A review by heyitsmeg777
Not Here to Stay Friends by Kaitlyn Hill

5.0

I was curious as to where this book would take me. As much as I love the love triangles and the enemies to lovers, tropes like reality shows or friends to lovers don't always work well with me. Add the fact that this book mentions a Bachelor-style setting... and it feels like I am stuck in a Bachelor TV show episode.


But it is precisely because this book's setting is a teen dating reality show that I signed up to see what happens. Also, I will admit that while I am not a fan of the Bachelor/Bachelorette reality shows.... my friend did get me into watching at least a good chunk of the current Bachelor as we mentioned those bachelorettes we liked and disliked.


So, here we go to the pleasant surprise of this book.


Short Summary: Our aspiring writer visits her best friend who is the son of a producer and accidentally ends up becoming the star of a reality show where her best friend that she's definitely not crushing on works as stage crew and she has to compete for the hand of the bachelor who may be into her.


Long Summary: Liam and Sloane have always been best friends. While their family lives may not be that great and they both have their own dreams that don't always get noticed by others, the one thing that remains constant is keeping in touch despite the distance. When she goes to visit Liam to fulfill their bucket list of things to do in L.A. she bumps into many surprises.


Like the fact that Liam is very hot now. Or the fact that his dad will be producing the spinoff reality show of the old TV show that they both grew up watching. Or even that she would end up being the perfect scapegoat to be the last contestant after a twist of fate. And let's not forget all the times she gets caught mocking the bachelor who she's supposed to woo...


Who actually is impressed by her and her general awkwardness.


But, the more she gets into the deep waters of the show and wanting to prove everyone wrong, that she can in fact thrive in a reality show, the more she starts to realize how the star of the show may be a pretty cool guy to be with... just as she realizes that maybe she had been disregarding some buried feelings for her best friend.


With a show's ratings on the line, will Sloane risk it all for love or will she stick to the script until THE END?


Let's face it: I was surprised by how much I liked it. And not just that, but all the times I was chuckling or just laughing at the comedic relief that both Liam and Sloane gave me in their respective points of view brought a smile to my face. The idea of teen reality dating shows in literature is not really seen... so the fact that this exists and that being in a reality show through Sloane's eyes...The author has my respect and my dedication to read more of her work. Admittedly, Liam stole my heart in the way he goes on to step out from his father's shoes to not only pursue his art, but also his heart.


Haha... I promise that's the last cheesy comment from me about this one.



But seriously, add this book to your list and then we can all collectively laugh at how these two best friends survive the summer in a teen bachelor show.