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The Younger Man
Fast approaching 40 and after two failed marriages, Frances has sworn off men. Still mending her broken heart from her most recent divorce, she has come to rely on her therapist as if she was her best friend. Even though she knows that she is not happy with her life, she has no idea how to fix it.Approached by a younger man, she decides to go along for the ride. The reawakening of her heart soon turns her cozy world upside down. Does she have it within her heart to take another chance on love? Thoughtful and thought-provoking contemporary fiction for fans of Liane Moriarty and Anna Quindlen.
- GenresRomance
440 pages, Paperback
First published July 4, 2014
11 people are currently reading
485 people want to read
About the author
Dermot Davis
16 books50 followersDermot is an Irish writer who splits his time between Ireland and the US. His creative work encompasses varied genres and styles with a special focus on human themes and characters transformed by life experience. He is a Gold Medalist Winner in the 2015 READER'S FAVORITE INTERNATIONAL BOOK AWARD, a SOMERSET AWARDS FIRST PLACE WINNER 2013, a First Place Winner in the 2013 USA BEST BOOK AWARDS and a Finalist in the 2013 INTERNATIONAL BOOK AWARDS. As a playwright, Dermot is a recipient of the O.Z. Whitehead Award which was co-sponsored by Irish Pen and the Society of Irish Playwrights
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
January 29, 2015
The Younger Man by Dermot Davis is a 2014 Expression Unleashed Publishing release. I was provided a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Frances is twice divorced and fast approaching 40. She has a college aged daughter, in therapy, and has sworn off men and dating. But, like they say, “Never say never”. Frances finds she has the attention of not one but two men who are considerably younger than herself. She is of course gun shy after two failed marriages and the age difference has her confused.
About Jonathan and Martin:
“It's like he's my New York and Martin is my Santa Monica Beach, I explain, referring to the analogy I told her earlier. Except that if I stay in New York for too long I get burned out and that soon dies and if I stay on the beach too long... I get bored.”
I enjoyed this story of a modern woman who has really had a rough go of it as far as relationships went. Her mother and sister, her daughter, her first husband are really difficult relationships for Frances, some from the past and some in present day. Frances stays close with her second husband who was the man who helped raise her daughter.
But when she begins to date the younger man in earnest, her daughter lets loose a torrent of emotions that sets Frances back on her heels and even after years of therapy with little or no results, this development snaps Frances to attention and she begins to take a long hard look at her relationships.
This story is also a kind of scathing portrait of the double standard which is still alive and well- it is more socially accepted for a man to date a younger woman than for a woman to date a younger man. Frances certainly gets her fair share of bias and double takes and judgment for dating a guy nearly twenty years younger than herself.
It is not always easy for Frances in her new relationship because instead of just having fun with her new guy, the age issue creeps in anyway.
Not only that, but they are at crossroads since instead “just sex”, Frances is looking to connect more deeply, to experience intimacy. But, isn't it true, we all kind of experience that even if there is no real age difference? Which raises the question... does age in a relationship really matter? Who are we to judge?
I like Frances, even if she is a little flaky, could understand how parent/child relationships can get to a breaking point, especially if there is a trigger, and how complicated families can be.
So, if you are looking for a kind of quirky, off beat sort of romance and family relationship type novel, this one should fit the bill. 4 stars
Frances is twice divorced and fast approaching 40. She has a college aged daughter, in therapy, and has sworn off men and dating. But, like they say, “Never say never”. Frances finds she has the attention of not one but two men who are considerably younger than herself. She is of course gun shy after two failed marriages and the age difference has her confused.
About Jonathan and Martin:
“It's like he's my New York and Martin is my Santa Monica Beach, I explain, referring to the analogy I told her earlier. Except that if I stay in New York for too long I get burned out and that soon dies and if I stay on the beach too long... I get bored.”
I enjoyed this story of a modern woman who has really had a rough go of it as far as relationships went. Her mother and sister, her daughter, her first husband are really difficult relationships for Frances, some from the past and some in present day. Frances stays close with her second husband who was the man who helped raise her daughter.
But when she begins to date the younger man in earnest, her daughter lets loose a torrent of emotions that sets Frances back on her heels and even after years of therapy with little or no results, this development snaps Frances to attention and she begins to take a long hard look at her relationships.
This story is also a kind of scathing portrait of the double standard which is still alive and well- it is more socially accepted for a man to date a younger woman than for a woman to date a younger man. Frances certainly gets her fair share of bias and double takes and judgment for dating a guy nearly twenty years younger than herself.
It is not always easy for Frances in her new relationship because instead of just having fun with her new guy, the age issue creeps in anyway.
Not only that, but they are at crossroads since instead “just sex”, Frances is looking to connect more deeply, to experience intimacy. But, isn't it true, we all kind of experience that even if there is no real age difference? Which raises the question... does age in a relationship really matter? Who are we to judge?
I like Frances, even if she is a little flaky, could understand how parent/child relationships can get to a breaking point, especially if there is a trigger, and how complicated families can be.
So, if you are looking for a kind of quirky, off beat sort of romance and family relationship type novel, this one should fit the bill. 4 stars
August 10, 2016
The Younger Man is a delightful surprise. I was expecting a frothy, chick-lit book of little consequence, but instead I got a meaty read that was so much more satisfying.
Frances has issues. With two failed marriages and a hostile daughter, she treats her therapist like a best friend. There's something in the saying about when you least look for love, that's when it finds you - because the last thing Frances wants is another relationship, and that's when she bumps into Martin. He is looking for a date to take to an ex's wedding, but when the girl he hoped to take storms out on him, Frances steps in to take her place. Because there is nothing riding on the relationship, Frances relaxes and allows her real self to shine through.
This book is a romance that restores my faith in the genre. It's not about instant gratification but about the slow building of emotion, and the sheer confusion of over thinking things. The Younger Man is a book to immerse yourself in and enjoy the ride as the characters and plot unfold.
If you want flimsy and inconsequential this is NOT the book for you. If you like romance with something between the ears - then don't hesitate - pick up The Younger Man, today!
Frances has issues. With two failed marriages and a hostile daughter, she treats her therapist like a best friend. There's something in the saying about when you least look for love, that's when it finds you - because the last thing Frances wants is another relationship, and that's when she bumps into Martin. He is looking for a date to take to an ex's wedding, but when the girl he hoped to take storms out on him, Frances steps in to take her place. Because there is nothing riding on the relationship, Frances relaxes and allows her real self to shine through.
This book is a romance that restores my faith in the genre. It's not about instant gratification but about the slow building of emotion, and the sheer confusion of over thinking things. The Younger Man is a book to immerse yourself in and enjoy the ride as the characters and plot unfold.
If you want flimsy and inconsequential this is NOT the book for you. If you like romance with something between the ears - then don't hesitate - pick up The Younger Man, today!
August 13, 2014
So it's true what they say about La La Land and its self-obsessed denizens! Dermot Davis applies his abundant sarcastic humour to the psycho-analytically obsessed, egocentric, hyper self-questioning culture that, rightly or wrongly, we identify with LA.
The story is narrated by Frances, a very beautiful and youthful looking 38-year-old woman who is struggling to emerge from the heartbreak of a second divorce. Frances has had enough of men and their nefarious effect on her life and has spent the last few years in a barely functional state, heavily dependant on her supportive psychoanalyst, Dr. Roberts, her daily yoga sessions and a compulsion to read every relationship and self-improvement book ever printed. Despite still attracting male attention, Frances is miserable but, when a chance encounter with a geeky but charming young man reawakens the fun-loving woman in her, she sees a chance to reclaim her life. The snag is that Martin is 14 years younger than her and, although the two have the greatest fun socially, when it comes to intimacy, the age difference looms large.
The narrative is fascinating and compelling, and I really felt for Frances, but then the author does something quite daring and unexpected. After enlisting our sympathy for the poor woman, who has apparently been rejected three times by the men in her life and left too traumatized to even consider taking another chance on romantic love, he now shows us our heroine through the eyes of her family and friends and a very different side of Frances emerges. Her relationships with her mother, sister and daughter are all strained and fraught with repressed anger and unresolved issues and her erratic, capricious behaviour risks destroying the loving connection she has established with Martin.
I was curious to see how a male writer would handle a female first-person narrative, and I must say that Dermot Davis succeeded brilliantly, displaying a remarkable understanding of the way some women think. His humour and humanity shine through and carry a challenging story where most of the action and much of the dialogue take place inside the head of one person. He also displays some major writing chops in making me sort-of care for such a self-absorbed, neurotic heroine, who has suffered, yes, but has also behaved rather badly and whose main appeal is that, deep down, she means well. The supporting characters add interest and variety and I am now eager to read the previous, companion book “Zen and Sex” which is, apparently, the same story told from Martin's point of view.
The only problem I had with the story is that it wasn't clear to me what exactly, apart from good looks, endeared Frances to her previous husband, and the young men who pursue her. The prose flows effortlessly. In different hands, such protracted self examination might have become tedious but the author has such a way of exposing human frailties and follies that the action blends seamlessly with some gut-busting humour that had me laughing and guffawing for much longer than seemed possible
The book is an intelligent and thought-provoking excursion into the consequences of irresponsible behaviour, miscommunication and over-analysing every nuance in people's actions. It goes to show that real life is often more interesting than fiction.
The story is narrated by Frances, a very beautiful and youthful looking 38-year-old woman who is struggling to emerge from the heartbreak of a second divorce. Frances has had enough of men and their nefarious effect on her life and has spent the last few years in a barely functional state, heavily dependant on her supportive psychoanalyst, Dr. Roberts, her daily yoga sessions and a compulsion to read every relationship and self-improvement book ever printed. Despite still attracting male attention, Frances is miserable but, when a chance encounter with a geeky but charming young man reawakens the fun-loving woman in her, she sees a chance to reclaim her life. The snag is that Martin is 14 years younger than her and, although the two have the greatest fun socially, when it comes to intimacy, the age difference looms large.
The narrative is fascinating and compelling, and I really felt for Frances, but then the author does something quite daring and unexpected. After enlisting our sympathy for the poor woman, who has apparently been rejected three times by the men in her life and left too traumatized to even consider taking another chance on romantic love, he now shows us our heroine through the eyes of her family and friends and a very different side of Frances emerges. Her relationships with her mother, sister and daughter are all strained and fraught with repressed anger and unresolved issues and her erratic, capricious behaviour risks destroying the loving connection she has established with Martin.
I was curious to see how a male writer would handle a female first-person narrative, and I must say that Dermot Davis succeeded brilliantly, displaying a remarkable understanding of the way some women think. His humour and humanity shine through and carry a challenging story where most of the action and much of the dialogue take place inside the head of one person. He also displays some major writing chops in making me sort-of care for such a self-absorbed, neurotic heroine, who has suffered, yes, but has also behaved rather badly and whose main appeal is that, deep down, she means well. The supporting characters add interest and variety and I am now eager to read the previous, companion book “Zen and Sex” which is, apparently, the same story told from Martin's point of view.
The only problem I had with the story is that it wasn't clear to me what exactly, apart from good looks, endeared Frances to her previous husband, and the young men who pursue her. The prose flows effortlessly. In different hands, such protracted self examination might have become tedious but the author has such a way of exposing human frailties and follies that the action blends seamlessly with some gut-busting humour that had me laughing and guffawing for much longer than seemed possible
The book is an intelligent and thought-provoking excursion into the consequences of irresponsible behaviour, miscommunication and over-analysing every nuance in people's actions. It goes to show that real life is often more interesting than fiction.
