Wonderful!!
Savannah was a contestant on a lesbian dating show a decade ago. Everyone was shocked when she was dumped on national tv. She has been invited back to the show for its ten-year anniversary and she decides to go for it. When Sparks Fly is Lauren’s baby. Everyone loves her as the host but in real life her love life is nonexistent. Savannah and Lauren become friends and when feelings start to grow between the two women, it could spell disaster for everything.

I LOVED this book! The characters are charming, the plot line special.... I adored the characters and wanted so much for them to be together and happy. This is one of those books that sucks you in and wont let go. I certainly couldn’t and read it in one sitting. It was a joy to read! I want to know what happens next!

Bachelorette falls for the producer instead of the contestants in this reality television romance. Fun concept and enjoyable read. It created some good angsty conflict, which I always love.

A lot of laughter and secrets in this one. A fun story to get lost in with so many personalities and drama. I laughed, i cringed, i raged ;) Really enjoyable :)

After such a good experience with [book:Serendipity|61439347], I decided to find another Bryant book to read. And then I remembered that I had Forever in my TBR from NetGalley. I'm a mood reader so sometimes it takes me a long time to be in the right mental space to read certain books. I stop and start books a lot...

Full disclosure: I've never watched any of the Bachelor/Bachelorette shows because I don't care for the idea of a bunch of people vying for the attention/affection of a single person in such a way. It makes me feel bad for the group of folks who are competing for that one person. And all of my bad feelings about those shows came out while reading Forever. But the relationship between Lauren and Savannah was a nice journey and made all the other stuff worth it. They had good chemistry and their interactions felt genuine and drew me in.

I almost forgot to mention that I nearly quit reading the book immediately because it's done in first person POV and I wasn't really feeling it. (mood reader, remember? Anything could set me off...) and while I do wish I had gotten more of Lauren's side of things, Savannah did a fine job. I'm glad I took a breath and kept on going.

I'm discovering with each of Bryant's books that she has a knack for capturing the essence of her characters. They feel real, the interact in realistic ways, and they make me want to get to know them and cheer for them. And miss them when I'm done with the story.

I'd go 3.5 if Goodreads allowed it but rounding up because I enjoyed Lauren and Savannah so much.

Big thanks to BSB and NetGalley for helping to feed my addiction.

I loved this novel! For someone who has never watching an episode of a reality dating show, I can't believe how gripped I was by this book. I was 110% invested in Savannah, particularly when her interactions with Lauren, the host of the show, become even more heated.

Lauren and Savannah had such a sweet build-up and I really liked the way Kris Bryant developed the storyline and romance. It didn't feel rushed at all, and the chemistry between them felt so natural. I spent a 4 hour plane trip devouring this novel and all I can say is - if you haven't read it, get it! It's a super sweet, sexy, low-angst lesfic novel.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

This book was fun! I loved the idea of a dating show, and I won’t spoil it but I loved the result! The main characters were well crafted, people I’d like to know. An enjoyable read

I usually wouldn't go for this blurb, but well, I usually also do not buy a book for its cover, but it had dandelions and it was Kris Bryant, I decided to give it a try.
I love celebrity romances, but the reality TV show part is not my favorite, however, I could manage it once I could feel Savannah's and Lauren's chemistry.
The book follows only Savannah's POV and it might be a downside for some people. In this one, it did not bother me.
Bryant wrote a fun book.

The premise of a woman agreeing to star in the bachelorette dating show to get another chance of finding love was interesting. The contestants vying for her attention kept some of the focus away from the main romance. I did like the non-binary contestant Alix a lot and feel they deserve a book of their own.

As a person with a semi-secret fascination for reality tv I was excited to read this one! I would pick up a book by Kris Bryant anyway, but I really liked this behind the scenes look. Both main characters were likeable too and the other contestants were different enough to make it an interesting bunch.
A nice fluffy read for on your beach towel, I would definitely recommend taking this one with you on a relaxing day. One minor complaint: a little too much empasis on body size and shape, I get that it's, regrettably, a thing in the tv setting but I don't think this needs to be added into a romance aimed towards women.

