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Alice Chen's Reality Check
Love is hell, even in paradise. A reality show contestant must fake date her rival while solving a murder in this sizzling romcom set on a tropical island.
Perfect for fans of Dial A for Aunties and One to Watch, this swoonworthy rivals-to-lovers romance with a murder mystery twist is your next must-read.
Alice Chen doesn’t believe in true love, but she does believe in cold, hard cash. Buckling under the weight of student debt and her mother’s medical bills, Alice will do anything to make bank–even star on Dawn Tay’s Inferno, the hot new reality TV show designed to push couples to their breaking point.
The show is Alice’s chance to sip cocktails on the beach and win a cash prize of a million dollars. Everything is going according to plan…until her jerk fiancé breaks up with her during the second week of filming. To stay in the game, Alice agrees to fake-date the other newly single her high school rival and sworn enemy, Daniel Cho.
But it turns out that all’s fair in love and reality TV, and Alice isn’t the only one who will do whatever it takes to win. When a dead body turns up, Alice and Daniel are faced with uncovering the secrets of the cast and crew to catch the killer–all while playing the loving couple on camera. As the reality show spirals out of control, Alice must confront her true feelings and crack the case if she wants to make it off the island alive.
Starring a murder mystery twist, plenty of reality show drama, and a thrilling romance, this debut by up-and-coming Asian American writer duo Kara Loo and Jennifer Young is the ultimate beach read.
Perfect for fans of Dial A for Aunties and One to Watch, this swoonworthy rivals-to-lovers romance with a murder mystery twist is your next must-read.
Alice Chen doesn’t believe in true love, but she does believe in cold, hard cash. Buckling under the weight of student debt and her mother’s medical bills, Alice will do anything to make bank–even star on Dawn Tay’s Inferno, the hot new reality TV show designed to push couples to their breaking point.
The show is Alice’s chance to sip cocktails on the beach and win a cash prize of a million dollars. Everything is going according to plan…until her jerk fiancé breaks up with her during the second week of filming. To stay in the game, Alice agrees to fake-date the other newly single her high school rival and sworn enemy, Daniel Cho.
But it turns out that all’s fair in love and reality TV, and Alice isn’t the only one who will do whatever it takes to win. When a dead body turns up, Alice and Daniel are faced with uncovering the secrets of the cast and crew to catch the killer–all while playing the loving couple on camera. As the reality show spirals out of control, Alice must confront her true feelings and crack the case if she wants to make it off the island alive.
Starring a murder mystery twist, plenty of reality show drama, and a thrilling romance, this debut by up-and-coming Asian American writer duo Kara Loo and Jennifer Young is the ultimate beach read.
384 pages, Paperback
Published June 3, 2025
47 people are currently reading
10685 people want to read
About the author
Kara Loo
9 books31 followersAfter graduating from Stanford University with a BA in Creative Writing and Screenwriting, Kara Loo began her writing career in interactive mobile fiction, where she worked on titles that included Surviving High School, Cause of Death, High School Story, and Hollywood U. She was also part of the Pixelberry Studios team that launched the game Choices: Stories You Play and for that game, she wrote for and co-created the hit properties The Royal Romance, Rules of Engagement, and The Crown & The Flame. Her love of writing goes back to elementary school, where she first started by writing X-Men, Star Trek: The Next Generation, and Disney princess fanfiction. She loves video games, science fiction, fantasy, post-apocalyptic stories, and anything with zombies. She can often be found with a cup of tea–Earl Grey, hot–and a scone, or at Disneyland.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 147 reviews
June 15, 2025
A romcom murder mystery set on a tropical island? My favourite part of this book was definitely the romance. Alice and Daniel had chemistry, it was sweet, charming, and full of witty moments. I also appreciated that the male lead was down bad for Alice! I don’t know what about that, but I just love that!
While I came for the murder mystery, I stayed for the romance... and I wish the mystery had played a stronger part. The story seemed caught between two elements, unsure of whether it wanted to commit to the whodunnit or lean fully into romcom territory. I was hoping for more balance or better yet, a mystery plot that could match the energy of the romance. It felt like the writing/plot was struggling to pick a side, and after reading this book, it would have been best if this stuck to just being a romcom even though the murder mystery element was the main selling point for me.
The writing itself is solid and fast paced. I liked the podcast snippets and post-episode discussions. The behind the scenes reality show moments was a fun inclusion and made the book feel like I was also inside a reality TV show.
Overall, I was completely entertained and had a fun time. Although the murder mystery element didn’t quite land for me as I would have liked but in the end I still had a good time.
Thank you to Quirk Books for the ARC!
While I came for the murder mystery, I stayed for the romance... and I wish the mystery had played a stronger part. The story seemed caught between two elements, unsure of whether it wanted to commit to the whodunnit or lean fully into romcom territory. I was hoping for more balance or better yet, a mystery plot that could match the energy of the romance. It felt like the writing/plot was struggling to pick a side, and after reading this book, it would have been best if this stuck to just being a romcom even though the murder mystery element was the main selling point for me.
The writing itself is solid and fast paced. I liked the podcast snippets and post-episode discussions. The behind the scenes reality show moments was a fun inclusion and made the book feel like I was also inside a reality TV show.
Overall, I was completely entertained and had a fun time. Although the murder mystery element didn’t quite land for me as I would have liked but in the end I still had a good time.
Thank you to Quirk Books for the ARC!
Read
June 4, 2025
Book Riot's Best New Romance Books Out in June:
The murder mystery rom-com is apparently here to stay, because this isn’t the only one out this month. In this one, Alice goes on a reality show with her fiancé, but gets broken up with just a couple of weeks in. When she and her high school rival (who is also newly single) decide to fake date to get through the rest of the show, they don’t expect they’ll also have to solve a murder mystery when a dead body is found on set. Nothing like a shared goal to bring out those feelings! —Jessica Pryde
The murder mystery rom-com is apparently here to stay, because this isn’t the only one out this month. In this one, Alice goes on a reality show with her fiancé, but gets broken up with just a couple of weeks in. When she and her high school rival (who is also newly single) decide to fake date to get through the rest of the show, they don’t expect they’ll also have to solve a murder mystery when a dead body is found on set. Nothing like a shared goal to bring out those feelings! —Jessica Pryde
September 2, 2025
oh I would have been way more of an issue on this show if i was Alice
August 4, 2025
⋆.˚✮ 3.5 stars ✮˚.⋆
⤿ Thank you to Quirk Books for the physical arc in exchange for an honest review!
this is not a book that i would usually read, but with everyone raving about Love Island lately, i wanted to sort of get in on the fun (without watching the actual show- as i don't have access lol). i don't think i've ever read a book that was a mix of reality show, romance, and thriller/mystery all in one story, and i have to say it was pretty entertaining. i found this book very easy to read, and i was absolutely flying through it when i got past the first 50 pages. especially because there were pieces of media included in here for supplementary fun such as interviews, news articles about the casts and contestants, and things like that. it made for a really easy reading experience.
as i was reading this, i realized it felt very much like a episode of Total Drama Island if anyone knows what that show was (iconic and also ridiculously funny for a pre-teen, i hold so much nostalgia for that show), and i found out from further looking into the authors they've written for things like Episode and Choices. this made so much sense, because while the story was very easy to read and i flew through it, the plot was kind of all over the place. the romance was decently well built, i liked Daniel and Alice's connection especially since they knew each other in high school as it made it easier to suspend my disbelief. i wish the mystery had been a little more thought out though, as it felt like we were jumping to lots of conclusions and i didn't see the end coming, only because i felt we weren't given a lot of the information. to be fair, i didn't go into this expecting a perfect book though and both of these aspects were still entertaining, i don't have big complaints. sometimes all you need is a book to be entertaining!
Alice herself was actually a fun main character who i felt fit perfectly in with this story, she's very competitive but also very committed to her mother. it was very sweet how far she was willing to go to compete to get money for her mother's cancer treatments, and i really admired her. and as someone who can get really competitive, i found it very funny the lengths she went to win, without being rude about it. it was refreshing to read about a female lead who didn't back down and was also, a very nice person. i'm glad that at the end things worked out for her.
overall, i went into this book for just a fun and quick read, and that's exactly what i got. i definitely recommend it to readers who want a fun twist on a reality show with a little mystery and romance, but i don't recommend it to anyone who wants a really deep story. this was fun though and a very unique read, because of this i'm going to keep an eye out for more books from these authors!
↬ trigger warnings: death and murder, chronic illness and cancer diagnosis/treatment, emergency room visits, cheating, uncertain consensual touching, poisoning, and manipulation
⤿ Thank you to Quirk Books for the physical arc in exchange for an honest review!
this is not a book that i would usually read, but with everyone raving about Love Island lately, i wanted to sort of get in on the fun (without watching the actual show- as i don't have access lol). i don't think i've ever read a book that was a mix of reality show, romance, and thriller/mystery all in one story, and i have to say it was pretty entertaining. i found this book very easy to read, and i was absolutely flying through it when i got past the first 50 pages. especially because there were pieces of media included in here for supplementary fun such as interviews, news articles about the casts and contestants, and things like that. it made for a really easy reading experience.
as i was reading this, i realized it felt very much like a episode of Total Drama Island if anyone knows what that show was (iconic and also ridiculously funny for a pre-teen, i hold so much nostalgia for that show), and i found out from further looking into the authors they've written for things like Episode and Choices. this made so much sense, because while the story was very easy to read and i flew through it, the plot was kind of all over the place. the romance was decently well built, i liked Daniel and Alice's connection especially since they knew each other in high school as it made it easier to suspend my disbelief. i wish the mystery had been a little more thought out though, as it felt like we were jumping to lots of conclusions and i didn't see the end coming, only because i felt we weren't given a lot of the information. to be fair, i didn't go into this expecting a perfect book though and both of these aspects were still entertaining, i don't have big complaints. sometimes all you need is a book to be entertaining!
Alice herself was actually a fun main character who i felt fit perfectly in with this story, she's very competitive but also very committed to her mother. it was very sweet how far she was willing to go to compete to get money for her mother's cancer treatments, and i really admired her. and as someone who can get really competitive, i found it very funny the lengths she went to win, without being rude about it. it was refreshing to read about a female lead who didn't back down and was also, a very nice person. i'm glad that at the end things worked out for her.
overall, i went into this book for just a fun and quick read, and that's exactly what i got. i definitely recommend it to readers who want a fun twist on a reality show with a little mystery and romance, but i don't recommend it to anyone who wants a really deep story. this was fun though and a very unique read, because of this i'm going to keep an eye out for more books from these authors!
↬ trigger warnings: death and murder, chronic illness and cancer diagnosis/treatment, emergency room visits, cheating, uncertain consensual touching, poisoning, and manipulation
May 19, 2025
Rating: 2.5⭐️
I was intrigued by the authors combining romance with mystery in a reality TV show setting, but this book ended up falling flat for me.
I couldn’t relate to the female lead Alice. She was way too competitive and high strung for my liking. All the characters felt underdeveloped quite honestly. This book is almost 400 pages but I didn’t get a good grasp on anyone. There is also two instances of cheating from two different couples and the way it was brushed off so easily really bothered me and did not sit right with me at all.
The whole reality TV show aspect of the book wasn’t as interesting as I thought it would be either. The biggest twist was revealed in the blurb so there wasn’t anything surprising. The challenges were also lame and boring.
Overall, the superficialness of the characters, romance and the plot did not help me enjoy this book and it ended being too cheesy and unrealistic for me personally.
*** I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review ***
I was intrigued by the authors combining romance with mystery in a reality TV show setting, but this book ended up falling flat for me.
I couldn’t relate to the female lead Alice. She was way too competitive and high strung for my liking. All the characters felt underdeveloped quite honestly. This book is almost 400 pages but I didn’t get a good grasp on anyone. There is also two instances of cheating from two different couples and the way it was brushed off so easily really bothered me and did not sit right with me at all.
The whole reality TV show aspect of the book wasn’t as interesting as I thought it would be either. The biggest twist was revealed in the blurb so there wasn’t anything surprising. The challenges were also lame and boring.
Overall, the superficialness of the characters, romance and the plot did not help me enjoy this book and it ended being too cheesy and unrealistic for me personally.
*** I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review ***
June 28, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ | This was such a cute romance-mystery story, I think Alice is my new favorite person. She was a very likable main character, & her quirky personality made her easy to love. I enjoyed seeing Alice navigate between being a caregiver, her regular adult duties as a teacher and a soon to be reality TV star.
Desperate to pay for her mom’s medical care, Alice agrees to go on a reality show with the potential to win 1 million dollars. Despite her many reservations, she’s willing to give it a try, as she will do anything to save her mom. Add that with the pressure of her fiancé to embark on this challenge with him, it becomes a bit of a no brainer on this decision.
Overall, a solid read that I think romance readers that enjoy a hint of mystery will enjoy, as well as those that like reality TV. The story was well written, and in my opinion had a very satisfying ending. Thank you Quirk Books, Colored Pages Book Tours and NetGalley for this advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.
Desperate to pay for her mom’s medical care, Alice agrees to go on a reality show with the potential to win 1 million dollars. Despite her many reservations, she’s willing to give it a try, as she will do anything to save her mom. Add that with the pressure of her fiancé to embark on this challenge with him, it becomes a bit of a no brainer on this decision.
Overall, a solid read that I think romance readers that enjoy a hint of mystery will enjoy, as well as those that like reality TV. The story was well written, and in my opinion had a very satisfying ending. Thank you Quirk Books, Colored Pages Book Tours and NetGalley for this advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.
July 5, 2025
Loved this. It was so much fun. Think Survivor meets Love Island in all its reality tv show glory. But add enemies to lovers, fake dating and a murder and it's just all chef's kiss. Loved how Alice and Daniel's competition with each other, also brought out the best in each other. Looking forward to reading more from these authors.
I received an arc from the publisher but all opinions are my own .
Staff Pick 6/25
I received an arc from the publisher but all opinions are my own .
Staff Pick 6/25
August 1, 2025
Alice Chen's Reality Check starts out with a simple little premise: former high school rivals faking a relationship to stay on a reality dating show after their respective partners cheat on them? Okay, that sounds fun. But then you add in a secluded island, hidden agendas, and a murder? Yes, please. That sounds like the perfect lighthearted summer romp. And it almost managed to stick the landing.
Let’s start with the good: the writing is sharp, funny, and addictive. I mean, I devoured this book in two days. The chemistry between the Alice and Daniel was fun (in a Devi and Ben from Never Have I Ever but grown-up way), the setting was juicy, and the reality show antics were a fantasic blend of cringe and clever. So yes, I was having fun. I'm not even a big reality TV fan, but this one seemed to capture the right blend of inventive and WTF.
But somewhere between the simmering chemistry and the actual corpse, the book hit a bit of an identity crisis. Is it a rom-com with a side of murder or a murder mystery with a dash of romance? It’s kind of both and kind of neither. The murder doesn’t show up until halfway through, which made it feel less like a twist and more like a plot pivot. And since we didn't really get to know any of the possible suspects all that well, the mystery side just didn’t have the bite it could’ve. Meanwhile, the romance lost some steam when the whodunnit kicked in. And it led to some choices by the characters that came out of nowhere.
Still, I had a blast. It’s not perfect, but it’s fun, fast-paced, and fabulously over the top. Exactly why Goodreads needs a 3.5-star option. I’ll read whatever Kara Loo and Jennifer Young do next, no question.
Let’s start with the good: the writing is sharp, funny, and addictive. I mean, I devoured this book in two days. The chemistry between the Alice and Daniel was fun (in a Devi and Ben from Never Have I Ever but grown-up way), the setting was juicy, and the reality show antics were a fantasic blend of cringe and clever. So yes, I was having fun. I'm not even a big reality TV fan, but this one seemed to capture the right blend of inventive and WTF.
But somewhere between the simmering chemistry and the actual corpse, the book hit a bit of an identity crisis. Is it a rom-com with a side of murder or a murder mystery with a dash of romance? It’s kind of both and kind of neither. The murder doesn’t show up until halfway through, which made it feel less like a twist and more like a plot pivot. And since we didn't really get to know any of the possible suspects all that well, the mystery side just didn’t have the bite it could’ve. Meanwhile, the romance lost some steam when the whodunnit kicked in. And it led to some choices by the characters that came out of nowhere.
Still, I had a blast. It’s not perfect, but it’s fun, fast-paced, and fabulously over the top. Exactly why Goodreads needs a 3.5-star option. I’ll read whatever Kara Loo and Jennifer Young do next, no question.
June 4, 2025
A cute fake dating romcom for the summer. This was so much fun to read.
Drowning in her mum's hospital bills, Alice decides to go on a reality TV show with her bf Chase, to try to win a million dollars. Unfortunately, they break up soon after filming. To stay in the competition Alice fake dates Daniel, her high school rival. But is it all just for the cameras?
I feel this book did not need the murder mystery element as the story held up on its own without this added in. It did make the reality show more interesting though and I'd probably watch it for the drama if it was a real show!
You can't help root for Alice, she's so likeable. There were a few fun side characters as well which I loved getting to know in the story.
Tropes include: Fake dating, one bed, forced proximity, rivals to lovers, slow burn
Thrilling, chaotic and utterly adorable all in one.
Thank you to Quirk books for this advanced copy.
Drowning in her mum's hospital bills, Alice decides to go on a reality TV show with her bf Chase, to try to win a million dollars. Unfortunately, they break up soon after filming. To stay in the competition Alice fake dates Daniel, her high school rival. But is it all just for the cameras?
I feel this book did not need the murder mystery element as the story held up on its own without this added in. It did make the reality show more interesting though and I'd probably watch it for the drama if it was a real show!
You can't help root for Alice, she's so likeable. There were a few fun side characters as well which I loved getting to know in the story.
Tropes include: Fake dating, one bed, forced proximity, rivals to lovers, slow burn
Thrilling, chaotic and utterly adorable all in one.
Thank you to Quirk books for this advanced copy.
June 9, 2025
I received an ARC from Colored Pages Book Tours in exchange for an honest review.
Alice Chen needs money. So when she has the opportunity to star in a reality show and compete for a million dollars, she goes for it. Dawn Tay's Inferno, set on a remote island, is a new reality show designed for couples to test the strength of their relationship. Alice is convinced that she and her fiancé, Chase, have this in the bag. Until she reunites with her high school rival and enemy, Daniel Cho, who is still just as competitive as Alice.
Things don't exactly go according to plan for Alice...Chase ends up cheating on her with Daniel's girlfriend, and now all of a sudden, the couples are swapped and Alice has to fake date Daniel to remain in the competition. On top of that, strange and mysterious things are happening on set that put Alice and Daniel on edge. And when a dead body turns up? Alice and Daniel start investigating the cast and crew to find the killer. After all, what good is a million dollars if Alice doesn't make it off the island alive?
OMG I had so much fun reading this book. It actually felt like I was watching a reality show. The setting is atmospheric and elevates the drama between the contestants. We also get an inside look into the behind the scenes drama with the producers and crew. It's all so juicy! Just like reality shows are a fun escape from real-life problems, this book managed to distract me in the best way possible.
I just want to put a note out there that the cheating doesn't happen until the 27% mark–that's when the fake dating begins. Alice and Daniel's banter is so epic; I especially love their nicknames for each other 🤣 The murder also doesn't happen until the 58% mark, but there's enough mysterious build up leading to it. Not to mention that after the murder, everyone is trapped on the island with no signal or way out. I love a good old mystery set on a remote island LOL.
Overall, this was a fun and fast-paced story, with a good balance of romance and mystery–a mix of two of my favourite genres.
Alice Chen needs money. So when she has the opportunity to star in a reality show and compete for a million dollars, she goes for it. Dawn Tay's Inferno, set on a remote island, is a new reality show designed for couples to test the strength of their relationship. Alice is convinced that she and her fiancé, Chase, have this in the bag. Until she reunites with her high school rival and enemy, Daniel Cho, who is still just as competitive as Alice.
Things don't exactly go according to plan for Alice...Chase ends up cheating on her with Daniel's girlfriend, and now all of a sudden, the couples are swapped and Alice has to fake date Daniel to remain in the competition. On top of that, strange and mysterious things are happening on set that put Alice and Daniel on edge. And when a dead body turns up? Alice and Daniel start investigating the cast and crew to find the killer. After all, what good is a million dollars if Alice doesn't make it off the island alive?
OMG I had so much fun reading this book. It actually felt like I was watching a reality show. The setting is atmospheric and elevates the drama between the contestants. We also get an inside look into the behind the scenes drama with the producers and crew. It's all so juicy! Just like reality shows are a fun escape from real-life problems, this book managed to distract me in the best way possible.
