I have to own up and say that I don’t watch any of the current TV reality dating programmes and so Thank you, Next has introduced to me to the world of quick fix weddings, which seems a strange concept but the author brings this bizarre idea to life in an entertaining and sizzling rom-com.

Molly Harris is a sweet character who seems to have made some bad life choices, hooking up with the wrong men, so when the opportunity arises for her to go on a reality dating programme, she takes the chance to meet her future marriage partner. Her reasons for doing so are a big part of the story so I won’t spoil it by revealing who she meets there but it’s all done quite tongue in cheek which I rather enjoyed.

Thank you, Next is an entertaining read which I devoured in the space of one afternoon. It made me laugh out loud in places especially about the intricacies of being filmed whilst building a relationship on television, I can’t imagine why couples would open themselves up to so much public scrutiny. The author brings the characters to life in such a good way that you can well imagine them, some are definitely more likeable than others, of course, I had my favourites and hoped that every thing would work out for them and that, just like the focus of the dating programme, they would also get their happy ever after ending.

Thank you, Next is fun and flirty, with more than a hint a sizzling sexual tension, it’s perfect summer escapism.

I try to pretend I'm not a fan of reality shows - but find myself getting sucked in the minute I start watching them which is why the concept of this book drew me in (it's not that bad if it's a book, right?) This book delivered on the reality show drama. However, I gave the book three stars because it was a bit too slow in the beginning for me. I also wasn't in love with the characters, some of them were a bit too much (maybe that was the point considering the concept) and I found myself irritated by them. That being said, the storyline made the book worth finishing, and I would recommend it to those friends who love the drama of a reality show.

Kathryn Freeman is one of my go to authors for a feel good, make me smile romcom. Thank You, Next is a feel good sweet romance that will give you all the good feels. I highly recommend it.

Fun fact-I haven’t ever seen a reality dating show but I love to read about them! So, If you’re a reality tv dating show junkie, have I got a book for you! This is quick and fluffy, just like I imagine those shows to be. Grab your popcorn and settle in for an easy read that will get you swept up in their romance for a few hours.
Molly’s longtime partner dumps her when he is offered the chance to be on the next hot new reality dating show. Molly was of course heartbroken but then imagine her surprise when the producers come to her and offer her a spot on the show as a surprise to her ex. But when Molly gets there, expecting to be reunited with Duncan, she finds herself reevaluating their relationship when she meets back up with Ben, the one that got away, and realizes what a relationship really should be like.
This story was fairly lighthearted given the past these characters all had, but I wish that there was more in the way of character development. But then again, it’s the nature of the beast of these types of shows I guess, you don’t get a lot of depth. It’s a love triangle that doesn’t get overly contentious or over the top dramatic.
Read this if you enjoy reality tv, second chance romance, love triangles.
Thanks to one More Chapter and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.

This was a fairly light reality dating show romance. Unlike typical reality dating romances, this was a second-chance, where the FMC has two of her exes along side her as contestants.

The main MC spent the entire book groveling. We love a man who grovels and knows when to apologize because he’s wrong, but it quickly became super repetitive. I felt like the whole book could have been about half the length.

Both main characters also leaned into toxic gender stereotypes. He conceded a massage, but put his foot down at a pedicure. She wanted to get married, he didn’t. She wanted communication, he was the silent type. I didn’t find their coupling to be realistic, and this seems like a relationship built on physical attraction, rather than anything else.

Thank You, Next by Kathryn Freeman

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

In this game of hearts, the stakes have never been higher…Molly Harris is used to being left. Parents, boyfriends – she’s the queen of rejection. Her latest boyfriend, gym-fanatic Duncan, dumps her to go on reality dating show The One which sets up hot singletons to date for four weeks before meeting at the altar to say, ‘I do’.

But Duncan was the one who picked Molly up and put her back together the last time her heart got broken, so, determined not to let ‘The One’ get away, she follows Duncan onto the show. If she can prove that they’re meant to be, she might just get the happily ever after of her dreams…

But on the first day of filming, another reminder of her painful history walks into Happily Ever After Ben Knight, her it’s-not-you-it’s-me heartbreaker. The one she loved before Duncan.

In four weeks’ time, who will she meet at the altar? Duncan, the first person who ever made her feel loved, or Ben, the first person who made her feel?

My Opinion

What an interesting idea for a book!

This was such an easy book to read. Thank You, Next gets off to a slow start, but I was definitely hooked. Through the writing it is easy to feel the chemistry - it was also easy to dislike Duncan. This second chance romance made for an easy escape from reality. If you enjoy watching reality TV shows that involve dating then this is the book for you.

Rating 4/5

I’ve enjoyed books by this author in the past, so definitely was interested in reading this one. And when I picked it up, I was so glad I was able to fit it into my review schedule because I devoured it in about two sittings! Yes I got very frustrated with Molly not seeing that Duncan wasn’t really the right one. However he did such a good job of playing on her weaknesses and knowing what to say to get her to think and remember how good things had seemed between them. At least before he dumped her to go on the reality show.

Then there was Ben, the grumpy of all grumpy-sunshine stories. Ben was a good guy. But boy did he have so much to work on. It was obvious he really liked Molly, and he was trying to get her back. His holdups though kept things from going smoothly. However I liked the way their friendship/relationship grew and got stronger the more time they spent together. How they worked through things, fought, made up, and brought out the good in each other.

I’m not the type of person who likes to watch dating shows. But for some reason I enjoy reading about them in romance stories! And this story was perfect for me. The way the show was set up was a lot of fun. This did have a bit of a jargon issue for me at times with obviously British jargon. I did have to look one word up, even if I kind of figured it out based on context clues, “bagsy”. Kind of means what I’d think of as calling dibs on something basically.

This story had romance, banter, steamy times, and a wonderful HEA that had me swooning. But it also kept me guessing or wondering how things would come about, as Ben kept saying he couldn’t do marriage, and Duncan kept stringing Molly along. As I said, I am soooooooo glad I fit this one in! I’ll be making sure I do my best to continue fitting books by this author into my schedule in the future!

What would you do if you followed one ex onto a reality dating show and ran straight into another ex? I can safely say I’d be out of there fast but not Molly. She won’t let a dating show or the man who broke her heart get between her and Duncan, the man only a month ago she was discussing marriage with. However, paired with Ben, the man who dumped her out of the blue a few years earlier after a short and passionate romance, things aren’t going to plan. Old hurts resurface, and trust is non-existent, but they’re forced together and Molly will persevere to reach her happily ever after with the man who helped make her whole again.

It was fun to see these two reunited and to find out more about Molly and Ben’s history, and (more seriously) his past. Can you meet the right person at the wrong time? Molly isn’t so convinced but maybe if Ben can open up to her, she might just see that there’s a chance for them now. Sadly, I didn’t like Ben though. His character seems to only ever really be thinking about how wrong he is for Molly, but how much he likes her, and how he doesn’t deserve her, all on an endless loop. Along with not wanting to be on the show, which he only joined as a favour to his sister, he seems to hate everything. There’s talk of how much fun Molly and Ben had in the past but I’m struggling to see any of that in the present - beyond that they both like beer and wings. Every activity they do he complains about and will often only do things to make Molly happen. Who is Ben?? What does he like? I need more from him to ship these two together and so whilst overall I liked the book, because I was interested in seeing the drama play out and enjoyed seeing Molly find her feet and be her own person, it definitely wasn’t my favourite Kathryn Freeman story!

I received a free copy of this book. All views are my own.

Kathryn Freeman's *Thank You, Next* is a delightful blend of romance, heartache, and self-discovery. Molly Harris, a character who has faced more than her fair share of rejections, embarks on a daring adventure to win back her gym-fanatic ex, Duncan, by following him onto a reality dating show. Freeman crafts a compelling narrative that keeps readers eagerly turning the pages to see who Molly will meet at the altar.

Molly's journey on the reality show, "The One," is both heartwarming and fraught with emotional tension. Duncan, who once picked up the pieces of Molly's broken heart, now becomes the object of her quest for a happy ending. Yet, the twist comes when Ben Knight, Molly's former love who epitomizes the phrase "it's not you, it's me," enters the scene. The reappearance of Ben, the man who first made her truly feel, adds layers of complexity and depth to the story.

Freeman's writing is a perfect mix of humor, warmth, and spice. The characters are vividly drawn and relatable, each with their unique quirks and charms. The simmering tension between Molly, Duncan, and Ben keeps the plot engaging, while the unfolding romance is both sweet and tantalizing.

What makes *Thank You, Next* stand out is its exploration of self-worth and the courage to pursue what truly makes one happy. Molly's growth throughout the story is inspiring, and her journey of self-discovery is beautifully intertwined with the romantic elements.

Readers will find themselves rooting for Molly, laughing at the comedic moments, and savoring the heartfelt scenes. *Thank You, Next* is a true gem for fans of romantic comedies and anyone who enjoys a well-crafted love story that keeps you guessing until the very end.

Freeman has once again delivered a book that is not only a joy to read but also a testament to the power of love and resilience. I highly recommend *Thank You, Next* to anyone looking for a charming and emotionally satisfying read. I'm eagerly awaiting her next release!

