Scan barcode
michellehenriereads's review
4.0
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion - thanks for letting me read this book by Sandy Barker.
This is a fun, fast-paced romp jetting from England to Sydney, Australia with a dating show as the backdrop.
Our heroine, poor Abby/Abs/Abigail/Anastasia is spinning from one snarky personality to another humorous one as she tries to keep up with her own lies and storylines as a journalist and participant on the dating show. She is full of wit and insight, but can she figure out what she wants?
My favorite part of the book is Abby's relationship with the other women on the dating show. Not everyone is who they appear to be - not even when you've read their secret dossier. These relationships are tested through the course of "dating" the same man on the reality TV show. Abby is the glue for these women, helping them stick together and to stick up for each other. Way to go for girl power!
My next favorite part is Abby's relationship with Jack. They are unsure of each other, they don't always get along, and they keep coming back for more clandestine meetings. He is charming, maybe a little nerdy, and has a large collection of memorable t-shirts. Jack also seems to really want what's best for Abby, but he's not sure what that is going to be.
I wasn't sure what to think about Daniel, the "stag", on the dating show. Sometimes, most times, he's a twat. But then there are a few real moments with him where he is more than a cardboard character. In the end, I feel a little sorry for him.
There are some fun kissing scenes, but no sex on the page.
Overall, this is hilarious and a great light-hearted read. I recommend it.
This is a fun, fast-paced romp jetting from England to Sydney, Australia with a dating show as the backdrop.
Our heroine, poor Abby/Abs/Abigail/Anastasia is spinning from one snarky personality to another humorous one as she tries to keep up with her own lies and storylines as a journalist and participant on the dating show. She is full of wit and insight, but can she figure out what she wants?
My favorite part of the book is Abby's relationship with the other women on the dating show. Not everyone is who they appear to be - not even when you've read their secret dossier. These relationships are tested through the course of "dating" the same man on the reality TV show. Abby is the glue for these women, helping them stick together and to stick up for each other. Way to go for girl power!
My next favorite part is Abby's relationship with Jack. They are unsure of each other, they don't always get along, and they keep coming back for more clandestine meetings. He is charming, maybe a little nerdy, and has a large collection of memorable t-shirts. Jack also seems to really want what's best for Abby, but he's not sure what that is going to be.
I wasn't sure what to think about Daniel, the "stag", on the dating show. Sometimes, most times, he's a twat. But then there are a few real moments with him where he is more than a cardboard character. In the end, I feel a little sorry for him.
There are some fun kissing scenes, but no sex on the page.
Overall, this is hilarious and a great light-hearted read. I recommend it.
firefox's review
2.0
I will give it a 2 because the ending was okay but this book was so bland, I felt a DNF coming on.
nimbiboo's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
jackiepenn18's review
5.0
If you love dating reality shows like The Bachelor or Bachelorette, you'll love this book .
Abby Jones is a serious writer. Or at least she will be one day. But for now, she writes recaps for a dating reality show called the Stag. It's not a her dream gig, but it pays the bills until she can get a serious journalist job. But when her recaps go viral, her editor wants Abby to be on set capturing all the behind the camera gossip and drama. So when the producers approach Abby to not only write the recaps, but also be on the show, Abby can't think of anything worse. She has to go undercover as a contestant and write recaps. Abby wants to focus on her job and hopefully make out unscathed. But then she meets gorgeous producer Jack and wonders if this isn't so bad at after all.
This book was really funny and charming. I watch the Bachelor and Bachelorette, so it was nice to pull back the curtain in a way with this story. I also loved that Abby doesn't fall for The Stag but for the producer on the show. It's like a lighter and more charming version of the TV show Unreal. Besides the budding romance between Abby and Jack, and Abby gaining more confidence, I really love the female friendships portrayed in the book. While there were some tension filled moments with the other contestants, I love how Sandy took turned the reality show formula on its head (especially at the end).
It was a fun and quick read. If you're looking for something light and fun, I highly recommend it.
The main heroine, Abby, joins a reality dating show (like The Bachelor) with secret agenda - she is a journalist sent inside to write snarky and entertaining recaps to attract a bigger audience. What starts as a job assignment ends up as a life-changing experience.
Abby Jones is a serious writer. Or at least she will be one day. But for now, she writes recaps for a dating reality show called the Stag. It's not a her dream gig, but it pays the bills until she can get a serious journalist job. But when her recaps go viral, her editor wants Abby to be on set capturing all the behind the camera gossip and drama. So when the producers approach Abby to not only write the recaps, but also be on the show, Abby can't think of anything worse. She has to go undercover as a contestant and write recaps. Abby wants to focus on her job and hopefully make out unscathed. But then she meets gorgeous producer Jack and wonders if this isn't so bad at after all.
This book was really funny and charming. I watch the Bachelor and Bachelorette, so it was nice to pull back the curtain in a way with this story. I also loved that Abby doesn't fall for The Stag but for the producer on the show. It's like a lighter and more charming version of the TV show Unreal. Besides the budding romance between Abby and Jack, and Abby gaining more confidence, I really love the female friendships portrayed in the book. While there were some tension filled moments with the other contestants, I love how Sandy took turned the reality show formula on its head (especially at the end).
It was a fun and quick read. If you're looking for something light and fun, I highly recommend it.
The main heroine, Abby, joins a reality dating show (like The Bachelor) with secret agenda - she is a journalist sent inside to write snarky and entertaining recaps to attract a bigger audience. What starts as a job assignment ends up as a life-changing experience.
mirabel_oopsie's review
adventurous
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
brandy_reads's review
4.0
This is the third book I have read that is based on the Bachelor series, two of them I have read within a month of each other. You would think I would be sick of it by now but no
victoiredt's review
2.0
I really wanted to like this book but unfortunately
- it was very slow, nothing really happened.
-there wasn’t enough drama. Scrap that. There wasn’t any drama.
To recap I was bored 80% of the time
Plus I don’t know if it was because I read it on ebook but when a chapter started with a recap it was confusing. I could not tell what was part of the recap and what was the narrator’s POV
- it was very slow, nothing really happened.
-there wasn’t enough drama. Scrap that. There wasn’t any drama.
To recap I was bored 80% of the time
Plus I don’t know if it was because I read it on ebook but when a chapter started with a recap it was confusing. I could not tell what was part of the recap and what was the narrator’s POV
bookishlychar's review
2.0
This was set-up as a cute rom-com set in the world of reality T.V. on a show similar to the bachelor. I think I just I didn't connect with the characters as much as I should have. And though it was touted as a romance, there just wasn't much of it in the book. Jack and Abigail have chemistry, and you can tell from the start of the book, but it takes a great deal of back and forth, without real tension, before they actually come together, and it didn't feel romantic or passionate to me.
I did enjoy the exploration Abby had as herself as Doe Abby, Anastasia (the reality writer) and herself and how many times the characters Abigail portrayed were herself in some ways. I also liked the relationships that were formed between the contestants on the show, and the exploration of these relationships. The author did a great job of creating some likeable side characters, with friendships that were genuine and true.
I found that the book moved really slow at times and though there was a romance, it was not all encompassing and I didn't find myself rooting for them or connecting with the characters. I guess this book just wasn't for me, but it may be for people who love reality TV and the drama of reality TV. I received a copy of this from NetGalley and the publisher for an open and honest review. All opinions are 100% mine.
I did enjoy the exploration Abby had as herself as Doe Abby, Anastasia (the reality writer) and herself and how many times the characters Abigail portrayed were herself in some ways. I also liked the relationships that were formed between the contestants on the show, and the exploration of these relationships. The author did a great job of creating some likeable side characters, with friendships that were genuine and true.
I found that the book moved really slow at times and though there was a romance, it was not all encompassing and I didn't find myself rooting for them or connecting with the characters. I guess this book just wasn't for me, but it may be for people who love reality TV and the drama of reality TV. I received a copy of this from NetGalley and the publisher for an open and honest review. All opinions are 100% mine.
ishita19's review
3.0
Although the story of the book was great and funny what was missing was the chemistry and connection between the protagonists. You couldn't feel the passion between them which was a drawback according to me