Reality Check

by Lizzie Huxley-Jones

'A timeless sapphic love story at its heart. Sweet, soaring and splendid' ELLE McNICOLL

'Full of wit and warmth about out how to find the courage to truly be yourself' ROWAN COLEMAN

'Healing, gratifying and hilarious – all with the perfect dash of spice' BEA FITZGERALD

Wedded Bliss  is everyone’s favourite reality TV show where couples match, marry and compete for a grand prize.

Dolly is in it for money. She doesn’t want a husband, but a partnership launched on international TV could definitely help her influencer career. Model Warren might just be her man. 

Carys is in it for love. It’s not like she’s had much luck in the romance department, so why not trust the show’s matchmakers with her heart? Could handsome veterinarian Patrick be the one?

The tension building between them is as hot as the competition and the two women can’t deny their chemistry. For Carys, it’s an awakening, but any change of plan could ruin everything for Dolly.

Will they find reality TV fame or the reality of love?

? Readers LOVE Reality Check ?

'Lizzie Huxley-Jones is a master of three romance, comedy and representation'

'I flew through this in two sittings and my only regret is that I can never read it for the first time again'

'A wonderful story of self-discovery, accepting yourself and learning to take a risk for love'

Genres: Romance, Lesbian, Queer, LGBT, Contemporary, Adult

Kindle Edition

Expected publication April 9, 2026

About the author

Hello! Thanks for joining me in the 5 star recs zone. Please feel free to follow - I don't tend to add people back as I don't actually use Goodreads myself any more. I just come back here to pop down the recommendations that I post on Twitter and Instagram where I'm @littlehux so you're better off finding me there as I really don't use Goodreads much at all any more.

Official Bit:
Lizzie Huxley-Jones (they/them) is an autistic author and editor based in London. They are the author of the queer holiday rom-com Make You Mine This Christmas (2022) from Hodder Books, the summer romance Hits Different co-written with Tasha Ghouri (2024) from Hot Key Books, and Vivi Conway and the Sword of Legend (2023) from Knights Of. They write joyful stories that centre queerness and disability.

They are the editor of Stim, an anthology of autistic authors and artists, which was published by Unbound in April 2020 to coincide with World Autism Awareness Week. They are also the author of the children’s biography Sir David Attenborough: A Life Story (2020) and a contributor to the anthology Allies: Real Talk About Showing Up, Screwing Up, And Trying Again (2021).
They also work with writers and publishers as a sensitivity reader and editorial consultant, and were an editor at independent micropublisher 3 of Cups Press.

In their past career lives, they have been a research diver, a children’s bookseller and digital communications specialist.

They tweet too much at @littlehux, taking breaks to walk their dog Nerys.

They are represented by Abi Fellows of DHH Literary Agency.

Reviews

[Vicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75/5 - ARC Review

I loved Lizzie Huxley-Jones’s Christmas books, so even though I don’t always enjoy books with a reality TV aspect I’m so glad I trusted her because I completely devoured it.

I absolutely loved the premise of the book. The reality tv show aspects were so well done and seemed so researched, it provided the perfect background for Carys and Dolly’s romance. I loved the pacing of their romance and the tension was delicious! Even when they “hated” each other, the tension between them was always simmering just below the surface. Their banter was phenomenal!

You could tell the characters were written with such care and Carys’s autism and Dolly’s endometriosis were incredible representation that I feel is rarely done so well in romance books.

Overall, the book is full of queer joy and banter which is perfectly balanced with heavier topics. Lizzie Huxley-Jones has absolutely smashed it with this book and I can’t wait to see it out in the world!

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reality Check is a heart‑warming queer rom-com set against the glittering backdrop of the hit reality dating show Wedded Bliss. Contestants are paired up and face tasks to see how well they match ...

The main characters in the book are Dolly and Carys who both appear on the hit show each looking for something completely different from it. They are both two very distinct characters, each with their own story. As you read the book, you do become very invested in them both. Dolly and Carys are represented as who they are, with such care, depth and individuality.

Dolly is an influencer and is not coming on the show to look for a husband. She sees this opportunity as a way to boost her followers on social media and become even more well known than she already is. Dolly is used to being in the limelight and knows exactly what she needs to do to be the centre of attention.

