Coupling Up: A BRAND NEW rom-com full of sun, chaos and taking chances from Jo Lyons for 2026

by Jo Lyons

A brilliantly funny, feel-good romantic comedy from Jo Lyons, perfect for fans of Portia MacIntosh, Abby Jimenez and Love Island! ☀️🏝️❤️‍🔥 The most adventurous thing unlucky-in-love primary school teacher Libby has done this year is buy an air fryer. So when she finds herself trading places with her twin sister during the summer holidays, to be a contestant on reality TV show Love on the Island, she is way out of her comfort zone.

Jetting off to a villa in Mexico full of promiscuous muscle-mountains coupling up with glamorous women with frozen foreheads and hidden agendas, and a she-devil executive producer hellbent on exposing her to ridicule, should be her worst nightmare but somehow Libby does end up catching feelings... for the one guy who is forbidden fruit. Gorgeous, sexy, show producer Cameron.

Suddenly Libby’s summer is picking up. But she’ll be kicked off the show and lose her chance with Cameron unless she learns how to become a crazed, fame-hungry, media whore… and fast.

Yes, love is about staying true to yourself. But it’s also about taking risky leaps of faith.

And if true love is the prize, has she got what it takes to win? 💘

Praise for Jo

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Hilarious' Jenny Colgan

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'AMAZING!!! Highly recommend this book to everybody. Laugh out loud funny.' Reader review

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Once I started reading I couldn't stop. Practically reading through the night laughing' Reader Review

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'If you want to belly laugh your way through a book then this is the one for you! Full of sunshine, hilarious mishaps, love, heart warming friendships and a good bit of raunchiness' Reader Review

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I read a lot of romcoms, but few have made me laugh as much as this one did.' Reader review

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Jo's knack of creating believable characters and a great plot line, mingled with romance, reality and hilarity is inspired.' Reader review

Genres: Romance

295 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 15, 2026

About the author

Jo Lyons is author of several must-have, hilariously funny, unputdownable, five-star, award-winning, best debut novel series of all time, romantic comedies (Goodreads’ words not hers *cheeky wink). She is published by Boldwood Books.

Reviews

[Millie Bloom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Coupling Up by Jo Lyons is hilarious and highly entertaining! Libby’s life isn’t going as planned, so she swaps places with her twin sister for a chance to appear on a reality show set in Mexico. There, she meets the lead producer Cameron—and chaos quickly follows.

I just read this and had so much fun with it! As someone who loves Love Island (and was even a Bachelor extra), this was right up my alley. I do wish it had gone a bit deeper—and I would have loved a love triangle with one of the contestants (gasp!)—but overall it was a fun, quick, super entertaining read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC.

[Mary]

DNF @ 20%

The main character is extremely annoying, I can’t stand the cliches/generalizations between American and British people, and the “banter” is not good. The writing felt a little lazy to me considering the Canadian mmc used British sayings but the mc also claimed that they had a “language barrier.” The premise sounded really promising, but I couldn’t even get to the actual reality show portion before I realized that I didn’t care at all what happens to these characters.

[mads · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy.

I was unfortunately extremely disappointed in this book. The plot was enough to draw me in, and the fact that a romcom had a villain in it was very interesting, but the writing was bad.

Grammatical errors, formatting errors, improper quotations. The pacing was off, the ending was abrupt, and I struggled to get into this book in any way.

[Kindle Barbie · Rating 1 out of 5]

voted off my read list

I wanted to love this book sooo much especially because I am in my love island era but this book was insanely boring and I noticed I was doing a lot of eye rolling.

[karina.reads.books · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the gifted ARC.
The premise sounded so interesting and had so much potential to be a hilarious and beautiful love story. Unfortunately the way it was executed was really not for me. The FMC made me laugh with her dry anxious humor, but shes also kind of insufferable. Very egocentric, kind of culturally ignorant and in general a bit uneducated for her to go yelling around that she can do this and that just because she's a techer. The cast is portrayed overly dumb imo. The love story was an instant attraction thing, nothing thats growing organically... its shallow & I don't see any chemistry

[Juliana Ames · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the free ARC.

