4.5 Stars!
Enter, Re:Born, a company that allows couples to design and purchase MetaBabies in the Metaverse (eerie concept right off the bat).

The Family Experiment is a reality show launching soon to promote this new service for couples to experience parenthood. We get to follow a multitude of couples and a single 22 year old man as they embark on this journey as contestants into raising AI children. What could go wrong?

This book left me more so asking, what else COULD go wrong?

In typical John Marrs fashion this was a thought-provoking and sometimes disturbing look into a not so far fetched dystopian future where technology is taking over. JM’s futuristic sci-fi books are among my favourite of his because they just feel a little too… real! The deeper story within this story that unraveled toward the end had me staying up far too late to finish and see what happened. And now I’m left with some deep thoughts of how I feel with the morality and ethics of AI and the sinister side of their potential wrapped up with capitalism in our own future.

Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing via Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I loved the whole book’s concept and the references to The Passengers, which was also a book I loved. I’ve heard even some of his other books are referenced here. A huge quality of this author is that he blends science fiction and mystery and thriller in a unique way, where technological advancements aren’t that far ahead of real life. The issues dealt with are some that we might have to deal with not so far into the future. An example of this is the moment where there is an argument over whether or not virtual, AI-designed humans have rights. This will be a heavily debated topic in the near future. Again this is a strength of John Marrs, as, despite the science fiction components, readers can still feel connected to the stories and feel concerned or touched by the ethical issues mentioned. Because of this proximity, we as readers keep imagining how we would act in the same situations as the characters.

The pacing is right, neither too fast nor too slow. I loved the developments in the lives of the various adults/parents, and the reveals toward the end about the dark secret of how the company managed to make this technology ahead of its competition. The book explored well the implications of metaverse children, especially its impacts on the different families. Every parent throughout the book feels relevant and they have interesting, unique backstories that make the reader want to keep reading. Each adds to the overall story.

Also, upon reading, it's clear the author has done his research, and he's done it well. This is my favourite book by John Marrs. I read it within a day. My review could’ve gone way longer enumerating all the positive aspects. There is really no weakness or negative thing I find to say about this book. Easiest 5 stars in months. I would recommend to anyone, newer readers, more experienced readers, those who read these genres, and even those who usually don't read these genres.

Characters: 5🌟
Writing: 5🌟
Plot: 5🌟
Pacing: 5🌟
Unputdownability: 5🌟
Enjoyment: 5🌟
Originality: 5🌟
Overall: 5🌟

The Family Experiment is the latest in the universe of Match DNA. When I tell you I never anticipate the depths humanity’s darkness can go, John Marrs always manages to up the ante.

Each time I enter the world of John Marrs, I expect to be horrified and intrigued, but The Family Experiment took it to another level. The intro made me pause for a moment and think, “Wow, this is dark, even for Marrs.” But don’t let that darkness deter you. His writing is crispy, intense and brilliant. He is a masterful storyteller and has managed to craft a realistic futuristic world.

This book can be read as a standalone, and I think you’d have a blast with it, but I highly recommend the entire universe first. (The One, The Passengers, The Minders, The Marriage Act, then The Family Experiment). I promise, you’ll inhale them and your entire worldview will change, and you’ll start to think everyone you speak to on the internet is AI. No? Just me?

As always, I’ll end my review of a Marrs book and ask:

John Marrs, are you okay?

Stunning. I vastly prefer John Marrs' science fiction and dystopian books. I never quite know what to expect despite the synopsis, and that is perfect. Fans of Heather Gudenkauf's recent book Everyone is Watching will enjoythis, as well as speculative fiction fans. There were also similarities in pacing to Lucy Foley and Simone St. James, which will keep readers invested. A definite add to a library collection!

I finally have my first 5⭐️ read in 2024!! I have been keeping a close eye on NetGalley waiting for this to drop, and I downloaded and started it immediately and could not put it down.

It’s set up similar to The One and The Marriage Act, we follow 11 couples as they begin a realty show set in the Metaverse and streaming 24 hrs a day. I did struggle to keep the characters straight early on, I would have loved a character list or the show intro for them all on one page, but I managed with a bookmark on my kindle to the intro of each couple. I loved the use of mixed media, the comment sections about the show were my fav, and the charts and ads were a great way to break up some of the chapters. The pacing in this was steady to fast, and absolutely held my interest from start to finish.

There are references to his past speculative fiction books but you could read this as a standalone. However, I do highly recommend them all so you should definitely add them to your TBR even if you read out of order!

Loved it, absolutely recommend it and I’ll be not so patiently waiting to see what wild things he has in store for this world next. A huge thank you to HTP Books, Hanover Square Press and John Marrs for the ARC! This will be out in the US on July 9!

5⭐️! Ummmm oh my god?! This was amazing. One of my favorite books of all time is The One by him, and this is in the same world as that book (strongly suggest you read that one first and the marriage act!) this was ALMOST as good as the one!

Sci fi thrillers have quickly become a genre that I love. I need to find more like this one, because it’s so fun to read! This reminded me of a future version of the game “the sims” that I loved as a kid! The reason this book was so good is because it’s super possible for the stuff in this book to actually become a reality with the advances in technology.

I am obsessed with John Marrs writing in these near future books, I love the short chapters that leave on cliffhangers. The multiple POV’s took me a bit to catch on, given its couples instead of one person, but that’s my only complaint. This book was perfection!

