Julie's Reviews > Bachelor Nation: Inside the World of America's Favorite Guilty Pleasure

I’m going to lead into this one by saying… Amy, you are HILARIOUS, like really hilarious. From page one Amy had me beyond entertained and this book read as if I was engaging in a conversation with a friend. How many times did I find myself giggling you ask? Well, as if it was an interruption, my dear husband asked me on one too many occasions why I was laughing while my nose was in this book. It's seriously such an entertaining read.

Now, if your impression is that this book is pushing The Bachelor agenda, you are very mistaken. Amy isn’t here to give you reasons why you should be watching The Bachelor. Honestly though why aren’t you? It’s great reality television?! Instead her aim is uncovering why we are all so infatuated with not only the series, but the message it conveys... love. While only six couples remain together since The Bachelor's initial season, the fairy tale love story doesn't always continue to be written long after the camera stop rolling. But, boy does the short journey filled with over the top dates that we get to enjoy from our couches keep us entertained season after season. Let’s be real, we all just want to believe that fairy tales do come true, right?

It's easy to tell that Amy did extensive research in writing this book. And while some of her attempts to interview past contestant were futile, I appreciate all her efforts. If you are looking for an inside look and full recap on all things The Bachelor franchise, this book needs to make its way into your life. Bachelor Nation offers its reader a brief history on Executive Producer Mike Fleiss and his genius idea that became the dating and relationship reality television series empire it is today. Readers get an insider look into the process contestants go through from their initial application to interviewing with producers. And it doesn't stop there! Additionally you'll read up on contestant experiences during the filing of The Bachelor, life after, and so much more.

I really enjoyed the insight found in between chapters of the book titled, “Why I’m A Fan.” I loved reading the views from the celebrities that make up Bachelor Nation. These celebrities range from male to female and feminist to no opinion on that topic at all. I was surprised to find myself relating to so many of these individual’s reasoning for tuning in. Reading what has also kept others glued to their televisions was a fantastic addition.

"We don’t want to see them getting married. We just want to see them getting proposed to, because the idea of someone wanting to spend the rest of their life with you is better than actually doing it." — Comedian Nikki Glaser, Bachelor Nation

My one and only gripe was all the discussion points on similar reality TV shows. While nostalgic, I failed to see the need or value this brought. If anything, in my opinion, this took away from discussing the true point of the book, The Bachelor. And although I felt too much time was spent on this topic, I am also left wishing… can 'Singled Out' come back?

Published at the end of a shocking Bachelor season this book released at such a great time! I wish that I could have read more on Amy’s thoughts on Arie Luyendyk, Jr.'s season, but hey, that’s what her twitter feed is for, amirite? I highly recommend this book to anyone who is a sucker for reality television and the idea that true love really can be found in just three weeks time. Bachelor Nation offers an interesting sociological examination of The Bachelor franchise and anyone with an interest into this franchise would benefit from picking this book up.
 
Many thanks to Amy Kaufman and Dutton for a finished copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.