Publishers Weekly
03/04/2024
Recent college graduate Orie Lennox is a reality television enthusiast. Her favorite show is Survivor, which she describes as “a chess game on an island” in which relationships are paramount. So, when she gets the opportunity to audition for the upcoming season, she’s all in, and not just because she’s obsessed with it; she sees it as her only chance to get away from the long-term boyfriend she doesn’t love and her family’s insistence that she’s sailing passively through life. What newly single Orie doesn’t know is that she’s been cast in an experimental version of the show with a romantic component—and that her former high school crush, Remy, has also been cast. A palpable appreciation for the inspiration material courses through this high-intensity romance by Riccio (Better Together). The island setting, the physical and mental challenges, and the machinations through which Orie and her fellow contestants try to avoid getting voted off the island are entertaining, and it’s satisfying to experience the alliances made and broken as Orie begins to realize what she’s capable of and how that translates into her future. Orie and Remy are white. Ages 13–up. Agent: Suzie Townsend, New Leaf Literary. (May)
From the Publisher
"Set in the ill-defined period after college, this will appeal to adults but will certainly hook teens (especially those in that time of transition) with its clever conceit, infectious characters, and well-earned journey of self-discovery." -Booklist
"A whimsical adventure with romance, soul-searching, and outdoor survival games all mixed together." —School Library Journal
School Library Journal
07/19/2024
Gr 9 Up—Orie Lennox and her older sister, Lark, are social media influencers. Orie lives with her parents, has a longtime boyfriend who grew up across the street, and believes she should be content with her life. When she sees her sister get engaged to her girlfriend, she realizes she's not thrilled with things the way they are. On a whim, Orie signs her sister and herself up for the reality show Survivor, one they've always loved. She gets the acceptance call—but they only want her. When her family members encourage her to do it, she flies to the island of Fiji. Her excitement turns to shock when she's told that the show she'll be on is a dating game show where the contestants are physically attached to each other for days at a time. Orie struggles through storms, cave sleeping, and other situations previously unimaginable to her. She complains about her situation but in the end winds up learning more about herself than she expected. With an original plot and quirky characters, this romantic comedy is entertaining and light. Riccio covers serious issues like gambling and addiction, but the tone of her writing is humorous, especially when the characters are fighting to win the reality game. There's lots of snappy dialogue, funny one-liners, and some parts are written as a reality show transcript of the producers interviewing the contestants. VERDICT A whimsical adventure with romance, soul searching, and outdoor survival games all mixed together. Recommended for libraries with demand for fun rom-coms.—Karin Greenberg
