I really tried with this book and was excited about the setting. However, I made it to 43% and had to DNF. All of the main characters seem so shallow and unlikeable, I was hoping to see some growth but it just doesn’t seem to be happening or hasn’t happened quick enough.

This book is so good and so relatable for Millennial women! I love how modern and foward this tale is!

This is for the girls who love the behind the scenes look at reality TV. Fan Favorite is more like unReal, the Lifetime drama, than the Bachelor on ABC.

The beginning was rough for me. It was definitely rated R and started off with a literal bang so I had my expectations set from that, but the tone changed quite a bit throughout. Then we got to end and it was so unrealistically sweet that it didn't match the rest of the book.

I loved the humor in this book. The author is so witty with how she phrases things and I loved it!

Another thing I loved was that there were three points of view, all in their late 30s. We have our main female character who is down on her luck, has displaced hope, and is kind of a weirdo. Then we have the showrunner/producer and the male lead who was cast as the bachelor.

However all three of them were super unlikable at first for different reasons, but definitely on purpose.

Anytime there is a 35 year old on the bachelor with all the other contestants being mid-20s influencers, there is going to be drama, but it was disheartening to hear them talk about her looks and how being a normal person is seen as gross. There is also so much producer manipulation, which is so icky to read.

The vibes:
Grumpy x sunshine
Rated R
Reality TV behind the scenes
3 POV
Third person
The contestant previews were hilarious

The way the author wrote things made me laugh, with witty, dark humor, but it took me a while to understand the tone to this book. Overall, I would recommend it to anyone who likes to read about the behind the scenes of reality TV.

Fan Favorite is available in June 2025. Bouncing between a 3 or 4 star for this book every time I think about it.

The whole premise of this book called to me and I was so happy when I was approved for the ARC! I don't watch a lot of TV (reality or otherwise) but am constantly seeing clips on TikTok that make me feel like I know what's going on in the world. Overall I found the book enjoyable but it was jam packed with pop culture references that almost were too distracting. The main love story was predictable in that I knew who Edie would end up with, but I still enjoyed reading the journey all the same.

I would be interested to read more from this author in the future. The writing was very sharp and I enjoyed it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this arc.

This was a DNF for me. I could not get into this story. Idk if it was the writing style or the characters but I couldn’t get into this book, nor make any connections.

Fan Favorite had a really great concept coming into it. Edie, desperately searching for love, reaches out to the producers of a Bachelor-esque dating show that just so happens to be starring her childhood love, Charlie. In the middle of it all is showrunner Peter who develops feelings for Edie.

I really didn’t like how the author portrayed so much of the other characters’ opinions of Edie. They made her seem like such a dweeb that doesn’t have a shot of getting married or having a happily ever after at the *shocking* age of 35. Being that age myself, it just felt like a slap in the face.

But I stuck it out because I wanted to see Edie get her happy ending even if it didn’t feel earned to me in terms of her love interest.

Thanks as always to NetGalley for the ARC.

El novio de cinco años de Edie terminó la relación para regresar con su ex. Ella no lo puede creer, pensaba que en algún momento se casarían y entra en una espiral de autodestrucción. Comienza a tener citas con quien sea, pero todas salen mal. Siente que el tiempo se le agota, tiene 35 años y no quiere seguir soltera, además de que desea tener hijos. Un día, después de una cita desastrosa, se entera de que su primer novio, Charlie, participará en un concurso para encontrar el amor, entonces, decide presentarse allí para demostrarle que ella es la indicada.


~

Honestamente, la lectura me resultó pesada. La forma en que se retrata an Edie y a las mujeres en general no me gustó; parece que son superficiales, vacías y se pelean entre ellas. Esto mejora, pero no es hasta la recta final y para ear momento ya es demasiado tarde.



Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fun, beachy type of read. Edie was hysterical. I laughed out loud at her inner dialog and antics. Having been married for 30+ years, I have no idea what dating in the 2020s is like and while I am sure a lot of this is tongue-in-cheek, I am sure it's not too terribly far off. I needed a fun light-hearted rom-com after a couple of heavier books and this did the trick!

I received an ARC of this book and I’m honestly bummed my friends can’t read it until it comes out in June. I was entertained from beginning to end! This is actually funny, the character development was great, and I loved poking fun at the bachelor and other reality shows. Enough romance to make you swoon, but very light spice. Reality dating TV and pop culture fans will love this!

Fan Favorite by Adrienne Gunn is a delightful, fast-paced rom-com that perfectly blends the drama of reality dating shows with heartfelt character development. The premise is fresh and fun—following a contestant on a Bachelor-style show as she navigates the chaos of love, friendship, and public scrutiny.

One of the standout aspects of this book was the side characters. Each had a distinct personality, bringing humor, tension, and depth to the story. Their dynamics made the reality show setting feel even more immersive, adding layers beyond just the main romance. The friendships and rivalries felt natural, making the world feel real and the stakes even higher.

While the romance was enjoyable, the book truly shines in its behind-the-scenes look at reality TV—the manufactured drama, the unexpected connections, and the struggle between authenticity and entertainment. It’s a perfect pick for fans of dating shows who want a lighthearted yet engaging read.

Overall, Fan Favorite was a fun escape with lovable characters and a unique premise. It didn’t quite hit “life-changing” status for me, but it was definitely an entertaining, well-written rom-com that I’d recommend to anyone who enjoys reality TV tropes with a fresh twist!

This book was so good! I really loved the characters and how well developed they were! I enjoyed reading their story!

To start, I loved this book so much! It was sooo messy from start to end. I expected nothing less from the blurb and it did not disappoint on reality tv drama. No spoilers, but Edie goes on this reality dating show after a string of terrible first dates when she finds out her high school sweetheart is the bachelor of the upcoming season. The thing is, he’s basically reinvented himself since the last time they spoke (hella years ago). Naturally, drama ensues and Edie is faced with a choice of rekindling her high school romance and this new thing she’s feeling with the showrunner, Peter. Ugh I would die for Edie. Like, yeah she was a lil messy for reaching out and then going along with being on the show, but that’s why I loved her so much. She wasn’t this “perfect” and flawless character. She was Edie who believes in love so much and dives right in no matter who she has been hurt. She doesn’t want to change who she is to be loved. She’s strong and vulnerable and amazing. I absolutely adored her ending and am sooo glad she finally got a happy ending!

As a side note, I would have loved seeing Edie tell her ex to kick rocks when she finds out he had been messaging her!!!

Thank you to NetGalley, Grand Central Publishing, and the author for an ARC :) This book is expected to be published on June 24, 2025

A DNF for me. Two stars because the premise is undeniably fun but the writing style just didn’t grip me. I felt disconnected from the story and couldn’t get into it

Edie is an incredibly relatable character as we are the same age. I loved the banter, humor, and overall drama of the story. It was my first by this author and won't be the last!

Edie Pepper is 35 and single again. She has been on too many bad dates to count. She has a few too many glasses of wine and discovers that Charlie her bff from kindergarten has somehow managed to go from nerd to outdoorsy hunk. He is also the next Bachelor on The Key. She decides to try to get on the show to get another chance with Charlie.

I liked this book. It delves into the behind the scenes of producers creating storylines in reality tv. I thought it would be million dollar dates in interesting places but it’s more highlighting the absolute absurdity of shows like The Bachelor. If you are looking for a light hearted rom com that pokes fun at reality tv you will enjoy this one.

Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book. This book follows Edie, a 35 year old woman, disappointed by another bad date. She gets drunk and sees her boyfriend from high school in an ad for a dating show, and messages the producer. The story takes off from there. This book has it all. Reality TV, behind the scenes Hollywood shenanigans, friendship, lots of laughs, and lots of heart. I look forward to read in more from this author. I couldn’t put this one down!

after giving this one a try (i thought the cover was super cute) i am unfortunately dnf’ing this one at 36%. it could for sure just be my headspace right now, but i’m connecting to the characters or story at the moment and i don’t want to force myself to read it and get into a slump. thank you for the opportunity!

Thank you NetGalley & Grand Central Publishing for the ARC!

The book, like the main character, grew up and changed for the better. At the beginning of the book, I was not sure if I was going to like it. Edie, the main character, was so desperate for love she didn't care who it came from. The way she hopped from date to dating show was a little embarrassing.

Throughout the book, she grew up and learned that she was looking for love even with the wrong people. I loved watching her grow throughout the story. I really enjoyed watching her and Peter's story come to life. I also appreciated seeing from Charlie's perspective.

I also really enjoyed pulling back the curtain of reality TV. Adrienne held nothing back and being open about the fact that "Bachelor" style shows openly manipulate their contestants and it was refreshing to see it right there, out in the open.

This book will be perfect for a rainy or beach day. Do not pass this one up!

This was such a fun take on finding love on a reality TV show. After a few disastrous dates, Edie finds out her high school boyfriend is the lead on a reality dating show and she believes he is The One. After reaching out to a producer on the show, Edie finds herself trying for a second chance at love, however things aren’t exactly what they seem.

I enjoyed how relatable Edie is, just a normal woman in her mid-thirties looking for love. There’s a ton of pop culture references and fun banter. This was a quick and easy read!

Thank you NetGalley & Grand Central Publishing for allowing me to read this ebook!
Fan Favorite by Adrienne Gunn is coming your way on June 24th and you don't want to miss it if you are a lover of Reality TV! Edie Pepper, a 35-year-old copywriter, enters the reality dating show The Key to win back her high school sweetheart, Charlie Bennett, who’s had a major glow-up since their teen years. But as Edie dives into absurd challenges, she discovers Charlie isn’t the same person she remembers—and sparks unexpectedly fly with the show’s cranky yet charming producer, Peter. With love, self-discovery, and chaos at every turn, Edie must decide if her Happily Ever After lies in her past or her future.
This was my first book by this author and it won't be my last, I loved the quirky writing style, I recommend this one to anyone who is a fan of The Bachelor, you're going to love this!!