Cupid Missed

by Patrick Blackburn

Cupid Missed is the story of a breakup, told from a man’s perspective. Matthew is crushed when he returns home from work one night to find that his girlfriend, Kate, has moved out. He hadn’t seen it coming, and he isn’t handling it very well. His friends tell him to “Go out, get laid, and get over it,” but he finds the advice easier said than done. When he’s not concocting far-fetched schemes to get Kate back, Matthew is making terrible decisions at home and at work. He realizes the need to make changes in his life, but it seems he’s more interested in doing things that only prolong the agony. Finally, in a desperate attempt to regain control of his life, Matthew quits his job and jumps on a plane to Europe for a pilgrimage of self-discovery. The result, according to author Ruth Francisco, is a “Dantesque journey to recovery (that) sends him on a hilarious journey into the sordid dens of debauchery in Amsterdam and Ibiza, where a guru in the guise of an Ecstasy-addled English girl teaches him life’s lessons.” While it’s clear that Cupid’s first arrow has hit Matthew squarely in the chest, the second arrow, meant for Kate, has missed wide right. Cupid Missed wryly explores the before and after of a relationship gone bad, and the steps, and missteps, Matthew takes to get over Kate.

312 pages, Paperback

First published May 23, 2012

About the author

Patrick Blackburn grew up in Sacramento, CA and graduated from UCLA with a degree in political science. He has worked in the corporate world for more than 20 years, running sales teams in California and Arizona.

Patrick maintains a blog at patrickblackburn.blog.com. He writes about whatever is on his mind that particular day.

He lives in Phoenix with his English Bulldog, Sasha. Cupid Missed is his first novel.

Reviews

[Ruth Francisco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Until the Twentieth Century, romantic literature was the domain of men. From Catullus to the troubadours poets of Medieval Europe, from ancient Arab and Indian bards to the Romantics poets Keats and Wordsworth, men poured out their aching hearts in angst-filled supplications to Love. But somewhere in the last century, as women became literate and demanded romance novels to fill their lonely hours, we lost the male’s perspective. Even D.H. Lawrence who wrote so beautifully about love, spent much of his time describing love from the female point of view.

So if you wondered if men actually fall in love anymore, if their souls still pine for one glance from their lady love, the answer, happily, is yes. And it’s hugely refreshing.

Patrick Blackburn’s "Cupid Missed" answers "Eat, Pray, Love" with a funny and moving account of a modern man pierced by Cupid’s arrow. Forty, going on twenty-four, our hero’s heart is full of love. And then it is broken. His Dantesque journey to recovery sends him on a hilarious journey into the sordid dens of debauchery in Amsterdam and Ibiza, where a guru in the guise of an Ecstasy-addled English girl teaches him life’s lessons. Blackburn serves up a delightful picaresque novel, a cross between Woody Allen and "Portlandia", and shows that even in this age of cynicism and one-night stands, the heart of a young lover still beats strong.”

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished this book and i really loved it!!! Cupid Missed is a darkly funny breakup novel about what happens after love goes wrong. When Matthew comes home to find his girlfriend gone, he spirals into bad advice, worse decisions, and a reckless journey across Europe in search of answers. Honest, messy, and laugh-out-loud relatable, it’s a sharp look at heartbreak, healing, and everything we do to avoid both. Highly recommend!!!

[Mari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun little book snack about a breakup from the guys perspective

[Katie O'Rourke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cupid Missed is advertised as a story of a break-up told from the male perspective. The claim is that he didn’t see it coming. Actually, though, he did see it coming – but that doesn’t keep him from falling apart.

The book opens with Matthew trying to get anxiety medication from his doctor. It’s post-break-up and he’s a mess. The voice here is the best part of the story. It’s brutally honest and he speaks directly to the reader. You’re immediately on his side and feeling for him even with his sometimes irrational behavior. (He pretty much cyber stalks the new boyfriend.) You find yourself shaking your head at many of the things he does, but at the same time, you understand.

The first half is fast-paced and hilarious- in a dark humor kind of way. The second half is a bit slower. He goes traveling through Europe to clear his head and the focus is much more on traveling and almost reads as a guide-book, reviews of airlines, restaurants, books and bands included. This does mimic a shift in the narrator’s mind. His confessional, self-conscious style reminded me of Dave Egger’s A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius.

The final chapter written one year later seems to provide the kind of distance required for Matthew to make those important discoveries that can only come with time. Closure. Anyone who has gone through a difficult break-up can relate to this journey.

[Manuel Saldate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Writing a novel is no easy task. Patrick Blackburn's debut novel "Cupid Missed" makes it seem effortless. A well written page turner, told from the male perspective. I enjoyed the fact that is a glimpse into the male psyche in the aftermath of a break up. This book is easily enjoyed by both males and females.

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cupid Missed is a strong debut novel from Patrick Blackburn. The main character, Matthew, is strongly drawn and relatable. Supporting characters are a little one-dimensional, especially the lost love Kate. All in all, a very engaging and fast read.

[Csimplot Simplot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book!!!