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With every new season of The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, and even more of the series’ adjacent franchises, comes the promise of one of the most dramatic seasons yet. Sometimes, that tease comes to fruition — and July 15’s season 19 premiere of The Bachelorette promises to be unlike any season we’ve seen before. Watching the reality TV show and bearing witness to all the drama is one thing. But being in the Bachelor bubble or investigating the franchise’s storied history is something else entirely.
From former leads and contestants to Bachelor scholars, we’ve compiled a list of books that provide every member of Bachelor Nation with a close look into the reality TV phenomenon that’s lasted nearly 20 years. Books like Amy Kaufman’s Bachelor Nation take a deep dive into the franchise’s history, tactics production uses on contestants, and the untold stories that never make it to the “After the Final Rose” episodes.
Then there are first-hand accounts, like Rachel Lindsay’s Miss Me with That, in which the former Bachelorette lead reveals what her historic role in the franchise meant, and how she paved her own path once she happily married the recipient of her final rose, Bryan Abasolo. These books have practically everything a devoted fan of TheBachelor could want. Take a look at some of the best Bachelor Nation books that break down the franchise.
A version of this article was originally published in March 2022.
‘Bachelor Nation: Inside the World of America’s Favorite Guilty Pleasure’ by Amy Kaufman
Writer Amy Kaufman takes longtime fans of The Bachelor and its adjacent franchises deep into the belly of the rose-hued, reality TV beast. This New York Times bestseller unveils all the secrets about the making of the series, the show’s history, and it’s cultural impact. Kaufman, a Los Angeles Times journalist, even distills info on how producers wield their influence on contestants and leads, being sucked into the mansion “bubble,” and so much more. For any self-proclaimed member of this fandom, Bachelor Nation is a must-have.
‘How to Win The Bachelor: The Secret to Finding Love and Fame on America’s Favorite Reality Show’ by Chad Kultgen & Lizzy Pace
Ever considered whether or not you have what it takes to receive the final rose? Well, authors Chad Kultgen and Lizzy Pace might just test your knowledge when it comes to the tactics needed to win The Bachelor. In How to Win The Bachelor: The Secret to Finding Love and Fame on America’s Favorite Reality Show, Kultgen and Pace take a deep dive into the show’s history, and reveal (based on past winners and losers) what it really takes to receive that final rose. From Night One limo exits, ways to avoid being labeled the season’s villain, and so much more — this book is the ultimate guide to the series’ history and how you can win The Bachelor.
‘True Story: What Reality TV Says About Us’ by Danielle J. Lindemann, PhD
For those who watch The Bachelor and its adjacent franchises with a more anthropological lens, this book will give you an analytical reading about what the long-running series says about our culture. True Story: What Reality TV Says About Us pinpoints a number of reality TV shows that have made an impact on our culture — and what they ultimately reflect about its viewers and larger landscape. The Bachelor is one of the series Danielle J. Lindemann, PhD, hones in on, and her reading of how the show reflects structures of our culture will leave you reeling.
‘Miss Me With That: Hot Takes, Helpful Tidbits, and a Few Hard Truths’ by Rachel Lindsay
Rachel Lindsay’s confidence, effervescence, and uncompromising personality shined during her time leading The Bachelorette. But after finding love on the show with her now-husband, Bryan Abasolo, Lindsay used her platform to become one of the series’ most vocal critics. In Miss Me With That: Hot Takes, Helpful Tidbits, And A Few Hard Truths, Lindsay takes us back to The Bachelor mansion and beyond, reflecting on her journey on the reality TV series, and how she’s harnassed her platform and taken control of her narrative since.
‘The First Time: Finding Myself and Looking for Love on Reality TV’ by Colton Underwood
Colton Underwood’s relationship with The Bachelor during and after his time leading the series is strained at best. The former athlete was cast as the lead for the series’ 23rd season — one of the most dramatic in recent memory — after appearing on The Bachelorette and Bachelor In Paradise. Underwood did not leave engaged, choosing instead to date his final choice, Cassie Randolph. The former couple dated for nearly two years. But by the time their relationship ended, Underwood was accused of stalking Randolph, who was subsequently granted a temporary restraining order against Underwood. Then, in April 2021, Underwood publicly disclosed that he is gay.
It’s a lot to take in, but Underwood tries to distill at least a bit of insight in his book The First Time: Finding Myself and Looking for Love on Reality TV. The book was published prior to his split from Randolph, but does include some details about navigating their relationship and his time on the show.
‘I Didn’t Come Here to Make Friends: Confessions of a Reality Show Villain’ by Courtney Robertson with Deb Baer
One of The Bachelor franchise’s most notorious cast members is Courtney Robertson. Dubbed her season’s villain, Robertson went on to accept a proposal from season 16 lead Ben Flajnik. The two ultimately broke up. But Roberton’s rise to fame and villain role nevertheless cemented her in Bachelor history. In her book, co-written with Deb Baer, Robertson takes Bachelor fans inside her journey to find love on the reality TV show. I Didn’t Come Here to Make Friends: Confessions of a Reality Show Villain is honest and revealing.
‘It’s Not Okay: Turning Heartbreak Into Happily Never After’ by Andi Dorfman
Andi Dorfman was a fan favorite when she became the leading lady of The Bachelorette for the series’ 10th season. Although she got engaged to her final choice, Josh Murray, she quickly realized she had no idea what she’d gotten herself into. It’s Not Kay: Turning Heartbreak Into Happily Never After details Dorfman’s journey on The Bachelorette, her engagement, subsequent breakup and more in this unvarnished look at what leading the series can do.
‘Happily Ever After: The Life-Changing Power of a Grateful Heart’ by Trista Sutter
Trista Sutter was the very first lead of The Bachelorette way back in the early aughts. And to this day, she’s arguably one of the series’ most sucessful stories. Sutter (formerly Rehn) met and fell in love with her now-husband Ryan Sutter during the series’ inaugural season. She’s been married to her final choice since 2003, and along the way she’s reflected on her journey. Happily Every After: The Life-Changing Power of a Grateful Heartchronicles Sutter’s story from the first night that changed her life, to being a mom of two with her husband by her side. It’s the little things Sutter really counts on, in the midst of the biggest changes in her life.
‘I Said Yes: My Story of Heartbreak, Redemption, and True Love’ by Emily Maynard Johnson
Emily Maynard arguably remains one of Bachelor Nation’s most beloved former leads. Maynard appeared on The Bachelor, where she got engaged to Brad Womack (during his second stint on the show). When the couple’s engagement didn’t work out, Maynard was offered the lead role on The Bachelorette, and the single mom quickly became a fan favorite.
With I Said Yes: My Story of Heartbreak, Redemption, and True Love, Maynard recalls her life before reality TV, what she endured under the spotlight, and what her life looks like today.
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