Summer of Love Buddy Read: The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren

Today is our first buddy read of the event. We started our summer of love reading The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren. Lenore and Stephanie listened to the audiobook while I read an ARC copy. We all agreed that this particular author is an auto-buy for us 😀 You can see Lenore’s review here and Stephanie’s review here.

I received this book via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.

The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren
Published by Gallery Books on 2021-05-18
Length: 368 pages
Reviewing eARC from Netgalley
Reading Challenges: #NGEW2021, 2021 New Release Challenge, 2021 Summer of Love, COYER 2021

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.

Funny, warm, and full of heart, The Soulmate Equation proves that the delicate balance between fate and choice can never be calculated.

I absolutely loved this one! The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren is the third book from this duo I’ve read in the last year, and after three good reads I’ve moved them to the auto-buy list. The witty banter between the MCs and the fully fleshed out side characters kept me from sitting the book down. I wanted to dive into the pages and live there. A quirky spin on online dating, The Soulmate Equation will leave you smiling long after you reach the end.

Jess Davis is a single mom, a freelance statistician, and has completely given up on dating. She has convinced herself that she is happy with her life as it is and doesn’t need to add a partner to the mix. She has her daughter, her grandparents, and her best friend. What else could she possibly need? I really liked Jess. She was a character that it took a while to like though. She’s insecure, constantly second guessing herself and others around her, but with good reason. No one except her grandparents has stayed in Jess’s life. No one has cared enough to do so. My heart broke for her on more than one occasion, even if I wanted to reach into the book and shake some sense into her.

Then enters Americano, aka Dr. River Pena. Jess has been silently loathing River for years as the two cross paths at the local coffee shop. In her eyes, he’s rude and snobbish. He couldn’t be further from it. River is actually shy, and when he is working, entirely focused on what requires his attention. That can definitely come off as snobbish and rude when you are working in the middle of a coffee shop and say less than two words to anyone around you. I like River. He’s kind, a bit shy, and deeply committed. All good qualities 😉

The premise of the book is River’s company: a new dating service based off DNA. River has spent his career researching genetic markers for attraction and what makes a lasting relationship. As Jess’s best friend and a romance writer herself, Fizzy gets the two invited to tour his business and purchases two kits. Fizzy encourages Jess to take one. After a particularly lonely evening that leaves Jess on a low point, she does just that. Low and behold, Jess matches with River, a man she cannot stand. Hilarity ensues along with some sweet and a few steamy moments. I love the banter between these two and the chemistry is off the pages. 

Overall I really loved The Soulmate Equation. Juno, Jess’s daughter, her grandparents and Fizzy are amazing characters in their own rights. They add so much depth and humor to the story. Buddy reading this one with Lenore and Stephanie was a blast. We all agreed on loving this one, wanting to slap some sense into Jess, and that Juno is the most adorable character ever 😉 If you are looking for a sweet romance, I highly recommend it!

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