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Love Elimination (Sarah Gates, Mira)

Readers who enjoy the drama of television shows such as The Bachelor will appreciate the premise of Love Elimination by Sarah Gates. Anna Hobbs is so close to her dream of opening a dessert café. The only thing in her way is money—or lack thereof. So when her television producer sister Kate offers her twenty-five thousand dollars to participate in a reality dating show, it seems like a sweet deal: turn up, have a few drinks and get eliminated in the first round. Except Anna isn’t eliminated and soon finds herself wanting to spend more time with the show’s gorgeous bachelor, ex-Olympian Luke Westwood. Gates hits all the right notes for a light, flirty romance, while giving readers a peek at the reality of, well, reality TV—boredom, selective editing, lack of privacy and ratings pressures. What Love Elimination lacks in emotional depth it makes up for with a set of characters who are as charming as they are flawed, and even the contestants cast as villains—Anna’s rivals for Luke’s attention—are given some substance. Readers looking to while away a few hours will appreciate this fun, uncomplicated read.

Kat Mayo runs a book blog and podcast at bookthingo.com.au

 

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