This Book was so unique! I really appreciated how it showed the amount of manipulation these types of shows create both in front of and behind the camera, and how that affects the contestants’ mental health. I also liked how it shows the public response to the shows as they air. The main character was so funny, relatable, and even infuriating at times. Highly recommend this especially if you watch reality dating shows!

As someone who considers a reality dating show my guilty pleasure, this was such an intriguing read that gave some of the beloved high drama alongside a critical look at the production side of reality tv. Casting truly is everything, right?

However, the summary giving us comps of Fleabag and Emily Henry didn’t quite resonate for me. While this wasn’t what I expected, I over all enjoyed the story and it was a great poolside read.

This was an interesting story. Let me start by saying I don't watch any of the "reality" dating shows. But I found this story a real page-turner. Jac joins the show to attempt to gain social media followers and book sales. From the descriptions of her books, they were very poorly received. She is older than other contestants, but manages to connect with one of them on a friendly level. She's painted as the villain through the show, but I found I kind of agreed. She was quite the manipulator and didn't want bothered with the other girls and hated doing all the activities like girl chats and "in the moment" chats. Marcus was okay at first, but I agreed with Jac's assessment that she couldn't get to now him. Henry, the producer/one-night-stand, was where all the chemistry was at for me. The ending was a little rushed for me. I wished we had more. Overall, it felt like a behind-the-scenes look at one of those shows, and according to the end note, there was quite a bit of research so it felt like a real exposé.

As someone who hasn't ever watched the Bachelor/Bachelorette but has seen some other reality "dating" shows and enjoyed them, the premise of this novel definitely caught my attention.

This book was just as messy, toxic, and engaging as the shows themselves, which can be seen as a good and bad thing. I also really like the "behind the scenes" aspect found in the excerpts between chapters and following some dialogue/events throughout the writing.

If the goal of this novel was to help humanize and provide some insight into to the psyche of the type of people you take part in modern reality shows, it did a fantastic job.

Thank you Laurie Devore, NetGalley, Avon, and Harper for the E-ARC.

The Villain Edit, a darkly entertaining romance that embraces everything that’s great (and awful) about the reality television business. If you’re a fan of competitive dating shows or only just watched UnReal for a couple of seasons, you’ll find plenty to enjoy here in this journey of a woman who accidentally makes herself the woman everyone loves to hate on a Bachelor-style dating show.

**Book Review: "The Villain Edit" by Laurie Devore**

Laurie Devore's "The Villain Edit" delves into the turbulent world of reality TV and the psychological complexities that underpin it. The novel follows the journey of 17-year-old protagonist April Donovan, whose life takes an unexpected turn when she becomes a contestant on a popular reality show called "The Fishbowl." Known for its cutthroat competitiveness and manipulation tactics, the show becomes a stage where April must confront her deepest insecurities and desires.

Devore's narrative is a compelling exploration of identity and morality in the context of fame and social media. The strengths of the novel lie in its vivid portrayal of the pressures faced by young adults thrust into the spotlight. April's internal struggles with authenticity versus performance resonate authentically, capturing the existential crises many teenagers experience in today's hyper-connected world.

One of the novel's standout features is Devore's ability to craft complex, flawed characters. April is not a typical heroine; she is manipulative, driven by ambition, and often morally ambiguous. This portrayal adds depth to the story, challenging readers to question their own judgments and perceptions of right and wrong. The supporting cast, including fellow contestants and behind-the-scenes influencers, further enriches the narrative, each character contributing to the overarching theme of image versus reality.

However, despite these strengths, "The Villain Edit" occasionally falters in its pacing and plot execution. The novel's transition from April's ordinary life to the high-stakes world of reality TV feels rushed at times, with certain pivotal moments lacking the emotional depth they deserve. As a result, some plot developments may come across as predictable or underdeveloped, detracting from the overall impact of the story.

Furthermore, while Devore adeptly explores themes of manipulation and the consequences of seeking validation from external sources, the resolution of April's character arc feels somewhat abrupt. The novel's ending, while satisfying in some respects, leaves certain threads unresolved, leaving readers with lingering questions about April's ultimate growth and redemption.

