I love discovering a new author that can balance the “rom” with the “com”. Christine Riccio had me laughing out loud at Orie and the other contestants antics. Orie was so easy to like and her alliances in the reality show were a lot of fun to read. I kind of wish this program was real because I’d totally be watching it every week and Orie would’ve been who I’d be tuning in to see. She was a mess in her real life, but has an addiction for Survivor that makes her the perfect contestant. Remy was a good foil for Orie, and truthfully there wasn’t a character in their game I didn’t like. I appreciated that every person Orie interacted with made her grow as a character and helped her determine her life’s goals. Seeing her grow was really what made this story so successful.

There were so many favorite moments in this book that it’s hard to pinpoint a few, but here goes. Look for the tree episode for a great bit of comedy and sweet interactions, the secret handshake between new friends, and pretty much any time Orie surprised people by kicking their butts. LOL This was a really fun read and I’m curious how it will sound as an audiobook so I’ll probably go back and give it a re-read and listen to it.

This was such a cute romance novel. It was a perfect read for summer. Highly recommend for fans of reality and dating shows!

Thank you NetGalley, the publishers, and author for an ARC of this book. I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I had to take some time to really put together my thoughts for this book as I had a lot of mixed feelings towards it, but mostly positive! At first, I was planning on giving it 3.5 stars, but the longer I’ve sat, the more I still think about this book!!

Let’s talk about the character development!

I loved seeing our main character come alive. She went from a codependent girl, to an independent woman! This transformation didn’t happen overnight which I really appreciated, but instead her growth happened throughout the entire story! I also loved meeting the other characters that were part of the show and thought they were so fun!

Let’s talk about the plot!!

Once I got into the book, I couldn’t put it down. Right when I wasn’t sure where the author was going, BOOM, plot twist! I was hooked once again! There were also sooo many layers to this book. I loved the family dynamics, the drama of the show, and Orie becoming who she’s meant to be.

Let’s talk about what I would’ve loved to see more of!!

This book was supposed to be about a romance spin-off of Survivor where contestants are attached at the hip with an 8-foot rope. I love the concept, but I wish the attached to one another would’ve been fleshed out a little more. I was also confused by if the contestants were trying to find love or win a million dollars. In the midst of the character development, it felt like the plot became slightly convoluted.

Even though I had some minor issues with the story, again, it’s a book that has stuck with me. If you’re looking for something easy to read, light-hearted, and fun, this is a great place to start!

I thought this was a really fun and raunchy read, I generally love books about dating shows, and this definitely did not disappoint. The only thing I didn't love was the ending, but throughout most of the book, I really had a lot of fun.

I really love the premise of a survivor-esque dating show. That being said, having never watched the Survivor, I didn't have any source material to compare this too. But I really like how the plot and the characters were developed. I don't superrrr buy the relationship between the couple though, it seems like besides having a few things in common (granted pretty niche things) I didn't really get why these two people were meant for each other. Also, the ending was a little too cartoon villain-y for me and the development of that character felt flat cuz I didn't really understand the villain's motivations.

However all-in-all, I read this book in such a rush, it was definitely hard to put down, and given the game show format, I was very invested in seeing how it would all play out.

I really enjoyed this book! A unique reality show aspect. Fun relationships. The characters were likeable and the plot was fun! I would highly recommend reading this book!

If there is one thing I love in a romcom, it's reality tv vibes. This was SO much fun! I completely related to the FMC's current life struggles, and I adored the way this book handled all the emotions.

This was so much fun! I loved the idea of a Survivor-type dating game and enjoyed the behind-the-scenes of the show. The characters were well-developed and likeable. Orie starts out immature and annoying, but I think this is by design so she can come into her own; she eventually grew on me and I appreciated her at the end. Recommended as a great beach read with some laughs and a fun setting.

This very fun! I wish Orie would have explored things more with Osprey, as I felt the “romance” behind the dating show was minimal. And why is there jealousy when the whole concept is to get to know the people you’re attached to find the best fit? It was really heavy on survivor concepts/ themes, and all the drama with with who to oust. She was a super goofy character and the book didn’t have much depth, but the plot was fun. I was here for the romance love triangle, but it started to feel repetitive once Orie didn’t know who to trust. I definitely didn’t expect what happened with Remy, so that was a twist at 65%, but there also felt like there was no conclusion with his backstory either? It’s all just addressed as “true” and then he leaves? And it’s poor that the show wasn’t edited for Ories best interest. Overall the ending was lackluster.

