Smart Podcast, Trashy Books Podcast

626. The Bachelor and Romance with Dr. Jodi McAlister

Not Here to Make Friends
A | BN | K
This month on the podcast, I wanted look more closely at the intersection of romance and reality tv, particular the Bachelor franchise and Real Housewives. There is only one place to start with that inquiry: with Dr. Jodi McAlister.

Jodi McAlister is a scholar of romance and an expert on all things The Bachelor, and she’s the author of the Australia-set Marry Me, Juliet trilogy, which you may remember was available digitally in the US as a surprise after a lot of folks, including and especially Amanda, started talking about the books in the series. Shana reviewed the series and the third book, and loved all of them. 

So we are talking all things Bachelor, about writing a similar reality tv show for her series, and why romance readers globally dig this franchise so very, very much.

Do you like reading books set in other countries?

Have you ever thought a book was ‘too Australian’ or ‘too [insert country here?]’

Are you a fan of the Bachelor or of Real Housewives? I’d very much like to know why so many romance readers love these reality franchises. What do you think?

 

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Here are the books we discuss in this podcast:

You can find Dr. Jodi McAlister on TikTok, Instagram, and BlueSky, and on her website, JodiMcAlister.com.au.

We also mentioned:

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Transcript

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This podcast transcript was handcrafted with meticulous skill by Garlic Knitter. Many thanks.

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  1. Kareni says:

    That was definitely a fun episode (even though I watch no television and thus have never seen The Bachelor or Real Housewives).

    I like to read books set in other countries and do not recall ever thinking that one was TOO OTHER COUNTRY. I rather enjoy those other spellings, foods, and terminology.

    I’ve no New Zealand authors to recommend but will mention S.K. Dunstall, my favorite Australian authors. The Dunstall sisters write science fiction and no part of their books take place on Earth.

  2. Rhonda says:

    I revel in the Austrailia-ness of NR Walker’s MM romance.

    I enjoyed this episode even though I have no interest in The Bachelor or reality tv. I loved the scholarly analysis.

  3. Dreamingintrees says:

    If it would make it happen l would preorder a copy of the Wherefore Art Thou Romeo book for myself and all my friends, immediately. I am American and can’t tell you how much l loved this series and have recommended it to everyone.

  4. workfromhomemom says:

    So I listened to this podcast and then the very next day at the library came across a book called “Here for the Wrong Reasons.” I thought, Oh this is the book mentioned in the podcast… but it’s not. But it has a super similar plot – two female contestants on a dating reality show fall in love. Is this a rip-off of Jodi McAllister’s book??? Or just coincidence?

  5. @SB Sarah says:

    Very likely a coincidence, especially because the two women who fell for each other on The Bachelor: Vietnam happened in 2016. It clearly made an impact on the romance fandom!

  6. JenDownunder says:

    I really enjoyed this episode, and have read Jodi’s books. I live in Melbourne and am always looking for books set here. Based on Jodi’s recommendation I read THE LOVE CONTRACT by Sarah Vizard, which was lovely (and I went to school with the author’s mother).

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