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First Catch Your Husband: Adventures on the Dating Front Line
A non-fiction cross between Bridget Jones' Diary and Sex and the City, this is a humorous dating guide by a 30-something woman willing to try almost anything to find the right partner for her
Sarah Bridge is smart, successful, and single. As a newspaper journalist, she has a hectic day job and a busy social life, and is perfectly happy with both. But something—or someone—is missing. Embarking on a quest to find her soulmate, she tries everything from speed-dating and wine-tasting to Scottish dancing and singles holidays, island-hopping and army assault courses to self-help books and fortune-telling. Whether climbing mountains in Morocco or swimming at midnight in the Caribbean, Sarah is on a mission to meet Mr. Right. But will anything actually work? And how will she feel after putting herself, and her heart, out there? An entertaining, touching, and thought-provoking account of life on the front line of dating, this tale will inspire anyone who has ever been, or wanted to be, in love.
Sarah Bridge is smart, successful, and single. As a newspaper journalist, she has a hectic day job and a busy social life, and is perfectly happy with both. But something—or someone—is missing. Embarking on a quest to find her soulmate, she tries everything from speed-dating and wine-tasting to Scottish dancing and singles holidays, island-hopping and army assault courses to self-help books and fortune-telling. Whether climbing mountains in Morocco or swimming at midnight in the Caribbean, Sarah is on a mission to meet Mr. Right. But will anything actually work? And how will she feel after putting herself, and her heart, out there? An entertaining, touching, and thought-provoking account of life on the front line of dating, this tale will inspire anyone who has ever been, or wanted to be, in love.
336 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 9, 2015
I had a date with Sarah Bridge during her search-for-a-husband-cum-research-for-her-book. She didn't even reply when I thanked her for a lovely evening. Even more humiliatingly, I wasn't fascinating or vile enough to warrant a mention in this book, which charts her late-thirties quest for a man to supply gametes for her uterus and farts for her sofa during major sporting events for the next forty years.
I mean, I earn over twice the average salary in London and drive a BMW – both of which I'm sure I mentioned on our date – so what's not to like? So I bought this book in a natural spirit of spite and schadenfreude, hoping her journey ended in misery, degradation and defeat. Oh, and to find out a bit more about Sarah herself, since I was too busy delighting her with stories about myself when we met. She might have said something about herself, but I wasn't really listening. That's how it works.
You've got to admire her stamina as she charts her demented journey through internet dating, speed-dating, holiday romances and single-themed evenings, weekends and holidays. On the way she meets men who vary from the gorgeous to the repulsive, while her quest becomes obsessive to the point of desperation.
Sarah's (yes, we're on first-name terms; do keep up) book is gently humorous, exasperating and perhaps a bit long, but it's still a fascinating insight into the infuriating world of modern partner-hunting (not 'dating' – that's an American thing; we agree on that). Some parts, such as her trip to Greece, are poignant, engaging and funny. Others, such as her womyn's empowerment weekend, where women are supposed to have their confidence strengthened by talking about their yonis and being institutionalised as eternal victims of the patriarchy, are frankly terrifying.
Sarah was one of only two women I met through artificial modern dating methods, and her experiences make me glad I never went further. The self-pity is (hopefully) exaggerated for humorous effect, even if I couldn't help smiling when she complained about men who didn't have the courtesy to say why they refused to return her messages.
And her book is better than mine, in that it's a) finished and b) been published.
I mean, I earn over twice the average salary in London and drive a BMW – both of which I'm sure I mentioned on our date – so what's not to like? So I bought this book in a natural spirit of spite and schadenfreude, hoping her journey ended in misery, degradation and defeat. Oh, and to find out a bit more about Sarah herself, since I was too busy delighting her with stories about myself when we met. She might have said something about herself, but I wasn't really listening. That's how it works.
You've got to admire her stamina as she charts her demented journey through internet dating, speed-dating, holiday romances and single-themed evenings, weekends and holidays. On the way she meets men who vary from the gorgeous to the repulsive, while her quest becomes obsessive to the point of desperation.
Sarah's (yes, we're on first-name terms; do keep up) book is gently humorous, exasperating and perhaps a bit long, but it's still a fascinating insight into the infuriating world of modern partner-hunting (not 'dating' – that's an American thing; we agree on that). Some parts, such as her trip to Greece, are poignant, engaging and funny. Others, such as her womyn's empowerment weekend, where women are supposed to have their confidence strengthened by talking about their yonis and being institutionalised as eternal victims of the patriarchy, are frankly terrifying.
Sarah was one of only two women I met through artificial modern dating methods, and her experiences make me glad I never went further. The self-pity is (hopefully) exaggerated for humorous effect, even if I couldn't help smiling when she complained about men who didn't have the courtesy to say why they refused to return her messages.
And her book is better than mine, in that it's a) finished and b) been published.
January 18, 2013
(I received a copy of this book after winning it in a giveaway)
I found First Catch Your Husband to be quite a light enjoyable read - despite the fact that it deals with the idea that finding the perfect person to marry and spend the rest of your life with is close to impossible.
The narration is done extremely well, and is witty and entertaining, and reminds me loosely of Bridget Jones's Diary. The book is a perfect mix of funny and thought provoking moments, which makes for an interesting read. I found it to be relate-able, if slightly out of my age range, but there are definitely parts in there which I thought applied to certain things in my life too.
I would have given it the full five stars, but I did find certain parts and effort to get through, and found some things repetitive. However, some chapters were compelling me to read on, and I just found this book really enjoyable, and something I would probably read in the summer or on holiday for a light read. I would really recommend anyone to read this book, and men should definitely not be put off by the title, because it is the sort of book anyone would enjoy.
I found First Catch Your Husband to be quite a light enjoyable read - despite the fact that it deals with the idea that finding the perfect person to marry and spend the rest of your life with is close to impossible.
The narration is done extremely well, and is witty and entertaining, and reminds me loosely of Bridget Jones's Diary. The book is a perfect mix of funny and thought provoking moments, which makes for an interesting read. I found it to be relate-able, if slightly out of my age range, but there are definitely parts in there which I thought applied to certain things in my life too.
I would have given it the full five stars, but I did find certain parts and effort to get through, and found some things repetitive. However, some chapters were compelling me to read on, and I just found this book really enjoyable, and something I would probably read in the summer or on holiday for a light read. I would really recommend anyone to read this book, and men should definitely not be put off by the title, because it is the sort of book anyone would enjoy.
December 22, 2012
I would give this a good 3.5 stars. I did get this as a Goodreads first read win.
The book is a non fiction account of the author dating experiences - and I cant decide if its funnily sad or sadly funny! The book reads quite well - a couple of times I got a bit bogged down, but a return to real life sorted that. I can sympathise with the predictament second hand - my sister (a good 15 yrs older than author) works in London but lives an hour away by train - dating is impossible! I thought I'd pass the book to her to read but it may be too depressing for her, though it is not overall a sad read. There are laugh a loud sections, and the hoops that we go through to secure a date are quite funny, in that we can relate. Its the all consuming nature of getting out there, looking, trying, failing and repeat that seems to take its toll - the world tells us we can have everything but sometimes its hard to get.
The book doesn't have an ending with all the loose ends tied up - we are left with the author in perhaps a happier state of mind and with a few possibilities on the horizon.
The book is a non fiction account of the author dating experiences - and I cant decide if its funnily sad or sadly funny! The book reads quite well - a couple of times I got a bit bogged down, but a return to real life sorted that. I can sympathise with the predictament second hand - my sister (a good 15 yrs older than author) works in London but lives an hour away by train - dating is impossible! I thought I'd pass the book to her to read but it may be too depressing for her, though it is not overall a sad read. There are laugh a loud sections, and the hoops that we go through to secure a date are quite funny, in that we can relate. Its the all consuming nature of getting out there, looking, trying, failing and repeat that seems to take its toll - the world tells us we can have everything but sometimes its hard to get.
The book doesn't have an ending with all the loose ends tied up - we are left with the author in perhaps a happier state of mind and with a few possibilities on the horizon.
December 18, 2012
I was very happy to receive this book as a giveaway! The blurb read well and the book looked interesting, I thought the fact it was a work of nonfiction would add to it. However I have to be honest, I was disappointed. The book was not well organised and while it had moments that were funny and some of the stories in it were interesting. I found myself getting bored and a little frustrated. It was not until chapter 33, just a few chapters from the end that my frustration was finally met with relief. I will not give details so I do not ruin the book for those yet to read it.
On a whole I felt there was so much potential for this book, but bad organisation and a lack of a coherent continuation of any story other than the author’s desperation, really let it down. I cannot help feel that there was a great opportunity missed.
On a whole I felt there was so much potential for this book, but bad organisation and a lack of a coherent continuation of any story other than the author’s desperation, really let it down. I cannot help feel that there was a great opportunity missed.
January 23, 2013
I won this book from goodreads yay!! An Iv never really read a book like this it's got true facts on dating as well as being funny and annoying at times which is what happens in the real world. I liked Sarah's writing style and the way it flowed since it didn't get stuck in one area for so long but kept the interest and pace.
April 23, 2018
I'm being generous with the stars actually
I finished this book and then I wondered why. Did anyone else see the obvious ? The single character appears to be an alcoholic and I don't imagine much success ever did become of her life until she realized that she could do it without the two stiff dirty martinis after several pints . Just an outside observation. Drinking is certainly a relaxer when it comes to dating but from my own experience there should be a limit made at some point or you're just another drunk and I've never considered drunken conversation to be much of a way to establish a true friendship or love affair for that matter. Wonder if anybody else felt the same way after they finished this book or if I'm just being extremely jaded. It just seemed obvious why she had such a poor self esteem . !
I finished this book and then I wondered why. Did anyone else see the obvious ? The single character appears to be an alcoholic and I don't imagine much success ever did become of her life until she realized that she could do it without the two stiff dirty martinis after several pints . Just an outside observation. Drinking is certainly a relaxer when it comes to dating but from my own experience there should be a limit made at some point or you're just another drunk and I've never considered drunken conversation to be much of a way to establish a true friendship or love affair for that matter. Wonder if anybody else felt the same way after they finished this book or if I'm just being extremely jaded. It just seemed obvious why she had such a poor self esteem . !
January 10, 2016
I started reading this book, first chapter I thought, this could be good. It doesn't take long to figure out the main character is single and looking to mingle, mostly because you are reminded in every paragraph, on every page for the first however many chapters. Long story short, I stopped reading it. Usually I can push through and not let a book beat me, but this was doing my head in.
November 25, 2012
Good book, enjoying concept. :)
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews