Christina Lauren’s The Unhoneymooners was one of my favorite books of 2019. I liked her latest, The Soulmate Equation, even more. Lauren (writing partners Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings) creates wonderful characters. There’s humor, emotional growth, and sexual tension in the book. Maybe there’s a little less humor than in The Unhoneymooners, but there’s one fabulous scene in the public library that I loved.

Once she drops her daughter at school, data and statistics whiz, Jessica Davis, meets up with Fizzy Chen, a successful romance author. Jess is a freelance statistician, so she and Fizzy both have jobs that allow them to work from Twiggs, their local San Diego coffee shop. And, every morning, at 8:24, the man they call “Americano” walks in, tall, dark, hot. He only orders his coffee, and strides out again, never talking or making eye contact with anyone. The two best friends always speculate about him, but the day Fizzy is moaning about Jess’ lousy dating life is the day the manager tells them “Americano” is more than he looks. He’s about to launch a cutting-edge matchmaking company. The women are shocked. THAT man, who never smiles at anyone, is launching a matchmaking company?

Jess shocks even herself when she stops him the next day and asks about matchmaking. Dr. River Pena is the scientist involved with GeneticAlly, a DNA-based matchmaking company that could change dating forever. Of course, Fizzy is intrigued and drags Jess along for a tour. Fizzy immediately spits in a vial and signs up. Jess is a little reluctant, but after one frustrating, lonely morning, she takes a chance. She can hardly believe it when the executive board drags her in to tell her they have a 98% match for her, her soulmate. She and River Pena are equally shocked to learn they are a match.

When Jess insists she doesn’t have time to waste dating someone, the board offers to pay her to date River until the company goes public. As a single mom who just lost a client, as a woman with responsibilities, she’s tempted. River is hot, but she already overheard him call her “average”. Why would she be interested in this stuck-up man, even though they are a 98% match?

Yes, The Soulmate Equation is a romance, so it’s obvious where this book is heading. The sexual tension between these two is off the charts. But, I like the characters. Jess is a strong woman who takes her responsibilities to her grandparents and her daughter seriously. She’s the daughter of an addict, and she has trust issues because of her mother. She puts family first. She’s a loyal friend to Fizzy, and Fizzy, a fun character, is just as supportive. Everyone needs a friend like Fizzy. And River turns out to be more human than Jess gave him credit for, a man who steps in to help when he can. It’s a romance between two science/number nerds, and it couldn’t be more charming.

Christina Lauren’s recent books have been up and down for me. The Unhoneymooners made me laugh. I didn’t care much for the next two romances. But, I fell for Jess and River, Jess’ daughter, Juno, Fizzy, and Jess’ grandparents. Maybe minor characters weren’t well developed, but with that strong, close-knit family and friend, who worries about minor characters? And, Jess and Fizzy in the library made me laugh. The Soulmate Equation is delightful.

Christina Lauren’s website is https://christinalaurenbooks.com/

The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren. Gallery Books, 2021. ISBN 9781982123963 (hardcover), 360p.

FTC Full Disclosure – Library book