In conclusion, "The Villain Edit" by Laurie Devore is a thought-provoking read that shines in its portrayal of complex characters and the dark allure of fame. It navigates themes of identity, ambition, and morality with nuance, offering readers a glimpse into the tumultuous world of reality television through the eyes of a compelling protagonist. While the novel stumbles in pacing and plot development, its strengths lie in its introspective exploration of human nature and the pursuit of validation. Devore's ability to capture the moral ambiguities of modern-day media culture makes "The Villain Edit" a noteworthy addition to the young adult fiction landscape, despite its occasional narrative missteps.

Despite my love for reality TV, I don’t watch dating shows and have only seen the first two seasons of The Bachelor. I enjoyed it - it was entertaining, but not exactly memorable.

I have the same feelings about this book, which I think was meant purposefully.

People behaving badly (or being perceived as such) will always have a must-watch (or in this case, must-read) element to it. It creates drama, conflict, messiness – all things that are always welcome in moderation.

As a reality TV junkie this was a fun imagining of the behind the scenes of my favorite dating shows. I enjoyed rooting for the anti-hero, and wondering who to trust and who was there for the "right reasons."

Jac, a failing romance novelist, wakes up one day and decides to generate popularity and book sales by going on a dating reality show — the 1. Forever the relationship-abhorrent author, Jac thinks, maybe she will fall in-love with Marcus, the 1’s bachelor.

While in isolation before joining the rest of the cast, Jac meets Henry at a bar and has a wonderful one night stand. She connects with Henry easily, but she knows she’ll never see him again….maybe.

Low and behold, Henry is one of the 1’s producers and Jac can’t stay away from him! Not only is Henry charming, hot and sexy, he’s also Turing Jac into this season’s most hated villain.

Can Jac turn Marcus’s head and get the guy? Will America hate Jac like most of the cast? Is Henry out to get her and can Jac ever find true love?

My thoughts:
Wow! I lLOVED this theatrical and suspenseful, very entertaining romance-like story! Jac is absolutely fabulous and so easy to love! Witty, no-nonsense and hot af! She’s a disaster though and I love it! A fast page-turner that was over way too fast!

Readers of Lucy Score will love this book!

I have never watched the Bachelor or any of the reality shows related to it, so maybe that is why this one was hard for me. I felt like I was as trapped as Jac because I didn't want to stop reading even when I wasn't feeling it. I wanted to see how it all turned out for Jac in the end. I didn't really care for the supporting characters. I wanted to care more about Jac, but it was tough for me. However, as much as this one wasn't for me, I am recommending to those who love reality tv and the New Adult crowd. I think this book has an audience, but it is a narrow one.

A complicated, messy, toxic love story alongside a scathing review of reality tv and the people we let it make us - contestants, producers, and viewers alike. And if you don’t find bitchy women (I say that lovingly) and the seedy underbelly of reality tv intriguing, then you’re wrong.
I may have found a new favorite romance author. It’s tough to deliver me the right combination cheese and happy endings vs. cynicism and stark reality. But this? It was the perfect ratio for a true jaded romantic.

As a big fan of The Bachelor franchise, I really enjoyed this book. It was fascinating reading the story through the eyes of a contestant. Experiencing all the behind-the-scenes situations and seeing how the producers manipulated and created storylines was wild. I could not look away from the drama and scandals! As much as I wanted to root for the main character though, there were definitely several times throughout the book where I did not like her haha that was the point tho! Overall, if you’re a fan of reality TV I think you’ll like this!

Thanks to NetGalley, BookClubGirl, Avon Books, and Harper Voyager US for this copy of "The Villain Edit."

Jacqueline is a romance novelist whose career and self-confidence are plummeting. To help generate interest in her books again, she goes on a Bachelor-type show and finds that she's being cast as "the villain."

I thought the premise sounded really interesting, but I've never watched any of Bachelor-type shows, so I found it hard to follow some of the situations that Jacqueline encounters. The constant microphones? The nudges from producers to script specific scenes? The video editing that makes her appear to be " the villain"?

