I liked the premise of the book. The reality tv and author combo was an interesting concept. While it is a fun read it was a bit of a slow burn for me in the beginning. Overall an interesting read.

Thank you Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America and NetGalley for this e-arc in exchange of my unbiased review.

I wanted this to be the perfect spooky October read and while it's not horrible, it just didn't grab me the way I had hoped. I found the introduction/beginning of the book to be a bit confusing and not entertaining. Once I got more into it, the book was okay but that's it, just run-of-the-mill okay. I'm sure someone out there will love this book but it just wasn't for me.

Cool story idea, but I sometimes struggled with the writing style (not all of it, just at times).

(I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)

Synopsis: After the end of her long-term relationship and the stalling of her writing career, Zoe joins the cast of her sister’s reality dating show. This will offer her weeks away from real life on a tropical island, and an audience for future writing projects. However, when she gets to the island, she discovers an avenging ghost eager to wreak havoc on the beautiful, desperate women. Will Zoe be able to escape the island with her sanity?

My thoughts: As a fan of the Bachelor franchise and a seasonal spooky reader, I jumped at the opportunity for an early copy of this story. The author does a great job of ripping down the curtain on reality TV. I liked Zoe as a character and appreciated that she didn’t pretend to be there for, as they say on TV, “the right reasons.” She still had motivations and a backstory that made it easy to root for her.
The multi-media format really propelled the story forward. Zoe’s first-person chapters alternated with transcripts from cast interviews and podcast episodes debriefing the show. These gave us “water breaks,” or very short (often one-page) breathers from the fast-paced drama.
One grump: Some of the writing felt a little forced for me, like the author was trying to make a point of using less common vocabulary and half-drawn complaints against the patriarchy. Maybe it could be argued that she did that to capture Zoe’s voice as a writer with something to prove? However, it frequently took me out of the story, and I don’t think this book would do itself any favors by trying to pass as more literary than it is.
This is a plot-forward haunt-fest about the making of trash TV. I say that not disparagingly. I was looking for exactly that and it delivered! I hope it finds a large audience of others looking for that, too.

Zoe’s sister invites her on to her reality dating show after she recently is single. The reality show takes place on a seclude island and quickly things take a turn. I really loved the setting and plot of this book. I also loved the supernatural aspect, it was very unique. I would recommend!

Although different to what I'd normally gravitate to in a novel, this is exactly the kind of stuff I love in other forms of media and I loved it as reading fodder. The tensions were high and characters were unique and interesting. I'm so glad I gave it a shot!

This isn’t my normal type of book, however, I do enjoy a well written ghost story & this mixes ghosts, reality tv, comedy, and tension! Would definitely read again and would recommend it to my romance pals!


I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I highly recommend it.
I received a copy of this book through Netgalley with no consideration. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.

I really, really enjoyed this, so 4.5 stars!!

Zoe decides to join a romantic reality TV show at the request of her sister in an effort to jump start her career and maybe fine a bit of romance.

What actually ensues is the promised tropical paradise, but with an undercurrent of the supernatural.
The reality TV setting I find fascinating, especially just how orchestrated every single moment is.

The author does a fantastic job at building tension, as well as fleshing out the characters so as even those you dislike you're still hoping get out alive (for the most part!)

This was a genuinely wonderful read, that beautifully combines the reality TV aspect with the supernatural, leading to a twist I definitely did not see coming!

Thank you to Net Galley, Amy Sundbery & SFWA for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

*Gold Diggers* is a thrilling blend of romance, reality TV, and supernatural intrigue that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. The novel follows Zoe Roberts, a down-on-her-luck aspiring writer who finds herself reluctantly cast as a contestant on the popular reality show *Love Story*, produced by her ambitious sister, Kennedy. Set against the lush backdrop of a private island in the Bahamas, the story promises not just a tropical escape but a rollercoaster of emotional and supernatural twists.

Zoe's journey is both relatable and engaging. Fresh from a traumatic breakup, she is desperate for a fresh start and views the show as a chance to reboot her career and reclaim her life. However, what begins as an exciting opportunity quickly spirals into chaos. The reality show setting is vividly portrayed, capturing the glitz, glamour, and manipulative undertones of competitive television. Zoe’s struggles with backstabbing contestants and her sister’s relentless scheming add layers of tension and drama, making it clear that the world of reality TV is anything but easy.

As the competition heats up, strange accidents begin to occur on the island, raising the stakes and injecting a thrilling dose of mystery into the narrative. The rumors of the island's dark past create an eerie atmosphere that perfectly contrasts with the sun-soaked paradise, and Zoe’s escalating fears about a vengeful ghost add a captivating supernatural element. The interplay between Zoe’s personal struggles and the unfolding mysteries keeps readers guessing, blurring the lines between reality and the paranormal.

The author expertly balances humor and suspense, allowing for moments of levity amid the rising tension. Zoe's witty inner monologue and her interactions with both allies and foes are particularly enjoyable, making her a character readers can root for. As she navigates challenges that test her resolve, Zoe's growth is both compelling and inspiring, allowing for a satisfying character arc.

