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!

I really enjoyed this book as I do with all books by this author. Very thought provoking and I love how he ties in current news topics in a disorienting way to make you really analyze and think about the isue. Great discussion or book club book.

This book’s unique storyline and fast character development had me hooked from the beginning. As soon as I started this book I could feel the moral dilemma the characters in this competition would face. There were a lot of characters to keep straight but the author told this story so well that it was not hard to do. Very well done and enjoyable book. Thank you for the ARC.

I love John Marrs as an author, especially his speculative fiction. This was no exception. A relatively fast read, I enjoyed the dystopian take on parenting. One correction - at the beginning a child is mentioned as having croup. I believe he meant colic.

The Family Experiment is another chilling, speculative thriller from John Marrs, set in a future that feels disturbingly close to reality. In a world where the economy is crashing and families are struggling, a company offers the option to raise a virtual child via the Metaverse, with the chance to win a real baby or cash through a reality TV competition. The premise is undeniably unique, blending technological innovation with the emotional challenges of parenthood.

What I loved most about this book is how Marrs taps into real-world anxieties—overcrowding, financial strain, and the potential for technology to cross ethical lines. The reality show format adds an extra layer of drama and suspense, as we watch contestants struggle not only with their virtual children but also with the secrets they’re hiding from each other and the world.

The large cast of characters makes for a lot to keep track of, but Marrs does a great job giving each one their distinct motivations and backgrounds. The pacing is quick, and the twists come hard and fast, making it a gripping read from start to finish. While not every character is likable, their flaws make the story feel even more intense and real.

If you enjoy speculative fiction that questions the boundaries of technology and family, The Family Experiment is definitely one to check out.

Thank you to Hanover Square Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This took me forever to get through because I wasn’t in the right mood. It’s good, really good. Probably my second favorite of the series. I love the return of Cademan. Really enjoy the series even though it’s outside of my most typical style.

This book was pure dystopian thriller perfection. I love the changing narratives and I could not put this book down. It pairs perfectly with his other thrillers with the Easter Eggs and I hope to see more of these!!

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC of this book!

I LOVED John Marrs' The One and was so excited to read The Family Experiment. Maybe I got myself too hyper up for this book, but I ended up being a little disappointed.

I do like multi POV books, but this one had too many. It took me almost the entire book to remember which characters were which. Because of this, I felt like the book dragged for most of it. I kept picking it up to read it and ending up reading something else instead. I came back to this book several times before forcing myself to read it in its entirety. Once I did finally get into it, it was a pretty quick read. But if I have to come back to a book that many times, I can't give it more than 3 stars.

It was a fantastic book! Kept me on my toes throughout the whole book. Quick paced and completely enthralling. I definitely would recommend it. I will warn readers that is can be a bit confusing at the beginning with all the different point of views.

This is a solid story that keeps you engaged, and I genuinely enjoyed it and the characters, all of whom felt unique and whose motivations felt genuine. That said, the themes of the book, looking at concepts like VR, AI and para social relationships, stick to ground that's already fairly well trod. Additionally, some of the twists worked well, while others relied on a level of coincidence that pushed me out of the story.

What an interesting book! I've read Marrs' The One and really enjoyed it, so I was very happy to receive an ARC of The Family Experiment. The premise of the story was fascinating, both the VR aspect and the reality show aspect of it. The story was very well paced and I liked how it went from person to person, I never got bored of any of the storylines. I've already recommended this to many people and will continue to do so. Thank you to NetGalley and Hanover Square Press for this ARC!

This was my first John Marrs book and I was not disappointed! Thank you NetGalley for this opportunity to read! I loved it!

I was excited about another dystopian book from John Marrs since I really enjoyed “The One”! With infertility rates growing, humanity searches for a family planning solution. Enter a reality tv show competition live-streaming parents raising “virtual” children in the metaverse. Viewers are torn between its controversial message and its addictive storylines. Points for creativity, but I found it hard to keep the stories straight between the FIVE (!!) alternating POVs. The nonstop cliffhangers felt gimmicky and the ending went totally off the rails. Despite it being sold as a “thriller” I was incredibly bored in the last 100 pages *sigh*

2 stars ⭐️⭐️