Unfortunately, this book was not for me. As a love island fan, I was extremely excited to pick up this book. In reality, the pacing and plot was atrocious, and I literally had to force myself to finish it. I found most of the characters annoying, and I felt like the author was trying too hard to be unique and include all the elements of the show. I think it may have landed better if the author spent more time giving depth to the characters. Everything felt very superficial and two-dimensional.

Overall:
1 Star. Would not recommend.

[Boston Shields · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just... not great. I love the premise, but the characters are poorly developed and cringy. A huge part of the FMCs whole personality was being a teacher. But every time she had an opportunity to show her "smarts", she failed and just looked like an idiot. She'd "correct" someone on a fact, but just Amelia Bedelia it and say something totally wrong and stand by it. This bish said "Mexico is the hummus capital of the world" so much, and wouldn't back down. What is even the point 🤦‍♀️

[Karen Brooks - TheTxLitChic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coupling Up

~Jo Lyons

Coupling Up by Jo Lyons is a sun-soaked, chaos-fueled romantic comedy that proves you can absolutely find your happily ever after - even when you’re pretending to be someone else. It’s laugh-out-loud funny, full of holiday escapism, and wrapped in just enough emotional honesty to keep it grounded. The kind of book that has you yelling, “Just kiss him already, Libby!” while turning pages way past bedtime.

Libby and her identical twin sister, Layla, are best friends, roommates, and professional-level chaos coordinators whenever they’re in the same room. Libby is a primary school teacher with zero love life and an ongoing romantic dry spell. Layla, on the other hand, is glamorous, impulsive, and has just landed herself a contestant spot on the hit reality dating show Love on the Island.

There’s just one tiny problem - Layla is recently engaged.

With filming starting in only a few days, Layla can’t exactly show up looking for love on national television. So naturally, Libby decides to take her place. Same face, different personality… what could possibly go wrong?

Spoiler alert: basically everything.

When Libby arrives in Mexico and steps into a villa full of sun-kempt influencers, bronzed muscle mountains, and women whose eyebrows seem to defy both gravity and biology, she quickly realizes pretending to be Layla might be a little harder than expected. Especially after meeting Cameron Dunn - the show’s handsome, charming, and very much off-limits producer.

Cam is exactly her type, which is deeply inconvenient considering the contracts strictly forbid romance between staff and contestants. Because apparently HR hates fun.

And if that wasn’t enough, the show’s executive producer, Porscha, would love nothing more than to get her perfectly manicured hands on Cameron herself - and she’s definitely noticing the sparks flying between him and Libby.

Now Libby has two choices: keep playing along with the show’s carefully manufactured drama long enough to stay in the game, or walk away and lose both the prize money and the one connection that might actually be real.

Lyons has created a cast that feels exactly like what reality TV should be - messy, entertaining, dramatic, and just believable enough to make you wonder how much of it could happen in real life. Every character is distinct, lively, and fully committed to the chaos.

Libby is smart, awkward, kind, and incredibly easy to root for - you want to protect her from the villa sharks while also gently reminding her to stop making questionable decisions. Her authenticity is both her greatest strength and her biggest vulnerability. Cameron Dunn is the producer with a plan, but his chemistry with Libby threatens to derail all of it. Their banter is sharp, flirty, and carries the kind of slow-burn tension romance readers live for. Layla is pure glitter and gasoline - always ready to swoop in and either save the day or accidentally make it worse.

The supporting Love on the Island cast is exactly what reality TV fans want: entrepreneurs, influencers, villains with suspiciously perfect teeth, dramatic confessionals, strategic alliances, and enough side-eye to power an entire season.

The pacing moves exactly like a reality dating show should - loud, fast, and a little ridiculous at first, before settling into something softer and more meaningful as Libby and Cameron’s connection takes center stage. The transition from chaotic villa antics to quieter, more intimate moments feels natural, never forced. Every scene feels cinematic - you can practically see the poolside cocktails, hear the confessionals, and feel the Mexican moonlight hanging over every stolen glance.

Total rom-com energy radiates from this story of a woman learning how to stop shrinking herself and finally take up space in her own life. What starts out campy turns surprisingly heartfelt. Lyons delivers far more substance than the setup first suggests, without losing any of the fun.

