Fiction Books Inspired by ABC's The Bachelor and Bachelorette

ABC's The Bachelor first premiered in March 2002, forever changing the way we think about reality TV romance. Its over-the-top drama, elaborate dates, and the idea of "finding love in a competitive setting" have inspired countless romance novels over the years. From heartfelt contemporary love stories to dystopian thrillers, this cultural phenomenon has left its mark on fiction. Below is a list of books inspired by this dating reality tv show!

I've noticed fascinating trends emerge over the years of reading romance books inspired by The Bachelor and The Bachelorette. The early 2010s brought us dystopian young adult novels, such as The Selection, where love and survival intertwine. By the late 2010s, paranormal romance surged, giving us such series like Hitched where all 25 contestants are some form of supernatural beast. The rise of self-publishing platforms like Kindle Unlimited in 2010s gave us darker and more explicit romances like Matched and Dream Girl. However, this list still features classic Harlequin-style romances like the popular Facing Reality and Christian romances like The Wedding Game. In the 2020s, we've seen the genre grow, with more racially diverse leads, queer representation, and size-inclusivity. If you're looking for a general recommendation, something modern like The Charm Offensive is a great place to start.

The Bachelor's set-up of 20+ women fighting over one mediocre man for the audience's enjoyment is controversial. Some novels lean into this premise wholeheartedly, while others critique or subvert it in creative ways. The best subversion probably comes from the urban fantasy et speculative fiction book Patricia Wants to Cuddle. I have yet to read a literary fiction book that handles The Bachelor better than actual contestants. A former winner, Rachel Lindsey, has written Real Love about a woman who declines the show. If you want more, I suggest checking out some former contestant memoirs.

Across the 46 books in this collection, contemporary romance unsurprisingly dominates, with 28 titles featuring both queer and straight relationships. But fans of other genres will also find hidden gems that put a fresh spin on the dating show formula. Whether you’re here for the romance, the drama, or the cultural commentary, these novels promise an entertaining escape into worlds inspired by one of reality TV’s most enduring franchises.

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Genres of Fiction Books Inspired by ABC's The Bachelor and Bachelorette:

• Mystery (2)

• Dystopian (3)

• High Fantasy (1)

• Urban Fantasy (4)

• Literary Fiction (3)

• Contemporary Romance, Queer (4)

• Contemporary Romance, Straight (29)

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Mystery

Made for You (2024)

• Author: Jenna Satterthwaite

  
  

• Goodreads: 3.67 out of 5 stars

  
  

• Synopsis: Synthetic woman Julia Walden was designed for one reason: to compete on The Proposal and claim the heart of bachelor Josh LaSala. Her casting is controversial, but Julia seems to get her fairy-tale ending when Josh gets down on one knee. Fast forward fifteen months, and Julia and Josh are married and raising their baby in small-town Indiana. Then her splintering world shatters: Josh goes missing, and she becomes the prime suspect in his murder.

  
  

• Review: Told via dual timelines, this story involves artificial intelligence, reality TV, and a murder mystery. General reviews is that it's chaotic and not as philosophical as people wanted. If you like stuff like The Maid, you'll probably enjoy this.

A First Date with Death (2019)

• Author: Diana Orgain

  
  

• Goodreads: 3.77 out of 5 stars

  • My rating: 3 stars

    
    

• Synopsis: What was Georgia thinking? Sure, some Paul ditched her at the altar, but can she really find love on TV? Her best friend—and producer of the reality show Love or Money —thinks so. Ten men. Ten adventure-filled dates. What can go wrong? For starters, a faulty bungee cord that hurls Georgia’s first date into a tragic spiral off the Golden Gate Bridge. He’s replaced by Paul Sanders, Georgia’s former fiancé. But the cop isn’t looking for a TV gig. Suspecting that the lover’s leap was no accident, Paul’s going undercover. When another bachelor gets a fatal kiss-off, the reality is that someone has killer new plans for the show—and for Georgia herself. Now, under the threat of permanent cancellation, Georgia fears that the only man on the set she can trust is the one man she just can’t count on.

  
  

• Review: Is a fun ride, though it started to drag in the middle.

  
  

• Other: The sequel is the couple goes on a Amazing Race style show and the third installment is a murder mystery reality show involving a real murder - Love or Money Series.

Dystopia

The Selection Series (2012-2016)

• Author: Kiera Cass

  
  

• Goodreads: 4.08 out of 5 stars

  • My Rating: 3 stars

    
    

• Synopsis: For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape their numbered caste and live at the palace while competing live on television for the hand of Prince Maxon. But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her, and living in a palace constantly threatened by rebel attacks. Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself.

  
  

• Review: Arguably the best known of the “Bachelor” inspired books, this series has a captivating cover. The first 3 books follow America as a contestant on a dystopian Bachelor show and the last 2 follow Eadlyn in a version of Bachelorette. They're easy, fast reads, but they are very young adult - complete with frustrating choices by the leads, love triangles, and political tension that doesn't make a lot of sense. The Bachelor inspired parts such as group dates are more developed in the later books of the series, but are not as developed as they could be.

  
  

• Conclusion: Like YA dystopian? Then I'm surprised you haven't read this yet! The Goodreads average rating is slowly slipping as time goes on, so I don't think it holds up to new readers but I've got nostalgia for this series.

  
  

• Other: Warner Brother made 2 pilots for The Selection but didn't pick it up for a full show. The Selection came out in the height of dystopian popularity (loosing to Divergent sequel in Goodreads Awards) but the tv never took off. Netflix considered producing a show in 2020, but also did not move forward with it. Even though I gave the series 3 stars, I would watch the show and I'm sad we've never gotten the guilty pleasure of “dystopian princess Bachelor” on Netflix. https://archive.ph/zMu5V

The Glittering Court Series (2016 - 2018)

• Author: Richelle Mead

  
  

• Goodreads: 3.50 out of 5 stars

  
  

• Synopsis: Adelaide, an Osfridian countess who poses as her servant to escape an arranged marriage and start a new life in Adoria, the New World. But to do that, she must join the Glittering Court. Both a school and a business venture, the Glittering Court is designed to transform impoverished girls into upper-class ladies who appear destined for powerful and wealthy marriages in the New World. As part of the Court, she will be paraded in front of wealthy bachelors and compete with her fellow girls to attract the best husband. She manages to keep her true identity hidden from all but one: the intriguing Cedric Thorn, son of the wealthy proprietor of the Glittering Court. But no complication will prove quite as daunting as trying to escape to the New World.

