At first, every characters seemed really unilateral and fake but as the story and the romance bloomed it unveiled a deep story about compulsive heterosexuality. Wished i were hooked from the get go but still a solid debut.

A dream. Interesting concept, had a lot of fun reading it. Really felt bad for Josh cause nobody talked to him.

Plot Overview:
➺ In Here for the Wrong Reasons, we're introduced to Lauren and Krystin, two individuals embarking on the journey of the reality show 'Hopelessly Devoted.' Each with distinct motivations—one seeking love and a future, the other with different aspirations—they find themselves navigating unexpected turns in a tale that cleverly mirrors the unpredictability of real-life romance.

Themes:
➺ LGBT, Lesbian, Queer, Contemporary Romance, Fiction

Thoughts:
➺ As someone more attuned to the wild and trashy rides of MTV dating shows like 'Tila Tequila: A Shot at Love' and 'Rock of Love,' I approached this book with a basic understanding of the reality TV romance genre.
➺ I found Here for the Wrong Reasons to be an incredibly easy read, a perfect palette cleanser for those times when you need a break from heavier themes (fantasy readers amirite?).
➺ However, I grappled with the book's predictability. It was so marked that it bordered on frustrating. This predictability left me wondering—was it an intentional mimicry of the often formulaic nature of dating shows, or was it a lack of narrative innovation on the author's part?

Final Thoughts:
➺ Here for the Wrong Reasons offers a light and enjoyable journey through the world of reality TV romance, with a refreshing focus on LGBT themes. While its predictability might be a letdown, it remains a decent read for fans looking for an uncomplicated, feel-good story. A god choice for those in search of a breezy, easy-to-digest narrative.

HERE FOR THE WRONG REASONS a sapphic contemporary romance that will surely please fans of The Bachelor and The Charm Offensive

4.5 Stars
I loved this book. It was amazing from the getgo. It was funny, emotional, and not to mention spicy! I loved it so much!

[free ecopy in exchange for an honest review- NetGalley UK]


3.30⭐️
So, it was good.

We follow two contestants in tv a show, but instead of falling for the guy, they fall for each other.

It was cute once they are closer, the beginning was a little slow. I did feel some chemistry even though I wished there were more scenes between Lauren and Krystin.
The lack of communication was a little annoying but it can be understandable as they are rivals.

I always wanted to read this sapphic /lesbian trope : I’m falling for the rival instead of the “bachelor”.
I really liked how it was kinda smooth for Krystin to realize that she liked Lauren more than Josh. And her “slow”realization that she might be into men.

Honestly, I wouldn’t have the courage to speak in front of a live audience, especially not these “cheesy” discourses. I know it’s farfetched but it was okay. I would have loved an epilogue more detailed abt them.

I don’t honestly know if I would re read this book (we can never say never) but it lacks some depth on some part :
- the tension between contestants that are together for weeks, but maybe it’s not that bad, it would have been boring.
- the fact that K & L are having a relationship in secret, I would have loved more drama (I know …)
- scenes with Josh, they are rather superficial :/
- at some moment, K & L were not behaving like adults, more in a childish way

Positives aspect :
- the fact that krystin thinks that only a man can fit in her life despite not having chemistry or else, it shows a little how compulsory het can impact
- and experiencing with her that she is a lesbian, or that she needs to figure it out
- the variety of characters and personalities
- how Josh was not a total jerk (lol)
- well written
- lesbians (obvi)
- HEA
- I may want drama but I enjoyed it bc it was not too heavy with it…

But overall, it was well written, a lesbian love story and an enjoyable reading !!

Thank you to Alcove and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

I would recommend if you're looking for (SPOILERS)

-f/f contemporary romance
-dating show shenanigans
-fake dating elements
-queer exploration

Gosh I had fun reading this one. The saphic dating romance we all need, where the contestants fall in love with each other rather than the boring bachelor. The chemistry, sexual exploration, and just messiness just pulls your right in. Lauren and Krysten both had their (wrong) reasons for getting on the dating show and it was fun to watch them just fall for each other entirely accidentally after not starting in a great place.

I cannot wait to see what Annabel and Lydia write next!

Get ready for a rom-com tailor-made for Bachelor Nation where the captivating premise mirrors The Bachelor but with a delightful sapphic twist.

The story unfolds within the confines of the reality show Hopelessly Devoted, featuring a "Beau" and 30 "Devotees" seeking love. The parallels with The Bachelor are uncanny, from the suspenseful "String Cutting Ceremony" to the coveted group date ribbon. Exotic locales, extravagant dates, hometown visits, and the inevitable drama within the contestant house - the book nails every hallmark of a dating show. Of course, there's even a fake injury cutting a group date short, adding a touch of reality TV flair.

Our two main characters, Krystin and Lauren, find themselves in the midst of the show's whirlwind. Krystin, a rodeo queen from Montana, genuinely hopes to find her future husband in the Beau, Josh. Meanwhile, Lauren, solely attracted to women, enters the competition with ulterior motives, aiming for social media fame and corporate sponsorships. Her plan is to make it far enough and then gracefully bow out just before hometowns.

As sparks fly between the girls, the narrative explores their confusion. Krystin grapples with her sexuality, while Lauren, accustomed to hook-ups, questions the authenticity of her feelings. The intertwining of their personal journeys adds depth to the book, making it a delightful and engaging read for fans of reality TV romance.

I could not finish enough of this book to be able to leave a comprehensive review, but I hope it finds its audience and I am grateful to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy.

Krystin and Lauren are two contestants on a dating show called Hopelessly Devoted to compete for Josh. Instead of falling for him, they fall for each other.

Here is the catch for me. There was a lot of side info to read in this book mostly bios and comments from the other contestants. Problem was I did not care about any of them. None of them were interesting, some even seemed a caricature. Yes, some of those you can find on these dating shows but I was here for Lauren and Krystin's connection.

Which brings me to my next issue, maybe I missed something behind the scenes (that were not in the book) but I missed some of the growing tension and feelings between these two. The first kiss was there out of the blue and even though we do get a lot of Lauren's inner monologues, I wish I had some more of Krystin's.

I know it takes a lot to put together the perfect setting and dating shows have a lot of things going on at the same time so if you don't ind all the extra things about the show then this is a book for you.

An ARC was given to me by Netgalley in return for an honest review.

This was a cute sapphic rom-com using the premise of two girls competing on a show called Hopelessly Devoted which is exactly like The Bachelor but instead of falling for the guy they're supposed to be competing for, they fall for each other instead.

I personally love a good behind the scenes of Hollywood type premise. I eat them up. So if you're a fan of lesbian romance and watch reality TV, don't hesitate to pick this one up. It was a super easy light read that I happily went to bed early for so that I could continue to read it while snuggled under the covers.

The author did a nice job with flushing out each character and I enjoyed how the book was put together where it bounced back and forth with cast interviews, behind the scenes while shooting, the down time and ....the spice! The ending was predictable but I wouldn't have wanted it any other way.

Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for granting my request to get an ARC so that I may share my honest feedback and review!

This was a cute sapphic romance for all of my bachelor girlies! After devouring Never Even Getting Back Together by Sophie Gonzalez, I saw this set up and had to try it. While maybe not as great as Gonzalez's, I thoroughly enjoyed this addictive, funny, romance.

Here for the Wrong Reasons is a sweet, if formulaic, queer romance. Set during the filming of a ‘Bachelor’ style reality tv show, chapters alternate between Lauren, confident influencer here to launch her career, and Krystin, rodeo queen country gal.

Lauren and Krystin find themselves drawn to each other while competing to win the heart of Josh, the hapless ‘Romantic’ who is the seasons lead. There is a journey of self discovery and growth for both women as they attempt to hide their burgeoning relationship from the producers, contestants, Josh and themselves.

Overall, as someone who enjoys reality tv as a guilty pleasure, I enjoyed the story and it was a nice light read to wind down with over a couple of nights.

The conversations in this book felt like they were right out of The Bachelor. I found myself reading excerpts to my roommates because I was so surprised by how precisely the author had captured it - like a bachelor episode in writing. I think the book would be great for Bachelor fans who haven't read something similar, but having already read Sophie Gonzales' 'Never Ever Getting Back Together', I did feel like I was reading a pretty similar plot to a story I'd already read and that I connected more with Gonzales' story which had more of a shared history and drama between the characters, whereas in this book we were watching more of a first meeting between the characters and I happen to be someone who connects more with the first option. While I was rooting for the characters and could feel their attraction for each other, I didn't totally connect with how they were driving each other's character growth and story arcs as tertiary characters seemed to be more important to these steps forward than their connections in their relationships at points and the miscommunications between them didn't totally feel resolved to me. Even so, if you love The Bachelor and love a sapphic love story, I still think this is a fun read.

