Goodreads|Amazon|Author Website
Release date: September 5, 2017

Publisher: Lyrical Press

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Blurb: 

SUGAR, SEA SALT, AND SHOW BIZ

Jen Reid’s life after walking off a reality show has been great–she’s gone from being a broke twenty-four-year-old Seattleite with no love life and no job to the twenty-five-year-old who got the guy, moved to Miami, and is starting a bakery with her best friend. She thinks her showmance love might be about to propose. And with mouthwatering goodies based on everyone’s favorite shows, her business, Sweet Reality, is destined for success.

That is, until a killer competitor opens right across the street. If she’s going to save Sweet Reality, Jen has to come up with a secret ingredient–like the recipe that won Totally 80s Bake-Off. Jen can get it–if she steps back into the spotlight. Soon she and her boyfriend are out to sea on a cruise ship full of reality stars, including her nemesis, Ariana; her lying, cheating ex; and some wicked producers looking to bring the drama. Separate cabins, “surprises” from her past, and scenarios tailor-made to spark fights are just the beginning. But with her self-respect, her business, and her future on the line, the fallout from this made-for-TV plotline will be all too real . . .

Review: 

Most of you have heard me say this before, but for those of you that don’t already know, I’m a HUGE reality TV junkie, the trashier the better. If you saw my DVR you would probably cringe in embarrassment, but I have no shame. Real Housewives? Yep, every city. Teen Mom? Yes please, both OG, 2 and the U.K. versions. Top Chef? Uh huh. Big Brother? Hell yes, I can’t wait for the finale tonight although I can’t stand any of the remaining cast members. I could go on and on, but my point here is that combining my love of reading with reality TV is my idea of nirvana.

This is the second book in a series and unfortunately I did not have a chance to read the first. This one picks up over a year after the first book ends and the author provided just enough backstory for me to feel all caught up. Jen and her boyfriend Justin met on a reality show, they had a showmance, and against all odds are still happily dating. When they get invited to film a different show aboard a cruise ship they jump at the chance. It’s seven days of drama and I loved every bit of it!

This is a total guilty pleasure read, light, fluffy and totally outrageous. Jen is the girl next door type with a side of sass and her and Justin were adorable, even if their communication skills were awful, but their miscommunication was my fortune as it added some very juicy drama. There’s backstabbing, frenemies, plain old enemies, and it has a racy, naughty aspect as well. There were even some tender moments in the end that I wasn’t expecting. If you want a behind the scenes look at the world of reality TV and the manipulations and betrayals it produces, you’ll like this one! 

Overall rating: 3.5/5 (I knocked off half a star because I hate the cover. Yes, I’m awful but it bothers me that much.)

Thanks to the author for my review copy.