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Reality Check
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?
?
496 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 9, 2026
About the author
Lizzie Huxley-Jones
12 books392 followersHello! 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
April 17, 2026
I love Hux's writing and I love reality TV in books, so this was a great time! All of the characters felt very distinct, except for the ones who very purposefully weren't, which added some hilarity at times. I absolutely adored Dolly, and I empathized with Carys a lot, even if reading about her burning herself out so much was a little hard as a fellow autistic person. I definitely relate to her struggle of masking and figuring out who the real her is. I will say this was a very long book, yet I still wish we had a little more time with Dolly and Carys together. The ending was very lovely though!!
April 11, 2026
(rounded down from 4.25)
This was a fun ride, but there is so much mental wincing for me because one of the main characters is autistic and spends almost the entire two-week period being overstimulated to the point of meltdowns. I realise that this is part of the point (showing the experience of an autistic person forced to mask and interact with people constantly without any accommodations). As a result, I feel like this book may have been better served as a general fiction book rather than a romance.
Overall, though, I appreciated the portrayal of two people who are not the ideal fit for reality dating shows (Dolly is very tall and fat, while Carys is autistic) and the reasons they have for going on the show and doing what they do.
This was a fun ride, but there is so much mental wincing for me because one of the main characters is autistic and spends almost the entire two-week period being overstimulated to the point of meltdowns. I realise that this is part of the point (showing the experience of an autistic person forced to mask and interact with people constantly without any accommodations). As a result, I feel like this book may have been better served as a general fiction book rather than a romance.
Overall, though, I appreciated the portrayal of two people who are not the ideal fit for reality dating shows (Dolly is very tall and fat, while Carys is autistic) and the reasons they have for going on the show and doing what they do.
April 25, 2026
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 them 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!
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 them 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!
May 13, 2026
WOW THIS BOOK!!!!!!
i’ve never read a book this messy before and loved it so much. i think huxley-jones does a masterful job of letting her characters get downright nasty and real without making them hate-able. i think it really shows a talent at understanding people and a love for what reality shows are. this book really felt like a reality tv show in words, but with lots of great internal monologue to make the actions make sense, a good sense of the horrors of how reality tv shows are produced, and lots and lots of great rep.
the sapphicism was great, very sexy and romantic, with a very rootable pair. but the characters other rep was really awesome. carys is autistic and as far as i can tell, it’s the most in-depth depiction i’ve ever read. the use of first person to show how she perceives the world, how she gets overwhelmed and overstimulated and has meltdowns and can’t always think things through or process things in the moment, i think it was just really wonderful at showing how complicated autism is. it felt really deep and specific, carys is one person with autism, not a representation of everyone. i just loved that.
dolly was also great rep, she’s fat and has endometriosis. again, these were really taken in account with how she interacts with the world and how she sees herself. i appreciated that she didn’t feel shame about her fatness and that her endometriosis was really shown in full as being rlly difficult to handle while also smth you just have to get used to. overall, this book had a really complex and multifaceted depiction of disability (there were two side disabled characters as well) and what it means to exist in the world as a disabled person and as someone who cares for a disabled person.
both mcs were complex, complicated, and allowed to be messy while still being loveable which is the heart of this book. they had great chemistry and banter, i loved the different eras of their relationship, and it was a joy to follow them.
there were also great side characters, from my most unproblematic heterosexual king warren, who also was a great example of how you can write Black characters and show how their Blackness impacts who they are without making it about that at all. lena, who’s pan and chinese british and also a yogi, who’s arc was one of my faves and in another book would have been comedic relief and flat, but was given the time to be strong and interesting. whit and malachi were great too, i loved their relationship and their relationships with everyone else. even bridget zach and jackson, the villains, were interesting characters and while semi flat, still felt like real people, with mannerisms and regional aspects and lives.
i really liked the sense of britain in this book, from the welsh to scottish to liverpoolian characters. the accent work done in the audiobook sounded great, even tho it was two narrators, the characters sounded good in both voices.
overall, just a fabulous book that might seem silly and fun on the tin, but had a lot of heart and really interesting thoughts about disability and other rep. but also, it was sooooooo much fun!!!! i love reality tv show books and this one DELIVERED.
my only thing is i wish they hadn’t gotten married at the end but oh well… it still hit!!!
i’ve never read a book this messy before and loved it so much. i think huxley-jones does a masterful job of letting her characters get downright nasty and real without making them hate-able. i think it really shows a talent at understanding people and a love for what reality shows are. this book really felt like a reality tv show in words, but with lots of great internal monologue to make the actions make sense, a good sense of the horrors of how reality tv shows are produced, and lots and lots of great rep.
