Cover Image: The Dating Game

The Dating Game

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Member Reviews

This is a fun and entertaining read, that I enjoyed.

Many thanks to NetGalley and to the publisher for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review.

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Being partial to a dating reality show, I was delighted to discover this book on my pile. Barker recreates this with an entertaining story about the deceptions production can create, especially when one of the contestants is planted in the series.

Abby is roped into becoming a contestant on The Stag, a dating show where one male (the Stag), dates a group of females (the Does), eliminating one potential love interest each week until his “forever after” is decided. Barker merges several reality shows with this premise and I think readers will be able to recognise this, adding to the overall enjoyment of the story.

Set in Australia, Abby is up against some fellow British Does, as well as some glamourous Australians too. However, Abby is a journalist who, undercover, is continuing to write her entertainment column, satirising and mocking the entire show. Intending to add exposure and raise ratings, Abby has to put on a character to ensure no one is suspicious of her true intentions, especially when she starts to fall for one of the production team.

I loved this story because it was such an accurate portrayal of a reality program. I was also fascinated by the idea of how storylines are manipulated in order to keep viewer interest – I had never really considered the extent to which this happens. Furthermore, I found Abby’s workspace to be entertaining and couldn’t believe how she is never suspected by the rest of the contestants – who believe that Abby disappears for regular meditating when she is actually writing her column.

There is a colourful range of characters in this book and I enjoyed watching some of these stereotypes within the reality show setting. Although it was a bit tricky to keep track of the different personalities, I appreciated the character list that appears at the end of the novel. As the program develops, Abby finds it harder to keep her identity a secret, especially as she begins to make genuine friendships with some of the “Does”. This made the story even more enjoyable, although I found I was deliberately trying to read it slowly to prolong the story!

For those who enjoy watching dating shows, this book is a perfect match. It is a great holiday read too, but the Australian setting definitely helped take me on holiday from the comfort of my sofa! A light-hearted read with plenty of romance, this was entertaining and enjoyable from the very beginning.

With thanks to One More Chapter, Harper Collins and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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I thought this book was so cute it was an easy read and one of my favorite plot/storylines so I was able to finish it in one sitting. Not life-changing but a fun, light hearted, quick and easy read!

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Unfortunately I didn't get a chance to read this as I had issues with my kindle, however I don't want to give it bad feedback as it's no fault with the book.

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Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for giving me an opportunity to read this book.

I was not a fan of this book. Although I love the premise, I found myself getting lost in the stream of thought run-on sentences. It was too hard to follow. Would not likely recommend.

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This book was an absolute hoot and a silly, fun look at reality shows (and what happens behind the scenes). A really light, fast read with a lot of chortling out loud moments.

If you're looking for an escape read, look no further.

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hooked and hooked some more. Loved all of this and couldn't put it down. I was like oh my. I need to know more. Read it.

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Thank you to One More Chapter for the copy of this ATC. I unfortunately just couldn’t get into this book. I did the quite a few chapters, but wasn’t connecting with the MC or the overall message of the book.

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I enjoyed this different take on the behind the scenes look at a dating show. The different ladies on the show were fun to get to know, and the book as a whole seemed completely believable. If people love shows such as The Bachelor, they'd love this!

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I thought this was a cute book. The meet cute between the two lovers was well played out. The only thing I, what that their relationship development was a little thrown for a loop. It happend very quick and we didnt get to really enjoy their romance as the preface was the whole dating show. But I did love the character development between the girls and how they became friends.

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This was a fun and fantastic read! If you love love island, you will love this book! It’s engaging and moves quickly. I love how it examined so many different version of love, not just romantic!

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Quick and fun! I'd recommend this to any fans of the bachelor. At times, the suspension of disbelief faltered, and I had a hard time connecting with the characters, but as long as you don't take it too seriously, it shouldn't disappoint you.

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Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC in exchange of an honest review!

This book was truly amazing! I really adored the reality show setting and wow it was amazing! At times it felt a bit like nothing was happening, and that is why it gets 4 stars.

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This book isn't my usual cup of tea read and unfortunately it didn't quite work for me. Interesting premise.

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Ok first of all reality TV is NOT my thing like at all.

I work in scripted television so reality tv is like enemy #1 (just kidding...kinda)

But this was delightful! A fun romp that I loved reading by the pool and found myself laughing out loud several times! I will say there are a lot of players to keep your eye on but that in no way diminished my enjoyment of The Dating Game at all.

This was absolutely hilarious I totally recommended it to my Bachelor Fan friends!!

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This was a fun story with a cute idea. It was a nice escape read when the world seemed very overwhelming.


I received an advance copy. All thoughts are my own.

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The Dating Game is a laugh out loud rom com that certainly brings the "com" in rom com. It's an enjoyable and very fun read.

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If you are looking for something to read this summer that will have you laughing out loud, is a little bit cute and has you cheering for a HEA... then this is the book for you.

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I love a story that makes you laugh out loud and this one is no exception ! A fun, entertaining and quick read for fans of The Bachelor or the like.
Abby was a funny and likeable character and I loved her support, encouragement and friendships with the other women.

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When I read at the beginning that there are many characters in the book and there would be a glossary of them at the end, I must admit I was a bit worried but I didn't need to be! The different people were all distinctly drawn and stood out in their own right. This is a fun read which entertains and certainly will make you smile. I especially enjoyed all of Abby's personae.

Friendship is a major part of the story and it is interesting to see what some people will do to 'win' a reality show. My absolute favourite part was when Abby's Mum featured. She certainly provided some laugh out loud moments. Several of the contestants are proven to have a double life and are not all what they seem. As you see the characters being manipulated by the production team, it does make you question what you see in some of these programmes and I am sure I will watch them with a quizzical eye. This warm, witty writing which fizzes with fun.

In short: Warmth and humour in spades
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of the book

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