Alice Chen's Reality Check
Jennifer Young
(Author)
This title will be released on:
Jun 3, 2025
21,000+ Reviews
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Description
“Fake dating + reality TV drama + murder mystery = an absolutely addictive read.”—Mia P. Manansala, author of the award-winning Arsenic and Adobo
In this sizzling rom-com perfect for fans of Dial A for Aunties and One to Watch, a reality show contestant must fake date her rival . . . while solving a murder mystery on set.
Alice Chen doesn’t believe in true love, but she does believe in cold, hard cash. Buckling under the weight of student debt and her mother’s medical bills, Alice will do anything to make bank–even star on Dawn Tay’s Inferno, the hot new reality TV show designed to push couples to their breaking point.
The show is Alice’s chance to sip cocktails on the beach and win a cash prize of a million dollars. But when her fiancé cheats on her with another contestant, Alice is faced with a choice: go home in defeat or fake date the other newly single contestant—who just so happens to be her high school rival and sworn nemesis, Daniel Cho.
But all’s fair in love and reality TV, and Alice isn’t the only one who will do whatever it takes to win. When a dead body turns up, Alice and Daniel are faced with uncovering the secrets of the cast and crew to catch the killer–all while playing the loving couple on camera. As the show spirals out of control, Alice must crack the case and confront her true feelings if she wants to make it out alive.
Starring a murder mystery twist, plenty of reality show drama, and a thrilling romance, this debut by up-and-coming Asian American writer duo Kara Loo and Jennifer Young is the ultimate beach read.
In this sizzling rom-com perfect for fans of Dial A for Aunties and One to Watch, a reality show contestant must fake date her rival . . . while solving a murder mystery on set.
Alice Chen doesn’t believe in true love, but she does believe in cold, hard cash. Buckling under the weight of student debt and her mother’s medical bills, Alice will do anything to make bank–even star on Dawn Tay’s Inferno, the hot new reality TV show designed to push couples to their breaking point.
The show is Alice’s chance to sip cocktails on the beach and win a cash prize of a million dollars. But when her fiancé cheats on her with another contestant, Alice is faced with a choice: go home in defeat or fake date the other newly single contestant—who just so happens to be her high school rival and sworn nemesis, Daniel Cho.
But all’s fair in love and reality TV, and Alice isn’t the only one who will do whatever it takes to win. When a dead body turns up, Alice and Daniel are faced with uncovering the secrets of the cast and crew to catch the killer–all while playing the loving couple on camera. As the show spirals out of control, Alice must crack the case and confront her true feelings if she wants to make it out alive.
Starring a murder mystery twist, plenty of reality show drama, and a thrilling romance, this debut by up-and-coming Asian American writer duo Kara Loo and Jennifer Young is the ultimate beach read.
Product Details
| Publisher | Quirk Books |
| Publish Date | June 03, 2025 |
| Pages | 384 |
| Language | English |
| Type |  Paperback / softback |
| EAN/UPC | 9781683694779 |
| Dimensions | 8.0 X 5.3 X 1.0 inches | 0.8 pounds |
About the Author
Kara Loo and Jennifer Young have been writing together since high school, when they plotted out stories at slumber parties. Their game writing credits include the hit interactive fiction games Surviving High School from Electronic Arts and Choices: Stories You Play from Pixelberry Studios.
Reviews
“The authors excel at building tension in the central mystery and the enemies-to-lovers romance. . . . This is a satisfying genre blend that will appeal to readers who enjoy romantic suspense.”—Michelle Mistalski, Library Journal
“Fake dating + reality TV drama + murder mystery = an absolutely addictive read. The sizzling chemistry between Alice and Daniel, the very real and personal stakes for Alice, and the danger lurking beneath the surface in the island paradise setting make this one heck of a page-turner. I loved this book!”—Mia P. Manansala, author of the award-winning Arsenic and Adobo
“Fun, fast-paced, and immersive, Alice Chen’s Reality Check is packed with big laughs, major drama, and edge-of-your-seat suspense. This is a laugh-out-loud rom-com murder mystery that reality TV fans will devour!”—Lauren Kung Jessen, author of Yin Yang Love Song
“This rom-com mystery will keep readers guessing until the very end. It’s the perfect read for reality TV fans.”—Julie Tieu, author of The Girl Most Likely To
“Sweet, sexy, funny, intriguing—Alice Chen’s Reality Check is a bona fide winner. It’s a pleasure ride with a twisty mystery, a wry sense of humor, and an utterly charming romance.”—Steph Cha, award-winning author of Your House Will Pay
“The perfect equation for a sizzling story: mystery + drama + romance. Haven’t had this much fun since my Academic Decathlon days!”—Jennifer J. Chow, Agatha Award–nominated author of Star-Crossed Egg Tarts
“Fake dating + reality TV drama + murder mystery = an absolutely addictive read. The sizzling chemistry between Alice and Daniel, the very real and personal stakes for Alice, and the danger lurking beneath the surface in the island paradise setting make this one heck of a page-turner. I loved this book!”—Mia P. Manansala, author of the award-winning Arsenic and Adobo
“Fun, fast-paced, and immersive, Alice Chen’s Reality Check is packed with big laughs, major drama, and edge-of-your-seat suspense. This is a laugh-out-loud rom-com murder mystery that reality TV fans will devour!”—Lauren Kung Jessen, author of Yin Yang Love Song
“This rom-com mystery will keep readers guessing until the very end. It’s the perfect read for reality TV fans.”—Julie Tieu, author of The Girl Most Likely To
“Sweet, sexy, funny, intriguing—Alice Chen’s Reality Check is a bona fide winner. It’s a pleasure ride with a twisty mystery, a wry sense of humor, and an utterly charming romance.”—Steph Cha, award-winning author of Your House Will Pay
“The perfect equation for a sizzling story: mystery + drama + romance. Haven’t had this much fun since my Academic Decathlon days!”—Jennifer J. Chow, Agatha Award–nominated author of Star-Crossed Egg Tarts
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