Krystin is a rodeo queen from Montana who never had the time or drive to date. However, her luck changes when she is accepted as a contestant on the hottest dating show, Hopelessly Devoted. Finally, it’s her time to meet the right guy and settle down, all she has to do is beat out dozens of other gorgeous women with the same goal. And although Krystin seems to catch the bachelor’s eye, she can’t seem to stop thinking about the beautiful brunette with the cherry-red nails.

Lauren knows what she wants, and air time on Hopelessly Devoted is a direct path to it. She’ll stay on for half the season, get some sponsorship deals, up her following, and be able to take on influencing full-time. It’s not like she’ll ever fall for the bachelor, her string of exclusively sapphic hookups as reference. But a heternormative dating show is the last place she expected a stunning blonde with a proverbial lasso attached to her hip to steal her affection. Will they realize their feelings and stay true to themselves, or will the pressure of putting it all out there prove too much? Reality dating shows have met their sapphic match in Here for the Wrong Reasons.

What a fun book!!! I was honestly so game from the first time I read the description because I have a weakness for sapphic dating show storylines. This is a for sure slow-burn romance but after that first kiss it is spice the rest of the way. I also love that this was written by an actual couple, you could tell in the best of ways. The characters felt real and intricate, and the plot was tension-packed but also silly and fun. This book set the scene for more “complex queer female characters” in the romance genre.

Both Krystin and Lauren have their own “morally grey” moments but I think Lauren stands out in this book. She is immediately set up as the show's “villain”. Although initially rightfully so as she is cold, calculating and has no issues screwing people over to get to the top. The stereotype of everything that we are taught to hate in women and promote in men. But she is written with so much depth and nuance that you are rooting for her from the start. Especially her coming-out storyline, which I loved. Lauren is a fantastic example of how to re-write the “queer mean girl villain” narrative that heternormative stories have force-fed us to make our own.

Krystin is also a fun character, although completely different from Lauren. Her slow but transformative realizations felt on a timeline that would fit someone in her situation. She’s from a small town in Montana and because of her strict rodeo schedule, she always had an excuse to never delve deeper into her lack of interest in men. Plus she didn’t exactly grow up in the epicenter of queer representation. But Krystin’s transformation from a closeted unsure girl to a confident out and proud lesbian was well-paced and genuine.

I also loved the lesbian representation in this!! I don’t think this plot would have worked if one was bisexual so I am 100000% here for the dual lesbian love. And normally I am so tired of coming out storylines, I’ve just read so many and I think a lot of queer stories fall back on them as the “big moment” instead of giving us more complex queer stories. But this was such an interesting take that I can’t even be mad. I think it worked for this plot and it was also amazing to see the frontrunner “bachelor”-esque guy get dumped and humiliated. Hilarious!

As I’ve already mentioned I am a total sucker for reality tv-show plots. But we are so lacking them in queer romance! As much as I would love to see an all-sapphic reality tv show book this was freaking good for being so “straight”. My biggest fear was that it was going to feel too hetero but it didn’t and I am still shocked. It somehow felt so queer and sapphic and gave me all the butterflies in my tummy. Despite this book containing tropes I tend to dislike; coming-out, third-act breakup, miscommunication, it felt so fresh that I loved it. This is the perfect example of why you can’t judge a story by its tropes because it may surprise you.

All in all this fresh and spicy reality show romance is an absolute must-read. From the heartwarming storylines to the spicy rivalries you won’t be able to put it down. The immediate chemistry between Krystin and Laura will have you clutching the pages, I promise. If you like romances full of humor, spice, and complex, sometimes morally grey characters then this book is for you. Happy reading!

Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for sending this eARC for review consideration. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

CW: Alcohol, anxiety, homophobia, misogyny.