Reality TV Bites    by Shane Bolks Order:  USA  Can Avon, 2006 (2006) Softcover, Audio, e-Book Read an Excerpt     Reviewed by Belle Dessler Allison Holloway, like most girls, grew up wanting to be a princess. Now a successful twenty-something interior decorator, she still hasn't given up on the dream. The only problem is, there isn't a prince in sight ... that is, until her boss signs up the firm Allison works for, Interiors by M, to participate in a new reality TV show. As one of the teams competing for three million dollars, Allison and her coworkers will go head-to-head with a Japanese company on Kamikaze Makeover. The object? To make peoples' homes worse instead of better. But it's the handsome TV producer who might end up being Allison's grand prize. A real European prince, he's everything Allison's ever dreamed of. And then there's Dave, her boyfriend of a few weeks who definitely makes her heart skip a beat. But he's the total opposite of what she wants. His idea of a romantic date is taking her to a Chicago Bulls game, while Allison dreams of fancy dinners and champagne. When Kamikaze Makeover makes Allison a household name, will her brush with fame help her land her prince or live happily-ever-after with a man closer down the status ladder to a toad? Reading Reality TV Bites is a little bit like watching a reality TV show: enormously entertaining, infinitely engaging, a bit emotional, and at times, a little obnoxious. Allison is the star of the show. The book is written in first-person point of view, so events are filtered through her perceptions. Although she's a fully developed character with real emotions and needs that leap off the page, she can come across as selfish and high-maintenance, which may put off some readers. However, that doesn't seem to bother the two men in her life. Dave is laid back and down-to-earth, while Nicolo feels more at home at posh parties sipping on expensive drinks. Still, the chemistry Allison shares with each of them is palpable, though one man emerges as a clear winner from the beginning. The questions that drive the story are universal: will Allison choose to live in the lap of luxury? Or will she decide that spending her life with a man who makes her feel like a princess is the way to go even if his wallet doesn't measure up to her expectations? A charming and often hilarious tale of love in our TV-driven modern world, Reality TV Bites is a sweet, frothy treat. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Romance books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews