I was here for the right reasons reading this book. A light-hearted romcom featuring reality tv and sweet romance. Yes, please.
I enjoyed all the behind the scenes action - because you know what you see on these reality dating shows is not the real reality.
If you are looking for a bit of spice, you might be disappointed, but if you are looking for a fast paced romance that's a lot of fun, this is the one.
I am hoping for a sequel - perhaps with the other Dylan?

Thanks Netgalley, Jodi McAlister and Simon & Schuster for a great read.

Cece is a broke student. During a drunken night with friends, she applies for Marry Me, Juliet, a spoof of The Bachelor, mainly so she can make some money and become somewhat of an influencer afterwards. After being dumped on the first night, her plans are destroyed, but the pandemic (surprisingly) saves the day and she finds herself spending more time than she thought with the Romeo.

Firstly, I LOVE that the book is titled 'Here for the Right Reasons' when literally no one is there for the right reasons. It's something I always say with my mum when we watch the Bachelor and I love that it's a thing in this book.

I actually hate reality tv because it's so fake but I always end up getting hooked on it. This book goes into how staged reality shows are and I found it so fascinating. I'm not sure whether McAlister actually did research into it or if she made it all up but it doesn't seem far-fetched at all!

While you know exactly who Cece is going to fall in love with, the way they fall in love is not predictable at all! That's what made it so engaging to read. I am a sucker for a friends to lovers trope and this one was done quite imaginatively.

Just note that this is set during the pandemic and there are quite a few mentions of it so if you're not someone who wants to read about stage 3 and 4 restrictions maybe don't pick this up. But if you're like me and don't really care, then definitely give this a read!! It's a cute and sweet romcom.

The only negative for me was the ending felt quite rushed. I would've liked to have seen a little bit more development after <spoiler> Dylan professes his love for Cece and their life after Marry Me, Juliet has aired </spoiler> but maybe that's setting up for a sequel?????? I would devour that!!

Cece, broke and desperate, drunkenly applies for dating reality TV show Marry Me Juliet. She doesn't expect to find love, but hopes it might catapult her into the influencer life and solve her money problems. Problem is, she's more Hot Mess than Hot Girl. And it turns out, the show's first POC lead, Sri Lankan Dylan, is actually pretty dishy...

This contemporary romance is obviously a riff on The Bachelor and it is SO fun!! And when I say "contemporary", I mean it - the pandemic is pretty crucial to a couple of key aspects of the plot, but it really works and feel natural without being heavy or depressing. If you're someone who avoids reading about the pandemic, it's kind of important to the plot but also incidental, if that makes any sense?

Lead character Cece I found really relatable. She's 26 and reminded me a lot of myself at that age. She's a bit of a mess and not the "super hot and everyone's gagging over her" kind of female lead. I really liked how imperfect she was with all her hang ups.

Dylan is a wonderful male lead, he has depth and character, he's respectful and honours boundaries while also being imperfect himself. He's a nice boy not a bad boy, and nice boys are my weakness.

The author does not shy away from issues of race and I think it's dealt with fairly well. Both lead characters suffer from panic attacks and anxiety.

There are a few little twists and turns in the way this story unfolds that keep it interesting and prevent it from feeling predictable or formulaic. I just loved the very end too.

This is total escapism, a light fun modern day fairytale, with enough character depth to give it a bit of heart. Thoroughly enjoyed my time with this book.

This seemed like an interesting book. However, so many factors just didn't sit well with me. First, I don't know about having COVID-19 as the crux of the plot. Maybe for me, it's just too soon. Also, I just didn't feel like I liked the main character. These two things combined just made me not want to read it.

The irony of this book being called "Here For The Right Reasons", and yet no one was there for the right reasons, it's not lost on me.
After drunkenly applying for Marry Me, Juliet (The Bachelor inspired reality TV show), Cece James, an unemployed uni student, finds herself cast as a Juliet. Camera shy, but desperate for money, she agrees to participate. After getting eliminated on the first night, her hopes of getting out of debt, and making a name for herself send her into a downward spiral of panic. Set to return home, broke and embarrassed, a global pandemic sends them into a lockdown, and the contestants are forced to stay within the bubble. Little did Cece know, this would open up doors to actually spend more time with the Romeo himself.

This was such a sweet read. I devoured this so quickly. I mostly read it in one night, and while I could have stayed up until 2am just to finish it, I definitely knew I would hate myself the next day.
I loved the aspect of Marry Me, Juliet. I think it paints a great picture of reality TV, and it did set up a great love story.
If you're looking for a great, fun, and witty romance. This one is definitely for you!



Thank you Netgalley, and Jodi McAlister for allowing me to read this as an ARC. This is my honest opinion.

This book had a lot of heart. I liked Cece and felt I could relate to her. I didn’t always agree with her decisions, but I liked her personality. I didn’t feel as connected to Dylan but I did enjoy watching the romance in the book blossom and the twists and turns that went with it. There were some funny scenes, a great villain and it was an interesting premise. Overall a very enjoyable romance!

Cece is a twenties something woman with seemingly little interests outside of social media and watching reality TV shows. When she loses her job in the middle of the Covid epidemic she applies for and is accepted as a paid contestant on the TV show “Marry Me, Juliet” whereby 15 women vie for the love interest of Romeo. No guesses for how the story is going to end.

All of the characters in the story are female except for Dylan who plays Romeo and Murray the overworked producer. In contrast to previous series of the show there is a mixture of races and color among the contestants and Dylan himself is part Siri Lankan. All very politically correct, although it would be more correct to include some LGBTIQA. Furthermore, all are high achievers except for Cece who is a mere student.

The book is categorised as Romance. It should have the YA category. As someone definitely not in the YA demographic I found it difficult to relate to the story, finding it boring and trite. Even after putting myself in the shoes of a YA I cannot give it more that three stars.

I’m usually not a fan of the romantic genre as they tend to be poorly written and unbelievable, This book is no exception. I get they were in an extreme environment but it all felt rushed and far fetched, I didn’t like the two main characters and felt there was no character development at all.
Thanks NetGalley for the advanced copy……I guess.

Thanks to the publisher for the ARC.

The plot involves reality TV in The bachelor/ette style and a bit of a Cinderella moment.

Little bit of a twist in the tail that I think could have been developed and fleshed out much further. It really was a nice surprise but I think it could have been a real asset to the story if it was a bit more of a feature.

There were some strongly developed side characters who I really enjoyed reading about once they came into the story much more prominently.

The story did feel a bit rushed at times, but generally was a sweet enjoyable read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Had I known this novel was set during the pandemic, I would not have picked it up; which is a shame because outside of the pandemic related elements, I really loved this book. It was a fun, fast paced romance… I read it in one sitting! ‘Here for the right reasons’ follows Cece, a woman who drunkenly applies to a bachelor-esque show with her best friends - but she’s the only one of the three drunk enough to actually apply! After losing her job, she finds out later that same day that the show wants to cast her… a win-win scenario! Then comes the dramas of a 26 year-old woman on a reality tv show and her attempts to stay there as long as possible without being eliminated, her main motivation: the money.

Pandemic related dislike aside, I really liked the flow of this book and the chemistry between Cece and Dylan. Having the pandemic in this read really dulled the experience for me and in my opinion, it dates the book immediately, so I advise any readers to consider this if this is a turn-off for them as well. I definitely do recommend this read if you can look past this aspect of the book though! Personally, I feel like McAlister could have found a way to easily implement the exact same plot without the need to reference the pandemic at all… but that’s just my personal opinion.
Also, McAlister, please let Murray get some sleep… the poor guy 🥺

50% DNF

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced e-copy, but this book wasn't for me.

I really wanted to like this one, but I couldn't connect with the main characters and didnt feel any connection between them. I found all the conversations very flat and I didn't feel anything for either of the characters. The storyline didn't help as they were in an isolation bubble and Cece was no longer directly apart of the action, so the scenes felt very repetitive and didn't grab my interest.

Most other people seem to love this book and my lack of connection is in no way indicative of the quality of this book but I didn't feel like I could continue. I read halfway and i think that was enough for me to make that decision to not finish it.

I fell in love with this book almost instantly. Very easy to get into the story and while all the characters weren't 100% fleshed out, they were likeable and I really wanted things to work out. I am not an avid reality TV show watcher but have seen enough "looking for the one" type shows to know what this book was going for and the author did a great job. The story unraveled at a good speed and I really enjoyed the way it ended - not super clichéd. A great easy read for me.

I read this book in one sitting. It was so enjoyable, because I’ve been wanting to read a book that is based around a reality TV show (kind of thing) for a while, and I found it!
It was so fun and so different to anything I’ve read this year, I loved it.

This was fantastic.
All the drama of reality tv with romance to boot.
Dylan and Cece mesh so well. They have the kind of bond so many of us are looking for.
The mechanics of the show are written well and Lily turns out to be a fun character.
The little twist toward the end made my heart so happy. Especially for Amanda.
I received a copy from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

4.5 stars ⭐️ I throughly enjoyed this book!!

I absolutely flew through this novel! I was given an early copy to read and am beyond happy I did.

This was a fun read and I felt myself reading for hours wanting to know how it was going to end.

I loved the diversity and the way the author acknowledges that in most dating shows it’s not normally that way.

I also really enjoyed how the romance wasn’t Insta love. I enjoyed reading them getting to know each other, it gave the novel a more realistic narrative.

MILD SPOILER AHEAD!!!




The only reason this wasn’t a 5 star was because I would’ve liked the ending of Dylan and Amanda to have been expanded on instead of one line. I was really interested in learning that story but maybe it was this way to make way for a future novel??

Here For the Right Reasons… but none of the characters were. I’m super let down by this read, there was a lot of anticipation leading up to me reading this book but I was overall disappointed.

I didn’t see any chemistry between the main characters leading up to their declarations of love. The knock-off Bachelor style reality tv plot is predictable and unexciting. I feel like I waited too long for any romance and when it happened it was bland and didn’t make sense for these characters.

The running theme of the pandemic as an excuse for majority of the meet ups between the love interests is in poor taste- I read to escape what is happening in the world today.

Call me high maintenance, but I expect more from a romance novel.

3.5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster (Australia) for a copy of this ARC. All thoughts are my own.

As someone who loves Bachelor-styled romance novels, when I read this one was set within the current world pandemic, I was intrigued to pick it up.

I really enjoyed the new look into how a show like this might work with the pandemic aspect, and how we can judge people on one interaction without realising there's so much more to that person past it. Jodi McAlister addressed this well by placing Cece as a friend support to Dylan in this novel after butchering her moment in the spotlight. Their connection felt more real and relatable by allowing them to grow as friends and confidants first. The mutual anxiety that they shared was a nice touch, without the mental health rep being overdone.

I also really liked Cece's background and how it shaped her actions. As someone who has raised a child in a fostering type situation, I could relate to some of her struggles and see how the negative impact of being without firm roots as a young person affected Cece as an adult. I felt the depth of her character made it easier to gloss over her never-ending attraction and "woe-is-me" moments over not being picked by Dylan when she was falling for him.

The romance is nice, but I did feel when things started to get spicier, this is where I lost some interest in what had developed. The final third of this book is more about resolving things with a HEA readily in place, but it gets messy in the process, and some of what was set up previously was dismantled in a way that I found to be a bit rushed or less believable than the rest of it. Whilst it instalove isn't at play, once the confessions were made, I found both characters just fall in love way too easily and deeply.

That being said, this is a very cute rom-com, with good main characters that make you root for them to get together.

A wonderful romantic comedy full of love, passion and humour. There are surprising twists in this well-balanced novel and the story keeps you enthralled as you journey along with Cece and Dylan. Once again Jodi McAlister keeps you glued to pages with a captivating romantic read. Highly recommended read to all contemporary romance lovers and well worth five (5) stars.

Thank you NetGalley and Simon and Schutser for this ARC.

This was a perfect light-hearted read which was a real page turner.

Perfect for fans of the bachelor/bachelorette.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4742128116

I’m in love with this book! I started reading this before bed, planning on getting through a couple chapters then going to sleep… I stayed up until midnight finishing this book. It’s one of my new favourite romance novels. I can’t even put my emotions into words. I think this novel is just the epitome of that warm, fuzzy, feeling in your stomach. This book made me smile, laugh, and cry.

The characters are so sweet. Cece was a strong but still emotional female main character. I teared up multiple times reading her back story and inner monologue. Dylan was also one of the best love interests I’ve read in a romance novel ever. I’m sick of emotionally shut-off grumpy male love interests. Dylan was so refreshing to read and I loved him.

The romance was amazing. It was great to see a couple that actually communicate their feelings with each other. The friends to lovers story line was also the cutest thing ever. It hit me right in the feels.

The novel also covers important topics like representation in the media, and discussion of mental health.

Highly, highly recommend! Absolutely loved the novel and I will definitely be buying a physical copy when it comes out

eARC provided by NetGalley for an impartial review. .