It’s got the heat of a Mexican villa, the comedic timing of a prime-time dating show, and enough heart to make you believe in love off camera. The perfect summertime read for poolside.

I would like to thank author Jo Lyons and NetGalley for the opportunity to review Coupling Up. As always, all reviews and opinions are of my own volition. I have not been promised any compensation by the author or publisher for a fair and honest review.

[CrazyCatLadyReadsBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meet Libby:
* Unlucky in love
* Adventurous (well she bought an air fryer this year, that counts right?)
* Primary school teacher
* Swapped places with her twin sister to be a contestant on reality TV show 'Love on the Island'

Yeah…Libby is WAY out of her comfort zone when she is flown to the Villa in Mexico. Surrounded by muscle men, glam women full of botox, game players and a producer who seems intent of embarrassing her, she really wonders what on earth she is doing here at all.

But, she does catch feelings… except it’s for the show’s producer Cameron! The problem is, if she doesn’t start engaging in the show, she’ll be kicked off and lose all chances of spending any time with him - So should Libby stay true to herself or play the game to win the ultimate prize - true love? 💖

The Pros:
1) The romance is 💖 and one you can root for
2) I love a story based on Reality TV and the manipulation of people/the truth
3) Cam = Yummy! he’s my type on paper
4) Libby and her twin sister Lois are fun characters
5) Look at the cover of the book - it’s gorgeous
6) I love to know the inspiration behind stories - check the acknowledgements!

The Cons:
1) The book is too short lol - I would have happily read more of Libby’s story. I loved it!
2) There were no kitties in the story... I mean surely the villa could have had a feline friend 😻

To be clear: I’m joking. There are no cons.

I've got a text! (Quotes)

1) I scroll past the information telling me that, this year, the Love on the Island experience will take place deep in the sweltering rainforests of Mexico. I try not to think about dense tropical jungles, man-eating snakes, spiders the size of my own face and permanently damp, sweaty hair. Because on the positive side, Mexico is the hummus capital of the world.

2) I’m here for a TV show,’ I explain. ‘LoveIt Television? Love on the Island? I have never seen anyone look so disappointed in my life. He shakes his head. ‘My children watch this show. Is terrible.’ I have to agree. ‘Yes, it is. I’m very sorry. It’s going to be even worse this year because I am on it.’

3) I have never been so disappointed. He is clearly only after one thing. My Brain.

The Summary:
I loved this book! It could have been written exclusively for me. The humour was great, I loved the characters - Libby and her twin sister Lois were such fun, and Cam is yummy. I may or may not have been addicted to watching Love Island at some point *coughsItotallywascoughs* and this story absolutely captures the vibe of the villa and the reality TV aspect. I was genuinely sad to finish it, as I enjoyed the plot so much. On the positive side though, I have now got a new author on my radar! The writing in this book is 100% my type on paper *groans* so I can’t wait to read more of the author’s books.

Summed up in a sentence?:
(Non) adventurous Libby takes her twin sister’s place on TV show ‘Love on the Island’

I rated the book an easy 5 stars!

A big thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for the free ARC in exchange for an open and honest review.

[Sae · Rating 2 out of 5]

So I liked the premise of this (guilty, i like trash tv) and thought it could be cute but it just totally missed the mark. there was more wrong with this book than right with it

for starters, it needed another round of editing. the typos alone were numerous

secondly, our FMC was the definition of “i’m not like other girls!!”. She hates reality love shows, but then chooses to go on one anyway, and then of course she’s educated and everyone else are airheaded models so she makes fun of them the whole time to their faces but *gasp!* they’re too stupid to understand her big words so she gets away with it and it’s supposed to be funny (but instead just totally misses the mark and makes her come across as a total conceited b!tch).

third, it’s very clear that the author thinks everyone who goes on those shows are conceited fame-seekers with 0 brain, but then chooses to write a book where the FMC goes on one of these shows and has to come up with a way to prove she doesn’t actually like those girls. the whole thing was just giving pick me and backhanded complete opposite of a girls-girl to me.

fourth, the ending was wildly rushed and in general this book required you to suspend reality. also, the author is very obviously from the uk and uses uk vernacular and slang for all of the characters, even though only our FMC is british? definitely pulled me out of the book on multiple occasions.

lastly, it’s a complete insta love where our FMC is in love with the male love interest without really getting to know him at all. Mans had 0 personality apart from what our FMC said he was (so apparently he’s kind and heroic and funny. i’d rather be shown that than told but ok). and of course everything works out perfectly with no struggle yayyyy

Now you may be wondering, “well sae if you hated it so much why did you give it 2 stars and not 1”. the answer, dear reader, is simply that i think this could’ve been a fun book if it went through another few rounds of editing. the premise was fun but i was promised a book for if you *like* shows like love island and instead i was given a show that makes fun of and ridicules shows like love island and those who enjoy them. also, there were a few moments (albeit small ones) that were funny or cute which gave me hope that the book would get better. of course, it didn’t, but at least the sprinkles of a good time were in there.

[Page Escapes by J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Coupling Up feels like binge-watching an entire season of Love Island while simultaneously yelling at the contestants and falling in love with them. It’s chaotic, funny, romantic, mildly ridiculous, and incredibly easy to devour in one sitting.

Libby was the standout for me. She’s not your typical romcom lead — she’s awkward, impulsive, and refreshingly normal amidst a cast full of glossy reality-TV personalities and human protein shakes. Her decision to swap places with her twin sister and join Love on the Island gives the story immediate momentum, but what really keeps things engaging is her internal conflict. She’s constantly torn between staying authentic and performing the exaggerated version of herself the show wants.

And then there’s Cameron. The producer/contestant dynamic added exactly the right amount of tension without tipping into melodrama. Their chemistry develops through quiet moments, sarcastic exchanges, and mutual understanding rather than just instant lust, which made their relationship feel grounded despite the absurdity happening around them.

Jo Lyons absolutely nails the atmosphere of reality television — the manipulation, staged drama, performative vulnerability, producer interference, and bizarre social dynamics of people trapped in a villa together for public entertainment. The humour lands especially well because it feels observational rather than forced.

The prose is light and conversational, but there are moments where the emotional beats genuinely sneak up on you. Beneath all the comedy and villa chaos, the book is really about self-worth, reinvention, and learning not to shrink yourself to fit someone else’s narrative.

A few plot points moved a little too quickly for my personal taste, particularly in the romance, but the entertainment factor easily outweighed that issue for me.

Overall, this was funny, warm, escapist, and dangerously bingeable.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, this book was something else 😂 I am a HUGE fan of Love Island (UK & Australia) so when I was perusing NetGalley and saw a romcom with that premise, I was all in. I'm between my rating because while I did actually think it was mostly enjoyable, the parts that stuck out as off were prominent and I'm not sure if I liked it a little more because I enjoy Love Island. I do have to say, you have to suspend your belief of reality for this, because very little makes sense to actually happen 😂


What I liked: 

• To me, this book is funny! I don't know if some would say it's millennial humor but I did laugh out loud a few times.

•  A decent amount of time I found the information about the production and behind the scenes to be pretty accurate from what I've heard actually happens.

•  It's a quick, light read and was exactly what I needed.


What I struggled with:

• The pacing. We just JUMP into the story without knowing much about the main character and so her decision making felt odd. The first 40% took place in an environment I wasn't expecting and led to not knowing many other characters. The ending felt incredibly rushed. Also the amount of time that passes makes absolutely no sense 😂

• The instalove! I know there's not a ton of time for build up but it was relatively shocking at the end.

• 80% in and the switch up??? Huh??

• The experience of living in the villa doesn't make a ton of sense for the show the book is clearly using as a basis (the dumpings, the time in the villa, the excursion)


Listen, was this a whirlwind and while it has its flaws, I'm glad I read it and it was a nice fluffy read. Do I recommend? Maybe only if you really enjoy Love Island 😅


Thank you to the publisher, author, and Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!!

[Liv · Rating 2 out of 5]

Libby’s identical twin sister applied to be on reality dating show Love on the Island and gets selected to participate. However, in that time, she fell in love and is in a stable relationship, so decides to turn it down. Enter Libby, who decides to go in her place. She speaks to one of the show’s producers, Cameron, accepts on her behalf and pretends to be her. Libby falls in insta-lust with Cameron, and that only solidifies once he becomes her handler. being unfamiliar with the show, Libby is a total fish out of water in every way, but Cameron finds her awkwardness endearing.

Unfortunately, this was a big disappointment for me. I just said in another review that I almost always love books revolving around reality tv, but this is an exception to that rule. What saves it is the humor. I found myself laughing out loud at several different points throughout at lines and situations that were genuinely funny.

I highly disliked Libby as a main character, and I felt like there was some mention of her being a teacher and/or her being nosy every few pages. I also didn’t buy the romance with her and Cameron at all. It felt EXTREMELY surface level and other than physical attraction, I had no idea what they even saw in each other. It also bothered me that Cameron is supposed to be Canadian but a lot of the phrases and things he said sounded very British. None of the characters stood out to me, and this isn’t one I’ll be revisiting.

[Tanisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a huge romance reader, and I especially love books that can make me laugh along the way. Any time a romance promises humor, I am immediately interested, so I was excited to pick this one up. I was hoping for something light, fun, and easy to get swept up in, and this book definitely delivered on that.

I will admit, I went into this one a little unsure after not loving “Love Ahoy!” as much as I had hoped. But I am really glad I gave this author another chance, because this book hooked me right from the start. Libby was such an easy character to root for. Her situation alone made for a fun and entertaining setup, and I found myself quickly invested in how everything would play out for her.

As someone who has heard quite a bit about shows like “Love Island,” I really enjoyed the behind-the-scenes feel of the story. It gave a humorous and slightly chaotic look at that kind of world, which made the book even more entertaining. The romance element was also well done, and I liked how things developed naturally over time.

All in all, I really enjoyed this book. It was fun, engaging, and had just the right mix of humor and heart. I am very glad I gave this author another try, and I will definitely be keeping an eye out for what she writes next.

**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

[Meg Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to @netgalley, @boldwoodbooks and Jo Lyons for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Coupling Up was such a fun, lighthearted rom com and the perfect summer read. I absolutely loved the reality TV dating show setting and all the obvious Love Island inspired drama. It felt like getting a behind-the-scenes look at the chaos, awkwardness, and producer manipulation that goes into making those shows so addictive.

Libby was such an entertaining main character. Watching her go from newly dumped and unemployed teacher to pretending to be her twin sister on a reality dating show made for so many hilarious moments. She constantly found herself out of her comfort zone, and I loved how awkward and relatable she was throughout the story. The villa drama, ridiculous challenges, and over-the-top contestants kept me hooked the whole way through.

I also really enjoyed the chemistry between Libby and Cameron. Their secret romance added so much tension and sweetness to the story, especially with all the sneaking around and trying not to get caught on camera. Their interactions were cute, funny, and gave the book a really bingeable feel.

This book was funny, messy, dramatic, and full of summer vibes. It’s definitely one of those easy reads where you keep saying “just one more chapter.” Perfect for fans of reality TV inspired romances and feel-good rom coms.

[Rachel Gilbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect Holiday Reading
Completely fabulous
So So Funny
An absolute joy to read
Totally devoured this

Do I really need to say more?

Ok then!

Libby the girl who is not a fan of Love on the Island, agrees to swap places with her twin sister and star in the latest series, a decision made after she has just lost both her job and boyfriend.

As someone that still hasn't jumped on the Love Island bandwagon, I totally get and agreed with everything Libby thinks about these sort of shows.

But I do love reading about fictionalised versions of car crash TV, and this one has it all and is set in Mexico too.

There is the producer Cameron, who Libby may actually be attracted too, unlike the men in the villa that she is meant to be "dating".

We have a big scary boss lady, that is definitely a work place bully.

And then we have the other girls and boys in this show, and what a mixed bag they are and i could see it all oh so clearly.

I read this book in a few short hours and couldn't get enough of it. It had everything I wanted and more for a book set in this sort of world.

Jo Lyons is certainly fast becoming one of my favourite authors. Keep them coming please.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

[Natalie Intihar · Rating 5 out of 5]

As such a huge fan of all things reality tv, Coupling Up was an instant hit for me. I loved how behind the scenes the relationship between Libby and Cam was from their first meeting. Even once Libby was on the Villa, we got such a clear view of what her life was really like, and that was both hilarious and endearing on so many levels.

Libby and Cam have a very different reality-tv-esque love story than most who go on a dating show to find love, but it was such a treat to see! They had SUCH good chemistry and it was so funny to see it in contrast to Libby with the guys on the actual reality show. There was never a dull moment with these two, and it truly was a story that I would have watched play out on my screen.

I also loved seeing Libby go through such a journey on her own adventure! While she was finding love with Cam, she was clearly also finding self love too. It was so funny seeing her sass her fellow contestants on the reality show and seeing how far she had come from the beginning of Coupling Up.

Thank you to Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read and review this book! I received a free advance copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Stephanie Toedter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coupling Up hit the mark on a laugh out loud rom-com book! Libby lost her boyfriend and her school teaching job all on the same day. Her twin sister just found out she is meant to be on a reality dating show, and is now in a loving relationship. Since Libby is at a crossroad in life she makes the decision to do something wild and out of her comfort zone by switching roles with her twin sister and take her spot on Love on the Island.
The reserved personality of Libby gets thrown into the crazy personalities of the contestants on reality shows. Jo Lyons wrote all the characters with such strong personalities that you found yourself laughing at the absurd situations that the contestants keep finding themselves in. In all this reality tv craziness, Libby somehow grows and finds her way to happiness.
I very much enjoyed reading this light hearted book. I would have liked the ending to have been given a few more chapters, because I feel like Libby’s story had more to be told. The end felt a bit rushed. The story telling in the island was so detailed, and when Libby got to her happy ending the story was wrapped up too quickly. All that being said, I still love the book and feel this is the perfect summer read to make you laugh and smile!

[Tori Boudreau · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love a good Bachelor-style fiction book, so I was excited to read another one this year 🌹. School teacher Libby isn’t exactly adventurous, but she decides to shake things up by trading places with her twin sister to appear on Love on the Island. Of course, before the show even begins, she has a few run-ins with the handsome producer Cameron 👀.

While I had high hopes for this one, my biggest issue is that I had just read another ARC with an incredibly similar premise, Reality Bites by Amy Mass, and the difference between the two was pretty clear. Both are predictable in the way reality dating show romances often are, but the romance tension here felt lacking. I never fully bought into the chemistry between Libby and Cameron, which made it harder to stay invested 💔.

Libby was also a little too perfect for me. I tend to like characters with a bit more depth, flaws, or messiness, and she felt too polished overall. Because of that, the story didn’t have quite enough spark or emotional pull.

Overall, this was an okay read, but compared to other books with a similar premise, it felt a bit flat. If I had to choose between the two, Reality Bites definitely comes out ahead for me 📚✨.

[Becky Christina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just my type on paper but the vibes aren’t vibing.

Leaving her comfort zone behind, Libby replaces her twin sister on reality show, ‘Love on The Island’, only to fall for her producer/chaperone before filming begins. Drama ensues both on and off-screen. Think Bridget Jones enters the Love Island Villa.

🌮Pairs well with spicy beer and tacos

I felt so sure I would adore this book -I loved the premise- but it missed the mark for me. The voice was great and funny, but I felt the humour was really lacking when it came to the islanders flirting -couldn’t someone have had good banter? The tertiary characters felt like bad caricatures and the contestants felt impossibly unintelligent -I think it was meant to read as comic but it felt mocking. The core romantic relationship was as shallow as the islanders -it felt like there wasn’t anything going on between them.

Consider this book if you’re looking for a light, silly [complimentary] take on a reality show romance, but don’t mistake it for a love letter to the shows.

NB. Romantic scenes are fade to black.

With thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the gifted ARC in exchange for providing an honest review.

[Christa Rapp · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you enjoy reality TV-inspired romances, Coupling Up is definitely worth adding to your TBR. It’s chaotic, funny, romantic, mildly ridiculous, and incredibly easy to devour in one sitting; the perfect palate cleanser between heavier or scarier reads. Jo Lyons perfectly captures the chaotic atmosphere of reality television, from the manufactured drama and producer meddling to the fake vulnerability and strange social dynamics that develop when contestants are confined together for entertainment. The humor throughout feels natural and insightful rather than overly scripted or forced.

I was convinced I would absolutely love this book because the premise sounded so fun: romance meets reality TV. While I did enjoy it as a cute, quick read, it ultimately missed the mark for me a little. I found myself wishing there had been much more focus on Libby and Cam’s relationship and less attention on the dating show itself. As the story went on, the plot became increasingly centered on the villa drama and contestant dynamics instead of allowing Libby and Cam’s connection to naturally develop and deepen the way it had before the show started.

Overall, it’s still an entertaining and lighthearted read with plenty of humor and reality-TV chaos, and would be a great summer, beach read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Lily · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this entertaining new romance novel, readers follow primary school teacher Libby as she trades places with her twin sister to be a contestant on a reality TV show way out of her comfort zone. Heading to a villa in Mexico packed with glamorous people, Libby has to deal with a malicious executive producer bent on exposing her, and she definitely can’t fall in love with totally-off-limits producer Cameron. With a lot more summer drama than she had expected, Libby has to take some massive leaps of faith and stay true to herself if she wants to get her happy ending. Romantic, entertaining, and tropey, readers will love the tension between the characters and the chaos of filming a reality TV show. The relatability of Libby’s prior experiences and emotions pull readers into the story, while the hilarity and intensity of the show forces her out of her comfort zone and into a new space that might give her her happy ending. The emotional beats are really entertaining while the tropes add drama to the story and tension to Cameron and Libby’s potential relationship, and romance readers will love the romantic leads that bring this hilarious and charming new novel from Jo Lyons.

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the advance copy.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars – Coupling Up by Jo Lyons is hysterical, almost over the top. The FMC Libby’s life isn’t going well. Just dumped and getting tired of dealing with the bureaucracy of being an elementary school teacher, she trades places with her twin sister Lois for a spot on the reality show Love on the Island. Libby meets the MMC and show’s producer Cameron in Mexico on the island. The show contestants are hilarious and immature. The production team treats them like pawns, scripts everything and has fake story lines running throughout the show. At first Libby must treat the other contestants like her school children on the playground. Eventually, she sees how some of them could become friends as opposed to the adversarial relationship the production team creates.

While I am not a fan of reality shows due to the manipulation of people and the truth, I found this book to be a great read! You will laugh out loud and be thoroughly entertained!

A huge thank you to NetGalley, the author and Boldwood Books for allowing me to read an ARC. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

A hot mess of a woman + a dating show = a fun, drama-filled time.

I really enjoyed reading it. Libby is such a hot mess I couldn't not fall in love with following her narrative. It's so ridiculously funny at times. All the drama of being on a dating show just added to it. I think I especially liked the CHAP 3 parts, because they were unhinged.

Romance-wise, I like that the truth came out to the right person when it did, because that makes for a better foundation. That's the most vague I can be.

When it comes to downsides - it's a little inconsistent (e.g. at one point she pretends she doesn't know anything about anyone, and a few scenes later she gives out information without hesitation like she's been intimately briefed and is unconcerned who knows about it), and the romance was a little lacking after she went to the main villa (they didn't have a chance to really get to know each other to build a solid understanding of who they are).

I had a good time, so I'd recommend it to people who like reality TV shows and their fast-paced drama.

Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and the author for giving me a chance to read the ARC!

[Linda Rowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I like watching reality tv, romance type reality shows are not my thing. Reading about it however is a different story.
Coupling Up is the story of Libby, a primary school teacher who has just been dumped by her boyfriend and has been laid off by the school. Lois, her identical twin sister has just been accepted to go on the show Love on the Island. She applied a long time ago and now is in a committed relationship. What do twins do best, switch places.
Libby meets Cameron, the show's producer and it is love at first sight.
What follows is a great read of the manipulations that happens in the background of these shows. Libby and Cameron 's relationship somehow develops throughout the playground type antics that continue to happen around them. All the characters are absurd and over the top and you can't help but root for them to find their happy ever afters also.
Over all, this is a great beach read. I found it comical and entertaining. I recommend this dose of reality!

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Allyson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another cute book by this author; an enjoyabe summer beach read. This author's book are always a fun read with great characters and cute storylines. I look forward to more book by this author.

Teacher, Libby has had a rough year, a break-up, the loss of her job and no summer plans, aside from being the third wheel to her twin sister and her fiance's lives. When Libby's sister gets accepted to Love on the Island, a reality show to find love that she applied for ages ago, before she met her true match; Libby has the crazy idea to pretend to be Louise and go. When Libby tuches base wth Cameron, the show's producer, it is love at first sight for her, so she decides a trip to Mexico to go on Love on the Island is just what the doctor ordered. From there it is a cute island romp with lots of misunderstandings and laughs and will Libby find her one true love.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishing house, Boldwood Books and the author Jo Lyons for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of this book in return for a review based upon my honest opinion.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you SO MUCH to Netgalley and Jo Lyons for an advance copy ebook of this gem of a book!

This was such a memorable read for me, I have read SO many fun light-hearted rom coms now but this one was such a stand out for me! One of my favorite emerging tropes is this reality tv behind-the-scenes and this one just hits it right on! If you are a fan of Love Island - which I 100% am - you will just EAT THIS UP!

It has all the drama, the memorable characters, the secrets, the rooting for love that you could want and more. I love that this wasn't a predictable cliche plot but it was cute with sparkling chemistry. It was a little bland and shallow at times and I will admit the FMC did drive me a bit crazy with her ignorance but overall I really enjoyed her kind of anxious, overly prepared but being totally stuck without anything. I liked seeing her character pushed in a way that showed how uncomfortable she was - that hospital gown.. ick. iykyk....

I loved the energy and the pacing of this, I just devoured it. If this is your favorite trope, you need this one in your life.

[Hailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thankyou to NetGalley and publisher Boldwood Books for this ARC.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75

Coupling Up by Jo Lyons had me fully hooked. I went in expecting a cute, slightly chaotic reality TV-inspired read, and ended up absolutely inhaling it.

If you love Love Island style drama, this delivers. The concept is fun, messy in the best way, and ridiculously easy to get hooked on. I told myself I’d read a few chapters… next thing I knew, I’d finished the whole thing in under 24 hours. Zero self-control, no regrets.

It’s cozy, funny, and has that perfect balance of drama and heart. The humour actually landed (which isn’t always guaranteed), and the pacing kept things moving so I never got bored. It’s the kind of book you pick up for something “light and easy” and then suddenly you’re way too invested in everything going on.

A well deserved 4.75 stars (rounded up to 5) — chaotic, addictive, and the perfect binge-read if you’re in the mood for reality TV vibes without the ads.

[Gina Marie Dutton · Rating 5 out of 5]

☀️ I had so much fun reading this book❣️❣️❣️ It’s adorable, addictive, and funny! I loved the chemistry between Libby and Cameron, and it made the book so difficult to put down.

🌴 Since the premise revolves around a reality TV show, there are some truly hilarious moments that Libby finds herself in. Watching her try to survive the chaos of reality TV while being completely out of her element was so entertaining. Libby is such an easy character to root for no matter what she’s doing.

☀️ Libby and Cameron are the cutest couple! Of course, they both come with some baggage, which causes their vulnerabilities to come through. But their romance is what made this book perfect for me. Their chemistry is strong, and every interaction had me smiling. Their connection felt sweet, messy, and full of tension in the best way.

🌴 This book is nothing but good vibes, and it’s the perfect addition to a ☀️ summer TBR list!

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun, humorous and engaging romance that hit all the right notes- the concept of the sister swap between Lois and Libby to go on a reality love match show was cleverly done incorporating a slew of characters (both male and female) and their exploits and interactions whilst on the show and especially during various activities set up by the producers in order to make it more entertaining for their viewing audience.
The settings within the story (both in Mexico and other countries) was fun to explore as a reader as it portrayed a good travel aspect which added to the story. In terms of the romance this was cute although I do wish there could have been more effort from Cams part towards Libby as it did feel one sided for a good portion of the story.
An immersive and romantic read with the right amount of humor to it.
Thankyou to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for an arc.