Good Luck, Babe! out now from Penguin Random House; 336 pages
About the Author: “Erin is a perennial procrastinator and a writer of weird feelings on a quest to be the most interesting person on Earth. She currently lives in north Jersey with her two cats, The Baby Boy and The Baby Girl” (Bio from author’s website).
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Noelle and Yumi were once best friends, but the fallout from a single kiss ended their friendship. Nearly a year later, they are unexpectedly reunited when an old application lands them a spot on The Adventureverse, their favorite reality competition show. The issue? This season only features couples, forcing them to pretend they are dating despite months of silence and unresolved feelings. For Noelle, winning the competition means more than achieving a lifelong dream. The prize money could help cover her father’s medical bills. As intense challenges and constant cameras push them together, old emotions resurface and the boundary between performance and reality begins to fade. Noelle must decide whether protecting her heart is worth losing the chance to repair what she once had.
Good Luck, Babe! was a fun, fast-paced story that kept me engaged from start to finish. If you enjoy reality TV-inspired stories packed with challenges, drama, and constant momentum, this is an easy recommendation. What stood out most to me was how heavily the book leaned into the competition aspect—most of the story centers on the reality show itself, with the romance taking a backseat. That worked well for me since I enjoy adventure-centered plots. My biggest issue was with the romance. Noelle and Yumi were undeniably sweet together, but I struggled with the foundation of their relationship. Their falling-out was driven by avoidable misunderstandings and the conflict felt frustrating and lopsided. More importantly, the story never fully interrogated that imbalance. When they finally confronted the past, the resolution felt rushed and somewhat underdeveloped, especially considering how deeply their separation shaped both of them. I also found Noelle difficult to fully connect with. I respected her strength and the immense responsibility she carried, but I wanted more vulnerability and deeper introspection. Overall, while the adventure was incredibly entertaining, the emotional payoff felt incomplete.
Pine Reads Review would like to thank NetGalley and Random House for sending us an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change before final publication.
Vanshikha Vij, Pine Reads Review Writer