The Castle: a YA contemporary romance set in a reality TV show (Schemes and Dreams Book 1)

YA Drama • High Stakes • Identity • Slow‑Burn Romance I’ve wanted a place at drama school for as long as I can remember — and the scholarship attached to this reality‑TV audition might be my only chance. All I have to do is spend a week inside a medieval Welsh castle, living in character 24/7 with no script, no breaks, and cameras watching my every move. My role is Scarlett: bold, rebellious, always in control. I can do that. At least, I think I can. What I can’t seem to handle is Gareth — the quiet, maddeningly handsome servant who keeps interrupting my scenes. He’s not on the cast list. He’s not following the rules. And the more I watch him, the more I’m convinced he’s hiding something… something that could change everything. To win, I have to out‑perform seven other contestants in a series of medieval‑inspired challenges: archery, map‑reading, cryptic puzzles, and the constant pressure of staying in character. But the longer I’m here, the more the lines blur between acting and reality — and the more I start to question what I’m really fighting for. The scholarship? The role? Or the truth behind Gareth’s mask? When real‑world danger threatens to tear the show apart, I’m forced to choose: keep playing the part everyone expects… or step out of character and fight for the people who matter most. Perfect for fans of The Inheritance Games and The Traitors, The Castle is a twisty, romantic YA drama where ambition, identity, and truth collide behind ancient stone walls. Kisses‑only romance. No swearing. Plenty of swoon.