3 stars.

"Here For the Wrong Reasons" by Annabel Paulsen and Lydia Wang is a "fine" book. This will likely be a huge hit with fans of "The Bachelor" franchise, or people who love reality television. While I don't love either, I have read several successful books with this premise that have garnered my attention and praise. To me, I thought the concept was better executed in Sophie Gonzales' "Never Ever Getting Back Together." I thoroughly enjoyed that book... this one didn't always do it for me. I don't love the idea of one of the main characters, Lauren, only being on the show to get followers so she can be a full-time influencer/content creator. I'm sure there are plenty of people who actually go on dating shows to further their own careers in some way, but it felt like the lie went on way too long and manipulative to Josh Rosen (the main character of the reality show, the one looking for love). It made me feel some type of way about Lauren. I'm not saying that reality TV shows are the bastion of truth telling, but it really rubbed me the wrong way. This story becomes an enemies-to-lovers romp because Lauren and Krystin eventually end up hooking up, relatively out of nowhere. They apparently feel a spark with each other at some point, but I don't think the authors properly build the tension and connection between Lauren and Krystin like they should have. Apart from their one personality trait each (Lauren is a content creator, Krystin does rodeo horse stuff), they are very one-dimensional people and are not very interesting to follow apart from the queer love story (which, as I mentioned, is not all that strong). There is some decent cattiness and drama between the characters that leave the Hoplessly Devoted cast. The spicy scenes did not feel particularly epic, again, because of the lack of connection between them. Very forced to an extent. Like I said, some readers will gobble this up, but I had many complaints.

Thank you to NetGalley, Annabel Paulsen, Lydia Wang, and Alcove Press for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

Thank you to NetGalley, authors Annabel Paulsen and Lydia Wang, and Alcove Press for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This was sadly just fine ugh. I started off having SO much fun with this because it truly was like watching an episode of The Bachelor (which I've gotten really into the past few years off and on lolol). I liked all the drama, and I definitely felt a connection between Krystin and Lauren. However, this book really started to drag about halfway through. It could have done with some editing down of all the extra characters or even just time spent on each "episode" because I started to lose interest. I also kept getting really annoyed by the lack of communication between the girls. I understand discovering your sexuality and not always knowing what it looks like because as a lesbian myself, I have went through that personally lol, but in the book, they kept dancing around topics. Like the writing in the book about each girl's inner thoughts would even not be clear, which was really frustrating because it didn't feel authentic. Anyways, the ending was cute thankfully, and there were some times I had fun with the book, so it wasn't a total miss but definitely one that could have been improved.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy. I hate to say this, but this book is bad. Lazy writing, annoying main characters, zero chemistry between the two main characters, I could go on, but I don’t think that is in anyone’s interest.

There's just something about a book featuring reality TV that gets me to request it every time. I don't even watch that much reality TV, so I don't know what it is! I enjoy it all the more when the contestants fall for each other instead of for the lead. The Charm Offensive is one of my all-time favorites!

What I didn't love about this one was how long the lying went on. I get going on a show to further your career or because you feel like dating a man is the "right" thing to do, but I couldn't believe how long these girls strung Josh along for! I felt so bad for Josh the whole time that it was hard to focus on the romance.

Lauren and Kristin's romance also felt quite abrupt. It seemed like they went from not interacting at all to sharing a room and hooking up. I wanted more buildup and tension to make their relationship sweeter when it happened.

While the romance was fun and there was chemistry once Lauren and Kristin got together, the lying and second-hand embarrassment on Josh's behalf took me out of the story, even though he was supportive in the end.

I love watching The Bachelor, which is why I can never seem to resist a book like this when it drops. Here for the Wrong Reasons does, for the most part, seem to get The Bachelor right and I loved that aspect. I probably could have done with a little more of some of those parts, actually, but this book does a good job trying to maintain being a romance where the lead of the show and the romantic leads in the book don't overlap.

Krystin and Lauren are very different and they each came on the show for different reasons. Lauren is here to get more followers. She also knows she's a lesbian, but she's been comfortable staying in the closet and feels like financially it's a smarter choice for her. She's also got this idea of herself that she's hard to love and that if people get close to her, they won't love her, but she's so careful to keep her walls up that it's an interesting concept. She comes on the show ready to put on a persona and get far enough into the show that she'll get a follower count boost, but not so far as to risk being the one to hurt the lead. The problem she didn't see coming was Krystin.

Krystin is a horse girl. She's literally a Rodeo Queen of... Montana or something. I already forget that part and let's be honest, it's not particularly important. Anyway, she's never really had a serious relationship but she has, for some reason, decided that she MUST go on this show to find true love and she's definitely there for the right reasons. Only... Now she's accidentally kissed Lauren and liked it?

This book is such a fun time, but at the same time, I would have liked a little more depth. For example, it makes a big deal that Josh (was that his name? I can't be bothered to check.) is the first Ashkenazi Jew to be a Lead, but then there's literally nothing about his Jewishness that's ever discussed. And, if we're being honest, I could totally see The Bachelor doing that, but I feel like if you want to include that in the book, then maybe make one of your actual leads Jewish? But also, I feel like I'm nitpicking trying to explain to you why this book is a four star and not a five. Regardless, I would definitely recommend if you are also a Bachelor franchise fan. This was a fun time.

If you're a fan of shows in "The Bachelor" universe but have always wanted a sapphic version, then this book is for you!

This adult contemporary romance was fun as we follow Krystin and Lauren's journeys on a dating show as they discover who they are and what they want as the compete alongside dozens of other women for Josh's hand at different locations around the globe. While polar opposites (Krystin is a rodeo queen from Montana and Lauren a content creator from New Jersey), they find that they can't keep their eyes (and hands) off of each other and realize that neither one has any real feelings for Josh despite being on the show that's all about finding love.

It's a fun and fast-paced romance with great lesbian representation and vulnerable as our leading ladies have to find themselves along the journey and decide what exactly they want to get out of their time on the show. It's an emotional process, but they get to go from unsure and hiding from the world to being proud of their connection and for finding love, even if it wasn't with the leading man. They get to stop hiding their feelings from the world, both on camera and off, and take charge of their own lives. As they say, it's sapphic and it slaps!

Unfortunately this book just wasn't for me.

I was really excited about this premise. I thought this book was going to be a favorite read for me, but I just couldn't get in to this writing style. It felt like it was written as first person and later changed to third and it made it so the story didn't flow well. It felt disjointed and I really struggled getting into he story because of how distracting the writing style is.

There are a lot of people who will probably love this book but it wasn't for me. I had to DNF at 20%

Thank you Alcove Press and Netgalley for providing me with an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I love me a reality tv romance, especially when it’s queer, so I was super keen for this.

I felt it started really strong. I enjoyed getting to know these characters and what makes them tick and I absolutely loved the budding tension between Lauren and Krystin.

However the longer the book went, the less I enjoyed it. While the drama between our two MC’s felt believable given they were both in the closet and were both on the show looking to get very different things out of it, I hated that they strung Josh along for so long. Making it to the final two made me incredibly uncomfortable, not gonna lie.

This is still a fun, easy read, though, which I enjoyed.

Okay this book is just so great. Delicious drama, memorable characters, and all the reality tv you could want but way better than the real thing! I’m not a bachelor fan but I loved the hell out of Lauren and Krystina’s love story. Highly recommend

Enjoyable, quick read about the secrets we keep that keep us away from others but strengthens our attachments to loneliness. Annabel Paulsen and Lydia Wang manage to believably portray the realities and pitfalls of a show like the Bachelor and related media connections. I was slightly thrown by the insta love between the leads kept firm in the magic of the romance genre with that wonderful ending.

Thank you to Alcove Press and NetGalley for providing an eARC for a honest review.

Rodeo queen Krystin hopes to find her soulmate in bachelor Josh on a reality TV show. Fellow contestant Lauren, by contrast, is there to boost her social media presence. As the two women develop feelings for each other, their initial goals fade, leading them to question their true desires.

This novel left me with a smile on my face. It’s one of my favorite books so far this year. I loved the characters—they’re well-developed and relatable. The story was emotional and engaging, keeping me guessing until the end.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Here for the Wrong Reasons follows two dating show contestants, Lauren and Krystin, competing to win Josh Rosen's heart on "Hopelessly Devoted". While Krystin is there to find a husband after not ever seriously dating anyone, Lauren is there to further her career - she knows she doesn't want Josh but she's determined to stay on the show as long as possible without actually getting chosen in the end. However, Lauren finds her plans might be changing because of the pull that she feels towards Krystin.

And really...almost nothing about this book worked for me. I thought both main characters were naiive, immature, manipulative and frankly unlikeable. I disliked Lauren the most since she entered the show purposely to further her career. I don't know guys I just...don't love a character who is purposely lying to everyone. I know, really a hot take there. If I could somehow forgive her lying and manipulating, the lying went on wayyyy too long! Like she literally was the final contestant left and he was about to propose to her!!! I would feel bad for Josh but I don't know that I particularly liked him either? And Lauren basically never feels remorse for lying the whole time.

And honestly I thought that the dating show in this book was SO boring. It's literally the Bachelor exactly - sometimes even word for word like "hometown dates". I suppose they did cut "strings" instead of give out roses...so, if you were looking for a creative take on a dating show, maybe look elsewhere.

The romance between Lauren and Krystin (as an aside, I just had to look up how to spell her name because I listened to the audio and YIKES that spelling is a choice) came totally out of left field. Like genuinely I had to rewind the audiobook because it was just so unexpected and out of nowhere after them spending very little time together. I don't know that they interacted at all in the first 30% of the book. I also hated the third act conflict with such a passion - basically Lauren assumes something about Krystin and just doesn't ask her what actually happened and then they're no longer together!

I liked...that there were lesbian characters? and that Josh was supportive at the end I guess? and I guess the title isn't wrong, Lauren in particular sure was there for the wrong reasons.

I thought the narration by Mara Wilson and Lindsey Dorcus was fine, but I ended up speeding up to 3x to just get through this book and spite finish.

In the past few years, there was a YA book with a similar/near identical premise - two dating show contestants falling in love. I read and mostly enjoyed that one but said I would have liked it better if it was aged up to an adult book. Well, I sure got what I was asking for. I truly have liked some dating show romance books before (Charm Offensive!!!!) but this was a huge miss for me.

I like dating show premises, and that is one of the main reasons I did like this book. What let it down, in my opinion, is all the women. None were particularly likeable, including the main leads, though I did appreciate their stories. What really got me was how they treated Josh, who for a dating show lead, seemed like a mostly good guy.

Spoilers: I’m not sure I’d have forgiven as quickly as he did. Or at least not Lauren who definitely rubbed me the wrong way in places.

Overall 3.5 rounded up to 4

Thanks to NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review

I would like to express my gratitude to NetGalley and Alcove press for granting me the opportunity to read this book. Initially, I was drawn to the cover of the book. The story is about a group of contestants in a reality TV show similar to The Bachelor. The plot mainly focuses on Laura, Kristen, and the other contestants who are all competing for a chance to be with Josh. However, I was hoping for more as the characters seemed to be somewhat one-dimensional. Overall, I would give this book a 3 out of 5 stars."

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book

i was always going to struggle with this book as i am not a fan of reality tv and this book being about a reality show with contestants and knowing what they were getting up to i have to say did do my head in

but the actual storyline between the two main characters... the two that made the final was interesting and thats what kept me reading... i cant say that i enjoyed the rest of it as again i am not a fan of reality shows, you have to feel sorry for josh the one looking for love...

but i know others will love this book and the theme....

Here for the Wrong Reasons is a super easy to read, sapphic romance taking inspiration from reality TV shows such as The Bachelor. Krystin and Lauren join Hopelessly Devoted for their own reasons, and compete for the heart of this season's Hopeful, Josh. But as the contestants get closer, and Krystin and Lauren spend more time together, they find that maybe it isn't winning Josh's heart that they want.

For those who love:

❤️ The Bachelor
✨ Messy relationships
❤️ Sapphic romances
✨ Slow-burn
❤️ Complex characters

I really loved this, and even though I don't regularly watch reality TV this was really well done! Definitely one of my favourite romance books of this year.

Thank you to Alcove Press for an e-arc of Here for the Wrong Reasons, all opinions are my own.

If you ever watched The Bachelor Bachelorette and thought "wow this is too straight I wish it was more queer" then this is your sign to read this book asap!!!
Two dating show contestants Krystin and Lauren are competing for the heart of "Hopeless Romantic" Josh aka the Bachelor. Krystin thinks she's in it for love but has some really genuine personal growth on her journey on the show. Lauren knows she's there for the wrong reasons but you can't help but loving her anyway. Both girls are fun and strong main characters. I loved the satire and new takes on things from The Bachelor franchise. As a former fan of the show, this book had me genuinely laughing at points. There was so much sass over things in the real show that are so ridiculous and heterosexual and I loved how it was handled in this book. I loved getting a little peak into each of the other girls competing on the show and even connecting with Josh even though I was rooting for Krystin and Lauren. Overall this was such a fun debut for these two authors. The storyline is sapphic and lighthearted in the best way but there's some spice in there that is just perfect! It was such a blast to read! l'd definitely recommend for fans of the show or just sapphic romance in general. Can't wait to see what these new authors come up with next!!!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC of this title! :)

This was cute! I liked it, but I can see it not standing out much when I go back over the books I read throughout the year come December. I liked it generally but I can't pinpoint a lot of things I liked super specifically, if that makes sense.

I think the leads were fun to follow, but most of the characters felt pretty one-dimensional to me. Krystin and Lauren were decently developed, obviously, but all of the supporting characters, including Josh, who I think should have had a little more to him, felt pretty one-note. Thinking about it, that may have been at least somewhat intentional--on shows like the one they're competing in, the contestants always seem like they pigeonhole themselves into having one or two traits at best, and then proceed to bring them up in every possible situation. If that was the point, then I guess they did it well!

The romance scenes were probably the most memorable to me! They were really well written and some of the better ones I think I've read in contemporary romance.

Definitely an easy, entertaining read!

When I first picked up this book, I couldn't really get into it. I wasn't entirely sure where it was going and decided to put it down for a bit. Once I decided to pick it back up, I couldn't put it back down. I got so into all parts of it. The characters were fun and funny, and Krystin and Lauren's chemistry was undeniable. The dating reality show aspect of it was different and interesting, and it was easy to imagine the show playing out in front of me as I read. Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for this ARC!

Very fun and clever romance set on a dating reality tv show called Hopelessly Devoted. The book is almost as much about the tv show as it is the romance and I found that fun. The fakeness of the situations, the competition between potential fiancees, and the smarmy lines of the bachelor had me laughing out loud. Lauren is a super fan of the show and knows that she isn’t there to win. She has a growing career as an influencer and wants to get far enough into the competition to increase her number of followers and improve her brand. She is masterful at saying and doing the right things to get further.

Krystin on the other hand is looking for love. She is a rodeo queen from Montana and has always wanted that marriage and family that her parents have. She initially clashes with Krystin but then finds they click and she can talk to her. Lauren knows she is a lesbian but she isn’t out to her family or fan base. Krystin’s story arc is more interesting as she finds her sexuality. She has lived in a heteronormative world. I did think the ending was drawn out too long but I love how things worked out. Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for the ARC and I am leaving a voluntary review.