Reality TV Romance Books That Bring the Drama (and the HEA)

If you’ve been searching for reality TV romance books that deliver the messy drama and a swoony payoff, you’re in the right place. These romances take the wild world of dating shows, cooking competitions, and home makeovers and turn them into love stories that actually stick the landing. Whether you’re into The Bachelor-level antics or Great British Bake Off sweetness, this list has something for every kind of reality TV addict.

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What Are the Best Reality TV Romance Books?

These books feature characters thrown into the spotlight—either as contestants, producers, or fake love interests—on shows that mirror our favorite guilty pleasures. From royal dating games to wilderness survival matches, here are some top picks to start with:

Royally Matched by Emma Chase

A royal version of The Bachelor, complete with castles, tiaras, and one charming but overwhelmed prince.

When Prince Henry signs on to star in a reality dating show, it’s mostly to escape the pressure of the crown. But when the contestants arrive, it’s not the glamorous duchesses fighting for attention who catch his eye—it’s Sarah, the quiet, bookish girl in the corner. Sweet, smart, and totally not here for the fame, Sarah challenges everything Henry thought he wanted.

Tropes: Royalty, reality show romance, opposites attract.

Grab Royally Matched on Amazon

Wicked Games by Jessica Clare

Survivor meets enemies to lovers—with major heat and a tropical backdrop.

Abby never expected to be cast on a survival show, but bills don’t pay themselves. When she’s paired with the insufferably hot Dean, sparks fly—both the good and bad kind. They can’t stand each other… until they have to. And once the physical tension explodes? It’s game over in the best way.

Tropes: Enemies to lovers, forced proximity, reality TV survival.

Grab Wicked Games on Amazon

Related: If you can’t get enough of Love Island, you’ll want to check out our list of books like Love Island to satisfy the craving.

Name Your Price by Holly James

Locked in a house with your ex for a million dollars? Big Brother meets PR stunt. That’s entertainment.

Olivia and Chuck were the couple everyone followed online—until their breakup went viral. Now, they’ve been offered a reality show deal: live together for a month and keep their hands off each other for a million dollars. Only one bed. One bathroom. No touching. Yeah, okay.

Tropes: Second chance, forced proximity, viral drama.

Grab Name Your Price on Amazon

Take the Lead by Alexis Daria

A Dancing with the Stars inspired romance with sizzling chemistry.

Gina’s a pro dancer who’s never made it to the finals, but this season might be different. Her new partner, Stone, is a wilderness survivalist turned TV heartthrob—and the producers want them to fake a showmance. But what happens when the fake romance starts to feel very, very real?

Tropes: Forced proximity, workplace romance, showmance.

Grab Take the Lead on Amazon

Facing Reality by Sienna Atwell

A forbidden Love Island-style setup with a slow burn and emotional angst.

Competing on a dating show wasn’t the plan, but money talks. Ethan wasn’t supposed to be her love interest—especially since she’s technically dating someone else on the show. But falling for him? That’s the kind of unscripted chaos producers dream of.

Tropes: Love triangle, forbidden romance, reality show tension

Grab Facing Reality on Amazon

The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun

A queer Bachelor retelling with a cinnamon roll hero and the grumpy producer who falls for him.

Dev produces fairy tales for a living on a long-running dating show. But this season’s bachelor, Charlie, is stiff, awkward, and not into dating women on national TV. Behind the scenes, Dev tries to coach him—and ends up falling for him instead.

Tropes: Queer romance, workplace, grumpy/sunshine.

Grab The Charm Offensive on Amazon

Mr. Fixer Upper by Lucy Score

What if HGTV stars had sexual tension so thick you could cut it with a saw?

Grumpy contractor Gannon and producer Paige are stuck together filming his renovation show. He drives her nuts—and not just in the hate-him way. The forced proximity, the steamy glances, and oh yeah… the infamous shower scene. This one’s a must.

Tropes: Grumpy/sunshine, workplace, slow burn.

Grab Mr. Fixer Upper on Amazon

If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy

A Cinderella retelling with a plus-size fashionista thrust into the spotlight.

Cindy agrees to be on a Bachelor-style show mainly for the career boost. What she doesn’t expect is to become an overnight body-positive icon—and maybe even fall for the lead. This is smart, charming, and heartfelt from start to finish.

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

Grab If the Shoe Fits on Amazon

Battle Royal by Lucy Parker

A GBBO-inspired enemies-to-lovers romcom with royals, glitter, and baked goods.

Sylvie is a pastel-loving baker with flair. Dominic is the grumpy royal baker who once eliminated her from a televised baking contest. Now they’re co-judging a new season and competing to bake the royal wedding cake. Expect sparks, sabotage, and sugar everywhere.

Tropes: Rivals, grumpy/sunshine, workplace.

Grab Battle Royal on Amazon

Southern Rocker Boy by Ginger Voight

Music competition meets enemies-to-lovers, with fame and heartbreak on the line.

Jonah and Lacy can’t stand each other—or keep their hands off each other. When they’re forced to compete on a televised music show, their chemistry becomes the star of the season. But fame comes with a cost.

Tropes: Music competition, enemies to lovers, angsty fame

Grab Southern Rocker Boy on Amazon

Where to Find More Reality TV and Fame-Inspired Romance Books

If you love stories set under the spotlight, there’s more where that came from. These related romance book lists dive deeper into the drama—whether it’s on a reality TV show, in the kitchen, or going viral for the whole internet to see.

• Reality TV Romance Books About Dating Shows
  Think The Bachelor, Love Island, and other over-the-top dating setups—but with HEAs you’ll actually believe in.
• Romance Books with Cooking Competitions
  For fans of Great British Bake Off, Top Chef, or any romance that mixes sugar with spice.
• Romance Books About Going Viral or Becoming Famous
  These love stories may not be set on a reality show—but the characters are still dealing with internet fame, fake dating, and media chaos.

Why Reality TV and Romance Just Work

Let’s be real—reality dating shows almost never stick the landing. But in books? You always get the emotional payoff. These stories blend the voyeurism of reality TV with the HEAs we crave, making them some of the most fun, chaotic, and swoony reads out there.

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