After a bad family-therapy session, Cara posts about her dad's infidelity on her digital diary--or so she thinks, until waking up in the morning to find it's gone viral. Suddenly, Cara and her mom are invited onto a new dating show, Second Chance Romance, where contestants are joined by their children, so Cara gets to meet potential siblings while her mom sees some new beaus. The reality show comes with a cash prize, but it's not all fun and games, as Cara and her mom argue over suitors. And while Cara knows it's a bad idea, she can't help falling for Connor, a contestant's son. Mangle balances the emotional fallout of cheating and divorce with the hope of new beginnings, making the family relationships central to the story, expertly exploring the question, How do we rebuild after we've been hurt? The story also delves into anti-Asian racism, biracial heritage, the financial difficulties after divorce, disability, and ableism. A standout romance, as easy to binge as any reality show--but with smarter dialogue and way more genuine heart.

A mother-daughter duo film a dating show for single parents with only children. When 17-year-old Cara Hawn accidentally posts a private diary-style video of her and mom Julia crying and venting about her dad, the man who tore their family apart, it goes viral. Thanks to its popularity and their raw appeal, they're invited to audition for a new reality show called Second Chance Romance. After they successfully land starring roles, Cara and Julia find themselves at the center of a Bachelorette-style dating game during which Julia will choose a potential husband and Cara vets her would-be stepsiblings. Things get complicated when Cara finds herself falling for Connor Dingeldein, a contestant's son. For those who are curious about the behind-the-scenes elements of reality TV, the novel offers plenty of detail and gives a sense of the tedious nature of the process and the deliberate manufacturing of drama. Mangle deftly handles the tensions and hurt of a family post-divorce and the authenticity of a mother-daughter relationship. Overall, the plot feels low stakes and the story takes a while to build, but a little twist at the end offers a sweet wrap-up. Korean Julia was adopted by White American parents; Cara is biracial (her father is White), and there is some racial diversity in the supporting cast. White Connor self-identifies as disabled due to his Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Fluffy and fun. (Romance. 14-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Gr 8 Up--When Cara Hawn records a private online journal entry after a tough counseling session with her recently divorced parents, she has no idea it will change her life. It turns out that the biracial Korean American teenager didn't actually make that post private, and the video of Cara and her mom destroying pictures of her dad has gone viral. It has grabbed the attention of the creators of a new reality dating show, Second Chance Romance, featuring single parents trying to find love along with their kids. After a whirlwind audition process, Cara and her mom are whisked off to Florida where Cara's mom will try to find love, and Cara will evaluate her potential stepsiblings. Of course, the one thing Cara doesn't expect is to fall in love herself. Fans of the typical reality television drama will enjoy the portrayal of this fictional show, which features everything from contestants with memorable introductory gimmicks to the traditional, universally despised villain who somehow sticks around until the finale. The backdrop of the show doesn't overshadow the complex, realistic relationship between Cara and her mom, or the difficulties of navigating new family dynamics. Secondary characters are fleshed out well and details about the show's production will satisfy those who want to know how real reality television is. Above all, this unconventional rom-com will have readers laughing at everything from Cara's creative rating scales to the banter with her unexpected love interest. VERDICT Hand this to fans of Maurene Goo and Amy Spalding, reality TV lovers, or anyone who loves a happy ending.--Alison Glass