What do you think?
Rate this book
The Book of Luke: A Novel
For fans of Survivor and Less, this fast-paced debut novel shines an unflinching light on the drama of reality TV when a gay man returns to the cut-throat show he won in his youth after his adult life begins to unravel.
Following the car accident that ended his football career and left his body scarred, twenty-two-year-old Luke Griffin joins the cast of Endeavor, a new competition-based reality show that pits the tabloids’ darlings against one another in tasks of endurance and problem solving. At first, he thrives, effortlessly forming friendships and even a romantic relationship that he thinks will last a lifetime. But Luke has aspirations far bigger than the show's million-dollar prize, and soon a series of betrayals leads to irreversible tragedy, changing the course of his and his fellow contestants' lives forever.
Ten years later, Luke’s world looks very He is now a father of two and the stay-at-home husband to America’s only openly gay senator. When his husband's serial cheating is exposed, Luke impulsively joins the cast of Endeavor's latest season in a desperate bid to earn some fast cash. Back on set, he is confronted with everything he tried to leave in the bitter rivalries, shattered friendships, and crushing guilt, all of which threaten to tear down the walls he’s spent a decade building. As Season 20 of Endeavor kicks off, Luke must give everything to the game, even as he finally learns what it means––and what it costs––to face the truth.
Combining the fabulous rivalries of The Traitors with the epic physical stunts of The Challenge, THE BOOK OF LUKE offers a grounded portrait of what it means to reinvent yourself when no one will let you forget your past - especially if it's immortalized on streaming services.
Following the car accident that ended his football career and left his body scarred, twenty-two-year-old Luke Griffin joins the cast of Endeavor, a new competition-based reality show that pits the tabloids’ darlings against one another in tasks of endurance and problem solving. At first, he thrives, effortlessly forming friendships and even a romantic relationship that he thinks will last a lifetime. But Luke has aspirations far bigger than the show's million-dollar prize, and soon a series of betrayals leads to irreversible tragedy, changing the course of his and his fellow contestants' lives forever.
Ten years later, Luke’s world looks very He is now a father of two and the stay-at-home husband to America’s only openly gay senator. When his husband's serial cheating is exposed, Luke impulsively joins the cast of Endeavor's latest season in a desperate bid to earn some fast cash. Back on set, he is confronted with everything he tried to leave in the bitter rivalries, shattered friendships, and crushing guilt, all of which threaten to tear down the walls he’s spent a decade building. As Season 20 of Endeavor kicks off, Luke must give everything to the game, even as he finally learns what it means––and what it costs––to face the truth.
Combining the fabulous rivalries of The Traitors with the epic physical stunts of The Challenge, THE BOOK OF LUKE offers a grounded portrait of what it means to reinvent yourself when no one will let you forget your past - especially if it's immortalized on streaming services.
Audible Audio
First published December 2, 2025
137 people are currently reading
8614 people want to read
About the author
Lovell Holder
1 book38 followersLovell Holder is a filmmaker who has directed and co-written the feature films Lavender Men and Loserville. As a producer, his movies include The Surrender, Peak Season, Midday Black Midnight Blue, The End of Us, Working Man, and Some Freaks. A graduate of Princeton University and Brown University (MFA), he currently lives in Los Angeles, California and Charlotte, North Carolina. The Book of Luke is his first novel. Instagram: @lovell.holder
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews
December 3, 2025
Didn’t think it was possible, but Lovell Holder has successfully created a story that combines the best contestants and shocking moments of MTV’s The Challenge, the drama from Bravo’s reality TV, and action-packed set pieces from the Hunger Games to create “The Book of Luke,” a reality tv fan’s dream of a book. While no one dies here (no need to volunteer, Katniss), if you’re a fan of Survivor and other competition shows that blend politics and endurance, you’ll be dying to check this one out.
The Book of Luke follows titular Luke, a former reality TV competitor who after discovering his husband, a gay republican (oh vey!) has been having an affair (or two, or three, or more) must jump back into the very career he left behind so he can better provide for his children. The invitation, seemingly out the blue, is his chance to pick up some easy cash and move him and his two kids out of DC and into a new life. Of course, easier said than done, as Luke arrives to season 20 of the popular reality tv completion, Endeavor, reunited with former best friend, but now sworn enemy, Imogen, and others from his past, who are sure to make his time back on tv a bit of a nightmare. There’s some nuance (emphasis on the “some”) here — Luke isn’t a perfect lead, having made some bad decisions since his first appearance, including outing a cast member, marrying a republican who’s voting record has put members of underserved communities at more of a risk, and overall is a crappy friend. This all comes to a head over these 400 pages of twists, backstabbing, reveals, and countless characters.
Speaking of, there are a lot of characters in this book. Almost laughably so. It’s almost too difficult to keep track of these people, though it does get easier as more eliminations occur. I would have loved more double eliminations or Challenge-like purge moments. Thankfully, no redemption house here so once people are eliminated they stay eliminated. Another issue lay with how Luke was written. At times, you want to root for him, but there are others where you can’t — a moment from his past is pretty despicable no matter how much Lovell wants to say it was part “of the game.” It’s too bad because serious topics are handled with a lot of care including the trans identity on television, which as a viewer of reality tv, is all but missing in real life. This pipe dream extends to the ending and boy does this book end on a happy ending. It’s sweet but maybe too sweet.
This one was a fun one for me — I ripped through these pages as more layers of this onion were removed, but mileage will vary. If you’re a fan of the source material, then this one is for you. If you’re looking for dramatics and some inner workings of reality tv, also give this a shot. At times I wasn’t sure if it was my love of The Challenge that kept me going (sometimes thinking to myself “I wonder if the author will pull a twist like MTV did in The Rivals 3”) or if it was my interest in the story. The story at times, may fall flat, but your interest in this genre of TV will make up for it. My thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC.
