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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
A-/B+ Adorable Sapphic bi romance between two contestants on a fictional version of The Bachelor, set in Melbourne during the 2021 pandemic lockdowns.
I really enjoyed this, despite some pacing issues at the end. It's told from a single, first person POV, which I think tends to be less romantic than getting both / all MC's POVs. I enjoyed the story and the setting so much that I didn’t mind that. YMMV.
Amanda, our narrator, is recovering from being dumped - her ex really did a number on her confidence. I think how much you enjoy this will depend on how well you tolerate Amanda putting herself down and her general passivity. She does eventually take more control of her life and I enjoyed her character growth.
Some readers may also be cautious about reading an escapist romance set during the pandemic lockdowns. The setting worked for me - having the whole show in a bubble during production meant that the characters were believably insulated from the pandemic but with some anxiety about what was going on in the outside world seeping in. For me that was the right mix.
I enjoyed the MC's developing friendship and romance and I really enjoyed the behind the scenes feel of the book. The author clearly is a fan of The Bachelor but not blindly so and the same is true of the MCs, who are fans but aren't actually expecting to fall in love with the guy they're all competing for, even though he seems like a much more interesting and all around better human being than any of the American Bachelors I'm familiar with.
It's the 2nd in a series and it takes place concurrently with book 1. It worked as a stand alone for me (books 1 and 3 are m/f and it looks like they're both straight romances, so I was less enthusiastic about paying full price for them, even if they're not usually available in the US).
I really enjoyed this, despite some pacing issues at the end. It's told from a single, first person POV, which I think tends to be less romantic than getting both / all MC's POVs. I enjoyed the story and the setting so much that I didn’t mind that. YMMV.
Amanda, our narrator, is recovering from being dumped - her ex really did a number on her confidence. I think how much you enjoy this will depend on how well you tolerate Amanda putting herself down and her general passivity. She does eventually take more control of her life and I enjoyed her character growth.
Some readers may also be cautious about reading an escapist romance set during the pandemic lockdowns. The setting worked for me - having the whole show in a bubble during production meant that the characters were believably insulated from the pandemic but with some anxiety about what was going on in the outside world seeping in. For me that was the right mix.
I enjoyed the MC's developing friendship and romance and I really enjoyed the behind the scenes feel of the book. The author clearly is a fan of The Bachelor but not blindly so and the same is true of the MCs, who are fans but aren't actually expecting to fall in love with the guy they're all competing for, even though he seems like a much more interesting and all around better human being than any of the American Bachelors I'm familiar with.
It's the 2nd in a series and it takes place concurrently with book 1. It worked as a stand alone for me (books 1 and 3 are m/f and it looks like they're both straight romances, so I was less enthusiastic about paying full price for them, even if they're not usually available in the US).
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
ahhHhhh this felt like a continuation of the previous book, so i would recommend reading in one go (i need the third book like, right now??!)
ANYWAYS this reminded me of negbt i absolutely binged it!
ANYWAYS this reminded me of negbt i absolutely binged it!
After absolutely adoring the first book in Australian author Jodi McAlister’s “Marry Me, Juliet” series, I had high expectations for the second instalment: Can I Steal You For A Second? (CISYFOS). Were they met? Mostly. Did I enjoy the read? Absolutely.
The “Marry Me, Juliet” series currently takes place both in front of the cameras and behind the scenes of a reality TV dating show, think the one with the roses. Amanda “Mandie” Mitchell applies to go on the show to get over her ex-girlfriend, and while at auditions meets Dylan G. They become friends, and as the show continues their relationship grows.
However, and stick with me here, book one kicks off with the very first night of eliminations coinciding with pandemic lockdowns in Australia, that limited people’s movement. For the first book and when it was published, it absolutely made sense and also provided a unique look into some of the issues and trials experienced by people around the country and world. However, if you’re expecting book two to pick up after book one and as we learned to live with the pandemic (and with publishing happening early-mid 2023), then you may be disappointed. CISYFAS is essentially the exact timeframe, from our two new main characters perspective. If you’ve read book one, it’s not Dylan JM or “boy Dylan” either; the previous book’s hero and male lead of the reality show. Instead, we are given these two bisexual female leads, who get to tell their story in a traditionally hetero show/format. Do I wish that maybe book two had picked up where book one finished, maybe using flashbacks to relevant plot points? I think so, especially given the timing now and fatigue felt from the pandemic that I don’t think anyone wants to relive. And I definitely would have loved some dual or even multiple POV for a key chapters to understand other characters better, but maybe that’s just my reading preference at the moment too.
However, this book was still a fantastic read. I loved connecting more dots between characters I already knew and loved, getting those new perspectives, and finding out things that had happened our book one heroes had either missed or were simply not revealed. The fact that we find out about specific scripting and manipulation of the reality show should not surprise anyone, and it provides plenty of angst, but also lends itself nicely to the storyline between our two female main characters (neither of whom by the way, let the producers think they are anything other than straight initially). Never fear though, their ending is well worth the struggles they face. If you’re a fan of reality TV dating shows and queer characters, CISYFAS is a 2023 must read.
Key tropes: reality TV behind the scenes, friends to lovers, bisexual protagonists, single POV, closed door scenes.
Content / trigger warnings: past toxic relationship, COVID-19 and lock downs, coming out/biphobia fears, high pressure/stress environment.
Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by NetGalley.
The “Marry Me, Juliet” series currently takes place both in front of the cameras and behind the scenes of a reality TV dating show, think the one with the roses. Amanda “Mandie” Mitchell applies to go on the show to get over her ex-girlfriend, and while at auditions meets Dylan G. They become friends, and as the show continues their relationship grows.
However, and stick with me here, book one kicks off with the very first night of eliminations coinciding with pandemic lockdowns in Australia, that limited people’s movement. For the first book and when it was published, it absolutely made sense and also provided a unique look into some of the issues and trials experienced by people around the country and world. However, if you’re expecting book two to pick up after book one and as we learned to live with the pandemic (and with publishing happening early-mid 2023), then you may be disappointed. CISYFAS is essentially the exact timeframe, from our two new main characters perspective. If you’ve read book one, it’s not Dylan JM or “boy Dylan” either; the previous book’s hero and male lead of the reality show. Instead, we are given these two bisexual female leads, who get to tell their story in a traditionally hetero show/format. Do I wish that maybe book two had picked up where book one finished, maybe using flashbacks to relevant plot points? I think so, especially given the timing now and fatigue felt from the pandemic that I don’t think anyone wants to relive. And I definitely would have loved some dual or even multiple POV for a key chapters to understand other characters better, but maybe that’s just my reading preference at the moment too.
However, this book was still a fantastic read. I loved connecting more dots between characters I already knew and loved, getting those new perspectives, and finding out things that had happened our book one heroes had either missed or were simply not revealed. The fact that we find out about specific scripting and manipulation of the reality show should not surprise anyone, and it provides plenty of angst, but also lends itself nicely to the storyline between our two female main characters (neither of whom by the way, let the producers think they are anything other than straight initially). Never fear though, their ending is well worth the struggles they face. If you’re a fan of reality TV dating shows and queer characters, CISYFAS is a 2023 must read.
Key tropes: reality TV behind the scenes, friends to lovers, bisexual protagonists, single POV, closed door scenes.
Content / trigger warnings: past toxic relationship, COVID-19 and lock downs, coming out/biphobia fears, high pressure/stress environment.
Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by NetGalley.
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
no thanks
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Sequel to “Here for the Right Reasons” - a rom-com based on the Bachelor/ette franchises. This read like a bad tv script.. essentially this happened, then this happened, then we had to go over here. People of colour were thrown in for diversity sake - with one sentence about their skin colour or heritage yet nothing else relating to their culture and no other mentions of it. There were way too many side characters and no character development for the leads. This took me almost 7 weeks to read.. I’m proud of myself for persevering
lighthearted
These books are now firmly cemented as ✨comfort reads✨
I absolutely loved Here For The Right Reasons when I read it on Netgalley - I even gave it a whole 5⭐ which as we know is rare for me, let alone for a romance novel?? Honestly a "this is what I'll post if I'm kidnapped" moment (but I'm not! just secretly a big ol romantic in there somewhere 😆)
It's Aussie, it's literally on the set of not-The-Bachelor, the dude (boy-Dylan) is a big old cinnamon roll, and that cheeky lil *ending* - loved every second with it.
CISYFAS picks up the lil story thread dropped at the end of the first one - spoiler alert: that of Amanda and girl-Dylan, two contestants on the show.
This one starts right back at the beginning, but from the perspective of Mandie. Now that's not easy to do right when we've already read this story once but not for a second did I feel bored or like anything was being unnecessarily rehashed. The friends to lovers tale was told fantastically, the chemistry was excellent, and it still felt fresh and engaging while being in a comfortingly familiar setting.
Our POV character Mandie was a bundle of overthinking, pining and low self-esteem and being inside her head was way too relatable 😆
The little threads of Murray and Lily's story were delectably sprinkled throughout and I'm excited I have that one (upcoming book 3) on Netgalley to jump straight into.
I'd definitely recommend reading these books in order as I think you'll enjoy all the little Easter eggs more that way.
If The Bachelor or its ilk have ever been a guilty pleasure, I highly recommend these books. I'm honestly thinking about rereading book 1 and I *never* reread. You can't get much higher praise than that from me.
5⭐ again, just as good as the first.
I absolutely loved Here For The Right Reasons when I read it on Netgalley - I even gave it a whole 5⭐ which as we know is rare for me, let alone for a romance novel?? Honestly a "this is what I'll post if I'm kidnapped" moment (but I'm not! just secretly a big ol romantic in there somewhere 😆)
It's Aussie, it's literally on the set of not-The-Bachelor, the dude (boy-Dylan) is a big old cinnamon roll, and that cheeky lil *ending* - loved every second with it.
CISYFAS picks up the lil story thread dropped at the end of the first one - spoiler alert: that of Amanda and girl-Dylan, two contestants on the show.
This one starts right back at the beginning, but from the perspective of Mandie. Now that's not easy to do right when we've already read this story once but not for a second did I feel bored or like anything was being unnecessarily rehashed. The friends to lovers tale was told fantastically, the chemistry was excellent, and it still felt fresh and engaging while being in a comfortingly familiar setting.
Our POV character Mandie was a bundle of overthinking, pining and low self-esteem and being inside her head was way too relatable 😆
The little threads of Murray and Lily's story were delectably sprinkled throughout and I'm excited I have that one (upcoming book 3) on Netgalley to jump straight into.
I'd definitely recommend reading these books in order as I think you'll enjoy all the little Easter eggs more that way.
If The Bachelor or its ilk have ever been a guilty pleasure, I highly recommend these books. I'm honestly thinking about rereading book 1 and I *never* reread. You can't get much higher praise than that from me.
5⭐ again, just as good as the first.
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes