The Soulmate Equation

By Christina Lauren

What it’s about?

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.

What I think:

This was a Valentine’s buddy read- very late sharing the review 🙈

I loved this book!

It was such a great read! I really enjoyed The characters and their relationships.

Jess is strong, resilient and independent. Her relationship with her grandparents and daughter is just lovely to read and full of love and humour.

I also liked the fact that her life as a working single mum was not picture book perfect. She worried about money for activities and relied on grandparents and friends for support with childcare. Too often fictional mothers seem to do everything with ease.

The idea behind this book is so interesting and Jess and River are clearly a great match for each other. Both are very driven by their passions and hardworking. They also both have deep rooted issues with past relationships including their parents that they have to work through.

Fizzy is a wonderful character- she’s a great best friend/wing woman. She supports Jess completely and is almost part of the family, but she also encourages her to be braver and take risks. I would love to see Fizzy be a leading lady in her own right.

This was such a fun and enjoyable read. It genuinely made me laugh out loud in places and was absolutely rooting for Jess and River. There are also some really poignant moments between Jess and her grandparents.

This is my first Christina Lauren book and I honestly can’t believe it has taken me so long to read one! Will definitely be reading more.