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3.55 AVERAGE
3.55 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
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:
Complicated
One of the greatest things I admire about Etta Easton and her writing is her capacity to write female desire. From "The Kiss Countdown" to "The Love Simulation", her understanding of female sexuality and drive is palpable through her character writing; it's not something I see done often in contemporary romance, much less done well, but Etta Easton truly has that aspect of her romances down pat.
As a big fan of Abbottt Elementary, it was clear to see the inspiration that this book takes from Janine Teagues and Gregory Eddie, but I loved this aspect of this story so much. From the subtle nods of Roman being picky about food to Brianna's struggle to see herself as worthy to her mother, the parallels had me thriving while reading their story. Brianna was such a delightful character to follow, I felt like I intrinsically understood her struggles to fund a new library at her school while battling her principal for allocation of funds; this element of the story spoke to such a real and authentic struggle that so many educators, especially Black educators, face today, and I feel like the story handles this with such care.
Throughout the story, I did feel that Roman felt a little dry and one-dimensional in comparison to Brianna. His drives and motivations felt so one note and boring, and I wish we had at least gotten perspective chapters from him in order to more fully flesh out his characterization.
Story wise, I found the Mars simulation story a little silly, but I enjoyed the premise, and I think Easton does a good job of allowing the silliness to be part of the story while also maintaining a level of solemnity in regards to the stakes of their "mission". All in all, a delightful rom com, I didn't enjoy it quite as much as "The Kiss Countdown", but I think Etta Easton is definitely an author to keep an eye on!
lighthearted
medium-paced
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I was gifted an ARC of this book in exchange for my review, all opinions are my own 3.5⭐️ this was really fun! Such an interesting setting and fun plot to set this romance in. I really enjoyed this but I think I over hyped it in my head I thought I would be obsessed and while I did enjoy this it wasn’t perfect and I found myself being pulled out of it more than I wanted. I think it’s just that the Roman felt a little flat for me but otherwise I liked the characters but didn’t love them. It was a really fun read, compelling plot, and Etta is doing Black love so well! Overall I liked this book and would recommend!
slow-paced
This book was SO BORING! I have no idea how we went from The Kiss Countdown for his. But this was just not it.
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
The Love Simulation was my first Etta Easton, and it won’t be my last! This is a fresh setting for a forced proximity trope, and I really enjoyed it! Easton’s character work was nicely done as I felt all characters main and minor were able to shine in their own way.
I immediately liked Brianna, and I empathized with her difficulty in balancing her professionalism as the vice principal with having any social relationship with the other teachers. Her drive to provide a better library to their students endeared me to her even more! Brianna is smitten with Roman from the start of the book, but in complete denial. Her inner monologue did get a bit repetitive at times, as she pined for Roman but didn’t trust him or allow herself to get close to him.
Roman on the other hand was always kind and attentive, dispite her distrust of him. I would have loved a second POV, but I do feel I was able to understand and appreciate Roman’s character without having one.
A sweet and quick read for those who enjoy STEM romances🔬 I know I’ll think of Etta Easton next time I’m in the mood for one, and I look forward to reading more from her!
**Thank you again to Berkley Romance and NetGalley for providing me an advanced copy. All opinions are my own**
I immediately liked Brianna, and I empathized with her difficulty in balancing her professionalism as the vice principal with having any social relationship with the other teachers. Her drive to provide a better library to their students endeared me to her even more! Brianna is smitten with Roman from the start of the book, but in complete denial. Her inner monologue did get a bit repetitive at times, as she pined for Roman but didn’t trust him or allow herself to get close to him.
Roman on the other hand was always kind and attentive, dispite her distrust of him. I would have loved a second POV, but I do feel I was able to understand and appreciate Roman’s character without having one.
A sweet and quick read for those who enjoy STEM romances🔬 I know I’ll think of Etta Easton next time I’m in the mood for one, and I look forward to reading more from her!
**Thank you again to Berkley Romance and NetGalley for providing me an advanced copy. All opinions are my own**
adventurous
funny
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:
N/A
adventurous
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The Love Simulation is great for those looking to read…
❤️ Workplace Romance
❤️ Vice Principal x Science Teacher
❤️ Forced Proximity
❤️ Chronic Migraine Representation (Hero)
❤️ Life on Mars Simulation for Summer Break
I thought this was a really interesting premise. I loved that there was chronic migraine representation & I really appreciated the fact that there was chronic illness rep. with a hero because that is rare & so needed. I love the authors first book. I just didn’t connect with this one as much. This was still a very cute read & I loved how the author brings science into their romances. I would love to read another book from this author.
Massive thanks to NetGalley & Berkley Publishing for the gifted copy, which I voluntarily read & reviewed.
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Thank you @berkleyromance for the gifted copy, this one came out yesterday! Super cute and very Abbott elementary coded! I didn’t read book one but I feel like I didn’t need too (but I do want to now)! I thought this was a fun different kind of romance and I’m always here for some forced proximity!
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
That's how The Love Simulation made me feel. Good. I didn't stop smiling throughout this book. It lit me up. I had the best time!
Our heroine Brianna is a school vice principal who joins colleagues for a Mars simulation event in which participants who last through the end of the program receive a significant monetary prize; a prize Brianna is desperate to win in order to build a better school library. The school principal has continuously rejected Brianna's efforts to gain funds, so this is her last shot at success. However, she hits a roadblock in the form of Roman, fellow colleague, reserved science teacher, and son of the antagonistic principal who Brianna fears could sabotage her efforts. But Roman isn't just a potential saboteur, he's also very much the recurrent visitor of Brianna's secret dreams. Furthering her inner turmoil and heart and reason battle.
The narrative is told entirely from Brianna's perspective and I so loved the way she journeyed through life. It immersed me so wholly into her story. I admired her resiliency, I sympathized with her insecurity in feeling less in comparison to the accomplishments of her family, I related to her self-doubt, and I was so inspired by her resolve to attain the goal she strived for. With every roadblock in her way, she continuously found another path forward. She's a wonderful heroine and one so deserving of all the success- and all the love as well.
My gosh! The way I swooned over her romance with Roman. My gosh, y'all! Usually I prefer dual POV, to get into the heads of both protagonists, but in this case I loved that Roman's inner thoughts were kept secret. He is an already incredibly alluring man that keeping us from his thoughts positively served to strengthen that pull towards him. I wanted more and more! You immediately want to know more about him, the same as Brianna. To peel back those layers, one by one. To find the charm beneath the reserved. The big heart beneath the stoic exterior. Watching Brianna peel those layers back made for such a fun and heartfelt journey. Especially as she battles her ever growing crush on Roman alongside her mistrust of him. It may be clear to the reader where Roman's feelings lie, but it's pure delight waiting for Brianna to catch up in knowledge. For there's hijinks to be had first! And it brings the giggles, the swoons, and all the heart. Once the barriers are passed, the romance that blooms between Brianna and Roman feels earned-- and feels right.
Also bringing the giggles and heart is the enchanting supporting cast of Jordan, Angie, and Simone! I may or may not have cried out a dramatic noooo when their respective spots in the Mars program may or may not have been compromised. They added such vibrancy to the narrative, and it made me want to explore more each character individually. That's how much I came to love them.
This is a certified comfort read. When you need a pick me up, just hold onto The Love Simulation. It'll pull you through.
Thank you so much to Berkley Romance and NetGalley for this advanced complimentary copy, I leave this honest review voluntarily.