I love a reality dating show, as wild and unreal as they are, the entertainment value is unparalleled. and this did that for me.

When reality series recap writer Abby Jones is offered the chance to go on The Stag (a fictional version of The Bachelor) as a contestant, she jumps at the chance to write her recaps from behind the scenes. But pretending to be a "doe," isn't as fun as she thinks it'll be, after having to backstab girls she considers friends and putting up with The Stag, who is nothing like the person he portrays on TV. Abby is also drawn to the producer, Jack, and her feelings for him might just blow her cover. Including snarky show recaps, and situations you just know happen on reality TV, Sandy Barker has written a funny book that is sure to put you in a good mood from the first page to the last.

Disappointing, I couldn't connect with Abby. at all, and felt that the writing was on the juvenile side.

Kind of hard to get into. Too many characters made it difficult to really care about the story and truly become invested.

Loved this fun read and couldn't fault it, so funny and entertaining throughout with a lovely little romance! Loved the story and would buy more from this author. Fab cover too!

I really enjoyed this story! I find it interesting that there have been multiple books with the bachelor/bachelorette style tv show storyline this year! It’s not normally my thing, but reading about it and all the behind the scenes is fun!

Sandy Barker has such a way of capturing her characters on the page and I love them! She has quite an array of characters in this one and I really enjoyed getting a glimpse at each of them!!!!

If you’re looking for a fun, unconventional love story, and want to see what a house full of women fighting over one man looks like on and off camera, pick this one up!!!!

Thank you to Netgalley, One More Chapter, Harper Collins UK, and Sandy Barker for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

The book is exciting, addictive and bingeworthy.

It was absolutely hilarious! I had so many moments of laughing out loud while reading this. The premise was entertaining and well executed and I have so many characters that I am fond of, particularly Abby and Elizabeth.

This book portrayed in writing the exact thing I expect from reality tv.- loveable trash tv.

I found the ending a bit anti-climactic. I found myself wanting just a tad more drama, considering what we’d read through the rest of the book, I think the ending dulled in comparison. I wanted to see this big blown up Anastasia reveal with lots of screaming and crying and betrayal, which I’m sad to announce did not happen.

Overall, this was a great read and definitely worth grabbing if you’re in the mood for a pick me up!

Are you a fan of funny romance books? And perhaps the bachelor? Then this is definitely something for you! A funny book was a journalist goes undercover as a contestant on a bachelor rip of show. It was very funny and entertaining, and I had a great time reading it. Can highly be recommended for any romance readers out there!

Thank you NetGalley, Sandy Barker, and the publisher for giving me a free ARC of this book, in exchange for my honest review! This book was absolutely the cutest, and the perfect rom-com that gave me all of the summer vibes. Was this out of this world and something so crazy original? No. However, this was perfect if you're looking for a light and easy read between mentally exhausting books!

To start, I am glad to have given this format of reality game/dating show a shot through book form. That being said, it was not my favorite. I did enjoy it, but I was looking forward to it ending to just be done with the book. If someone who is already a fan of reality shows picks this up, they will love it. Not for me, unfortunately.

I thoroughly enjoyed the setting of this book- both the fact that it takes place on a reality TV show, and in Australia. This led to a lot of fun and funny moments. I loved the mix of British and Australian humor/ slang etc. There were some great side characters via the other show contestants.
As far as the MCs- Abby and Jack....I mostly liked them. Obviously I was interested in the sexy Australian TV producer from the jump. But Abby's character just had SO MUCH going on. And the whole thing about not wanting to use her real name for the show because it might interfere with her "serious journalism". So they chose to call her Abby instead of Abigail? L-O-L. Ridiculous. Hysterical. Couldn't figure out if that was meant to be serious or not.
It just did not seem like it would work out in the end , really. All the layers of deception. I could not understand how it would get sorted once the show aired. and because the book basically did a "fade to black" I will never know! I think that is what irked me the most. All this build up, and I felt like no payoff. I NEED TO KNOW IF JACK WAS GOOD IN BED. Disappointing!
So, very funny, but did not feel like a real romance to me. Too many loose threads that needed to be tied up in the end.

Had me laughing out loud!
Set around a reality tv show filmed in Australia (which I loved reading about!) where ladies compete to win the hand of the man, Abby ends up undercover in the house but she isn’t overly interested in the Stag but instead producer Jack…
Abby is a brilliant character, she is quick witted and smart but also insecure, she cares for those around her, especially her mum which I loved and her issues with lying to those around her made her feel so real and I could so easily picture her in my head, I may even know someone like her and I think that makes me adore her even more because she is such a genuine character
There is so much in this book that I enjoyed but especially the relationship that develops with the girls where they are all living in the same house. You seem to know what to expect when all of the sudden things end up all over the place which was fabulous but also slightly disconcerting
I loved this book, it had so many parts where I laughed out loud and I have bookmarked so many places in my kindle so I can go back and experience them when I’m having a tough time because I know they will make me chuckle!
I would recommend this book to those who enjoy a romance with a twist full of drama which will keep you on your toes

One handsome man looking for love and marriage, and twelve beautiful girls hoping to win his heart. It's a tv dating show, set in a Sydney mansion, where they all live together for two months or more, the girls being rejected one by one until the 'stag' chooses 'the one'. But one girl is there undercover, writing about the show from the inside. Not my usual sort of read but I did get hooked in. The girls range from sweet and kind to out and out bitch. And Abby, our heroine, is funny, relatable and likeable. I felt for her dilemma,as she got nearer and nearer to being in the final few, despite her intense dislike for the stag and her growing secret romance with one of the crew.

3.5/5 stars.

I continue to be a big fan of the Bachelor / Bachelorette themed books. This one was unique in that Abby, the protagonist, is not only a contestant on the show, but she is an undercover journalist getting to the heart of what happens on the show. It's a unique concept for a book and the storyline was great; I just felt that the plot dragged on forever. But it was a fun book and it stood out from the other similar titles out there.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy of The Dating Game.

I had really high hopes for this book. It was okay but nothing out of this world. The plot ended up being a bit cheesy and I didn’t connect with the characters. The writing was good and done well but the storyline just didn’t do it for me. I’d definitely give the author another shot, but this just fell a bit flat.

Abby makes a living writing reviews for a dating game show; her editor wants her to be at the heart of the action, which results in Abby being shipped of to Australia to actually take part in the next season of StagManor’, which seems to be a kind of Love Island/Big Brother hybrid. What can possibly go wrong!

Abby’s first impressions of her fellow ‘Does’ waiting for the Stag’ to show up, are much as I would expect, ranging from über bitch to fairly normal. Those at the über end of the scale seem particularly unpleasant. In fact they seemed so unpleasant that I couldn’t help but wonder whether or not they too were ‘plants’? After all, surely no one can genuinely be that odious? I don’t think for a moment that the author knows what it’s like to be on a prime time reality/dating show, but the way that the show was portrayed came across as very realistic to an oblivious bystander like me!
The ‘Stag’, Daniel came across as pretty shallow – constantly thinking about how what he does or says will look on camera. I felt that the more unpleasant characters amongst the women, were welcome to him.

This is a quirky book, with elements of humour, for example for Abby, having to go on a horse riding date, despite being scared of horses. Oops – her back story painted her as an accomplished horsewoman!

The author did a fantastic job of telling this story as though she really did have a mole inside a dating show. Abby came across as thoroughly likeable and an all round decent person, not prepared to compromise her personal values.

This story started off strong and interesting but then a few chapters in it was clear where this story was heading and I lost interest.,

This is a fantastic read from start to end. This is a fun- filled, interesting story. The characters in this one are gorgeous.

This is a book that has kept me awake and left me smiling. This has been captivating and amusing.

Abby Jones is a fantastic character, I have loved her. This is a read which is perfect for fans of dating shows.

I adore Sandy’s books, this is quite possibly my new favourite. A definite five star read and one that I highly recommend.

There’s nothing better than a romantic tale packed full of wit, sass and sarcasm. At least for me there’s not. Now I love a good love story as much as the next girl but if you can barrel me over laughing then you have hit the tri-factor.

The Dating Game by Sandy Barker is a quick, energetic read full of laughs that can put anyone in a good mood. It is full of sarcasm and queen-b humour as it follows our gossip columnist on a journey of her dreams. Abby Jones dreams of being a real journalist, as much as she loves sharing her banter and thoughts on The Stags and owning the gossip scene, she dreams for more. The book follows her growth and adventure as love appears on the most unlikely of shows.

Sandy has a way with writing, her characters become real personalities living their own lives, whilst the writing is easy and entertaining. The book itself also holds alot of enjoyment for any fans of the Batchelor, it will keep you entertained and dying to go back for a series binge. I really enjoyed reading this novel and feel in love with the sass and fierceness of Abby. She was quick-witted, fiesty and full of fire. She was so much fun and really made the story one to remember.

To any mean girl or hidden gossip lover, this book was written for you. It is the perfect tale to end the Summer with a smile.

OK this book was so fun and really spoke to my soul as a hardcore bachelor nation fan! It was a blast to read and felt like I was sometimes watching an episode of the show! This is my first book read by Sandy Barker and I loved her writing style! I cracked up multiple times during the dating game! I loved Abbey and her quips and thoughts. This book was an adorable and fun read and I really enjoyed it!!