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Good Luck, Babe!
Not yet published
Expected 23 Jun 26Fake dating isn't just complicated--it's competitive.
Reality TV enthusiasts Noelle and Yumi spent ten years attached at the hip—until the summer after junior year. One ill-fated night (and one awkward kiss) ended their friendship, and after a year of no contact, fate throws the girls back together when they’re offered a last-minute spot on their favorite show—an Amazing Race analog called The Adventureverse.
It’s a chance to put their superfan status to the test, a dream come true. Except for a few It’s an all-couples season, filming starts in two days, and Noelle hasn’t spoken to her “girlfriend” in a year. But Noelle already has plans to use the prize money on her ailing father’s medical expenses. She would do anything for him—including fake date her ex-bestie on national television.
Can Noelle walk a tightrope between reality and TV while juggling a pretend relationship and true feelings? Or will she get sent home empty-handed and brokenhearted?
Reality TV enthusiasts Noelle and Yumi spent ten years attached at the hip—until the summer after junior year. One ill-fated night (and one awkward kiss) ended their friendship, and after a year of no contact, fate throws the girls back together when they’re offered a last-minute spot on their favorite show—an Amazing Race analog called The Adventureverse.
It’s a chance to put their superfan status to the test, a dream come true. Except for a few It’s an all-couples season, filming starts in two days, and Noelle hasn’t spoken to her “girlfriend” in a year. But Noelle already has plans to use the prize money on her ailing father’s medical expenses. She would do anything for him—including fake date her ex-bestie on national television.
Can Noelle walk a tightrope between reality and TV while juggling a pretend relationship and true feelings? Or will she get sent home empty-handed and brokenhearted?
Kindle Edition
Expected publication June 23, 2026
27 people are currently reading
1782 people want to read
About the author
Erin Baldwin
3 books276 followersErin Baldwin (she/her) is a Filipino-American author and free-range, ethically sourced human being on a quest to become the most interesting person on the face of the planet. In pursuit of this goal, she's travelled to 21 countries, lived in 6 states, and is attempting to learn the fiddle. It is not going well. She resides in New Jersey with her two mischievous cats, The Baby Boy and The Baby Girl.
She is represented by Lauren Spieller at Folio Literary Management.
She is represented by Lauren Spieller at Folio Literary Management.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
February 15, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 very solid stars)
Truth be told, the thing that actually made me wanna read this book is the title. I guess nearly everyone knows Chappell Roan’s song “Good Luck, Babe!” (It is actually one of my favorite songs of all time), so seeing a book with the title was already an instant “I need this” moment for me. Continuing, the synopsis of this as well as the reality TV show aspect just added another point as to why I was drawn to this.
Starting with the actual story now, I adored the characters, they were both adorable in their own way and even though I was kind of disappointed that their final arcs weren’t closed (due to the ending and third part feeling kinda rushed), I genuinely liked reading about Yumi and Noelle. Their relationship started off very (imagine the very in capital and bold) rocky but with time and a little bit of pretending, they actually made a really cute couple!
Besides, I adored the angst and overall ‘feels’ this story conveyed. No matter if it was the first chapter where we got to see the ‘prologue’ to the actual application to the show and the very awkward kiss. Or all the chapters the two spent taking part in the Reality show. It was absolutely amazing to read about it and picture it all in my mind. I think this nicely connects with the fact that I think the book was written very well too! As someone who really appreciates good writing and storytelling skills, Erin Baldwin (the author) definitely did this amazingly!!
As I mentioned, though, the biggest downside was the end or the few chapters of part three to be precise. The character arcs just didn’t feel completed, and I would’ve liked to see them actual returning and what it was like figuring out who the two functioned as a couple outside of the reality tv bubble.
However, it was still a solid read, and one that I would happily recommend if one is in the mood to read a lighthearted but angry YA romance.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for a honest and voluntarily given review.
Truth be told, the thing that actually made me wanna read this book is the title. I guess nearly everyone knows Chappell Roan’s song “Good Luck, Babe!” (It is actually one of my favorite songs of all time), so seeing a book with the title was already an instant “I need this” moment for me. Continuing, the synopsis of this as well as the reality TV show aspect just added another point as to why I was drawn to this.
Starting with the actual story now, I adored the characters, they were both adorable in their own way and even though I was kind of disappointed that their final arcs weren’t closed (due to the ending and third part feeling kinda rushed), I genuinely liked reading about Yumi and Noelle. Their relationship started off very (imagine the very in capital and bold) rocky but with time and a little bit of pretending, they actually made a really cute couple!
Besides, I adored the angst and overall ‘feels’ this story conveyed. No matter if it was the first chapter where we got to see the ‘prologue’ to the actual application to the show and the very awkward kiss. Or all the chapters the two spent taking part in the Reality show. It was absolutely amazing to read about it and picture it all in my mind. I think this nicely connects with the fact that I think the book was written very well too! As someone who really appreciates good writing and storytelling skills, Erin Baldwin (the author) definitely did this amazingly!!
As I mentioned, though, the biggest downside was the end or the few chapters of part three to be precise. The character arcs just didn’t feel completed, and I would’ve liked to see them actual returning and what it was like figuring out who the two functioned as a couple outside of the reality tv bubble.
However, it was still a solid read, and one that I would happily recommend if one is in the mood to read a lighthearted but angry YA romance.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for a honest and voluntarily given review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.75/5 stars
i came for the sapphics, stayed for the sapphic angst, and somehow the adventureverse aspect was what makes this book so memorable to me. as a die-hard fan of the amazing race, this book captured that show perfectly in a way that's full of tension and shenanigans while also managing to incorporate the more personal aspects of the characters and their dynamic.
in terms of the characters, i won't go as far as saying i love noelle and yumi because while i find them adorable, one of the things this book lacks is a proper closure for the personal arcs of the story. a lot of it got brushed off at the end as a means of "character development", but instead it felt incomplete and nagged at me a little bit. i don't really like how noelle and yumi's rift started because it was a bunch of misunderstandings that's completely unnecessary and so one-sided and selfish, yet it was never addressed as such. they became a really cute couple, but the way their fight was addressed left a bad taste in my mouth, and it kinda takes this book down a notch.
i still highly recommend this book if you want an adventure-filled, fast-paced contemporary that's just non-stop fun and dramatic at times because, hey, they're in a reality show 😝
many thanks to the publisher and netgalley for a giving me an early copy
i came for the sapphics, stayed for the sapphic angst, and somehow the adventureverse aspect was what makes this book so memorable to me. as a die-hard fan of the amazing race, this book captured that show perfectly in a way that's full of tension and shenanigans while also managing to incorporate the more personal aspects of the characters and their dynamic.
in terms of the characters, i won't go as far as saying i love noelle and yumi because while i find them adorable, one of the things this book lacks is a proper closure for the personal arcs of the story. a lot of it got brushed off at the end as a means of "character development", but instead it felt incomplete and nagged at me a little bit. i don't really like how noelle and yumi's rift started because it was a bunch of misunderstandings that's completely unnecessary and so one-sided and selfish, yet it was never addressed as such. they became a really cute couple, but the way their fight was addressed left a bad taste in my mouth, and it kinda takes this book down a notch.
i still highly recommend this book if you want an adventure-filled, fast-paced contemporary that's just non-stop fun and dramatic at times because, hey, they're in a reality show 😝
many thanks to the publisher and netgalley for a giving me an early copy
Want to read
August 1, 2025former bffs pretend to be a sapphic couple to compete for 2 million $ on a travelling reality TV show..... oh that sounds so chaotic. give me 10 of them!
July 31, 2025
I read this book as a beta reader and trust meee, Erin’s sophomore novel is a 10/5 absolute perfection. I’m still thinking about it.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3,75⭐️
this book was fun and entertaining. i loved the whole reality tv show part especially that every single adventure takes place in a different city all over the world, where you could experience it as a reader with the contestants. don't get me wrong, i really liked yumi and noelles relationship, they are cute and i just love (ex-) best friends to lovers trope so much, but i wish we could've gotten a bit more from them outside the reality tv show. idk if this makes sense lmao. it kinda felt unfinished/rushed in a way, i personally needed more post-season yumi and noelle content filled with fully fleshed out character develoment/arc.
thank you netgalley and the author for providing the advanced readers copy!
this book was fun and entertaining. i loved the whole reality tv show part especially that every single adventure takes place in a different city all over the world, where you could experience it as a reader with the contestants. don't get me wrong, i really liked yumi and noelles relationship, they are cute and i just love (ex-) best friends to lovers trope so much, but i wish we could've gotten a bit more from them outside the reality tv show. idk if this makes sense lmao. it kinda felt unfinished/rushed in a way, i personally needed more post-season yumi and noelle content filled with fully fleshed out character develoment/arc.
thank you netgalley and the author for providing the advanced readers copy!
February 11, 2026
i haven’t truly enjoyed a romance novel in what feels like forever, but this reminded me that i really do love the genre when it’s done well. it was such a breath of fresh air.
funny, likeable characters with great chemistry and realistic reactions to the situations they were put in. that’s really all i can ask for. i think if i was 17 i would’ve made this novel my entire personality for a few weeks at least.
(thank you for the arc provided via netgalley)
funny, likeable characters with great chemistry and realistic reactions to the situations they were put in. that’s really all i can ask for. i think if i was 17 i would’ve made this novel my entire personality for a few weeks at least.
(thank you for the arc provided via netgalley)
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
this was SO. FUCKING. CUTE. everything I want from a ya romance honestly noelle and yumi were everything and the angst was deliciously devastating and the fluff was SO HEARTWARMING. ugh highkey need a sequel of them on another season
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy
Read
February 10, 20264 stars; review to come June 2026
Want to read
February 21, 2026this comes out on my birthday!!! HYPED
Want to read
August 18, 2025oh so my new favourite book?
March 3, 2026
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this advanced reader copy.
I’m not a big fan of contemporary romances, because I always feel like it lacks plot or stakes. But when I stumbled on the author posting about how two former best friends needing to fake date in order to participate in a reality TV show, I knew I had to have my hands on this. What won’t I do for sapphic angst?
The actual plot was very entertaining. Noelle and Yumi are taken from country to country in this fictional Amazing Race adventure , where they have to participate in challenges, defying their patience and their worst fears. The fast (REALLY fast) pacing allowed for a book that is very difficult to put down. Now, everything else is coming from a french person who has only ever seen Pékin Express in this genre of reality shows, but did they HAVE to fly across the world everytime they changed countries ? In the beginning, they go from the US, to Paris, to Buenos Aires, and back to Lisbon—am I the only one absolutely bothered by the fictional ecological nonsense that is this itinerary ? I was absolutely taken out of this book because of it. I also expected more discovery of each individual country, but despite completing a challenge vaguely referencing the culture, they could have easily done all of that from the US.
The romance was also quite fun to follow along, though the very first chapters lead us to believe it would be way angstier than it turned out to be. Maybe it’s because I’m an angst lover above all else, but when you sell me ex-BFFs turned lovers, I expect all of the conflict and sadness that come from it, especially because of the fight that broke their friendship. This may be a me problem, but the reason for their “breakup” was very vague and I genuinely could not understand the miscommunication. It would have hit harder if the author actually had given reasons for it, not just two girls being idiots (and one being an EXTRA idiot).
After that, their romance just didn’t impact as much as I wanted. Yes, they were cute, but they kept behaving like best friends throughout the book. I feel like Yumi narrating the book with all of her yearning added to it might have helped in actually investing myself into their love story.
I do like Noelle’s history, with of all her problems coming from the passing of her mother and her father’s sickness. It helped the reader in empathising in her, and it’s easy to genuinely root for her in her Adventure, and in her love story. Her ADHD also explained a lot of her actions, and it was an easy way to understand more of this pathology. Yumi’s personality complemented her well, though I wish Yumi’s own struggles were explored a little bit more.
I think this story was fun, and I don’t regret reading it at all, but I wish everything was a bit more developed. It was a fun concept, but I think it kind of got lost along the way. A bit more thought given to the plot, a bit more complexity for the girls and a tad more chemistry would have done wonders.
I’m not a big fan of contemporary romances, because I always feel like it lacks plot or stakes. But when I stumbled on the author posting about how two former best friends needing to fake date in order to participate in a reality TV show, I knew I had to have my hands on this. What won’t I do for sapphic angst?
“Yumi reminded me that she’s always been my person,” I say truthfully.
We haven’t figured out everything between us and I don’t quite trust that this friendship is going to transcend the bounds of reality TV, but one thing I do know is that I don’t want to be alone and unknown in the dark anymore.
The actual plot was very entertaining. Noelle and Yumi are taken from country to country in this fictional Amazing Race adventure , where they have to participate in challenges, defying their patience and their worst fears. The fast (REALLY fast) pacing allowed for a book that is very difficult to put down. Now, everything else is coming from a french person who has only ever seen Pékin Express in this genre of reality shows, but did they HAVE to fly across the world everytime they changed countries ? In the beginning, they go from the US, to Paris, to Buenos Aires, and back to Lisbon—am I the only one absolutely bothered by the fictional ecological nonsense that is this itinerary ? I was absolutely taken out of this book because of it. I also expected more discovery of each individual country, but despite completing a challenge vaguely referencing the culture, they could have easily done all of that from the US.
