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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
mt_books_bravo's review
4.0
The dating game by Sandy Barker was a delightful story of two very likable main characters. I download this book before I went to the beach and enjoyed every minute of it. As I’m not a viewer of the bachelor I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the TV show setting. I found the main character very funny especially in her role as critic. But it was the Australian background characters that really brought levity to the story. It was a bit longer than I thought necessary but that did not detract from my Enjoyment of this book. #Netgalley
emilyisoverbooked's review
2.0
Thank you to One More Chapter for the copy of this ATC. I unfortunately just couldn’t get into this book. I did the quite a few chapters, but wasn’t connecting with the MC or the overall message of the book.
poppyjessica's review
4.0
After reading the amazing 'One to Watch' by Kate Stayman-London and 'The Shelf' by Helly Acton, I was excited to get my hands on another novel centred around a reality TV show, particularly one which promised an intriguing romance. In Sandy Barker's 'The Dating Game', we follow Abby Jones, who is a contestant on the latest series of The Stag. She is one of the 'Does' flown over to an incredible £20 million house in Sydney to compete for the heart of eligible bachelor Daniel. The only problem is that Abby is an undercover journalist (pen name Anastasia Blabbergasted naturally), who is incredibly attracted to Jack, the hot producer. Plus, Daniel turns out to be a total banker (wanker). With Abby undercover and guaranteed to reach the final four, she may as wall try and enjoy the experience...
The concept in this is a really fun take on the use of the bachelor style series. Because Abby is both a contestant and a journalist, we get to see a lot of the machinations behind the scenes, including developing the 'storylines' and the capturing of footage which will be 'good TV'. I liked this insight into the show and was interested to see how Abby played certain scenarios when she was much more 'in the know' than her fellow contestants.
There are a couple of issues with the book. The first is the fragmented style of storytelling. Some of the revelations come from Abby experiencing the events in first person whilst we see others through the eyes of her persona Anastasia's bitchy 'recaps. Whilst I thought her journalistic style was sarcastic and entertaining, there were certain events which would have been more enjoyable shown and experienced through Abby's eyes than as a detached recap. (For example, Womble the horse. You'll see.) I also found Abby and Jack so frustrating. Abby could not have made it clearer she thought Daniel was a total dick, yet Jack repeatedly got jealous. Rather than repeating the same fight over and over, just communicate like adults. Please.
Overall, it may not have lived up to its reality TV novel predecessors but 'The Dating Game' was a fun read and the ending was a good choice. I would have liked Daniel to have slightly more redeeming features and more of a chance with Abby (but I guess the point of the book is about Abby's bond and friendships with the other contestants, not a love triangle!). I give this one 3.5 stars (rounded up to 4).
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher who provided an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The concept in this is a really fun take on the use of the bachelor style series. Because Abby is both a contestant and a journalist, we get to see a lot of the machinations behind the scenes, including developing the 'storylines' and the capturing of footage which will be 'good TV'. I liked this insight into the show and was interested to see how Abby played certain scenarios when she was much more 'in the know' than her fellow contestants.
There are a couple of issues with the book. The first is the fragmented style of storytelling. Some of the revelations come from Abby experiencing the events in first person whilst we see others through the eyes of her persona Anastasia's bitchy 'recaps. Whilst I thought her journalistic style was sarcastic and entertaining, there were certain events which would have been more enjoyable shown and experienced through Abby's eyes than as a detached recap. (For example, Womble the horse. You'll see.) I also found Abby and Jack so frustrating. Abby could not have made it clearer she thought Daniel was a total dick, yet Jack repeatedly got jealous. Rather than repeating the same fight over and over, just communicate like adults. Please.
Overall, it may not have lived up to its reality TV novel predecessors but 'The Dating Game' was a fun read and the ending was a good choice. I would have liked Daniel to have slightly more redeeming features and more of a chance with Abby (but I guess the point of the book is about Abby's bond and friendships with the other contestants, not a love triangle!). I give this one 3.5 stars (rounded up to 4).
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher who provided an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
mrslmx's review
3.0
Thank you to NetGalley and One More Chapter ARC!
As the author, Sandy Barker, who is a new author to me, says in the ‘authors note’ in the beginning: “There are many characters” and damn, she definitely is right. The characters were too much for me, but it was without a doubt entertaining. The dialogues were funny & cocky and helped me finishing it.
The main character… so… the main character was okay. She was relatable at some points, but then completely different in other situations. Good thing: she was not annoying. So, it was bearable.
I have to admit, i was not a big fan of the romance. So if you are looking for a good romance (and only for that), i’d not recommend it.
Moreover, the story was really easy to follow. My favourite part was undoubtedly the whole “behind the scene” stuff. It was interesting reading about these shows and how they work. Unfortunately, there was no real drama, no hooks, so i wasn’t really into it. I couldn’t feel *the* tingling under the skin.
Yes, i’d recommend it but not as a romance book but more as a “behind the scene in trash TV + a little romance” book.
And i want travel to Sydney.
As the author, Sandy Barker, who is a new author to me, says in the ‘authors note’ in the beginning: “There are many characters” and damn, she definitely is right. The characters were too much for me, but it was without a doubt entertaining. The dialogues were funny & cocky and helped me finishing it.
The main character… so… the main character was okay. She was relatable at some points, but then completely different in other situations. Good thing: she was not annoying. So, it was bearable.
I have to admit, i was not a big fan of the romance. So if you are looking for a good romance (and only for that), i’d not recommend it.
Moreover, the story was really easy to follow. My favourite part was undoubtedly the whole “behind the scene” stuff. It was interesting reading about these shows and how they work. Unfortunately, there was no real drama, no hooks, so i wasn’t really into it. I couldn’t feel *the* tingling under the skin.
Yes, i’d recommend it but not as a romance book but more as a “behind the scene in trash TV + a little romance” book.
And i want travel to Sydney.
melbailey215's review
1.0
I really wanted to love this because Sandy is such a nice person, but I just couldn’t get into it.
I loved the premise, love reality TV but I just didn’t love the style. Perhaps I’m too old for it now?
After persevering for 1/4 of the book, I just couldn’t go any further, sadly.
My first DNF for the year :(
I loved the premise, love reality TV but I just didn’t love the style. Perhaps I’m too old for it now?
After persevering for 1/4 of the book, I just couldn’t go any further, sadly.
My first DNF for the year :(