***Thank you Netgalley and Bold Stroke Books for giving me the chance to read and review this book***

I had such a difficult time finishing this book. I just couldn't get interested. The synopsis sounded interesting but after I started reading I remembered....I really dislike the Bachelor or Bachelorette tv shows. I dislike everything about it. And here I was reading a story about that very subject. What was I thinking.
Now that I got that off my chest...I must say the story was very well written. I found the non binary character (Alix) the most interesting and the host (Lauren) the most ljkeable. The remaining characters not so much...no real interest there. I didnt warm to the "Flame" (Savannah) either.
The "FLAME" and the "SPARKETTTS" and then there is the " I FEEL A SPARK FOR YOU. DO YOU FEEL IT TOO. (oh gag) and they use candles not roses....of course.
If you like the tv show you will love this story. You get all the behind the scenes info on how they might run this sort of show. All the outfits, make up, dates and restrictive rules.
I was given this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a fun read! I kept turning the pages far too late into the night because it was an enjoyable read. I could really picture the scenes playing out, and think it'd be a great tele-movie. Highly recommend! Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book

This fun, light romance will be perfect for the summer. Although the story is not complex, it is similar to many of the reality television shows. The two main characters are Savannah Edwards and Lauren Lucas. Savannah had been a well-liked contestant on a lesbian dating show ten years ago. Unfortunately, she fell in love with the “bachelorette” and was dumped on national television. She felt humiliated and swore she would never do something like this again. Ever!

Fast forward ten years and Lauren Lucas is the show’s host, and she is responsible for improving the ratings of the show. The producers’ big idea is to bring Savannah back on the show as a “bachelorette”. Audiences love the show and are turning in each week to see who Savannah will choose. During this time, however, a very strong attraction develops between Savannah and Lauren.

I really liked the characters in this book. They were interesting and the plot was smooth and well-paced. Ms. Bryant did a very good job of providing readers with the intricacies and problems that could be encountered when producing a show such as this one.

I highly recommend Forever. I rate this 5 out of 5 stars.

I received this ARC from Bold Strokes Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

5 stars. Savannah Edwards was on a lesbian dating show, When Sparks Fly, 10 years ago where she made it to the final four and then got her heart broken by the bachelorette. She is then asked to be the next bachelorette on the ten year anniversary season of the show, where she would be picking a girl to date. Savannah wants to prove that you can find love on a dating show. Lauren Lucas is the host of the dating show for the past three years. She was a CNN reporter who made a career switch to make the dating show ultra popular. Savannah and Lauren start to spend time together at night and in the mornings and when sparks fly between them, they try to ignore them. Savannah is there to pick from one of the 10 women who have been selected for her.

I really enjoyed this novel, more than I thought I would. I enjoyed the journey of Savannah and Lauren. I really enjoyed the tension between them and the whole unique concept of this book. It was decently written, I wish there was a little more interactions between the two characters, or if it was in both heir perspectives. I did like how the story played out and I could not stop reading it until I found out what happened next. This was an easy read that I would recommend to anyone.

Forever by Kris Bryant: 2/5 stars

I was really excited about this one. I don't watch The Bachelor/ette, but I've been enjoying romances centered around reality shows. However, I could not get into this book at all, primarily because of the blatant fatphobia.

"but I had a wardrobe to fit into"
"little soft in the middle, but my morning jogs helped keep me toned"
"pounds stick around longer than they did when I was in my twenties"
"I want to be able to fit into my dress, too"
"hard body like everyone else, but I had curves"
"I can't wait to work off all the carbs I ate"

First of all, it's 2022. You do not need to be a size 2 to be on a dating show. Second of all, if you're going to write about a character having curves or mention anyone being curvy, you need to be okay with the word "fat." D'Vaughn and Kris Plan A Wedding is a better sapphic example of how to write a progressive sapphic dating show story; Love & Other Disasters is a queer woman and an enby; and If the Shoe Fits is a non-queer m/f Bachelor-style dating show with a fat main character. All better options.

There was also some mild racism in here. Savannah plans an activity in the water, not thinking about the Black woman's (I think there was only one) hair. "I high-fived her because she had the adventurous spirit I was looking for." No, she's a Black woman who likely has had to deal with this kind of crap her whole life.

Also, the journalist-getting-hit-by-a-bomb-in-a-war-we-started narrative is old. If you're going to have someone get hurt overseas, make it from one of our military devices and acknowledge how much we've messed with other countries.

Finally, Savannah was boring. I didn't understand why any of the contestants wanted to date her. She also kept Ophelia on for no other reasons than her looks, from what I could tell.

Will not be recommending this one.

Arc provided by Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books in exchange for an honest review.

I do watch the Bachelor and enjoy yelling at the TV "get rid of them." The thought of a story with lesbians as the contestants was appealing, so here we go. The characters are part of a lesbian reality TV dating show and Savannah, who was on an earlier show and got her heart tramped on, ,is the season's bachelorette. The host of the show is beautiful Lauren who is Savannah's constant companion. Savannah is very lonely in between her off screen time. No phone, TV or social media. Nothing to do. Lauren's visits are her saving grace. As the dates continue she forms a connection with a couple of contestants but it's lacking something. She realizes that her connection is with Lauren but that's a big no no. Savannah continues on her journey until she realizes her feeling for Lauren is more than physical. What should she do now?
The story was fun, flirty and the chemistry was very hot. The time Savannah spends with the other contestants isn't too dragged out and the secondary characters had the opportunity to make an impression.. I wish that the Bachelor had a lesbian version and make Kris's book into a show. This was a great read and gave me all the feels..

I'm going, to be honest. I'm not a fan of any form of reality tv series, either adventure or romance, so when I asked for a copy of Forever from Netgalley, I went in very open-minded and promised myself I would at least try. And I'm glad I did! Don't get me wrong, there are a few cringe moments in there, but I did enjoy how the story develops and how friendships are made. Would like a sequel tho... Just to see if they last! 😉

I've given Forever a 3.7 out of 5.

forever is a fluffy, light feel-good read. Perfect for a weekend.
We are introduced to Savannah, a former reality show contestant in a bachelor-esque reality show where she was unceremoniously dumped. Years later she has a chance of finding love again... only as the bachelorette/flame.
We are introduced to the other participating contestants, yet savannah finds herself drawn to the hostess-Lauren.
I wish we could spend more time with Lauren. I couldn't gauge her well from the limited interactions.
overall it was a nice read to refresh my mind from a heavy week.

Reality TV meets lesbian romance
I like how Bryant writes romance and although I am not a big fan of reality TV I wanted to see how Bryant is mixing reality TV and reality with sapphic characters all around. I found a sweet, low-angst, uncomplicated read - just what the doctor ordered in times of turmoil.
I really enjoyed how Bryant focuses on the emotional roller coaster the main character who is looking for lasting love in a reality show modelled on the bachelorette is going through. The seeking-for-romance part is organic and is very well written - albeit a bit tame. I missed some spice in the form of more drama and bitchiness - so many women, so many weeks and not much happens, come on ::)) The getting to know felt - surprise - at times staged and just too short. I liked how respectful Savannah approaches her dates.
Esp. the first half is probably heaven for all femmes and high femmes - make-up, hair, clothing, style, dieting - a bit too much for me, but I am sure others will appreciate it. Some of the secondary characters could have been fleshed out more (Mandy, Buzzy, Josef with an ef - and some of the contestants). The romance was a slow burn with a „forbidden“ element, believable and very sweet. I liked the resolution at the end.

Just another winner from Kris Bryant. Savannah Edwards was a contestant on a dating show years earlier and was left humiliated after being unceremoniously dumped. Approached by the producers to return to the show as the batchelorette Savannah decides to try her luck but is also enamoured by the show's host Lauren Lucas.
This is a slow burn with plenty of sizzle between Savannah and Lauren. It had me hooked at the start when I personally dislike these types of reality shows so that was a nice surprise.  I think the ending had an opportunity to be grittier but overall I like this book.

I loved this book! I didn’t think it would be much more than a light frivolous read, but I thought it had a lot of heart. I also appreciated the slow build of actual chemistry between love interests, no instant love. And it was refreshing not to have an unnecessary conflict at the 80% mark just for the sake of it, just a reasonable plot and characters who actually communicated. Overall I couldnt put it down and had a smile on my face the whole way through :)