BOOK REVIEW: The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren

The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren
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Synopsis:

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. 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 her daughter 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: GeneticAlly’s founder, 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” pairing 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.

Review:

The Soulmate Equation is a book that romance readers should not miss!  If you love moments that give you butterflies, characters that feel like your friends and a story that plays out like a movie, then definitely add this one to your tbr!  This story swept me away and easily landed on my favorites list!

He reached up, running a hand through his hair. “Biological compatibility is independent of whether or not we like each other.”
A horrified laugh ripped out of her. “Is that the company slogan or your best pickup line?”

I loved Jess Davis right away.  She was a single mom who was barely struggling to stay afloat.  Thankfully her life was filled with caring grandparents, an inquisitive and sweet daughter and a romance writing bestie that was like a sister to her.  After submitting her test on a whim, to a dating company called GeneticAlly that matched people through their DNA, Jess found herself in uncharted waters.

Do you actually believe our result could be real? That we could be soulmates? she wanted to ask, but the words felt too enormous to push past her lips.

Jess’s results came back with an unheard 98% match with the founder Dr. River Peña.  River was a guy she saw in passing at the local coffee shop.  He was handsome but he definitely gave off cold vibes.  There was no way they could be that compatible!  But when GeneticAlly made Jess a monetary proposition she couldn’t afford to pass, she pushed her pride aside and started spending more time with River.

Fizzy’s voice glimmered with wonder: “What did you do to him?”
“We did not—”
“He’s smil—”
“I know,” Jess snapped. “It’s weird. Shut up.”
She did not shut up: “When you two actually—”
Leaning in, Jess hissed: “Shhh!”

While Jess had a huge heart, was responsible, focused and logical, River was such an unknown.  He came across as such a cold asshole, albeit a smart one since he was the founder and top scientist at GeneticAlly.  So those that love guys who have a gruff, brooding exterior, you’re going to fall hard for River!  He was dark, mysterious and when he showed that he could have a conversation lol and that there was a heart in there, I was obsessed!

“I’d suspect most people comment on your eyes,” he said quietly, running a fingertip across her collarbone. “That startling, bright blue.”
Surely he could feel her heart scaling her windpipe. He didn’t seem to remember there was anyone else in the room.
“But I prefer your mouth.”
“You do?” Jess managed.
“I do,” he said, and bent, kissing her forehead. “You don’t give those smiles away for free.”

Jess and River had a connection and chemistry that came so easily.  Sparks flared when they were just talking to even when they were at public events for his company *fans face*.  Their build up was deliciously seductive and their interactions were smile and laugh inducing.  The steamy scenes weren’t overly descriptive, but still a lot of fun.  But in the back of Jess’ mind she knew that River had a lot of money to make if their relationship bloomed and that she had a daughter to think about and protect.

Unraveled and bare, Jess knew in her bones that he was her ninety-eight.
“I wanted to see you.”

Jess is easily one of my favorite heroines and River is definitely being added to my book boyfriend list!  And I have to say, I’m not one for books with kids, which is funny since I have two of my own that I love lol.  But Juno, Jess’s daughter, was one of my favorite side characters ever.  Watching her and River interact, OH MY HEART!  I fell for him even harder.

“I want to be here to bring you coffee. I want to take you out to dinner and order the same food and hear you recite the odds that we would have met. I want to hate-attend fancy social events together.” Jess laughed, a surprised burst of sound, and his tone softened. “I want you to call me for help—without an apology already on the tip of your tongue. I want to feel like I can kiss you again by your car at the end of the night.” He swallowed. “I want you in my bed.”

The Soulmate Equation captured my heart so easily!  With characters that shined so brightly and a story-line that was a ton of fun, I’ve already read this book twice so far.  Seriously lol.  I wanted to go through the laughter, sighing, heartfelt moments and tears all over again and it was just as fabulous the second time around!

“You have to admit you don’t look at Dr. River Peña and think, ‘Now, there’s a romantic soul.’ ”
“No,” Fizz conceded, “but I do look at him and think, ‘I bet he’s got a fantastic penis.’ Did you see the size of his hands? He could carry me by the head, like a basketball.”
A throat cleared, and they looked up to find River Peña standing not two feet away. “Well, you two sure didn’t waste any time.”
Jess’s stomach fell through the floor, and the words creaked out of her: “Oh shit.”
“Did you hear what I just said?” Fizzy asked.
He let out a slow, controlled exhale. He’d totally heard. “Hear what?” he managed, finally.
Fizzy stood, pulling Jess up with her. “Excellent.” She gave River a dainty curtsy. “Take us away.”

PS I loved Jess’ bestie Fizzy!  She was absolutely hilarious and had such a way with words.  I loved how she was such a good friend and supported and cheered Jess on.  And the fact that she wrote down things, to use in her stories, that played out between Jess and River had me laughing so hard!

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