March 15, 2014
This novel is entertaining, thought-provoking and well written. I commenced reading and couldn't stop. It is a book about relationships, primarily about the relationships of an attractive woman in her late thirties with her ex-husbands and two young admirers. It is also about the relationship this woman has with herself. This, actually, is at the heart of this book: her relationship with herself. Then there are the woman's mother, her daughter and a gay business partner. All these people have to deal with their day to day life issues, just like everybody else on this planet.
With the help of the characters in this book, the author Dermot Davis brilliantly displays the bits and pieces of our thinking and actions that make relationships difficult, that create happiness, guilt and whatever other emotions play a role in our dealings with others and with ourselves. (Why do we think one thing but say the opposite?)
I was fascinate by the plot. There are no murders, no car chases... There are just human beings dealing with their lives. What is going to happen next? Will there be another conflict? Will common sense (or whatever we regard as common sense) prevail? To present ordinary experiences, the kind we all can relate to, in such an interesting context, is as thrilling as a mystery thriller. In fact, it is more thrilling. It is real life stuff.
I was equally fascinated by the way I gradually felt closer and understood better what it is that makes the characters in this novel tick. They are complex and yet, they are also likeable. This applies to both the female and male characters.
And finally: how, I am wondering, can a male author write such a fascinating book about women? I guess he must have had many girlfriends and on top of it he must be a sensitive guy, perhaps a bit like the younger man in the book...
I enjoyed and highly recommend this novel.
With the help of the characters in this book, the author Dermot Davis brilliantly displays the bits and pieces of our thinking and actions that make relationships difficult, that create happiness, guilt and whatever other emotions play a role in our dealings with others and with ourselves. (Why do we think one thing but say the opposite?)
I was fascinate by the plot. There are no murders, no car chases... There are just human beings dealing with their lives. What is going to happen next? Will there be another conflict? Will common sense (or whatever we regard as common sense) prevail? To present ordinary experiences, the kind we all can relate to, in such an interesting context, is as thrilling as a mystery thriller. In fact, it is more thrilling. It is real life stuff.
I was equally fascinated by the way I gradually felt closer and understood better what it is that makes the characters in this novel tick. They are complex and yet, they are also likeable. This applies to both the female and male characters.
And finally: how, I am wondering, can a male author write such a fascinating book about women? I guess he must have had many girlfriends and on top of it he must be a sensitive guy, perhaps a bit like the younger man in the book...
I enjoyed and highly recommend this novel.
March 16, 2014
Dermot Davis has written a very compelling book. I was very skeptical when I looked at the book’s cover and read the title, but this book turned out to be a phenomenal read. The book is set against the backdrop of the main character, Frances, ongoing sessions with her psychotherapist. Having never been to a therapy session myself, I thought for sure, this is going to bore me to tears; far from it. Davis’ writing was so brilliant, he brought me into the lives of the characters, particularly, Frances and the way she deals with relationship issues ... I was there. I experienced her highs and rejoiced with her, and struggled through her lows right alongside her. This is a book that forces one to stop and examine his/her life and relationships, and the way he/she interacts with the people in his/her sphere of influence. Brilliantly done! Highly recommended.
April 3, 2014
A fascinating journey into the mind of Frances.
Dermot writes with such clarity and understanding that he makes the ordinary sound extraordinary. This book covers some serious lifestyle issues, but his sympathetic and sometimes amusing writing style makes the story interesting. I was inside the mind of Frances, the main character, the moment I began to turn the pages and I found myself caring very much about her. I wanted to know more about her so found it difficult to put the book down. I would recommend ‘The Younger Man’ to anyone searching for a compelling read.
This was my first encounter with Dermot’s work and it won’t be the last.
Dermot writes with such clarity and understanding that he makes the ordinary sound extraordinary. This book covers some serious lifestyle issues, but his sympathetic and sometimes amusing writing style makes the story interesting. I was inside the mind of Frances, the main character, the moment I began to turn the pages and I found myself caring very much about her. I wanted to know more about her so found it difficult to put the book down. I would recommend ‘The Younger Man’ to anyone searching for a compelling read.
