Stephanie Sullivan: Review - The True Love Experiment

TITLE: The True Love Experiment

RATING: ★★★★★

RELEASE DATE: May 16th, 2023

Summary (from Goodreads): Sparks fly when a romance novelist and a documentary filmmaker join forces to craft the perfect Hollywood love story and take both of their careers to the next level—but only if they can keep the chemistry between them from taking the whole thing off script.

Felicity “Fizzy” Chen is lost. Sure, she’s got an incredible career as a beloved romance novelist with a slew of bestsellers under her belt, but when she’s asked to give a commencement address, it hits her: she hasn’t been practicing what she’s preached.

Fizzy hasn’t ever really been in love. Lust? Definitely. But that swoon-worthy, can’t-stop-thinking-about-him, all-encompassing feeling? Nope. Nothing. What happens when the optimism she’s spent her career encouraging in readers starts to feel like a lie?

Connor Prince, documentary filmmaker and single father, loves his work in large part because it allows him to live near his daughter. But when his profit-minded boss orders him to create a reality TV show, putting his job on the line, Connor is out of his element. Desperate to find his romantic lead, a chance run-in with an exasperated Fizzy offers Connor the perfect solution. What if he could show the queen of romance herself falling head-over-heels for all the world to see? Fizzy gives him a hard pass—unless he agrees to her list of demands. When he says yes, and production on The True Love Experiment begins, Connor wonders if that perfect match will ever be in the cue cards for him, too.

The True Love Experiment is the book fans have been waiting for ever since Fizzy’s debut in The Soulmate Equation. But when the lights come on and all eyes are on her, it turns out the happily ever after Fizzy had all but given up on might lie just behind the camera.

REVIEW: What a ride! This book was so much fun! I have to admit that I have never EVER liked reality TV shows, but I would fangirl like crazy if there was an actual True Love Experiment show with actual Connor and Fizzy’s on it. In true Christina Lauren fashion, the dialogue between the hero and heroine had me literally laughing out loud more times than I can count. (Seriously, they write the BEST dialogue). At first I was a tad bit shocked at how direct and bawdy Fizzy is, but that’s only because I’m used to reading romance novel heroine’s who are shy and quiet. (In other words…BORING). I will say if you’re looking for a book with soft, flowery words and tear-inducing lovemaking then this probably isn’t the one for you. If, on the other hand, you like your lovin’ a little rough around the edges, intensely passionate, and earth-shattering then I highly recommend this book. As always, Christina and Lauren have once again served up a delicious treat that has left me happy, satiated, and eagerly awaiting the next wild ride. Well done, ladies! WELL.DONE!

(DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this title from NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.)