Review: The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren

The Soulmate Equation
by Christina Lauren
Publisher: Gallery Books
Publication date: May 21, 2021
Genre: Romance
Rating:

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.

 

 

My thoughts…

The Soulmate Equation was exactly what I needed to get me out of the funk I’ve been in. As you guys know, I just did a massive move to Okinawa and my reading took a major nosedive because of it. I was starting to think that I would never get my reading mojo back but thankfully, Christina Lauren have helped me out. This was just what I didn’t know I needed. A cute, dorky romance based off of genetics, numbers and a whole bunch of other sciency things that went way over my head.

I loved the whole concept and execution of this story. Jess is the unwilling skeptical friend who gets dragged into this new dating app experience by her best friend. They’ve been eyeballing this one brooding guy who’s come into their coffee shop at the same time every day and when they finally talk to him, they find out he’s in charge of a new dating app. Since Jess’ best friend is a romance writer, it stands to reason that her interest would be immediately piqued. Which is how Jess finds herself in this whole situation. She doesn’t think much of it until she gets a notification that she paired very high with the founder, and broody coffee guy. What ensues is the two of them fumbling through this new development and deciding if they are a match, or if the system is just numbers.

Not only did I enjoy the concept of the story, but I loved the characters. River isn’t actually this brooding, high and mighty type that he portrays in public. He’s actually socially awkward and very shy. He clearly has social anxiety which comes off as him being standoffish when in all actuality, he’s just overwhelmed and uncomfortable by his surroundings or making small talk. Might not be something most would notice, but since that is something that I struggle with, I saw it from a mile away. Now Jess is the complete opposite. She didn’t have the best upbringing with her mom choosing addiction over her. So, Jess is a bit more outspoken and self-assured. I love that she thought rationally and didn’t jump to conclusions. She was very level headed and through things through and I really appreciated it. She also had a very amusing bff in her corner who made life a little interesting and an adorable little daughter who not only adored her, but adored River as well. The whole family/friend dynamic was great and I really enjoyed it.

Even when conflict arose, I was totally feeling it. I mean, it was a huge blow and it would make anyone take a step back. Granted talking would have helped a whole lot, but I can see how things played out the way that they did. I honestly didn’t have any real problem with this story except that I don’t know how Jess could go on living not knowing!! I mean, I get it, you don’t need to know your actual score when you’re in love, but I do. Jess, I need to know what your score was because I’m nosy, and invested and I need to know!

 

Favorite part…

Shortly after finding out that she and River are a soulmate match, she loses one of her big clients and has to start serving coffee and her local coffee shop. Which is a complete surprise to River when he shows up to order his coffee. Jess is clearly flustered, doesn’t know what she’s doing, and is having a really rough day. When she explains her new circumstance to River, he tips her with his remaining money. Now, that might not seem like a big deal, but this is a guy that would dump his change in the tip jar. So the fact that he looks at her, sees the predicament she’s in and deposits actual cash in the jar was huge. It definitely showed that he saw her and that he was a good person deep down.

3 Thoughts on “Review: The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren

  1. That does sound like a goo book and I’m glad you found one to get into reading again.

  2. Agree! i was so happy River wasn’t what he appeared to be and they went a different way with it.

    Their books can be hit or miss with me but I really enjoyed this one.

    Karen @For What It’s Worth

  3. I just love those books that bring you out of the reading funks, because they can be the worst. I will have to keep that in mind with this duo author writing team for the future. I know many enjoy these new type of books they have been writing.

    Great review.

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