This was my first encounter with Dermot’s work and it won’t be the last.
April 6, 2014
The main plot in this well written book is first and foremost a journey of self discovery for the main character, Frances. She is a thirty eight year old, self absorbed woman, desperately trying to put her life back together after getting her heart broken from her last divorce. With the help of her therapist, Frances is forced to face many harsh realities about herself. Realizing all the mistakes she has made in her life, plus all the people she has hurt along the way, stresses her out even further.
It has been three long years since her divorce. After several mini meltdowns, Frances realizes it’s time to move on, and decides a meaningless fling is just what she needs. After a series of events, Frances finds herself being pursued by two quite different, but both descent younger men. Each man wants a committed relationship from her. Not believing in love or a faithful man anymore, she struggles to accept it.
Which man does she choose, or does she dump both of them. Is she really a non-believer of love or does she feel she doesn’t deserve it?
The best part of this story for me was the secondary characters, especially Steve, Martin and John. Their honesty, kindness and charm melted my heart. Steve moved me to tears with his revelation of his past marriage to Frances.
Only gifted authors like Dermot Davis have the ability to pen such a flawed character such as Frances and make the reader still care and want the best for her.
Stephanie Lasley, from The Kindle Book Review
The Kindle Book Review received a free copy of this book for an independent, fair, and honest review. We are not associated with the author or Amazon.
It has been three long years since her divorce. After several mini meltdowns, Frances realizes it’s time to move on, and decides a meaningless fling is just what she needs. After a series of events, Frances finds herself being pursued by two quite different, but both descent younger men. Each man wants a committed relationship from her. Not believing in love or a faithful man anymore, she struggles to accept it.
Which man does she choose, or does she dump both of them. Is she really a non-believer of love or does she feel she doesn’t deserve it?
The best part of this story for me was the secondary characters, especially Steve, Martin and John. Their honesty, kindness and charm melted my heart. Steve moved me to tears with his revelation of his past marriage to Frances.
Only gifted authors like Dermot Davis have the ability to pen such a flawed character such as Frances and make the reader still care and want the best for her.
Stephanie Lasley, from The Kindle Book Review
The Kindle Book Review received a free copy of this book for an independent, fair, and honest review. We are not associated with the author or Amazon.
September 4, 2016
"The Younger Man" by Dermot Davis is a beautifully warm and thoughtful novel. 38, divorced and in therapy, Frances has kind of sworn off all men when she is approached twice by younger men for dates.
That is the premise but if you think you are in for a simplistic dating chick lit then you are only right in parts. With an analytical and highly reflective approach Davis (and his character Frances) live through the challenges that the dating-after-heartache and the dating-someone-younger throws at his characters.
There are further complications in the mix through friends and family, who serve as great reflectors and catalysts for the plot. There is an unpretentious honesty and directness about this book taht resonates a little with the best episodes of 'Sex and the City', which were just as poignant and spot on about relationships.
Written by a man but 'told' from a female perspective the book doesn't lose any of its credibility, I would never have known the difference, a sign of a writer that is a good listener and has great empathy in other humans.
It is however not all anaylsis and deep thinking, there is plenty of fun in this novel, great one liners and hilarioussmall observations and scenes.
Simply excellent.
That is the premise but if you think you are in for a simplistic dating chick lit then you are only right in parts. With an analytical and highly reflective approach Davis (and his character Frances) live through the challenges that the dating-after-heartache and the dating-someone-younger throws at his characters.
There are further complications in the mix through friends and family, who serve as great reflectors and catalysts for the plot. There is an unpretentious honesty and directness about this book taht resonates a little with the best episodes of 'Sex and the City', which were just as poignant and spot on about relationships.
Written by a man but 'told' from a female perspective the book doesn't lose any of its credibility, I would never have known the difference, a sign of a writer that is a good listener and has great empathy in other humans.
