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The Dating Show

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It was only supposed to be one night.

Working multiple jobs while trying to put herself through school is catching up with Avery. Luckily, she has a contract for a hot new dating show in her hand. Now, all she can think about is making it to the end of the show, where she can win money to help ease her burdens.

Stella can’t catch a break. She’s been trying to get a job in front of the camera, but after ten years, she’s thinking about packing it in. Just when she’s ready to give up, she’s asked to host a hit new TV show, For Love or Sapphic Edition. Jumping on the chance, Stella’s ecstatic about the opportunity until she sees that one of the contestants is someone she’s very familiar with—someone whose body she still craves.

Avery needs to win, and Stella needs the job. What can go wrong as they navigate their feelings while the camera rolls twenty-four-seven?

266 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 13, 2024

89 people are currently reading
364 people want to read

About the author

Violet Morley

11 books136 followers

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5 stars
111 (33%)
4 stars
99 (29%)
3 stars
94 (28%)
2 stars
28 (8%)
1 star
2 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
Profile Image for tenthmuse ☆.
141 reviews17 followers
April 23, 2024
in a weird way nothing technically happened. they met, then the dating show happened (no character development in sight) and then they fell in love? i don’t know. weird read
Profile Image for Misha.
1,674 reviews64 followers
August 29, 2025
Unfortunately, not really a fun time. I love the sapphics in a reality show (especially a reality dating show) subgenre, but this was unfortunately not it.

* The characters feel really shallowly fleshed out, so I could not care about any of them, really.

* A lot of oddly dramatic things happen and then just fizzle out. This reminds me of those romances where you keep having dramatic things happen constantly to keep the reader's interest because the characters and relationship just aren't really that engaging, and not much else is happening to pad out a book. In this case, we have , and all of them feel very surface-level and ultimately do nothing for the story.

* It's super weird to have the main pairing be the host and a contestant on a reality show, especially one where there are cameras everywhere and so they literally can't even have one single honest conversation or interaction away from the cameras. This gives us zero opportunity for the relationship to develop, so it all hangs on that one closed-door sex scene encounter from the beginning of the book.

* The supporting cast feels plentiful but not fleshed out enough for us to care about them much either.

The whole thing was a bit of a yawnfest to me because we know the inevitable couple that will get together and there's not much interaction between them for most of the book so I really could not bring myself to get invested in the relationship. Honestly, I was more interested in Quinn's perspective because by any metric .

I'd recommend a pass on this one, unfortunately.
Profile Image for velvetlikesbooks.
100 reviews
April 15, 2024
TL;DR: 2.5 stars, almost no spice, poor writing, and character development is nonexistent.

I liked this book while I was reading it, but it often got on my nerves and left me unsatisfied.

The writing style was rudimentary, which was disappointing because I really like the idea of the plot and the characters. The plot had a few points in which I thought it wasn’t realistic. I don’t feel like a dating show would last 6 months. Most of the time, each week someone is sent home, but maybe they tried to make it better than normal reality TV. I also didn’t understand the idea of the show. Why wouldn’t a contestant take the money and then still date Quinn after the show when their contract expires? I don’t get that.

While I enjoyed the main characters, for the most part, I do not feel like they were very well-rounded. They had little personality behind their relationship and the goals that were set up as their obstacles for being together. This author did not explain anxiety or panic attacks very well. I think that was a major downfall for me. It really put a damper on my reading experience.

I especially hated that every time I thought there would be massive drama, the author just swerved away from it and made the characters too nice with very little flaws. The ending should have been much more dramatic than it was, in my opinion.

I also think that the level of spice was teased, but never followed through with. I’m okay with a low spice book, but don’t tease me with a big sexy scene and then do a fade to black moment. I hate that. Also, some sneaky sex during the show would have been a nice touch to add.

Overall, it was fine. Not my favorite read, but not the worst.
Profile Image for Lady Olenna.
841 reviews63 followers
April 20, 2024
4.5 stars

Aaaaahhh it’s so good! It’s such an angsty yet fun and feel good read!!! I enjoyed the uncertainty between both main and side characters’ relationships. The characters’ backstory and motives were fleshed out which made for an easy and good read. It’s just been a while since I’ve felt giddy reading a story and I’m glad I experienced this book.
Profile Image for Robin Clairvaux.
Author 4 books51 followers
March 23, 2024
Humorous and Heartwarming!

After a steamy one-night stand, Avery and Stella never expect to see each other again, but then a reality show brings them back together. With TV drama, lights, and constant camera surveillance, it’s hard to know if their connection will grow or implode.

The Dating Show is an adorable, funny, and touching sapphic romance that manages to feel authentic and warm despite being set in the outlandish world of a reality television competition. Avery and Stella are charming characters who each have a blend of self-doubt and moxie, and the secondary characters are entertaining and engaging. The author does an excellent job of gradually building the romantic and emotional tension throughout the story, pulling the reader deep into Avery and Stella’s dilemma. As a bonus, unlike with some romances that center around a reality show, there is also space given for character and relationship development outside the artificial parameters of the show itself. This makes the story feel more realistic and genuine.

If you love witty and warm sapphic romances with characters that threaten to steal your heart in each chapter, you’ll definitely want to make a date with The Dating Show.
Profile Image for Sapphic Bookshelf.
286 reviews165 followers
Read
May 20, 2025
I really enjoyed this one! I liked seeing the sapphic dating show play out. I also really was rooting for Avery and Stella and adored them together.
Profile Image for Kate  Long.
382 reviews19 followers
April 26, 2025
Stars: 3 Stars
Format: Digital
Series: Stand Alone (kinda?)
Steam Level: Steamy

I read this for the 2025 Sapphic Book Bingo Micro-Tropes reading challenge for the prompt Unique Nicknames.

The reason I say this is “kinda?” a Stand Alone is that it looks like a character that is mentioned in this book is in the next book Violet Morley released. I haven’t read it yet so I don’t know if there is more crossover than that.

Quick Thoughts:
- I happy wiggled when there was a mention of one of AJ’s (from Sprinkled in the Stars) paintings
- Got to admit I do enjoy that whole “oh no my one night stand is here!” trope
- Talk about Avery having a boat load of responsibilities on her shoulders
- That scene where Quinn and Stella walk down the stairs to meet the contestants for the first time had me cackling
- There is a scene where you learn some bit of drama about a contestant that feels like it was going to be a big deal but just fizzled out. It left me a bit disappointed and confused why it was there
- I really liked that not everyone in the house was a wonderful person and not everyone was an awful person. Lots of different personalities in a small confined space
- I really enjoyed this how diverse characters are in Violet Morley’s books
- The whole game show part of the book (in the house) was really well done
- Adored that Quinn and Stella became friends in the house and stayed that way after they leave the house
- No third act break up!
- I’m hoping in the future we get a book staring Elizabeth or Riley. I loved them and want them to have a HEA
- Now for the reason I only gave this three stars (the lowest I’ve given to any of her books) is that I wasn’t all that impressed with the story after Avery and Stella meet up after they leave the house. Too bland and precious moments like and I didn’t really buy into it (and I adore low angst books that are sappy)
- Can’t say I bought into the epilogue either and I normally like those kinds of epilogues

Overall I’m glad I read this book though it’s not one I’d reread. It’s a solid book, just not amazing. I freely admit I do have high standards for a Violet Morley book though so it is most likely a me expecting a lot thing.
Profile Image for Sydney .
239 reviews10 followers
June 4, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. I was a little skeptical because I'm not big on reality TV, but I felt like this was well executed and lots of fun. Morley could have easily had Avery come off as more mercenary in how she handled the dating aspect of the show, but you could really feel the conflict within her. She really did like Quinn and would have chosen her if it weren't for Stella.

The romance takes a backseat for the first portion of the book. Stella and Avery have a one night stand that apparently really leaves an impression to the point they are both reminiscing weeks later when they run into each other again for the taping of the show. They stay true to the nature of the show and don't pursue a relationship between each other until after the finale. They stay on each other's mind as they orbit each other in the house with an occasional discreet kissing action. The second part of the book takes place between the end of taping and the airing of the finale as they pursue a relationship away from the public eye. This part of the book actually felt a little anticlimactic. Nothing big drama wise happens, they just have a successful relationship and talk about their issues like adults.

There is no third act breakup. They don't get together until the last third or so of the book anyway. But there is plenty of pining and angst before that.
Profile Image for Maya Turner.
328 reviews7 followers
March 16, 2024
Loved this!! Totally head-over-heels for it!! Survival dating / elimination show, host x contestant? Fantastic! And Avery and Stella are the absolute sweetest characters!! My GOSH did I love this!!

Much like Body Check and Love at 350°, I could not get enough of the actual competition portion of this! Probably in large part due to the totality of reality television; that most shows my family watched—Survivor, The Bachelor / The Bachelorette, Chopped, Food Network Challenge, Hell's Kitchen, Lego Masters, The Amazing Race, Queer Love: The Ultimatum, etc., etc., etc.,—are all of the same overall form. Regardless of my feelings toward the style of competition as a whole, seeing something so familiar in a fun, "forbidden" romance, makes it all the better!!

Avery deserves the world. I feel that way about so many characters in so many works, but she truly does. She is so kind and sweet, and so very hardworking, sacrificing herself for her mother as she does. Stella is also so wonderful!! I can imagine her perfectly!!

So the show itself!! It was so much fun!!!! Goodness!! I should not be surprised, but I loved it!!

I have nothing notable to say, I just want to gush about Avery and Stella and how cute they are!!
Profile Image for Lost on you.
8 reviews
March 23, 2024
Loved it!

They meet at a bar, and after a bit of flirting they end up spending the night together. They don’t exchange info before they go their separate ways, and end up cast on the same reality dating show, one as the host of the show and the other in a group of women vying for the heart of the eligible star of the show this season, who is a famous WNBA basketball player whom they all want, except when the contestant who slept with the host locks eyes with her for the first time since their 1 night stand.. will the host distract her from her goal, to win the heart of the famous basketball player? In the end whoever the basketball player choses as her potential mate, that contestant gets another option, to take sum of money instead. What could wrong?
The book was a thrill ride till the end. And I have to say I loved all the sapphic women trapped together in a house during the filming of the show. So many fun characters to get to know, and loads of shenanigans.
May 7, 2024
3.5 stars, but I'm rounding up!

I really enjoyed this book and the concept, I mainly had two problems with it.

#1. Avery and Stella had a one night stand and still somehow couldn't shake their feelings for each other, but they really didn't seem to know each other that well to be that hung up on each other, and by the time the show has finished taping, they get together so rapidly they were barely leaving each others sides. It just felt rushed once they were able to be together. I would have liked a bit more build up.

#2. Avery has bad panic attacks that she says nobody has been able to pull her out of, besides Stella. I would have liked more backstory on her anxiety/panic attacks. I just feel like that would have added more depth to her character.

All in all, I did enjoy The Dating Show. It was a fun read, especially for someone who loves a good reality dating show!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for This.
280 reviews9 followers
September 11, 2024
I enjoyed this. I am not one to watch reality TV usually but I did watch all of I Kissed a Girl!
A 1 night stand which left both women later wanting more, takes a bizarre turn when they both turn up in a reality tv dating show. Only 1 is a contestant who needs to win as part of her financial planning for providing her mother's long term care, the other is the host!

I was quite surprised when I liked this story as usually the very idea of reality TV is enough to make me switch off.
This is another story that you can tell where it is going to end up - it is more a question of how will it happen.
There is a red head in the story - and also a woman who eats mustard out of the jar for a snack?!? YUCK.

Epilogue
This sees them 2 years down the line, recreating the original hook up. There may or may not be 2 proposals coming.
Profile Image for Deb.
471 reviews2 followers
March 28, 2024
fun

Such a great read and amazing characters. The title says it all, this book is based around a dating show with a few twists and turns along the way. It got to the point that I wasn’t sure what the outcome would be. Obviously you expect the two main characters to get together, but this could have easily gone either way.
Really enjoyed reading this book. I’d like a book based on Quinn as well as I liked her as a character. Maybe an after the show book, does she stay with *redacted* ? It would be nice to continue her journey.
Profile Image for Lindsey Wallace-Galli.
446 reviews1 follower
April 17, 2024
4.5 stars!! This was a great rom-com. It reminded me of the show “A shot of Love with Tila Tequila,” but 10x better. There definitely are sprinkles of self love and insecurities but, the way the author had Stella and Avery meet was everything. Then, when they saw each other after their one night stand was shocking but hilarious. I didn’t expect how Avery’s course of action would go throughout the show but it was great actually. I would recommend this book because it’s funny with a dash of drama and finding your true love.
Profile Image for Georgia.
354 reviews3 followers
March 11, 2025
Well that was bloody well adorable! Classic lesbian love story set on a dating game show for queer women! The lust during the close proximity was very well done and not toxic either! I loved the friend groups and I loved some of the shows plot twists! The southern accent for Stella also definitely helped! Unfortunately sometimes it was hard to tell the POV as it would change part way through it felt and the differing voices weren’t clear enough with just one narrator. But definitely a story I enjoyed!

3.5⭐️
Profile Image for imnotaliyaaa.
34 reviews6 followers
June 5, 2024
This book seems like the perfect mix of laughter, romance, and heart-pumping action. And you know what? I'm totally here for it.

It's always such a treat to find a novel that sucks me in and makes me feel all the feels - it's like the literary equivalent of a warm, cozy hug. And I love that this book did that to me. It's truly the mark of a great read when it can elicit such strong emotions and keep me on the edge of my seat. And for that I'm happy to give this book a 4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.
62 reviews
April 19, 2025
Pov : 2 characters
Spice : 2-3 scenes
Notes : For the first time in a long list of romances, I was not exactly sure how exactly things were going to unpack for the characters to be together éventually, which was very welcome.
The Dating show setting is nice and surprisingly without major drama, with public eye not having a say in the events. The characters themselves are quite understanding and open, without big quiproquo.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Jamie (TheRebelliousReader).
6,878 reviews30 followers
September 2, 2025
3 stars. I LOVE books set on reality shows and I was excited to finally get to this one but this just did not work for me. Great writing but all of the characters are one dimensional and dull. The romance lacked spark and the pacing was unforgivably slow. It felt like nothing happened for so long. It did pick up by the end but at that point I was just trying to get through this and finish it. Not a favorite for me but I’m sure others will get more out of than I did.
Profile Image for Patricia.
145 reviews2 followers
June 2, 2024
somehow i couldn’t get into the book, almost didn’t finish. And i loved the premise cause i’ve read a clexa fanfic about the same subject and i loved it. But this book, almost no secret sneaking in, couldn’t feel the thirst or the passion between the characters, no spice, and yeah, just not something i would read again.
Profile Image for Eliana .
2,997 reviews24 followers
April 29, 2024
I felt like i was really watching a reality and it made me miss the ones i like to watch.
Profile Image for Hannah.
860 reviews36 followers
July 8, 2024
Loved the chemistry, but choppy writing and fade to black bedroom scenes.
Profile Image for Riikka.
306 reviews1 follower
January 26, 2025
niin hyvä sapphic second chance romance!!!
tykkäsin tässä kaikesta; niinku hahmot, juoni, ihan kaikki
tää oli just sellanen helppo stress free rauhallinen romance ja tätä oli kiva lukea
Profile Image for Zingari.
214 reviews
March 10, 2025
Love and Money

Very interesting premise. Hard to not wish certain things were revealed. I did enjoy that the characters were unique and dodged some stereotypes.
28 reviews
April 20, 2025
loved it

I really enjoyed this book. It was a great twist on a romance story and one I really liked. It wasn’t the same as all the rest. Truly refreshing!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews

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