Okay, this book. Holy crap. What do you say about something that blew your mind and took your breath away?? I haven’t read a story that’s made me feel this tuned in and excited in…maybe forever?? Compelling does not begin to describe this!!! It’s a romance but it’s also EVERYTHING. LITERALLY. ALL ROLLED INTO ONE. I am positively stunned in the best way.

I grew up watching survivor religiously, and I requested this book from NetGalley because, way back in 2014, Christine’s videos taught me that there was a community and shameless joy in books && also because Boston Rob and Amber are one of my OTPs. It seemed like a perfect match. And then I read the first few chapters, immediately in love with the arc of Orie learning to live and thrive independently as a new adult. And then I read the next few chapters and became suspicious that this book was a lot smarter than me. AND THEN I COULDNT STOP READING IT BECAME A FRENZY AND I CANT SAY MORE BECAUSE I REFUSE TO SPOIL A SINGLE MOMENT OF THE MOST FAST PACED READ OF THE YEAR. BUT THIS BOOK NAILS IT. EVERYTHING. I FREAKING LOVED IT.

You don’t need to love Survivor to read this. You just need to be a person who loves puzzles, heartfelt characters, and/or ROMANCE. Seriously. Add this one to your TBR. You will not regret it.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the arc of this book. All opinions are my own.

I will give my thoughts once SMP addresses their readers with an explanation. Until then, all my reviews will be withheld.

Survivor meets Love Island in this YA contemporary romance novel. Orie has struggled to figure out what she wants in life, from career path to partner everything feels off. That's until she gets the call to be on her favorite TV show. As she begins the casting process, she discovers that things are not what they seem as she gets attached at the hip to her high school crush. Through challenges and alliances, Orie grows personally and forms strong connections. But the one thing about reality TV is that you shouldn't believe everything you see... I would recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys a fun and quirky FMC, reality TV, and a unique plotline!

Life has a funny way of not going how you planned…you can either stay stuck in a rut or roll with it. When Orie’s life is not going according to her plan, she decides to test her limits and roll with it - right off to filming Survivor…or so she thinks! In the ongoing theme of rolling with it, it turns out to be a spin-off show about finding relationships. Although her life implodes before filing, Orie becomes the poster girl for the saying “the show must go on.” Through the fear, nerves, and turmoil, Orie shows us how to push personal boundaries and manifest independent strength, even when literally attached at the hip to someone 24/7. Attached at the Hip is such a fun read…and a powerful reminder that we can be a hopeless romantic and dreamer and still not settle for anything less than we deserve!

Review is on Goodreads and will be posted on Instagram late March/early April!

This was a fun, unique read. Attached at the Hip is the story of Orie, a young woman who pushes herself outside her comfort zone to apply for a Survivor-style reality show, only to discover that it has a romantic twist.
The style and structure felt pretty immersive which suited the setting - I could see it playing out as a reality show. The characters were all pretty distinct and interesting, but I wasn’t emotionally invested and the main character felt a bit juvenile, which was grating at times. The twists and turns were an unexpected bonus, and added some interesting layers to the plot.
I wouldn’t necessarily classify this book as a romcom since the central arc seemed more about the main character’s personal growth. It felt more fitting as a funny contemporary fiction pick.
It was an enjoyable read, and some readers will likely love it. 3/5 stars

I grew up watching Survivor and The Bachelor, in fact it’s the only tv shows I still watch!

There’s something about reality tv (and this book) that has me hooked.

We follow our main character after she realizes her life is not what she thinks. So she does the unthinkable…a romantic survival competition.

What I loved:
-the love interest was unclear for the first part of the story
-That as the show went on, I couldn’t put the book down
-the premise of the plot obviously

What drew me back to ~MY~ reality:
-the main character got whiney at times
-I got anxiety FOR the characters in conflict
-I wanted that one month reunion episode transcript as an epilogue SO BADLY to see the characters reunite and prevail

Rating: 3/5 stars
Thank you @ and @netgalley for an advice e-copy of this book!
It is available for pre-order NOW!
RELEASES: 5/21/24

So let me start by saying I use to be a reality tv show junky. With that being said, I was all in from the description and let me tell you……Christine Riccio delivered. This was a fast read. Like I literally read it in one sitting. The perfect rom com in my opinion. I could see this as a great get out of a slump review. Honestly I will probably reread it that’s how much I enjoyed it.

Attached at the Hip initially sold me on the premise of the book: Orrie is a Survivor spin-off show that tethers contestants together. Players have been selected based potential compatibility, so romantic connections are bound to happen. Sounds great, right?

Unfortunately, the idea of the book was more enticing than actually reading it. I think I might have enjoyed watching this as a 1 hour special instead of an entire book. I did persevere and read the entire book, but I really wish I could get my time back.

The FMC is a codependent influencer who is incapable of making her own decisions, which made it really difficult for me to root for her. She has YA book and movie quotes tattooed on her body, is an attention seeking 23-year old, and tries to reinvent herself on National Television for likes.

I was really looking forward to the romance, but was supremely disappointed. Every interaction she had with a member of the opposite sex had me cringing and rolling my eyes. Zero chemistry. I can’t in good conscience recommend this to anyone. 😬

The writing itself was so not for me. There were pop culture references every chapter, which took away from the story. I really did not like reading so many capitalized proclamations and felt the dialogue too aggressive.

The FMC had some character growth, but still fell into familiar patterns that I didn’t enjoy reading about.

“I was so eager to find my person, I latched on to the first prospect of a happy ending to wander into my trajectory.”

Either way, I’m thankful to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I hate to DNF a book. However in this instance I could not go further than a quarter through.

The writing style was not for me. It grabs from culture to try to make it current and relatable but too much so. The main character was annoying. I couldn’t build the relationship requires to read the remaining 75%

Read this book! I read a lot of books and Attached at the Hip felt unique and fun. It captured my attention from the first few pages and I couldn’t put it down (read it in a day!). I loved the character development of Orie and all of the unexpected twists and turns. Don’t want to give away any spoilers, but the slow burn romance really hooked me in. The author did a masterful job of weaving in realness, despite the reality show premise. I also loved the humor. Would definitely recommend you read this book!

This book was good I know it would have been better if I read it when it was hot outside it was cold at the time of me reading this book but it was still good. I don’t see myself buying this book but I’m happy I read it.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

Attached At The Hip was SO cute. I loved the unique premise of a Survivor- adjacent game show that was focused on love. I felt the main character went through real growth and I was majorly rooting for her by the end. The supporting characters were also fun and compelling, and I really
Loved the ending. I’m excited to see what’s next from this author!

Thank you again for the ARC!

Attached at the Hip had me wheezing with laughter. 😂 This is my first time reading one of Christine Riccio's works; I thoroughly enjoyed her voice and look forward to meeting her other characters.

The storyline was interesting. The main character, Orie, has a tendency to jump to outrageous thoughts. These led to some funny interactions with her competitors while they built relationships. While I love the plot, the end of the book felt rushed. I would have liked to see a little more about the characters in between the show finale and The End.

💬Favorite Quotes:

Osprey serves me hard look. “Orie—”
“You can call me Piccadilly.”
“I can call you Piccadilly? Why would I do that?”
🤣😂🤣
--------------------------------------------------
I want to be a person who does the thing. Who helps people. I want to be someone other people can depend on.

Where are all my reality tv fans at?

“I’m on a dating show you considered titling FML?”

I absolutely adore this book! I laughed out loud so many times while reading it -- a hallmark of a great book in my opinion -- but it wasn’t only that, this story was also heartfelt and intriguing and I loved every minute.

Orie has been in love with the show Survivor ever since she can remember so when she sends in an audition tape one day on a whim and gets cast, she has to take her shot -- especially since her current life is not really bringing her joy. Orie has never done anything solo before so this is her chance to prove to everyone, including herself, that she can do hard things. Little does she know that she is about to participate in an experimental romantic edition of the show and she is required, at times, to be literally bound to another person. In a game of cutthroat survival and risky alliances, Orie has to navigate new relationships as well as a high school crush in her quest to win a million dollars for her family.

Orie has lots going on but she is such an endearing character that I one hundred percent fell head over heels in love with her. I don’t want to give anything else away because following all the twists and turns of the story is the absolute best part but Christine Riccio is an amazingly talented writer and the way the story unfolds is just masterful. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time trying to predict how the game would go and yet in the end, I found that this book is so much more than just a story about a reality tv show.

I couldn’t only pick one quote this time because while the first quote hooked me, the following quote sums up why I love this book so much. “In the end, it’s not about messing it up or knocking it out of the park, it’s about getting up off the couch and doing it in the first place”

I really hope you check out Attached at the Hip! I think that it is fantastic and so much fun!

