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Surviving Love
Reality TV meets True Love
Mason Brenton lived most of his life like a scared mouse. Suffering from anxiety and asthma, he rarely ventured from his mundane routine. He lived vicariously through his books and TV shows, envious of the exciting lives others led. But when Mason is involved in a car accident that almost claims his life, he realizes hiding from the world to protect himself was a fool’s game all along. Mason decides it’s time to truly live his life. He tries out for a spot on his favorite reality TV show Devious Island and he gets accepted.
Jack Harrison teaches people how to survive in the wild. He’s everything Mason isn’t: confident. Commanding. Cunning. The minute Jack sets eyes on Mason, he enjoys making life difficult for the city boy. He thinks Mason is sexy, but in over his head. In his opinion, the sooner the wimpy city boy is sent home, the better.
Mason Brenton lived most of his life like a scared mouse. Suffering from anxiety and asthma, he rarely ventured from his mundane routine. He lived vicariously through his books and TV shows, envious of the exciting lives others led. But when Mason is involved in a car accident that almost claims his life, he realizes hiding from the world to protect himself was a fool’s game all along. Mason decides it’s time to truly live his life. He tries out for a spot on his favorite reality TV show Devious Island and he gets accepted.
Jack Harrison teaches people how to survive in the wild. He’s everything Mason isn’t: confident. Commanding. Cunning. The minute Jack sets eyes on Mason, he enjoys making life difficult for the city boy. He thinks Mason is sexy, but in over his head. In his opinion, the sooner the wimpy city boy is sent home, the better.
310 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 27, 2021
4 people are currently reading
1015 people want to read
About the author
S.C. Wynne
66 books585 followersS.C. Wynne is a Lambda Award-winning author for Gay Romance. S.C. started writing m/m romance and mystery in 2013. Her characters are usually a little jaded, funny, and ultimately redeemed through love.
If you’d like to contact S.C. Wynne she'd love to hear from you. You can contact her at scwynne@scwynne.com
If you’d like to contact S.C. Wynne she'd love to hear from you. You can contact her at scwynne@scwynne.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
October 13, 2021
2.75 too much survival stars
JUST NOT FOR ME
Well, right after beginning the book I remembered I hate Reality TV shows in general, including survival ones - Koh Lanta, I see you 😫 So... I skipped some parts when it came to it, but kept up to date with the show's events. I was so frustrated because of all the scheming and the miscommunication. Mason was very insecure, but also wanted to prove himself. I was actually exhausted trying to keep up with his mind. Talk about overthinking!
It was nice to see Jack and Mason alone on the island, but again, I got annoyed when it came to the game and how it impacted their relationship. They shared a few good scenes between sexy times and deeper moments. However I couldn't say I'd seen them fall in love. When Jack said it for the first time, it fell flat. There hadn't been enough emotional interactions between them for me to believe they "loved" each other. "Liked and wanted to date", yes, but loved...
Honestly, it's partly a "it's not the book, it's me" this time because it was a really bad pick on my part. Next time, no Reality TV show book for me 🤦♀️
I've written this honest review after receiving an advanced reading copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
JUST NOT FOR ME
Well, right after beginning the book I remembered I hate Reality TV shows in general, including survival ones - Koh Lanta, I see you 😫 So... I skipped some parts when it came to it, but kept up to date with the show's events. I was so frustrated because of all the scheming and the miscommunication. Mason was very insecure, but also wanted to prove himself. I was actually exhausted trying to keep up with his mind. Talk about overthinking!
It was nice to see Jack and Mason alone on the island, but again, I got annoyed when it came to the game and how it impacted their relationship. They shared a few good scenes between sexy times and deeper moments. However I couldn't say I'd seen them fall in love. When Jack said it for the first time, it fell flat. There hadn't been enough emotional interactions between them for me to believe they "loved" each other. "Liked and wanted to date", yes, but loved...
Honestly, it's partly a "it's not the book, it's me" this time because it was a really bad pick on my part. Next time, no Reality TV show book for me 🤦♀️
I've written this honest review after receiving an advanced reading copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
October 3, 2021
I loved this book. Sc Wynne really brings the reader into the world of reality television with her vivid writing. Mason and Jack butt heads right from the outset but both come with pre-conceived notions of the other which are slowly peeled away. The plot is clever and well-executed and you can feel Mason's emotions as he struggles with his feelings for Jack, as well as his past and the relationship with his mother.
I enjoyed this unique twist on enemies to lovers and opposites attract.
Highly recommended!
I enjoyed this unique twist on enemies to lovers and opposites attract.
Highly recommended!
November 3, 2021
3.5 stars
I love the show Survivor and I was very entertained by the dynamics. How do you play a game where you can't trust anything and build a personal relationship with another player, without second-guessing everything? It turns out you can't, but Mason and Jack sure do give it a go. Not only are Mason and Jack adversaries in the game, but they are seemingly complete opposites.
I enjoyed the gameplay, the stolen moments, the questions of trust, and the wrenches thrown into the mix by the other players. Yes, Mason and Jack do manage to find their way to a HEA, I just wish we had more time with them together before they said their I love yous.
I love the show Survivor and I was very entertained by the dynamics. How do you play a game where you can't trust anything and build a personal relationship with another player, without second-guessing everything? It turns out you can't, but Mason and Jack sure do give it a go. Not only are Mason and Jack adversaries in the game, but they are seemingly complete opposites.
I enjoyed the gameplay, the stolen moments, the questions of trust, and the wrenches thrown into the mix by the other players. Yes, Mason and Jack do manage to find their way to a HEA, I just wish we had more time with them together before they said their I love yous.
November 20, 2021
2.5 stars. I loved Survivor when I was younger, thought it would be a really cool thing to do, not so much anymore though. But still. This is meant to be a romance between two contestants who are kind of rivals in the game, and the romance is there but it's so lukewarm, and whatever happened on the island definitely did not match up with the weird aftermath. The dialogue was stilted and awkward, the secondary characters not well-realized. This was a really great premise spoiled somewhat by a clumsy execution.
March 2, 2023
I was so entertained reading this. Like can’t put my phone down in the grocery store, sneaking breaks at work reading. It started a bit meh, but I was so pulled in - was Jack lying about his feelings to win the game? Who else was going to be a backstabber? Having only one POV made it even better. Just like the actual reality show - it sucked me in.
Tags: reality show, Survivor but make it gay, actual survival, island setting, animosity to lovers
Tags: reality show, Survivor but make it gay, actual survival, island setting, animosity to lovers
October 30, 2021
The reality show was soooo incredibly entertaining!!! I loved it! It was like I was brought right into the world of reality tv with the amazing descriptions and vivid details. Mason and Jack were complete opposites and even though they gutted heads right away you could feel the tension and chemistry brewing. I absolutely loved Mason and Jack and them being on this reality tv show was the absolute perfect setting for them to fall in love! I’m super excited to read more from this author!!
September 28, 2022
2.5 stars
I loved the first part of this book but really disliked the second. I was fully invested in the Survivor thing, got into all the alliance talk and was intrigued as to whose story was true and who was lying - the premise was really good. The enemies to lovers style tension was great and really believable in the beginning. But then it flopped. Big time.
****spoiler
When mason gets pulled out of the island suddenly I felt like all the mind power I’d invested into learning about the show was absolutely wasted and was so disappointed it ended so suddenly. There was soooo much build up for the show to be completed and then it just disappeared?? I was left so confused here. And then the ending was so rushed, the “love” felt completely unbelievable based on what the characters had gone through and it just felt shallow and superficial from then on. I lost interest immediately and half skimmed through the mushyness in the epilogue. So very disappointing.
This book was provided as an ARC, all opinions are my own
I loved the first part of this book but really disliked the second. I was fully invested in the Survivor thing, got into all the alliance talk and was intrigued as to whose story was true and who was lying - the premise was really good. The enemies to lovers style tension was great and really believable in the beginning. But then it flopped. Big time.
****spoiler
When mason gets pulled out of the island suddenly I felt like all the mind power I’d invested into learning about the show was absolutely wasted and was so disappointed it ended so suddenly. There was soooo much build up for the show to be completed and then it just disappeared?? I was left so confused here. And then the ending was so rushed, the “love” felt completely unbelievable based on what the characters had gone through and it just felt shallow and superficial from then on. I lost interest immediately and half skimmed through the mushyness in the epilogue. So very disappointing.
This book was provided as an ARC, all opinions are my own
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 13, 2021
I don’t know how to rate this book. I liked it but in the end it was unsatisfying. The MCs had too little interaction for that mushy ending, it kind of seemed out of the blue and forced. The reality show aspect was well done but it felt unfinished, I felt that Mason got out of the show too soon. Well, it was an enjoyable read - it was a 4 star in the beginning but by the end I left it at 3.