The Book of Luke follows titular Luke, a former reality TV competitor who after discovering his husband, a gay republican (oh vey!) has been having an affair (or two, or three, or more) must jump back into the very career he left behind so he can better provide for his children. The invitation, seemingly out the blue, is his chance to pick up some easy cash and move him and his two kids out of DC and into a new life. Of course, easier said than done, as Luke arrives to season 20 of the popular reality tv completion, Endeavor, reunited with former best friend, but now sworn enemy, Imogen, and others from his past, who are sure to make his time back on tv a bit of a nightmare. There’s some nuance (emphasis on the “some”) here — Luke isn’t a perfect lead, having made some bad decisions since his first appearance, including outing a cast member, marrying a republican who’s voting record has put members of underserved communities at more of a risk, and overall is a crappy friend. This all comes to a head over these 400 pages of twists, backstabbing, reveals, and countless characters.
Speaking of, there are a lot of characters in this book. Almost laughably so. It’s almost too difficult to keep track of these people, though it does get easier as more eliminations occur. I would have loved more double eliminations or Challenge-like purge moments. Thankfully, no redemption house here so once people are eliminated they stay eliminated. Another issue lay with how Luke was written. At times, you want to root for him, but there are others where you can’t — a moment from his past is pretty despicable no matter how much Lovell wants to say it was part “of the game.” It’s too bad because serious topics are handled with a lot of care including the trans identity on television, which as a viewer of reality tv, is all but missing in real life. This pipe dream extends to the ending and boy does this book end on a happy ending. It’s sweet but maybe too sweet.
This one was a fun one for me — I ripped through these pages as more layers of this onion were removed, but mileage will vary. If you’re a fan of the source material, then this one is for you. If you’re looking for dramatics and some inner workings of reality tv, also give this a shot. At times I wasn’t sure if it was my love of The Challenge that kept me going (sometimes thinking to myself “I wonder if the author will pull a twist like MTV did in The Rivals 3”) or if it was my interest in the story. The story at times, may fall flat, but your interest in this genre of TV will make up for it. My thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC.
October 6, 2025
Who loves reality tv? 🙋♂️
I remember the days of Katie and Veronica screaming at each other on the Inferno and Coral being a reality television legend on MTV’s The Challenge, so once I heard that Lovell Holder’s debut novel, THE BOOK OF LUKE, was giving a queer fictional tale of my once favorite teenage years show, I knew that I needed to prioritize this! Books featuring reality tv storylines can be hit or miss with me, but I am excited that I dove into this one. Thank you @grandcentralpub for this gifted copy!
This book hooked me from the start—equal parts reality TV chaos, queer drama, and emotional depth. Centering on Luke Griffin, a former reality show star who returns to Endeavor after finding out about his politician husband’s affairs, he is nervous to return to the competition that once made him famous. The story balances the tension of past and present timelines with plenty of betrayal, redemption, and scandal. The pacing is slow moving at times, but the writing is sharp, the characters layered, and the drama relentless. Even when the plot leaned repetitive or the cast felt overwhelming, the author’s insight into fame, guilt, and reinvention kept me invested.
For fans of The Challenge, this debut offers a smart, heartfelt take on queer identity and the toxic allure of second chances in the spotlight. It’s packed with emotion and moral complexity, handling serious themes like trans representation and public shame with nuance. While the ending may feel a bit too neat, the journey there is full of tension, twists, and humanity. It’s a standout for readers who love messy, dramatic, and unflinchingly real queer fiction. STARS: 4, PUB: 12/2
I remember the days of Katie and Veronica screaming at each other on the Inferno and Coral being a reality television legend on MTV’s The Challenge, so once I heard that Lovell Holder’s debut novel, THE BOOK OF LUKE, was giving a queer fictional tale of my once favorite teenage years show, I knew that I needed to prioritize this! Books featuring reality tv storylines can be hit or miss with me, but I am excited that I dove into this one. Thank you @grandcentralpub for this gifted copy!
This book hooked me from the start—equal parts reality TV chaos, queer drama, and emotional depth. Centering on Luke Griffin, a former reality show star who returns to Endeavor after finding out about his politician husband’s affairs, he is nervous to return to the competition that once made him famous. The story balances the tension of past and present timelines with plenty of betrayal, redemption, and scandal. The pacing is slow moving at times, but the writing is sharp, the characters layered, and the drama relentless. Even when the plot leaned repetitive or the cast felt overwhelming, the author’s insight into fame, guilt, and reinvention kept me invested.
For fans of The Challenge, this debut offers a smart, heartfelt take on queer identity and the toxic allure of second chances in the spotlight. It’s packed with emotion and moral complexity, handling serious themes like trans representation and public shame with nuance. While the ending may feel a bit too neat, the journey there is full of tension, twists, and humanity. It’s a standout for readers who love messy, dramatic, and unflinchingly real queer fiction. STARS: 4, PUB: 12/2
December 12, 2025
If you like reality TV shows and interpersonal politics, I highly recommend this book. It’s about a homemaker, former football star and former reality show contestant. Luke’s husband, a US senator, is caught in a cheating scandal. Luke asks for a divorce but really is desperate to get full custody of the kids. But he has no job and - in a sweep of fate- he gets the opportunity to appear and compete in the same reality show he once competed in ten years earlier.
Luke has some surprises in the cast, including one time alliances and the sister of a now deceased friend and ally. He is ripe for a showmance and even gets the chance to make things right that he regrets.
This is a fun ride with some admittedly one dimensional villains and really clever plotting. Luke is a reluctant hero with secrets. He is flawed but likable. I’m grateful the publisher took a chance on this quirky fun book.
I enjoyed the audio from Libro.fm but I ordered a trophy copy for my shelf.
Luke has some surprises in the cast, including one time alliances and the sister of a now deceased friend and ally. He is ripe for a showmance and even gets the chance to make things right that he regrets.
This is a fun ride with some admittedly one dimensional villains and really clever plotting. Luke is a reluctant hero with secrets. He is flawed but likable. I’m grateful the publisher took a chance on this quirky fun book.
I enjoyed the audio from Libro.fm but I ordered a trophy copy for my shelf.
December 6, 2025
I had a lot of trouble with this. It's not a bad book, but it's difficult premise to work with and largely just didn't land for me at all.
Ten years ago, Luke was on a reality show that changed his life. Ten years later his senator husband is exposed as a serial cheater and Luke must once again face the spotlight to secure a future for him and his family.
I like challenge-based reality tv shows (or at least youtube videos giving me all the tea without the boring bits) and pretty much anything queer so I thought this might be up my alley. Unfortunately, it was not, but I think that's more due to the premise than anything the author did. The nature of writing about a reality show is that there will inevitably be a ton of characters, far too many to properly establish and characterize, and a lot of drama that isn't super central to the plot. Of course, there is also drama that is central to the plot but it's hard to disentangle from all the peripheral plots. The challenge scenes were also super uninteresting to me, and since there was so much interference behind the scenes it was hard to get a feel for the stakes. Luke was just kind of a normal guy, sometimes shitty but pure of heart, which is fine but doesn't make for a very interesting protagonist.
Nothing here really went right for me, except maybe the cover which I'm still kind of obsessed with.
Thank you to Lovell Holder and Grand Central Publishing for this ARC in exchange for my full, honest review!
Happy reading!
Ten years ago, Luke was on a reality show that changed his life. Ten years later his senator husband is exposed as a serial cheater and Luke must once again face the spotlight to secure a future for him and his family.
I like challenge-based reality tv shows (or at least youtube videos giving me all the tea without the boring bits) and pretty much anything queer so I thought this might be up my alley. Unfortunately, it was not, but I think that's more due to the premise than anything the author did. The nature of writing about a reality show is that there will inevitably be a ton of characters, far too many to properly establish and characterize, and a lot of drama that isn't super central to the plot. Of course, there is also drama that is central to the plot but it's hard to disentangle from all the peripheral plots. The challenge scenes were also super uninteresting to me, and since there was so much interference behind the scenes it was hard to get a feel for the stakes. Luke was just kind of a normal guy, sometimes shitty but pure of heart, which is fine but doesn't make for a very interesting protagonist.
Nothing here really went right for me, except maybe the cover which I'm still kind of obsessed with.
Thank you to Lovell Holder and Grand Central Publishing for this ARC in exchange for my full, honest review!
Happy reading!
November 13, 2025
As a long-time Survivor and reality TV competition fan, this absolutely ate. I was fed, it was delicious, and I loved it.
There’s a delicate art in crafting stories that showcase multiple timelines, which is like a song and dance where each consecutive move, action, and reaction are determined by what comes before and after. The chapters are interwoven so well, carefully revealing plot lines and stories and the moments that align even if they are years apart, and I truly appreciated this kind of storytelling.
Apart from the writing and stylistic nature of the plot, I truly enjoyed the characters. Whilst I normally turn away from characters I loathe, and also find myself disliking a book where the quantity of annoying characters outnumbers lovable characters, it wasn't the case here. Many of the characters were love-to-hate, and actually had layers to dive into. At one point I even wanted to scream at the MC Luke, but his context gave me understanding for his actions/sayings.
This book is riveting, hard to put down, and I could really picture it all unfolding as I read. I think I knew the book was going to be 5 stars when I was only three chapters in, so that’s truly telling!
There’s a delicate art in crafting stories that showcase multiple timelines, which is like a song and dance where each consecutive move, action, and reaction are determined by what comes before and after. The chapters are interwoven so well, carefully revealing plot lines and stories and the moments that align even if they are years apart, and I truly appreciated this kind of storytelling.
Apart from the writing and stylistic nature of the plot, I truly enjoyed the characters. Whilst I normally turn away from characters I loathe, and also find myself disliking a book where the quantity of annoying characters outnumbers lovable characters, it wasn't the case here. Many of the characters were love-to-hate, and actually had layers to dive into. At one point I even wanted to scream at the MC Luke, but his context gave me understanding for his actions/sayings.
This book is riveting, hard to put down, and I could really picture it all unfolding as I read. I think I knew the book was going to be 5 stars when I was only three chapters in, so that’s truly telling!
August 12, 2025
Hands down one of the best books I’ve read this year! I didn’t think a story about a gay guy on a reality show would be my cup of tea, but I was ever so wrong. This is a rollercoaster ride I never wanted to get off of. I laughed, I cheered, I held my breath, I cried. This story has it all, action, betrayal, love, family, secrets and lies, messy gays and well written “to the point” sex scenes. The characters here are just so wonderfully crafted and realized. Some of the best written gay characters in a book I’ve read. They feel like real humans. He doesn’t shy away from the tough things. I love that Holder lets his characters be messy and complex. Showing the complexities and shapes that love takes. He captures the dehumanizing nature of reality television. And he gives us one of the most exciting and emotional novels of 2025. Read it!! Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC!
October 26, 2025
gimme anything billed with Survivor and I’m immediately in! Reality show books are hit and miss with me but i really enjoyed this one. former reality star Luke is recently divorced from a scandalized politician and is offered to return for an ‘all stars’ type season of the show he won over a decade ago. a lot of the book is spent in flashbacks following Luke when he was in his original run of the show; then of course jumping forward to the current season.
Holder creates a dynamic character in Luke, and a game show that’s pretty interesting to follow - although with any Survivor type show, we’re introduced to a lot of characters at once which sometimes got confusing. But overall i definitely recommend this for fans of reality game shows or just queer fiction in general!
Holder creates a dynamic character in Luke, and a game show that’s pretty interesting to follow - although with any Survivor type show, we’re introduced to a lot of characters at once which sometimes got confusing. But overall i definitely recommend this for fans of reality game shows or just queer fiction in general!
December 22, 2025
TW: Rape and sexual assault
.
.
.
.
.
Sooooo I was moderately enjoying this book, not a standout but having a good time with the unhinged characters. Then the big twist happens. And we discover the antagonist had sex with the love interest when the love interest was so high that he didn't know what was going on, then the producer (in the room, nonconsensually filming) suggests that he keep having sex with the love interest because he's so high that he won't realize that it's a different person. The antagonist is like are you sure, well okay and steps aside. That's rape. Period. But gasp, the big twist is that the producer had just signed the love interest for a TV show, so it goes against the producer's contract, and they'll have to fire him. NO CALL THE POLICE. There is ZERO acknowledgment of what actually happened or real accountability for the antagonist or producer. I thought there was a moment when the protagonist was going to tell the love interest so at least there could be a conversation and a moment where the love interest was given agency in acknowledging what happened and getting to decide what he wanted to do. But nope. There's no thoughtful engagement with how companies cover up SA or get people to sign NDAs or pay people off or what powerful men can get away with. Nope nopity nope.
