Reality Check

by Nicole Pyland

Cali Banks lost her job and needs money fast. When her best friend tries to sign Cali up to appear on a reality show where contestants complete ridiculous challenges for cash and prizes, Cali tells her she’s crazy. When she gets a call back for an audition, she thinks there’s no chance the show will be interested in her boring life. Little does she know; that’s just what they’re looking for. When Cali agrees to go, she’s thinking about keeping her head down and trying to win as much cash as possible so that she won’t lose her apartment and have to move back in with her parents.

Dayton Maine is a reality show mainstay. She’s already done three and has been asked back for a fourth by the Berserk producers. Dayton understands she’s there to bring the drama. She has no problem doing that. She also has no problem hooking up with her fellow female contestants should the opportunity arise. She loves the challenges and the thrill of the chase. She’s there for the fun and the fame.

When the two meet, it isn’t exactly love or lust at first sight. Dayton thinks Cali is a hermit who judges the rest of them. Cali’s pretty sure Dayton’s just there to reconnect with an old flame and get as much camera time as possible. While the cast members get kicked off one by one, though, the two women find common ground mixed in with a whole lot of differences. Dayton finds herself in a new position, chasing a woman for more than just one night, and Cali finds herself trying to live in the moment and trust that this woman might be the one she had been waiting for all along.

Genres: Romance, Audiobook, Lesbian, Lesbian Romance, LGBT, Celebrity, Fiction

257 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 4, 2020

About the author

Nicole Pyland is a bestselling author of lesbian romance stand-alone novels and series like Chicago Series, Holiday Series, Royalty Series, Sports Series, and more. Since 2017, she’s published over 60 novels (not including her What Happened After shorts), and more books are on their way.

Nicole grew up in Indiana, studying English & Film and then getting a MS in Behavior Analysis and moving to California, working by day as a Head of Training at a startup. She lives with her wife and their opinionated cat, who spends his evenings helping her write stories by occupying half the chair.

Newsletter: nicolepyland.com/newsletter

Reviews

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not too bad... This is a story of how a player got tamed...
Meet Dayton (mildly famous given her appearance in a reality show), a player who is in an open relationship and who haven’t got a clue what the word ‘commitment’ means right up until she met and got closer to Cali (who is the opposite of Dayton) in the latest season of the reality show which both MCs starred in.

Ratings: 3+ star... (7 out of 10) 🙂

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a big Nicole Pyland fan. I have read most of her books and they are solid reads. Reality Check really was a big surprise for me. WHY? I would consider this to be a slow burn and this is by far the slowest burn that I have read by Pyland. Now, I am not a huge fan of slow burns because I need a little spice in my read if you get what I am saying. Reality Check was by far one of the best slow burns I have read. Listen....I was NEVER bored reading this. I honestly think Pyland is one of the best romance writers out there. Reality Check has a lot to offer.

4.5 stars

[Kexx · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the way Nicole Pyland writes - sheer class. There is a safety in her writing that makes the whole experience better - I know it'll be a great story. And this was. Thank you.

[Lorraine Rusnack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by Nicole Pyland. This book really gives you some great insight into the behind the scenes of a reality TV show when people are locked together for a long period of time and how you can get very close to someone in such a short time. Dayton is a lot more caring than you first think. Cali has to really work to come out of her shell. Well worth a read. I find that Nicole has a wonderful way of getting you to feel for her characters.


I received this as an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars another solid outing from this author.

Cali is an out of work marketer who is nearly bankrupt. Her best friend Meg signs her up on a reality competition show. She begrudgingly agrees since the winning purse is 500k.

Enter womanizer Dayton, a blonde blue eyed competition show regular & previous winner.

Cali is recently out of a relationship, Dayton has never really been in one.
Could a month in Hawaii make a difference for either of them?

[XR · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It had some great lines, most especially the, "I live here now" moment, which cracked me up. I loved seeing the connection between Cali and Dayton growing in every page. #BaineForever

[cloverxheart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this!

The first few chapters I thought I wouldn't like it, because of Dayton but she changed when she met Cali and I actually really liked her.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

F/F slow burn

I was super reluctant to read this book because reality show and stuff is not really my thing, and I knew it would be slow burn (also not my thing) but once i started reading, oh. My. God. I couldn't stop it, I almost didn't sleep reading and I'm really sad that I've finished, mostly because I was hoping more together time and steamy scenes(the reason for 4stars).
I'm glad I gave this book a chance, it's fun, sweety, I laughed a lot.
I really enjoyed, also I wish the sex part were hotter, it's nice, but could be better.
Not the best book from Nicole Pyland but I recommend to everyone who likes slow burn, sweet moments and a lot of fun.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Grfb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nicole Pyland is one of my favorite new authors. I had such high expectations for this book but even though the writing and the premise was interesting as always with Pyland, unfortunately I couldn't bring myself to care about the MCs.
Cali, well I'm sorry to say that, but she was a really annoying and unpleasant MC plus I think for someone like her it would be highly unrealistic to get selected for a reality show. If there was a show with the premise "who would be the best to suck the fun out of people", she would be the winner . Also, the way she was behaving was laughable, no production company would put up with her or Dayton breaking basic rules. Let's not talk about her barely hidden judgmental nature that she abandoned only in the last few chapters of the book.

On the other hand I cannot say I cared for Dayton plus it felt very unbelievable how easily she changed her whole lifestyle and attitude over someone she just met. And not just someone but Cali the funny girl (sorry but I I just found her so boring)! Dayton never really cared about other people's feelings and by the way she behaved with Heather I don't believe she really changed that much. I don't think empathy is her strong suit.

Still recommendable because Pyland is one of the very few talented and solid good authors of this genre. Maybe other people will like the MCs more or maybe the quarantine made us all a little more sensitive and impatient.

[Michelle Schuler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reality Check

This was a fun read, I greatly enjoyed. Nicole Pyland is extremely talented. I loved the chemistry. Nicole has the amazing capabilities to pair her MCs flawlessly. I look forward to more books in the future.

[Annette Mori · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book immensely. Great main characters with an interesting setting for romance. I loved seeing how both characters grew and really loved the slow burn.

[Eugenia · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have always liked this author’s stories. I particularly liked the Chicago series and her standalone books as well. I couldn’t get past 30% of the book when I finally gave up. I found it boring, the characters, especially Dayton, was not even likable. I really am not interested in how a reality show is put together. I look for a story between two people. This book to me it is not. Frankly, I have no idea how it ends and really don’t care. Every time I continued reading, I was not enjoying what I read, so I stopped. I see some reviews are quite different from mine, so maybe it’s just me. I hope Pyland’s next story will be the kind of story that has always made me want to read her books. Not this one.

[Netgyrl (Laura) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars - audible edition - narration was good - book was ok

I dunno, guys. This book just didn't grab me. I never clicked with the characters. Dayton was a player, and, yeah, she was always honest with the women she was with, but so? I didn't care. Cali was boring, so again, didn't really care.

You'd think the setting of the reality show would be interesting but again... i dunno... it didn't grab me. Cali spent the entire time hiding from the cameras.

I did enjoy the epilogue but you all know I am a sucker for a good epilogue. :)

I guess this book just wasn't for me.

[AC · Rating 4 out of 5]

I need to preface this by saying I have never been a fan of ‘Reality Shows’ and I have no need to explain. I am a fan of this author’s work, however. Pyland develops her characters well and her descriptions of situations that the characters must encounter within the context of the Show are well done. Since I have never watched a Reality Show (not my cup of tea), I had a difficult time relating to the experiences the people went through and I am sure that is my own bias. I hope those who do watch Reality shows will give this one a shot. Just sayin’.

[Shelby · Rating 4 out of 5]

The was a cute, light, fun read. I really enjoyed this book and I’ll be checking out other books this author has written.

