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Seyoon and Dean, Unscripted
Winning is Seyoon Shin’s middle name. Okay, it’s not, but she is a winner—despite what her critical dad says. Dean Parker, on the other hand, isn’t beating anyone to the finish line. His strengths are more brain, less brawn.
When Evergreen Expedition—a wilderness game show with an eccentric host and a cult following—announces a reboot, they both jump at the chance to win the prize. Seyoon’s competitiveness fuels a fire in Dean he’s never felt before, and his hunger to prove himself rivals hers.
To get to the finals, they realize they need each other. Seyoon and Dean form an alliance, which the opportunistic producers are quick to frame as romantic. The rivals-to-lovers angle is good for views and intimidating the competition, but their chemistry is just for show . . . right?
As the lines blur between friendship and romance, reality and reality TV, Seyoon and Dean can’t ignore that the finale is fast approaching—and that only one of them can win.
When Evergreen Expedition—a wilderness game show with an eccentric host and a cult following—announces a reboot, they both jump at the chance to win the prize. Seyoon’s competitiveness fuels a fire in Dean he’s never felt before, and his hunger to prove himself rivals hers.
To get to the finals, they realize they need each other. Seyoon and Dean form an alliance, which the opportunistic producers are quick to frame as romantic. The rivals-to-lovers angle is good for views and intimidating the competition, but their chemistry is just for show . . . right?
As the lines blur between friendship and romance, reality and reality TV, Seyoon and Dean can’t ignore that the finale is fast approaching—and that only one of them can win.
332 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 7, 2026
20 people are currently reading
4377 people want to read
About the author
Sujin Witherspoon
2 books245 followersSujin Witherspoon is a Korean American author, artist, and lover of words she can’t pronounce. She gravitates towards stories that will either plague her nightmares or make her stomach hurt from laughter–no in between. She earned her degree in English from the University of Washington and now spends her time writing, thinking about writing, or exploring Seattle. You can find her online at sujinwitherspoon.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Seyoon and Dean, Unscripted
⤷ ⭑⭑⭑⭑.𝟳𝟱
ִֶָ🐝་༘࿐ The most popular Wilderness Gameshow 'Forest Feud' is finally getting a reboot, and it's coming back with a bang featuring teenage contestants who are relatives of notable participants from previous seasons. Among the contestants are Dean Parker, very introverted and who one could call a major Forest Feud nerd, and Seyoon Shin, who is not familiar with the concept of losing andlikely the most athletic person in the group.
When cheating among contestants and scheming behind the scenes begins, they form an alliance that seems like a good idea. Well, the film crew thinks so too, and thus, reality TV's newest star-crossed lovers are born. ⟢
Release Date: April 7, 2026 ⟢
⌞ What To Expect: ⌝
⌗ wilderness game show
⌗ reverse jock x nerd
⌗ fake dating
⌗ confession tapes
⌗ practice kisses
Trust me when I say WHAT A TON OF FUN THIS BOOK WAS. I am still shocked by how quickly I ate this up. because of how invested I was in the characters and the overall plot. Truth be told, the beautiful cover drew me in, but the fun premise kept me engaged throughout. If I had a day to myself, I would've finished this book a lot sooner!
This is my first Sujin Witherspoon book, but best believe it won't be my last. Sujin's writing is so descriptive that you could picture the forest and landscape, yet very easy to take in because this honestly felt like I was watching a reality show, and that takes some talent. ALSO, the CHAPTER TITLES - 'THIS SIGN CAN’T STOP ME ’CAUSE I HAVE DYSLEXIA' - ARE SO OUTRIGHT HILARIOUS.
I was debating giving a short summary of our characters, but it'd be best to dive in with as little information as possible! Because what made this such an engaging read for me was the way the characters felt like real teenagers facing their own struggles. Dean, for example, deals with low self-esteem and anxiety, while Seyoon grapples with her competitiveness and difficulties in interpersonal communication. This comes off as raw yet genuinely authentic. Plus, the sarcastic banter between the two characters complements their personalities and the tension of their situation, which is why the story doesn’t feel overly typical of a YA story.
Now, the romance wasn't as intense as the star-crossed lovers the production crew wanted it to be, but it was gentle and charming. I liked how we didn't rush the romance despite the situation they found themselves in. Considering these are essentially teenagers placed in close proximity to people they would only be with for a little over a week. I enjoyed Seyoon and Dean's camaraderie and friendship more, though Dean does get on my nerves at times for holding back his thoughts rather than communicating. Overall, I liked their early soft love, if you could call it that
We also get a glimpse into the unglamorous life of reality TV. A popular yet overbearing TV host, a diverse group of cast members with lots of personality, and the unfiltered yet totally filtered production crew. These fun elements kept me engaged and unable to put the book down. I want a second book from Ms. Witherspoon as soon as possible!
*·˚ ༘ ➳ Thank you to Netgalley, Union Square & Co., and of course, Sujin Witherspoon for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Please remember that this opinion is my own. ⭑
𓏲 ๋࣭ ࣪ ˖
pre-read : a wilderness game show? SEATED. alsoooo, unplanned buddy read with the lovely, daphne 💘
BRB SCREAMING I GOT APPROVED (*ᴗ͈ˬᴗ͈)ꕤ*.ﾟ
⤷ ⭑⭑⭑⭑.𝟳𝟱
❝ You still want to work with me? Despite everything?”
⋆˚࿔ “Of course I do. Because of everything. ❞
ִֶָ🐝་༘࿐ The most popular Wilderness Gameshow 'Forest Feud' is finally getting a reboot, and it's coming back with a bang featuring teenage contestants who are relatives of notable participants from previous seasons. Among the contestants are Dean Parker, very introverted and who one could call a major Forest Feud nerd, and Seyoon Shin, who is not familiar with the concept of losing and
When cheating among contestants and scheming behind the scenes begins, they form an alliance that seems like a good idea. Well, the film crew thinks so too, and thus, reality TV's newest star-crossed lovers are born. ⟢
Release Date: April 7, 2026 ⟢
⌞ What To Expect: ⌝
⌗ wilderness game show
⌗ reverse jock x nerd
⌗ fake dating
⌗ confession tapes
⌗ practice kisses
Trust me when I say WHAT A TON OF FUN THIS BOOK WAS. I am still shocked by how quickly I ate this up. because of how invested I was in the characters and the overall plot. Truth be told, the beautiful cover drew me in, but the fun premise kept me engaged throughout. If I had a day to myself, I would've finished this book a lot sooner!
This is my first Sujin Witherspoon book, but best believe it won't be my last. Sujin's writing is so descriptive that you could picture the forest and landscape, yet very easy to take in because this honestly felt like I was watching a reality show, and that takes some talent. ALSO, the CHAPTER TITLES - 'THIS SIGN CAN’T STOP ME ’CAUSE I HAVE DYSLEXIA' - ARE SO OUTRIGHT HILARIOUS.
ᯓ★ ❝ Shit. Please don’t be dead?”
After a moment, she cracks her eyes open to my relief. “I’m alive,” she groans. “I refuse to die an embarrassing death. ❞
I was debating giving a short summary of our characters, but it'd be best to dive in with as little information as possible! Because what made this such an engaging read for me was the way the characters felt like real teenagers facing their own struggles. Dean, for example, deals with low self-esteem and anxiety, while Seyoon grapples with her competitiveness and difficulties in interpersonal communication. This comes off as raw yet genuinely authentic. Plus, the sarcastic banter between the two characters complements their personalities and the tension of their situation, which is why the story doesn’t feel overly typical of a YA story.
⋆˚ʚɞ ❝ You promised yourself you’d never freeze again. That’s what you said the other day.” I try to smile for her. “Come on, sunshine. We can’t lose, right? ❞
Now, the romance wasn't as intense as the star-crossed lovers the production crew wanted it to be, but it was gentle and charming. I liked how we didn't rush the romance despite the situation they found themselves in. Considering these are essentially teenagers placed in close proximity to people they would only be with for a little over a week. I enjoyed Seyoon and Dean's camaraderie and friendship more, though Dean does get on my nerves at times for holding back his thoughts rather than communicating. Overall, I liked their early soft love, if you could call it that
ꕤ I knew that reality television was more scripted than they showed, but seeing it for myself is removing some of the magic. Growing up sucks. So does having Garrett as a host.
We also get a glimpse into the unglamorous life of reality TV. A popular yet overbearing TV host, a diverse group of cast members with lots of personality, and the unfiltered yet totally filtered production crew. These fun elements kept me engaged and unable to put the book down. I want a second book from Ms. Witherspoon as soon as possible!
⋆˚✿˖° ❝ There’s not a single camera in sight. We gave our clip-on mics back hours ago. There’s no one here but me and him—for once, for the first time—and yet I’ve never felt more exposed. ❞
*·˚ ༘ ➳ Thank you to Netgalley, Union Square & Co., and of course, Sujin Witherspoon for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Please remember that this opinion is my own. ⭑
𓏲 ๋࣭ ࣪ ˖
pre-read : a wilderness game show? SEATED. alsoooo, unplanned buddy read with the lovely, daphne 💘
BRB SCREAMING I GOT APPROVED (*ᴗ͈ˬᴗ͈)ꕤ*.ﾟ
September 2, 2025
Sujin Witherspoon’s books are an absolute masterclass on the art of writing laugh-out-loud romances for teens. Bingsu For Two is one of my favourite books of all time and Sujin my favourite writer, and with Seyoon and Dean, Unscripted, I was reminded, once more, of why I’ll keep coming back for her books. Abundant with epigrammatic humour and a fresh spin on the classic fake dating trope we all know and love, this whirlwind romcom—with two leads who are both starkly different and yet complement each other perfectly—is going to be the book of the summer. Katniss and Peeta truthers are about to be served the reality show AU of their dreams.
April 28, 2026
“Seyoon and Dean, Unscripted” was such an addictive, fast-paced read. If you’re looking for a story that combines the high stakes of a wilderness survival trek with some slow-burn tension, this one is definitely for you.
I am a huge fan of the enemies-to-friends-to-lovers trope, and this book delivered. I loved watching the initial cockiness and animosity melt into playful teasing and, eventually vulnerability and both characters developing feelings for each other.
The reality TV element was also a big highlight! If you grew up watching “Survivor” or “I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here”, you will love the challenges and scenes where they were filming on set.
There were a few things, however, that I didn’t enjoy as much, which is a shame. Seyoon is a strong, calculated character, and it felt unusual to see her make “silly” decisions on the spot. When the competition narrowed down to the final three, she made a choice that felt completely out of character. There is no way she didn’t realise the obvious consequences! There is simply no way… When she yelled, trying to help Dean, she knew exactly what that would mean. She should’ve owned up to it afterwards.
I also found the resolution for the story’s villain quite unsatisfying. It would have been nice to see an epilogue a few months down the line to see how the dust settled and some villains get their well deserved punishments.
Despite the few frustrations I had, “Seyoon and Dean, Unscripted” is a very well-written adventurous romance. I think it’s a very good choice of a book to take with you on your summer holiday.
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I am a huge fan of the enemies-to-friends-to-lovers trope, and this book delivered. I loved watching the initial cockiness and animosity melt into playful teasing and, eventually vulnerability and both characters developing feelings for each other.
The reality TV element was also a big highlight! If you grew up watching “Survivor” or “I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here”, you will love the challenges and scenes where they were filming on set.
There were a few things, however, that I didn’t enjoy as much, which is a shame. Seyoon is a strong, calculated character, and it felt unusual to see her make “silly” decisions on the spot. When the competition narrowed down to the final three, she made a choice that felt completely out of character. There is no way she didn’t realise the obvious consequences! There is simply no way… When she yelled, trying to help Dean, she knew exactly what that would mean. She should’ve owned up to it afterwards.
I also found the resolution for the story’s villain quite unsatisfying. It would have been nice to see an epilogue a few months down the line to see how the dust settled and some villains get their well deserved punishments.
Despite the few frustrations I had, “Seyoon and Dean, Unscripted” is a very well-written adventurous romance. I think it’s a very good choice of a book to take with you on your summer holiday.
Wishlist | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Ko-fi
November 6, 2025
4.5 rtc
April 11, 2026
4.25 ⭐️
thank you to the author for the arc and having me on the street team!!
i had the absolute best time reading this book, miss sujin just always knows how to write the most chaotic and hilarious characters 🫶 as a huge fan of bingsu for two, i was worried my expectations was too high for this book, but i was seriously blown away. from the chapter titles to the little confession booth commentaries, i was hooked right from the start!
for the characters, seyoon and dean are… way too relatable. i am dean and dean is me, i love a pathetic main character and much like river in bingsu, i am like “yeah exactly me too” to a lot of his reactions. on the other hand, i got a little annoyed and a lot of second hand embarrassment from seyoon. and this made sense after it clicked for me that it’s because she’s also exactly like me and the personification of the emotions i don’t want to feel 🙂↕️🙂↕️ this honestly made the book feel way too real, scaring me from myself (if that makes sense?)
the romance is very very cute, while i read this romcom with the emphasis on the comedy, i really enjoyed the dynamics between seyoon and dean. fake dating is always one of my favourite tropes and the reality tv plot made it even more fun. plot wise, this book was just chaos and i honestly never watched these types survival shows so i was just kind of happy to be there 🧍♀️ all in all, this book was a blast to read and i need miss sujin to stop writing such relatable characters and call me out like that 😭😭
thank you to the author for the arc and having me on the street team!!
i had the absolute best time reading this book, miss sujin just always knows how to write the most chaotic and hilarious characters 🫶 as a huge fan of bingsu for two, i was worried my expectations was too high for this book, but i was seriously blown away. from the chapter titles to the little confession booth commentaries, i was hooked right from the start!
for the characters, seyoon and dean are… way too relatable. i am dean and dean is me, i love a pathetic main character and much like river in bingsu, i am like “yeah exactly me too” to a lot of his reactions. on the other hand, i got a little annoyed and a lot of second hand embarrassment from seyoon. and this made sense after it clicked for me that it’s because she’s also exactly like me and the personification of the emotions i don’t want to feel 🙂↕️🙂↕️ this honestly made the book feel way too real, scaring me from myself (if that makes sense?)
the romance is very very cute, while i read this romcom with the emphasis on the comedy, i really enjoyed the dynamics between seyoon and dean. fake dating is always one of my favourite tropes and the reality tv plot made it even more fun. plot wise, this book was just chaos and i honestly never watched these types survival shows so i was just kind of happy to be there 🧍♀️ all in all, this book was a blast to read and i need miss sujin to stop writing such relatable characters and call me out like that 😭😭
November 14, 2025
sujin is one of the best ya romcom authors !!!!
rtc
rtc
Want to Read
May 7, 2026pre-read review
adding this after reading the 'bingsu for two' arc! i'd read anything by ms witherspoon now <3
adding this after reading the 'bingsu for two' arc! i'd read anything by ms witherspoon now <3
May 1, 2026
Sujin Witherspoon strikes again! Such a fun book! Read Sujin’s books if you want a fun read 🙂↕️.
You know you are in for an enjoyable time right from the get-go because this book had FUN CHAPTER TITLESSSS!! Bring back fun chapter titles omgggg I love them!
The concept for this book is also super fun: a reboot of a super popular wilderness competition reality show where these new cast members are related to previous competitors creates really interesting dynamics! The setting itself was also really cool!
And I loved the MCs, Seyoon and Dean! They’re very different, but both felt so real. Seyoon is confident, charming and competitive to a fault, to the point where she becomes a little arrogant and impulsive because of how much she hates losing. Dean, on the other hand, is more guarded and awkward, though he is really smart and strategic.
The producers asking them to fake-date for the show was probably one of the most believable fake-dating scenarios I’ve seen, which I’m thankful for, because this trope is extremely overdone and authors will make characters fake-date for the stupidest reasons lmao 😭😭😭. This at least made sense.
And I really enjoyed Seyoon and Dean’s dynamic!! Them becoming a team was just suuuper fun! I enjoyed this dynamic even more than the one in “Bingsu For Two”.
I didn’t love the miscommunication / misunderstanding in the last part of the book and I would’ve liked an epilogue (especially to wrap up a bit more of their families’ plot lines), but, overall, this was a really fun read, and I can’t wait for Sujin’s next book!!!
Thanks to the author for providing me with an eARC of this book!
You know you are in for an enjoyable time right from the get-go because this book had FUN CHAPTER TITLESSSS!! Bring back fun chapter titles omgggg I love them!
The concept for this book is also super fun: a reboot of a super popular wilderness competition reality show where these new cast members are related to previous competitors creates really interesting dynamics! The setting itself was also really cool!
And I loved the MCs, Seyoon and Dean! They’re very different, but both felt so real. Seyoon is confident, charming and competitive to a fault, to the point where she becomes a little arrogant and impulsive because of how much she hates losing. Dean, on the other hand, is more guarded and awkward, though he is really smart and strategic.
The producers asking them to fake-date for the show was probably one of the most believable fake-dating scenarios I’ve seen, which I’m thankful for, because this trope is extremely overdone and authors will make characters fake-date for the stupidest reasons lmao 😭😭😭. This at least made sense.
And I really enjoyed Seyoon and Dean’s dynamic!! Them becoming a team was just suuuper fun! I enjoyed this dynamic even more than the one in “Bingsu For Two”.
I didn’t love the miscommunication / misunderstanding in the last part of the book and I would’ve liked an epilogue (especially to wrap up a bit more of their families’ plot lines), but, overall, this was a really fun read, and I can’t wait for Sujin’s next book!!!
Thanks to the author for providing me with an eARC of this book!
April 7, 2026
eARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley
Rating - 4.25⭐️
This is set in a reboot reality tv survival show called “Forest Feud” amongst a diverse cast of characters competing in a forest to win a cash prize. If you love survival shows and reality tv then you’ll have a fun time with this book!
This was very lighthearted and the plot was so fast paced and fun! It was full of humour too that’ll make you laugh out loud. The chapter titles were really funny and unserious too😂.
The characters were so cute together! They had adorable chemistry🥰. Seyoon is very confident, competitive and sporty while Dean was the complete opposite and they complimented each other soooo well. I liked how their relationship developed and the ending was sooooo cutee, it had me smiling so much!! My favourite character was actually the TV host lmao, he made me laugh so much and there’s more to him than meets the eye.
I gave this 4.25 stars because I wasn’t as attached to the characters or invested in them as much as I wanted to be. But I’ll still definitely read this author’s other books!!
Rating - 4.25⭐️
This is set in a reboot reality tv survival show called “Forest Feud” amongst a diverse cast of characters competing in a forest to win a cash prize. If you love survival shows and reality tv then you’ll have a fun time with this book!
This was very lighthearted and the plot was so fast paced and fun! It was full of humour too that’ll make you laugh out loud. The chapter titles were really funny and unserious too😂.
The characters were so cute together! They had adorable chemistry🥰. Seyoon is very confident, competitive and sporty while Dean was the complete opposite and they complimented each other soooo well. I liked how their relationship developed and the ending was sooooo cutee, it had me smiling so much!! My favourite character was actually the TV host lmao, he made me laugh so much and there’s more to him than meets the eye.
I gave this 4.25 stars because I wasn’t as attached to the characters or invested in them as much as I wanted to be. But I’ll still definitely read this author’s other books!!
January 29, 2026
- 4.5 -
Thank you to Sujin Witherspoon for sending me an E-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
The people who know me, knows that "Bingsu for two" is one of my absolute favourite books, so when I heard Sujin Witherspoon was releasing another book you bet I RAN to the ARC signups.
This is a SW book alright, it got that same feel and humor I adored in "Bingsu", as well as a pathetic (/light hearted) yet deeply layered MMC. I loved the interview bits as they added so much to not only the main characters, but the side characters as well, making a very well rounded cast.
I don't read a lot of YA anymore, I feel like I've slightly outgrown them, but "Seyoon and Dean.." is a good example of what I still enjoy in YA-books. It had that teenage drama, but it wasn't the main focus, if that makes sense? It was just a fun time, and the perfect palet cleanser at the time of reading. Also!! It gave me a lot of "Total Drama Island" vibes which I loved, as I really enjoy that show.
As I just said, the book was a fun time and was fairly "unserious" most of the time, but I really admire how Witherspoon manages to put in more serious topics, especially regarding family issues, without downplaying it. The funny bits doesn't take away from the serious bits and vice versa.
All in all, if you enjoy rivals-to-lovers and romcoms I cannot recommend this book enough, and I'm excited for the rest of the world to read it on April 7th.
Thank you to Sujin Witherspoon for sending me an E-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
The people who know me, knows that "Bingsu for two" is one of my absolute favourite books, so when I heard Sujin Witherspoon was releasing another book you bet I RAN to the ARC signups.
This is a SW book alright, it got that same feel and humor I adored in "Bingsu", as well as a pathetic (/light hearted) yet deeply layered MMC. I loved the interview bits as they added so much to not only the main characters, but the side characters as well, making a very well rounded cast.
I don't read a lot of YA anymore, I feel like I've slightly outgrown them, but "Seyoon and Dean.." is a good example of what I still enjoy in YA-books. It had that teenage drama, but it wasn't the main focus, if that makes sense? It was just a fun time, and the perfect palet cleanser at the time of reading. Also!! It gave me a lot of "Total Drama Island" vibes which I loved, as I really enjoy that show.
As I just said, the book was a fun time and was fairly "unserious" most of the time, but I really admire how Witherspoon manages to put in more serious topics, especially regarding family issues, without downplaying it. The funny bits doesn't take away from the serious bits and vice versa.
All in all, if you enjoy rivals-to-lovers and romcoms I cannot recommend this book enough, and I'm excited for the rest of the world to read it on April 7th.
March 26, 2026
Thank-you NetGalley and Union Square & Co for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
synopsis
When Seyoon Shin lands a spot on the reboot of Forest Feud-an outdoor game show with a cult following, she jumps at the chance to win the prize. On the other hand, Dean Parker’s strengths are more brainiac in nature but his drive to prove himself takes over.
To reach the final challenge, Seyoon and Dean realise they could use each other. Together they form an alliance, which producers decide to frame as more romantically motivated than a strategy to reach the end.
As the lines between reality and TV reality bur, Seyoon and Dean can’t ignore the fast-approaching finale… where only one of them can win.
‘You’re not too much. You’re better than good enough.’
my thoughts
If there’s one thing Sujin Witherspoon knows how to do it’s write a young adult romance. I came across Witherspoon’s debut novel Bingsu for Two last year and was enraptured by her storytelling and quirky characters. So let me tell you–when I received an eARC of Seyoon and Dean, Unscripted from Netgalley (thanks again) I squealed.
I normally wouldn’t choose a book with a reality TV setting, but Witherspoon is now an auto-buy author for me, so I couldn’t help myself. Despite my initial worries, I found this reality-show adventure extremely enjoyable and funny. It was fun getting a glimpse of reality TV might be like, complete with fake romance, confession tapes and a little friendly rivalry. What I especially love is that all of Witherspoon’s characters have their own small arcs––even the parents, which makes her stories feel more well-rounded.
My absolute favourite thing though is the chapter titles (never stop with these). Please see below a list of honourable mentions:
~ Sunshine, Funko Pops, and Rainbows
~ Do I Get Any Credit for Not Resorting to Violence? Because I Should
~ The Most Diabolical Therapist the Field of Psychology Has Seen Since Freud
characters
Seyoon
While I couldn’t relate to Seyoon, I understood her competitive nature. The need to be the best and win because that’s the only way people will notice your efforts. Because being 2nd may as well equal failure. Seyoon’s need to win impacts every part of her life including relationships with those she loves most.
Dean
No matter how hard I try I can’t get the visual of Dean being yeeted out of the inflatable tube out of my brain––it’s just too damn funny. Speaking of funny, Dean feels like the loveable goofball but is smart in a surprising sort of way. His POV dominated the romance aspect of the book which I loved as I often feel like we do not get enough male POV in romance books.
summary
Between the loveable characters, behind-the-scenes drama, and chapter titles why not pick up a YA that doesn’t feel like a YA.
Seyoon and Dean, Unscripted is out April 7, so preorder now!
synopsis
When Seyoon Shin lands a spot on the reboot of Forest Feud-an outdoor game show with a cult following, she jumps at the chance to win the prize. On the other hand, Dean Parker’s strengths are more brainiac in nature but his drive to prove himself takes over.
To reach the final challenge, Seyoon and Dean realise they could use each other. Together they form an alliance, which producers decide to frame as more romantically motivated than a strategy to reach the end.
As the lines between reality and TV reality bur, Seyoon and Dean can’t ignore the fast-approaching finale… where only one of them can win.
‘You’re not too much. You’re better than good enough.’
my thoughts
If there’s one thing Sujin Witherspoon knows how to do it’s write a young adult romance. I came across Witherspoon’s debut novel Bingsu for Two last year and was enraptured by her storytelling and quirky characters. So let me tell you–when I received an eARC of Seyoon and Dean, Unscripted from Netgalley (thanks again) I squealed.
I normally wouldn’t choose a book with a reality TV setting, but Witherspoon is now an auto-buy author for me, so I couldn’t help myself. Despite my initial worries, I found this reality-show adventure extremely enjoyable and funny. It was fun getting a glimpse of reality TV might be like, complete with fake romance, confession tapes and a little friendly rivalry. What I especially love is that all of Witherspoon’s characters have their own small arcs––even the parents, which makes her stories feel more well-rounded.
My absolute favourite thing though is the chapter titles (never stop with these). Please see below a list of honourable mentions:
~ Sunshine, Funko Pops, and Rainbows
~ Do I Get Any Credit for Not Resorting to Violence? Because I Should
~ The Most Diabolical Therapist the Field of Psychology Has Seen Since Freud
characters
Seyoon
While I couldn’t relate to Seyoon, I understood her competitive nature. The need to be the best and win because that’s the only way people will notice your efforts. Because being 2nd may as well equal failure. Seyoon’s need to win impacts every part of her life including relationships with those she loves most.
