Reviews with content warning for Medical content - The Soulmate Equation

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Reviews tagging 'Medical content'

The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren

49 reviews

decklededgess's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

trigger warnings: unexpected pregnancy, single parenthood, sex, alcohol consumption, hospital and medical content

In typical new age CLo style, this was sweet but a hefty let down. I don't know what they fuck they're getting at with this milktoast love stories but they've done better with even less so this was just... ugh.
And a fade to black sex scene??? The fuck am I reading these books for. All of this wrapped up in hardcover too smh they got me fucked up if they think I'm paying hardcover for THIS mediocre of a three star book.
Don't get me wrong, it was sweet. I read it in one sitting. But bro. Their last good book was Unhoneymooners.

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lexa's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

Loved it. It's nerdy and funny and heartwrenching and steamy and just straight up delighful. Loved the portrayal of single parenthood and the fantastic cast of side characters. Perfect summer/beach read.

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kb_sherman's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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kelly_e's review against another edition

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lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

Title: The Soulmate Equation
Author: Christina Lauren
Genre: Romance
Rating: 2
Pub Date: May 18 2021

T H R E E • W O R D S

Predictable • Fluffy • Underwhelming

📖 S Y N O P S I S

Jess is a single mom and freelance statistician who's completely focused on raising her daughter with the help of her grandparents who raised her. From time to time she certainly wishes she had someone else, but dating is definitely not her priority. One night when feeling particularly vulnerable, on a whim Jess submits here DNA through a new dating app. When a 98% match comes back, she couldn't be more shocked. Enter River, a geneticist and one of the founders of GeneticAlly, who Jess already knows and thinks is rude and full of himself. The company has a proposition for Jess she cannot refuse; they'll pay her to get to know River and see if there is any chemistry between them.

💭 T H O U G H T S

I'll start about by saying that after reading the synopsis I thought this book had the potential to be a great read. And while there were aspects I did like, on the whole it didn't work for me. I know I'm in the minority here but the whole time I felt as though the synopsis gave away pretty much the entire story. I set it aside at 40%, eventually coming back to it, not because I really wanted to but because I felt I should give it another chance. For me the concept was there but the execution was not.

I enjoy STEM inclusion in books, but here I felt as though the scientific aspect of this one went a little too far. I didn't feel immersed in the story, probably because it was so predictable where it was going. Yes, it was a quick and easy read so I'll give it that, but the cast of characters and plot line are 100% forgettable. I did like the single mom with a wonderful support system aspect of the plot, and the secondary cast of characters, especially Fizzy. Maybe it's just me being tired of the enemies to lovers/fake dating trope, but this one certainly fell flat. It took me two tries to make it through, and to be honest I probably should have simply DNFed it because I didn't get a whole lot of satisfaction out of the reading experience. I keep giving this author duo another chance because I really did enjoy The Unhoneymooners, but I've yet to find another hit.

📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• Christina Lauren fans
• Anyone looking for a fast, beachy read

🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S

"Destiny could also be a choice, she realized. To believe or not, to be vulnerable or not, to go all in or not."

"Statistics can't tell us what will happen, they can only tell us what might happen."

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a_brnz's review against another edition

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lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

As usual I love Christina Lauren’s stuff. Such a joy to read and I am in love w River

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sarahasyouwish's review against another edition

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hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This was exactly what I was hoping for, a fun contemporary romance that was enjoyable and easy to breeze through. I loved that the heroine is a single mom and that both main characters are in STEM fields. I’m all here for a nerdy love story. This was a slower burn hate to love story with a very interesting premise thrown in. As for the steam factor, there is plenty of build up and attraction as well as one explicit sex scene which is easily bypassed if that’s not your thing.

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100_pages_hr's review against another edition

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lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This was amazing book taking the art of matchmaking and giving an it a scientific spin. I really enjoyed the story line.

I loved all the scenes of the two best friends working from the coffee shop. Their conversations and people watching were very entertaining. I especially loved how they called River "Americano."

I also loved how River and Jess both agree to give each other a chance. It was fun to watch their relationship unfold. He impressed me more than once - but he also made me hate him a few times too.

The romance in this book was perfect. It added to the story but didn't district from it.

I've enjoyed everything I've read by this duo, but this might be my new favorite.

I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley. This is my honest review.

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caseythereader's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

Thanks to Gallery Books for the free advance copy of this book.

📚 THE SOULMATE EQUATION is sweet, heartfelt, and loving. If you're looking for a gentle romance between two thoughtful people, this is it.
📚 I will admit, as a sci-fi reader I couldn't help but keep imagining the potential alternate, darker universes this story could be set in, but I'm really glad there's this version with Jess and River.
📚 I really did find myself wavering with the characters - they're perfect for each other! No, they're just primed to think so because of the match! No, they're actually perfect!
📚 There is some heavy stuff in the plot, too, it's not all rainbows. But I think it all plays well into showing us who these people are and why they make the choices they do.

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alanadcr's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

I am a big fan of CL and I'm always so thrilled to get a chance to read and review their books! Most recently I devoured In a Holidaze and I was looking forward to more fluffy, cozy goodness and they absolutely delivered.

Jess is a freelance data scientist, single mom, and fits the "caregiver" label to a T. Everyone's needs and wants are placed before her own, including her daughter (Juno), parents (Nana and Pops), and a bit of her best friend (Fizzy). Hustling to make ends meet and to make sure everyone is cared for, Jess has become an expert and putting her own needs to the side. Witty, smart, and loyal, Jess is the sort of friend and family member that you want for your own.

Throwing our beloved Jess into an enemies-to-lovers pairing was perfect for shaking up her routine. Dr. River Pena is kind of a dick. He's the sort of character that you might consider for a hate shag. All the early interactions between Jess and River had my hackles up and I wasn't sure if CL would be able to redeem him for me. I ended up swooning hard, especially seeing his sweet moments of caring for Jess and interacting with her friend and family.

The concept of genetic based dating was intriguing! It also ended up being a bit more thought-provoking than I expected and made for some interesting conversations with Mr. B. Jess and River's shared excitement over spreadsheets and data made me giggle and smile. I love moments like that, especially when they start out as enemies. I admit I skimmed over the mathematical chatter, my eyes glaze over anything beyond typical budgeting math, but it was a fun inclusion nonetheless.

I adored the supporting characters as much, if not more, than our leads. Fizzy, Juno, and especially Nana and Pops. Jess's support network brought so much to the story and I really hope we get to see Fizzy in the future. Fizzy is a romance novelist and it really is the best! Even River's sisters made a huge impact with their short time on page. I would have loved to see them pick on River more.

I do wish the ending had a bit more oomph. The resolution for the conflict didn't feel complete but that also might be because I am slow to forgive. Between that and the conflict with "Jess's Mom" feeling underdeveloped, I had to knock my rating down a star.

Overall, The Soulmate Equation was a sweet, utterly delightful romance with plenty of chuckles, toothachingly sweet romance, and a whole lot of heart. Throw in some low key drama to balance out the scorching chemistry between this begrudging couple, and you have an amazing feel-good, romantic comedy that will make your alternate between bursting and aching. It all sounds painful, I know, but really its a good thing.

Recommended for fans looking for a heroine in STEM, single-mom, and the trope-ish goodness that is enemies-to-lovers and fake dating.

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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