Reality TV Novels
Reality TV novels are quickly becoming such a popular genre and Kirsten and I love reading them. I wanted to give you a list of my favorite books to help you narrow down your choices.
Reality TV novels, faux celebrity fiction, and fictional books about influencers feel like such fun books to read when heading into the summer season. Kirsten and I have read quite of few reality TV novels, but these are only the best of the best.
So whether you are looking for a great thriller, fiction, YA, or romance, there is a book on this list that you will love. Did I forget your favorite? Let me know what book I should be adding to my TBR!
The Best Reality TV Novels
Each colorful block below represents the best book in a subgenre. Click on the arrow to reveal my “best” pick in any category. You’ll also be able to use a page jump to see more books in that section.
Best Reality TV Novel
Mrs. Quinn’s Rise to Fame – Click here to read the review and see more books in this category
Best Reality TV Thriller and Mystery Book
The Favorite Sister – Click here to read the review and see more books in this category
Best Reality TV Romance Novel
True Love Experiment – Click here to read the review and see more books in this category
Best Dystopian Reality Novel
The Hunger Games – Click here to read the review and see more books in this category
*Post contains affiliate links. Purchases made through links result in a small commission to us at no cost to you. Some books have been gifted. All opinions are our own.
Fiction Reality TV Novels
Mrs. Quinn’s Rise to Fame
Author: Olivia Ford
Year: 2024
Genre: Fiction
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 14+
Plot
At 72, Jenny has decided to secretly enter a reality tv show, Britain Bakes (AKA The Great British Baking Show.) To her utter shock, she’s selected as a contestant! As she diligently works to prepare her bakes each week, she struggles to keep the secret of being on the show to her friends and neighbors. But that’s not all she’s struggling with.
Each chapter is named after a recipe and sprinkled throughout the modern-day narrative are flashbacks to her youth – including a secret she’s kept from her husband for more than 50 years.
Why Kirsten loves it
This story was delightfully charming. I loved the behind-scenes look at a baking show, I drooled over the many delectable bakes, and I was utterly obsessed with Jenny’s journey on the show and in her personal life. This story felt like a warm hug. It has heartwarming lessons wrapped up in funny and poignant moments.
Find this book in: Giftable Books / Best Fiction Books of 2024 / The Best Books of 2024/ Reality TV Novels
The Chicken Sisters
Author: K.J. Dell’ Antonia
Year: 2020
Genre: Fiction
More info: December 2020 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick
Age Range: 16+
Plot
This is another winner picked by Reese Witherspoon! This was an enjoyable family drama based around two sisters competing in a fictional reality TV food competition.
As the competition turns to tricks and sabotage, the sisters’ war with each other turns ugly. Family secrets just keep getting exposed and the hijinx gets better and better. This was the perfect light read to end 2020 and a perfect pick for a list of books about sisters.
Why Kirsten likes it
I liked the family drama and the silly antics in this book. The relationship between the sisters was a fun read as well.
Find this book in: Books with Food in the Title / Books About Sister and Sisterhood / Ultimate Beach Reads 2021 / Books About Food / Reality TV Novels / Reese Witherspoon 2020
Reality TV Thriller and Mystery books
The Favorite Sister
Author: Jessica Knoll
Year: 2018
Genre: Thriller
More info: New York Times Bestseller
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
You start off knowing there is a murder and then traveling back to find out what happened and why she was killed. But here is the kicker – the victim is a REALITY TV STAR. So the whole thing is like watching a behind-the-scenes look at Desperate Housewives.
It was seriously amazing guys. It’s truly the perfect beach read and a great one for our list of reality TV books.
Why Kirsten loves it
This is a thriller, chick-lit, and feminist literature all in one!
Find this book in: Books About Sisters and Sisterhood / The 20 Best Books of 2018 /Reality TV Novels
Plot
I adored this story about a fixer-upper reality TV series and its female lead contractor. From the dead body and subsequent murder mystery to the detailed home renovation discussions, this book has it all.
Throw in a beach setting and some renovation romance, and it’s basically beach-read heaven. All hail Mary Kay Andrews and her amazing summer reads.
Why Kirsten loves it
The Homewreckers is basically HGTV with a dash of murder, and I AM HERE FOR IT!!!
Find this book in: Ultimate Beach Reads 2022 / Books like Fix Her Up
Reality TV Romance Books
The True Love Experiment
Author: Christina Lauren
Year: 2023
Genre: Romance
Spice Rating:💋💋💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Felicity “Fizzy” Chen is a romance novelist who has never been in love and she is beginning to think she has lost her mojo. Connor Prince is a documentary filmmaker who is thrown off balance when he needs to create a reality TV show.
When he convinces Fizzy to be the star of this show, sparks fly. The two have undeniable chemistry but will this ruin the TV show that is supposed to be about finding Fizzy’s true love? The show is supposed to see if chemistry is the same as compatibility. It is in essence, the science of love.
Why Jackie loves it
This was a delightful celebrity romance and the science element makes it perfect for anyone looking for something like The Love Hypothesis.
Find this book in: Celebrity Romance Novels / Books like The Love Hypothesis / Ultimate Beach Reads 2023 / Reality TV Novels
The Charm Offensive
Author: Alison Cochrun
Year: 2021
Genre: Romance
More info: Charm Offensive #1
Spice Rating:💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Dev is a producer on the long-running television show Ever After where he crafts love stories to get people to fall in love. When the show casts Charlie as the Prince Charming, Dev will have to put in more work than he bargained for.
Charlie is only on the show to restore his image so he can go back to work and he certainly does not believe in true love. As Dev tries to coach Charlie in ways to connect with the contestants, Dev and Charlie realize they might have more chemistry than any of the contestants.
Trigger Warnings
Mental Illness, Panic Attacks, Homophobia
Why Jackie loves it
I loved this celebrity romance book that seems loosely based on the TV series The Bachelor. If you are a fan of reality TV shows, you need to read this book!
Find this book in: Celebrity Romance Books / Books With Neurodivergent Characters / Reality TV Novels
The Honey Don’t List
Author: Christina Lauren
Year: 2020
Genre: Romance
More info: New York Times Bestselling Author
Spice Rating:💋💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
This one is for all you Chip and Joanna Gaines fans. Imagine if behind-the-scenes a beloved TV decorating couple actually hated each other’s guts.
Then imagine that they have decided to put out a book about their marriage and are heading out on tour. How to keep the trouble in paradise under wraps? Bring along a longtime female assistant and a new handsome quasi-assistant to monitor the situation.
Let’s just hope the assistants can stay out of each other’s pants long enough to keep their bosses out of trouble.
Why Kirsten loves it
This is one of my favorite reality TV books. Christina Lauren writes such a fantastic romance and this one was so much fun to read.
Find this book in: Books Like Fix Her Up / Office Romance / Reality TV Novels
All I Want for Christmas
Author: Maggie Knox
Year: 2022
Genre: Romance
Spice Rating:💋💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Sadie and Max are competing in a Country music reality TV show (think American Idol or The Voice.) Their chemistry is off the charts on stage, so the execs ask them to team up for their performance.
As they learn to get along off-stage as well as they do on it, a passionate romance ignites. Until the machinations of the music industry drive a wedge between them. Can they reconcile before Christmas?
Why Kirsten loves it
I can’t with this charming Christmas romance book about musicians by Maggie Knox. It’s like reading a Hallmark Christmas movie but with a lot of steamy bits put in!
Find this book in: Christmas Books for 2022 / Christmas Romance Books / Novels about Music / Reality TV Novels
Dystopian Reality TV Novels
The Hunger Games
Author: Suzanne Collins
Year: 2008
Genre: YA Sci-Fi
More info: Hunger Games #1
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 10+
Plot
This is the first book in the Hunger Games series and it is epic! In the aftermath of what was once North America, there are 12 Districts surrounding the capital.
Each year, each district sends one boy and one girl to fight to the death in a competition called “The Hunger Games”. Katniss Everdeen volunteers as a tribute to save her younger sister, Prim, from certain death in the games where it is kill-or-be-killed.
Trigger Warnings
Death, Violence
Why Jackie loves it
This sci-fi book has everything, but at its heart, it is a book about family, love, and survival. This book has a heart while also being a total page-turner!
Why Kirsten loves it
I’m not usually a sci-fi girly, but Jackie convinced me to read this one and I finished the entire series in a week and immediately binged the movies!
Find this book in: Books Like The Hunger Games / Young Adult Fantasy Series / Books About Sisters / Sci-Fi Books / Books Like Fourth Wing / YA Dystopian Novels / Fun Books for Teens / The Best Books Like Fourth Wing / Best YA Romance Books / Books for 11-year-olds / Reality TV Novels
The Selection
Author: Kiera Cass
Year: 2013
Genre: YA Sci-Fi Romance
More info: The Selection #1
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 12+
Plot
This incredible series is so much fun – think The Hunger Games meets The Bachelor. It’s a reality TV royal match-making contest in a dystopian world. But in this case, the bachelor happens to be the future king. America Singer, our leading lady, is selected against all odds to be a contestant, forcing her to leave behind her love, Aspen.
When America meets Prince Maxon by mistake before the start of the show, she isn’t expecting to be so enamored with him. Should she try to win his heart or stay true to her love for Aspen?
Why Kirsten loves it
I love royal stories, romances, reality TV books, and high drama so this book was made for me! The covers of the series aren’t bad on the eyes either. This series was pure magic and just so fun.
Why Jackie loves it
This is one of my favorite books about royals. It also happens to be the reason that Beyond the Bookends exists, but that is an entirely different story.
Find this book in: Books Like The Selection / Ultimate List of YA Fantasy / Books Like ACOTAR / Books Like the Hunger Games/ YA Dystopian Books / Fun Books for Teens / Best YA Romance Books / Books for 12-year-olds / Reality TV Novels
Chain-Gang All-Stars
Author: Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
Year: 2023
Genre: Sci-fi
More info: May 2023 Read with Jenna Book Club Pick
Age Range: 18+
Plot
This book was a doozy in the most thought-provoking way. The story is about the stars of Chain-Gang All-Stars, the reality tv show that pits prisoners against each other in gladiator-type fights to the death.
Thurwar and Staxxx are stars of the show, brutally killing anyone they come up against, but as Thurwar gets ready to win her freedom after 3 years on TV, the creators of the show throw many hurdles in her path.
Trigger Warnings
Violence
Why Kirsten loves it
This searing look at racism and classism feels highly relevant to today’s world, when a show like this could easily exist in some states. The reality TV book was so unique. Even days later, I can’t stop thinking about the all-stars, the protesters fighting for their rights, and the stunning conclusion.
Find this book in: Dystopian Novels / Best Books of 2023 / Best Read With Jenna Books / Reality TV Novels
Expert Tip
The books on this list fall into distinct genres. I have fiction, thrillers, dystopian, and romance. If these are not your usual genres, here are some tips for choosing a great book.
- Look at the descriptions to see if the plot of the books appeals to you
- Are you a “Kirsten” or a “Jackie”? You can check who has read the book to help you choose. Bonus if we both read it and loved it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Reality TV Book?
TV Book seems like an oxymoron, doesn’t it? These reality TV novels are books that have a reality series within their pages. The best example I can give is The Hunger Games. Everyone in Pam-Am has The Hunger Games blaring whether they want to watch or not. Not all of these books are quite as dramatic as that. But, these books capture all the fun of your favorite reality TV show without the weekly wait.
Related Content
Epilogue
What are your favorite reality TV books? Which book should I read next?
