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Real Love
Reality-TV love may look tempting, but real love could change everything in the debut novel from the Bachelorette star and author of Miss Me with That .
Maya Johnson lives her life according to The to become the youngest-ever female director of her company, marry her college sweetheart, and build a fabulous life in Miami. Seeing as she’s almost near checking every last one of those items off her list, she doesn’t feel the need to go on the nationally beloved reality dating show Real Love. So when she’s offered the chance, she turns it down and tells the producers that her best friend, Delilah, should take part instead.
But as she watches Delilah become the lead, fall in love, and change her life, Maya begins to wonder if she’s as happy as she thought—she doesn't have much in the way of a work-life balance, her relationship isn’t quite where she thinks it should be, and very little in her life is sparking joy.
When Maya's free-spirited whirlwind of a little sister, Ella, blows into town for a surprise visit, Maya finds herself newly intrigued by Ella’s unrooted existence—and she’s equally intrigued by Ella’s gorgeous friend and fellow world traveler, Kai.
At a crossroads with both her professional and personal happiness, Maya will have to decide which path to The Plan she’s worked so hard for, or something new entirely.
Maya Johnson lives her life according to The to become the youngest-ever female director of her company, marry her college sweetheart, and build a fabulous life in Miami. Seeing as she’s almost near checking every last one of those items off her list, she doesn’t feel the need to go on the nationally beloved reality dating show Real Love. So when she’s offered the chance, she turns it down and tells the producers that her best friend, Delilah, should take part instead.
But as she watches Delilah become the lead, fall in love, and change her life, Maya begins to wonder if she’s as happy as she thought—she doesn't have much in the way of a work-life balance, her relationship isn’t quite where she thinks it should be, and very little in her life is sparking joy.
When Maya's free-spirited whirlwind of a little sister, Ella, blows into town for a surprise visit, Maya finds herself newly intrigued by Ella’s unrooted existence—and she’s equally intrigued by Ella’s gorgeous friend and fellow world traveler, Kai.
At a crossroads with both her professional and personal happiness, Maya will have to decide which path to The Plan she’s worked so hard for, or something new entirely.
320 pages, Paperback
Published March 7, 2023
29 people are currently reading
6841 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 186 reviews
December 15, 2022
Liked it more than I thought I would. A bit of a rushed ending. Cute story. Low level steam. Much more of a self discovery book vs a true romance.
May 27, 2025
I should read synopses before I request things. I didn't realize Rachel was on THE BACHELORETTE, not that I watch reality TV. Not judging if you do. I will, however, judge other things.
I wanted more from this. Maya is annoying as hell, and I say this as an oldest sister. I will say I enjoyed the second half of the book more than the first, but maybe that's because I like questionable decisions named Kai. I won't date an artist type, but it amuses in fiction.
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Dell
I wanted more from this. Maya is annoying as hell, and I say this as an oldest sister. I will say I enjoyed the second half of the book more than the first, but maybe that's because I like questionable decisions named Kai. I won't date an artist type, but it amuses in fiction.
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Dell
May 22, 2023
3.5⭐️ For someone who dislikes reality television, I sure do enjoy the trope in my romance. Right off the bat, I was interested in how our MC Maya would handle the dilemma in front of her - seeing her best friend take on a role she herself turned down and even thrive in it. The journey of introspection she takes as a result, kept me engaged. I preferred the themes of friendship and self discovery more than the actual romance in this one, which felt underwhelming.
Thank you to Random House and PRH Audio for my gifted copies in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to Random House and PRH Audio for my gifted copies in exchange for my honest review.
February 9, 2023
I was really excited to read Bachelor Nation star, Rachel Lindsay's first novel. While it was definitely more women's fiction than romance than I was hoping for, I did like the reality dating tv insights and plot and liked the journey the female main character went on. Good on audio too. Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!
January 8, 2023
Thank you to Net Galley + Rachel Lindsay + the publisher for this copy of an ARC.
Let me start this out by saying I’ve been a huge fan of Rachel since the world was introduced to her on the Bachelor/Bachelorette - I followed her season closely, ran to my local target to buy her memoir “Miss Me With That”, and have followed her career pretty closely.
“Real Love” is the story of Maya Johnson, a 29 year old trying to advance in her finance career and make her mom proud. Alongside Maya is her younger sister who is her polar opposite, long term former NFL player boyfriend Vaughn, her colleague/friend Bailey, and her best friend Delilah who is the star of a show similar to The Bachelorette called “Real Love.”
As I shared before, I’ve been a fan of Rachel’s since her debut on reality tv. I saw many pieces of her stories shared over the years intertwined in this book, and felt like I got more out of the book as a result.
That being said - I give this a 3-3.5 out of 5 (rounding up). The romantic connection in the book felt a bit forced, and the ending also felt a bit rushed to me. The depth to which Maya explores her own desires vs. meeting parental expectations is the most interesting part - as well as her friendship with Delilah. With the last 10% or so feeling rushed, the finale just was not fully believable to me.
It’s pretty decent for a debut romance novel, but more could’ve gone into the development of the romances shared.
Let me start this out by saying I’ve been a huge fan of Rachel since the world was introduced to her on the Bachelor/Bachelorette - I followed her season closely, ran to my local target to buy her memoir “Miss Me With That”, and have followed her career pretty closely.
“Real Love” is the story of Maya Johnson, a 29 year old trying to advance in her finance career and make her mom proud. Alongside Maya is her younger sister who is her polar opposite, long term former NFL player boyfriend Vaughn, her colleague/friend Bailey, and her best friend Delilah who is the star of a show similar to The Bachelorette called “Real Love.”
As I shared before, I’ve been a fan of Rachel’s since her debut on reality tv. I saw many pieces of her stories shared over the years intertwined in this book, and felt like I got more out of the book as a result.
That being said - I give this a 3-3.5 out of 5 (rounding up). The romantic connection in the book felt a bit forced, and the ending also felt a bit rushed to me. The depth to which Maya explores her own desires vs. meeting parental expectations is the most interesting part - as well as her friendship with Delilah. With the last 10% or so feeling rushed, the finale just was not fully believable to me.
It’s pretty decent for a debut romance novel, but more could’ve gone into the development of the romances shared.
November 10, 2022
Not going to lie, this was a rough read for me.
There was so much plot that was just straight up unbelievable—even for romantic fiction. I understand that Rachel Lindsay (as someone with a personal connection to the Bachelor franchise) probably needs to play up that connection in order to entice readers re: gimmick, but anything to do with the reality TV show in this book was just unnecessary. You could easily take all the Real Love Tv show plot out and the character motivations would stay the same. So it felt like forcing a nod to the Bachelor franchise in when it wasn’t necessary.
Also, I was scoffing so hard at the fact that the main love interest, Kai, supposedly works as a gourmet chef on a yacht, but is also so good at his glass blowing craft that he’s a professional artist. 🤨 Pick ONE of these (already pretty fantastical) professions.
I think I may have pulled a muscle rolling my eyes so hard. 🙄
There was so much plot that was just straight up unbelievable—even for romantic fiction. I understand that Rachel Lindsay (as someone with a personal connection to the Bachelor franchise) probably needs to play up that connection in order to entice readers re: gimmick, but anything to do with the reality TV show in this book was just unnecessary. You could easily take all the Real Love Tv show plot out and the character motivations would stay the same. So it felt like forcing a nod to the Bachelor franchise in when it wasn’t necessary.
Also, I was scoffing so hard at the fact that the main love interest, Kai, supposedly works as a gourmet chef on a yacht, but is also so good at his glass blowing craft that he’s a professional artist. 🤨 Pick ONE of these (already pretty fantastical) professions.
I think I may have pulled a muscle rolling my eyes so hard. 🙄
March 25, 2023
This is a cute romance written by Rachel Lindsay, the first black Bachelorette on the popular reality show The Bachelor.
In this book, Maya turns down the offer to be the Bachelorette and suggests one of her friends, who finds love on the show. Maya has other goals, she wants to be a managing director at her financial firm.
As Maya looks at her friends, and her sister Ella who travels on a whim, she wonders if she’s on the right path after all.
I liked the growth Maya experienced, but the romance felt awkward. I’d love to read a fictional story about actually going through the reality show and finding love.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed as in this review are completely my own.
In this book, Maya turns down the offer to be the Bachelorette and suggests one of her friends, who finds love on the show. Maya has other goals, she wants to be a managing director at her financial firm.
As Maya looks at her friends, and her sister Ella who travels on a whim, she wonders if she’s on the right path after all.
I liked the growth Maya experienced, but the romance felt awkward. I’d love to read a fictional story about actually going through the reality show and finding love.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed as in this review are completely my own.
January 18, 2023
Thank you to the publisher & NetGalley for an eARC!
Unfortunately I did not like this book as much as I wanted to. The beginning was good but as I kept reading my interest started to fade. The romance was extremely rushed. I swear I blinked and Maya was falling for someone new. I liked Kai but I wanted to see more of a lead up to their relationship. The dating show aspect and the random blog posts felt a bit strange to me. They didn’t seem relevant to the rest of the story. I do think that readers who are familiar with Lindsay and are fans of The Bachelorette will enjoy this. I did love the overall message of the book though. It’s all about taking risks and finding your happiness which is something we all need!
Unfortunately I did not like this book as much as I wanted to. The beginning was good but as I kept reading my interest started to fade. The romance was extremely rushed. I swear I blinked and Maya was falling for someone new. I liked Kai but I wanted to see more of a lead up to their relationship. The dating show aspect and the random blog posts felt a bit strange to me. They didn’t seem relevant to the rest of the story. I do think that readers who are familiar with Lindsay and are fans of The Bachelorette will enjoy this. I did love the overall message of the book though. It’s all about taking risks and finding your happiness which is something we all need!
March 12, 2023
Just a huge Rachel Lindsay fan. Super fun and quick read. Love that she was inspired to write the story from the what if of if she had turned down going on the bachelor.
November 16, 2022
I was having a very fun time with this book up until the end. Why are both characters on the cover and is it marketed as a romance if the characters don't end up together? It's so misleading. I enjoyed her journey but it felt like when she would go on inner monologues they would miss part of her story. It also felt weird that her friends kept bringing up going on the show as if Kai didn't exist and they didn't all think he was perfect for her.
I received an arc through netgalley.
I received an arc through netgalley.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 27, 2023
I won this in a Goodreads giveaway, which was super exciting! Grateful to have received an ARC of this book & to share my thoughts on it.
So overall, I found this really entertaining. I liked it in the same way I like watching reality tv shows like Love is Blind: there’s some drama, there’s some cringe, there’s some annoying characters…but ultimately it’s a fun journey.
The plot felt a bit rushed. The main character goes through some big changes, but we don’t really see her develop through them - instead she just seems to change pretty quickly, with a lot of self deprecation along the way. The romance aspect felt pretty quick too; I expected more of a focus on that connection, but I was left feeling like there was quite a bit to desire on that front.
Now, I loved the sister relationship aspect! I thought it was cute, and as someone without a sister, it was fun to be apart of. I liked how Ella helped Maya see herself more clearly.
Overall, a quick book that would be great as a pool or beach read.
So overall, I found this really entertaining. I liked it in the same way I like watching reality tv shows like Love is Blind: there’s some drama, there’s some cringe, there’s some annoying characters…but ultimately it’s a fun journey.