I just want to put a note out there that the cheating doesn't happen until the 27% mark–that's when the fake dating begins. Alice and Daniel's banter is so epic; I especially love their nicknames for each other 🤣 The murder also doesn't happen until the 58% mark, but there's enough mysterious build up leading to it. Not to mention that after the murder, everyone is trapped on the island with no signal or way out. I love a good old mystery set on a remote island LOL.
Overall, this was a fun and fast-paced story, with a good balance of romance and mystery–a mix of two of my favourite genres.
March 1, 2025
Miss Congeniality meets UnREAL! Alice Chen's Reality Check is a fun, fast paced read and a fun combination of romantic comedy and murder mystery.
Alice Chen is a maths teacher who finds herself on a reality show for couples, but she soon has to switch partners when her fiancé cheats, and she finds herself in the middle of a mystery that she can't help but trying to solve. There was always something happening with the reality show challenges, the on-set mystery and the romance with her new partner, Daniel.
Disclaimer: I received an Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley, but this is my voluntary and honest review.
Alice Chen is a maths teacher who finds herself on a reality show for couples, but she soon has to switch partners when her fiancé cheats, and she finds herself in the middle of a mystery that she can't help but trying to solve. There was always something happening with the reality show challenges, the on-set mystery and the romance with her new partner, Daniel.
Disclaimer: I received an Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley, but this is my voluntary and honest review.
June 4, 2025
Quick Summary: A rivals to enemies to lovers, reality show romance
My Review: Alice Chen's Reality Check by Kara Loo and Jennifer Young is a 2025 multicultural romance mystery/thriller. It is scheduled 6/3/25.
About the Book: "Love is hell, even in paradise. A reality show contestant must fake date her rival while solving a murder in this sizzling romcom set on a tropical island."
In My Own Words: High school rival competitors reunite on a reality show. They collide and connect in a big way, just like they did in the past. While the "hellish"game they play is afoot, they soon discover that more is going on than was expected.
What I Liked/Loved:
- Daniel Cho gave off hot guy vibes, as well as good guy attitude.
- Alice and Daniel were so cute together. They had a charm about them, even with all that angsty/pseudo angsty tension. I loved learning about how their relationship started, and I super loved seeing how their relationship ended. It was so satisfyingly good.
- The reality show contestants were so diverse. The group mix was fantastic. Everything was covered, which kept the story rolling.
- The secret alliance situation from jump made me laugh out loud. I saw what was coming. The 4:2 certainly took it there.
- The mystery hidden within was perfect. A bit of thrilling intrigue is just what I needed. Salute!
- Alice's mom... (Tears, hugs, squeezes, and smiles go out to her.)
My Final Say: This was such an adorable & highly entertaining read. I loved it!
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Entertaining
Funny
Easy-to-read
Witty
Wonderful characters
Romantic
Happily Ever After
Action-packed
Original
Other: Readers who enjoy the following tropes will love this book.
Tropes - >
Reality TV
Competing rivals
Enemies to lovers
Mystery/thriller
Rating: 4/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Re-read: Yes
Keeper: Yes
Favorites Shelf: Yes
Status/Level: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Note: I would love to listen to the audiobook version of this. Please and thank you!
Sincere appreciation is extended to the authors, to the publisher (Quirk Books), and to NetGalley. Thank you for providing access to a digital ARC of this title in exchange for an honest critique. You made my wish come true! I am grateful for the opportunity.
My Review: Alice Chen's Reality Check by Kara Loo and Jennifer Young is a 2025 multicultural romance mystery/thriller. It is scheduled 6/3/25.
About the Book: "Love is hell, even in paradise. A reality show contestant must fake date her rival while solving a murder in this sizzling romcom set on a tropical island."
In My Own Words: High school rival competitors reunite on a reality show. They collide and connect in a big way, just like they did in the past. While the "hellish"game they play is afoot, they soon discover that more is going on than was expected.
What I Liked/Loved:
- Daniel Cho gave off hot guy vibes, as well as good guy attitude.
- Alice and Daniel were so cute together. They had a charm about them, even with all that angsty/pseudo angsty tension. I loved learning about how their relationship started, and I super loved seeing how their relationship ended. It was so satisfyingly good.
- The reality show contestants were so diverse. The group mix was fantastic. Everything was covered, which kept the story rolling.
- The secret alliance situation from jump made me laugh out loud. I saw what was coming. The 4:2 certainly took it there.
- The mystery hidden within was perfect. A bit of thrilling intrigue is just what I needed. Salute!
- Alice's mom... (Tears, hugs, squeezes, and smiles go out to her.)
My Final Say: This was such an adorable & highly entertaining read. I loved it!
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Entertaining
Funny
Easy-to-read
Witty
Wonderful characters
Romantic
Happily Ever After
Action-packed
Original
Other: Readers who enjoy the following tropes will love this book.
Tropes - >
Reality TV
Competing rivals
Enemies to lovers
Mystery/thriller
Rating: 4/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Re-read: Yes
Keeper: Yes
Favorites Shelf: Yes
Status/Level: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Note: I would love to listen to the audiobook version of this. Please and thank you!
Sincere appreciation is extended to the authors, to the publisher (Quirk Books), and to NetGalley. Thank you for providing access to a digital ARC of this title in exchange for an honest critique. You made my wish come true! I am grateful for the opportunity.
July 5, 2025
Many thanks to the authors and Quirk Books for the #gifted advanced reading copy. If you are looking for a fun rom-com with a side of murder mystery, this one had me laughing out loud the whole time!
Alice Chen has bills to pay because the American healthcare system is a mess, and her mom is sick. When her fiancé pulls so strings to get them on Dawn Tay's Inferno, a Dante's Inferno-inspired reality TV show that puts couples to the test, she's in because of the potential million-dollar prize. Once on the secluded island for filming, she's shocked to find her old high school academic rival, Daniel, as half of one of the other couples. But when her fiancé cheats on her with Daniel's girlfriend, the only chance for Alice to stay in the game and potentially win the money is to fake date Daniel. As the challenges become increasingly perilous, the danger on set appears to be escalating as well. Then, a body turns up, and Alice and Daniel must solve the murder to escape the island alive. Plus, they are having these pesky feelings.
I love books that are both a fun romance and an intriguing mystery, and this one delivers on both fronts. It's funny, wacky, and, at times, totally absurd; I absolutely loved every minute of it. The banter and still-simmering rivalry between Alice and Daniel was charming. Like Love Island, the TV show competitions were completely over the top, adding to the chaos. Once the murder-mystery component of the story took hold, it became even more entertaining. The narrative unfolds through a combination of traditional storytelling, text messages, interview transcripts, and promotional materials, including press releases. If you haven't embraced the chaos of reality TV shows like Love Island, you may be tempted to think this is an over-the-top story, but I promise you it is both over-the-top and immensely entertaining.
🎧 Audiobook Thoughts 🎧 Catherine Ho delivers such a fun performance in this story and is perfect in her portrayal of lovably nerdy Alice. With all the characters (initially 10 couples), I would have loved a full cast narration because all of them were hilarious. Don't get me wrong, Ho is EXCELLENT, and she had a big job. (12h 32m)
Alice Chen has bills to pay because the American healthcare system is a mess, and her mom is sick. When her fiancé pulls so strings to get them on Dawn Tay's Inferno, a Dante's Inferno-inspired reality TV show that puts couples to the test, she's in because of the potential million-dollar prize. Once on the secluded island for filming, she's shocked to find her old high school academic rival, Daniel, as half of one of the other couples. But when her fiancé cheats on her with Daniel's girlfriend, the only chance for Alice to stay in the game and potentially win the money is to fake date Daniel. As the challenges become increasingly perilous, the danger on set appears to be escalating as well. Then, a body turns up, and Alice and Daniel must solve the murder to escape the island alive. Plus, they are having these pesky feelings.
I love books that are both a fun romance and an intriguing mystery, and this one delivers on both fronts. It's funny, wacky, and, at times, totally absurd; I absolutely loved every minute of it. The banter and still-simmering rivalry between Alice and Daniel was charming. Like Love Island, the TV show competitions were completely over the top, adding to the chaos. Once the murder-mystery component of the story took hold, it became even more entertaining. The narrative unfolds through a combination of traditional storytelling, text messages, interview transcripts, and promotional materials, including press releases. If you haven't embraced the chaos of reality TV shows like Love Island, you may be tempted to think this is an over-the-top story, but I promise you it is both over-the-top and immensely entertaining.
🎧 Audiobook Thoughts 🎧 Catherine Ho delivers such a fun performance in this story and is perfect in her portrayal of lovably nerdy Alice. With all the characters (initially 10 couples), I would have loved a full cast narration because all of them were hilarious. Don't get me wrong, Ho is EXCELLENT, and she had a big job. (12h 32m)
June 30, 2025
Thank you to Quirk Books and NetGalley for an e-ARC of this book to read and review. Like any really great reality TV show, this book was a fun and breezy adventure, and I soared through it over one weekend. You just can't help but keep reading to find out what happens next, so it was an easy summer read for sure.
TWs for on-page cheating, mom going through cancer treatments, and injury/ mysterious death.
I feel like Alice Chen herself was a compelling character -- not exactly the MOST likeable, but with an interesting backstory and a truly logical approach to winning reality show competitions and purely financial intentions of joining a chaotic television experiment. She was competitive to the point of being cold and a bit methodical, but ultimately I warmed up to her by how she treated others. And Alice could NOT nail a soundbite to save her life, so I kept wondering how she was actually picked for the show (friend-of-a-friend type of thing involved) and how much air time she ultimately got (it's mentioned ... not a lot!) There was not a dull moment to be had. A LOT of disasters (some fatal, and some near death) happened on the set, and I couldn't believe they just kept coming, but I think the text did a good job explaining that some upsets could be intentional sabotage, some producer set-ups for drama and rating, some could be horrible criminal interventions, and some could be mere accidents, which kept the mystery going throughout the whole book, trying to place what was even going on!
I will say that there's inherently a giant cast of characters, from the couples featured on the show, to all the workers on set, the hosts, the producers, plus family and friends. I did have to keep referring back to an "article" towards the beginning of the book that outlined all of the competing couples for fans at home. That's me! So I feel like I didn't quite meet everyone in the cast and they were hard to follow by name, but I just assumed every character beyond our leads was an influencer who was using the show to boost whatever following they were amassing.
TWs for on-page cheating, mom going through cancer treatments, and injury/ mysterious death.
I feel like Alice Chen herself was a compelling character -- not exactly the MOST likeable, but with an interesting backstory and a truly logical approach to winning reality show competitions and purely financial intentions of joining a chaotic television experiment. She was competitive to the point of being cold and a bit methodical, but ultimately I warmed up to her by how she treated others. And Alice could NOT nail a soundbite to save her life, so I kept wondering how she was actually picked for the show (friend-of-a-friend type of thing involved) and how much air time she ultimately got (it's mentioned ... not a lot!) There was not a dull moment to be had. A LOT of disasters (some fatal, and some near death) happened on the set, and I couldn't believe they just kept coming, but I think the text did a good job explaining that some upsets could be intentional sabotage, some producer set-ups for drama and rating, some could be horrible criminal interventions, and some could be mere accidents, which kept the mystery going throughout the whole book, trying to place what was even going on!
I will say that there's inherently a giant cast of characters, from the couples featured on the show, to all the workers on set, the hosts, the producers, plus family and friends. I did have to keep referring back to an "article" towards the beginning of the book that outlined all of the competing couples for fans at home. That's me! So I feel like I didn't quite meet everyone in the cast and they were hard to follow by name, but I just assumed every character beyond our leads was an influencer who was using the show to boost whatever following they were amassing.
June 10, 2025
I’ve previously read Kara Loo and Jennifer Young’s writing on the visual novel app Choices several years ago, as they were authors of The Freshman, The Royal Romance, Rules of Engagement and several other Choices book. I was excited to read a full-length novel from them, and I wasn’t disappointed by Alice Chen’s Reality Check.
The novel centers on Alice, a math teacher who joins a reality TV show with her fiancé because she needs to pay off her mother’s medical bills. Unfortunately, while on the show, her fiancé Chase cheats on her and she’s forced into a fake relationship with her high school rival, Daniel, by the producers because they need more couples. While falling in love with Daniel, it becomes clear there’s foul play on the set when a dead body shows up. The two team up with a sound tech, Lex, to solve the murder mystery and hopefully survive while doing so.
I was a little confused by how far into the novel the murder mystery portion of the plot starts. The novel overall is definitely heavier on the rivals-to-lovers fake dating romance than the mystery aspect, which may be important for prospective readers to know. There’s a lot of the typical reality TV drama, which can be fun to read, but with a mostly surprisingly mature cast. The girl that Chase cheats on with Alice, Selena, actually ends up being an important amount of the plot and not as one-dimensional as the “other woman” frequently is in novels. I did like that, especially because Selena is Latina and it would otherwise be awkward if the only Latina in the cast was an evil man-stealing witch.
It felt at some points like the transitions were rushed between scenes, which made things flow less well. I did enjoy the snippets of behind-the-scenes notes from the producers, episodes and online discussion of the show that were included at the end of every chapter. The authors also did a creative job of including a trigger warning for the Gluttony challenge without breaking up the flow of the novel, including a note from production about needing a trigger warning for vomiting and food sensitivity on the episode. It was a really inventive way to include a trigger warning without breaking immersion, which I appreciate. It was something that could easily be triggering to people with food issues, so it makes sense that they included that portion. The “meta”-ness of the production notes were also interesting, and in the end made the fictional TV show feel more real.
The novel centers on Alice, a math teacher who joins a reality TV show with her fiancé because she needs to pay off her mother’s medical bills. Unfortunately, while on the show, her fiancé Chase cheats on her and she’s forced into a fake relationship with her high school rival, Daniel, by the producers because they need more couples. While falling in love with Daniel, it becomes clear there’s foul play on the set when a dead body shows up. The two team up with a sound tech, Lex, to solve the murder mystery and hopefully survive while doing so.
I was a little confused by how far into the novel the murder mystery portion of the plot starts. The novel overall is definitely heavier on the rivals-to-lovers fake dating romance than the mystery aspect, which may be important for prospective readers to know. There’s a lot of the typical reality TV drama, which can be fun to read, but with a mostly surprisingly mature cast. The girl that Chase cheats on with Alice, Selena, actually ends up being an important amount of the plot and not as one-dimensional as the “other woman” frequently is in novels. I did like that, especially because Selena is Latina and it would otherwise be awkward if the only Latina in the cast was an evil man-stealing witch.
It felt at some points like the transitions were rushed between scenes, which made things flow less well. I did enjoy the snippets of behind-the-scenes notes from the producers, episodes and online discussion of the show that were included at the end of every chapter. The authors also did a creative job of including a trigger warning for the Gluttony challenge without breaking up the flow of the novel, including a note from production about needing a trigger warning for vomiting and food sensitivity on the episode. It was a really inventive way to include a trigger warning without breaking immersion, which I appreciate. It was something that could easily be triggering to people with food issues, so it makes sense that they included that portion. The “meta”-ness of the production notes were also interesting, and in the end made the fictional TV show feel more real.
March 25, 2025
[ARC via NetGalley] A classic rivals-to-lovers, filled with laugh-out-loud moments, and fun reality-tv side-edits. Our heroine, Alice, is self sufficient and overly competitive, but all she wants in the world is to make her mom happy. My favorite part of the story was the tender mother and daughter dynamic; I wanted to know their relationship on a deeper level. The plot then turns quite chaotic within the reality show with near-death attempts, amateur sleuthing, and a mysterious murder.
Our couple, Alice and Daniel, are pretty swoon worthy; they have undeniable chemistry, fun banter, and a deep understanding of each other— their relationship was truly a highlight of this novel. But what was confusing to me with the switching around of relationships: some of these events and emotional-processing times seemed a bit too rushed to be believable, and didn’t quite fall in line with what we were taught to believe about these characters, especially Chase and Alice.
In all, I loved seeing Loo and Young’s creativity shine, especially in the reality show challenges; these passages felt fresh, fun and unpredictable. I found this book to be a cozy and easy read. The romance (sworn nemesis, fake dating, one bed) was sweet and I appreciated how the ending was wrapped up!
Our couple, Alice and Daniel, are pretty swoon worthy; they have undeniable chemistry, fun banter, and a deep understanding of each other— their relationship was truly a highlight of this novel. But what was confusing to me with the switching around of relationships: some of these events and emotional-processing times seemed a bit too rushed to be believable, and didn’t quite fall in line with what we were taught to believe about these characters, especially Chase and Alice.
In all, I loved seeing Loo and Young’s creativity shine, especially in the reality show challenges; these passages felt fresh, fun and unpredictable. I found this book to be a cozy and easy read. The romance (sworn nemesis, fake dating, one bed) was sweet and I appreciated how the ending was wrapped up!
May 30, 2025
A romance book with stakes, I say! *everyone cheers*
Alice Chen's Reality Check was an absolute blast. It totally delivered on all the hilariously entertaining petty and vapid drama you could possibly want from tropical reality shows like Love Island or Bachelor in Paradise (two shows I was fond of when I was studying for my MCAT). When Alice's fiancée cheats on her in week two of "Dawn Tay's Inferno," she must pair up with and fake-date her high school rival to stay in the game. She needs that prize money to pay off her mom's medical bills, after all.
Even better, this romance becomes a detective mystery when one of the PAs is found dead on set. Foul play is suspected, and when Alice discovers that the PA was collecting blackmail material on the contestants and producers on the show, the killer starts coming after her. Will Alice make it off the island alive?
The twists and turns kept me flipping the pages at a breakneck pace. It was thrilling, it was funny, the romance was giggle-and-kick-my-feet-worthy, and overall, it was just a great time. When this bombshell of a book entered the villa my head definitely turned (LOL)!
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC.
Alice Chen's Reality Check was an absolute blast. It totally delivered on all the hilariously entertaining petty and vapid drama you could possibly want from tropical reality shows like Love Island or Bachelor in Paradise (two shows I was fond of when I was studying for my MCAT). When Alice's fiancée cheats on her in week two of "Dawn Tay's Inferno," she must pair up with and fake-date her high school rival to stay in the game. She needs that prize money to pay off her mom's medical bills, after all.
Even better, this romance becomes a detective mystery when one of the PAs is found dead on set. Foul play is suspected, and when Alice discovers that the PA was collecting blackmail material on the contestants and producers on the show, the killer starts coming after her. Will Alice make it off the island alive?
The twists and turns kept me flipping the pages at a breakneck pace. It was thrilling, it was funny, the romance was giggle-and-kick-my-feet-worthy, and overall, it was just a great time. When this bombshell of a book entered the villa my head definitely turned (LOL)!
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC.
August 13, 2025
4
Omg! I have so many thoughts.
Firstly, this is the first book I've ever read that balances romance and whodunnit equally. It was the perfect mix of both — I love mystery with a splash of romance on the side. I find that a lot of romance novels focus too much on the relationship and don't give much room for the characters to grow in other aspects.
Secondly, I've been on a burnout for a while because every single book I've read lately has been kind of meh but this book finally broke my streak and I'm so fucking happy. I was afraid it would get worse as I kept reading but NOPE, it was consistent.
Thirdly, as I've said before, I LOVE mystery plus romance, two of my fave genres put together and then to top it off... A Chinese main character! And the love interest is also Asian. I'm kind of sick of seeing Wasian couples in fiction cus they're less interesting for me. Yeah so anyways, I loved all the little things that show our culture and Daniel's side too. Alice is a fun main character and I kind of relate to her a lot. She's tough.
So, yes, this was a super fun book that I binge read in pretty much a day. Such an easy to read writing style. Characters were easy to learn too. Bravo.
Omg! I have so many thoughts.
Firstly, this is the first book I've ever read that balances romance and whodunnit equally. It was the perfect mix of both — I love mystery with a splash of romance on the side. I find that a lot of romance novels focus too much on the relationship and don't give much room for the characters to grow in other aspects.
Secondly, I've been on a burnout for a while because every single book I've read lately has been kind of meh but this book finally broke my streak and I'm so fucking happy. I was afraid it would get worse as I kept reading but NOPE, it was consistent.
Thirdly, as I've said before, I LOVE mystery plus romance, two of my fave genres put together and then to top it off... A Chinese main character! And the love interest is also Asian. I'm kind of sick of seeing Wasian couples in fiction cus they're less interesting for me. Yeah so anyways, I loved all the little things that show our culture and Daniel's side too. Alice is a fun main character and I kind of relate to her a lot. She's tough.
