The Bachelor

In Andrew Palmer's debut novel, the narrator navigates the aftermath of a breakup by returning to his Iowa hometown to house-sit, where a chance encounter with a reality show and newfound correspondence with an old friend spark twin obsessions with The Bachelor and poet John Berryman. As he grapples with love and commitment, the lines between reality and entertainment blur, leading him to explore romantic interests and the complexities of modern relationships. This "witty and wise" coming-of-age story delves into the impact of fame and the perennial questions surrounding love in an overconnected world.