thanks to NetGalley for the eARC

⭐️=1 | 😘=5 | 🤬=4.5 | 18+

summary: two contestants on a reality dating show—one there to find love, one there to get followers—fall for each other instead of the man they’re supposed to be competing for

thoughts: the protagonists were so unlikable and manipulative and not morally proficient individuals in any capacity whatsoever, which does NOT make for a good romance novel—you can do gray protagonists in just about every other genre, but it’s not okay in a fluffy romance!! not a function of the genre!! forbidden!!!!!!!!!

furthermore!! whenever there’s a dating show romcom (see: One to Watch or The Charm Offensive ) there’s a plethora of identical/useless side characters (other contestants) and it’s annoying to keep track of; everyone blends together every time always and, again, romance novels are not known for the wide casts of characters. it just doesn't work.

idk. am I being too mean? but this was so frustrating 😭 and also I don’t feel like the MCs even had that much chemistry together?? like I wasn’t convinced that they had any reason to be attracted to each other at all?? and then the main guy they were supposed to be falling in love with is just completely sidelined and at the end of the book I felt for him more than either of the protagonists. like can we please not have the entire plot center around two manipulative lesbians trying to trick a straight guy into thinking they’re in love with him?? let’s maybe not do that! anyway!! did not love this!! no thanks!!!!!

*I received a free ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

I find reality tv romances hit or miss, and for me this one was a hit! I really enjoyed the characters, their journeys (lol), and their development. I also thought the ending was really strong, which is make or break for any book. I would have liked less content directly related to the show, I sometimes felt like that part of the story overpowered the romance happening between Kristin and Lauren, but that’s just my opinion.

Overall, an excellent sapphic romance to add to your TBR!

A great contemporary romance that taps into one of my favorite guilty-pleasure franchises. I was a little less sold on Lauren as a character at the start — the fact that she went into the show knowing it wasn't what she really wanted meant it took longer for the book to endear me to her than it did Krystin, who simply needed more of a wakeup call about her preferences by contrast. That said, watching their romance unfold week by week made for a pleasurable read, and the angst of having to keep their love story a secret behind the scenes was just enough without feeling overdone.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this edition from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book was a lot of fun. I expect someone who knows anything about reality dating shows would get more of the references but it was enjoyable nonetheless. Great characters with complex feelings and motivations.

DNF at 54%
I TRIED SO HARD and got so far...
Listen. I was as on board with this book as any human could be. The Bachelor with a gay twist!? Tell me no more, sign me up.
But dear god, I did not CARE. These characters were so dense, this plot was so slow. I needed anything to keep me going and I just couldn't do it. Maybe when the audiobook comes out I'll power through the last half on triple speed.
I think my problem is I felt like this book was watered down. The parts that were good (the kissing scenes, the confessional tidbits) were not good enough to save the rest of the book for me.

Sapphic love prevails on the set of a straight reality TV dating show. Krystin, a rodeo queen, has never had a serious relationship and thinks that Hopelessly Devoted is the key to getting her HEA. Lauren is an influencer who knows that she’s a lesbian and decides to go on the show to grow her social media following. Because a lot of people go on these shows to get something other than love, right? While they’re there to be dating Josh, Krystin and Lauren end up falling for each other instead.

I really enjoyed getting the different perspectives of Krystin and Lauren. It was especially interesting to follow Krystin’s journey of realizing her sexuality and breaking out of compulsory heterosexuality. It took me a bit longer to warm up to Lauren, she can be a bit of a prickly character. And I felt like it took longer in the story than I wanted for her to realize that she needed to open up more to people and not be so closed off just for the sake of her career.

The reality TV dating show definitely made for an interesting plot. I’ve never watched The Bachelor or any shows like that, so there will probably be fun references or Easter eggs for readers who are super familiar with those franchises that went over my head. I liked getting the interstitials of the confessionals from the main two women and the other contestants as well. Because the show was airing only a week delayed from when they were shooting I thought it would’ve been fun to have additional interstitials with online commentary from viewers, but that never happened.

Because the premise of the book is all of these women trying to date Josh, I can see why that might be annoying for people only there for the lesbian romance. So know that there is a slow burn in getting Krystin and Lauren together. And that the dating show is a massive part of the plot and Josh is there basically throughout the entire book.

I had a great time reading this. I think that reality TV and dating shows offer such an interesting backdrop for romance novels. And I’m definitely looking forward to reading more from Annabel Paulsen and Lydia Wang in the future. Definitely check this out if you’re looking for a fun sapphic romance.

Krystin is a rodeo queen from Montana who never had the time or drive to date. However, her luck changes when she is accepted as a contestant on the hottest dating show, Hopelessly Devoted. Finally, it’s her time to meet the right guy and settle down, all she has to do is beat out dozens of other gorgeous women with the same goal. And although Krystin seems to catch the bachelor’s eye, she can’t seem to stop thinking about the beautiful brunette with the cherry-red nails.

Lauren knows what she wants, and air time on Hopelessly Devoted is a direct path to it. She’ll stay on for half the season, get some sponsorship deals, up her following, and be able to take on influencing full-time. It’s not like she’ll ever fall for the bachelor, her string of exclusively sapphic hookups as reference. But a heternormative dating show is the last place she expected a stunning blonde with a proverbial lasso attached to her hip to steal her affection. Will they realize their feelings and stay true to themselves, or will the pressure of putting it all out there prove too much? Reality dating shows have met their sapphic match in Here for the Wrong Reasons.

What a fun book!!! I was honestly so game from the first time I read the description because I have a weakness for sapphic dating show storylines. This is a for sure slow-burn romance but after that first kiss it is spice the rest of the way. I also love that this was written by an actual couple, you could tell in the best of ways. The characters felt real and intricate, and the plot was tension-packed but also silly and fun. This book set the scene for more “complex queer female characters” in the romance genre.

Both Krystin and Lauren have their own “morally grey” moments but I think Lauren stands out in this book. She is immediately set up as the show's “villain”. Although initially rightfully so as she is cold, calculating and has no issues screwing people over to get to the top. The stereotype of everything that we are taught to hate in women and promote in men. But she is written with so much depth and nuance that you are rooting for her from the start. Especially her coming-out storyline, which I loved. Lauren is a fantastic example of how to re-write the “queer mean girl villain” narrative that heternormative stories have force-fed us to make our own.

Krystin is also a fun character, although completely different from Lauren. Her slow but transformative realizations felt on a timeline that would fit someone in her situation. She’s from a small town in Montana and because of her strict rodeo schedule, she always had an excuse to never delve deeper into her lack of interest in men. Plus she didn’t exactly grow up in the epicenter of queer representation. But Krystin’s transformation from a closeted unsure girl to a confident out and proud lesbian was well-paced and genuine.

I also loved the lesbian representation in this!! I don’t think this plot would have worked if one was bisexual so I am 100000% here for the dual lesbian love. And normally I am so tired of coming out storylines, I’ve just read so many and I think a lot of queer stories fall back on them as the “big moment” instead of giving us more complex queer stories. But this was such an interesting take that I can’t even be mad. I think it worked for this plot and it was also amazing to see the frontrunner “bachelor”-esque guy get dumped and humiliated. Hilarious!

As I’ve already mentioned I am a total sucker for reality tv-show plots. But we are so lacking them in queer romance! As much as I would love to see an all-sapphic reality tv show book this was freaking good for being so “straight”. My biggest fear was that it was going to feel too hetero but it didn’t and I am still shocked. It somehow felt so queer and sapphic and gave me all the butterflies in my tummy. Despite this book containing tropes I tend to dislike; coming-out, third-act breakup, miscommunication, it felt so fresh that I loved it. This is the perfect example of why you can’t judge a story by its tropes because it may surprise you.

All in all this fresh and spicy reality show romance is an absolute must-read. From the heartwarming storylines to the spicy rivalries you won’t be able to put it down. The immediate chemistry between Krystin and Laura will have you clutching the pages, I promise. If you like romances full of humor, spice, and complex, sometimes morally grey characters then this book is for you. Happy reading!

Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for sending this eARC for review consideration. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

CW: Alcohol, anxiety, homophobia, misogyny.

For more sapphic reviews follow @the.lebian.library on Instagram, Goodreads, and Tiktok.

Official blurb: “Packed with tension and humor, HERE FOR THE WRONG REASONS is a romp of a romance for anyone who has ever been surprised by love. A gorgeous story about identity and the beauty of being seen for who you are."

Reading, "Here For the Wrong Reasons", is almost like watching an entire season of reality TV with a sapphic romance thrown in. The authors did an incredible job crafting the background for the show and creating a realistic group of reality TV contestants. If you're at all a fan of shows like, "The Bachelor", you'll really like this one. As for the romance, I loved the premise of two women falling in love while competing on television. However, there were a few things that confused me regarding Krystin and Lauren, and their feelings for each other.

Spoilers:

I thought it was a bit strange how Krystin sleeps with Lauren and starts realizing that she's gay, but still thinks she might want to be with Josh, even though she now knows she isn't attracted to him. As well, I don't quite understand why Lauren pleads her case to Josh, resulting in McKenzie losing. Yes, it gives her more time with Krystin, but it also means either her or Krystin have to get engaged to him, or choose to self-eliminate.

Aside from some of the choices of the two leads, and their beating around the bush with saying how they really felt, I thought their romance was cute, and I loved the way the things ended up for everyone. If you're reading this for the "Bachelor" vibes, I'd give it a 5/5 in that department. For those reading for the romance, it rates a solid 3.8/5.

2 stars

I thought this was going to be the FF "charming offensive," but unfortunately, it wasn't.
The build-up and the romance weren't there.
I particularly didn't like anyone in this book.
I wish the book was more centered in our mcs rather than the show because I was so uninterested in it that I found myself bored.
The side characters were horrible, especially the other women in the show were a caricature of people. It was horrendous.
I had so many expectations for this, and sadly, it was a miss.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the Bachelor style concept of this book, it was a lot of fun for someone who loves reality dating shows!!
Super cute, easy read and a lot of fun. Worth the read for a fun twist on a dating show
thank you for the opportunity to review this one!!

I've been on a reality show kick since I started watching The Bachelor and when I saw this book I knew I had to read it. And it did not disappoint! I thought this book was really sweet and I had to take breaks multiple times and just walk around my room!
The only think I think would've made it better is if there was more yearning before they kissed because I felt like it just came out of no where. Still, I really enjoyed it and would recommend it to every queer person who loves The Bachelor!

Thank you Netgalley for the eARC!

To be completely honest, I almost put this book down at the very beginning because the bios of some of the girls were soooooo cheesy. I’m so happy I looked past that and kept reading because this book is as deliciously bingeable as the reality tv it is based on (with its own spin and plot twist.)

I could not stop smiling and laughing at this book. I HIGHLY recommend for fans of the Bachelor or Love is Blind but wish there were some LGBTQ+ representation.

This was so much fun! For queer lovers of reality TV this is a home run! It has all the things we expect a reality show like The Bachelor to have, with camera interviews, group dates, a colorful cast of characters and drama! My only criticism really are the references. feel a little bit dated already, even at the time of release. Maybe it's trying to appeal to millenials (of which I am one) but I wonder. Overall, the book is exactly what you'd expect it to be and if you like the premise you'll like this!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

This was a delightful book to read!

The characters were well developed, with good motives and issues. Their development was evident and enjoyable to read. I particularly liked Krystin and her slow realisation of who she is.

The dynamics between her and Lauren was very well developed too and we got to see their relationship grow and develop. The conflict seemed realistic.

I enjoyed the reality TV show aspect of it all, it was quite well built up. I would have preffered it to be a slightly larger focus, like in the Charm Offensive for example, but the focus on the characters was enjoyable too.

Overall, an enjoyable romance novel.

Give me a queer reality TV book, and I will eat it up every time! Add in that there was a MC from my home state of Montana, and I'm happy.

Krystin and Lauren are competing on Hopelessly Devoted for the chance to marry Josh. Lauren's in it for the influencer status, and Krystin is in it for a chance at true love. Little do they know what's in store.

This book definitely lived up to my expectations. I loved the journey of self discovery and the women being honest with themselves. I wasn't a fan of the way the show ended, but I appreciated the aftermath.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review!

I enjoyed the plot of this one a lot. It was such a perfect depiction of a reality dating tv show, and I really appreciated this, I felt like the setting and the plot were very strong, but it wasn't as strong for the characters or their relationship. I still really enjoyed Lauren and Krystin's dynamic, but I wish I knew each character individually better. Also, I know Lauren is an influencer, but i didn't need as much information about the brands shes wearing etc.
I did really enjoy the discussions of compulsory heterosexuality. Overall, this was a fun read, and I look forward to more by the authors, even though this wasn't a favourite.
Thank you to Netgalley for an e-arc of this book

3.5 rounded up because I've spent WAY too much time thinking about queer Bachelor/ette scenarios and AUs and at times this felt written just for me.

In my opinion, a reality dating show set up hinges on the characters' motives - why are there they in the first place, and what changes their mind? For this, Krystin's story was far stronger, though I feel like it could have leant further into all the ways she subconsciously went along with the compulsory heterosexuality narrative she thought she wanted and all the ways she's convinced herself that her queer experiences were the same as her straight friends'. For Lauren, I thought there was a big disconnect between why she said she was on the show and her actual experience on it and her journey (sorry!) to realizing that she's closed herself off from making any actual connections or relationships and kept herself from living, especially up to the point of her leaving the show.

It was really fun though, all of the clear references to the Bachelor franchise, almost 1:1 to the point that while reading I got some of this current season mixed up in my head. It's also a interesting look at all of the different ways people convince themselves and decide what they want, especially after paths change, the pressure we all put on ourselves to make situations work out and convince ourselves that we're working toward a good outcome instead of examining if we're truly happy or if it's just familiar. It has a lot to say about figuring out your sexuality and future in a very low-stakes way, which I appreciated with the setting.

There's a few things that made me blink or threw me out of the story (security cameras at the house and then completely disregarding them, the timeline of the show, etc), but overall it's just a fun read that I really enjoyed

This is a hilarious and sharply witty exploration of the world of reality TV dating shows. With sharp humor and keen insight, Paulsen and Wang deliver a witty and entertaining read that offers a behind-the-scenes look at the drama, antics, and unexpected connections that unfold on and off-screen.

This book was so entertaining to read while watching the new season of the Bachelor! I really wanted to love this book, but I unfortunately found it lacking. Don’t get me wrong! This was so fun and I was definitely here for all the on-set shenanigans, gay panic, and dramatic heartbreak. I just expected more opportunities for them to get caught in their sexcapades! They didn’t seem concerned AT ALL about a house full of cast or crew walking in on them?? (Even in the outdoor pool??!!) I also wish I felt a deeper connection between the two main characters before lust turned to love. Regardless, I will absolutely be recommending this to my friends! The queer community needs more fun romances like this!