So, yes, this was a super fun book that I binge read in pretty much a day. Such an easy to read writing style. Characters were easy to learn too. Bravo.
May 15, 2025
ARC review
Publication date 3 Jun 25
“Alice Chen's Reality Check” by Kara Loo and Jennifer Young is contemporary romance combined with a murder mystery.
I received an advanced reader copy from Quirk Books (via Netgalley).
Opinions from this review are completely my own.
What you can expect:
- reality show
- fake dating
- rivals to lovers
- murder mystery
- tropical island
Alice and her fiancé go to a reality show because she needs money to pay for her mother's cancer treatment.
There she ends up fake dating her former high school rival, Daniel, after her fiancé cheats on her.
The plot of the book is engaging and I liked the pace of the action.
This is mostly a romance, but there is also a murder on the island and Alice is trying to find the killer.
I think that this was an accurate representation of what happens during a "reality" show and how some things are fabricated.
Alice is very competitive and also has trust issues. Her interactions with Daniel were great and he is just so sweet.
I liked the concept of the book and the mystery part, but I did not agree with all the decisions that Alice took.
Some of them can be explained by the fact that she needed the money, but she did not think about the consequences.
Overall I enjoyed reading the book and I would recommend it.
Publication date 3 Jun 25
“Alice Chen's Reality Check” by Kara Loo and Jennifer Young is contemporary romance combined with a murder mystery.
I received an advanced reader copy from Quirk Books (via Netgalley).
Opinions from this review are completely my own.
What you can expect:
- reality show
- fake dating
- rivals to lovers
- murder mystery
- tropical island
Alice and her fiancé go to a reality show because she needs money to pay for her mother's cancer treatment.
There she ends up fake dating her former high school rival, Daniel, after her fiancé cheats on her.
The plot of the book is engaging and I liked the pace of the action.
This is mostly a romance, but there is also a murder on the island and Alice is trying to find the killer.
I think that this was an accurate representation of what happens during a "reality" show and how some things are fabricated.
Alice is very competitive and also has trust issues. Her interactions with Daniel were great and he is just so sweet.
I liked the concept of the book and the mystery part, but I did not agree with all the decisions that Alice took.
Some of them can be explained by the fact that she needed the money, but she did not think about the consequences.
Overall I enjoyed reading the book and I would recommend it.
July 2, 2025
Reality TV drama mixed with a mystery?
Count me ALL the way in!
Alice is just trying to live a good life: teaching math to often-overlooked students, helping out her ailing mother, and living with her goofy fiancé Chase. All of that changes when Chase helps get them on a reality show that’s basically Bachelor in Paradise mixed with Survivor. Imagine Kara’s further surprise when her former high school rival is there with his glamorous girlfriend.
This book is addictive, as if you’re binging your favourite reality TV show, and you won’t be able to stop flipping the pages.
All of the contestants play a role in setting the stage, and the mystery is gripping. Alice is easy to root for, and the behind-the-scenes reality of ‘reality TV’, will have you wanting to read another similar book.
When Mia P. Manansala recommends a book, you know you’re in for a treat.
Count me ALL the way in!
Alice is just trying to live a good life: teaching math to often-overlooked students, helping out her ailing mother, and living with her goofy fiancé Chase. All of that changes when Chase helps get them on a reality show that’s basically Bachelor in Paradise mixed with Survivor. Imagine Kara’s further surprise when her former high school rival is there with his glamorous girlfriend.
This book is addictive, as if you’re binging your favourite reality TV show, and you won’t be able to stop flipping the pages.
All of the contestants play a role in setting the stage, and the mystery is gripping. Alice is easy to root for, and the behind-the-scenes reality of ‘reality TV’, will have you wanting to read another similar book.
When Mia P. Manansala recommends a book, you know you’re in for a treat.
May 4, 2025
4.5 ★
i really liked this one!!! it had everything i would want in a book: rivals to lovers, fake dating, murder mystery, reality tv. the way the authors executed the plot was so well done. i was on the edge of my seat which hardly ever happens for a romance book. amazing asian representation and a strong female lead. please read this one!!
i really liked this one!!! it had everything i would want in a book: rivals to lovers, fake dating, murder mystery, reality tv. the way the authors executed the plot was so well done. i was on the edge of my seat which hardly ever happens for a romance book. amazing asian representation and a strong female lead. please read this one!!
June 23, 2025
Looking for a romance beach read with a reality show flare? This is it!
Rivals to lovers romance ✅
Reality show dramatics ✅
Murdery and mysterious happenings ✅
The recipe for this one was just right! From the start I was immersed and hooked on Dawn Tay’s Inferno, our reality show for couples being put to the ultimate test. Add in a compelling main character in the form of Alice, who wins readers' hearts with her strong personality and determination to do whatever it takes to win the competition. On top of that, sprinkle in a murder mystery, and you’re going to want to binge read this book!
Rivals to lovers romance ✅
Reality show dramatics ✅
Murdery and mysterious happenings ✅
The recipe for this one was just right! From the start I was immersed and hooked on Dawn Tay’s Inferno, our reality show for couples being put to the ultimate test. Add in a compelling main character in the form of Alice, who wins readers' hearts with her strong personality and determination to do whatever it takes to win the competition. On top of that, sprinkle in a murder mystery, and you’re going to want to binge read this book!
April 18, 2025
I like the idea of combining romance and mystery but I thought the mystery resolution in particular was a bit rushed. perfect beach read for reality TV fans though, it was a lot of fun.
June 30, 2025
4.5 so much fun!
AAPI main characters, enemies to lovers, fake dating, mysterious dead body, REALITY TV, all the things!
AAPI main characters, enemies to lovers, fake dating, mysterious dead body, REALITY TV, all the things!
October 15, 2025
silly trashy over the top fun
August 2, 2025
dnf at 65%. the murder mystery that was inserted at 60% just seems unnecessary and I'm pretty sure all legal procedures were ignored
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 3, 2025
I had such a blast reading this. The plot was so fun and crazy. Much like Dial A For Aunties but with a better romance plot. This has all the fun, flirty, fast-paced elements of a reality TV show (think The Bachelor in Paradise meets Survivor) mixed with a murder mystery that had me flipping pages so fast. I am a sucker for rivals to lovers and I loved Alice and Daniel having to team up so much! Their banter was incredible!
Thank you to Quirk Books for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to Quirk Books for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
2025
October 21, 2025ANHPI TBR
Valentine's Day TBR
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Quirk Books
Valentine's Day TBR
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Quirk Books
September 19, 2025
3.75/5 stars
This book satisfied my craving for reality shows. I can definitely add this to my reality books recommendations. I have always been interested in romance reality shows, so finding out that books like this existed was awesome to see.
Alice Chen is a competitor. She loves to win and strategize and be on her A game. In high school, she was in academic competitions with her rival being from another school, Daniel Cho.
