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Be the Bombshell: What Love Island Teaches Us About Dating
Date better, raise your standards, and learn to be true to yourself with these heartfelt lessons from the Villa.
“Can I pull you for a chat?” “Where’s your head at?” “Maybe we should call it the ‘friendship island’?” “Do I put all my eggs in one basket?” “Am I a mug?”
These are the questions that plague the Love Islanders competing for love in their sun-soaked villa—and those of us in the trenches of modern dating. They share the dilemmas that keep us up at night as we swipe, text, and ghost our way to finding a romantic spark. The #1 hit reality TV dating show does more than offer riveting poolside drama, genuinely touching romances (and bromances), and hours of contestants in bikinis having the most mundane conversations on the terrace. It provides an unvarnished portrait of dating, with plenty to say about love, self-worth, and putting yourself back together after a brutal recoupling.
Be the Bombshell is a cheeky, laugh-out-loud playbook to navigating singlehood by embracing the absolutely ten-out-of-ten, proper fit, total bombshell that you are. Feeling awkward about approaching people in public? Here’s how to pull someone for a chat. Overcome by an “ick?” Maybe you just need to move beyond your “type on paper.” Recently been pied—or dumped? Invest in yourself before choosing to go out there again.
In this unofficial title, Rebecca Jennings takes the most iconic and unforgettable moments from Love Island UK and USA to remind us dating should be fun—not just tolerable. A witty love letter to Love Island superfans, hopeless romantics, and serial swipers, Be the Bombshell will teach you to demand what you want unapologetically and to tell the difference between what’s worth the compromise and what’s settling for less than you deserve. Your very own group chat to the best, worst, and weirdest parts of dating, Be the Bombshell steers you through the highs, lows, and the DMs you probably shouldn’t send.
Are you ready? A hot new bombshell has entered the Villa!
This book is not authorized, sponsored, or affiliated with the television show Love Island.
“Can I pull you for a chat?” “Where’s your head at?” “Maybe we should call it the ‘friendship island’?” “Do I put all my eggs in one basket?” “Am I a mug?”
These are the questions that plague the Love Islanders competing for love in their sun-soaked villa—and those of us in the trenches of modern dating. They share the dilemmas that keep us up at night as we swipe, text, and ghost our way to finding a romantic spark. The #1 hit reality TV dating show does more than offer riveting poolside drama, genuinely touching romances (and bromances), and hours of contestants in bikinis having the most mundane conversations on the terrace. It provides an unvarnished portrait of dating, with plenty to say about love, self-worth, and putting yourself back together after a brutal recoupling.
Be the Bombshell is a cheeky, laugh-out-loud playbook to navigating singlehood by embracing the absolutely ten-out-of-ten, proper fit, total bombshell that you are. Feeling awkward about approaching people in public? Here’s how to pull someone for a chat. Overcome by an “ick?” Maybe you just need to move beyond your “type on paper.” Recently been pied—or dumped? Invest in yourself before choosing to go out there again.
In this unofficial title, Rebecca Jennings takes the most iconic and unforgettable moments from Love Island UK and USA to remind us dating should be fun—not just tolerable. A witty love letter to Love Island superfans, hopeless romantics, and serial swipers, Be the Bombshell will teach you to demand what you want unapologetically and to tell the difference between what’s worth the compromise and what’s settling for less than you deserve. Your very own group chat to the best, worst, and weirdest parts of dating, Be the Bombshell steers you through the highs, lows, and the DMs you probably shouldn’t send.
Are you ready? A hot new bombshell has entered the Villa!
This book is not authorized, sponsored, or affiliated with the television show Love Island.
224 pages, Paperback
Published May 27, 2025
7 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca Jennings
13 books2 followersDr. Rebecca Jennings is Associate Professor in Modern Gender and/or Race History at University College London. She teaches on the history of gender and sexuality in modern Britain. Her research focuses on twentieth-century British and Australian lesbian history and she is the author of Tomboys and Bachelor Girls: A Lesbian History of Post-War Britain (2007); A Lesbian History of Britain: Love and Sex Between Women Since 1500 (2007); and Unnamed Desires: A Sydney Lesbian History (2015).
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 2, 2025
this is such a cute, fun guide to modern dating that uses love island as a framing device for practical and effective dating advice! ideal for heterosexual and bisexual millennial and gen z women, as well as fans of love island.
i wish i had read this a few years ago, but having had to come to many of these realizations myself over time, i can say that there are some genuinely solid tips and reminders in “be the bombshell.”
also, it’s crazy and commendable that becca wrote this in two months.
i wish i had read this a few years ago, but having had to come to many of these realizations myself over time, i can say that there are some genuinely solid tips and reminders in “be the bombshell.”
also, it’s crazy and commendable that becca wrote this in two months.
September 3, 2025
As a Love Island girlie, I was super interested in reading this one. I was single when I requested it, but am currently in a relationship, which i think also switched my lens a bit as I listened to the author’s work.
