The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren | Book Review

Posted January 13, 2022 by Jana in Adult Fiction, Book Review / 1 Comment

The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren | Book ReviewThe Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren
Published by Gallery Books on May 18, 2021
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Romance
Pages: 368
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher (Edelweiss)
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Single mom Jess Davis is a data and statistics wizard, but no amount of number crunching can convince her to step back into the dating world. Raised by her grandparents--who now help raise her seven-year-old daughter, Juno--Jess has been left behind too often to feel comfortable letting anyone in. After all, her father's never been around, her hard-partying mother disappeared when she was six, and her ex decided he wasn't "father material" before Juno was even born. Jess holds her loved ones close, but working constantly to stay afloat is hard...and lonely.

But then Jess hears about GeneticAlly, a buzzy new DNA-based matchmaking company that's predicted to change dating forever. Finding a soulmate through DNA? The reliability of numbers: This Jess understands. At least she thought she did, until her test shows an unheard-of 98% compatibility with another subject in the database: GeneticAlly's founder, Dr. River Pena. This is one number she can't wrap her head around, because she already knows Dr. Pena. The stuck-up, stubborn man is without a doubt not her soulmate. But GeneticAlly has a proposition: Get to know him and we'll pay you. Jess--who is barely making ends meet--is in no position to turn it down, despite her skepticism about the project and her dislike for River. As the pair are dragged from one event to the next as the "Diamond" pairing that could make GeneticAlly a mint in stock prices, Jess begins to realize that there might be more to the scientist--and the science behind a soulmate--than she thought.

I absolutely love author duo Christina Lauren, so I was eagerly anticipating The Soulmate Equation‘s release before I even knew what it was about. Well, before it eve had a title. But then when I learned that it centers around a DNA test that tells you who your soulmate is, I was sold! What a fun idea for a romance book. And it was so much fun! As always, my main points are bolded.

1. Jess, our heroine, is a single mom, has the most amazing support system in her family, and loves statistics and numbers. She and her best friend, Fizzy, learn about this DNA test that matches you up with the one you’re meant to be with and she’s definitely intrigued. Numbers make sense to her, so they can totally find her her dream man. I really liked Jess. I don’t normally love single parent characters in romance because I don’t love kids in romance, but Jess is a really great mom and I enjoyed reading about her relationship with her daughter, Juno (who is very sweet and spunky and I’m definitely a fan of hers). 

2. I love the entire cast of supporting characters in Jess’s family (and found family). Her dad wasn’t a part of her life growing up and her mom has been a partier for nearly all of Jess’s life, so her grandparents are her anchor. And, boy, those two are adorable and perfect and exactly what you’d dream to have in your own life. They live in the same apartment complex as Jess and do everything to help her and Juno. I love how close these four are. Fizzy is so supportive and wonderful, and the very best best friend. She needs her own book, in my opinion. Juno is so sweet and sounds like she’s so much older than she, but not because her voice is wrong or she was written wrong. She seems older and more mature in that way that young kids do, when they’ve been brought up by adults they look up to and want to be like.

3. River is so swoooooony. He’s reserved and professional, yet there’s cracks in that facade and I loved seeing his tender, sweet side. He’s also completely adorable with Juno. I love a man who is good with kids, plus he’s successful and ambitious and sexy so I love River.

4. The romance is exactly the kind of romance I love, although this one was quite a slow burn. When Jess and River get the highest compatibility percentile the company has ever seen, they agree to a business arrangement. They will pretend to date one another to publicize River’s company, and Jess will be paid (generously) for her time. The fact that Juno has been thrown into the mix means Jess needs to be careful to protect her daughter’s heart and privacy as well as her own. It definitely added a bit more complication to the arrangement, and I do love complicated romance. Jess and River has the best chemistry!

5. The drama surrounding the conflict in this story was great. I didn’t see it coming, and I love how it was handled. I don’t want to spoil anything, so I’ll leave it at that.

All in all, The Soulmate Equation is such a unique, heartwarming story that I really fell in love with. The two authors that make up Christina Lauren are talented and never cease to make me smile with their stories. I can’t wait for their next one!

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