The pacing of *Gold Diggers* is spot-on, with each chapter building on the last as secrets are uncovered and the stakes become increasingly high. The mix of romance, humor, and suspense keeps the narrative engaging, leading to a climactic finale that is both surprising and satisfying.

In conclusion, *Gold Diggers* is a delightful and suspenseful read that expertly combines the allure of reality television with elements of mystery and the supernatural. With well-drawn characters, an engaging plot, and a setting that feels both vibrant and ominous, this novel is a must-read for fans of romantic comedies and thrillers alike. Prepare for a captivating adventure that will leave you eagerly turning pages and wondering what might happen next!

"I'm giving you the opportunity of a lifetime."

I’m obsessed with this story! Some parts of it were so wild I went back to reread them just to experience the thrill again.

Zoe is fresh out of a traumatic relationship when her sister puts her on the show she produces: “Love Story”. Trapped on an island with other contestants, they vie for the love of rich aristocrat Emerson Courtland. Little do they know, the history of the island is full of death and hauntings. The women are at risk of becoming the next victims to a maniacal entity.

“All my life I'd been Zoe Roberts, the girl who never lived up to her potential, a deep, bone-aching embarrassment.”

I really felt for the women on the show, especially Zoe. The producers and camera crew were just so heartless, manipulative and detached towards them. I wanted the contestants to bond together and fight back against the evil actions. Between the crew and supernatural aspects, it did feel like a hopeless cause to try and escape, but I kept on hoping.

The blog entries & gossip show segments about the “Love Story” episodes were a great way to transition the story further along. I also appreciated how the main narrator was able to provide information at different times after the show finished filming. I was totally shocked at many scenes throughout this story and felt it was an excellent modern day gothic drama. A mansion in an isolated tropical settings, a cast of characters falling pursuing love no matter the cost, a ghostly figure creating bloody havoc… so awesome!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America for a copy.

Thank you SFWA for the eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the idea but didn't care for the execution?

Let's start with the things I loved. The relationships that were developed throughout the book were great. Between the contestants, the crew, the family members - it was great. I really enjoyed the thriller/mystery/murder aspect of the book as well. The final chapter with the timeline jump was very enjoyable and it made me feel some type of way towards the two main characters as their story came to an end.

I feel like what lost me truly was the execution as I stated above. It felt like there was so much unnecessary filler. It took awhile for things to start happening that really piqued my interest and had me enjoying it.

Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC. Due to be published 01/10/2024

I read the description before requesting this one so had an idea of what I was letting myself in for. Completely different to what I'd normally gravitate to particularly as the premise of this is a reality show based theme with women devaluing themselves in a bid to catch the eye of a man who wouldn't normally turn his attention their way in real-life but happy to do so for a camera! If you're thinking love island or the bachelor then yep, it's exactly that in a book. Not a fan of reality shows and the concept of 'normal' dating is alien to me so you can imagine anything a little 'outthere' is beyond my comprehension. However, thought I'd give this a go.

The genre is horror/sci-fi which is an odd combo when you throw in the reality dating show as the overriding story. I had hopes that it'd be a slaughter-fest with gruesome goings on but alas, no guts and gore. There's ghostly goings on and a haunting/possession with an interesting backstory.

It is a slow burn story so you have to stick with it as things unravel. The ending wasn't surprising although I did end up feeling a little sad for Zoe as you can't help help feel like life has done her dirty and she deserves a happy ending 🤔

There's a couple of interesting surprises that come towards the end - sort of a 'since the show ended' kinda thing and that was a good addition to the story. I think it is probably in keeping with some of those reality shows but I haven't inflicted them on myself so not 100% sure.

I did like how there was a lot of emphasis placed on how things are manipulated as most know that there's more to those shows than people genuinely wanting to be out there baring their souls for love. There's got to be a lot of editing and game play to bring in audiences.

Here’s a twist on the look at the backstage of reality TV theme! Gather a group of beautiful, unusually self centered young women and transport them to a remote, privately owned island near the Bahamas where Emerson, the handsome, rich nephew of the island’s owner is waiting to choose the perfect woman to fall in love with. Sounds familiar, you think? You are wrong. There are many surprises here. Zoe, selected as “the artsy one”, is the sister of Kennedy, the show producer, and will receive some helpful hints to insure Emerson’s interest. Margaret, his elderly aunt, a retired author/editor, lives alone on the island. She’s supposedly still grieving the deaths of her (Vassar!) friends and lover Darwin in some sort of Bacchanalian festival and fire years before. Oh, and this reality show has a haunting. Does that explain why Zoe is hearing voices? Did I mention the pirate ship? Or the hurricane?

By now you’ve realized that this is no ordinary romance or reality show novel. Certainly not. It’s a well written send up of reality shows, blended with horror, romance, manipulation, weather challenges and more. This wouldn’t work without a talented author like Amy Sundberg who could probably make a car manual terrifying. Gold Diggers is a fun (and scary) read. Enjoy! 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America and Amy Sundberg for this ARC.