[Nadia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 stars

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun book and held my interest well. 4 plus stars

[MizLiz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun book to read, enjoyed the changes in Dayton,

[Markéta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly good sapphic romance. I tend to dislike f/f, because the women feel... not like women? But Pyland wrote both heroines very well and the plot was engaging. The cover is hideous, though.
4/5

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love this authors books, but this one fell a little flat for me. I didn’t really care for either of the main characters for most of the book. They just weren’t all that likable. Cali seemed very judgmental from the start and Dayton was a player with complete disregard for others feelings until she finally for once in her life cared about someone. It wasn’t until she figured out she had a heart that I actually started liking her. It’s not a bad story and lots of people will enjoy it, this one just missed the mark in my opinion. Still love Pyland and will read every book she writes!

[Best Lesfic Reviews · Rating 2 out of 5]

Set in the close confines of a reality TV show (which seems like a mash-up of Big Brother and Fear Factor with less ‘fear’ in the tasks) this is an opposites attract romance.

Read the full review @ https://bestlesficreviews.blogspot.co...

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been a long time since I read a book that grabbed me this hard… especially for one that was somewhat against my will. I don't recall why I added this book to my list to read, though it was probably after another of Nicole Pyland's books was chosen for our book club. And it was on the strength of her previous books that I gave it a try, despite the reality-TV setting for much of the book.

But what the author did well here is: she didn't make the book all about the reality-TV show they were on. It was simply the setting for two people getting to know each other (admittedly, in a somewhat surreal situation). So, yes, there were cameras around, and the show's challenges and host and other contestants were certainly present, but our focus was always on Cali and Day.

They were two different characters: Cali was easy to like from the beginning, a bit of an underdog, doing a reality show for financial reasons after her previous job ended, and she was still trying to find a job in her field. Dayton was a harder sell for me: she was somewhat of a "career reality show contestant," which wouldn't have interested me at all… but as she got to know Cali, she changed… or maybe it's better to say that getting to know Cali helped Day recognize changes in herself and what she wanted out of life. (Put another way: I would have a difficult time reading a book, set prior to this one, about Dayton. But I love who Dayton became as she got to know Cali, and it was not a chore to read about her!)

The highest praise I can give this book: multiple times, when it was time for me to stop reading this book and do something else, I was tempted to read longer, because I didn't want to leave this book's characters and their story. 5 stars!

[Robert M · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was compelling - i picked it up on a day that i had other things to do - oops. I really liked the mains and their time spent in the reality show house was really well done. Their time after the show was great too. The time between those events, not sure. I would have liked to read even more about the future of these two. It was interesting how my favorite of the two continued to change as the story went on. I felt like one of them had a stronger arc than the other. In any case despite my gripes below about the transition, i have read the ending several times. If you like the reality tv trope, this book kind of reminded me of Body Check by JJ Arias - i really, really liked that book.

Cali's hesitation was weird to me. I didn't understand how she couldn't stop thinking about Dayton, yet thinks about ghosting her and leads her on for weeks. I was glad that Dayton told Cali she was going to leave her alone and keep her dignity. Then, the second Cali decides to date Dayton, they are all in love and they are never apart again? So that part seemed like it was mostly to add tension. I mean i do understand some of Cali's hesitation, but it seemed the relationship they had built they would work through those things together. Anyway, I wanted to shake her as the time dragged on and Dayton became my favorite of the two. I was kinda hoping that at some point Dayton would say it hurts too much and cut all ties so Cali would have had to make the grand gesture. lol, i'm getting too into this. I have read the ending several times as i did like that part.

[Zayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved Cali and her contrasting personality with Dayton's because while different they matched and had chemistry that I could feel coming off the pages. At first, all Cali cares about is winning the grand-prize of $50,000, but when she and Dayton start growing closer, sharing secrets, and becoming genuine friends with one another during the shooting of the hit reality TV show Berserk, set in Hawaii, she can't help but feel something more for Dayton, but because of Dayton's past hobby of being a "player" she is reluctant to start anything serious with Dayton, especially when the cameras are buried down their throats 24/7. They have to find a way through and to each other while also traversing the dangerous, challenging stuff they're put through.
I also liked the supporting characters and, although I felt a bit bad for Heather and wouldn't mind seeing a spin-off on her and someone she falls for, and it could be fun if done right.
I didn't quite like Bristol at the end. The woman that Dayton dated before on the show in season 1. She was a bit too jealous and judgmental of Cali and Dayton. I think she also saw herself in Cali's place and wanted to be that for Dayton, but Dayton didn't care for a serious, committed real relationship. Bristol could also have an interesting spin-off on her if done right.

