If you're looking for a pretty PG, quick read romance - this is an okay option.

I was enjoying this book for a bit. The set-up and plot feel a little more original than others, particularly the use of finding your soulmate via science. The side characters really do make this book - because they're way more interesting than the central story. But from about halfway - I was getting more and more frustrated.

My main issue with the book - there are smaller ones, but we'll focus on one - are the two main characters. Jess has a decent background to her; she's got abandonment and trust issues and she's a single mother trying to keep a lot of plates spinning. However. She's also a horrible person. She's quick to judge River without even talking to him and has a real chip in her shoulder when it comes to anyone she doesn't like the look of. She's also incredibly rude to River when they first meet - he's just a guy who goes into the same coffee shop that she and her friend does.

The 'climax' of the book had me rolling my eyes insanely hard because NONE of it felt motivated or even interesting. She was picking a fight for no reason, she was making problems for no reason. It was like the authors had to wrap up and needed that big 'oh no it's all going to go wrong' moment and figured 'yeah, this'll do'. She has no particular sympathy to her - especially when her partner's entire career is about to implode and she's demanding to see him and pay attention to her. Like...maybe don't.

As many other reviewers pointed out, Jess and River don't have much chemistry. There's plenty of mentions of the 'electricity' between them but, like...show us, don't just tell us? They start off with this not quite enemies thing going and then suddenly they love each other and all they do is talk about having sex and maybe kiss a bit and then Jess starts being an asshole to him. The whole thing feels underdeveloped and underbaked. It needs more time in the oven.