The Bachelor franchise is like the chicken noodle soup of television—comforting and delicious, every damn time.

Sure, there have been low moments since the show debuted back in 2002. (We’re looking at you, Juan Pablo.) But just when you’re fed up with the second-date declarations of love, drunken group outings, and sloppy tears, Chris Harrison reels you in (again) with “the most dramatic episode yet.”

Needless to say, there are a lot of juicy production secrets behind every rose ceremony and helicopter date—many of which are revealed in writer (and self-professed Bach addict) Amy Kaufman’s new book, Bachelor Nation. Here are some of the truths she reveals—plus, other gossip we’ve uncovered.