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Marry Me, Juliet #1
Here for the Right Reasons
A hilarious and heartwarming romantic comedy that examines how the unlikeliest of loves can bloom in – well, the most likely of places. Perfect for fans of The Hating Game and The Soulmate Equation.
When Cece James agrees to be cast as a ‘Juliet’ on the next season of the hit television show Marry Me, Juliet, it’s certainly not for the right reasons. She’s knee deep in debt and desperate for the associated pay cheque. The last thing on her mind is the hunky ‘Romeo’ waiting for her at the end of the gravel driveway.
But Dylan Jayasinghe Mellor isn’t your usual fame-hungry TV star. An Olympic gold medallist with calloused hands, kind eyes and a propensity for panic attacks, it turns out he’s not here for the right reasons either. As spokesperson for a men’s mental health foundation, and the franchise’s first non-white male lead, Dylan’s got a charity to plug and something to prove.
When Cece gets eliminated on the first night, it seems like her and Dylan’s awkward first meeting will be their last conversation. But when the TV set is shut down unexpectedly, Cece and Dylan suddenly get a little more time together than they’d expected.
Will love bloom when the cameras stop rolling?
‘Jodi never fails to deliver humour, wisdom, and heart.’ Kylie Scott, New York Times bestselling author
When Cece James agrees to be cast as a ‘Juliet’ on the next season of the hit television show Marry Me, Juliet, it’s certainly not for the right reasons. She’s knee deep in debt and desperate for the associated pay cheque. The last thing on her mind is the hunky ‘Romeo’ waiting for her at the end of the gravel driveway.
But Dylan Jayasinghe Mellor isn’t your usual fame-hungry TV star. An Olympic gold medallist with calloused hands, kind eyes and a propensity for panic attacks, it turns out he’s not here for the right reasons either. As spokesperson for a men’s mental health foundation, and the franchise’s first non-white male lead, Dylan’s got a charity to plug and something to prove.
When Cece gets eliminated on the first night, it seems like her and Dylan’s awkward first meeting will be their last conversation. But when the TV set is shut down unexpectedly, Cece and Dylan suddenly get a little more time together than they’d expected.
Will love bloom when the cameras stop rolling?
‘Jodi never fails to deliver humour, wisdom, and heart.’ Kylie Scott, New York Times bestselling author
331 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 6, 2022
97 people are currently reading
4090 people want to read
About the author
Jodi McAlister
18 books557 followersBy day, Jodi McAlister writes romance novels. By other time of day, Dr Jodi McAlister studies them. She's written romantic comedies for adults, romantasy and contemporary romance for young adults, and several academic books.
For adults
If you're a reality TV lover, the Marry Me, Juliet series are the books for you. Even if you're not a reality TV lover, they might be the books for you - several reality TV haters have enjoyed them.
The trilogy all take place at the same time on the same season of a reality dating show called Marry Me, Juliet (which bears a very strong resemblance to The Bachelor). While they all stand alone and can be read in any order, they work best when read in order.
Start with Here For The Right Reasons (he's the series lead, she's the contestant he eliminates on the first night), move on to Can I Steal You For A Second? (she's a contestant, she's... also a contestant), and finish with the book the New York Times called a "full-on villain romance", Not Here To Make Friends (she's the villain, he's the producer who's pining for her).
For young adults
If you're a romantasy reader, you'll like the Valentine series, a young adult paranormal romance/urban fantasy series about smart girls, small towns, and scary fairies. There are three books: Valentine, Ironheart, and Misrule. If Picnic at Hanging Rock meets Holly Black sounds like something you’d be into, these are the books for you.
And if you're a theatre kid, Libby Lawrence Is Good At Pretending is the book for you. It's my love letter to theatre kids as someone who used to be one.
Academic books
No one really cares much about these on Goodreads, do they? More info on my website if you're interested.
About Jodi
Jodi is originally from Kiama, a seaside holiday town on the south coast of New South Wales, and has lived in a bunch of different cities: Canberra (where she did her undergrad degrees), Wollongong (where she lived while she did her PhD in Sydney), and Hobart (where she held her first academic job) among them. Currently, she lives in Melbourne, where she works as a Senior Lecturer in Writing, Literature and Culture at Deakin University.
When she’s not writing about romance, Jodi is an academic studying romance. Her research focuses on representations of love in popular culture and fiction. It means that reading romance novels and watching (and let’s be real, writing huge amounts about) The Bachelor/ette is technically work for her.
**Want to dip your toes into the Valentine universe? Try the free short story Galentine, set a year and a bit before the events of Valentine. http://jodimcalister.com.au/galentine/ **
**Want to read a bonus epilogue to Libby Lawrence Is Good At Pretending? Check it out here: https://jodimcalister.com.au/libby-la... **
For adults
If you're a reality TV lover, the Marry Me, Juliet series are the books for you. Even if you're not a reality TV lover, they might be the books for you - several reality TV haters have enjoyed them.
The trilogy all take place at the same time on the same season of a reality dating show called Marry Me, Juliet (which bears a very strong resemblance to The Bachelor). While they all stand alone and can be read in any order, they work best when read in order.
Start with Here For The Right Reasons (he's the series lead, she's the contestant he eliminates on the first night), move on to Can I Steal You For A Second? (she's a contestant, she's... also a contestant), and finish with the book the New York Times called a "full-on villain romance", Not Here To Make Friends (she's the villain, he's the producer who's pining for her).
For young adults
If you're a romantasy reader, you'll like the Valentine series, a young adult paranormal romance/urban fantasy series about smart girls, small towns, and scary fairies. There are three books: Valentine, Ironheart, and Misrule. If Picnic at Hanging Rock meets Holly Black sounds like something you’d be into, these are the books for you.
And if you're a theatre kid, Libby Lawrence Is Good At Pretending is the book for you. It's my love letter to theatre kids as someone who used to be one.
Academic books
No one really cares much about these on Goodreads, do they? More info on my website if you're interested.
About Jodi
Jodi is originally from Kiama, a seaside holiday town on the south coast of New South Wales, and has lived in a bunch of different cities: Canberra (where she did her undergrad degrees), Wollongong (where she lived while she did her PhD in Sydney), and Hobart (where she held her first academic job) among them. Currently, she lives in Melbourne, where she works as a Senior Lecturer in Writing, Literature and Culture at Deakin University.
When she’s not writing about romance, Jodi is an academic studying romance. Her research focuses on representations of love in popular culture and fiction. It means that reading romance novels and watching (and let’s be real, writing huge amounts about) The Bachelor/ette is technically work for her.
**Want to dip your toes into the Valentine universe? Try the free short story Galentine, set a year and a bit before the events of Valentine. http://jodimcalister.com.au/galentine/ **
**Want to read a bonus epilogue to Libby Lawrence Is Good At Pretending? Check it out here: https://jodimcalister.com.au/libby-la... **
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 505 reviews
May 30, 2023
SO MUCH FUN
June 16, 2022
A totally enjoyable rom-com! Delightful, witty and fun to read.
Cece James is a Criminology student, who loses her P/T jib at the start of the pandemic. Brought up in foster homes, she has no family or safety net to fall back on so finds herself during a drinking bout with her friends applying to be on a Bachelor style reality show called ‘Marry me Juliet’. She and her friends love watching this show in which a group of ‘Juliets’ compete to attract a handsome ‘Romeo’, being whittled down one by one until the last one standing is his chosen girlfriend (well at least for three months according to their contract). Cece doesn’t expect to find true love but will be paid well if selected to be on the show and can expect to make a fortune later on Instagram.
So, a format we know well – but wait, this one has a twist! Due to the pandemic the contestants and production crew have to live in a bubble and cannot leave so the eliminated contestants cannot leave the location and are sent to live in a separate house the crew nickname the nunnery. This adds another dimension to the show and takes it in an unexpected direction.
There is the usual mix of contestants. The kind and beautiful ones, the total bitch, the NHS ‘hero nurse’ and then there is Cece, who is full of insecurities and camera shy but totally relatable. Romeo is a handsome Olympic gold medallist, of Sri Lankan ethnicity, with his own reasons for agreeing to do the show and his own insecurities. Of course, we can all guess where this is heading (because we all want a happy ending, right?) but the plot is not totally predictable and there are some interesting twists that keep you guessing about how it's all going to play out. I would definitely recommend this to rom-com fans, those who enjoy reality TV series and those like me who just enjoy a really fun read.
With thanks to Simon & Schuster Au via Netgalley for a copy to read
Cece James is a Criminology student, who loses her P/T jib at the start of the pandemic. Brought up in foster homes, she has no family or safety net to fall back on so finds herself during a drinking bout with her friends applying to be on a Bachelor style reality show called ‘Marry me Juliet’. She and her friends love watching this show in which a group of ‘Juliets’ compete to attract a handsome ‘Romeo’, being whittled down one by one until the last one standing is his chosen girlfriend (well at least for three months according to their contract). Cece doesn’t expect to find true love but will be paid well if selected to be on the show and can expect to make a fortune later on Instagram.
So, a format we know well – but wait, this one has a twist! Due to the pandemic the contestants and production crew have to live in a bubble and cannot leave so the eliminated contestants cannot leave the location and are sent to live in a separate house the crew nickname the nunnery. This adds another dimension to the show and takes it in an unexpected direction.
There is the usual mix of contestants. The kind and beautiful ones, the total bitch, the NHS ‘hero nurse’ and then there is Cece, who is full of insecurities and camera shy but totally relatable. Romeo is a handsome Olympic gold medallist, of Sri Lankan ethnicity, with his own reasons for agreeing to do the show and his own insecurities. Of course, we can all guess where this is heading (because we all want a happy ending, right?) but the plot is not totally predictable and there are some interesting twists that keep you guessing about how it's all going to play out. I would definitely recommend this to rom-com fans, those who enjoy reality TV series and those like me who just enjoy a really fun read.
With thanks to Simon & Schuster Au via Netgalley for a copy to read
October 27, 2025
I have mixed feelings about this book. If you enjoy watching reality TV shows or dating shows, then I think you’ll love this novel. I’m not a fan of watching those kinds of shows, so perhaps that's why I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I would’ve liked to.
Cece James is a character whom I didn’t care for at the start of this book, but as I got to know more about her I started to warm towards her. Overall, this book was an okay read, as I didn’t love it, but I also didn’t hate it. I know this book has been loved by many so if it’s something you think you’ll enjoy then give it a go because you too may love it.
With thanks to the publishers for my ARC to read and review.
Cece James is a character whom I didn’t care for at the start of this book, but as I got to know more about her I started to warm towards her. Overall, this book was an okay read, as I didn’t love it, but I also didn’t hate it. I know this book has been loved by many so if it’s something you think you’ll enjoy then give it a go because you too may love it.
With thanks to the publishers for my ARC to read and review.
July 14, 2022
If you can please give this book a chance, it was so cute and funny and I loved it! It’s also really fast to read so it adds extra points.
We follow Cece who lost her job during the pandemic and one night with her friends she applies to this Bachelor Tv show where a guy falls in love and gets the girl, easy right? Well, she gets eliminated in the first round and she has a panic attack and the guy, Dylan, helps her, because he suffers with mental health problems aswell. Since he helps her, they talk about their struggles and why they’re really there, so they decide to help each other by being friends, aka Cece being his consultant and help him during the show. But it has sooo much more, it was amazing.
Having a black man talking about all the racism and the mental health problems, him trying his best to be a good example, it was so well done and I absolutely loved it. Cece is an orphan so we have issues there too, but she’s so strong and such a sweet woman, I just love these two. Also, they really start as friends and genuinely trying to help each other so you can see the tension and everything….it was amazing. Really liked it and it went amazing with the summer vibes.
We follow Cece who lost her job during the pandemic and one night with her friends she applies to this Bachelor Tv show where a guy falls in love and gets the girl, easy right? Well, she gets eliminated in the first round and she has a panic attack and the guy, Dylan, helps her, because he suffers with mental health problems aswell. Since he helps her, they talk about their struggles and why they’re really there, so they decide to help each other by being friends, aka Cece being his consultant and help him during the show. But it has sooo much more, it was amazing.
Having a black man talking about all the racism and the mental health problems, him trying his best to be a good example, it was so well done and I absolutely loved it. Cece is an orphan so we have issues there too, but she’s so strong and such a sweet woman, I just love these two. Also, they really start as friends and genuinely trying to help each other so you can see the tension and everything….it was amazing. Really liked it and it went amazing with the summer vibes.
September 3, 2022
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
3.5 stars
Academic and romance author Jodi McAlister’s debut in the space of adult romantic comedy fiction is Here for the Right Reasons. McAlister puts the spotlight on reality dating shows in her first adult contemporary romance release. Entertaining, surprising, romantic and witty, Here for the Right Reasons is a fluffy read for fans of relationship dating shows such as The Bachelor.
Meet Cece James, a young woman who puts her heart and life on the line when she agrees to take part in the latest reality dating show sensation, Marry Me, Juliet. Cece is preoccupied with money woes, which is her motivation for appearing on the show, so finding love is far from her mind. Cece’s potential love interest is Dylan Jayasinghe Mellor, an Olympian and men’s health ambassador. Dylan isn’t keen on the whole scenario, but he is motivated to promote his charitable causes by appearing on the show. As the cameras roll, Cece soon finds herself cast off the show following a strained first attempt at winning the leading man over. However, in a strange twist of circumstances thanks to the pandemic, Cece and Dylan are drawn together once more. Will love bloom on the set of Marry Me, Juliet?
Jodi McAlister’s reality show love story came to me via a Tandem Collective readalong. My first readalong experience proved to be fun, challenging and supportive. I also enjoyed expanding my posts more creatively on the Instagram platform. In terms of the book experience, Here for the Right Reasons was a fast, light and easy read, even though I’m not a fan of dating shows in general!
It’s great to see an Australian author tackle the ever-growing reality dating show scene. Jodi McAlister is a Melbourne resident with an academic background in popular culture and fiction. I think this educational background and obvious keen interest in the construction of love in popular culture has fared extremely well for this romance novel fan. Here for the Right Reasons does a good job of critically interrogating reality dating shows. We get a very good glimpse at this world from beyond what we see on the screens. From the carefully manufactured sets and editing processes, there is much more to these shows than the love story element. I appreciated this behind the scenes focus.
Cece is a full-bodied lead and I’m sure many readers out there will enjoy her story. It was good to find out a bit more about this young woman and her background. The male lead of this tale is a likeable and kind hearted hero. McAlister weaves in aspects of men’s health and anxiety to Dylan’s character, which was refreshing. The periphery cast all contribute to this story in one way or another, making Here for the Right Reasons a great ensemble piece.
The focus on the global pandemic and the lockdown experience in Australia was a good move by the author and I think Jodi McAlister did a fine job of covering this difficult time in our lives. For some, this may still be quite raw, so do proceed with care if you find this emerging brand of fiction to be a little too close to home. Here for the Right Reasons drives to a pretty swift conclusion, which I felt paved the way for the next book from Jodi McAlister.
Full of fun, colour, drama, relationships, friendships, crazy shenanigans, love twists and passion, Here for the Right Reasons is an outrageous read for reality dating show devotees.
*I wish to thank Simon & Schuster Australia for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
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3.5 stars
Academic and romance author Jodi McAlister’s debut in the space of adult romantic comedy fiction is Here for the Right Reasons. McAlister puts the spotlight on reality dating shows in her first adult contemporary romance release. Entertaining, surprising, romantic and witty, Here for the Right Reasons is a fluffy read for fans of relationship dating shows such as The Bachelor.
Meet Cece James, a young woman who puts her heart and life on the line when she agrees to take part in the latest reality dating show sensation, Marry Me, Juliet. Cece is preoccupied with money woes, which is her motivation for appearing on the show, so finding love is far from her mind. Cece’s potential love interest is Dylan Jayasinghe Mellor, an Olympian and men’s health ambassador. Dylan isn’t keen on the whole scenario, but he is motivated to promote his charitable causes by appearing on the show. As the cameras roll, Cece soon finds herself cast off the show following a strained first attempt at winning the leading man over. However, in a strange twist of circumstances thanks to the pandemic, Cece and Dylan are drawn together once more. Will love bloom on the set of Marry Me, Juliet?
Jodi McAlister’s reality show love story came to me via a Tandem Collective readalong. My first readalong experience proved to be fun, challenging and supportive. I also enjoyed expanding my posts more creatively on the Instagram platform. In terms of the book experience, Here for the Right Reasons was a fast, light and easy read, even though I’m not a fan of dating shows in general!
It’s great to see an Australian author tackle the ever-growing reality dating show scene. Jodi McAlister is a Melbourne resident with an academic background in popular culture and fiction. I think this educational background and obvious keen interest in the construction of love in popular culture has fared extremely well for this romance novel fan. Here for the Right Reasons does a good job of critically interrogating reality dating shows. We get a very good glimpse at this world from beyond what we see on the screens. From the carefully manufactured sets and editing processes, there is much more to these shows than the love story element. I appreciated this behind the scenes focus.
Cece is a full-bodied lead and I’m sure many readers out there will enjoy her story. It was good to find out a bit more about this young woman and her background. The male lead of this tale is a likeable and kind hearted hero. McAlister weaves in aspects of men’s health and anxiety to Dylan’s character, which was refreshing. The periphery cast all contribute to this story in one way or another, making Here for the Right Reasons a great ensemble piece.
The focus on the global pandemic and the lockdown experience in Australia was a good move by the author and I think Jodi McAlister did a fine job of covering this difficult time in our lives. For some, this may still be quite raw, so do proceed with care if you find this emerging brand of fiction to be a little too close to home. Here for the Right Reasons drives to a pretty swift conclusion, which I felt paved the way for the next book from Jodi McAlister.
Full of fun, colour, drama, relationships, friendships, crazy shenanigans, love twists and passion, Here for the Right Reasons is an outrageous read for reality dating show devotees.
*I wish to thank Simon & Schuster Australia for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
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August 5, 2024
Got to the Acknowledgements and suddenly thrown - is this set in Australia??
Anyway. This was great! It was a tiny bit too fluff-filled - I think the perfect version of this book is about 90% of its current word count - but even when I was skimming I couldn’t put this down because I NEEDed to know how the plot was going to resolve. Which is wild for this type of contemporary romance, but I was hooked!
ETA the sequel is [Spoiler] and [Spoiler]’s story from this same season of the show?? Now I’m even more hooked, I love this concept.
Anyway. This was great! It was a tiny bit too fluff-filled - I think the perfect version of this book is about 90% of its current word count - but even when I was skimming I couldn’t put this down because I NEEDed to know how the plot was going to resolve. Which is wild for this type of contemporary romance, but I was hooked!
ETA the sequel is [Spoiler] and [Spoiler]’s story from this same season of the show?? Now I’m even more hooked, I love this concept.
July 24, 2022
honestly this was quite slow as in not slowburn love but the plot was not entertaining enough. It was nice having a Bangaldesh guy as the main character but usually when theres main character of colour i’d like it more of their culture was written about. Like this book couldve easily be finished in 10 chapters like the love was there and all but the plot couldve been better.
June 28, 2022
26 year old criminology student Cece James and her 2 housemates began ironically watching a national tv dating show, but now they’re hooked on the hook-up programme, even hosting finale parties. It’s only when her vodka-fuelled application to be a contestant on ‘Marry Me, Juliet’ is successful, and she’s passed the herpes test, that the actuality of being in front of a camera terrifyingly dawns. But as the pandemic lockdown begins Cece finds herself unemployed and in dire financial straits – she decides to take the chance at maybe achieving Instagram sponcon, although for appearances sake finding true love is supposedly the right reason for participating.
The programme has bowed to diversity pressure and there is now a heterogenous mix of gorgeous Juliets and a swarthy Romeo: Olympic gold medallist, charity spokesperson (and anxiety sufferer) Dylan Jayasinghe Mellor. Who not only is kind and considerate but mandatorily HOT.
The first round of introductions delivers the emergence of desperate and dominating personalities but abysmally highlights Cece’s camera shy anguish, resulting in her elimination. Recognising her panic attack Dylan calms her, and off-camera they bond and hatch a plan. It’s a deviation from the usual format, but the producer accepts their ‘friend conversations' as a new story arc for the programme although the other contestants are jealous of their assured time together. But can they stay in the friend zone (don’t want what you can’t have Cece!) and ensure the pre-planned fairy tale romance that’s contractually obliged delivers ratings gold?
‘Here For the Right Reasons’ manages to be a fun spoof on dating shows and an enjoyable rom-com.
Thanks to Simon and Schuster for an advanced reading copy.
The programme has bowed to diversity pressure and there is now a heterogenous mix of gorgeous Juliets and a swarthy Romeo: Olympic gold medallist, charity spokesperson (and anxiety sufferer) Dylan Jayasinghe Mellor. Who not only is kind and considerate but mandatorily HOT.
The first round of introductions delivers the emergence of desperate and dominating personalities but abysmally highlights Cece’s camera shy anguish, resulting in her elimination. Recognising her panic attack Dylan calms her, and off-camera they bond and hatch a plan. It’s a deviation from the usual format, but the producer accepts their ‘friend conversations' as a new story arc for the programme although the other contestants are jealous of their assured time together. But can they stay in the friend zone (don’t want what you can’t have Cece!) and ensure the pre-planned fairy tale romance that’s contractually obliged delivers ratings gold?
‘Here For the Right Reasons’ manages to be a fun spoof on dating shows and an enjoyable rom-com.
Thanks to Simon and Schuster for an advanced reading copy.
May 20, 2024
A very good rom-com. The comedy was funny and consistent. And the romance heart melting.
The premise was new to me and well executed. Just to give you an idea without spoilers: Cece is a poor student. She does not have a family since she was a foster kid all her life.
She lost her job when Covid-19 hit. In a drunken haze she signed up to the most famous dating show.
Her goal become to stick in the show as long as possible. Because every day of filming meant dollar signs.
Even though she was dazzled by Dylan the MMC, her primary concern was to get paid.
I loved how the story was told in her POV. You get to understand her reasoning from the very first page. You never think of her as a gold-digger. Her dynamic with Dylan was so sweet and they had a Friends To Lovers arc.
And this would have been a total 5 stars for me. I mean: I've forsaken 3 hours of my total nightly sleep for it yesterday. But I have to admit: a very sensitive subject was poorly and in my opinion wrongly depicted.
So a very important angle in the story is that the show never dealt with diversity before as in people of color. MMC is the first male of color to compete along side 50% of female contestants.
And I just don't understand why the west call every skin color different from white: people of color? It does sound racist on its own. We all have skin colors.
(It does remind me of segregated US in the 60s when they called black people: colored people. A famous activist that I don't remember his name made fun of white people saying: If I'm dead or angry or afraid I'm always black. But you turn blue when dead, Red when angry and Yellow when afraid. And then you dare to call me colored?!!!)
Aside from the weird terminology: MMC had to deal with a lot of pressure because of his color. Saying over and over that he needed to represent his minor community. If he fails then people are going to blame the whole community. And that's some shit white authors write and it's completely untrue.
You know what's the first lesson your taught by your minor community? it's to embrace your heritage and not to care one bit for fucking stereotypes.
Plus Dylan the MMC would have never been faulted for his color anyway because he's half white Australian, half Sri Lankan. His white father is a diplomat that came from old money. So do you think that Dylan: an Australian citizen who is fucking loaded could be hated by the public for his color?
Also I did not like how the conflict was fixed in the end of the novel. It was lazy from the author to pick the easiest as well as the most far-fetched way.
The premise was new to me and well executed. Just to give you an idea without spoilers: Cece is a poor student. She does not have a family since she was a foster kid all her life.
She lost her job when Covid-19 hit. In a drunken haze she signed up to the most famous dating show.
Her goal become to stick in the show as long as possible. Because every day of filming meant dollar signs.
Even though she was dazzled by Dylan the MMC, her primary concern was to get paid.
I loved how the story was told in her POV. You get to understand her reasoning from the very first page. You never think of her as a gold-digger. Her dynamic with Dylan was so sweet and they had a Friends To Lovers arc.
And this would have been a total 5 stars for me. I mean: I've forsaken 3 hours of my total nightly sleep for it yesterday. But I have to admit: a very sensitive subject was poorly and in my opinion wrongly depicted.
So a very important angle in the story is that the show never dealt with diversity before as in people of color. MMC is the first male of color to compete along side 50% of female contestants.
And I just don't understand why the west call every skin color different from white: people of color? It does sound racist on its own. We all have skin colors.
(It does remind me of segregated US in the 60s when they called black people: colored people. A famous activist that I don't remember his name made fun of white people saying: If I'm dead or angry or afraid I'm always black. But you turn blue when dead, Red when angry and Yellow when afraid. And then you dare to call me colored?!!!)
Aside from the weird terminology: MMC had to deal with a lot of pressure because of his color. Saying over and over that he needed to represent his minor community. If he fails then people are going to blame the whole community. And that's some shit white authors write and it's completely untrue.
You know what's the first lesson your taught by your minor community? it's to embrace your heritage and not to care one bit for fucking stereotypes.
Plus Dylan the MMC would have never been faulted for his color anyway because he's half white Australian, half Sri Lankan. His white father is a diplomat that came from old money. So do you think that Dylan: an Australian citizen who is fucking loaded could be hated by the public for his color?
Also I did not like how the conflict was fixed in the end of the novel. It was lazy from the author to pick the easiest as well as the most far-fetched way.
August 10, 2024
What a delightful surprise! I can tell I’m about to tear through this Bachelor-inspired trilogy since it’s set concurrently and I need to know what’s happening with the other characters/participants. (Saying this as someone who stopped watching The Bachelor at least a decade ago.)
Cece and her roommates are big fans of the reality show Marry Me, Juliet and drunkenly apply for it on a whim. She doesn’t expect to be chosen and she’s really not sure about being on camera but when she loses her job during the pandemic, she decides to go for it, thinking the daily pay will at least help keep her afloat. Except Dylan, the season’s Romeo, sends her home the first night. Except the COVID restrictions increase to Stage 4 so the rejected Juliets can’t actually leave. Thus setting the stage for Dylan and Cece to actually get to know each other and cook up a plan for her to serve as his friend and sounding board after the various dates and necklace ceremonies.
It’s truly a genius premise and without a doubt the best contemporary romance I’ve read that grapples with the pandemic, from the economic impact to the rules governing quarantine. (I’m not 100% sure but I think it’s set in Australia so it’s a different situation.) Participants and crew have to quarantine for two weeks before filming and then everyone is in the bubble; no one can come in or out or if they do leave, they can’t come back. By moving to Stage 4, Dylan and Cece get to stay in the bubble longer—and importantly for her financial situation, she can continue to get paid.
Meanwhile, Dylan continues to go on dates with the other participants as Cece fights her growing attraction to him. He has so much to lose if the season goes awry. He’s trying to raise awareness for his men’s mental health charity and he’s the franchise’s first non-white Romeo; he’s mixed race with white and Sri Lankan parents. But it’s also a stressful situation for him beyond the pressure and Cece proves to be a good friend, talking him through a panic attack and offering distractions when she can see him start to struggle. It was really nice to have an MMC who cries and shows emotion and who is just a genuinely decent guy. He distracts Cece from her fear of being on camera and gets her to open up about how being in foster care has affected her. They can talk about anything and everything.
The rub is that they’re supposed to be just friends and they’re ever aware of this as they film these segments. But friendship can be a great precursor to something more and yet as close they become, Cece doesn’t think there could ever be more between them. While she’d love it if he chucked it all for her, she has no expectation of that either. It gets more complicated when she realizes Dylan has feelings for her but is still bound by the show’s contract. She’s torn between savoring every moment with Dylan and protecting her heart, something that becomes even more difficult once they start sleeping together. (This is closed door.) I had no idea how this would resolve in an HEA given the stakes. But my god, it paved the way for a truly great grand gesture.
I’m very much looking forward to reading girl-Dylan and Amanda’s story next!
Note: while Dylan is mixed and there are other characters of color, the representation is fairly minimal, although this doesn’t shy away from the show’s dismal record with diversity. I didn’t love the inclusion of a racist participant, mostly because of her behavior after getting called out. It wasn’t unrealistic but I wish the author had erred toward further developing her POC characters instead of (or in addition to) adding in a racist.
Characters: Cece is a 26 year old white Criminology MA student and chocolate shop clerk. Dylan is a mixed race (white + Sri Lankan) sailing Olympian and men’s mental health nonprofit founder. This is possibly set in Australia or else a different country that’s a part of the Commonwealth.
Content notes: anxiety, panic attacks, racism, COVID-19 and lockdown, physical assault, past and present bullying, financial precariousness, past physical abuse by foster parents, past foster care, past death of FMC’s parents in a car crash when she was 2, fainting (low blood sugar), roommate’s mom is in remission from cancer, past unstable housing, job loss (fired due to shop’s loss of income during pandemic), chipped tooth (secondary character), off page sex, alcohol, inebriation, STD stigma, gendered pejoratives, ableist language, hyperbolic language around addiction, mention of past leukemia (secondary character)
Cece and her roommates are big fans of the reality show Marry Me, Juliet and drunkenly apply for it on a whim. She doesn’t expect to be chosen and she’s really not sure about being on camera but when she loses her job during the pandemic, she decides to go for it, thinking the daily pay will at least help keep her afloat. Except Dylan, the season’s Romeo, sends her home the first night. Except the COVID restrictions increase to Stage 4 so the rejected Juliets can’t actually leave. Thus setting the stage for Dylan and Cece to actually get to know each other and cook up a plan for her to serve as his friend and sounding board after the various dates and necklace ceremonies.
It’s truly a genius premise and without a doubt the best contemporary romance I’ve read that grapples with the pandemic, from the economic impact to the rules governing quarantine. (I’m not 100% sure but I think it’s set in Australia so it’s a different situation.) Participants and crew have to quarantine for two weeks before filming and then everyone is in the bubble; no one can come in or out or if they do leave, they can’t come back. By moving to Stage 4, Dylan and Cece get to stay in the bubble longer—and importantly for her financial situation, she can continue to get paid.
Meanwhile, Dylan continues to go on dates with the other participants as Cece fights her growing attraction to him. He has so much to lose if the season goes awry. He’s trying to raise awareness for his men’s mental health charity and he’s the franchise’s first non-white Romeo; he’s mixed race with white and Sri Lankan parents. But it’s also a stressful situation for him beyond the pressure and Cece proves to be a good friend, talking him through a panic attack and offering distractions when she can see him start to struggle. It was really nice to have an MMC who cries and shows emotion and who is just a genuinely decent guy. He distracts Cece from her fear of being on camera and gets her to open up about how being in foster care has affected her. They can talk about anything and everything.
The rub is that they’re supposed to be just friends and they’re ever aware of this as they film these segments. But friendship can be a great precursor to something more and yet as close they become, Cece doesn’t think there could ever be more between them. While she’d love it if he chucked it all for her, she has no expectation of that either. It gets more complicated when she realizes Dylan has feelings for her but is still bound by the show’s contract. She’s torn between savoring every moment with Dylan and protecting her heart, something that becomes even more difficult once they start sleeping together. (This is closed door.) I had no idea how this would resolve in an HEA given the stakes. But my god, it paved the way for a truly great grand gesture.
I’m very much looking forward to reading girl-Dylan and Amanda’s story next!
Note: while Dylan is mixed and there are other characters of color, the representation is fairly minimal, although this doesn’t shy away from the show’s dismal record with diversity. I didn’t love the inclusion of a racist participant, mostly because of her behavior after getting called out. It wasn’t unrealistic but I wish the author had erred toward further developing her POC characters instead of (or in addition to) adding in a racist.
Characters: Cece is a 26 year old white Criminology MA student and chocolate shop clerk. Dylan is a mixed race (white + Sri Lankan) sailing Olympian and men’s mental health nonprofit founder. This is possibly set in Australia or else a different country that’s a part of the Commonwealth.
Content notes: anxiety, panic attacks, racism, COVID-19 and lockdown, physical assault, past and present bullying, financial precariousness, past physical abuse by foster parents, past foster care, past death of FMC’s parents in a car crash when she was 2, fainting (low blood sugar), roommate’s mom is in remission from cancer, past unstable housing, job loss (fired due to shop’s loss of income during pandemic), chipped tooth (secondary character), off page sex, alcohol, inebriation, STD stigma, gendered pejoratives, ableist language, hyperbolic language around addiction, mention of past leukemia (secondary character)
June 5, 2022
3.5 stars
Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster (Australia) for a copy of this ARC. All thoughts are my own.
As someone who loves Bachelor-styled romance novels, when I read this one was set within the current world pandemic, I was intrigued to pick it up.
I really enjoyed the new look into how a show like this might work with the pandemic aspect, and how we can judge people on one interaction without realising there's so much more to that person past it. Jodi McAlister addressed this well by placing Cece as a friend support to Dylan in this novel after butchering her moment in the spotlight. Their connection felt more real and relatable by allowing them to grow as friends and confidants first. The mutual anxiety that they shared was a nice touch, without the mental health rep being overdone.
I also really liked Cece's background and how it shaped her actions. As someone who has raised a child in a fostering type situation, I could relate to some of her struggles and see how the negative impact of being without firm roots as a young person affected Cece as an adult. I felt the depth of her character made it easier to gloss over her never-ending attraction and "woe-is-me" moments over not being picked by Dylan when she was falling for him.
The romance is nice, but I did feel when things started to get spicier, this is where I lost some interest in what had developed. The final third of this book is more about resolving things with a HEA readily in place, but it gets messy in the process, and some of what was set up previously was dismantled in a way that I found to be a bit rushed or less believable than the rest of it. Whilst instalove isn't at play, once the confessions were made, I found both characters just fall in love way too easily and deeply.
That being said, this is a very cute rom-com, with good main characters that make you root for them to get together.
Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster (Australia) for a copy of this ARC. All thoughts are my own.
As someone who loves Bachelor-styled romance novels, when I read this one was set within the current world pandemic, I was intrigued to pick it up.
I really enjoyed the new look into how a show like this might work with the pandemic aspect, and how we can judge people on one interaction without realising there's so much more to that person past it. Jodi McAlister addressed this well by placing Cece as a friend support to Dylan in this novel after butchering her moment in the spotlight. Their connection felt more real and relatable by allowing them to grow as friends and confidants first. The mutual anxiety that they shared was a nice touch, without the mental health rep being overdone.
I also really liked Cece's background and how it shaped her actions. As someone who has raised a child in a fostering type situation, I could relate to some of her struggles and see how the negative impact of being without firm roots as a young person affected Cece as an adult. I felt the depth of her character made it easier to gloss over her never-ending attraction and "woe-is-me" moments over not being picked by Dylan when she was falling for him.
The romance is nice, but I did feel when things started to get spicier, this is where I lost some interest in what had developed. The final third of this book is more about resolving things with a HEA readily in place, but it gets messy in the process, and some of what was set up previously was dismantled in a way that I found to be a bit rushed or less believable than the rest of it. Whilst instalove isn't at play, once the confessions were made, I found both characters just fall in love way too easily and deeply.
That being said, this is a very cute rom-com, with good main characters that make you root for them to get together.
May 22, 2022
I absolutely inhaled 'Here for the Right Reasons'! One to add to your pre-orders!
Cecilia ‘Cece’ James is a 26 year old unemployed masters student. She’s broke, and having grown up in foster care, she’s got no one but herself to rely on. Six weeks on the set of Marry Me, Juliet (a superbly crafted reimagining of the Australian Bachelor) will at least pay her rent and maybe she’ll get semi insta famous afterwards and people will keep on paying her.
Enter gorgeous, ex-Olympian and certified soft boy, Dylan Jayasinghe Mellor as the Romeo. Son of an Aussie diplomat dad and Sri Lankan interpreter mum. Set against the backdrop of the global pandemic (which I was initially iffy about, but is used cleverly as a plot device) alongside a diverse cast of accomplished women as the other Juliets, the stage is set for hilarious rom-com antics.
McAlister is in her prime when we get to experience the completely bonkers world of Marry Me, Juliet in the form of contestant challenges and dates. I read that she's got another book set in the Marry Me, Juliet world coming out, and I am desperately hoping it follows the romance that is hinted at in the final pages!
Cecilia ‘Cece’ James is a 26 year old unemployed masters student. She’s broke, and having grown up in foster care, she’s got no one but herself to rely on. Six weeks on the set of Marry Me, Juliet (a superbly crafted reimagining of the Australian Bachelor) will at least pay her rent and maybe she’ll get semi insta famous afterwards and people will keep on paying her.
Enter gorgeous, ex-Olympian and certified soft boy, Dylan Jayasinghe Mellor as the Romeo. Son of an Aussie diplomat dad and Sri Lankan interpreter mum. Set against the backdrop of the global pandemic (which I was initially iffy about, but is used cleverly as a plot device) alongside a diverse cast of accomplished women as the other Juliets, the stage is set for hilarious rom-com antics.
McAlister is in her prime when we get to experience the completely bonkers world of Marry Me, Juliet in the form of contestant challenges and dates. I read that she's got another book set in the Marry Me, Juliet world coming out, and I am desperately hoping it follows the romance that is hinted at in the final pages!
May 13, 2022
Wow! What can I say? This book has EVERYTHING you would want in a romance. Love, passion, chemistry, drama and twists you cannot see coming!
I cannot fault this book, fans of The Bachelor or other dating reality tv shows will love this book!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an advanced copy of this novel
I cannot fault this book, fans of The Bachelor or other dating reality tv shows will love this book!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an advanced copy of this novel
July 6, 2022
Some shows are designed to binge, some books also. And Jodi McAlister’s ‘Here For The Right Reasons’ could easily be both!
In the rise of a pandemic with lockdowns imminent, job loss and financial insecurity reigning, Cece James’ last hope lies in her success on the hit reality dating show, Marry Me, Juliet. Her reasons for vying for“Romeos” attention may not be right in the eyes of the producers - not many, including our Romeo’s are - but, sometimes, right has a funny way of coming about in the end.
Cece and Dylan steal the show in this golden rom-com that hits all the marks for angst and tv drama for hours of entertainment without the ad breaks. McAlister crafts with humour and heart, showcasing a raw beauty to the mutual respect and vulnerability between these characters and the underlying messages that have been conveyed. The male mental health rep was strong, and I admired the reminder woven throughout that we all need people, and that’s okay.
Dylan was an absolute sweetheart, and the stolen moments off-screen between these two when everything was real and untarnished by the spotlights and re-enactments was a highlight of this read. The execution of both Dylan and Cece’s characters were clear, and their backstory’s were respectful and well portrayed. There was an added depth to the comedic elements, and the two of them shared a natural friendship and an unscripted chemistry despite the roles forced upon them.
For a rom-com that hits a little deeper, a sweet love story, and one hell of a fireball for a side character, I cannot recommend this book enough!
Thank you Netgalley and Simon and Schuster Australia for the advanced copy of this book. 4.5⭐️
In the rise of a pandemic with lockdowns imminent, job loss and financial insecurity reigning, Cece James’ last hope lies in her success on the hit reality dating show, Marry Me, Juliet. Her reasons for vying for“Romeos” attention may not be right in the eyes of the producers - not many, including our Romeo’s are - but, sometimes, right has a funny way of coming about in the end.
Cece and Dylan steal the show in this golden rom-com that hits all the marks for angst and tv drama for hours of entertainment without the ad breaks. McAlister crafts with humour and heart, showcasing a raw beauty to the mutual respect and vulnerability between these characters and the underlying messages that have been conveyed. The male mental health rep was strong, and I admired the reminder woven throughout that we all need people, and that’s okay.
Dylan was an absolute sweetheart, and the stolen moments off-screen between these two when everything was real and untarnished by the spotlights and re-enactments was a highlight of this read. The execution of both Dylan and Cece’s characters were clear, and their backstory’s were respectful and well portrayed. There was an added depth to the comedic elements, and the two of them shared a natural friendship and an unscripted chemistry despite the roles forced upon them.
For a rom-com that hits a little deeper, a sweet love story, and one hell of a fireball for a side character, I cannot recommend this book enough!
Thank you Netgalley and Simon and Schuster Australia for the advanced copy of this book. 4.5⭐️
June 5, 2022
You would think that going on a reality TV/dating show to find your one true love would be so simple, but it isn't. This was no ordinary show, in the middle of a pandemic, where bubbles and isolation had become the sense of norm. So we have a group of girls! Great aye? Girls will be girls, hissing, ganging up on each other, biting, hitting, the usual cat fights, for what? To get some limelight with "Mr hunky Romeo" or was it all for the camera? False intentions? False girls? False personalities? What drama! Do we find out what is right here?
.
This was some really interesting piece of reading that's for sure! I was captured all the way through. Very plot driven as well as equally character driven book. I guessed the feelings of both Dylan and Cece, earlier on in the book, but that's not to say that the plot was predictable, far from it.
.
The author touches on a very interesting subject here which she uses Cece for, (come to think of it, Dylan too) to come to terms with insecurities, and first time love. This is extremely well written and I found it thought provoking with underlining messages. I was very much nose to book the last few chapters at the end, so very much an intense nail biting book with heart break, tears and love.
5/5 star rating
Genre - Romantic Comedy/Romance
Publishing date - 6 July 2022
Thank you to Simon & Schuster (Australia) and Netgalley for approving me to read the ARC.
Pauline Reid
Book Reviewer
Hamilton, NZ
.
This was some really interesting piece of reading that's for sure! I was captured all the way through. Very plot driven as well as equally character driven book. I guessed the feelings of both Dylan and Cece, earlier on in the book, but that's not to say that the plot was predictable, far from it.
.
The author touches on a very interesting subject here which she uses Cece for, (come to think of it, Dylan too) to come to terms with insecurities, and first time love. This is extremely well written and I found it thought provoking with underlining messages. I was very much nose to book the last few chapters at the end, so very much an intense nail biting book with heart break, tears and love.
5/5 star rating
Genre - Romantic Comedy/Romance
Publishing date - 6 July 2022
Thank you to Simon & Schuster (Australia) and Netgalley for approving me to read the ARC.
Pauline Reid
Book Reviewer
Hamilton, NZ
June 2, 2022
Cece, broke and desperate, drunkenly applies for dating reality TV show Marry Me Juliet. She doesn't expect to find love, but hopes it might catapult her into the influencer life and solve her money problems. Problem is, she's more Hot Mess than Hot Girl. And it turns out, the show's first POC lead, Sri Lankan Dylan, is actually pretty dishy...
This contemporary romance is obviously a riff on The Bachelor and it is SO fun!! And when I say "contemporary", I mean it - the pandemic is pretty crucial to a couple of key aspects of the plot, but it really works and feel natural without being heavy or depressing. If you're someone who avoids reading about the pandemic, it's kind of important to the plot but also incidental, if that makes any sense?
Lead character Cece I found really relatable. She's 26 and reminded me a lot of myself at that age. She's a bit of a mess and not the "super hot and everyone's gagging over her" kind of female lead. I really liked how imperfect she was with all her hang ups.
Dylan is a wonderful male lead, he has depth and character, he's respectful and honours boundaries while also being imperfect himself. He's a nice boy not a bad boy, and nice boys are my weakness.
The author does not shy away from issues of race and I think it's dealt with fairly well. Both lead characters suffer from panic attacks and anxiety.
There are a few little twists and turns in the way this story unfolds that keep it interesting and prevent it from feeling predictable or formulaic. I just loved the very end too.
This is total escapism, a light fun modern day fairytale, with enough character depth to give it a bit of heart. Thoroughly enjoyed my time with this book.
This contemporary romance is obviously a riff on The Bachelor and it is SO fun!! And when I say "contemporary", I mean it - the pandemic is pretty crucial to a couple of key aspects of the plot, but it really works and feel natural without being heavy or depressing. If you're someone who avoids reading about the pandemic, it's kind of important to the plot but also incidental, if that makes any sense?
Lead character Cece I found really relatable. She's 26 and reminded me a lot of myself at that age. She's a bit of a mess and not the "super hot and everyone's gagging over her" kind of female lead. I really liked how imperfect she was with all her hang ups.
Dylan is a wonderful male lead, he has depth and character, he's respectful and honours boundaries while also being imperfect himself. He's a nice boy not a bad boy, and nice boys are my weakness.
The author does not shy away from issues of race and I think it's dealt with fairly well. Both lead characters suffer from panic attacks and anxiety.
There are a few little twists and turns in the way this story unfolds that keep it interesting and prevent it from feeling predictable or formulaic. I just loved the very end too.
This is total escapism, a light fun modern day fairytale, with enough character depth to give it a bit of heart. Thoroughly enjoyed my time with this book.
June 14, 2022
“You’re Lucky know one in the villa knows about this. Lilly Fireball would march right down here and rip your tits off and make you eat them.”
The night Cece drunkinly decides to apply to be a contestant on the dating show Marry Me Juliet she didn’t actually think she’s get selected. She’s a broke student that just got let go thanks to the pandemic and she’s desperate for a paycheck, the last thing on her mind is having to win Romeo’s heart.
Dylan isn’t your average Romeo, he’s a gold medal Olympian with the sweetest heart and mission to promote this mens mental health foundation during his 5 minutes of fame. Dylan’s got it all planned out, until Cece throws a spanner in the works.
Cece ends up in the pool on the first night and gets eliminated. So much for her grand plan, their first conversation will end up being this last. But when the set goes into lockdown due to the pandemic Cece and Dylan get some off camera one on one time and the rest is history.
I wasn’t sure I was going to love this one, dating shows just aren’t my favourite trope but this book was equal parts hilarious, heartbreaking, heated and just damn relatable. The Juliet’s were the perfect mix of crazy, girl next door, smart and funny. The unlikeliest love story blooms in a twist of fate, after the cameras stop rolling.
If you love a good underdog story, One to Watch or The Charm Offensive this one’s for you.
The night Cece drunkinly decides to apply to be a contestant on the dating show Marry Me Juliet she didn’t actually think she’s get selected. She’s a broke student that just got let go thanks to the pandemic and she’s desperate for a paycheck, the last thing on her mind is having to win Romeo’s heart.
Dylan isn’t your average Romeo, he’s a gold medal Olympian with the sweetest heart and mission to promote this mens mental health foundation during his 5 minutes of fame. Dylan’s got it all planned out, until Cece throws a spanner in the works.
Cece ends up in the pool on the first night and gets eliminated. So much for her grand plan, their first conversation will end up being this last. But when the set goes into lockdown due to the pandemic Cece and Dylan get some off camera one on one time and the rest is history.
I wasn’t sure I was going to love this one, dating shows just aren’t my favourite trope but this book was equal parts hilarious, heartbreaking, heated and just damn relatable. The Juliet’s were the perfect mix of crazy, girl next door, smart and funny. The unlikeliest love story blooms in a twist of fate, after the cameras stop rolling.
If you love a good underdog story, One to Watch or The Charm Offensive this one’s for you.
January 28, 2023
3.5 stars.
This book was great!
Very fast paced and it now really makes me want to watch the bachelorette….
It is an interesting concept, one that I have never read about before!!
It was very light hearted and it was a feel-good book.
But in saying that, I feel like the ending was rushed SO MUCH and it was like in the climax, then BOOM epilogue.
Anyways!
Really enjoyed it!!
*edited
Ok guys
I have had some time to process it.
And I’m sort of like….
……
Like I’m sort of thinking that they LITERALLY spent like a few minutes a day together and now they r confessing their underlying love for each other??????
Ummmmmm
Did they not spend literally no time together???
Anyways
3 stars
This book was great!
Very fast paced and it now really makes me want to watch the bachelorette….
It is an interesting concept, one that I have never read about before!!
It was very light hearted and it was a feel-good book.
But in saying that, I feel like the ending was rushed SO MUCH and it was like in the climax, then BOOM epilogue.
Anyways!
Really enjoyed it!!
*edited
Ok guys
I have had some time to process it.
And I’m sort of like….
……
Like I’m sort of thinking that they LITERALLY spent like a few minutes a day together and now they r confessing their underlying love for each other??????
Ummmmmm
Did they not spend literally no time together???
Anyways
3 stars
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 8, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
I’m such a sucker for a reality tv romance, this was so much fun!!! I loved the angle the book took, I loved all the behind the scenes stuff about producers and cameras and the Juliets and I loved that there were some deeper conversations had as well. The connection between Cece and Dylan was so sweet, I loved their friendship! The only thing I didn’t love was the pandemic setting - I just don’t want to relive any of the Covid stuff in my fiction books 😅
I’m such a sucker for a reality tv romance, this was so much fun!!! I loved the angle the book took, I loved all the behind the scenes stuff about producers and cameras and the Juliets and I loved that there were some deeper conversations had as well. The connection between Cece and Dylan was so sweet, I loved their friendship! The only thing I didn’t love was the pandemic setting - I just don’t want to relive any of the Covid stuff in my fiction books 😅
January 3, 2024
3.5 ⭐️
I really enjoyed the dating show setting which was fun to read about, and the main couple getting to know each other was really nice to read about, but i started to get a little bored about halfway through
also : although I do get how the whole becoming a moral support throughout the show got them closer, but the relationship felt like it was going way too fast
but overall, a really cute romance that was easy to read and went by pretty fast
I really enjoyed the dating show setting which was fun to read about, and the main couple getting to know each other was really nice to read about, but i started to get a little bored about halfway through
also : although I do get how the whole becoming a moral support throughout the show got them closer, but the relationship felt like it was going way too fast
but overall, a really cute romance that was easy to read and went by pretty fast
November 26, 2024
3.5!
this is superrr underrated, it was actually quite good!
the only reason it isn't getting any higher, is because the circumstances of the romance stressed me out. I'm gonna go read the third book now because i'm excited to see 2 very interesting characters get together 🤭
this is superrr underrated, it was actually quite good!
the only reason it isn't getting any higher, is because the circumstances of the romance stressed me out. I'm gonna go read the third book now because i'm excited to see 2 very interesting characters get together 🤭
May 26, 2022
A brilliant, laugh out loud story about the trials of finding love on a dating show.
This story opens our eyes to what might really happen on a tv dating show, the twists, the reality of how they work, the control they have over what they perceive audiences want to see. I loved Jodi’s characters and their stories and how they bought depth to the story.
I hope there’s a sequel coming soon!
This story opens our eyes to what might really happen on a tv dating show, the twists, the reality of how they work, the control they have over what they perceive audiences want to see. I loved Jodi’s characters and their stories and how they bought depth to the story.
I hope there’s a sequel coming soon!
June 22, 2022
Thank you so much to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy of this book, all thoughts are my own.
Straight away we meet Cece who has unfortunately just lost her job and with it being during the pandemic she is seriously stressing about what she will do. Fast forward to a drunken night with her BFFs and some impulsive decisions, a decision she is sure to regret in the morning.
I just want to say that I absolutely can not stand watching any kind of reality TV show, such as Big Brother, Married at First Sight and The Bachelor, those kind of shows, they make me cringe and get frustrated with all the drama so I never watch them.
You know what though, I blooming devoured this book, like I loved it so much even though it was like reading about the kind of show I hate, crazy huh!
This book contained so much humour, it will have you laughing at some of the antics, though some of the antics will make you scream in frustration but for the most part you will be sitting with a smile on your face.
There were some crazy characters in this book, realistically a house full of woman is never going to be drama free, but fling in the odd twist and the drama definitely gets amped up a notch or ten.
I really loved the connection and friendship between Cece and Dylan, they really just got each other and quickly became the best of friends, which was a real pleasure to watch.
I recommend this to everyone if you are after a fun quick easy read.
Straight away we meet Cece who has unfortunately just lost her job and with it being during the pandemic she is seriously stressing about what she will do. Fast forward to a drunken night with her BFFs and some impulsive decisions, a decision she is sure to regret in the morning.
I just want to say that I absolutely can not stand watching any kind of reality TV show, such as Big Brother, Married at First Sight and The Bachelor, those kind of shows, they make me cringe and get frustrated with all the drama so I never watch them.
You know what though, I blooming devoured this book, like I loved it so much even though it was like reading about the kind of show I hate, crazy huh!
This book contained so much humour, it will have you laughing at some of the antics, though some of the antics will make you scream in frustration but for the most part you will be sitting with a smile on your face.
There were some crazy characters in this book, realistically a house full of woman is never going to be drama free, but fling in the odd twist and the drama definitely gets amped up a notch or ten.
I really loved the connection and friendship between Cece and Dylan, they really just got each other and quickly became the best of friends, which was a real pleasure to watch.
I recommend this to everyone if you are after a fun quick easy read.
May 22, 2022
Jodi McAlister is an author to watch out for....
If you love any love reality dating shows, this is the book for you. I was hooked from the first page. It has everything, suspense, drama, love, sadnesses, and friendship. But even if you don't love reality dating shows, read it. 'Here for the Right Reasons' is a fun-loving book that keeps you guessing and you just want more.....
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for the opportunity to read this ARC.
If you love any love reality dating shows, this is the book for you. I was hooked from the first page. It has everything, suspense, drama, love, sadnesses, and friendship. But even if you don't love reality dating shows, read it. 'Here for the Right Reasons' is a fun-loving book that keeps you guessing and you just want more.....
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for the opportunity to read this ARC.
June 3, 2022
I was here for the right reasons reading this book. A light-hearted romcom featuring reality tv and sweet romance. Yes, please.
I enjoyed all the behind the scenes action - because you know what you see on these reality dating shows is not the real reality.
If you are looking for a bit of spice, you might be disappointed, but if you are looking for a fast paced romance that's a lot of fun, this is the one.
I am hoping for a sequel - perhaps with the other Dylan?
Thanks Netgalley, Jodi McAlister and Simon & Schuster for a great read.
I enjoyed all the behind the scenes action - because you know what you see on these reality dating shows is not the real reality.
If you are looking for a bit of spice, you might be disappointed, but if you are looking for a fast paced romance that's a lot of fun, this is the one.
I am hoping for a sequel - perhaps with the other Dylan?
Thanks Netgalley, Jodi McAlister and Simon & Schuster for a great read.
September 17, 2022
This book is basically The Charm Offensive, but instead of the diversity being in the sexual orientation of the characters, it's in their race and cultural heritage. Not that it really comes into play, beyond people having different skin tones.
It's a reality TV show that's basically The bachelor, where the guy is there to improve his reputation, and accidentally falls in love with someone backstage. It's cute enough, but I wasn't rooting for them as a couple. I was completely behind Cece, but I thought she deserved better than he gave her, and he really wasn't good enough.
3.5 from me.
It's a reality TV show that's basically The bachelor, where the guy is there to improve his reputation, and accidentally falls in love with someone backstage. It's cute enough, but I wasn't rooting for them as a couple. I was completely behind Cece, but I thought she deserved better than he gave her, and he really wasn't good enough.
3.5 from me.
November 20, 2022
so. painfully. underwhelming.
November 17, 2025
This book made me angry and I can’t figure out why, so I’m writing this review to figure it out.
What I liked:
- The writing: I have enjoyed McAlister’s writing in the past. It’s always very readable and funny. She makes clever quips. The same can be said for this book. Easy, quick, fun. I literally read more than half of this book in one night. I haven’t done that in a long time. That gives the book bonus points.
- The characterisations: note, not the characters but the way she created them. They were all distinct enough and there were enough interesting qualities for them to be entertaining. McAlister is good at that, too- creating backstories and making the characters real and believable. Cece’s background with the foster care system and her abandonment issues was really sad, made me cry.
- The dialogue: it was realistic and flowed well. The banter was cute and made me laugh, sometimes.
- The setting: being set in a reality dating show bubble (literally because of the pandemic) was interesting. Something different than the usual. It made for interesting scenarios. I have never watched a dating show (except in commercials), so it isn’t something I know about or am interested in. But from this, I can tell McAlister knows a lot about dating shows. It really seemed exactly how these shows would be filmed.
- The start of the relationship: I think the way Dylan and Cece’s relationship started was really sweet- friends to lovers can always be really cute, and it was done well here, in the beginning. The way they related because of their shared anxieties was nice. I could believe their connection based on the similarities.
- The themes: I liked the short convos about race and being the figurehead for a whole community. Dylan’s anxieties were real there and it rang true.
What I didn’t like:
- The characters: well-developed but annoying. I liked Murray though because I could relate to his stress levels. Cece started out okay and then she became too intense. Dylan was very vanilla and then he was nice and then too intense. The other characters were barely there. Lily was loud but mostly just annoying too. The other Dylan made no impression, nor did Amanda. Heather’s racist arc was out of the blue but handled well, I guess.
- The way the relationship progressed: I think both Dylan and Cece becoming so intense is what made me turn on this book. Why were they having panic attacks at the thought of not being together?? I know it’s established that they have had them before, and Cece has abandonment issues, but it just was not really believable because they seemed to be making their own drama. What’s the problem with meeting back again after a year if you’re so in love you’ll die if you’re apart? How hard is it to wait a year?? It’s not like there’s men and women they can fall in love with as soon as they go back to their real lives?? Huh?? It makes no sense!!! On top of this, they literally have known each other for less than a month. One month. ONE. They’re so dramatic! And intense. Calm down please. Also, can they say anything other than “I love you”? Give some reasons, maybe. Describe what you love. Give each other compliments. I just could not believe it. Their love was not believable. Oh, that’s why I’m angry.