.
.
.
.
.
Sooooo I was moderately enjoying this book, not a standout but having a good time with the unhinged characters. Then the big twist happens. And we discover the antagonist had sex with the love interest when the love interest was so high that he didn't know what was going on, then the producer (in the room, nonconsensually filming) suggests that he keep having sex with the love interest because he's so high that he won't realize that it's a different person. The antagonist is like are you sure, well okay and steps aside. That's rape. Period. But gasp, the big twist is that the producer had just signed the love interest for a TV show, so it goes against the producer's contract, and they'll have to fire him. NO CALL THE POLICE. There is ZERO acknowledgment of what actually happened or real accountability for the antagonist or producer. I thought there was a moment when the protagonist was going to tell the love interest so at least there could be a conversation and a moment where the love interest was given agency in acknowledging what happened and getting to decide what he wanted to do. But nope. There's no thoughtful engagement with how companies cover up SA or get people to sign NDAs or pay people off or what powerful men can get away with. Nope nopity nope.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 31, 2025
4.5 stars
This book is reality tv gold! It’s backed with drama, secrets and lots of surprising turns. The characters are also surprisingly complex. Everyone exists in shades of gray, and no one is just a hero or a villain. They’re all just people making messy and entertaining choices. I will say that with so many characters with tangled histories, especially in the callbacks to previous seasons, it can be a bit hard to track who is who and how they are connected, and the plot occasionally feels a little rushed. But it’s such a fun read, I really sped through it!
Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC!
This book is reality tv gold! It’s backed with drama, secrets and lots of surprising turns. The characters are also surprisingly complex. Everyone exists in shades of gray, and no one is just a hero or a villain. They’re all just people making messy and entertaining choices. I will say that with so many characters with tangled histories, especially in the callbacks to previous seasons, it can be a bit hard to track who is who and how they are connected, and the plot occasionally feels a little rushed. But it’s such a fun read, I really sped through it!
Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC!
Read
June 22, 2025DNF @ 40%
Setting: Italy/US/China
rep: gay protagonist, multiple queer & poc side characters
The writing never quite gripped me but based on the high reviews I decided to power on through the messy plot and the too many characters, but after two separate but extensive Harry Potter references I have to call it quits. seriously, HP references in a queer book is not on in 2025. do better.
Setting: Italy/US/China
rep: gay protagonist, multiple queer & poc side characters
The writing never quite gripped me but based on the high reviews I decided to power on through the messy plot and the too many characters, but after two separate but extensive Harry Potter references I have to call it quits. seriously, HP references in a queer book is not on in 2025. do better.
December 18, 2025
This was super fun. As a lifelong fan of Survivor, the competition reality show backdrop really had me excited to jump in, and it felt like a unique but topical setting for a novel.
I only have one gripe, and I'll get it out of the way, because overall I really enjoyed this novel. My one gripe is that so much of the plotting and the strategizing of the contestants was done off camera, un-miked. Why were they all so secretive about this plotting! We all want to see on the show, the strategizing and the alliances, and the betrayals, yet these contestants kept waiting for the cameras to leave, or hiding in bathrooms. Don't you want all that on the show!?
I was worried about the large cast of characters, but it never really harmed the narrative. Much like in a season of reality tv, we got some glimpses at some before and early boot, and the ones that stuck around continued to develop and grow as characters. In fact, the narrative played out pretty closely to how a season would of a competition reality show.
I really thought this was a fun, but also deep novel, that never took itself too seriously. There were some serious issues tackled here that gave the novel depth, but it always felt like a lighter novel that honestly, was just really fun to read. Being someone who usually gravitates towards some darker novels, it was really good to be able to sink into something fun and exciting.
I only have one gripe, and I'll get it out of the way, because overall I really enjoyed this novel. My one gripe is that so much of the plotting and the strategizing of the contestants was done off camera, un-miked. Why were they all so secretive about this plotting! We all want to see on the show, the strategizing and the alliances, and the betrayals, yet these contestants kept waiting for the cameras to leave, or hiding in bathrooms. Don't you want all that on the show!?
I was worried about the large cast of characters, but it never really harmed the narrative. Much like in a season of reality tv, we got some glimpses at some before and early boot, and the ones that stuck around continued to develop and grow as characters. In fact, the narrative played out pretty closely to how a season would of a competition reality show.
I really thought this was a fun, but also deep novel, that never took itself too seriously. There were some serious issues tackled here that gave the novel depth, but it always felt like a lighter novel that honestly, was just really fun to read. Being someone who usually gravitates towards some darker novels, it was really good to be able to sink into something fun and exciting.
November 29, 2025
The Book of Luke is about Luke, the stay at home father married to a US Senator , who finds out (with the rest of the world) that his husband cheated on him A LOT, and he decides to return to the Survivor-like reality show they met on, Endeavor. On Endeavor, he encounters his former best friend who now hates him and many other scheming competitors.
So, Endeavor is chaotic as fuck and such a mess of a show. There is so much open hostility between the competitors, sometimes turning to physical violence. There are SO MANY characters at the start, and I had such a hard time keeping track of these characters. There is also so so much detail about all the challenges they compete in, way more than necessary. They really bogged down the book for me, and I found myself not really wanting to keep going multiple times because I was just really bored. I think it could be really exciting to see on tv, and maybe this author could be a good reality show producer, but the number of challenges and time spent on them was just way too much.
I also found Luke to be pretty boring until **that thing happens** and he goes off the rails. He kinda had a naïveté shtick that got real old real quick. Towards the end, one of the competitors read him for filth and I was like "FINALLY, someone says it!!!" He alternates between bad decisions and being more boring than a saltine cracker.
I really didn't enjoy vast chunks of this book because of how vicious and toxic the competitors were, Luke's boringness, and getting bogged down in the challenges. HOWEVER. The last 15% or so did get really exciting and juicy, redeeming the story somewhat. If you love competitive reality shows with extremely toxic casts, you may enjoy this book, but it was not for me.
