"Fan Favorite" by Adrienne Gunn is an enjoyable romcom set in the world of reality TV dating. I rarely watch reality shows - aside from the occasional dating episode - but I love reading about them.
Thirty-five-year-old Edie Pepper, a copywriter from Chicago, wants love, marriage, and the whole package. After her boyfriend dumps her and a series of disastrous dates, she faces an existential crisis - especially when her latest date tells her she’s "too old" for marriage. Yet, she hasn’t given up on love. When she sees her high school sweetheart, Charlie Bennett, on America’s biggest reality dating show, The Key, she convinces herself he’s the one. She reaches out to Jessa, one of the show’s producers, who eagerly brings her on board to boost ratings.
Petter, The Key's cynical showrunner, is unimpressed - Edie doesn’t fit the typical contestant mold, nor does he believe in love after his rough divorce. Meanwhile, Charlie isn’t the man she remembers. He’s reinvented himself and has no intention of looking back. When Edie unexpectedly joins the show, he’s less than thrilled. Expecting fireworks and a rekindled romance, Edie instead finds herself entangled in the ruthless world of reality TV. She soon realizes that reality is far from glamorous - and that love often appears where you least expect it.
I enjoyed this book very much. While it has plenty of lighthearted moments, it also explores serious themes - love and the need to be loved, friendship, self-image, and the lengths people will go for fame. Though written in third person, the novel skillfully delves into the perspectives of Edie, Charlie, and Petter, making them feel like real, fleshed-out people. The character interactions felt authentic and added depth to the story.
The novel pokes fun at modern dating, exposing the unrealistic expectations shaped by books and movies, while offering a sharp critique of reality TV’s behind-the-scenes manipulations - not a pretty picture. I especially loved the small touches, like the memos between the producers, the TV interviews, and the raw behind-the-scenes look at how "reality" is crafted.
There was a bit of excessive name-dropping, which felt over the top at times. Edie, as the quintessential all-American girl, struggles with self-esteem, even comparing herself to skinny celebrities at one point (not exactly the best role models). Still, I liked her, and I appreciated how both she and the other characters evolved throughout the story. She learns important lessons and, more importantly, finds herself along the way.
Overall, I loved the book and its refreshing take on social media, dating, and reality TV. I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a light read with deeper themes. While the ending was predictable, the journey was anything but. It makes you reflect on the choices we make and serves as a reminder to believe in yourself.
Would I ever participate in a reality show? Absolutely not. And after reading this, I’ll never look at them the same way again.
* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc. All opinions are my own.
* For more info about the book: Fan Favorite by Adrienne Gunn
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