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Forever is the Sweetest Con
“Twisty, sharp, and utterly addictive — a love story wrapped in a con you’ll never see coming.” Kristin Wollett, author of As a Last Resort
Cleo Des Rochelles doesn’t believe in love—not after being swindled by her ex and left to repay his debts or risk losing her home and her mother’s safety. Desperate for cash, she signs up for Camp Couple-Up, a reality dating show with a $250k prize.
But instead of a glamorous retreat, Cleo finds herself in the wilds of Canada’s Northern Ontario, scrubbing toilets and faking romance with Kei, a charming musician with lofty dreams of stardom. Their pact is play pretend, win big, and never catch feelings.
Then the crew vanishes. With no food, no phones, and no refill of Kei’s insulin, the stakes skyrocket from love and money to sheer survival. As danger closes in, Cleo discovers a strength she never knew she had—and a love too real to fake.
Cleo Des Rochelles doesn’t believe in love—not after being swindled by her ex and left to repay his debts or risk losing her home and her mother’s safety. Desperate for cash, she signs up for Camp Couple-Up, a reality dating show with a $250k prize.
But instead of a glamorous retreat, Cleo finds herself in the wilds of Canada’s Northern Ontario, scrubbing toilets and faking romance with Kei, a charming musician with lofty dreams of stardom. Their pact is play pretend, win big, and never catch feelings.
Then the crew vanishes. With no food, no phones, and no refill of Kei’s insulin, the stakes skyrocket from love and money to sheer survival. As danger closes in, Cleo discovers a strength she never knew she had—and a love too real to fake.
292 pages, Paperback
Published June 16, 2026
About the author
Joanna Thurlow
1 book15 followersJoanna Thurlow is a writer & editor, yoga teacher, and professionally trained baker who proudly claims to make the world's best chocolate chip cookies. A lover of books, sunsets at the family cottage, and "pie-in-a-bathing-suit" season, Joanna is happiest with her husband, their two children,and the dog she never expected to adore. This is her debut novel.
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January 6, 2026stop with them taylor swift lyric titles😭🥺
i do love cowboy like me
July 28, 2026
Love Island meets Survivor in a new REALITY TV dating show! She might fall in love but she might also DIE ⚖️
💛 🌲⛺️🛶 🇨🇦 🛶 ⛺️🌲 💛
Cleo is a opportunistic swindler who recently got major scammed by her ex. Now broke AF she enters a dating show to save her from crippling debt 💸Isolated Canadian wilderness. 10 hot singles. Dirty camp site. What’s the worst that could happen? I’m thinking dating schemes, survival strategies & possibly a murder….
Such an unexpected adventure! Cleo was a real one truing to find her match in the scheming world of reality TV. I absolutely loved her final pairing with the golden retriever Kei especially as the pretend attraction turns into real infatuation 💛 What is real and what is fake? I did think Cleo senselessly rejected Kei several times & wished the two had more time to build their chemistry.
⛺️ FAKE DATING in a wilderness camp
⛺️ reality tv schemes & pulls for chat
⛺️ strong & determined fmc
⛺️ unexpected twists turn CRIMINAL?!
The plot went sideways fast! I really didn’t expect the storyline to completely turn into Survival mode. It definitely kept me guessing & made for a fast read. I do wish the spice wasn’t closed door😭 give me that spice!!
reality tv
fake dating
forced proximity
slow burn
diabetes representation
camping
mystery & suspense
HEA
💛 🌲⛺️🛶 🇨🇦 🛶 ⛺️🌲 💛
Cleo is a opportunistic swindler who recently got major scammed by her ex. Now broke AF she enters a dating show to save her from crippling debt 💸Isolated Canadian wilderness. 10 hot singles. Dirty camp site. What’s the worst that could happen? I’m thinking dating schemes, survival strategies & possibly a murder….
Such an unexpected adventure! Cleo was a real one truing to find her match in the scheming world of reality TV. I absolutely loved her final pairing with the golden retriever Kei especially as the pretend attraction turns into real infatuation 💛 What is real and what is fake? I did think Cleo senselessly rejected Kei several times & wished the two had more time to build their chemistry.
⛺️ FAKE DATING in a wilderness camp
⛺️ reality tv schemes & pulls for chat
⛺️ strong & determined fmc
⛺️ unexpected twists turn CRIMINAL?!
The plot went sideways fast! I really didn’t expect the storyline to completely turn into Survival mode. It definitely kept me guessing & made for a fast read. I do wish the spice wasn’t closed door😭 give me that spice!!
reality tv
fake dating
forced proximity
slow burn
diabetes representation
camping
mystery & suspense
HEA
June 23, 2026
I have to admit, I picked this one up without realizing how much of the story would revolve around a reality dating show. (I admit, 100% my fault)
And tbh, at first, I wasn't sure it was for me.
I don't watch dating shows or TV, in general, and during the early chapters I felt a little lost trying to keep up with the contestants and all the reality-TV dynamics. But instead of DNFing it, I decided to keep going. Aaaaand I'm really glad I did.
As the blurb says, Cleo is in serious trouble after her ex disappears and leaves her responsible for his debts. Desperate for money and determined to protect both herself and her mother, she signs up for Camp Couple-Up, a reality dating show with a $250,000 prize.
The plan is simple: survive the competition, fake some love and win the money.
Of course, things don't exactly go according to plan. They never do, don't they? Anyway...
I liked Cleo from the start. She felt practical, determined and realistic given her situation. If I found myself suddenly on a reality dating show for a chance at a quarter of a million dollars, I'd probably be just as focused on the prize.
The romance was cute, and I enjoyed watching the relationship between Cleo and Kei develop. But what surprised me most was how the story gradually shifted from a dating competition into something much more intense.
