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Love @ First Site
Spunky, sweet-natured Jessica Monroe is 34 years old and perfectly happy being single. A producer at a top-rated morning show with a coterie of fun friends and a busy nightlife, she isn't in any rush to meet a man. Her girlfriends, however, disapprove. And when they secretly place a personal ad on a hot singles Web site on her behalf, Jess is reluctantly hurtled into the topsy-turvy world of online dating, where frogs masquerade as princes—but your soul mate might be just one click away.
A laugh-out-loud whirlwind of disastrous dates ensues, from Simon, who seems dreamy over e-mail but ditches her at the dinner table, leaving her with the bill, to Graham, a self-described “Ferrari driver” who turns out to be a car salesman—with several (old, fat, bald, creepy, cheap, stuck-up) men in between. When an unforeseen event turns her world upside down, Jess starts to wonder if the qualities she thinks she wants in a man are what she ultimately needs. And whether, as a new mystery suitor appears in her e-mail in-box, Cupid has other possibilities up his sleeve . . .
With her sparkling sensibility and brilliant knack for rendering the foibles of modern love in a fresh, unforgettable way, Jane Moore has become one of the fastest-growing names in contemporary women's fiction. Told with her signature wit, wisdom, and sass, Love @ First Site is an irresistible tale about what happens when we start to look for love between the lines on a computer screen--and a winning, unputdownable look at contemporary romance.
From the Hardcover edition.
A laugh-out-loud whirlwind of disastrous dates ensues, from Simon, who seems dreamy over e-mail but ditches her at the dinner table, leaving her with the bill, to Graham, a self-described “Ferrari driver” who turns out to be a car salesman—with several (old, fat, bald, creepy, cheap, stuck-up) men in between. When an unforeseen event turns her world upside down, Jess starts to wonder if the qualities she thinks she wants in a man are what she ultimately needs. And whether, as a new mystery suitor appears in her e-mail in-box, Cupid has other possibilities up his sleeve . . .
With her sparkling sensibility and brilliant knack for rendering the foibles of modern love in a fresh, unforgettable way, Jane Moore has become one of the fastest-growing names in contemporary women's fiction. Told with her signature wit, wisdom, and sass, Love @ First Site is an irresistible tale about what happens when we start to look for love between the lines on a computer screen--and a winning, unputdownable look at contemporary romance.
From the Hardcover edition.
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First published June 28, 2005
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About the author
Jane Moore
83 books64 followersJane Moore is an English journalist, author and television presenter, best known as a columnist for The Sun newspaper and as a panellist and anchor on the ITV lunchtime chat show Loose Women between 1999 and 2002, returning as a regular panellist from 2013 onwards. Since 2018 Moore has been regularly relief-anchoring the show.
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April 7, 2012This type of chic lit is normally not my thing. I'm talking this formula:
*London
*Single girl in her 30's
*Friends who simply cannot accept that
*A gay friend acting like a manual for the gay stereotype handbook
*An idiot friend who she hates but needs because she thinks she owns her
*A job at a television channel with an idiot boss
*A superficial hot guy she hopes is the one
*The nice guy who actually is the one
But this book was a little bit deeper, having issues like sick children, breast cancer etc.
From time to time it was actually pretty funny as well.
A big plus for not having a main character obsessing about her weight or to quit smoking but never succeeds. We get it, we are weak people.
It brings up the issue of internet dating. Some think it's desperate. Personally, I'd love if people could just mind their own buissiness and stop judging people. So someone is vegan, homosexual or does internet dating. Big freakin' deal. Glad the author seemed to have some similar views on that point.
But I dont think I'll continue reading this kind of books.
*London
*Single girl in her 30's
*Friends who simply cannot accept that
*A gay friend acting like a manual for the gay stereotype handbook
*An idiot friend who she hates but needs because she thinks she owns her
*A job at a television channel with an idiot boss
*A superficial hot guy she hopes is the one
*The nice guy who actually is the one
But this book was a little bit deeper, having issues like sick children, breast cancer etc.
From time to time it was actually pretty funny as well.
A big plus for not having a main character obsessing about her weight or to quit smoking but never succeeds. We get it, we are weak people.
It brings up the issue of internet dating. Some think it's desperate. Personally, I'd love if people could just mind their own buissiness and stop judging people. So someone is vegan, homosexual or does internet dating. Big freakin' deal. Glad the author seemed to have some similar views on that point.
But I dont think I'll continue reading this kind of books.
November 7, 2015
1.5 stars
About 100 pages in with no predictable love interest on the horizon, my hopes perked up. Maybe this wouldn't be another vapid, predictable, unsatisfying chick lit novel about a British girl looking for love. Maybe our heroine would actually learn there is more to life than men and drinking and do something. When the lighthearted, predictable plot turned somber, I figured it might just happen too.
Alas, for wasted hopes.
It isn't that the book utterly fails. From one angle, it actually succeeds in giving some plausibility to Jess's character change. It is easy to see how grief and worry would give her more of a backbone as she re-prioritizes her life. Even the very dated references to technology (AOL? Eeek, save me) didn't ruin the story (though I double checked the publishing date, like, 4 times.)
What made Love @ First Site a failure in my mind was the somewhat mushy, tepid conclusion at the end. "Sex is great but not everything in a relationship."
Wowza, thanks for that burst of wisdom.
Jess is 34 but she drinks and carries on like she is 10 years younger. She's constantly drinking, drunk, or recovering from a hangover. While I appreciated the pro-motherhood statements, she was not the strong "I-don't-need-a-man" heroine promised to me in the synopsis. She followed the standard, hormonal chick lit heroine too closely to be strong. I got seriously bored with her snobbery.
Finally, though, the largest turnoff for me was Jess's relationship with Simon, a slime-ball, and the lack of any real chemistry between her and her eventual love interest. Everything is neatly (and utterly predictably) tied up with a bow but I find it hard to feel anything other than relief than its over.
About 100 pages in with no predictable love interest on the horizon, my hopes perked up. Maybe this wouldn't be another vapid, predictable, unsatisfying chick lit novel about a British girl looking for love. Maybe our heroine would actually learn there is more to life than men and drinking and do something. When the lighthearted, predictable plot turned somber, I figured it might just happen too.
Alas, for wasted hopes.
It isn't that the book utterly fails. From one angle, it actually succeeds in giving some plausibility to Jess's character change. It is easy to see how grief and worry would give her more of a backbone as she re-prioritizes her life. Even the very dated references to technology (AOL? Eeek, save me) didn't ruin the story (though I double checked the publishing date, like, 4 times.)
What made Love @ First Site a failure in my mind was the somewhat mushy, tepid conclusion at the end. "Sex is great but not everything in a relationship."
Wowza, thanks for that burst of wisdom.
Jess is 34 but she drinks and carries on like she is 10 years younger. She's constantly drinking, drunk, or recovering from a hangover. While I appreciated the pro-motherhood statements, she was not the strong "I-don't-need-a-man" heroine promised to me in the synopsis. She followed the standard, hormonal chick lit heroine too closely to be strong. I got seriously bored with her snobbery.
Finally, though, the largest turnoff for me was Jess's relationship with Simon, a slime-ball, and the lack of any real chemistry between her and her eventual love interest. Everything is neatly (and utterly predictably) tied up with a bow but I find it hard to feel anything other than relief than its over.
February 15, 2009
I think it's important to note that I gave this book four stars not because it was an incredible book or because it was superiorly (is that a word?) well written, but because it was fun and I really enjoyed reading it.
It's funny how I found this book. I was at the library and I was looking for a different book and this one was on the same shelf. I read the book description and was interested by similarities I shared with the main character of the novel. Thirty four years old, check. Single, check. Good career, check. Great friends and family, check. Ventures into the world of online dating and meets a bunch of weirdos, EXTRA LARGE AND BOLD-FACED CHECK.
This book was really entertaining. And I love reading books that take place in England because I am such an anglophile and just love all of the terms they use. The main character, Jess, is a lot of fun and very real. I found that I genuinely liked her, her family and all of her friends.
I think the thing I enjoyed the most about this book is that while it is a chicklit, romancey type of novel, that isn't all that goes on this book, which is my main disappointment in many of these types of books. There is a lot more going on in the story, which is refreshing. Jane Moore also comes up with some very clever and funny lines throughout, I found myself copying several down in my journal because they were so entertaining. I think my favorite was "The things you see when you don't have a gun on you." Brilliant. I will definitely be checking out some of her other books.
It's funny how I found this book. I was at the library and I was looking for a different book and this one was on the same shelf. I read the book description and was interested by similarities I shared with the main character of the novel. Thirty four years old, check. Single, check. Good career, check. Great friends and family, check. Ventures into the world of online dating and meets a bunch of weirdos, EXTRA LARGE AND BOLD-FACED CHECK.
This book was really entertaining. And I love reading books that take place in England because I am such an anglophile and just love all of the terms they use. The main character, Jess, is a lot of fun and very real. I found that I genuinely liked her, her family and all of her friends.
I think the thing I enjoyed the most about this book is that while it is a chicklit, romancey type of novel, that isn't all that goes on this book, which is my main disappointment in many of these types of books. There is a lot more going on in the story, which is refreshing. Jane Moore also comes up with some very clever and funny lines throughout, I found myself copying several down in my journal because they were so entertaining. I think my favorite was "The things you see when you don't have a gun on you." Brilliant. I will definitely be checking out some of her other books.
June 22, 2013
I got this book as a random library pick. I figured if I hated it, it was still free. I didn't end up hating it, but I'm very glad I didn't pay for it.
This book had potential. It really did. Single lady looking for love in all the wrong places and with all the wrong people lands Mr. Right. I mean that is what all the single ladies want, correct? Mr. Right? ... However, I think this book took the slow boat to China to get there. With me thinking the whole time.. isn't this Jess character 34? Shouldn't she be out of the party/drinking/hitting the bar scene stage by now? Hasn't she learned that attraction is not solely about looks by the time she turned 34?
And what a 34th year she has. Through all the crazy family issues and work chaos she emerges a changed woman on her 35th birthday. Sort of like a big bow on a gift. It was all summed up neat and tidy.
Honestly by the time I was half way through the book I was wondering if I would make to the end.
This book had potential. It really did. Single lady looking for love in all the wrong places and with all the wrong people lands Mr. Right. I mean that is what all the single ladies want, correct? Mr. Right? ... However, I think this book took the slow boat to China to get there. With me thinking the whole time.. isn't this Jess character 34? Shouldn't she be out of the party/drinking/hitting the bar scene stage by now? Hasn't she learned that attraction is not solely about looks by the time she turned 34?
And what a 34th year she has. Through all the crazy family issues and work chaos she emerges a changed woman on her 35th birthday. Sort of like a big bow on a gift. It was all summed up neat and tidy.
Honestly by the time I was half way through the book I was wondering if I would make to the end.
March 17, 2011
It has all the makings to be an English chick-lit novel (30 something single gal with hip, trendy job, gay friend, supportive, attached friends, a crises and that one frienemy) but falls short on an actual plot or development of characters. It’s like reading lots of drama and then peaks to a boring halt all wrapped up with a pretty bow called the last chapter.
To be honest, I read the first two chapters, got bored, and then read the last page to figure out the name of the bloke she was going to end up with. I got by just fine by skipping to where he first appeared in the book (over halfway through the book, I mean seriously?!?!) and started reading from there. I was even able to skip a few more chapters after that point as it just got to be textbook events. ...please read the full review at: http://tipsyreader.com/books/reviews/...
To be honest, I read the first two chapters, got bored, and then read the last page to figure out the name of the bloke she was going to end up with. I got by just fine by skipping to where he first appeared in the book (over halfway through the book, I mean seriously?!?!) and started reading from there. I was even able to skip a few more chapters after that point as it just got to be textbook events. ...please read the full review at: http://tipsyreader.com/books/reviews/...
February 23, 2014
Eh, I mean, I felt the random desire to read some chick lit. And I thought it might be fun to read about online dating, and this was (surprisingly, actually) pretty much all I could find. It was not terrible, evidenced by the fact that I actually read the whole thing, but it wasn't great. I can't say I was terribly fond of the protagonist, to be honest, which I think is important for this sort of story. But as far as books from this genre goes, it was probably still above the curve!
January 14, 2014
For me, its an ok read to pass the time though the storyline does disappoint me because its just way off from what the title of the book scream out. It does pinned point some of the idea of "love @ first site" but didn't really quite deliver for me and the ending is just to all of sudden wrap it up style. On the bright side, the story does touched regarding what important in life most.
April 8, 2014
bad writing, plot all over the place. don't waste your time.
July 23, 2018
This book did what Bridget Jones could not. It gave me a light, and a bit mindless pallet cleanser of a romance story with a lead character who actually had a personality!
That said, I wouldn't look to this book for any depth that isn't spoon fed to you with giant neon sign over it saying "This is the point of the story! Look at her exciting character growth!" Also, while this book did fulfill that odd inkling I had for a story about online dating, I could see some not great aspects rearing their heads. The most blatant of which was guys who are conventionally unattractive having equally unattractive personalities. And what is this book's beef with short men? Rude! Granted, we are in the head of our MC and thus we're subjected to what she finds attractive, but did all the guys she doesn't fancy aesthetically also have to have disgusting personalities? Not very progressive, book.
Our MC's two main men are split down what I am coming to learn might be a common divide when it comes to adult romance. In teen romance it's the broody one vs the cinnamon roll. For adults it's: one she is sexually attracted to vs one she is intellectually attracted to. She has to decide what matters more: hot, steamy sex, or someone who values her mind and personality. I won't tell you which she picks. I will say that the sex scenes were pleasantly brief, even if they were a tad descriptive for my personal taste.
I did enjoy that the MC had a career and a sister she is very close with, so the story isn't bogged down with only the romance plotline.
Overall this was a fine, if a touch tone deaf, book. If you go in not expecting much, you'll probably have a pleasant enough time.
That said, I wouldn't look to this book for any depth that isn't spoon fed to you with giant neon sign over it saying "This is the point of the story! Look at her exciting character growth!" Also, while this book did fulfill that odd inkling I had for a story about online dating, I could see some not great aspects rearing their heads. The most blatant of which was guys who are conventionally unattractive having equally unattractive personalities. And what is this book's beef with short men? Rude! Granted, we are in the head of our MC and thus we're subjected to what she finds attractive, but did all the guys she doesn't fancy aesthetically also have to have disgusting personalities? Not very progressive, book.
Our MC's two main men are split down what I am coming to learn might be a common divide when it comes to adult romance. In teen romance it's the broody one vs the cinnamon roll. For adults it's: one she is sexually attracted to vs one she is intellectually attracted to. She has to decide what matters more: hot, steamy sex, or someone who values her mind and personality. I won't tell you which she picks. I will say that the sex scenes were pleasantly brief, even if they were a tad descriptive for my personal taste.
I did enjoy that the MC had a career and a sister she is very close with, so the story isn't bogged down with only the romance plotline.
Overall this was a fine, if a touch tone deaf, book. If you go in not expecting much, you'll probably have a pleasant enough time.
July 7, 2017
Oh, I cannot believe it. I finally got to finish this book. It does't normally take me long to read a novel but this book somehow dragged unbelievably long.
So this book was supposedly about a thirty-four year old single british woman who found herself with a dating site profile, thanks to her not so friendly friend. Most of her dates were disappointment but one was more pleasing than other except she was left in the restaurant with the bill. Then supposedly an unexpected e-mail suitor showed up in her life and somehow would help change her views in life.
One thing that I can say is that the summary in the back of the book was a disappointment because the story was npt really what it said it was going to be. But, to say the least, I did like some parts of the book despite feeling like the story was not complete. I specially liked that somehow I see myself being her a decade from now. I am single workaholic in my mid twenties and it feels like I will get into my thirties having the same dilemmas as she does. I just can't help be disappointed though for the lack of the inclusion of the emails that were supposedly a surprise out of nowhere. I feel like they would have been big part of the book- well, suppossedly.
Final rating? 3/5 stars. It's okay but not a book I will read again nor see myself get excited to reread. I just wish it's more. :(
So this book was supposedly about a thirty-four year old single british woman who found herself with a dating site profile, thanks to her not so friendly friend. Most of her dates were disappointment but one was more pleasing than other except she was left in the restaurant with the bill. Then supposedly an unexpected e-mail suitor showed up in her life and somehow would help change her views in life.
One thing that I can say is that the summary in the back of the book was a disappointment because the story was npt really what it said it was going to be. But, to say the least, I did like some parts of the book despite feeling like the story was not complete. I specially liked that somehow I see myself being her a decade from now. I am single workaholic in my mid twenties and it feels like I will get into my thirties having the same dilemmas as she does. I just can't help be disappointed though for the lack of the inclusion of the emails that were supposedly a surprise out of nowhere. I feel like they would have been big part of the book- well, suppossedly.
Final rating? 3/5 stars. It's okay but not a book I will read again nor see myself get excited to reread. I just wish it's more. :(
October 7, 2022
This story is written all over the place. I understand it’s showing the multifaceted issues of her life but it’s as if she changes personalities with each event. It would’ve been great if it explored the wackiness of on-line dating. The fact
She feels physical attraction to the one guy that treats her like garbage and continues to give him more chances and go out with him, is appalling. And makes the reader unsympathetic to her plight. and she is unworthy of a good man at the end. It’s ironic that she’s 35 years old and just now discovering that there’s more to relationship than just physical attraction. And even her sisters diagnosis comes back to be all about her. Didn’t like the characters, didn’t like the storyline,
She feels physical attraction to the one guy that treats her like garbage and continues to give him more chances and go out with him, is appalling. And makes the reader unsympathetic to her plight. and she is unworthy of a good man at the end. It’s ironic that she’s 35 years old and just now discovering that there’s more to relationship than just physical attraction. And even her sisters diagnosis comes back to be all about her. Didn’t like the characters, didn’t like the storyline,
May 25, 2021
I must say, I’m on a good streak of books. I really enjoyed this one. Jess is thirty-four, has a great job in television and tons of friends to keep her busy. Her friends think it’s time she finds someone to settle down with so they sign her up for a dating website. The stories of the dates she goes on were my favorite part. It made me laugh out loud in multiple places. The book takes a serious turn when a family member struggles and Jess proves to herself that she is strong enough to handle hard things and life is bigger than her dating problems. Will Jess meet Mr. Right through the dating website or by chance? Definitely put this on your summer/beach/pool read list!
September 3, 2018
this was another one i listened to at work.
i wanted something light.
it was cute. it did go on a bit long but again, i was enjoying listening to it so i just kept going.
i liked hearing about the various dates she met.
i haven't done online dating but i know many people who have. i would recommend this to them b/c they could probably relate.
i found jess to be a relatable & likable character.
i had a feeling about who she should end up with so i kept going to see if i was right.
i wanted to know how it ended. it didn't disappoint. i thought the ending was delightful.
May 29, 2025
Im not rating this book because its a masterpiece or anything incredible, but because it was so much fun. The craziness of online dating personified in a book! It was such a blast. I smiled and laughed with Jessica. But also understood her frustration at wanting to find her soulmate. I love the ending and the story. No its not the next great American novel, but its fun. And in this case, I needed fun.
November 26, 2019
This was such a funny book! Ithought a lot of Jesss's dates had such different personalities. I even liked her as a character. I kind of knew which of the guys she'd end up with but this book was just what I needed to read.
December 18, 2022
I enjoyed this fairly typical chic lit novel. While the plot was predictable the writing was good and I wanted to hear more about and from the various characters. The growth of the main character was believable and her experiences with online dating quite accurate. A fun, light read.
April 23, 2023
I enjoyed this fairly typical chic lit novel. While the plot was predictable the writing was good and I wanted to hear more about and from the various characters. The growth of the main character was believable and her experiences with online dating quite accurate. A fun, light read.
August 9, 2020
I read this book when I was probably a smidge too young but it was such a delightful escape, and it definitely lay the groundwork for my tastes in tropes for the years that followed
October 25, 2020
Not a terrible read...but not a page turner either. There were some very funny bits, but most of the story was quite predictable.
June 9, 2021
I very much enjoyed reading this but if a man did this to me I'd kill him
March 7, 2023
Did not like the book.
March 16, 2017
Classic chick lit formula, complete with a predictable ending, but with an added bonus of heartfelt family drama that worked with the "finding love" storyline. I wish I didn't wait so long to pick this one up. I was looking for a light read, and I am happy that I found this on my shelf. Perfect beach read, or when you just want a pick-me-up!
March 6, 2017
There's a portion in the book that went:
"I came home from the hairdresser's on Thursday afternoon, and Araminta greeted me with the words 'Herro, Mammy,'" she says, mimicking a Filipino accent. "I mean, can you imagine? The nanny will have to go."
I'm Filipino, and I just want to clarify, though we speak with an accent, we still pronounce L as Ls and R as Rs. The author was probably thinking of another nation when she wrote this part.
"I came home from the hairdresser's on Thursday afternoon, and Araminta greeted me with the words 'Herro, Mammy,'" she says, mimicking a Filipino accent. "I mean, can you imagine? The nanny will have to go."
I'm Filipino, and I just want to clarify, though we speak with an accent, we still pronounce L as Ls and R as Rs. The author was probably thinking of another nation when she wrote this part.
July 7, 2017
This novel is deceptive for its “chick lit” genre. It was not at all what I expected. It starts out fun, funny and breezy, then takes a dark turn with a cancer storyline.
The MC, Jessica, starts out as the chick-lit staple of a confident, self-assured career woman, with a stable of good, loyal friends (with the exception of the heinous Kara), but Jess later devolves into a self-pitying, judgmental, hypocritical b*tch. It was especially galling in the beginning phase of learning about her sister’s cancer, when Jess then makes it all about Jess, Jess, Jess. Why didn’t Olivia tell Jess sooner? Why doesn’t Liv lean on Jess more? It’s all about “Me, me, me!” rather than putting the focus on her cancer-stricken sister.
I don’t know if it’s the author, the editor or the publisher, but for what is clearly a novel that takes place in Britain, populated with British characters, I felt the use of Americanisms extremely jarring. And, it wasn’t even one or two instances. Rather, throughout, American words (like sneakers) was used, or anything else that would be common knowledge in America (does anyone in Britain really know what the Beverly Hillbillies was?!). And of course the kicker was the continual use of referring to something that was priced in dollars. Uh yeah, without anyone knowing about it, Britain is now on the US monetary system!
I had to laugh at what was clearly an error in wording on one particular instance. “Bonsai” was used in place of what clearly should have been banzai or kamikaze. This occurred in the passage with the speed dating event Jess and Madeleine attended.
Finally, you just knew who Jessica would pair up with in the end. It was so obviously telegraphed, but I thought the author did an okay job laying the foundation of the pairing. I say okay because more romance needed to be developed before I could hop aboard that ‘ship. I saw the friendship moreso than I did the romance. [And as of this review, I’m still not sure how I feel about his “Seb” deception. From the beginning, I always felt there was something off about “Seb” and am glad I was vindicated, but I could see both sides of the whole deceit: it could be viewed as romantic, or crazily stupid and unforgivable].
Overall, I doubt this novel will stay with me, but it was a decent way to spend a day or so whiling away the hours.
The MC, Jessica, starts out as the chick-lit staple of a confident, self-assured career woman, with a stable of good, loyal friends (with the exception of the heinous Kara), but Jess later devolves into a self-pitying, judgmental, hypocritical b*tch. It was especially galling in the beginning phase of learning about her sister’s cancer, when Jess then makes it all about Jess, Jess, Jess. Why didn’t Olivia tell Jess sooner? Why doesn’t Liv lean on Jess more? It’s all about “Me, me, me!” rather than putting the focus on her cancer-stricken sister.
I don’t know if it’s the author, the editor or the publisher, but for what is clearly a novel that takes place in Britain, populated with British characters, I felt the use of Americanisms extremely jarring. And, it wasn’t even one or two instances. Rather, throughout, American words (like sneakers) was used, or anything else that would be common knowledge in America (does anyone in Britain really know what the Beverly Hillbillies was?!). And of course the kicker was the continual use of referring to something that was priced in dollars. Uh yeah, without anyone knowing about it, Britain is now on the US monetary system!
I had to laugh at what was clearly an error in wording on one particular instance. “Bonsai” was used in place of what clearly should have been banzai or kamikaze. This occurred in the passage with the speed dating event Jess and Madeleine attended.
Finally, you just knew who Jessica would pair up with in the end. It was so obviously telegraphed, but I thought the author did an okay job laying the foundation of the pairing. I say okay because more romance needed to be developed before I could hop aboard that ‘ship. I saw the friendship moreso than I did the romance. [And as of this review, I’m still not sure how I feel about his “Seb” deception. From the beginning, I always felt there was something off about “Seb” and am glad I was vindicated, but I could see both sides of the whole deceit: it could be viewed as romantic, or crazily stupid and unforgivable].
Overall, I doubt this novel will stay with me, but it was a decent way to spend a day or so whiling away the hours.
August 24, 2009
I'm so glad I'm married.
Jessica Monroe is given the passive-aggressive "gift" of someone posting her profile on an on-line dating site. Gamely, she agrees to go on these dates, hoping eventually to find someone to love and marry. She is 34, after all, and her biological clock is ticking... The dates are so terrible (adulterers, know-it-all do-gooders, swingers, cheapskates) they seem contrived rather than based on someone real dating experience. However, I was rolling with laughter. True or not, they are hysterical.
Jessica was such a contradiction. She's bitchy and vocal to the dates, but stays through the dates out of politeness when any sane person would say, You know what? This is going to work." Why spend two hours with someone when you know after the first 20 minutes that nothing's happening. And then when she finally lets her true feelings known- watch out! Jessica's vicious, but says what many of us have dreamed of saying. Yet while she's dating and working, her family is struck by tragedy. Laughter and tears make for a great book combo. Yes, there's sex, shopping, drama, and pathos. I enjoyed. Hope you will too.
Jessica Monroe is given the passive-aggressive "gift" of someone posting her profile on an on-line dating site. Gamely, she agrees to go on these dates, hoping eventually to find someone to love and marry. She is 34, after all, and her biological clock is ticking... The dates are so terrible (adulterers, know-it-all do-gooders, swingers, cheapskates) they seem contrived rather than based on someone real dating experience. However, I was rolling with laughter. True or not, they are hysterical.
Jessica was such a contradiction. She's bitchy and vocal to the dates, but stays through the dates out of politeness when any sane person would say, You know what? This is going to work." Why spend two hours with someone when you know after the first 20 minutes that nothing's happening. And then when she finally lets her true feelings known- watch out! Jessica's vicious, but says what many of us have dreamed of saying. Yet while she's dating and working, her family is struck by tragedy. Laughter and tears make for a great book combo. Yes, there's sex, shopping, drama, and pathos. I enjoyed. Hope you will too.
August 14, 2013
Jess is thirty four with a great job, great friends, wonderful flat and no boyfriend. No boyfriend in the past year, six months, or on the horizon. Her friends decide its high time she find love and sign her up for the world of Internet dating. Amongst the bad dates and wonderful shags she must face truths about what she's really looking for in a companion and in life.
Riding on the success of Bridget Jones' Diary, Moore creates a character that is the typical literary British woman - lovely friends, annoying men, overwhelming mother, so on and so forth. While this book has it's moments (the main character can be rather negative and gloomy at times) the relationship between Jess and her sister Olivia and a huge hurdle they must overcome together makes it a book more about finding the strength to pull through rather than finding a love.
Riding on the success of Bridget Jones' Diary, Moore creates a character that is the typical literary British woman - lovely friends, annoying men, overwhelming mother, so on and so forth. While this book has it's moments (the main character can be rather negative and gloomy at times) the relationship between Jess and her sister Olivia and a huge hurdle they must overcome together makes it a book more about finding the strength to pull through rather than finding a love.
April 23, 2010
I thought this was a light, fun book to read. It had me laughing in quite a few chapters and made me realize how lucky I am to not be single! The relationships that were described in the book were pretty true to life--Jess's relationship with her friends, sisters, parents; they were all believable and narrated well. I feel that the serious health issue that emerged in the story was handled wonderfully and actually added some depth to the book overall. Jess was a good main character with a lot of nerve, and I liked how she matured towards the end of the story.
The one thing that did take away from the story was the language. There was an awful lot of swearing. Not that I am a saint or anything, but in some places it wasn't really necessary.
The one thing that did take away from the story was the language. There was an awful lot of swearing. Not that I am a saint or anything, but in some places it wasn't really necessary.
August 8, 2012
The characters are fine, plot and side plots ideas are good, but the execution is a bit spotty--some flow issues, some roughness--the whole is not greater than the sum of its parts. British, so nice British-isms and good one-liners. A fluff book. Might read it again.
Added 2012 while purging books:
I still think about this one occasionally, which means some of the characters were more memorable than originally thought and the plot made more of a point. I probably identify with the main character for several reasons as well. I like how the interaction plays out with the heroine and the one guy. Also I like the portrayal of the dating scene. May need to read again.
Added 2012 while purging books:
I still think about this one occasionally, which means some of the characters were more memorable than originally thought and the plot made more of a point. I probably identify with the main character for several reasons as well. I like how the interaction plays out with the heroine and the one guy. Also I like the portrayal of the dating scene. May need to read again.
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