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jill_holly's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A fun destination horror romp, like a beach read for slasher fans. I enjoyed the dark humour and changing POVs of several women who are part of a reality dating show à la The Bachelor. It was short, fast-paced and satisfying. Listening to it as a full cast audio book was especially entertaining, at times it felt like I was almost watching the reality show itself devolving into weird chaos. It scratched that same silly reality tv itch with a big helping of WTF for good measure. I only wished the author explored more of "her," but overall, a delightful horror read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, Vomit, Gore, Alcoholism, Death, and Blood
Moderate: Car accident
sullyvan's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
msmagoo502's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
eve_ward's review against another edition
3.0
I'm having a really hard time wrapping my head around this one, I honestly don't know what to think. Maybe I should try to separate this into sections? I'll give it a go.
The Catch
The actual reality show aspect of this book was unexpected. I thought it was written so well, I honestly wish the entire book was just that (which it was for the most part but we'll get to that). The falseness of everything, the way producers manipulated everything to get whatever would produce the most revenue, the pitting women against one another for a man who certainly wasn't Prince Charming. That all felt very real to me. This added to the ladies' spiralling mental states, well, it made for fantastic reading. I'd say this was the most interesting part of the book.
The Beast
I don't think part of the story was explored to the best of it's potential. I was in total support of this idea, whether it went down the comedy route (as it was advertised) or the tension filled, horror route (which I feel it leaned more towards just not very well). I don't think this book's synopsis was true to the actual routes of this. Quite honestly, it wasn't particularly funny. I think it was best when it leaned more towards the "what is this vague, shadowy thing we keep seeing in the woods", when there was actual tension. My heart was racing at one point when Amanda was looking at those photos on her camera. But no, that is not what we got. Even though it was only at the very end, meeting Patricia felt a tad too rushed so it was hard to take her seriously, as silly as it is, the whole book lacked any realism after that point.
The Contestants
Let's be real, none of these characters were particularly likable, but they felt real. For every single person, and every single decision I would think "yeah, I know someone that'd do that" or "that's quite relatable in an 'I should probably work on myself' way". They were all fully developed, three-dimensional characters. Renee was certainly an interesting case for me, she was as close to a protagonist as we were going to get. You could really feel for her struggle as a closeted black woman, girlie was just having a bad time, it'd be hard not to sympathise.
The Spiral
Most of these characters descended into madness near the end. Some were somewhat redeemed, others certainly not. It was very showing of the effect that whole experience had on them that by the end, most lacked basic empathy and were only looking out for themselves.
Conclusions
I'm very indecisive about how I feel about this book as so many factors are at play.
1. I believe it was falsely advertised, I don't feel as though we got what we were promised.
2. Though that may be the case, I quite liked everything that didn't match that. I was fully invested in this for about 70% but even with this being the case, it never felt as though there was an actual point
3. The ending didn't satisfy. Like, I got it on a basic level but it just felt rushed and underexplained.
4. Renee's complete 180 was jarring, I saw the lead-up to it and understood why it came about, but it just didn't feel right.
5. I just wanted more from this entire experience
Idk guys, I need to talk to someone about this one.
The Catch
The actual reality show aspect of this book was unexpected. I thought it was written so well, I honestly wish the entire book was just that (which it was for the most part but we'll get to that). The falseness of everything, the way producers manipulated everything to get whatever would produce the most revenue, the pitting women against one another for a man who certainly wasn't Prince Charming. That all felt very real to me. This added to the ladies' spiralling mental states, well, it made for fantastic reading. I'd say this was the most interesting part of the book.
The Beast
I don't think part of the story was explored to the best of it's potential. I was in total support of this idea, whether it went down the comedy route (as it was advertised) or the tension filled, horror route (which I feel it leaned more towards just not very well). I don't think this book's synopsis was true to the actual routes of this. Quite honestly, it wasn't particularly funny. I think it was best when it leaned more towards the "what is this vague, shadowy thing we keep seeing in the woods", when there was actual tension. My heart was racing at one point when Amanda was looking at those photos on her camera. But no, that is not what we got. Even though it was only at the very end, meeting Patricia felt a tad too rushed so it was hard to take her seriously, as silly as it is, the whole book lacked any realism after that point.
The Contestants
Let's be real, none of these characters were particularly likable, but they felt real. For every single person, and every single decision I would think "yeah, I know someone that'd do that" or "that's quite relatable in an 'I should probably work on myself' way". They were all fully developed, three-dimensional characters. Renee was certainly an interesting case for me, she was as close to a protagonist as we were going to get. You could really feel for her struggle as a closeted black woman, girlie was just having a bad time, it'd be hard not to sympathise.
The Spiral
Most of these characters descended into madness near the end. Some were somewhat redeemed, others certainly not. It was very showing of the effect that whole experience had on them that by the end, most lacked basic empathy and were only looking out for themselves.
Conclusions
I'm very indecisive about how I feel about this book as so many factors are at play.
1. I believe it was falsely advertised, I don't feel as though we got what we were promised.
2. Though that may be the case, I quite liked everything that didn't match that. I was fully invested in this for about 70% but even with this being the case, it never felt as though there was an actual point
3. The ending didn't satisfy. Like, I got it on a basic level but it just felt rushed and underexplained.
4. Renee's complete 180 was jarring, I saw the lead-up to it and understood why it came about, but it just didn't feel right.
5. I just wanted more from this entire experience
Idk guys, I need to talk to someone about this one.
elizabeth_its_liz_reading's review against another edition
4.0
PWTC is a dark, funny take on The Bachelor, which I’ve actually never seen before. Despite this, I truly could not put this book down. It’s a compelling page-turner that explores the absurdity and sexism of dating shows and more generally, societal expectations of women. The final girl vibes and the parallel to dating shows was really well done and amusing. I definitely recommend this to anyone intrigued by the synopsis!
hb_bookworm's review against another edition
5.0
omg, this was deliciously bizarre and perfect! hits the nail right on the head in so many ways.
annamack2023's review against another edition
5.0
I. Loved. This. Book. Reality tv and cryptids was not a combo I was expecting but my goodness was it wonderful. This book is deliciously camp and truly such a fun read. Yassified Sasquatch and a sapphic cult in the Pacific Northwest is literally all anyone can ask for.
Patricia not only wants a cuddle, she deserves one and I will give it to her pronto (head scratches included).
Patricia not only wants a cuddle, she deserves one and I will give it to her pronto (head scratches included).
cohejos18's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
pjane22's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0