One To Watch: real love . . . as seen on TV

Bea is a successful plus-size blogger. After her scathing blog post on the lack of diversity of pretty much anything on the hit TV series The Main Squeeze (think the Batchelor or any other one vs many dating show) goes viral the show slumps to its lowest ever ratings, its sleazy producer is sacked and the new Executive Producer approaches Bea with an offer, be the next show's main squeeze. Bea doesn't even have to fall in love, just prove that a plus-size woman is attractive to men. Despite misgivings, Bea sees this as a chance to get over her broken heart after her BFF Ray slept with her then went back to his fiancée and ghosted Bea. Whilst the men she gets to choose from might be racially diverse, only one is plus-size and they all look like male models. But as Bea and the new EP whittle down the hopefuls there may really be a chance for Bea to fall in love. There's Wyatt, the kind, gentle cowboy. Sam the younger guy and teacher, Asher the college professor, Luc the French chef and Jefferson the token plus-size guy. All of them have expressed interest in Bea and she likes each of them in different ways, but as the show progresses she learns that none of them are exactly what they seem. If you've ever rolled your eyes at the lack of diversity on reality TV shows, where having short hair is considered subversive, or wanted the heroine to be something other than a lollypop then I think you'll enjoy this, especially if you love clothes. Bea is swathed in one gorgeous outfit after another as she dates the single men, some are heroes, some are villains but all are great reading material. This was funny, and heart-breaking, and life-affirming all at once. Perfect beach reading, or garden reading, or lockdown in your apartment reading. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.