to give too much away You're the people who has not read this book. Awesome characters just 100% great read..

I really enjoy reading John Marrs books and for the most part, this book is s good read. However, the dystopian feeling I get is not one of my favorites.

This was a good read! John Marrs is so great at what he does. He always draws you in and keeps you wanting more. Great read!

This book is SO good! It blends my love of reality tv shows with a frightful futuristic possibility in all the best ways. John Marrs is one of my all time favorite authors, and The Family Experiment does NOT disappoint. Set in the same world as The One and The Marriage Act, families who cannot have a baby naturally and cannot afford IVF enter a contest on a reality tv show to try to fix their situation. On the show they raise an AI generated child from birth to adulthood with an accelerated growth timeline. The entire thing is filmed in an AI world, with viewers voting, commenting, and having their own input into who wins. Just when I thought I knew where the story was going, it would take a twist and it was surprise after surprise after that! Don’t miss out on this fantastic read! 5 stars ⭐️

This was a really interesting premise and I liked how it switched between characters and kept slowly revealing their stories. I read The One as well and appreciated the connections to that book, although I don’t think it is required to read that one before this. I think the ending wrapped up nicely too.

I love the melodrama of a reality TV show especially when it involves participating in competitions for money from Top Chef to Survivor and Big Brother. This story follows a group of contestants on a reality show in a dystopian UK society where couples can no longer afford to start families or raise them. A new technology company has created virtual children and for their big ad launch, they are holding a reality competition following prospective parents who will raise a Virtual Child over an accelerated time period from infant to eighteen with the grand prize of choosing to keep their virtual child or receive a cash prize to start their own biological family.

The parents are watched on feeds around the world and the audience gets to participate in giving them challenges they must overcome and feedback on their parenting skills. I’m not a parent but how would you like an audience to judge your parenting skills every second of the day? LOL. With eleven parents, their virtual children and the host to follow plus the story of a child sold by his family into some kind of scientific testing facility, there were a lot of characters to keep track of here. I quickly made notes about each set trying to remember who they were but of course, in true reality show form they started dropping like flies at some point.

It was a very entertaining and twisty ride. Recommended to thriller lovers that enjoy reality TV shows.

Thank you to Netgalley and Hanover Square Press for a copy provided for an honest review.

I ended up listening to this on audio after it had come out, and I highly recommend the audiobook! It's done with a full cast and some sound effects to make the different interactive parts of the story more realistic. At first, I was hooked into this story completely. I loved the idea behind it and as always, I loved that each chapter ended on a huge cliffhanger that left me wanting to keep going. But as I kept going, I kind of felt like there wasn't a ton happening and I found myself having a hard time differentiating the characters and their storylines. Then by the time it all started to come together, so much happened all at once that I was left a little confused overall. But overall I did really enjoy it, and would recommend it, it just wasn't my favorite I've read by him.

Mr. John Marrs did not disappoint me with this book. I normally do not like this genre of books. I did enjoy this one and it was very well written so that it kept my interest. I could not put the book down! I would definitely recommend this book.

I don't even know where to begin with this review other than to say that John Marrs has once again done a brilliant job of creeping me the hell out. The Family Experiment takes place in the same universe as The One, The Marriage Act, and The Passengers. In this world, families are able to have virtual children that live in a virtual world. You are able to interact with your virtual children via suits you wear in your home that provide realistic biofeedback (think like Upload on Amazon Prime). Just like Marrs' other novels, nothing is as it seems. Everyone has something to hide and the ethics of The Family Experiment are questionable at best. I could not get enough of this book and flew through it in just a couple days. Highly recommend.

Like pretty much all of John Marrs work, The Family Experiment is a great thrill ride. He always manages to keep me on the edge of my seat and needing to read just a little bit further. Highly recommend!

Thanks to Harlequin, NetGalley and the author for this digital ARC.

Such a great thriller. The author keeps you on the edge of your seat and really orients the reader to the world. There was a good amount of worldbuilding to describe how society got to a place where this "experiment" is taking place. It has the same style of his previous book in how technology is integrated into societal changes.

The dystopian elements of the story were well balanced to not make the story feel unbelievable, but make you sympathize with the hard choices that our characters make. There is a really large cast of characters, which makes them feel a little 2D at times, but they serve the story well and you get an okay sense of their different personalities.

### Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

**Pick this up if you like:** Futuristic thrillers, speculative fiction, and narratives that blur the lines between reality and virtual experiences.

John Marrs has done it again, creating a speculative thriller that feels alarmingly real and is as engrossing as it is thought-provoking. "The Family Experiment" shares a universe with Marrs' acclaimed work "The One," building on a world where technology deeply intertwines with personal lives.

The book excels in its detailed world-building and complex characters, each grappling with moral and ethical dilemmas that the virtual children bring to light. The narrative is engaging, with short chapters that end on cliffhangers, making it hard to put down. The multiple points of view offer a diverse perspective on the virtual parenting experience, although it can take a bit to keep track of the different couples.

Marrs’ writing is sharp and clear, weaving complex scenarios that challenge the characters' and readers' perceptions of technology's role in our future. The story is packed with drama, twists, and reveals that keep you guessing and engaged from start to finish.

While the novel is categorized as a thriller, it is so much more. It delves into the ethics of AI, the definition of family, and what it means to be a parent in a world where the lines between the virtual and the real are increasingly blurred. The societal commentary is subtle yet profound, inviting readers to ponder where the future might take us.

Overall, "The Family Experiment" is a masterful blend of suspense, science fiction, and drama, with just enough speculative elements to make you wonder about the near future. Marrs’ narrative is not only entertaining but also provides a critical look at the potential consequences of our reliance on technology in the most personal aspects of our lives. It’s a must-read for anyone who enjoys stories that make you think as much as they entertain.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an E-ARC of The Family Experiment by John Marrs. I love John Marrs books and this one didn't miss.

John Marrs! I love this. This one kept me on the edge of the seat and turning the pages. I recommend for a good autumn vibes read!