  
  

• Review: I haven't read this as the reviews make it seem like the worst of romantasy (overly long) and young adult dystopia (thin world building). However, I have liked Mead's other work.

  
  

• Other: Even though this is sold as Young Adult Fantasy, there's no magic, and instead like a historical dystopia. Mead is known for her urban fantasy (Vampire Academy, Georgia Kincaid, Bloodlines) so I think this series was marketed to her fantasy fans over the dystopia elements.

The Princess Trials Series (2020)

• Author: Cordelia K. Castel

  
  

• Goodreads: 3.79 out of 5 stars

  • My Rating:  1 star

    
    

• Synopsis: Nuclear war has devastated humanity, water is scarce, and the former USA is now a kingdom. Zea Calico from the lowly Harvester cast volunteers to participate in The Princess Trial where the winner gets to marry Prince Kevon. Zea is really in love with the rebel leader's son, Ryce, but joins the Trials to help the rebellion. Zea is at risk of falling in love and losing sight of her mission. As the televised beauty pageant turns deadly, Zea must fight for survival.

  
  

• Review: The writing is clunky, all tell and no show. A rip-off of The Selection and The Hunger Games with just enough differences to avoid copyright infringement. The novel begins with an attempted sexual assault and then sexual harassment and manipulation continues throughout, some of it is lampshaded but I found it a horrible reading experience. There's also undeveloped themes on eugenics and a detailed death of the sole gay character. The world building has a lot of plot holes, most notably, the princess trial system is never fully explained.

  
  

• Conclusion: Do not read The Princess Trials even though it's free on Kindle Unlimited. The other books in the trilogy are more direct rip-offs of The Hunger Games than the Bachelor Universe.

High Fantasy

Aretefacts of Ouranos Series (2023-2024)

Author: Nisha J. Tuli

• Goodreads: 3.88 out of 5 stars for the first one, Trial of the Sun Queen

  
  

• Synopsis: Lor has endured twelve long years of torment under the Aurora King’s rule. Her only desire is to escape and pay him back for every moment of misery she's endured. In the first book, Locompetes against nine other Tributes for the role of queen. If she wins his heart, she'll earn her freedom and finally get her revenge. As the books go on in this 4-part series there are different themes to the different quests as she tries to get her revenge.

  
  

• Review: This is high fantasy so the romance takes a big back-seat to the quest. The guy in the first book isn't even end-game by the last book. I'm not currently in the mood for such a long quest-style series, but if you're into stuff like ACOTAR, you'll probably like this one!

Urban Fantasy

Hitched Series (2019)

• Author: G.K. DeRosa

  
  

• Goodreads: 4.08 out of 5 stars

  
  

• Synopsis: When struggling actress Kimmie-Jayne Starr discovers she’s snagged the starring role on the next huge reality TV show, Hitched, she thinks all her dreams have finally come true. But as soon as she lands on the beautiful island of Mystic Cove, something feels wrong. Sure, the twenty-five bachelors are heart-stoppingly gorgeous, but she’s certain they’re all hiding something - something supernatural. As a string of strange accidents on set grow deadlier, Kimmie realizes there’s much more to this dating show than she ever could’ve imagined.

  
  

• Human girl Bachelorette with 25 supernatural men is a WILD premise. The series is 4 books long, second book is Top 10, third book is Top 5, and fourth book is the Top 2.

How to Be Eaten (2022)

• Author: Maria Adelmann

  
  

• Goodreads: 3.58 out of 5 stars

  • My Rating: 2 stars

    
    

• Synopsis: In present-day New York City, five women meet in a basement support group to process their traumas. Bernice grapples with the fallout of dating a psychopathic, blue-bearded billionaire. Ruby, once devoured by a wolf, now wears him as a coat. Gretel questions her memory of being held captive in a house made of candy. Ashlee, the winner of a Bachelor-esque dating show, wonders if she really got her promised fairy tale ending.

  
  

• Review: This books is a series of inter-connected short stories. Bluebeard, Little Red Riding Hood, and Hansel & Gretel are the easy ones to pick out. I think Raina is Rumpelstiltskin-esque but it's more vague. And then Ashlee is a Bachelor winner. The over-arching message about how we consume women's stories and usually blame victims is interesting, but I found it boring.

  
  

• Conclusion: Do you like horror short stories? Then maybe you'll like this. Sort of like The Final Girl Support Club by Grady Hendrix (who, for the record, I also find boring).

Patricia Wants to Cuddle (2022)

• Author: Samantha Allen

  
  

• Goodreads: 3.54 out of 5 stars

  
  

• Synopsis: When the final four women in competition for an aloof, if somewhat sleazy, bachelor's heart arrive on a mysterious island in the Pacific Northwest, they mentally prepare themselves for another week of extreme sleep deprivation, invasive interviews, and of course, the salacious drama that viewers nationwide tune in to eagerly devour. Each woman came on 'The Catch' for her own reasons. Enter Patricia, a temperamental, but woefully misunderstood local, living alone in the dark, verdant woods and desperate to forge a connection of her own. As the contestants perform for the cameras that surround them, Patricia watches from her place in the shadows, a queer specter haunting the bombastic display of heterosexuality before her.

  
  

• Review: This looks like a lesbian version of King Kong combined with The Bachelor. What more could you want?

Heated Trilogy (2023 - 2024)

• Author: Miranda May

  
  

• Knot My Reality: 4.07 out of 5 stars

• Knot Their Reality: 4 out of 5 stars

• Knot Her Reality: 4.30 out of 5 stars

  
  

• Synopsis: After an apocalyptic event, human physiology has changed and now there are alpha/beta/omega dynamics. Only about 1% of women are able to give birth so people have formed packs, often multiple men with one or two women. The first book follows the founder of a dating app in her company's launch of a Bachelorette style show, known for her bossiness and must learn to go with the flow. The second book follows a woman whose had a rough past. The third book follows a bisexual woman in a world where bisexuality is frowned upon because so few women exist.

  
  

• Review: These are absolutely wild. If you ever wanted a Bachelor season where the lead goes home with the top 5 men ... I guess here you go! However, the relationships between the characters veer into BDSM with almost no heads-up and some of the characters' actions come off as manipulative instead of romantic. The books suffer from the same faults as the real show - very front loaded with introductions, the men start to blend together who aren't easily remembered because of stereotypes, and at the end I don't know how someone could get engaged after just 10 hours with someone. The Hitched series breaks up one season into multiple books so you do get more times with the different characters and romance, which makes more sense after the pacing of these books.

  
  

• Conclusion: If you don't know what omegaverse erotica is, don't start here. Start with a classic werewolf romance story like Bride by Ali Hazelwood.

Literary Fiction

The Bachelor (2021)

• Author: Andrew Palmer

  
  

• Goodreads: 2.79 out of 5 stars

  
  

• Synopsis: Reeling from a breakup with his almost-fiancée, the narrator returns to his hometown in Iowa to house-sit for a family friend. There, a chance flick of the TV remote and a new correspondence with an old friend plunge him into unlikely twin obsessions: the reality TV show The Bachelor and the Pulitzer Prize-winning poet John Berryman. Somewhere along the way, representations of reality become harder and harder to distinguish from real life.

  
  

• Review: I believe this is the lowest rated book on this list. I haven't anything good about it, sounds like a man watched The Bachelor for the first time and published his musings thinking it was post-modern.

The One (2023)

• Author: Julia Argy

  
  

• Goodreads: 3.05 out of 5 stars

  
  

• Synopsis: Emily didn’t join the cast of The One for fame or for a relationship. She simply didn’t have anything better to do. Newly fired from her dead-end job, it doesn’t take much convincing when she’s recruited as a last-minute contestant for the popular reality dating show. Emily has been performing her entire life - for her family and friends, former boyfriends, and coworkers. How different could it be playing herself in front of cameras? Emily’s producer Miranda sees her as the golden generically pretty, affable, and easily molded - all the qualities of a future Wife. As Emily’s fascination with another contestant grows, both Emily and Miranda are forced to decide what it is they really want - and what they are willing to do to get it.

  
  

• Review: From the review it sounds like the author tried to do a lot, from a commentary of reality tv, classism, queer romance, consent issues, gun violence, etc, but doesn't do any of it especially well. I think if you're looking for something similar but better, try Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow.

Real Love (2023)

• Author: Rachel Lindsay

  
  

• Goodreads: 3.22 out of 5 stars

  
  

• Synopsis: Maya Johnson lives her life according to The Plan: to become the youngest-ever female director of her company, marry her college sweetheart, and build a fabulous life in Miami. Seeing as she’s almost near checking every last one of those items off her list, she doesn’t feel the need to go on the nationally beloved reality dating show Real Love. So when she’s offered the chance, she turns it down and tells the producers that her best friend, Delilah, should take part instead. But as she watches Delilah become the lead, fall in love, and change her life, Maya begins to wonder if she’s as happy as she thought. At a crossroads with both her professional and personal happiness, Maya will have to decide which path to The Plan she’s worked so hard for, or something new entirely.

  
  

• Other: Rachel Lindsey is arguably the most interesting contestant to come out of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette so there's an added layer to this novel that Rachel has lived it.

Contemporary Romance, Queer

The Charm Offensive (2021)

• Author: Alison Cochrun

  
  

• Goodreads: 4.12 out of 5 stars

  • My Rating: 2 stars

    
    

• Synopsis: Dev Deshpande, a 3rd generation Indian-American, is the most successful producer of the reality dating show Ever After. He has built his career scripting perfect love stories, even as his own love life crumbles. When the show casts disgraced tech wunderkind Charlie Winshaw as its star, Dev faces an unexpected challenge. Charlie, far from a charming romantic lead, is stiff, anxious, and emotionally guarded, agreeing to the show only to salvage his reputation. As Dev struggles to help Charlie connect with the contestants during their whirlwind tour, the two men begin to open up to each other, discovering an undeniable chemistry that disrupts the show's carefully crafted narrative. To find their true happily-ever-after, they must rewrite the script and redefine whose love story gets told.

  
  

• Review: This is cute, but a tad too long. Colton Underwood came out 4 months before this book released; so the entire time I was reading it, I was thinking about how this played out in real life (Colton strung a lot of women along, stalked and harassed the winner, and then tried to use coming out to rehabilitate his image). The author avoids the awkward mess of "he led the women on" with the ending, but it was always at the back of my mind that the real life version of this involved a woman having to call the police.

  
  

• Conclusion: Do you like "guy discovering his sexuality" romance stories? If yes, you'll like this.

  
  

• Other: Nominated for Goodreads Choice Award in 2021 for Best Romance, loosing to People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry. Also, because I think this is sometimes a comment when women write gay fiction, but Cochrun is queer and her two other novels are sapphic.

Never Ever Getting Back Together (2022)

• Author: Sophie Gonzales

  
  

• Goodreads: 3.66 out of 5 stars

  
  

• Synopsis: When their now famous ex-boyfriend asks them to participate in a teen reality show, two eighteen year old girls - one bent on revenge, the other open to rekindling romance - get tangled up in an unexpected twist when they fall for each other instead.

  
  

• Review: I haven't read this because I have no desire to read about EIGHTEEN YEARS OLDS on a reality dating tv show. I already have a problem when ABC casts 21 year-olds, a show of only teenagers is crazy. However, if you're a young adult, have at it.

  
  

• Conclusion: Nominated for 2023 Goodreads Choice Awards for YA Fiction, loosing to Ali Hazelwood's Check & Mate.

Can I Steal You for a Second? (2023)

• Author: Jodi McAlister

  
  

• Goodreads: 3.64 out of 5 stars

  
  

• Synopsis: Mandie Mitchell will do anything to get over her toxic ex. Even sign up to the polarising reality dating show, Marry Me Juliet . But with her self-esteem in tatters, she’s not sure she’s brave enough to actually go on the show until she forms a friendship with Dylan Gilchrist at the auditions that gives her the push she needs. Dylan is everything Mandie is not – tough, strong, and totally unafraid to speak her mind. Unfortunately, she also looks set to win, as she soon becomes the clear favourite of the Romeo, who is also named Dylan. It’s annoying, really, just how perfect the Dylans seem for each other... Mandie’s jealous. But it’s not because she wants to win the show. It’s because in her effort to get over her ex, she’s gone and fallen right back in love… with the wrong Dylan. Set in Australia.

  
  

• Other: This is second in a trilogy, so contains light spoilers for the first one.

Here for the Wrong Reasons (2024)

• Author: Lydia Wang and Annabel Paulsen

  
  

• Goodreads: 3.70 out of 5 stars

  
  

• Synopsis: Krystin knows exactly what she wants: a husband, a horse, and a place to hang all her competitive rodeo blue ribbons. But when none of the eligible bachelors in Montana end up being right for her, she turns to reality TV. On Hopelessly Devoted, Krystin will compete against dozens of other women for the heart of this season’s Hopeless Romantic, Josh Rosen. She’s determined to win the perfect life she came here for - if she can just ignore the glossy brunette whose crimson smile gives her goosebumps. Lauren has never done anything for the right reasons—and she’s definitely not on Hopelessly Devoted to win Josh’s heart. Lauren’s plan is simple: stay on the show long enough to build her social media following, and then gracefully leave when it's her turn to be eliminated. With enough followers, she’ll finally have enough influencer clout to do whatever she wants - including come out of the proverbial walk-in closet. But the longer she stays on the show, the more she finds herself tangled up in a certain blonde’s lasso.

  
  

• Review: I don't usually like coming out stories, and here the women are a lot younger than The Charm Offensive (which also featured coming out elements) so this is not my cup of tea. If you like young adult, go for it!

Contemporary Romance, Straight

Jane Millionaire (2005)

• Author: Janice Lynn

  
  

• Goodreads: 3.49 out of 5 stars

  
  

• Synopsis: 12 gorgeous men compete to win the heart of "Jane" who they believe is an European Princess. There's only one problem, the fake Jane (real-life cop Jill) has fallen in love with one of the producers Rob Lancaster. To combat the sexual tension fogging up the cameras, Rob and Jill surrender to their flaming desire. Surely one hot romp in the sack will fix their incessant itch. But reality bites. Big time. Because a taste isn't nearly enough to satisfy their hunger. Will they sacrifice Rob's career and Jill's contract to have the reality they both want? Or will they heed Hollywood's saying...the show must go on?

  
  

• Review: From one of the reviews, Rob calls Jill fat in the beginning but then she gets blond highlights and thinks she's hot ... so I'm going to pass on this one.

  
  

• Other: The author is a prolific romance writer for Hallmark, for instance her Wrapped up in Christmas series was adapted by Hallmark starring Tatyana Ali. Janice Lynn is also a classic Harlequin writer, behind such novels as The Nurse's Baby Secret.

Seven Exes Are Eight Too Many (2010)

• Author: Amy Matayo

  
  

• Goodreads: 3.63 out of 5 stars

  
  

• Synopsis: The fiercely private Madeleine-Cora Spencer is the last person who should be on a reality TV show, but when she's shunned by a friend's new wife because "you can't trust desperate single women" her pain and humiliation drive her straight to the "Find Your Prince" dating show's web site. Armed with date-appropriate clothes and a detailed game plan she arrives to meet her potential loves, only to be dumped... on a remote island with seven ex-boyfriends.

  
  

• Review: The Goodreads reviews make it sound very suspenseful between the different contestants. If you like second-chance romance this might be your thing! If you want a younger, queer version of this, scroll below for Never Ever Getting Back Together.

  
  

• Other: This is part of a series where the second and third book are about former contestants finding love after the show has ended. I don't believe they can be read out of order.

Falling for You (2012)

• Author: Heather Thurmeier

  
  

• Goodreads: 3.32 out of 5 stars

  
  

• Synopsis: Newly single Cassidy Quinn is thrilled to be a contestant on the new reality dating show The One. But her excitement turns to horror when the gorgeous Bachelor turns out to be her ex-boyfriend. Seeing Brad again makes Cassidy realize she might not be as "over him" as she thought-and then she meets hunky cameraman Evan Burke. After watching his brother lose his wife in a tragic accident, Evan vows never to fall in love. But following Cassidy around as her personal cameraman makes him question his decision, and resisting her gets harder with every sunbathing, bikini-wearing day. Cassidy and Evan begin a forbidden affair while her ex-boyfriend tries to win her heart back one groping, awkward moment at a time. Soon Cassidy must choose between the ex who broke her heart and the cameraman who might never love her back. For Cassidy, this reality show just got real.

  
  

• Review: The fact that the synopsis mentions a "groping" ex-boyfriend is an immediate ick for me, so I haven't read this.

  
  

• Other: This is about a series where the second book is set on a geocaching reality tv show and the third is a Survivor type show.

Who Wants to Marry a Cowboy? (2013)

• Author: Abigail Sharpe

  
  

• Goodreads: 3.85 out of 5 stars

  
  

• Synopsis: Riley Pommer doesn't want to be lassoed into any relationship. But with the family ranch in dire straits, Riley knows his sisters' crazy plan to turn the ranch into the setting for a dating competition, and using Riley as the bait, is the only thing standing between them and foreclosure. But the rules of the game change the instant Riley lays eyes on the spirited Ainsley. Now, as others try to stampede over their love, can Riley prove to Ainsley that true love is a prize worth fighting for?

  
  

• Review: I haven't read this but the plot looks slightly incomprehensible and unrealistic on why Ainsley is on this Wyoming Ranch in the first place. So how much disbelief can you suspend?

Who Wants to Marry a Doctor? (2013)

• Author: Abigail Sharpe

  
  

• Goodreads: 3.94 out of 5 stars

  
  

• Synopsis: When her pediatric hospital faces a financial crisis, Dr. Sabrina Bankhead is willing to do anything to save it and the children it serves. Agreeing to be the bachelorette for a TV fundraiser seems like the best way to help, until the single mom discovers the host is far more appealing than any of the contestants. But falling for Quinn would ruin the competition and bankrupt the hospital. Plus, his restless nature sets off all of Sabrina's warning bells, which makes him one big walking Off Limits sign with flashing lights and blue eyes.

  
  

• Review: I haven't read this yet but the reviews seem good, except apparently the many villain leans into mean girls tropes.

The Wedding Game (2013)

• Author: Amy Matayo

  
  

• Goodreads: 3.87 out of 5 stars

  
  

• Synopsis: Cannon James has a plan: Sign on as a contestant for his father’s new reality show, marry a blonde hand-picked by the producers, and walk away two million dollars richer. It’s all been arranged. Easy. Clean. No regrets. Until Ellie McAllister ruins everything by winning the viewer’s vote. Now he has to convince America that he’s head over heels in love with her. Not easy to do since she’s a walking disaster. Ellie McAllister has her own problems. She needs money, and she needs it now. Despite her parent’s objections and her belief that marriage is sacred, she signs on to The Wedding Game…and wins. Now she’s married to a guy she can’t stand, and if she wants her hands on the money, she has six months to make voters believe she loves him. Not easy to do since he’s the most arrogant man in America.

  
  

• Review: The book starts at the end of the Bachelor style show with the engagement. It's a fun premise, a lot of real contestants have spoken that you essentially start all over again in the dating process once the show ends, which is why many Bachelor couples that actually make it end up proposing on their privately.

  
  

• Conclusion: Technically Christian romance as discussion of God and only kissing, everything else behind closed doors. If you're cool with that, sounds like a decent book.

  
  

• Other: The author has also written a romance book set in an Alaskan survival reality tv show.

Choose Us (2014)

• Author: Caylie Marcoe

  
  

• Goodreads: 3.86 out of 5 stars

  
  

• Synopsis: Riley Logan is Travis Grayson's childhood best friend and personal assistant. When a fractured ankle puts Travis’ BMX career on hold he’s given more downtime than he knows what to do with. Always one for excitement, he agrees to become the bachelor on a televised dating show, but only if Riley goes in undercover to help weed through the girls. What was supposed to be eight weeks of freedom has turned into eight weeks of hell surrounded by desperate girls all vying for Travis’ attention. He promised her the show would be smooth sailing. He promised he would listen to her advice on which girls should be eliminated. But now he’s breaking those promises and getting way too close to the girl Riley despises the most. She shouldn’t care. Except she does. Much to her surprise there is one girl she wants Travis to choose… Her.

  
  

• Conclusion: I haven't read this, but it doesn't really seem my thing. I have a hard time buying someone being friends for 15 years and not thinking about hooking up until you're on national television.

  
  

• Other: The sequel, Finding Me (2017) follows the mean girl as she is on the Bachelorette.

Matched (2015)

• Authors: S.E. Hall and Angela Graham

  
  

• Goodreads: 4.06 out of 5 stars

  
  

• Synopsis: Date, Mate, Fate. The reality show like no other. Eight men and eight women thrown together in paradise, their every move filmed. Thorough compatibility testing says everyone’s soul mate is here, in the house with them…but would you know “the one” if you saw them?

  
  

• Review: The author says the book is "NC-17" for the sex scenes but reviewers note that the most explicit sex scenes are all with the non-fated mate couples which is a weird choice. One problem with multiple suitor stories is sometimes the loosing guy seems the better pick, and a lot of reviewers expressed unhappiness with the end-game couples.

  
  

• Other: I wasn't sure if this counts as contemporary romance since it's part of the sub-genre of "fated mates" in that everyone has a true soulmate.

Dream Girl (2015)

• Author: Alexis Alvarez

  
  

• Goodreads: 4.03 out of 5 stars

  • My Rating: 1 star

    
    

• Synopsis: Chloe Barnes, sassy and spirited, has just landed herself a coveted spot on the cast of the Dream Girls reality TV show. She knows that nobody could ever find true love on a dumb show, but she’s in it for adventure and travel… not for sexy super-hunk Dominic, with his riveting dark eyes and abs of steel. But not all is perfect in the Dream World - Chloe is constantly out of favor with the producer, and there is a lot of competition and tension on the show. Should she risk it all and give Dominic her heart? And what's going to happen at the final ceremony - if she even makes it that far?

  
  

• Review: The book has a lot of producer drama which takes away from the romance, but is probably decently close to the real thing. Dominic is a sex pest. The book isn't explicitly BDSM and the lack of clear communication made me want Chloe to run for the hills. You can tell this book was released a few months after the Fifty Shades of Grey movie.

  
  

• Conclusion: Do you like "dark romance"? Then you might like this!

  
  

• Other: The author also wrote a reality tv show romance about a matchmaking competition.

Marrying Mr. Perfect (2015)

• Author: Lizzie Shane

  
  

• Goodreads - 4.02 out of 5 stars

  
  

• Synopsis: To Louisa Tanner, Jack Doyle is perfect - heart surgeon, loving single father, and best friend a girl could have - so it's no surprise when he's tapped as the next Mister Perfect for the reality dating series Marrying Mister Perfect. But watching her secret crush romancing gorgeous women on national television? That flat out sucks. The more stunning women Jack woos on command, the more he begins to realize the only woman he wants just might be the one he left back home. How can he seduce his best friend without jeopardizing their friendship?

  
  

• Review: I'm not super into "friends-to-lovers", especially when it's the woman whose the waiting patiently for the man to realize, which he does after being a horndog and she gets a makeover.

  
  

• Conclusion: Did you like Penelope x Colin Bridgeton? Then you might like this!

Romancing Miss Right (2015)

• Author: Lizzie Shane

  
  

• Goodreads - 4.16 out of 5 stars

  
  

• Synopsis: Marcy Henrickson isn't looking for love as the latest Miss Right on the reality dating show Romancing Miss Right. She's realistic enough to know the odds of finding true love on national television are astronomical, she's doing the show for exposure to boost her next book onto the New York Times Bestseller List. The last thing Craig Corrow wants is to fall in love. San Diego's Favorite Bad Influence is looking to transition from local radio shock-jock to national television host and a reality dating show is his ticket to fame and fortune. He's there to stir things up and Miss Right is just another pawn in his game plan... Until he meets Marcy.

  
  

• Review: Out of all the books in Lizzie Shane's Reality Romance series, this looks the best.

Falling for Mr. Wrong (2015)

• Author: Lizzie Shane

  
  

• Goodreads - 4.24 out of 5 stars

  
  

• Synopsis: Caitlyn Gregg just agreed to marry 'Mister Perfect' on national television. There's only one as soon as the cameras stop rolling on their whirlwind reality show romance, she realizes she doesn't love him. Returning home to Colorado as the show begins to air, she has only her doubts for company--until she accidentally sets her apartment on fire and finds herself in the arms of oh-so-sexy fire-fighter Will Hamilton. Sparks fly--and not just from her singed apartment--but Caitlyn is engaged to another man and is contractually forbidden from talking about the engagement, breaking it off, or seeing other men until the show's finale.

  
  

• Review: I hate cheating stories and this is only cheating, if actually realistic to what happens to some contestants.

Planning on Prince Charming (2015)

• Author: Lizzie Shane

  
  

• Goodreads - 4.08 out of 5 stars

  
  

• Synopsis: Wedding planner Sidney Dewitt is selected for the reality dating show Marrying Mister Perfect. It might finally be her chance to ride off into the sunset, but when she sneaks out of her room on the night before the show begins to catch a glimpse of her prince, the man she meets is far from Prince Charming. The jaded, and recently divorced, host of a television show celebrating love and marriage, Josh Pendleton doesn't believe in fairy tales anymore, but there's something about Sidney he can't get out of his head. On a show where everything is staged, could this be real?

  
  

• Review: This is vaguely based on a true-story, Chris Harrison fresh off his divorce did date a Bachelor contestant, only there it didn't last. As people fresh from divorces probably need time to grieve and recover!

Kissed by Reality (2016)

• Author: Carrie Aarons

  
  

• Goodreads: 4.13 out of 5 stars

  
  

• Synopsis: Falling in love is hard. Falling in love on national television is impossible. Right?Leighton Aldridge did not sign up to meet her soulmate; she signed up for the lights, camera and action. So when the Hollywood-native ends up with the wounded war veteran and a ring on her finger, it's a surprise to everyone. What isn't a surprise is the way she breaks Finn Wyatt's heart, or the massively public breakup that follows. But a year later she's back, ready for another round on the reality TV show that brought them together. Her ex-fiance has no idea why she left, and the dark secrets she’s bringing as baggage might make him change his mind about her. Finn is the new Mr. Right, the country's favorite single guy, and the object of 25 women's affections. But when his ex-fiance steps onto set and back into the limelight, he wishes he never agreed to another season.

  
  

• Review: I haven't read this as I'm not a fan of "second-chance romance with a secret" but if it's your thing, go for it!

The One (2016)

• Author: Danielle Allen

  
  

• Goodreads: 4.20 out of 5 stars

  
  

• Synopsis: I don't generally watch reality television, but I definitely don't watch reality dating shows. Besides the fact that it's completely staged, it's a horrible depiction of people. Women are pitted against each other to compete for the affection of a man they "fall in love" with after a week or two. I call B.S. So when my best friend, Koko, was hired as a makeup artist o the set of the most popular reality dating show, The One, I teased her mercilessly. She told me that if I didn't stop teasing her, she would get me back. And she did... Which is how I ended up as a contestant on The One.

  
  

• Review: I haven't read this yet, but it's gotten really good reviews saying the interracial romance is very romantic, even for the setting of a reality tv show. However, the sequel with the same couple makes me think the first book is a "happy for now" with the true "happily ever after" in After The One.

  
  

• Other: This is the only book on this main list with a Black main character, but there are three in the "Honorable Mention" section, including one by this author inspired by Married at First Sight, InstaLove.

Finding Me (2017)

• Author: Caylie Marcoe

  
  

• Goodreads: 4.42 out of 5 stars

  
  

• Synopsis: People remember Nicki Montgomery as the girl who tried to win over BMX rider and Xtreme Bachelor, Travis Grayson. She was all smiles and snark, which made her the most hated girl on reality TV and the perfect choice for the first bachelorette to have her own show. Twenty extreme athletes vying for your attention should be every girl’s dream, but all Nicki can see is that she’s being shipped off to the middle of nowhere Oklahoma and every single date includes some type of physical activity. Neither of which fit with her elite Chicago lifestyle. The biggest problem with going on the show is Nicki doesn’t want to play the part. She doesn’t want to be hated. Everything from her smile to her perfect family life is fake and she’s sick of living the lie. All Nicki wants is for someone to see the person she really is.

  
  

• Conclusion: This book can be read as a stand-alone from the first, Choose Us, and this plot appeals to be a lot more. However, I haven't read it yet!

Royally Matched (2017)

• Author: Emma Chase

  
  

• Goodreads: 4.09 out of 5 stars

  
  

• Synopsis: Welcome to Matched: Royal Edition. A reality TV dating game show featuring twenty of the world's most beautiful blue bloods gathered in the same castle. Only one will win the diamond tiara, only one will capture the handsome prince’s heart. While Henry revels in the sexy, raunchy antics of the contestants as they fight, literally, for his affection, it’s the quiet, bespectacled girl in the corner, with the voice of an angel and a body that would tempt a saint, who catches his eye.

  
  

• Review: Shy, bookworm girl with bad boy prince sounds like a classic, but I can't get over the spoiler that he tattoos her face on himself without her consent. Also, I dislike how the Prince has a virgin kink.

  
  

• Other: The book was nominated for Goodreads Choice Award for Best Romance in 2017, loosing to Without Merit by Colleen Hoover.

Ready to Run (2017)

• Author: Lauren Layne

  
  

• Goodreads: 3.79 out of 5 stars

  
  

• Synopsis: Jordan Carpenter thinks she’s finally found the perfect candidate for Jilted, a new dating show about runaway grooms: firefighter Luke Elliott, a known player who’s left not one but three brides at the altar. The only problem? Luke refuses to answer Jordan’s emails or return her calls. Which is how she ends up on a flight to Montana to recruit him in person. Eager to put the past behind him, Luke has zero intention of following this gorgeous, fast-talking city girl back to New York. But the more he fights her constant pestering, the more Luke finds himself wishing that Jordan would kick off her high heels and make herself comfortable in his arms.

  
  

• Review: This looks very by-the-numbers, sort of Harlequin classic-esque, but hey, sometimes you're in the mood for that!

Runaway Groom (2018)

• Author: Lauren Layne

  
  

• Goodreads: 4.09 out of 5 stars

  
  

• Synopsis: Gage Barrett’s reputation as a ladies’ man has been greatly exaggerated, but none of that matters after a drunken bet lands him on Jilted, a reality TV show that matches runaway grooms with wannabe brides. Now he’s stuck at a Hawaiian resort with nineteen women competing to drag him back to the altar—and one contestant who’s even more miserable than he is. Gage has no idea how feisty, independent Ellie Wright wound up in the cast, but it’s obvious she hates his guts. And if there’s one thing Gage likes, it’s a challenge. . . .

  
  

• Review: This novel can't escape the conceit of the real-life show, a mediocre man that a bunch of women are fighting over and the dude loves it. If you're okay with that, go for it! But this one might be a little too close to the real thing for me, where I wish all the women would just leave the guy standing at the altar alone.

Ten Rules for Faking It (2020)

• Author: Sophie Sullivan

  
  

• Goodreads: 3.42 out of 5 stars

  
  

• Synopsis: Everly Dean has such a bad luck when it comes to her birthdays. At those days something always unexpected happens just like her thirtieth: she finds her boyfriend hooking up with his assistant. So her sweet and sexy boss Chris sees an opportunity and hosts a dating contest radio format to boast the radio’s listenership numbers and help Everly get over her ex.

  
  

• Review: The books focuses a lot on Everly's personal growth, especially around anxiety attacks, which reminds me of The Charm Offensive which had a similar theme.

One to Watch (2020)

• Author: Kate Stayman-London

  
  

• Goodreads: 3.88 out of 5 stars

  • My Rating: 1 star

    
    

• Synopsis: Bea Schumacher is a devastatingly stylish plus-size fashion blogger who has amazing friends, a devoted family, legions of Insta followers - and a massively broken heart. Like the rest of America, Bea indulges in her weekly obsession: the hit reality show Main Squeeze. The fantasy dates! The kiss-off rejections! The surprising amount of guys named Chad! But Bea is sick and tired of the lack of body diversity on the show and after her tweet criticizing the show goes viral, Bea gets offered to be the show's next star. When the cameras start rolling, Bea realizes things are more complicated than she anticipated.

  
  

• Review: The book captures the dynamics of The Bachelor really well, including the jealous guy, producer manipulation, and fan pressure. However, the main character is "unlucky in love" because she's a cheater with low self-esteem. I found it a triggering read with the anti-fatness talk, coming from both the men and the main character, and the main character is unsympathetic.

  
  

• Conclusion: Looking at Goodreads, you either really like it or you really don't.

  
  

• Other: Technically "mixed media" as we also get texts, tweets, etc in the body of the book. Nominated for Goodreads Choice Award in 2020 for Best Debut and Best Romance, loosing to Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid and From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L Armentrout, respectively.

If the Shoe Fits (2021)

• Author: Julie Murphy

  
  

• Goodreads: 3.91 out of 5 stars

  • My Rating: 1 star

    
    

• Synopsis: After having just graduated with a degree in shoe design, and trying to get her feet on the ground, Cindy is working for her stepmother, who happens to be the executive producer of America's favorite reality show, Before Midnight. When a spot on the show needs filling ASAP, Cindy volunteers, hoping it might help jump-start her fashion career, or at least give her something to do while her peers land jobs in the world of high fashion. Turns out being the only plus size woman on a reality dating competition makes a splash, and soon Cindy becomes a body positivity icon for women everywhere. Ultimately, Cindy learns that if the shoe doesn't fit, maybe it's time to design your own.

  
  

• Review: It's pretty accurate for The Bachelor contestants to be young, but ooof you really feel the age of the contestant as 22 here. The drama was really underplayed here, the ending involves a post-it-note and the step-sister drama is pretty low-key. For a Cinderella meets The Bachelor, I was expecting more fireworks yet it's tamer than the real show.

  
  

• Conclusion: If you go in expecting a 3 star book, I think you'll be happy. Most people who've read this are like "it was okay."

  
  

• Other: This is the first in a series of Disney princess retellings, which is partially why I think the whole story is so tame.

Wining Mr. Wrong (2021)

• Author: C.W. Farnsworth

  
  

• Goodreads: 3.94 out of 5 stars

  
  

• Synopsis: A reality television dating show was never part of my post-college plan. Nearly broke, unemployed, and recently dumped, I let my best friend Haley decide. Unfortunately, my free vacation takes a turn from mildly humiliating to full-on mortification when the identity of the man I’m meant to woo is revealed. What are the chances he’s the quarterback I accidentally insulted on national television six months ago? Now I’m stuck in a five-star resort, surrounded by glamorous women, getting glared at by the hottest guy I’ve ever seen, all while knowing every awkward moment is being forever enshrined on film for millions to watch weekly. All to win Mr. Wrong.

  
  

• Review: I haven't read this, not particularly interested in a bunch of 21 year-olds finding love, but reviewers like this opposites-attract sports romance. I believe it's fade-to-black.

Facing Reality (2021)

• Author: Sienna Atwell

  
  

• Goodreads: 4.11 out of 5 stars

  
  

• Synopsis: To help my dad, I needed money. And Ever After had plenty. All I had to do was play along for a few weeks. Smile for the cameras, go on a few dates, then get out with my money. Easy. Falling in love was never part of the plan. But you know what they say about best laid plans…

  
  

• Review: This Goodreads reviews on this are glowing.

Here for the Right Reasons (2022)

• Author: Jodi McAlister

  
  

• Goodreads: 3.62 out of 5 stars

  
  

• Synopsis: 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 paycheck. 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.

  
  

• Review: In reality, Bachelor contestants aren't paid and rarely get any free perks from the show, but the set-up to be a second chance, friends-to-lover romance sounds cute. Similar to Charm Offensive, there's lots of discussion of mental health.

  
  

• Other: This is first in a trilogy and set in Australia.

Not Here to Stay Friends (2023)

• Author: Kaitlyn Hill

  
  

• Goodreads: 3.71 out of 5 stars

  
  

• Synopsis: Sloane McKinney feels like a background character in her own life. But this summer will be different, because she’s spending it with her childhood best friend, Liam Daniels, in her dream city, Los Angeles. Sure, she’s surprised to find that Liam just happens to have had a Hot Guy glow-up since she last saw him, but so what? A little attraction won’t ruin her plans for their fun—and completely platonic—reunion. Liam has been roped into working for his producer dad’s new teen reality dating show, Aspen Woods’s Future Leading Lady. Liam figures Sloane can still hang out with him on set while he fetches coffee for the film crew, or whatever it is that production assistants do. Except it turns out the show is one contestant short . . . and Sloane is the perfect last-minute addition. Once cameras are rolling, the whirlwind of dating teen heartthrob Aspen Woods feels way more real than Sloane expected, and Liam doesn’t exactly enjoy watching it all unfold. But it’s behind the scenes where the drama really picks up. . . .

  
  

• Review: This is squarely young adult romance which is not my thing, but if it's yours, go for it!

  
  

• Other: The author has also written a romance book set on a cooking show and a romance book set on reality tv show about hiking the Appalachian Trail.

Attached at the Hip (2024)

• Author: Christine Riccio

  
  

• Goodreads: 3.77 out of 5 stars

  
  

• Synopsis: Orie Lennox has spent her entire life prepping for her happily ever after -- and now that she’s graduated, she’s low-key wondering, when the heck is it gonna hit. Her love life, her new job, her relationship with her sister: none of it is quite what she envisioned it to be. One evening, on a whim, she applies for a reality show where she’ll be stranded on an island, with a bunch of strangers, to play a game of human chess for a shot at a million dollars. Orie's shocked when she ends up cast in an experimental speed-dating edition of the show where you are quite literally attached to another person for 72 hours in the wilderness. She's even more surprised to find that her old high school crush, Remy, has been cast as well.

  
  

• Review: I know it's accurate to have 21-year-olds on these dating shows, but I'm over it! If that is your thing, the reviews mention the book has a very specific Internet type humor (the author is Youtuber) with lots of pop culture references.

The Villain Edit (2024)

• Author: Laurie Devore

  
  

• Goodreads: 3.64 out of 5 stars

  
  

• Synopsis: Jac, a cynical romance novelist who goes on a Bachelor -like reality show to revive her flagging career, only to discover that while she may have just met the love of her life, the producers have turned her into the show’s villain.

  
  

• Review: The reviews look pretty good, but the main character is a pick-me-girl and the producer love interest is manipulative, so this is more akin to something like You Deserve Each Other than a classic romance.

Not Here to Make Friends (2024)

• Author: Jodi McAlister

  
  

• Goodreads: 3.64 out of 5 stars

  
  

• Synopsis: Reality TV producer Murray O’Connell is used to being in control. He’s the showrunner for reality dating show Marry Me, Juliet, and that means he’s the boss: he controls the cast, the crew and the story. Until Lily Fireball turns up. Lily is everything viewers love to watch: she’s feisty, dramatic, and not afraid to cause a stir. Her villain narrative on the show should be the cherry on top of the cake of Murray’s perfect season, but what no one knows is that Murray already knows Lily. Not as Lily Fireball, but as Lily Ong: his former best friend. Now Lily has thrust herself back into Murray’s life, and into the most stressful season he’s ever worked on. Why is she here? What is her agenda? And why can’t Murray just concentrate on his job, instead of fighting to shield her from hateful viewers – and keep her with him forever?

  
  

• Review: This is not my cup of tea, I don't like cheating of any kind, including emotional cheating, in my romance novels. However, if you're okay with messy characters you might enjoy it.

  
  

• Other: This is third in a trilogy, so light spoilers for the previous books.

Honorable Mentions

Other reality TV shows besides The Bachelor:

• Lost and Found by Carolyn Parkhurst (2006), Amazing Race inspired

• Games Series by Jessica Clare (2011 - 2013), Amazing Race, Ice Dancing with the Stars, Survivor, and Big Brother inspired

• Welcome to Paradise by Rosalind James (2013), Frontier House inspired

• Love Gone Wild by Amy Matayo (2014), Alaska Survivor inspired

• A Second Chance at Murder by Diana Orgain (2016), Amazing Race inspired

• America's Next Reality Star Series by Laura Heffernan (2017), Big Brother inspired

• Wild About You by Kaitlyn Hill (2024), reality tv show of people hiking

• Hot Summer by Elle Everhart, Love Island inspired

  
  

Married at First Sight Inspired:

• InstaLove by Danielle Allen (2023)

• Sight Unseen by Kasha Thompson (2023)

• The Reality Duet by Heidi McLaughlin (2016)

  
  

Great British Bake-Off Inspired:

• Love from Scratch by Kaitlyn Hill (2022)

• The Great British Bump-Off by John Allison (2023)

• The Golden Spoon by Jessa Maxwell (2023)

• Winner Bakes All Trilogy by Alexis Hall (2021-2025)

The Bachelor show is a side-plot:

• Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld (2016), modern re-telling of Pride & Prejudice where Mr. Bingley arrives to Cincinnati, fresh off of being eliminated from a version of The Bachelor. (content notes: racisim and transphobia)

  
  

• Courting Trouble by Lizzie Shane (2016), Elena has always been impulsive, until one wild night on a reality dating show earns her a reputation she can’t escape. She wanted to be famous, but now she’s infamous and determined to redeem herself. Adam Dylan is a sought-after celebrity bodyguard working a celebrity wedding and comes to Elena's rescue. Elena knows she should keep her distance, but it’s oh so tempting to give in to her wild impulses just one more time. (content notes: sexual assault)

Choose Your Own Adventure:

• Supernaturallete Series by Katie May is a series of paranormal romance novellas about a Bachelorette season where she gives her readers a choice to choose the next elimination. It's not finished yet, last installment was 2023, so I'm not sure if this project is still going.

  
  

• The Royal Romance on the "Choices: Stories You Play" mobile application (Apple / Android) is a multi-suitor game where the player gets to choose as if The Bachelorette. "Love awaits in the royal court of Cordonia as you compete for the crown prince! Will you accept his proposal, or will someone else win your heart?"

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What are your favorite fiction books inspired by ABC's The Bachelor and Bachelorette?

Any books you've read on this topic I didn't mention?