It is however not all anaylsis and deep thinking, there is plenty of fun in this novel, great one liners and hilarioussmall observations and scenes.
Simply excellent.
June 17, 2014
THE YOUNGER MAN is a delightful story about learning to love again and opening yourself up to the unknown. We journey with Frances, seeing the story unfold from her view, as she struggles internally with emotion and reason. Although the story came to an abrupt ending (for me anyway), the author left it open to many possibilities. As readers, we get to imagine what’s in store for Frances. (Although, I’m hoping for a sequel!)
The characters each have a unique personality. Frances is witty and rather critical of relationships, always tending to over think things. Martin is sweet and awkward at times, but always honest. The other characters are equally intriguing and just as realistic as Frances and Martin, with a sometimes-too-honest mother and a very hostile daughter. The variety of personalities make for quite an interesting story.
With brilliant writing skills, the reader is entranced from page one. A comical romance that I believe many, especially women, could appreciate and even relate to. THE YOUNGER MAN, both compelling and heart-warming, is definitely worthy of 5 stars.
The characters each have a unique personality. Frances is witty and rather critical of relationships, always tending to over think things. Martin is sweet and awkward at times, but always honest. The other characters are equally intriguing and just as realistic as Frances and Martin, with a sometimes-too-honest mother and a very hostile daughter. The variety of personalities make for quite an interesting story.
With brilliant writing skills, the reader is entranced from page one. A comical romance that I believe many, especially women, could appreciate and even relate to. THE YOUNGER MAN, both compelling and heart-warming, is definitely worthy of 5 stars.
August 10, 2016
The Younger Man review
This is a lovely, and very moving story about following your heart, learning to trust and taking a chance on love. A veteran of failed relationships, Frances and the issues she has to deal with is something we can all relate to in one way or another. She worries about her figure, spends too much time in her therapist’s office, attempts to connect with her college-age daughter Janice, and tries to convince herself that she is not lonely. Then along comes Martin – and I really, really liked him – he’s real, solid and understanding. You can totally see why Frances falls for him. Mr Davis pulls an excellent first person voice for Frances – she is believable, relatable, and you truly feel for her as the story develops. The writing is smooth and the novel sucks you in as you watch Frances grow and learn to love and respect herself, and trust her own heart. The ending is just wonderful and satisfying – warm fuzzies are guaranteed.
This is a lovely, and very moving story about following your heart, learning to trust and taking a chance on love. A veteran of failed relationships, Frances and the issues she has to deal with is something we can all relate to in one way or another. She worries about her figure, spends too much time in her therapist’s office, attempts to connect with her college-age daughter Janice, and tries to convince herself that she is not lonely. Then along comes Martin – and I really, really liked him – he’s real, solid and understanding. You can totally see why Frances falls for him. Mr Davis pulls an excellent first person voice for Frances – she is believable, relatable, and you truly feel for her as the story develops. The writing is smooth and the novel sucks you in as you watch Frances grow and learn to love and respect herself, and trust her own heart. The ending is just wonderful and satisfying – warm fuzzies are guaranteed.
May 17, 2014
**I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my fair and honest review.**
“The Younger Man” by Dermot Davis is a really intelligent romance novel that will appeal to readers of many ages and tastes. At almost 40 years old, main character Frances has had two failed marriages and has given up on men. When she meets a younger man, she gives it a try.
The book is a romance / chick-lit novel by boxed in genre, but I found it to be so much more than that. I loved the first person point of view of Frances. She had a lot of interesting thoughts that really made me think about things in a different light. This gives real substance to the book and makes it so much more than “just another romance” novel. I loved the intelligence in the novel and was eager to go along for the ride. I look forward to reading more from this author!
“The Younger Man” by Dermot Davis is a really intelligent romance novel that will appeal to readers of many ages and tastes. At almost 40 years old, main character Frances has had two failed marriages and has given up on men. When she meets a younger man, she gives it a try.
