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Made for You
Hi. My name is Julia. I’m a Synth. And I’m here to find love…
Synthetic woman Julia Walden was designed for one reason: to compete on The Proposal and claim the heart of bachelor Josh LaSala. Her casting is controversial, but Julia seems to get her fairy-tale ending when Josh gets down on one knee.
Fast forward fifteen months, and Julia and Josh are married and raising their baby in small-town Indiana. But with haters around every corner, Julia's life is a far cry from the domestic bliss she imagined. Then her splintering world shatters: Josh goes missing, and she becomes the prime suspect in his murder.
With no one left she can trust, Julia takes the investigation into her own hands. But the explosive truths she uncovers will drive her to her breaking point—and isn’t that where a person’s true nature is revealed? That is…if Julia truly is a person.
Told via dual timelines, Jenna Satterthwaite’s twist-filled debut deftly explores the exhilarating point where artificial intelligence, reality TV and bone-chilling murder mystery meet.
Synthetic woman Julia Walden was designed for one reason: to compete on The Proposal and claim the heart of bachelor Josh LaSala. Her casting is controversial, but Julia seems to get her fairy-tale ending when Josh gets down on one knee.
Fast forward fifteen months, and Julia and Josh are married and raising their baby in small-town Indiana. But with haters around every corner, Julia's life is a far cry from the domestic bliss she imagined. Then her splintering world shatters: Josh goes missing, and she becomes the prime suspect in his murder.
With no one left she can trust, Julia takes the investigation into her own hands. But the explosive truths she uncovers will drive her to her breaking point—and isn’t that where a person’s true nature is revealed? That is…if Julia truly is a person.
Told via dual timelines, Jenna Satterthwaite’s twist-filled debut deftly explores the exhilarating point where artificial intelligence, reality TV and bone-chilling murder mystery meet.
402 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 2, 2024
109 people are currently reading
18254 people want to read
About the author
Jenna Satterthwaite
3 books213 followersJenna is an author and literary agent who writes novels under her own name as well as open pseudonym Sienna Sharpe.
Born in the Midwest, Jenna Satterthwaite grew up in Spain, lived briefly in France, and is now happily settled in Chicago with her husband and three kids.
Jenna studied classical guitar at the Conservatorio Profesional de Música de Zaragoza and earned her BAs in English Lit and French at Indiana University. Now she works a 9-5 style office job where she types many emails while drinking many cups of excellent coffee. Jenna is also a literary agent with Storm Literary Agency. Once upon a time, Jenna moonlighted as a singer-songwriter in folk band Thornfield.
In the winter, you can find Jenna obsessively and cozily pounding out novels on her laptop by the fireplace. In the summer, you can find her getting sunburned at the pool with her kids, vaguely wondering how a novel is even written.
She loves sushi, reading in her natural habitat (aka her bed), and women taking back their power. Made For You is her debut novel, and her next book with Mira/HarperCollins, The New Year's Party, is coming October 2025.
Under the pseudonym Sienna Sharpe, Jenna is the author "Beach Bodies" (UK) and "A Killer Getaway" (US title), both releasing Summer 2025.
Connect with Jenna on Twitter @jennaschmenna, Facebook on her author page, and Instagram @jenna.satterthwaite.author. She loves to hear from readers!
Born in the Midwest, Jenna Satterthwaite grew up in Spain, lived briefly in France, and is now happily settled in Chicago with her husband and three kids.
Jenna studied classical guitar at the Conservatorio Profesional de Música de Zaragoza and earned her BAs in English Lit and French at Indiana University. Now she works a 9-5 style office job where she types many emails while drinking many cups of excellent coffee. Jenna is also a literary agent with Storm Literary Agency. Once upon a time, Jenna moonlighted as a singer-songwriter in folk band Thornfield.
In the winter, you can find Jenna obsessively and cozily pounding out novels on her laptop by the fireplace. In the summer, you can find her getting sunburned at the pool with her kids, vaguely wondering how a novel is even written.
She loves sushi, reading in her natural habitat (aka her bed), and women taking back their power. Made For You is her debut novel, and her next book with Mira/HarperCollins, The New Year's Party, is coming October 2025.
Under the pseudonym Sienna Sharpe, Jenna is the author "Beach Bodies" (UK) and "A Killer Getaway" (US title), both releasing Summer 2025.
Connect with Jenna on Twitter @jennaschmenna, Facebook on her author page, and Instagram @jenna.satterthwaite.author. She loves to hear from readers!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 471 reviews
August 3, 2024
writing: bland | plot: chaotic | ending: BE SO FKING FR RIGHT NOW
my opinion
I would hereby like to issue an official apology to the lovely individuals who joined my last two buddy reads and were subjected to asstastic books. I cannot be trusted. Please forgive me.
The silver lining here is this book made me appreciate Annie Bot waaaay more. I almost went back and bumped up my rating after I finished this because she deserves better than that 3 stars I tossed it. Annie Bot did what I thought this book was trying to accomplish. Honestly, if I hadn't read the author's review of her own book, I would've never known Made For You was exploring the question "why tf is God playing games with my life?" You may read this and think: "how can you two star a book if you didn't even get it!?!" Let me save you the time from banging that out in my comments. I didn't get it was the central theme because it was diluted by about 1409059 other themes and messages of the week.
It seemed like the author was committed to putting everything that popped into her head into this book without considering this patchwork style tends not to work in books. I'm too lazy to get into spoilies, so I'll give a non-spoiler example. Early on we learn that Julia and Josh's home was built on land previously owned by a serial killer who, as the youths would say, used his rizz to lure ladies back to his farm before dicing them up. At first I thought this was just a spooky fun fact, but it becomes clear it's some sort of allegory of Julia and Josh's marriage when she drops this absolute bar on us: "Trying to figure out what to do with the broken things I've been handed, this busted-apart life on the land where twenty-two girls were busted apart" (LMFAOAOAOAOAOO) Ok cool I guess but after mentioning it several times, why did you drop it like a hot potato from the second half of the book??? Literally never heard of Sir Rizz A Lot ever again. I could almost hear the author yelling "NEXT!!" and slotting in a new literary device like this Shakespearean symbolism of why human + synthe marriage fails: He puts the sandwiches together... Two pieces of bread that fit together because they were cut from the same loaf." ......... halp
Also there were many basic questions that went unanswered like: how does a Synthe get a passport? Since they barely have the right to be unplugged from the motherboard, how did the gov let them raise a whole ass child? Who signed off on this LOL. Also, how can she have 150 MILLION instagram followers and receive death threats on the reg but have no concept of security. Not even one Walmart indoor camera and a ring doorbell? And you let your neighbor brazenly stare at you and your baby via binoculars? And you didn't CIA-level vet your babysitter? And you're gonna ignore the fact that somebody was chatting to your baby through the missing parent side of the baby monitor??? Another example of how random stuff was thrown into the book without considering the implications to the overall story.
The other thing that miffed me were the Tumblr-esque psychological musings that almost always began with "Maybe..." Oh and don't get me started on how the DV shit was handled. Just... *heavy sigh*
Anyways, despite the author's ambitious intentions, this book came off as purely "just vibes." If you like Verity, you'll most likely rock with this. There's some real whackadoodle stuff in here.
pros & cons
pros: BANGIN cover, cool concept
cons: couldn't pick a lane—was swerving all over the place like a drunk driver, so many random trails that led to nowhere (not red herring style, just seems like they were forgotten), lukewarm philosophical musings, swiss cheese plot, unsatisfactory ending, surface-level examination of bots vs humans
__
Check out my YouTube
my opinion
I would hereby like to issue an official apology to the lovely individuals who joined my last two buddy reads and were subjected to asstastic books. I cannot be trusted. Please forgive me.
The silver lining here is this book made me appreciate Annie Bot waaaay more. I almost went back and bumped up my rating after I finished this because she deserves better than that 3 stars I tossed it. Annie Bot did what I thought this book was trying to accomplish. Honestly, if I hadn't read the author's review of her own book, I would've never known Made For You was exploring the question "why tf is God playing games with my life?" You may read this and think: "how can you two star a book if you didn't even get it!?!" Let me save you the time from banging that out in my comments. I didn't get it was the central theme because it was diluted by about 1409059 other themes and messages of the week.
It seemed like the author was committed to putting everything that popped into her head into this book without considering this patchwork style tends not to work in books. I'm too lazy to get into spoilies, so I'll give a non-spoiler example. Early on we learn that Julia and Josh's home was built on land previously owned by a serial killer who, as the youths would say, used his rizz to lure ladies back to his farm before dicing them up. At first I thought this was just a spooky fun fact, but it becomes clear it's some sort of allegory of Julia and Josh's marriage when she drops this absolute bar on us: "Trying to figure out what to do with the broken things I've been handed, this busted-apart life on the land where twenty-two girls were busted apart" (LMFAOAOAOAOAOO) Ok cool I guess but after mentioning it several times, why did you drop it like a hot potato from the second half of the book??? Literally never heard of Sir Rizz A Lot ever again. I could almost hear the author yelling "NEXT!!" and slotting in a new literary device like this Shakespearean symbolism of why human + synthe marriage fails: He puts the sandwiches together... Two pieces of bread that fit together because they were cut from the same loaf." ......... halp
Also there were many basic questions that went unanswered like: how does a Synthe get a passport? Since they barely have the right to be unplugged from the motherboard, how did the gov let them raise a whole ass child? Who signed off on this LOL. Also, how can she have 150 MILLION instagram followers and receive death threats on the reg but have no concept of security. Not even one Walmart indoor camera and a ring doorbell? And you let your neighbor brazenly stare at you and your baby via binoculars? And you didn't CIA-level vet your babysitter? And you're gonna ignore the fact that somebody was chatting to your baby through the missing parent side of the baby monitor??? Another example of how random stuff was thrown into the book without considering the implications to the overall story.
The other thing that miffed me were the Tumblr-esque psychological musings that almost always began with "Maybe..." Oh and don't get me started on how the DV shit was handled. Just... *heavy sigh*
Anyways, despite the author's ambitious intentions, this book came off as purely "just vibes." If you like Verity, you'll most likely rock with this. There's some real whackadoodle stuff in here.
pros & cons
pros: BANGIN cover, cool concept
cons: couldn't pick a lane—was swerving all over the place like a drunk driver, so many random trails that led to nowhere (not red herring style, just seems like they were forgotten), lukewarm philosophical musings, swiss cheese plot, unsatisfactory ending, surface-level examination of bots vs humans
__
Check out my YouTube
June 16, 2024
ARC review
Publishing date- 7/2/2024
My Rating 4.85 ⭐️
Did I finish this book in less than 24 hours? Yes. Ahh I love when I find a book that I’m completely immersed into that world. That book high is a different feeling that I’m constantly searching for 😂😂😂😂
What To Expect/Warnings
🧬Synth
🧬Fast Paced Thriller
🧬Dual Timelines
🧬Plot Twist
🧬Reality TV
🧬Murder
🧬Suicide
🧬Domestic Violence
Julia a synth finds herself in some hot water when she becomes the prime suspect in her husbands murder. Told in dual timelines you follow Julia from when she first wakes up to becoming a contestant in dating reality show and ultimately you’re in for a ride as you try to figure out who killed Julia’s husband.
This novel was written in such a unique way that as soon as I started the first sentence, I was completely captivated. The plot was plotting the twist was twisting 😂 when I tell you my jaw was constantly unhinged when I got to about 85% and everything was coming together.
S H O O K.
I really enjoyed all the characters they were written well. Kinda love Bob????? so random but he’s the real MVP.
As we enter, the new age of rapidly advanced technology, something like this could happen. Syth people living amongst us. With anything new and controversial there are going to be people that are afraid/against synth people. And with fear comes hate. How do you distinguish laws for something/someone that was essentially created in the lab? Are they really people? These are some questions that are touched upon in this gripping novel.
I can’t believe this is the authors debut book. I can’t wait to check out her future work. I’m recommend this book to any who like SC-FI thrillers.
🤖Thanks to NetGalley, Jenna Satterthwaite, & Harlequin Trade Publishing, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review 🤖
Publishing date- 7/2/2024
My Rating 4.85 ⭐️
Did I finish this book in less than 24 hours? Yes. Ahh I love when I find a book that I’m completely immersed into that world. That book high is a different feeling that I’m constantly searching for 😂😂😂😂
What To Expect/Warnings
🧬Synth
🧬Fast Paced Thriller
🧬Dual Timelines
🧬Plot Twist
🧬Reality TV
🧬Murder
🧬Suicide
🧬Domestic Violence
Julia a synth finds herself in some hot water when she becomes the prime suspect in her husbands murder. Told in dual timelines you follow Julia from when she first wakes up to becoming a contestant in dating reality show and ultimately you’re in for a ride as you try to figure out who killed Julia’s husband.
This novel was written in such a unique way that as soon as I started the first sentence, I was completely captivated. The plot was plotting the twist was twisting 😂 when I tell you my jaw was constantly unhinged when I got to about 85% and everything was coming together.
S H O O K.
I really enjoyed all the characters they were written well. Kinda love Bob????? so random but he’s the real MVP.
As we enter, the new age of rapidly advanced technology, something like this could happen. Syth people living amongst us. With anything new and controversial there are going to be people that are afraid/against synth people. And with fear comes hate. How do you distinguish laws for something/someone that was essentially created in the lab? Are they really people? These are some questions that are touched upon in this gripping novel.
I can’t believe this is the authors debut book. I can’t wait to check out her future work. I’m recommend this book to any who like SC-FI thrillers.
🤖Thanks to NetGalley, Jenna Satterthwaite, & Harlequin Trade Publishing, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review 🤖
July 6, 2024
Made For You by Jenna Satterthwaite
Narrated (expertly) by Bailey Carr
11 hrs 51 minutes at 1x speed (I listened at 1.7x speed)
SO.MUCH.FUN
THEN:
After the first two Synths (Synthetic women) twins Christie and Chrystal became household names when their reality show “Keeping Up with the Synths” became a mega hit-the producers of “The Proposal” (The Bachelor clone) came up with a controversial new twist for the next season…
“Hi. My name is Julia. I’m a Synth. And I’m here to find love…”
Synth Julia Walden was designed to compete on The Proposal and win the heart of bachelor Josh LaSala. AND, she does. (not a spoiler-read the official synopsis)
SO.MANY.SURPRISES.
NOW:
It’s fifteen months later and Julia and Josh are married with a baby. But not everyone was on board with his choice. There are haters everywhere and it’s taking a toll on their marriage.
Can they survive now that the cameras have stopped rolling and REALITY has set in? Or will they become the latest casualty of the franchise?
Julia: “What was I made for, Love or Heartbreak? 💔 Josh or entertainment?”
Then, Josh goes missing, and she becomes the prime suspect in his murder.
The story alternates between “THEN” and “NOW”.
I confess! 🙋🏻♀️ “The Bachelor” is a GUILTY PLEASURE of mine, and the “THEN” chapters felt like I was watching the latest season as I watched Julia’s “journey to find love” unfold. Reading these chapters was so much fun.
But, the “NOW” chapters go a lot DEEPER than I expected and the couple will deal with some very REAL ISSUES.
You might even say that their relationship has the MOST dramatic ending ever!
This is a sensational DEBUT which was entertaining from the start and I highly recommend the AUDIBLE version-as I think Bailey Carr’s narration added to the “fun”!
AVAILABLE NOW!
Narrated (expertly) by Bailey Carr
11 hrs 51 minutes at 1x speed (I listened at 1.7x speed)
SO.MUCH.FUN
THEN:
After the first two Synths (Synthetic women) twins Christie and Chrystal became household names when their reality show “Keeping Up with the Synths” became a mega hit-the producers of “The Proposal” (The Bachelor clone) came up with a controversial new twist for the next season…
“Hi. My name is Julia. I’m a Synth. And I’m here to find love…”
Synth Julia Walden was designed to compete on The Proposal and win the heart of bachelor Josh LaSala. AND, she does. (not a spoiler-read the official synopsis)
SO.MANY.SURPRISES.
NOW:
It’s fifteen months later and Julia and Josh are married with a baby. But not everyone was on board with his choice. There are haters everywhere and it’s taking a toll on their marriage.
Can they survive now that the cameras have stopped rolling and REALITY has set in? Or will they become the latest casualty of the franchise?
Julia: “What was I made for, Love or Heartbreak? 💔 Josh or entertainment?”
Then, Josh goes missing, and she becomes the prime suspect in his murder.
The story alternates between “THEN” and “NOW”.
I confess! 🙋🏻♀️ “The Bachelor” is a GUILTY PLEASURE of mine, and the “THEN” chapters felt like I was watching the latest season as I watched Julia’s “journey to find love” unfold. Reading these chapters was so much fun.
But, the “NOW” chapters go a lot DEEPER than I expected and the couple will deal with some very REAL ISSUES.
You might even say that their relationship has the MOST dramatic ending ever!
This is a sensational DEBUT which was entertaining from the start and I highly recommend the AUDIBLE version-as I think Bailey Carr’s narration added to the “fun”!
AVAILABLE NOW!
Want to read
July 22, 2024 This one sounds like so much fun - A synth woman competing in The Bachelor-like reality show for love? Plus toss in some mystery and thrill? I'm in.
╰⪼ Single POV
╰⪼ Dual Timeline
╰⪼ AI Synth
╰⪼ Murder Mystery/Suspense
╰⪼ Reality TV
╰⪼ Single POV
╰⪼ Dual Timeline
╰⪼ AI Synth
╰⪼ Murder Mystery/Suspense
╰⪼ Reality TV
June 13, 2024
This turned out to be way better than I expected!
Meet Julia, a brand new synth. The third synth ever created. Julia was created for a special purpose, to compete on the new season of The Bachelor. The bachelor is Josh LaSala. A charming and handsome man in his 30’s. Everyone wants Josh.
As Julia wins, they move to the country and play house. She even has a baby. At first I thought how in the heck is a robot going to create a baby. It worked for me after they explained how the process was done.
Then, Josh disappears, leaving Julia as the number one suspect. Where is Josh? Is a synth capable of murder? If not Julia, then who?
Here’s the deal. Julia explains how she loves Josh. She mentions sensations of pain sensors. She can smell. She actually has human feelings. At first, this was really bothering me. Driving me nuts, honestly. Then, as more of the story unfolds, everything is explained in a way I could get down with. In fact, I really enjoyed how everything came together.
This book is about something much more deeper than a synth. Why was Julia made specifically for Josh? Your job is to find out!
I couldn’t put this down once it got going. Suspenseful and a great new spin on the whole AI/ Synth trope!
4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Meet Julia, a brand new synth. The third synth ever created. Julia was created for a special purpose, to compete on the new season of The Bachelor. The bachelor is Josh LaSala. A charming and handsome man in his 30’s. Everyone wants Josh.
As Julia wins, they move to the country and play house. She even has a baby. At first I thought how in the heck is a robot going to create a baby. It worked for me after they explained how the process was done.
Then, Josh disappears, leaving Julia as the number one suspect. Where is Josh? Is a synth capable of murder? If not Julia, then who?
Here’s the deal. Julia explains how she loves Josh. She mentions sensations of pain sensors. She can smell. She actually has human feelings. At first, this was really bothering me. Driving me nuts, honestly. Then, as more of the story unfolds, everything is explained in a way I could get down with. In fact, I really enjoyed how everything came together.
This book is about something much more deeper than a synth. Why was Julia made specifically for Josh? Your job is to find out!
I couldn’t put this down once it got going. Suspenseful and a great new spin on the whole AI/ Synth trope!
4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
July 27, 2024
Soon I know you will see
You were meant for me
And I was meant for you ~ songwriters Jewel Kitchener/ Steve J. Poltz
Julia is a Synth. (Literally, a synthetic woman.) She was created and designed and for one purpose…
Julia was programmed to love Josh.
But first she needs to meet him. What better way than competing on the show, The Proposal. (Eerily similar to the popular The Bachelor franchise).
And lucky Josh is our designated Bachelor.
Can a synthetic woman programmed to love just one man beat out all the other women competing?
Or is there more to love than just science?
But life after The Proposal may not be all Julia thought it would be.
Loved the intriguing premise and the lite, sci-fi vibe. But after enduring a long, slow build up it ventured too far off the rails for me. And I could barely hang on.
🎧I listened to the audio version and the narrator was just a bit too overly dramatic for my taste. (That’s a me thing)🙋🏻♀️
Others have absolutely loved this book (that’s why I picked it up!) so make sure to take a look at all the glowing reviews.
3.5🌟
You were meant for me
And I was meant for you ~ songwriters Jewel Kitchener/ Steve J. Poltz
Julia is a Synth. (Literally, a synthetic woman.) She was created and designed and for one purpose…
Julia was programmed to love Josh.
But first she needs to meet him. What better way than competing on the show, The Proposal. (Eerily similar to the popular The Bachelor franchise).
And lucky Josh is our designated Bachelor.
Can a synthetic woman programmed to love just one man beat out all the other women competing?
Or is there more to love than just science?
But life after The Proposal may not be all Julia thought it would be.
Loved the intriguing premise and the lite, sci-fi vibe. But after enduring a long, slow build up it ventured too far off the rails for me. And I could barely hang on.
🎧I listened to the audio version and the narrator was just a bit too overly dramatic for my taste. (That’s a me thing)🙋🏻♀️
Others have absolutely loved this book (that’s why I picked it up!) so make sure to take a look at all the glowing reviews.
3.5🌟
November 2, 2023
In a long tradition of authors reviewing their own books, hi, and I hope you enjoy reading this book as much as I enjoyed writing it. I like to joke that on the surface, this book is pure suspense candy. But underneath, this book is a piece of my heart.
I wrote it during one of the worst times in my life. My youngest sister Heidi, only 34 years old and mom to four little kids, was dying from MDS, a blood cancer. After 4 years of treatments that nearly destroyed her, the ride was finally over.
MADE FOR YOU was the last of my books that she read.
My main character Julia’s journey through the experience of pain mirrors my journey, and some of Heidi’s as well. In the beginning, Julia’s pain has positive results: it exposes her vulnerability and makes her seem more ‘human,’ which opens up the potential for deeper connections with others. But as the story progresses, pain pushes her to her very limit, severing her connections, isolating her, and driving her to make choices that would be otherwise inconceivable.
Going into the cancer journey, Heidi and I both believed ourselves to be strong people, strong enough to ‘survive’ cancer mentally if not physically, but cancer broke both of us in ways we never could have imagined. As Julia starts to break down, with enemies on every side, people seeking to objectify and control her, and no true help to be found, I poured my cancer trauma onto the page.
This book was a cry of anger against the Maker who had always felt like the loving center of my faith, but now felt like a traitor. Why do we exist? Did you make us for love or for pain? Why didn’t you make us strong enough to deal with the awful things that happened? Do you even care about us, or are we nothing to you, just dispensable parts?
The book may not answer any of these questions, but despite the fantastical set-up, I hope you feel the honesty shining through. These were my actual questions about my existence and humanity’s relationship with the divine. These were my very real fears about whether my creator was cruel or kind. About whether there is meaning in pain, or just senseless chaos. About whether love truly wins the day, or pain and death are stronger. In a way, Julia is my if only–my cry for a strength I could not find within myself.
I hope that in reading MADE FOR YOU, you find what you need. Delicious reality-TV-flavored escapism … or a cry of anger against the suffering in this world.
Thank you, dear reader, for picking up this part of me that is so personal, and for touching my journey through the nightmare of cancer without perhaps even realizing it.
You hold a piece of my heart in your hands, and I am so honored. I like to think Heidi is honored too.
I wrote it during one of the worst times in my life. My youngest sister Heidi, only 34 years old and mom to four little kids, was dying from MDS, a blood cancer. After 4 years of treatments that nearly destroyed her, the ride was finally over.
MADE FOR YOU was the last of my books that she read.
My main character Julia’s journey through the experience of pain mirrors my journey, and some of Heidi’s as well. In the beginning, Julia’s pain has positive results: it exposes her vulnerability and makes her seem more ‘human,’ which opens up the potential for deeper connections with others. But as the story progresses, pain pushes her to her very limit, severing her connections, isolating her, and driving her to make choices that would be otherwise inconceivable.
Going into the cancer journey, Heidi and I both believed ourselves to be strong people, strong enough to ‘survive’ cancer mentally if not physically, but cancer broke both of us in ways we never could have imagined. As Julia starts to break down, with enemies on every side, people seeking to objectify and control her, and no true help to be found, I poured my cancer trauma onto the page.
This book was a cry of anger against the Maker who had always felt like the loving center of my faith, but now felt like a traitor. Why do we exist? Did you make us for love or for pain? Why didn’t you make us strong enough to deal with the awful things that happened? Do you even care about us, or are we nothing to you, just dispensable parts?
The book may not answer any of these questions, but despite the fantastical set-up, I hope you feel the honesty shining through. These were my actual questions about my existence and humanity’s relationship with the divine. These were my very real fears about whether my creator was cruel or kind. About whether there is meaning in pain, or just senseless chaos. About whether love truly wins the day, or pain and death are stronger. In a way, Julia is my if only–my cry for a strength I could not find within myself.
I hope that in reading MADE FOR YOU, you find what you need. Delicious reality-TV-flavored escapism … or a cry of anger against the suffering in this world.
Thank you, dear reader, for picking up this part of me that is so personal, and for touching my journey through the nightmare of cancer without perhaps even realizing it.
You hold a piece of my heart in your hands, and I am so honored. I like to think Heidi is honored too.
June 30, 2024
The second I saw this cover…🔥🔥🔥 I knew I wanted to read it!! 😍 Guess what?? It definitely delivered!! Thank you soo much to @htp_hive @_mira_books_ for this gorgeous gifted copy!!! 🥰🥰 Pub date is July 2nd!! 🥳🥳
What a wild ride this was!! 😳One of the most original and entertaining debuts I have read in a long time. 😍
Her name is Julia. She has a 150 million… yes million followers on Instagram. 👏 She is the winner of The Proposal. 🥂 The same exact experience as The Bachelor… just a different name. 😉 So you are sitting here wondering to yourself… why is this book so special??? 🤔 Well that would be because Julia… is a Synth… Umm a WHAT?? 🤷♀️A synthetic person… and she was made ESPECIALLY for Josh… aka… the bachelor. 😳
Okay so you might be thinking.. whoa this is just too far out there. I beg to differ. I adored Julia… and she was SO real. She had feelings… she must eat and sleep 😴… and she can in fact have children. 😳
Josh may be hotter 🔥 than my coffee ☕️ but he has… some baggage 🧳… some issues… some secrets 🤫..and THEN… he goes missing..😏
This just got wilder as the book went on and I was here for it. 😏Wait until you hit those twists. 😳😮🤯
What a fantastic debut!! So orginal… intriguing… and I totally enjoyed it!! I can’t wait to read whatever @jenna.satterthwaite.author comes out with next!! 😍
What a wild ride this was!! 😳One of the most original and entertaining debuts I have read in a long time. 😍
Her name is Julia. She has a 150 million… yes million followers on Instagram. 👏 She is the winner of The Proposal. 🥂 The same exact experience as The Bachelor… just a different name. 😉 So you are sitting here wondering to yourself… why is this book so special??? 🤔 Well that would be because Julia… is a Synth… Umm a WHAT?? 🤷♀️A synthetic person… and she was made ESPECIALLY for Josh… aka… the bachelor. 😳
Okay so you might be thinking.. whoa this is just too far out there. I beg to differ. I adored Julia… and she was SO real. She had feelings… she must eat and sleep 😴… and she can in fact have children. 😳
Josh may be hotter 🔥 than my coffee ☕️ but he has… some baggage 🧳… some issues… some secrets 🤫..and THEN… he goes missing..😏
This just got wilder as the book went on and I was here for it. 😏Wait until you hit those twists. 😳😮🤯
What a fantastic debut!! So orginal… intriguing… and I totally enjoyed it!! I can’t wait to read whatever @jenna.satterthwaite.author comes out with next!! 😍
September 25, 2024
Made for You by Jenna Satterthwaite is a science fiction thriller novel. The story in Made for You is one that is told in a dual timeline in about a year and half ago in the past and in the present time. It’s also narrated by a synth (synthetic human) character.
Julia Walden was designed and created for one reason, to win the heart of Josh LaSala. Josh has been cast as the latest lead on the reality television program The Proposal (The Bachelor) and among the women vying for Josh’s heart will be Julia, a synthetic human.
Fifteen months after the show aired Julia is now married to Josh and has given birth to their child when Josh leaves on a weekend trip and he doesn’t return. The local small town Indiana sheriff already didn’t trust Julia in his jurisdiction and now is sure she has murdered him on his watch despite Julia’s do no harm programming.
Made for You is a debut novel from author Jenna Satterthwaite and well worth taking a chance on reading. I was completely hooked on this scifi thriller from the opening pages with my love for reality tv pulling me in and then mixing that with a unique murder mystery to keep the pages turning. Having an AI synthetic leading the narrative certainly gave a new twist to unreliable narrators and then there were plenty of twists and turns one would expect along the way to really keep one guessing. Definitely an author to look out for again in the future.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Julia Walden was designed and created for one reason, to win the heart of Josh LaSala. Josh has been cast as the latest lead on the reality television program The Proposal (The Bachelor) and among the women vying for Josh’s heart will be Julia, a synthetic human.
Fifteen months after the show aired Julia is now married to Josh and has given birth to their child when Josh leaves on a weekend trip and he doesn’t return. The local small town Indiana sheriff already didn’t trust Julia in his jurisdiction and now is sure she has murdered him on his watch despite Julia’s do no harm programming.
Made for You is a debut novel from author Jenna Satterthwaite and well worth taking a chance on reading. I was completely hooked on this scifi thriller from the opening pages with my love for reality tv pulling me in and then mixing that with a unique murder mystery to keep the pages turning. Having an AI synthetic leading the narrative certainly gave a new twist to unreliable narrators and then there were plenty of twists and turns one would expect along the way to really keep one guessing. Definitely an author to look out for again in the future.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
April 4, 2025
I think I'm developing a thing for books featuring bots!
Meet Julia. She's a synthetic, and she's been made especially to win the heart of Josh in the reality show, The Proposal.
We have two timeliness here. In one timeline, we follow Julia as she makes her way through The Proposal reality show. The week by week dates, how she bonds with the other girls in the competition, and we watch the love blossom between her and Josh. I do love a trashy TV show, and this worked well on the page.
In the other timeline, we are fourteen months after the reality show has ended, and Josh is dead. This timeline is very much 'who dunit'.
I enjoyed reading this, I was equally invested in both timelines. While at points you have to suspend your disbelief, overall I thought it was well thought out.
I think if you enjoyed Annie Bot by Sierra Greer, I think you will also enjoy meeting Julia Walden.
Four stars.
Meet Julia. She's a synthetic, and she's been made especially to win the heart of Josh in the reality show, The Proposal.
We have two timeliness here. In one timeline, we follow Julia as she makes her way through The Proposal reality show. The week by week dates, how she bonds with the other girls in the competition, and we watch the love blossom between her and Josh. I do love a trashy TV show, and this worked well on the page.
In the other timeline, we are fourteen months after the reality show has ended, and Josh is dead. This timeline is very much 'who dunit'.
I enjoyed reading this, I was equally invested in both timelines. While at points you have to suspend your disbelief, overall I thought it was well thought out.
I think if you enjoyed Annie Bot by Sierra Greer, I think you will also enjoy meeting Julia Walden.
Four stars.
July 2, 2024
AI meets the Bachelor in this murder mystery thriller in which a synth (synthetic human) is accused of murdering her reality TV husband. This is a genre I didn't know I needed until I read this one! This concept is so intriguing and engaging. Do the other contestants know she is a synth? Does she tell them? Does she tell Josh?
Fast forward 15 months and Josh and Julia are married with a baby. Josh goes missing and she is the prime suspect. With all the haters, including the police force, what is she left to do but investigate Josh's disappearance on her own. During her investigation, many truths come to life and mysteries are unraveled.
This story is told via dual timelines and will keep you guessing right up until the end. It is engaging and thought provoking and downright fun.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, MIRA and Jenna Satterthwaite for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Pub Date: 7/2/24
Fast forward 15 months and Josh and Julia are married with a baby. Josh goes missing and she is the prime suspect. With all the haters, including the police force, what is she left to do but investigate Josh's disappearance on her own. During her investigation, many truths come to life and mysteries are unraveled.
This story is told via dual timelines and will keep you guessing right up until the end. It is engaging and thought provoking and downright fun.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, MIRA and Jenna Satterthwaite for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Pub Date: 7/2/24
February 14, 2024
Hmmm….this one is a little tough to rate. I think, ultimately, I will give it 3.5, rounded up to 4.
The premise is fantastic. A Synth competes on a reality show like unto “The Bachelor”, and she has been expressly created for the bachelor himself. We get scenes from the show, when Julia first wakes up, interspersed with scenes from 15 months later, when Josh is declared missing after an impromptu hiking trip.
There are some creepy characters in here. Bob, the peeping tom neighbor. An unknown female who *really* dislikes Bots. Josh & Julia’s home has been vandalized a number of times. A looming, small-minded small-town sheriff. The author does a good job of creating suspense and a general sense of unease.
However, I just could not get into this until the last three-quarters. It’s a very slow burn, and I kept putting it down and reading other books. I wanted to love it, but the pacing is a large part of why I can’t give it a full four stars. The other reason is because on the reality show, Julia was reduced to a puddle of goo every time she thought of/was around Josh. Like, insta-love to the extreme, fawning and gushing, and it extremely annoyed me. I guess that’s why I don’t watch “The Bachelor”. 😄
With all that said, I was really into the last part of the book, and I’d definitely try another of Satterthwaite’s books.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary eARC—thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing and MIRA!
The premise is fantastic. A Synth competes on a reality show like unto “The Bachelor”, and she has been expressly created for the bachelor himself. We get scenes from the show, when Julia first wakes up, interspersed with scenes from 15 months later, when Josh is declared missing after an impromptu hiking trip.
There are some creepy characters in here. Bob, the peeping tom neighbor. An unknown female who *really* dislikes Bots. Josh & Julia’s home has been vandalized a number of times. A looming, small-minded small-town sheriff. The author does a good job of creating suspense and a general sense of unease.
However, I just could not get into this until the last three-quarters. It’s a very slow burn, and I kept putting it down and reading other books. I wanted to love it, but the pacing is a large part of why I can’t give it a full four stars. The other reason is because on the reality show, Julia was reduced to a puddle of goo every time she thought of/was around Josh. Like, insta-love to the extreme, fawning and gushing, and it extremely annoyed me. I guess that’s why I don’t watch “The Bachelor”. 😄
With all that said, I was really into the last part of the book, and I’d definitely try another of Satterthwaite’s books.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary eARC—thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing and MIRA!
October 31, 2024
This book made it onto my TBR and packed in my suitcase for vacation reading without me reading the description. I know a book shouldn’t be judged by a cover, but this cover was so amazing I decided I knew what it would be. I was totally wrong, but also somehow right? This book is a murder mystery/thriller, but it wasn’t what I was expecting because the main character, Julia, is a synth. Julia was designed to be the perfect girl for Josh, the newest contestant on The Bachelor. The book is told in alternating perspectives of past and present starting at Julia’s first moment of consciousness and ending with some glimpses into the future. This book delves into lots of ethical issues, but also was a fun and wild ride. I saw mot of the twists coming, but there were a couple that caught me by surprise. Overall I’m hoping this isn’t the last novel Jenna Satterthwaite writes.
January 21, 2025
This was a fast-paced, dual-timeline read that was easy to get into. And let's not forget about that gorgeous cover! While on the surface, this book is a straightforward thriller, it also provides depth for readers who are looking for more, along with plenty of room for thought-provoking conversations.
Julia awakes as a Synth, a synthetic human, to discover that she’s been made for a specific purpose: to win the heart of the most eligible bachelor in a reality TV show. This engaging novel flips between two timelines: Then, when she competes on the show, and Now. In the present day, her now-husband Josh has gone missing the day after they had an argument. She’s soon suspected of murder, though she's certain she had nothing to do with his disappearance... at least, not that she can remember?
This is my favorite type of scifi, where it's just a step off from our current world. This gives it a believable edge, even when it leans a little over the top. While this won't be the next Great American Novel by any means, I can't wait for more of my friends to read and discuss it with me. I have many thoughts and questions! 4.5 stars rounded up.
Julia awakes as a Synth, a synthetic human, to discover that she’s been made for a specific purpose: to win the heart of the most eligible bachelor in a reality TV show. This engaging novel flips between two timelines: Then, when she competes on the show, and Now. In the present day, her now-husband Josh has gone missing the day after they had an argument. She’s soon suspected of murder, though she's certain she had nothing to do with his disappearance... at least, not that she can remember?
This is my favorite type of scifi, where it's just a step off from our current world. This gives it a believable edge, even when it leans a little over the top. While this won't be the next Great American Novel by any means, I can't wait for more of my friends to read and discuss it with me. I have many thoughts and questions! 4.5 stars rounded up.
March 4, 2024
Fiercely feminine and genius in every sense. This book has it all: thrills, reality TV, love, murder, mystery, suspense, AI synths, and nonstop action.
Although the main female character isn’t human, exactly, every woman can relate to her. Going off her instincts alone, she falls in love on reality TV and has a baby shortly after. She doesn’t think about really doing anything else - much like us, this is what she was programmed to do.
Since the moment I saw this book I knew I had to read it and it did not disappoint. This book keeps you engaged the entire time, while also throwing in a few plot twists. THE DOG FOOD … I knew it, but didn’t know the involvement of which characters.
You won’t be able to put this book down. As we flip between then and now, we follow Julia from her inception to her experience on a reality dating show to her life after the show has ended. Both timelines are timely, interesting, and pull you deeper into the story.
Ms Jenna Satterthwaite, you are so very talented and a genius when it comes to storytelling. I cannot wait for you to write your next book and I can’t wait to be able to read it.
This book comes out July 2, 2024 - and TRUST me if you love thrillers that involve some AI - you will love this book. This needs to be either a movie or a limited series. For real. I’d watch that.
Although the main female character isn’t human, exactly, every woman can relate to her. Going off her instincts alone, she falls in love on reality TV and has a baby shortly after. She doesn’t think about really doing anything else - much like us, this is what she was programmed to do.
Since the moment I saw this book I knew I had to read it and it did not disappoint. This book keeps you engaged the entire time, while also throwing in a few plot twists. THE DOG FOOD … I knew it, but didn’t know the involvement of which characters.
You won’t be able to put this book down. As we flip between then and now, we follow Julia from her inception to her experience on a reality dating show to her life after the show has ended. Both timelines are timely, interesting, and pull you deeper into the story.
Ms Jenna Satterthwaite, you are so very talented and a genius when it comes to storytelling. I cannot wait for you to write your next book and I can’t wait to be able to read it.
This book comes out July 2, 2024 - and TRUST me if you love thrillers that involve some AI - you will love this book. This needs to be either a movie or a limited series. For real. I’d watch that.
August 26, 2024
This book is told in dual timelines. Julia is a synthetic woman, only the third of her kind. She was designed specifically to compete on The Proposal and win the heart of bachelor Josh. Many people are skeptical, both the audience and Josh, but they fall in love and he proposes.
The other timeline is fifteen months later, when they are married, have a baby, and some cracks are showing in their relationship. The book does a good job of describing all the details behind synthetics, both physically and emotionally. Julia loves Josh. And she loves and is fiercely protective of her baby.
When Josh goes missing, Julia is quickly their only suspect. Julia is desperate to find answers and prove her innocence, but she’s not sure who she can trust. As she digs deeper, many issues are questioned and explored. This was very interesting and entertaining, and I enjoyed the audiobook.
The other timeline is fifteen months later, when they are married, have a baby, and some cracks are showing in their relationship. The book does a good job of describing all the details behind synthetics, both physically and emotionally. Julia loves Josh. And she loves and is fiercely protective of her baby.
When Josh goes missing, Julia is quickly their only suspect. Julia is desperate to find answers and prove her innocence, but she’s not sure who she can trust. As she digs deeper, many issues are questioned and explored. This was very interesting and entertaining, and I enjoyed the audiobook.
March 5, 2024
AI meets reality television in this entertaining, thought-provoking thriller. Julia Walden is a Synth (synthetic human) designed and built for one purpose: to compete on a reality TV show called The Proposal and win the heart of handsome bachelor Josh LaSala. It’s all dates, roses, and falling in love… until it isn’t. Julia may have gotten the man, but her dream turns into a nightmare when Josh goes missing – and she’s the police’s number one suspect.
I was blown away by how much I enjoyed Jenna Satterthwaite’s genre-bending debut novel! This mash-up of thriller, sci-fi, romance, and pop culture is not only totally entertaining, but also deep and keenly observant. Told on two timelines, the Then sections take us from Julia’s creation, through her time as a contestant on the Bachelor-esque reality tv show, and brings us up to date on her life as wife and mother. The Now timeline is all about the suspenseful aftermath of Josh’s disappearance. Both timelines are so well-written! I was able to perfectly envision everything that took place during filming in the past and was totally enthralled as Julia tries to figure out what really happened to Josh in the present. This story kept me guessing the entire time and I was completely surprised by the big reveal! Julia is fantastic character: well developed and sympathetic in her almost-humanness, and her experiences really had me thinking about prejudice, the ethics of AI, and the morally grey area of programming vs. culpability.
Fans of Annie Bot by Sierra Greer will definitely enjoy Made for You! Many thanks to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and MIRA Books for providing me an advance copy of this book.
I was blown away by how much I enjoyed Jenna Satterthwaite’s genre-bending debut novel! This mash-up of thriller, sci-fi, romance, and pop culture is not only totally entertaining, but also deep and keenly observant. Told on two timelines, the Then sections take us from Julia’s creation, through her time as a contestant on the Bachelor-esque reality tv show, and brings us up to date on her life as wife and mother. The Now timeline is all about the suspenseful aftermath of Josh’s disappearance. Both timelines are so well-written! I was able to perfectly envision everything that took place during filming in the past and was totally enthralled as Julia tries to figure out what really happened to Josh in the present. This story kept me guessing the entire time and I was completely surprised by the big reveal! Julia is fantastic character: well developed and sympathetic in her almost-humanness, and her experiences really had me thinking about prejudice, the ethics of AI, and the morally grey area of programming vs. culpability.
Fans of Annie Bot by Sierra Greer will definitely enjoy Made for You! Many thanks to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and MIRA Books for providing me an advance copy of this book.
April 9, 2024
Made For You by Jenna Satterwhite is a very original storyline, unlike any other I have read. I will say this one has a little bit of everything - thrills, romance, murder, suspense, mystery. I felt a roller coaster of emotions reading this - in a very good kind of way. The twists throughout this book are very unpredictable and satisfying as well. If you want something different, this is it. You will not be disappointed!
Thank you NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, & MIRA for the ARC copy of this book.
Thank you NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, & MIRA for the ARC copy of this book.
June 26, 2024
Thank you to the ladies of #thehive @htp_books for my copy! Before we talk about the book, I have to say this cover is phenomenal and I love the detail of the rose petals on the top for hair (very clever). You all know I am not a fan of reality tv but I LOVE reading about it. Add in some sci-fi and you have a damn interesting story.
This story is told between past and present. Which helps keeps the pace while also give you backstory. It isn’t overly science-y but gives you enough to get the gist of the Synth aspect (Synthetic woman) the concept is fresh, there are a ton of twists, red herrings, juicy drama and some witty things thrown in *dog food * IYKYK I really thought this was fun!
This story is told between past and present. Which helps keeps the pace while also give you backstory. It isn’t overly science-y but gives you enough to get the gist of the Synth aspect (Synthetic woman) the concept is fresh, there are a ton of twists, red herrings, juicy drama and some witty things thrown in *dog food * IYKYK I really thought this was fun!
March 15, 2024
"Love opens you to hurt, and if you want love, you have to take the hurt, too."
I like the concept of this book (a Westworld-style "Synth" competing on a show like the Bachelor) but I didn't love the execution of it, or the ending. In some ways, this book is a bit like the movie Momento, where we see things in reverse, events that happen at the end where clues in the beginning make sense - I liked that a lot .
My complaint is that this book felt very long. We get waaaay too much of Julia's courtship with Josh during the filming of the show, we know they end up together, I didn't need all the other stuff. I stalled out about halfway through and then picked it up a week later and powered through the rest of it.
I had issues with the ending.
Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read. I think Ms Satterthrwaite has potential, I just had some mixed thoughts about the resolution of her debut.
I like the concept of this book (a Westworld-style "Synth" competing on a show like the Bachelor) but I didn't love the execution of it, or the ending. In some ways, this book is a bit like the movie Momento, where we see things in reverse, events that happen at the end where clues in the beginning make sense - I liked that a lot .
My complaint is that this book felt very long. We get waaaay too much of Julia's courtship with Josh during the filming of the show, we know they end up together, I didn't need all the other stuff. I stalled out about halfway through and then picked it up a week later and powered through the rest of it.
I had issues with the ending.
Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read. I think Ms Satterthrwaite has potential, I just had some mixed thoughts about the resolution of her debut.
July 22, 2024
4.5 stars. Thank you to @htp_hive for the gifted copy.
This debut should absolutely be on your radar and because I haven’t seen much of it on the gram I decided I need to take the time to talk about it here.
Read this book if you enjoy:
💥 Dual Timelines
💥 The Bachelor - The Proposal format is a direct comp to the real show. I haven’t watched in years but just think one on ones, the fantasy suite, girl fights and more.
💥 Murder mysteries with a sci-fi twist
Julia is a Synth that is human in more ways than you can imagine. I enjoyed getting to know her with the now and then timeline. You know she lands the man based on the setup but the journey to get there is quite revealing.
This twisted tale was smart as a whip and surpassed my expectations. A stand-out read and one I hope to see more readers take a chance with.
This debut should absolutely be on your radar and because I haven’t seen much of it on the gram I decided I need to take the time to talk about it here.
Read this book if you enjoy:
💥 Dual Timelines
💥 The Bachelor - The Proposal format is a direct comp to the real show. I haven’t watched in years but just think one on ones, the fantasy suite, girl fights and more.
💥 Murder mysteries with a sci-fi twist
Julia is a Synth that is human in more ways than you can imagine. I enjoyed getting to know her with the now and then timeline. You know she lands the man based on the setup but the journey to get there is quite revealing.
This twisted tale was smart as a whip and surpassed my expectations. A stand-out read and one I hope to see more readers take a chance with.
July 28, 2024
I didn't think I was gonna vibe with this book as much as I did, but topically, it was interesting and thought-provoking. The relationship between Julia and her creator Andy was particularly interesting. When you make a sentient being, can you really own them? Execution wise, I thought the author did a solid job of putting in sensical twists.
There are some things I'm still puzzled by, like Julia's fertility and the impact her breast milk would have on a human baby.
There are some things I'm still puzzled by, like Julia's fertility and the impact her breast milk would have on a human baby.
August 24, 2024
Wow! I felt like I was in a John Marrs novel with this one! This sci-fi/futuristic world with the debut of Synths or synthetic women raised all the concerns and moral dilemmas of real life- in a fiction setting. This story had me captivated from page one and held my attention through the entire book. I immediately fell in love with the MC and was rooting for her from the start! The twist? Never saw it coming.
While this isn’t my usual cup of tea, I absolutely loved this story!!! The execution was perfect!!
While this isn’t my usual cup of tea, I absolutely loved this story!!! The execution was perfect!!
July 12, 2024
This book was super unique and enjoyable. I loved the slight sci-fi twist to the tried and true "bachelor" style novel. The alternating timelines kept me guessing and it definitely surprised me.
I liked learning about how much the robotics industry changed over the years and how Julia was ultimately developed. I honestly could have used more of this as I was so intrigued with the concept of AI evolving and becoming autonomous. Julia was a fascinating character and I also loved the references to the other two Synths in the world - how they were lauded, ostracized, feared, and worshipped.
This is such an interesting look at humanity, love, revenge, and the intersection of it all with technology. While it feels far off in some senses, in others, a Synth of our own may not really be too far off.
This novel is perfect for the romantic suspense lover who wants to just barely tiptoe into another genre. This really didn't read or feel like a sci-fi to me, though there were certainly elements of that. In fact, I had so many questions that part of me really was wanting to get more into the sci-fi aspects of the novel!
Overall, this was an enjoyable read that kept me guessing. There are definitely some suspension of belief elements but that was fine by me! I definitely recommend.
Thank you to HTP and NetGalley for the copy.
I liked learning about how much the robotics industry changed over the years and how Julia was ultimately developed. I honestly could have used more of this as I was so intrigued with the concept of AI evolving and becoming autonomous. Julia was a fascinating character and I also loved the references to the other two Synths in the world - how they were lauded, ostracized, feared, and worshipped.
This is such an interesting look at humanity, love, revenge, and the intersection of it all with technology. While it feels far off in some senses, in others, a Synth of our own may not really be too far off.
This novel is perfect for the romantic suspense lover who wants to just barely tiptoe into another genre. This really didn't read or feel like a sci-fi to me, though there were certainly elements of that. In fact, I had so many questions that part of me really was wanting to get more into the sci-fi aspects of the novel!
Overall, this was an enjoyable read that kept me guessing. There are definitely some suspension of belief elements but that was fine by me! I definitely recommend.
Thank you to HTP and NetGalley for the copy.
May 21, 2024
5 Stars!
The Bachelor 🤝 Ex Machina
Julia is a synthetic human, otherwise known as a Synth. She was designed by WekTech to participate on the hit reality dating show, The Proposal. The novel follows two timelines. The first Julia’s experience on the show trying to get the bachelor, Josh, to choose her. The other is present day, where Julia is married to Josh and has a daughter with him. Julia’s life should be perfect, but her marriage is already being tested and the townsfolk loudly discriminate against Synths. When Josh goes missing and then is determined murdered, the police see it as a way to finally get rid of Julia. In order to protect her baby and her own freedom, Julia has to figure out who actually killed her husband before the police pin it on her.
Firstly, this would make an excellent TV show or movie. Secondly, this book is absolutely amazing. I couldn’t stop thinking about it when I wasn’t reading it, and when I was reading I was completely enraptured in the story. Not only does it pose high-brow intellectual questions and philosophical debates, but it does so in a way that’s extremely entertaining. Satterthwaite expertly peels back the layers of the plot through switching back and forth between the past and the present timelines. The reader’s feelings about every character in this novel change so many times. It’s a wild ride and shows how well this author is at developing her characters. The ending was perfect and I genuinely had no idea where this was going to go at any point. At the end of the novel, there are discussion questions that I would normally ignore, but I took the time to read them and they are incredibly thought-provoking. This would be a great book club read.
I hope I sold you to read this book, because you will not regret it if you do!
Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Bachelor 🤝 Ex Machina
Julia is a synthetic human, otherwise known as a Synth. She was designed by WekTech to participate on the hit reality dating show, The Proposal. The novel follows two timelines. The first Julia’s experience on the show trying to get the bachelor, Josh, to choose her. The other is present day, where Julia is married to Josh and has a daughter with him. Julia’s life should be perfect, but her marriage is already being tested and the townsfolk loudly discriminate against Synths. When Josh goes missing and then is determined murdered, the police see it as a way to finally get rid of Julia. In order to protect her baby and her own freedom, Julia has to figure out who actually killed her husband before the police pin it on her.
Firstly, this would make an excellent TV show or movie. Secondly, this book is absolutely amazing. I couldn’t stop thinking about it when I wasn’t reading it, and when I was reading I was completely enraptured in the story. Not only does it pose high-brow intellectual questions and philosophical debates, but it does so in a way that’s extremely entertaining. Satterthwaite expertly peels back the layers of the plot through switching back and forth between the past and the present timelines. The reader’s feelings about every character in this novel change so many times. It’s a wild ride and shows how well this author is at developing her characters. The ending was perfect and I genuinely had no idea where this was going to go at any point. At the end of the novel, there are discussion questions that I would normally ignore, but I took the time to read them and they are incredibly thought-provoking. This would be a great book club read.
I hope I sold you to read this book, because you will not regret it if you do!
Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 17, 2025
I really loved this scifi dual timeline thriller that features a "synth" (life-like robotic woman) who competes in a reality dating tv competition to win the heart of the bachelor.
Alternating between the past and the present we get to see how Julia wins her husband's heart in the past and how her happily ever after isn't the dream she thought it would be in the present when he goes missing and the anti-synth sherrif is determined to pin it on her.
Part murder mystery, part domestic abuse story with loads of moral questions about creating AI bots and just who deserves to live their life as they wish. This was great on audio narrated by a fav of mine, Bailey Carr and highly recommended for fans of books like Hey, Zoey or Annie Bot.
Alternating between the past and the present we get to see how Julia wins her husband's heart in the past and how her happily ever after isn't the dream she thought it would be in the present when he goes missing and the anti-synth sherrif is determined to pin it on her.
Part murder mystery, part domestic abuse story with loads of moral questions about creating AI bots and just who deserves to live their life as they wish. This was great on audio narrated by a fav of mine, Bailey Carr and highly recommended for fans of books like Hey, Zoey or Annie Bot.
January 30, 2024
Thank you, NetGalley for a chance to read this book. I was surprised at how much I LOVED this book. Honestly, I hope this author writes more books because of how much I enjoyed reading this one.
There were twists that I didn’t see coming and I really liked the plot of this book.
I absolutely loved Julia! She was my favorite character in this book ❤️
There were twists that I didn’t see coming and I really liked the plot of this book.
I absolutely loved Julia! She was my favorite character in this book ❤️
July 19, 2024
HOW did this book have an above average rating because I just finished and have a severe whiplash from the 1,000,000,009 sub plots and red herrings. Like WHOA the author literally couldn’t decide on a thing and got excited to pump every. single. idea. in.
And the characters - hated them all. HATED. Except for Captain the dog. But that’s all.
And the characters - hated them all. HATED. Except for Captain the dog. But that’s all.
August 1, 2024
SciFI meets reality tv meets murder mystery?! Here for it and every wild twist along the way!
July 21, 2024
3.5 rounding down. This had loft aspirations but didn’t have the foundation to really reach it. It asks all the interesting questions about what really makes someone human but doesn’t have enough logical basis to answer them.
Julia is a synth, essentially a human like robot who can fell everything humans feel and even carry a child. She’s created and sent off to be the perfect match for Josh, the man who is the main character for a Bachelor - like reality show. She gets her man but now a year later he’s missing and she’s a suspect in his disappearance. Julia has to quickly figure out what happened in order to prove her innocence.
I wish the controversy around synths was better explored. There’s so much to mine here and it felt too superficial. I also had major issues with how Josh suddenly was totally fine with her being a synth. Considering his mother’s views and his own on the show I expected there to be an ulterior motive but there wasn’t anything there. Annie O is a much better version of this concept but I do love authors exploring this new world.
Julia is a synth, essentially a human like robot who can fell everything humans feel and even carry a child. She’s created and sent off to be the perfect match for Josh, the man who is the main character for a Bachelor - like reality show. She gets her man but now a year later he’s missing and she’s a suspect in his disappearance. Julia has to quickly figure out what happened in order to prove her innocence.
I wish the controversy around synths was better explored. There’s so much to mine here and it felt too superficial. I also had major issues with how Josh suddenly was totally fine with her being a synth. Considering his mother’s views and his own on the show I expected there to be an ulterior motive but there wasn’t anything there. Annie O is a much better version of this concept but I do love authors exploring this new world.
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