In Once Upon an Algorithm, Leonie is an American living in London. On a girls trip to Paris, her friends convince her to go on a date with “Mr. Wrong” through an app that pairs people up based on the idea that opposites attract. She meets up with Jack and has an amazing night in Paris, but a misunderstanding in the morning leads to Jack storming off and Leonie fuming at his unwillingness to let her explain. Upon returning home to London, Leonie finds that her next job (a favor she’s doing for her stepbrother) is an app on which Jack is one of the coders/developers. A workplace rivals situation ensues, and Leonie and Jack have an on again/off again romance throughout the moth it takes to get the app on the market.

While the premise of the story is something I can get behind and was excited to read, this book ultimately fell flat for me for a few reasons. There was a lot of app/tech speak that made it difficult for me to really follow the parts of the plot that happened in the office. It is next to impossible for someone who doesn’t know the ins and outs of app development to understand what Leonie’s job even is, let alone what she and Jack are working on in the office. The book is billed as a spicy romance, but had very little to no spice. The main couple broke up 1-2 times too many for me to really feel they were right for each other (misunderstandings, secrets, and lack of communication abound). And some of the things they fought about are, frankly, pretty unforgivable in a relationship in my opinion.

Thank you to Net Galley, Harper Collins UK, and One More Chapter for the ARC.

‘Once Upon an Algorithm’ by Clara O’Connor was mine, and I’m sad to say that it didn’t really start the new month off stunningly for me. It has a beautiful cover and was billed as a STEM rom-com for fans of Ali Hazelwood, but it really wasn’t my cup of tea at all.

I liked the fact that the FMC was an independently successful woman of almost 40 and I enjoyed the familiar descriptions of locations in South West London and being swept away to Paris.

However, I disliked the FMC’s friends, wasn’t 100% sure on the FMC, and HATED the MMC for a variety of reasons I can’t articulate in a spoiler free review. I didn’t want to DNF but I found myself skimming parts just because I have other books on my TBR that I am eager to get to, and I wasn’t really enjoying this one.

Overall, I am giving this two stars and I hope the author creates more stories without some of the elements that gave me the ick as I did enjoy parts of the writing style.

I received a free review copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest feedback. Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins One More Chapter for the opportunity to read this even though it ended up not being my fave…

1.5 stars rounded up
This book started out fun. I really liked Leonie's friends- they were supportive and encouraging while trying to push Leonie out of her comfort zone. Right off the bat, I didn't really understand Jack's attitude. This was explained as the book went on but his reactions, responses, comments, etc. really annoyed me the entire book. There were some family dynamics that appeared early on and were really frustrating. I felt like Leonie was a doormat and allowed herself to be manipulated.

There were movie quote references between Leonie & Jack that were meant to be cute and endearing but it got to be a bit much for me. Maybe because I didn't have the same feelings about the movies they were quoting? Either way, this just didn't feel like a rom-com to me.

Leonie has an algorithm set for love, full of ten things that she thinks will make for a perfect romance. But after a one night stand in Paris, everything gets thrown out of proportion. When she starts a new job and runs into Jack, the same one from Paris, again, she doesn’t know what to do with herself.
This book wasn’t for me. It just wasn’t. In theory, I probably should have read reviews before starting it because it turns out everyone who’s read it has the same ideas.
The book was really boring at first, to the point where I almost DNF’d it, and then at the 40% mark everything just shifted. It felt like a whole other author wrote the last 60% of this book. I mean, it still wasn’t good unfortunately but it made me keep reading out of curiosity sakes.
Although I really wish I hadn’t, and as much as I hate to say that it really is true. There was just so much talk about her job and it was boring, so I was skimming through that. And then it was revealed that Jack was cheating on his wife, and refused to divorce her. Now, I cannot STAND cheating so that just settled in my distaste and dislike for this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and One More Chapter for an eARC of this book

Okay to start off I just have to say there were SO MANY things wrong with this book.
1)It was not romantic.
I really really want to know who had the audacity to straight up lie to the authors face and tell her that this book was romantic because it just wasn't. The male lead does so many unlikeable things that I'm not going to spoil but they undoubtedly make anyone who reads this book uncomfortable.
2)Nobody is likeable
Following up from my last point there is not a single person in this book who at the very minimum I tolerate-not even the female lead's friends.Infact,they were the worst part.They were just always saying the wrong things at the wrong time and encouraged the male lead's actions and if you can't tell already he is insufferable.

