REVIEW: The Love Simulation by Etta Easton

The Love Simulation by Etta Easton: Brianna Rogers is a dedicated middle school teacher who is determined to win a funding competition to upgrade her school’s outdated library. However things don’t seem to be going her way, especially when her principal diverts the funds to a new football field, thinking fast Brianna decides to join a team of teachers in a unique Mars simulation challenge, in an opportunity that could bring in the money she desperately needs. But things get complicated when Roman, the charming yet enigmatic science teacher and son of the principal, is unexpectedly added to the team.

Forced to spend the summer together in the intense, high-pressure environment of the simulation, Brianna and Roman clash over everything, from their professional differences to their undeniable attraction. As the competition heats up, Brianna begins to wonder if Roman’s intentions are more about sabotage than support. With the stakes higher than ever, Brianna must navigate the tension between her ambitions and her growing feelings for Roman.

The Love Simulation was an interesting play on the forced proximity and work place romance tropes, this book takes on a strange new setting throwing teachers Brianna and Roman into a Mars simulation leaving them no room but to face their bubbling tension. With the combination of witty banter, slow burn chemistry and the high stakes of the competition, it was super easy to get lost in this book along side our two lead characters. The Mars simulation adds an element of intrigue while being playful and imaginative, also allows the characters to reveal deeper layers of their personalities, making the stakes feel real even within the confines of a competition.

Easton has done a brilliant job in crafting two incredibly loveable and relatable main characters. Brianna was an easy to like leading lady, her passion and drive to improve her school made her instantly likeable. We really get to feel her passion come through the pages as she makes it her mission to win the competition so that the old library can get a much needed facelift. I loved that she was not afraid to challenge the principal and really make a fight for her case, she is headstrong and very determined. While for the most part she comes across as this strong boss girl, our girl Brianna is actually very vulnerable when it comes to matters of the heart. Her dedication to her work has led her to push her personal life to the background, which made getting to see her feelings for Roman all the more delectable. Roman is the charming yet enigmatic science teacher and the son of the principal. While he initially appears as an aloof, somewhat arrogant his role in the story gradually becomes more complex as we get to understand him as an individual. While at first he comes across as a moody mystery, we soon learn that Roman is actually a total softie trying to navigate his family issues. I really enjoyed getting to know Roman and getting to see him work through his struggles in his relationship with his father.

There is no question about the chemistry between Roman and Brianna, these two have a clear connection and Easton has done a brilliant job in crafting the angsty, tension filled build up between these two. As much as I loved the slow burn element to their love story, I couldn’t help but feel that at times their love story took a bit of a backseat to the competition storyline.

All in all The Love Simulation was an interesting and unique take on some of my favourite tropes which delivers on the loveable characters, slow burn passion and an overall enjoyable story. Definitely worth checking out!

Book Info:

Publication: March 4, 2025 | Berkley |

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.