If you’re addicted to reality TV but also love getting lost in a great book, this list is for you. From glamorous drama to heartfelt romance to high-stakes deception, these books match the energy, twists, and emotional pull of your favorite reality shows—no rose ceremony or remote needed.
If you love: Love on the Spectrum (U.S.)
Then read: Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
Much like Love on the Spectrum (U.S.), where individuals navigate relationships with vulnerability and sincerity, Tova Sullivan finds quiet connection and meaning in unexpected places. Still grieving the loss of her son, she forms a surprising bond with Marcellus, a remarkably intelligent giant Pacific octopus at the aquarium where she works—one that helps her uncover long-buried truths and opens her heart in new ways.
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If you love: Temptation Island
Then read: Cleat Cute by Meryl Wilsner
When former soccer star Shannon joins her college team, she immediately clashes with star player Taylor. What begins as rivalry becomes a slow-burning romance as the two navigate fierce competition, personal insecurities, and undeniable attraction. Their exploration of desire beyond expectation echoes the emotional risks and temptations that define Temptation Island.
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If you love: Pop The Balloon
Then read: The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
Olive Smith, a Ph.D. student, agrees to a fake dating arrangement with brooding professor Adam Carlsen to convince her friend she’s moved on. As their staged romance grows more real, Olive and Adam navigate academic pressures, emotional insecurities, and unexpected connection—mirroring the surprising chemistry and romantic pairings on Pop the Balloon.
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If you love: Love is Blind
Then read: The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun
Echoing the premise of forming bonds sight unseen in Love Is Blind, Dev Deshpande, a consultant on a reality dating show, helps emotionally distant lead Charlie Winshaw navigate his public persona. As their connection deepens, both men confront insecurities, identity, and what it means to pursue love beyond the cameras and carefully curated narratives.
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If you love: The Real Housewives
Then read: Courtroom Drama by Neely Tubati Alexander
Sydney Parks is thrilled to serve on a jury—until she’s sequestered on a high-profile case involving a reality TV star accused of murder. Things get a bit complicated when her long-lost childhood best friend, Damon, is also on the jury. Their time together reignites unresolved tension, attraction, and secrets that could derail the entire trial. The Real Housewives follows similar threads of scandal, complex female dynamics, shifting alliances, and high-stakes public drama.
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If you love: The Bachelor
Then read: One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London
Mirroring the format and drama of The Bachelor, Bea Schumacher, a plus-size influencer, is cast as the lead in a reality dating show, forcing her to confront her own insecurities and the unrealistic expectations of televised romance. A stylish blogger with a broken heart, Bea agrees to star in Main Squeeze to boost her career and challenge beauty standards, vowing not to fall in love. But with the online buzz and charming suitors, real connections become surprisingly complicated.
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If you love: Selling Sunset
Then read: Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan
The glamorous setting and high-stakes drama of Selling Sunset mirror the world Rachel Chu steps into when she travels to Singapore with her boyfriend, Nick. Unaware of his family’s extreme wealth, Rachel is caught in a whirlwind of opulence, cultural expectations, and fierce social rivalries as she navigates love in Asia’s ultra-elite circles.
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If you love: The Traitors
Then read: The Guest List by Lucy Foley
At a lavish wedding on a remote island, the lives of multiple characters intersect—each hiding their own secrets. Jules, the bride, and Will, the groom, are at the center of a storm that involves deceit, jealousy, and betrayal. When a murder occurs, the dark truth about their relationships is slowly revealed. The atmosphere of suspicion and hidden identities strongly parallels the gameplay of The Traitors.
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If you love: RuPaul’s Drag Race
Then read: Pageboy by Elliot Page
In this memoir, Elliot Page chronicles his journey of gender identity and self-acceptance, offering a personal look at the experiences that led to his transition. From early childhood struggles to navigating Hollywood and dealing with public scrutiny, Elliot shares intimate insights about his life, identity, and courage in the face of adversity. The themes of authenticity and self-expression echo the transformations celebrated on RuPaul’s Drag Race.
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If you love: Survivor
Book: The Last One by Alexandra Oliva
This suspenseful thriller captures the raw survival instincts and high stakes of the competition seen on Survivor. Zoo believes she is competing on a reality survival show, but as the game progresses, she discovers the stakes are far higher. Isolated from the world, Zoo must rely on her instincts and confront the psychological toll of survival in a game that’s more than it seems.
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