Here for the Wrong Reasons

Writing and romantic partners Paulsen and Wang debut with a tremendously fun sapphic rom-com. Season 22 of the Bachelor-esque reality show Hopelessly Devoted has Josh Rosen looking for a wife—and 35 female contestants ostensibly hoping he’ll choose them. Included are rodeo queen Krystin, who has always felt there’s something missing in her life and tries to convince herself it’s a husband, and influencer Lauren, who’s a closeted lesbian. She wants to hang on long enough to gain online followers, but not long enough to break Josh’s heart. As the show takes contestants to Argentina and Costa Rica, Krystin struggles to accept that she feels a connection growing not with Josh but with Lauren. The authors expertly incorporate dating show staples like over-the-top excursions and cheesy on-camera dialogue while still keeping the plot surprising. Meanwhile the romance itself is a wonderful mix of sweet and steamy. Ripped from tabloid headlines (contestants fell for each other instead of the lead on the 2016 season of The Bachelor Australia and the 2018 season of The Bachelor Vietnam), this proves as deliciously addictive as the most bingeable reality show. Agent: Kristy Hunter, Knight Agency. (May)