Fan Favorite

When decidedly unhappy Edie Pepper DMs her way onto a reality tv dating show, she's going to realize love isn't so easily won in this "perfect modern romcom" (Laurie Devore, author of The Villain Edit)--an instant USA Today bestseller!

Thirty-five year old Edie Pepper, a rosé loving, reality TV obsessed copywriter from Chicago, dreams of plucking her soulmate from the depths of Hinge (or Tinder or Bumble). Following yet another dumpster fire of a date, Edie is consoling herself with boxed wine and E! News when Ryan Seacrest drops a bomb: Edie's high school sweetheart has been cast as the lead in America's most beloved reality dating show, The Key, and wow, does he look different. Charlie Bennett, Edie's chubby cheeked, cosplay loving high school boyfriend has had a serious glow up, and is now a world traveling, extreme sports hunk.

Desperate to reclaim her One True Love, Edie DMs the show's conniving producers, who are more than happy to shove Edie headfirst into the competition. But Charlie isn't quite who she remembers, and he's as desperate to hide his past as Edie is to reveal it. Further complicating matters is Peter Kennedy, The Key's cranky showrunner, who, despite his best efforts, finds himself drawn to Edie's everywoman charm.

Navigating increasingly absurd dates, Edie starts to rethink everything she thought she knew about love. Is the biggest risk she's ever taken about to culminate in disaster? Or is Edie about to secure the Happily Ever After she's always wanted?

Find out this season on The Key.

Author: Adrienne Gunn
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Published: 06/24/2025
Pages: 384
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.70lbs
Size: 8.00h x 5.20w x 1.10d
ISBN: 9781538768259


Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 04/28/2025

About the Author
Adrienne Gunn is a writer and podcaster obsessed with pop culture. When she's not busy watching reality TV, Adrienne works as a content strategist, performs as a storyteller and comedian, and hangs out with her adorable son and adorabler puppy. Learn more about her at adriennegunn.com.