I’ve read a few of John’s books and love his style of writing - especially how he writes in such a way that “one more chapter!” never quite happens!

There are links made to some of John’s previous books within but the main premise here is that, due to rising populations and costs, a new way of family life is needed - in the metaverse. This means that families can be created outside of the Real World, whilst being televised and shown in competition against each other. The prize? The chance to keep their child alive in the metaverse or to take the money and use it to raise a family in the Real World. And if that idea already seems outlandish, then just wait until you meet the contestants!

Just what has driven these couples, and one single dad, into taking part in a worldwide televised competing parenting event? And just how far will they be prepared to go to win?

I honestly couldn’t put this book down. I just kept reading on, trying to work out the secrets contained in the pages. I particularly enjoyed the ending which made me gasp out loud more than once! Would highly recommend to anyone looking for an engrossing read.

Thank you John and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review.

ARC Review

This book, wow!

The idea of mixing artificial intelligence (AI) and reality television is a genius idea by the author. Even if the reality in the pages of the book are horrifying. There were so many twists and turns in the book that at times it was hard to keep up. The book was gripping and I read the final quarter in an afternoon where I had to know how it would end.

John Marrs is brilliant cannot wait for this book to hit the shelves

A dark and twisted thriller set in the near future. Set in the same world as The One and The Passengers, this novel focusses on the dangerous metaverse and the role of AI. I raced through it and was pleased with the very satisfying denouement. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc.

An addictive read which delivered on all it promised. Usually not a massive fan of AI related books but something in the premise drew me in. Read it in a day as I couldn’t put it down. Highly recommend it.

I'm pretty sure we all look back on our childhoods and are shocked at just how things have changed so drastically in a relatively short space of time. I was a child growing up in the 80s/90s, we didnt have phones let alone the internet, a tamagotchi was the all time beat gadget EVER and I was too busy playing out that mine didn't survive! Especially now, as a mother to three teenagers, I'm sometimes baffled at what they know, how these small gadgets in their hands now not only control absolutely everything in their lives (insert eye roll!) bit also just the amount of knowledge that's at their fingertips 24/7... so it's not really that hard to imagine that things will once again be immensely different in another 20 years.

Imagine a world where the UK is at ultimate breaking point (not that hard to imagine in this day and age), the worlds population is soaring and nobody can afford to raise a family. But, now you could be given the chance to raise a child... in a virtual world.. a real life tamagotchi!

For a monthly fee you can choose your child. From it's gender, the colour of it's eyes and hair.. you're perfect child.

A reality show is running a competition. 6 couples and one single parent are given the chance to bring up a child in the 'metaverse', all accessed by VR from birth until 18 years of age but in this surreal world everything is on fast forward so 18 years happens in just a few months. All the while the parenting is being love streamed to a public audience (think Big Brother) who can like, comment and vote. The parent/s that win the competition get to choose... keep their 'child' or walk away with the prize money to help bring their own real life child into the world.

This is a real character driven story with amazingly executed characters. Each with their own backstory, flaws and failures that all come together magnificently at the end.
A story of just how desperate some people can be, what family really means and how far some people will go to get their dreams.

Hands down this is my favourite read of the year so far. John Marrs is the master of creating these gripping narratives that have you in a chokehold. The plot was thrilling, disturbing and scarily believable.

Huge thanks to netgalley and Pan Macmillan for the ARC.

Wow, what a thrilling read. The Family Experiment by John Marrs is definitely in my top 3. The references to other books in meta series was a stroke of genius. The storyline pulls you in and doesn’t let go. 5*****

Addictive, disturbing and scarily believable!
The Family Experiment, the ultimate reality tv, broadcast worldwide and the most watched program in the world.
Each couple, plus one single dad who enter the experiment get to create a MetaBaby and raise it in the Metaverse. A totally digital world accessed via virtual reality headsets, along with masks, gloves and full-body suits that feel like a second skin allowing them to be fully immersed with touch, smell and sound.
They get to bring up the MetaChild as if it were a real life child, experiencing from a baby up until the child reaches 18 in a condensed 9 month period. All whilst being live-streamed to the world.
The public can also get involved by entering a prize draw to spend time with one of the MetaChildren and commenting on the contestants parenting skills.
At the end of the competition the winning contestants, voted for by the public, can either choose to keep their virtual child or essentially pull the plug on the child and take the prize money to potentially start a real life family.
But that’s not everything, each contestant has been hand picked for a specific reason unbeknown to anyone, even themselves. Because on this show everyone has something to hide!
As always the book is written brilliantly and completely pulls you into that world and everyone will end up routing for a specific family.
I love this world that John Marrs has created and have read all his books and this one is up there with some of his best work. It is definitely a book that you cannot put down once you have been sucked in from the very start. I absolutely loved it but I already knew I would.
If you are new to his other books set in this near future world then you are really missing out. But saying that, you don’t need to have read the previous books to get a fully immersive, compelling read from this one alone.
It has all the ingredients you need for a brilliant thriller. Fully fleshed out characters, some you love and some you love to hate. Suspense as there is no telling what is going to happen next and plot twists that will leave you shocked.
This is hands down an easy five star read and an ultimate contender for book of the year!

I love this universe. I love how all of the elements come together to world build. The Audites, the Match DNA, driverless cars etc. It is so rich in depth now, that I am engaged almost immediately by the setting.

Personally, I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as other books. I felt like the characters were all unlikeable from the off, so by the mid point I had sort of lost interest in whether they got their comeuppance or not. The reveals towards the end were okay, though I had guessed several and then the wider plot reveal all came in a few chapters towards the end in a Hercule Poirot-esque, this is how we did it type of ending.

Love the world. Didn't love the characters or pacing on this one unfortunately.

This is another one of Marrs' books that is set in future Britain where AI is a massive part of daily life. As with all of these ones there's lots of different characters so it takes a little while to get into and work out who is who but it's definitely worth sticking with. There's so much going on and some great twists and shocks, when you think you have things figured out you realise there's even more to it than you thought. There's so much to this and some of the techy bits go over my head but still a fantastic read, with some truly horrible characters!!!

Loved this, a fantastic page turner.
In "The Family Experiment," John Marrs concocts a captivating story that seamlessly blends futuristic tech with present-day tensions, offering a profound look into human nature. At its heart, this character-driven tale explores the complexities of morality, personal flaws, and the impact of constant surveillance.

Set in a near-future where virtual reality and AI reign supreme, the plot centres around a unique competition. Nine couples and a lone individual enter the metaverse to raise an AI child. The prize? The winning team can choose to keep the AI child or walk away with a hefty sum to help with a real baby.. But what starts as a simple contest soon becomes a rollercoaster ride of introspection and moral reckoning.

The real gem of this story lies in its diverse cast of characters, each grappling with their own demons and desires. As the competition heats up, their true colours emerge, showcasing a range of motivations from altruism to pure self-interest. The author deftly navigates the nuances of human behaviour, showing how individuals respond under the scrutiny of judgmental eyes.

What makes "The Family Experiment" so compelling is its ability to draw parallels with our current reality. Despite its futuristic setting, the story speaks to contemporary anxieties about technology and ethics. The metaverse becomes a mirror reflecting our own world, revealing how people grapple with morality when faced with tough choices.

Furthermore, the narrative weaves themes of trust, betrayal, and redemption, keeping readers hooked until the final page. Each twist deepens our understanding of the characters and the ethical quandaries they face, leading to a satisfying conclusion.

In short, "The Family Experiment" is a gripping read that not only offers a peek into a plausible future but also holds up a mirror to our own society. With its well-drawn characters and timely themes, this book is sure to leave a lasting impression on fans of sci-fi and human drama alike.

Magnificent.
John Marrs seems to write in two different styles.
His thrillers are absolutely superb, edge of the seat, into the early hours sort of books which are deserving of five, solid stars every time.
Then there are those like 'The Family Experiment' which is in the same vein as 'The One', 'Passengers' and 'The Marriage Act' which put him in a class of his own.
I don't like Sci fi and that is the beauty of these. Set slightly in the future with elements which are just this side of believable.
I have to question just how someone can have an imagination like this for a start, then how on earth he manages to execute such an engaging plot from it. But mostly I am fascinated as to why I only enjoy books of a futuristic nature that are written by this author and I think I've sussed it.
All of his novels are character led (And Boy, are they great ones!) so there are so many nuances that are easy to identify with.
Good or bad, we find ourselves cheering them on and rooting for them all, all the way through.
85% in, I was wondering how on earth he was going to tie it all up but I should have known. The conclusion is both satisfying and mind-blowing
Once again.
John Marrs never lets his readers down and this one, along with every one of his I have read gets a very easy five stars.
Many, many thanks John for allowing me to switch off, ignore the family and pass on the housework all weekend.

John Marr’s is fast becoming the “king” of speculative fiction. He has a knack for coming up with the most ingenious plots set in the not distant future. At first, they may seem farfetched. But within a few chapters he’ convinces the reader the implausible is terrifyingly plausible. The Family Experiment is a new televised virtual TV program watched by millions of opinionated armchair critics (I loved how the author incorporates our obsession with reality TV into the plot). Viewers get to watch ten couples raise a virtual child from birth to eighteen years over a nine-month period. Members of the public get to vote and choose challenges and at the end the winners will get to choose their prize: the right to keep their virtual child or take the prize money to start a family in the real world. Yes the plot sounds bonkers! But trust me, it really works in John Marrs more than capable hands.

The Family Experiment has a large, diverse cast of characters, but each has a unique voice and their own story to tell. I found myself completely invested in each couple, as we follow their highs and lows, and see them pushed to the limits by the viewers’ monthly challenges. Some contestants are clearly harboring secrets, and John Marrs slowly exposes their private lives, adding to the overall tension. Social media has a powerful part to play in The Family Experiment. Even in the future, it’s a tool that sways opinions and encourages wrath, and the spread of misinformation.

The plot took on a darker, far creepier tone as relationships begin to fracture as the contestants’ secrets come to light. There were so many shocking surprises along the way, which I can honestly say I never saw coming. Ultimately, it’s a book that explores the complexities of relationships and family dynamics. I absolutely loved every page of Age Family Experiment, and I would recommend to anyone who enjoys speculative fiction with a thought-provoking plot. One final thought: If there was an award for an ‘author with the most incredible imagination’, John Marrs would definitely get my vote.

My review will be posted nearer to publication date on my

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Loved this. I’m a big fan of John and his style of writing and his premise, as ever, is ingenious, fascinating and strangely believable in a futuristic world not that far out of grasp. I loved that the idea slips effortlessly and stealthily into our consciousness as the components are already cemented in. The current world obsession with so called reality shows, for example makes this seem scarily plausible as does the current level of AI only being a small leap away.
The characters are great in a love hate kind of way and you both empathise and despise them in alternating fashion and can’t help but wonder what you’d do in their position. Great food for thought and self assessment.
I also love the way John’s previous books entwine themselves into the narrative of the story. I’ve read and thoroughly enjoyed them so the references are delicious Easter eggs for me but I can also appreciate that it wouldn’t matter too much if you hadn’t read them rather it adds another layer of enjoyment. Clever twists too.
This book will stay with me for a long time I’m sure. Absolutely brilliant and very much deserved five stars from me.

Wow! Wow! Wow! I absolutely adored this book! I have to admit, normally I enjoy John Marrs's speculative fiction books and prefer his standalone thrillers, but this was phenomenal. Marrs has brought to life a whole host of couples and explored the meaning of family in a world dominated by technology. I lapped up every page of this book and didn't want it to end. The futuristic elements were so fascinating and believable. You could see this world not being far away. The way we consume reality TV and get addicted to it particularly resonated with me. There have been many shows that I've become obsessed with, I can only imagine how much more powerful my obsession would be if I could watch them in a VR way. This book was impressive, powerful, and gripping. I tip my hat off to John Marrs. Your imagination is captivating and I can't wait to see what you write next! AMAZING!!!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Family Experiment and would say it is in my top 3 books by the ever creative John Marrs. I loved that it's setting is within The One and The Passengers universe. The idea and imagination behind this book is just amazing. The storyline is gripping and the characters are very well thought out. This is a book that I will go back to and read on more than one occasion and will absolutely recommend to friends and family.

I received this book from netgalley for an honest review


The world's population is soaring, creating overcrowded cities and an economic crisis. And in the UK, breaking point has arrived. A growing number of people can no longer afford to start families let alone raise them.

But for those desperate to experience parenthood, there is an alternative. For a monthly subscription fee, clients can create a virtual child from scratch who they can access via the metaverse and a VR headset. To launch this new initiative, the company behind Virtual Children has created a reality tv show. It will follow ten couples as they raise a Virtual Child from birth to the age of eighteen but in a condensed nine-month time period. The prize: the right to keep their virtual child or risk it all for the chance of a real baby . . .

Set in the same universe as John Marrs's bestselling novel The One and The Marriage Act, The Family Experiment is a dark and twisted thriller about the ultimate 'tamagotchi' - a virtual baby.

Wow.. this book was something different for me not my usual type at all. But I really enjoyed it and will definitely be reading similar books in the future. I was hooked with John's creation of another world it was very clever with all the twists and lots of emotions from different characters. At first I thought all the characters were going to get me confused with all the different POVs but they didn't with nice short chapters. John's mind is very clever and scary with the ideas he comes up with he is a great story teller and has a way of captivating you with words.

He is definitely one of my favourite authors and I will continue to read all his books. Can't wait to see what is next.

5 stars 💫💫💫💫💫

The Family Experiment by John Marrs.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

What would you do? How far would you go to become a parent?

Imagine a future where you can experience having a baby, raising your child into adulthood. Only this child is an AI in a virtual world. Not only that, but you are part of a 24-hour live streamed reality T.V show. Where you are pitted next to other contestants. Your every move or choice is scrutinised by the eyes of the public, who will ultimately determine your fate.

This sci-fi thriller has everything you could hope for. It makes you question life in the future and how far we should take AI technology. It shows the depths that people will go to in order to gain what they want. It takes advantage of people's emotions to gain viewer ratings, money, and power. It is full of lies, betrayal, and secrets.

I could not stop reading this book. It sucks you in and does not leave you disappointed. If you like your thrillers full of twists, shocks, and surprises that keep you guessing right to the end, then this book is for you. It does not disappoint.
If you have never read a John Marrs book, then I urge you to go check one out.

I will leave review on Amazon and Waterstones on day of release.

https://www.instagram.com/little.shropshire.reader?igsh=MWh6b25lM2x3ZXVtOQ==

I have really enjoyed a number of John Marrs' books but didn't find this one particularly engaging. The characters were one-dimensional and the plot was pretty flimsy. A number of his books require you to suspend belief but usually contain characters you engage with to a certain extent and who you care about. I found that I simply didn't care about the families, their "offspring" or what happened to any of them. The book was instantly forgettable - unfortunately not one I would recommend.

My first John Mars read and what a great book to start off with.

Its set in a, near-future, dystopian world as part as a reality show where couples and a single person hope to win the chance to have a child of their own by playing the game. They go into a virtual 'Big Brother ' style virtual reality world where they raise an AI child from birth to adulthood. It gave me Handmaid's Tale vibes with the couples desperate for children and why they couldn't have them.

Shocking, gritty and spinning wildly from the moral compass but I loved it from cover to cover and I can't wait to read more by this author.

Firstly, I would like to say a huge thank you to the publisher for letting me have a copy of this book. The passengers was good, the marriage act was great, but the family experiment was mindblowing! I was gripped straight away. I read it in several parts as I didn’t want it to end. I would say this is John‘s best near future thriller so far. Eerie and unforgettable, I promise you once you start reading, you won’t draw breath til the very last page. Will stay with you long after you finished it. I’d give it 50 stars if I could.