There was some great advice in here, and I think the way the evidence was presented in relation to the show was great. The book read as a research paper for school, and it’s so funny how we grow up hating those but appreciate them in our adult lives. I def enjoyed this one
There was some great advice in here, and I think the way the evidence was presented in relation to the show was great. The book read as a research paper for school, and it’s so funny how we grow up hating those but appreciate them in our adult lives. I def enjoyed this one
August 15, 2025
Be the Bombshell is a witty, cheeky guide to dating inspired by the iconic drama, romance, and life lessons of Love Island. Using unforgettable moments from the hit reality show, Rebecca Jennings delivers playful yet empowering advice on raising your standards, embracing your confidence, and knowing when to walk away. From pulling someone for a chat to moving past your “type on paper,” this unofficial handbook reminds you dating should be fun, not just tolerable. It is perfect for superfans, hopeless romantics, and serial swipers, and it is your ultimate group chat for navigating modern love. You should be boldly, unapologetically, the total bombshell you are.
5 stars!
Two hands up (like the true millennial I am) YES to this Love Island themed nonfiction!!!
A little history for you... years ago, close friends mentioned this little show called Love Island UK that you could stream in the US on Hulu and said it was incredibly binge worthy - and we're talking like 60 episodes a season. I was HOOKED is an understatement. I have since watched all UK, All Stars, Australia and US seasons (yes, I may have a problem) but I truly believe that some of the most normal relationships have come out of this franchise compared to other dating shows. I was captivated by the individuals, their interactions and their inevitable breakups, makeups and, in some cases, love matches found.
Ok then, so not only did this book validate my multi-year obsession with Love Island, but spoke straight to the heart no matter what stage of life you are in. Honestly, if my daughter was old enough I would tell her to read it as a manual for dating and for all relationships in her life.
And it's not just about dating! I've been married for many years and still found so many useful tidbits for relationships and life throughout this book (nay, guide). There are notes on friendships, sexuality ("We're on a floating rock. Kiss who you want to kiss!"), releasing dead weight that is bogging you down, getting out of your house, saying 'yes' to socializing and other ways to choose human interaction at a time where it is much easier to choose your phone, your streaming services and your couch.
So go crack on, accept that you may get mugged off (or be made to look like a mug) and maybe end up "locked in" or "closed off" or some other loose term that doesn't actually mean anything. Whatever your path, enjoy it, and keep this one stashed in your bedside table for when you need a boost of resolve or reassurance. It is EXCELLENT.
Thank you so much to the Simon Books Buddy program for the opportunity to read this book and for sending a free copy. I will cherish it and refer to it!
5 stars!
Two hands up (like the true millennial I am) YES to this Love Island themed nonfiction!!!
A little history for you... years ago, close friends mentioned this little show called Love Island UK that you could stream in the US on Hulu and said it was incredibly binge worthy - and we're talking like 60 episodes a season. I was HOOKED is an understatement. I have since watched all UK, All Stars, Australia and US seasons (yes, I may have a problem) but I truly believe that some of the most normal relationships have come out of this franchise compared to other dating shows. I was captivated by the individuals, their interactions and their inevitable breakups, makeups and, in some cases, love matches found.
Ok then, so not only did this book validate my multi-year obsession with Love Island, but spoke straight to the heart no matter what stage of life you are in. Honestly, if my daughter was old enough I would tell her to read it as a manual for dating and for all relationships in her life.
And it's not just about dating! I've been married for many years and still found so many useful tidbits for relationships and life throughout this book (nay, guide). There are notes on friendships, sexuality ("We're on a floating rock. Kiss who you want to kiss!"), releasing dead weight that is bogging you down, getting out of your house, saying 'yes' to socializing and other ways to choose human interaction at a time where it is much easier to choose your phone, your streaming services and your couch.
So go crack on, accept that you may get mugged off (or be made to look like a mug) and maybe end up "locked in" or "closed off" or some other loose term that doesn't actually mean anything. Whatever your path, enjoy it, and keep this one stashed in your bedside table for when you need a boost of resolve or reassurance. It is EXCELLENT.
Thank you so much to the Simon Books Buddy program for the opportunity to read this book and for sending a free copy. I will cherish it and refer to it!
June 13, 2025
4.5⭐️
Love Island has always had a special place in my heart! After my son was born, I would watch Love Island on repeat. It was fun, mindless tv that helped me keep my mind busy during those tough first few weeks.
I love that this is a dating advice book that relates everything to people and events from Love Island! There is a lot of great advice in this book. I haven’t been on a first date in ten years and the thought of it makes me so anxious! Current dating culture feels very different than it did a decade ago, but this book helped me keep it all in perspective. It also made me hopeful for the future!
I definitely recommend grabbing a copy of this book if you’re single and love Love Island!
Love Island has always had a special place in my heart! After my son was born, I would watch Love Island on repeat. It was fun, mindless tv that helped me keep my mind busy during those tough first few weeks.
I love that this is a dating advice book that relates everything to people and events from Love Island! There is a lot of great advice in this book. I haven’t been on a first date in ten years and the thought of it makes me so anxious! Current dating culture feels very different than it did a decade ago, but this book helped me keep it all in perspective. It also made me hopeful for the future!
I definitely recommend grabbing a copy of this book if you’re single and love Love Island!
October 31, 2025
Aside from a couple truly terrible takes, like pretending to smoke to have an excuse to chat with someone cute (are smokers ever cute?), this was fun! Quick and made me want to get back on the Love Island train. I thought the points she makes about how Love Island isn’t that different from real modern dating were interesting, and there is a realness to how she talks about dating that I appreciated.
July 26, 2025
I thought this book was going to be an anthology on love island, so that’s on me for not researching. BUT what it ended up being was neither groundbreaking nor supportive? It felt bullying and I can’t imagine it to be helpful. In the acknowledgements it notes it was written in 60 days, which shows
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews