Member Reviews

A great binge read for anyone who loves reality tv stories. for fans of the show Unreal and author Laura Hankin, this take on production of a housewives reality tv delivers intrigue, laughs, gasps, and hit its mark. It perfectly mocks the archetypes on these shows and exposes the rotten side of production and how reality tv is rarely a reflection of reality. I enjoyed it! I'd say the ending felt rushed and another 50 pages before the dramatic end would have bridged it better. Especially fleshing out the Alexander character and his role. I loved the epilogue though - I thought it was well done.

Was this review helpful?

3.75! This book was definitely a fun read. The reality TV aspect was done perfectly. Our main character Zoe is obsessed with making sure that her show is the most talked about on her tv network. The most compelling part of the story was all of the female characters. I constantly laughed out loud so much. I love reality TV so this book was perfect and executed the reality TV world as I know it very well. My only gripe was that toward the end the plot moved slower and wrapped up a little too quickly.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Kara Alloway for the ARC in exchange for my review.

Was this review helpful?

A nice little summer read for someone who loves reality TV or social media. There were times where I felt a little lost, but for the most part the plot revealed itself along the way.

Was this review helpful?

I’ll start by saying thank you to NetGalley and Rebooks, for an advanced copy of this book!
* I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*


This book did a great job at making you feel. I was angry, I would even go as far as saying that I HATED one of the characters. It takes you into the inside of reality tv. If you like reality tv, you’ll like this book. There were a lot of twists, it’s multi POV, and super well written. I wish we got Budgies POV, she was cool the whole time. Loved the ending, and the downfall of Zoe. I enjoyed this book!

Was this review helpful?

Thank you Netgalley and Rebooks for providing me with this ARC.

This book was really intriguing. I personally don’t consume a lot of reality tv but this book is absolutely made for people who do.
Why do women even participate in this kind of show, where do they come from, which struggles do they face and what is their personal agenda? But the book also explores how these reality shows are manipulated by the showrunners and their cut throat ways of getting the most „scandalous“ of sound bites or shots of the participants to twist the narrative into the most „entertaining“ outcome while having their own career goals in sight.
The book takes a very dark turn and the reader is left to wonder how far people are willing to go for their own success.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

2.5 stars

Based on the description of the book, I was really expecting a fun and enjoyable read. If this had been marketed as a psychological thriller, I think I would have enjoyed this book way more than I did. The ending couldn’t make up for how frustrating this book was to read up until the plot revealed itself.

Was this review helpful?

I would give this a solid 3 out of 5. Sometimes Dahlia and Sabrina were way too factual about recapping the action instead of adding of their own character's thoughts. I did see the big plot twist coming, but enjoyed the ride.

Was this review helpful?

This book was so good.

Books featuring the lives of several female characters were super popular in the 80,s but as soon as I started reading this book, it felt as though I was right back there.

Except that the women are all strong characters now and have to deal with a lot more than just a problem with their in laws.

My favorite character was Zoe. She was shameless and you could easily feel her need to be "special" The author does a great job of passing along all the important aspects of each character.

The "thriller" part almost gets second place to a very strong ensemble of characters who definitely make the book the read it is.

Was this review helpful?

If you love reality TV/influencers/etc. and are looking fora good summer beach read…pick this one up!

Was this review helpful?

This gives all the Real Housewives vibes and I’m here for it. A really enjoyable and easy read with a fun ending.
Thank you NetGalley for this advance review copy in return for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

This is a definite hit for Reality TV fans. 'Most Hated' let's you peek behind the curtain of making a reality TV series as you get to learn the truth behind why each woman has signed up for the show and the lengths producers will go to make a hit. This was full of drama, manipulation and secrets, I loved every bit and could not put this down. Most Hated is a wild ride from start to finish and well worth the read.

Was this review helpful?

This book was really good and also really stressful in the way that only Reality TV can be. I don't watch Reality TV for 2 reasons. 1.) I get major secondhand embarrassment and 2.) It stresses me out when they fight! For some reason I thought it would be easier and more fun to read about since these are characters and not real people. Instead I found myself hating the characters, rooting for them at times, and cringing and dying inside at every manipulation and turn of the story. I know it sounds like I didn't like this but I really did! I think it's a great look into how Reality TV isn't real at all and the people behind the scenes can manipulate the "story" at every turn.

Was this review helpful?

Most Hated by Kara Alloway. Thanks to @rebooks and @netgalley for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Three women try to change their lives through reality TV, but end up with more than they bargained for.

Any lover of reality shows and the drama within them will love this one. It’s basically a written version of a reality show, but you get an inside look at the producers , tricks, and fakeness as well. You will see why certain characters act as they do; genuine but also products of their immediate environment. It took some time for me to get all the characters straight but once I did, I was in for the ride.

“Because we want to make you look good. If we want to do that, we need other people to look like they’ve lost the plot. That’s how this works. Reveal or be revealed.”

Most Hated comes out 5/30.

Was this review helpful?

In a world where reality TV reigns supreme, Kara Alloway takes readers on a captivating journey in “Most Hated,” where three women find themselves entangled in a web of ambition, love, and the harsh reality of the entertainment industry. Through this gripping tale, Alloway explores themes of internalized misogyny and the complex dynamics between women, offering a thought-provoking read that will resonate with anyone who has experienced the sting of betrayal or mistreatment.

The story revolves around Zoe, a driven producer of the hit docu-soap “Talk of the Town,” who will stop at nothing to make her show the most dramatic, addictive, and highest-rated on television. Dahlia, a woman confident in her husband’s unwavering love, sees the show as her chance for a career of her own. However, as the cameras roll, her once-certain world starts to crumble. And then there’s Sabrina, known as “The Countess of Controversy,” whose seemingly perfect life falls apart, leading her to join the show as a means to regain control. But the pressures of the industry, her past relationship, and her own expectations threaten to unravel her life once again.

Alloway expertly weaves together these three women’s stories, highlighting the complexities of their relationships, both on and off the screen. Through their experiences, she delves into the pervasive issue of internalized misogyny and the struggles women face when relating to one another. The author’s personal insights on how sociological influences shape female interactions add depth and authenticity to the narrative.
“Most Hated” cleverly uses the backdrop of a reality TV show to explore these themes, drawing parallels to real-life situations that captivate public attention. Alloway astutely reflects on the fascination society has with women’s interactions, exemplified by shows like “Vanderpump Rules” and headline-grabbing incidents such as “Scandoval” or the cheating scandals on the “Housewives” franchises. She highlights the underlying implications of these interactions, emphasizing their relatability and the universal struggles that women face in their relationships with one another.

The strength of this novel lies in the authenticity of its characters and their emotional journeys. As the women navigate the cutthroat world of reality TV, their flaws and vulnerabilities are laid bare, making them relatable and engrossing. Alloway’s writing style is engaging, maintaining a balance between light-heartedness and thoughtfulness, ensuring that readers remain hooked from start to finish.

Overall, “Most Hated” is a captivating read that skillfully combines the allure of reality TV with a thought-provoking exploration of internalized misogyny and the complex dynamics between women. Kara Alloway’s insightful storytelling and relatable characters make this book an enjoyable and engaging experience. Whether you are a fan of reality TV or simply interested in exploring the intricacies of female relationships, “Most Hated” is a must-read that will leave you contemplating the power dynamics that exist both on and off the screen.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Was this review helpful?

I highly recommend this book - it's a super beach read, it's suspenseful, it's soapy and it's reality tv!
Most Hated is a fictional account of a reality show tell all and it's a thinly veiled look into the life of Kara Alloway - a Real Housewife of Toronto.

In Most Hated, we follow Zoe, a show runner who has put together a group of has been stars and socialites. Zoe is completely merciless and will stop at nothing to make her show the most talked about - the most well known and the most dramatic. It is addictive and eye opening and reminded me of the show UnReal only much, much better!

We also meet several women vying for a good edit all for different reasons. As the week continues, Zoe work behind the scenes to trigger the women and cause more and more drama, taking it further and further to the edge for a good shot - the ultimate question is, to what end? Kara Alloway provides an inside view to the well known culture of reality shows and the reveal is totally worth it. If you like reality tv, tell all stories or are just ready for soapy fun summer read, Most Hated is for you!
#erebooks #re:books #karaalloway #mosthated

Was this review helpful?

I am a lover of reality tv so I thought this book would be right up my alley. However, I wasn’t completely wowed by the book. I did enjoy that it really was like reading the behind the scenes of the filming of a Bravo reality show but something was missing for me to give it higher than a 3 star rating. I will recommend this book to friends who want a quick, beach read of sorts though.

Was this review helpful?

Does anyone else remember the LA Candy series written by Lauren Conrad that was loosely based on her time on reality tv? That's the type of vibe that <u>Most Hated</u> gave me, except darker. Either way, I was just as enthralled with this book as I was with that series back in the day. Essentially, a group of women who are all well known in their own right, are thrown together on a tv show that is being run by someone who will do whatever they can to get the drama-- even if they have to manufacture it. If you're someone like me who watches trash reality tv, you'll LOVE this book!

Was this review helpful?

📸 this novel follows a group of women involved in a new reality show called ‘Talk of the Town’. All the women have their own motivations for being part of the cast, good or otherwise, just as those behind the show will do anything they can to make it a hit.

🍾 I devoured this book. It was a rollercoaster - in both the fast pace and twists - and I finished it in a matter of days. I didn’t really know what I was expecting going into this novel, something saccharine and fluffy perhaps? But it was better, and heavier, than I expected.

📱 First up, I really enjoyed Dahlia as a character. She felt authentic, likable and I was thoroughly rooting for her throughout the book, especially when she made some tough calls and stuck up for herself. I also really loved Budgie and Sabrina - but I wish the Leo relationship was fleshed out more (was she ok with his connections to the show?). I also wish Aubrey and Sabrina’s relationship got a chapter or two more, but also appreciate that they were a subplot amongst other things.

🥂 While I also really loved the inside look into the filming of a reality show, I wish we got a bit more of Zoe, Fiona and Regan. And even Nicole actually- just a bit more around their motivations. Since this book leaned towards Sally Hepworth-esque thriller territory, I was ready for some villain monologuing.

📺 Overall this book was a novel I’d definitely recommend to a friend, and will be doing so when it’s released in May!

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest rating and review.

I can’t say I’ve ever felt the need to read a season of Real Housewives, but that’s kind of what this was. I didn’t hate it.

There were a LOT of characters, between the main TV cast, their spouses/families, and the TV crew. After the first couple chapters I had to go back and make notes of who was who because I couldn’t keep everybody straight.

There was no shortage of dramatics. It was sort of fun and silly yet frustrating. I wasn’t sure where the story was going or how it was going to end. I was mostly satisfied with the overall arc of the story.

Most of the characters were equally likable and hate-able. Budgie was a shining light throughout. I wish Zoe had gotten more “airtime.”

Was this review helpful?

Formatting on this was kinda off but still got the gist. It was really interesting to see the behind the scenes of taping reality television and how maniacal producers can be. The animosity and friendliness of the women had my head spinning and truth be told, I honestly wasn't even sure who I was rooting for sometimes. Good read!

Was this review helpful?