This book was described as a romantic adventure, blending worlds of Survivor and The Bachelor.
The main character Orie Lennox is chosen to be on Survivor. Except when she arrives it's the first season of a spin-off where every 3 days they are paired up with someone new and are literally "attached at the hip" with a rope.

I feel like this book was written for me. I am Survivor obsessed and a huge Bachelor nation gal. I'm a romance reader. Combine all 3 into a book? I am so here for it.
This book sucked me in from Chapter 1, and I did not want this book to end.
The main character Orio- is essentially me. The youngest of 2 girls. Book nerd. Her quote notebooks ("I like words"). Doom scrolling. Her obsession with wanting a "fairy tale". Friends references, and 90's movies references. She is my soul sister. I was all in on Orie, in a very full of myself type of way.
5 stars from me!!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the arc in exchange for my honest opinion. This beauty is out May 21!

Attached at the Hip is the ultimate reality show mixtape.
The book's charm lies in its witty exploration of love, alliances, and the quirky chaos of reality TV. The author crafts a hilarious and heartwarming tale as Orie battles the elements, questionable hygiene, and her growing feelings for Remy. The fast-paced narrative keeps you hooked, wondering if love can truly blossom in the midst of deodorant-free challenges.
"Attached at the Hip" is a delightful escape, a romantic rollercoaster where love blooms amidst the absurdities of island life. Four stars for a witty adventure that proves sometimes the best love stories are written in sand, not stone. Dive in for laughs, drama, and a reality show romance that hits all the right notes!
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

3.5 stars

This book was solid; it just wasn't off the charts for me. The pacing was a little wonky. The first half moved a little slower and didn't really give much in the way of development. The last half was hard to put down and flew by. The pace and development really picked up. I was so looking forward to where we were going and how it would turn out.

Orie was slightly frustrating, but she had a great arc overall. I am so glad we fleshed out the Remy/Orie situation because the chemistry was not hitting. I would have loved to dive more into the Survivor strategy and alliance building. Even though the show is pitched as a spinoff, it is very Survivor-heavy. I picked it up as a Survivor spinoff, but if that's why you're grabbing the book, you may not get what you're expecting.

Attached at the Hip
Christina Riccio
TBR May 2024
2024-23❤️❤️❤️❤️4.7
Romance, YA
📚📚📚 Summary. The Survivor meets The Bachelor. Orrie Lennox has no idea what she’s doing with her life. She’s just graduated college, and now lives with her parents while doing acro-yoga with her sister on instagram. She’s still dating the same boy next door she’s dated since she was 12. She’s in a rut. A life long fan of the show, on a whim she applies for Survivor. When she’s cast, it uphinges her life and she’s thrown onto an island. Where’s she tethered to a boy she knew in high school. And realizes, she’s not on survivor but a spin off with a romance angle. Will she pick romance or money? And can she be the last one standing?
Review. This was so much fun to read. Great concept and great execution. I love Survivor, and the book kept true to the story lines you would find. Orrie is a great character—still a bit child but on the verge of being an adult. Her growth is a fun journey, and I giggled and sighed along with her as she made her way. This is close to young adult as nothing explicit, but still a great romance. This is a great book for teens and adults alike—especially those who have ever thought it would be fun to be stuck on an island with only your wits. If you have ever tried to make fire, it’s a must read.
❤️❤️❤️JJ’s last words. I’m not eating a bug but this was a great read.
Disclaimer: Thank you to St Martin’s Press for providing me an electronic ARC to read in exchange for my honest review.  @XTineMay @WednesdayBooks

Thank you NetGalley for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I told myself 2024 was the year of not forcing myself to finish books I hate so I’m not finishing this book. The main character is trying to hard to be quirky but it feels so forced. There’s an overload of pop culture references and I genuinely just can’t deal with that. And respectfully as a Survivor girlie, annoying people get voted off of the show real quick and I would have voted Orie or Piccadilly or whatever her name is off FIRST. I had high hopes for this one but I was so disappointing.

I read this book on vacation at DisneyWorld with my kids. I couldn’t wait to get back to the hotel every night to get back to the story. As a long time Survivor fan I thoroughly enjoyed that aspect of the story. The characters were great, I want to actually watch the reality show!