Book Review: The Love Simulation by Etta Easton

Official Synopsis: Brianna Rogers has been told a time (or six) she needs to stop jumping into things head first. But when the principal rescinds his approval for a library upgrade, deciding to spend the money on a football field instead, she sees red. Literally. Brianna throws her hat in the ring and joins a team of teachers who will spend their summer in a Mars simulation. As the sister of an astronaut, this should be easy, right? What she didn’t count on was the last-minute addition to the team—Roman science teacher, son of the principal, and too handsome for his own good.

Roman and Brianna have been hot and cold all year, and living in close quarters intensifies their animosity and attraction. Brianna is sure he’s been sent by his father to sabotage them, foiling their chance at prize money that will cover all of the school’s actual needs. But each day, Roman proves himself to be a dedicated teammate—and Brianna finds herself falling harder and harder. While it’s clear the feeling is mutual, she can’t shake the sense that he’s hiding something. As the simulation nears its end, Brianna realizes she may have to make an impossible choice, between the school she’s dedicated herself to, and the man who has won his way into her heart.

I really liked this book, and honestly I'm not sure if I would have picked it up on my own just based on the description. That's why getting ARCs is so fun! For as much as I like sci-fi, having space in a contemporary setting isn't usually for me, but this was a fun twist on it! Brianna is basically fighting for her life as the vice principal to a principal who doesn't seem to like her, or her ideas, at all. She is determined to get her students a better library, one that will support their needs and help them grow, but when that money gets taken for a new football field instead, Brianna is ready to do whatever it takes it help get the kids a library.

When the chance to join on a Mars simulation mission with some other teachers, and a large grand prize for both her and the school, she decides to jump in. Now she will be spending the 6 weeks of her summer vacation in a simulation of the red planet that is trying to ruin their chances at both the money and the library. But when her crush, and son of the principal, and fellow teacher, Roman shows up at the last minute, she isn't sure if he's there for the same reasons she and the other's are. As their time on Mars continues, the group seems to be doing well. That is until one of them runs out because of a spider, and the other two do make it back from a mission, leaving Roman and Brianna alone.

Even with the cameras that are watching them in pubic spaces, behind closed doors Roman and Brianna are starting to explore their feelings for each other. But as soon as Brianna starts to feel like their feelings are real, she learns that maybe what she assumed about Roman might be true.

I really liked how this book was written, and the journey that both Roman and Brianna had to go through during the story. They are both struggling with feeling like they aren't measuring up to the expectations of their families. I also liked how their relationship blossomed and the background of a Mars simulation was really fun.

I rated this book 3.5 out of 5 stars.

The Love Simulation came out March 4, 2025!

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