Book to movie, 25: Here for the Wrong Reasons
Every four weeks, I will be writing about a book that I think could make a great movie.
If you haven't read my review of Here for the Wrong Reasons: A Novel by Annabel Paulsen and Lydia Wang, I suggest you do!
But, to give you a summary, two women meet on the set of a dating show where they're vying for a proposal from the same man, only to fall deeply in love with each other. Here for the Wrong Reasons is one of the several reality TV show based romance novels I've read and I loved it.
As some Bachelor fans may know, there have been contestants who have fallen in love and began dating after the show, so the premise of this romance novel is not as far-fetched as those unfamiliar with the franchise may think. The show throws attractive contestants together in close quarters and they tend to bond quickly--almost like summer camp. It makes a lot of sense that some would end up being tempted by each other.
Here for the Wrong Reasons, of course, cannot say the reality show in the novel is The Bachelor. Instead, the show is called Hopelessly Devoted. But because the formula is so similar to that of the real-life Bachelor franchise, it's easy for readers to understand and has a built-in audience from The Bachelor's massive fanbase.
There is a dearth of sapphic romance movies, so Here for the Wrong Reasons could easily jump in to begin filling that void. I think many would welcome a queer storyline that ends in happiness instead of (as they too often do) tragic death.
For Here for the Wrong Reasons, the most important thing is having two leads with great chemistry. Of course, romance novel leads are physically attractive, but the book's main characters of Krystin and Lauren are both attractive, but have very different vibes, lives, and goals. The lead actresses would have to embody these women while making the two characters click together romantically. Not every actress is going to be a fit for this, but I'm sure the right team could find some great actresses for these roles.
I would also personally love it if the coauthors could make an appearance in the movie. Not only did they work together to write the book, but they ended up starting a romantic relationship in the process. How can this sweet real story not be included?
One final note, if I was a showrunner for a franchise like The Bachelor, I'd start buying the movie rights to books in this romance sub-genre and then produce them (with franchise stars if I could). I'd get the target audience and scoop up more revenue at the same time--win win.
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