Rachel Lindsay took a dash of IRL inspiration in order to bring her debut novel “Real Love” to life!
The author and Extra correspondent is channeling her past a bit further into her new book, which was released today. The connection between Lindsay’s novel and her real-life reality TV fame may be a bit hard to miss for those fans who remember her best from her time in Bachelor Nation!
Yep, the ‘Bachelorette’ alumna has incorporated her rose-giving days on “The Bachelorette” into the plot for her first novel, which arrives on bookshelves a little over a year after her memoir, “Miss Me With That: Hot Takes, Helpful Tidbits, and a Few Hard Truths!”
What Do We Know About ‘Real Love?’
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The ‘Bachelorette’ babe’s legacy is quite notable within Bachelor Nation. Lindsay was the first Black woman to ever lead “The Bachelorette,” she sat in the co-hosting seat of the franchise’s official podcast, “Bachelor Happy Hour” for a time, and she is oft-associated with the downfall of the franchise’s former host, Chris Harrison.
But what if Lindsay had never accepted the invitation to propel herself into the reality TV spotlight?
The concept of an alternate reality is explored by “Real Love”s main character, the settled and quite introverted Maya.
In an interview with NBC’s New York Live, Lindsay discussed the thought of never having taken the big leap, something she revealed she frequently looks back on.
“It’s a moment I always go back to in my life,” Lindsay explained. “Because saying ‘yes’ to going on ‘The Bachelor’ changed the entire trajectory of my life.”
The entertainer goes on to reveal she had initially had and pitched the idea for the novel after going through the same process with “Miss Me With That.”
“I thought it was a fun way to explore ‘what if I had said no, what if I had stayed in a box, what if I had stayed in that life plan, in that relationship that wasn’t going anywhere, and a career that wasn’t fulfilling me, what would it look like?’ And this gave me the opportunity to do that,” Lindsay explained further. “So, it’s a romance novel, but it’s also a book about self-discovery.”
Lindsay goes on to reveal she had all types of readers in mind as she was inspired to write “Real Love!”
“I feel like this is a book for everyone because everyone’s been at that crossroads of love, life, career, friendship,” she says. “The book deals with all of that. And so I wanted people to say ‘yes,’ even when they’re scared to embrace that fear, but don’t let fear hold you back, because, for… up until I was 31, I was doing that, and when I finally decided to step out of it, it changed my life for the better,” Lindsay continued.
The Former ‘Bachelorette’-Turned Author Celebrates The Release Of Her New Book, ‘Real Love’
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Lindsay posted an Instagram carousel featuring several behind-the-scenes photos where she is seen promoting the release of “Real Love,” including shots from a New York speaking engagement featuring ‘Bachelor’ alum Matt James.
“I can’t believe today’s the day,” Lindsay wrote in the carousel’s caption. “#RealLove is officially out now! I’m so excited for y’all to read this!”
Several famous faces from Bachelor Nation were on hand to offer their support and well wishes for Lindsay, including her ex, Nick Viall!
Mike Johnson commented “Congrats boss lady!”
The “Real Housewives of New York” alumna and fellow author, Eboni K. Williams, also offered her congratulations!
Lindsay’s next book event will be in Pasadena, California, on March 22nd; she’ll be having a conversation with Chelsea Devantez!
Lindsay’s legacy as the first Black ‘Bachelorette’ is a milestone that will inevitably follow her throughout her career. However, it’s not an aspect of her story she wanted to necessarily to bring into the fictitious world of Maya’s shot of reality TV-inspired true love.
Talking to Entertainment Weekly, Lindsay said, “It was definitely a thought, but I didn’t want to make [Maya’s experience] too much like that. Because I wanted to make it a little bit lighter. And Maya is the one we’re focusing on. That’s really what I wanted to be the focal point of the book, and not necessarily Delilah’s [Maya’s BFF, who is Latina] There are Easter eggs of my life in the book. But the reality show is enough. I didn’t want to make her a woman of color because we all know they need to do more of that, not just make it Black and white. I’ve spoken about this before, but they need to do more of that. There are plenty of other ethnicities to explore when it comes to having a lead of a reality show,” Lindsay concluded.
“Real Love” is now available from Random House!
