I’ve read an impressive number of books throughout my life—well over 1100 books. Considering I’ve spent the majority of my life in school and college, it’s nothing short of a small miracle. Whenever people discover my passion for reading, one question always arises: “What’s your favorite book?”
As a true bookworm, my answer to that question has evolved over the years. But now, I can confidently say that I’ve discovered the most perfect romance book, which has become my absolute favorite and will likely remain so for the foreseeable future.
Since stumbling upon “The Soulmate Equation” by the talented writing duo Christina Lauren in mid-2022, I’ve been fervently recommending it to everyone I know. Remarkably, everyone who’s read it has declared its sheer perfection and rated it 5 stars. I’ve personally devoured it three times in less than nine months, and my current mission in life is to make this book go viral on BookTok and Bookstagram.
Soulmate Equation Summary
The story revolves around Jess, a single mother striving to make ends meet. She works as a statistician, juggling her job, her child, and her responsibilities to her grandparents, leaving her with little time for dating.
Then enters GeneticAlly, a groundbreaking DNA-based matchmaking company, along with Jess’s slightly pushy but well-meaning best friend, who practically coerces her into sending a DNA sample. The results are shocking—a staggering 98% match with the enigmatic Dr. River Peña, whom she already knows, and they don’t exactly get along. But when the company offers Jess compensation to publicly get to know him, essentially engaging in a fake relationship before the company’s public launch, she can’t turn it down.
However, this contract turns out to be far from simple. An unexpected family emergency forces Jess to rely on River to pick up her daughter from school—a task well within the realm of fake contract boyfriends, right? Yet, he goes above and beyond, taking her to dance practice, helping with homework, sharing ice cream outings, and even delivering food to Jess’s family at the hospital. Maybe he isn’t the bad guy she initially thought he was. As they spend more time together, their chemistry intensifies, and their lives become increasingly complicated, leaving Jess to ponder if soulmates truly exist and whether she can trust River to be there for her.
Book Review
I’ve never encountered a book that epitomizes literary perfection quite like this one. Jess and River’s relationship feels incredibly authentic, something that could happen to anyone.
This is a refreshing departure from the typical contemporary romance novels filled with BIG ROMANTIC GESTURES, unrealistic sex scenes, epic fights, and cookie-cutter plots. Their less-than-ideal enemies-to-lovers introduction beautifully contrasts with the healthy development of both the emotional and physical aspects of their relationship throughout the rest of the book.
So, which other contemporary romance novels published nowadays feature a male character who isn’t possessive, a female character who possesses both brains and uses them, and a slow-burn relationship that leaves you with butterflies in your stomach? Not to mention the swoon-worthy real-life heart-eye emoji-inducing epilogue. I won’t delve into the details to avoid spoilers, but I genuinely shed tears every time I read the ending. It’s nothing short of perfection.
Conclusion
I adore every aspect of this book—its characters, romance, plot, and dialogue. I’m eagerly anticipating part two, set to release in May (eek!). It will revolve around best friend Fizzy’s romance and supposedly feature a cameo from Jess and River. Rest assured, I’ll be writing a blog and creating a video all about it.
If you’ve read “The Soulmate Equation,” I urge you to recommend it to everyone you know and also share your thoughts with me. Also, can we start crowdsourcing for GeneticAlly? Clearly, I’ve been using the wrong dating apps.
Show & Tell Book Nook Rating:
Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶 /10
Bravo on reading another book review! I really hope you liked it and that you’ll be adding “The Soulmate Equation” to your tbr pile! If you’ve read this book and loved it as much as I did, drop a comment with your thoughts! And, don’t forget to check out another blog and follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube!