The "virgin Bachelor" Sean Lowe reveals the challenges of finding love while championing his Christian convictions in the morally complex world of reality TV.
After The Bachelorette broke his heart, Sean Lowe suspected his "nice guy" image hurt him. The show never emphasized it, but Sean committed to living according to biblical standards of sexuality, even as producers emphasized the risqué and promiscuous. A Texas boy from a Baptist home, Sean tells the story of how he went from a Division I college football player to a fan favorite on reality television, taking readers behind the scenes of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette to see the challenges of living out his values and faith-and ultimately winning his true love's heart.
For the Right Reasons is about the journeys we all have to take in the real world, where being "good" is the right thing to do but sometimes doesn't seem to be enough; where betrayal is commonplace; and where that thing called perfection is actually just a cruel myth. Sean learned a few things from his two seasons on the hottest romance shows on television, and he wants others to benefit from those lessons: good does eventually win, lies will be discovered, and "nice guys" do ultimately finish first.
For the Right Reasons is like a backstage pass to The Bachelor/ette. In the opening section of the book, Sean details his early life and faith, and that's interesting enough, but what I wanted—and what most readers will want—was the behind the scenes info from his time on The Bachelorette and The Bachelor. He delivers that in spades.
What I actually found most interesting was what he had to say about being on The Bachelorette. I always enjoy The Bachelorette more than The Bachelor because I love how the guys goof around and forge real friendships, while the girls on The Bachelor often just come off as catty or crazy. (I realize I'm in the minority here!) So when Sean talked about his friendships with Arie and Jef, his relationship with Emily Maynard, and what he went through after Emily let him go, well, I ate it up.
Sean spends considerable time on the whole Bachelor experience (for good reason). He addresses the Tierra drama, Des' brother, the difficulty he had in choosing who to let go near the end, and his reasons for ultimately choosing Catherine. The one aspect I wish he would have touched on is The Women Tell All episode. He never mentioned it, and I seem to recall it being rather dramatic regarding AshLee, the girl who came in third. (Here's the video evidence!) It just seems a little odd that he wouldn't mention that episode at all.
He also talks about his time on Dancing with the Stars and is very open about how difficult that time was for him and Catherine. There's also a bit about Catherine's conversion and their wedding.
All in all, For the Right Reasons is a must read for any Bachelor fan! 4-1/2 stars.
Buy the book.
Watch the book trailer. (It's adorable!)
Sean Lowe, one of the three finalists on Emily Maynard's popular season of The Bachelorette, later starred in the 2013 season of The Bachelor. Credited by the New York Times for "reinvigorating the franchise," he has been voted America's favorite Bachelor and is the only one to marry his match from the show. Sean and his bride, Catherine, live in Dallas, Texas, with their two dogs, Ellie and Lola.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook blogger program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
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