As someone who loves ridiculous reality TV, I was excited to read this book. Sadly, it just didn’t do it for me. I do think it does a nice job of showing some of the behind the scenes aspects of reality TV, but it was very slow paced. I read another review that said they thought they were near the end but they were only 50% through. I had that same experience. It just got more ridiculous as the story unfolded, and even I could barely take it anymore. I was grateful when it was over.

I received a digital ARC of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publisher.

📺Reality Show setting
⚔️Rivals to Lovers
❤️‍🔥Fake dating
🗡️Murder mystery

This was such an enjoyable book. I’m not really a reality tv watcher unless it’s really good. But throw in some suspicious “accidents” and a murder into the mix and you got yourself a great book. Not to mention sparks flying between two former school rivals, Alice and Daniel. The chemistry is great since this ends up being a reunion for them. There was one part that felt blatantly obvious to me and a few characters I wanted to throttle so badly. If a book can’t make me feel those kind of things, it’s not a book for me. This one surely was! Also, as a Chinese American, I appreciate the representation and the mention of Haw Flakes! No trip to an Asian supermarket was complete without grabbing those things when I was a kid. Great use of these little nuggets throughout the book to make Alice and Daniel more relatable (love me some Korean food too!). Really hope Kara and Jennifer write another book because I will be there for it!

This was chaos and I loved it. It was a mash up of reality TV drama, fake dating, but also a murder mystery. I thought that the characters were stand out, the setting and plot was fun and well-paced, and the overall vibe of the book was just fantastic. I had so much fun with this release, and I'm really impressed that this is a debut novel. I can't wait for more from this author going forward, because this was really enjoyable and the mystery was well-plotted and well balanced against the other elements of the story.
I'm excited to get our physical copies in at my branch because I know a lot of our patrons are going to love this one!

Alice Chen’s Reality Check by Kara Loo and Jennifer Young is a deliciously chaotic mashup of fake dating, reality TV antics, and a murder mystery that keeps the pages turning and the drama dialed all the way up.

Alice Chen is broke, brilliant, and not here for love—just the million-dollar prize on Dawn Tay’s Inferno, a couples-only reality show that’s part Love Island, part emotional demolition derby. But when her fiancé cheats on her mid-filming, Alice is forced to team up with her high school nemesis, Daniel Cho, to stay in the game. What starts as a reluctant alliance quickly spirals into something more complicated—especially when a contestant turns up dead.

This debut is sharp, funny, and full of heart. Alice is a standout heroine: messy, determined, and refreshingly self-aware. The chemistry with Daniel crackles, the reality show setting is pitch-perfect, and the murder subplot adds just the right amount of chaos. Think The Hating Game meets Only Murders in the Building—on a beach, with cocktails and sabotage.

Perfect for fans of Dial A for Aunties and anyone who loves their rom-coms with a side of whodunit.

This was just a fun and purely escapist summer read—the kind of book that practically demands sunscreen smudges on its pages. Childhood rivals turned reality-TV “Showmance” lovers? Absolutely. This is the best kind of ‘90s Lifetime made-for-cable rom-com energy: heartfelt, hilarious, and comfortingly over-the-top in all the right ways.

The premise is rock solid, the writing is immediate, and Alice’s voice pulled me in from the start. Her life felt relatable—student debt? Check. Caregiving for a parent while navigating hospitals, emotions, and uncertainty? Big check. Getting dumped on national TV and then fake-dating your childhood nemesis for a million-dollar prize? Okay, maybe no check there—but it was wildly entertaining.

And the chemistry? 🔥 Alice and Daniel own every scene they share. Their banter feels alive, electric with history and friction, and you can’t help but root for them even when they’re trying to out-snark each other. Their romance is framed beautifully by a soft undercurrent of mystery—just enough intrigue to keep the pages flying and your heart engaged.

I also adored the inter-chapter notes from the show—the snippets from crew members and producers add clever texture, expanding the world while giving voice to the spectacle around the central couple. It’s smart, playful, and deepens the emotional stakes of the reality show chaos.

Here’s the thing: Alice Chen’s Reality Check isn’t here to rewrite your worldview—it’s here to hand you a fruity cocktail, throw some shade (the beach kind and the bantery kind), and let you root for a romance that knows exactly what it is. Breezy, bright, and unapologetically fun.

If you’re in the mood for something that goes down easy but sparkles with personality—something that lets you devour a hundred pages in one sitting while grinning at the page—this is it. This book has a fresh, infectious voice, and I loved the energy in every word. Kara Loo & Jennifer Young have coined “Showmance,” and I think I’m hooked.

Thank you Net Galley and Quirk Books for the copy I read

Thank you to Quirk Books and NetGalley for the ARC of this novel, A lot of what Quirk puts out I love and this was no exception. Don't let the title fool you in that Alice needs to get her own stuff together rather than being signed up for a reality show that becomes a real life murder mystery for someone not in a position for this, The interactions of Alice and Daniel were amazing along with the backstage look into how reality TV is truly made and the reasons why someone may choose to go on one of these shows. I never quite knew where it was going but it was fun to go along and see if I could figure out what might happen next as Alice moves towards her own happy ending. 4.5 stars.

Thank you to Quirk Books and NetGalley for an e-ARC of this book to read and review. Like any really great reality TV show, this book was a fun and breezy adventure, and I soared through it over one weekend. You just can't help but keep reading to find out what happens next, so it was an easy summer read for sure.

TWs for on-page cheating, mom going through cancer treatments, and injury/ mysterious death.

I feel like Alice Chen herself was a compelling character -- not exactly the MOST likeable, but with an interesting backstory and a truly logical approach to winning reality show competitions and purely financial intentions of joining a chaotic television experiment. She was competitive to the point of being cold and a bit methodical, but ultimately I warmed up to her by how she treated others. And Alice could NOT nail a soundbite to save her life, so I kept wondering how she was actually picked for the show (friend-of-a-friend type of thing involved) and how much air time she ultimately got (it's mentioned ... not a lot!) There was not a dull moment to be had. A LOT of disasters (some fatal, and some near death) happened on the set, and I couldn't believe they just kept coming, but I think the text did a good job explaining that some upsets could be intentional sabotage, some producer set-ups for drama and rating, some could be horrible criminal interventions, and some could be mere accidents, which kept the mystery going throughout the whole book, trying to place what was even going on!

I will say that there's inherently a giant cast of characters, from the couples featured on the show, to all the workers on set, the hosts, the producers, plus family and friends. I did have to keep referring back to an "article" towards the beginning of the book that outlined all of the competing couples for fans at home. That's me! So I feel like I didn't quite meet everyone in the cast and they were hard to follow by name, but I just assumed every character beyond our leads was an influencer who was using the show to boost whatever following they were amassing.

A murder mystery romcom on the set of the most chaotic reality TV!

This book was a fun rivals-to-lovers romance with two headstrong main characters with a history who become entangled when their respective partners cheat on them with each other.

I really enjoyed the behind the scenes aspect of the TV show and all the drama that ensued. Alice and Daniel were two great characters and had great chemistry. They shared a past that they both remembered through different lenses, and we learned that Daniel has always had a thing for his long-time rival, and he finally had the opportunity to let her know.

The murder plot was intriguing and kept me absorbed in the story. All in all it was a good book and if you enjoy romcoms with drama and a side of murder mystery, then you should check this one out!

Thank you NetGalley and Quirk Books for the eARC!

3.5 ⭐️ | This was such a cute romance-mystery story, I think Alice is my new favorite person. She was a very likable main character, & her quirky personality made her easy to love. I enjoyed seeing Alice navigate between being a caregiver, her regular adult duties as a teacher and a soon to be reality TV star.

Desperate to pay for her mom’s medical care, Alice agrees to go on a reality show with the potential to win 1 million dollars. Despite her many reservations, she’s willing to give it a try, as she will do anything to save her mom. Add that with the pressure of her fiancé to embark on this challenge with him, it becomes a bit of a no brainer on this decision.

Overall, a solid read that I think romance readers that enjoy a hint of mystery will enjoy, as well as those that like reality TV. The story was well written, and in my opinion had a very satisfying ending. Thank you Quirk Books, Colored Pages Book Tours and NetGalley for this advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.

Looking for a romance beach read with a reality show flare? This is it!

Rivals to lovers romance ✅
Reality show dramatics ✅
Murdery and mysterious happenings ✅

The recipe for this one was just right! From the start I was immersed and hooked on Dawn Tay’s Inferno, our reality show for couples being put to the ultimate test. Add in a compelling main character in the form of Alice, who wins readers' hearts with her strong personality and determination to do whatever it takes to win the competition. On top of that, sprinkle in a murder mystery, and you’re going to want to binge read this book!

Love Island x Rivals-to-lovers x Only Murders in the Building but on a remote island 🎬☠️🌴🎥

This murder mystery/romance novel is the perfect summer read! It is a rivals-to-enemies-to-lovers romance between our two main characters, Alice Chen and Daniel Cho, as they compete for a grand prize in a reality show contest where couples are being pinned against each other by the producers. I'm a big fan of banter and I think Kara & Jennifer did a great job of adding dimension to Alice and Daniel's relationship, especially as it grew through the trials of the reality show contest. Love the mystery sprinkled through as well as the juicy drama between all of the couples as the chapters went on - it truly felt like I was watching an episode of Love Island.

Thank you to Quirk Books, Kara Loo & Jennifer Young and Colored Pages Book Tours for the ARC of Alice Chen's Reality Check!

I really enjoyed this book. It had everything from fake dating, reality tv show, and a murder mystery! When I first read about it, I was a little concerned it would be a little overwhelming with all the tropes. But Kara Loo and Jennifer Young did a great incorporating everything. I read this book in one weekend and could not put it down. I can't wait to post and tell my followers about it.

Books that are set at reality TV shows or some kind of televised media are always a blast to read because of the sheer chaos that such a form of media brings. Alice Chen's Reality Check was no different. It was funny, it was charming, and really, just all-around chaos with a million code violations thrown in. So, you know, it was like a classic reality TV show. The writing was so funny and captivating, and it made me want to keep reading. It was more addicting than I expected and I'm so here for that.

Alice was a very likeable main character. Being a math teacher, she's a complete fish out of water when it comes to reality tv shows, so it was hilarious to see her competing in one and being determined to win. Of course, she had a very special reason for it, so you'll understand why she's even competing. One of the main reasons that I was excited to read this book was the murder mystery aspect of it.

However, I felt like we were a little too deep into the story when the murder mystery part of it happened; like it could have easily happened a few pages ago. That's what I was wanting and looking forward to, but as I flipped through the pages, I came to realisation, that it came towards almost the very end. It felt like the meat of the story had already happened, and I was waiting for the story to be over, which was a little disappointing.

I will say though - the romance between Alice and Daniel was so so good and the writing did such an amazing job at showing the chemistry between the two. They were thrown together in some deeply chaotic and out of this world circumstances, but somehow, with them, it just works.

Overall, Alice Chen's Reality Check was a pretty enjoyable read and I will be looking forward to other works by both authors!

Truly had everything you need in both a great romance novel and cozy mystery! The chemistry between Alice and Daniel was 🔥 and the consent was on point, we love to see it! The issues on set and murder plot kept me guessing and I loved following the twists and turns. This was one of those “can’t put down” books that kept me reading well after my bedtime!

This was everything I didn’t know I needed in a book—fake dating, reality show chaos, sizzling chemistry, and yes, a murder mystery that actually keeps you guessing. This book was fun, fresh, and completely addictive.
From page one, Alice is a relatable and compelling main character. Her decision to join a reality dating show isn’t for fame—it’s survival. Between student debt and her mother’s mounting medical bills, she’s doing what she has to do.
Enter her high school nemesis, now a charming and infuriatingly attractive contestant. Their banter is endearing, their chemistry undeniable, and despite the cameras, their romance grows in a way that feels surprisingly real—sweet, authentic, and even spicy at times.
Adding to this already fun rom-com is a mystery that Alice can’t shy away from. Clues are planted with care, keeping the suspense without overshadowing the romance. I found myself racing through the pages, trying to solve the mystery alongside her.
This book achieves everything it sets out to do. I can’t wait to see what the authors come out with next!
Thank you Quirk Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley for ARC
Unfortunately, it’s DNF at 20 percent and I will not be continuing as it just wasn’t for me. I found myself feeling quite detached from both the plot and the characters, which made it difficult to stay engaged. While the premise had potential, I personally couldn’t connect with the story in a meaningful way.

That said, I still recommend giving it a try and what didn’t work for me might resonate with others, especially readers who enjoy lighthearted plots with funny characters.

Alice is not expecting to meet her old nemesis when she signs up for a reality TV show. She wants to win to help pay her mum'smedical bills, but will her relationship stand the test of the TV show? A fun read.

A romcom murder mystery set on a tropical island? My favourite part of this book was definitely the romance. Alice and Daniel had chemistry, it was sweet, charming, and full of witty moments. I also appreciated that the male lead was down bad for Alice! I don’t know what about that, but I just love that!

While I came for the murder mystery, I stayed for the romance... and I wish the mystery had played a stronger part. The story seemed caught between two elements, unsure of whether it wanted to commit to the whodunnit or lean fully into romcom territory. I was hoping for more balance or better yet, a mystery plot that could match the energy of the romance. It felt like the writing/plot was struggling to pick a side, and after reading this book, it would have been best if this stuck to just being a romcom even though the murder mystery element was the main selling point for me.

The writing itself is solid and fast paced. I liked the podcast snippets and post-episode discussions. The behind the scenes reality show moments was a fun inclusion and made the book feel like I was also inside a reality TV show.
Overall, I was completely entertained and had a fun time. Although the murder mystery element didn’t quite land for me as I would have liked but in the end I still had a good time.

Thank you to Quirk Books for the ARC!

This was cute and I loved the reality show/rom-com/murder mystery mash up! Loved how the characters worked together and how snippy and cute with each other.

This book was a total delight! Alice Chen is a math teacher who ends up going way out of her comfort zone to participate in a reality TV show called Dawn Tay’s Inferno (cute, right) with her fiance Chase, hoping to win a million dollars to help her afford her mother’s medical bills. Little does she know, her high school nemesis Daniel Cho is also joining the cast of the show. Nothing like a good rivals to lovers romance, and this one didn’t disappoint!

I loved the premise of the reality show on a tropical island, especially when it started having those mystery thriller vibes with all these “accidents” on set. The competitions were themed on the nine circles of hell in Dante’s Inferno, and I thought they were really well done. I was fully into what was going on and who was being eliminated just as much as I was in the mystery of the sabotages and eventual murder.

Alice was a bit frustrating to me in the first half of the novel or so, as I do not identify at all with her competitive streak and I just wanted her to embrace the show and her chance with the gorgeous Daniel Cho. But once things warmed up around the halfway point, I was hooked in until the end!

Highly recommend for anyone who likes reality dating shows and doesn’t mind a little murder and mayhem mixed in.

Thank you NetGalley and Quirk Books Publishing for sending this DRC for review consideration.