In the game of love — and TV — you play to win or you lose your heart.

Millionaire Banjo Grahams originally signed up for She’s The One drunk as a skunk and willing to do anything to bed Australia’s most beautiful women, but when he sobers up he realises he could lose much more than his reputation if he goes through with it. Unable to back out of an ironclad contract, he makes a deal with the network boss to rig the show, picking the lucky bachelorette ahead of time and guiding the season to meet his own ends and keep the board happy.

When her father tells Eliza Peterson she isn’t going to produce She’s The One, but appear as a one of the contestants, she is livid. Competing for some guy on reality TV is no way to earn his — and the network’s — respect and show them she is capable of producing shows of her own.

But for all the planning and staging, somehow the show takes on a reality of its own, and the goals of Eliza and Banjo fall away from something neither of them expected — love.

+++ Image and blurb from Escape Publishing +++

Net Galley ARC received from Escape Publishing Australia for an honest review

4 Reality Rose Stars

February being the month of love and romance, I could not resist diving into a short romantic fling (aka. novella) to honour the week.  She’s The One is a reality show based on the ever popular Bachelor and Bachelorette, and the reader is introduced to – bad boy, man-whore, millionaire, winter gold medallist – Banjo Grahams as the lucky Bachelor. Before filming begins, Banjo develops cold feet and show producer, Eliza Peterson, is forced to step into the contest and Banjo’s life by her father- to save the company. As the show plays out they begin to discover the person behind the fake persona and their own dreams for a future with someone they love.

Perfect for fans of the reality TV shows, She’s The One is well paced, developing a believable connection between Banjo and Eliza. Both characters have familial and relationship complications that play into their romance, but they are not acknowledged only to be brushed off but are considered and cause emotional obstacles to hurdle. The sterile and controlled reality TV environment is another hurdle that they are forced to tackle, but time alone and stolen moments allow their relationship to flourish away from the cameras. The writing is strong and wonderfully visual, allowing me to bask in the humidity of a Port Douglas summer.

If you want a fun, quick romance with plenty of heart to win over your weekend, then definitely pick up She’s The One.