TW: Cheating MMC

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I picked up "Once Upon an Algorithm" with high hopes for a spicy STEM romance drawn in by the promise of a unique love story set against the backdrop of tech innovation. However, my initial enthusiasm waned as the story unfolded.

The premise of a dating algorithm leading to unexpected chemistry had potential, but the execution left much to be desired. The protagonist, Leonie, starts as a strong, self-assured woman, only to be disappointingly manipulated by a character who takes advantage of her vulnerability.

Moreover, the revelation about Jack's marital status felt like a betrayal of the reader's trust. While the author hints at his past, the lack of clarity regarding his current relationship status is misleading. The handling of this aspect diminishes the authenticity of the characters and their connection.

The narrative's climax, where Leonie extends a thoughtful solution only to face rejection, adds another layer of frustration. Jack's eventual turnaround lacks the depth readers need to invest in their reconciliation fully.

Despite a promising start and the potential for a compelling tech-infused romance, "Once Upon an Algorithm" ultimately falls short, leaving readers with a sense of missed opportunities and unfulfilled potential.

The MMC was married and cheated, so right off the bat, this is a big fat NO for me. I just can't root for someone like that. The MMC is also sexist and misogynistic and said really inappropriate things to the FMC. She herself is really annoying, as are her friends. I don't think there was any chemistry between the two main characters and in fact, they just seemed to hate each other and that was it. I truly can't believe this is considered a romance, when it so clearly is not. It was a total miss for me and a real disappointment.

"Once Upon An Algorithm" by Clara O'Connor invites readers into the world of modern romance and the unpredictable nature of love. The story revolves around Leonie, a woman who relies on a carefully crafted dating algorithm to find her perfect match. The initial criteria seem straightforward—over 6 ft tall, funny, and well-traveled. However, when Leonie encounters Jack, a brooding stranger in Paris, who doesn't fit her algorithmic checklist, she realizes that there's more to love than a set of predefined characteristics.

The novel cleverly explores the tension between relying on algorithms and the unpredictable, often inexplicable, nature of human connection. Leonie's realization that chemistry is a vital component of a successful relationship adds depth to the narrative. The unexpected encounter with Jack challenges her preconceived notions, making her question the limitations of her algorithmic approach to love.

The incorporation of a tech startup setting adds a contemporary and relevant backdrop to the story. Jack's role in the tech world, as the man behind the code, introduces an interesting layer, blurring the lines between technology and personal relationships. The unexpected reunion at Leonie's workplace adds an element of surprise and sets the stage for potential complications and romantic tension.

The narrative seems to offer a balance between humor, romance, and the exploration of the role of technology in shaping modern relationships. The story's premise suggests an engaging and relatable exploration of love in the digital age, where algorithms can guide but not guarantee the complexities of the heart.

Readers who enjoy contemporary romance with a touch of humor and a reflection on the intersection of technology and love are likely to find "Once Upon An Algorithm" a delightful and thought-provoking read. The novel promises to be a journey of self-discovery and the discovery of love beyond the constraints of algorithms.

Sorry, but this book was not for, for so many reasons.

The main one being that the "hero’ Mmc is cheating. The WHOLE way though.

This book started off fine, but lost stars as it went on. First and foremost the blurb of the book shouldn't mention that Jack is Leonie's boss since it's written from her pov. At first I was confused and thought I missed where that had been mentioned and then once I realized she had no idea it was just a distraction. The whole marriage plot line was absolutely horrible and unnecessary. That alone will turn people off. By the end I was so very much over everyone trying to screwed everyone else over. I couldn't keep the lies straight.

