OUROBOROS: 28 chapters. 28 women. All after coming out at age 28.

by Jamie Hansen

An ouroboros is an ancient symbol of a snake eating its own tail, which represents an unending cycle of destruction and subsequent renewal. Kinda weird. Nonsensical. But always oddly hopeful and ready to begin again. My dating life in a nutshell!

Swiping on apps, crushes, dating and heartbreak are universal experiences regardless of where you fall on the Kinsey scale. OUROBOROS, a memoir, covers all of that. The 28 chapters detail my high highs and low lows of dating 28 women all after coming out at age 28. (Along with the lessons I learned with each one.)

I didn’t know any lesbians when I first came out, and subsequently stumbled into a new culture where I learned that women will make you cry and use your tears as a moisturizer. All I could find when I started dating women was the advice to stop looking and love finds you. I needed better counsel than that. And when I couldn’t find it, I wrote it. OUROBOROS is meant to make everyone—gay or straight—feel better about dating while trying not to choke on their own snake tail.

344 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 21, 2024

About the author

Jamie Hansen lives in Chicago where she still receives random messages from women she dated years ago. She likes to think its her irresistible magnetism and not just a common lesbian trope. Her hobbies include keeping score in an actual scorecard at Wrigley Field, collecting diamond encrusted jewelry and teaching her Doberman Pinscher attack commands. Learn more about her at jscribbles137.com or on Instagram at @jscribbles137.

Reviews

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was incredible. A must-read for everyone who has ever delved into the world of online dating. It made me laugh out loud, only to be followed up with a bunch of repressed memories of bad dates and being ghosted.

The writing was engaging and I couldn’t put the book down as I felt so invested in the characters.

10/10 - would read again.

[Cassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laughed, I cried, I revisited repressed memories of my own dating experiences. Jamie eloquently weaves her funny, and sometimes absurd, sagas of the dating life with her personal journey of coming out in her late 20s. It is a beautifully written book.

[Tessa McLean · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absorbing, funny, modern memoir that anyone would love. It doesn’t matter if you’re gay and it doesn’t matter if you’ve never downloaded a dating app, you’ll fly through this book.

[Sharon Karaboyas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. LOVED. I’m straight, never had a random hookup or used a dating app, and have only been on one blind date but all of Jamie’s stories were relatable and told in such an honest, engaging way. Tbh I wished I lived in Chicago so I could grab a drink with her and brainwash her into being my friend.

Jamie, thank you for writing this. I started following you on Instagram when you were trying to get a publisher, and I’m so glad you took matters into your own hands. I’m going to order a bunch of copies and leave them around my town.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jamie’s writing had me both laughing and crying within the first 30 pages, and her story of self discovery through dating is one we can all relate to. Would recommend!

[Kristy]

Refreshing read!

Such heartfelt, refreshing read. Made me remember All the terrible days of dating but still making me nostalgic for it.

[Emma Sweitzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jamie’s writing style is clever, witty and smart! Loved the journey this book takes you on and where you end up after the 28 chapters. Definitely enjoyed this book! Great work, Jamie!