It felt almost more like a fictionalized expose of what actually happens on reality dating shows, so definitely read this if you enjoy them.

ɴᴇᴛɢᴀʟʟᴇʏ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ || THE VILLAIN EDIT [thank you to @avonbooks and @netgalley for my #gifted copy!]

Title: The Villain Edit by Laurie Devore
Genre: Romance? Contemporary Fiction?
Format: Digital
Star Rating: ★★★★☆

ꜱᴜᴍᴍᴀʀʏ:
Romance novelist Jacqueline Matthis's career is floundering, prompting her to leave New York City for her hometown in South Carolina. Desperate for a comeback, Jac decides to become a contestant on the world's most popular reality dating show, The 1. With her romance-writing skills, she quickly becomes a favorite for bachelor Marcus's heart. However, she soon discovers that Henry Foster, her last one-night stand, is a producer on the show. As their secret affair intensifies, Jac finds herself getting the villain edit on TV. With her plan unraveling, Jac fears the fallout if Marcus chooses her or if her relationship with Henry is exposed, questioning whether her attempt to save her career has instead ruined her life.

ᴍʏ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛꜱ:
Okay, first and foremost, let me say that I was absolutely RIVETED by this book. I had NO IDEA how everything was going to resolve itself and, for being about reality TV, it kept me on the edge of my seat. I loved that we got what sort of amounted to simultaneous dual-timelines because we got to see what was happening to Jac in the moment (pun intended) and we got to see her commentary of how that moment was EDITED for television. SO GOOD.

That said, this is a dark, sad, tense book. It will make you question all of your positive feelings about reality TV, and it will make you want to root for the villain. This story will stay with me for a while - and I’m not mad about it. I won’t say more as to not give anything away - but I highly recommend this one if you’re at all into reality TV.

ʀᴇᴀᴅ ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ʟɪᴋᴇ:
Unlikeable MCs
BTS Reality TV
The Bachelor
Being Heavily Skeptic of The Bachelor
Books that Feel Like TV
Toxic Characters

ᴅᴇᴛᴀɪʟꜱ:
GR: 3.91 ⭐️
# of Pages: 336
Pub Date: July 2, 2024

3.5 rounded down to 3.

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC of this book.

This was a fun peek at the inside workings of The Bachelor(ette). I'm well aware of how produced these shows are, but it was crazy to see how manipulated situations become. It's insane to me that they peg a person to be the villain/bitch from the beginning and then produce it into existence with crafty editing. I don't watch these shows, but this just confirms for me exactly why I don't.

It was an interesting read. I love behind the scenes books. I just thought there were quite a few holes that made things difficult to understand.

*SPOILERS AHEAD*

I was just a little confused when I finished the book. The entire time I was reading I thought there was going to be a big reveal of something in the previous season and there just wasn't. Not a single mic drop, nothing to make me gasp. I was so confused at the setup of something big coming.

I also didn't understand the development of the relationship between Jac and Henry. It seemed to come completely out of nowhere. A one night stand turns into them falling in love when they have virtually no contact with each other in between. It seemed as unbelievable as someone actually finding love in the show itself.

I really enjoyed this book! The Bachelor is one of the only tv shows I follow anymore. I binged this book like watching The Bachelor! It was such a fun, unique and fresh take. I wished the romance was more in the spotlight, as it felt more on the side. For probably half the book I wasn’t even sure who the love interest was supposed to be. I did a Bookstagram review post that I have linked down below.

Jacqueline Matthis is a writer who can’t write. After college, she moved to New York City and got herself a lucrative 3-book contract for her romance novels. But when she wrote the first one without a happily ever after, sales went down, and the second book barely got off the ground. Her publisher canceled the third book, and Jac had to move back home to South Carolina. She needed something to jumpstart her career. So she decided to apply to be on the 1.

the 1 is the hottest dating show on television, with popular personalities going on to star on other shows both in (the 1 on the beach) or outside (Dancing with the Stars) the franchise. They become influencers. They get invited to Good Morning, America. And they sell books, which is just what Jac is counting on.

