Genre Guide – Reality Show Romance

Kat
Kat

Missing Love Island? Fall in love on- and off-set with these romances and their reality show elements!

Sep 11, 2026

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In the Catalog

Puck

Puck

A Novel

Samantha Allen

“Meet Puck: the nonbinary, thirty-year-old mastermind behind Homewreckers, a dating show that puts troubled couples through hell. Used to being the one pulling the strings, Puck is shocked when their life undergoes a plot twist of its own and their college roommate Mia announces her engagement to her ex’s best friend, Damon. Having only recently broken up with longtime-boyfriend Zander, and never having had much in common with Damon, Mia’s news leaves her friend group reeling.

From the Catalog

Here for the Wrong Reasons

Here for the Wrong Reasons

A Novel

Annabel Paulsen

Krystin knows exactly what she wants: a husband, a horse, and a place to hang all her competitive rodeo blue ribbons. But when none of the eligible bachelors in Montana end up being right for her, she turns to reality TV. On Hopelessly Devoted, Krystin will compete against dozens of other women for the heart of this season’s Hopeless Romantic, Josh Rosen. She’s determined to win the perfect life she came here for-if she can just ignore the glossy brunette whose crimson smile gives her goosebumps.

From the Catalog

On Libby

Witch You Would

Witch You Would

A Novel

Lia Amador

In a Miami where enchantment is just another college major, the magic of television could change two lives. Penelope Delmar, a broke salesgirl, has been chosen to compete on Cast Judgment, a spellcasting reality show. The winner gets a big cash prize, and for extra hype, this season is the Spellebrity Edition: every contestant will be paired with a celebrity teammate. Unfortunately, her partner, Leandro Presto, is best known for his goofy viral spell videos, not his skills.

From the Catalog

On Libby

The Charm Offensive

The Charm Offensive

A Novel

Alison Cochrun

In this witty and heartwarming romantic comedy–reminiscent of Red, White & Royal Blue and One to Watch –an awkward tech wunderkind on a reality dating show goes off-script when sparks fly with his producer.

From the Catalog

Hot Summer

Hot Summer

A Novel

Elle Everhart

Cas Morgan has spent years of her life watching Hot Summer, the hit dating show that pairs together a bunch of sexy singles in an exotic island location. But she never quite thought she’d be a part of it, until her company secures a partnership with the show and Cas is handpicked as a contestant. If she does well and makes it to the finals, her long-awaited promotion will be secure. Cas is ready to spend the summer trying to win over the voting public. But just as she steps into the villa, her entire plan goes off course.

From the Catalog

On Libby

Good at Being Alive

Good at Being Alive

A Novel

Elizabeth O’Roark

Rebecca ‘Bex’ Daniels has just lost her entire family in a freak train accident, leaving her completely alone in the world and responsible for their travel agency. Only a few months after the tragedy, her father’s UK partner, the straitlaced Theo Porter, reveals that the business is about to go under. Their only hope? A reality TV deal brokered before her father’s death … with a rebrand: Bex and Theo are to pose as newlyweds, exploring the world on an extended honeymoon.

From the Catalog

On Libby

Audrey Lane Stirs the Pot

Audrey Lane Stirs the Pot

Alexis J. Hall

Audrey Lane is perfectly fine. Really. …So maybe she’s not completely fine, but being on Bake Expectations is opening her world again in ways she never anticipated. First through fellow contestant Doris, whose personal story of queer love during WW2 captures Audrey’s heart, imagination and journalistic interest like nothing has in ages. Then through Jennifer Hallet, the most foul-tempered (and fouler-mouthed) producer, woman, and menace Audrey has ever met.

From the Catalog

On Libby

On Hoopla

Astrid Parker Doesn't Fail

Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail

Ashley Herring Blake

An interior designer who is never without the perfect plan learns to renovate her love life without one in this new romantic comedy by Ashley Herring Blake, author of Delilah Green Doesn’t Care .

From the Catalog

Not Here to Make Friends

Not Here to Make Friends

A Novel

Jodi McAlister

Murray O’Connell is standing on the greatest precipice of his career. As showrunner of the reality dating show Marry Me, Juliet, Murray is determined to make this season a success. Nothing and nobody will stand in his way. Except perhaps Lily Fireball, the network’s choice for this season’s villain. Lily has classic reality TV appeal: she’s feisty, dramatic, and never backs down from a fight. She also happens to be Murray’s estranged best friend and former co-showrunner. What was once a perfectly planned season turns to chaos as the two battle for control.

From the Catalog

On Libby

Fever Dream

Fever Dream

A Novel

Elsie Silver

Professional bull rider Emmett Bush is not looking for love. He’s looking for a paycheck to save his family’s farm from bankruptcy. So, when he agrees to be the leading man on a hot new reality dating show, Romance Ranch, he’s already decided it’s all one big performance. Until Julia Silva walks onto his property. Smart, snarky, beautiful, and off-limits in more ways than one. As the location consultant on set and the little sister of his most bitter professional rival, she’s the last woman who should pique his interest.

From the Catalog

On Libby

Fan Favorite

Fan Favorite

Adrienne Gunn

Thirty-five year old Edie Pepper, a roš loving, reality TV obsessed copywriter from Chicago, dreams of plucking her soulmate from the depths of Hinge (or Tinder or Bumble). Following yet another dumpster fire of a date, Edie is consoling herself with boxed wine and E! News when Ryan Seacrest drops a bomb: Edie’s high school sweetheart has been cast as the lead in America’s most beloved reality dating show, The Key, and wow, does he look different.

From the Catalog

Name Your Price

Name Your Price

A Novel

Holly James

Sparks and dishware fly as a pair of broke exes get locked in a house together on a reality show for a chance to win a million dollars, a second chance romance that perfectly captures the absurd sincerity of made-for-TV love.

From the Catalog

Take the Lead

Take the Lead

Alexis Daria

From Alexis Daria, author of the critically acclaimed, international bestseller You Had Me at Hola , comes a fun, sexy romance set against a reality dance show.

From the Catalog

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