Book Review: The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren

Posted May 30, 2021 by WendyW in Book Review, bookblogger / 0 Comments

The Soulmate Equation
One StarOne StarOne StarOne StarOne Star

by Christina Lauren
Publication Date May 18, 2021
Published by Simon and Schuster
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Genres: Fiction, General, Humorous, Romance, Romantic Comedy, Women
Pages: 368
Format: Audiobook

The New York Times bestselling author of The Unhoneymooners returns with a witty and effervescent novel about what happens when two people with everything on the line are thrown together by science—or is it fate? Perfect for fans of The Rosie Project and One Plus One.
Single mom Jessica 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 was never 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 percent compatibility with another subject in the database: one of GeneticAlly’s founders, Dr. River Peña. This is one number she can’t wrap her head around, because she already knows Dr. Peña. 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 Match” that could launch GeneticAlly’s valuation sky-high, Jess begins to realize that there might be more to the scientist—and the science behind a soulmate—than she thought.
Funny, warm, and full of heart, The Soulmate Equation proves that the delicate balance between fate and choice can never be calculated


My 5-Star Review:

I loved, loved, loved this book!  Hot scientist meets single mom statistician with adorable 7-year old daughter.  This heartwarming, hilarious story is one I will reread and remember for a very long time.  

Jess Davis is a single mom and a statistician who works primarily from home, or the local coffee shop with her best friend, a romance novelist.  When she learns about GeneticAlly, a new dating service that matches people using a cutting-edge genetic data, she’s understandably leery suspicious.  However, after submitting a sample after coercion from her friend, she learns she’s 98% compatible with the handsome, but irksome GeneticAlly co-founder Dr. River Pena.  Their compatibility score is the highest score the company has ever seen, and the executives of GeneticAlly persuade her to get to know River, in order to discover if their data is correct.  

So much to say about this book.  It’s one of those books that will stay with me for a long time.  The writing is excellent, the authors know how to write witty, realistic dialogue and I felt like I was sitting in the coffee shop with Jess, and her best friend Fizzy. Jess’s banter with River was also realistic. 

Speaking of River, the hot scientist, I liked that the authors wrote him as a shy, introverted but, incredibly handsome, and intelligent man.  I’m tired of the cocky self-assured men, who expect a woman to fall for him instantly.  River has his share of doubts, and insecurities, but doesn’t let them show until Jess gets closer to him.   And he’s never pushy, or overconfident in his dealing with Jess.  

I was hooked from the very first page, and if I have any criticism, it’s the book didn’t last long enough! It’s such an engaging, well-written, and fun book. I listened to the audiobook, but I will get the ebook, so I can read this one again. It’s that good! 

The narrator, Patti Murin was excellent, and I would listen to books narrated by her again.