A fantastic dystopian thriller from a favorite author that I highly recommend! It’s full of suspense and twists.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

One of the easiest 5 star reviews I’ve ever given. This book was SO FREAKING GOOD! I was addicted from the beginning and didn’t want it to end!

This story is disturbing in the best way. In the not so distant future, a reality show airs featuring contestants that are desperate for a family of their own but unable to afford it. With the help of AI, they are given the chance to have that family in the Metaverse. The contestant(s) that gain the most support from viewers streaming the show 24/7, will win the chance to either keep their Metachild or a cash prize to start their own family in the Real World. The losers lose their Metachildren forever. What could go wrong??

There are so many sinister twists and secrets exposed. The scariest part though is that I can actually see this happening in the future. It’s eye opening and disturbing and wildly entertaining!

My first of MANY John Marrs books! 🙌🏻

Thanks NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I have never been angrier at a pile of unfolded laundry because all I wanted to do was read THE FAMILY EXPERIMENT! Ya’ll John Marrs did it again. His speculative thrillers are some of my favorite - The One, The Passengers, The Marriage Act. And now you can add this to the list. (His psychological thrillers aren’t bad either!)

With a number of POVs, this story follows five couples and a single parent as they compete in a 24-hour live stream reality show that takes place in the Metaverse. The goal - to successfully raise a virtual child from a baby to an eighteen year old in a condensed period of time. The prize - either keep your virtual child or delete it forever in exchange for money to help create a baby in the real world.

While this book can be read as a standalone,
I highly recommend reading Marrs’ other speculative fiction thrillers as this one had fun Easter eggs sprinkled in. The Family Experiment followed the same formula as the previous - several POVs, short chapters, and mini cliffhangers throughout. I had to jot down notes to differentiate all the couples but once I had them down, I was quickly flipping pages to find out the secrets behind each storyline. And super frustrated when real life responsibilities got in the way! Marrs delivers another fun, fast-paced, and unforgettable thriller that once again leaves you wondering - what would I do? Highly recommend. 5/5

If you enjoyed The One by John Marrs, then you definitely need to read this. This book grips you right from the start and will keep you guessing until the last page. Sometimes switching povs can be confusing, but he did it in a way that makes it flow so well. Once I started this book I could not put it down!!

4.5 ⭐️

ꭲꮋꭼ Fꭺꮇꮖꮮy ꭼxꮲꭼꭱꮖꮇꭼnꭲ
ᏼy John Marrs
Release Date 05/09/2024


This book is unputdownable!

Quick Summary -
The book follows 10 couples hoping for a change for a baby - all are doing the experiment for different reasons. Some really are yearning for a family and most have salacious secrets they’re trying to keep hidden.

My thoughts —

It’s really hard to write this review without spoiling the book.
I wanted to tell you you’d read about characters from Marrs previous books - but then you’d have to explain how and who - and I’d spoil it too much
And how you had a hunch about a character from a previous book, and it was confirmed in this one.
Or describe in detail
the ten couples that this book focuses on. But you can’t explain one without the backstory. Or their new story.
I will say that this is 100% going to be a best seller. No, seriously - which network will make this into a movie / series 🎥🎬!! ??
Marrs is on fire, and I can’t wait for the next! 🙌🏼

5 S̤̈T̤̈Ä̤R̤̈S̤̈🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
#unputdownablebook
💗#hanoversquarepress #macmillianpublishing
#netgalleyreader #suspensebooks #thrillerreads #bookshelves #bookblogging #bookstagrammer #bookstagram #igreads #instareads #5starbook #pageturner #johnmarrs#amazonpublishing

Addictive, disturbing and scarily believable!
The Family Experiment, the ultimate reality tv, broadcast worldwide and the most watched program in the world.
Each couple, plus one single dad who enter the experiment get to create a MetaBaby and raise it in the Metaverse. A totally digital world accessed via virtual reality headsets, along with masks, gloves and full-body suits that feel like a second skin allowing them to be fully immersed with touch, smell and sound.
They get to bring up the MetaChild as if it were a real life child, experiencing from a baby up until the child reaches 18 in a condensed 9 month period. All whilst being live-streamed to the world.
The public can also get involved by entering a prize draw to spend time with one of the MetaChildren and commenting on the contestants parenting skills.
At the end of the competition the winning contestants, voted for by the public, can either choose to keep their virtual child or essentially pull the plug on the child and take the prize money to potentially start a real life family.
But that’s not everything, each contestant has been hand picked for a specific reason unbeknown to anyone, even themselves. Because on this show everyone has something to hide!
As always the book is written brilliantly and completely pulls you into that world and everyone will end up routing for a specific family.
I love this world that John Marrs has created and have read all his books and this one is up there with some of his best work. It is definitely a book that you cannot put down once you have been sucked in from the very start. I absolutely loved it but I already knew I would.
If you are new to his other books set in this near future world then you are really missing out. But saying that, you don’t need to have read the previous books to get a fully immersive, compelling read from this one alone.
It has all the ingredients you need for a brilliant thriller. Fully fleshed out characters, some you love and some you love to hate. Suspense as there is no telling what is going to happen next and plot twists that will leave you shocked.
This is hands down an easy five star read and an ultimate contender for book of the year!
The Family Experiment will be published on the 9 May 2024 in the UK and on June 18, 2024 in the USA and is available to preorder now