Dean
No matter how hard I try I can’t get the visual of Dean being yeeted out of the inflatable tube out of my brain––it’s just too damn funny. Speaking of funny, Dean feels like the loveable goofball but is smart in a surprising sort of way. His POV dominated the romance aspect of the book which I loved as I often feel like we do not get enough male POV in romance books.
summary
Between the loveable characters, behind-the-scenes drama, and chapter titles why not pick up a YA that doesn’t feel like a YA.
Seyoon and Dean, Unscripted is out April 7, so preorder now!
October 27, 2025
This book was a goshdarn delight! I love it when you finally find an author whose writing style you can trust to be a good and valuable read. Seyoon & Dean, Unscripted is just that: we see Witherspoon’s signature heart, charm and wit throughout its pages of behind-the-scenes reality show drama. I loved the unconventional trope dynamics that felt genuinely sweet and wholesome, and I loved the emphasis of friendships and intentional healing.
There was so much hilarity and youthfulness in this book, from the chapter titles to the confessionals to the playful banter. Witherspoon makes you fall in love (or proper annoyance ahem Carter) with characters, and it’s exciting to watch them grow during this pivotal time of their life. Thank you so so much to Sujin Witherspoon for this ARC, I will forever love your work and unforgettable characters!
There was so much hilarity and youthfulness in this book, from the chapter titles to the confessionals to the playful banter. Witherspoon makes you fall in love (or proper annoyance ahem Carter) with characters, and it’s exciting to watch them grow during this pivotal time of their life. Thank you so so much to Sujin Witherspoon for this ARC, I will forever love your work and unforgettable characters!
December 8, 2025
Seyoon and Dean, Unscripted just reminded me again why Sujin Witherspoon is one of my favourite romance authors, and I'll be forever grateful to have received an ARC of this book.
Sujin Witherspoon's books are the perfect blend of romantic tension, laugh-out-loud scenes, and unforgettable and diverse characters. Her writing is so bingable, and the chapter titles are always something to look forward to. Seyoon and Dean were such charming main characters, both with their own flaws and fun quirks, which made them who they are. The survival show itself had so many funny behind-the-scenes moments and creative challenges, I found myself cheering Seyoon and Dean on more than once. Reading from both of their POVs, understanding their thoughts and motives, and witnessing them finally realizing that they have feelings for each other made me love them even more.
I've been craving a good unputdownable Fake-Dating Romance for some time now, and Seyoon and Dean, Unscripted and Sujin Witherspoon certainly didn't disappoint me.
Sujin Witherspoon's books are the perfect blend of romantic tension, laugh-out-loud scenes, and unforgettable and diverse characters. Her writing is so bingable, and the chapter titles are always something to look forward to. Seyoon and Dean were such charming main characters, both with their own flaws and fun quirks, which made them who they are. The survival show itself had so many funny behind-the-scenes moments and creative challenges, I found myself cheering Seyoon and Dean on more than once. Reading from both of their POVs, understanding their thoughts and motives, and witnessing them finally realizing that they have feelings for each other made me love them even more.
I've been craving a good unputdownable Fake-Dating Romance for some time now, and Seyoon and Dean, Unscripted and Sujin Witherspoon certainly didn't disappoint me.
Read
December 24, 2025rtc!!
March 30, 2026
no because now i want to go on a reality tv show
April 11, 2026
CUTEEEEEEEE
April 24, 2026
it was such a cute read!! i adored this book and the characters seyoon and dean. their tasks in reality tv game show was so fun to read.
August 10, 2025
Sun-soaked, hilarious, and full of heart this is the ultimate showmance you’ll be rooting for from episode one. Witherspoon is the queen of banter, deftly blending laugh-out-loud hijinks and important diverse rep with love, legacy, and being brave enough to forge your own path under the weight of expectations. An enemies-to-lovers romp that shines as brightly as a summer sunset!
January 25, 2026
the premise of this was unique and overall this was a pretty cute and fun read with interesting characters and stakes but the details at the end just pissed me off LOL
the points leaderboard before and after the semi final challenge was literally wrong (somehow dean gained no points despite the fact that 4th place was supposed to get 10????) so like dean should have stayed anyway LOL and even if it wasn’t like….dean splits from seyoon to help her win and in turn she sabotages her friendship with vendredi for him to stay (even after agonizing over another failed female friendship the whole book???) and then at the finals again he lets her win like…we just did that guys like we could have had an actually high stakes final w seyoon vendredi and Carter bc we already know what dean is willing to sacrifice for her bc he literally did it like 20 pages ago man
but overall I had fun and even though fake dating isn’t high on my list I thought their fake relationship was buzzy and the transition from faking it to real feelings was so good
the points leaderboard before and after the semi final challenge was literally wrong (somehow dean gained no points despite the fact that 4th place was supposed to get 10????) so like dean should have stayed anyway LOL and even if it wasn’t like….dean splits from seyoon to help her win and in turn she sabotages her friendship with vendredi for him to stay (even after agonizing over another failed female friendship the whole book???) and then at the finals again he lets her win like…we just did that guys like we could have had an actually high stakes final w seyoon vendredi and Carter bc we already know what dean is willing to sacrifice for her bc he literally did it like 20 pages ago man
but overall I had fun and even though fake dating isn’t high on my list I thought their fake relationship was buzzy and the transition from faking it to real feelings was so good
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 30, 2026
There are some books that just simply change the trajectory of your teenage life. Though my teen years are past me, this book certainly changed the trajectory of my twenties, because Seyoon and Dean, Unscripted, is that girl. It’s the epitome of contemporary YA with its hilarious banter, teenage angst, and that, je ne sais quoi, friction of a romance.
As a reader, its simply so satisfying to come across a novel that ticks every box that you ask of it. The pacing, the characters, the silly jokes and awkward moments, I adored each and every page of this book. And maybe, I’m cursing Sujin for not writing this like eight years ago, but I am sure thankful to have it now. It’s not too sweet, not too bitter, but it captures that moment of realizing that growing up means you have to be the one to take care of your family all too well.
Seyoon, who struggles to balance her own personality and maintain friends, is fighting for a future with her mother. Her own ambition and competitiveness gets in the way of her truly opening up to her peers - and I saw her and thought of myself at that age, too. Her character is really well done. I do think that not all readers will like her, but that’s what truly appeals to me. So many female YA protagonists are put in this box of “they can’t be a bit narcissistic” or allowed to bite, but she is all those things, and yeah, she doesn’t always have to be so nice about it. I can think of a few other authors that were criticized for not writing a character that was completely likeable, and I salute the author for taking that leap in an age range and genre where most often, characters are meant to be easy.
Similar yet on the opposite end is Dean, who is (according to Seyoon) Stuart Little but hot, like in a little mousy dork way. With the pressure of not just his but his sister’s future on his shoulders, he’s using all the experience of watching reruns of Forest Feud to work out his strategy. He truly made me laugh, though his endless patience was beyond me. I did get frustrated with him here and there, though I couldn’t tell if that was my inner Seyoon or if he was meant to tick me off that much. But I loved that, too. He’s meant to be this soft, sweet guy, but he still has flaws, and I enjoyed his internal struggles as he finally got over them.
And the concept of a reality show throwing teenagers into the woods to do a perfectly scripted whatever is just hilarious! Living in the Pacific Northwest myself, I love the nature here too, but the idea of throwing these kids into the yonder off a floating tube was quite entertaining. I quite enjoyed the “confessions” interview style as well, which gave us a look into all the side characters, even the ones I didn’t like. I am also the #1 Sidd and Arin bromance shipper. We need more bromances in books. Theirs had me giggling like an idiot, and I am not so gently requesting that the producers of the Forest Feud make a show where they go on adventures.
I was first drawn to the book because of the fact that the author is also Korean, and I really appreciated the way Seyoon’s background was acknowledged. Though it’s not the most major part of her story, the hangul, the expectations, were a loving nod to our culture. Not every book has to be super in-depth about educating everyone on someone’s identity, though we still need stories like that. Sometimes, just acceptance and normalcy speaks volumes.
If you couldn’t tell already, I love Seyoon and Dean, Unscripted. It’s fun, angsty, and it just fits the teenage audience so well. I don’t remember the last time I was able to enjoy a book this way, and it encourages me to read more YA contemporary again. 13/10, highly recommend. I truly think this is one of those books that make a great gift for the teen in your life not just because it’s a good book, but because its just so entertaining. It’s the sort of book that even non-readers will rave about, and the spliced-in, TV-interview style format makes it just that much better.
Thank you to Hachette Book Group Canada for the review copy! I truly sprinted into the woods after this one and it was so so worth it.
As a reader, its simply so satisfying to come across a novel that ticks every box that you ask of it. The pacing, the characters, the silly jokes and awkward moments, I adored each and every page of this book. And maybe, I’m cursing Sujin for not writing this like eight years ago, but I am sure thankful to have it now. It’s not too sweet, not too bitter, but it captures that moment of realizing that growing up means you have to be the one to take care of your family all too well.
