What do you think?
Rate this book
Unscripted
Six weeks. One fake relationship. The UK’s most popular dating show. What could go wrong?
When American girl Poppy Devlin is fired from her dream job working for a famous film director in London, she finds herself desperate for both an income and a reason to stay in England and avoid the problems she left behind in the States. Enter Bella Amore, the most popular dating show in the United Kingdom.
Going in for what she believes to be an interview for a production assistant gig, Poppy ends up in a casting meeting where she is offered a spot on the show in front of the cameras, not behind them. Reluctantly accepting, Poppy joins the cast and is whisked off to Italy for the shoot.
There, she meets fellow castmate Callum, a brooding jerk she immediately dislikes. Despite their rocky start, Callum soon makes her an offer she can't refuse: pretend to date each other in order to stay on the show for its entire six week run. Not wanting to actually find love yet needing to stay on the show for the paycheck, Poppy agrees. As the steamy summer moves along, she’ll have to navigate the ins and outs of being on reality television, one very grumpy partner and whatever else production throws her way.
When American girl Poppy Devlin is fired from her dream job working for a famous film director in London, she finds herself desperate for both an income and a reason to stay in England and avoid the problems she left behind in the States. Enter Bella Amore, the most popular dating show in the United Kingdom.
Going in for what she believes to be an interview for a production assistant gig, Poppy ends up in a casting meeting where she is offered a spot on the show in front of the cameras, not behind them. Reluctantly accepting, Poppy joins the cast and is whisked off to Italy for the shoot.
There, she meets fellow castmate Callum, a brooding jerk she immediately dislikes. Despite their rocky start, Callum soon makes her an offer she can't refuse: pretend to date each other in order to stay on the show for its entire six week run. Not wanting to actually find love yet needing to stay on the show for the paycheck, Poppy agrees. As the steamy summer moves along, she’ll have to navigate the ins and outs of being on reality television, one very grumpy partner and whatever else production throws her way.
344 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 25, 2026
About the author
Megan Lynch
1 book6 followersMegan Lynch is a writer with over ten years of experience working in various roles across the entertainment industry. She took her love for books and movies and began to write her own.
When she’s not writing, she’s usually picking up a new hobby (needlepoint, adult ballet, etc.), rooting on the Dodgers or watching the Seattle Aquarium’s sea otter live stream.
Megan lives in Los Angeles with her husband.
When she’s not writing, she’s usually picking up a new hobby (needlepoint, adult ballet, etc.), rooting on the Dodgers or watching the Seattle Aquarium’s sea otter live stream.
Megan lives in Los Angeles with her husband.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Netgalley for a copy of this ARC.
This book was a five star read that I escape too. I had all the drama and Love Island vibes. I loved how at the beginning Callum and Poppy were not getting along and Poppy could nof figure out why. I also liked the fake dating for a reality tv slowly turned into something more. The slow burn and knowing the internal thoughts of Poppy was amazing and kept me invested to learn if Callum felt the same way. The ending was also crazy just as I would expect from a reality tv show. Overall it was a crazy ride from start to finish that transported me into a fun reality tv setting. Honestly I loved the drama and wish there was a sequel to be honest.
This book was a five star read that I escape too. I had all the drama and Love Island vibes. I loved how at the beginning Callum and Poppy were not getting along and Poppy could nof figure out why. I also liked the fake dating for a reality tv slowly turned into something more. The slow burn and knowing the internal thoughts of Poppy was amazing and kept me invested to learn if Callum felt the same way. The ending was also crazy just as I would expect from a reality tv show. Overall it was a crazy ride from start to finish that transported me into a fun reality tv setting. Honestly I loved the drama and wish there was a sequel to be honest.
September 29, 2026
Thank you very much Park Miramar Publishing for the ARC!
I am no fan of reality shows of any kind usually, but reading a romcom with them as a topic turns usually out to be fun.
Overall, Unscripted was a cute little story... however, I am not one-hundred percent sure how to feel about it. I liked Poppy. I mean, we learn a lot about her over the course of the book. Not sure about Callum, seeing we do not learn much about him, really. The story overall fell a bit flat, and what while being around 350 pages long. Entertaining as long as it lasted, but nothing I will remember for long. 3,5 stars overall.
I am no fan of reality shows of any kind usually, but reading a romcom with them as a topic turns usually out to be fun.
Overall, Unscripted was a cute little story... however, I am not one-hundred percent sure how to feel about it. I liked Poppy. I mean, we learn a lot about her over the course of the book. Not sure about Callum, seeing we do not learn much about him, really. The story overall fell a bit flat, and what while being around 350 pages long. Entertaining as long as it lasted, but nothing I will remember for long. 3,5 stars overall.
October 20, 2026
This was a really fun, quick read. I especially recommend it to fans of Love Island! Thank you to NetGalley and Megan Lynch for this arc.
October 18, 2026
Go Megan!!! So good!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
ARC REVIEW:
Une lecture divertissante, cozy et tout simplement parfaite pour décrocher! 🥹✨
Dès que j’ai lu la description de cette histoire complètement loufoque, avec cette vibe de Bachelor in Paradise ou même d’Occupation Double, j’avais tellement hâte de me plonger dedans… et je n’ai absolument pas été déçue!
À travers l’histoire de Poppy et Callum, j’ai eu l’impression de vivre une petite dose de fantaisie tout en faisant semblant d’être moi-même dans une télé-réalité. 😂 Pendant quelques heures, c’était comme si j’étais plongée dans l’une de mes saisons préférées, à m’attacher aux personnages, à suivre leurs péripéties et surtout… à vouloir tourner la prochaine page pour découvrir qui allait en sortir gagnant!
C’est exactement le genre de lecture légère, amusante et cozy qui fait du bien. Une histoire qui ne se prend pas trop au sérieux, mais qui réussit parfaitement à nous divertir du début à la fin 💕
Bravo à l’autrice pour cette belle histoire et un immense merci de m’avoir permis de la découvrir avant sa sortie officielle! 🫶🏻
📚 Le livre sera disponible pour tout le monde dès le 25 septembre — et je vous le recommande si vous avez envie d’une lecture fun, légère et pleine de vibes télé-réalité! ✨
Une lecture divertissante, cozy et tout simplement parfaite pour décrocher! 🥹✨
Dès que j’ai lu la description de cette histoire complètement loufoque, avec cette vibe de Bachelor in Paradise ou même d’Occupation Double, j’avais tellement hâte de me plonger dedans… et je n’ai absolument pas été déçue!
À travers l’histoire de Poppy et Callum, j’ai eu l’impression de vivre une petite dose de fantaisie tout en faisant semblant d’être moi-même dans une télé-réalité. 😂 Pendant quelques heures, c’était comme si j’étais plongée dans l’une de mes saisons préférées, à m’attacher aux personnages, à suivre leurs péripéties et surtout… à vouloir tourner la prochaine page pour découvrir qui allait en sortir gagnant!
C’est exactement le genre de lecture légère, amusante et cozy qui fait du bien. Une histoire qui ne se prend pas trop au sérieux, mais qui réussit parfaitement à nous divertir du début à la fin 💕
Bravo à l’autrice pour cette belle histoire et un immense merci de m’avoir permis de la découvrir avant sa sortie officielle! 🫶🏻
📚 Le livre sera disponible pour tout le monde dès le 25 septembre — et je vous le recommande si vous avez envie d’une lecture fun, légère et pleine de vibes télé-réalité! ✨
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Netgalley for an advanced copy of Unscripted
This is by far the BEST Love Island book I’ve ever read. Oh my goodness, this was so much fun! It truly brought the magic of the show to the page.
My only “complaint” is that I wish it were longer. The whole climax could’ve been another ten or twenty pages, but even without that, I LOVED it.
I would’ve loved to see the other girls reunite and yada yada, but obviously Poppy was sad.
I also wish we got to see more of their chats, but either way, I loved this so much.
This is by far the BEST Love Island book I’ve ever read. Oh my goodness, this was so much fun! It truly brought the magic of the show to the page.
My only “complaint” is that I wish it were longer. The whole climax could’ve been another ten or twenty pages, but even without that, I LOVED it.
I would’ve loved to see the other girls reunite and yada yada, but obviously Poppy was sad.
I also wish we got to see more of their chats, but either way, I loved this so much.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Park Miramar publishing for the ARC!!!
Unscripted by Megan Lynch gave me the escape I didn’t know I needed!
This book had total Love Island vibes, and I was absolutely eating it up. From the Italian summer setting to a villa full of people looking for love, this story had everything I love about a good romance.
Following the story through one of the cast members gave me a fun glimpse into the reality TV world while watching her fall in love with Callum and build friendships with the other girls in the villa. I loved the combination of romance, friendship, and drama. It felt like I was right there with them, soaking up the sunshine, dreaming of a beach vacation, and getting completely invested in everything happening around the villa.
This book truly hit everything I look for in a romance: a great escape, a swoon-worthy love interest, meaningful friendships, and plenty of drama. I was kicking my feet, fully invested in the characters, and genuinely did not want this book to end.
If an Italian summer escape in a villa filled with hot people looking for love sounds like your kind of read, you need to pick this one up!
My only critique is that I would have loved an epilogue showing us more of the main character’s future. While I enjoyed the ending, it left me wanting more of the characters and their lives beyond the book. But I guess that’s what happens when you become so invested in a story!
I’m already hoping for a second season of Bella Amore and can’t wait to see what Megan Lynch writes next. This was such a fun, feel-good escape, and I would happily return to this villa anytime!
Unscripted by Megan Lynch gave me the escape I didn’t know I needed!
This book had total Love Island vibes, and I was absolutely eating it up. From the Italian summer setting to a villa full of people looking for love, this story had everything I love about a good romance.
Following the story through one of the cast members gave me a fun glimpse into the reality TV world while watching her fall in love with Callum and build friendships with the other girls in the villa. I loved the combination of romance, friendship, and drama. It felt like I was right there with them, soaking up the sunshine, dreaming of a beach vacation, and getting completely invested in everything happening around the villa.
This book truly hit everything I look for in a romance: a great escape, a swoon-worthy love interest, meaningful friendships, and plenty of drama. I was kicking my feet, fully invested in the characters, and genuinely did not want this book to end.
If an Italian summer escape in a villa filled with hot people looking for love sounds like your kind of read, you need to pick this one up!
My only critique is that I would have loved an epilogue showing us more of the main character’s future. While I enjoyed the ending, it left me wanting more of the characters and their lives beyond the book. But I guess that’s what happens when you become so invested in a story!
I’m already hoping for a second season of Bella Amore and can’t wait to see what Megan Lynch writes next. This was such a fun, feel-good escape, and I would happily return to this villa anytime!
October 3, 2026
Thank you Netgalley for this ARC.
Rating: 4.5/5
If you love reality tv (especially love island) then I highly recommend this book. Megan Lynch was able to perfectly combine all the tension and drama you see in the tv show into 345 pages. While at first it felt quite slow for me, once I hit 30% I could not put the book down and started loving every chapter. The romance between Callum and Poppy was perfect, from the small glances to the kisses, and I could not get enough of them. I especially loved chapter 39 because we got to see a young childish side to these characters, where they relax and just have fun. I also loved the found family in this book, especially Poppy's friendship with the other girls in the book (I especially loved Ella and their friendship as the book continued). Furthermore, I loved the addition of Poppy being American and continuously being confused by all the British slang throughout the book. As a British girlie I was laughing throughout and could easily imagine the characters just sitting around the pool, in lounge chairs saying all the slang words. I also want to note that this book is not that spicy, with only one explicit scene, which I also favoured as I'm not a massive fan of overly smutty books. This book was the perfect summer read (even though I read it at the end of summer) and now has made me so excited for the next love island season.
Tropes:
-reality tv show setting
-fake dating
-enemies to lovers
-American dmc x British mmc
-summer romance.
Rating: 4.5/5
If you love reality tv (especially love island) then I highly recommend this book. Megan Lynch was able to perfectly combine all the tension and drama you see in the tv show into 345 pages. While at first it felt quite slow for me, once I hit 30% I could not put the book down and started loving every chapter. The romance between Callum and Poppy was perfect, from the small glances to the kisses, and I could not get enough of them. I especially loved chapter 39 because we got to see a young childish side to these characters, where they relax and just have fun. I also loved the found family in this book, especially Poppy's friendship with the other girls in the book (I especially loved Ella and their friendship as the book continued). Furthermore, I loved the addition of Poppy being American and continuously being confused by all the British slang throughout the book. As a British girlie I was laughing throughout and could easily imagine the characters just sitting around the pool, in lounge chairs saying all the slang words. I also want to note that this book is not that spicy, with only one explicit scene, which I also favoured as I'm not a massive fan of overly smutty books. This book was the perfect summer read (even though I read it at the end of summer) and now has made me so excited for the next love island season.
Tropes:
-reality tv show setting
-fake dating
-enemies to lovers
-American dmc x British mmc
-summer romance.
September 27, 2026
So, this is a difficult review for me. I am still figuring it out what are my exact thoughts on this book. But I will try my best with what I got so far.
I was so interested and curious about what was going to happen during the book. I liked the FMC, her personality, but sometimes she was a bit overly descriptive about the ambient and that was a bit annoying and it took longer to get to the point.
I think MMC could have been much more worked on. We didn’t know anything about him the entire book, so I didn’t feel a connection with the character at all.
What it bothered me the most was how their romance was built, when it came to it, there was barely detailing, when they got together, they slept every night with each oder and there was nothing about it, I felt the was no build up between them and the only thing we got, what the only sexual scene. I was expecting so much more.
In general was an okay book, but was not memorable.
I was so interested and curious about what was going to happen during the book. I liked the FMC, her personality, but sometimes she was a bit overly descriptive about the ambient and that was a bit annoying and it took longer to get to the point.
I think MMC could have been much more worked on. We didn’t know anything about him the entire book, so I didn’t feel a connection with the character at all.
What it bothered me the most was how their romance was built, when it came to it, there was barely detailing, when they got together, they slept every night with each oder and there was nothing about it, I felt the was no build up between them and the only thing we got, what the only sexual scene. I was expecting so much more.
