You Have To Kiss a Lot of Frogs

Frog #1

by Laurie Graff

Forty-five-year-old actress Karrie Kline doesn't usually lose a lot of sleep over her age or her single status. But after one too many bridal showers, a notice on her apartment, an expired unemployment claim and her acting prospects drying up—too old to play the ingenue, too young for the role of matriarch—she's awake at 2:00 a.m. and determined to get perspective on her life. Starting with the men she's dated.

From the man whose parents loved her more than he did, to the famous actor who had more bark than bite, Karrie traces back through her love life to uncover how her experiences have shaped her and how to find meaning in the past.

Told with warmth, wit and poignancy, You Have To Kiss a Lot of Frogs shows how to face your memories—even the darkest, most secret ones—with courage, humor and hope.

Genres: Chick Lit, Fiction, Romance, Humor, Contemporary, New York, Jewish

368 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Laurie Graff, author of the bestselling You Have to Kiss a Lot of Frogs (reissue 11-12) that received multiple printings here and abroad (Italy, Australia, and Amsterdam), has also written the novels Looking for Mr. Goodfrog and The Shiksa Syndrome. A contributor to Complaint Box NY Times, Live Alone and Like It, It’s A Wonderful Lie and Scenes from a Holiday, her work is included in the upcoming anthology, No Kidding, (2013), and is represented in New Monologues for Women by Women and Best Men’s Stage Monologues of 1999. One-act plays All My Problems, Telephone Call for Francine Stein, Love in the Time of Recession, and Charlie & Flo (at PS NBC) have been produced at WorkShop Theater Company where she is a member. Her favorite acting role was “Frenchy,” in the Broadway hit Grease, she plays herself in the documentary, Mr. Right, and promotional appearances include Fox & Friends, Better TV, Joan Hamburg, SiriusXM, CNN Radio, and ABC World News Now. Laurie lives in New York City.

Reviews

[Michele · Rating 2 out of 5]

A little too plotless, a little too smutty, and a little too repetitive. It was rather humorous overall, but a good editor needed to come in and cut out about 1/3 of it. Of course, I fulfilled that need myself and skipped about 1/3 of it, and still felt like I fully read the book! :) It is full of chapter after chapter of bad and often funny dates and/or relationships that went bad. It really reads more like a collection of short stories because there isn't much progression by the main character. It then ends (spoiler alert) with her buying a puppy in her mid-40's and deciding the dog is what she needed to make her feel loved. What?!? A little too cliche for me. Maybe I'm just not a dog person. :)

[Lisa Mandina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my latest book to keep by the big bathtub for reading while taking a bubble bath. It had some really hilarious moments. I also at first was unsure as I started reading whether it was supposed to be a memoir or was just fiction. I'm guessing from reading the "about author" part that it is based on some real stories from her life. The guys that she dates, well, some of them are just unbelievable in the way they act. The main character is Jewish, and so I enjoyed reading about the types of issues that Jewish women have when dating. In fact, the end of the book really touches on this with something called the Shiksa complex. This is where Jewish men want to find non-Jewish women to date and take home, and then when they get married, these women convert to being Jewish. There is one part where the main character even pretends to not be Jewish just to get a Jewish guy. Only at a Jewish holiday, she finally can't hold it in anymore and lets out her secret. The guy gets all upset and even says he had been going to ask her to marry him that night, but now he can't. And what's weird is that he doesn't say it's because he can't trust her for lying, it's because he doesn't want to marry a Jewish girl! It's crazy. Then she dates a guy who can't make up his mind. So annoying. But what's kind of worse is that she keeps getting in and out of a relationship with him! I could see keeping him around as a friend with benefits, but I could never let someone that annoying keep getting in and messing with my head like she seemed to do.

Karrie Kline is her name, and as an actress she moves out to LA at one point in the book. Here we get to see what dating is like out there. Again, there are some crazy men. We do get a little bit of information about her family. Like she never knew her real father because he supposedly ran away to be a clown, literally. And we do meet him in LA. At the end she gets a dog, and I loved that part. It is true that they give you unconditional love. But I disagree with her in that she is okay waiting for someone because she now has this love. I've had my dog for over 12 years now, and I still want to find a boyfriend. It's a different type of love. So the ending was a bit disappointing.

[Beth Blume · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an outstanding read. I did not want to finish the book as I felt that every chapter was incredibly realistic and I felt that I knew the main character, Karrie Klein. Ms. Graff writes what most of us think but rarely say. I found it to be very poignant and at the same time humorous. Her description of the dating scene should be read by both men and women. I highly recommend the book.

[Melissa Doss · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a drag of a book. It is just filled with all the horrible men she has gone out with while knowing they were showing red flag signs from the start. It was plotless and not the best. It makes me happy that I am not dating anymore. I do not recommend this book. It’s just a waste of time.

[Carolina · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had potential that it never quite lived up to. The premise was each chapter corresponded to a date/relationship. What was most disconcerting for me was the jump in tone from chapter to chapter. I couldn't figure out if the author was bitter and cynical or optimistic. Therefore, I didn't trust the author and couldn't totally get on board with her dating adventures.

[Tricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am almost done with this but I have to say that I absolutely love this book.,I am reading it with my sister and it is absolutely hilarious. It makes me laugh at my own situation in dating a little more.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books. The perfect book for a single woman, currently dating or one that has given up on men. Very humorous. I couldn't put it down. I could relate to many of her dating adventures and couldn't wait to read the next book.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a jungle out there in the dating world and you may have to kiss A LOT of frogs in order to find the prince. Or, you may never find him. This is an excellent read and comedic relief for any single woman in her early 40's and struggling in the dating pool!

[Darinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Humorous and fun chick lit.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I could definitely relate. There is definitely a good message. It tells readers you don't need a man to be happy. I would read it again.

[Shitel · Rating 1 out of 5]

I got through a majority of it and decided it wasn't worth finishing.

[Kate · Rating 1 out of 5]

"Karrie Kline had heard it all. But her search for the perfect man had never been all that pressing until her laugh lines became more noticeable. She attended one too many bridal showers and woke up next to far too many never-gonna-commit men. Suddenly she realized that finding someone to love (and who actually loved her back) was important. Karrie wanted more. But knowing what she wanted, and actually getting what she wanted ... well, that was a lot to think about.

"Join Karrie as she looks back at over fifteen years of dating in these wry, witty, and sometimes wrenching vignettes involving disastrous fix-ups, strange chance encounters and missed opportunities. From the shortest date in Manhattan history to Mr. FamousHollywoodTelevisionActor who was more bark than bite, these are tales for every woman -- whether she's found her Prince Charming or her lips are incredibly chapped from kissing her own share of frogs."
~~back cover

This was one of the dumbest books I've ever tried to read. I thought it was going to be a series of hilarious odd-ball dates, but instead it was a literary trudging through 15 years of constantly falling in love with the wrong man. You would have though that, at least after 10 years or so, our Karrie would have learned how to read the red flags, but no ... I just wanted to slap her.

[Karissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ugh. This isn't a bad read per se. Nothing happens.

Karrie Kline is an aspiring actress. She's gotten a few roles here and there. Eventually, she decides to try out Los Angeles. Once again, she gets some roles here and there. I honestly don't understand how she makes a living with so few jobs.

She ends up inadvertently meeting her father, who abandoned her and her mother when she was very young. Her stepfather dies. She has an on and off again relationship with a guy that couldn't make a decision if you made it for him (really, that relationship was all about the physical for Karrie). She almost starts a relationship with a famous actor, but he has a weird dog fetish? She starts to have an amazing relationship with another guy, but when she reveals the fact that she is Jewish - something she hid from him at the start - he instantly loses interest.

The book details different dates and relationships. They all fizzle out at some point or another for various reasons. In the end, she settles for Charlie, a Maltese. And she decides to be okay with the fact that she is single. And that's it. The end. Highly disappointing ending, to say the least.

[Vicki L · Rating 4 out of 5]

📖✨ Book Review ✨📖
You Have to Kiss a Lot of Frogs by Laurie Graff
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5 stars)

This book felt like reading my own dating memoir—with a splash more drama and a whole lot more frogs. 🐸💄

Laurie Graff paints the world of modern dating with sharp humor and refreshing honesty, but it was the relatability that hit hardest. From awkward first dates to hopeful second chances, Karrie’s journey mirrors the messiness and magic of figuring it all out in your 30s (and beyond). There were so many moments that had me nodding, laughing, and cringing in perfect harmony.

If you’ve ever wondered if the “right one” is just a toad in disguise—or if the journey is just as important as the destination—this one will speak to your soul. 💌

💫 A charming, reflective, and oh-so-real read about dating, self-worth, and not settling for less than what you deserve.

[Jenn H. · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book. The premise is great, and one that I have thought about writing on myself. The first chapter was intriguing, and I understand how the protagonist felt- standing there, feeling very alone at a bridal shower. That was the only chapter I liked. It was all downhill from there, and WAY too long. Much of it could be cut out. It didn't have a climax, there was no turning point for the character. She is still the same person, except she has a dog. I didn't like her, she kept making the same dumb mistakes over and over, yet expecting different results. Honestly, cutting out about a third of this book would help, and having a protagonist that actually shows an ability to change and grow would be a much more interesting story. This is one to skip.

[Karen R. Dickson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm late in the game to read this book, but noticed it at a used book sale and thought it might be a good summer read....now I wonder why I bothered to finish it. I really didn't find anything funny at all, just pretty sad. With non-existent standards, this poor woman repeatedly dates men who are incredibly unlikable. Also, the graphic descriptions of sex turned my stomach...no one needs to read that junk. Sad how as a society, our standards are in the toilet, too! Don't bother to read this book, and young women please know...you DON'T have to kiss a lot of frogs!

[Michele Stone · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was a quick easy read with no plot. I kept thinking there would be something but nothing. The last 50 or so pages I had to force myself to read. The only thing I’m happy for is it didn’t end as I expected which would’ve been her being in a happy relationship with a nice Jewish man. After 45 years wouldn’t you just be happy being single and embrace it not keep chasing losers.

[Kelli Santistevan · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book, the main character Karrie Kline talks about all of the bad dates that she has been on. This was a reread for me. I read this book a long time ago. I never wrote a review for it but I remember liking this book the first time I read it. When I read it this time, I listened to it on audio. This book was narrated by Laurie Graff. I liked this book. It was a lot of fun.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am here, I am ready and it's coming.

Nice, easy reading book. A good read after a breakup. It would be interesting if this story took place in modern times of online dating. Some parts of the book were good, others were boring.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun quick read. I wish she had found true love.

[Kathy Gilliland · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some chapters were funny. Made me glad I'm married and not trying to date.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun, easy read

[Jenn · Rating 2 out of 5]

https://jenninsf.wordpress.com/2019/0...

[Mary Mackie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quite well written, a bit too graphic in the bedrooms sometimes for my taste, but she has a witty sense of humor mixed into some sad reality.

[Isabel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The stories were funny and made me laugh out loud! It may have dragged on a little too long.

[R · Rating 3 out of 5]

For book club - cute book

[Miss Leyu · Rating 1 out of 5]

really really wanted to love this. I was excited I was intrigued. It was funny at the beginning, but in the end, I just didn’t care.

[Sharla · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book - it was fun delving into the world of someone else going through the trials and tribulations of dating and seemingly never landing on the "right one". I particularly liked the light-hearted and sometimes humorous tone throughout the stories. At times, it would get a little slow and not flow as easily, but overall a good read. At times, some of the writing and imagery was powerful and extremely well-written, and those moments stood out overall throughout the book.

Some of my favorite passages:

"A kiss. Not just a kiss. A dissolve. Lips. So soft, hard, so warm, slow. Long and forever and so quickly a change. Between us. Together. Falling together into something else. A burrow that enveloped us."

"I'd been trying to wipe my broken heart slate clean. Every time I felt like I did, someone wrote on it."

"I had been around long enough to know not to spend the night falling in love with his potential, but not so long as to give up what potentially could be some night."

"Marcus leaned over to kiss me, and started to rub my neck. His fingers went deeply and directly into my pain."

"There were all kinds of men and all kinds of marriages, which often led to all kinds of divorces. I wanted it to work out. There were no guarantees, but deep in my gut I would need to emphatically feel that it could. I would know when it was right, I thought. Just as I've always known that it was not. I would allow my instincts to guide me. My instincts."

"So when the pain comes I feel it. I trust that if I let myself feel it, overwhelming as it can sometimes be, I can count on the fact that it, too, will change into something else."

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was a painful trip down fruitless dating lane. Karrie, the protagonist was an actress in New York (how original!) who had hot forty while managing to avoid matromony. The dating tales are funny and unbeleivable awkward! I felt for her, as she tried to find love in these pitiful men. (One man wore the same clothes all the time and ate the same thing for days on end...) In the end, she is free to be herself, and she never gives up hope. It was a nice read, not too engrossing, but uplifting in a way.

[Gretchen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was just ok. Nothing special.

Parts of it were funny and made me laugh out loud. But I didn't find the main character to be incredibly likable. The writing is not great, and neither is the story.

One thing that really bothered me about this book is that in the end, she doesn't end up with Mr. Right... or anyone. I know that this is perhaps a more realistic ending, but I don't read chick-lit for realistic endings! I wanted her to finally find The One. Instead, I felt like I had just read 400+ pages for nothing.

At least she got a dog.