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Good Luck, Babe!
Not yet published
Expected 23 Jun 26Two former best friends find themselves fake dating on their favorite race-around-the-world reality TV show competition in Erin Baldwin's newest YA sapphic romance. The perfect book for fans of Heated Rivalry, Becky Albertalli, and The Amazing Race.
Reality TV enthusiasts Noelle and Yumi spent a decade attached at the hip—until one ill-fated night (and one awkward kiss) ended their friendship. After a year of no contact, fate throws the girls back together when they’re offered a last-minute spot on The Adventureverse, their favorite race-around-the-world reality show.
It’s a chance to put their superfan status to the test, a dream come true. Except for a few snags: It’s an all-couples season, filming starts in two days, and Noelle hasn’t spoken to her “girlfriend” in a year. But she already has plans to use the prize money on her ailing father’s medical expenses, and she would do anything for him—including fake date her ex-bestie on national television.
Can Noelle walk a tightrope between reality and TV while juggling a pretend relationship and true feelings? Or will she get sent home empty-handed and brokenhearted?
Reality TV enthusiasts Noelle and Yumi spent a decade attached at the hip—until one ill-fated night (and one awkward kiss) ended their friendship. After a year of no contact, fate throws the girls back together when they’re offered a last-minute spot on The Adventureverse, their favorite race-around-the-world reality show.
It’s a chance to put their superfan status to the test, a dream come true. Except for a few snags: It’s an all-couples season, filming starts in two days, and Noelle hasn’t spoken to her “girlfriend” in a year. But she already has plans to use the prize money on her ailing father’s medical expenses, and she would do anything for him—including fake date her ex-bestie on national television.
Can Noelle walk a tightrope between reality and TV while juggling a pretend relationship and true feelings? Or will she get sent home empty-handed and brokenhearted?
Paperback
Expected publication June 23, 2026
1984 people want to read
About the author
Erin Baldwin
3 books279 followersErin Baldwin (she/her) is a Filipino-American author and free-range, ethically sourced human being on a quest to become the most interesting person on the face of the planet. In pursuit of this goal, she's travelled to 21 countries, lived in 6 states, and is attempting to learn the fiddle. It is not going well. She resides in New Jersey with her two mischievous cats, The Baby Boy and The Baby Girl.
She is represented by Lauren Spieller at Folio Literary Management.
She is represented by Lauren Spieller at Folio Literary Management.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 157 reviews
February 15, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 very solid stars)
Truth be told, the thing that actually made me wanna read this book is the title. I guess nearly everyone knows Chappell Roan’s song “Good Luck, Babe!” (It is actually one of my favorite songs of all time), so seeing a book with the title was already an instant “I need this” moment for me. Continuing, the synopsis of this as well as the reality TV show aspect just added another point as to why I was drawn to this.
Starting with the actual story now, I adored the characters, they were both adorable in their own way and even though I was kind of disappointed that their final arcs weren’t closed (due to the ending and third part feeling kinda rushed), I genuinely liked reading about Yumi and Noelle. Their relationship started off very (imagine the very in capital and bold) rocky but with time and a little bit of pretending, they actually made a really cute couple!
Besides, I adored the angst and overall ‘feels’ this story conveyed. No matter if it was the first chapter where we got to see the ‘prologue’ to the actual application to the show and the very awkward kiss. Or all the chapters the two spent taking part in the Reality show. It was absolutely amazing to read about it and picture it all in my mind. I think this nicely connects with the fact that I think the book was written very well too! As someone who really appreciates good writing and storytelling skills, Erin Baldwin (the author) definitely did this amazingly!!
As I mentioned, though, the biggest downside was the end or the few chapters of part three to be precise. The character arcs just didn’t feel completed, and I would’ve liked to see them actual returning and what it was like figuring out who the two functioned as a couple outside of the reality tv bubble.
However, it was still a solid read, and one that I would happily recommend if one is in the mood to read a lighthearted but angry YA romance.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for a honest and voluntarily given review.
Truth be told, the thing that actually made me wanna read this book is the title. I guess nearly everyone knows Chappell Roan’s song “Good Luck, Babe!” (It is actually one of my favorite songs of all time), so seeing a book with the title was already an instant “I need this” moment for me. Continuing, the synopsis of this as well as the reality TV show aspect just added another point as to why I was drawn to this.
Starting with the actual story now, I adored the characters, they were both adorable in their own way and even though I was kind of disappointed that their final arcs weren’t closed (due to the ending and third part feeling kinda rushed), I genuinely liked reading about Yumi and Noelle. Their relationship started off very (imagine the very in capital and bold) rocky but with time and a little bit of pretending, they actually made a really cute couple!
Besides, I adored the angst and overall ‘feels’ this story conveyed. No matter if it was the first chapter where we got to see the ‘prologue’ to the actual application to the show and the very awkward kiss. Or all the chapters the two spent taking part in the Reality show. It was absolutely amazing to read about it and picture it all in my mind. I think this nicely connects with the fact that I think the book was written very well too! As someone who really appreciates good writing and storytelling skills, Erin Baldwin (the author) definitely did this amazingly!!
As I mentioned, though, the biggest downside was the end or the few chapters of part three to be precise. The character arcs just didn’t feel completed, and I would’ve liked to see them actual returning and what it was like figuring out who the two functioned as a couple outside of the reality tv bubble.
However, it was still a solid read, and one that I would happily recommend if one is in the mood to read a lighthearted but angry YA romance.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for a honest and voluntarily given review.
April 29, 2026
book 14 of my 24hr arc readathon!
this book was the cutest ever! i loved the reality tv show aspect and going to a different country with them. it felt soo cool! full rtc!!
⤷ thank you to netgalley, the publisher and the author for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
︶︶︶⊹︶︶︶˗ˋ୨♡୧ˊ˗︶︶︶⊹︶︶︶
₊˚⊹♡ pre-read ♡⊹˚₊ ↴
i just know i'm going to absolutely eat up the ex-best friends to lovers trope every time..
this book was the cutest ever! i loved the reality tv show aspect and going to a different country with them. it felt soo cool! full rtc!!
⤷ thank you to netgalley, the publisher and the author for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
︶︶︶⊹︶︶︶˗ˋ୨♡୧ˊ˗︶︶︶⊹︶︶︶
₊˚⊹♡ pre-read ♡⊹˚₊ ↴
i just know i'm going to absolutely eat up the ex-best friends to lovers trope every time..