The romance was also quite fun to follow along, though the very first chapters lead us to believe it would be way angstier than it turned out to be. Maybe it’s because I’m an angst lover above all else, but when you sell me ex-BFFs turned lovers, I expect all of the conflict and sadness that come from it, especially because of the fight that broke their friendship. This may be a me problem, but the reason for their “breakup” was very vague and I genuinely could not understand the miscommunication. It would have hit harder if the author actually had given reasons for it, not just two girls being idiots (and one being an EXTRA idiot).
My mouth settles against hers like a declaration: I don’t care. I don’t care if this ends tonight. I don’t care if—that—we lose The Adventureverse. I care about Yumi. I’m here for Yumi. I love Yumi. So I tell her. But first, I reach back and swiftly turn off her mic pack, then mine.
After that, their romance just didn’t impact as much as I wanted. Yes, they were cute, but they kept behaving like best friends throughout the book. I feel like Yumi narrating the book with all of her yearning added to it might have helped in actually investing myself into their love story.
I do like Noelle’s history, with of all her problems coming from the passing of her mother and her father’s sickness. It helped the reader in empathising in her, and it’s easy to genuinely root for her in her Adventure, and in her love story. Her ADHD also explained a lot of her actions, and it was an easy way to understand more of this pathology. Yumi’s personality complemented her well, though I wish Yumi’s own struggles were explored a little bit more.
Her voice is softer, more tentative, when she asks, “Do you regret it? Was it the right choice?"
There’s no hesitation in any part of me. “I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”
I think this story was fun, and I don’t regret reading it at all, but I wish everything was a bit more developed. It was a fun concept, but I think it kind of got lost along the way. A bit more thought given to the plot, a bit more complexity for the girls and a tad more chemistry would have done wonders.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
From the exact first moment I laid eyes on this book I could feel it pulling me in. As a major Chappell Roan fan, a big reality TV watcher, and as a gay woman, I immediately fell in love with it. The more I read about it the bigger the pull and the more boxes it checked and I positively adore it when my gut instinct is correct.
I immediately felt at home with our leads Noelle and Yumi in a way that I wasn't sure I was ready for or expected if I am honest. As being someone who lost their Dad to liver failure and also being someone who watched countless hours of Survivor and Amazing Race growing up with him it was incredibly easy to understand Noelle's motivations and worries.
I for one would EASILY have done the same for my dad.
Erin pulls you in steadily with her story about two high school girls, Noelle and Yumi, in which after having a falling out after a kiss causing them to go no contact for a year before a last minute email to take part in their favorite reality show thrusts them back together again as Noelle wants the money to help her dad but the only caveat is that the producers believe them to be a couple from their audition.
Noelle and Yumi's progression as a pair felt natural as the challenges of the show progressed and everything fell into place at the right times, you could feel the ways the show tested their limits but also in the ways it brought them together at the beat moments.
Their position as the superfans of the show felt like it really grounded them to it all as they went, despite them being the younger contestants and also working to fall into a rhythm with the fake relationship they were trying to sell.
The fact that they were able to boil down the other couples to their own trope it felt exactly like how I personally watch reality TV. You can't possibly remember every one at the start and you boil them down to memorable traits or tropes and as you sit with them longer and longer and watch their trials you learn more about them and who they are and where they fit. Which is what it feels like we do with not only Noelle and Yumi but also some of the other contestants to an extent.
I believe that all helped the pacing of the book which was quick and yet still comfortable. It felt like we held every scene the exact right amount of time. I didn't have a dull moment reading, pages kept turning one right after another and chapters kept flowing easily untill I was unfortunately at the end.
I also say with 100% certainty that I would have totally watched this season if it was real so I could root for them all over again.
All in all its a great easy read that I was happily addicted to for the stint I had it for. I throughly enjoyed each of the characters and it felt like it really captured the feeling is when you are on a reality show.
Thank you to Erin for writing a great story and thank you and Netgalley for the ARC.
I immediately felt at home with our leads Noelle and Yumi in a way that I wasn't sure I was ready for or expected if I am honest. As being someone who lost their Dad to liver failure and also being someone who watched countless hours of Survivor and Amazing Race growing up with him it was incredibly easy to understand Noelle's motivations and worries.
I for one would EASILY have done the same for my dad.
Erin pulls you in steadily with her story about two high school girls, Noelle and Yumi, in which after having a falling out after a kiss causing them to go no contact for a year before a last minute email to take part in their favorite reality show thrusts them back together again as Noelle wants the money to help her dad but the only caveat is that the producers believe them to be a couple from their audition.
Noelle and Yumi's progression as a pair felt natural as the challenges of the show progressed and everything fell into place at the right times, you could feel the ways the show tested their limits but also in the ways it brought them together at the beat moments.
Their position as the superfans of the show felt like it really grounded them to it all as they went, despite them being the younger contestants and also working to fall into a rhythm with the fake relationship they were trying to sell.
The fact that they were able to boil down the other couples to their own trope it felt exactly like how I personally watch reality TV. You can't possibly remember every one at the start and you boil them down to memorable traits or tropes and as you sit with them longer and longer and watch their trials you learn more about them and who they are and where they fit. Which is what it feels like we do with not only Noelle and Yumi but also some of the other contestants to an extent.
I believe that all helped the pacing of the book which was quick and yet still comfortable. It felt like we held every scene the exact right amount of time. I didn't have a dull moment reading, pages kept turning one right after another and chapters kept flowing easily untill I was unfortunately at the end.
I also say with 100% certainty that I would have totally watched this season if it was real so I could root for them all over again.
All in all its a great easy read that I was happily addicted to for the stint I had it for. I throughly enjoyed each of the characters and it felt like it really captured the feeling is when you are on a reality show.
Thank you to Erin for writing a great story and thank you and Netgalley for the ARC.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 15, 2026
3.5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin for providing me with an ARC.
Good Luck, Babe! is a LGBT+ YA novel about Yumi and Noelle, two former best friends, who fell out a year ago after an awkward kiss, and haven’t spoken since. Before their falling out, they applied to go on The Adventureverse together, a TV show much like The Amazing Race, where teams race across the world and tackle challenges. The thing is, this is a couple’s season, and to be in for a chance to win the two-million-dollar prize, Yumi and Noelle have to pretend to be dating.
Friends to enemies to lovers, fake dating, forced proximity – this book has all the classic tropes, and that keeps it engaging and fun throughout. I also really did like the characters, Noelle especially felt like a very fleshed-out, real character, who’s motivations were clear. I really felt for her throughout.
The writing was also lovely, and had some really nice prose, which I don’t usually see in the YA genre, as well as humour, which helped balance some of the tension between our characters.
However, for me personally, I felt like Yumi and Noelle’s relationship at the end happened too fast. I wish the ending would have explored that a little bit more. I feel like they had to talk about their big falling out and misunderstanding that led to a year of no contact, but they never did. It felt like none of that was unpacked and was brushed over too soon.
Overall, a very fun and easy sapphic read, with great representation and a host of diverse characters, a fun and quick-moving plot, and a cute romance.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin for providing me with an ARC.
Good Luck, Babe! is a LGBT+ YA novel about Yumi and Noelle, two former best friends, who fell out a year ago after an awkward kiss, and haven’t spoken since. Before their falling out, they applied to go on The Adventureverse together, a TV show much like The Amazing Race, where teams race across the world and tackle challenges. The thing is, this is a couple’s season, and to be in for a chance to win the two-million-dollar prize, Yumi and Noelle have to pretend to be dating.
Friends to enemies to lovers, fake dating, forced proximity – this book has all the classic tropes, and that keeps it engaging and fun throughout. I also really did like the characters, Noelle especially felt like a very fleshed-out, real character, who’s motivations were clear. I really felt for her throughout.
The writing was also lovely, and had some really nice prose, which I don’t usually see in the YA genre, as well as humour, which helped balance some of the tension between our characters.
However, for me personally, I felt like Yumi and Noelle’s relationship at the end happened too fast. I wish the ending would have explored that a little bit more. I feel like they had to talk about their big falling out and misunderstanding that led to a year of no contact, but they never did. It felt like none of that was unpacked and was brushed over too soon.
Overall, a very fun and easy sapphic read, with great representation and a host of diverse characters, a fun and quick-moving plot, and a cute romance.
March 8, 2026
4.5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an ARC of Good Luck, Babe!
Immediately when I heard about this book, my first thought was, how do I sign up for NetGalley so I can get my hands on this book?!? And it didn't disappoint! I loved the set up of ex best friends with a misunderstanding coming together to compete in a gameshow that they are fans of! I loved Noelle and Yumi, and how the way their relationship developed seemed believable, which is uncommon in romance books surprisingly. I am a little confused at what actually happened that night when they kissed for the first time, but I can believe that Noelle misremembered/misconstrued the events because she thinks she was the only one in love at the time.
I loved (most) of the side characters too! Morgan and Matt, KC and Gabriel... I even felt for Bee and Logan. Like I wanted Yumi and Noelle to win but I also didnt want the others to lose, but it's also kind of satisfying that Noelle and Yumi didn't win. At the end, that wasnt the most important thing to either of them (even if Noelle did need to money for her dad), and you can tell by the way they take their loss with grace.
Immediately when I heard about this book, my first thought was, how do I sign up for NetGalley so I can get my hands on this book?!? And it didn't disappoint! I loved the set up of ex best friends with a misunderstanding coming together to compete in a gameshow that they are fans of! I loved Noelle and Yumi, and how the way their relationship developed seemed believable, which is uncommon in romance books surprisingly. I am a little confused at what actually happened that night when they kissed for the first time, but I can believe that Noelle misremembered/misconstrued the events because she thinks she was the only one in love at the time.
I loved (most) of the side characters too! Morgan and Matt, KC and Gabriel... I even felt for Bee and Logan. Like I wanted Yumi and Noelle to win but I also didnt want the others to lose, but it's also kind of satisfying that Noelle and Yumi didn't win. At the end, that wasnt the most important thing to either of them (even if Noelle did need to money for her dad), and you can tell by the way they take their loss with grace.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 23, 2026
Thank you NetGallery for the eARC! 4.25 ⭐️
Following Noelle, a recent high school graduate dealing with her father’s chronic illness, in the light of an uncertain future (especially when it comes to her ex-best friend/crush). When Noelle and said ex-crush, Yumi, end up teaming up for their favorite reality tv show, feelings begin to come up in the pair.
I really really enjoyed this read. I grew up watching The Amazing Race with my mom, and this brought up those fond feelings and memories within me. The tv show was intriguing, keeping up a good pace for the narrative while also invoking those nostalgic feelings.
I also liked both Noelle and Yumi’s personalities. The two were balanced for one another, and their reactions and mannerisms were very much that of 18 year olds. To this point, it definitely helped solidify their year of not speaking, especially as it was something very fixable but the teenage angst got in the way.
I definitely recommend this read, especially to those who love a cute sapphic book.
Following Noelle, a recent high school graduate dealing with her father’s chronic illness, in the light of an uncertain future (especially when it comes to her ex-best friend/crush). When Noelle and said ex-crush, Yumi, end up teaming up for their favorite reality tv show, feelings begin to come up in the pair.
I really really enjoyed this read. I grew up watching The Amazing Race with my mom, and this brought up those fond feelings and memories within me. The tv show was intriguing, keeping up a good pace for the narrative while also invoking those nostalgic feelings.
I also liked both Noelle and Yumi’s personalities. The two were balanced for one another, and their reactions and mannerisms were very much that of 18 year olds. To this point, it definitely helped solidify their year of not speaking, especially as it was something very fixable but the teenage angst got in the way.
I definitely recommend this read, especially to those who love a cute sapphic book.
February 14, 2026
ARC provided by netgalley!
That was so fucking good. Noelle is so likeable and relatable and her voice is so fun. Like the prose constantly had me going ooooo or laughing. The plot is also so SO fun. I haven't watched the amazing race in years but i used to watch it with my family and this book really brought me back, it felt so nostalgic and real. I had such a good time. It took me less than a day to read through this, I just couldn't put it down!
That was so fucking good. Noelle is so likeable and relatable and her voice is so fun. Like the prose constantly had me going ooooo or laughing. The plot is also so SO fun. I haven't watched the amazing race in years but i used to watch it with my family and this book really brought me back, it felt so nostalgic and real. I had such a good time. It took me less than a day to read through this, I just couldn't put it down!
February 9, 2026
I acquired an e-arc from NetGalley to review it. Thanks NetGalley and the publisher!
I have been in a reading slump for a while. I've finished one book so far this year. I read this book in one day. I could not put it down. Erin Baldwin does a great job describing the incredible places her characters visit. Her writing is so clever, and fun, and has such heart to it. I look forward to Erin's next book!
I have been in a reading slump for a while. I've finished one book so far this year. I read this book in one day. I could not put it down. Erin Baldwin does a great job describing the incredible places her characters visit. Her writing is so clever, and fun, and has such heart to it. I look forward to Erin's next book!
February 13, 2026
this book is PHENOMENAL!!!! i love yumi and noelle SO much and the writing is INCREDIBLE. i’ve been SO SAT for this book since it was annocued and boy did it exceed my expectations!!! the way this book ended was full circle and i am going to think about it FOREVER!!!! top book of 2026 so far for SURE!!! everyone read this when it comes out this june!!!!
March 10, 2026
ARC review from netgalley:
it was really good!! i enjoyed the entire premise of the adventureverse and the dynamic between yumi + noelle. i do wish they had dove into their argument a bit more and i feel like the last 25% of the book was crazy rushed. i definitely could’ve done with another 50 pages or so. other than that, it’s a solid 4 ⭐️
it was really good!! i enjoyed the entire premise of the adventureverse and the dynamic between yumi + noelle. i do wish they had dove into their argument a bit more and i feel like the last 25% of the book was crazy rushed. i definitely could’ve done with another 50 pages or so. other than that, it’s a solid 4 ⭐️
March 12, 2026
3.5-.75/5
a very cute sapphic second-chance story. loved the reality tv setting (huge amazing race fan), and found the adventures to be interesting. the pacing throughout wasn’t consistent for me, and i felt like some things received more detail than needed.
A+ on sapphic yearning.
A+ chappell roan reference
a very cute sapphic second-chance story. loved the reality tv setting (huge amazing race fan), and found the adventures to be interesting. the pacing throughout wasn’t consistent for me, and i felt like some things received more detail than needed.
A+ on sapphic yearning.
A+ chappell roan reference
Want to read
January 8, 2026I'm so excited for this book! It's definitely on my most anticipated books of 2026. The premise sounds so fascinating and I think it'll be great comp for my book as well. June cannot come fast enough
February 11, 2026
thanks to netgalley for the arc! I read this in one day with a cold, which is kind of optimal conditions because it feels like a comforting bowl of soup of a book.
this was really sweet! I love race across the world-style reality tv shows, it was fun to think about the behind the scenes, and this fake dating trope worked for me. a fun time! noelle and yumi felt like real people i’d be friends with and the cast of characters were very entertaining.
this was really sweet! I love race across the world-style reality tv shows, it was fun to think about the behind the scenes, and this fake dating trope worked for me. a fun time! noelle and yumi felt like real people i’d be friends with and the cast of characters were very entertaining.
February 19, 2026
A sapphic YA romance named after one of my favorite Chappell Roan songs? Sign me up! 💅🏻
If you love “The Amazing Race”, this is the book for you. Noelle and Yumi find themselves catapulted from being ex-best friends to pretending to be girlfriends so that they can compete in their favorite show “The Adventureverse”—and hopefully collect the prize money that accompanies a win.
This is a very sweet enemies-to-lovers romance, and the story itself goes pretty quickly. This was a 4 star read for me because I found myself more invested in the reality TV dynamics than I was in the characters’s relationship, which isn’t the best sign for a book focused on that. Overall though, a quick and enjoyable read!
Thanks to the publishers for providing an ARC in exchange for this honest review! “Good Luck, Babe!” releases on June 23 💕
If you love “The Amazing Race”, this is the book for you. Noelle and Yumi find themselves catapulted from being ex-best friends to pretending to be girlfriends so that they can compete in their favorite show “The Adventureverse”—and hopefully collect the prize money that accompanies a win.
This is a very sweet enemies-to-lovers romance, and the story itself goes pretty quickly. This was a 4 star read for me because I found myself more invested in the reality TV dynamics than I was in the characters’s relationship, which isn’t the best sign for a book focused on that. Overall though, a quick and enjoyable read!
Thanks to the publishers for providing an ARC in exchange for this honest review! “Good Luck, Babe!” releases on June 23 💕
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
2.5 🌟
thank you to penguin young readers group and netgalley for providing an ARC!
good luck, babe wasn't a terrible book, but it failed to convince me on the romance front.
i loved the concept from the beginning. a reality tv show is such an interesting backdrop for a romance and had potential for some interesting storylines.
unfortunately, noelle and yumi just weren't compelling as characters. they both lacked dimension to me and as a result, their romance felt lacking.
i felt like we barely knew them outside of this reality show, and they supposedly had so much history as friends (who had crushes on each other) but we barely got to actually see any of that.
also the title for the book feels a bit poorly chosen to me. whilst the protagonist and her love interest are both sapphic, neither use labels in the book and the novel doesn't really explore their queer identities. so it feels like an odd choice to name the book after a song specifically about the lesbian experience.
thank you to penguin young readers group and netgalley for providing an ARC!
good luck, babe wasn't a terrible book, but it failed to convince me on the romance front.
i loved the concept from the beginning. a reality tv show is such an interesting backdrop for a romance and had potential for some interesting storylines.
unfortunately, noelle and yumi just weren't compelling as characters. they both lacked dimension to me and as a result, their romance felt lacking.
i felt like we barely knew them outside of this reality show, and they supposedly had so much history as friends (who had crushes on each other) but we barely got to actually see any of that.
also the title for the book feels a bit poorly chosen to me. whilst the protagonist and her love interest are both sapphic, neither use labels in the book and the novel doesn't really explore their queer identities. so it feels like an odd choice to name the book after a song specifically about the lesbian experience.
February 10, 2026
This is the first book I’ve read fully (other than graphic novels) for over a year. I’m a simple woman and Chappell Roan fan, so when I saw a tweet about this book and the summary I was really intrigued.
I’ve never watched The Amazing Race (which I assume this is based heavily on) but I love Rupaul’s Drag Race and have read through Reddit and Twitter after episodes and seasons to learn more about why things played out the way they did. This book was really interesting in that way and really felt like the most behind the scenes look at reality TV possible.
The characters were interesting and the challenges as well as trying to predict the future ones like a real “superfan” was very engaging!
Overall I liked the story and rooted for the protagonists, for a non-thriller I was surprised at how gripped I was.
Spoilers below!
I really thought that the loved one at the plaza for Noelle was going to be someone other than her dad because he’s too sick to travel. I thought that was gonna be why Yumi didn’t pick him out right, because it’s someone Noelle isn’t as close to. It still worked as a sad moment, especially with how sure Noelle was that it was him, but it would have been interesting if she was wrong. I’m mainly sharing in case anyone else had the same theory!
I of course was hoping the girls would win and was gutted they didn’t, but it would have felt too obvious if they just won! I was really expecting that even though they were the last to arrive, that another team would have dropped out or something!
It was so charming at the end to hear about the memes that came of the show, as well as the perspectives of other characters thought the story!
TL;DR:
You will like this if you know more about reality TV than most or have ever thought about the more behind the scenes and production side of things, and especially if you like a sapphic will they won’t they dynamic.
As I’m reading this before publication I want to give some feedback on some elements that may just be me, but may be things that bug others too:
- When the group meet with Aliona after the night in the dark tunnels, it wasn’t clear to me what was or was not being filmed, like when Clyde and Cora emerge late. It’s stated that the cameras were on and mics hooked up but Aliona was actively talking to the group so I didn’t think it was filmed until Noelle and Yumi were asked about the late arrival in confessionals.
- The Via Ferrata challenge was confusing for me to understand until a ways into it. I was unsure if it was going to be climbing, abseiling, going across a narrow rickety bridge etc; even after googling the real life location. My current understanding is that there was a rope along the cliff wall to hold onto and small rods jutting out of the wall to step on, then the contestants shimmy sideways along the wall. I don’t know if I got it right though!
- The Singapore Swing challenge confused me too in the same way, I had to re read a lot of it and google the activity to fully get it. This one might have just been me though.
- Post-show/in the reunion, I was really hoping to see mention of the part when Noelle was raging after the Piazza. Given all the insight about fan perspectives on events and how it was mentioned in the hotel that the cameras were on them, I was hoping to learn what the fans thought of it and how much was in the edit.
- I want to know how dad got his transplant! If they got money from the fame of the show I’d love to know even a sentence about it, if he got to the top of the donor list completely unrelated to the show that would be interesting too.
I’ve never watched The Amazing Race (which I assume this is based heavily on) but I love Rupaul’s Drag Race and have read through Reddit and Twitter after episodes and seasons to learn more about why things played out the way they did. This book was really interesting in that way and really felt like the most behind the scenes look at reality TV possible.
The characters were interesting and the challenges as well as trying to predict the future ones like a real “superfan” was very engaging!
Overall I liked the story and rooted for the protagonists, for a non-thriller I was surprised at how gripped I was.
Spoilers below!
I really thought that the loved one at the plaza for Noelle was going to be someone other than her dad because he’s too sick to travel. I thought that was gonna be why Yumi didn’t pick him out right, because it’s someone Noelle isn’t as close to. It still worked as a sad moment, especially with how sure Noelle was that it was him, but it would have been interesting if she was wrong. I’m mainly sharing in case anyone else had the same theory!
I of course was hoping the girls would win and was gutted they didn’t, but it would have felt too obvious if they just won! I was really expecting that even though they were the last to arrive, that another team would have dropped out or something!
It was so charming at the end to hear about the memes that came of the show, as well as the perspectives of other characters thought the story!
TL;DR:
You will like this if you know more about reality TV than most or have ever thought about the more behind the scenes and production side of things, and especially if you like a sapphic will they won’t they dynamic.
As I’m reading this before publication I want to give some feedback on some elements that may just be me, but may be things that bug others too:
- When the group meet with Aliona after the night in the dark tunnels, it wasn’t clear to me what was or was not being filmed, like when Clyde and Cora emerge late. It’s stated that the cameras were on and mics hooked up but Aliona was actively talking to the group so I didn’t think it was filmed until Noelle and Yumi were asked about the late arrival in confessionals.
- The Via Ferrata challenge was confusing for me to understand until a ways into it. I was unsure if it was going to be climbing, abseiling, going across a narrow rickety bridge etc; even after googling the real life location. My current understanding is that there was a rope along the cliff wall to hold onto and small rods jutting out of the wall to step on, then the contestants shimmy sideways along the wall. I don’t know if I got it right though!
- The Singapore Swing challenge confused me too in the same way, I had to re read a lot of it and google the activity to fully get it. This one might have just been me though.
- Post-show/in the reunion, I was really hoping to see mention of the part when Noelle was raging after the Piazza. Given all the insight about fan perspectives on events and how it was mentioned in the hotel that the cameras were on them, I was hoping to learn what the fans thought of it and how much was in the edit.
- I want to know how dad got his transplant! If they got money from the fame of the show I’d love to know even a sentence about it, if he got to the top of the donor list completely unrelated to the show that would be interesting too.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
[e-arc acquired from netgalley for honest review. thank you!]
Oh my god, how am I going to recover from this perfect novel?
I am so deeply in love with it, I think it's my new favourite sapphic romance.
Noelle and Yumi are fans of the show The Adventureverse and ex best friends who team up to join a new all-couples season of the beloved reality show.
Firstly, Noelle and Yumi have incredible chemistry! You can feel the comfort they have with each other. The intimacy of them knowing their partner inside out-when they're feeling poorly and what the perfect response is-is palpable. I was so excited watching their relationship evolve throughout the novel. Both girls are also such vivid and complex characters; they felt like real people.
I loved that Noelle and Yumi were close with eachother's families, and even after the dissolution of their friendship, they deeply cared about their families (and of course each other)
I was so amazed how deftly topics of mental health, ADHD, chronic illness, disability, and grief were handled as well.
Queerness and mental health are intrinsically linked to their story and how their relationship develops. Noelle deals with thought loops which were so vividly described. I loved how Baldwin connected the internal feelings with physical symptoms, and in general Noelle's thought processes were shown extremely well.
The feelings of having a sick parent explored in this novel were also so real and cathartic to read about.
I've had periods of obsession with The Amazing Race, which the reality show in the novel seems to be based off of based on it's blurb. I have to say that I think the novel perfectly captured the appeal of shows like that, including the talking head interviews, challenges, and archetypes the competing teams are pushed into. There was a successful effort to give depth to other teams beyond their archetypes.
As mentioned, I loved the challenges, and loved how the characters struggled with certain realistic aspects of them.
The humour in this novel was also great, not butting in to often as to allow serious topics time to be explored, but to keep the light and refreshing vibe of the novel.
I actually cried at a couple scenes in Good Luck, Babe!, which to me, shows how incredibly it was written.
GLB is an amazing novel that I won't be able to stop thinking about for a long while.
Oh my god, how am I going to recover from this perfect novel?
I am so deeply in love with it, I think it's my new favourite sapphic romance.
Noelle and Yumi are fans of the show The Adventureverse and ex best friends who team up to join a new all-couples season of the beloved reality show.
Firstly, Noelle and Yumi have incredible chemistry! You can feel the comfort they have with each other. The intimacy of them knowing their partner inside out-when they're feeling poorly and what the perfect response is-is palpable. I was so excited watching their relationship evolve throughout the novel. Both girls are also such vivid and complex characters; they felt like real people.
I loved that Noelle and Yumi were close with eachother's families, and even after the dissolution of their friendship, they deeply cared about their families (and of course each other)
I was so amazed how deftly topics of mental health, ADHD, chronic illness, disability, and grief were handled as well.
Queerness and mental health are intrinsically linked to their story and how their relationship develops. Noelle deals with thought loops which were so vividly described. I loved how Baldwin connected the internal feelings with physical symptoms, and in general Noelle's thought processes were shown extremely well.
The feelings of having a sick parent explored in this novel were also so real and cathartic to read about.
I've had periods of obsession with The Amazing Race, which the reality show in the novel seems to be based off of based on it's blurb. I have to say that I think the novel perfectly captured the appeal of shows like that, including the talking head interviews, challenges, and archetypes the competing teams are pushed into. There was a successful effort to give depth to other teams beyond their archetypes.
As mentioned, I loved the challenges, and loved how the characters struggled with certain realistic aspects of them.
The humour in this novel was also great, not butting in to often as to allow serious topics time to be explored, but to keep the light and refreshing vibe of the novel.
I actually cried at a couple scenes in Good Luck, Babe!, which to me, shows how incredibly it was written.
GLB is an amazing novel that I won't be able to stop thinking about for a long while.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
2.5 out of 5 ☆
I want to preface this by saying I’m not the target audience. I’m sure somebody younger that enjoys reality TV would enjoy and understand this book much more than I did.
With that out of the way, I’ll say the good things first!
· The book is an extremely light and quick read. The pages just flew by and before I’d realized I was at the acknowledgements. The descriptions are done well enough but without letting them get in the way of the fast pace of the book, which moves from one place to another in a matter of chapters.
· It deals with heavy topics without letting them take over the tone of a book that is supposed to be about teen love and reality shows, which I found very well done.
· Both main characters felt likeable to me and the Adventures within the show felt fun and engaging. I read in the acknowledgements that the author contemplated having some chapters narrated by Yumi, but I think it was the right call to leave them out of the final version as Noelle’s perspective was enough to feel the development in their relationship.
· It’s always nice to see queer representation in teen media!
However, there were several things that weren’t done as well:
· I feel the book would have worked better if both girls were 20 years old or older. A lot of the reality shows they mention and reference are populated by people way older than they are and it felt a bit unbelievable that they would have chosen them as a last-minute pick over what one assumes to be a large pool of candidates just based on their chemistry when they weren’t even sure they are not underage.
· A lot of major plot points they put a lot of emphasis on at the beginning of the book just vanish, even when they are major driving forces that push the narrative forward. What was the point of bringing it up so many times then? What was the purpose of introducing it in the narrative if the tension builds but it doesn’t go anywhere?
· The title doesn’t really feel like it matches the book much, but rather that it’s trying to attract people who enjoy sapphic stories through using a popular song title.
Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Young Readers Group for the ARC! All opinions are my own.
I want to preface this by saying I’m not the target audience. I’m sure somebody younger that enjoys reality TV would enjoy and understand this book much more than I did.
With that out of the way, I’ll say the good things first!
· The book is an extremely light and quick read. The pages just flew by and before I’d realized I was at the acknowledgements. The descriptions are done well enough but without letting them get in the way of the fast pace of the book, which moves from one place to another in a matter of chapters.
· It deals with heavy topics without letting them take over the tone of a book that is supposed to be about teen love and reality shows, which I found very well done.
· Both main characters felt likeable to me and the Adventures within the show felt fun and engaging. I read in the acknowledgements that the author contemplated having some chapters narrated by Yumi, but I think it was the right call to leave them out of the final version as Noelle’s perspective was enough to feel the development in their relationship.
· It’s always nice to see queer representation in teen media!
However, there were several things that weren’t done as well:
· I feel the book would have worked better if both girls were 20 years old or older. A lot of the reality shows they mention and reference are populated by people way older than they are and it felt a bit unbelievable that they would have chosen them as a last-minute pick over what one assumes to be a large pool of candidates just based on their chemistry when they weren’t even sure they are not underage.
· A lot of major plot points they put a lot of emphasis on at the beginning of the book just vanish, even when they are major driving forces that push the narrative forward. What was the point of bringing it up so many times then? What was the purpose of introducing it in the narrative if the tension builds but it doesn’t go anywhere?
· The title doesn’t really feel like it matches the book much, but rather that it’s trying to attract people who enjoy sapphic stories through using a popular song title.
Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Young Readers Group for the ARC! All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 ⭐️
As a sapphic Filipino obsessed with reality shows, when I learned that this book follows two former bestfriends fake dating on their favorite reality TV show competition, I knew I had to read it.
I honestly already expected this book to be lighthearted and to have really cute romcom vibes. While it delivered exactly that, it also gave us a good amount of relatable young adult sapphic angst. It was fast-paced and perfect for those who want a short feel-good romance to cleanse their palate from reading long fantasy books.
However, while I had a fun time reading this book, I honestly found myself struggling to finish it. I did not feel as attached to the characters and the plot as I hoped to. Mainly because I found the actual romance plot and the execution of "fake-dating-in-a-reality-show" a bit lackluster. The places and challenges chosen for "The Adventureverse" were not as compelling as I thought they would be, and that made me care less about the setting of the book. That is quite a bummer for me, especially when its main premise is that it was set in a race-around-the-world reality TV show competition.
Noelle and Yumi's progression from being ex-best friends to reality-show-partners to lovers could have been improved because I felt like there were not many "off-cam" scenes between the two, at least not enough for me to actually root for their blooming romantic relationship. We did have some good romantic scenes, but it was already towards the end (I did like the bungee jumping scene!) Moreover, I would've preferred if there was more conflict involved in their fake-dating setup, especially since they were doing it in front of the cameras on national TV. I found it hard to believe that no one in the show actually sensed they were not a real couple and confronted them for it. I wish the stakes were higher for the two. It would've kept me hooked.
Regardless, I would still consider it a good read. It's not the best out there, but I do not think it is a waste of time. The book just didn't leave a mark enough for me to consider it one of my favorite sapphic romances. So, if you're curious enough, go give "Good Luck, Babe" a chance.
Thanks to Netgalley for providing an advanced reading copy of this book!
As a sapphic Filipino obsessed with reality shows, when I learned that this book follows two former bestfriends fake dating on their favorite reality TV show competition, I knew I had to read it.
I honestly already expected this book to be lighthearted and to have really cute romcom vibes. While it delivered exactly that, it also gave us a good amount of relatable young adult sapphic angst. It was fast-paced and perfect for those who want a short feel-good romance to cleanse their palate from reading long fantasy books.
However, while I had a fun time reading this book, I honestly found myself struggling to finish it. I did not feel as attached to the characters and the plot as I hoped to. Mainly because I found the actual romance plot and the execution of "fake-dating-in-a-reality-show" a bit lackluster. The places and challenges chosen for "The Adventureverse" were not as compelling as I thought they would be, and that made me care less about the setting of the book. That is quite a bummer for me, especially when its main premise is that it was set in a race-around-the-world reality TV show competition.
Noelle and Yumi's progression from being ex-best friends to reality-show-partners to lovers could have been improved because I felt like there were not many "off-cam" scenes between the two, at least not enough for me to actually root for their blooming romantic relationship. We did have some good romantic scenes, but it was already towards the end (I did like the bungee jumping scene!) Moreover, I would've preferred if there was more conflict involved in their fake-dating setup, especially since they were doing it in front of the cameras on national TV. I found it hard to believe that no one in the show actually sensed they were not a real couple and confronted them for it. I wish the stakes were higher for the two. It would've kept me hooked.
Regardless, I would still consider it a good read. It's not the best out there, but I do not think it is a waste of time. The book just didn't leave a mark enough for me to consider it one of my favorite sapphic romances. So, if you're curious enough, go give "Good Luck, Babe" a chance.
Thanks to Netgalley for providing an advanced reading copy of this book!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Just from the title alone, I had a feeling I’d really like Good Luck, Babe! A sapphic rom-com with a Chappell Roan reference for a title? I know I’m not the only one that’ll be drawn in on that alone. Luckily, the plot drew me right in too—estranged best friends who fell out after they kissed, only back in touch because they have to fake being a couple in order to compete on their favorite reality show? Of course I was all in on that!
From the start, Noelle and Yumi are well-drawn characters, complicated in the way that only teenage girls can be. They’re prickly and awkward, in a stand-off at the start as Noelle attempts to build a bridge back to their former friendship and Yumi refuses to allow it to happen. The shift that happens as Yumi warms up more is really lovely to watch, and the pacing of it felt right for the story. Sometimes fake dating tropes feel a little too easy, like the fake part is rushed, but this one worked well for me.
The reality show element was so fun, especially if you’ve ever binged Amazing Race or Survivor and dug a little too deep into the meta of the game. Noelle and Yumi are superfans, and their obsession feels absolutely authentic. As someone who is cursed with deep knowledge of a fair few niche fandoms, the way they talked about and analyzed The Adventureverse felt extremely familiar.
The other contestants are great too—all familiar archetypes, all distinctive and fun to follow as they stumble through all the challenges laid out ahead of them. Even with limited time given to each other pair, we got a chance to get to know them and even root for them a little. I would’ve loved to spend even more time with the others, but that definitely would’ve gotten in the way of the pacing, which was moving at a pretty fast clip.
Overall, I really enjoyed this! YA romance is hit or miss for me in general, but this is definitely a hit. If you’ve ever lost a day to a reality tv binge, or you’re just looking for a sweet, easy sapphic rom com, this is an excellent pick for you.
Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC!
From the start, Noelle and Yumi are well-drawn characters, complicated in the way that only teenage girls can be. They’re prickly and awkward, in a stand-off at the start as Noelle attempts to build a bridge back to their former friendship and Yumi refuses to allow it to happen. The shift that happens as Yumi warms up more is really lovely to watch, and the pacing of it felt right for the story. Sometimes fake dating tropes feel a little too easy, like the fake part is rushed, but this one worked well for me.
The reality show element was so fun, especially if you’ve ever binged Amazing Race or Survivor and dug a little too deep into the meta of the game. Noelle and Yumi are superfans, and their obsession feels absolutely authentic. As someone who is cursed with deep knowledge of a fair few niche fandoms, the way they talked about and analyzed The Adventureverse felt extremely familiar.
The other contestants are great too—all familiar archetypes, all distinctive and fun to follow as they stumble through all the challenges laid out ahead of them. Even with limited time given to each other pair, we got a chance to get to know them and even root for them a little. I would’ve loved to spend even more time with the others, but that definitely would’ve gotten in the way of the pacing, which was moving at a pretty fast clip.
Overall, I really enjoyed this! YA romance is hit or miss for me in general, but this is definitely a hit. If you’ve ever lost a day to a reality tv binge, or you’re just looking for a sweet, easy sapphic rom com, this is an excellent pick for you.
Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a fun and quick read. I was a bit surprised by the relatively high stakes involved, but it definitely helped suck me into the competition itself and Noelle and Yumi's adventure across mostly Europe, I mean the world. While I think the book falters a bit in regards to plotting, it brings the heat when it comes to getting in Noelle's headspace as she battles against her ADHD, parentification, and gay panic. Writing wise, the descriptions can get a little "wait, what is happening?" at times but Baldwin ultimately does a really good job putting you right there with Team Blue as they travel to some pretty unique locations that. It's so very obvious Baldwin did her homework and the result is fantastic.
This book is also probably the most realistic representation of reality TV I've seen, with nuanced and honest discussion about the inner workings of the industry I didn't expect from a YA book. It's mostly what bumps this up from a 3 to a 4 for me. Okay, that and "Rob and Ambuh" getting a shout out. But seriously, from the The Biggest Loser being called out as insidious af to the way the interviews are conducted, it's all very well handled and I'm glad to see it. Aliona and her production team are presented as not quite villainous or on our protag's sides, truly representing just how much of a monolithic and unfeeling machine it all is. There's hardly maliciousness involved, it's all just in service to content and money.
My problem with the high stakes and heavy emotions in the book is that it REALLY puts an emphasis on Noelle and Yumi winning this competition, which is good and all, but as a result it puts their romance on the backburner a bit. The main tension isn't so much about them faking their way through it so much as it is about them winning. Their eventual coming together doesn't feel as cathartic as it should and their quality as teammates doesn't really change much either. This honestly may be a case of misdirected marketing than the book itself, but I wanted more from the romance aspects of this book. Their chemistry was just a little underdeveloped.
VERY cute epilogue though, loved that.
This book is also probably the most realistic representation of reality TV I've seen, with nuanced and honest discussion about the inner workings of the industry I didn't expect from a YA book. It's mostly what bumps this up from a 3 to a 4 for me. Okay, that and "Rob and Ambuh" getting a shout out. But seriously, from the The Biggest Loser being called out as insidious af to the way the interviews are conducted, it's all very well handled and I'm glad to see it. Aliona and her production team are presented as not quite villainous or on our protag's sides, truly representing just how much of a monolithic and unfeeling machine it all is. There's hardly maliciousness involved, it's all just in service to content and money.
My problem with the high stakes and heavy emotions in the book is that it REALLY puts an emphasis on Noelle and Yumi winning this competition, which is good and all, but as a result it puts their romance on the backburner a bit. The main tension isn't so much about them faking their way through it so much as it is about them winning. Their eventual coming together doesn't feel as cathartic as it should and their quality as teammates doesn't really change much either. This honestly may be a case of misdirected marketing than the book itself, but I wanted more from the romance aspects of this book. Their chemistry was just a little underdeveloped.
VERY cute epilogue though, loved that.
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