With her mom being sick and school debt she needs to pay, being a math teacher just isn't paying the bills. Imagine her surprise when her boyfriend basically signs them up for a new dating reality show with the prize money being 1 million dollars. Everything is kind of fine. She is socially awkward and don't know how to put on a show for tv. It doesn't help that Daniel is also there with his new girlfriend. She feels the spark but thinks it's just the feeling of having a true rivalry again.
It takes an even dramatic turn when her boyfriend cheats on her with another contestant and must now team up with Daniel to stay in the show.
I liked the game show aspect. The show is kind of based on Dante's Inferno, where each trial simulates a ring from the 9 rings of hell. I liked the challenges that they had to face and the show is something that I would be genuinely interested in seeing on my screen. It was also cool to see the behind the scenes of how reality shows are kind of scripted or pushed in a certain direction. For example, Alice and Daniel's relationship was fake in order to stay in the game, but the viewers watching at home only know that Alice and Daniel has unfinished business that they want to explore and Alice's boyfriend found a deeper match with someone else. Everything being a win-win situation.
Also, this story is a murder mystery, but the murder mystery happens like 75% through the book. I literally forget that murder was supposed to happen until it kind of came out of no where. The author did a good job on keeping who did it under wraps, because I had no idea. Then again, I am a go with the flow kind of girl most of the time.
I liked Alice and Daniel's relationship. Their dynamic is so cute and something I haven't seen in a while. It kind of reminds me of Ali Hazelwood's character relationship dynamics with the smart and strategic girl with the smart and goes along with with FMC's brain guy. She is unapologetically herself and Daniel absolutely loves it.
Maybe it's because Alice didn't hate him like that, but I still appreciated Chase's (Alice's ex boyfriend) character. He is like the lovable bimbo that doesn't know what's going on, but wants to be friends with everybody and will protect you if you ask. What he did was wrong and his actions in the present and the stories that Alice tells makes him seem like nothing is in the brain.
Overall, this book was a good pick me up and I'm happy that I read it.
This book satisfied my craving for reality shows. I can definitely add this to my reality books recommendations. I have always been interested in romance reality shows, so finding out that books like this existed was awesome to see.
Alice Chen is a competitor. She loves to win and strategize and be on her A game. In high school, she was in academic competitions with her rival being from another school, Daniel Cho.
With her mom being sick and school debt she needs to pay, being a math teacher just isn't paying the bills. Imagine her surprise when her boyfriend basically signs them up for a new dating reality show with the prize money being 1 million dollars. Everything is kind of fine. She is socially awkward and don't know how to put on a show for tv. It doesn't help that Daniel is also there with his new girlfriend. She feels the spark but thinks it's just the feeling of having a true rivalry again.
It takes an even dramatic turn when her boyfriend cheats on her with another contestant and must now team up with Daniel to stay in the show.
I liked the game show aspect. The show is kind of based on Dante's Inferno, where each trial simulates a ring from the 9 rings of hell. I liked the challenges that they had to face and the show is something that I would be genuinely interested in seeing on my screen. It was also cool to see the behind the scenes of how reality shows are kind of scripted or pushed in a certain direction. For example, Alice and Daniel's relationship was fake in order to stay in the game, but the viewers watching at home only know that Alice and Daniel has unfinished business that they want to explore and Alice's boyfriend found a deeper match with someone else. Everything being a win-win situation.
Also, this story is a murder mystery, but the murder mystery happens like 75% through the book. I literally forget that murder was supposed to happen until it kind of came out of no where. The author did a good job on keeping who did it under wraps, because I had no idea. Then again, I am a go with the flow kind of girl most of the time.
I liked Alice and Daniel's relationship. Their dynamic is so cute and something I haven't seen in a while. It kind of reminds me of Ali Hazelwood's character relationship dynamics with the smart and strategic girl with the smart and goes along with with FMC's brain guy. She is unapologetically herself and Daniel absolutely loves it.
Maybe it's because Alice didn't hate him like that, but I still appreciated Chase's (Alice's ex boyfriend) character. He is like the lovable bimbo that doesn't know what's going on, but wants to be friends with everybody and will protect you if you ask. What he did was wrong and his actions in the present and the stories that Alice tells makes him seem like nothing is in the brain.
Overall, this book was a good pick me up and I'm happy that I read it.
June 17, 2025
3.75 stars (rounded up to 4)
Books that are set at reality TV shows or some kind of televised media are always a blast to read because of the sheer chaos that such a form of media brings. Alice Chen's Reality Check was no different. It was funny, it was charming, and really, just all-around chaos with a million code violations thrown in. So, you know, it was like a classic reality TV show. The writing was so funny and captivating, and it made me want to keep reading. It was more addicting than I expected and I'm so here for that.
Alice was a very likeable main character. Being a math teacher, she's a complete fish out of water when it comes to reality tv shows, so it was hilarious to see her competing in one and being determined to win. Of course, she had a very special reason for it, so you'll understand why she's even competing. One of the main reasons that I was excited to read this book was the murder mystery aspect of it.
However, I felt like we were a little too deep into the story when the murder mystery part of it happened; like it could have easily happened a few pages ago. That's what I was wanting and looking forward to, but as I flipped through the pages, I came to realisation, that it came towards almost the very end. It felt like the meat of the story had already happened, and I was waiting for the story to be over, which was a little disappointing.
I will say though - the romance between Alice and Daniel was so so good and the writing did such an amazing job at showing the chemistry between the two. They were thrown together in some deeply chaotic and out of this world circumstances, but somehow, with them, it just works.
Overall, Alice Chen's Reality Check was a pretty enjoyable read and I will be looking forward to other works by both authors!
Thank you Quirk Books for sending me an e-arc through Netgalley!
Books that are set at reality TV shows or some kind of televised media are always a blast to read because of the sheer chaos that such a form of media brings. Alice Chen's Reality Check was no different. It was funny, it was charming, and really, just all-around chaos with a million code violations thrown in. So, you know, it was like a classic reality TV show. The writing was so funny and captivating, and it made me want to keep reading. It was more addicting than I expected and I'm so here for that.
Alice was a very likeable main character. Being a math teacher, she's a complete fish out of water when it comes to reality tv shows, so it was hilarious to see her competing in one and being determined to win. Of course, she had a very special reason for it, so you'll understand why she's even competing. One of the main reasons that I was excited to read this book was the murder mystery aspect of it.
However, I felt like we were a little too deep into the story when the murder mystery part of it happened; like it could have easily happened a few pages ago. That's what I was wanting and looking forward to, but as I flipped through the pages, I came to realisation, that it came towards almost the very end. It felt like the meat of the story had already happened, and I was waiting for the story to be over, which was a little disappointing.
I will say though - the romance between Alice and Daniel was so so good and the writing did such an amazing job at showing the chemistry between the two. They were thrown together in some deeply chaotic and out of this world circumstances, but somehow, with them, it just works.
Overall, Alice Chen's Reality Check was a pretty enjoyable read and I will be looking forward to other works by both authors!
Thank you Quirk Books for sending me an e-arc through Netgalley!
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