The plot felt a bit rushed. The main character goes through some big changes, but we don’t really see her develop through them - instead she just seems to change pretty quickly, with a lot of self deprecation along the way. The romance aspect felt pretty quick too; I expected more of a focus on that connection, but I was left feeling like there was quite a bit to desire on that front.
Now, I loved the sister relationship aspect! I thought it was cute, and as someone without a sister, it was fun to be apart of. I liked how Ella helped Maya see herself more clearly.
Overall, a quick book that would be great as a pool or beach read.
March 14, 2024
This is a 2.5 star book. I gave it 3 instead of 2 because I respect the way Rachel Lindsay ends the story.
Going into it I expected a pretty basic story, and that’s what I got. It was fine to read, but I never felt connected to any of the main characters.
For a book I randomly grabbed at the beautiful Milwaukee Public Library I will take it!
Going into it I expected a pretty basic story, and that’s what I got. It was fine to read, but I never felt connected to any of the main characters.
For a book I randomly grabbed at the beautiful Milwaukee Public Library I will take it!
July 18, 2024
It was definitely more like womens fiction than romance but I liked it. I dont usually like reality tv but I surprisingly like reading about it in books so this was actually fun. The plot was good and I liked the characters and romance, but especially the journey the FMC went on.
March 14, 2023
I won an ARC of this book through Goodreads--thank you!
I was so excited about the concept of this book--while I eargerly waited for my copy to arrive, I did some googling and saw that the writer had the idea for this novel by wondering how her life would have been different if she hadn't gone on the reality dating show she went on. Love that, and it sounded like a new story idea for a plot that I hadn't read before.
The story is sweet, but I just could never quite embrace this story. The writing felt very rudimentary to me. Lots of "and then I sliced the potatoes. Then I put them in the oven. Then I wondered why my boyfriend was mad at me" type of paragraphs. I love a novel where I'm feeling along with the characters, and this writing just felt very shallow.
I enjoyed where each character ended up by the end of the novel, and I would love to see this author continue her craft. The story idea is there, the characters are there, I think some more polishing in the writing is in order.
I was so excited about the concept of this book--while I eargerly waited for my copy to arrive, I did some googling and saw that the writer had the idea for this novel by wondering how her life would have been different if she hadn't gone on the reality dating show she went on. Love that, and it sounded like a new story idea for a plot that I hadn't read before.
The story is sweet, but I just could never quite embrace this story. The writing felt very rudimentary to me. Lots of "and then I sliced the potatoes. Then I put them in the oven. Then I wondered why my boyfriend was mad at me" type of paragraphs. I love a novel where I'm feeling along with the characters, and this writing just felt very shallow.
I enjoyed where each character ended up by the end of the novel, and I would love to see this author continue her craft. The story idea is there, the characters are there, I think some more polishing in the writing is in order.
March 26, 2025
I really liked Rachel Lindsay’s memoir, so when I saw she wrote this book I knew I had to read it. But I had a really hard time getting through it. The whole Real Love dating show was a bit too on the nose for me with her Bachelorette experience. It was also more self discovery than romance which was not what I anticipated. The ending was also very abrupt and unsatisfying for me
March 22, 2023
Real Love is an opposites attract romance that is just as much about Maya finding herself and what happiness really is to her as much as it is a fun romance. I love how she included a Bachelor inspired reality tv show, and thought her tight group of girl friends and sister really brought Maya into her own and were pivotal in her finding herself. I also love how she learned to lean on her sister and found a new relationship with her as an adult. I did feel like the story was a bit redundant and told more than showed if that makes sense. Overall it was a good read, but didn’t WOW me.
July 5, 2023
As a former fan of The Bachelor franchise, I was truly excited when I got approved for this title. Not only is Rachel Lindsay my favorite Bachelorette of all times, but I've also enjoyed so much of her content throughout the years that I couldn't wait to read this book.
The premise of the book, I assume is based on Lindsay's experiences in the show and her take on the "what-ifs" had she refused the offer to become the first Black Bachelorette a few years ago. In this story, Maya Johnson's good friend and coworker Delilah becomes the lead in a reality TV dating show. Once the show starts airing, Maya sees Delilah fall in love with the love of her life while taking advantage of all the new opportunities the show opened for her. And while Maya had refused the role before Delilah got it, she starts to notice how her friend's life has taken a turn for better. Maya wonders if she made a mistake by not taking the opportunity. It isn't until she meets Kai thanks for her younger sister Ella that Maya starts to question if the path she is currently in is right for her or if she needs to be looking for more.
I must say that for a debut novel, this book is not bad. However, the title, cover, and description of the book could be misleading for people who are wanting to read a love story as this is more of a self-discovery journey story line.
This novel delves into the the idea of following one's heart and questioning whether the "perfect" life plan is really the key to happiness. Maya's plans include her future with her boyfriend, getting promoted at work, and building a fabulous life in Miami, but when her boyfriend ends things with her, everything seems to start falling apart. As Maya struggles to come to terms with her breakup, she is also faced with the reality that her life plan may not be as perfect as she thought. Watching her best friend Delilah find love on a reality TV show and change her life path makes Maya start to question everything she believed in. She begins to wonder if she has been pursuing the wrong goals all along and whether there is more to life than simply checking off boxes on a to-do list.
The author does an excellent job of bringing the characters to life, particularly Maya, who is a relatable and well-developed protagonist. While she is already a highly successful professional and truly likable character, I found it fascinating to see her navigate the crossroads in both her personal and professional life. I also enjoyed the contrast between Maya's attitude in comparison with her sister's carefree approach to life. The plot is engaging, and the twist involving Maya's sister adds an extra layer of intrigue to the story.
However, while the book is enjoyable, it falls short in some areas. The romance between Maya and Kai feels rushed and lacks depth, and some of the supporting characters feel underdeveloped. Additionally, the book's ending feels abrupt and leaves several plot points unresolved. I'm sure Lindsay let an opening ending for the reader to make their own assumptions but it felt so rushed that I just wish she had given closure to the story.
Overall, Real Love is a solid novel that offers a good balance of romance, self-discovery, and reflection on the importance of following one's heart. However, the book's flaws prevent it from being a standout read, earning it a rating of 3.5 stars.
The premise of the book, I assume is based on Lindsay's experiences in the show and her take on the "what-ifs" had she refused the offer to become the first Black Bachelorette a few years ago. In this story, Maya Johnson's good friend and coworker Delilah becomes the lead in a reality TV dating show. Once the show starts airing, Maya sees Delilah fall in love with the love of her life while taking advantage of all the new opportunities the show opened for her. And while Maya had refused the role before Delilah got it, she starts to notice how her friend's life has taken a turn for better. Maya wonders if she made a mistake by not taking the opportunity. It isn't until she meets Kai thanks for her younger sister Ella that Maya starts to question if the path she is currently in is right for her or if she needs to be looking for more.
I must say that for a debut novel, this book is not bad. However, the title, cover, and description of the book could be misleading for people who are wanting to read a love story as this is more of a self-discovery journey story line.
This novel delves into the the idea of following one's heart and questioning whether the "perfect" life plan is really the key to happiness. Maya's plans include her future with her boyfriend, getting promoted at work, and building a fabulous life in Miami, but when her boyfriend ends things with her, everything seems to start falling apart. As Maya struggles to come to terms with her breakup, she is also faced with the reality that her life plan may not be as perfect as she thought. Watching her best friend Delilah find love on a reality TV show and change her life path makes Maya start to question everything she believed in. She begins to wonder if she has been pursuing the wrong goals all along and whether there is more to life than simply checking off boxes on a to-do list.
The author does an excellent job of bringing the characters to life, particularly Maya, who is a relatable and well-developed protagonist. While she is already a highly successful professional and truly likable character, I found it fascinating to see her navigate the crossroads in both her personal and professional life. I also enjoyed the contrast between Maya's attitude in comparison with her sister's carefree approach to life. The plot is engaging, and the twist involving Maya's sister adds an extra layer of intrigue to the story.
However, while the book is enjoyable, it falls short in some areas. The romance between Maya and Kai feels rushed and lacks depth, and some of the supporting characters feel underdeveloped. Additionally, the book's ending feels abrupt and leaves several plot points unresolved. I'm sure Lindsay let an opening ending for the reader to make their own assumptions but it felt so rushed that I just wish she had given closure to the story.
Overall, Real Love is a solid novel that offers a good balance of romance, self-discovery, and reflection on the importance of following one's heart. However, the book's flaws prevent it from being a standout read, earning it a rating of 3.5 stars.
February 10, 2023
I read in the author's interview at the end of the book that Rachel was inspired to write this book when she wondered how different her life would have been if she hadn't gone on The Bachelorette. I actually think that's a pretty clever and original concept. There are so many books about reality shows but this is the first about the would-be contestant who says no. I admire Rachel for not taking the "easy" way by writing what she knew. This was a fast, enjoyable read with great character development and snappy dialogue/internal thought. It ends on a cliffhanger, which will probably bother some people, but I think it's still pretty obvious what choice Maya makes.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for my complimentary ARC. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for my complimentary ARC. All opinions are my own.
February 20, 2023
Okay first and foremost, this is by far one of the cutest covers I’ve ever seen. I can’t wait for March 7th to add this to my shelf!
From the first chapter, I was in love with Maya. She is relatable in the best way. She has her “plan” and believes that by sticking to it, she will find purpose and happiness. As a woman in my mid-20s who is still figuring out the career-life balance, I related so much to her struggle of striving to reach these high goals she has and of wanting to be happy and be present in her life. It was even further demonstrated with the pressure she felt in her older sister role. Maya’s relationship with Ella was frustrating at times, but it made it feel even more real. (And it made the sweet sister moments even sweeter. )
Now this book is not a slow burn. Maya and Kai have instant chemistry and click immediately. And at first, I was a little skeptical? But the more you get to know Kai’s character, the more you see his realness and enjoy the dynamic he brings! Also, even when there were some moments of conflict within the relationship, I feel like Kai actually approached the relationship maturely, and he was a breath of fresh air in comparison to Ralph 👀 (because yes I am with Ella when it comes to Ralph haha)
I appreciated Delilah’s character and how she was such a good friend to Maya through the story. I also appreciated that though the show “changed” her and her lifestyle, we get to see it as a change in a positive way instead of a change into a cliche. The Real Love (“Bachelorette”) plot line was really interesting! I enjoyed getting to read the updates of the season, and I liked that it wasn’t the main focus of the story. (Even though, I would LOVE if Rachel wrote a fiction story from the POV of someone going through the Bachelorette. I think it would be so fun to read as the weeks go on / the behind the scenes.)
Now, truthfully there was a side plot line that held it back from being a 5 star for me? But that’s a spoiler - so you’ll have to read it for yourself. And who knows, you may enjoy it, so I won’t add it here 🤷🏻♀️
* Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. *
From the first chapter, I was in love with Maya. She is relatable in the best way. She has her “plan” and believes that by sticking to it, she will find purpose and happiness. As a woman in my mid-20s who is still figuring out the career-life balance, I related so much to her struggle of striving to reach these high goals she has and of wanting to be happy and be present in her life. It was even further demonstrated with the pressure she felt in her older sister role. Maya’s relationship with Ella was frustrating at times, but it made it feel even more real. (And it made the sweet sister moments even sweeter. )
Now this book is not a slow burn. Maya and Kai have instant chemistry and click immediately. And at first, I was a little skeptical? But the more you get to know Kai’s character, the more you see his realness and enjoy the dynamic he brings! Also, even when there were some moments of conflict within the relationship, I feel like Kai actually approached the relationship maturely, and he was a breath of fresh air in comparison to Ralph 👀 (because yes I am with Ella when it comes to Ralph haha)
I appreciated Delilah’s character and how she was such a good friend to Maya through the story. I also appreciated that though the show “changed” her and her lifestyle, we get to see it as a change in a positive way instead of a change into a cliche. The Real Love (“Bachelorette”) plot line was really interesting! I enjoyed getting to read the updates of the season, and I liked that it wasn’t the main focus of the story. (Even though, I would LOVE if Rachel wrote a fiction story from the POV of someone going through the Bachelorette. I think it would be so fun to read as the weeks go on / the behind the scenes.)
Now, truthfully there was a side plot line that held it back from being a 5 star for me? But that’s a spoiler - so you’ll have to read it for yourself. And who knows, you may enjoy it, so I won’t add it here 🤷🏻♀️
* Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. *
June 30, 2023
3.5 ⭐️ —
the good: tbh I found this to be surprisingly well written (sorry to doubt you, Rachel Lindsay!) of course part of the appeal is to try to glean what parts might be “real” and taken from her actual reality TV experience, but the writing is also fun.
i also liked how central the relationship between maya and her sister was, and how the looming presence of their mom impacted them.
what could’ve been better …. somehow this novel felt too long - it really dragged in the middle - and also had some arcs feel underdeveloped. i didn’t care about the twist with Bailey because it felt weird from the beginning that Maya seemed to have this friend that she didn’t like that much anyways! the weight of the reveal around the parents didn’t pack as much of a punch as it could’ve, i think, if the parents were a bit more developed, rather than just getting somewhat repetitive internal monologues about the pressure she felt to live up to her mom’s standards. and with the career stuff, i just didn’t necessarily *see* it (although maybe this is my bias too of preferring comfort over change!)
the good: tbh I found this to be surprisingly well written (sorry to doubt you, Rachel Lindsay!) of course part of the appeal is to try to glean what parts might be “real” and taken from her actual reality TV experience, but the writing is also fun.
i also liked how central the relationship between maya and her sister was, and how the looming presence of their mom impacted them.
what could’ve been better …. somehow this novel felt too long - it really dragged in the middle - and also had some arcs feel underdeveloped. i didn’t care about the twist with Bailey because it felt weird from the beginning that Maya seemed to have this friend that she didn’t like that much anyways! the weight of the reveal around the parents didn’t pack as much of a punch as it could’ve, i think, if the parents were a bit more developed, rather than just getting somewhat repetitive internal monologues about the pressure she felt to live up to her mom’s standards. and with the career stuff, i just didn’t necessarily *see* it (although maybe this is my bias too of preferring comfort over change!)
March 7, 2023
Rachel Lindsay said she has always been curious about what would have happened if she had turned down being on The Bachelor. REAL LOVE explores that. The main character, Maya, is offered the lead role on a reality dating show, but she turns it down.
As a big Bachelor fan, I loved the reality dating show aspect. I also really liked Maya and appreciated the growth she made throughout the story. Maya has to navigate the challenges of female friendship and the pressures from family.
I wanted to feel more invested in the story, but it still held my attention.
REAL LOVE is about following your heart and forging your own path. An impressive debut novel from Rachel Lindsay!
As a big Bachelor fan, I loved the reality dating show aspect. I also really liked Maya and appreciated the growth she made throughout the story. Maya has to navigate the challenges of female friendship and the pressures from family.
I wanted to feel more invested in the story, but it still held my attention.
REAL LOVE is about following your heart and forging your own path. An impressive debut novel from Rachel Lindsay!
June 12, 2023
3.5
I wanted a less open-ended ending, but overall cute
I wanted a less open-ended ending, but overall cute
March 13, 2023
This book…. whew.
I am a rachel fan. Having followed her since Bachelorette to hosting to podcasting (s/o soulless jackals) to now, I’ve really gotten to know her parasocially at least and think she’s a intelligent person with a very interesting life experience, specifically that of her choice to go on Bachelorette as the first black woman, to switch out of her high power job towards something more creative, to keep going despite so much vitriol hurtled her way.
I decided to read this book as a RL fan and a rom book lover, and can say that on both fronts I was a bit disappointed. Really, this is more chicklit generally, as it centers around a woman finding herself at a transition stage, connecting with friends, family, career, and herself, and not necessarily on the romance front. It’s clear that this is RL’s reimagining of her experience and is meant to tell us that no matter what, whether she had decided to be the bachelorette or not, she could’ve still found her way to real love at the end of the day. It’s a cute message sure, that real love is about self and family and friends and others, but it’s execution left much to be desired.
This is to say the writing style felt pretty stale, as we meander through Maya’s often repetitive, very cringey stream of consciousness. She’s this super accomplished woman, but her thoughts feel so static and stale even as the novel evolves. The choices of metaphors and interjections and references feel so forced and uncomfortable at times, in this very millennial way that I don’t necessarily mesh with: “Roses don’t have to diet and exercise and coat themselves with makeup. They just are.” So genuinely, what the fuck does that even mean. Why… why would you say that babes. Towards the end I admittedly started skimming because I couldn’t take it anymore. It was so hard to invest in the story for those reasons.
Regarding the role of the Bachelorette in all of this, the Real Love subplot is just that. Her refusal to be on the show is what catalyzes her to make changes in her life on her own, which is fine, except RL didn’t commit to it because she shoehorned this whole soulmate thing wherein main guy Kai also turned down being on Real Love when she did… blah blah blah… the last thing we needed was soulmate romance, nor did we need a friend villain from the last 30 pages who was jealous of other friend for being on the Bachelorette? It was messy, because they try to keep us in the loop on the Real Love plot with these reality Steve esque publicity chapters, but it has no bearing on the plot whatsoever. If you’re looking for some other easter eggs, we do get funny Tyler C and Bryan references. But overall she doesn’t seem that interested in engaging deeply with the reality tv concepts, which makes the book feel narratively and thematically messy.
Overall, while i love RL, i have to keep this at 2/5 stars for the aforementioned reasons. I’m starting to think that as a reality tv consumer, books about the subject don’t really work for me; they seem to miss the mark (Charm Offensive DnFers unite) on what makes these shows interesting: a delicate balance of artificiality, spectacle, of emotions, etc. To quote RL, “all of this sucks” without it.
I am a rachel fan. Having followed her since Bachelorette to hosting to podcasting (s/o soulless jackals) to now, I’ve really gotten to know her parasocially at least and think she’s a intelligent person with a very interesting life experience, specifically that of her choice to go on Bachelorette as the first black woman, to switch out of her high power job towards something more creative, to keep going despite so much vitriol hurtled her way.
I decided to read this book as a RL fan and a rom book lover, and can say that on both fronts I was a bit disappointed. Really, this is more chicklit generally, as it centers around a woman finding herself at a transition stage, connecting with friends, family, career, and herself, and not necessarily on the romance front. It’s clear that this is RL’s reimagining of her experience and is meant to tell us that no matter what, whether she had decided to be the bachelorette or not, she could’ve still found her way to real love at the end of the day. It’s a cute message sure, that real love is about self and family and friends and others, but it’s execution left much to be desired.
This is to say the writing style felt pretty stale, as we meander through Maya’s often repetitive, very cringey stream of consciousness. She’s this super accomplished woman, but her thoughts feel so static and stale even as the novel evolves. The choices of metaphors and interjections and references feel so forced and uncomfortable at times, in this very millennial way that I don’t necessarily mesh with: “Roses don’t have to diet and exercise and coat themselves with makeup. They just are.” So genuinely, what the fuck does that even mean. Why… why would you say that babes. Towards the end I admittedly started skimming because I couldn’t take it anymore. It was so hard to invest in the story for those reasons.
Regarding the role of the Bachelorette in all of this, the Real Love subplot is just that. Her refusal to be on the show is what catalyzes her to make changes in her life on her own, which is fine, except RL didn’t commit to it because she shoehorned this whole soulmate thing wherein main guy Kai also turned down being on Real Love when she did… blah blah blah… the last thing we needed was soulmate romance, nor did we need a friend villain from the last 30 pages who was jealous of other friend for being on the Bachelorette? It was messy, because they try to keep us in the loop on the Real Love plot with these reality Steve esque publicity chapters, but it has no bearing on the plot whatsoever. If you’re looking for some other easter eggs, we do get funny Tyler C and Bryan references. But overall she doesn’t seem that interested in engaging deeply with the reality tv concepts, which makes the book feel narratively and thematically messy.
Overall, while i love RL, i have to keep this at 2/5 stars for the aforementioned reasons. I’m starting to think that as a reality tv consumer, books about the subject don’t really work for me; they seem to miss the mark (Charm Offensive DnFers unite) on what makes these shows interesting: a delicate balance of artificiality, spectacle, of emotions, etc. To quote RL, “all of this sucks” without it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 15, 2022
Thank you netgalley for this ARC i requested this ARC because i loved watching rachel on the shows shes been on and i think shes great! So when i saw she was writing a romance novel which romance isnt really my go to i had to request it and im glad i got it.
This book was so good. I honestly loved the little spin on it and had bachelor vibes with her friend getting on Real Love and then following the main characters journey on her relationships and life as well. I didnt know what was going to happen at times because it had ALOT of content lots of storylines and i loved so many of the friendships and girl power this book had. Also LOVED the little drag race UK line. I will say i wanted to see more of the journey with the show because i loved the concept but i will say this was the perfect romance novel lots of twists and turns and not forced it kept you reading to see what Maya does. I really hope rachel writes more books because honestly this was a great read. It touched down on so many important topics and knowing your worth and are some people worth you.
Great great read rachel!
Romance lovers you will love this one.
This book was so good. I honestly loved the little spin on it and had bachelor vibes with her friend getting on Real Love and then following the main characters journey on her relationships and life as well. I didnt know what was going to happen at times because it had ALOT of content lots of storylines and i loved so many of the friendships and girl power this book had. Also LOVED the little drag race UK line. I will say i wanted to see more of the journey with the show because i loved the concept but i will say this was the perfect romance novel lots of twists and turns and not forced it kept you reading to see what Maya does. I really hope rachel writes more books because honestly this was a great read. It touched down on so many important topics and knowing your worth and are some people worth you.
Great great read rachel!
Romance lovers you will love this one.
February 3, 2024
Real Love (eARC) — 1 ⭐️
𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 & 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰: I adored Rachel on The Bachelorette, so I was excited to read her first fiction book! It’s not very common for the franchise’s stars to write anything but memoirs, so the book intrigued me.
I tried reading this book twice, but it could not hold my interest. I didn’t like any of the characters, and I just felt bored. I finally DNF-ed the book at 32% on my second attempt.
To be honest, it was especially hard for me to relate to or root for the MFC. She was constantly judgy and somehow so oblivious to her dwindling ten-year dating relationship. With her ambition, I’m stunned she didn’t seem to care that an engagement wasn’t in sight.
Unfortunately, the book wasn’t for me, but I still have much respect for the author.
Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, for providing me an eARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 & 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰: I adored Rachel on The Bachelorette, so I was excited to read her first fiction book! It’s not very common for the franchise’s stars to write anything but memoirs, so the book intrigued me.
I tried reading this book twice, but it could not hold my interest. I didn’t like any of the characters, and I just felt bored. I finally DNF-ed the book at 32% on my second attempt.
To be honest, it was especially hard for me to relate to or root for the MFC. She was constantly judgy and somehow so oblivious to her dwindling ten-year dating relationship. With her ambition, I’m stunned she didn’t seem to care that an engagement wasn’t in sight.
Unfortunately, the book wasn’t for me, but I still have much respect for the author.
Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, for providing me an eARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
March 1, 2023
(ARC from NetGalley) Rachel Lindsay, you will always be my favorite.
We start off with the responsible (and slightly uptight) Maya who always has The Plan turning down the offer to be the lead of a reality show, Real Love. However, her best friend accepts.
As Maya watches her best friend fall in love, her sister comes to town and pushes her out of her comfort zone. She starts to question her definition of happiness and what it’d be like if she said yes to literally anything. Maya and Ella have a lovingly hateful sibling relationship but you can tell they’d do anything for each other. Maya’s anxieties honestly reflected some of my own and I loved how she never once thought “I’m too old” or “it’s too late” to try new things. I think if you enjoy Emily Henry’s books where it leans more literary fiction than true romance, you’ll love this. Read in one sitting.
We start off with the responsible (and slightly uptight) Maya who always has The Plan turning down the offer to be the lead of a reality show, Real Love. However, her best friend accepts.
As Maya watches her best friend fall in love, her sister comes to town and pushes her out of her comfort zone. She starts to question her definition of happiness and what it’d be like if she said yes to literally anything. Maya and Ella have a lovingly hateful sibling relationship but you can tell they’d do anything for each other. Maya’s anxieties honestly reflected some of my own and I loved how she never once thought “I’m too old” or “it’s too late” to try new things. I think if you enjoy Emily Henry’s books where it leans more literary fiction than true romance, you’ll love this. Read in one sitting.
January 2, 2023
*Thank you to Dell via NetGalley for the ARC recommendation*
Regarding Real Love, I do have a couple disclaimers. First, I watched Rachel’s season as the Bachelorette, but I didn’t watch her season as a contestant. This is only relevant because when I saw she had written a novel, I was excited to read it since she’s been making quite a name for herself with her various projects outside of Bach Nation. Also, I prefer to address authors by their last name in reviews, but Rachel is just…Rachel, so Rachel she shall remain. Furthermore, I probably read more romances than is normal, so I’ve been through a lot of tropes, phrases, moments, euphemisms, etc. Let’s just say I’ve been around the block when it comes to contemporary romances and women’s fiction. Like around the neighborhood really.
Now on to the book itself. Real Love is about a high-powered finance analyst, Maya, who has recently turned down the chance to be the lead on a reality dating show (sound familiar?) to stay on track with her plan of getting a coveted promotion at her job that is just within her reach. Instead of being confident in her decision to decline, Maya finds herself at a crossroads as to what truly makes her happy not just in her career, but also in her relationships (family, dating, friendships), and even in herself.
Upon reading, Rachel’s solid writing was apparent. I haven’t read her first book but I know she’s a great speaker so I wasn’t surprised that her storytelling flowed well but I couldn’t help but feel everything sounded familiar already (see second disclaimer above). It felt like the phrases and internal musings were cobbled together from other novels. Like if there was a phrase generator specifically for contemporary romances, Rachel’s pulled from it at least 10x. It all just felt…been there, done that? Not to say Rachel’s spin on the premise wasn’t different from other romances, since she included the reality dating show subplot (I thought it would be more like One to Watch, honestly), but the overall vibe was just...basic.
Speaking of...Maya has some confidence issues, which is perfectly fine, everyone does, but what I couldn’t wrap my head around was her constant self put-downs and comparisons to the other female characters, especially since we’re supposed to believe she had the Je ne sais quoi to be picked for the lead of Real Love (the dating show the book is also titled after). Not only that but SPOILER!!! Maya was offered the opportunity AGAIN. So twice she was picked! The lady who is as drab as her beige apartment, freely admits “it’s become abundantly clear that I’m just flat-out boring” like yes, girl. You are. But you’d be a perfect candidate to date multiple men at once on national TV. Not.
Ok character assassination aside, (I’m so sorry, I really was rooting for Maya and her HEA), the pacing of the book felt off since there was so much world building and back stories in the beginning (and honestly like 15x too many mentions of Miami) and the part that I love the MOST about romances, the woo (the getting to know you and falling in lust/love and butterflies), felt honestly glossed over and instead we basically get a recap of feelings. If you can’t make me fall in love along with the characters, you’ve lost me. Even if this book was supposed to be about self-love and growth for the main character, it fell flat.
With that said, I do think people who are fans of Big Rach and who don’t normally read excessive amounts of love stories like I do, could enjoy this book. It has funny moments and there is solid advice about not lowering your standards to be happy. There’s also a great redemption arc…for Maya's sister. Overall, the book was a 2.5/5 for me. I think Rachel is a good writer and I have no doubt she’ll have better luck with her next book, but I couldn’t get on board with this one. Also, the casual shitting on Chicago on one of the show recaps? Not cool. Real Love publishes in March 2023.
Regarding Real Love, I do have a couple disclaimers. First, I watched Rachel’s season as the Bachelorette, but I didn’t watch her season as a contestant. This is only relevant because when I saw she had written a novel, I was excited to read it since she’s been making quite a name for herself with her various projects outside of Bach Nation. Also, I prefer to address authors by their last name in reviews, but Rachel is just…Rachel, so Rachel she shall remain. Furthermore, I probably read more romances than is normal, so I’ve been through a lot of tropes, phrases, moments, euphemisms, etc. Let’s just say I’ve been around the block when it comes to contemporary romances and women’s fiction. Like around the neighborhood really.
Now on to the book itself. Real Love is about a high-powered finance analyst, Maya, who has recently turned down the chance to be the lead on a reality dating show (sound familiar?) to stay on track with her plan of getting a coveted promotion at her job that is just within her reach. Instead of being confident in her decision to decline, Maya finds herself at a crossroads as to what truly makes her happy not just in her career, but also in her relationships (family, dating, friendships), and even in herself.
Upon reading, Rachel’s solid writing was apparent. I haven’t read her first book but I know she’s a great speaker so I wasn’t surprised that her storytelling flowed well but I couldn’t help but feel everything sounded familiar already (see second disclaimer above). It felt like the phrases and internal musings were cobbled together from other novels. Like if there was a phrase generator specifically for contemporary romances, Rachel’s pulled from it at least 10x. It all just felt…been there, done that? Not to say Rachel’s spin on the premise wasn’t different from other romances, since she included the reality dating show subplot (I thought it would be more like One to Watch, honestly), but the overall vibe was just...basic.
Speaking of...Maya has some confidence issues, which is perfectly fine, everyone does, but what I couldn’t wrap my head around was her constant self put-downs and comparisons to the other female characters, especially since we’re supposed to believe she had the Je ne sais quoi to be picked for the lead of Real Love (the dating show the book is also titled after). Not only that but SPOILER!!! Maya was offered the opportunity AGAIN. So twice she was picked! The lady who is as drab as her beige apartment, freely admits “it’s become abundantly clear that I’m just flat-out boring” like yes, girl. You are. But you’d be a perfect candidate to date multiple men at once on national TV. Not.
Ok character assassination aside, (I’m so sorry, I really was rooting for Maya and her HEA), the pacing of the book felt off since there was so much world building and back stories in the beginning (and honestly like 15x too many mentions of Miami) and the part that I love the MOST about romances, the woo (the getting to know you and falling in lust/love and butterflies), felt honestly glossed over and instead we basically get a recap of feelings. If you can’t make me fall in love along with the characters, you’ve lost me. Even if this book was supposed to be about self-love and growth for the main character, it fell flat.
With that said, I do think people who are fans of Big Rach and who don’t normally read excessive amounts of love stories like I do, could enjoy this book. It has funny moments and there is solid advice about not lowering your standards to be happy. There’s also a great redemption arc…for Maya's sister. Overall, the book was a 2.5/5 for me. I think Rachel is a good writer and I have no doubt she’ll have better luck with her next book, but I couldn’t get on board with this one. Also, the casual shitting on Chicago on one of the show recaps? Not cool. Real Love publishes in March 2023.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 18, 2023
I listen to Rachel Lindsay’s podcast and watch The Bachelor every season so I was excited to pick up Real Love (audiobook). I’m not a big romance person (there are only so many meet cutes) but I felt like the characters were fun and I enjoyed the Bachelor tie in.
I didn’t love the writing (but I find this to be the case in every breezy frothy romance novel I’ve read) and I didn’t enjoy the audiobook narration. However, Rachel Lindsay did a fantastic job on her part (a gossip blog writer) and those were my favorite chapters.
The author wrote the book from the perspective of “what happens if you’re given the chance of a lifetime and you turn it down? What comes next?” Interesting premise and some fun moments!
I didn’t love the writing (but I find this to be the case in every breezy frothy romance novel I’ve read) and I didn’t enjoy the audiobook narration. However, Rachel Lindsay did a fantastic job on her part (a gossip blog writer) and those were my favorite chapters.
The author wrote the book from the perspective of “what happens if you’re given the chance of a lifetime and you turn it down? What comes next?” Interesting premise and some fun moments!
June 21, 2025
3.5* This is a “closed door” romance that, ironically, doesn’t feel much like a romance at all. The story focuses more on Maya’s complicated relationships with her sister, mother, and significant other than on the romantic arc itself. I appreciated the shift in focus, even if it wasn’t what I expected going in. I really enjoyed the reality dating show element—it popped up regularly without ever overtaking the main storyline, which was fun. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked this overall, especially since I tend to be cautious about books written by celebrities. It wasn’t an amazing book but I enjoyed it and am glad I read it.
February 19, 2023
After her friend convinces her to audition for the reality dating show, Real Love, Maya Johnson is offered the lead role and promptly turns it down. Going on the show does not fit into her life Plan. Not to mention, her boyfriend of 10 years would probably not like the idea. Instead, she suggests that her best friend, Delilah take her place. Maya sees how transformative the experience is for Delilah and begins to question whether everything she is holding onto is really what she wants.
I saw this on Netgalley and did a double-take when I saw Rachel Lindsay was the author. I did not realize the former Bachelorette was now writing romance?
Anyway, I enjoyed this more than I expected! The dating show aspect is not featured heavily, despite the synopsis being almost exclusively about that. It is categorized as a contemporary romance, but if you go into this expecting a traditional romance, I think you’ll be disappointed. I would say this is more the story of Maya’s self-discovery journey as she realizes who and what she really wants out of life. My favorite part of this was Maya’s relationship with her younger sister, Ella, and best friend, Delilah. There’s lots of female friendship and empowerment in this one!
Thank you to the author and publisher for a NetGalley ARC in exchange for my honest review!
I saw this on Netgalley and did a double-take when I saw Rachel Lindsay was the author. I did not realize the former Bachelorette was now writing romance?
Anyway, I enjoyed this more than I expected! The dating show aspect is not featured heavily, despite the synopsis being almost exclusively about that. It is categorized as a contemporary romance, but if you go into this expecting a traditional romance, I think you’ll be disappointed. I would say this is more the story of Maya’s self-discovery journey as she realizes who and what she really wants out of life. My favorite part of this was Maya’s relationship with her younger sister, Ella, and best friend, Delilah. There’s lots of female friendship and empowerment in this one!
Thank you to the author and publisher for a NetGalley ARC in exchange for my honest review!
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