The Prime-Time Experiment

by Ellie Amos

Riley Lorrent doesn’t do feelings. As a 26-year-old cognitive psychologist, she deals in data, patterns and proof. People, on the other hand, are unpredictable entities she’d rather avoid.


So, when she’s invited to discuss her work on morning show television, Riley expects a polite, controlled conversation.

Instead, she gets Declan Montgomery.

A fitness influencer and personal trainer, Declan is infuriatingly confident and far too accustomed to being right. When their on-air clash spirals into something sharper, he proposes a design a six-month experiment to see whose approach works best. Mind versus body, science versus instinct.

Riley should walk away. Instead, she agrees.

Now forced into close quarters with a man she can’t stand, Riley is pushed beyond controlled variables and neat conclusions. Because this experiment isn’t just testing theories. It’s testing her limits, her patterns and everything she thought she understood about herself.

Declan thinks he can figure her out. Riley knows that’s impossible.

After all, she’s never done an experiment in love… let alone been in one.

349 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication August 17, 2026

About the author

Ellie Amos is a romance author based on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, where she lives with her partner and their gorgeous black cat, Pippin. A self-proclaimed lover of “grandma hobbies” and a devoted coffee enthusiast, she owns and runs her crochet business, Ellie A Crochets, when she’s not busy writing emotionally driven love stories.

An avid reader with a soft spot for romance novels that take characters on deep, transformative journeys, Ellie brings that same emotional depth to her own work. Her storytelling is shaped by both her academic and personal journey, influencing the way she explores character growth, relationships, and resilience. She completed her Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) in 2025 and is continuing her studies, working toward a Graduate Certificate in Positive Behaviour Support in 2027.

Ellie is also a passionate advocate for The Ehlers-Danlos Society, following her diagnoses of hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) in 2025. Through both her writing and advocacy, she hopes to foster understanding, representation, and connection.

When she’s not writing or crocheting, you’ll likely find her with a coffee in hand, curled up with a good book, chasing stories that make her giggle and kick her feet.

Reviews

[Maddi shae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for the ARC!

4.5 🌟

This is one of the most emotionally intelligent books I’ve read. If I hadn’t had a baby, I would have finished it in one sitting. It made me laugh, it made me cry, and it left me thinking long after I’d put it down. I love Leanne 😂👏

The writing was wonderfully immersive. Each POV had such a distinct voice that I always knew whose perspective I was reading. That’s especially impressive for a debut novel.

I also really appreciated the neurodivergent representation. It felt thoughtful and authentic. This isn’t my usual genre, but I found myself completely invested. Please check the trigger warnings before reading, as the story explores some heavy topics.

Overall, this was a fantastic debut novel, and I’m so excited to see where the series goes next. I can’t wait to read Dee and Tyler’s story!

[Hannah May · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC by the Berry Agency in exchange for an honest review.
I wasn’t expecting this book to absolutely break me. Since it was a gap between what I signed up for this book and actually reading it I didn’t remember the blurb. I just kind of went into a blind. So kind of just thought this is gonna be a fun little book, but instead I was crying. But I would not change it because this week was so good. I loved how Declan changed things for Riley. I also loved Riley and Ebony‘s connection. This book was just really good.

[Feletsa | The Dirty Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Prime Time Experiment by Ellie Amos | ARC Review

From the very first chapter I was sucked in. I genuinely could not believe this was a debut novel. This is an incredible start for Ellie Amos!

One of my favorite things about this book was getting to experience the world through the FMC Riley’s perspective. It was incredibly interesting to see how someone with Autism thinks, processes situations, and navigates everyday life. Riley’s character was written so well that it was obvious Ellie took the time to create an honest, thoughtful, and respectful representation. Riley is incredibly analytical, direct, and thrives on control. At times her honesty can come across as rude but I absolutely loved that the MMC Declan saw it for what it really was instead of taking offense.

The gym scene near the beginning absolutely had me in tears. While I’m not autistic I do live with bipolar disorder and that scene resonated with me in a completely different way. It reminded me what it feels like when you’re desperately trying to tell someone you’re not okay but they don’t truly hear you. When your own mind feels like it’s working against you and the people around you don’t fully understand what’s happening. That scene hit me much harder than I expected.

The banter between Riley and Declan had me smiling almost immediately. Riley’s assumptions about Declan in the beginning were so entertaining especially knowing what an absolute sweetheart he really is. He is everything I love in a book boyfriend. Kind, patient, thoughtful, funny, and the ultimate golden retriever MMC. Watching their relationship develop was so much fun and absolutely beautiful.

What I loved most about Declan was how deeply he truly saw Riley. He never wanted to change who she was. He simply wanted her to experience happiness and realize that she didn’t always have to carry the weight of being in complete control. He wanted her to feel safe, accepted, and loved exactly as she was. Declan has officially been added to my book boyfriend list. 🥹

Riley completely broke my heart throughout this story. There were so many moments where it physically hurt reading about how difficult everyday life was for her. Watching her struggle to communicate, watching people misunderstand her, and seeing how isolated she often felt had me rooting for her every single chapter.

I also found myself connecting with Riley’s fear that she wasn’t able to be loved and that everyone would eventually leave her. Those thoughts felt incredibly familiar to me. Until I met my husband I genuinely believed those things about myself too. Then I found someone who loves every part of me, the good and the bad, and has never once made me question whether he would stay.

In so many ways I found my husband in Declan.
My husband is my biggest cheerleader, my safe place, the person who puts me first, looks out for me, and loves me exactly as I am even on the days when I struggle to love myself. Reading Declan reminded me so much of him and that made this story even more special to me.

I also adored the supporting characters. Dee is hilarious, unbelievably loyal and such an incredible friend. Her friendship with Riley was beautiful to read about and every interaction between Dee and Tyler had me laughing. Declan’s family also completely stole my heart. The kindness, patience, and understanding they showed Riley was so sweet to read.

I honestly loved everything about this story. The characters felt real, the emotions felt genuine, and Ellie Amos had me smiling one minute and crying the next. It can be difficult reading about a character who struggles in ways that remind you of yourself but it can also be incredibly healing. Riley’s story was heartbreaking, hopeful, and ultimately a beautiful reminder of how resilient people can be.

I am beyond grateful to have received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I also desperately need Dee and Tyler’s story… like yesterday. 😅 I cannot wait to get my hands on it!

If you’re looking for a heartfelt romance with great character development, meaningful Autism representation, a golden retriever book boyfriend who will absolutely steal your heart, laugh out loud banter, and a story about finding love, acceptance, and happiness even when you believe you’ll never have it, I highly recommend picking this one up.

Favorite Quote: “I don’t need a version of you that’s easier to love,” he said softly. “I just need you.”

As always please remember that reading is subjective. These are my own thoughts, feelings, and opinions, and they may be different from yours.

Happy reading, lovelies! 😘📚💜

[Shae Noy · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW - Thank you to Ellie and The Berry Agency for this opportunity!

Rating: 4.5 ⭐️

Be prepared to cry, grab the tissues and a cozy blanket.

What can I say other than wow? This has got to be the most insightful, heartfelt romance I have ever read. Knowing this is Amos’ debut has me VERY excited for what is to come from her in the future.

Characters:
How refreshing is it to have a neurodivergent FMC? Just wow. More importantly though, an FMC that is neurodivergent, strong, independent and an absolute force to be reckoned with. Riley’s character development was something to behold, it felt both genuine and believable. I thought the structure in which she speaks/thinks and how it develops as she starts to heal was beautifully done. A standout moment for me was when she stopped trying to communicate her feelings with factual information and actually placed her emotions in regular feelings that the reader can understand. Riley is absolutely one of my favourite characters ever written. She doesn’t change for the people around her, she doesn’t change for some outside force to drive the plot, she evolves into a version of her that has finally accepted herself and her quirks. Her trauma doesn’t make her weak, her past doesn’t make her a damsel, it drives her strength, showcases her courage and drives home the fact that the only person that needs to accept her is herself. I also loved the development of chapter titles as Riley started to let go of the rigidity and structure she’d been using to mask her fears.

Declan? Well he is just beautiful. I think it is honestly AMAZING the way he was written. He never judges Riley for being different, but rather encourages and supports her individuality. There’s never pressure to be something she’s not, just straight up acceptance. At the end of the day isn’t that what we all want? To just be loved for who we are? He’s a goofy jock type but not in a douchey way. Amos really knows how to write a heartthrob that you want to root for!

Ebony - I don’t want to say anything other than I cannot wait to see more of her in the next story.

Dee is an absolutely wonderful side character. She too accepts Riley for who she’s is and pushes her in a way that is supportive and encouraging. She doesn’t baby or infantilise Riley, instead she encourages her to speak her truth and be herself. I’m very interested in her backstory!

Tyler is tbd for me, I need to learn some more before I make up my mind.


Themes:
Belonging, self acceptance and grief are probably the 3 largest themes I recognised in this book. Riley is on her own journey to accept herself and it is through this she manages to find a sense of belonging. She realises that people who care about you don’t want to hurt you and it’s a massive revelation for her that truly drives the plot and characters forward. The grief is a major aspect I can’t really talk about without spoiling anything but it is beautifully portrayed in this story through multiple characters.

The drawbacks?
My only issue was having 2x of the same neurodivergent representation. I would have liked to see Autism represented in 2 people in different ways to showcase the broad spectrum. There still would have been room for the characters to connect on a baseline level if it was done this way. However, this is merely me nitpicking and having a preference.

[Raie · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to The Berry Agency for sending me an ARC of The Prime Time Experiment by Ellie Amos in exchange for my honest review. ❤️

What initially drew me to this book was the bright cover and the fact that it was a grumpy x sunshine romance, which I absolutely LOVE, especially when the sunshine character is the MMC and the grumpy one is the FMC. 😂

I kind of remember reading the blurb, but honestly, I went into this one pretty blind, and I think that made me enjoy it even more because I really didn’t know where the story was going.

At the beginning, I was a little confused by our FMC’s POV and the way her thoughts were written. But once I realised that she was neurodivergent, potentially autistic, everything clicked for me. And from that point, I absolutely LOVED her POV.

I honestly haven’t loved a neurodivergent narrative this much since The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth, which gave me a very similar feeling.

I loved getting that insight into our FMC’s brain and seeing how her thoughts and feelings came across on the page. I also really loved watching how those thoughts and feelings changed as her relationship with our MMC developed. It made her character feel so real to me.

And then we have our MMC 🥹

I absolutely loved how open he was to loving our FMC, even though she was a little different from what he might have been used to. He was so patient with her, and I loved how, in those quiet moments when she was struggling in her own head, he knew how to guide and support her without trying to change her.

I also really loved the relationship our FMC developed with our MMC’s niece, who is also neurodivergent. I loved watching them find that common ground and seeing our FMC explain to her dad and uncle that their brains work differently, and that what she might need in a particular moment isn’t necessarily what someone else might need.

Those moments honestly gave the book so much heart.

I actually messaged Ellie when I was only 20% into this book saying that I was absolutely loving it, and that feeling continued all the way to the end. 🥹

This was such a lovely surprise for me. It’s fun and romantic, but it also has so much heart and emotion, and I really loved the way the neurodivergent perspective was woven through the story.

If you’re looking for a fun romance with a LOT of heart, I would definitely recommend picking this one up!

A fantastic debut from Ellie Amos. 💕

[allymj · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of The Prime Time Experiment & wow… what a debut!

I picked this up expecting a fun slow burn with forced proximity, banter and a 🔥🔥 fitness influencer (ps I got that) but I wasn’t expecting it to become one of the most emotionally intelligent romances I’ve read.

Riley is one of the most unique FMCs I’ve come across in romance. She’s analytical, observant, funny in her own way & genuinely fascinating. Her voice fills a gap in this genre!

One of my fave things about this book is that Author Ellie Amos doesn’t simply introduce Riley to you, she teaches you how to UNDERSTAND her. You start noticing the little things, the way she reads people & the way she moves through the world. Which makes the romance feel so much richer 🥲

This book trusted me to notice the small things & that made every interaction feel so much more meaningful.

I also loved that the female friendships mattered just as much as the romance. Women who truly see each other, back each other & make each other feel safe deserve more page time & TPTE absolutely delivered!!

It’s funny, thoughtful, perceptive and Riley is a character I’ll be thinking about for a long time.

Also… “the shirt has been a functional improvement” is officially one of my FAVE romance quotes (when you know, you know…)

Thank you, Ellie, for trusting your readers enough to peek inside Riley’s brain.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

🧠The Prime-Time Experiment by Ellie Amos🧠
🧡ARC FROM AUTHOR🧡
26-year-old Riley Lorrent is a cognitive psychologist; she's comfortable with data, patterns and evidence. People, on the other hand, are emotional and unpredictable. So when she’s invited to discuss her work on a morning TV show, Riley is cautious but expects a controlled conversation. Instead, she gets Declan Montgomery, a fitness influencer and personal trainer. Declan is confident and charismatic, so when their on-air clash spirals, he proposes a six-month experiment to see whose approach works best. Mind versus body, science versus instinct, to which she agrees. Riley quickly realises that this experiment isn’t just testing theories, but her limits and everything she thought she understood about herself. After all, she’s never done an experiment in love… let alone been in one.

OH MY GOODNESS! THIS BOOK WREAKED ME IN THE BEST WAY! First off, thank you to Ellie for sending me this ARC. This book delves into Riley, and through meeting Declan, she has to learn the one thing she doesn't want to: emotions. That said, the BEST thing about this book was, hands down, the connection between Riley and her best friend, Dee. The tears I cried from the 60% mark onwards were enough to fill a river, honestly. The communication, found family and hidden meanings in this book were beautiful. Everything about this book was utter perfection.

[Swati · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of the ARC received:

To be honest, I picked up this book because of the blurb: a neurodivergent FMC, opposites attract, forced proximity, brains vs brawn…but most importantly, a neurodivergent FMC.

What made me stay was the writing.

It was so visually immersive that I felt like every scene was playing out right in front of me. I honestly couldn’t put it down, I ended up reading last 150 pages in one sitting 😀… I think that says everything about how much i enjoyed it.

This book made me smile, laugh, feel giddy and even tear up at times.

What I appreciated most, though, was that it wasn’t just a romance. It also offered a beautiful insight into how a neurodivergent mind experiences the world. Maybe it’s the teacher in me talking, but I found myself thinking about how we can better understand and support neurodivergent people in our everydaylives.

There was also one particular moment where I caught myself thinking — isn’t this exactly what so many women hope to find in their partner? That scene felt so authentic and thoughtfully written.

This is one of those romances that gives you butterflies while also leaving you with something to think about.

Without a doubt, this is a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read and one I’ll happily recommend.

[Jordan Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book surprised me in the best way.

While there is a romance, I didn't come away feeling like this was primarily a love story. To me, this was Riley's story.

Watching Riley navigate the world through the lens of both autism and her past experiences created a deeply emotional reading experience. I am a huge romance lover and it was refreshing to have a story that focused on Riley learning who she is, where she belongs, and how to shape a life that feels like her own.

As the parent of an autistic child, I found Riley's perspective especially moving. Seeing the world through her eyes made me pause more than once and wonder if this is what he sometimes experiences. It offered a perspective that I hadn't thought of.

Declan was another highlight. I appreciated that he never felt like Riley's saviour. Instead, he stood beside her, offering patience, guidance, and the space she needed to grow. Their relationship felt supportive, allowing Riley's personal journey to remain at the centre of the story.

If you're looking for a romance that prioritises character growth, emotional healing, and understanding over extravagant romantic gestures, this is one worth picking up.

[Pousali Ghosh (thispandareads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book!!!! Think Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine and the Love Hypothesis coming together in a neat little package! I absolutely adored it. I don’t think I’ve read many book where a neurodivergent character was written so well, like as if the author knows this character personally! The start of the book was hilarious because of the way Riley thought and her actions. The emotional bits in the middle hit you really hard (check triggers). And Declan, man he is a GREEN forest! I love Declan and Riley so so much! The reverse grumpy sunshine trope is not something I knew I needed!

Also Ebony silently stole the show!

And you know what? I found the lack of spice so so refreshing! Plot heavy, emotional damage and laughs and giggles just the perfect romance book!

Riley is a little different because she perceives people differently, in the utmost logical way. So when she meets hotshot PT Declan in a TV interview, she does the most unexpected thing in order to be proved right. She agrees to perform an experiment with Declan. On national tv!!!!

I genuinely adored this book and I can’t wait to see what she writes next! Thank you Ellie for the ARC of your incredible book 💕💕

[Isabelle Gorton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received an Advanced Readers Copy for an honest review

“You are capable of love. Don’t be afraid to accept it.” Ellie, you broke my heart and summed up the whole novel in one sentence.

The Prime-Time Experiment is such a raw, heartbreaking novel about letting people into your life and learning that you are valuable just as you are. Ellie gave such justice to her characters Riley and Declan. Declan is so supportive and attentive of Riley from the start, even before he gets to know her on a deeper level. There continuous dynamic and relationship throughout the novel gives you hope for raw and unconditional love.

Riley is such an embodiment of uniqueness and self worth, showing the reader that everyone has value and love to both gove and receive. Thank you Ellie for giving such justice to both your characters and readers!

[☆Laura☆ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riley Lorrent nunca imaginó que una discusión sobre ciencia terminaría convirtiéndose viral en redes sociales. Acostumbrada a confiar solo en los hechos, acepta trabajar con Declan Montgomery, un entrenador que decidido a demostrar que ella está equivocada y que las personas son mucho más que estadísticas.

Lo que comienza como un experimento para probar quién tiene razón pronto se llena de desafíos, competencia y nuevos descubrimientos personales.




_________


Lo amé.

Al inicio Declan me cayo mal. Pensé que su personalidad sería muy diferente, pero afortunadamente demostró que no era nada a como se comporto con Riley al conocerla.

No puedo esperar para el siguiente libro.


Gracias The Berry Agency por el ARC.

[Cortney Walls · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this. This is a sweet, clean romance, no spice (but I didn’t miss it at all, it was so good without it) Riley, the fmc, does have some serious trauma from her past that is talked about on page so check your trigger warnings if you need to. I thought the autism representation in this was done so well, probably the best I’ve ever read in a romance book. And I am completely obsessed with Declan. He was so sweet, understanding and accommodating as soon as he figured out what was going on, and man was he obsessed with Riley. Riley’s best friend and roommate Dee is so amazing, I just loved her the entire book and I can’t wait to read her book when it comes out. Thank you to the Berry agency for the opportunity to arc read this!

[Ayisha Suleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc Review:

Wow just wow. I absolutely fell in love with this book! I honestly didn’t think I would get so emotionally invested but this love story is definitely top tier for me

Riley and Declan were such beautiful characters. Riley was such a unique FMC and Declan…new book boyfriend. He was just so sweet and supportive and caring. I love him.

This book was such a raw and deeply connected love story - true representation of what unconditional love looks like. I adored this book from start to finish and honestly…definitely going to re read this one asap because I miss all the characters!

Thank you to BookFunnel for allowing me to receive an Arc copy of this book.

Further exploration of this book is on my Insta page: ayishas.readingcorner

[Kate B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book helped heal me in ways I didn’t even know I needed. Seeing such fantastic representation of high functioning anxiety helped me to see how far I’ve come in healing and getting past my anxiety.
The romance is beautiful and realistic, it’s wonderful to see open and honest communication and emotion in this way. The premise of the bet is fun and easy to understand, making it an accessible read. The anxiety and detail driven thoughts, at first made me anxious, but then I settled into the story and it just felt fun to relax into this genuine, wonderfully complex character of Riley and her patient, truly stunning counterpart, Declan.

Take note of the trigger warnings as this book does contain some strong triggers.

[Leah Shireen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was so glad when I received this as an ARC. The neurodivergent FMC and Fitness MMC was a duo I didn’t know I needed.

Even though third person is not my favourite because I find it reallt hard to stay immersed in the story, I didn’t have that issue with this book. Ellie’s writing style and her story telling made it so easy for me to forget it was written in third person

This book had me giggling and kicking my feet but I also felt emotionally connected to Riley. Her control issues, especially in the first few chapters when things aren’t going the way she wants was something that really spoke to me.

[T · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC copy of this book, and it was an absolutely incredible journey. Ellie gradually introduces parts of our FMC Riley’s personality which was so thoughtful and truly allows readers to grasp a better understanding on the inner workings of her beautiful mind. and of course Declan Montgomery…I mean really what more is there to say?! he was amazing, patient and understanding😩 I already can’t wait to see what you have in store for us next <3

[Charmaine S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firstly, thank you to Ellie and Chloe at Berry Agency for the opportunity to ARC read this book!!
I actually took a few chapters to really get into this book, as I wasn’t use to reading/hearing the thoughts of a neurodivergent person.
However, I LOVED the insights this gave me!! Such an interesting love story, with knowledge I think more people should understand.
And of course I can’t wait to see Dee and Tyler’s love story grow 🤭

[Pan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was not an easy read to get into, but once I worked out why, and it did take a little while, it was a good read. The book is crafted in such a way that the experience of the female lead character becomes your experience, seeing the world the way she does. The male lead is a study in patience and observation. I admit I was more caught up in the dynamics of the characters more than aspects of the story itself. Generally speaking, it's a good read and enjoyable.

[Al Pal]

Genuinely foaming at the mouth it was so good. Wish I had a time machine so I could read the next one sooner. All of the characters are flawed but loveable humans and the main characters were well matched. The autism rep was chefs kiss.

[Drie Corley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really grateful to have received an ARC and I loved the book! Writing style was easy to follow and I was able to get right into the book!

[Naomi Margot · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars!

I connected with Riley straight away. I’m not neurodivergent, but I saw myself in her mannerisms. I connected with her fears and her backstory. As I got to know Riley I saw me! By chapter 3 I was invested with all the characters and I couldn’t stop reading. There are so many tender moments in this novel that I related to as a mum, a daughter, a sister and a friend. Ellie has captured trauma beautifully, sensitively and courageously. I laughed, I cried! Everyone wants a Dee in their corner! Want to start reading it all over again!

Thank you to Ellie for the ARC copy of this book!

[Bianca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book.

I was a little concerned at the start as Riley was hard to connect with straight away but I honestly believe now I am finished that it was done on purpose. As you go through the book get to know her and her Neurodiversity you connect, understand her and fall in love with her character.

I don’t think I have read a book that has explained and made me feel the effects of the characters neurodiversity as good as this. The author has done an amazing job.

This book brought tears to my eyes on multiple occasions, made laugh and smile.

I highly recommend to anyone