(I received a free advanced review copy from the publisher/NetGalley.)
So, Endeavor is chaotic as fuck and such a mess of a show. There is so much open hostility between the competitors, sometimes turning to physical violence. There are SO MANY characters at the start, and I had such a hard time keeping track of these characters. There is also so so much detail about all the challenges they compete in, way more than necessary. They really bogged down the book for me, and I found myself not really wanting to keep going multiple times because I was just really bored. I think it could be really exciting to see on tv, and maybe this author could be a good reality show producer, but the number of challenges and time spent on them was just way too much.
I also found Luke to be pretty boring until **that thing happens** and he goes off the rails. He kinda had a naïveté shtick that got real old real quick. Towards the end, one of the competitors read him for filth and I was like "FINALLY, someone says it!!!" He alternates between bad decisions and being more boring than a saltine cracker.
I really didn't enjoy vast chunks of this book because of how vicious and toxic the competitors were, Luke's boringness, and getting bogged down in the challenges. HOWEVER. The last 15% or so did get really exciting and juicy, redeeming the story somewhat. If you love competitive reality shows with extremely toxic casts, you may enjoy this book, but it was not for me.
(I received a free advanced review copy from the publisher/NetGalley.)
December 28, 2025
This was great!! As a huge reality tv fan, I was hooked from the beginning. Complex characters, tons of twists and turns, and lots of drama (both in front of the camera and behind the scenes). Would gladly read a sequel if one were ever written. 4.5/5
September 5, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
I absolutely love competition show–inspired books and I was so excited to see one that leaned heavily on The Challenge. I’ve found most authors use Survivor or The Amazing Race, so this felt fresh and different.
The writing was undeniably strong and compelling, but the plot was slow at times and every character was deeply flawed and unlikable. It was absolutely PACKED with drama (and when I say packed, I mean PACKED) but it didn’t have enough real action. The only action came from the challenge descriptions, which eventually started to feel repetitive and left the drama to really drive the plot.
I’d definitely recommend this for fans of queer fiction and/or lit fic. Personally though, I gravitate toward faster pacing and more likable characters. This debut was great and I will definitely pick up whatever Holder comes out with next.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I absolutely love competition show–inspired books and I was so excited to see one that leaned heavily on The Challenge. I’ve found most authors use Survivor or The Amazing Race, so this felt fresh and different.
The writing was undeniably strong and compelling, but the plot was slow at times and every character was deeply flawed and unlikable. It was absolutely PACKED with drama (and when I say packed, I mean PACKED) but it didn’t have enough real action. The only action came from the challenge descriptions, which eventually started to feel repetitive and left the drama to really drive the plot.
I’d definitely recommend this for fans of queer fiction and/or lit fic. Personally though, I gravitate toward faster pacing and more likable characters. This debut was great and I will definitely pick up whatever Holder comes out with next.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
September 25, 2025
I read this book in two sittings and adored it. I immediately went to find other books by this author, only to learn it was a debut! What a way to start.
As someone who loves reality tv, but tends to stick to housewives, I wasn’t sure how much i could get behind this plot, but I’m glad I was wrong. I was very invested in the characters, loved all the little twists and turns, and was really rooting for Luke the whole time. I thought I wouldn’t like the timeline switches, but they felt very natural throughout the book.
Can’t wait to see what else Holder comes out with!! Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy.
As someone who loves reality tv, but tends to stick to housewives, I wasn’t sure how much i could get behind this plot, but I’m glad I was wrong. I was very invested in the characters, loved all the little twists and turns, and was really rooting for Luke the whole time. I thought I wouldn’t like the timeline switches, but they felt very natural throughout the book.
Can’t wait to see what else Holder comes out with!! Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy.
November 16, 2025
I was lucky enough to win an ARC from a Goodreads giveaway.
As a lover of the show Survivor, I think that this book did a great justice to the reality TV industry and some of the goings-on of behind the scenes. What makes good reality tv? It is not just the challenges laid forth by the producers but the drama and inner machinations of the contestants.
The book follows the last 10 years of Luke's life after a tragic accident changes the trajectory of his life. He joins the first season of Endeavor, a new reality TV show that takes contestants from other network shows to compete against each other. Over multiple seasons of Endeavor, Luke experiences new relationships, betrayal, love and so much drama until settling down and marrying someone he meets on the show. Years later and after his politician husband's scandal of affairs goes public, Luke rejoins Endeavor on its 20th season as a way to earn some money in the hopes to get full custody of his children during the divorce. I can't say much more without giving it away, but in true reality TV show fashion - you will not see what is coming.
The only thing I struggle with in this book was the sheer volume of timelines and characters. Flashing backwards and forwards from multiple seasons of the show was sometimes hard to keep track of. This could just have been a me problem and did get better as the book went on. Overall, I enjoyed the story, and I flew through the book. There were multiple times my jaw dropped. The drama is real !
As a lover of the show Survivor, I think that this book did a great justice to the reality TV industry and some of the goings-on of behind the scenes. What makes good reality tv? It is not just the challenges laid forth by the producers but the drama and inner machinations of the contestants.
The book follows the last 10 years of Luke's life after a tragic accident changes the trajectory of his life. He joins the first season of Endeavor, a new reality TV show that takes contestants from other network shows to compete against each other. Over multiple seasons of Endeavor, Luke experiences new relationships, betrayal, love and so much drama until settling down and marrying someone he meets on the show. Years later and after his politician husband's scandal of affairs goes public, Luke rejoins Endeavor on its 20th season as a way to earn some money in the hopes to get full custody of his children during the divorce. I can't say much more without giving it away, but in true reality TV show fashion - you will not see what is coming.
The only thing I struggle with in this book was the sheer volume of timelines and characters. Flashing backwards and forwards from multiple seasons of the show was sometimes hard to keep track of. This could just have been a me problem and did get better as the book went on. Overall, I enjoyed the story, and I flew through the book. There were multiple times my jaw dropped. The drama is real !
dnf
November 26, 2025DNF @ 47%
the book of luke starts strong with a unique premise—after his republican senator husband is caught cheating on him, a former reality star returns to the competition show where they met, forcing him to confront everything he’s spent the last decade running from—but quickly sputters out, bogged down by too many harry potter references (these characters aren’t even the right age to be the core HP demographic) and a bloated cast.
the book of luke starts strong with a unique premise—after his republican senator husband is caught cheating on him, a former reality star returns to the competition show where they met, forcing him to confront everything he’s spent the last decade running from—but quickly sputters out, bogged down by too many harry potter references (these characters aren’t even the right age to be the core HP demographic) and a bloated cast.
December 29, 2025
Edited - I originally gave this 4.5 stars, but then I found myself picking up the book after I had finished and flipping back to key moments. When I woke up the next morning, I felt empty and sad that I didn’t have it to read, similar to how I felt post- Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow. I still think there are flaws to this book, but emotionally, it’s a 5 star read for me and I can’t deny my emotions! The rest of my review stands:
I was surprisingly moved by this book, especially the end (I found myself tearing up). I didn’t think it would be an emotional book/I expected it to be mostly plot. I don’t even think the emotion came from being a reality show fan, but more about what was left unsaid by Arjun but how things were still communicated in the final two pages.
This is a book that I wish I had read on Kindle; I found myself flipping back to see specific references to events and character history frequently (it would have been nice to just search the names or key words on Kindle and/or use the X-ray feature). Or maybe I should have taken a page out of my own teacher book and created a character map! For example, for the longest time, I just thought of PB as “eyebrows” and had to keep looking back to see what his deal was.
Despite what I wrote above about emotion, there was a lot of plot, too! At times, I wanted there to be more detail about the challenges, especially since the ones that were described were fun to read (e.g. the water tank puzzles with Melange). But, I think the pacing was good and I enjoyed the sprinkling in of moments from past episodes.
I wanted to hate Luke, but couldn’t. There was so much to dislike about him, but I kept rooting for him like one of his fans. Maybe it’s the mom in me seeing what he was trying to do for his kids (not that I agreed with all of his decisions, but at least with the sentiment behind them)! Honestly, I hate to admit it, but I think if I played Endeavor, I’d be more of a Barnes-type player, minus the sex scandals and some of the most egregious manipulation. Obviously Team Luke here, but I can respect some of the Barnes moves (on Endeavor; I don’t respect him as a politician).
There’s a lot to be said about the issues tackled by this text - trans representation on reality television, queer representation in politics and on tv, what goes on behind the scenes of “reality” shows, reality show culture, public image of reality stars vs. their private lives, etc - that I am still sorting through. Can’t wait to chat about them all with my Survivor league since we are all reading this book!
I went into this thinking it would be a fun read and a onetime thing. I actually think I would read it again, not because it was spectacular literary-style-wise, but because I think I probably missed some of the nuance since it was so jam-packed and because it gave me so many feelings! I guess I’m saying this wasn’t a classically “great book” in the way some others were that I read this year, but it was also irresistible and fresh, and I just can’t stop thinking about it! So maybe it is “great”, just a different type of “great” than what I usually expect/what I have been taught to see as “great”? Regardless, I will look forward to more Lovell Holder books in the future!
I was surprisingly moved by this book, especially the end (I found myself tearing up). I didn’t think it would be an emotional book/I expected it to be mostly plot. I don’t even think the emotion came from being a reality show fan, but more about what was left unsaid by Arjun but how things were still communicated in the final two pages.
This is a book that I wish I had read on Kindle; I found myself flipping back to see specific references to events and character history frequently (it would have been nice to just search the names or key words on Kindle and/or use the X-ray feature). Or maybe I should have taken a page out of my own teacher book and created a character map! For example, for the longest time, I just thought of PB as “eyebrows” and had to keep looking back to see what his deal was.
Despite what I wrote above about emotion, there was a lot of plot, too! At times, I wanted there to be more detail about the challenges, especially since the ones that were described were fun to read (e.g. the water tank puzzles with Melange). But, I think the pacing was good and I enjoyed the sprinkling in of moments from past episodes.
I wanted to hate Luke, but couldn’t. There was so much to dislike about him, but I kept rooting for him like one of his fans. Maybe it’s the mom in me seeing what he was trying to do for his kids (not that I agreed with all of his decisions, but at least with the sentiment behind them)! Honestly, I hate to admit it, but I think if I played Endeavor, I’d be more of a Barnes-type player, minus the sex scandals and some of the most egregious manipulation. Obviously Team Luke here, but I can respect some of the Barnes moves (on Endeavor; I don’t respect him as a politician).
There’s a lot to be said about the issues tackled by this text - trans representation on reality television, queer representation in politics and on tv, what goes on behind the scenes of “reality” shows, reality show culture, public image of reality stars vs. their private lives, etc - that I am still sorting through. Can’t wait to chat about them all with my Survivor league since we are all reading this book!
I went into this thinking it would be a fun read and a onetime thing. I actually think I would read it again, not because it was spectacular literary-style-wise, but because I think I probably missed some of the nuance since it was so jam-packed and because it gave me so many feelings! I guess I’m saying this wasn’t a classically “great book” in the way some others were that I read this year, but it was also irresistible and fresh, and I just can’t stop thinking about it! So maybe it is “great”, just a different type of “great” than what I usually expect/what I have been taught to see as “great”? Regardless, I will look forward to more Lovell Holder books in the future!
December 28, 2025
1.5 stars generously rounded up to 2.
——
i’m currently trying to hobble to the finish line of my 2025 reading challenge, and after skimming the synopsis & some reviews, i thought The Book of Luke would be just part one of my epic end-of-the-year reading finale. but in all reality, i finished this book mostly out of contempt, and i’m even less motivated than before to try and finish two more books in the next two days.
overall, this book is not good, primarily because it’s a character-driven drama where nearly all of the characters are actually insanely, irritatingly unlikeable, and the ones who are potentially redeemable are abysmally one-dimensional. on one hand, Holder succeeds in fulfilling TV personality archetypes in this way, but it was still incredibly frustrating to read.
the story itself is also so convoluted at times, especially as it arcs back and forth chronologically, that at certain points i genuinely had to reread entire pages to understand what exactly was happening.
my biggest gripe with this book, however, was mostly with the trans rep. from jump, i wouldn’t have even picked up this book if i had known that Luke’s senator husband, Barnes, was Republican (because like, what the fuck?), but what really was the nail in the coffin for me was that Luke’s husband’s whole platform and rise to political infamy was due to his stance and lobbying against trans people. yes, it’s clear in the story that Barnes was just doing whatever it took to ride the wave to power (even if it wasn’t foundationally a value of his), but like… are you serious? leave us out of this???? why couldn’t Barnes’s character have run on an anti-same sex marriage stance, which would’ve been much more politically relevant due to the early-2000s to 2010s era this story is set in? it would’ve also been FAR more interesting to see how self-hating white gays in power pull up the ladder behind them once they reach a certain status, and how that dynamic evolved? like i just don’t get why trans identities had to get involved, and no amount of self-flagellating from Luke in his narrative arc can make up for that.
the only reason this book isn’t 1 solo star is because, try as i might, i couldn’t Not be intrigued to see what was going to happen next in this shitstorm. so, yay to that.
anyway. i’m expending more mental energy into this review than necessary. i wouldn’t recommend this book to anyone, and if i could get the money back for the purchase of this book, i would!
oh, and justice for Balthazar, also. his character assassination (from “LGBTQ SJW” to Barnes’s sex groupie) was actually asinine.
——
i’m currently trying to hobble to the finish line of my 2025 reading challenge, and after skimming the synopsis & some reviews, i thought The Book of Luke would be just part one of my epic end-of-the-year reading finale. but in all reality, i finished this book mostly out of contempt, and i’m even less motivated than before to try and finish two more books in the next two days.
overall, this book is not good, primarily because it’s a character-driven drama where nearly all of the characters are actually insanely, irritatingly unlikeable, and the ones who are potentially redeemable are abysmally one-dimensional. on one hand, Holder succeeds in fulfilling TV personality archetypes in this way, but it was still incredibly frustrating to read.
the story itself is also so convoluted at times, especially as it arcs back and forth chronologically, that at certain points i genuinely had to reread entire pages to understand what exactly was happening.
my biggest gripe with this book, however, was mostly with the trans rep. from jump, i wouldn’t have even picked up this book if i had known that Luke’s senator husband, Barnes, was Republican (because like, what the fuck?), but what really was the nail in the coffin for me was that Luke’s husband’s whole platform and rise to political infamy was due to his stance and lobbying against trans people. yes, it’s clear in the story that Barnes was just doing whatever it took to ride the wave to power (even if it wasn’t foundationally a value of his), but like… are you serious? leave us out of this???? why couldn’t Barnes’s character have run on an anti-same sex marriage stance, which would’ve been much more politically relevant due to the early-2000s to 2010s era this story is set in? it would’ve also been FAR more interesting to see how self-hating white gays in power pull up the ladder behind them once they reach a certain status, and how that dynamic evolved? like i just don’t get why trans identities had to get involved, and no amount of self-flagellating from Luke in his narrative arc can make up for that.
the only reason this book isn’t 1 solo star is because, try as i might, i couldn’t Not be intrigued to see what was going to happen next in this shitstorm. so, yay to that.
anyway. i’m expending more mental energy into this review than necessary. i wouldn’t recommend this book to anyone, and if i could get the money back for the purchase of this book, i would!
oh, and justice for Balthazar, also. his character assassination (from “LGBTQ SJW” to Barnes’s sex groupie) was actually asinine.
December 7, 2025
4.5⭐️
If 2025 is the year of the debuts, make sure to include Lovell Holder in that conversation. His novel, THE BOOK OF LUKE, rounds out a stellar year with an absolute bang.
Luke Griffin is perfectly content as a stay-at-home-dad to his two young children until his world implodes when his GOP senator husband is exposed (literally) as a cheating philanderer. Facing a contentious divorce and custody battle for his children, Luke quickly realizes his lack of income and career is a problem. Things look bleak until he gets THE CALL. Endeavor, the popular tv reality series where he gained fame (and a husband) is staging a reunion season and they want Luke to be part of the cast. Tempted by the money and a chance to make amends for past wrongs, Luke signs on.
Let the games begin!
There are so many layers to Holder’s novel and he does not hold back. Building on the best parts of reality tv–grudges, shifting alliances, physical and mental challenges, backstabbing–THE BOOK OF LUKE comes in hot. The large cast of characters provides plenty of potential heroes and villains. It’s impossible to tell where each falls and that’s part of the twisted brilliance of Holder’s writing. While Luke is trying to figure out who to trust, the reader is doing the same at the risk of whiplash as we see the many sides of each character.
Shifting between timelines by focusing on episodes in Luke’s first and current seasons of Endeavor, the reader is given insight into how relationships developed and shattered, and we watch Luke attempt to heal old wounds even at his own expense. Desperate to reinvent himself, Luke is fighting against a system that wants to capitalize on his past mistakes.
I binge listened to this audiobook expertly narrated by Charlie Thurston who brings each character to life in a way that was easy to differentiate them without confusion. His portrayal of Luke’s vulnerability juxtaposed with his tenaciousness is nuanced perfection.
Lovers of complex, messy, multifaceted characters; improbable redemption arcs, and high stakes action will eat this up. I did. I was completely invested from page one. What a showstopper!
If 2025 is the year of the debuts, make sure to include Lovell Holder in that conversation. His novel, THE BOOK OF LUKE, rounds out a stellar year with an absolute bang.
Luke Griffin is perfectly content as a stay-at-home-dad to his two young children until his world implodes when his GOP senator husband is exposed (literally) as a cheating philanderer. Facing a contentious divorce and custody battle for his children, Luke quickly realizes his lack of income and career is a problem. Things look bleak until he gets THE CALL. Endeavor, the popular tv reality series where he gained fame (and a husband) is staging a reunion season and they want Luke to be part of the cast. Tempted by the money and a chance to make amends for past wrongs, Luke signs on.
Let the games begin!
There are so many layers to Holder’s novel and he does not hold back. Building on the best parts of reality tv–grudges, shifting alliances, physical and mental challenges, backstabbing–THE BOOK OF LUKE comes in hot. The large cast of characters provides plenty of potential heroes and villains. It’s impossible to tell where each falls and that’s part of the twisted brilliance of Holder’s writing. While Luke is trying to figure out who to trust, the reader is doing the same at the risk of whiplash as we see the many sides of each character.
Shifting between timelines by focusing on episodes in Luke’s first and current seasons of Endeavor, the reader is given insight into how relationships developed and shattered, and we watch Luke attempt to heal old wounds even at his own expense. Desperate to reinvent himself, Luke is fighting against a system that wants to capitalize on his past mistakes.
I binge listened to this audiobook expertly narrated by Charlie Thurston who brings each character to life in a way that was easy to differentiate them without confusion. His portrayal of Luke’s vulnerability juxtaposed with his tenaciousness is nuanced perfection.
Lovers of complex, messy, multifaceted characters; improbable redemption arcs, and high stakes action will eat this up. I did. I was completely invested from page one. What a showstopper!
August 17, 2025
ARC edition -
You can acquire many titles throughout your life. Athlete, car wreck survivor, reality game show contestant, winner, loser, lover, husband, father.... The list can just keep changing. Some titles drop away, some more are added. But once you are in the game show - do you ever actually leave? And when you finally realize that you haven't - who do you become?
Follow Luke, in a amazing weaving of past and present storylines, as he discovers himself all over again. Back in the game - there are games inside of games inside of games. Discovering where they begin, or often when they began, will take him to his toughest challenge yet...
When watching reality tv, you can hit pause, walk away, and take a breather. This book will keep you binge reading to see what happens next!
You can acquire many titles throughout your life. Athlete, car wreck survivor, reality game show contestant, winner, loser, lover, husband, father.... The list can just keep changing. Some titles drop away, some more are added. But once you are in the game show - do you ever actually leave? And when you finally realize that you haven't - who do you become?
Follow Luke, in a amazing weaving of past and present storylines, as he discovers himself all over again. Back in the game - there are games inside of games inside of games. Discovering where they begin, or often when they began, will take him to his toughest challenge yet...
When watching reality tv, you can hit pause, walk away, and take a breather. This book will keep you binge reading to see what happens next!
December 11, 2025
I'm a big fan of Steven Rowley and this book about a gay reality tv star and divorced single dad sounded funny and heartfelt. And it was that but it was also filled with just a bit TOO much drama even for this Survivor and Amazing Race loving girlie. Okay on audio and recommended for fans of authors like Steven Rowley, Andrew Sean Greer or books like I might be in trouble by Daniel Aleman. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and physical ARC copy in exchange for my honest review!
June 20, 2025
The Book of Luke is a fun, drama-filled dive into the world of reality TV. Luke returns to a Challenge-style show for an anniversary season and chaos follows. He’s a compelling lead, balancing personal emotion with the show’s madness.
The dual timeline and large cast might be a lot for some, but I had a great time with it. Big thanks to Grand Central Publishing for the ARC via NetGalley—I’ll definitely be recommending this one to all my reality TV-loving friends.
The dual timeline and large cast might be a lot for some, but I had a great time with it. Big thanks to Grand Central Publishing for the ARC via NetGalley—I’ll definitely be recommending this one to all my reality TV-loving friends.
September 17, 2025
Not only has Lovell Holder crafted the most delightful redemption stories, he also managed to intrigue me with the innerworkings of reality competition shows.
Luke is an emotionally (and physically, sort of) broken soul on the verge of losing everything after learning his politician husband, Barnes, is the cheater of the century. That's when fate comes calling him back to "Endeavor", the competition series that was the catalyst of their relationship. So many secrets come out, and so many lives are changed.
Read this book!
Big thanks to Edelweiss for providing the ARC!
Luke is an emotionally (and physically, sort of) broken soul on the verge of losing everything after learning his politician husband, Barnes, is the cheater of the century. That's when fate comes calling him back to "Endeavor", the competition series that was the catalyst of their relationship. So many secrets come out, and so many lives are changed.
Read this book!
Big thanks to Edelweiss for providing the ARC!
December 8, 2025
insanely good. was very pleasantly surprised that i ended up liking this as much as i did!
its very melodramatic but kind of in the best ways that all reality tv shows are. there were So many moments where i had to get up and pace my room because of how insane it kept getting throughout the book.
i definitely recommend this to anyone who has a love for drama-filled reality tv and wants a fast-paced read
its very melodramatic but kind of in the best ways that all reality tv shows are. there were So many moments where i had to get up and pace my room because of how insane it kept getting throughout the book.
i definitely recommend this to anyone who has a love for drama-filled reality tv and wants a fast-paced read
December 15, 2025
Was this book perfect? No. At points the descriptions of the competitions were a little clunky and hard to follow. Maybe 5 too many characters. BUT I was hooked the entire time. The drama was delivering. The characters we do get to spend enough time with I really enjoyed following. Idk there was something about this that was incredibly compelling and super engaging I have to give it 5 stars.
December 21, 2025
3.5 | I loved the idea of this, and it was definitely an epic reality show story, but it was a little confusing to follow at times (maybe because I listened on audiobook?) as it zig zagged back and forth in time. It was probably a bit too long and spent too much time on so many different characters.
December 19, 2025
I always judge how good a book is by how excited I am to read it when I’m up in the middle of the night with my baby. I can’t believe this is a debut, I enjoyed everything about this. The writing is funny and fast paced, it felt like I was watching the reality competition. Loved the characters.
December 24, 2025
This book was a lot of fun and easy to read. If you’ve ever enjoyed reality TV competition shows à la Survivor and enjoy LGBT stories and representation, you will probably enjoy this. The writing and dialogue is quippy and light, and the main and side storylines really kept me engaged.
4 ⭐️ (evaluating on a slightly different scale than I normally do for literary fiction)
4 ⭐️ (evaluating on a slightly different scale than I normally do for literary fiction)
November 27, 2025
Loved, loved, loved this book. I really hope there is a sequel. I could definitely see this book being turned into its own show.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews