Missing ‘Bachelor’ Mondays? 8 ‘Bachelor’-Inspired Books to Cure Your Reality TV Withdrawal
Bachelor Nation, it appears we’ve found ourselves in a bit of a drought…
It’s been nearly a month since Grant Ellis handed out his final rose to his fiancée, Juliana Pasquarosa, and we have to say, we’re feeling the loss in our weekly schedule.
By now, everyone knows that The Bachelorette, which is usually slated for a July premiere, will be taking a hiatus this summer in favor of other ABC programming. On the other hand, Bachelor in Paradise, which took a hiatus last year, will be returning. However, as rumors spiral that filming will start next week, it’s safe to say there will be a while to wait before our favorite Bachelor, Bachelorette, and Golden contestants hit the beach, which means we’ll be facing Bachelor-less Mondays for quite a while.
If you’re like us, if there is one thing you love as much as reality TV, it’s a good romance (or romance-adjacent) novel. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the best Bachelor-inspired books to read while we’re you’re waiting for Bachelor in Paradise’s long-awaited return.
Did your favorite Bachelor-inspired book make our list? Comment below to let us know how you’re spending your Bachelor-free Monday nights.
First-Time Caller
B.K. Borison
If your TikTok algorithm has you knee-deep in clips from MOViN 92.5’s Brooke and Jubal in the Morning (specifically their “Second Date Update”), First-Time Caller is definitely the book for you. First-Time Caller gives us the dual POV of “Heartstrings” radio host Aiden and Lucie, a single, late-night caller who his audience completely falls in love with. Effectively becoming the radio’s Bachelorette, Lucie joins the show and begins taking calls from eligible bachelors on air. Little does she know, there’s one sitting in the booth right next to her.
The Villain Edit
Laurie Devore
From Carolina Quixano to “Queen” Victoria Larson, it’s not a season of The Bachelor without a “villain.” However, as a cast member, you often don’t know who the villain is until the premiere of the season. In a recent episode of Ashley Iaconetti Haibon and Ben Higgins’ podcast, Almost Famous, Haibon likened receiving the villain edit to being portrayed as a “caricature” of yourself. In The Villain Edit, Jac, a romance novelist turned The 1 contestant, finds herself in that very position. If you watch The Bachelor for the drama and love a good villain arc, you need to check out The Villain Edit.
How to Win The Bachelor: The Secret to Finding Love and Fame on America’s Favorite Reality Show
Chad Kultgen and Lizzy Pace
Using The Bachelorette hiatus to craft your own audition? How to Win The Bachelor might be the book to get you there! From a deep dive into decades of Bachelor contestants to a playbook style guide on how to come out of the show with your desired outcome (getting engaged, becoming the lead, or gaining influencer status), How to Win The Bachelor makes a deeply convincing case that The Bachelor can and should be treated like a sport. According to a rumor started by Reality Steve, at least one contestant has already been caught reading the book on set. Even if you’re content watching the drama instead of living it, this book is a juicy read for anyone who loves The Bachelor.
The Selection
Kiera Cass
We’ve seen many dystopian competitions in our lives, but none have more directly mirrored reality TV than Kiera Cass’ 2012 YA sensation, The Selection. Described by Publishers Weekly as “a cross between The Hunger Games (minus the bloodsport) and The Bachelor (minus the bloodsport),” The Selection follows America Singer, a lower caste musician swept into the competition of a lifetime. A chance to move to the royal palace and fight in a Bachelor-style competition to win the heart of Prince Maxon should be a dream come true. But for America, who harbors a secret love for a guy back home, The Selection is an absolute nightmare. If you love The Bachelor, this is a lighthearted YA take on the show.
One to Watch
Kate Stayman-London
From Hannah Brown to Gabby Windey, we have many iconic women to choose from when it comes to picking our favorite Bachelorette. If One to Watch‘s casual viewer turned Main Squeeze lead, Bea, was real, we know she’d be in the running for that top spot. For Bea, her main character moment comes as an opportunity to boost her career and bring some body positivity to TV. Oh yeah, and she refuses to fall in love. If you’re forever quoting iconic lines like “I f**ked in a windmill and guess what? We did it a second time,” you’ll love One to Watch.
The Charm Offensive
Alison Cochrun
Ever wonder what happens behind the scenes on reality TV? We’ve got you covered. The Charm Offensive comes from the perspective of Ever After producer Dev, whose devotion to creating love on the show leaves little time to do so in his own life. That is, until he brings on Charlie as the lead of the new season and realizes he has far more chemistry with him than any of the actual contestants. If you’re living for that Bachelor behind-the-scenes tea, we’re sure The Charm Offensive will be right up your alley.
Bachelor Nation
Amy Kaufman
If you want to dive deep into The Bachelor‘s lore, consider Bachelor Nation the new top of your TBR. Going all the way back to the creation of the franchise, Amy Kaufman spills secrets, gives a behind-the-scenes look into production, and explains why viewers, like ourselves, are so captivated by watching people fall in love on TV. Leaning a little bit more academic than our other picks, we’d recommend this book to anyone who isn’t just interested in watching The Bachelor, but understanding why we love it.
One Perfect Couple
Ruth Ware
Bachelor in Paradise meets And Then There Were None in Ruth Ware’s One Perfect Couple, which gives readers an inside look at a reality TV show gone horrifyingly wrong. During a rough patch in their relationship, Lyla joins her aspiring actor boyfriend, Nico, in auditioning for a new The Ultimatum-esque show. While she expects their relationship to be tested on the beach, she doesn’t expect to end up stranded with the other couples and a mysterious killer. If you’re looking for a thrill, One Perfect Couple is the perfect reality TV-based book for you.