I figured it out. There you go. I didn’t realise this was a series until halfway through and then, when Dylan and Cece were pissing me off, I started hoping the book would end with them not ending up together and Cece would be the star of a new show for the next book. Alas, that’s not how it ended. I actually like the idea of this series though, where book two and three are about the same series of ‘Marry Me Juliet’ but focusing on two different couples that we’ve already met. I am not really interested in the couple in book two (I knew they were going to have a thing from basically the moment they met tbh) but book three seems to be enemies to lovers so maaaybe I’ll read that- mostly because it has my fave character from this book, Murray. But Lily is annoying. Hmm. Maybe I’ll read it one day.
What I liked:
- The writing: I have enjoyed McAlister’s writing in the past. It’s always very readable and funny. She makes clever quips. The same can be said for this book. Easy, quick, fun. I literally read more than half of this book in one night. I haven’t done that in a long time. That gives the book bonus points.
- The characterisations: note, not the characters but the way she created them. They were all distinct enough and there were enough interesting qualities for them to be entertaining. McAlister is good at that, too- creating backstories and making the characters real and believable. Cece’s background with the foster care system and her abandonment issues was really sad, made me cry.
- The dialogue: it was realistic and flowed well. The banter was cute and made me laugh, sometimes.
- The setting: being set in a reality dating show bubble (literally because of the pandemic) was interesting. Something different than the usual. It made for interesting scenarios. I have never watched a dating show (except in commercials), so it isn’t something I know about or am interested in. But from this, I can tell McAlister knows a lot about dating shows. It really seemed exactly how these shows would be filmed.
- The start of the relationship: I think the way Dylan and Cece’s relationship started was really sweet- friends to lovers can always be really cute, and it was done well here, in the beginning. The way they related because of their shared anxieties was nice. I could believe their connection based on the similarities.
- The themes: I liked the short convos about race and being the figurehead for a whole community. Dylan’s anxieties were real there and it rang true.
What I didn’t like:
- The characters: well-developed but annoying. I liked Murray though because I could relate to his stress levels. Cece started out okay and then she became too intense. Dylan was very vanilla and then he was nice and then too intense. The other characters were barely there. Lily was loud but mostly just annoying too. The other Dylan made no impression, nor did Amanda. Heather’s racist arc was out of the blue but handled well, I guess.
- The way the relationship progressed: I think both Dylan and Cece becoming so intense is what made me turn on this book. Why were they having panic attacks at the thought of not being together?? I know it’s established that they have had them before, and Cece has abandonment issues, but it just was not really believable because they seemed to be making their own drama. What’s the problem with meeting back again after a year if you’re so in love you’ll die if you’re apart? How hard is it to wait a year?? It’s not like there’s men and women they can fall in love with as soon as they go back to their real lives?? Huh?? It makes no sense!!! On top of this, they literally have known each other for less than a month. One month. ONE. They’re so dramatic! And intense. Calm down please. Also, can they say anything other than “I love you”? Give some reasons, maybe. Describe what you love. Give each other compliments. I just could not believe it. Their love was not believable. Oh, that’s why I’m angry.
I figured it out. There you go. I didn’t realise this was a series until halfway through and then, when Dylan and Cece were pissing me off, I started hoping the book would end with them not ending up together and Cece would be the star of a new show for the next book. Alas, that’s not how it ended. I actually like the idea of this series though, where book two and three are about the same series of ‘Marry Me Juliet’ but focusing on two different couples that we’ve already met. I am not really interested in the couple in book two (I knew they were going to have a thing from basically the moment they met tbh) but book three seems to be enemies to lovers so maaaybe I’ll read that- mostly because it has my fave character from this book, Murray. But Lily is annoying. Hmm. Maybe I’ll read it one day.
July 1, 2024
Cece is a criminology student. She and her friends (and roommates), Ayo and Flick, enjoy watching a reality show called "Marry Me, Juliet." (Just like the Bachelor). Drunk one night, the three of them apply to be on the show. Cece then loses her part-time job due to the pandemic. So when the show calls to ask if she is interested in being on it, she says yes, because it pays.
Cece has a tragic back story. She is an orphan and she spent her childhood in foster home after foster home, group home after group home. She has Ayo and Flick and that's her support system. She doesn't like to stand out or be the center of attention. She's full of insecurities.
Dylan is the Romeo for the season and he is also full of insecurities. He is on the show to gain attention for his charity (Ties Out) which focuses on men's mental health, he's an Olympic Gold Medalist in Sailing, and he happens to be the first non-white Romeo (he is 1/2 Sri Lankan).
Cece gets eliminated the first night. Her first night was eventful; she gets pushed into the pool, she has and panic attack, and faints. However, the fainting gets the attention of Dylan and lets them have time for a real conversation. Both having confessed their reasons for being on the show, they agree to help each other out and a friendship develops. Since this was also during the lockdowns during the pandemic, they were able to develop a real friendship since they (and her fellow "Juliets" and the crew) were all stuck in the Bubble.
This was so fun to read. I liked the twists and the insight into reality shows. There were moments where I wondered how this would lead to a HEA or HFN. I thought this had some strong secondary characters too; Amanda and Dylan G (aka "super hero nurse") were a handful of people who were nice to Cece. Lilly (Fireball) also stands out as the villain (which was done on purpose). And Murray, one of the producers.
RBSB: Olympics Paris 2024
Cece has a tragic back story. She is an orphan and she spent her childhood in foster home after foster home, group home after group home. She has Ayo and Flick and that's her support system. She doesn't like to stand out or be the center of attention. She's full of insecurities.
Dylan is the Romeo for the season and he is also full of insecurities. He is on the show to gain attention for his charity (Ties Out) which focuses on men's mental health, he's an Olympic Gold Medalist in Sailing, and he happens to be the first non-white Romeo (he is 1/2 Sri Lankan).
Cece gets eliminated the first night. Her first night was eventful; she gets pushed into the pool, she has and panic attack, and faints. However, the fainting gets the attention of Dylan and lets them have time for a real conversation. Both having confessed their reasons for being on the show, they agree to help each other out and a friendship develops. Since this was also during the lockdowns during the pandemic, they were able to develop a real friendship since they (and her fellow "Juliets" and the crew) were all stuck in the Bubble.
This was so fun to read. I liked the twists and the insight into reality shows. There were moments where I wondered how this would lead to a HEA or HFN. I thought this had some strong secondary characters too; Amanda and Dylan G (aka "super hero nurse") were a handful of people who were nice to Cece. Lilly (Fireball) also stands out as the villain (which was done on purpose). And Murray, one of the producers.
RBSB: Olympics Paris 2024
June 1, 2022
After drunkenly applying for Marry Me, Juliet (The Bachelor inspired reality TV show), Cece James, an unemployed uni student, finds herself cast as a Juliet. Camera shy, but desperate for money, she agrees to participate. After getting eliminated on the first night, her hopes of getting out of debt, and making a name for herself send her into a downward spiral of panic. Set to return home, broke and embarrassed, a global pandemic sends them into a lockdown, and the contestants are forced to stay within the bubble. Little did Cece know, this would open up doors to actually spend more time with the Romeo himself.
The irony of this book being called "Here For The Right Reasons", and yet no one was there for the right reasons, it's not lost on me.
That being said, this was such a sweet read. I devoured this so quickly. I mostly read it in one night, and while I could have stayed up until 2am just to finish it, I definitely knew I would hate myself the next day.
I loved the aspect of Marry Me, Juliet (The Bachelor inspired reality TV Show). I think it paints a great picture of reality TV, and it did set up a great love story.
If you're looking for a great, fun, and witty romance. This one is definitely for you!
Thank you Netgalley, and Jodi McAlister for allowing me to read this as an ARC. This is my honest opinion.
The irony of this book being called "Here For The Right Reasons", and yet no one was there for the right reasons, it's not lost on me.
That being said, this was such a sweet read. I devoured this so quickly. I mostly read it in one night, and while I could have stayed up until 2am just to finish it, I definitely knew I would hate myself the next day.
I loved the aspect of Marry Me, Juliet (The Bachelor inspired reality TV Show). I think it paints a great picture of reality TV, and it did set up a great love story.
If you're looking for a great, fun, and witty romance. This one is definitely for you!
Thank you Netgalley, and Jodi McAlister for allowing me to read this as an ARC. This is my honest opinion.
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