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.75/5 stars
i came for the sapphics, stayed for the sapphic angst, and somehow the adventureverse aspect was what makes this book so memorable to me. as a die-hard fan of the amazing race, this book captured that show perfectly in a way that's full of tension and shenanigans while also managing to incorporate the more personal aspects of the characters and their dynamic.
in terms of the characters, i won't go as far as saying i love noelle and yumi because while i find them adorable, one of the things this book lacks is a proper closure for the personal arcs of the story. a lot of it got brushed off at the end as a means of "character development", but instead it felt incomplete and nagged at me a little bit. i don't really like how noelle and yumi's rift started because it was a bunch of misunderstandings that's completely unnecessary and so one-sided and selfish, yet it was never addressed as such. they became a really cute couple, but the way their fight was addressed left a bad taste in my mouth, and it kinda takes this book down a notch.
i still highly recommend this book if you want an adventure-filled, fast-paced contemporary that's just non-stop fun and dramatic at times because, hey, they're in a reality show 😝
many thanks to the publisher and netgalley for a giving me an early copy
i came for the sapphics, stayed for the sapphic angst, and somehow the adventureverse aspect was what makes this book so memorable to me. as a die-hard fan of the amazing race, this book captured that show perfectly in a way that's full of tension and shenanigans while also managing to incorporate the more personal aspects of the characters and their dynamic.
in terms of the characters, i won't go as far as saying i love noelle and yumi because while i find them adorable, one of the things this book lacks is a proper closure for the personal arcs of the story. a lot of it got brushed off at the end as a means of "character development", but instead it felt incomplete and nagged at me a little bit. i don't really like how noelle and yumi's rift started because it was a bunch of misunderstandings that's completely unnecessary and so one-sided and selfish, yet it was never addressed as such. they became a really cute couple, but the way their fight was addressed left a bad taste in my mouth, and it kinda takes this book down a notch.
i still highly recommend this book if you want an adventure-filled, fast-paced contemporary that's just non-stop fun and dramatic at times because, hey, they're in a reality show 😝
many thanks to the publisher and netgalley for a giving me an early copy
Want to Read
August 1, 2025former bffs pretend to be a sapphic couple to compete for 2 million $ on a travelling reality TV show..... oh that sounds so chaotic. give me 10 of them!
July 31, 2025
I read this book as a beta reader and trust meee, Erin’s sophomore novel is a 10/5 absolute perfection. I’m still thinking about it.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3,75⭐️
this book was fun and entertaining. i loved the whole reality tv show part especially that every single adventure takes place in a different city all over the world, where you could experience it as a reader with the contestants. don't get me wrong, i really liked yumi and noelles relationship, they are cute and i just love (ex-) best friends to lovers trope so much, but i wish we could've gotten a bit more from them outside the reality tv show. idk if this makes sense lmao. it kinda felt unfinished/rushed in a way, i personally needed more post-season yumi and noelle content filled with fully fleshed out character develoment/arc.
thank you netgalley and the author for providing the advanced readers copy!
this book was fun and entertaining. i loved the whole reality tv show part especially that every single adventure takes place in a different city all over the world, where you could experience it as a reader with the contestants. don't get me wrong, i really liked yumi and noelles relationship, they are cute and i just love (ex-) best friends to lovers trope so much, but i wish we could've gotten a bit more from them outside the reality tv show. idk if this makes sense lmao. it kinda felt unfinished/rushed in a way, i personally needed more post-season yumi and noelle content filled with fully fleshed out character develoment/arc.
thank you netgalley and the author for providing the advanced readers copy!
February 11, 2026
i haven’t truly enjoyed a romance novel in what feels like forever, but this reminded me that i really do love the genre when it’s done well. it was such a breath of fresh air.
funny, likeable characters with great chemistry and realistic reactions to the situations they were put in. that’s really all i can ask for. i think if i was 17 i would’ve made this novel my entire personality for a few weeks at least.
(thank you for the arc provided via netgalley)
funny, likeable characters with great chemistry and realistic reactions to the situations they were put in. that’s really all i can ask for. i think if i was 17 i would’ve made this novel my entire personality for a few weeks at least.
(thank you for the arc provided via netgalley)
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
this was SO. FUCKING. CUTE. everything I want from a ya romance honestly noelle and yumi were everything and the angst was deliciously devastating and the fluff was SO HEARTWARMING. ugh highkey need a sequel of them on another season
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy
Read
February 10, 20264 stars; review to come June 2026
Want to Read
February 21, 2026this comes out on my birthday!!! HYPED
Want to Read
August 18, 2025oh so my new favourite book?
March 3, 2026
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this advanced reader copy.
I’m not a big fan of contemporary romances, because I always feel like it lacks plot or stakes. But when I stumbled on the author posting about how two former best friends needing to fake date in order to participate in a reality TV show, I knew I had to have my hands on this. What won’t I do for sapphic angst?
The actual plot was very entertaining. Noelle and Yumi are taken from country to country in this fictional Amazing Race adventure , where they have to participate in challenges, defying their patience and their worst fears. The fast (REALLY fast) pacing allowed for a book that is very difficult to put down. Now, everything else is coming from a french person who has only ever seen Pékin Express in this genre of reality shows, but did they HAVE to fly across the world everytime they changed countries ? In the beginning, they go from the US, to Paris, to Buenos Aires, and back to Lisbon—am I the only one absolutely bothered by the fictional ecological nonsense that is this itinerary ? I was absolutely taken out of this book because of it. I also expected more discovery of each individual country, but despite completing a challenge vaguely referencing the culture, they could have easily done all of that from the US.
The romance was also quite fun to follow along, though the very first chapters lead us to believe it would be way angstier than it turned out to be. Maybe it’s because I’m an angst lover above all else, but when you sell me ex-BFFs turned lovers, I expect all of the conflict and sadness that come from it, especially because of the fight that broke their friendship. This may be a me problem, but the reason for their “breakup” was very vague and I genuinely could not understand the miscommunication. It would have hit harder if the author actually had given reasons for it, not just two girls being idiots (and one being an EXTRA idiot).
After that, their romance just didn’t impact as much as I wanted. Yes, they were cute, but they kept behaving like best friends throughout the book. I feel like Yumi narrating the book with all of her yearning added to it might have helped in actually investing myself into their love story.
I do like Noelle’s history, with of all her problems coming from the passing of her mother and her father’s sickness. It helped the reader in empathising in her, and it’s easy to genuinely root for her in her Adventure, and in her love story. Her ADHD also explained a lot of her actions, and it was an easy way to understand more of this pathology. Yumi’s personality complemented her well, though I wish Yumi’s own struggles were explored a little bit more.
I think this story was fun, and I don’t regret reading it at all, but I wish everything was a bit more developed. It was a fun concept, but I think it kind of got lost along the way. A bit more thought given to the plot, a bit more complexity for the girls and a tad more chemistry would have done wonders.
I’m not a big fan of contemporary romances, because I always feel like it lacks plot or stakes. But when I stumbled on the author posting about how two former best friends needing to fake date in order to participate in a reality TV show, I knew I had to have my hands on this. What won’t I do for sapphic angst?
“Yumi reminded me that she’s always been my person,” I say truthfully.
We haven’t figured out everything between us and I don’t quite trust that this friendship is going to transcend the bounds of reality TV, but one thing I do know is that I don’t want to be alone and unknown in the dark anymore.
The actual plot was very entertaining. Noelle and Yumi are taken from country to country in this fictional Amazing Race adventure , where they have to participate in challenges, defying their patience and their worst fears. The fast (REALLY fast) pacing allowed for a book that is very difficult to put down. Now, everything else is coming from a french person who has only ever seen Pékin Express in this genre of reality shows, but did they HAVE to fly across the world everytime they changed countries ? In the beginning, they go from the US, to Paris, to Buenos Aires, and back to Lisbon—am I the only one absolutely bothered by the fictional ecological nonsense that is this itinerary ? I was absolutely taken out of this book because of it. I also expected more discovery of each individual country, but despite completing a challenge vaguely referencing the culture, they could have easily done all of that from the US.
The romance was also quite fun to follow along, though the very first chapters lead us to believe it would be way angstier than it turned out to be. Maybe it’s because I’m an angst lover above all else, but when you sell me ex-BFFs turned lovers, I expect all of the conflict and sadness that come from it, especially because of the fight that broke their friendship. This may be a me problem, but the reason for their “breakup” was very vague and I genuinely could not understand the miscommunication. It would have hit harder if the author actually had given reasons for it, not just two girls being idiots (and one being an EXTRA idiot).
My mouth settles against hers like a declaration: I don’t care. I don’t care if this ends tonight. I don’t care if—that—we lose The Adventureverse. I care about Yumi. I’m here for Yumi. I love Yumi. So I tell her. But first, I reach back and swiftly turn off her mic pack, then mine.
After that, their romance just didn’t impact as much as I wanted. Yes, they were cute, but they kept behaving like best friends throughout the book. I feel like Yumi narrating the book with all of her yearning added to it might have helped in actually investing myself into their love story.
I do like Noelle’s history, with of all her problems coming from the passing of her mother and her father’s sickness. It helped the reader in empathising in her, and it’s easy to genuinely root for her in her Adventure, and in her love story. Her ADHD also explained a lot of her actions, and it was an easy way to understand more of this pathology. Yumi’s personality complemented her well, though I wish Yumi’s own struggles were explored a little bit more.
Her voice is softer, more tentative, when she asks, “Do you regret it? Was it the right choice?"
There’s no hesitation in any part of me. “I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”
I think this story was fun, and I don’t regret reading it at all, but I wish everything was a bit more developed. It was a fun concept, but I think it kind of got lost along the way. A bit more thought given to the plot, a bit more complexity for the girls and a tad more chemistry would have done wonders.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
From the exact first moment I laid eyes on this book I could feel it pulling me in. As a major Chappell Roan fan, a big reality TV watcher, and as a gay woman, I immediately fell in love with it. The more I read about it the bigger the pull and the more boxes it checked and I positively adore it when my gut instinct is correct.
I immediately felt at home with our leads Noelle and Yumi in a way that I wasn't sure I was ready for or expected if I am honest. As being someone who lost their Dad to liver failure and also being someone who watched countless hours of Survivor and Amazing Race growing up with him it was incredibly easy to understand Noelle's motivations and worries.
I for one would EASILY have done the same for my dad.
Erin pulls you in steadily with her story about two high school girls, Noelle and Yumi, in which after having a falling out after a kiss causing them to go no contact for a year before a last minute email to take part in their favorite reality show thrusts them back together again as Noelle wants the money to help her dad but the only caveat is that the producers believe them to be a couple from their audition.
Noelle and Yumi's progression as a pair felt natural as the challenges of the show progressed and everything fell into place at the right times, you could feel the ways the show tested their limits but also in the ways it brought them together at the beat moments.
Their position as the superfans of the show felt like it really grounded them to it all as they went, despite them being the younger contestants and also working to fall into a rhythm with the fake relationship they were trying to sell.
The fact that they were able to boil down the other couples to their own trope it felt exactly like how I personally watch reality TV. You can't possibly remember every one at the start and you boil them down to memorable traits or tropes and as you sit with them longer and longer and watch their trials you learn more about them and who they are and where they fit. Which is what it feels like we do with not only Noelle and Yumi but also some of the other contestants to an extent.
I believe that all helped the pacing of the book which was quick and yet still comfortable. It felt like we held every scene the exact right amount of time. I didn't have a dull moment reading, pages kept turning one right after another and chapters kept flowing easily untill I was unfortunately at the end.
I also say with 100% certainty that I would have totally watched this season if it was real so I could root for them all over again.
All in all its a great easy read that I was happily addicted to for the stint I had it for. I throughly enjoyed each of the characters and it felt like it really captured the feeling is when you are on a reality show.
Thank you to Erin for writing a great story and thank you and Netgalley for the ARC.
I immediately felt at home with our leads Noelle and Yumi in a way that I wasn't sure I was ready for or expected if I am honest. As being someone who lost their Dad to liver failure and also being someone who watched countless hours of Survivor and Amazing Race growing up with him it was incredibly easy to understand Noelle's motivations and worries.
I for one would EASILY have done the same for my dad.
Erin pulls you in steadily with her story about two high school girls, Noelle and Yumi, in which after having a falling out after a kiss causing them to go no contact for a year before a last minute email to take part in their favorite reality show thrusts them back together again as Noelle wants the money to help her dad but the only caveat is that the producers believe them to be a couple from their audition.
Noelle and Yumi's progression as a pair felt natural as the challenges of the show progressed and everything fell into place at the right times, you could feel the ways the show tested their limits but also in the ways it brought them together at the beat moments.
Their position as the superfans of the show felt like it really grounded them to it all as they went, despite them being the younger contestants and also working to fall into a rhythm with the fake relationship they were trying to sell.
The fact that they were able to boil down the other couples to their own trope it felt exactly like how I personally watch reality TV. You can't possibly remember every one at the start and you boil them down to memorable traits or tropes and as you sit with them longer and longer and watch their trials you learn more about them and who they are and where they fit. Which is what it feels like we do with not only Noelle and Yumi but also some of the other contestants to an extent.
I believe that all helped the pacing of the book which was quick and yet still comfortable. It felt like we held every scene the exact right amount of time. I didn't have a dull moment reading, pages kept turning one right after another and chapters kept flowing easily untill I was unfortunately at the end.
I also say with 100% certainty that I would have totally watched this season if it was real so I could root for them all over again.
All in all its a great easy read that I was happily addicted to for the stint I had it for. I throughly enjoyed each of the characters and it felt like it really captured the feeling is when you are on a reality show.
Thank you to Erin for writing a great story and thank you and Netgalley for the ARC.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 5, 2026
I absolutely adored everything about this book. Exactly like I did with Erin's debut, Wish You Weren't Here. I binged most of this in one day because it was incredibly hard to put down.. The dynamics and personalities of Noelle and Yumi and the quick pace of the Adventureverse just made it addicting. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC copy, all opinions are my own!
The Adventureverse plotline first off was just so fun. We got to see so many of the challenges and how they worked and it always felt like it was propelling the story forward instead of stalling it. The quick pace of running between countries and cities and the race to complete the next challenge before other teams worked really well. Amongst it all I also enjoyed watching the familiarity of friendship settle back into Noelle and Yumi's relationship. At a certain point, it felt like they got right back to where they had left off when it all blew up the year prior. But going through the challenges and watching them pick up on cues from the other without ever having to say anything made the story flow really easily and give good vibes all around. Noelle being very anxious and worried about everything kind of hit with me since I am the same way, so I related to her in that way. Yumi hiding feelings and weaknesses behind a facade also hit just a bit with me because again, I feel that I do a bit of the same myself. I also felt that the criticism on reality TV and how things are manipulated and twisted was important. Everybody likes to take what they see on these reality tv shows as gospel when they truly don't even know the half of it. Filming/cameras twists it, post production twists it, and then social media twists it, and then nobody even knows what the real story was anymore and it happens far to often.
The only thing that I wish had been different was the ending. Part 3 felt very rushed, way more than necessary. I would have liked more time spent in the time after the show ended, maybe of the girls going home, Noelle reuniting with her dad, more resolution time spent on Noelle and Yumi's fallout, etc. It was mentioned in the acknowledgements that a lot was cut from this book and I really wish that some was kept in, Part for the ending and part just because I really dreaded the book ending in general lol.
The Adventureverse plotline first off was just so fun. We got to see so many of the challenges and how they worked and it always felt like it was propelling the story forward instead of stalling it. The quick pace of running between countries and cities and the race to complete the next challenge before other teams worked really well. Amongst it all I also enjoyed watching the familiarity of friendship settle back into Noelle and Yumi's relationship. At a certain point, it felt like they got right back to where they had left off when it all blew up the year prior. But going through the challenges and watching them pick up on cues from the other without ever having to say anything made the story flow really easily and give good vibes all around. Noelle being very anxious and worried about everything kind of hit with me since I am the same way, so I related to her in that way. Yumi hiding feelings and weaknesses behind a facade also hit just a bit with me because again, I feel that I do a bit of the same myself. I also felt that the criticism on reality TV and how things are manipulated and twisted was important. Everybody likes to take what they see on these reality tv shows as gospel when they truly don't even know the half of it. Filming/cameras twists it, post production twists it, and then social media twists it, and then nobody even knows what the real story was anymore and it happens far to often.
The only thing that I wish had been different was the ending. Part 3 felt very rushed, way more than necessary. I would have liked more time spent in the time after the show ended, maybe of the girls going home, Noelle reuniting with her dad, more resolution time spent on Noelle and Yumi's fallout, etc. It was mentioned in the acknowledgements that a lot was cut from this book and I really wish that some was kept in, Part for the ending and part just because I really dreaded the book ending in general lol.
February 15, 2026
3.5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin for providing me with an ARC.
Good Luck, Babe! is a LGBT+ YA novel about Yumi and Noelle, two former best friends, who fell out a year ago after an awkward kiss, and haven’t spoken since. Before their falling out, they applied to go on The Adventureverse together, a TV show much like The Amazing Race, where teams race across the world and tackle challenges. The thing is, this is a couple’s season, and to be in for a chance to win the two-million-dollar prize, Yumi and Noelle have to pretend to be dating.
Friends to enemies to lovers, fake dating, forced proximity – this book has all the classic tropes, and that keeps it engaging and fun throughout. I also really did like the characters, Noelle especially felt like a very fleshed-out, real character, who’s motivations were clear. I really felt for her throughout.
The writing was also lovely, and had some really nice prose, which I don’t usually see in the YA genre, as well as humour, which helped balance some of the tension between our characters.
However, for me personally, I felt like Yumi and Noelle’s relationship at the end happened too fast. I wish the ending would have explored that a little bit more. I feel like they had to talk about their big falling out and misunderstanding that led to a year of no contact, but they never did. It felt like none of that was unpacked and was brushed over too soon.
Overall, a very fun and easy sapphic read, with great representation and a host of diverse characters, a fun and quick-moving plot, and a cute romance.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin for providing me with an ARC.
Good Luck, Babe! is a LGBT+ YA novel about Yumi and Noelle, two former best friends, who fell out a year ago after an awkward kiss, and haven’t spoken since. Before their falling out, they applied to go on The Adventureverse together, a TV show much like The Amazing Race, where teams race across the world and tackle challenges. The thing is, this is a couple’s season, and to be in for a chance to win the two-million-dollar prize, Yumi and Noelle have to pretend to be dating.
Friends to enemies to lovers, fake dating, forced proximity – this book has all the classic tropes, and that keeps it engaging and fun throughout. I also really did like the characters, Noelle especially felt like a very fleshed-out, real character, who’s motivations were clear. I really felt for her throughout.
The writing was also lovely, and had some really nice prose, which I don’t usually see in the YA genre, as well as humour, which helped balance some of the tension between our characters.
However, for me personally, I felt like Yumi and Noelle’s relationship at the end happened too fast. I wish the ending would have explored that a little bit more. I feel like they had to talk about their big falling out and misunderstanding that led to a year of no contact, but they never did. It felt like none of that was unpacked and was brushed over too soon.
Overall, a very fun and easy sapphic read, with great representation and a host of diverse characters, a fun and quick-moving plot, and a cute romance.
March 8, 2026
4.5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an ARC of Good Luck, Babe!
Immediately when I heard about this book, my first thought was, how do I sign up for NetGalley so I can get my hands on this book?!? And it didn't disappoint! I loved the set up of ex best friends with a misunderstanding coming together to compete in a gameshow that they are fans of! I loved Noelle and Yumi, and how the way their relationship developed seemed believable, which is uncommon in romance books surprisingly. I am a little confused at what actually happened that night when they kissed for the first time, but I can believe that Noelle misremembered/misconstrued the events because she thinks she was the only one in love at the time.
I loved (most) of the side characters too! Morgan and Matt, KC and Gabriel... I even felt for Bee and Logan. Like I wanted Yumi and Noelle to win but I also didnt want the others to lose, but it's also kind of satisfying that Noelle and Yumi didn't win. At the end, that wasnt the most important thing to either of them (even if Noelle did need to money for her dad), and you can tell by the way they take their loss with grace.
Immediately when I heard about this book, my first thought was, how do I sign up for NetGalley so I can get my hands on this book?!? And it didn't disappoint! I loved the set up of ex best friends with a misunderstanding coming together to compete in a gameshow that they are fans of! I loved Noelle and Yumi, and how the way their relationship developed seemed believable, which is uncommon in romance books surprisingly. I am a little confused at what actually happened that night when they kissed for the first time, but I can believe that Noelle misremembered/misconstrued the events because she thinks she was the only one in love at the time.
I loved (most) of the side characters too! Morgan and Matt, KC and Gabriel... I even felt for Bee and Logan. Like I wanted Yumi and Noelle to win but I also didnt want the others to lose, but it's also kind of satisfying that Noelle and Yumi didn't win. At the end, that wasnt the most important thing to either of them (even if Noelle did need to money for her dad), and you can tell by the way they take their loss with grace.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 23, 2026
Thank you NetGallery for the eARC! 4.25 ⭐️
Following Noelle, a recent high school graduate dealing with her father’s chronic illness, in the light of an uncertain future (especially when it comes to her ex-best friend/crush). When Noelle and said ex-crush, Yumi, end up teaming up for their favorite reality tv show, feelings begin to come up in the pair.
I really really enjoyed this read. I grew up watching The Amazing Race with my mom, and this brought up those fond feelings and memories within me. The tv show was intriguing, keeping up a good pace for the narrative while also invoking those nostalgic feelings.
I also liked both Noelle and Yumi’s personalities. The two were balanced for one another, and their reactions and mannerisms were very much that of 18 year olds. To this point, it definitely helped solidify their year of not speaking, especially as it was something very fixable but the teenage angst got in the way.
I definitely recommend this read, especially to those who love a cute sapphic book.
Following Noelle, a recent high school graduate dealing with her father’s chronic illness, in the light of an uncertain future (especially when it comes to her ex-best friend/crush). When Noelle and said ex-crush, Yumi, end up teaming up for their favorite reality tv show, feelings begin to come up in the pair.
I really really enjoyed this read. I grew up watching The Amazing Race with my mom, and this brought up those fond feelings and memories within me. The tv show was intriguing, keeping up a good pace for the narrative while also invoking those nostalgic feelings.