I love Ali Hazelwood so I wanted to give this book a try and I was pleasantly supposed by how much I enjoyed it!

It was overall okay. It dragged (which is surprising for a book less than 300 pages long) and I just despised the constant push and pull of the main couple. The MFCs family stuff and inner growth was not explores at all, it was way too subtle to make it the point of the book. the MMC was super annoying with all the insecurity about being poor or whatever (even though he's not). And when it came to the app and programming and organising stuff I couldn't care less, everything was described so dry and it just went on and on and on that it felt like I was reading a tutorial on how to launch an app.

When I read a romance book, I really love smart characters. I find intelligence to be very sexy! I was naturally drawn to this book due to the women in STEM trope. I loved how the author incorporated so much tech speak into the book. It added to the technical and smart hot nerd vibe of the book. Overall the romance was enjoyable and very sweet, but I couldn't stand the FMC's friend. Also, I usually only read spicy books and the book was barely open door. I would have liked a lot more spice for a book to be labeled erotica. It seemed like a nice debut novel and I am looking forward to seeing what the author releases in the future.

"Once Upon An Algorithm" by Clara O’Connor is a spicy STEM romance novel for fans of Ali Hazelwood and Sally Thorne. The story revolves around Leonie, who has a personal dating algorithm with specific criteria such as being over 6 feet tall, funny and carefree, and well-travelled. However, when a dating app leads her to a night in Paris with the brooding stranger Jack, who doesn't fit her criteria, Leonie realizes that her list might be missing the most important factor: chemistry.

The chemistry between Leonie and Jack proves to be off the charts, challenging Leonie's reliance on her dating algorithm. As she starts a new job at a tech startup, she is surprised to find Jack there as well, sitting in the boss's office. Jack is not only the man behind the code but also the person responsible for the best night of sex in Leonie's life.

The novel explores themes of love, algorithms, and the unexpected connections that can defy even the most carefully crafted criteria. "Once Upon An Algorithm" promises a blend of romance, humor, and a dash of STEM for an engaging and delightful read.

I really enjoyed this book so much! I flew through this book and I was so upset when it was over. The plot was fast paced but not much which is what I really enjoy. I am obsessed with the characters and can not wait to read more by this author. I will be recommending this book to all of my friends and family.

Oh this is a hard one to write.

I thought the cover was super cute and when I read the summary, I figured this was right up my alley. I really wanted to like this book but it just didn’t hit for me.

There was a lot of tech language and description throughout the story and for me, it was too much. I was struggling. The MMC was very unlikeable as were the FMC group of friends.

What really just turned me off was TW- cheating. Just no. How it came out and how it was dealt with- just not for me.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC

1.5 stars… the fact that after reading and get into the book you find out the main male is cheating and that is a trigger spot for many people. I understand others may be okay reading about that but I didn’t finish this book.

I had high hopes but sadly this one did not deliver for me.

Once Upon An Algorithm by Clara O’Connor was an uplifting and cute STEM romance story.
It's fun and witty with great characters. I thought it was an enjoyable and entertaining story.

Thank You NetGalley and One More Chapter for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

2.5 🌟
I was excited to read once upon an algorithm based on the description and the cover but it left me feeling a little bit meh.

It was largely predictable in terms of what would happen by the end of the novel, and there weren't many moments that had the cuteness or the romance I was expecting to be honest.

I also found some of the terminology quite confusing and feel like some of the abbreviations and key words could have done with a bit more describing as it felt like every time they came up I didn't quite know what they meant which made it a bit hard to read at times.

That being said, it was an easy and relatively quick read.

Leonie isn't very lucky in love. But when her friends bully her into a one night stand in Paris, the last thing she expects is to see her sexy date at work the next week...

I loved Leonie and this book felt like a proper adventure. Throw in a bit of drama and some excellent romantic situations, and I was hooked! Definitely one for a lover of happy endings and infuriating (but gorgeous) men.

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review