the sapphicism was great, very sexy and romantic, with a very rootable pair. but the characters other rep was really awesome. carys is autistic and as far as i can tell, it’s the most in-depth depiction i’ve ever read. the use of first person to show how she perceives the world, how she gets overwhelmed and overstimulated and has meltdowns and can’t always think things through or process things in the moment, i think it was just really wonderful at showing how complicated autism is. it felt really deep and specific, carys is one person with autism, not a representation of everyone. i just loved that.
dolly was also great rep, she’s fat and has endometriosis. again, these were really taken in account with how she interacts with the world and how she sees herself. i appreciated that she didn’t feel shame about her fatness and that her endometriosis was really shown in full as being rlly difficult to handle while also smth you just have to get used to. overall, this book had a really complex and multifaceted depiction of disability (there were two side disabled characters as well) and what it means to exist in the world as a disabled person and as someone who cares for a disabled person.
both mcs were complex, complicated, and allowed to be messy while still being loveable which is the heart of this book. they had great chemistry and banter, i loved the different eras of their relationship, and it was a joy to follow them.
there were also great side characters, from my most unproblematic heterosexual king warren, who also was a great example of how you can write Black characters and show how their Blackness impacts who they are without making it about that at all. lena, who’s pan and chinese british and also a yogi, who’s arc was one of my faves and in another book would have been comedic relief and flat, but was given the time to be strong and interesting. whit and malachi were great too, i loved their relationship and their relationships with everyone else. even bridget zach and jackson, the villains, were interesting characters and while semi flat, still felt like real people, with mannerisms and regional aspects and lives.
i really liked the sense of britain in this book, from the welsh to scottish to liverpoolian characters. the accent work done in the audiobook sounded great, even tho it was two narrators, the characters sounded good in both voices.
overall, just a fabulous book that might seem silly and fun on the tin, but had a lot of heart and really interesting thoughts about disability and other rep. but also, it was sooooooo much fun!!!! i love reality tv show books and this one DELIVERED.
my only thing is i wish they hadn’t gotten married at the end but oh well… it still hit!!!
April 16, 2026
Sometimes you read a book and it just connects. It makes you relate and feel so hard it’s like a whole different experience to ‘just’ enjoying a story. For me, this was one of those books.
Dolly and Carys are both going on the hot new reality dating show, Wedded Bliss - but for very different reasons. Dolly is here for the money; she needs it to support the care costs for her mum and, given that she’s a lesbian, doesn’t really expect any genuine romance going on. Carys, meanwhile, is in it for the real deal. After seeing all of her friends get married and kicking off their own Happily Ever Afters, she decides it’s time for drastic measures.
There’s so much I loved about this book. As was the case with the previous book of theirs which I read, Make You Mine This Christmas, the author can write one hell of an engaging story with genuinely hilarious lines thrown in.
However, what makes Reality Check so outstanding is the characters. I adore Dolly - she’s clever, she’s driven, she’s a bit of a badass, but she’s also endlessly kind and empathetic. The way Carys was written as an autistic woman was just real, raw, and so incredible. There were so many lines concerning masking (both autism and queer identity) that as a fellow neurodivergent person I just had to save because they hit me so hard. It’s been a wee while since I felt so emotionally connected to a character and just so seen. When things were going well for the two of them, I was joyous. When things got tough (and believe me, they do) it felt like I was genuinely hurt and I just needed to keep going to see how these two worked it out. I also adored the supporting characters (the amount of times I just wanted to give Lina a hug, or Jackson and/or Zack a slap, was innumerable).
This was really an incredible read. If there is a single thing about this book that you find appealing, especially if you are a fellow neurodivergent queer, then I cannot stress enough how much you should read it.
Dolly and Carys are both going on the hot new reality dating show, Wedded Bliss - but for very different reasons. Dolly is here for the money; she needs it to support the care costs for her mum and, given that she’s a lesbian, doesn’t really expect any genuine romance going on. Carys, meanwhile, is in it for the real deal. After seeing all of her friends get married and kicking off their own Happily Ever Afters, she decides it’s time for drastic measures.
There’s so much I loved about this book. As was the case with the previous book of theirs which I read, Make You Mine This Christmas, the author can write one hell of an engaging story with genuinely hilarious lines thrown in.
However, what makes Reality Check so outstanding is the characters. I adore Dolly - she’s clever, she’s driven, she’s a bit of a badass, but she’s also endlessly kind and empathetic. The way Carys was written as an autistic woman was just real, raw, and so incredible. There were so many lines concerning masking (both autism and queer identity) that as a fellow neurodivergent person I just had to save because they hit me so hard. It’s been a wee while since I felt so emotionally connected to a character and just so seen. When things were going well for the two of them, I was joyous. When things got tough (and believe me, they do) it felt like I was genuinely hurt and I just needed to keep going to see how these two worked it out. I also adored the supporting characters (the amount of times I just wanted to give Lina a hug, or Jackson and/or Zack a slap, was innumerable).