I also liked both Noelle and Yumi’s personalities. The two were balanced for one another, and their reactions and mannerisms were very much that of 18 year olds. To this point, it definitely helped solidify their year of not speaking, especially as it was something very fixable but the teenage angst got in the way.
I definitely recommend this read, especially to those who love a cute sapphic book.
February 14, 2026
ARC provided by netgalley!
That was so fucking good. Noelle is so likeable and relatable and her voice is so fun. Like the prose constantly had me going ooooo or laughing. The plot is also so SO fun. I haven't watched the amazing race in years but i used to watch it with my family and this book really brought me back, it felt so nostalgic and real. I had such a good time. It took me less than a day to read through this, I just couldn't put it down!
That was so fucking good. Noelle is so likeable and relatable and her voice is so fun. Like the prose constantly had me going ooooo or laughing. The plot is also so SO fun. I haven't watched the amazing race in years but i used to watch it with my family and this book really brought me back, it felt so nostalgic and real. I had such a good time. It took me less than a day to read through this, I just couldn't put it down!
February 9, 2026
I acquired an e-arc from NetGalley to review it. Thanks NetGalley and the publisher!
I have been in a reading slump for a while. I've finished one book so far this year. I read this book in one day. I could not put it down. Erin Baldwin does a great job describing the incredible places her characters visit. Her writing is so clever, and fun, and has such heart to it. I look forward to Erin's next book!
I have been in a reading slump for a while. I've finished one book so far this year. I read this book in one day. I could not put it down. Erin Baldwin does a great job describing the incredible places her characters visit. Her writing is so clever, and fun, and has such heart to it. I look forward to Erin's next book!
February 13, 2026
this book is PHENOMENAL!!!! i love yumi and noelle SO much and the writing is INCREDIBLE. i’ve been SO SAT for this book since it was annocued and boy did it exceed my expectations!!! the way this book ended was full circle and i am going to think about it FOREVER!!!! top book of 2026 so far for SURE!!! everyone read this when it comes out this june!!!!
March 10, 2026
ARC review from netgalley:
it was really good!! i enjoyed the entire premise of the adventureverse and the dynamic between yumi + noelle. i do wish they had dove into their argument a bit more and i feel like the last 25% of the book was crazy rushed. i definitely could’ve done with another 50 pages or so. other than that, it’s a solid 4 ⭐️
it was really good!! i enjoyed the entire premise of the adventureverse and the dynamic between yumi + noelle. i do wish they had dove into their argument a bit more and i feel like the last 25% of the book was crazy rushed. i definitely could’ve done with another 50 pages or so. other than that, it’s a solid 4 ⭐️
March 12, 2026
3.5-.75/5
a very cute sapphic second-chance story. loved the reality tv setting (huge amazing race fan), and found the adventures to be interesting. the pacing throughout wasn’t consistent for me, and i felt like some things received more detail than needed.
A+ on sapphic yearning.
A+ chappell roan reference
a very cute sapphic second-chance story. loved the reality tv setting (huge amazing race fan), and found the adventures to be interesting. the pacing throughout wasn’t consistent for me, and i felt like some things received more detail than needed.
A+ on sapphic yearning.
A+ chappell roan reference
Want to Read
January 8, 2026I'm so excited for this book! It's definitely on my most anticipated books of 2026. The premise sounds so fascinating and I think it'll be great comp for my book as well. June cannot come fast enough
February 11, 2026
thanks to netgalley for the arc! I read this in one day with a cold, which is kind of optimal conditions because it feels like a comforting bowl of soup of a book.
this was really sweet! I love race across the world-style reality tv shows, it was fun to think about the behind the scenes, and this fake dating trope worked for me. a fun time! noelle and yumi felt like real people i’d be friends with and the cast of characters were very entertaining.
this was really sweet! I love race across the world-style reality tv shows, it was fun to think about the behind the scenes, and this fake dating trope worked for me. a fun time! noelle and yumi felt like real people i’d be friends with and the cast of characters were very entertaining.
February 19, 2026
A sapphic YA romance named after one of my favorite Chappell Roan songs? Sign me up! 💅🏻
If you love “The Amazing Race”, this is the book for you. Noelle and Yumi find themselves catapulted from being ex-best friends to pretending to be girlfriends so that they can compete in their favorite show “The Adventureverse”—and hopefully collect the prize money that accompanies a win.
This is a very sweet enemies-to-lovers romance, and the story itself goes pretty quickly. This was a 4 star read for me because I found myself more invested in the reality TV dynamics than I was in the characters’s relationship, which isn’t the best sign for a book focused on that. Overall though, a quick and enjoyable read!
Thanks to the publishers for providing an ARC in exchange for this honest review! “Good Luck, Babe!” releases on June 23 💕
If you love “The Amazing Race”, this is the book for you. Noelle and Yumi find themselves catapulted from being ex-best friends to pretending to be girlfriends so that they can compete in their favorite show “The Adventureverse”—and hopefully collect the prize money that accompanies a win.
This is a very sweet enemies-to-lovers romance, and the story itself goes pretty quickly. This was a 4 star read for me because I found myself more invested in the reality TV dynamics than I was in the characters’s relationship, which isn’t the best sign for a book focused on that. Overall though, a quick and enjoyable read!
Thanks to the publishers for providing an ARC in exchange for this honest review! “Good Luck, Babe!” releases on June 23 💕
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
2.5 🌟
thank you to penguin young readers group and netgalley for providing an ARC!
good luck, babe wasn't a terrible book, but it failed to convince me on the romance front.
i loved the concept from the beginning. a reality tv show is such an interesting backdrop for a romance and had potential for some interesting storylines.
unfortunately, noelle and yumi just weren't compelling as characters. they both lacked dimension to me and as a result, their romance felt lacking.
i felt like we barely knew them outside of this reality show, and they supposedly had so much history as friends (who had crushes on each other) but we barely got to actually see any of that.
also the title for the book feels a bit poorly chosen to me. whilst the protagonist and her love interest are both sapphic, neither use labels in the book and the novel doesn't really explore their queer identities. so it feels like an odd choice to name the book after a song specifically about the lesbian experience.
thank you to penguin young readers group and netgalley for providing an ARC!
good luck, babe wasn't a terrible book, but it failed to convince me on the romance front.
i loved the concept from the beginning. a reality tv show is such an interesting backdrop for a romance and had potential for some interesting storylines.
unfortunately, noelle and yumi just weren't compelling as characters. they both lacked dimension to me and as a result, their romance felt lacking.
i felt like we barely knew them outside of this reality show, and they supposedly had so much history as friends (who had crushes on each other) but we barely got to actually see any of that.
also the title for the book feels a bit poorly chosen to me. whilst the protagonist and her love interest are both sapphic, neither use labels in the book and the novel doesn't really explore their queer identities. so it feels like an odd choice to name the book after a song specifically about the lesbian experience.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to NetGalley, Penguin and Erin Baldwin for this ARC. I am happy to leave my honest review.
I was very much intrigued by the blurb of this book and couldn't resist a friend to umm…not so much friends (cant really say enemies because i dont believe they ever had any animosity toward one another, just young misunderstanding) to lovers. I generally avoid YA because I enjoy reading sapphic love stories with more mature characters and really prefer some spice. However, Good Luck, Babe had a story line that beckoned to me and I am glad I read it. I very much enjoyed the premise and found the girls to be quite charming. I love a good fake dating story but when you incorporate a couple of young women who used to be besties and only stopped because they actually grew romantic feelings for each other but didn't know how to process those feelings, you get a pretty entertaining read.
Good Luck, Babe was very sweet and so much fun to read. The book centers around a TV game show very much like the Amazing Race and that adds a healthy dose of excitement. Noelle and Yumi have been the bestest of friends for 10 years. They care about each other deeply, love each other's families and are genuine bff’s. Sadly, their friendship ends because of teenaged fear. One night the girls share a kiss which obviously changes everything but they are not ready to admit to each other or themselves that they have developed romantic feelings for one another. So what do two teenage girls do when they are scared and confused? Well they run away of course! I have to admit that I could identify with that aspect of the story a great deal from my own teenage years…and also presently in my adult years. Sometimes, emotions and feelings overwhelm us and we flee…it’s frustrating but true. While they were still besties, Noelle and Yumi apply to be on the reality TV show the Adventureverse to travel the world, complete challenges and try to win a cool two mil! So what that they haven't spoken in a year? They both clearly wish that wasn't the case but ya know fear right? Plus Noelle could really use a financial boost to help her sick Dad. I must say this aspect added some real depth to the story and I could once again personally relate which made me like the story even more.
Noelle and Yumi are both great characters who made me like them. Noelle is kind, loyal and driven to win the money to help her Dad…I liked her right away. Yumi has a sort of emotional intuition and sense of outward expression that I could really respect. While Noelle is more introspective, Yumi tends not to internalize as much. Honestly, I could see why they were such good friends…they really compliment each other. I found them to be really sweet together. They handle being thrust into a fake relationship with a bit more grace and level headedness than I would have expected. All in all it was lovely watching them reconnect and find their way back to each other. I think some aspects of their flailing out could have been a bit more fleshed out but the author chose to deal with the girls in their present circumstances and that’s cool. I still felt like I got a good amount of emotionality from the story. Noelle and Yumi’s connection is real and their chemistry is electric. They find their way to an honest place, face their fears and display the courage necessary to take a chance on each other romantically. I believed in them and their overall story was sweet and believable.
I found the writing to be really entertaining. Baldwin does a great job of not only creating characters that I grew to really care about but infused the entire story with a whimsy and humor that I enjoyed. The challenges the girls had to participate in were written with a sense of creativity and added such excitement to the story. Baldwin does a great job with the complexities of having the story take place during a reality TV competition. She perfectly executes the nuance involved in showering the readers what the cameras see but also what the characters actually feel. The pacing was on point and made the entire story move right along.
I found the book to be a really satisfying, sweet, funny and fun read. Good Luck, Babe deals with a litany of complex emotional themes like caring for an ailing parent and accepting first love along with some loaded self discovery. I appreciated this as I didn't realize YA books could have such emotional depth. This book made me think differently about YA and will definitely read more moving forward. I especially enjoyed the writing by Erin Baldwin and will look for more from her as well. If you are looking for a very sweet fake dating sapphire romance with a strong self discovery component and some wonderful friends to lovers sweetness all rolled into a crazy reality TV show, this book is for you!
I was very much intrigued by the blurb of this book and couldn't resist a friend to umm…not so much friends (cant really say enemies because i dont believe they ever had any animosity toward one another, just young misunderstanding) to lovers. I generally avoid YA because I enjoy reading sapphic love stories with more mature characters and really prefer some spice. However, Good Luck, Babe had a story line that beckoned to me and I am glad I read it. I very much enjoyed the premise and found the girls to be quite charming. I love a good fake dating story but when you incorporate a couple of young women who used to be besties and only stopped because they actually grew romantic feelings for each other but didn't know how to process those feelings, you get a pretty entertaining read.
Good Luck, Babe was very sweet and so much fun to read. The book centers around a TV game show very much like the Amazing Race and that adds a healthy dose of excitement. Noelle and Yumi have been the bestest of friends for 10 years. They care about each other deeply, love each other's families and are genuine bff’s. Sadly, their friendship ends because of teenaged fear. One night the girls share a kiss which obviously changes everything but they are not ready to admit to each other or themselves that they have developed romantic feelings for one another. So what do two teenage girls do when they are scared and confused? Well they run away of course! I have to admit that I could identify with that aspect of the story a great deal from my own teenage years…and also presently in my adult years. Sometimes, emotions and feelings overwhelm us and we flee…it’s frustrating but true. While they were still besties, Noelle and Yumi apply to be on the reality TV show the Adventureverse to travel the world, complete challenges and try to win a cool two mil! So what that they haven't spoken in a year? They both clearly wish that wasn't the case but ya know fear right? Plus Noelle could really use a financial boost to help her sick Dad. I must say this aspect added some real depth to the story and I could once again personally relate which made me like the story even more.
Noelle and Yumi are both great characters who made me like them. Noelle is kind, loyal and driven to win the money to help her Dad…I liked her right away. Yumi has a sort of emotional intuition and sense of outward expression that I could really respect. While Noelle is more introspective, Yumi tends not to internalize as much. Honestly, I could see why they were such good friends…they really compliment each other. I found them to be really sweet together. They handle being thrust into a fake relationship with a bit more grace and level headedness than I would have expected. All in all it was lovely watching them reconnect and find their way back to each other. I think some aspects of their flailing out could have been a bit more fleshed out but the author chose to deal with the girls in their present circumstances and that’s cool. I still felt like I got a good amount of emotionality from the story. Noelle and Yumi’s connection is real and their chemistry is electric. They find their way to an honest place, face their fears and display the courage necessary to take a chance on each other romantically. I believed in them and their overall story was sweet and believable.
I found the writing to be really entertaining. Baldwin does a great job of not only creating characters that I grew to really care about but infused the entire story with a whimsy and humor that I enjoyed. The challenges the girls had to participate in were written with a sense of creativity and added such excitement to the story. Baldwin does a great job with the complexities of having the story take place during a reality TV competition. She perfectly executes the nuance involved in showering the readers what the cameras see but also what the characters actually feel. The pacing was on point and made the entire story move right along.
I found the book to be a really satisfying, sweet, funny and fun read. Good Luck, Babe deals with a litany of complex emotional themes like caring for an ailing parent and accepting first love along with some loaded self discovery. I appreciated this as I didn't realize YA books could have such emotional depth. This book made me think differently about YA and will definitely read more moving forward. I especially enjoyed the writing by Erin Baldwin and will look for more from her as well. If you are looking for a very sweet fake dating sapphire romance with a strong self discovery component and some wonderful friends to lovers sweetness all rolled into a crazy reality TV show, this book is for you!
February 10, 2026
This is the first book I’ve read fully (other than graphic novels) for over a year. I’m a simple woman and Chappell Roan fan, so when I saw a tweet about this book and the summary I was really intrigued.
I’ve never watched The Amazing Race (which I assume this is based heavily on) but I love Rupaul’s Drag Race and have read through Reddit and Twitter after episodes and seasons to learn more about why things played out the way they did. This book was really interesting in that way and really felt like the most behind the scenes look at reality TV possible.
The characters were interesting and the challenges as well as trying to predict the future ones like a real “superfan” was very engaging!
Overall I liked the story and rooted for the protagonists, for a non-thriller I was surprised at how gripped I was.
Spoilers below!
I really thought that the loved one at the plaza for Noelle was going to be someone other than her dad because he’s too sick to travel. I thought that was gonna be why Yumi didn’t pick him out right, because it’s someone Noelle isn’t as close to. It still worked as a sad moment, especially with how sure Noelle was that it was him, but it would have been interesting if she was wrong. I’m mainly sharing in case anyone else had the same theory!
I of course was hoping the girls would win and was gutted they didn’t, but it would have felt too obvious if they just won! I was really expecting that even though they were the last to arrive, that another team would have dropped out or something!
It was so charming at the end to hear about the memes that came of the show, as well as the perspectives of other characters thought the story!
TL;DR:
You will like this if you know more about reality TV than most or have ever thought about the more behind the scenes and production side of things, and especially if you like a sapphic will they won’t they dynamic.
As I’m reading this before publication I want to give some feedback on some elements that may just be me, but may be things that bug others too:
- When the group meet with Aliona after the night in the dark tunnels, it wasn’t clear to me what was or was not being filmed, like when Clyde and Cora emerge late. It’s stated that the cameras were on and mics hooked up but Aliona was actively talking to the group so I didn’t think it was filmed until Noelle and Yumi were asked about the late arrival in confessionals.
- The Via Ferrata challenge was confusing for me to understand until a ways into it. I was unsure if it was going to be climbing, abseiling, going across a narrow rickety bridge etc; even after googling the real life location. My current understanding is that there was a rope along the cliff wall to hold onto and small rods jutting out of the wall to step on, then the contestants shimmy sideways along the wall. I don’t know if I got it right though!
- The Singapore Swing challenge confused me too in the same way, I had to re read a lot of it and google the activity to fully get it. This one might have just been me though.
- Post-show/in the reunion, I was really hoping to see mention of the part when Noelle was raging after the Piazza. Given all the insight about fan perspectives on events and how it was mentioned in the hotel that the cameras were on them, I was hoping to learn what the fans thought of it and how much was in the edit.
- I want to know how dad got his transplant! If they got money from the fame of the show I’d love to know even a sentence about it, if he got to the top of the donor list completely unrelated to the show that would be interesting too.
I’ve never watched The Amazing Race (which I assume this is based heavily on) but I love Rupaul’s Drag Race and have read through Reddit and Twitter after episodes and seasons to learn more about why things played out the way they did. This book was really interesting in that way and really felt like the most behind the scenes look at reality TV possible.
The characters were interesting and the challenges as well as trying to predict the future ones like a real “superfan” was very engaging!
Overall I liked the story and rooted for the protagonists, for a non-thriller I was surprised at how gripped I was.
Spoilers below!
I really thought that the loved one at the plaza for Noelle was going to be someone other than her dad because he’s too sick to travel. I thought that was gonna be why Yumi didn’t pick him out right, because it’s someone Noelle isn’t as close to. It still worked as a sad moment, especially with how sure Noelle was that it was him, but it would have been interesting if she was wrong. I’m mainly sharing in case anyone else had the same theory!
I of course was hoping the girls would win and was gutted they didn’t, but it would have felt too obvious if they just won! I was really expecting that even though they were the last to arrive, that another team would have dropped out or something!
It was so charming at the end to hear about the memes that came of the show, as well as the perspectives of other characters thought the story!
TL;DR:
You will like this if you know more about reality TV than most or have ever thought about the more behind the scenes and production side of things, and especially if you like a sapphic will they won’t they dynamic.
As I’m reading this before publication I want to give some feedback on some elements that may just be me, but may be things that bug others too:
- When the group meet with Aliona after the night in the dark tunnels, it wasn’t clear to me what was or was not being filmed, like when Clyde and Cora emerge late. It’s stated that the cameras were on and mics hooked up but Aliona was actively talking to the group so I didn’t think it was filmed until Noelle and Yumi were asked about the late arrival in confessionals.
- The Via Ferrata challenge was confusing for me to understand until a ways into it. I was unsure if it was going to be climbing, abseiling, going across a narrow rickety bridge etc; even after googling the real life location. My current understanding is that there was a rope along the cliff wall to hold onto and small rods jutting out of the wall to step on, then the contestants shimmy sideways along the wall. I don’t know if I got it right though!
- The Singapore Swing challenge confused me too in the same way, I had to re read a lot of it and google the activity to fully get it. This one might have just been me though.
- Post-show/in the reunion, I was really hoping to see mention of the part when Noelle was raging after the Piazza. Given all the insight about fan perspectives on events and how it was mentioned in the hotel that the cameras were on them, I was hoping to learn what the fans thought of it and how much was in the edit.
- I want to know how dad got his transplant! If they got money from the fame of the show I’d love to know even a sentence about it, if he got to the top of the donor list completely unrelated to the show that would be interesting too.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
There are some books where, even though you don't have a whole lot in common with the MC, the author does such a great job writing and developing the character that you one million percent understand every single thing they're feeling and going through. That's how I felt about Good Luck, Babe!
Things I do not have in common with Noelle Breland:
* I'm not 18 years old.
* I don't have a hopeless and possibly unrequited crush on my female best friend. And I didn't make things super awkward after an unexpected kiss.
* I'm not a reality TV show superfan. (In fact, I've never seen a single episode of The Amazing Race, which is the analog to the reality show in the book.)
* While I do have pretty bad anxiety, I don't have ADHD (as far as I know).
* My parents are alive and well.
That being said, everything Noelle was experiencing during her graduation and unexpected invitation to compete on The Adventureverse with the aforementioned best friend while having to pretend to be dating? I felt all of that. The awkwardness, the guilt, the humiliation, the willingness to do anything to help her father, the fear, the anxiety--a lot of it felt so real to me, even though I haven't really had too many of the same experiences in my life. So clearly Erin Baldwin knows how to write and develop her characters.
This was such a cute and sweet YA novel. Obviously, I loved Noelle and the mental health rep there. She's so strong and capable until she's absolutely not, but she's also very self-aware. I thought her relationship with Yumi (or lack thereof) made so much sense in terms of how it was set up and how it evolved. I typically dislike the miscommunication/lack of communication trope, but there are definitely times where it makes sense. And it made sense here. There are a lot of reasons why Noelle never disclosed her crush on Yumi and it made sense why she was so scared of her feelings as they were fake dating. Similarly, I understood Yumi's initial coldness and her eventual thawing. Given how deeply entwined in each other's lives Yumi and Noelle were, the pain, the conflict, and of course the eventual forgiveness (because this is a YA romance) felt natural.
I also loved the reality TV aspect of it. As I mentioned, I'm not a superfan, but I do have some knowledge of how these things work, especially the editing of footage to make certain narratives stand out. And I really appreciated that Noelle and Yumi, even though they're 18 years old, were very much aware of those tricks and the game itself. They were very savvy and I liked that about them.
This loses a star for me because I didn't love the ending. It felt rushed, almost as though , the rest of it didn't matter. The girls' time on the show seems to end almost with a whimper, which felt at odds with the rest of the story. In reading the acknowledgments at the end, there were a number of scenes that ended up being cut from the book and I think including some of those would really have helped keep the energy of the book.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Things I do not have in common with Noelle Breland:
* I'm not 18 years old.
* I don't have a hopeless and possibly unrequited crush on my female best friend. And I didn't make things super awkward after an unexpected kiss.
* I'm not a reality TV show superfan. (In fact, I've never seen a single episode of The Amazing Race, which is the analog to the reality show in the book.)
* While I do have pretty bad anxiety, I don't have ADHD (as far as I know).
* My parents are alive and well.
That being said, everything Noelle was experiencing during her graduation and unexpected invitation to compete on The Adventureverse with the aforementioned best friend while having to pretend to be dating? I felt all of that. The awkwardness, the guilt, the humiliation, the willingness to do anything to help her father, the fear, the anxiety--a lot of it felt so real to me, even though I haven't really had too many of the same experiences in my life. So clearly Erin Baldwin knows how to write and develop her characters.
This was such a cute and sweet YA novel. Obviously, I loved Noelle and the mental health rep there. She's so strong and capable until she's absolutely not, but she's also very self-aware. I thought her relationship with Yumi (or lack thereof) made so much sense in terms of how it was set up and how it evolved. I typically dislike the miscommunication/lack of communication trope, but there are definitely times where it makes sense. And it made sense here. There are a lot of reasons why Noelle never disclosed her crush on Yumi and it made sense why she was so scared of her feelings as they were fake dating. Similarly, I understood Yumi's initial coldness and her eventual thawing. Given how deeply entwined in each other's lives Yumi and Noelle were, the pain, the conflict, and of course the eventual forgiveness (because this is a YA romance) felt natural.
I also loved the reality TV aspect of it. As I mentioned, I'm not a superfan, but I do have some knowledge of how these things work, especially the editing of footage to make certain narratives stand out. And I really appreciated that Noelle and Yumi, even though they're 18 years old, were very much aware of those tricks and the game itself. They were very savvy and I liked that about them.
This loses a star for me because I didn't love the ending. It felt rushed, almost as though , the rest of it didn't matter. The girls' time on the show seems to end almost with a whimper, which felt at odds with the rest of the story. In reading the acknowledgments at the end, there were a number of scenes that ended up being cut from the book and I think including some of those would really have helped keep the energy of the book.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
*Possible Spoilers*
Good Luck, Babe! is a lovely second chance romance. Noelle and Yumi are one of those occasional circumstances where I liked them better together than separately as characters. They are perfectly likable, but nothing stood out to me about them individually. What I loved was how naturally they’re able to clear each other’s mental blocks.
I figure that everyone interested in reading knows this, but the book shares its title with a popular Chappell Roan song. The plot shares no similarities with Roan’s bitter ballad to compulsory heterosexuality. The main characters just teasingly call each other “babe.” Given how well known Roan’s song is, and how un-homophobic this book is, I’m confused as to why they share a title. Roan has other (less famous) songs lamenting the insecurity of having an assumed one-sided crush.
Noelle spends a lot of time judging people by the archetypes they fill in her reality show. Whether ironically or not, she and her girlfriend are cliches themselves. Noelle has a sick parent and is a tad mad that her friend ditched her. Yumi is the sweet girl who could’ve been popular, but chose the seemingly forgettable neurodivergent girl. The two are sweet, funny, and very predictable.
Obviously Yumi and Noelle’s communication skills are a work in progress. Welcome to the second chance romance trope. What was unconventional was how they cleared the air early on and worked up from there. There was time for them to angst, blowup, and rebuild trust before the curtains closed. That was refreshing.
What I also liked was the equal distribution of mental load lifting. When Yumi is unsure how to get past her fear of heights, Noelle seamlessly guides them both up the (metaphorical and literal) mountain. When Noelle botches a challenge, Yumi gives her the support to accept their elimination with a proud mindset. When one spirals out of control, the other grounds her, always.
It’s mentioned in the epilogue-y part how many longing pining glances Yumi threw Noelle’s way during filming. Being the protagonist, Noelle doesn’t notice a thing. I wish that we’d gotten a few chapters from Yumi’s pov. I wanted her insight whenever Noelle cracked down on her ex-friend’s inconsideration. I know what it felt like for Noelle to rebuild broken trust, but also hearing Yumi’s more practical prerogative would’ve been nice. After all, it takes two to tango (a joke for those who’ve finished the book).
I liked the approach Baldwin took in writing a reality tv show. The Adventureverse is real in that it clearly brings the two women together. It’s also fake in how many scripted and refilmed shots there are. Baldwin receives bonus points for giving her characters more to do than prance around Europe getting drunk. If you’re interested in a ‘round the world reality tv show fake romance, this will be right up your alley.
I didn’t appreciate the 6-7 reference, purposeful or not. It dates the book as being from 2025 in a cringey way. Given other slang the author uses throughout the novel, I’m assuming she meant to slip it in.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. I will be posting this on Goodreads and/or TikTok and Instagram in early April.
Good Luck, Babe! is a lovely second chance romance. Noelle and Yumi are one of those occasional circumstances where I liked them better together than separately as characters. They are perfectly likable, but nothing stood out to me about them individually. What I loved was how naturally they’re able to clear each other’s mental blocks.
I figure that everyone interested in reading knows this, but the book shares its title with a popular Chappell Roan song. The plot shares no similarities with Roan’s bitter ballad to compulsory heterosexuality. The main characters just teasingly call each other “babe.” Given how well known Roan’s song is, and how un-homophobic this book is, I’m confused as to why they share a title. Roan has other (less famous) songs lamenting the insecurity of having an assumed one-sided crush.
Noelle spends a lot of time judging people by the archetypes they fill in her reality show. Whether ironically or not, she and her girlfriend are cliches themselves. Noelle has a sick parent and is a tad mad that her friend ditched her. Yumi is the sweet girl who could’ve been popular, but chose the seemingly forgettable neurodivergent girl. The two are sweet, funny, and very predictable.
Obviously Yumi and Noelle’s communication skills are a work in progress. Welcome to the second chance romance trope. What was unconventional was how they cleared the air early on and worked up from there. There was time for them to angst, blowup, and rebuild trust before the curtains closed. That was refreshing.
What I also liked was the equal distribution of mental load lifting. When Yumi is unsure how to get past her fear of heights, Noelle seamlessly guides them both up the (metaphorical and literal) mountain. When Noelle botches a challenge, Yumi gives her the support to accept their elimination with a proud mindset. When one spirals out of control, the other grounds her, always.
It’s mentioned in the epilogue-y part how many longing pining glances Yumi threw Noelle’s way during filming. Being the protagonist, Noelle doesn’t notice a thing. I wish that we’d gotten a few chapters from Yumi’s pov. I wanted her insight whenever Noelle cracked down on her ex-friend’s inconsideration. I know what it felt like for Noelle to rebuild broken trust, but also hearing Yumi’s more practical prerogative would’ve been nice. After all, it takes two to tango (a joke for those who’ve finished the book).
I liked the approach Baldwin took in writing a reality tv show. The Adventureverse is real in that it clearly brings the two women together. It’s also fake in how many scripted and refilmed shots there are. Baldwin receives bonus points for giving her characters more to do than prance around Europe getting drunk. If you’re interested in a ‘round the world reality tv show fake romance, this will be right up your alley.
I didn’t appreciate the 6-7 reference, purposeful or not. It dates the book as being from 2025 in a cringey way. Given other slang the author uses throughout the novel, I’m assuming she meant to slip it in.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. I will be posting this on Goodreads and/or TikTok and Instagram in early April.
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