Blind Reality

"Blind Reality" by Heidi McLaughlin was such an engaging read... I couldn’t put it down. The way the story unfolded within the framework of a reality TV show felt fresh and added so much depth to the dynamic between Joey and Josh. I loved how their relationship developed naturally, with moments of tension, humor, and quiet connection all blending seamlessly. The pacing felt just right, giving me enough time to really get to know both of them while keeping the story moving. Joey’s resilience and honesty really struck a chord with me, and Josh’s layers were revealed in such a thoughtful way that I found myself rooting for them both. Their journey felt raw and real, and I appreciated how the story balanced the larger drama with those small, meaningful moments that said so much about who they were. I can’t wait to dive into the second book and see where their story goes next. This one is a great addition to your book collection. Happy Reading...enjoy!

I picked up this book for a few reasons. First, the cover. How adorable is this cover? The old fashioned tv and the sweet, married couple who look so in love? I absolutely love this cover – clearly! Secondly, I love reality tv. I watch all the reality tv shows like the Bachelor, Bachelor in Paradise, Biggest Loser, Real World, Teen Mom, Gypsy Sisters, Couples Therapy, and more. So knowing this book written about a reality show really drew me in. Finally, the blurb makes the book sound exciting and fun – which it is. Overall, this makes for a great read! With that being said though, the book ends with an unexpected and totally unnecessary cliffhanger. We don’t even get a hint as to when (or even if) another book will be written with the answers that we readers so desperately need for our HEA. Ugh, this really disappointed me… Normally, I am fine with cliffhangers especially when we are told that there will be an upcoming book to satisfy our unanswered questions. Unfortunately, this just isn’t the case and to me, this isn’t okay. Had this novel given us a glimpse at the next installment I would have rated it a strong 5 stars. But because of this cliffhanger, its 4 stars for me. I also feel like mentioning that this book isn’t too long. It’s under 300 pages, fast paced, and flows well. The plot is unique, the characters are easy to connect with, and there isn’t extra drama added to the plot just for the sake of drama. This is a good thing to me because I don’t want to always feel angst in every romance book I read. However, due to the fact that this book is on the shorter side, the story could have easily been ended and I would have felt much better about it. Honestly, what is the point in dragging out a perfectly fine story into a series? There really is none, and I am sort of getting tired with this. Is it a ploy for more money? Probably. I just don’t like it. Overall though (now that my rant on cliffhangers is finished) this story is really fun and enjoyable. Fans of reality tv will definitely get a kick out of this story and will certainly be rooting for the characters. This is the first book I have read by the author and I do plan on reading more of her work in the future as long as the books don’t always end this way.

It's amazing what Heidi accomplished with Blind Reality. I went through it without even knowing what it was about and WOW what an amazing story she created. It's a fresh story with something new to think about. I love this book so much. It's incredible how the author made me feel a part of the story. I felt like I was Joey, the main character and oh my! My heart got broken more times than I can count, but I felt truly happy many times as well. It's fantastic how the story managed to make me feel so many feelings, at a moment I was on top of the world but right after I was being crushed by its weight. The way the author makes descriptions of Joey and Joshua's feelings it's truly unbelievable, i't's like I'm one of them. The story takes place on a reality show, Married Blind, that involves characters that will play in the show, being the main ones Joey, a normal girl and Joshua, a Hollywood celebrity. The way the both of them ended up there it's hilarious, but through the book it feels like the ended up in the reality because of fate. They are meant to be together. The story develops in three months, that's how long the show goes. At the end one of the couples that married blind will be named as winners. All the couples will compete weekly for prizes, being one of them the famous master bedroom. It's so awesome to see a story of this type, never have I ever read something like this, and it's truly amazing. As the time passes, we learn new things about Joey and Joshua, who may I recall, had a blind marriage. We discover how one completes the other. Their relationship evolves from a contract with the show to a real one, and it's so sweet, and romantic, and of course heartbreaking how they did it. At one time they go slow, super slow, but then something happens and makes them go wild, and proclaim each other love. And they fight so hard with their emotions and feelings, the way they feel for each other. Their love is kind, sweet, gentle, but it's also wild and crazy. I have to mention to, the turns and twists the story had. Besides mixing different kind of people, the show is always throwing them a difficulty and they have to deal with it, to move forward. The book had twists I never expected, but they were so freaking awesome! The book is fun too, I laughed so hard with some scenes, I cried because of laughter. I also cried because of sadness but it's truly worth it. I cannot wait to read this book again. Heidi wrote a beautiful book about second chances, and finding love in no ordinary way. So go read this book now! My rate is 5 stars but this five stars doesn't make justice on how excellent Blind Reality is.

Sadly I just didn't love this one as much as I'd hoped. There was too much push/pull and hot/cold. Josh is a famous actor who agrees to be part of a tv reality show. Joey is a recently jilted bride whose Mom put her up to also compete. I liked the concept for the show. Two strangers marry each other blindly and then compete against other couples for cash and prizes. There was also some really funny one liners too. I didn't like that Josh was a celebrity and that Joey had a celebrity crush on him. He kept refusing to be with her cause there lives were so different and he didn't think she would fit into his world. And as many times as he rejected her advances she kept going back for more. He was up front with her from day 1 that it was all pretend and annulment papers would be ready to sign when the show was over but then he'd be affectionate and all over her. It was hard to keep your heart out of it knowing you were purposely showing pda for the sake of the cameras. The conversation between them seemed a little immature too. I also hated the presence of Josh's ex, a fellow actress whom he talked about a lot and how much he loved her. I also don't mind insta love but this was too much even for me. Joey was pretty much telling herself she we in love after 2 weeks. I can get on board if the connection is there but these two were too really different people it was hard to imagine. I did like the writing as it flowed well and the side characters were intriguing enough. I do wish we had known this was book 1 in a series. A little disappointed we didn't get their ending just yet.

Heidi Mclaughlin has done it again---another fabulous 5 star book (not that I expected anything less out of one of my favorite authors)! Blind Reality is such an entertaining and enjoyable read! If you are a fan of reality tv (and even if you aren't!), you will love the premise of this book. Take a man and a woman and marry them off on national television while they are blindfolded and force them to live in a house (think Big Brother) with 2 other couples who married in the same fashion. What sets Joey and Joshua apart is the fact that Joshua is a sexy Hollywood star and Joey happens to be his biggest fan-girl! What happens in the house between Joey and Joshua is magical but is it solely for the cameras or are they really falling for each other? McLaughlin tells the story from dual POV's which is always a huge plus in my eyes. We get to experience just what the character is feeling from his/her POV which helps us to understand their actions and feelings firsthand. All of the characters in Blind Reality are well developed and the plot is both fun and intriguing. I hope to G-d that McLaughlin continues this series because I just about threw my Kindle when it ended at a very pivotal spot and left me picking my jaw up from the floor! So yes.....there's basically a cliffy at the end that I was definitely not expecting! I am eagerly awaiting the next part of Joey and Josh's story!

Blind Reality is one funny, sweet, and crazy book! I've recently become a fan of this author's work, and when I read the blurb of this book, I needed it, and jumped into immediately when it hit my kindle. We meet Josh and Joey who have both unwillingly signed up for the T.V. reality show where the contestants agree to marry someone sight unseen and work with them for 3 months to win 1 million dollars. Never in Joey's mind did she ever think she'd marry her celebrity crush. In the beginning of this book I wasn't a huge fan of Josh. He really didn't think much of Joey's feelings, just doing what he signed up for, and trying to win some money for a cause near and dear to his heart. When he first sets eyes on Joey he was smitten, but kept pulling back from her, and always reminding her that they would go their separate ways when all was said and done. Joey has a dose of reality through this book. She got her dream guy, but it's only temporary, so she tries and tries to protect her heart, and does a horrible job of doing it throughout their story. Being as though this book is set on a reality TV show, the author does an amazing job of making you feel as if you're watching this story play out on tv. I loved Millie and Cole, and despised Gary and Amanda (the other two couples in the house). There is drama, but nothing over the top or any that makes you go "Seriously, why did that have to happen?!". The dynamic of the couples is definitely interesting, and I loved watching them compete against one another, and watch the other stories play out as well. Josh and Joey definitely have chemistry, you can see it before they even see each other, and as the book goes forward it keeps getting stronger and stronger. Seeing both Josh and Joey's points of view in this book really helped me see things and understand things that they didn't see. Josh fought tooth and nail to not fall for Joey, but in the end couldn't help it, and Joey tried over and over again to protect her heart to have it broken. Their banter, chemistry, and game play is amazing, and you can see these two definitely belong to one another. This book grabbed me from the beginning and I was unable to put it down. I wanted to know if these two would make it in the long term, but now we have to wait till the second book is released to see how things end up for these two amazing and endearing characters. This book does have a cliffhanger, but I'm hoping we don't have to wait long for the second book, because I need more Josh and Joey ASAP! If you don't mind a cliffhanger, I highly suggest picking up this funny, steamy and light hearted read today. You won't be able to help yourself from falling in love with Josh and Joey and the reality cast of characters surrounding them!

This was an exciting twist to finding true love. The twists were exciting and equally frustrating as I waited to see how it would end. I can’t wait for the sequel.

Joshua and Joey are married on a reality show that has them living and competing together for prizes and to be the ultimate winners. Both are there for different reasons. But as they say on a certain show, expect the unexpected and that's what you have here! I am a huge reality show junkie so this was a match made in heaven for me. You get elements of different reality shows with a new twist and spin and the author really made this her own. There are interesting characters and fun games/competitions with such humor and high drama with of course... plot twists! I really enjoyed this fun and sweet read all the while rooting for Josh and Joey to get beyond the showmance and get real and reveal their true feelings. Will they? Won't they? What do the producers and show have in store for them? Only one way to find out! As for me, I totally won betting on this book because it's a definite win for me!! I'm looking forward to more. I hope you pick it up and enjoy the ride and just have fun with it.