[Geina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve had this book since it was released a few years ago, even got the audiobook because it was a A Nicole Pyland book but I never read it, at least not until this past weekend. The premise of the book just put me off, I’m not a fan of reality shows, hate them actually. Anyway, I’ve been in a book funk and decided to pick something already in my library that I hadn’t read. I’m kinda pissed at myself now as I had this great book and never read it. This different from her other books or series. The characters were Mphenomenol, including the supporting characters. Yes the story is about a reality show where people are living in a house, there are two teams and they have to face challenges/compete to win the prize money. Dayton is considered a regular on the show and loves the camera. Cali has just lost her job and her friend signs her up for the competition, Cali hates the camera. Obviously two polar opposites, but you know opposites can work really well together. If you looking for a a good read with great characters, a strong storyline, friendship, and hot sex (a must for any great romance), you’ll love this book. Lesson learned, even if something is not your cup of tea, doesn’t mean you should shelve it. I found my new favorite Pyland book.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Cali loses her job, her best friend signs her up for a reality show called Berserk! While there, she meets Dayton, a veteran player on the show and a "player in life. As competitors were eliminated, they found themselves drawn together and an unusual and unexpected friendship begins. I hadn't read this author before, but I found her writing funny and honest and she took the main characters on a journey of personal growth that wasn't totally expected.

This book was very intriguing in that part of it features competitions on a reality show. It's like Big Brother meets Amazing Race to see who is the Survivor! And it was very believable - the cameras in their faces, lack of privacy, interesting challenges, etc. I highly recommend this unusual and fun story!

[Steffie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Nicole Pyland’s writing. This was another great book by her.

It’s hard to watch a player like Dayton work her way thru woman like candy. But it’s what she’s always done. Then sweet Cali who puts up with what she’s thrown because she hasn’t realized she’s worth more.

When Dayton and Cali’s paths cross it’s going to be amazing they just both don’t know it yet. Cali is on a game show as a contestant for the first time and Dayton is a seasoned pro.

Cali will keep to herself and Dayton will reconnect with her old flame Bristol and maybe anyone else she finds interesting. Cali isn’t impressed and Dayton can’t keep from talking to her......

Will love find a way?

[Hanaa · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars
I loved this book! This was the first book of Nicole Pyland's that I've read and I have to say I was not disappointed. It was cute and fun and I really enjoyed the whole reality show competition of it all. The pacing was great and I loved that the entire book didn't revolve only around them being on the show. I would've love to have seen a little bit more of the competition aspect but that was just my preference and perhaps if the author had did that the pace wouldn't have been as good.

It is a fun, feel good story, no angst and minimal to really no drama that was just a great book to read

[Kaye · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reality tv set storyline. The show is called Berserk, think Big Brother with physical challenges. Cali Banks needs a job after being laid off from her company. Her goal is to pay off student loans and finish her masters degree in business. Dayton Main is a regular on reality shows. She has been invited back to several times. Beyond that she makes her living in social media and enjoys filming and editing. She is perpetually single until the pair meet on the show. Cute premise and I like that their connection isn’t instant. The two get to know each other fairly well before things move beyond kissing. (3.5 Stars)

[Chelles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reality TV Romance ❤️

I have to admit I didn't know what to think about this one because I'm not a huge fan of reality TV, but it was by Nicole Pyland and she's becoming a fast favorite author of mine! I'm so glad I didn't sleep on this one!

In the beginning, I couldn't see how Dayton and Cali would get together - they couldn't be more different! But as they spent time together getting to know one another, you start to see the connection. The reality show really did make it fun and exciting. This was a really good story... Dayton is quite the romantic.

Totally recommend this one!!