I received an advance review copy for free via Netgalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

"You've been cast for the first season of a Survivor spin-off show. It's a romance based social experiment to test the strength of different types of human relationships against the backdrop of a million-dollar prize."

This is for lovers of quirky rom-com's, reality tv, forced proximity romances, pop culture references, and books that don't take themselves too seriously. I was in tears laughing to the point where I had to make everyone around me stop what they were doing so I could tell them what was going on at MULTIPLE points. This has a bit of a unique premise for a romance novel because there wasn't a clear mmc until deep into the book- considering she's got 2 love interests.

Since the premise of the reality TV show is 10 single people playing a Survivor-esqe show, where each of the contestants have 3 possible love connections, it makes since that the majority of the contestants are Poly. This really was a story of self discovery for Orie and there is an amazing conversation between Orie and the friend she makes (Kennedy) about sexuality being fluid.

Transparently, there is a ton of potty humor in this book, which I think is hilarious, but it is not for everyone.

The only complaint I have is that they never told us who Orie's "3" love connections were.

Do I need to start watching Survivor now?

This book was oddly charming. It took me a while to get into it because it walks the line between YA and New Adult in an unsteady way at the beginning. I found Orie to be frustratingly naïve for her age but she grew on me over time. At about the 35% point a lot of what I was struggling to connect with in the book clicked and I flew through the ending.

I enjoyed the drama, the twists, the relationships between all the characters. I almost wanted another few chapters so that the payoff could be greater. Especially for the relationship between Lark and Orie and Orie and Kenndie.

Christine Riccio always done a great job at making the characters really pop out of the page. Orie is so relatable. Her fear of spiders was so fitting and the fact she really got out of her own box by going on Survivor... AMAZING! I love the comedy! I love the romance! I love the plot! I love the growth! We see such a shy gal really come into herself and it was just so fun. I want Orie to be real so we can be friends. This is a great story and I hope others will read it and think so too!

5/5 stars for the game show, the romantic comedy, the growth!

**Thank you NetGalley for a free review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily!

4.5 stars
Thanks to the Publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

Do yourself a favor and read this book! It was such a cute, lighthearted read. I went in with no expectations and I really, really enjoyed this book. I LOL'ed throughout the story.

Orie Lennox is a follower. She does what everyone tells her to do. Fresh out of college, she's working with her sister as an influencer. Following a fight with her sister, on a whim, Orie applies for the reality show Survivor. She ends up being cast on a romantic Survivor spin-off. We follow Orie as she navigates the game.

I only have one minor complaint about this book, there is one relationship at the end that felt incomplete.

A fun romance for Reality TV loving folks

Orie is very comfortable in her life, she has been in the same relationship for a decade, she lives with her parents, and helps her sister pursue her dreams. She gets a reality check that makes her start questioning things and applies to survivor on a whim. She gets cast and leaves behind all her loved ones, she joins the game newly single, and with her family going through a hard time. When she makes it to Fiji she learns she is on a romantic spin off of Survivor called Attached at the Hip, for the next few weeks she competes with rotating partners to win 1 million dollars. Will she find a romantic connection, will she make it to the end, and will she form real relationships or will the cutthroat nature of the game leave her as alone as she went in?

This was my first book by the author and I had a fun time. I love reality TV so this is right up my alley. This book was very New Adult and would be perfect for someone looking to make the jump from YA to Adult romances. The characters had enough depth for me to root for them. It also explored more serious topics without it feeling out of place or too much. Orie did feel a tad too quirky and it felt over the top. There was more than enough intrigue and plot to keep me engaged.

