Book Review: Here for the Right Reasons by Jodi McAlister (Marry Me, Juliet #1)
After drunk-applying for reality show Marry Me, Juliet (aka The Bachelor in the real world), Cece finds herself accepted as one of the girls hoping to catch the eye of ‘Romeo’ Dylan, a handsome ex-Olympian sailor who now runs a charity foundation.
Let’s be honest, we all suspect (know?) that these shows are scripted and none of the girls are really there ‘for the right reasons’ and McAlister doesn’t dissuade this line of thinking. Just about every girl on the show has an ulterior motive, including Cece, who desperately needs to stay on the show as it’s 2020 and she needs to earn money after recently losing her job due to the pandemic.
The book started well. I thought, at last!, we had a winner in the [incredibly tricky to get right] chicklit arena! However, I will admit my attention did wan at about the 75% mark. I think my main issue was the two leads. I found Dylan terribly bland and Cece’s constant crying made me want to slap her silly. In contrast, supporting characters Murray and Lily were much more interesting.
I did like the way McAlister poked fun at reality shows. I’m not sure I was supposed to find the ridiculousness of the contestants’ challenges and their staged arguments more interesting than the romantic relationship of the main couple but, there you go.
The ending was a little predictable, especially if you read the blurbs from book 2 and 3 in the series (try not to, the spoilers did take away from my enjoyment). But, McAlister definitely has potential. 3 out of 5
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