Once the crew vanished, I became far more invested in what was happening.
Suddenly, winning the show wasn't the biggest concern anymore.
The survival elements added genuine tension, and I found myself especially worried about Kei. His need for insulin created even more intense moments, and there were a few times when I was genuinely concerned about how things would turn out.
By the final portion of the book, I was completely invested in the group's attempts to survive and escape. The last stretch was emotional, suspenseful and easily my favorite part of the novel.
Overall, this ended up being a pleasant surprise. I came for a romance and found myself reading a survival story with romance woven into it.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and Pownal Street Press for the ARC.
And tbh, at first, I wasn't sure it was for me.
I don't watch dating shows or TV, in general, and during the early chapters I felt a little lost trying to keep up with the contestants and all the reality-TV dynamics. But instead of DNFing it, I decided to keep going. Aaaaand I'm really glad I did.
As the blurb says, Cleo is in serious trouble after her ex disappears and leaves her responsible for his debts. Desperate for money and determined to protect both herself and her mother, she signs up for Camp Couple-Up, a reality dating show with a $250,000 prize.
The plan is simple: survive the competition, fake some love and win the money.
Of course, things don't exactly go according to plan. They never do, don't they? Anyway...
I liked Cleo from the start. She felt practical, determined and realistic given her situation. If I found myself suddenly on a reality dating show for a chance at a quarter of a million dollars, I'd probably be just as focused on the prize.
The romance was cute, and I enjoyed watching the relationship between Cleo and Kei develop. But what surprised me most was how the story gradually shifted from a dating competition into something much more intense.
Once the crew vanished, I became far more invested in what was happening.
Suddenly, winning the show wasn't the biggest concern anymore.
The survival elements added genuine tension, and I found myself especially worried about Kei. His need for insulin created even more intense moments, and there were a few times when I was genuinely concerned about how things would turn out.
By the final portion of the book, I was completely invested in the group's attempts to survive and escape. The last stretch was emotional, suspenseful and easily my favorite part of the novel.
Overall, this ended up being a pleasant surprise. I came for a romance and found myself reading a survival story with romance woven into it.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and Pownal Street Press for the ARC.
June 18, 2026
What starts off feeling like the season premiere of Love Island quickly transforms into something much darker, edgier, and completely impossible to stop listening to. When Cleo signs up for a reality dating show hoping to win enough money to save her home and protect her mother, she never expects the competition to become a fight for survival.
The Love Island meets Survivor energy is absolutely spot on, blending romance, adventure, high stakes challenges, and intense suspense into something that feels genuinely fresh. The pacing is fast, the twists keep coming, and the survival elements add a layer of tension that had me glued to my headphones.
And can we talk about Jesse Vilinsky? Her narration is so incredibly talented it’s almost unfair. She doesn’t just read the story, she performs it. Every emotion, every moment of fear, hope, attraction, and determination comes through perfectly. She’s truly one of the most gifted voice actors working today, and this audiobook is another reminder of why she’s an auto listen narrator for me.
If you’re looking for a romance that steps outside the usual formula and delivers adventure, suspense, survival stakes, and a love story worth rooting for, add this one to your TBR immediately.
For readers who love:
🎧 Reality Dating Shows
🏕️ Survival Adventures
❤️ Fake Dating
⚡ High Stakes
🌲 Northern Ontario Setting
The Love Island meets Survivor energy is absolutely spot on, blending romance, adventure, high stakes challenges, and intense suspense into something that feels genuinely fresh. The pacing is fast, the twists keep coming, and the survival elements add a layer of tension that had me glued to my headphones.
And can we talk about Jesse Vilinsky? Her narration is so incredibly talented it’s almost unfair. She doesn’t just read the story, she performs it. Every emotion, every moment of fear, hope, attraction, and determination comes through perfectly. She’s truly one of the most gifted voice actors working today, and this audiobook is another reminder of why she’s an auto listen narrator for me.
If you’re looking for a romance that steps outside the usual formula and delivers adventure, suspense, survival stakes, and a love story worth rooting for, add this one to your TBR immediately.
For readers who love:
🎧 Reality Dating Shows
🏕️ Survival Adventures
❤️ Fake Dating
⚡ High Stakes
🌲 Northern Ontario Setting
April 27, 2026
Rating: ★★★.75
ARC Review:
I received an advance copy of this book from Sugar Shack Books in exchange for an honest review.
Release Date: June 16, 2026
Standalone or Series: Standalone
POV: First Person, Single
Genre: Romantic Suspense (ish)
Vibe: Love Island Meets Survivor
Pacing: Slow start that blends into a fast end
Spice Level: 🌶️
Cliffhanger: No
Reread-worthy: Yes
Tropes:
✵Reality Dating Show
✵Fake Dating
✵Mysterious Disappearance
Synopsis: Love Island meets Survivor in this debut from Joanna Thurlow. While struggling with debt from her ex, Cleo is approached by a rich man with the opportunity of a lifetime: join a reality dating tv show on a luxurious island and work towards the chance at $250k. Determined to not fall in love, Cleo makes a deal with Kei, the sweet, guitar playing contest to help each other win and take home the cash prize. But, when the crew mysteriously disappears and supplies start to dwindle, the contests are forced to work together and figure out a way off the island.
My Thoughts: This was an excellent debut novel in my opinion. I thought the concept was very unique, and when I first picked up this arc, I had no idea that this would be a romance with a thriller element to it. I have been really enjoying the romantic suspense genre recently, so I was very excited when I heard there was a bit of mystery to this one. While I have never watched Love Island or Survivor, I know the general gist of it and this book really was a great mix of the two. The whole concept surrounding Camp Couple-Up seemed like it was too good to be true from the very beginning. When Cleo joins out of desperation, I expected to her face so many antics being in the Canadian wilderness. What I got was so much more. So many red flags were hinted at from the very beginning, and there were so many moments that I could not tell where the story was going to go. It’s mentioned in the description that the crew suddenly disappears, and it happened at a moment that I was not prepared for. I guessed immediately the reason they disappeared, but I was still so surprised to see how things unfolded after that moment. This is where the story really picked up. Up until this point, the plot was moving a bit too slow for my liking, but when the suspense kicked in, I was hooked. I flew through the rest of the story to find out what happened and I was truly shocked. A few moments in the climax did seem to be a bit farfetched, but overall I was satisfied with the ending.
As for the characters, I felt like they were a bit underdeveloped. We learned a lot about Cleo from the first person POV, but I found her a bit unlikable for most of the book. Kei though… WHAT A MAN! I fell in love with him the minute he appeared, and I was rooting for him the entire time. He had such a soft persona, and I found myself swooning over his actions. He made Cleo a lot more tolerable for me. When they were together, her constant complaining paused, and I loved how he really helped her see the bright side of things. Kei really made this story for me. I wish we got to see his POV in this story. The rest of the characters seemed like they were just there to fill the background. I never fully connected with the rest, and we learned very little about them. I liked that Cleo was able to form a few relationships throughout her time on Camp Couple-Up, but I wish we saw some more of these relationships bloom.
Overall, I really did enjoy this one and I think it was a strong debut. I definitely recommend picking this one up.
Follow me on Instagram and TikTok for more!
ARC Review:
I received an advance copy of this book from Sugar Shack Books in exchange for an honest review.
Release Date: June 16, 2026
Standalone or Series: Standalone
POV: First Person, Single
Genre: Romantic Suspense (ish)
Vibe: Love Island Meets Survivor
Pacing: Slow start that blends into a fast end
Spice Level: 🌶️
Cliffhanger: No
Reread-worthy: Yes
Tropes:
✵Reality Dating Show
✵Fake Dating
✵Mysterious Disappearance
Synopsis: Love Island meets Survivor in this debut from Joanna Thurlow. While struggling with debt from her ex, Cleo is approached by a rich man with the opportunity of a lifetime: join a reality dating tv show on a luxurious island and work towards the chance at $250k. Determined to not fall in love, Cleo makes a deal with Kei, the sweet, guitar playing contest to help each other win and take home the cash prize. But, when the crew mysteriously disappears and supplies start to dwindle, the contests are forced to work together and figure out a way off the island.
My Thoughts: This was an excellent debut novel in my opinion. I thought the concept was very unique, and when I first picked up this arc, I had no idea that this would be a romance with a thriller element to it. I have been really enjoying the romantic suspense genre recently, so I was very excited when I heard there was a bit of mystery to this one. While I have never watched Love Island or Survivor, I know the general gist of it and this book really was a great mix of the two. The whole concept surrounding Camp Couple-Up seemed like it was too good to be true from the very beginning. When Cleo joins out of desperation, I expected to her face so many antics being in the Canadian wilderness. What I got was so much more. So many red flags were hinted at from the very beginning, and there were so many moments that I could not tell where the story was going to go. It’s mentioned in the description that the crew suddenly disappears, and it happened at a moment that I was not prepared for. I guessed immediately the reason they disappeared, but I was still so surprised to see how things unfolded after that moment. This is where the story really picked up. Up until this point, the plot was moving a bit too slow for my liking, but when the suspense kicked in, I was hooked. I flew through the rest of the story to find out what happened and I was truly shocked. A few moments in the climax did seem to be a bit farfetched, but overall I was satisfied with the ending.
As for the characters, I felt like they were a bit underdeveloped. We learned a lot about Cleo from the first person POV, but I found her a bit unlikable for most of the book. Kei though… WHAT A MAN! I fell in love with him the minute he appeared, and I was rooting for him the entire time. He had such a soft persona, and I found myself swooning over his actions. He made Cleo a lot more tolerable for me. When they were together, her constant complaining paused, and I loved how he really helped her see the bright side of things. Kei really made this story for me. I wish we got to see his POV in this story. The rest of the characters seemed like they were just there to fill the background. I never fully connected with the rest, and we learned very little about them. I liked that Cleo was able to form a few relationships throughout her time on Camp Couple-Up, but I wish we saw some more of these relationships bloom.
Overall, I really did enjoy this one and I think it was a strong debut. I definitely recommend picking this one up.
Follow me on Instagram and TikTok for more!
June 15, 2026
Oh my god, this book was so sweet and funny and honestly has a lot more emotional depth than I’d been anticipating. Firstly, we love a book with a Taylor Swift influenced name. That’s just a given. But the fact that it had me cracking up and making audible “awwww” sounds throughout, but also applying enough pressure to tug at heartstrings… that’s impressive. I would absolutely read it again.
June 28, 2026
Full disclosure here, I originally bought this book to support Joanna. We went through school together (and I'm not sure I've seen her since we graduated). But, when I started to read the book, it was really good. I set a timer when I read before bed so I actually go to sleep at a reasonable time. I'm consistently reading an extra chapter or 2 after the timer goes off and that's something I rarely do. Congratulations Jo! I hope this is just the first of many novels for you!
February 24, 2026
Love island meets survivor with an extreme twist. Not only is love on the line but everyone’s lives as well! At first, I was a bit iffy but once everything started to fall into place and things that happened in the story started adding up it all made sense. I guess you could call this a romance suspense. Found family. So much character growth. I definitely think this is going to be a huge hit this summer. Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read in advance!
April 10, 2026
3 rounded up to 3,75⭐
Thank you to netgalley for giving me access to read this for an exchange of an honest review.
This debut book was a very interesting read and a first to me. I loved that it's a reality TV show mixed between Love Island and Survivor. I had a great time reading it and there were moments where I genuinely had no idea what was going to happen, which made me like it even more. I could not put it down when I reacher the last part of it at all, which is very good. A closed off FMC who doesn't believe in love anymore, and a MMC that's fresh out of a bad breakup is a plot that was very interesting to see, especially with the slow burn.
The story follows Cleo, an aspiring actress that got all her dreams shattered because of her ex-boyfriend who took advantage of her money and put her in a very bad financial situation to the point to never trust any man and to swear off love. When the chance of getting on a reality TV show that promises a big amount of money if you win, she takes it since she is drowing and dept and doesn't have any alternative. On the set of the show, weird things keep happening, the camera crew and the management are being secretive, the setting feels off and they don't even have the luxury of an actual reel reality TV show. On set, she meets Kai, a canadian singer who's trying to find a contract to make himself a well known artist. He looks like the shy golden retriver guy, but what she didn't know at first was that he was also there for the money and that's when things get complicated. He is also diabetic, type 1, which complicates things at some point throughout the book. He wants them to fake a relationship to be the couple that wins so that they can share the money and each one of them gets what they want. Although, in the behind the scenes, things keep getting even worst, one day the camera crew and the management team leaves and doesn't come back, which puts the participants in a very bad situation, and from them, things go south.
If you're curious about what happens next and you're an adept of a fake relationship and slow burn, you might want to add this book to your tbr <3
Thank you to netgalley for giving me access to read this for an exchange of an honest review.
This debut book was a very interesting read and a first to me. I loved that it's a reality TV show mixed between Love Island and Survivor. I had a great time reading it and there were moments where I genuinely had no idea what was going to happen, which made me like it even more. I could not put it down when I reacher the last part of it at all, which is very good. A closed off FMC who doesn't believe in love anymore, and a MMC that's fresh out of a bad breakup is a plot that was very interesting to see, especially with the slow burn.
The story follows Cleo, an aspiring actress that got all her dreams shattered because of her ex-boyfriend who took advantage of her money and put her in a very bad financial situation to the point to never trust any man and to swear off love. When the chance of getting on a reality TV show that promises a big amount of money if you win, she takes it since she is drowing and dept and doesn't have any alternative. On the set of the show, weird things keep happening, the camera crew and the management are being secretive, the setting feels off and they don't even have the luxury of an actual reel reality TV show. On set, she meets Kai, a canadian singer who's trying to find a contract to make himself a well known artist. He looks like the shy golden retriver guy, but what she didn't know at first was that he was also there for the money and that's when things get complicated. He is also diabetic, type 1, which complicates things at some point throughout the book. He wants them to fake a relationship to be the couple that wins so that they can share the money and each one of them gets what they want. Although, in the behind the scenes, things keep getting even worst, one day the camera crew and the management team leaves and doesn't come back, which puts the participants in a very bad situation, and from them, things go south.
If you're curious about what happens next and you're an adept of a fake relationship and slow burn, you might want to add this book to your tbr <3
March 30, 2026
4.5 ⭐ ARC Review - The perfect summer romance with a thriller twist that had me binge reading 80% of the book in a single sitting!
🏕️ For Fans of:
- romantic suspense
- dating show romance
- reality show romance
- fake dating everyone
- recently single
- short chapters
- thriller elements
- FMC healing and growth
✏️ Spoiler-Free ARC Review
Without giving away the whole plot, this romantic suspense had me cheering for the main character, heart hurting for her, suspicious of the bad vibes, and my eye twitching because I was so concerned and read the last half of the book in a single sitting!
This is only the second romantic suspense book I’ve read and I truly enjoyed it! There was one moment that I had to suspend belief, but even that felt inconsequential compared to the larger plot and intensity of the book.
With all that the characters go through (and oh boy do they go through it) the ending was that much more meaningful. I’ll even admit that I teared up a bit because there WAS so much going on in the FMC’s life that I could feel the heartache, the panic, the love, and the relief as I was reading.
🖤 Thank you to author Joanna Thurlow, Pownal Street Press, Sugar Shack Books, and NetGalley for the free digital advance copy. As always, my reviews are honest, my own, and voluntary!
📚 Book: Forever is the Sweetest Con by Joanna Thurlow
📅 Release Date: June 16, 2026
⭐ Rating: 4.5 out of 5
🏕️ For Fans of:
- romantic suspense
- dating show romance
- reality show romance
- fake dating everyone
- recently single
- short chapters
- thriller elements
- FMC healing and growth
✏️ Spoiler-Free ARC Review
Without giving away the whole plot, this romantic suspense had me cheering for the main character, heart hurting for her, suspicious of the bad vibes, and my eye twitching because I was so concerned and read the last half of the book in a single sitting!
This is only the second romantic suspense book I’ve read and I truly enjoyed it! There was one moment that I had to suspend belief, but even that felt inconsequential compared to the larger plot and intensity of the book.
With all that the characters go through (and oh boy do they go through it) the ending was that much more meaningful. I’ll even admit that I teared up a bit because there WAS so much going on in the FMC’s life that I could feel the heartache, the panic, the love, and the relief as I was reading.
🖤 Thank you to author Joanna Thurlow, Pownal Street Press, Sugar Shack Books, and NetGalley for the free digital advance copy. As always, my reviews are honest, my own, and voluntary!
📚 Book: Forever is the Sweetest Con by Joanna Thurlow
📅 Release Date: June 16, 2026
⭐ Rating: 4.5 out of 5
August 2, 2026
4.25 stars but I am rounding up because I dont think this is getting the hype it deserves. Fabulous premise, wanna be actor down on her luck goes on a reality tv dating show to win a boat load of money, gets to an abandoned camp in northern Ontario (shout out Thunder Bay) and has to compete with cast members, the tense and malevolent undertones were impeccable. Gave serious The Compound vibes but written as a romance not literary fiction. Criticisms are, it was very insta love, the chemistry wasn't really there, plot holes abound and the last 20% threw me off. Finished in 2 days would recommend
March 20, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book before publication!!
I was REALLY looking forward to this book, with the themes of Love Island in it.
The story starts off with Cleo, a girl who had just been left without a proper home, money and a meaning in life.
As she’s working her next shift at the bar, she is approached with the opportunity of a lifetime, the opportunity to win £250K on a dating show…
There were SO many twists and turns in this book and the last 45% was a TURN and a half that I didn’t see coming at all!
What a read!! ☺️
I was REALLY looking forward to this book, with the themes of Love Island in it.
The story starts off with Cleo, a girl who had just been left without a proper home, money and a meaning in life.
As she’s working her next shift at the bar, she is approached with the opportunity of a lifetime, the opportunity to win £250K on a dating show…
There were SO many twists and turns in this book and the last 45% was a TURN and a half that I didn’t see coming at all!
What a read!! ☺️
July 7, 2026
Better than I expected. Very entertaining
August 6, 2026
Semi-Canadiana. Some romance. Much survival.
July 14, 2026
Forever is the Sweetest Con had potential... like come on, with a plot like Love Island meets Survivor how could it not be good??... but unfortunately it fell extremely flat for me.
First the good: I liked the diverse representation within the cast of characters... and it was a quick read that I finished in one sitting.
However, there were many things I did not enjoy. One, this book couldn't decide if it wanted to be a rom-com or a thriller, and neither was done particularly well. Two, I could not bring myself to root for the main couple because the FMC was very unlikable. Three, the twists were very predictable, which isn't always a problem, but with the thriller vibes the book was giving off after the halfway point, I expected to be shocked in some way. Four, the plot completely went off the rails towards the middle-end with so much suspending of disbelief needed that if Bigfoot had jumped out of the woods, I would have been like, "Oh, okay." Five, the unlikable characters were so unlikable they were nearly cartoonish. I could probably go on, but I'll stop there.
I will give this 2 stars because I did read it until the end, and that deserves a full star. Also, I did really appreciate the range of characters present. Diversity in books always deserves praise. Overall, I think if you like reality-dating shows with lots of drama, you will enjoy this.
Thank you to NetGalley and Pownel Street Press for the advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
First the good: I liked the diverse representation within the cast of characters... and it was a quick read that I finished in one sitting.
However, there were many things I did not enjoy. One, this book couldn't decide if it wanted to be a rom-com or a thriller, and neither was done particularly well. Two, I could not bring myself to root for the main couple because the FMC was very unlikable. Three, the twists were very predictable, which isn't always a problem, but with the thriller vibes the book was giving off after the halfway point, I expected to be shocked in some way. Four, the plot completely went off the rails towards the middle-end with so much suspending of disbelief needed that if Bigfoot had jumped out of the woods, I would have been like, "Oh, okay." Five, the unlikable characters were so unlikable they were nearly cartoonish. I could probably go on, but I'll stop there.
I will give this 2 stars because I did read it until the end, and that deserves a full star. Also, I did really appreciate the range of characters present. Diversity in books always deserves praise. Overall, I think if you like reality-dating shows with lots of drama, you will enjoy this.
Thank you to NetGalley and Pownel Street Press for the advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
March 16, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC and here’s my honest review!
✨baby’s first ARC ✨ lol
This story started off really strong, and I liked the FMC. It was a fun twist on a reality tv romance, with some believable trauma for the FMC. The first 70% of it was great, 5 stars. And then it started to go downhill for me - it was so much disaster all at once, and some serious medical events that definitely needed trigger warnings. As person with a partner with T1D, I really would’ve appreciated a trigger warning here!!! Yet, there were these very serious medical events that did not end like they would have in reality. So it felt like a roller coaster of emotion to me! The ending felt so rushed, and the epilogue was a bit hard to follow. Altogether I did like the story, but the plot was lost at the end.
**All genres of books should have trigger warnings! Please list them in your novel, and in online descriptions like here on Goodreads.
✨baby’s first ARC ✨ lol
This story started off really strong, and I liked the FMC. It was a fun twist on a reality tv romance, with some believable trauma for the FMC. The first 70% of it was great, 5 stars. And then it started to go downhill for me - it was so much disaster all at once, and some serious medical events that definitely needed trigger warnings. As person with a partner with T1D, I really would’ve appreciated a trigger warning here!!! Yet, there were these very serious medical events that did not end like they would have in reality. So it felt like a roller coaster of emotion to me! The ending felt so rushed, and the epilogue was a bit hard to follow. Altogether I did like the story, but the plot was lost at the end.
**All genres of books should have trigger warnings! Please list them in your novel, and in online descriptions like here on Goodreads.
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December 22, 2025I couldn't put this book down. It was so good. Its part romance, part adventure.
The characters are contestants on a "love islands" meets "survivor" type dating show, which, honestly, seems like a really good idea for a show. The FMC, Cleo, needs money so she agrees to go on a dating reality show in the Canadian wilderness in hopes of winning the prize money. To do that, she partners up with a fellow contestant to fake a relationship to win. Then, things go wrong. The last half of the book was very suspenseful. I really liked the twist and that it wasn't simply a romance book.
The characters are contestants on a "love islands" meets "survivor" type dating show, which, honestly, seems like a really good idea for a show. The FMC, Cleo, needs money so she agrees to go on a dating reality show in the Canadian wilderness in hopes of winning the prize money. To do that, she partners up with a fellow contestant to fake a relationship to win. Then, things go wrong. The last half of the book was very suspenseful. I really liked the twist and that it wasn't simply a romance book.
January 23, 2026
Thank you Net Galley for this ARC.
What a fun ride! I was on the edge of my seat waiting for everything to go wrong in this story, and when it did, I couldn’t put it down! I was even wondering if this was going to turn quasi-horror at some points. Writing very reminiscent of another Canadian gem, Karina Halle, the imagery was beautiful.
If you love reality tv and especially if you HATE reality tv (me) you’ll love this read.
Note: this is a Closed door romance / fade to black
What a fun ride! I was on the edge of my seat waiting for everything to go wrong in this story, and when it did, I couldn’t put it down! I was even wondering if this was going to turn quasi-horror at some points. Writing very reminiscent of another Canadian gem, Karina Halle, the imagery was beautiful.
If you love reality tv and especially if you HATE reality tv (me) you’ll love this read.
Note: this is a Closed door romance / fade to black
May 5, 2026
3.75✨
I had the privilege of reading an early copy of this book. This book embodies summer camp, with very strong Camp Rock vibes if it was mashed with Love Island. I just couldn’t put it down!
I was hooked from the very beginning of this book. Joanna writes with so much wit and humour I couldn’t help but fall in love with Cleo and Kei. This disaster of a dating show brought so many people together, and formed some very unlikely friendships. I also appreciated that in true rom-com fashion we got a happy ending.
I really appreciated Cleo as a heroine because she was strong and confident, but also recognized her shortcomings. I just wished she had a little more self-reflection before coming to the realization that she loved Kei. Kei was such a sweetheart. From the very beginning I knew he could do no wrong. Some of his choices (you’ll know the one) made me gasp because they were so contradictory to his character, but he always came through in the end.
I also loved how fast-paced this novel was. I genuinely read it in two sittings because I couldn’t stop turning the pages. And that ending?!?! Lord, I’m gonna need a minute to recover from that.
This has to be one of the best debut novels I have ever read and I can’t wait for June when everyone else can experience this delight of a summer romance novel for themselves!
I had the privilege of reading an early copy of this book. This book embodies summer camp, with very strong Camp Rock vibes if it was mashed with Love Island. I just couldn’t put it down!
I was hooked from the very beginning of this book. Joanna writes with so much wit and humour I couldn’t help but fall in love with Cleo and Kei. This disaster of a dating show brought so many people together, and formed some very unlikely friendships. I also appreciated that in true rom-com fashion we got a happy ending.
I really appreciated Cleo as a heroine because she was strong and confident, but also recognized her shortcomings. I just wished she had a little more self-reflection before coming to the realization that she loved Kei. Kei was such a sweetheart. From the very beginning I knew he could do no wrong. Some of his choices (you’ll know the one) made me gasp because they were so contradictory to his character, but he always came through in the end.
I also loved how fast-paced this novel was. I genuinely read it in two sittings because I couldn’t stop turning the pages. And that ending?!?! Lord, I’m gonna need a minute to recover from that.
This has to be one of the best debut novels I have ever read and I can’t wait for June when everyone else can experience this delight of a summer romance novel for themselves!
June 8, 2026
Thank you NetGalley, Pownal Street Press, Sugar Shack Books, and Joanna Thurlow for the ARC of Forever is the Sweetest Con!
This story follows Cleo, who is left in financial shambles after her boyfriend abandons her, leaving her with no money and a debt she can't afford to repay. An aspiring actress working at a rundown bar off the Las Vegas Strip, she's approached to join the cast of a new reality TV show filmed at a summer camp in Canada. Think a mix of Love Island and Survivor! But how good of an actress is she? Can she con everyone into believing she's fallen in love long enough to win the prize money she desperately needs?
This book is laugh-out-loud funny!! Cleo's cynical attitude and relentless hustle make her an entertaining FMC. Add in the over-the-top reality TV antics, awkward moments, and escalating chaos, and you've got a story that's impossible to put down.
I thought I knew where the story was heading, but the last ten chapters completely caught me off guard. I was genuinely stressed! What starts as a fun reality show around the campfire quickly spirals into some Alone-style survivalist madness.
I highly recommend this as your next summer read if you're looking for laughter, romance, adventure, and plenty of surprises along the way!
This story follows Cleo, who is left in financial shambles after her boyfriend abandons her, leaving her with no money and a debt she can't afford to repay. An aspiring actress working at a rundown bar off the Las Vegas Strip, she's approached to join the cast of a new reality TV show filmed at a summer camp in Canada. Think a mix of Love Island and Survivor! But how good of an actress is she? Can she con everyone into believing she's fallen in love long enough to win the prize money she desperately needs?
This book is laugh-out-loud funny!! Cleo's cynical attitude and relentless hustle make her an entertaining FMC. Add in the over-the-top reality TV antics, awkward moments, and escalating chaos, and you've got a story that's impossible to put down.
I thought I knew where the story was heading, but the last ten chapters completely caught me off guard. I was genuinely stressed! What starts as a fun reality show around the campfire quickly spirals into some Alone-style survivalist madness.
I highly recommend this as your next summer read if you're looking for laughter, romance, adventure, and plenty of surprises along the way!
March 28, 2026
Thank you for the ARC NetGalley!
I haven’t watched an IRL reality show in … a while. But I consume the drama like water, so I was intrigued by this concept if anything! Northern Ontario and our MMC kind of sold it. I lived for the drama and outlandishness of it all and the chaos from the beginning had me hooked and I read this in pretty much one go. I found the characters enjoyable for the most part and thought the way they were written showed their personalities & layers beyond what we saw for their first introductions and we didn’t need big revelatory moments for them, so I didn’t even particularly dislike the enemies, y’know? When the twist twisted, the vibe change was distinct enough that I felt as on edge as our characters must have and it kept me flipping pages so I could see where things would end and how it would all play out!! It was a rollercoaster and I was happy to be on it.
I will only said I didn’t enjoy the epilogue and thought it fell a little flat, I felt like I didn’t fully understand it but maybe that’s on me! I enjoyed the journey :)
I haven’t watched an IRL reality show in … a while. But I consume the drama like water, so I was intrigued by this concept if anything! Northern Ontario and our MMC kind of sold it. I lived for the drama and outlandishness of it all and the chaos from the beginning had me hooked and I read this in pretty much one go. I found the characters enjoyable for the most part and thought the way they were written showed their personalities & layers beyond what we saw for their first introductions and we didn’t need big revelatory moments for them, so I didn’t even particularly dislike the enemies, y’know? When the twist twisted, the vibe change was distinct enough that I felt as on edge as our characters must have and it kept me flipping pages so I could see where things would end and how it would all play out!! It was a rollercoaster and I was happy to be on it.
I will only said I didn’t enjoy the epilogue and thought it fell a little flat, I felt like I didn’t fully understand it but maybe that’s on me! I enjoyed the journey :)
June 16, 2026
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Joanna Thurlow and Sugar Shack Books for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!
How conflicted I feel about this book! To start, I found it to be so intriguing - it’s a really unique story and a very interesting idea. The concept of a romance with a dystopian style twist is right up my street. However, as it progressed, I did feel that it got more and more unrealistic, so much so that things just kept coming!
Having said that, it was still a really enjoyable book and I absolutely flew through it since it was so easy to read. I think for me, the ending felt a little bit rushed so maybe it could’ve been longer, since the reason Cleo went into the competition to begin with was that she needed the money and I felt like this wasn’t really concluded properly. Representation seemed to be a winning part, as there were many different people within the camp, including a diabetic character.
Maybe I felt that there needed to be more story so that everything was laid out in a better progression? I’m not sure, but I did really like the twist!
How conflicted I feel about this book! To start, I found it to be so intriguing - it’s a really unique story and a very interesting idea. The concept of a romance with a dystopian style twist is right up my street. However, as it progressed, I did feel that it got more and more unrealistic, so much so that things just kept coming!
Having said that, it was still a really enjoyable book and I absolutely flew through it since it was so easy to read. I think for me, the ending felt a little bit rushed so maybe it could’ve been longer, since the reason Cleo went into the competition to begin with was that she needed the money and I felt like this wasn’t really concluded properly. Representation seemed to be a winning part, as there were many different people within the camp, including a diabetic character.
Maybe I felt that there needed to be more story so that everything was laid out in a better progression? I’m not sure, but I did really like the twist!
June 23, 2026
What an amazing debut novel! Forever is the Sweetest Con is about Cleo, an aspiring actor and bartender who has been financially screwed over by her ex. When the opportunity to go on a brand new reality dating show falls into her lap, she jumps at the opportunity to win $250,000 and save herself and her mom from total financial ruin. Instead of a glamorous retreat, initially pitched to her as love island x survivor, she finds herself in Northern Canada faking a romance with Kei, a musician with lofty dreams of being a star. But then the crew vanishes and suddenly Cleo and Kei are fully fighting for survival, together.
If you love reality TV, you will love this book. It was so fun being inside Cleo’s mind as she strategized her gameplay during the first half of the novel. I loved that the game was set on an Island in Ontario, I just think that was so funny and added to the hilarity of the scenario (the maple syrup incident. The whole idea of Love Island x Survivor is so clever, I really enjoyed it and it was a fun read!
While I did love the story overall, I think the disappearance of the crew should have happened a bit sooner than it did. Then we could have watched Cleo fall for Kei as he took charge of the situation. What could be hotter than a man who knows how to take charge in an emergency? She fell for him very quickly, after not really knowing him well at all mainly prompted by a kiss. I would have liked to have seen them develop trust through the process of getting off the Island. This also would have been great character development for Cleo, for her to learn to trust someone again after her ex betrayed her.
The secondary characters really made this story for me. I would have liked more background information on many of them, as I feel like it would have really rounded out this story, particularly on the silver fox and Garrett. I feel like he could have had a larger part in the story and the unravelling of the show!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Can’t wait to see what you write next Joanna!
If you love reality TV, you will love this book. It was so fun being inside Cleo’s mind as she strategized her gameplay during the first half of the novel. I loved that the game was set on an Island in Ontario, I just think that was so funny and added to the hilarity of the scenario (the maple syrup incident. The whole idea of Love Island x Survivor is so clever, I really enjoyed it and it was a fun read!
While I did love the story overall, I think the disappearance of the crew should have happened a bit sooner than it did. Then we could have watched Cleo fall for Kei as he took charge of the situation. What could be hotter than a man who knows how to take charge in an emergency? She fell for him very quickly, after not really knowing him well at all mainly prompted by a kiss. I would have liked to have seen them develop trust through the process of getting off the Island. This also would have been great character development for Cleo, for her to learn to trust someone again after her ex betrayed her.
The secondary characters really made this story for me. I would have liked more background information on many of them, as I feel like it would have really rounded out this story, particularly on the silver fox and Garrett. I feel like he could have had a larger part in the story and the unravelling of the show!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Can’t wait to see what you write next Joanna!
April 18, 2026
Ummmmm WOW. I did not see half of that coming. I adore Cleo and how cynical she is. Loved the found family aspect of this book and I was NOT expecting the SUSPENSE.
I requested this title on Netgalley solely because the title (cover is cute too), I’m a swiftie. What can I say. I knew absolutely nothing about the book going into it, like I didn’t even read the blurb 😅😅 but damn that was a wild ride. It was honestly kinda fun starting it knowing absolutely nothing about the tropes, plot, anything.
Pitch from Joanna’s IG that perfectly encapsulates the vibes:
“A contestant on a shambolic reality dating show fakes her on-screen relationship, only to discover the show itself is fake... but despite her best laid plans, her feelings are not.”
If you need a slightly unhinged love story to escape from reality, I definitely recommend this one 👌🏽
I requested this title on Netgalley solely because the title (cover is cute too), I’m a swiftie. What can I say. I knew absolutely nothing about the book going into it, like I didn’t even read the blurb 😅😅 but damn that was a wild ride. It was honestly kinda fun starting it knowing absolutely nothing about the tropes, plot, anything.
Pitch from Joanna’s IG that perfectly encapsulates the vibes:
“A contestant on a shambolic reality dating show fakes her on-screen relationship, only to discover the show itself is fake... but despite her best laid plans, her feelings are not.”
If you need a slightly unhinged love story to escape from reality, I definitely recommend this one 👌🏽
January 3, 2026
4.5
This book came out of nowhere!
Described as Love Island meets Survivor or Fyre Island.
I actually couldn’t put it down. It was kinda crazy that you knew that the twist was coming but you didn’t know how or when.
I love a romance/thriller survival story. Highly recommend!
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC that was perfect!
This book came out of nowhere!
Described as Love Island meets Survivor or Fyre Island.
I actually couldn’t put it down. It was kinda crazy that you knew that the twist was coming but you didn’t know how or when.
I love a romance/thriller survival story. Highly recommend!
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC that was perfect!
April 8, 2026
I thank NetGalley for the pleasure of receiving this ARC.
A lovely little summer romance with a shocking plot twist!
I devoured this, reading most of it in a single session. Really loved the plot, was really quickly paced and the plot twists kept things progressing beautifully.
A thrilling read, perfect book to bring to the beach.
Congrats to Joanna on such a great debut.
A lovely little summer romance with a shocking plot twist!
I devoured this, reading most of it in a single session. Really loved the plot, was really quickly paced and the plot twists kept things progressing beautifully.
A thrilling read, perfect book to bring to the beach.
Congrats to Joanna on such a great debut.
July 21, 2026
3.75 rounded up
It was a quick fun read, but some things did not make sense and the pacing was a bit odd.
It was a quick fun read, but some things did not make sense and the pacing was a bit odd.
July 29, 2026
I owe this book an apology because I judged it way too quickly.
After reading the synopsis, I wasn't convinced it would be for me... but wow, was I wrong. I absolutely devoured it.
It starts with a classic rom-com feel, but the added suspense and mystery completely caught me off guard and had me flying through the pages to find out what happened.
Fast-paced, engaging, and impossible to put down, I enjoyed every second. If you're on the fence about this one, consider this your sign to pick it up.
After reading the synopsis, I wasn't convinced it would be for me... but wow, was I wrong. I absolutely devoured it.
It starts with a classic rom-com feel, but the added suspense and mystery completely caught me off guard and had me flying through the pages to find out what happened.
Fast-paced, engaging, and impossible to put down, I enjoyed every second. If you're on the fence about this one, consider this your sign to pick it up.
July 15, 2026
🎧Song Pairing: Survive - Madilyn Bailey
🗯Thoughts/sassy musings:
I loved this because it was sooooo not what it seems. It had depth and connection, it was fun! I would not solely place it in the romance genre
If you love reality tv & fake dating, take the plunge! Get a lil wet 😉
I would very much recommended!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
🗯Thoughts/sassy musings:
I loved this because it was sooooo not what it seems. It had depth and connection, it was fun! I would not solely place it in the romance genre
If you love reality tv & fake dating, take the plunge! Get a lil wet 😉
I would very much recommended!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
February 23, 2026
I’d like to start by thanking NetGalley and Pownal Street Press for the advanced reader copy of Forever is the Sweetest Con by Joanna Thurlow.
Wow. Just… wow. This is my first 5-star read of 2026, and what a way to start the year. It’s also the first book in a long time that made me cry.
Going in, I knew there would be some kind of twist, so I was half-prepared for it to either fall flat or completely blow me away. It absolutely blew me away.
What begins as a fake romance on a reality show quickly spirals into a terrifying survival situation in Canada. The stakes skyrocket when Kei’s diabetes becomes central to their fight for survival. Watching him struggle without access to insulin while stranded added a level of tension that made every page feel urgent. It wasn’t just romantic tension, it was life-or-death tension. The suspense was relentless.
Fake dating will always have my heart, but this book might have ruined the trope for me. I genuinely don’t know how anything else is going to compare.
Wow. Just… wow. This is my first 5-star read of 2026, and what a way to start the year. It’s also the first book in a long time that made me cry.
Going in, I knew there would be some kind of twist, so I was half-prepared for it to either fall flat or completely blow me away. It absolutely blew me away.
What begins as a fake romance on a reality show quickly spirals into a terrifying survival situation in Canada. The stakes skyrocket when Kei’s diabetes becomes central to their fight for survival. Watching him struggle without access to insulin while stranded added a level of tension that made every page feel urgent. It wasn’t just romantic tension, it was life-or-death tension. The suspense was relentless.
Fake dating will always have my heart, but this book might have ruined the trope for me. I genuinely don’t know how anything else is going to compare.
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