Tony—an exhausted yet devoted father scarred by a toxic past— finds himself adrift in a whirlwind of first dates and fleeting intimacies. His struggle for genuine connection amid a maze of failed relationships and raw emotional encounters sets the stage for a transformative journey toward redemption and a forever love.
In a steamy, character-driven romance full of bittersweet surprises and soul-stirring vulnerability, every encounter could be the one that finally heals his wounded heart.
Will his passion ultimately mend a shattered heart or shatter it beyond repair?
Set against the backdrop of modern romance-with all its chaos, comedy, and quiet moments of grace—20 First Dates is a steamy, character-driven romantic comedy that explores the beauty of imperfection and the courage it takes to love again.
Can one man's broken heart still beat for a forever kind of love?
With sharp humor, raw emotion, and bittersweet twists, this unforgettable journey proves that even the most wounded hearts can find healing... in the most unexpected places.
What makes this novel so engaging is its honesty. The story doesn’t shy away from showing the messy, complicated layers of middle-age love and the courage it takes to step into something new after years of hurt. The main character feels fully human, flawed yet deeply relatable, as he stumbles through awkward encounters and warm moments.
The writing balances wit with tenderness, giving readers plenty of charm while also hitting those quiet notes of vulnerability that linger long after you’ve turned the page. The way the narrative unfolds makes you root for second chances, not just in romance, but in rediscovering yourself after a tough past.
20 First Dates isn’t simply about meeting someone, it’s about rebuilding, reshaping, and daring to believe that love, in all its imperfect forms, is still worth the risk. A poignant, warm, and refreshingly real take on relationships.
I loved the idea of this book. I really, really wanted to like it and stuck it out for as long as I could. Unfortunately, it is not for me. I could relate and sympathize with the divorce aspect but everything else up to the point of giving up on the book gave me the ick.
I have no idea if the MMC gets better or not, but I can't bring myself to struggle through the rest of his remaining 12 dates.
*Disclaimer: I bought this book with my own money*
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Very entertaining love story with more than a few moments where I laughed. It was sweet and relatable, with easy language to follow. I really liked all the characters. They were easy to understand and relate to.
I was given this as an ARC, and granted, I'm a really slow reader, but something I liked about this book were that it was easy language to follow. I had a few laughs throughout it, which are necessary when telling stories that hurt. The story is classic and told from the perspective of Tony, after going through a divorce. It's full of heartache, a bit of comedy laced within it, as well as sadness and frustrations that come with finding love later in life. There is sometimes more baggage in life as we age and this story works through some of those challenges that are all too real for so many folks out there.
If you're looking for an easy to follow story, give this one a shot.