Not Here to Make Friends

McAlister takes readers on a reality show romp in her soapy third Marry Me, Juliet romance (after Can I Steal You for a Second?). Best friends Murray O’Connell and Lily Ong, both producers on a Bachelor-esque dating show, have orchestrated some of reality TV’s most memorable moments and brought together its best loved couples. But after Lily’s husband, Jeff, dies, she becomes hell-bent on blowing up her life, destroying both her reputation and her career by going on the show herself and playing the part of villain. As Lily schemes to shake things up among the contestants, Murray faces his own complicated feelings for Lily and how they play into the reality show story arc unfolding in front of them. McAlister makes room for some truly fraught emotional moments, particularly as Lily struggles with her longtime attraction to Murray, which predates her marriage and complicates her grieving process. The plot strikes a fine balance between showing how the sausage is made on reality TV and sensitively addressing love and loss. The central friends-to-lovers romance is complicated and sometimes tortured but always believable. This is an easy pick for the beach bag. (June)