I am such a huge fan of Kathryn Freeman – her writing style is just incredible, and I have loved every book that I have read so far. In this story, we follow the journey of Molly, whose boyfriend, Duncan, decides to join a reality TV dating show. Duncan figures having a girlfriend at home won’t look great, especially since the show pairs him up with another woman, which could end with a wedding. Just when Molly thinks things can’t get any crazier, the show contacts her, inviting her to join too! Could this be the spark her relationship with Duncan needs?

But when Molly arrives, she discovers another twist—her ex, Ben, is also in the competition! Ben is the one before Duncan, and to Molly he also is ‘the one’ Who will Molly choose – Duncan or Ben? Which one of the two really has stolen her heart?

Thank You, Next is another fab read from one of my favourite authors. Kathryn loves to take her readers on a real emotional journey throughout all her books – we laugh at and with the characters, we cry at some of their very difficult circumstances, and this story is no different. A wonderful read, as always, and the perfect beach read this summer time.

This had a very slow start for me and was very predictable, however I did enjoy it! Very cute short enough romance with very little spice. And of course a happy ending to top it all off!

Thank you so much NetGalley for my ARC for this book. I really enjoyed this book and loved the romance tension between Molly and Ben, where I felt like I was also watching The One. It was funny, witty and an easy read that I couldn't put down. I've even got it on the 99p kindle deal this month so I can keep the book. I would absolutely love to get the physical copy down the line and would highly recommend

Molly and Duncan have been an item for a while, and she’d rather hoped they were heading for marriage – instead, he puts their relationship on hold while he goes on “The One”, a TV dating show, hoping it’ll get his fitness business some exposure. For a while, she’s horrified – paired contestants sometimes agree to marry as the series closes. But the producers also sometimes include exes to spice things up a little, so when she’s invited to take part in the show too, she thinks it might be a good way of getting Duncan to the altar, and for them to have some fun along the way.

Ben becomes a participant for a rather different reason – he’s certainly not looking for love, but can’t say no to his sister who’s the show’s assistant producer. But the complications start when Ben and Molly meet at the first night drinks reception – he’s the former boyfriend who broke her heart, never having told her why their rather special relationship ended. And that’s not where they end, because Molly isn’t matched with Duncan, but with Ben – her “perfect match” – who she can hardly bring herself to talk to, especially when the cameras are intent on capturing every moment.

The whole dating show set up is wonderfully done – the flamboyant presenter, the often over-the-top or obnoxious other contestants wanting their moments in the spotlight, Ben’s sister having to do her job while knowing how difficult things are for him, and the cameras never far away. Duncan’s not a man with a great deal of depth (putting it mildly…), and Molly has to watch him getting closer to his match while enduring her difficult situation. But Ben is rather different – there were deep secrets he kept that caused their break up, a few major issues he needed to work through, and (never the great communicator) he’s able to share them as they spend more time together and slowly find that the spark they once had is still there. There are reasons why Molly reacted so badly when he dumped her too – and, at last, it seems they can finally be honest with each other.

And that spark between them? At first it smoulders, but the fire slowly ignites – Molly begins to see Duncan for what he really is, someone who’s always tried to change her into someone she isn’t, and can see that Ben might really have been the most perfect match all along. And that chemistry between them begins to build – it’s something the author always does so very well – building to a good number of very steamy moments that got me rather flushed and hot under the collar. So, when the game show comes to an end, and they have to decide whether to say “I do”, what will their answers be?

There are plenty of lighter moments along the way – all those activities and set-ups that make the dating show, along with the difficulties of concealing their developing relationship (with a few near misses they – just about – get away with…), which nicely balance the darker edges to Ben and Molly’s pasts. This book really was so much more than the sum of its parts – the love triangle, the enemies-to-lovers, the whole dating show format. Ben and Molly were two distinctly damaged individuals who slowly repaired each other, explored their feelings, gave a lot of thought to making each other happy – they certainly won my heart, and I so wanted them to find happiness. And I have to say that the ending was absolutely perfect – it really brought a tear to my eye – but I’m afraid you’re going to have to read the book to find out more!

All I will say is that this was a book I really loved. I should mention, I think, that the steaminess might just be a bit full-on for some readers – but there’s something about the way the author writes it that makes it entirely appropriate and totally acceptable, and a bit of a different experience that I rather enjoyed. And I’ve mentioned before that I’ve never been a fan of dating shows – my goodness, I had no idea what I was missing. A wonderful read, as always – and one I’d most certainly recommend to others.

1.5 stars

I didn't like either man. Ben was hard for like 90% of this book. It's like a medical condition at this point he should def get that checked out. For someone who was all up in arms about him not communicating, Molly also didn't tell him until like however far into the book how and why she needed validation in a relationship. Yapping does NOT equal communication babe!! Duncan SUCKS but like Ben also wasn't my fav ya know. End of the book was super predictable and BORING. They had the same argument like every 3 pages, and it was so annoying I didn't even get to appreciate the lack of a stupid 3rd act conflict. It could've technically been worse I guess, so not 0 stars.

Thank You, Next by Kathryn Freeman

Molly is dating Duncan, a fitness influencer, who dumps her to go on their favorite dating show, “The One.” Molly is contacted by the show and decides to go on as a contestant to try to win him back. Instead of being matched with him, she is matched with Ben, the one who got away, who dumped her out of the blue and shook her confidence. Can Molly and Ben repair what was broken? Or is Duncan “The One.”



Loved the characters of Molly and Ben! I was rooting for each of them from the beginning. It’s interesting that they had the same problem, neither knew how awesome they were, their self-esteem being shattered by exes. I appreciated Molly holding ben to task when he broke promises to communicate. Loved how Ben supported Molly and pushed her to take a chance on herself and start dreaming again! I appreciated that this book treated Molly and Ben like adults, with adult reactions to conflict. I liked the evolution of both characters. I really liked Rachel, Ben’s sister, and the support she gave him. I appreciated the thoughtful way addiction and the repercussions of loving someone who struggles with addiction was portrayed.



The show “The One”, was pretty unrealistic. I can’t believe contestants could get away with so much of their experiences not being filmed. Duncan was THE WORST and I knew it from jump- it irked me that Molly didn’t.



I have read a bunch of reality dating show books and this was another cute one. A great beach read with likeable characters and the right amount of spice. 4 stars. Thanks to Net Galley, One More Chapter, and Harper Collins for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Molly is a lover of reality dating shows, and after a lifetime of rejections think she has found her person in fitness enthusiast Duncan. That is until her breaks up with her to go on a dating show to get exposure for is personal training business. He says this break is only while he is on the show and he is coming back to her after.

So when Molly is asked to also be on the show she jumps at the chance, hoping to be paired with Duncan. Unfortunately she gets pair with Ben, who happens to be an ex who left her devastated after the most intense 2 months of dating. Will she be able to find a way to be with Duncan and get the happily ever after they planned, or will being around Ben again allow them a second chance.

I love reality dating show and the premise of this book sounded like so much fun. Unfortunately it all felt really flat for me. The characters, the chemistry, the dialogue, the writing, nothing felt well done. A lot of the conversations felt repetitive, the characters did not feel like adults, their growth and chemistry did not feel genuine, it needed some more editing.

I was unsure of the reality tv show aspect and how she only went on the show to get her ex back but it ended up being a great book. I really enjoyed it alot

Thank you to @rachelsrandomresources for my copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was a bit skeptical about this one, sounded like a great read but the show was a bit on the cringe side. However, the main character Molly is lovely but a bit naive at times. She’s with Duncan who is only in it for himself, who then dumps her to go on their favourite tv show to “promote” his business and himself - yeah, right!

Once in the house though, another ex - the one that broke her heart - appears as one of the other contestants, making her doubt everything and feel confused. She knows that she wants to marry Duncan, but her heart is drawing her to Ben.

I really enjoyed this one, but did feel that Molly was a bit of a twit at times jumping to conclusions and seeing the bad instead of just taking a step back and going with the flow. Once she does, her adventure truly begins. Some fab characters and great writing in this one, have decided I need to read more by this author now!

Thank you Netgalley for the chance to review this! I would give this a solid 2.5 / 5 stars, rounded up to 3
I loved the premise of this: a woman's boyfriend breaks up with her to get on a reality show, she manages to get on the same show, and a tumultuous ex is also on the show. The premise: your partner on the show is "The One" for you and you get married at the end!
As someone who ADORES the bachelor and has really loved Freeman's other works, I thought this would be perfection. But oh man...a lot of this really dragged.
I think Molly, the female lead, was just way too wishy-washy. She struggled heavily over the reason her and Ben originally broke up (the tumultuous ex), she couldn't move on from the current boyfriend Duncan although you were definitely made to feel like he sucked, and she bounced back and forth about communication, sex, and marriage. I just wanted to lock all these characters in a room and force them to talk. I also thought the reality show wasn't really fleshed out: it could have been used so much more to really drive some plot forward movement, but I just couldnt connect.
I do like the writing on a line level, there are some parts that are truly funny, and Ben's backstory is pretty moving. But I just didn't enjoy this much.

3.75 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and One More Chapter for the early e-arc of this book. This was like watching a reality dating show and I loved it so much. I loved the forced proximity of the two characters.