The book is a romance / chick-lit novel by boxed in genre, but I found it to be so much more than that. I loved the first person point of view of Frances. She had a lot of interesting thoughts that really made me think about things in a different light. This gives real substance to the book and makes it so much more than “just another romance” novel. I loved the intelligence in the novel and was eager to go along for the ride. I look forward to reading more from this author!
April 1, 2014
The Younger Man is an entertaining, emotional, and well written book about a divorced woman searching for meaningful relationships in her life. Her soul-searching regarding men helps her to also take a hard look at her relationships with herself, her ex-husbands, her daughter, sister, and mother. The author is very adept at understanding the female side of a male-female relationship and he seems to really get what women want and need.
I highly recommend this book as it is not your average chick-lit. It is a much more thought provoking read and one that a lot of female readers can and will relate to.
I highly recommend this book as it is not your average chick-lit. It is a much more thought provoking read and one that a lot of female readers can and will relate to.
May 31, 2014
I received this book in exchange for honest feedback. I too, was a little disappointed. While I understood all the dilemmas Frances went through regarding and love. I'm 43 and I find myself in the same boat, busted relationships and looking for that Mr. Right as well as aging. Frances was a bit too much into her head, And she was a bit too wimpy for me and always worried what others thought of her. Her daughter Janice was a such a word that rhymes with witch and I hated her character. I felt Frances needed more a backbone and she only sort of got at the end of the story. And the ending fell kind of flat for me.
June 21, 2014
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.
I loved this short, amazing book circulated around Frances. This was an easy book to get hooked on. I couldn't put it down once I started. I look forward to reading more from the author in the future!
I loved this short, amazing book circulated around Frances. This was an easy book to get hooked on. I couldn't put it down once I started. I look forward to reading more from the author in the future!
May 3, 2019
**This was a free Kindle download that I got about five years ago (2014).
I read about 43% of this book before I abandoned it. The blurb described this novel as having more meat to it than your average chick lit. That should have tipped me off that as a reader, I would be spending more time in the heroine's head than watching her DO anything that would move the plot along. Sitting in on a character's therapy session is not my idea of an interesting story.
I read about 43% of this book before I abandoned it. The blurb described this novel as having more meat to it than your average chick lit. That should have tipped me off that as a reader, I would be spending more time in the heroine's head than watching her DO anything that would move the plot along. Sitting in on a character's therapy session is not my idea of an interesting story.
February 15, 2022
I just can't, I don't know how I finished this but this was just such a waste to me. The story just felt empty and lifeless, tons of stuff and drama was ongoing but it just felt unimportant. The premise was decent but the angle of a realistic drama went way wrong and it just fell flat on its face. It was well written though but the drama of this woman just was all over the place and the fact that I didn't remotely root for any of the characters makes it even worse.
May 25, 2019
What a confusing woman!
I didn't love it, but by the same token, I couldn't walk away from it or put it down, so maybe I did love it after all.
I didn't love it, but by the same token, I couldn't walk away from it or put it down, so maybe I did love it after all.
March 31, 2014
***ARC from NetGalley in Exchange for an honest review***
I struggle to rate this as I wasn’t quite sure if the assigned genre was entirely correct. Maybe this shouldn’t have been billed a romance because it didn’t really read like one to me. It was more a story about self-discovery and self-growth rather than a full-fledged romance. Or maybe I am just deeply entrenched in the formulaic love story (bodice rippers, etc.) that this completely sailed over my head. In any case, I will review it as the romance it was billed as. I felt like this was a diary of one woman’s struggle to find acceptance amid the romantic chaos around her. Acceptance of who she is, how she became that, why her family and friends are the way they are, acknowledging society’s rules while maybe not exactly conforming to it. I felt this was more Alice’s move from being reliant on others for her happiness and self-worth (ex-husbands, child, other men, therapist) to finally realizing that only she can provide her own happiness and determine her self-worth. Martin, her younger man, just provides the proverbial pivotal point on which she makes her turn-around.
I struggle to rate this as I wasn’t quite sure if the assigned genre was entirely correct. Maybe this shouldn’t have been billed a romance because it didn’t really read like one to me. It was more a story about self-discovery and self-growth rather than a full-fledged romance. Or maybe I am just deeply entrenched in the formulaic love story (bodice rippers, etc.) that this completely sailed over my head. In any case, I will review it as the romance it was billed as. I felt like this was a diary of one woman’s struggle to find acceptance amid the romantic chaos around her. Acceptance of who she is, how she became that, why her family and friends are the way they are, acknowledging society’s rules while maybe not exactly conforming to it. I felt this was more Alice’s move from being reliant on others for her happiness and self-worth (ex-husbands, child, other men, therapist) to finally realizing that only she can provide her own happiness and determine her self-worth. Martin, her younger man, just provides the proverbial pivotal point on which she makes her turn-around.
March 22, 2014
I'll start by admitting that this is a genre entirely up my street. I loved it. Another admission, I wasn't sure what to expect given the male author. I'm a skeptic. I'm also more than happy to be proven wrong, as I was by Davis. The book is sensitive, realistic, an all round great read.
I was unsure in the first few pages about what I perceived to be a fairly blunt, simplistic narrative, but actually, as the book wore on, that's one of the things I found myself most appreciative of. The style lends itself well to the genre and the main character, Frances, and so I find myself proven wrong. Again.
The sizeable web of characters in The Younger Man is great, and there's a natural sympathy for our protagonist that certainly kept me turning. The book is long, but it didn't feel so. In fact, I couldn't help but be a little gutted everytime I glanced down to see myself edging closer to the final page.
I was unsure in the first few pages about what I perceived to be a fairly blunt, simplistic narrative, but actually, as the book wore on, that's one of the things I found myself most appreciative of. The style lends itself well to the genre and the main character, Frances, and so I find myself proven wrong. Again.
The sizeable web of characters in The Younger Man is great, and there's a natural sympathy for our protagonist that certainly kept me turning. The book is long, but it didn't feel so. In fact, I couldn't help but be a little gutted everytime I glanced down to see myself edging closer to the final page.
June 6, 2015
I was provided with a free copy of this book so I could give an honest review.
I really wanted to like this book. I was drawn to the title of this book and thought the synopsis sounded fun and entertaining. Half way through the book, I found myself unattached to both the characters and the ever changing plot lines. I feel like the author was trying to accomplish too many different subplots and as a result fell short of main one.
I would certainly recommend the book to those who like self help books as there were a lot of good snippets of relationship info included in the plot - this story just didn't turn out to be what I thought it would be. Not the worst book I've read - but not the best either.
I really wanted to like this book. I was drawn to the title of this book and thought the synopsis sounded fun and entertaining. Half way through the book, I found myself unattached to both the characters and the ever changing plot lines. I feel like the author was trying to accomplish too many different subplots and as a result fell short of main one.
I would certainly recommend the book to those who like self help books as there were a lot of good snippets of relationship info included in the plot - this story just didn't turn out to be what I thought it would be. Not the worst book I've read - but not the best either.
April 29, 2014
This was a fun read, although I found myself skipping the sections when the main character spent a lot of time thinking about things. Those sections could have been made more interesting with a little movement around--even if it was just around her apartment. She seems to me to be the kind of person who would have restlessly moved around while she thought. Her thoughts were certainly restless enough! lol
I did enjoy this book. By the end, I found myself wondering how her new love life was going to work out for her. A sequel would be interesting.
I did enjoy this book. By the end, I found myself wondering how her new love life was going to work out for her. A sequel would be interesting.
July 12, 2016
“The Younger Man” is a witty look into the psyche of an older woman and her struggles with dating. The author does a good job of putting us into the mind of the main character, Frances, a woman who has suffered several bad relationships and has almost given up on finding love. The story moves along fairly well. However, there were some places that seemed redundant, and I felt the author forced some of the emotions. Overall, I found the book entertaining.
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September 11, 2016So far very entertaining and well written.
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