A review by stephdaydreams
The Love Simulation by Etta Easton

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Feel. Good.

That's how The Love Simulation made me feel. Good. I didn't stop smiling throughout this book. It lit me up. I had the best time!

Our heroine Brianna is a school vice principal who joins colleagues for a Mars simulation event in which participants who last through the end of the program receive a significant monetary prize; a prize Brianna is desperate to win in order to build a better school library. The school principal has continuously rejected Brianna's efforts to gain funds, so this is her last shot at success. However, she hits a roadblock in the form of Roman, fellow colleague, reserved science teacher, and son of the antagonistic principal who Brianna fears could sabotage her efforts. But Roman isn't just a potential saboteur, he's also very much the recurrent visitor of Brianna's secret dreams. Furthering her inner turmoil and heart and reason battle.

The narrative is told entirely from Brianna's perspective and I so loved the way she journeyed through life. It immersed me so wholly into her story. I admired her resiliency, I sympathized with her insecurity in feeling less in comparison to the accomplishments of her family, I related to her self-doubt, and I was so inspired by her resolve to attain the goal she strived for. With every roadblock in her way, she continuously found another path forward. She's a wonderful heroine and one so deserving of all the success- and all the love as well.

My gosh! The way I swooned over her romance with Roman. My gosh, y'all! Usually I prefer dual POV, to get into the heads of both protagonists, but in this case I loved that Roman's inner thoughts were kept secret. He is an already incredibly alluring man that keeping us from his thoughts positively served to strengthen that pull towards him. I wanted more and more! You immediately want to know more about him, the same as Brianna. To peel back those layers, one by one. To find the charm beneath the reserved. The big heart beneath the stoic exterior. Watching Brianna peel those layers back made for such a fun and heartfelt journey. Especially as she battles her ever growing crush on Roman alongside her mistrust of him. It may be clear to the reader where Roman's feelings lie, but it's pure delight waiting for Brianna to catch up in knowledge. For there's hijinks to be had first! And it brings the giggles, the swoons, and all the heart. Once the barriers are passed, the romance that blooms between Brianna and Roman feels earned-- and feels right.

Also bringing the giggles and heart is the enchanting supporting cast of Jordan, Angie, and Simone! I may or may not have cried out a dramatic noooo when their respective spots in the Mars program may or may not have been compromised. They added such vibrancy to the narrative, and it made me want to explore more each character individually. That's how much I came to love them.

This is a certified comfort read. When you need a pick me up, just hold onto The Love Simulation. It'll pull you through.

Thank you so much to Berkley Romance and NetGalley for this advanced complimentary copy, I leave this honest review voluntarily.