In general was an okay book, but was not memorable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 4, 2026
This is my very first NetGalley ARC. I was recently introduced to the NetGalley process by a local bookstore owner and was immediately intrigued. Truthfully, I didn’t think I’d be approved for anything but wanted to give it a try nonetheless. I’ve read so many reviews on Goodreads mentioning ARCs but I did not even know what that meant. Now I feel silly for not researching it for myself sooner.
Though I never professionally edited anything in high school or college, I dabbled in doing so as often as I could. I loved seeing someone’s idea turn into a reality and all the drafts it took to get there. It reminds me of a choose your own adventure story. Each choice one makes when rewriting or restructuring can drastically alter how a paragraph, page, scene, or chapter reads. Enjoying that process as I did, signing up to review advanced copies of various works seemed like a great way to provide honest feedback for writers in their journey to final publishing. Though I went in with the intention of primarily reviewing books from certain authors I knew I enjoyed, the prospect of discovering new works and new authors I might not have read otherwise has become most exciting. I’m a very different reader now that I was a couple years ago, and that’s mainly because I’ve been recommended so many amazing books outside of what I was typically reading. I look forward to broadening those horizons even more!
All that being said, reality TV is not something I have ever watched. I’ve seen viral clips that have circulated through society at large, but have never watched a dating show of any kind. Before reading Unscripted, I was vaguely familiar with Love Island. From what I know of that show, this book seemed to really capture the ins and outs of a reality dating show. I loved how we were peering inside at how those scenes are shot and how they feel being captured in real time. Admittedly, I am a sucker for a meet-cute or a “they aren’t supposed to have met” moment. It reminds me of one of my all time favorite examples of that between Maxon and America in The Selection by Kiera Cass. [Side note: That was basically Love Island meets a dystopian future America but I digress]. Callum and Poppy’s chance encounters were really enjoyable. Especially how it put them at odds. Maybe that makes me unhealthy, admitting my love for initial red flag encounters but I love when love interests begin with prejudices or an enemies-esque feel and then grow to melt for each other. Needless to say, I was intrigued by Callum fairly quickly.
In full transparency, the pacing in Unscripted felt a little off. There was a distinct overall build in the relationship between the FMC and the MMC that I enjoyed, but their characterization could have been a bit stronger. Though the twists and turns felt reality show real, the patterns of both their behavior felt rinse and repeat. If that is how reality dating is, I don’t know if I could stomach it, but I recognize that could be what Megan Lynch was aiming for. The “icing” of personalities multiple times just rubbed me the wrong way. Overall, I enjoyed seeing their comfortably change and the way the others in the villa and even their producers were picking up on it. This strengthened their budding romance. However, their seemingly sudden intimate scene was jarring and then the story continued somewhat abruptly. I don’t enjoy “spicy” content so I don’t know exactly what they did or did not do because I went ahead and skipped to the next chapter but I assume within the parameters outlined in the explanation of Bella Amore’s filming guidelines just before, it could not have been much. Even so, their lack of communication overall was frustrating. Especially when they’ve had an intimate moment and then crack on without addressing it. Twas awkward. That might be more of a personal qualm I have with the miscommunication trope as a whole manifesting in my frustration with that situation, though. Something that didn’t frustrate me at all: her friendships with the other female contestants. I loved how tender Callum was toward those friendships, too. I thought it was clever how she incorporated bombshells and the various dates and challenges of a dating show, too. I could also read the dialogue in a British accent (something I love to do anyway), which added to the feel of Poppy being truly out of her depth “across the pond” 😆.
Another aspect that I think could have been stronger: Poppy’s experience in TV show production shining through. Though her observations were mentioned in the beginning, it would’ve been nice to see her production experience and curiosity unfold. Sometimes, I found myself wondering what PA Poppy would think about the way the show was coming together. On the other hand, I did appreciate that she became more and more comfortable with the hidden cameras and began to lose herself to it - that added to us as readers being drawn into the reality show. Poppy’s surprising comfortability reinforced her realizations that she had changed and was not the same person that she was when she entered the villa. I guess I contrasted myself there but to really believe that her previous relationship went down the drain because she was constantly working ridiculous production hours, I would’ve expected to see her struggling to shed that part of her more in the beginning.
Overall, I did enjoy this read, which is why I’ve rated it a 3.25. I gasped when certain contestants made certain very selfish, very poor choices. I cheered when those people were sent home and when others were announced to be safe. I worried when certain individuals were on the chopping block. I laughed at some of the awkwardness. I felt the tension in the long moments between announcements (Megan, you did a great job incorporating those tense moments from Poppy’s perspective). Though, I was unsurprised with how it ended, I still enjoyed the resolution. One final note: I would’ve liked to know the impact this had on both families, but primarily Callum’s giving the nature of his situation.
When I rate books, I typically use the 1-5 scale as follows:
1 - did not like it at all, considered DNFing
2 - liked it some
3 - enjoyed it
4 - liked it a lot
5 - loved it, might even reread
Thank you Park Miramar Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review Unscripted by Megan Lynch.
Though I never professionally edited anything in high school or college, I dabbled in doing so as often as I could. I loved seeing someone’s idea turn into a reality and all the drafts it took to get there. It reminds me of a choose your own adventure story. Each choice one makes when rewriting or restructuring can drastically alter how a paragraph, page, scene, or chapter reads. Enjoying that process as I did, signing up to review advanced copies of various works seemed like a great way to provide honest feedback for writers in their journey to final publishing. Though I went in with the intention of primarily reviewing books from certain authors I knew I enjoyed, the prospect of discovering new works and new authors I might not have read otherwise has become most exciting. I’m a very different reader now that I was a couple years ago, and that’s mainly because I’ve been recommended so many amazing books outside of what I was typically reading. I look forward to broadening those horizons even more!
All that being said, reality TV is not something I have ever watched. I’ve seen viral clips that have circulated through society at large, but have never watched a dating show of any kind. Before reading Unscripted, I was vaguely familiar with Love Island. From what I know of that show, this book seemed to really capture the ins and outs of a reality dating show. I loved how we were peering inside at how those scenes are shot and how they feel being captured in real time. Admittedly, I am a sucker for a meet-cute or a “they aren’t supposed to have met” moment. It reminds me of one of my all time favorite examples of that between Maxon and America in The Selection by Kiera Cass. [Side note: That was basically Love Island meets a dystopian future America but I digress]. Callum and Poppy’s chance encounters were really enjoyable. Especially how it put them at odds. Maybe that makes me unhealthy, admitting my love for initial red flag encounters but I love when love interests begin with prejudices or an enemies-esque feel and then grow to melt for each other. Needless to say, I was intrigued by Callum fairly quickly.
In full transparency, the pacing in Unscripted felt a little off. There was a distinct overall build in the relationship between the FMC and the MMC that I enjoyed, but their characterization could have been a bit stronger. Though the twists and turns felt reality show real, the patterns of both their behavior felt rinse and repeat. If that is how reality dating is, I don’t know if I could stomach it, but I recognize that could be what Megan Lynch was aiming for. The “icing” of personalities multiple times just rubbed me the wrong way. Overall, I enjoyed seeing their comfortably change and the way the others in the villa and even their producers were picking up on it. This strengthened their budding romance. However, their seemingly sudden intimate scene was jarring and then the story continued somewhat abruptly. I don’t enjoy “spicy” content so I don’t know exactly what they did or did not do because I went ahead and skipped to the next chapter but I assume within the parameters outlined in the explanation of Bella Amore’s filming guidelines just before, it could not have been much. Even so, their lack of communication overall was frustrating. Especially when they’ve had an intimate moment and then crack on without addressing it. Twas awkward. That might be more of a personal qualm I have with the miscommunication trope as a whole manifesting in my frustration with that situation, though. Something that didn’t frustrate me at all: her friendships with the other female contestants. I loved how tender Callum was toward those friendships, too. I thought it was clever how she incorporated bombshells and the various dates and challenges of a dating show, too. I could also read the dialogue in a British accent (something I love to do anyway), which added to the feel of Poppy being truly out of her depth “across the pond” 😆.
Another aspect that I think could have been stronger: Poppy’s experience in TV show production shining through. Though her observations were mentioned in the beginning, it would’ve been nice to see her production experience and curiosity unfold. Sometimes, I found myself wondering what PA Poppy would think about the way the show was coming together. On the other hand, I did appreciate that she became more and more comfortable with the hidden cameras and began to lose herself to it - that added to us as readers being drawn into the reality show. Poppy’s surprising comfortability reinforced her realizations that she had changed and was not the same person that she was when she entered the villa. I guess I contrasted myself there but to really believe that her previous relationship went down the drain because she was constantly working ridiculous production hours, I would’ve expected to see her struggling to shed that part of her more in the beginning.
Overall, I did enjoy this read, which is why I’ve rated it a 3.25. I gasped when certain contestants made certain very selfish, very poor choices. I cheered when those people were sent home and when others were announced to be safe. I worried when certain individuals were on the chopping block. I laughed at some of the awkwardness. I felt the tension in the long moments between announcements (Megan, you did a great job incorporating those tense moments from Poppy’s perspective). Though, I was unsurprised with how it ended, I still enjoyed the resolution. One final note: I would’ve liked to know the impact this had on both families, but primarily Callum’s giving the nature of his situation.
When I rate books, I typically use the 1-5 scale as follows:
1 - did not like it at all, considered DNFing
2 - liked it some
3 - enjoyed it
4 - liked it a lot
5 - loved it, might even reread
Thank you Park Miramar Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review Unscripted by Megan Lynch.
October 12, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and Park Miramar Publishing for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
3.5 Stars!
I only really got into Love Island recently, so I wasn't entirely sure how much I would enjoy this book going into it. I was a little hesitant, but I ended up being pleasantly surprised!
Firstly, I really liked Poppy, and I enjoyed getting to hear her inner thoughts throughout the book. It was interesting seeing how she processed everything happening around her, especially when you consider that she's in an environment where everyone is watching her. I also really liked her with Callum. They had great chemistry, and I enjoyed seeing their relationship develop.
Another thing I really liked was Poppy's friendships with the other girls in the villa, especially Ella and Chiara. It was lovely seeing how their friendships developed and how much they genuinely cared about each other, particularly from around the halfway point. Sometimes these kinds of settings can make you expect everyone to be competing against each other, so it was nice to see the girls actually supporting one another.
I also grew to really like Callum as the book went on. At first, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect from him, but I loved seeing more of his personality and realising that he was genuinely a nice guy. He wasn't just there to be the romantic interest; he actually had a personality, and I really enjoyed getting to know him better.
Honestly, throughout this book, I genuinely felt like I was watching Love Island. The villa, the relationships, the drama and everyone's reactions made it so easy to picture everything happening. I could practically imagine the confessionals and the dramatic music playing in the background!
That being said, there were a few things that became a little repetitive. Poppy mentioned quite often how she kept forgetting about the cameras and how she'd never done anything like this before. I understood why those things were important to her character, but after a while, it started feeling a bit annoying.
The pacing was also a bit of an issue for me. For a good portion of the book, things felt quite slow, and I found myself waiting for the story to pick up. I think it really started to get going around the 50% mark, and although there were still a few slower moments after that, I was much more invested in what was happening. I also wished there was a bit more drama, or we got to see more of what was being said in the confessionals.
Overall, I had a really enjoyable time with this book, especially considering I wasn't sure how much I'd like it going in. I loved Poppy, enjoyed her relationship with Callum, and particularly appreciated the friendships between the girls. Although the pacing was a little uneven and some things felt repetitive, it genuinely felt like watching Love Island unfold on the page, and that made it a really fun read!
3.5 Stars!
I only really got into Love Island recently, so I wasn't entirely sure how much I would enjoy this book going into it. I was a little hesitant, but I ended up being pleasantly surprised!
Firstly, I really liked Poppy, and I enjoyed getting to hear her inner thoughts throughout the book. It was interesting seeing how she processed everything happening around her, especially when you consider that she's in an environment where everyone is watching her. I also really liked her with Callum. They had great chemistry, and I enjoyed seeing their relationship develop.
Another thing I really liked was Poppy's friendships with the other girls in the villa, especially Ella and Chiara. It was lovely seeing how their friendships developed and how much they genuinely cared about each other, particularly from around the halfway point. Sometimes these kinds of settings can make you expect everyone to be competing against each other, so it was nice to see the girls actually supporting one another.
I also grew to really like Callum as the book went on. At first, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect from him, but I loved seeing more of his personality and realising that he was genuinely a nice guy. He wasn't just there to be the romantic interest; he actually had a personality, and I really enjoyed getting to know him better.
Honestly, throughout this book, I genuinely felt like I was watching Love Island. The villa, the relationships, the drama and everyone's reactions made it so easy to picture everything happening. I could practically imagine the confessionals and the dramatic music playing in the background!
That being said, there were a few things that became a little repetitive. Poppy mentioned quite often how she kept forgetting about the cameras and how she'd never done anything like this before. I understood why those things were important to her character, but after a while, it started feeling a bit annoying.
The pacing was also a bit of an issue for me. For a good portion of the book, things felt quite slow, and I found myself waiting for the story to pick up. I think it really started to get going around the 50% mark, and although there were still a few slower moments after that, I was much more invested in what was happening. I also wished there was a bit more drama, or we got to see more of what was being said in the confessionals.
Overall, I had a really enjoyable time with this book, especially considering I wasn't sure how much I'd like it going in. I loved Poppy, enjoyed her relationship with Callum, and particularly appreciated the friendships between the girls. Although the pacing was a little uneven and some things felt repetitive, it genuinely felt like watching Love Island unfold on the page, and that made it a really fun read!
October 20, 2026
2.5/5⭐️
An entertaining premise, but unfortunately, the execution didn’t quite work for me.
✨ When Poppy loses her job in London, she unexpectedly finds herself competing on the UK’s most popular dating show. There, she meets Callum, a grumpy contestant who proposes a fake relationship to help them both stay on the show. What could possibly go wrong? ✨
📺 Reality TV setting
💕 Fake dating
❤️🔥 Dislike to lovers
☀️ Summer romance
I really liked the premise of Unscripted. A romance set on a dating show, with fake dating and two characters who initially can’t stand each other, sounded like such a fun concept. And while I did find the story entertaining at times, I unfortunately struggled with the writing and the way certain situations were handled.
My biggest issue was that I often felt like I was being told what happened rather than actually experiencing it alongside the characters. There were moments that could have been great opportunities to develop their relationship, but instead of showing us their interactions, they were simply summarized. For example, during one of the dates, we’re told that the characters spent time talking and getting to know each other, but we barely get to see any of that conversation. As a result, I found it difficult to fully connect with their feelings.
I also wish the characters had been more developed. Some of them felt like they were simply there to move the plot forward, rather than having much depth of their own.
Another thing that frustrated me was how conveniently certain situations unfolded. Whenever an important conversation seemed about to happen, something would suddenly interrupt it, preventing the characters from addressing their conflicts. After a while, these interruptions started to feel a little forced.
On a more positive note, I did enjoy the reality TV setting, and I loved the little reference to The Vampire Diaries! 🥹❤️
Overall, I didn’t dislike Unscripted, and I think the story has a lot of potential. It’s a light, entertaining romance with a fun premise, but I personally wish the characters, their relationships, and some of the key moments had been explored in more depth.
An entertaining premise, but unfortunately, the execution didn’t quite work for me.
✨ When Poppy loses her job in London, she unexpectedly finds herself competing on the UK’s most popular dating show. There, she meets Callum, a grumpy contestant who proposes a fake relationship to help them both stay on the show. What could possibly go wrong? ✨
📺 Reality TV setting
💕 Fake dating
❤️🔥 Dislike to lovers
☀️ Summer romance
I really liked the premise of Unscripted. A romance set on a dating show, with fake dating and two characters who initially can’t stand each other, sounded like such a fun concept. And while I did find the story entertaining at times, I unfortunately struggled with the writing and the way certain situations were handled.
My biggest issue was that I often felt like I was being told what happened rather than actually experiencing it alongside the characters. There were moments that could have been great opportunities to develop their relationship, but instead of showing us their interactions, they were simply summarized. For example, during one of the dates, we’re told that the characters spent time talking and getting to know each other, but we barely get to see any of that conversation. As a result, I found it difficult to fully connect with their feelings.
I also wish the characters had been more developed. Some of them felt like they were simply there to move the plot forward, rather than having much depth of their own.
Another thing that frustrated me was how conveniently certain situations unfolded. Whenever an important conversation seemed about to happen, something would suddenly interrupt it, preventing the characters from addressing their conflicts. After a while, these interruptions started to feel a little forced.
On a more positive note, I did enjoy the reality TV setting, and I loved the little reference to The Vampire Diaries! 🥹❤️
Overall, I didn’t dislike Unscripted, and I think the story has a lot of potential. It’s a light, entertaining romance with a fun premise, but I personally wish the characters, their relationships, and some of the key moments had been explored in more depth.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
As a person who has watched and enjoyed her fair share of seasons of Love Island, this book definitely reads like a love letter to love island.
What I loved:
As a contestant who has worked in the tv industry, our main character Poppy, looks at a lot of the things that happen on the show through the lens of production. So a lot of “that was a smart choice by the producers”, and “the production team would have done this for this reason” and it’s such an interesting way to think about reality tv.
It was just so fun and addictive. It really FELT like watching a fun reality tv show.
I will absolutely be picking future books up from the author.
What I didn’t love:
It feels like without Love Island, this book could not have existed. More than just being inspired by love island, it was really just like the author put her characters in an actual season of the real show. From the contestants arriving standing on a vehicle, to the dramatic exiting scenes while rolling out their suitcases, the firepit where recouplings happen. All of it. Casa Amor was renamed Chateau Desire (and one line in the book even refers to the events afterwards as “post-Casa” rather than “post-chateau” which is unfortunately a Freudian slip that the editor should have caught. Curious to see if it ends up in the final version since I did read an ARC).
All this to say, it would have been nice to see a different take on a reality tv show inspired by love island, rather than a copy-paste of the shows elements.
Another issue with editing, certain issues you’d expect from a debut author made their way through even though a skilled editor SHOULD have caught them.
The story is told in first person and there’s a line that says “if I had looked back before I walked out the of the room, I would have seen that Callum had been watching me walk away”.
That doesn’t work in first person limited point of view and it’s an easy mistake for a debut author to make, but it is one the editor 100% should have noticed.
All in all. I had suuuch a fun time with this book and it absolutely made me want to:
1. Keep tabs on what else this author puts out in the future
2. Go watch one of the many seasons of Love Island I have yet to watch.
What I loved:
As a contestant who has worked in the tv industry, our main character Poppy, looks at a lot of the things that happen on the show through the lens of production. So a lot of “that was a smart choice by the producers”, and “the production team would have done this for this reason” and it’s such an interesting way to think about reality tv.
It was just so fun and addictive. It really FELT like watching a fun reality tv show.
I will absolutely be picking future books up from the author.
What I didn’t love:
It feels like without Love Island, this book could not have existed. More than just being inspired by love island, it was really just like the author put her characters in an actual season of the real show. From the contestants arriving standing on a vehicle, to the dramatic exiting scenes while rolling out their suitcases, the firepit where recouplings happen. All of it. Casa Amor was renamed Chateau Desire (and one line in the book even refers to the events afterwards as “post-Casa” rather than “post-chateau” which is unfortunately a Freudian slip that the editor should have caught. Curious to see if it ends up in the final version since I did read an ARC).
All this to say, it would have been nice to see a different take on a reality tv show inspired by love island, rather than a copy-paste of the shows elements.
Another issue with editing, certain issues you’d expect from a debut author made their way through even though a skilled editor SHOULD have caught them.
The story is told in first person and there’s a line that says “if I had looked back before I walked out the of the room, I would have seen that Callum had been watching me walk away”.
That doesn’t work in first person limited point of view and it’s an easy mistake for a debut author to make, but it is one the editor 100% should have noticed.
All in all. I had suuuch a fun time with this book and it absolutely made me want to:
1. Keep tabs on what else this author puts out in the future
2. Go watch one of the many seasons of Love Island I have yet to watch.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Is this Love Island? Yes. Was it predictable? Yes. Did I enjoy it? Yes.
This was such a fun read and gave me exactly what I wanted from a reality TV romance.
From the start, Poppy and Callum just felt destined to end up together. I loved their chemistry, the secret meet ups and watching the fake dating slowly turn into something very real. I knew where things were going, but I was enjoying every second of watching them get there.
Then there was Sara 👀 She definitely brought the drama, but I loved how it pushed Poppy out of her comfort zone and had her making some very bold choices of her own.
I also saw the friends and family drama coming a mile away, but that actually made me more excited for it. I was waiting for everything to come to a head and loved seeing how it all played out.
By the end, I was so invested that I just wanted more. More of Poppy and Callum working through everything together, more of what comes next for Poppy, especially knowing why she went on the show in the first place, and honestly more of the other couples too. After Chateau Desire, I was invested in everyone’s drama 😂
That is probably the biggest compliment I can give this book. I finished it still wanting more from these characters.
Overall, this was such a fun time and somehow made me want to go back and rewatch a few seasons of Love Island.