As a huge fan of Survivor I suppose I was already predisposed to liking Attached at the Hip, but I wasn’t prepared for just how much I ended up enjoying Orie’s adventure. Orie had dreamed of having a fairytale romance her entire life. But she’s been dating the same guy since she was thirteen and he’s not her Prince Charming. After a fight with her sister, in which her sister lays down some brutal truths about Orie’s co-dependence, Orie applies to be on Survivor. She gets picked to be on the show…only it’s not Survivor but rather a spinoff survivor-esque dating show in which she will be tethered to another person for days on end, needing to compete in challenges and survive together. The first person she’s tethered to turns out to be a person from her past, a handsome man she went to high school with. He sweeps her off her feet and she wonders if she’s finally found what she’s been looking for. The moment she and Remy have their ‘poop’ conversation I was hooked. That scene had me in stitches. But as the competition continues and she interacts with more of the contestants Orie begins to have doubts, about Remy (is he too good to be true?), about what she wants her future to be. Not only was this a fun romcom, but it was a wonderful tale of personal growth. I really enjoyed not only the story and setting, but the entire cast of characters. This was my first time reading a novel by Ms. Riccio and I have to say I was thoroughly entertained. I fully intend to check out her previous books. I’d like to thank St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an eARC of Attached at the Hip.

https://www.amazon.com/review/R5R1OHUK2T6F8/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_SRTC0204BT_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

Here we are back again only this time it’s a survivor/love island type of vibe going on here.

While reading this book, we did take a look at Orie’s life before she signed up for the show and during show. I did enjoy how she each had her relationship with the side characters and seeing her character development happen throughout the story. I didn’t think that osprey of all of them would grow on me. There were time when the writing was a bit all over the place but this did have me hooked (no pun intended of course) so I’d recommend this who love survivor and adventure here.

*thank you to netgalley and the publishers for the advance copy of this ebook*

Rating: 3.5/5 Stars
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Orie is a 23-year-old Survivor super fan (she's watched all 40 seasons of Survivor) who is very co-dependent on her family and long-time boyfriend (she never does ANYTHING by herself, doesn't even have a driver's license because her boyfriend will just drive her everywhere and works as a yoga influencer with her sister, who really runs the show). After a harsh reality check from her sister, she spontaneously applies to be on Survivor. They love her casting tape and she is accepted. At the airport, her boyfriend breaks up with her (who she never felt a strong love connection with anyway). This ends up working out because this version of Survivor is actually a new spin-off show called Attached at the Hip, where they have been romantically connected to at least 3 other people on the island and they will take turns doing 3 day sessions literally tethered to each other's hips, followed by challenges and eliminations. Orie's first partner is none other than Remy a missed love connection she went to high school with. Despite some awkward first impressions, Orie and Remy have a connection and hope to win the game of Attached at the Hip and find love together.

I loved the idea of this one so much! I am a big fan of reality TV game shows like Bachelor, Survivor, etc., so I could not resist this ARC! The plot was so fun with the spin-off show and the challenges, but I, unfortunately, had a hard time connecting to the characters. Orie was funny at times, but also incredibly awkward and the banter between her and Remy seemed off. The side characters also seemed a bit silly to me--newly turned 18-year-old is an expert on love? And while Remy did have another more interesting side to him, I still can't believe he literally said he likes to do "gym, tan, laundry" as his hobbies. There were A LOT of pop culture references (I hope you're a Katy Perry fan if you read this one)--I am the right age to understand them, so I found these fun. There were definitely some really funny laugh out loud moments in this book and I still enjoyed it--overall a fun, silly read!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is my review of the digital ARC of Attached at the Hip -- it's basically the same as my audio review but with a few more notes and without the audio highlights!

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OMG guys I wasn’t ready for this one!! I’m not even kidding, I had to go home to read/listen to it so I could laugh out loud without people questioning my sanity and so I could cope with the ANXIETY I was feeling over the Survivor-esque aspects -- both physical and mental. This one was soooo much fun! A 5⭐️ read, no doubt about it. Christine Riccio freaking killed it!

Orie is my favorite protagonist now! She’s just so real, innocent, straightforward but in a word vomit/can’t control her mouth way and it just comes off so genuine and hilarious, I wish she was a real person! As marketed, it truly reads as a Survivor game show if it was mixed with The Bachelor. Honestly I don’t even LIKE reality TV but I freaking ate this up! I might even go watch both shows now. I feel like I can’t say too much without giving everything away because there are twists, drama and hilarity on basically every page that you need to experience for yourself. Everyone should read or listen to this ASAP (personally I like to do both and the audio makes it 10x better especially with a protagonist like Orie)! You’ll love some characters, strongly dislike others, live for the drama and question everything. Sounds like fun right? Right!

