The True Love Experiment

Written by Christina Lauren

Narrated by Jonathan Cole and Cindy Kay

Sparks fly when a romance writer and a documentary filmmaker join forces to craft the ultimate Hollywood love story—but only if they can keep the chemistry between them from taking the whole thing off script—from the “divine” (Jodi Picoult) New York Times bestselling authors of Love and Other Words and The Unhoneymooners.

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 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.

“Full of big laughs, a few tears, and some seriously steamy scenes” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review), The True Love Experiment is the book fans have been waiting for ever since Fizzy’s debut in the New York Times bestselling The Soulmate Equation.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: May 16, 2023
• ISBN: 9781797155517

Christina Lauren

Christina Lauren is the combined pen name of longtime writing partners and best friends Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings, the New York Times, USA TODAY, and #1 internationally bestselling authors of the Beautiful and Wild Seasons series, Autoboyography, Love and Other Words, Roomies, Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating, The Unhoneymooners, The Soulmate Equation, Something Wilder, The True Love Experiment, The Paradise Problem, and The Romance Revival. You can find them online at ChristinaLaurenBooks.com or @ChristinaLauren on Instagram.

Reviews for The True Love Experiment

[Kristin Wharton · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Both of the love match series were some of the best work of this writing duo. Charming storyline, swoon-worthy men, and quirky but lovable protagonists. I also loved the inclusion of the kids in both stories. Great secondary storylines gave depth to the world.

[Mafê Souza · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The best follow up to the soulmate equation!!! Fizzy and Connor are the ultimate slow burn opt and i loved every second of this!!!! perfect narration, swooney personalities

[Courtney Ethridge · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I can’t finish the audiobook because I do not enjoy the female voice. I also didn’t finish another book she narrated. I am not a fan of her breathy whispery lisp thing she has going on.

[Sarah Eytchison · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

So so so good! My favorite of theirs so far !

[Ann Hearn · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Everything a romance novel should be. Most satisfying story ever

[Karla Petrova · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book was the most swoon-worthy, joyful and funny romance book that I have read on a while. And that ending was pure perfection.

[Ekene Ogbue · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I think out of all the books this writing duo has put out, this one may be my favorite

[suzywells · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Such a fun book& beautiful love story!! Love these authors!!!

[Annie Tasaka · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Well Fizzy lived up to my really high expectations after reading the Soulmate Equation.

And Connor was absolutely perfect for her. I love also how the 2 books tied together.

[Jackie Rodgers · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Oh my gosh!! This book is what book hangovers are made of. Wow wow wow what a concept and the writing and narration was next level. This is a must listen. I wish I knew to listen to the soulmate equation first for Jess and Rivers story since they are secondary characters in this but it does not impact the experience and love you will have for these characters and their story!! Amazing book.

[Alicia Molnar · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I did t think I’d like this book based on the description, but trusting in Christina Lauren, I gave it a try. LOVED it! Miss these characters already!

[Shannon Koveleskie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I just read my second book by this author. I can't put my finger on why, but I love these books. Looking for another.

[Wanderlustheart CB · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It was a great story but the female narrator whisper talked the entire book and it drove me nuts!! Why are you whisper narrating !! lol
But the rest of the narrating was well done she just needs to stop whispering.

[Allison Brown · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I loved the book, the characters, and the chemistry between the two main characters. This would have been a 5-star listen, but there were two issues. First, I didn’t like the female narrator at all. She sounds 80, not 25-35. Her Fizzy voice is bad enough, but her voice for Conner sounds like a very old, prudish man. Thank goodness we got to listen to the male narrator for part of the book. Second, and this is huge, the narrators mispronounced Genetic-Ally throughout the entire book! In The Soulmate Equation, they explain that it’s genetic-ally, like a play on the word, pronounced like the word phonetically. In this book, they pronounce it as two words — Genetic Ally. Since this company is the entire premise of the first book, you’d think they’d get that detail right.
Would I recommend it? YES.

[myangelboy42016 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Loved this book and think she is another favorite author

[Sarah Gileadi Fryer · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Delightful listen! I love Fizzy’s character, and a more original story. Both of the main characters were great. The narration of both was great. I think Fizzy’s narration suited the character perfectly. The only thing that was a little weird was how different the english accent sounded from one narrator to the other. But great book, either way!

I don’t know why one reviewer said it was the same premise as “The Bachelor.” Have they even watched that show?

[Dave Slabe · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This audio copy starts with an unidentified preview of a totally different story by same authors. Its many minutes of annoying family bickering. Since I was bored and confused, I stopped listening. A few months later, my sister wanted to listen, and we skipped thru not only the weird bickering, but chapters 2-4 which were about Fizzy’s writer’s block and stalled dating life. More yawns. The story gets going at Chapter 5, and my advice is to immediately fast forward to that point. After that its a fun and sexy listen. Seriously, the needed backstory in chapters 2-4 could have been condensed into a few minutes/pages. C/L’s agent and editor neglected to do their jobs and tighten up the early chapters. A poor opening generates lots of DNF’s.

[Rosemarie · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Story: 8/10. Narration: 2/10. It wasn't very clear what was said out loud and which parts were just thoughts, because there was no difference in intonation or volume. The narrators also didn't really use different voices for different characters.

The story itself was very enjoyable though! Loved the plot of the dating show thing and how the feelings developed over time. I'm sad there wasn't an epologue, I was curious whether Connor was still going to make his documentaries as well and how season 2 of the dating show would go..

[Joyce Harout · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Booooooring! Very slow. Not original. Sorry not my cup of tea. Didn't finish.

[jessicabanegas · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book was so hilarious! I love the writers wit and humor. The narrator was awesome as well! Definitely going to check out more books from this author. Very well written.

[Jenna Vaughn · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved the Soulmate Equation and this is a wonderful follow up. I love that Fizzy and Connor got their happy ending,! ?

[Yolanda Bates · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I really like this book however, I was wondering why write us out to use the F word to express affections of love. I think when they have so many words to choose from. That is probably the worst word they can. I could come up with the end of the book on my own, but still couldn’t wait and she did a great job of writing the end, I was so cute enjoy

[Rebecca Byrne · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Snooze fest copycat of The Bachelor reality TV show except the producer is the love interest.
And it makes me sad that I was so bored with this because I liked the first story (Soulmate Equation)

[Jessica Moye · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I really loved that there was no love at first sight trope and we got to see them build a true bond alongside the infatuation. There were no unexpected plot twists (at least to me) but the conflict felt natural and was resolved reasonably. An appropriate love story for the archetypes at their portrayed ages and a perfect romance novel happily ever after.

[Nata Kis · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Just wanted to say that the female narrator messed up the book for me.. really disappointing. What's with the half vispering!? Just speak up, as normal people! Therefore, it's hard to say about the story..

[Lisa · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loved this book and the humor. These authors are my new go to read/listen

[Shalamar Shaheed · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

You must listen to this narration. The accent is amazing, narrators both nail it. Fizzy’s personality is the best. I love the story and would re-listen and read it again.

[danika · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Best romance I’ve read in a year. Loved every minute and will listen again.

[Tianna · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was such a fun book. I could not put it down. It was much more tame than some of their other books that I’ve read and I’m so glad it was. There was a lot more character development and loved seeing their friendship grow. Super cute book. I’d definitely read it again. I would like to add that all the books of theirs I’ve read we’re from the Beautiful series so they may have other books that don’t compeltely revolve around sex. I personally haven’t read them yet. And also not knocking those books. This book was just a breath of fresh air. It was so light and fun compared to 110% spice.

[steve tozzi · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Lovely feel good book. Sexy and funny! Loved all the characters !!