Dolly’s caring responsibilities are also part of her story, and this is woven into the story with such genuine warmth. - Dolly, like so many others, is living with endometriosis too, and this was extremely well written, with such care and understanding.

Dolly comes across as so confident. However, underneath this confidence, is there a more vulnerable side to Dolly? Can she keep up the pretence the whole way through, or will there be moments when the real Dolly shines through? Who is the real Dolly, what does she really want out of life?

Then we meet Carys. Carys comes on the show because she does want to find true love. Carys longs to find her soulmate, and she truly feels that this is her time when everything might finally fall into place. Carys is a lovely character and you get a real insight to who she really is. There is no mask with Carys. She is genuine, honest and exactly the person she presents herself to be.

So will Carys and Dolly meet their perfect match? This could be life changing for them both. But do they really know what they really want?

Amongst the other characters, Warren was great. He was a wonderful friend and it was moving to see a truly warm platonic bond.

Reality Check covers the realities of chronic illness, disability and autism and I felt this was done exceptionally well. Lizzie Huxley-Jones writes from the heart and she writes from her own experiences. Love is for everyone, including those living with chronic illness, disability or autism and this comes through so beautifully in the novel - just brilliant.

This is a wonderful book about discovering your true self, and having the courage to be who you really are. Listen to your heart and go with your gut. You never know what magic lies ahead!

There are so many funny moments in this book but it is also such an uplifting and emotional book too. It is a book full of so much hope, full of love and full of friendship. Pick up this wonderful book and enjoy reading all about Dolly and Carys journey, a story filled with hope, healing and personal growth.

Thank you very much to Simon & Schuster UK for my advanced copy. This review is based on a #NetGalley ARC provided in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.

[Karen Rós · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC from Simon & Schuster through netgalley in exchange for a fair review, but let's be real here: I am totally biased because I championed so hard for this book back when I was employed at S&S and the book was only a pitch. so I am SO THRILLED to finally get to read it!! I loved the pitch, but I love the finished book even more. yes!!

I am a massive sucker for reality TV romance, and particularly the kind where the participants fall for somebody they weren't supposed to fall for - a fellow contestant, a crew member, etc. and this did not disappoint. I loved everything. the drama of it! the scheming! the hiding! the thin budgets! the overworked tv crew! the tension between Carys and Dolly! the grand climax and bold declarations and ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

the characters were all fantastic - Dolly and Carys were obviously the most realised, but everybody else felt like a real person. nobody, not even the "villains" felt like one dimensional caricatures. I am a huge fan of Dolly and Warren and their friendship and partnership, and how Carys and Patrick also wound up as friends in the end. I especially love that Dolly and Whit became close friends - and Lina, who I was mildly worried would end up being some kind of comic relief character, but I should've trusted the author not to go there (I've read their Christmas romance novels as well, which I adore with all my heart).

anyway. Dolly and Carys were so good. even when they were bitchy and ugly and cruel - god, I love a good flawed character, and this delivered. nobody is perfect all the time! and this was so good. I'm so delighted.

I am so happy.

ALSO when you've read this go read Jodi McAlister's Marry Me, Juliet trilogy. you won't regret it.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Simon & Schuster and Netgalley for an e-arc of Reality Check. All opinions will be my own.

As soon as I found out that this book had autistic rep, endometriosis rep, sapphic romance and reality TV, I knew that I just had to read it.

Carys has entered Wedded Bliss, a reality dating show, in the search of true love. Dolly has entered for the money, in hopes of securing a stable income as an influencer to help her disabled mother.
From the moment Carys and Dolly meet, their attraction is immediate and off the charts. Only Carys does not realise what this attraction is, as she has always believed she is straight. Dolly on the other hand has been out to her friends and family for years, but had to pretend to be attracted to men in order to enter the show.

I loved the autistic rep in this book, with Carys' character showing the effects of constant masking and the toll that it took. The author also did their research of the reality of reality shows, presenting just how difficult they are on the contestants and the mental health effects it can have.

I also really enjoyed this Carys and Dolly being friends to lovers to enemies to lovers again! It was a fun twist on the enemies to lovers trope.

