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The Villain Edit

A Novel

Audiobook
0 of 1 copy available
Wait time: About 2 weeks
0 of 1 copy available
Wait time: About 2 weeks

Emily Henry meets Fleabag...and The Bachelor! An irresistibly sharp and sexy dramedy about a cynical romance novelist who goes on a reality show to revive her career, only to discover that while she may have just met the love of her life, the producers have turned her into the show's villain.

"The perfect beach read...a real page-turner. Don't be surprised if you finish it in one day!"—In Touch Magazine

"Fun and frothy... endlessly entertaining."—Glamour

Good villains make good TV.

Romance novelist Jacqueline Matthis's big career has gone bust and she's ditched the bright lights of New York City for her more affordable South Carolina hometown. Desperate, Jac dreams up a comeback plan—she is going to be a contestant on the 1, the most obsessively watched reality dating show in the world.

After all Jac is a romance writer—she knows how to pull off a meet-cute and create a spicy plotline.

On set, Jac quickly establishes herself as a front-runner for bachelor Marcus's heart, but she's shocked to discover who's actually pulling the strings. How was she to know that Henry Foster, her last one-night stand before the show, was actually a longtime producer on the 1? Henry is just as horrified...but they can't seem to keep their hands off each other.

As Jac plays the game and the show unfurls, she slowly discovers that she's getting the villain edit. They say there's no such thing as bad publicity, but as Jac's secret plan begins crumbling around her, she's not so sure. What happens if Marcus chooses her? Worse, what happens if her affair with Henry comes to light? What if, in trying to save her career, Jac has ruined her life?

Heartbreaking, smart, and sexy, this novel is for anyone who has ever secretly rooted for—or felt like—the villain.

"THE VILLAIN EDIT is perfect for people who, like me, love mess. I devoured it in one sitting and was left with a total book hangover—it's the ideal combination of propulsive psychological thrill and delicious romantic tension."—Olivie Blake, New York Times bestselling author of The Atlas Six

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    • Publisher's Weekly

      May 27, 2024
      Devore’s juicy adult debut (after the YA novel A Better Bad Idea) takes a cynical look at reality dating shows, with the love story taking a backseat to the behind-the-scenes drama. The night before jaded romance author Jacqueline “Jac” Matthis is due to begin filming as a contestant on a Bachelor-esque reality show she hopes will boost her book sales, she meets charming, pensive Henry at a bar and the two flirt their way into a one-night stand. Thinking little of it, Jac arrives on set, where she’s surprised to find she has genuine chemistry with the leading man, Marcus. Even more shocking? Henry is a producer on the show. The pair agree to keep their tryst a secret and do their best to avoid each other, but this becomes increasingly difficult as the contestant pool dwindles. Meanwhile, Jac builds a strong connection with Marcus and, due to her tendency to say exactly what she’s thinking, completely fails to endear herself to her fellow contestants. The narrative is propelled by Jac’s efforts to outsmart the producers and manage her image, while the love triangle with Henry and Marcus functions as more of a B plot. As a result, the relationship progression feels both scattered and rushed. Still, readers looking for soapy drama should snap this up.

    • Library Journal

      December 6, 2024

      Hoping to revive her writing career, romance author Jacqueline "Jac" Matthis decides to become a contestant on a Bachelor-like reality TV show called the 1, where she'll vie to win the heart of the show's star, Marcus. The night before filming begins, Jac meets handsome stranger Henry at a bar, and the two fall into bed together; the next day, she is shocked to discover that Henry is the 1's producer. As the show gets underway, Jac is surprised to connect with Marcus, though she's also still drawn to Henry. Even so, she doesn't let any of this stop her from prioritizing her own needs. Soon, her plain-speaking ways cast her as the season's villain. Will Jac be able to keep up the charade, especially if she wins the coveted spot as Marcus's "the one"? Stephanie N�meth-Parker narrates, infusing Jac's character with an appealing blend of confidence and vulnerability. Listeners will be invested in Jac's story and intrigued to see what goes on behind the show's glitzy facade. VERDICT Fans of reality dating television shows will want to check out YA author Devore's (A Better Bad Idea) adult debut. Perfect for those who enjoyed Christina Lauren's The True Love Experiment.--BreAnn Weeks

      Copyright 2024 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

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