So what does it take to write a book on ‘The Bachelor’? The research process itself is daunting. The American version of the show spans double-digit seasons across multiple decades. So to research their subject the journalists undertook a process called the hyperbinge, watching all seasons over 72 days at 2x speed, documenting the strategies it takes to win along the way. 

The authors treat the show like a sport, with its’ own vocabulary and scoring system. They outline the three main objectives for players: win the final rose, make it into the top four and continue their pursuit of fame on social media or become the next “Bachelorette.” Assuming the ring is the goal, the authors provide specific strategies for how to succeed, such as how to make a memorable entrance (gifts yes, animal costumes no) and how to craft a compelling narrative over the course of the series, it is after all about the archetype you choose.

The book also includes a wealth of statistics, making it perfect for those who enjoy keeping score. For example, the authors note that the average finish for a survivor of a two-on-one date is 3.93, meaning most make it into the final four. Also of note, is how often the bachelor actually marries the person he chooses at the end, it almost never happens. The title is apt as the reader comes to find out that love is secondary, but using ‘The Bachelor’ as a springboard to fame and launching a second career as a content creator is a more plausible and influential outcome.

One of the standout features of the book is the dedicated section on race, in which the authors call out the producers for using race to drive the show’s plot and for failing to address concerns raised by the audience before Rachel Lindsey was named the first Black “Bachelorette”. Criticisms have been levied against the show since its beginning, with questions that still linger today.  

Most interesting finding

Only one bachelor has gone to marry the women he selected at the end of the show. It was Sean Lowe and Catherine Giudici, all the way back in the show’s 17^th season which aired in 2013. Further highlighting that love is not the game’s primary objective.

Is it worth your time? 

It is quite clear the book was written by two journalists. The authors did their work and it shows. Examples and analyses are pulled from the entire bachelor oeuvre of the series. The book is clearly written for those who are already fans of the show and the vocabulary might be a bit daunting to read for the uninitiated. Can you remember what 4TRR means? It’s crucial, after all, if you plan on winning ‘The Bachelor’ (It means For the Right Reasons).

Overall, the tone of the book is jocular, but analytical when it comes to determining what specific actions help win. If getting the final rose is the contestant’s goal ‘The Bachelor,’ the book provides a comprehensive blueprint, even as it asks the reader to determine for themselves what their definition of winning really is.

Photo Credit: Simon and Schuster