There are a lot of good lessons in this one that felt relatable in so many ways, truly something for everyone. As a fellow reader and lover of quotes, I felt very connected to Orie and Osprey as the book lovers on the show. If you like quotable books or books you wanna highlight the heck out of — this one is for you! I found myself highlighting the humorous lines, the sweet/tender/romantic lines, the awkward lines, the lines about self-growth and discovery, until I realized I was just basically highlighting the whole book. It's a YA book but I honestly didn't even register that until I was reviewing -- I think it will really appeal to all ages. I haven't talked a lot about the other characters beside Orie, but this book really has so many important, unique, and essential characters. And everyone has really great names! There's Lark: Orie's older sister and co-influencer (if that makes sense) who is basically the reason Orie even gets to have this amazing adventure; Osprey: a top parkour athlete who loves reading and is just as straightforward as Orie; Kennedi: literally Miss Teen wherever winner but also top of her class and a top parkour athlete who gives Osprey a run for his money, she's outgoing and draws people in but is cutthroat; and Remy, who's this somewhat enigmatic, unknown guy from Orie's past, that she never really connected with but she had a huge crush on him as teens and he seems like her perfect fit right at the start of the game! There was a lot of great character development, especially for Orie and the characters come off super lovable/realistic (despite it being primarily contestants on a reality survival/dating show).

If you love forced proximity, reality tv, drama, and the idea of being stranded on an island with other hot people who might also be your perfect match then check this out!☀️⛺️⚓️🛥️🪢💛💖🌊🦀🐓🥥🌴🎥

Thank you Wednesday Books for the ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is my first time reading this author and although the MC was annoying as hell I really this book. I liked the competition and how every single time they went up against each other I was at the edge of my seat waiting to find out the results. it was the end of the book that I liked the most. It revealed the MC’s growth and also slowly revealed a sweet connection that had been building the entire competition. It was so cute I almost want another book. This was a cute read that I would tell others to check out. 4 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc

Attached at the Hip by Christine Riccio
Contemporary romance. New adult. Game show format Survivor meets The Bachelor.
Orie Lennox has always dreamed of a happily ever after. Orie’s long time boyfriend is more companion and friend and she doesn’t have any sexual feelings for him. Orie is a social influencer with her sister. When her sister says she doesn’t make any decisions on her own or make an effort on their platform, Orie decides to apply for a new survivor type show. She’s watched every version and episode and knows she can master the game play. When she’s called and gets on the show, she finds it’s a twist that means she’s literally attached by a rope to someone for three days at a time, as they do challenges on the island of Fiji. Her first match is a boy she had a crush on back in high school but neither could get past a hello. Winning a challenge, and a box of basic supplies they get to know each other on camera.

🎧 I alternated between an ebook and an audiobook. The narration is done by Brittany Pressley who is a pro and has done hundreds of audiobooks. She is able to do distinct and believable voices for male and female characters as well as several secondary characters in the story. Emotions are clear and make the story immersive and entertaining.
Between the audiobook and ecopy, I preferred the audiobook for this story for the survivor-esq antics.
I listened to this at my standard speed of 1.5.

Fun premise. Not sure the fourth day was the right timing for personal habits but I wouldn’t be in that situation no matter what the pay would be. The producers have said they did extensive research and that every player has at least two or three matches. So maybe that would be enough for future players.
The game play was amusing. The growth of Orie’s character is strong. The selected romance for me was too late in the story to still care although the twist was interesting and held throughout the ending. I was hoping for something different.
Amusing game play.
3.5

I received a copy of this from NetGalley and publisher Macmillan Audio.

Dare I say…the perfect summer romcom?

This was such a fun read for me! I’m a huge Survivor fan so I knew I had to read Attached at the Hip when I saw it described as “Survivor meets The Bachelor”, and it most definitely did not disappoint in the Survivor details!

Not only did this make my Survivor-heart happy, but my bookish self too! Our FMC, Orie, is a lover of words and books and the way she cares for them and describes how certain quotes makes her feel was incredibly relatable.

Orie’s character has to be one of my favorites from any romcom I’ve read. Her humor, realness, and overall character development was top tier.,

HIGHLY recommend this book!