This is a wonderful story of self discovery, accepting yourself and learning to take a risk for love.

[Kelly Holland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reality Check is an eye opening but fun read that provides a really refreshing take on the reality TV show and finding love when you least expect it.
Lizzie has come up trumps with her cast of diverse characters that are quirky and full of secrets.

Obviously Dolly and Carys take top spot and I absolutely adored this couple, the will they won’t they trope keeps you guessing throughout along with some spicy scenes that are 🥵🥵🥵

The insight into the workings of a reality TV show give a fantastic background to the romances in the storyline and there is plenty of humour and also real heartwarming moments as well that make this book an absolute winner.

Lizzie is extremely adept at writing about lifestyles that are not common in their representations and it is really inspirational to find a book that highlights areas such as autism, endometriosis and queer love in such an easy way so the storyline flows freely and nothing feels like it is being over egged or pushed into your mind, it is all very natural.

As a member of the LGBTQ+ community I love it when I find an author that can write fabulous sapphic novels that aren’t just about sex but have real warmth and characters that come to life and stick around in your imagination after you finish reading.

[Rachel Gilbey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh I do love a book featuring a reality tv show, and this one had a bit of a novel concept to it.

With the contestants for the first part not being able to see each other, and having to make judgments from voice instead.

It was really interesting getting to know the various main characters of this novel, who were all so different.

But it was Dolly and Carys' stories that were the most intriguing, For they are both lying constantly on camera for various good reasons.

For this is as much a commentary on how reality tv treats contestants who aren't "normal, and a look at how much contestant care is really involved.

It is also wonderfully diverse and was a fabulous way to get inside both of their heads, especially Carys.

I really felt for both of these ladies, as they try their hardest to work out just what to do about various things.

I feel it was great representation in fiction for communities that aren't so regularly featured.

Overall it was a very enjoyable book and I certainly didn't see the ending coming. Just brilliant.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

[Remi · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars

As soon as I saw that it was available on Netgalley I had to request to it, as I love finding books with autistic and sapphic main characters and I enjoyed reading the authors previous book with sapphic and autistic representation. The book starts on the way to the filming of a new reality show Wedded Bliss, we are first introduced to Carys who wants to find her forever person and is autistic but hasn't told the show runners that as she was worried that she wouldn't be picked if they knew. She meets Dolly, a cooking influencer, who decided to join the show so she's able to support her mum with the publicity. The autistic representation was so relatable as an autistic person and I loved how she shows how exhausting masking is and also how we are pressured to mask by society despite how difficult it is for us.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARCs

[Lore Penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Release date: 9 April 2026
Age rating: 18+

I probably should have taken notes for this, because I have so many thoughts and feelings about this truly wonderful, gorgeous book, but unfortunately the book was so good it was permanently stuck to my hands and therefore I couldn't put it down for long enough to make notes. So, you'll have to deal with my ramblings of adoration instead.

Lizzie Huxley-Jones is a master of three things: romance, comedy, and representation. Those three things are absolutely the heart and soul of this book, as Hux skillfully weaves a story that deals with real issues (such as living with chronic illness, disability, and autism) without ever feeling heavy handed, and without sacrificing the pace, humour or romance. On top of this, in my opinion, Reality Check includes the most realistic and comprehensive representations of what it's like to mask and go through over-stimulation as an autistic person. I have never felt so seen on the page and it made me quite emotional to read.

Despite being a story that is largely about queer joy and discovery between two women, I have to give a special shout-out to Warren - he might be the best man-in-a-romcom that I've ever read. And he's not even the actual love interest! I was kicking my feet and giggling with how much I love that man. Protect Warren at all costs, is all I'm saying.

And finally, before I go off on yet another tangent, can we talk about the gorgeous cover?? Stunning. Perfect. No notes.

This whole book is so full of joy and love and understanding - a review truly cannot possibly do it justice, so instead I'm just going to absolutely implore you to read this! My heart felt so full finishing this book, and I truly cannot wait to get my hands on a finished copy when it's released on 9 April 2026.

Thanks so much to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster UK, and the author for this eArc in exchange for an honest review!