Written By: Alley Red
Everyone knows of the hit shows like Bachelor, The Bachelorette, Bachelor in Paradise, Love Island or Love Is Blind. They follow couples as they try to pursue love with uh… Strangers. These shows usually take place during the span of a couple months, so really how well do these people know each other? This book dives into the behind-the-scenes of reality dating shows, with our main character, Dev Deshpande, one of the main producers of Ever After, a reality dating show about, you know it, heterosexual white couples. As a gay Indian American, he wants to see the show change but he’s too attached to his childhood favorite show to actually try to change it. But then Charlie Winshaw joins the show as their season’s latest Prince.
Charlie is different though, he’s not the normal flawless hunk that they usually have on the show, and Dev is now in charge of being his handler and coaching Charlie through the show and making him Prince worthy. During this royal journey, Dev manages to slowly unravel Charlie, and see what makes him tick. While he learns about himself and his interests, he also discovers how to help Charlie when he needs it most. How he silently taps the morse code translation of calm on his thigh when he’s most stressed, and figures out exactly how tightly he likes to be held.
Throughout this whole book, it’s very easy to feel the tension between them. We really get to see how their relationship grows and changes as they learn to love each other, and themselves. The way they care about each other and their deepest needs is something I’ve never seen before. It’s how raw and real their relationship is that makes me love it so much more. Sure there’s some drama and misunderstandings, but that makes the ending so much better and more fulfilling.
With a beautiful cast full of amazing LGBTQ representation, I guarantee you will find someone to relate to and care about. Plus it is pretty cool to see the inner workings of a reality television show. Plus I am a sucker for romances.
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