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.

In the latest offering from John Marrs, "The Family Experiment," readers are whisked away into a future that feels alarmingly within reach yet fervently hoped to remain in the realm of fiction. With his signature knack for crafting gripping narratives, Marrs delivers yet another compelling read, marrying short, punchy chapters with many intriguing hooks that ensure the pages almost turn themselves.
Set against the backdrop of a meticulously imagined future, the novel explores the complexities of human relationships through the lens of an experiment that challenges the very fabric of family dynamics. Marrs masterfully weaves together the stories of a diverse cast of characters, each richly developed and harbouring their own secrets and desires. It's this intricate portrayal of character depth that underscores Marrs's skill as a storyteller, making it impossible not to become invested in their journeys.
A standout character is undoubtedly Hudson, whose backstory not only adds layers to his already complex persona but also serves as a focal point for some of the novel's most poignant moments. Marrs has a unique ability to create characters that resonate deeply with readers, and Hudson exemplifies this talent, embodying both the fragility and resilience of the human spirit.
As the narrative unfolds, Marrs masterfully builds tension, leading to a series of revelations that are as shocking as they are satisfying. It's a reflection of his storytelling prowess that these twists feel both unexpected and inevitable, a balancing act that few authors achieve as effectively.
"The Family Experiment" is more than just a riveting read; it's a thought-provoking exploration of potential futures. Marrs has an uncanny ability to tap into contemporary anxieties, projecting them into futures that are both fascinating and terrifying in their plausibility. This novel, like his others, sits on the precipice of imagination and reality, serving as a stark reminder of the paths humanity might tread if not cautious.
In conclusion, John Marrs's "The Family Experiment" is a masterful blend of suspense, emotion, and speculative fiction. It's a book that not only entertains but also invites reflection on the direction in which we're headed. For fans of Marrs's work and newcomers alike, this is a fantastic journey into a future that is hopefully confined to the pages of fiction. A truly exceptional read that reaffirms Marrs as a titan of the genre.

I literally finished this is like 9 hours. I physically couldn't out it down.

As a relative new reader into Marr's world it was engaging and it draws you in so much. It makes me desperate to continue reading into this world.

The easiest 5 stars of the year

I was really excited for this one, and it didn’t disappoint!! A really intriguing thriller, with a unique storyline. This was my first John Marrs book and I will defiantly seek out his others, I really enjoyed it!

I'm always excited for a new John Marrs, and I dove straight into this one after receiving the ARC.
The Family Experiment is a game show where couples compete to win money for IVF treatment. In order to win, they have to successfully take care of an AI baby for nine months. The audience can watch along with the parents' every move, and will decide on the winner after the nine months are over.
Again a John Marrs book full of twists.

I absolutely love these speculative fiction books by John Marrs - I think the best thing is that although it is obviously fiction, it all seems terrifyingly possible.

I enjoyed getting to know the families in the experiment and the drip feeding of information made the pacing perfect in my opinion. I think it's great that the author doesn't shy away from including shocking moments, his books definitely do not always go down the 'happy ever after' route, so you never know what to expect.

I would definitely recommend this, I found it exciting and a really interesting read.

Oh have I been missing out on so much not picking up a a John Marrs book sooner this was incredible. Completely unique like nothing I’ve ever read before !
I absolutely love it !! It’s so well written I could actually see it playing out.
So much imagination and creativeness has gone into this. I would definitely watch it as a film in fact I need it as a film. I can’t put into words how much I enjoy it, it really was brilliant.
I loved the characters I loved setting the plot everything was better than I could imagine.

In a world where population pressures and economic crises mean that people can no longer afford to have or raise children, the irresistible opportunity to cash in by using a reality television show is bound to be exploited.

The idea is to hook viewers into watching selected families try to raise a virtual child from zero to eighteen years in a condensed nine month period (any coincidence that they chose the length of an average pregnancy as the child rearing period?) members of the public will vote for the various families, and in the end the winners will get to choose: either keep their virtual child, or trade it in for the opportunity to have a real baby.

John Marrs continues to keep readers spellbound as we explore the unsetting world he has created in his previous books like The Passengers. This is a chilling read, but I suspect the scariest thing about it is the sneaking suspicion that - given the world we already live in - this is not entirely unthinkable as some version of the future.

He’s done it again.
This book is set in the same world as The One/The Passengers etc.

In a world that’s had a financial crash and people can’t afford housing or food let alone children here comes The Family Experiment!

A virtual game show you can raise a child from 0-18 years in 9 months (children grow quicker).. it’s live streamed and the public can react to how the contestants are getting on with parenting or vote for them to do the “monthly task”. At the end of the game the winner gets to choose to either keep the child in the virtual world OR take some cash to help them try for a “real world” baby… Sounds simple right?! Errrrr nope!!!!!

I’m not going to spoil it… I could not put this book down! The characters drew me in very quickly and their stories run and link in such an effortless way throughout the book. I felt this book had a slightly different “feel” about it to some of his others but my goodness it was a gem of a book!!! I am so pleased and feel very lucky to have been able to read and review it! I am angry at John Marrs for some of the twists and events that happened 🤣 some of the things I didn’t see coming and some things I thought would happen didn’t… BUT that’s why I adore him as a writer.

Thank you to John for his fabulous writing, the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review.

Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read this book in return for an honest review. Oh my goodness! I absolutely loved it so much! It is set in the same era as the one, the passengers and the marriage act and is just as good if not better. I felt so many emotions throughout the book and it really made me think about what I would do in those situations. How does John Marrs come up with these ideas?! Absolute genius he is. Easily my favourite dystopian book so far. Highly recommended. I wish I could give it 10 stars .

There are three things that concern me when I read a Marrs book, 1)that his mind goes where its gone 2)that's he's usually inspired by an article he's read 3) this could be the future.

Every time, he gets me. Situations that don't seem too far fetched, yet are crazy.
A varied cast of characters, nods to previous books, actual scenarios that make you wonder what WOULD you do, and more than a few surprises up his sleeve.
Another cracking read.