All the Right Reasons

ALL THE RIGHT REASONS is a YA novel that picks up after Cara’s dad divorces her mom, Julia. To cope with this, Cara vlogs about her feelings, but accidentally posts it online. She doesn’t realize her mistake until the video’s already gone viral, which results in a reality tv producer knocking on her door. He wants to put both Cara and Julia on a dating show, where they’d meet contestants and ultimately pick a new spouse for Julia and a stepsibling for Cara. Because Cara’s dad left them in a difficult financial situation, Cara and Julia jump in feet first but aren’t really prepared for what’s to come: meddling tv execs, unexpected romances, plotting and revenge, and worst of all, a rift between Cara and Julia that was never there before.

What I love about this book is the overall tone and nuance that the author, Bethany Mangle, brings to each situation. For instance, even though Cara and Julia both are going through some deeply emotional moments, which Mangle leaves space for, there’s still a feeling that it’s all going to be okay, which is primarily accentuated by some of the most loveable side characters. Sam, even though he’s a bit clumsy and awkward, is equally sweet and endearing. Connor, despite his own struggles, is not only selfless, but also a great listener and incredibly thoughtful. Vanessa, who’s left behind by Cara, is still supportive with a fun worldview. These characters cushion all the blows that come Cara’s and Julia’s way, creating a safe space for them to have this experience.

That being said, the book starts off very slow and deals mostly with Cara’s familial circumstances. While the other characters are dynamic, Cara’s dad isn’t presented with any redeeming qualities, and his reactions seem over the top and absurd. Because of that, he seems more of a caricature than a real person, which makes it harder to believe that Cara and Julia are devastated without him. Then, it takes a while to get Cara and Julia on the show and in the mix of that process, which is when it gets fun and engaging. Once there, though, the last third of the book flies by.

On a whole, ALL THE RIGHT REASONS is an easy read that will appeal to those who are fans of The Bachelor franchise. It gives readers a small peek behind the curtain and the chance to imagine how difficult it all is for the lead. This book is great for those searching for a sweet romance in an unconventional setting.