**Thank you to Netgalley and Alcove Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review**

This was a stunning romp of a sapphic romance, with all the wit and humour to back it up. The characters were interesting and engaging, with clear and beautiful development. The plot was fun, well-paced and interesting enough that there were no dry patches, and the romance was so so fun. It was the perfect balance of emotion and enjoyment.

This was gifted to me by Netgalley & the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

THE SAPPHIC ROM-COM WE ALL NEEDED. Holy freaking cow this was such a fantastic time.

Krystin and Lauren are contestants on a dating show and they are competing to win the heart of Josh. PLOT TWIST, who gives a s*** about Josh. Let's just fall in love with each other? Yes.

This was just the best time and if you like queer books, you need to check this one out!

Thanks to Alcove Press and NetGalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for my honest review!

Okay, so something to know about me, I am not a romance girly. Of the more than 100 books I’ve read this year, this is only the second romance novel. The one romance entertainment that is a constant in my life is The Bachelor. We are proud members of Bachelor Nation in our house (hubby included)!

This book was made for Bachelor Nation. The book revolves around the show Hopelessly Devoted starring a “Beau” and 30 “Devotees” who are looking for love. Each girl has a string around her wrist that they are hoping will stay intact during the “String Cutting Ceremony” and they are all longing for the group date ribbon. I was DYING with all of the similarities to The Bachelor, from the exotic locales and extravagant dates, hometown and overnight dates, and of course drama in the house with the girls. And no season of a dating show would be complete without a fake injury cutting the group date activity short!

Basically, the two main characters are contestants on the show. Krystin is a rodeo queen from Montana who seems to truly be there hoping Josh could be her husband. Lauren, who is only romantically interested in women, is a content creator and, in fact, “here for the wrong reasons.” All of her internal thoughts explain that she really only wants to gain followers. She wants to make it just far enough to get a few corporate sponsorship deals and then expects to be sent home, she hopes, right before hometowns.

Throughout the book, sparks fly between the girls leaving the girls very confused, Krystin about her sexuality and Lauren, who is more used to hook-ups than relationships, about whether this thing could be real. Spice level was a 3.5 🌶️ for me.

As I mentioned before, I’m not much of a romance reader, but the frustrating thing about the plot of this book was their unnecessary miscommunication toward the end. I am involved in enough Bookstagram to realize this is a romance trope, and I do like the way they resolved the issue, but it felt forced.

I thought the premise of this book was fun; however, my main complaint about The Bachelor is that it drags and this book (I guess unsurprisingly) had the same issues. The reality TV script made the pacing feel glacial and we spent so much time on the bachelor man that the main romance lacked substance. So much of the book focused on the other women and the dates that the actual romance read as almost tacked on. Despite the pacing issue, the book was an overall cute and enjoyable read.

Thanks, Netgalley!

A very fun queer take on the Bachelor full of twists and turns. I felt the two main characters had solid internal struggles that they helped each other undo while they partake in the show. I wish there were more moments of them nearly being caught or a caught on camera moment where it really tested their relationship and whether they viewed it as just fun or are serious. They were being watched by so many people and I would have a hard time believing that something hadn't been caught on camera at least once. The epilogue also wasn't satisfactory since I rather the focus be the two main characters getting to be alone and happy rather than the man being there and inserting that he was fine but overall I really enjoyed this story. Absolutely, had fun throughout it and would reccomend it to anybody that absolutely loved the seasons of the Bachelor where the women left the competition to date each other.

What a fun read! I've been an on-and-off fan of The Bachelor for several years, so when I saw this arc was available, I had to request it. And I'm glad I did! As a lifelong horse girl, obviously I loved Krystin, and Lauren grew on me with every page. My dream season of Bachelor/ette would be an all-queer season, so Krystin and Lauren's love story is one I wish the producers had the guts to allow for in reality. The lead in the novel's fictional show was perfectly written — I didn't know shit about him or even care until the end, when he became a little more real. Come for the love, stay for the Bachelor winks and nods.