3.5★s
Can I Steal You For A Second is the second novel in the Marry Me, Juliet series by Australian author, Jodi McAlister. Barely three months since Jac dumped her, and twenty-seven-year-old petite blonde mechanic, Amanda Mitchell is far from over it. In an effort to put it behind her, or maybe as revenge(?), she signs up for Marry Me, Juliet, knowing how much Jac hates the program. If she can win the Romeo’s heart, it will be proof she’s fully recovered.

But at the audition, she’s comforted in a teary moment by a gorgeous woman also vying for a place in the program, and her attraction is instant. She and Dylan Gilchrist become texting friends, and when they are both chosen as part of the initial fifteen women, Mandie has trouble keeping her loving gaze off Dylan.

She’s quite certain, though, that Dylan will ultimately be the Romeo’s choice: “now I was going to lose my perfect rebound man and my hopeless crush to each other”

Still continually plagued by Jac’s super-critical whispers in her head (You rely too much on validation from other people, have you no self-respect?), Mandie soon realises how much better a friend Dylan would be, and is determined to keep her friendship.

McAlister’s twist on the (sort-of) love triangle is certainly original: a bi-sexual woman attracted to both the Romeo and one of her fellow contestants. COVID lockdowns, program producer machinations, a nasty ex, same-name characters, and a myriad of personalities amongst the Juliets add some interesting wrinkles to the plot.

Anyone who has watched a reality TV dating program will agree that McAlister certainly conveys her setting well, and the story is likely to appeal to fans of these programs, quite probably in their twenties or thirties, readers who won’t be irritated by, or perhaps even notice, the many grammatical errors of the I/me type. Others of a certain vintage will have their dislike of such programs confirmed by the goings-on that McAlister describes.

McAlister’s second novel is entertaining if a little too long. There are spoilers for the first book, Here For The Right Reasons, in this one, so this is probably a series best read in order. Readers of a certain vintage are bound to enjoy this happy-ever-after romance.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Australia.