Seyoon, who struggles to balance her own personality and maintain friends, is fighting for a future with her mother. Her own ambition and competitiveness gets in the way of her truly opening up to her peers - and I saw her and thought of myself at that age, too. Her character is really well done. I do think that not all readers will like her, but that’s what truly appeals to me. So many female YA protagonists are put in this box of “they can’t be a bit narcissistic” or allowed to bite, but she is all those things, and yeah, she doesn’t always have to be so nice about it. I can think of a few other authors that were criticized for not writing a character that was completely likeable, and I salute the author for taking that leap in an age range and genre where most often, characters are meant to be easy.
Similar yet on the opposite end is Dean, who is (according to Seyoon) Stuart Little but hot, like in a little mousy dork way. With the pressure of not just his but his sister’s future on his shoulders, he’s using all the experience of watching reruns of Forest Feud to work out his strategy. He truly made me laugh, though his endless patience was beyond me. I did get frustrated with him here and there, though I couldn’t tell if that was my inner Seyoon or if he was meant to tick me off that much. But I loved that, too. He’s meant to be this soft, sweet guy, but he still has flaws, and I enjoyed his internal struggles as he finally got over them.
And the concept of a reality show throwing teenagers into the woods to do a perfectly scripted whatever is just hilarious! Living in the Pacific Northwest myself, I love the nature here too, but the idea of throwing these kids into the yonder off a floating tube was quite entertaining. I quite enjoyed the “confessions” interview style as well, which gave us a look into all the side characters, even the ones I didn’t like. I am also the #1 Sidd and Arin bromance shipper. We need more bromances in books. Theirs had me giggling like an idiot, and I am not so gently requesting that the producers of the Forest Feud make a show where they go on adventures.
I was first drawn to the book because of the fact that the author is also Korean, and I really appreciated the way Seyoon’s background was acknowledged. Though it’s not the most major part of her story, the hangul, the expectations, were a loving nod to our culture. Not every book has to be super in-depth about educating everyone on someone’s identity, though we still need stories like that. Sometimes, just acceptance and normalcy speaks volumes.
If you couldn’t tell already, I love Seyoon and Dean, Unscripted. It’s fun, angsty, and it just fits the teenage audience so well. I don’t remember the last time I was able to enjoy a book this way, and it encourages me to read more YA contemporary again. 13/10, highly recommend. I truly think this is one of those books that make a great gift for the teen in your life not just because it’s a good book, but because its just so entertaining. It’s the sort of book that even non-readers will rave about, and the spliced-in, TV-interview style format makes it just that much better.
Thank you to Hachette Book Group Canada for the review copy! I truly sprinted into the woods after this one and it was so so worth it.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you for the publisher and Netgalley for gifting me this ARC :)
2.75 stars, rounded up (I´m feeling generous today)
"Seyoon and Dean, Unscripted" was a book I requested straight away. I mean, the cover´s interesting, and so is the premise. So I was ecstatic when I found out my request was approved. This read was honestly really ok. It wasn´t bad, but it wasn´t incredible either. I´ll probably forget about it soon 😮💨 I found the FMC to be a very interesting character, but the MMC? I disliked him. Most of the other characters were to me just flat and surface level. Oh well. C'est la vie 🤷
The Characters:
- Seyoon: I found her to be an interesting character. She was strong, bold, smart and hardworking, always doing her best to help her mother in any way she could. Nonetheless, there were plenty of moments were I found myself to be annoyed by her. Sometimes, she´d be TOO reckless and impulsive, and she was arrogant and naive.
-Dean: I couldn´t stand him. He had no backbone, was a coward, couldn´t stand his ground. We´re told he´s really intelligent, but when do we see that? Never. Lot´s of telling, not so much telling. He was naive, a coward (ik i said it already, but ig i wasn´t clear enough). He had no confidence, and maybe it would have been understandable if we were given more context.
-Vendredi (ik her name is friday in french, which is so weird tbh, but i swear she´s cool otherwise):I really liked her character, she was relatable, funny and an amazing friend
-Garett: You´re a man in your forties (i think?) yet you have the maturity of a twelve year old. Grow up.
-Blake: You´re a terrible person. You´re a snake. Wait, no. Your a wolf in sheep´s clothing. You´re older than Garett, but less mature than even him. Aren´t you embarrassed?
-Deans Dad: He came of as really competitive
-Seyoons mom: She´s a DIVA ✨✨✨✨✨✨
-Characters that could have had an impact but didn´t (lost potential): Amelia, Seyoons Dad, Carter
The Plot:
The teen relatives of past participants of the very popular, 15 season, hit reality tv show are invited to participate in the reboot of Forest Feud, which has a grand prize of 1. MILLION. DOLLARS. So of course, many sign up. Among those participants, we have Seyoon, an overachiever that is bold and loud, whose mother is struggling through financial problems, and Dean, a weak little guy who was forced to participate by his father. There are many challenges, and in each one, one or more participants are eliminated. After a rocky start between Dean and Seyoon, they ally together and start a little fake romance, and I WAS HERE FOR IT!!! I love me some goooooooooooodd fake dating 🙃. The challenges go on and happen, but I can´t spoil, so yeah.
The Romance:
I´m sorry, the romance was really bad imo. This is fake dating DONE WRONG. They had no chemistry, and the MCs just didn´t click.
The Writing:
I found the writing to be smooth and easy to understand.
The Ending:
It was SO unsatisfying, too abrupt.
The Verdict:
This was a fun read, but I didn´t really enjoy the romance aspect of this book. It was ok. I wouldn´t recommend this really to anyone, unless they´re into the reality tv aspect and don´t care about the romance.
2.75 stars, rounded up (I´m feeling generous today)
"Seyoon and Dean, Unscripted" was a book I requested straight away. I mean, the cover´s interesting, and so is the premise. So I was ecstatic when I found out my request was approved. This read was honestly really ok. It wasn´t bad, but it wasn´t incredible either. I´ll probably forget about it soon 😮💨 I found the FMC to be a very interesting character, but the MMC? I disliked him. Most of the other characters were to me just flat and surface level. Oh well. C'est la vie 🤷
The Characters:
- Seyoon: I found her to be an interesting character. She was strong, bold, smart and hardworking, always doing her best to help her mother in any way she could. Nonetheless, there were plenty of moments were I found myself to be annoyed by her. Sometimes, she´d be TOO reckless and impulsive, and she was arrogant and naive.
-Dean: I couldn´t stand him. He had no backbone, was a coward, couldn´t stand his ground. We´re told he´s really intelligent, but when do we see that? Never. Lot´s of telling, not so much telling. He was naive, a coward (ik i said it already, but ig i wasn´t clear enough). He had no confidence, and maybe it would have been understandable if we were given more context.
-Vendredi (ik her name is friday in french, which is so weird tbh, but i swear she´s cool otherwise):I really liked her character, she was relatable, funny and an amazing friend
-Garett: You´re a man in your forties (i think?) yet you have the maturity of a twelve year old. Grow up.
-Blake: You´re a terrible person. You´re a snake. Wait, no. Your a wolf in sheep´s clothing. You´re older than Garett, but less mature than even him. Aren´t you embarrassed?
-Deans Dad: He came of as really competitive
-Seyoons mom: She´s a DIVA ✨✨✨✨✨✨
-Characters that could have had an impact but didn´t (lost potential): Amelia, Seyoons Dad, Carter
The Plot:
The teen relatives of past participants of the very popular, 15 season, hit reality tv show are invited to participate in the reboot of Forest Feud, which has a grand prize of 1. MILLION. DOLLARS. So of course, many sign up. Among those participants, we have Seyoon, an overachiever that is bold and loud, whose mother is struggling through financial problems, and Dean, a weak little guy who was forced to participate by his father. There are many challenges, and in each one, one or more participants are eliminated. After a rocky start between Dean and Seyoon, they ally together and start a little fake romance, and I WAS HERE FOR IT!!! I love me some goooooooooooodd fake dating 🙃. The challenges go on and happen, but I can´t spoil, so yeah.
The Romance:
I´m sorry, the romance was really bad imo. This is fake dating DONE WRONG. They had no chemistry, and the MCs just didn´t click.
The Writing:
I found the writing to be smooth and easy to understand.
The Ending:
It was SO unsatisfying, too abrupt.
The Verdict:
This was a fun read, but I didn´t really enjoy the romance aspect of this book. It was ok. I wouldn´t recommend this really to anyone, unless they´re into the reality tv aspect and don´t care about the romance.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
When Seyoon Shin (Korean-American) and Dean Parker (white) end up forming an alliance while competing on the reality television show Forest Feud, they don’t expect the real challenge to be the chemistry between them.This is Sujin Witherspoon’s second book, and I am convinced the author can’t miss; this book had me cackling from page one. Readers will love the witty banter between Seyoon and Dean, the reality show gimmicks, and the way the tension builds with each chapter as the main characters get closer and closer to the finale where only one of them can win.
While the circumstances of Seyoon and Dean’s appearance on Forest Feud may not be very relatable, readers - particularly teens - will absolutely see themselves in the insecurities and motivations of each of the main characters. Seyoon is driven and competitive, almost to a fault. She desperately wants to give Umma (her mother) a better life, while grappling with the emotional wounds left by Appa (her father). Dean is awkward, timid, and lacking in confidence, always in the shadow of his more outspoken sister and powerhouse father. With each challenge, Seyoon and Dean learn not only how to work together but also how to be better versions of themselves. Some of this learning comes from their time with one another, but some of it comes through relationships with secondary characters (Seyoon) or the very nature of the challenges (Dean).
One other thing to note is Dean’s POV. A lot of romance on the market features female (or female presenting) main characters and voices, so it’s always refreshing to see a romance book with a male/male-presenting protagonist. If you have romance readers at your library craving this perspective, they’ll definitely enjoy both the adventure of the reality TV competition mixed with Dean’s POV of his first foray into romance. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
While the circumstances of Seyoon and Dean’s appearance on Forest Feud may not be very relatable, readers - particularly teens - will absolutely see themselves in the insecurities and motivations of each of the main characters. Seyoon is driven and competitive, almost to a fault. She desperately wants to give Umma (her mother) a better life, while grappling with the emotional wounds left by Appa (her father). Dean is awkward, timid, and lacking in confidence, always in the shadow of his more outspoken sister and powerhouse father. With each challenge, Seyoon and Dean learn not only how to work together but also how to be better versions of themselves. Some of this learning comes from their time with one another, but some of it comes through relationships with secondary characters (Seyoon) or the very nature of the challenges (Dean).
One other thing to note is Dean’s POV. A lot of romance on the market features female (or female presenting) main characters and voices, so it’s always refreshing to see a romance book with a male/male-presenting protagonist. If you have romance readers at your library craving this perspective, they’ll definitely enjoy both the adventure of the reality TV competition mixed with Dean’s POV of his first foray into romance. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
⭐️ 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5
📖 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗜𝗳 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗟𝗶𝗸𝗲:
➛ Young Adult Romance
➛ Rivals to Lovers
➛ Dual POV
➛ Fake Dating
➛ Reality TV Competition
💭 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀:
After falling in love with Sujin Witherspoon’s debut novel Bingsu for Two last year, she has 100% become an auto buy author for me. As a Korean American myself, reading her books feels like reading a love letter to Korean culture.
In her second book, the banter is sarcastic and genuinely funny. The way Sujin weaves emotional depth into the story through the exploration of different family dynamics and struggles is unmatched. The family situations for both main characters felt realistic, and the character development was top tier. The pacing stayed smooth and consistent the entire time. Nothing felt slow or repetitive. I loved how both main characters were self aware of their "flaws" and actively tried to fix theirmistakes. Even though this is young adult, nothing felt overly dramatic or immature.
I also really enjoyed the confession tapes. They added another layer to the story and really let both the main and side characters’ personalities shine through.
At this point, I will read anything Sujin writes.
💬 𝗙𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗤𝘂𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀:
-The quotes referenced are from an advanced reader's copy and may not reflect the final version. Please refer to the finished copy for accuracy.-
"Neither of us are the kind of people that life gives endless opportunities to- that's why I have to get things right the first time."
"I don't like being the kind of person who needs a shoulder to cry on. That's all. I hate being weak, someone who needs help. It's easier being the shoulder."
"Men are allowed to react, but women can only overreact."
"I'm not a lot of things. I'm not smart enough, good enough- somehow though, I'm still too much."
✨️ Thank you so much to NetGalley and Union Square & Co. for the advanced copy of Seyoon and Dean, Unscripted in exchange for an honest review.
📖 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗜𝗳 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗟𝗶𝗸𝗲:
➛ Young Adult Romance
➛ Rivals to Lovers
➛ Dual POV
➛ Fake Dating
➛ Reality TV Competition
💭 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀:
After falling in love with Sujin Witherspoon’s debut novel Bingsu for Two last year, she has 100% become an auto buy author for me. As a Korean American myself, reading her books feels like reading a love letter to Korean culture.
In her second book, the banter is sarcastic and genuinely funny. The way Sujin weaves emotional depth into the story through the exploration of different family dynamics and struggles is unmatched. The family situations for both main characters felt realistic, and the character development was top tier. The pacing stayed smooth and consistent the entire time. Nothing felt slow or repetitive. I loved how both main characters were self aware of their "flaws" and actively tried to fix theirmistakes. Even though this is young adult, nothing felt overly dramatic or immature.
I also really enjoyed the confession tapes. They added another layer to the story and really let both the main and side characters’ personalities shine through.
At this point, I will read anything Sujin writes.
💬 𝗙𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗤𝘂𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀:
-The quotes referenced are from an advanced reader's copy and may not reflect the final version. Please refer to the finished copy for accuracy.-
"Neither of us are the kind of people that life gives endless opportunities to- that's why I have to get things right the first time."
"I don't like being the kind of person who needs a shoulder to cry on. That's all. I hate being weak, someone who needs help. It's easier being the shoulder."
"Men are allowed to react, but women can only overreact."
"I'm not a lot of things. I'm not smart enough, good enough- somehow though, I'm still too much."
✨️ Thank you so much to NetGalley and Union Square & Co. for the advanced copy of Seyoon and Dean, Unscripted in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to Sujin Witherspoon for letting me read and review this book early. All thoughts are my own!!
This book is probably the funniest book I’ve read in a long time!! From the way we cut to confessionals to the chapters titles and everything in between, Seyoon and Dean, Unscripted is a riotously good time!!
I loved Bingsu for Two, and I was extremely excited to read Sujin’s next book. I’m anxiously awaiting my preorder to come so I can add it to my shelf, but until then, let me rave about this book!!
Dean needs to win to convince his father to trust him and his twin to sister move away from home and be okay. He’s such a gentle character, and I really enjoyed how he was written. He’s steady and definitely compliments Seyoon in their partnership. He’s also queer and loves to read, and I really enjoyed watching him grow bolder and more confident throughout this story.
Seyoon is convinced she’s “too much” and that people will always leave. She needs to win so she can take care of her mom and to spite her dad. She’s extremely confident and knows what she wants. I LOVE HER!! I really loved being in her head and seeing her grow to accept help from others the way she wants to help them.
The other contestants added so much to this story that I was genuinely so bummed when they would get eliminated and have to leave. This story was so fun and kept me so invested until the end!!
The romance in this book may not have been as much of the plot as the actual game show was, but that’s doesn’t make it any less sweet and rewarding. I really loved watching Seyoon and Dean go from adversaries to reluctant allies to friends to actually having feelings for each other. It was very cute!!
Can’t wait for Sujin’s next book, and I’ll be counting down the days until I can read it!!
This book is probably the funniest book I’ve read in a long time!! From the way we cut to confessionals to the chapters titles and everything in between, Seyoon and Dean, Unscripted is a riotously good time!!
I loved Bingsu for Two, and I was extremely excited to read Sujin’s next book. I’m anxiously awaiting my preorder to come so I can add it to my shelf, but until then, let me rave about this book!!
Dean needs to win to convince his father to trust him and his twin to sister move away from home and be okay. He’s such a gentle character, and I really enjoyed how he was written. He’s steady and definitely compliments Seyoon in their partnership. He’s also queer and loves to read, and I really enjoyed watching him grow bolder and more confident throughout this story.
Seyoon is convinced she’s “too much” and that people will always leave. She needs to win so she can take care of her mom and to spite her dad. She’s extremely confident and knows what she wants. I LOVE HER!! I really loved being in her head and seeing her grow to accept help from others the way she wants to help them.
The other contestants added so much to this story that I was genuinely so bummed when they would get eliminated and have to leave. This story was so fun and kept me so invested until the end!!
The romance in this book may not have been as much of the plot as the actual game show was, but that’s doesn’t make it any less sweet and rewarding. I really loved watching Seyoon and Dean go from adversaries to reluctant allies to friends to actually having feelings for each other. It was very cute!!
Can’t wait for Sujin’s next book, and I’ll be counting down the days until I can read it!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 11, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Union Square & Co. for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Seyoon and Dean, children of two finalists of Forest Feud, find themselves in the reboot of Forest Feud hosted by the winner turned host who cheated his win against their parents.
Seyoon is a confident, competitive student athlete committed to winning the prize money to support her newly single mother; Dean is an introverted nerd who regularly rewatches Forest Feud and wants to win to move himself and his sister to the Pacific Northwest to go to school. Together, they create an alliance showmance to help win competitions and scare off their competitors.
I really liked Seyoon. She is kind, but her competitiveness inhibits some of her relationships. She wants to be the best, but she also wants the close friendships that she often drives away in her efforts to win. She often finds herself torn between the two. Dean is a massive nerd, shy and awkward and finds himself freezing in situations where he needs to advocate for himself. With Seyoon’s athleticness and survivalist abilities, and Dean’s trivia knowledge and nerdiness, the pair finds themselves winning challenges, but their strengths create challenges in the high-stakes competition.
I loved the slow burn of Seyoon’s and Dean’s relationship. Their actions and thoughtfulness toward each other is so sweet. The stargazing picnic was adorable.
I loved the ambience of the PNW. Many of the challenges occur within the trees, the forest and the nearby lake.
I enjoyed the dynamic between Seyoon, Dean and the other 6 competitors. It was sad to see them be eliminated.
I wish we had an epilogue of Seyoon and Dean reuniting and Seyoon making amends and working on her friendships. The story basically ends with Seyoon and Dean leaving Forest Feud and going their separate ways.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Seyoon and Dean, children of two finalists of Forest Feud, find themselves in the reboot of Forest Feud hosted by the winner turned host who cheated his win against their parents.
Seyoon is a confident, competitive student athlete committed to winning the prize money to support her newly single mother; Dean is an introverted nerd who regularly rewatches Forest Feud and wants to win to move himself and his sister to the Pacific Northwest to go to school. Together, they create an alliance showmance to help win competitions and scare off their competitors.
I really liked Seyoon. She is kind, but her competitiveness inhibits some of her relationships. She wants to be the best, but she also wants the close friendships that she often drives away in her efforts to win. She often finds herself torn between the two. Dean is a massive nerd, shy and awkward and finds himself freezing in situations where he needs to advocate for himself. With Seyoon’s athleticness and survivalist abilities, and Dean’s trivia knowledge and nerdiness, the pair finds themselves winning challenges, but their strengths create challenges in the high-stakes competition.
I loved the slow burn of Seyoon’s and Dean’s relationship. Their actions and thoughtfulness toward each other is so sweet. The stargazing picnic was adorable.
I loved the ambience of the PNW. Many of the challenges occur within the trees, the forest and the nearby lake.
I enjoyed the dynamic between Seyoon, Dean and the other 6 competitors. It was sad to see them be eliminated.
I wish we had an epilogue of Seyoon and Dean reuniting and Seyoon making amends and working on her friendships. The story basically ends with Seyoon and Dean leaving Forest Feud and going their separate ways.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Union Square & Co for the e-ARC!
Seyoon and Dean join the reboot of a outdoors reality competition show that both of their parents were betrayed on.
This book was a really fun read, with engaging character dynamics, challenges, and character growth. All of the chapter titles were delights to read as well!
I loved the setting in the PNW (Washington) and thought it was fairly well-described.
Seyoon and Dean's relationship was believably constructed within the context of the show and their parent's historical connection. Their opposing personalities complemented each other and made for realistic tensions, where one of them might not understand the other's motivations for a certain action.
The confessional sections were fun to read, and I also appreciated that in the conversations Seyoon had with her mother, the text was written in Korean, with a footnote including the translation.
It was also great to have multiple queer characters in the story. [And even though it's not explicitly stated, Dean is gender neutral when talking generally about people he'd be interested in, so I am choosing to read him as bisexual :3]
Dean's sister Meredith was strong in the beginning so I would've liked to see her more, but the book doesn't suffer from her absence.
This book addressed isssues of self-esteem, perfectionism, misogyny, divorce, etc.) while being a light and enjoyable read, so I commend the author for adeptly creating a fun story that has depth.
I would definitely recommend this book to people who love outdoor reality competition shows, jock girl x nerd (a little bit pathetic in a charming way) boy dynamics, and young adult novels with engaging and charming humour.
Seyoon and Dean join the reboot of a outdoors reality competition show that both of their parents were betrayed on.
This book was a really fun read, with engaging character dynamics, challenges, and character growth. All of the chapter titles were delights to read as well!
I loved the setting in the PNW (Washington) and thought it was fairly well-described.
Seyoon and Dean's relationship was believably constructed within the context of the show and their parent's historical connection. Their opposing personalities complemented each other and made for realistic tensions, where one of them might not understand the other's motivations for a certain action.
The confessional sections were fun to read, and I also appreciated that in the conversations Seyoon had with her mother, the text was written in Korean, with a footnote including the translation.
It was also great to have multiple queer characters in the story. [And even though it's not explicitly stated, Dean is gender neutral when talking generally about people he'd be interested in, so I am choosing to read him as bisexual :3]
Dean's sister Meredith was strong in the beginning so I would've liked to see her more, but the book doesn't suffer from her absence.
This book addressed isssues of self-esteem, perfectionism, misogyny, divorce, etc.) while being a light and enjoyable read, so I commend the author for adeptly creating a fun story that has depth.
I would definitely recommend this book to people who love outdoor reality competition shows, jock girl x nerd (a little bit pathetic in a charming way) boy dynamics, and young adult novels with engaging and charming humour.
October 23, 2025
𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
📚𝑺𝒆𝒚𝒐𝒐𝒏 𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝑫𝒆𝒂𝒏 , 𝑼𝒏𝒔𝒄𝒓𝒊𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒅
𝐵𝑦 𝑆𝑢𝑗𝑖𝑛 𝑊𝑖𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑝𝑜𝑜𝑛
𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: 5★★★★★
𝑹𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆 𝑫𝒂𝒕𝒆 : 𝐴𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑙 7𝑡ℎ 2026
𝙍𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬:
I just finished my ARC of Seyoon and Dean Unscripted by Sujin Witherspoon, and oh my god, it was SO. GOOD. Like, genuinely, I can’t stop thinking about it!!
First off, huge thank you to Sujin Witherspoon and the team for having me on the street team because of that, I got to read the first ten chapters early, and from that moment, I was instantly hooked. Then when I got the full ARC a couple of days ago, I dove right in and couldn’t put it down. Every chapter just kept getting better and better! It’s giving Katniss and Peeta energy but set in a fun, chaotic reality TV world not deadly, just hilarious, romantic, and full of heart. The rivals-to-lovers tension? Perfect. The fake dating for the cameras? Absolute gold. And Seyoon and Dean… oh my god, I adore them. They’re so different, yet so similar in all the best ways. I found myself relating to both of them so much. The dual POV was done so well, and the dialogue had me laughing and squealing throughout. The writing, the chemistry, the humor, the chaos everything just clicked. I finished it way earlier than I planned because I couldn’t stop reading, and now I’m sitting here like… wait. That’s it?? I need more! What happens next? Did they date? Did Dean go back to Portland? I need a bonus chapter of them dating, please😭
Thank you so much, Sujin Witherspoon, for giving me this ARC and for letting me be part of the street team. This book was hilarious, heartwarming, and so addictive.
I loved every single page! 💕🎬✨
📚𝑺𝒆𝒚𝒐𝒐𝒏 𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝑫𝒆𝒂𝒏 , 𝑼𝒏𝒔𝒄𝒓𝒊𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒅
𝐵𝑦 𝑆𝑢𝑗𝑖𝑛 𝑊𝑖𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑝𝑜𝑜𝑛
𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: 5★★★★★
𝑹𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆 𝑫𝒂𝒕𝒆 : 𝐴𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑙 7𝑡ℎ 2026
𝙍𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬:
I just finished my ARC of Seyoon and Dean Unscripted by Sujin Witherspoon, and oh my god, it was SO. GOOD. Like, genuinely, I can’t stop thinking about it!!
First off, huge thank you to Sujin Witherspoon and the team for having me on the street team because of that, I got to read the first ten chapters early, and from that moment, I was instantly hooked. Then when I got the full ARC a couple of days ago, I dove right in and couldn’t put it down. Every chapter just kept getting better and better! It’s giving Katniss and Peeta energy but set in a fun, chaotic reality TV world not deadly, just hilarious, romantic, and full of heart. The rivals-to-lovers tension? Perfect. The fake dating for the cameras? Absolute gold. And Seyoon and Dean… oh my god, I adore them. They’re so different, yet so similar in all the best ways. I found myself relating to both of them so much. The dual POV was done so well, and the dialogue had me laughing and squealing throughout. The writing, the chemistry, the humor, the chaos everything just clicked. I finished it way earlier than I planned because I couldn’t stop reading, and now I’m sitting here like… wait. That’s it?? I need more! What happens next? Did they date? Did Dean go back to Portland? I need a bonus chapter of them dating, please😭
Thank you so much, Sujin Witherspoon, for giving me this ARC and for letting me be part of the street team. This book was hilarious, heartwarming, and so addictive.
I loved every single page! 💕🎬✨
April 30, 2026
Okay wait… this was actually SO fun???
I went into this really excited because reality TV + romance?? Say less. And it did not disappoint. And I was locked in from the start.
The whole Forest Feud concept was so entertaining ,all these different personalities thrown together competing for money?? Drama already guaranteed.
But let’s talk about the main reason I stayed: Seyoon and Dean.
Their dynamic??? I LOVED IT.
Seyoon is confident, competitive, knows what she’s doing and Dean is just… not that 😭 like total opposite energy. And that’s what makes them so good together.
The tension?? There.
The slow change from lowkey rivalry to actually working together and caring about each other?? YESSS.
They had me smiling the whole time, I’m not even joking.
Also I liked that the book had a bit more depth than just romance. It touches on things like pressure, identity and figuring out who you are, which made it feel more meaningful and not just a cute story.
BUT I can’t lie, the ending was kinda predictable. I already had an idea of how things would go, even if I expected it to happen a bit differently. And also… WHY did we not really get a clear winner of the show??? I was like HELLO?? I need answers 😭
Still, that didn’t ruin the experience for me.
This book is fast, funny, cute and super easy to read. I literally flew through it, perfect for a chill day when you just want something fun and entertaining.
Would definitely recommend if you like romance + competition + reality show chaos.
*thank you netgalley, the author, and the publishing team for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
I went into this really excited because reality TV + romance?? Say less. And it did not disappoint. And I was locked in from the start.
The whole Forest Feud concept was so entertaining ,all these different personalities thrown together competing for money?? Drama already guaranteed.
But let’s talk about the main reason I stayed: Seyoon and Dean.
Their dynamic??? I LOVED IT.
Seyoon is confident, competitive, knows what she’s doing and Dean is just… not that 😭 like total opposite energy. And that’s what makes them so good together.
The tension?? There.
The slow change from lowkey rivalry to actually working together and caring about each other?? YESSS.
They had me smiling the whole time, I’m not even joking.
Also I liked that the book had a bit more depth than just romance. It touches on things like pressure, identity and figuring out who you are, which made it feel more meaningful and not just a cute story.
BUT I can’t lie, the ending was kinda predictable. I already had an idea of how things would go, even if I expected it to happen a bit differently. And also… WHY did we not really get a clear winner of the show??? I was like HELLO?? I need answers 😭
Still, that didn’t ruin the experience for me.
This book is fast, funny, cute and super easy to read. I literally flew through it, perfect for a chill day when you just want something fun and entertaining.
Would definitely recommend if you like romance + competition + reality show chaos.
*thank you netgalley, the author, and the publishing team for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you so much to Hachette and NetGalley for an ARC of this book. The short story is that I absolutely loved it, devouring it in one day, and cannot wait until it’s released next month!
SEYOON AND DEAN, UNSCRIPTED is a dual-POV YA romance that follows Seyoon Shin and Dean Parker as they compete on the reboot of a wilderness reality TV show for the grand prize of one million dollars. Both Seyoon and Dean’s parents were on Forest Feud in the same season, but they both lost out on the grand prize after their ally screwed them over and tricked them so he’d win. Every contestant brought onto this reboot season has a relative that was previously on Forest Feud, which makes the strife and competition intense and very fast-paced.
There is SO much to love about this book, starting very first with the humor. Sujin Witherspoon is such a funny writer, and I was laughing out loud on so many occasions. She writes with such wit, which is something that came across very well in her first book, too (Bingsu for Two; if you haven’t read it, you should!). Even though the premise of SEYOON AND DEAN is pretty different from Bingsu for Two, you can still see the sparkles of Witherspoon’s wit, memorable characters, and fast-paced plot. These characters are entering their senior years in high school, and they felt like very authentic seventeen-year-olds without the dialogue feeling cringey or dated. I think a lot of authors (myself included) can struggle with writing young people, but Witherspoon nailed this in her first book, and her second book is a testament to her skill.
Readers can enjoy the hilarious chapter titles (see: “Stuart Little Must Die” and “One Bad Pun Was Plenty, Thanks”) and the ridiculous host of Garrett Moxley, who provides coverage of the TV show throughout the book. I really appreciated the interjections of Garrett’s commentary because it gave dimension to the action without taking me out of the story. I could see this book so clearly as a TV show (execs, take note), and it’s the perfect book to read as we slowly swing into spring and summer.
SEYOON AND DEAN comes out on April 7! Preorder it now!
SEYOON AND DEAN, UNSCRIPTED is a dual-POV YA romance that follows Seyoon Shin and Dean Parker as they compete on the reboot of a wilderness reality TV show for the grand prize of one million dollars. Both Seyoon and Dean’s parents were on Forest Feud in the same season, but they both lost out on the grand prize after their ally screwed them over and tricked them so he’d win. Every contestant brought onto this reboot season has a relative that was previously on Forest Feud, which makes the strife and competition intense and very fast-paced.
There is SO much to love about this book, starting very first with the humor. Sujin Witherspoon is such a funny writer, and I was laughing out loud on so many occasions. She writes with such wit, which is something that came across very well in her first book, too (Bingsu for Two; if you haven’t read it, you should!). Even though the premise of SEYOON AND DEAN is pretty different from Bingsu for Two, you can still see the sparkles of Witherspoon’s wit, memorable characters, and fast-paced plot. These characters are entering their senior years in high school, and they felt like very authentic seventeen-year-olds without the dialogue feeling cringey or dated. I think a lot of authors (myself included) can struggle with writing young people, but Witherspoon nailed this in her first book, and her second book is a testament to her skill.
Readers can enjoy the hilarious chapter titles (see: “Stuart Little Must Die” and “One Bad Pun Was Plenty, Thanks”) and the ridiculous host of Garrett Moxley, who provides coverage of the TV show throughout the book. I really appreciated the interjections of Garrett’s commentary because it gave dimension to the action without taking me out of the story. I could see this book so clearly as a TV show (execs, take note), and it’s the perfect book to read as we slowly swing into spring and summer.
SEYOON AND DEAN comes out on April 7! Preorder it now!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Genre 📚: YA Contemporary, Romance
Tropes 💁♀️: Reality TV romance, Rivals to lovers, Fake dating
Rep ✔️: Korean American main character, BIPOC and queer side characters
CW ⚠️: Anxiety, emotionally distant parent
Rating ⭐️: 4/5
Ahhh yes, reality TV, where everything is simultaneously fake and all-too-real. For MCs Seyoon and Dean, they join the wilderness game show Forest Feud with the intentions of protecting their respective parents’ legacies (who competed in the show years prior). The two form an alliance, combining Seyoon’s athleticism and Dean’s deep knowledge of reality shows… and a misunderstanding leads them to faking a romance.
This story was very Survivor, but the couple’s dynamic also reminded me a lot of Katniss and Peeta in the Hunger Games. Seyoon was bold and impulsive, while Dean was an anxious little cinnamon roll. They clashed all throughout the duration of shooting, struggling to work together and just understand each other. The miscommunication would get frustrating, but the humor definitely made up for it. These two were an absolute HOOT.
I also enjoyed the trajectory of strangers to rivals… to allies to fake lovers… to friends and finally, to actual lovers. If Forest Feud was a real TV show, I would’ve loved tuning in for any glimpse of their romance. Plus the cheesy game host, the asshole Chad character, and the unexpected twists. Quality TV. 💯
**Much thanks to NetGalley and Union Square & Co. for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Seyoon and Dean, Unscripted will be released on April 7, 2026.
Tropes 💁♀️: Reality TV romance, Rivals to lovers, Fake dating
Rep ✔️: Korean American main character, BIPOC and queer side characters
CW ⚠️: Anxiety, emotionally distant parent
Rating ⭐️: 4/5
Ahhh yes, reality TV, where everything is simultaneously fake and all-too-real. For MCs Seyoon and Dean, they join the wilderness game show Forest Feud with the intentions of protecting their respective parents’ legacies (who competed in the show years prior). The two form an alliance, combining Seyoon’s athleticism and Dean’s deep knowledge of reality shows… and a misunderstanding leads them to faking a romance.
This story was very Survivor, but the couple’s dynamic also reminded me a lot of Katniss and Peeta in the Hunger Games. Seyoon was bold and impulsive, while Dean was an anxious little cinnamon roll. They clashed all throughout the duration of shooting, struggling to work together and just understand each other. The miscommunication would get frustrating, but the humor definitely made up for it. These two were an absolute HOOT.
I also enjoyed the trajectory of strangers to rivals… to allies to fake lovers… to friends and finally, to actual lovers. If Forest Feud was a real TV show, I would’ve loved tuning in for any glimpse of their romance. Plus the cheesy game host, the asshole Chad character, and the unexpected twists. Quality TV. 💯
**Much thanks to NetGalley and Union Square & Co. for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Seyoon and Dean, Unscripted will be released on April 7, 2026.
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