Marcus Bellamy was one of the bachelors fighting for the woman in the last season of the 1, and he almost won the heart of Shae. But he eliminated himself at the last minute, and then he was chosen to star in a season of his own. Jac makes an impression on Marcus that first night, at her introduction and quickly becomes one of the women most likely to make it to the later episodes, where Marcus meets the parents in the woman’s hometown, and then the potential overnight dates.

But Jac being one of the early front-runners also puts a target on her back. The other women in the house are threatened by her, and the producers are there to fan those flames. Jac knew what she was getting into. She knew the producers would be there all along the way, stirring up the insecurities, pitting the women against each other, encouraging them to interrupt the short amount of alone time they get with Marcus. Jac knew they would use her insecurities against her. She knew the online trolls would come for her. She knew the schedule would be brutal. But she didn’t know how all of it would make her feel.

The night before Jac had to go to the hotel to quarantine for the show, getting cut off from her devices, from social media, from the outside world, she indulged in a night of drinking, pizza, and conversation (among other things) with a handsome man she met in a bar. That man turned out to be Henry Foster, one of the producers of the 1, and Jac finds herself being drawn back into his orbit during the filming. Henry flirts with her too, but Jac isn’t sure if Henry is paying attention to her because he’s attracted to her or if he’s just producing her, trying to keep her off guard.

Will a reality dating show help a romance writer who isn’t sure she believes in love turn her career around, and maybe even give her heart over to true love?

The Villain Edit is a delicious look at what it takes to make it on a reality dating show like The Bachelor, and how vulnerable the contestants are to being manipulated by the producers. This is the first adult novel from author Laurie Devore brings to life all the drama, from the women drinking and fighting to the online discussions and podcasts where strangers can offer up their own opinions about the drama onscreen and off.

I am not someone devoted to reality television. I dip in here and there, usually choosing baking shows over dating shows, but I’m certainly familiar with the franchise of The Bachelor and some of the stories of what really happens. But if you offer me a novel about the reality dating shows, then I just need to get a drink and a snack, and I’m curled up ready to get all the dirt on that fictional reality show. I loved The Villain Edit. I loved that Jac was an outspoken woman who wasn’t afraid of the journey she was undertaking. She had those moments where she was unlikable, and there was a point in the story where I was genuinely concerned for her, but she pulled it off in the end. It’s a fantastic ending to a funny, interesting, and revealing story, and I could read it all over again from the beginning, just like binging a favorite season of a reality show, just to be there for the drama all over again.

Egalleys for The Villain Edit were provided by Avon through NetGalley, with many thanks.

They really had me in the first half. The beginning of the Villain Edit was so fun- I loved the Bachelor vibes and the fun drama of the reality dating show culture. I was invested and so ready for the ride. Unfortunately, the book took a turn I didn’t really enjoy and the drama just got out of hand. I stopped caring what happened and started to hate all the characters. There were so many steamy scenes I had to skip and every single one with male characters I hated. The Villain Edit was fun, but just not the kind of drama I was looking for.

This was a pretty interesting story that I liked for the most part. I thought it was a bit long but found myself eager to see how everything went in the end. I’m not usually a fan of reality TV but the characters were well developed and I found myself invested in the story. Also nice to see the part that producers can play in altering public perception. This was a cute story that I would tell others to check out. 3.5 stars.


Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

A fun look at the behind the scenes romantic antics of the One villain Jac. Jac goes on this Bachelor type tv show to help her lagging book sales and save her writing career. She doesn’t realize that they will paint her as “the villain” or that she might fall in love while there.
I really enjoyed the character of Jac. She is a flawed FMC who is self aware enough to see her flaws. To watch her go through such a rigorous time filming the show really brings into focus how many reality tv bad girls must feel.
If you’re a fan of “The Bachelor” and love a good romantic comedy/drama then give this one a read.
I received a ARC of this title. All opinions are my own.