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Blind Date
Catherine knew her sister meant well, but a blind date with a famous, handsome tycoon was not exactly what she needed. Zack Freeman was equally annoyed when his best friend defied him to leave work behind for a moment and have a little fun. When they met, Catherine saw desire in Zack's eyes, and it was clear he found her irresistible. Both were surprised to find their blind date turn into one unforgettable night with consequences that would change both their lives!
200 pages, Paperback
First published April 3, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 2, 2020
Peggy Dean is excited to learn that she's a finalist on the Ross Elliot Show's special episode "Blind Date" contest. The first prize is a date with popular singer John Gale, but Peggy isn't interested in that. As a Media Communications major, she's primarily interested in seeing the set of the show. She's also hoping to win a stereo, the consolation prize given to the two finalists who aren't picked to go on a date with John. She attempts to sabotage her chances of winning by giving off-putting answers to John's questions, but instead she accidentally captures his interest.
The Harlequin Ginger Blossoms line fascinates me. As far as I know, they were all adaptations of 1980's Harlequin novels - Emma Darcy's Blind Date was originally published in 1986, while the Japanese manga adaptation was published in 2003, and the English translation of the manga was published in 2006. Wouldn't it have been a better idea to focus on newer romance novels? Was it a rights thing? The color-coding is also interesting. Harlequin Pink titles were printed in pink ink and aimed at younger readers - no on-page sex. Harlequin Violet titles were printed in violet ink and aimed at older audiences (ages 16 and up, according to my copy). They did have on-page sex, but, at least in the case of Blind Date, the nudity was of the Barbie doll variety (no nipples) and the sex scenes were sensual but not graphic.
I haven't read the novel on which this manga is based, so I can't comment on how accurate of an adaptation it is, although I do think it's interesting that, according to descriptions I've read, John's name in the original book was actually Adam Gale. I wonder why his name was changed while Peggy's remained the same?
The artwork is the best part of Blind Date. The character designs are attractive, everything is easy to follow and uncluttered, characters' facial expressions are well done (I laughed at Peggy's "deer in the headlights" stunned expression upon seeing all of John's gorgeous friends at the musical), and it's just generally a lovely looking volume.
The story...well. The first half is pretty solid. Peggy tries to sabotage herself and fails, and John admits that he chose her because he figured she didn't actually want to be chosen and therefore didn't have an ulterior motives. They eventually had a nice dinner, and he managed to convince her to let him buy her a stereo as an apology, since that's what she'd really wanted.
The problems started when they ended up in bed together. John realized that Peggy was a virgin and went from "oh no, what I have I done?" to "you were just using me so that you could sell your story about your first time with John Gale to the media" in two seconds flat. Both Peggy and I were stunned and wondering what the heck happened.
John eventually realized that he was an idiot and apologized, but that didn't stop him from acting like an idiot the next time they ended up in bed together. When Peggy got up first thing in the morning to go to class, John acted like she was completely rejecting him. Dude, she's a college student - you don't get to tell her which classes she can afford to miss and which she can't. I disliked that it was Peggy who apologized first this time, and not John. Peggy hadn't done anything wrong.
For some reason, Peggy continued to stay with John and even agreed to move in with him. All kinds of warning bells went off in my head when he told her not to worry about work ("I'll lend you money until you graduate"). Considering his behavior up to that point, I fully expected him to either remind her that he was lending her money and therefore deserved all her time any time she wanted to do anything on her own, or get mad at some point and accuse her of using him for his money.
I could see what the ending was going for, but it was missing a few key pieces...like an actual demonstration on John's part that he really understood why Peggy had left. A big bouquet of flowers and an "I love you" didn't cut it.
All in all, this was nice looking and decent for what it was, but there's definitely better romance manga out there.
(Original review posted on A Library Girl's Familiar Diversions.)
The Harlequin Ginger Blossoms line fascinates me. As far as I know, they were all adaptations of 1980's Harlequin novels - Emma Darcy's Blind Date was originally published in 1986, while the Japanese manga adaptation was published in 2003, and the English translation of the manga was published in 2006. Wouldn't it have been a better idea to focus on newer romance novels? Was it a rights thing? The color-coding is also interesting. Harlequin Pink titles were printed in pink ink and aimed at younger readers - no on-page sex. Harlequin Violet titles were printed in violet ink and aimed at older audiences (ages 16 and up, according to my copy). They did have on-page sex, but, at least in the case of Blind Date, the nudity was of the Barbie doll variety (no nipples) and the sex scenes were sensual but not graphic.
I haven't read the novel on which this manga is based, so I can't comment on how accurate of an adaptation it is, although I do think it's interesting that, according to descriptions I've read, John's name in the original book was actually Adam Gale. I wonder why his name was changed while Peggy's remained the same?
The artwork is the best part of Blind Date. The character designs are attractive, everything is easy to follow and uncluttered, characters' facial expressions are well done (I laughed at Peggy's "deer in the headlights" stunned expression upon seeing all of John's gorgeous friends at the musical), and it's just generally a lovely looking volume.
The story...well. The first half is pretty solid. Peggy tries to sabotage herself and fails, and John admits that he chose her because he figured she didn't actually want to be chosen and therefore didn't have an ulterior motives. They eventually had a nice dinner, and he managed to convince her to let him buy her a stereo as an apology, since that's what she'd really wanted.
The problems started when they ended up in bed together. John realized that Peggy was a virgin and went from "oh no, what I have I done?" to "you were just using me so that you could sell your story about your first time with John Gale to the media" in two seconds flat. Both Peggy and I were stunned and wondering what the heck happened.
John eventually realized that he was an idiot and apologized, but that didn't stop him from acting like an idiot the next time they ended up in bed together. When Peggy got up first thing in the morning to go to class, John acted like she was completely rejecting him. Dude, she's a college student - you don't get to tell her which classes she can afford to miss and which she can't. I disliked that it was Peggy who apologized first this time, and not John. Peggy hadn't done anything wrong.
For some reason, Peggy continued to stay with John and even agreed to move in with him. All kinds of warning bells went off in my head when he told her not to worry about work ("I'll lend you money until you graduate"). Considering his behavior up to that point, I fully expected him to either remind her that he was lending her money and therefore deserved all her time any time she wanted to do anything on her own, or get mad at some point and accuse her of using him for his money.
I could see what the ending was going for, but it was missing a few key pieces...like an actual demonstration on John's part that he really understood why Peggy had left. A big bouquet of flowers and an "I love you" didn't cut it.
All in all, this was nice looking and decent for what it was, but there's definitely better romance manga out there.
(Original review posted on A Library Girl's Familiar Diversions.)
September 8, 2022
Peggy enters a talk show competition with the intention of losing - it is the second prize, a stereo system, that has caught her fancy. The first prize, on the other hand, is a blind date with the famous music star, John. When John realises that Peggy is trying to lose, he decides to make sure she ends up winning.
Unlike the Harlequin Pink manga, this one is printed in hot violet ink. Just the fact that these volumes are truly printed in pink (or purple) is enough for me to have a look at them! I still don't know if I like it, but it is interesting for sure!
This story was alright. These Harlequin Manga all seem to have this ordinary-girl-meets-famous-rich-man thing going on. This one was not as bad as my worst, but not as good as my best Harlequin manga either.
I am not sure whether I liked Peggy. I didn't really understand most of her choices. John was an alright character and I quite liked his childish tantrums. But I found it a little bit hard to understand what he saw in Peggy.
At first, the romance felt very rushed. But it started to slow down again and made it a tad more believable. I mean, oneshots will often be rushed and there is not much one can do about it - but I think this one was not the worst of its kind.
May 26, 2019
Reading these HQ manga is becoming my Saturday procrastination tradition - instead of working I am reading manga instead.
This was a cute premise with the couple meeting during game show program. The art was ok - nothing too detailed but nothing awkward either. However, the dialogue was very awkward and the pacing was pretty off. The characters spent quite a bit of time screaming at each other and it all felt very frantic.
There were some cute scenes and the hero was a real diva. That saved this book from being a one start. Cute in places and confusing in others therefore I settled for an average rating.
This was a cute premise with the couple meeting during game show program. The art was ok - nothing too detailed but nothing awkward either. However, the dialogue was very awkward and the pacing was pretty off. The characters spent quite a bit of time screaming at each other and it all felt very frantic.
There were some cute scenes and the hero was a real diva. That saved this book from being a one start. Cute in places and confusing in others therefore I settled for an average rating.
May 27, 2019
This was a lot of fun! Very funny read.
The downside is there were weird time jumps? And I had no idea why she left him at the end. They were happy and she just. . . rolled out for some reason? They end up back together but that was weird. Anyway, a funny little read.
The downside is there were weird time jumps? And I had no idea why she left him at the end. They were happy and she just. . . rolled out for some reason? They end up back together but that was weird. Anyway, a funny little read.
July 8, 2022
These are always deliciously wholesome with a dash of trash. Mini manga volumes with your favorite Harlequin romance tropes.
January 15, 2009
From Mangafox.com: Catherine knew her sister meant well, but a blind date with a famous, handsome tycoon was not exactly what she needed. Zack Freeman was equally annoyed when his best friend defied him to leave work behind for a moment and have a little fun. When they met, Catherine saw desire in Zack's eyes, and it was clear he found her irresistible. Both were surprised to find their blind date turn into one unforgettable night with consequences that would change both their lives!
I found this online, and decided to read it...It was okay...not the best though.
I found this online, and decided to read it...It was okay...not the best though.
February 5, 2017
Touching beautiful story
This story as you may have guessed from the title is built around a blind date. Like the programme of old this one also takes place in a tv studio on a live show.
Peggy is at college and entered a competition to a blind date with Jon Gale, the finalists are to be on the show and have a chance at a date.
Peggy entered the competition to lose, so she can win the runner up prize of a stereo. Little did she know that her plan would backfire.
Fantastic story with beautiful graphics and clear text. The ending was very sweet.
This story as you may have guessed from the title is built around a blind date. Like the programme of old this one also takes place in a tv studio on a live show.
Peggy is at college and entered a competition to a blind date with Jon Gale, the finalists are to be on the show and have a chance at a date.
Peggy entered the competition to lose, so she can win the runner up prize of a stereo. Little did she know that her plan would backfire.
Fantastic story with beautiful graphics and clear text. The ending was very sweet.
February 23, 2015
Some of the timing was off in the story (i.e. some crazy leaps of time) and there were places that needed more back story, but I was entertained. I do go into these with very low expectations, but it was fun for what it is: a very watered down romance novel. Compared to the other one I read, I actually want to read the novel this was based on.
August 17, 2012
It makes me wonder WHY oh WHY Peggy puts up with John. After what he's done to her.
And I don't really believe in Love is Power thing. Seems a bit cliche for this story.
And I don't really believe in Love is Power thing. Seems a bit cliche for this story.
Read
February 3, 2014ok
September 25, 2015
how can i read it??
July 6, 2014
Grabbed this one at the library because I liked the purple printing. The story itself was sort of crap, but it was fun to read something light while watching fireworks on the 4th.
November 1, 2016
This was kind of ridiculous but alas SHOJO.
Otherwise, this was cute.
Otherwise, this was cute.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews