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Reality Bites: A Novel
"The book your beach bag is begging for! It's smart, snappy, sun-soaked fun, juicier than a season of Love Island and funnier than your favorite sitcom. You'll be rooting for Grace through every ridiculous physical challenge and every new romantic encounter on her madcap journey toward self-discovery and real love." - Timothy Janovsky, USA Today bestselling author of The (Fake) Dating Game
A wickedly funny debut romcom in which a young scientist reluctantly becomes a contestant on a reality TV dating show to save her lab—and realizes her secrets are threatened when romance unexpectedly finds her behind the scenes.
Grace Lambert’s entire family are all influencers. Her mom runs an HGTV-like Instagram, her dad operates a Yoga for Men Youtube channel, and her brothers are famous on Tiktok and Twitch. Grace, however, is a scientist devoted to saving the Southern Mountain yellow-legged frogs from extinction, who has never had social media.
When her mom signs her up for a dating show with a cult-like following, Grace hangs up on their lawyer, Andrew, immediately. She has no interest in reality TV—until her lab loses its funding, and her coworkers learn about not only the show’s worldwide viewership . . . but the cash prize.
Arriving on set, Grace immediately feels like a frog out of water. She doesn’t know how to mug for the cameras, make effortless small talk with the contestants, or watch her tongue in an interview—making her a constant thorn in Andrew’s side.
The more time Grace spends competing in challenges, unexpectedly flirting with contestants, and making Andrew’s life a living hell, the more she realizes that being there for the wrong reason and keeping it secret might be trickier than she thought—not to mention just how much trouble an illicit, off-screen romance can bring.
A wickedly funny debut romcom in which a young scientist reluctantly becomes a contestant on a reality TV dating show to save her lab—and realizes her secrets are threatened when romance unexpectedly finds her behind the scenes.
Grace Lambert’s entire family are all influencers. Her mom runs an HGTV-like Instagram, her dad operates a Yoga for Men Youtube channel, and her brothers are famous on Tiktok and Twitch. Grace, however, is a scientist devoted to saving the Southern Mountain yellow-legged frogs from extinction, who has never had social media.
When her mom signs her up for a dating show with a cult-like following, Grace hangs up on their lawyer, Andrew, immediately. She has no interest in reality TV—until her lab loses its funding, and her coworkers learn about not only the show’s worldwide viewership . . . but the cash prize.
Arriving on set, Grace immediately feels like a frog out of water. She doesn’t know how to mug for the cameras, make effortless small talk with the contestants, or watch her tongue in an interview—making her a constant thorn in Andrew’s side.
The more time Grace spends competing in challenges, unexpectedly flirting with contestants, and making Andrew’s life a living hell, the more she realizes that being there for the wrong reason and keeping it secret might be trickier than she thought—not to mention just how much trouble an illicit, off-screen romance can bring.
Audible Audio
First published May 12, 2026
About the author
Amy Mass
1 book61 followersAmy Mass began her career in New York City, writing those “Can you hear me now?” Verizon commercials, before moving to Los Angeles where she wrote TV comedies for 12 years, including hit shows like Last Man Standing and The Goldbergs. During the pandemic, she moved to rural Georgia, where as a City Girl in a Small Town, she obviously had to write romance novels and romcom movies. While she’s on her third writing career, she’s still in her first marriage, despite her husband’s questionable sports teams allegiances. She has two rescue mutts and an eight-year-old daughter who is the funniest one in the family by far. When not writing, Amy can be found hanging upside down in aerial yoga, dressing in team costumes for trivia night, or pressuring her family and friends into flash mobs and theme parties.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
May 13, 2026
#harperperennialpartner
I had a great time reading Reality Bites, and the character Grace made it so. Though she’s the “odd duck” in her family of “influencers”, it just makes her more snarky about everything around her, as well as them. And the fact that it’s her who ends up on a dating reality show—something that she did not want to be on—is even more hilarious. She figures out how she can benefit from the show and goes for it.
I loved Grace’s personality. She is not only the “odd duck” or “frog out of water” in her own family, but also among the other contestants on the show. She, on the other hand, doesn’t see anything wrong with it. She brought one suitcase—so what. A one-piece bathing suit vs a bikini? Of course!
It’s more than just a reality show for Grace. It’s a learning experience. The relationships she develops with the contestants—hello, Hot Scott, and learning what a “hook-up” means, and the show's attorney, Andrew, she butts heads with, but can’t deny that there are romantic feelings there—all of it brought a smile to my face. Reality Bites was a winner.
Thank you to Harper Perennial and Author Amy Mass for the #gifted copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I had a great time reading Reality Bites, and the character Grace made it so. Though she’s the “odd duck” in her family of “influencers”, it just makes her more snarky about everything around her, as well as them. And the fact that it’s her who ends up on a dating reality show—something that she did not want to be on—is even more hilarious. She figures out how she can benefit from the show and goes for it.
I loved Grace’s personality. She is not only the “odd duck” or “frog out of water” in her own family, but also among the other contestants on the show. She, on the other hand, doesn’t see anything wrong with it. She brought one suitcase—so what. A one-piece bathing suit vs a bikini? Of course!
It’s more than just a reality show for Grace. It’s a learning experience. The relationships she develops with the contestants—hello, Hot Scott, and learning what a “hook-up” means, and the show's attorney, Andrew, she butts heads with, but can’t deny that there are romantic feelings there—all of it brought a smile to my face. Reality Bites was a winner.
Thank you to Harper Perennial and Author Amy Mass for the #gifted copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 9, 2026
✨🎥🐸 REALITY BITES was such a ridiculously fun summer read and now I desperately need more nerdy girls wreaking havoc on reality dating shows. If you love Love Island/The Bachelor type chaos mixed with STEM romance vibes, this one absolutely delivers. Grace is a total fish out of water surrounded by influencers, producers, contestants, and nonstop cameras, and watching her slowly come into her own was honestly one of my favorite parts of the book.
The humor is sharp, biting, and genuinely funny while also being surprisingly dead on about how toxic and manipulative reality TV culture can be. It’s very tongue in cheek but still manages to say something real about social media, fame, and the way these shows manufacture drama. The behind the scenes look at production was SO entertaining, and the romance? Adorable. The “here for the wrong reasons” setup had me laughing immediately because if you know Bachelor lore… you know 😂
This felt like the perfect beach/poolside rom com: light, cute, bingeable, but still smart and self aware. If you love Ali Hazelwood style STEM heroines, reality dating show drama, awkward/funny heroines, or romances with sharp commentary woven in, definitely put this one on your radar. 🎬💘
The humor is sharp, biting, and genuinely funny while also being surprisingly dead on about how toxic and manipulative reality TV culture can be. It’s very tongue in cheek but still manages to say something real about social media, fame, and the way these shows manufacture drama. The behind the scenes look at production was SO entertaining, and the romance? Adorable. The “here for the wrong reasons” setup had me laughing immediately because if you know Bachelor lore… you know 😂
This felt like the perfect beach/poolside rom com: light, cute, bingeable, but still smart and self aware. If you love Ali Hazelwood style STEM heroines, reality dating show drama, awkward/funny heroines, or romances with sharp commentary woven in, definitely put this one on your radar. 🎬💘
January 13, 2026
This book is fantastic. Watching Grace Lambert, a frog-saving scientist who would much rather be in the field than under studio lights, get swept into the chaos of a reality dating show is pure rom-com magic. Grace despises the spotlight and has zero interest in televised flirting, which makes every moment both heartfelt and laugh-out-loud funny. The story takes off when her mother secretly signs her up and her lab loses its funding, leaving Grace no choice but to stay for the cash prize. The candor, awkward small talk, and behind-the-scenes chaos are hilarious. Andrew, the kind and endlessly patient show lawyer, is an absolute delight. I highly recommend this book; Amy Mass is now a must-read for me.
Five stars!
Five stars!
March 3, 2026
Grace Lambert is a biologist working to save the endangered Southern Mountain yellow-legged frogs from extinction, dedicating her life to research rather than social media fame, unlike the rest of her influencer family. When her mom secretly submits her to a reality dating show called Love Shack, Grace immediately declines. But after losing her research funding and realizing her lab and her frogs are at risk, she reconsiders. The cash prize could save everything she has worked for. Thrown into a world she does not understand, Grace struggles to navigate reality TV logistics, contracts, and producer manipulation, often clashing with the show’s lawyer, Andrew. As she adjusts to life on set, befriending contestants, embracing glam, and unexpectedly developing feelings for Andrew, she is forced to confront whether going on the show for the “wrong” reasons is actually so wrong, especially when love and her conservation mission both hang in the balance.
This book was so addictive that I read the last 70% in one sitting. The combination of a female main character who is a biologist, which is what I studied in college, and a reality dating show setting, my newfound interest, was honestly perfect for me. Even though I work in healthcare now, I am still a biologist at heart, so all the conservation talk, lab dynamics, and ecology references really worked. I loved Grace’s nerdy one-liners, especially her argument about how people are always more sympathetic to sea turtles or tiny furry animals than to frogs. Her passion for her research and the dynamic with her team made her easy to root for.
I also loved the reality TV aspect and the behind-the-scenes commentary. Watching Grace discover dating show quirks for the first time was so fun, especially as someone who only recently got into reality TV. The chemistry and banter between Grace and Andrew were great, and the forbidden trope really delivered and gave me slight Unreal vibes. I appreciated the conversations about perception and awareness in reality TV, and how Grace’s perspective evolved as she grew closer to her castmates. It made me reflect on how easy it is to say no one goes on these shows for love when, at the end of the day, they are just humans on a massive platform being constantly watched. The only reason this was not a five-star read for me is that I did not feel deeply connected to Grace beyond her “hot scientist” identity. Her lowest moments felt a little rushed, and her third-act redemption happened too quickly and felt a bit too rose-colored for my taste. I wish she had more time to really sit in her emotions. Still, this felt like the behind-the-scenes of Love Island I have been looking for, and the actual Love Shack twist was hilarious. Definitely a great pick for fans of reality TV dating shows.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Perennial and Paperbacks for this advanced reader copy.
This book was so addictive that I read the last 70% in one sitting. The combination of a female main character who is a biologist, which is what I studied in college, and a reality dating show setting, my newfound interest, was honestly perfect for me. Even though I work in healthcare now, I am still a biologist at heart, so all the conservation talk, lab dynamics, and ecology references really worked. I loved Grace’s nerdy one-liners, especially her argument about how people are always more sympathetic to sea turtles or tiny furry animals than to frogs. Her passion for her research and the dynamic with her team made her easy to root for.
I also loved the reality TV aspect and the behind-the-scenes commentary. Watching Grace discover dating show quirks for the first time was so fun, especially as someone who only recently got into reality TV. The chemistry and banter between Grace and Andrew were great, and the forbidden trope really delivered and gave me slight Unreal vibes. I appreciated the conversations about perception and awareness in reality TV, and how Grace’s perspective evolved as she grew closer to her castmates. It made me reflect on how easy it is to say no one goes on these shows for love when, at the end of the day, they are just humans on a massive platform being constantly watched. The only reason this was not a five-star read for me is that I did not feel deeply connected to Grace beyond her “hot scientist” identity. Her lowest moments felt a little rushed, and her third-act redemption happened too quickly and felt a bit too rose-colored for my taste. I wish she had more time to really sit in her emotions. Still, this felt like the behind-the-scenes of Love Island I have been looking for, and the actual Love Shack twist was hilarious. Definitely a great pick for fans of reality TV dating shows.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Perennial and Paperbacks for this advanced reader copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Reality Bites positions itself as a great read for fans of Ali Hazelwood's STEM romances, but Amy Mass has her own distinct style.
The side characters in this story really shine. I absolutely love the depth Mass gave to the friends Grace makes on the show. There's some really good social commentary here about reality TV, how real is it, and the potential toxic environments of shows like this.
Mass did a great job making this feel like a reality TV show!
The romance here has some great moments, and I liked Andrew a lot at a MMC. I love that he makes the righteous choice about his career. The ending and wrap-up for the story is satisfying overall, I enjoyed it.
Unfortunately, though... I really dislike Grace as a FMC, which is difficult since it's her own POV. She's judgmental and thinks she's better/smarter/whatever-else than everyone and that grated on my nerves. I also found her obliviousness super unrealistic in a way that just had me rolling my eyes. She comes from a social media influencer family and doesn't know anything about reality tv, social media, common slang, etc? Just screamed, "I'm not like other girls" in an annoying way.
Everything about this book should have been a total 5 star hit for me but my distaste for Grace makes it a 4 star for me. I wouldn't reread this because of her being the FMC.
Thank you NetGalley, HarperCollins, and Amy Mas for allowing me to read an early copy of this book!
The side characters in this story really shine. I absolutely love the depth Mass gave to the friends Grace makes on the show. There's some really good social commentary here about reality TV, how real is it, and the potential toxic environments of shows like this.
Mass did a great job making this feel like a reality TV show!
The romance here has some great moments, and I liked Andrew a lot at a MMC. I love that he makes the righteous choice about his career. The ending and wrap-up for the story is satisfying overall, I enjoyed it.
Unfortunately, though... I really dislike Grace as a FMC, which is difficult since it's her own POV. She's judgmental and thinks she's better/smarter/whatever-else than everyone and that grated on my nerves. I also found her obliviousness super unrealistic in a way that just had me rolling my eyes. She comes from a social media influencer family and doesn't know anything about reality tv, social media, common slang, etc? Just screamed, "I'm not like other girls" in an annoying way.
Everything about this book should have been a total 5 star hit for me but my distaste for Grace makes it a 4 star for me. I wouldn't reread this because of her being the FMC.
Thank you NetGalley, HarperCollins, and Amy Mas for allowing me to read an early copy of this book!
February 9, 2026
Reality Bites by Amy Mass follows Grace Lambert a scientist devoted to help the endangered species of frogs. When she discovers her mom signed her up for a reality TV show called Love Shack she absolutely refuses until she discovers her program is over because of lack of money… Until she realizes that at the end of the show there is a cash prize of $250,000 that would help keep her program opened for another year. Grace doesn’t feel like she belongs on the show since she prefers working instead of having fun, but still manages to go on the show & actually be Americans favorite contestant for a while during the show she makes friends outside of work something she didn’t imagine would happen she meets interesting people… especially a special someone 👀
Overall I enjoyed this book the beginning had me thinking I knew what was going to happen but it did throw some curve balls along the way I was definitely not expecting that spicy moment but hey it worked. I really enjoyed how Grace had character growth & actually got to make friends along the way.
Overall I give it a 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Big thank you to Harper Collins Publishers for my Advanced Readers Copy.
Overall I enjoyed this book the beginning had me thinking I knew what was going to happen but it did throw some curve balls along the way I was definitely not expecting that spicy moment but hey it worked. I really enjoyed how Grace had character growth & actually got to make friends along the way.
Overall I give it a 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Big thank you to Harper Collins Publishers for my Advanced Readers Copy.
May 11, 2026
Reality Bites is a fun, easygoing rom-com about a scientist who signs up for a reality dating show. While it touches on deeper themes like family, friendship, and finding unexpected love, the heart of the story is pure entertainment. Filled with humor, chaos, chemistry, and reality-show drama, this book had me laughing throughout. The perfect beach read for anyone looking for something light, funny, and delightfully bingeable without being too serious.
Thank you HarperCollins for an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley.
Read
April 15, 2026By and large this didn’t feel fresh and wasn’t for me, but I think this will sing to a lot of people who enjoy a tropey romcom. I feel like this may play better on a screen than it does on the page.
April 6, 2026
This book was so unexpectedly fun! I literally laughed out loud multiple times. I love Love Island so I enjoyed the premise and the fact that our main character was smart, funny, and likeable. Perfect summer read.
Thank you to Edelweiss and the publisher for the ARC.
Thank you to Edelweiss and the publisher for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I’ve been trying to mix in a few lighter reads between all my thrillers lately, and this one was exactly what I needed. especially as someone who loves The Bachelor and Love Island as guilty pleasure shows! The premise immediately pulled me in, and it ended up being one of those books I absolutely fly through because I am just having so much fun reading it! Thank you so much to Amy Mass and Harper Perennial for my copy of this amazing romcom.
Reality Bites follows Grace Lambert, an introverted conservation scientist dedicated to saving endangered frogs, who also happens to come from a family of full-on influencers. When her mom secretly signs her up for a wildly popular dating show, Grace wants absolutely nothing to do with it until her lab loses funding and the prize money becomes the only way to save her research. Suddenly, she’s thrown into a world of cameras, producer manipulation, and on-screen romance she does not know how to navigate. (She has never even watched an episode of a reality show!)
Watching Grace try to exist in that environment is genuinely hilarious. She hates the spotlight, has zero interest in performing for the cameras, and her blunt honesty makes her a constant wildcard. The awkward interviews, chaotic group dynamics, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into how these shows run were so entertaining. I loved how it felt like the kind of insider look you always wonder about while watching.
I also loved how much care went into Grace’s character as a scientist. Her passion for conservation, her connection to her lab, and even her little rants (justice for frogs!!) made her feel so real and easy to root for. As a fellow woman in STEM, I adored her and related to her so much. That balance of being brilliant, stubborn, a little judgmental at times, but ultimately growing felt very human.
The supporting characters were such a standout for me too. The other contestants and people working on the show add so much personality and humor, but they also serve a bigger purpose of showing how quickly we all fall into judging people based on the roles they’re given. The book does a great job pointing out how reality TV leans into stereotypes and exaggerates them for entertainment, and I loved seeing those assumptions slowly get challenged as Grace gets to know people beyond the surface.
And the romance?? So fun. The off-screen tension adds just the right amount of heat, and the dynamic between Grace and Andrew (the off-limits, quietly supportive show lawyer) is so well done. Their banter feels natural, the buildup is satisfying, and it fits perfectly into the chaos of everything else going on.
This is a fantastic rom com read with a perfect mix of light, escapist feel that still has depth as it comments on perception and not judging books by their cover! It has inspired me to keep reading more similar books that are witty and heartfelt with thoughtfulness underneath. Thank you so much to Amy Mass for tempting me over to the light side 😂
Reality Bites follows Grace Lambert, an introverted conservation scientist dedicated to saving endangered frogs, who also happens to come from a family of full-on influencers. When her mom secretly signs her up for a wildly popular dating show, Grace wants absolutely nothing to do with it until her lab loses funding and the prize money becomes the only way to save her research. Suddenly, she’s thrown into a world of cameras, producer manipulation, and on-screen romance she does not know how to navigate. (She has never even watched an episode of a reality show!)
Watching Grace try to exist in that environment is genuinely hilarious. She hates the spotlight, has zero interest in performing for the cameras, and her blunt honesty makes her a constant wildcard. The awkward interviews, chaotic group dynamics, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into how these shows run were so entertaining. I loved how it felt like the kind of insider look you always wonder about while watching.
I also loved how much care went into Grace’s character as a scientist. Her passion for conservation, her connection to her lab, and even her little rants (justice for frogs!!) made her feel so real and easy to root for. As a fellow woman in STEM, I adored her and related to her so much. That balance of being brilliant, stubborn, a little judgmental at times, but ultimately growing felt very human.
The supporting characters were such a standout for me too. The other contestants and people working on the show add so much personality and humor, but they also serve a bigger purpose of showing how quickly we all fall into judging people based on the roles they’re given. The book does a great job pointing out how reality TV leans into stereotypes and exaggerates them for entertainment, and I loved seeing those assumptions slowly get challenged as Grace gets to know people beyond the surface.
And the romance?? So fun. The off-screen tension adds just the right amount of heat, and the dynamic between Grace and Andrew (the off-limits, quietly supportive show lawyer) is so well done. Their banter feels natural, the buildup is satisfying, and it fits perfectly into the chaos of everything else going on.
This is a fantastic rom com read with a perfect mix of light, escapist feel that still has depth as it comments on perception and not judging books by their cover! It has inspired me to keep reading more similar books that are witty and heartfelt with thoughtfulness underneath. Thank you so much to Amy Mass for tempting me over to the light side 😂
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
If you love books with behind-the-scenes reality show satire and a steamy love story, you will devour Reality Bites!
Reality Bites was a true delight to read! This contemporary romance novel was funny, fast-paced, and romantic. Often when a review says a book is hilarious, I don’t really believe it, but Reality Bites had so many hilarious moments! The dialogue is witty at times, heartfelt at others, and there is a perfect mix of romance and friendship storylines.
Grace is a scientist and conservationist who doesn’t watch reality TV. Her mom has other ideas. Somehow she submits Grace to be cast on Love Shack to find true love, and Grace is chosen! At first, Grace refuses to go on the show...
Her family is full of influencers and sometimes she feels left out. When her frog conservation project loses its budget, she finds out that the cash prize on Love Shack could save her research and the jobs of her and her friends at the non-profit.
On the TV show, she is cast as a “Sexy Scientist” and the book makes fun of many reality show tropes often seen on The Bachelor and Love Island, among others. Grace bonds with other contestants, Ciara and Madison; meanwhile, things are heating up behind the scenes with her enemies-to-lovers relationship with grumpy yet hot corporate lawyer Andrew. As the manipulation and hijinks of reality TV take Grace by surprise, she might find true friendship instead of true love (or both). There is also a story arc with her family, who is there for her when she needs it most (loved that).
My Thoughts
The banter and tension between Andrew and Grace was cute and steamy. The dialogue was standout, and I could tell the author Amy Mass was a screenwriter. I loved Grace’s character development, as she moved from being someone who was inexperienced with dating and not focused on finding a relationship, to being open to the possibility. Thematically, she learned a few things about judging others, being open-minded, and opening up to others in general; I love a satisfying character growth story.
In the past few years, women in STEM has become popular job for a leading character in romance novels, but often there is not much science involved or mentioned in the book, so it can come off as unrealistic. I liked how Grace truly cared and was knowledgeable about her research focus and her job as a lab director. Science information was shared and her job informed her personality, but there was no info-dumping. It just made it more realistic that she was actually a woman in STEM.
If you love books with behind-the-scenes reality television satire and a steamy love story, you will devour Reality Bites by Amy Mass!
Thank you to Harper Perennial and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Book-a-Likes
Readers who enjoyed reality-TV-set romance books like The True Love Experiment by Christina Lauren and Here for the Right Reasons in the Marry Me, Juliet series by Jodi McAllister will love Reality Bites.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: May 12, 2026
Grace Lambert is a scientist working in conservation and, along with her team, they spend their days trying to save endangered species. Her entire family, both her brothers and her parents, are popular social media personalities but Grace doesn’t have an online presence- much to the dismay of her Internet savvy family. When her mother signs Grace up for a reality dating show, Grace is inclined to decline until she finds out that the prize money could fund her scientific research for the next year, so she reluctantly agrees. Before she knows it, she’s the contestant labeled “The Sexy Scientist” and is living in a dilapidated shack and doing body shots for the cameras, but she knows it’s for a good cause. Grace expected over-the-top drama and staged, phony dates but what she didn’t expect was that she would actually find love.
Amy Mass’ debut novel, “Reality Bites” is a heartwarming, romantic beach read. Grace is the awkward, self-proclaimed science nerd who finds herself on the set of a reality T.V. show, feeling very out of place. She doesn’t fit in among the contestants but she doesn’t fit in within the social media celebrities in her family either, so she’s kind of used to being the odd one out. Grace was an easy character to get behind and I built an instant rapport with her as the awkward, academic misfit. Grace is someone who stands up for the underdog, and is kind of an underdog herself, which made it easy to cheer for her.
As soon as Grace meets the entertainment lawyer attached to the show, it was obvious that a relationship was going to develop; however, it was entertaining to watch as it played out. What surprised me was the depth Mass gave to the rest of her characters, who on the surface were vapid and self-centred, but were so much more if you looked below the surface, which was a common theme in “Bites”.
I am not a fan of reality television, especially reality television that focuses on finding “love”. In fact, these shows playing on a loop is my literal idea of Hell, so I was a little skeptical about reading a novel that focuses on reality television. However, I was pleasantly surprised with “Bites”, as there were deeper themes within the plot and characters that were actually likable.
“Bites” is a sharp, lighthearted romance that took me by surprise! Mass’ debut is well-written and genuine, and I have a feeling it will stand out among the 2026 summer beach reads.
Expected publication date: May 12, 2026
Grace Lambert is a scientist working in conservation and, along with her team, they spend their days trying to save endangered species. Her entire family, both her brothers and her parents, are popular social media personalities but Grace doesn’t have an online presence- much to the dismay of her Internet savvy family. When her mother signs Grace up for a reality dating show, Grace is inclined to decline until she finds out that the prize money could fund her scientific research for the next year, so she reluctantly agrees. Before she knows it, she’s the contestant labeled “The Sexy Scientist” and is living in a dilapidated shack and doing body shots for the cameras, but she knows it’s for a good cause. Grace expected over-the-top drama and staged, phony dates but what she didn’t expect was that she would actually find love.
Amy Mass’ debut novel, “Reality Bites” is a heartwarming, romantic beach read. Grace is the awkward, self-proclaimed science nerd who finds herself on the set of a reality T.V. show, feeling very out of place. She doesn’t fit in among the contestants but she doesn’t fit in within the social media celebrities in her family either, so she’s kind of used to being the odd one out. Grace was an easy character to get behind and I built an instant rapport with her as the awkward, academic misfit. Grace is someone who stands up for the underdog, and is kind of an underdog herself, which made it easy to cheer for her.
As soon as Grace meets the entertainment lawyer attached to the show, it was obvious that a relationship was going to develop; however, it was entertaining to watch as it played out. What surprised me was the depth Mass gave to the rest of her characters, who on the surface were vapid and self-centred, but were so much more if you looked below the surface, which was a common theme in “Bites”.
I am not a fan of reality television, especially reality television that focuses on finding “love”. In fact, these shows playing on a loop is my literal idea of Hell, so I was a little skeptical about reading a novel that focuses on reality television. However, I was pleasantly surprised with “Bites”, as there were deeper themes within the plot and characters that were actually likable.
“Bites” is a sharp, lighthearted romance that took me by surprise! Mass’ debut is well-written and genuine, and I have a feeling it will stand out among the 2026 summer beach reads.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Oh this book is good. Like.... really good. I would call it the book of the summer but it isn't summer yet so, book of the spring? Not quite the same ring to it but listen to me when I tell you- READ THIS BOOK!!! Easily one of my favorite reads of the year so far.
Grace is a workaholic scientist that has no time for love when there are frogs that need to be saved. She hand picked her team and takes her job very seriously so when they unexpectedly lose funding that they were counting on, they need money, fast, to continue to do their work.
Grace is somewhat of a black sheep in a family full of influencers and is horrified when her mother signs her up for reality dating show Love Shack, without her consent. She initially completely balks at the idea but then comes to realize that the prize money for the winner, plus donations for her even getting the exposure of being on the show, will be enough to save her lab and she begrudgingly agrees to do it.
Only problem? Well, there are several. She's never watched a reality show in her life, she does not date, and she's a literal fish out of water completely in over her head. To make matters worse, she does not get along with the show's lawyer, Andrew.
Not there to make friends or to fall in love, Grace is surprised when she gets to set and immediately takes to some of the other contestants. They find her endearing and the feeling is mutual, which she was not expecting. Also not what she was expecting- Andrew, who is way more attractive and closer to her age than she thought. He pushes her buttons just as much as she pushes his, and the chemistry between them is undeniable.
There's just something about romance novels that have a reality television backdrop that get me every single time, especially when a contestant gets involved with someone behind the scenes. I will eat. That. Up. And I would love to see this adapted to screen once day!
The chemistry between Grace and Andrew is absolutely delicious. They butt heads and argue right from the beginning and the tension just jumps off the page when they're together. And no spoilers but that one on none date??? Oh my!
I'm genuinely shocked that this is a debut novel with how good it is. Amy Mass, you have an instant #1 fan in me and I hope you never stop writing because you have a real talent for it!
I highly recommend this one. Pick it up, you won't regret it!
Grace is a workaholic scientist that has no time for love when there are frogs that need to be saved. She hand picked her team and takes her job very seriously so when they unexpectedly lose funding that they were counting on, they need money, fast, to continue to do their work.
Grace is somewhat of a black sheep in a family full of influencers and is horrified when her mother signs her up for reality dating show Love Shack, without her consent. She initially completely balks at the idea but then comes to realize that the prize money for the winner, plus donations for her even getting the exposure of being on the show, will be enough to save her lab and she begrudgingly agrees to do it.
Only problem? Well, there are several. She's never watched a reality show in her life, she does not date, and she's a literal fish out of water completely in over her head. To make matters worse, she does not get along with the show's lawyer, Andrew.
Not there to make friends or to fall in love, Grace is surprised when she gets to set and immediately takes to some of the other contestants. They find her endearing and the feeling is mutual, which she was not expecting. Also not what she was expecting- Andrew, who is way more attractive and closer to her age than she thought. He pushes her buttons just as much as she pushes his, and the chemistry between them is undeniable.
There's just something about romance novels that have a reality television backdrop that get me every single time, especially when a contestant gets involved with someone behind the scenes. I will eat. That. Up. And I would love to see this adapted to screen once day!
The chemistry between Grace and Andrew is absolutely delicious. They butt heads and argue right from the beginning and the tension just jumps off the page when they're together. And no spoilers but that one on none date??? Oh my!
I'm genuinely shocked that this is a debut novel with how good it is. Amy Mass, you have an instant #1 fan in me and I hope you never stop writing because you have a real talent for it!
I highly recommend this one. Pick it up, you won't regret it!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I am so picky about contemporary romance… and this book walked in and completely won me over anyway 👀
Would you read a romcom where a scientist goes on a reality dating show to save her frog lab and accidentally falls for the one person she absolutely should not? 🐸
📖 First Line (Can I convince you to read it?) Is it too conceited to say we’re the greatest scientific minds of the twenty-first century?” Alec asks as he sifts though our findings spread out on the conference room table.
🧠 Micro Synopsis: Grace Lambert is a scientist trying to save an endangered frog species from extinction who has never had social media a day in her life. When her lab loses funding her coworkers basically force her onto a reality dating show with a massive cash prize. Grace has no idea how to perform for cameras and she is making lawyer Andrew's life chaotic in the process but somewhere between the challenges and the chaos something unexpected starts happening off screen.
🔥 Reasons to Read This If You Love…
Reality TV Romance 🎬
Reluctant Leads 🐸
Witty Banter ✨
I will say upfront that I am genuinely picky about contemporary romance so when one lands for me it really lands
And this one had the right gimmick the right trope and the emotional connection that I always need to actually care
Grace and Andrew are so well written and I loved following both of them through this whole chaotic situation
But what really got me was that even the side characters had distinct voices which is so rare
Even the characters who were not exactly likeable had something redeemable about them and that takes real skill to pull off
The reality TV setting gives the whole story this extra layer of tension because Grace is constantly one wrong moment away from being exposed
I was genuinely surprised by how much I ended up loving this one because going in I was not sure it would be for me
It was probably exactly what I needed in that moment and it just made me feel good reading it
This is the kind of book that reminds you why you pick up romcoms in the first place
If you have been in a contemporary slump this one might be the one that pulls you out of it
Do you love a romcom where the romance sneaks up on you before you even see it coming… or do you need the tension and chemistry to be there from page one? 👀
Would you read a romcom where a scientist goes on a reality dating show to save her frog lab and accidentally falls for the one person she absolutely should not? 🐸
📖 First Line (Can I convince you to read it?) Is it too conceited to say we’re the greatest scientific minds of the twenty-first century?” Alec asks as he sifts though our findings spread out on the conference room table.
🧠 Micro Synopsis: Grace Lambert is a scientist trying to save an endangered frog species from extinction who has never had social media a day in her life. When her lab loses funding her coworkers basically force her onto a reality dating show with a massive cash prize. Grace has no idea how to perform for cameras and she is making lawyer Andrew's life chaotic in the process but somewhere between the challenges and the chaos something unexpected starts happening off screen.
🔥 Reasons to Read This If You Love…
Reality TV Romance 🎬
Reluctant Leads 🐸
Witty Banter ✨
I will say upfront that I am genuinely picky about contemporary romance so when one lands for me it really lands
And this one had the right gimmick the right trope and the emotional connection that I always need to actually care
Grace and Andrew are so well written and I loved following both of them through this whole chaotic situation
But what really got me was that even the side characters had distinct voices which is so rare
Even the characters who were not exactly likeable had something redeemable about them and that takes real skill to pull off
The reality TV setting gives the whole story this extra layer of tension because Grace is constantly one wrong moment away from being exposed
I was genuinely surprised by how much I ended up loving this one because going in I was not sure it would be for me
It was probably exactly what I needed in that moment and it just made me feel good reading it
This is the kind of book that reminds you why you pick up romcoms in the first place
If you have been in a contemporary slump this one might be the one that pulls you out of it
Do you love a romcom where the romance sneaks up on you before you even see it coming… or do you need the tension and chemistry to be there from page one? 👀
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Reality Bites is a rom-com about a biologist who goes on a reality dating show in order to win $250,000. Grace is a conservationist dedicated to helping preserve endangered species of amphibians, but her team has run out of funding. When her mom signs her up to be on Love Shack, she begrudgingly agrees to start using social media and participate in the show in order to win the cash prize. Andrew is the network’s attorney who monitors liability while filming. Grace and Andrew clash from their first meeting, but their animosity soon turns into attraction.
This book is very highly rated online, and I had high hopes for the story. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get past my dislike of Grace, the FMC, so I did not enjoy this book. Grace is extremely intelligent, and has two PhDs, as she reminds us multiple times in the book. Her intelligence does not translate in any way to being able to adjust her mindset or opinions, or get along with others. She has an extremely rigid view of the world, and is unwilling to learn more (or even watch) the reality TV show she is going to participate in. She is shocked and horrified by the other participants and expectations of the shows’ producers. Grace constantly mocks and criticizes Love Shack, while at the same time hoping to win the show’s grand prize. She speaks bluntly in interviews and disregards any instructions or guidance from the production team. I just couldn’t enjoy any of this book with a main character who is completely obtuse and refuses to change her behavior or adapt to her circumstances.
The romance in this book felt too insta-love to me. Grace and Andrew bicker a lot but I didn’t feel a spark between them. They get together quickly, and flip from arguing and hating each other to being totally smitten with each other. It was just way too fast to be believable.
Thank you to Harper Perennial Publishing and NetGalley for an advance reader’s copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
This book is very highly rated online, and I had high hopes for the story. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get past my dislike of Grace, the FMC, so I did not enjoy this book. Grace is extremely intelligent, and has two PhDs, as she reminds us multiple times in the book. Her intelligence does not translate in any way to being able to adjust her mindset or opinions, or get along with others. She has an extremely rigid view of the world, and is unwilling to learn more (or even watch) the reality TV show she is going to participate in. She is shocked and horrified by the other participants and expectations of the shows’ producers. Grace constantly mocks and criticizes Love Shack, while at the same time hoping to win the show’s grand prize. She speaks bluntly in interviews and disregards any instructions or guidance from the production team. I just couldn’t enjoy any of this book with a main character who is completely obtuse and refuses to change her behavior or adapt to her circumstances.
The romance in this book felt too insta-love to me. Grace and Andrew bicker a lot but I didn’t feel a spark between them. They get together quickly, and flip from arguing and hating each other to being totally smitten with each other. It was just way too fast to be believable.
Thank you to Harper Perennial Publishing and NetGalley for an advance reader’s copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Reality Bites by Amy Mass is a smart, silly, and surprisingly heartfelt romcom that feels like the perfect vacation read. It is light, fast, and entertaining, but still has just enough substance to keep it from feeling fluffy.
Grace is an introverted conservation scientist trying to save endangered frogs while being born into a family of full-time influencers. When she ends up on a cringey, cult-favorite dating show to save her lab’s funding, the setup is chaotic in the best way. Watching a socially awkward, no-social-media scientist navigate reality TV drama is genuinely funny. The behind-the-scenes look at production, contestants, and what drives people to sign up for these shows adds a fresh layer that makes the story stand out.
Grace’s character arc is messy but relatable. She can be judgmental and a little “I’m the smartest person in the room,” which makes her imperfect, but that also gives her room to grow. I appreciated that the story explores how quick we are to label people based on appearances, both on camera and off.
The romance is sweet with a touch of spice, and the off-screen tension adds just enough heat without overpowering the humor. There is a slight nostalgic romcom feel, especially in the classic transformation moments, but it works within the tone of the story.
This is not a heavy, think-piece romance. It is fun, quick, and easy to sink into. Fans of STEM-forward romcoms like Ali Hazelwood or light sports and small-town romances from Piper Rayne will likely enjoy this one.
A solid four-star read that delivers exactly what it promises: chaos, chemistry, and frogs.
Thank you NetGalley, HarperCollins, and Amy Mas for allowing me to read an early copy of this book!
Grace is an introverted conservation scientist trying to save endangered frogs while being born into a family of full-time influencers. When she ends up on a cringey, cult-favorite dating show to save her lab’s funding, the setup is chaotic in the best way. Watching a socially awkward, no-social-media scientist navigate reality TV drama is genuinely funny. The behind-the-scenes look at production, contestants, and what drives people to sign up for these shows adds a fresh layer that makes the story stand out.
Grace’s character arc is messy but relatable. She can be judgmental and a little “I’m the smartest person in the room,” which makes her imperfect, but that also gives her room to grow. I appreciated that the story explores how quick we are to label people based on appearances, both on camera and off.
The romance is sweet with a touch of spice, and the off-screen tension adds just enough heat without overpowering the humor. There is a slight nostalgic romcom feel, especially in the classic transformation moments, but it works within the tone of the story.
This is not a heavy, think-piece romance. It is fun, quick, and easy to sink into. Fans of STEM-forward romcoms like Ali Hazelwood or light sports and small-town romances from Piper Rayne will likely enjoy this one.
A solid four-star read that delivers exactly what it promises: chaos, chemistry, and frogs.
Thank you NetGalley, HarperCollins, and Amy Mas for allowing me to read an early copy of this book!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Reality TV meets the rom-com book world! I actually really enjoyed this story. The premise sounded like something fun and a bit quirky, and it definitely was.
Grace is a scientist who is all about saving animals, specifically endangered frogs. And she would much rather be in her lab and with the animals than anywhere else. She gets accepted to be a contestant on a reality dating show, without her knowing. When her friends convince her to actually go on the show, they don't tell her what it is all about and she is quite surprised when getting to the set!
Poor Andrew, the lawyer for the production company. Grace is set to make his life more difficult and after hanging up on him and sending snarky emails, is convinced he is an old crotchety lawyer. She is surprised to find a handsome guy in a suit when she arrives on set. I really liked Andrew and how throughout everything he does the best that he can to always try to make the right choice and help others out.
Grace learned a lot during her time on the show about herself, others, and about the real world. The one thing that I didn't care for with her is that she was so judgmental and thought she was smarter than everyone else. She was VERY disconnected from the real world not knowing anything about reality TV, social media, and so she put down others that did.
Overall, I thought it was a cute and fun story, and I loved how the ending wrapped up. The author did a great job of bringing reality TV elements into the book and showing us the behind-the-scenes parts of it.
Thank you to Amy Mass, HarperCollins, and NetGalley for the early copy to read!
Grace is a scientist who is all about saving animals, specifically endangered frogs. And she would much rather be in her lab and with the animals than anywhere else. She gets accepted to be a contestant on a reality dating show, without her knowing. When her friends convince her to actually go on the show, they don't tell her what it is all about and she is quite surprised when getting to the set!
Poor Andrew, the lawyer for the production company. Grace is set to make his life more difficult and after hanging up on him and sending snarky emails, is convinced he is an old crotchety lawyer. She is surprised to find a handsome guy in a suit when she arrives on set. I really liked Andrew and how throughout everything he does the best that he can to always try to make the right choice and help others out.
Grace learned a lot during her time on the show about herself, others, and about the real world. The one thing that I didn't care for with her is that she was so judgmental and thought she was smarter than everyone else. She was VERY disconnected from the real world not knowing anything about reality TV, social media, and so she put down others that did.
Overall, I thought it was a cute and fun story, and I loved how the ending wrapped up. The author did a great job of bringing reality TV elements into the book and showing us the behind-the-scenes parts of it.
Thank you to Amy Mass, HarperCollins, and NetGalley for the early copy to read!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I’m a sucker for romances set in the television industry, especially if they’re inspired by shows like The Bachelor or Love Island 🌹🏝️. It’s honestly kind of funny that I don’t actually watch these shows, but I love reading books about them.
This one takes on a Love Island–style setting called Love Shack. Grace comes from an influencer family where everyone makes their living online, but she is the outlier. She’s a STEM girl with zero social media presence 🧪✨. So how does she end up on a reality dating show? Her mother pushes her into it, and Grace agrees in hopes of winning the prize money to save her lab. Of course, chaos and drama follow.
I really enjoyed Grace’s perspective as someone who doesn’t even watch reality TV and is suddenly thrown into that world. It allowed for some sharp social commentary about toxic environments and manufactured drama. That said, Grace could be pretty judgmental at times, especially toward her family, which occasionally grated on me.
As for the romance, I loved it ❤️. The tension between Grace and Andrew at the beginning was so good and naturally evolved into flirtation and chemistry. There is a third act breakup that felt a little unnecessary, and I would have happily watched them get together sooner. Still, I understand it was meant to support Grace’s growth, and their connection felt undeniable.
Overall, despite a few nitpicks, I really enjoyed this one. It’s easily one of the better reality TV–inspired romances I’ve read this year, and I can definitely see myself rereading it 📚✨.
This one takes on a Love Island–style setting called Love Shack. Grace comes from an influencer family where everyone makes their living online, but she is the outlier. She’s a STEM girl with zero social media presence 🧪✨. So how does she end up on a reality dating show? Her mother pushes her into it, and Grace agrees in hopes of winning the prize money to save her lab. Of course, chaos and drama follow.
I really enjoyed Grace’s perspective as someone who doesn’t even watch reality TV and is suddenly thrown into that world. It allowed for some sharp social commentary about toxic environments and manufactured drama. That said, Grace could be pretty judgmental at times, especially toward her family, which occasionally grated on me.
As for the romance, I loved it ❤️. The tension between Grace and Andrew at the beginning was so good and naturally evolved into flirtation and chemistry. There is a third act breakup that felt a little unnecessary, and I would have happily watched them get together sooner. Still, I understand it was meant to support Grace’s growth, and their connection felt undeniable.
Overall, despite a few nitpicks, I really enjoyed this one. It’s easily one of the better reality TV–inspired romances I’ve read this year, and I can definitely see myself rereading it 📚✨.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Grace—brilliant scientist, frog expert, and serial non-dater—somehow ended up in a family of wildly successful influencers with big personalities to match. When her mom signs her up for a reality dating show, she’s having NONE of it. Until she loses her research funding and frog extinction lingers in her mind, and she finds out the show offers a cash prize….
She has zero social media and has never even watched a reality show, so she’s ridiculously out of her element and it’s hilarious—and not just that part. The writing is so clever, witty, and downright funny. I can easily see how the author wrote TV comedies before jumping into novels.
But wait, there’s more! I loved the relationships and how they all grew, how some people fit the reality tv stereotypes and others decidedly didn’t, how the book pokes some fun at reality TV, and how there’s room in this book for ALL the personalities.
And then there’s Grace and Andrew. Their enemy banter and the way they just give it right back to each other had me dying to get to the next scene and see what they’d say to each other. It took a little while. We didn’t see him all that much at times, but as the book went on I really started to love him and adore them together. The friendships and the way friends and family pulled together was really special too.
Overall, Reality Bites is a fun, quirky, and hilarious read with some beautiful and touching moments in there too.
Thank you to Harper Perennial for my free advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are mine.
She has zero social media and has never even watched a reality show, so she’s ridiculously out of her element and it’s hilarious—and not just that part. The writing is so clever, witty, and downright funny. I can easily see how the author wrote TV comedies before jumping into novels.
But wait, there’s more! I loved the relationships and how they all grew, how some people fit the reality tv stereotypes and others decidedly didn’t, how the book pokes some fun at reality TV, and how there’s room in this book for ALL the personalities.
And then there’s Grace and Andrew. Their enemy banter and the way they just give it right back to each other had me dying to get to the next scene and see what they’d say to each other. It took a little while. We didn’t see him all that much at times, but as the book went on I really started to love him and adore them together. The friendships and the way friends and family pulled together was really special too.
Overall, Reality Bites is a fun, quirky, and hilarious read with some beautiful and touching moments in there too.
Thank you to Harper Perennial for my free advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are mine.
May 12, 2026
Synopsis:
Grace has always felt out of step from her influencer family. However, she is an accomplished scientist who has been published in various scientific journals and is on her way, with her team of scientist friends, to revitalizing an entire population of at-risk frogs, thank you very much. Except funding is low. And when it comes to channeling clout, frogs just aren’t…sexy. But, with an opportunity to star on the popular reality series, Love Shack, Grace sees an opportunity to get her funding to save her frogs…that is if she isn’t booted from the show first by the sarcastic, stubborn Love Shack lawyer.
Thoughts:
If Ali Hazelwood-esque STEMinist fiction and Love Island had a baby, it would be this book. And I mean that in the absolute best way. Amy Mass has done two things with this debut: established herself as a rom-com queen and balanced the quilty pleasure of reality tv with the “peek-behind-the-curtain” realities/downsides of reality tv, adding a realistic lens to an often overly dramatic genre of show. This is not an easy feat.
For example, not only is the main character, Grace, an accomplished animal scientist, but she’s an activist for both animals and humans alike! During her time on Love Shack, Grace is able to identify the pitfalls of the show without falling too deep into the “they’re vapid and I’m superior” mentality. Also, the humor was great! There are a lot of solid one-liners that had me cackling out loud. Overall, this was a super fun read just in time for the summer.
Grace has always felt out of step from her influencer family. However, she is an accomplished scientist who has been published in various scientific journals and is on her way, with her team of scientist friends, to revitalizing an entire population of at-risk frogs, thank you very much. Except funding is low. And when it comes to channeling clout, frogs just aren’t…sexy. But, with an opportunity to star on the popular reality series, Love Shack, Grace sees an opportunity to get her funding to save her frogs…that is if she isn’t booted from the show first by the sarcastic, stubborn Love Shack lawyer.
Thoughts:
If Ali Hazelwood-esque STEMinist fiction and Love Island had a baby, it would be this book. And I mean that in the absolute best way. Amy Mass has done two things with this debut: established herself as a rom-com queen and balanced the quilty pleasure of reality tv with the “peek-behind-the-curtain” realities/downsides of reality tv, adding a realistic lens to an often overly dramatic genre of show. This is not an easy feat.
For example, not only is the main character, Grace, an accomplished animal scientist, but she’s an activist for both animals and humans alike! During her time on Love Shack, Grace is able to identify the pitfalls of the show without falling too deep into the “they’re vapid and I’m superior” mentality. Also, the humor was great! There are a lot of solid one-liners that had me cackling out loud. Overall, this was a super fun read just in time for the summer.
March 2, 2026
STEM FMC: PhD conservation biologist (the text constantly notes that she has 2 PhDs, but it is never said what they are both in, but she's definitely a biologist based on her work)
This book reminded me a bit of The True Love Experiment by Christina Lauren: reality dating show, antagonists to lovers, she falls for someone on the show who isn't a contestant, B-roll footage used in love declaration. The show that she's on kind of reminds me of Perfect Match on Netflix.
Overall, it's not a bad romance, but I had some issues with the FMC. She was incredibly pretentious about her education, and she judged every single person in her life who wasn't also a scientist. She judged all of her immediate family members for being shallow, and she immediately judged every single contestant that she met. She deemed all of the women as dumb because they wore pink and were feminine or super girlie... like, since when has pink precluded anyone from being intelligent? I feel like that's normal for a man to assume, but for the FMC to do that is shitty. She was super condescending to every single person until she got to know them, and then she was shocked to find out that every one of them had depth and was intelligent. That really took away from the overall feel of the book for me. The plot was totally fine, and the MMC was a green flag. If you are looking for a lot of spice, this is not the book for you.
This book reminded me a bit of The True Love Experiment by Christina Lauren: reality dating show, antagonists to lovers, she falls for someone on the show who isn't a contestant, B-roll footage used in love declaration. The show that she's on kind of reminds me of Perfect Match on Netflix.
Overall, it's not a bad romance, but I had some issues with the FMC. She was incredibly pretentious about her education, and she judged every single person in her life who wasn't also a scientist. She judged all of her immediate family members for being shallow, and she immediately judged every single contestant that she met. She deemed all of the women as dumb because they wore pink and were feminine or super girlie... like, since when has pink precluded anyone from being intelligent? I feel like that's normal for a man to assume, but for the FMC to do that is shitty. She was super condescending to every single person until she got to know them, and then she was shocked to find out that every one of them had depth and was intelligent. That really took away from the overall feel of the book for me. The plot was totally fine, and the MMC was a green flag. If you are looking for a lot of spice, this is not the book for you.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 9, 2026
In a family of social media influencers, Grace is the outlier. She is an accomplished scientist and passionate about animal conservation. She would never do something like go on a reality dating show. Except her mom sent in an application without her knowing, and it turns out that her lab is in danger of losing it's funding and the winner of the show receives $250,000. Which is how she ends up on Love Shack (a fictionalized version of Love Island). Grace is in it to win it, but in her way are conniving producers, flirtatious castmates, and an antagonistic on-set lawyer with distracting forearms and a surprisingly good heart.
March 12, 2026
This is the perfect crossover book for romance readers and reality tv lovers! It follows a cast from a reality tv show through the sexy, yet ridiculous challenges, amazing dates, and all the drama in between! The female main character, Grace, is a nerdy conservationist that is just trying to save the frogs! Her mother signs her up for a Love Shack, a reality tv show that’s focused on finding love. As you can imagine, Grace is a fish out of water; however, the amazing women on the show and in the book help guide her along the way. I LOVED how the female friendships were written! It was a joy to read the supportive sisterhood that developed and the differing personalities made it interesting and relatable. The side character, Blue, reminded me of a fairy godmother! He helped Grace and cared for her while on the show. He was hilarious too! Andrew, the uptight lawyer of Love Shack, starts off as a pompous guy with a pension for rules. His character development was so well-written and captivating to read. The enemies to lovers quickly turned into a swoon-worthy rom-com! I was “shipping” Andrew and Grace from day one! I absolutely enjoyed every page I read and am so grateful to NetGalley, Harper Perennial and Paperbacks, and Amy Mass for the opportunity to read and review this one!!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I have never seen an episode of the Bachelor but for some reason I love reality dating show tropes. Reality Bites is a great read for fans of Sarah Adams and is similar in tone to dating show books Thank You, Next by Kathryn Freeman and Not You Again by Ingrid Pierce. Grace comes from a family of influencers and her mom schemes to get her on a reality dating show to find love. Grace agrees because wining the grand prize will save her environmental biology lab from closing. A late bloomer with no dating history, who has never watched a reality show, she is a fish out of water. Of course she is most attracted to the show's attorney and not any of the contestants. This book has a slow start but is very cute with vintage 2000s rom-com vibes. It doesn't seem very grounded in reality- the cameras are barely around and there are so many rules so easily broken. But, it's fun and easy to read. Andrew and Grace have great chemistry, though Grace is definitely lacking in social skills and is pretty short-sighted for someone so highly educated. If you are looking for a fun slump buster fluffy book- this is for you. 3.5 stars. Thanks to Net Galley and Harper Perennial for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The author reached out to me on my instagram - @booklistfordays - and asked if I wanted a copy of the book. After reading the blurb, I immediately said YES!
I'm not really a TV watcher, let alone reality TV. Why? Because I'd always rather be reading; however, I was a sucker for for this book.
🧬Women in STEM
📽️Social media family
👨💼Broody lawyer who not-so-secretly hates his job
📺All the drama reality TV producers stage
I didn't want to stop reading this book. Grace was submitted as a contestant by her mom, who wants to see her in a relationship. But Grace wants to conserve the lives of tadpoles and frogs, something her family doesn't understand.
When Grace makes it as a contestant she can't so no. The tadpoles quite literally depend on her winning the show and winning the prize money.
But what happens when she ruffles all the feathers and falls for the lawyer that she shouldn't even be falling for considering he is not even a contestant on the show!
Start to finish this book will have you giggling and wanting more.
Check out my reels about this book here and here.
I'm not really a TV watcher, let alone reality TV. Why? Because I'd always rather be reading; however, I was a sucker for for this book.
🧬Women in STEM
📽️Social media family
👨💼Broody lawyer who not-so-secretly hates his job
📺All the drama reality TV producers stage
I didn't want to stop reading this book. Grace was submitted as a contestant by her mom, who wants to see her in a relationship. But Grace wants to conserve the lives of tadpoles and frogs, something her family doesn't understand.
When Grace makes it as a contestant she can't so no. The tadpoles quite literally depend on her winning the show and winning the prize money.
But what happens when she ruffles all the feathers and falls for the lawyer that she shouldn't even be falling for considering he is not even a contestant on the show!
Start to finish this book will have you giggling and wanting more.
Check out my reels about this book here and here.
May 13, 2026
What a freaking banger!!!!! I don’t even know how to describe the amazingness of this book. Y’all have heard me talk about it non stop for a few days now and I’m not sure I will ever shut up about it. Honestly this is my favorite romance book of all time. There I said it. And I’m not sure any other book will ever beat it out of its top spot. You have enemies to lovers, slow burn, and a forbidden romance all in one. Plus the FMC is a women in STEM, which is my favorite type of FMC. So Grace is trying to save her lab after they lost their grant. Her influencer mom applies for her to be on this reality tv dating show, without Grace’s knowledge. The big prize is $250k so she reluctantly agrees, hoping the prize money will save the lab. The MMC is a lawyer for the show (hence the forbidden romance). And let me tell you - the tension and the chemistry and the bickering was hot! Gosh this book was soooo dang good. I found myself smiling non stop while reading it. I was kicking my legs up in the air and literally on cloud 9 all weekend while I read it. I loved witnessing Andrew and Grace fall in love. I could not put this book down and would have read it all night long if I didn’t finish it Sunday night. Huge mega ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ @amymasswriter I wish you nothing but cold pillows when you sleep, green lights when you drive, a clean home every day, and whatever else your heart desires. Thank you so much for giving the world this book.
May 13, 2026
This book was an absolute blast! I honestly cannot remember the last rom-com that made me smile this much from beginning to end. It’s witty and heartfelt, and so incredibly fun that I completely flew through it. The reality show setting made for so many genuine laugh out loud moments.
Grace was such a refreshing main character. She’s imperfect and stubborn, and completely out of her element being thrown into a dating show while trying to save her frog conservation lab, which honestly made her even more lovable to me. Watching someone with zero social media presence navigate influencer culture and reality TV chaos was hilarious. The fish out of water energy here was so well done!!
I also really enjoyed watching the relationship unfold in the middle of all of it. Seeing feelings slowly creep in while everything around them kept going completely off the rails was incredibly entertaining.
Underneath all the reality show craziness and ridiculous situations, there’s still a story with real heart about ambition, self-discovery, and ultimately trying to stay true to yourself when everything around you feels performative.
I genuinely cannot believe this is a debut!! I am excited to see what this author writes next. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Grace was such a refreshing main character. She’s imperfect and stubborn, and completely out of her element being thrown into a dating show while trying to save her frog conservation lab, which honestly made her even more lovable to me. Watching someone with zero social media presence navigate influencer culture and reality TV chaos was hilarious. The fish out of water energy here was so well done!!
I also really enjoyed watching the relationship unfold in the middle of all of it. Seeing feelings slowly creep in while everything around them kept going completely off the rails was incredibly entertaining.
Underneath all the reality show craziness and ridiculous situations, there’s still a story with real heart about ambition, self-discovery, and ultimately trying to stay true to yourself when everything around you feels performative.
I genuinely cannot believe this is a debut!! I am excited to see what this author writes next. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
May 14, 2026
Grace Lambert is a serious scientist who is working toward saving Southern Mountain yellow-legged frogs from extinction. Her family, on the other hand, is a bunch of social media influencers who don’t really “get her.” Well, the feeling is mutual. But when her mother signs her up for a reality dating show, her immediate answer is WTF hell no! But then her funding gets cut, putting all her research at risk, along with the jobs of her fellow scientists. So, against her better judgment, she agrees to go on the show in order to win the prize money to save her frogs.
I’ve read several reality TV romcoms in hopes that they would live up to this hilarious and ridiculous premise, and this one bested them all. Where the others failed with annoying, shallow characters and frustrating miscommunication blow-ups, this one managed to drum up just enough drama to make it interesting and keep me on the hook for the happily ever after I’ve been craving. I also loved the secondary story of Grace’s goofy yet loving family and how her being on the dating show brought them together and helped them understand each other better. Cute, funny, heartfelt, and sexy, this one hit all my feel-good expectations just perfectly.
Thank you, @AmyMassWriter and @HarperPerennial, for my free advanced copy.
I’ve read several reality TV romcoms in hopes that they would live up to this hilarious and ridiculous premise, and this one bested them all. Where the others failed with annoying, shallow characters and frustrating miscommunication blow-ups, this one managed to drum up just enough drama to make it interesting and keep me on the hook for the happily ever after I’ve been craving. I also loved the secondary story of Grace’s goofy yet loving family and how her being on the dating show brought them together and helped them understand each other better. Cute, funny, heartfelt, and sexy, this one hit all my feel-good expectations just perfectly.
Thank you, @AmyMassWriter and @HarperPerennial, for my free advanced copy.
May 15, 2026
Love Island/The Bachelor meets biology class in this humorously fun summer read by Amy Mass. After finding out her biology team did not get awarded a grant they were going to use to save an endangered frog species, Grace needs to find a way to get some funding and quick. Luckily, her bold mother submitted her for a dating reality show with a cash prize; all she has to do is be friendly and outgoing which is the challenge for a STEM girl with no social skills.
I have never seen an episode of The Bachelor or Love Island so I can only imagine the shenanigans that go on there. I have seen The Big Bang theory and I definitely imagine Grace’s character as Amy Farrah Fowler who is described as a “brilliant, socially awkward, robotic ‘female Sheldon’”. Grace quickly realizes to get the prize, she needs to stay on the show. And to stay on the show, she needs to push herself out of her comfort zone and socialize which is how she discovers not everyone is who they seem to be.
This was such a fun poolside read. The characters and humor are zingy and sharp. The toxic reality show vibes are engaging and chaotic. I would honestly love to watch a reality show with a down to earth “normal” scientist surrounded by fake reality show personalities.
I have never seen an episode of The Bachelor or Love Island so I can only imagine the shenanigans that go on there. I have seen The Big Bang theory and I definitely imagine Grace’s character as Amy Farrah Fowler who is described as a “brilliant, socially awkward, robotic ‘female Sheldon’”. Grace quickly realizes to get the prize, she needs to stay on the show. And to stay on the show, she needs to push herself out of her comfort zone and socialize which is how she discovers not everyone is who they seem to be.
This was such a fun poolside read. The characters and humor are zingy and sharp. The toxic reality show vibes are engaging and chaotic. I would honestly love to watch a reality show with a down to earth “normal” scientist surrounded by fake reality show personalities.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was such a fun and clever debut rom com! I absolutely loved the concept of a scientist who wants nothing to do with social media getting thrown onto a wildly popular reality dating show. Grace being the only non-influencer in a family full of them made the setup even better.
Grace is passionate, awkward, and totally out of her element on set, which leads to so many funny moments. Ths book was genuinely so hilarious at so many moments. Watching her try (and fail) to play the reality TV game while secretly being there to save her frog research lab was both chaotic and endearing. I loved that she’s not there “for the right reasons,” and the tension of keeping that secret added an extra layer to the story.
The behind the scenes look at the dating show was one of my favorite parts, especially her dynamic with Andrew. Their banter was sharp, and the slow burn, off screen romance made everything even more sweet.
This was witty, charming, and just a really good book. A perfect pick if you love reality TV drama mixed with smart, science girl energy and plenty of romantic tension!
Thank you to NetGalley, Amy Mass, and Harper Perennial for the eARC of this book.
Grace is passionate, awkward, and totally out of her element on set, which leads to so many funny moments. Ths book was genuinely so hilarious at so many moments. Watching her try (and fail) to play the reality TV game while secretly being there to save her frog research lab was both chaotic and endearing. I loved that she’s not there “for the right reasons,” and the tension of keeping that secret added an extra layer to the story.
The behind the scenes look at the dating show was one of my favorite parts, especially her dynamic with Andrew. Their banter was sharp, and the slow burn, off screen romance made everything even more sweet.
This was witty, charming, and just a really good book. A perfect pick if you love reality TV drama mixed with smart, science girl energy and plenty of romantic tension!
Thank you to NetGalley, Amy Mass, and Harper Perennial for the eARC of this book.
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