Review

I have to admit…I don’t see the appeal of reality tv shows, especially of the dating variety. The idea that a couple can find lasting love in a situation that is scripted, fueled by ratings, and high on drama and attention whore antics is preposterous. Add in the fact that the producers want the show to go in a certain way, staging perhaps even a certain outcome and the feasibility of anyone being truly honest and genuine seems farfetched.

But Carrie Aarons makes me want to believe that it can work; she forces me to root for Finn and Leighton’s relationship even if it’s unclear through a lot of the story what’s honest and what’s for ratings. Aarons crafts her characters in such a way that they become way more than props to make good television, and she proves that the “real deal” is way better than storybooks or movies.

Finn Wyatt was “America’s Favorite Military Hunk,” and now, after getting his heart shredded by Leighton, he’s the next Mr. Right, looking to find his Mrs. Right and forget how wrong he was to believe in what he had with Leighton. But the producers of the reality show complicate Finn’s season because Leighton gets put into the 20 women vying for Finn’s attention and ultimately his love, which sends Finn spiraling back to what happened with her and trying to figure out if she deserves a second chance or if a different woman will claim his heart, allowing him to finally forget Leighton.

I truly felt bad for both Finn and Leighton throughout their time on Mr. Right. Finn’s anger and hurt definitely clouded his view of things, and while I can’t fault him for his reactions, his inability to listen to Leighton was part of the problem. Honesty is everything to him, and Leighton betrayed their connection by not being forthcoming, which is a big thing for Finn to try and get over.

At first, I didn’t think I would like Leighton, but that’s because she’s painted as a woman who’s always playing a role – someone who’s addicted to the spotlight and wants the fame and exposure that goes along with being on television. But Leighton is more than the persona that’s been created for her and that’s clearly shown as Leighton deals with the fallout of her actions and knows just how to soothe Finn’s nightmares and insecurities from what happened in the past.

Kissed By Reality is an interesting title and it’s one that has multiple meanings for Finn and Leighton. Their feelings for one another started out on a reality tv show, where most of the actions are dictated by the producers and ratings…then they enter the real world as a couple but are forced back into the fictitious world they were once in, undoing any normalcy they had achieved. Four months later, and once again, Finn and Leighton have roles to play in front of the camera, even though what’s happening between them should be explored solely by them, complicating an already tenuous situation and threatening to ultimately end everything between them.

A complimentary copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 Poison Apples