The Forever Experiment

Soulmate #2

by Sarah A. Bailey

What happens in Vegas… might just lead to love. Will one night of passion turn into a lifetime of regret—or a second chance? Ten years after a steamy college hook-up that neither of them has forgotten, Easton Mason and Maya Atler cross paths at a corporate conference in Las Vegas. Easton, now a personal injury attorney, is still the charming, happy-go-lucky guy with great hands that Maya remembers from University. While she, a soaring literary lawyer, remains the stubborn, ambitious go-getter with perfect legs that he's never quite been able to get out of his head. After a night on the strip leads to a little too much reminiscing and far too many tequila shots, Easton and Maya wake up the next morning very, very...married. Maya's determined to annul their nuptials before anyone else hears about their drunken mistake, while Easton is convinced their little mishap is a stroke of fate, and he's not going to let her walk away this time. Before he signs away their marriage as if it never happened, he's determine to convince Maya to give him one chance to prove that this experiment in love might just be a forever kind of deal.

Genres: Novella, He Falls First, Second Chance, Friends To Lovers, Audiobook

116 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 18, 2025

About the author

Sarah fell in love with reading as a child, starting with the Magic Treehouse Series. She quickly learned that books can take her to all the places she always dreamed of going, and allow her to live endless lifetimes in the one that we are given.
Sarah believes that a good, fluffy romance novel can make even the darkest days a little bit brighter. She believes in love stories readers can root for, the kind that will make even the skeptics believe in all that cheesy stuff like soulmates. She longs to produce stories that readers can pick up, and regardless of what’s weighing them down in life, feel a little lighter when they finish.
Sarah was born in California and raised in Southern Oregon, and still considers herself a Pacific Northwest gal at heart; right down to being a coffee snob, collecting hydro flasks, adamantly believing in Sasquatch, and feeling like rain-drenched forests are a form of therapy. Sarah now resides in North Carolina with her husband, Mike, and their dog-baby, Rue. When she’s not writing, she’s likely reading, and if she’s not reading, odds are she’s out searching for a decent cup of coffee, or a rainy pine forest.

Reviews

[Jo Lee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dnf, not for me. I’ve only left a rating as I need to for NetGalley, it might be for you though!

Thanks to NetGalley and Tantor Media for the opportunity to review 🎧

[Brooke]

dnf jan 2026 @ 7%

i had to dnf this book not even 10% in because the male narrator was not doing it for me. Listening to him say "maya baby" in his voice and the spicy scene was just such a turn off for me. i am so sorry SAB, i swesr ill read the rest of the series but physically :( <3 so grateful for the opportunity to get to try this one out.

[Katie Cabatic · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at 44%…

It’s taken me 3 days to get 40% on a 120 page book. This book cringed me out with the nicknames. He called her Maya baby 41 times in a 120 page book and she calls him pretty boy 🤢. I didn’t realize how much I hate the term baby until this book. Also, the wedding in Vegas they didn’t remember just sent me over the edge.

[Afton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ugh, it’s so cringey, which is such a shame because this book really had potential. I kept hoping it would turn around, but the secondhand embarrassment was real. The character choices were frustrating, and I just wanted her to recognize her worth and expect more for herself. It could’ve been so much better.

[Jill (readinginpjs) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Tantor Media for the ALC. All opinions are my own.

this was honestly just SO disappointing 😭

maybe it’s a mood thing, or the narration, cause I can’t fully pinpoint why I didn’t really enjoy this…

I almost stopped reading/listening in the prologue - I struggled to get invested in these characters
but this is pretty short so I thought I’d hang on & see if it got better for me.

There were definitely some good moments, and some that I found funny, which is why I stuck it out until the end. I enjoyed their “date” night out in Vegas, that was pretty sweet & I actually felt like they were connecting.

I really can’t hear “Maya baby” one more time though 😳
(I searched the ebook, 41 TIMES in 116 pages)
I wasn’t a huge fan of “pretty boy” either 🙃

🎧 I enjoyed the female narrator, but I really didn’t connect with the male narrator.

✦ tropes & stuff:
💖 valentine novella
1️⃣ one night stand
💼 both lawyers
💍 accidental marriage (10 years later)
😍 boy obsessed
💞 dual 1st person pov

🎧 audio+ebook | ⭐️: 2.5 | 🌶️: 4 |

📖 The Forever Experiment by Sarah A. Bailey
📚 part of the Soulmate series
💜: contemporary romance (mf)
🎙 narrated by: Star Williams & JD Tomlinson

*Connect with Me*
🤍 Instagram 🤍 Blog 🤍

[em · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

i needed this to be longer than 106 pages 😔

[What.Nikki.Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this
A little Valentine's novella
Second chance
Marriage pact
Accidental Vegas wedding
Delicious spice
Spicy

🎧 Narrated by Star Williams; JD Tomlinson

What a perfect little holiday Novella! Who doesn't love a sweet but 🥵🥵🥵🥵 Vegas marriage?!
I've read this with eyeballs and audio and both were great experiences but the audio brought a little extra to the experience!

Thank you for this ALC Tantor and Sarah!

[kelseareads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am such a big fan of the Pacific Shores series, so I been excited to read Sarah’s backlist. This was such a fun Valentine’s Day novella! Easton and Maya had so much chemistry and this audiobook was spicy!! I love the accidental Vegas marriage microtrope and the fact that they hooked up ten years prior added a great twist. Sarah writes such great romances and I’m excited to read the Soulmate series next!

What to expect:
🩷 Valentine’s Day Novella
🩷 One Night Stand
🩷 Accidental Marriage
🩷 “My Wife”
🩷 He Falls First

Thank you to Sarah A. Bailey and her team for providing this ALC in exchange for an honest review.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

This was a second chance romance with such a sweet ending. This short novella packed in a lot of spice and yearning in such a small package. I enjoyed these characters and loved how they threw caution to the wind and gave into their feelings in the end. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more by this author.

[Kristy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This should’ve been a full story of at least 300 pages. A novella was good but I needed more.

[(Krystal) Twisted Bookstore · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet novella about the one that got away and I loved the characters and spice.
Thanks Netgalley

[Payton · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was the hottest thing i've ever read & then he did her hair, skin, and body care for her R U KIDDING? if this was a full length novel it would be my new favorite book i fear

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Covering like 11 years in 120 pages was crazy. Was honestly boring because you couldn’t get invested in any part of it

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

New drinking game…take a shot everytime Easton calls her “Maya baby”.

But it was a decent novella just too much “Maya baby” for a 120 page book. Seemed a little overkill

[The Romantic Rush Blog · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one felt like a near miss in every direction. Short, promising, and sprinkled with moments that almost worked, it ultimately left me more frustrated than satisfied, and I finished it hoping for a connection that never fully formed.

I debated stopping early, but since it is such a quick read, I decided to stick it out and see if it found its footing. There were a few bright spots along the way. The Vegas date night was genuinely sweet, and for a brief moment I felt like the characters were actually clicking. There were also a handful of funny lines and some enjoyable representation that kept me from completely checking out.

That said, even for a novella, the emotional arc felt rushed, and any chance of real depth or payoff was undercut by how quickly everything moved. The foundation was there, but the brevity stripped away the weight of the second chance romance and made the yearning feel more told than felt. The repeated dialogue and pet names also just kept pulling me out of the story. TOO many "babys" and "maya baby"s just feel sin authentic. Instead of feeling intimate, it became grating, especially in such a short book where repetition is far more noticeable.

The female narrator did a fantastic job. She brought warmth, emotion, and personality to her chapters and kept me engaged even when the story itself faltered. Unfortunately, I did not like with the male narrator at all. His delivery made it difficult for me to stay immersed, particularly during romantic and spicy scenes, which completely broke the mood rather than enhancing it. And he almost called attention to the parts of the story that weren't landing (all those MAYA BABYS).

Overall, this was a disappointing listen for me. While some readers may enjoy the quick hit of spice and the hopeful ending, I was left wishing for more development, stronger emotional grounding, and it never became the story I wanted it to be.

[Marlee Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the chance to read this back when it was a brand new indie book and i loved it just as much if not MORE the second time around! If you are looking for a spicy, swoony valentines day novella with a high achieving woman and a man who would (and does) fall to his knees for her and this one's for you!

I absolutely devoured this one (twice) Easton and Maya are so easy to love! Maya is such a badass queen who bends for no one! If you have a problem with my girl you come talk to me 🫵🏼 I will defend her with my life!

EASTON MASON THE MAN YOU ARE!!!! The way he supports and encourages Maya's career achievements and never brings her down is something every woman deserves.
This man is down so bad! He would bark LIKE A DOG if she asked him too! And the SPICE?!?! OH MY GOD TOP TIER!!! Easton Mason has a MOUTH on him!!! I am still thinking about the window scene!!! 🥵😮‍💨 The banter was fantastic! "Maya Baby!!!!" "Pretty Boy!!!" I LOVED THESE NICKNAMES!!! The way Sarah managed to cover their story in a 3 hour audio without feeling rushed at all is a TALENT!

Narration: Star Williams and JD Tomlinson are both new to me narrators and I will definitely be seeking them out as narrators again! They both gave a great performance and paired together so well!

💍 one night stand
💍 he falls first
💍 married in vegas
💍 exhibitionism
💍 he does her night routine for her
💍 novella
💍 second chance

Thank you Tantor audio for the ALC!!!

[Monica Bowers · Rating 2 out of 5]

The spice-heavy focus didn’t work for me. The intimate scenes felt awkward rather than sensual, leaning more cringe than chemistry. Elements like voyeurism were especially uncomfortable, and the repeated pet name “Maya, baby” quickly wore thin.

There are positives worth noting. I appreciated the Black FMC and the interracial relationship, and I liked the idea of the FMC working through her insecurities. Easton taking care of her and offering the love she deserves could have been genuinely touching, but the execution relied too much on telling us how in love they are, instead of showing it through meaningful moments.

By the time we reach the inevitable “you’re the best love I’ve ever had, but we can’t be together” breakup, it didn’t land emotionally. The emotional payoff just wasn’t there because the foundation hadn’t been built strongly enough.

Overall, this felt like a case of spice over substance. Readers looking purely for erotic elements may enjoy it, but if you’re hoping for authentic chemistry, and emotional depth, this one may fall short.

Thank you Tantor Media and NetGalley for the ALC.

[Yvonne W · Rating 4 out of 5]

A novella I didn't think we needed, until I read it! I am so happy Sarah decided to write a story about Easton, the brother of Penelope from The Soulmate Theory. This novella tells the love story of Easton and Maya, a girl he has been crushing on since law school. This story is dedicated to all the elder daughters, the girls who are ambitious and go after what they want. It's for the girls who are un-apologetically themselves, can manage everything on their own and do not need anyone to come save/rescue them. All of these traits are a part of Maya. I loved her character. She is so strong-willed and determined in everything she does. As much as this is a love story, at its core, it is also a story of how someone who is known to always be strong and takes care of others, finally lets down her walls and accepts the help and love of someone else. She learns to depend on someone else (Easton) and lets herself be taken care of. Easton is kind of a side character in this story because he is just along for the ride, supporting Maya and loving her. I am happy they have a happy ending and I am glad Easton is not the type of guy who's ego gets in the way of loving his girl properly. He is just the most supportive of Maya and her career, and Maya's biggest fan! I love all the MMC's that Sarah writes! They're just so perfect! Giving it 4 stars because I wish this story was longer!

[Krystle Smith · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don’t even want to give it 1 star. Very disappointing. I was given an ALC through Net Galley, thank you for the opportunity. The narrators I feel were good for their characters. However, the male narrator who played Easton was definitely cringe worthy. I’m not sure if it was the narrator himself or just the character he had to play.
The storyline….what storyline?? This book was hard to finish, I wanted to stop reading/listening to it after the first 3-5 minutes. It started out super strong, I wasn’t sure what I just started listening too. The description of the book didn’t match the “adult content” in the book, I didn’t get this intense vibe by reading the description. The description actually intrigued me and I was interested in reading the book. I think the intense “spicy scenes” were over done and took so much away from the book. Reflecting back there was only a very small part of the book related to the story line. If you want to read a really “spicy” adult content book with no story line needed to follow this would be a good book for you.

[Cat Lady Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This second chance romance novella was a delightful read.

Tropes: he falls first, one night stand, accidental marriage, friends to lovers, interracial, second chances.
Spice: 3.5/5 - some explicit content

Easton was infatuated with study buddy Maya in college, and after a tense Valentine's Day study session they chose to have a no strings attached one night stand. Maya stuck to her guns and they went off on their separate ways to law school.

Ten years later, Easton sees Maya listed as the keynote speaker at a conference in Vegas and convinces his boss to let him attend. Can he convince Maya to let him into her heart?

The audiobook was really well done! Dual narration (each narrator does all voices for their chapters) and both narrators were fantastic. I highly recommend it.

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, except Easton really hopes he can convince her to make their accidental marriage last for the long haul.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the ALC I received in exchange for my honest review.

[Lexie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Big thank you to Page & Vine Publishing and NetGalley for giving me an ALC to listen and review. Star Williams & JD Tomlinson did an amazing job bringing the characters to life. If you have a chance to listen to this over reading the physical copy, DO IT!

The Forever Experiment is a short and sweet Valentine’s story between two friends from college. They reconnect at a conference in Las Vegas. And after a night of shenanigans they end up accidentally married. Maya thinks it’s a mistake, but Easton wants to stay married. Will Maya be able to overcome her fears and will Easton be able to prove his love and keep the girl?!?!

I loved everything about this novella. And in all honesty it’s my favorite in the series. My only complaint was that it wasn’t longer. I loved both Easton & Maya so much and I wasn’t ready for their story to end. The banter, the spice and chemistry were off the charts and I can’t recommend it enough!

[Beth (bethsbookshelfx) · Rating 5 out of 5]

“𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘸𝘭. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯 𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘥𝘳𝘰𝘱 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘺 𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘗𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘺 𝘣𝘰𝘺.”
———————————————————————
This was my last book to be caught up in Sarah’s worlds, I feel so lucky to have got an ALC of this book. My first ALC and it’s a great one to have. I finished this book within 24 hours. I went on my first hot girl walk and this kept me company and kept me on track it was so beautiful to listen to. Maya and Easton are my loves and their story is one everyone should listen to.
I cannot wait to have more Sarah to read soon with her new series 🥺
———————————————————————
“𝘏𝘦 𝘬𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘮𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘸𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘪𝘵, 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘦𝘳𝘶𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘶𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭. 𝘌𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘯 𝘬𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘮𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘢 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘦. 𝘓𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘐’𝘮 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘩. 𝘕𝘰 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘦𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘯𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴.”
———————————————————————
💍 Accidental Marriage
💼 One Night Stand
💍 Valentines Day Erotic Novella
💼 Black Cat x Golden Retriever
💍Obsessed MMC
💼 “My Wife”

[Karen B · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up
A unique take on a second chance romance, with an added bonus of an independent woman not giving up everything for love. Law school students Maya and Easton have a special night together. A decade later, Easton cannot believe when he gets the chance to see her again at a conference in Vegas, and well, they end up having an accidental marriage. The pining and longing and never giving up on her from Easton as enduring, and I appreciated how Maya didn’t give up on her success for romance was also enduring. It was a bit hard for me to relate to the characters as there wasn’t much time for character depth or connection, but overall a cute, spicy Valentine’s Day romance novella.
I listened to this on audio, the narrators were new to me and I thought they portrayed the characters appropriately and I enjoyed their dynamic together.
Thanks to Tantor Audio for the ALC.

[Itzamary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mi Review del (ALC)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶.5

Ellos se vuelven a encontrar luego de varios años de haber tenido una aventura de una noche en la universidad que ninguno a olvidado. Se encuentran en Las Vegas en una conferencia de trabajo ambos trabajan de abogados aunque en diferentes areas. Y luego de una noche de besidas y de recordar ambos se despiertan casados. Y mientras ella quiere anularlo el lo ve como una oportunidad.

Este audiolibro es super bueno la verdad yo no soy muy fan de los libros cortos. Pero aqui creo que es una historia bastante completa. Y que el audiolibro ayudo bastante. La verdad cada narrador me hizo poder meterme en la historia. Y estos nunca los habia escuchado pero fueron muy buenos.

🎧Narrado por Star Williams y JD Tomlinson dura 3h y 42m.

**Thanks Netgalley for the opportunity

[Jana Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the audiobook copy in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve been living my best life working through Sarah’s books, and this little Valentine’s novella was pure serotonin. Easton and Maya? Immediate spark, immediate tension, and the audio turned the heat up to “I cannot listen to this in public.” The accidental Vegas marriage trope owns me every time, and the fact they had a messy little history from a decade ago made it even juicier. Sarah just knows how to deliver romance that feels fun, flirty, and full of heart, and now I’m even more hyped to dive into the Soulmate series.

✦ tropes & vibes
💖 Valentine’s chaos
1️⃣ One‑night‑stand energy
💼 Lawyer x lawyer shenanigans
💍 Surprise marriage (10 years later!)
😍 Hero down bad
💞 Dual first‑person POV

[Soren Alaric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forever Experiment is a fun, emotional, and engaging second chance romance that pulls you in from the very start.
The chemistry between Easton and Maya feels natural and effortless, especially with their shared history adding depth to every interaction. What makes the story stand out is the balance between lighthearted moments and genuine emotional tension what begins as a mistake quickly turns into something much more meaningful.
Maya’s determination and Easton’s persistence create a dynamic that keeps the story moving, while the Las Vegas setting adds just the right amount of spontaneity and charm.
At its heart, this is a story about timing, growth, and taking a chance on something real even when it’s unexpected.
A heartfelt and entertaining read for anyone who enjoys second-chance romance with strong character chemistry.

[Kelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

The audiobook, The Forever Experiment by Sarah A. Bailey is a pretty spicy story of Easton, who is Penelope’s, from The Soulmate Theory, brother and his relationship with Maya. I read The Soulmate Theory first and the characterization of Easton in this story did not seem to match his characterization in The Soulmate Theory- at least for me and the way I imagined him, and I found this really annoying. I really enjoyed The Soulmate Theory- this one was just okay. The narrators, Star Williams and JD Tomlinson were great, but the story itself was just plain cringy. “Maya Baby” and “Pretty Boy”?

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and to Tantor Media for the opportunity to have an early listen to this audiobook.

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

💍Accidental Marriage
💍Second Chance
💍One Night Stand
💍Novella

This was such an enjoyable read and the perfect palate cleanser. Maya and Easton share a one night stand, and ten years later they cross paths again in Vegas…leading to a drunken night and an accidental marriage. I absolutely loved these two and honestly wished their story had been longer. I just wanted more of them.

This book is perfect if you enjoy a black cat FMC paired with a golden retriever MMC and are looking for a quick, fun read that’s ideal for Valentine’s Day.

Star Williams and JD Tomlinson did a fantastic job bringing Maya and Easton to life with their dual narration, adding even more charm and personality to the story.

[Francisca Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Forever Experiment by Sarah A. Bailey is an okay read. I loved that it featured a presumed interracial could (presumed because the only thing repeatedly mentioned was how dark her skin was). I liked most of the romance and appreciated that multiple vulnerable scenes were included to add depth.

However, I could not visualize the prologue in a way that wasn't outrageous. Also, while I'm far from a prude, I am unable to find the word c**t even remotely sexy and cringed every time Easton said it. Speaking of cringe: Maya baby.

Star Williams as Maya has a melodic voice that I preferred. JD Tomlinson as Easton said "Maya baby" in such a grating way that I'm not completely sure the problem was the nickname itself.

Thank you to Tantor Media for providing with an ALC.

[Meagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Forever Experiment by Sarah A. Bailey
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Forever Experiment is a swoony valentines novella. Easton has been in love with Maya for so long, they had one unforgettable night together on Valentine’s Day years ago, then nothing. And he’s been pining for her ever since. Easton will 100% have you swooning, I loved his character so much. He is so down bad for Maya and it really shows. I listened to the audiobook for this one and Star Williams and JD Tomlinson really brought these characters to life. They did such an amazing job and I highly recommend listening!!

💕 Accidental Marriage
💕 “Just this once”
💕 Acts of Service MMC
💕 “My Wife”
💕 Literary Lawyer FMC
💕 Valentine’s Day Novella
💕 One Night Stand
💕 Exhibitionism
💕 He Falls First
💕 Black Cat x Golden Retriever