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October 22, 2021
I just recently got back into watching Survivor so this was the perfect book for me. Mason was an incredibly relatable protagonist with his background and parental relationship, both the good and the bad. I really enjoyed getting into his head and seeing him slowly growing, or at least trying to.
The survivor show aspect of the book was amazing, I was constantly wondering who was lying, who was telling the truth and what was going to happen. Jack was an enigma, I really didn't think he's be a love interest at all for a while, even if the whole slap slap kiss thing is common in romance. But it was fun getting them trapped alone, getting to know each other and then finally giving in.
Their relationship after that was such a rollercoaster, with secrets, lies, challenges and so much more. I was constantly questioning Jack's true motives and so that was good writing because I felt just as jerked around and paranoid as Mason did.
The sex was fine, not bad but not face melting. Although the repeated(4 or 5 times) usage of the specific phrase "my cock warmed" as a euphemism for getting hard felt like something a young girl writing her first yaoi would write, not an adult of any gender.
Oh but showing up during a rain storm, paralleling how they first got together in the tropical storm shelter, was great and so romantic. I loved Masons little moment of being confused because Jack was still into him despite not needing it trick or charm him for the game anymore.
The one thing that confused me was the timing. One chapter implies that filming is done, but the show, which relies on tv viewers voting for the winner, doesn't come out for five months. And then Jack shows up saying he won and the viewers liked him, but how would Mason not have watched the show???? And if it's like survivor they announce the winner at the reunion so wouldn't mason have went and seen Jack there?
Overall this was a fun book with some good myster and a rare plot where the drama and taciturn romance style made sense based on the situation. I really enjoyed it, read through in one day. 5 stars
The survivor show aspect of the book was amazing, I was constantly wondering who was lying, who was telling the truth and what was going to happen. Jack was an enigma, I really didn't think he's be a love interest at all for a while, even if the whole slap slap kiss thing is common in romance. But it was fun getting them trapped alone, getting to know each other and then finally giving in.
Their relationship after that was such a rollercoaster, with secrets, lies, challenges and so much more. I was constantly questioning Jack's true motives and so that was good writing because I felt just as jerked around and paranoid as Mason did.
The sex was fine, not bad but not face melting. Although the repeated(4 or 5 times) usage of the specific phrase "my cock warmed" as a euphemism for getting hard felt like something a young girl writing her first yaoi would write, not an adult of any gender.
Oh but showing up during a rain storm, paralleling how they first got together in the tropical storm shelter, was great and so romantic. I loved Masons little moment of being confused because Jack was still into him despite not needing it trick or charm him for the game anymore.
The one thing that confused me was the timing. One chapter implies that filming is done, but the show, which relies on tv viewers voting for the winner, doesn't come out for five months. And then Jack shows up saying he won and the viewers liked him, but how would Mason not have watched the show???? And if it's like survivor they announce the winner at the reunion so wouldn't mason have went and seen Jack there?
Overall this was a fun book with some good myster and a rare plot where the drama and taciturn romance style made sense based on the situation. I really enjoyed it, read through in one day. 5 stars
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 3, 2021
This book was fun. The main characters are on a reality TV show a lot like Survivor. Mason is not really athletic but he wants to experience life, so he joins the Devious Island show. Jack is blonde athletic, confident and annoying.
Mason and Jack rub each other the wrong way right off the bat. Jack sets out to annoy Mason constantly. Mason wants to vote Jack off the Island but you can't trust anyone on a reality show.
Then Jack and Mason get stranded together. They might work their issues out yet.
This was such a fun take on a reality show . All the different characters on the show and the alliances made was entertaining. Then the sexy times with Mason and Jack were good too.
I thought this was a great and entertaining read!
I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest review
Mason and Jack rub each other the wrong way right off the bat. Jack sets out to annoy Mason constantly. Mason wants to vote Jack off the Island but you can't trust anyone on a reality show.
Then Jack and Mason get stranded together. They might work their issues out yet.
This was such a fun take on a reality show . All the different characters on the show and the alliances made was entertaining. Then the sexy times with Mason and Jack were good too.
I thought this was a great and entertaining read!
I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest review
October 10, 2021
Reality really does bite in this unusual romance story
The blurb tells you all you need to know about the setting and the two heroes. Mason is a city boy who is pushing himself out of his comfort zone whereas Jack runs a survival company and has muscles for days.
Their first interactions are less than stellar on Jack's part and Mason is left hopping mad and even more determined to be the winner. What follows is a lovely story of opposites attracting on a desert island in very strained conditions. Mason wants to win but stay true to himself while Jack seems to him to be out to win at any cost. First impressions can be wrong however, and this is a competition called 'Devious Island', after all.
The story is from Mason's POV only and, whilst I love dual POVs, this worked better here because Jack was an enigma to Mason and to us so hearing from Jack would spoil that and ruin the storyline.
I loved both Mason and Jack and, although I hate reality television and don't watch it ever, the background of the competition was the perfect setting for their love story. The trials and the alliances and deception let their relationship unfold organically, and their HEA was very satisfying.
The blurb tells you all you need to know about the setting and the two heroes. Mason is a city boy who is pushing himself out of his comfort zone whereas Jack runs a survival company and has muscles for days.
Their first interactions are less than stellar on Jack's part and Mason is left hopping mad and even more determined to be the winner. What follows is a lovely story of opposites attracting on a desert island in very strained conditions. Mason wants to win but stay true to himself while Jack seems to him to be out to win at any cost. First impressions can be wrong however, and this is a competition called 'Devious Island', after all.
The story is from Mason's POV only and, whilst I love dual POVs, this worked better here because Jack was an enigma to Mason and to us so hearing from Jack would spoil that and ruin the storyline.
I loved both Mason and Jack and, although I hate reality television and don't watch it ever, the background of the competition was the perfect setting for their love story. The trials and the alliances and deception let their relationship unfold organically, and their HEA was very satisfying.
September 30, 2021
If you love the game/reality tv "survivor", you will totally love this book.
This is an enemy to lover book that is jam-packed full of fun and excitement and at times will make you want to jump in the book and smack someone (like dear old Harold). Mason has been sheltered most of his life, but he wants to change that. So he signs up and gets a spot on the reality tv show called Devious Island. Jack, a survival guide is determine to be the final one standing and is willing to do just about anything to win the $1 million. Back stabbing, lying and blind-siding is the name of the game they'll need to play if they want to win this game, and Mason and Jack don't like each other from the very start and end up on the same team (oh boy!).
The excitement of who will go home first and who will be the final one standing keeps you on the edge of your seat and flipping those pages. Great characters and story line. Absolutely enjoyed every second of this book and can definitely see myself reading it again!
I received an ARC of this book and voluntarily leave my review.
This is an enemy to lover book that is jam-packed full of fun and excitement and at times will make you want to jump in the book and smack someone (like dear old Harold). Mason has been sheltered most of his life, but he wants to change that. So he signs up and gets a spot on the reality tv show called Devious Island. Jack, a survival guide is determine to be the final one standing and is willing to do just about anything to win the $1 million. Back stabbing, lying and blind-siding is the name of the game they'll need to play if they want to win this game, and Mason and Jack don't like each other from the very start and end up on the same team (oh boy!).
The excitement of who will go home first and who will be the final one standing keeps you on the edge of your seat and flipping those pages. Great characters and story line. Absolutely enjoyed every second of this book and can definitely see myself reading it again!
I received an ARC of this book and voluntarily leave my review.
October 6, 2021
The story was fantastic, phenomenal!!! Mason and Jack are bot stubborn an and butt heads constantly. The reality show was a clever idea and I thought the author delivered. It was well executed! Jack runs a survival company and Mason is fresh from the city, total opposites!! This was really well written, highly recommend.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 24, 2021
This books was really interesting to to read very similar to the show survivor it had interesting characters and was hard to tell who was playing who in the game. jack and mason had great chemistry and I enjoyed their rivalry and camaraderie in the game and the ending was great
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 6, 2021
This opposites attract romance hits all the right notes. Add in that the story is set in a reality show and I was hooked.
Mason and Jack don't like each other from the very start and end up on the same team so you know that sparks are going to be flying all over the place.
The story was very entertaining and kept me turning the pages.
Mason and Jack don't like each other from the very start and end up on the same team so you know that sparks are going to be flying all over the place.
The story was very entertaining and kept me turning the pages.
October 2, 2021
Loved the setting of this story!! All the drama, mistrust, intrigue of a reality show... What really made this book for me was that is was told from Mason's POV only so we go through the adventure along with him.. trying to figure who to trust and what moves to make! Jack is a survivalist, the opposite of Mason in everyway.. muscled and hot.. but we have to figure out whether to trust him as well!! Great plot! fun and mysterious characters! and some Steamy times!! I received an ARC of this book and if you are looking for something a little different in your romance this one is for you!
October 6, 2021
Mason and Jack are on a reality show and it's hate at first sight. Jack asks Mason to be part of his alliance and he accepts but he doesn't know if he can trust him. Mason starts to have feelings for Jack but is afraid Jack doesn't feel the same way. I really enjoyed this book.
October 3, 2021
Another great stand-alone book from one of my favorite M/M authors. To be fully honest, I’m not a big fan reality TV shows, but this book had a solid plot, great characters, and enough shifting alliances to sustain my interest until the very end. That’s a hallmark of good writing for me. Plus, I always enjoy a good enemies-to-lovers adventure, with a few poisonous snakes and hurricanes thrown in to make the road bumpier. Highly recommended!
September 30, 2021
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. Well, while having an overprotective mother who literally wants Mason to stay away from the outside world, he's a little adventurous and heads for a Reality Show somewhere in an island in the pacific ocean. He always thought to be good with people, except when meeting Jake all bis buttons are pushed - repeatedly. A very smooth story about trickering people to what you want them to do - not to vote you out of the show and a lot of finding yourselve. Loved this story very much, though I never thought it ended how it actually did.
October 1, 2021
Mason has had some difficulties in his life he is trying to overcome, Jack is not making it easy for him. Mason is going to show everyone there on the island playing the game he is someone they should look out for especially Jack. I was impressed how I felt like I was there in the story trying to outwit people or trying to see what was going on. Very entertaining.
I did receive an Arc for a review.
I did receive an Arc for a review.
October 2, 2021
SC Wynne has made an amazing enemies to lovers romance that I just love. I love Mason and Jack! I really love this storyline of a reality show. I had such a fun time reading this book. I couldn't stop reading once I started. Such an amazing read.
October 1, 2021
I am not a Survivor fan and I was a bit hesitant to read this book. I am glad that I did! It was a fun read, loved Jack and Mason constant irritating each other. Loved the ending. It kept my attention and I recommend reading it.
September 29, 2021
Surviving Love by SC Wynne is an exciting and fun story where Reality TV adversaries find themselves falling in love. I adore the characters, they are fun and sexy. The story kept me interested and guessing what would happen next.
September 30, 2021
as soon as I met Mason and Jack I completely fell in love with them
surviving love is fun flirty intense and has you on the edge of your seat at times I loved every minute of this story
Mason and Jack had me guessing at every turn it was wonderful
surviving love is fun flirty intense and has you on the edge of your seat at times I loved every minute of this story
Mason and Jack had me guessing at every turn it was wonderful
September 29, 2021
Loved it!!!!
This was a fantastic enemies to lovers romance. I loved the reality show storyline, though Harold made me wanna stab him! Lol. Such a great read!
This was a fantastic enemies to lovers romance. I loved the reality show storyline, though Harold made me wanna stab him! Lol. Such a great read!
October 10, 2021
I really enjoyed this book :) Such a great angsty, at first, read. The main characters, Mason and Jack are just so well written that you would really like to wipe the smirk off Jack's face yourself. The whole reality TV show things is also very well done, so many underhanded people all over the place. I loved the characters, the story and the reality of it. “I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.”
October 12, 2021
An entertaining story set on a reality show. Jack and Mason were engaging characters with plenty of tension between them. I loved how their romance played out and the drama of the show.
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 12, 2021
Backstabbing, Conniving, Devious, I Loved it!
Well this was a real enemies to lovers story. From the very first look Mason and Jack disliked each other and as this book was all set around a reality show, Devious Island, on a secluded island in the Philippines their dislike was not out of place.
I am not a lover of reality shows, full of shallow and backstabbing people but the concept of this book was very entertaining and whilst most of the contestants were there just for the money, $1m, we find that Mason and Jack have better reasons for entering the contest.
I usually prefer dual POV but this book was written from Mason’s POV and I think it was the right decision as it racked up the tension even more. Not knowing how Jack really felt about Mason or the other contestants added to the pressure and distrust, you couldn’t trust anyone and questioned every interaction. I even felt paranoid and I wasn’t taking part!
Mason was out of his comfort zone and although he wanted to win he also wanted to stay true to himself, he had a moral compass which was obviously missing with most of the contestants and I wanted to punch Harold!
I really enjoyed this book and couldn’t put it down even though a lot of the characters were horrible and had me cursing 😂
Well this was a real enemies to lovers story. From the very first look Mason and Jack disliked each other and as this book was all set around a reality show, Devious Island, on a secluded island in the Philippines their dislike was not out of place.
I am not a lover of reality shows, full of shallow and backstabbing people but the concept of this book was very entertaining and whilst most of the contestants were there just for the money, $1m, we find that Mason and Jack have better reasons for entering the contest.
I usually prefer dual POV but this book was written from Mason’s POV and I think it was the right decision as it racked up the tension even more. Not knowing how Jack really felt about Mason or the other contestants added to the pressure and distrust, you couldn’t trust anyone and questioned every interaction. I even felt paranoid and I wasn’t taking part!
Mason was out of his comfort zone and although he wanted to win he also wanted to stay true to himself, he had a moral compass which was obviously missing with most of the contestants and I wanted to punch Harold!
I really enjoyed this book and couldn’t put it down even though a lot of the characters were horrible and had me cursing 😂
December 27, 2021
Maybe it is strange that while I am not a particular fan of reality shows I am always excited when I stumble upon romance with a reality show plot. Not that there are great many of them since this is only the second book and the first mm romance with such a plot for me.
I think the book cover is fantastic and I found the summary quite intriguing that I did not wait long to dive into the story. The first half of the story was promising, I really enjoyed various cast of characters (James!the cameraman), the animosity between Jack and Mason, the intrigue and the drama of who would be the first tribe member voted of the show. Except there wasn't much backstory to Mason and Jack's characters. It felt like the summary did half the job on explaining Mason's backstory and Jack's animosity towards him, where the story itself did not actually try to explain their motivations any further than that.
Jack was an asshole. He might have been smoking hot and competent but he was an asshole to Mason even when it did not seem like it was particularly necessary. And when I think more closely I also found Mason annoying. He did not care about winning the prize money but came on the show to prove himself instead. I never quite understood to prove what exactly? I did not get the impression it was just about the physical aspect of the show, where he proved to be quite competent, but also the mental aspect, where he did not really shine with constant flipping and flopping around voting Jack our of the show or having his back. I found his behaviour extremely frustrating.
All through the second half of the book I kept wondering how did the author plan to fit more than half of the show in less than half of the remaining page count. That question was answered and while it was a legitimate way to eliminate the conflict between Mason and Jack it also moved the plot quite ahead. I am sad to stay to it's detriment. I don't think I would have minded such a plot twist if we were further into the reality show plot and near the show finale. But this way it only resulted in making the story feel rushed and incomplete. The consequent ending with Jack did not help making the story feel less rushed and ultimately left me feeling unsatisfied. Ultimately, I feel like the story would have benefited of being at least one third longer and with more detailed character and relationship development between Jack and Mason.
Themes: single POV, reality show, enemies to lovers, opposites attract
I think the book cover is fantastic and I found the summary quite intriguing that I did not wait long to dive into the story. The first half of the story was promising, I really enjoyed various cast of characters (James!the cameraman), the animosity between Jack and Mason, the intrigue and the drama of who would be the first tribe member voted of the show. Except there wasn't much backstory to Mason and Jack's characters. It felt like the summary did half the job on explaining Mason's backstory and Jack's animosity towards him, where the story itself did not actually try to explain their motivations any further than that.
Jack was an asshole. He might have been smoking hot and competent but he was an asshole to Mason even when it did not seem like it was particularly necessary. And when I think more closely I also found Mason annoying. He did not care about winning the prize money but came on the show to prove himself instead. I never quite understood to prove what exactly? I did not get the impression it was just about the physical aspect of the show, where he proved to be quite competent, but also the mental aspect, where he did not really shine with constant flipping and flopping around voting Jack our of the show or having his back. I found his behaviour extremely frustrating.
All through the second half of the book I kept wondering how did the author plan to fit more than half of the show in less than half of the remaining page count. That question was answered and while it was a legitimate way to eliminate the conflict between Mason and Jack it also moved the plot quite ahead. I am sad to stay to it's detriment. I don't think I would have minded such a plot twist if we were further into the reality show plot and near the show finale. But this way it only resulted in making the story feel rushed and incomplete. The consequent ending with Jack did not help making the story feel less rushed and ultimately left me feeling unsatisfied. Ultimately, I feel like the story would have benefited of being at least one third longer and with more detailed character and relationship development between Jack and Mason.
Themes: single POV, reality show, enemies to lovers, opposites attract
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