9 Reality TV Dating Romance Books You’ll Binge Like The Bachelor

If you’re craving reality TV dating romance books that bring the messy drama, swoony slow burns, and actual emotional payoff, this list is for you. Think The Bachelor, Love Island, and The Amazing Race—but with more spice and better endings. Whether it’s forced proximity, fake relationships, or one bed in a tropical villa, these books feel like binge-watching your favorite dating show without ever picking up the remote.

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What Are the Best Reality TV Dating Romance Books?

These romance books put the spotlight on characters who are looking for love (or trying to avoid it) on camera. From royal reality shows to tropical island setups, here are the ones that bring the heat:

Thank You, Next by Kathryn Freeman

A second-chance romance set on a wedding reality show—with two exes and one major dilemma.

Molly joins The One to win back her ex… but another ex is also in the cast. Suddenly, she’s caught in a love triangle with millions watching, and she has to decide: go after the past or risk everything on the one that got away?

Tropes: Second chance, love triangle, fake reality.

Grab Thank You, Next on Amazon

Related: Check out my top 5 romance books of Summer 2024

If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy

A Cinderella retelling with a Bachelor-style twist and major body-positive vibes.

When Cindy joins Before Midnight, she doesn’t expect to become a viral sensation—or a fan favorite. She also didn’t expect to fall for the Prince Charming at the center of the show. Fashion, feelings, and fame all collide in this charming romance.

Tropes: Reality dating show, plus-size rep, slow burn.

Grab If the Shoe Fits on Amazon

The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun

A queer, behind-the-scenes Bachelor-style romance with heart and humor.

Dev produces fairy tale romances on Ever After, but this season’s bachelor—tech founder Charlie—is anything but Prince Charming. He’s anxious, awkward, and might be falling for Dev instead of the contestants. A messy, heartfelt story about rewriting the script.

Tropes: Queer romance, workplace, grumpy/sunshine.

Grab The Charm Offensive on Amazon

My Royal Showmance by Lexi Blake

The king agrees to a dating show. She’s just supposed to be undercover. Until sparks fly.

Anika’s sent to observe The King Takes a Bride for her job. But when a contestant drops out, she ends up on camera—and in the king’s sights. Now she has to navigate a fake dating show with very real stakes.

Tropes: Royalty, undercover heroine, workplace conflict.

Grab My Royal Showmance on Amazon

The (Fake) Dating Game by Timothy Janovsky

A fake relationship on a game show leads to real feelings—and a lot of chaos.

Holden’s life is spiraling when he meets Leo, a charming concierge who agrees to help him fake a relationship to get on Madcap Market. Winning the show would solve all Holden’s problems… except the ones happening in his heart.

Tropes: Fake dating, queer romance, forced proximity.

Grab The (Fake) Dating Game on Amazon

Hot Summer by Elle Everhart

A sapphic Love Island-style dating show with high stakes and sharp edges.

Cas joins Hot Summer for the career boost—not romance. But Ada, her fellow contestant, keeps getting under her skin. The cameras are rolling, and Cas has to choose between playing the game or falling hard.

Tropes: Queer romance, enemies to lovers, public pressure.

Grab Hot Summer on Amazon

Million Dollar Marriage by Katy Evans

Strangers marry on TV and race across the country for cash—and maybe real love.

Nell and Luke are total opposites, but they agree to marry for the cameras. Their dynamic is rocky, their chemistry undeniable, and if they can survive the competition, they just might win each other.

Tropes: Marriage of convenience, reality competition, opposites attract.

Grab Million Dollar Marriage on Amazon

Royally Matched by Emma Chase

A reluctant royal agrees to a dating show—but he falls for the one girl who isn’t playing the game.

Henry, heir to the throne, needs to clean up his image. Cue Matched: Royal Edition, a dating show full of blue-blooded hopefuls. But the quiet, bookish Sarah catches his eye instead—and soon, he’s rethinking the crown.

Tropes: Royal romance, opposites attract, dating competition.

Grab Royally Matched on Amazon

How to Marry a Duke by Vicky Dreiling

The Regency version of The Bachelor—with a matchmaker heroine who catches feelings.

Tessa’s hired to run a marriage competition for a grumpy duke. She’s supposed to find his perfect match, not become it. But the more time they spend together, the harder it is to stay impartial.

Tropes: Historical romance, matchmaker, slow burn.

Grab How to Marry a Duke on Amazon

Looking for More Romance With Fame, Cameras, or Competition?

If you love love stories that unfold under the spotlight, check out these related roundups:

• Reality TV Romance Books – A wider look at romance on screen, from dance shows to home renovations.
• Romance Books with Cooking Competitions – GBBO meets forced proximity and delicious tension.
• Romance Books About Going Viral or Becoming Famous – PR stunts, fake relationships, and internet-era chaos.

Final Thoughts

If reality TV dating shows leave you shouting at the screen, these books are your fix. They take everything we love about messy romances under pressure and turn them into emotionally satisfying, binge-worthy reads. And yes—you’ll get the happily ever after.

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