This was really an incredible read. If there is a single thing about this book that you find appealing, especially if you are a fellow neurodivergent queer, then I cannot stress enough how much you should read it.
April 28, 2026
I am a sucker for a reality tv romcom and make it Sapphic with an autistic FMC and I was 100% sold!! The disability rep in this book is EXCELLENT - Dolly has endometriosis and Carys is masking her autism and bisexuality.
Both women go on a reality show to find a husband but find themselves falling for each other. This was full of drama, had a great coming out late in life story and autism acceptance journey.
I related to both women and was rooting for them to get their HEA!! Great on audio and perfect for fans of authors like Mazey Eddings and Elle McNicoll and books like Here for the wrong reasons.
Both women go on a reality show to find a husband but find themselves falling for each other. This was full of drama, had a great coming out late in life story and autism acceptance journey.
I related to both women and was rooting for them to get their HEA!! Great on audio and perfect for fans of authors like Mazey Eddings and Elle McNicoll and books like Here for the wrong reasons.
April 9, 2026
4.5 stars
I went into Reality Check expecting a fun reality TV–inspired romance, but it ended up being so much more than that. The reality show setting is incredibly well executed, it feels authentic, immersive, and adds real stakes to the story rather than just acting as a backdrop. It creates the perfect environment for Carys and Dolly’s relationship to unfold, and the tension between them is so well paced. Even in their more antagonistic moments, there’s this constant underlying pull that makes their dynamic completely addictive. What really stood out to me, though, was the character work. Everyone feels messy and human in a way that’s refreshing. Carys, in particular, can be frustrating at times, but her motivations always feel grounded and understandable. The autism representation, especially around masking and navigating expectations, felt thoughtful and nuanced, and Dolly’s experience with endometriosis was handled with equal care. I also loved how the book explores heavier themes: disability, societal expectations, fat phobia, and care responsibilities, without ever losing its sense of warmth or humour. It strikes such a strong balance between emotional depth and lightness. The romance is full of tension and banter, but the friendships are just as compelling. The platonic dynamics added so much heart to the story. Overall, this is a romance that feels both joyful and grounded in reality, with fantastic representation and characters that stay with you long after finishing.
Thank you very much to Simon & Schuster UK for my advanced copy!
I went into Reality Check expecting a fun reality TV–inspired romance, but it ended up being so much more than that. The reality show setting is incredibly well executed, it feels authentic, immersive, and adds real stakes to the story rather than just acting as a backdrop. It creates the perfect environment for Carys and Dolly’s relationship to unfold, and the tension between them is so well paced. Even in their more antagonistic moments, there’s this constant underlying pull that makes their dynamic completely addictive. What really stood out to me, though, was the character work. Everyone feels messy and human in a way that’s refreshing. Carys, in particular, can be frustrating at times, but her motivations always feel grounded and understandable. The autism representation, especially around masking and navigating expectations, felt thoughtful and nuanced, and Dolly’s experience with endometriosis was handled with equal care. I also loved how the book explores heavier themes: disability, societal expectations, fat phobia, and care responsibilities, without ever losing its sense of warmth or humour. It strikes such a strong balance between emotional depth and lightness. The romance is full of tension and banter, but the friendships are just as compelling. The platonic dynamics added so much heart to the story. Overall, this is a romance that feels both joyful and grounded in reality, with fantastic representation and characters that stay with you long after finishing.
Thank you very much to Simon & Schuster UK for my advanced copy!
May 8, 2026
it was actually really refreshing to read a romance novel set in the uk, even if the only unrealistic bit was that carys is apparently an expert on uk accents?!
i am not one for reality tv, but, damn, this book was as addictive as i imagine reality tv to be
i am not one for reality tv, but, damn, this book was as addictive as i imagine reality tv to be
December 20, 2025
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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
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
April 23, 2026
Reality Check by Lizzie Huxley-Jones is for the girlies, the gays, and the neurospicy, heck it’s for all!
A perfect mix of bi-panic, lesbian messiness, men created by women and juicy reality tv moments.
Whilst I am not a huge fan of reality tv (just ask my husband, a man that often finds me unable to watch the telly when drama or conflict is happening), I enjoyed everything else in between and could appreciate the research that Lizzie put into this novel.
Would be incredibly hard pressed to find anyone that won’t enjoy Reality Check, is romance at its best with all the tropes tossed in!
(Also having further autism representation is making me feel like I’ve been snuggled in a nice weighted blanket)
A perfect mix of bi-panic, lesbian messiness, men created by women and juicy reality tv moments.
