The story and the idea are cute and well done, but the reality show game within the book is confusing, especially the whole who-gets-voted-in-or-out elimination process. There are too many peripheral characters to keep up with, and it's impossible to care about them. So the "strategy sessions' are an unnecessary diversion. The whole thing is too loose.

THIS BOOK IS EVERYTHING AND MORE. When I read the description I knew I needed to read this book. I didn’t know I would devour it so quickly. You get sucked into the story straight away and it’s nonstop from there.

The ups and downs never stop. The twists and turns and everything in between show you the good, the bad and the ugly of reality TV.

The author does a great job of creating the characters and how they fit into the show. As someone who watches reality competition shows, this really is a great background for the main character, Luke. You feel for him but also see all his flaws throughout.

This is probably one of the best books of 2025. I can't wait to get a hard copy.

e-ARC: 4.25⭐️ This book kept me on the edge of my seat basically the entire time I was reading it. I didn’t know much going in— an LGBTQ+ book featuring a former reality show star who is returning to the competition show that he is famed for, despite some past/history/drama/betrayal that led him to leave it behind. I will admit this isn’t my typical style/genre of book but I honestly think it was exactly what I needed, as I’ve been in somewhat of a slump and not enjoying much of what I’ve read lately. The tension created by the combination of past/present storylines was incredibly engaging and I felt like the cast of characters was surprisingly well-developed for how many people were involved in the story. There were several twists that I wasn’t expecting, but really did a great job of keeping the story interesting and engaging when it otherwise might have become a bit repetitive/monotonous (while also being believable and in-character). I have mixed feelings about the ending, but I think that’s best left up to each reader to decide if/when they get to that point.

All in all I definitely would recommend this book to anyone who’s interested in the premise. I can definitely see it being a five star read for many, but I think my mixed feelings about the ending are just holding me back from giving it that final bump.

Thanks to Net Galley and Grand Central Publishing for the e-ARC of this title!

The Book of Luke balances high-stakes reality show drama with raw emotional depth, anchored by a flawed but deeply human protagonist navigating regret, love, and reinvention. It's messy, heartfelt, and surprisingly tender beneath the glittery chaos.

The Book of Luke is a compelling page-turner full of complex relationships, surprising twists and turns, and at the heart of it all sincere moments of love for one's children, for friends with complex histories, and for our partners — even after they've hurt us.
I especially appreciated the gay protagonist and focus on his family; it was a refreshing change in perspective.