Tropes ✨
📺 Reality dating show
💋 Fake relationship
🤭 Secret meet ups
🏝️ Forced proximity
🔥 Slow burn chemistry
🇮🇹 Summer in Italy
Is this Love Island? Yes. Was it predictable? Yes. Did I enjoy it? Yes.
This was such a fun read and gave me exactly what I wanted from a reality TV romance.
From the start, Poppy and Callum just felt destined to end up together. I loved their chemistry, the secret meet ups and watching the fake dating slowly turn into something very real. I knew where things were going, but I was enjoying every second of watching them get there.
Then there was Sara 👀 She definitely brought the drama, but I loved how it pushed Poppy out of her comfort zone and had her making some very bold choices of her own.
I also saw the friends and family drama coming a mile away, but that actually made me more excited for it. I was waiting for everything to come to a head and loved seeing how it all played out.
By the end, I was so invested that I just wanted more. More of Poppy and Callum working through everything together, more of what comes next for Poppy, especially knowing why she went on the show in the first place, and honestly more of the other couples too. After Chateau Desire, I was invested in everyone’s drama 😂
That is probably the biggest compliment I can give this book. I finished it still wanting more from these characters.
Overall, this was such a fun time and somehow made me want to go back and rewatch a few seasons of Love Island.
Tropes ✨
📺 Reality dating show
💋 Fake relationship
🤭 Secret meet ups
🏝️ Forced proximity
🔥 Slow burn chemistry
🇮🇹 Summer in Italy
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!
This book was such a fun read! I love books about dating shows just as much as I love spending endless hours watching shows like The Bachelor and Love Island on my TV. So, unsurprisingly, this book was right up my alley!
Honestly, I had a hard time getting into the book in the beginning. I found Poppy to be a little stuck up and Callum just rude for no reason. But, as the book progressed I started to understand Poppy's perspective and sympathise with her. I also started liking Callum more once he started to be nicer to Poppy and actually be serious about their whole fake dating plan.
About the fake dating, I really liked it! The tension between Poppy and Callum also built up really well. There were so many times in the book where I was wondering with Poppy if Callum was actually going to stay with her. I definitely appreciated that Callum stayed loyal to her throughout the book. I would have LOST IT if he had paired off with one of the bombshells!!
I also loved the close relationships Poppy formed with some of the female contestants, particularly Chiara and Ella. I thought Ella was going to be an antagonist at first but seeing her warm up to Poppy and support her was truly heartwarming.
Overall, this book was definitely a very fun and light read, perfect for fans of Love Island! I do wish we could have seen more of Callum and Poppy's life together after the show though.
This book was such a fun read! I love books about dating shows just as much as I love spending endless hours watching shows like The Bachelor and Love Island on my TV. So, unsurprisingly, this book was right up my alley!
Honestly, I had a hard time getting into the book in the beginning. I found Poppy to be a little stuck up and Callum just rude for no reason. But, as the book progressed I started to understand Poppy's perspective and sympathise with her. I also started liking Callum more once he started to be nicer to Poppy and actually be serious about their whole fake dating plan.
About the fake dating, I really liked it! The tension between Poppy and Callum also built up really well. There were so many times in the book where I was wondering with Poppy if Callum was actually going to stay with her. I definitely appreciated that Callum stayed loyal to her throughout the book. I would have LOST IT if he had paired off with one of the bombshells!!
I also loved the close relationships Poppy formed with some of the female contestants, particularly Chiara and Ella. I thought Ella was going to be an antagonist at first but seeing her warm up to Poppy and support her was truly heartwarming.
Overall, this book was definitely a very fun and light read, perfect for fans of Love Island! I do wish we could have seen more of Callum and Poppy's life together after the show though.
September 25, 2026
I need to admit something, I am fully addicted to reality dating show books and I do not know when this started.
And this one has her faking a relationship on live television just to keep her paycheck.
🔥 Reasons to Read If You Love
📺 Reality TV Romance
🇮🇹 Sunny Italy Setting
😒 Grumpy Fake Boyfriend
🧠 Micro Synopsis
After getting fired from her dream job in London, Poppy Devlin accidentally ends up cast on Bella Amore, the UK's most popular dating show, filming in Italy. To stay on for the paycheck without actually falling for anyone, she agrees to fake date fellow castmate Callum, a brooding jerk she cannot stand.
This is just another entry in my ongoing quest to read every reality dating show book I can find.
I genuinely do not know how I got this obsessed with the trope.
The downside of reading so many of them is you start expecting certain things to really stand out.
This one is fun, and the Italy setting adds a lot to it.
My main critique is that the main character spends a lot of time in her own head instead of building out the side characters.
That made it harder to connect with everyone else in the cast.
Even with that, there was one moment that actually got me a little teary eyed.
Overall I liked the story a lot.
I just really wish there had been more development for the side characters.
That one change would have pushed this a lot higher on my list.
October 5, 2026
This book was a pleasant surprise. I have never read this author before. I requested for this book because the blurb sounded interesting and I have been on a hunt for books based on reality TV. There are not too many good books with this premise and I was super happy to find that this book was not among those.
Right from the start, I found the writing to be super engaging. The pacing was great and I never skimmed. I liked the plot and while the angst was only 2.5/5, I enjoyed the pull and pull between the two main characters Poppy and Callum. I was rooting for them like the audience of the reality TV Bella Amors #Coppy!!
I liked Poppy and her internal monologue. Because the book is written from Poppy's POV, it was hard to know what Callum was thinking. I did wish that we got a little more from Callum and his backstory. Even for Poppy I didn't find her back story particularly compelling. I liked the drama related to the reality TV and the friendships. As this a fake relationship trope, we all knew where things were headed and I enjoyed the story until the big showdown. I didnt love how the HEA happens and I wish there was 100+ pages to give Poppy and Callum a more satisfying ending (I really wanted more of them :P)
All in all, this was a great book and I really enjoyed reading it
Right from the start, I found the writing to be super engaging. The pacing was great and I never skimmed. I liked the plot and while the angst was only 2.5/5, I enjoyed the pull and pull between the two main characters Poppy and Callum. I was rooting for them like the audience of the reality TV Bella Amors #Coppy!!
I liked Poppy and her internal monologue. Because the book is written from Poppy's POV, it was hard to know what Callum was thinking. I did wish that we got a little more from Callum and his backstory. Even for Poppy I didn't find her back story particularly compelling. I liked the drama related to the reality TV and the friendships. As this a fake relationship trope, we all knew where things were headed and I enjoyed the story until the big showdown. I didnt love how the HEA happens and I wish there was 100+ pages to give Poppy and Callum a more satisfying ending (I really wanted more of them :P)
All in all, this was a great book and I really enjoyed reading it
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I abhor reality TV love shows, and yet this book almost made me a convert?!
*Unscripted* by Megan Lynch brought a surprising amount of insight into just how complex and carefully planned reality TV can be. It also highlighted how incredibly invasive the filming process and the entire setup can become, and honestly almost made me rethink how I view the whole business.
With that in mind, I was on edge for so much of this book, wondering how everything was going to work out for Poppy, our FMC, and, more importantly, whether Callum was actually being genuine. Which, I suppose, is exactly the adrenaline rush viewers of these shows are chasing!