Whilst I am not a huge fan of reality tv (just ask my husband, a man that often finds me unable to watch the telly when drama or conflict is happening), I enjoyed everything else in between and could appreciate the research that Lizzie put into this novel.
Would be incredibly hard pressed to find anyone that won’t enjoy Reality Check, is romance at its best with all the tropes tossed in!
(Also having further autism representation is making me feel like I’ve been snuggled in a nice weighted blanket)
December 15, 2025
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!
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!
April 20, 2026
Actual Rating: 3.75 Stars
There’s a lot to love about this book! It’s overflowing with heart and humor. I loved getting to follow an explicitly stated autistic character, even in the moments where Carys was struggling. I also liked seeing the fat and endometriosis rep with Dolly. I will say this isn’t quite a four star because I was never fully on board with the romance. They were sweet together when they were first starting to crush on each other but overall it felt like they had more sexual chemistry than romantic chemistry. Still, I loved seeing Carys untangle compulsory heterosexuality. And Dolly and Warren’s friendship was so lovely.
There’s a lot to love about this book! It’s overflowing with heart and humor. I loved getting to follow an explicitly stated autistic character, even in the moments where Carys was struggling. I also liked seeing the fat and endometriosis rep with Dolly. I will say this isn’t quite a four star because I was never fully on board with the romance. They were sweet together when they were first starting to crush on each other but overall it felt like they had more sexual chemistry than romantic chemistry. Still, I loved seeing Carys untangle compulsory heterosexuality. And Dolly and Warren’s friendship was so lovely.
April 7, 2026
Brilliantly written characters and I loved the setting of the reality show. It shows the warts and all of behind the scenes and throws some doubts over the care taken with the contestants on these type of shows.
I loved how Carys’ character is portrayed - her diversity and efforts to mask her true self are so sensitively handled. The conflict with her true feelings felt so real and I really felt for her as she was having to live this new found understanding under the gaze of the cameras and other contestants.
The friendship between Carys and Dolly felt real from the beginning- able to show eachother their true selves without realising how open they were being
I loved how Carys’ character is portrayed - her diversity and efforts to mask her true self are so sensitively handled. The conflict with her true feelings felt so real and I really felt for her as she was having to live this new found understanding under the gaze of the cameras and other contestants.
The friendship between Carys and Dolly felt real from the beginning- able to show eachother their true selves without realising how open they were being
April 13, 2026
This is a solid sapphic bi romance around 3.75 stars because I wish there was more interaction between the main characters and the whole audio book is 15hrs long but it is going round and round with the same subject rather than evolving the relationship between the mains I enjoyed the plus size and autistic representation but I did not enjoy the character of Dolly.Overall a good book and the author is great.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC!
Not totally my usual vibe, but I really enjoyed this fun, sparky rom-com set in the world of reality TV. If you’re a fan of Married at First Sight, Love is Blind, or classic 2000s rom-coms, this one will hit the sweet spot!
I loved the refreshingly progressive story and the strong lead character!
Not totally my usual vibe, but I really enjoyed this fun, sparky rom-com set in the world of reality TV. If you’re a fan of Married at First Sight, Love is Blind, or classic 2000s rom-coms, this one will hit the sweet spot!
I loved the refreshingly progressive story and the strong lead character!
March 23, 2026
This book was absolutely everything to me, especially as an autistic and bisexual reader. This book was so moving and so eye opening and I loved every second. Very grateful for some autistic representation written by an autistic author. This book made me so emotional in all the right ways and was just so perfect and special to me.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I’ve been reading a lot of sapphic romances recently, and this is top tier. Brilliant characters, a plot worthy of any trending reality show, and true love at the end (for multiple people! And the arseholes got who they deserved too, iykyk.)
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book early in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book early in exchange for an honest review.
Did Not Finish
April 14, 2026DEEPLY upset to dnf as MYMTC is one of my all time favourites 😭😭😭
April 15, 2026
Fun listen, author and the great narrators new to me. If you like a book with a reality show setting and not perfect MCs, this book is highly recommended.
April 24, 2026
Cute and hot. Generally liked both of the main characters and enjoyed the generally diverse cast. The body positivity that oozed from Dolly was amazing and I loved her dynamic with Warren. I also enjoyed how all of the characters seemed to appreciate that she was a fat, hot character and there was no reference to any kind of body shaming.
I struggled a little more in parts with Carys as she had her mean moments but that was needed I think in a story like this. As someone who had watched 2 seasons of 'Love is Blind' - I enjoyed all the nods to that in this story as well.
I struggled a little more in parts with Carys as she had her mean moments but that was needed I think in a story like this. As someone who had watched 2 seasons of 'Love is Blind' - I enjoyed all the nods to that in this story as well.
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