Thanks to NetGalley, BookClubGirl, Avon Books, and Harper Voyager US for this copy of "The Villain Edit."

Jacqueline is a romance novelist whose career and self-confidence are plummeting. To help generate interest in her books again, she goes on a Bachelor-type show and finds that she's being cast as "the villain."

I thought the premise sounded really interesting, but I've never watched any of Bachelor-type shows, so I found it hard to follow some of the situations that Jacqueline encounters. The constant microphones? The nudges from producers to script specific scenes? The video editing that makes her appear to be " the villain"?

It felt almost more like a fictionalized expose of what actually happens on reality dating shows, so definitely read this if you enjoy them.

ɴᴇᴛɢᴀʟʟᴇʏ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ || THE VILLAIN EDIT [thank you to @avonbooks and @netgalley for my #gifted copy!]

Title: The Villain Edit by Laurie Devore
Genre: Romance? Contemporary Fiction?
Format: Digital
Star Rating: ★★★★☆

ꜱᴜᴍᴍᴀʀʏ:
Romance novelist Jacqueline Matthis's career is floundering, prompting her to leave New York City for her hometown in South Carolina. Desperate for a comeback, Jac decides to become a contestant on the world's most popular reality dating show, The 1. With her romance-writing skills, she quickly becomes a favorite for bachelor Marcus's heart. However, she soon discovers that Henry Foster, her last one-night stand, is a producer on the show. As their secret affair intensifies, Jac finds herself getting the villain edit on TV. With her plan unraveling, Jac fears the fallout if Marcus chooses her or if her relationship with Henry is exposed, questioning whether her attempt to save her career has instead ruined her life.

ᴍʏ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛꜱ:
Okay, first and foremost, let me say that I was absolutely RIVETED by this book. I had NO IDEA how everything was going to resolve itself and, for being about reality TV, it kept me on the edge of my seat. I loved that we got what sort of amounted to simultaneous dual-timelines because we got to see what was happening to Jac in the moment (pun intended) and we got to see her commentary of how that moment was EDITED for television. SO GOOD.

That said, this is a dark, sad, tense book. It will make you question all of your positive feelings about reality TV, and it will make you want to root for the villain. This story will stay with me for a while - and I’m not mad about it. I won’t say more as to not give anything away - but I highly recommend this one if you’re at all into reality TV.

ʀᴇᴀᴅ ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ʟɪᴋᴇ:
Unlikeable MCs
BTS Reality TV
The Bachelor
Being Heavily Skeptic of The Bachelor
Books that Feel Like TV
Toxic Characters

ᴅᴇᴛᴀɪʟꜱ:
GR: 3.91 ⭐️
# of Pages: 336
Pub Date: July 2, 2024

3.5 rounded down to 3.

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC of this book.

This was a fun peek at the inside workings of The Bachelor(ette). I'm well aware of how produced these shows are, but it was crazy to see how manipulated situations become. It's insane to me that they peg a person to be the villain/bitch from the beginning and then produce it into existence with crafty editing. I don't watch these shows, but this just confirms for me exactly why I don't.

It was an interesting read. I love behind the scenes books. I just thought there were quite a few holes that made things difficult to understand.

*SPOILERS AHEAD*

I was just a little confused when I finished the book. The entire time I was reading I thought there was going to be a big reveal of something in the previous season and there just wasn't. Not a single mic drop, nothing to make me gasp. I was so confused at the setup of something big coming.

I also didn't understand the development of the relationship between Jac and Henry. It seemed to come completely out of nowhere. A one night stand turns into them falling in love when they have virtually no contact with each other in between. It seemed as unbelievable as someone actually finding love in the show itself.

I really enjoyed this book! The Bachelor is one of the only tv shows I follow anymore. I binged this book like watching The Bachelor! It was such a fun, unique and fresh take. I wished the romance was more in the spotlight, as it felt more on the side. For probably half the book I wasn’t even sure who the love interest was supposed to be. I did a Bookstagram review post that I have linked down below.

Jacqueline Matthis is a writer who can’t write. After college, she moved to New York City and got herself a lucrative 3-book contract for her romance novels. But when she wrote the first one without a happily ever after, sales went down, and the second book barely got off the ground. Her publisher canceled the third book, and Jac had to move back home to South Carolina. She needed something to jumpstart her career. So she decided to apply to be on the 1.

the 1 is the hottest dating show on television, with popular personalities going on to star on other shows both in (the 1 on the beach) or outside (Dancing with the Stars) the franchise. They become influencers. They get invited to Good Morning, America. And they sell books, which is just what Jac is counting on.

Marcus Bellamy was one of the bachelors fighting for the woman in the last season of the 1, and he almost won the heart of Shae. But he eliminated himself at the last minute, and then he was chosen to star in a season of his own. Jac makes an impression on Marcus that first night, at her introduction and quickly becomes one of the women most likely to make it to the later episodes, where Marcus meets the parents in the woman’s hometown, and then the potential overnight dates.

But Jac being one of the early front-runners also puts a target on her back. The other women in the house are threatened by her, and the producers are there to fan those flames. Jac knew what she was getting into. She knew the producers would be there all along the way, stirring up the insecurities, pitting the women against each other, encouraging them to interrupt the short amount of alone time they get with Marcus. Jac knew they would use her insecurities against her. She knew the online trolls would come for her. She knew the schedule would be brutal. But she didn’t know how all of it would make her feel.

The night before Jac had to go to the hotel to quarantine for the show, getting cut off from her devices, from social media, from the outside world, she indulged in a night of drinking, pizza, and conversation (among other things) with a handsome man she met in a bar. That man turned out to be Henry Foster, one of the producers of the 1, and Jac finds herself being drawn back into his orbit during the filming. Henry flirts with her too, but Jac isn’t sure if Henry is paying attention to her because he’s attracted to her or if he’s just producing her, trying to keep her off guard.

Will a reality dating show help a romance writer who isn’t sure she believes in love turn her career around, and maybe even give her heart over to true love?

The Villain Edit is a delicious look at what it takes to make it on a reality dating show like The Bachelor, and how vulnerable the contestants are to being manipulated by the producers. This is the first adult novel from author Laurie Devore brings to life all the drama, from the women drinking and fighting to the online discussions and podcasts where strangers can offer up their own opinions about the drama onscreen and off.

I am not someone devoted to reality television. I dip in here and there, usually choosing baking shows over dating shows, but I’m certainly familiar with the franchise of The Bachelor and some of the stories of what really happens. But if you offer me a novel about the reality dating shows, then I just need to get a drink and a snack, and I’m curled up ready to get all the dirt on that fictional reality show. I loved The Villain Edit. I loved that Jac was an outspoken woman who wasn’t afraid of the journey she was undertaking. She had those moments where she was unlikable, and there was a point in the story where I was genuinely concerned for her, but she pulled it off in the end. It’s a fantastic ending to a funny, interesting, and revealing story, and I could read it all over again from the beginning, just like binging a favorite season of a reality show, just to be there for the drama all over again.

Egalleys for The Villain Edit were provided by Avon through NetGalley, with many thanks.

They really had me in the first half. The beginning of the Villain Edit was so fun- I loved the Bachelor vibes and the fun drama of the reality dating show culture. I was invested and so ready for the ride. Unfortunately, the book took a turn I didn’t really enjoy and the drama just got out of hand. I stopped caring what happened and started to hate all the characters. There were so many steamy scenes I had to skip and every single one with male characters I hated. The Villain Edit was fun, but just not the kind of drama I was looking for.

This was a pretty interesting story that I liked for the most part. I thought it was a bit long but found myself eager to see how everything went in the end. I’m not usually a fan of reality TV but the characters were well developed and I found myself invested in the story. Also nice to see the part that producers can play in altering public perception. This was a cute story that I would tell others to check out. 3.5 stars.


Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

A fun look at the behind the scenes romantic antics of the One villain Jac. Jac goes on this Bachelor type tv show to help her lagging book sales and save her writing career. She doesn’t realize that they will paint her as “the villain” or that she might fall in love while there.
I really enjoyed the character of Jac. She is a flawed FMC who is self aware enough to see her flaws. To watch her go through such a rigorous time filming the show really brings into focus how many reality tv bad girls must feel.
If you’re a fan of “The Bachelor” and love a good romantic comedy/drama then give this one a read.
I received a ARC of this title. All opinions are my own.

ok OKAY ok! This book seriously had me hook from the first page. I’m not a big bachelor book girly because I think the concept is gross (sorry not sorry but its gross to think about, I’m a jealous girl lol) but my bestie told me I wouldn’t regret this one because its so different.

you’ll want to pick this one up because:
💋 our main girl doesn’t give a shit, it’s so real and relatable
💋 there’s a semi love triangle (but we’ll get to that soon)
💋 so much drama
💋 commentary notes about how certain aspects aired in the show, loved this

The behind-the-scenes writing is absolutely fabulous and refreshing. I love that while our main girl Jac works as she can with the producers of the show she also makes it her own by playing the role of the villain. The drama and story is so messy, but its real. I hated and loved Jac. I hated and loved parts of Henry. I hated and loved parts of Marcus. Everything in this book had a hate and a love aspect that I couldn’t get enough of.

I will say the biggest aspect of this book that I hands down hate was the ending. I won’t spoil, I promise, but it felt like there should be an obvious way to end this book and that wasn’t it.

Thank you NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager and Laurie Devore for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book gives a scathing view of reality TV dating shows. It was well written, entertaining, and drama filled. Some may call it a romance, but in my opinion the romance while present, wasn't the main point. The manipulation, and un-reality of a reality dating show was what the reader gets the most. As a person who doesn't enjoy this type of television I don't believe I am the target auidence for such a book, and after a while it just became too much for me. This book will be devoured by those who love reality dating shows. They will get a great thrill out of reading a fictionalized behind the scenes perspective.

I love a reality dating show and I love a romance novel. What’s better than a romance novel about reality dating show staring a romance novelist and the producer ?!

This book started off a little slow for me which made it hard to get into. But the story got interesting and it was a very entertaining read. I did appreciate the soul searching/reflectiveness of the main character while going through the reality tv show experience. I felt like it added a level of complexity to the story. That being said, the pacing of the actual romance in this book threw me off a bit. I felt like it started really slowly but then the ending was way more rushed than I wanted it to be. All in all it was still an entertaining book.

📚 #BOOKREVIEW 📚
The Villain Edit by Laurie Devore
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Pages: 336 / Genre: Contemporary Fiction

In an effort to revamp her career as a romance novelist, Jac Matthis goes on The 1, the biggest dating reality show currently on TV. But she was unprepared for the mind games and humiliation she would have to endure during the 12 weeks of filming. She also wasn’t prepared for the complications that would arise from having a one-night stand with one of the producers of the show the night before her first day. Oops.

I loved Jac. I loved how unapologetic and tough she was but also relatable because we got to see how vulnerable she really was behind the scenes. But she didn’t bitch and cry and whine, she just kept going, kept trying to figure out the best move for herself. It was also really fun and interesting to be on the set of one of these shows and see how the producers manipulate the contestants and the situations to get the storyline they want. This is the perfect beach read for the summer.

Thank you @NetGalley, @Avonbooks, @HarperVoyagerUS, and @Laurie_Devore for my gifted copy. I loved it!

This was a well-written book. The storyline held my interest and kept me reading. There were parts that were sweet, fun, steamy and heartwarming, though the main characters had their flaws and there were some toxic behaviors demonstrated. Overall I enjoyed this book.

Jac ends up as a contestant on “The 1” when her life in New York City is not living up to her dreams. She is a romance writer whose first book did not have a HEA, but she is hoping she will find hers on The 1…or if not she will at least up her book sales. She quickly becomes a front runner for Marcus’ heart until she realizes that the producer who was missing during her in person interviews happens to be her one-night stand, Henry, from right before she left for the show. Henry is pulling all the strings behind the scenes and is manipulating Jac to act the way he wants on camera and still getting in her head off camera. Jac learns she is getting the villain edit and it starts to get to her. Will she be able to wins Marcus’ heart or will she win Henry’s and have the world find out about her secret affair.

This story had me cracking up the entire time. I am a hugeee bachelor fan and I am always wanting there to be more drama with production and I can only imagine the things that go on behind the scenes. While Jac was not the nicest to the girls in the house, she was just being herself and she is just blunt. She did not want to play into the other girls emotions. Marcus and Henry were both jerks and I was really not a fan of either, especially when Marcus was holding over Jac’s head the fact that he knew about Jac and Henry. I loved the twist at the end and Jac playing the producers for her benefit for once. Overall, I really enjoyed this one!

"Emily Henry meets Fleabag and... The Bachelor" is what made me pick up this book. Our main character is a romance novelist who joins "The 1" (aka The Bachelor) to garner publicity for her failing career. Little does she know, the man she hooked up with just before going on "the 1" is one of the shows producers. THE DRAMA. This book was an entertaining commentary on how overly produced and fake reality TV is. It makes you wonder how much of what we see on these shows is actually the result of producers playing puppeteer. There is some romance in the book, but it is more of a subplot, so keep that in mind if you think you are picking up a rom com. Overall, I think this would be a good book to read on the beach this summer!

Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for the ARC!

3.75 ⭐️

Jaqueline Matthis is a failed romance novelist who decides it will be a great career move to become a contestant on the nations premiere reality tv dating show, The 1. She figures a handful of weeks on the show should translate into plenty of likes on social media and increased sales of her books. Besides, being a good contestant should come easy for her, she knows exactly how to write a love story! Jac’s plans immediately go sideways when it turns out, Henry, her last one night stand happens to be a producer on the show! As Henry and Jac try to fight their chemistry, the show lead, Marcus, zeros in on Jac. Their relationship puts Jac at odds with the other girls, and when she discovers the producers are giving her the villain edit, suddenly Jac is no longer thinking about selling books. She’s just trying to escape unscathed back in the real world.

I’ve read a few Bachelor type romance novels in the past and they weren’t exactly riveting. On the other hand, I simply could not put this down!

The Villain Edit definitely brings all the drama! At times it felt like I was reading a thriller just wondering what was going to happen next. The Villain Edit is so much more than a romance book. Jaqueline is such an intriguing main character. She often calls out the misogynistic and patriarchal ideals that uphold dating shows like The 1, and the media excerpts between chapters help underline a subtle commentary on the intersection between reality tv and culture.

Devore does an excellent job highlighting the conflicting motives between executives, producers, and contestants. She is so effective at describing the toxic filming environment many of the actual former stars have exposed.

All of the characters are developed. They are messy and real, and the filming environment draws out their worst tendencies. I highlighted half the book trying to really understand both Jac and Henry. Not only does the writing allow the reader to really explore their insecurities, but it’s also poignant and sharp. Lines like “love is a chaos agent” will have you grimacing and nodding in agreement.

All together, The Villain Edit is a fantastic adult novel debut from Laurie Devore! Even former fans of The Bachelor/ette will love this darker romance.

Thank you to #NetGalley and Avon for providing a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

If you’ve ever imagined what a good Bachelor producer you’d be if you didn’t have to sell your soul, this book is for you.

The Villain Edit by Laurie Devore (out July 2) focuses on prickly Jac, a contestant who joins the show for the wrong reasons but gets a little too caught up in the journey. Jac is brutally honest, frustrated, and unlucky in her edit, but she’s also compelling on the page. Just as interesting are Devore’s behind-the-scenes details about long production days, producers’ interference, and the less glamorous side of the franchise. She’s done her research and presents a nuanced idea of how insane it would be to find love in 12 weeks on TV.

And while I thought the first half of the novel was better paced than the end — if you like reality TV or thorny female narrators, this is a fun summer read.

Jacqueline Matthis’s career as a romance novelist has seen brighter days. She goes on the biggest reality dating show, the 1, in the hopes of her books and writing career to get a resurgence. When filming starts, Jac runs into Henry, the man she had a one-night stand with before going on the show — and there is still a spark between them. Jac quickly becomes a front-runner for the bachelor and realizes she is being given the villain edit.

Reading this felt like watching a season of The Bachelor. I’m obsessed with bachelor nation — I watch all the shows, listen to all (most) of the podcasts, read all the books, etc 😂

It was very entertaining to read a book told from the perspective of the season’s villain, while the show is being filmed. The producer manipulation and the contestant/producer romance made for some DRAMA.

I loved how Bachelor inspired this story is. A lot of the terms come straight from the franchise. My two favorite Bachelor podcasts were even mentioned in the acknowledgements! (@gameofroses + @dearshandy) 🌹

It was such a fun ✨journey✨ reading this book!

An entertaining, gossipy romcom PERFECT for fans of books like The One to watch or The one by Julia Argy. It's also excellent if you enjoyed the show Unreal starring Sheri Appleby. Full of drama, a great love triangle and excellent critiques of the Bachelorette franchise. I absolutely loved this one, especially on audio narrated by Stephanie Nemeth-Parker. Many thanks to NetGalley and Librofm for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!