I also loved the lack of cattiness and the influx of camaraderie among the female contestants. It would have been so easy to lean into the stereotypical reality-TV drama between the women, and I really appreciated that the book went in a different direction. I genuinely enjoyed every minute of it.
My only feedback? I would have loved an epilogue! After spending so much time invested in Poppy and Callum—and questioning everyone's motives along the way—I desperately wanted a little glimpse of where they ended up.
*Unscripted* by Megan Lynch brought a surprising amount of insight into just how complex and carefully planned reality TV can be. It also highlighted how incredibly invasive the filming process and the entire setup can become, and honestly almost made me rethink how I view the whole business.
With that in mind, I was on edge for so much of this book, wondering how everything was going to work out for Poppy, our FMC, and, more importantly, whether Callum was actually being genuine. Which, I suppose, is exactly the adrenaline rush viewers of these shows are chasing!
I also loved the lack of cattiness and the influx of camaraderie among the female contestants. It would have been so easy to lean into the stereotypical reality-TV drama between the women, and I really appreciated that the book went in a different direction. I genuinely enjoyed every minute of it.
My only feedback? I would have loved an epilogue! After spending so much time invested in Poppy and Callum—and questioning everyone's motives along the way—I desperately wanted a little glimpse of where they ended up.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I picked up this book because the premise looked promising. I love reality TV and I like a fun, easy romance. This is definitely a quick and easy read, but I felt that the premise fell short of its promise. Most of the conversations between the FMC and MMC that would establish their relationship happen off the page, with the FMC telling the reader that they talked about xyz. Since we rarely, if ever, actually witness those conversations, it's hard to understand the connection between the two characters. This is also true for almost all conflicts in the book. There's exactly one moment at the very end where something actually happens on the page, but otherwise it's just suggested. This felt like the ultimate example of someone telling rather than showing, which is a bummer, because the setup could have been really fun. If you want to read something like this, I'd suggest Murder on Sex Island, which is not as romantic, but also takes place on a reality dating show and is a lot more fun. I'd also recommend Patricia Wants a Cuddle if you want a reality tv show novel with a weird girl bent.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I absolutely loved Unscripted by Megan Lynch! The plot was so well done and beautifully written that I genuinely felt like I was watching everything unfold alongside the characters rather than simply reading it. Honestly, can we get this made into a movie?!
I usually enjoy books with dual POVs, but I actually loved the mystery surrounding Callum and getting to wonder what his real reasoning was for being on the show. That kept me curious and made me want to keep turning the pages to find out more.
I also really enjoyed the friendships between the women in the house. I loved how supportive and close they became and how well they all seemed to get along—although, Sara… we’re looking at you! 😂
Overall, this was such an entertaining read, and I’m definitely hoping we get a second book because I am very much requesting book #2, please! I’m not ready to leave this world just yet.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I usually enjoy books with dual POVs, but I actually loved the mystery surrounding Callum and getting to wonder what his real reasoning was for being on the show. That kept me curious and made me want to keep turning the pages to find out more.
I also really enjoyed the friendships between the women in the house. I loved how supportive and close they became and how well they all seemed to get along—although, Sara… we’re looking at you! 😂
Overall, this was such an entertaining read, and I’m definitely hoping we get a second book because I am very much requesting book #2, please! I’m not ready to leave this world just yet.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Let's start with the obviously - Bella Amore, the reality tv series that our heroine Poppy signs onto is a thinly veiled Love Island. Who has not decided that they are going to watch one episode of Love Island and realized ten hours later that they were still addicted to people having the most inane conversation and making out? Accordingly, this is a fun summer read by an author who clearly loves Love Island.
As someone who lived in the UK for years, it was clearly written by an American who doesn't have a strong knowledge of the UK (none of the reality contestants are from Essex???? Love interest Callum is deciding whether to "attend law school" as a graduate student rather than a solicitor contract?), but has done plenty of research on Love Island. I did wish that the relationships between Poppy and the other women in the house had been given a bit more space to breathe and get to know them beyond stereotypes, but this was a fun summer read before the weather starts to get cooler. Thanks to Park Miramar Publishing for the early copy.
As someone who lived in the UK for years, it was clearly written by an American who doesn't have a strong knowledge of the UK (none of the reality contestants are from Essex???? Love interest Callum is deciding whether to "attend law school" as a graduate student rather than a solicitor contract?), but has done plenty of research on Love Island. I did wish that the relationships between Poppy and the other women in the house had been given a bit more space to breathe and get to know them beyond stereotypes, but this was a fun summer read before the weather starts to get cooler. Thanks to Park Miramar Publishing for the early copy.
October 7, 2026
Unscripted is technically well written, but I struggled with the emotional execution. I kept waiting for the story to give me a reason to root for Poppy and Callum, and it never really did. Poppy seems kind, but her backstory and motivations remain thin, while Callum’s main appeal so far is that he’s attractive.
The book seems to be aiming for enemies-to-lovers, but their dynamic feels more apathetic than charged. The reality-show premise also produces surprisingly little tension or drama through the first half, and even once conflict picks up, the stakes still feel pretty low.
You might like this if you enjoy: light, low-angst reality-TV romance, understated relationship development, and a slower, gentler take on enemies-to-lovers.
For me, I needed much more character depth, chemistry, tension, and emotional investment. I only made it as far as I did because it was an ARC assignment, but ultimately could not make myself care about the outcome.
Note: I received an eARC of this book via NetGalley.
The book seems to be aiming for enemies-to-lovers, but their dynamic feels more apathetic than charged. The reality-show premise also produces surprisingly little tension or drama through the first half, and even once conflict picks up, the stakes still feel pretty low.
You might like this if you enjoy: light, low-angst reality-TV romance, understated relationship development, and a slower, gentler take on enemies-to-lovers.
For me, I needed much more character depth, chemistry, tension, and emotional investment. I only made it as far as I did because it was an ARC assignment, but ultimately could not make myself care about the outcome.
Note: I received an eARC of this book via NetGalley.
September 15, 2026
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher, for which I thank them.
“Unscripted” is by Megan Lynch. What I liked about Unscripted was how it took a slightly behind-the-scenes look from a production viewpoint for a reality TV show. I am not a fan of reality TV, but I decided to give this book a try because while it was predictable, it seemed like it could be a fast fun read. It was a fast fun read - and was also predictable. Did I like it - maybe, kinda. But I know that in a few weeks I won’t remember anything about this book other than “oh, yeah, the reality TV romance book.” Ms. Lynch did try with backstories for the main characters, though the reappearance of someone in Poppy’s life felt a lot forced. I also never really felt like I knew any of the other contestants - but a) there were a number of them, and b) they were minor characters. Overall, it was a fun escapism read.
“Unscripted” is by Megan Lynch. What I liked about Unscripted was how it took a slightly behind-the-scenes look from a production viewpoint for a reality TV show. I am not a fan of reality TV, but I decided to give this book a try because while it was predictable, it seemed like it could be a fast fun read. It was a fast fun read - and was also predictable. Did I like it - maybe, kinda. But I know that in a few weeks I won’t remember anything about this book other than “oh, yeah, the reality TV romance book.” Ms. Lynch did try with backstories for the main characters, though the reappearance of someone in Poppy’s life felt a lot forced. I also never really felt like I knew any of the other contestants - but a) there were a number of them, and b) they were minor characters. Overall, it was a fun escapism read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This gave me exactly what I wanted from a reality TV romance, fun, predictable, and easy to fly through. Poppy and Callum's fake dating setup felt destined from the start, but honestly watching them get there was still enjoyable even knowing the outcome. Poppy came off a little stuck up early on and Callum rude for no reason, but I warmed to both once their dynamic deepened. I appreciated Callum staying loyal throughout the fake relationship, and the friendships Poppy builds with other contestants, especially Ella, added nice warmth to the story. My main critique is that a lot of the relationship building happens off page, we're told conversations happened rather than shown them, which made some of the emotional connection feel thin. Still, this is a fun, light escapist read, perfect for Love Island fans wanting something similarly fun and dramatic.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
September 23, 2026
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I absolutely loved this book! It was funny and so refreshing to read. I really enjoyed the story and the characters, and I especially loved the love story and all the drama! ❤️🔥
It was so engaging that all I wanted to do was keep reading and find out what happened next!
It strongly reminded me of a dating reality TV show. It’s like watching a short TV show, but with all the juicy behind-the-scenes events that you don’t necessarily get to see on screen! 😂 I found it really fun to discover what was happening behind the scenes.
I only found the ending a little rushed. I was expecting a bit more, but overall, the book was really enjoyable and I had such a great time reading it!
I definitely recommend it if you’re looking for a book that will make you laugh, keep you entertained, and make you want to know what happens next! 📚✨
I absolutely loved this book! It was funny and so refreshing to read. I really enjoyed the story and the characters, and I especially loved the love story and all the drama! ❤️🔥
It was so engaging that all I wanted to do was keep reading and find out what happened next!
It strongly reminded me of a dating reality TV show. It’s like watching a short TV show, but with all the juicy behind-the-scenes events that you don’t necessarily get to see on screen! 😂 I found it really fun to discover what was happening behind the scenes.
I only found the ending a little rushed. I was expecting a bit more, but overall, the book was really enjoyable and I had such a great time reading it!
I definitely recommend it if you’re looking for a book that will make you laugh, keep you entertained, and make you want to know what happens next! 📚✨
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Unscripted by Megan Lynch is an engaging and heartfelt read that explores life, relationships, and the unexpected turns that can change us. I enjoyed how the story’s characters felt relatable and genuine, making it easy to connect with their experiences and emotions. Lynch’s writing style is easy to follow, and the story kept me interested from beginning to end. I especially appreciated the themes of personal growth and learning to navigate life when things don’t go according to plan. The title felt fitting because the story highlights how unpredictable life can be and how some of the most meaningful moments are the ones we never see coming. Overall, Unscripted was an enjoyable, thoughtful book with relatable characters and an uplifting message.
I received an ARC copy from NetGalley. Thank you for giving me the chance to read this novel and share my honest review of the novel
I received an ARC copy from NetGalley. Thank you for giving me the chance to read this novel and share my honest review of the novel
September 27, 2026
First thanks to Net Galley for the advanced copy of this book!
Dare I say: the best book about reality TV! I felt like I was actually watching a season of Love Island. It’s the perfect summer, light read that you would expect.
Poppy was an outstanding FMC! A girls girl (which we don’t usually see when it comes to books like this) with raw emotions
And Callum, our MMC, at first I was annoyed with his posture, but by 30% of the book I was 100% hooked.
I really enjoyed the book, all of the characters were super relatable and interesting, and I really wish their roles could be explored more.
If it wasn’t for the final act, this would be a 5🌟 read for me.
The miscommunication trope is not for me, and I felt like the ending was super rushed so that’s what changed my ratings.
Besides that, an amazing read! And definitely will be reading more books of Megan.
Dare I say: the best book about reality TV! I felt like I was actually watching a season of Love Island. It’s the perfect summer, light read that you would expect.
Poppy was an outstanding FMC! A girls girl (which we don’t usually see when it comes to books like this) with raw emotions
And Callum, our MMC, at first I was annoyed with his posture, but by 30% of the book I was 100% hooked.
I really enjoyed the book, all of the characters were super relatable and interesting, and I really wish their roles could be explored more.
If it wasn’t for the final act, this would be a 5🌟 read for me.
The miscommunication trope is not for me, and I felt like the ending was super rushed so that’s what changed my ratings.
Besides that, an amazing read! And definitely will be reading more books of Megan.
September 22, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I LOVED this book!! ❤️ I flew through Unscripted in two days and honestly did not want it to end.
I’m always a sucker for a reality dating show storyline, and this one was SO much fun. Poppy was such a great main character, and I absolutely loved all of the contestants. The banter between them was hilarious, and every character brought something to the story that kept me completely invested.
This was funny, entertaining, romantic, and just an all-around good time. Exactly the kind of book you pick up and suddenly realize you’re 100 pages further than you thought. 😂
And now… I NEED A BOOK 2. Like, Megan, please. I’m not ready to say goodbye to these characters yet!!
Such a fun read and definitely one I’d recommend to anyone who loves reality dating shows and a good rom-com! 💕
I LOVED this book!! ❤️ I flew through Unscripted in two days and honestly did not want it to end.
I’m always a sucker for a reality dating show storyline, and this one was SO much fun. Poppy was such a great main character, and I absolutely loved all of the contestants. The banter between them was hilarious, and every character brought something to the story that kept me completely invested.
This was funny, entertaining, romantic, and just an all-around good time. Exactly the kind of book you pick up and suddenly realize you’re 100 pages further than you thought. 😂
And now… I NEED A BOOK 2. Like, Megan, please. I’m not ready to say goodbye to these characters yet!!
Such a fun read and definitely one I’d recommend to anyone who loves reality dating shows and a good rom-com! 💕
September 27, 2026
This book was basically Love Island in book form, and honestly, I was here for it! 🌴☀️ The drama, romance, twists and relationships made it such an entertaining read, and I really enjoyed getting caught up in all the chaos.
Overall, I really enjoyed the book and found myself invested in the characters and their relationships. That said, there were a few points where the story felt like it dragged a little, which made it harder to keep the same pace and momentum.
Despite that, it was a fun and addictive read with plenty of drama, romance and reality-TV vibes. If you love Love Island and romance, this is definitely one to pick up! 💕
Overall, I really enjoyed the book and found myself invested in the characters and their relationships. That said, there were a few points where the story felt like it dragged a little, which made it harder to keep the same pace and momentum.
Despite that, it was a fun and addictive read with plenty of drama, romance and reality-TV vibes. If you love Love Island and romance, this is definitely one to pick up! 💕
November 4, 2026
Unscripted is a super-cute romcom that will have you riding a rollercoaster of emotions.
I really enjoyed the premise of this book and I really wanted to love it, however it never quite made it there for me.
Poppy, the main character was constantly exhausted or had her energy depleted by something and that was honestly how I felt by the end of the book with all the ups and downs.
While you were still cheering for Poppy and Callum to get together, it never really felt that you really knew them.
However, I do believe that this book will find its audience.
I received an advanced copy and all opinions are my own.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews