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Love Byte
If your dead wife offered to find you a new girlfriend, what would you do?
Andy Hunter is a single father trying to balance the demands of a 2-year-old daughter, an interfering but well-meaning mother-in-law and a job he is always in danger of losing.
Out of the blue, he receives a series of delayed emails and texts from his late wife Lindsay. She wants him to date again, and has plenty of advice about embracing new romance.
How can he have eyes for anyone else when the woman he loves and lost is still in contact?
Spurred on by Lindsay’s emails, Andy plunges chaotically into the modern dating scene. This is a tale of second chances and self-discovery, filled with laugh-out-loud situations and moments of soul-searching.
Her dying wish is for him to keep on living.
Andy Hunter is a single father trying to balance the demands of a 2-year-old daughter, an interfering but well-meaning mother-in-law and a job he is always in danger of losing.
Out of the blue, he receives a series of delayed emails and texts from his late wife Lindsay. She wants him to date again, and has plenty of advice about embracing new romance.
How can he have eyes for anyone else when the woman he loves and lost is still in contact?
Spurred on by Lindsay’s emails, Andy plunges chaotically into the modern dating scene. This is a tale of second chances and self-discovery, filled with laugh-out-loud situations and moments of soul-searching.
Her dying wish is for him to keep on living.
231 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 30, 2014
142 people are currently reading
86 people want to read
About the author
David Atkinson
7 books22 followersDavid Atkinson is an Edinburgh based writer. His first Romantic Comedy Love Byte published by Buried River Press (Joffe Books) was shortlisted for the Romantic Novelist Association award. The follow up book SQUEEZED was well received as was The Second Live of Nathan Jones, published by One More Chapter an imprint of Harper Collins.
His latest novel Future Proof has been notching up 4 & 5* reviews. Future Proof has already won the Page Turner Genre award (December 2022) and promises to be something a little different.
To sign up for author updates, newsletters, special offers and some exciting news, or if you just to say hello or ask a question please drop a quick email to: collectivecharmbooks@gmail.co
His latest novel Future Proof has been notching up 4 & 5* reviews. Future Proof has already won the Page Turner Genre award (December 2022) and promises to be something a little different.
To sign up for author updates, newsletters, special offers and some exciting news, or if you just to say hello or ask a question please drop a quick email to: collectivecharmbooks@gmail.co
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
March 24, 2015
Something bothered me about this book and I can't quite put my finger on what it was. It started off brilliantly, the writing style was addictive and I didn't want to put it down. Then it all became ever so slightly .. silly. This poor man met so many crazy women, it just became very far fetched. The relationship that was formed toward the end wasn't believable and I was actually disappointed in the ending. The dead wife that was emailing him, to me, felt like a very cold person and I didn't want to think that but couldn't help it at all. I thought the same of the woman he ended up with. A shame as the writing style was fantastic.
April 9, 2018
It's been a few weeks (and probably a hundred books ago) since I read this, but I remember enjoying it and liking the author's style. A bit 'far-fetched' in places, but sometimes you just have to suspend disbelief especially when a book is well-written
Four stars. I really liked it.
Four stars. I really liked it.
February 12, 2015
Romantic Novel set in EDINBURGH (and some darker bits too)
Shortlisted for the 2015 Romantic Novelists’ Association Awards (RONAs)
Andy Hunter is a single father with a two year old daughter, Amy. His wife Lindsay has just died and he is adjusting to his new life. But then, he receives a string of e mails and texts from beyond the grave, he is fearful he is hallucinating in his grief. Sure enough, these are from Lindsay, who has plotted out a schedule for him to meet someone new. She has gone to vast lengths via the internet to set him with a profile on dating websites for prospective encounters. He soon gets into the swing of just turning up at the appointed rendezvous and seeing who is waiting for him. Does it go smoothly? Of course not! The world is seemingly populated with unhinged women – nut jobs – and the hapless budding lothario manages to press all the buttons and finds himself in some pretty tricky situations, some scary, others entertaining.
Andy certainly surrounds himself with people who like to have the upper hand – whether it is his best friend Jamie, or some of his female encounters – and even his wife is trying to control him after her death. She knows him better than he knows himself, how uncomfortable is that? He goes along with it, of course, always aware that anyone looking in might wonder about his mental faculties. So he has to keep stumm about what is going on.
This is a story with laugh out loud moments, heart rending events and a nice easy flowing style. It’s very readable and has some lovely observations, both about life, human behaviour and the lovely city of Edinburgh, “the Athens of the North”. Enjoy!
Shortlisted for the 2015 Romantic Novelists’ Association Awards (RONAs)
Andy Hunter is a single father with a two year old daughter, Amy. His wife Lindsay has just died and he is adjusting to his new life. But then, he receives a string of e mails and texts from beyond the grave, he is fearful he is hallucinating in his grief. Sure enough, these are from Lindsay, who has plotted out a schedule for him to meet someone new. She has gone to vast lengths via the internet to set him with a profile on dating websites for prospective encounters. He soon gets into the swing of just turning up at the appointed rendezvous and seeing who is waiting for him. Does it go smoothly? Of course not! The world is seemingly populated with unhinged women – nut jobs – and the hapless budding lothario manages to press all the buttons and finds himself in some pretty tricky situations, some scary, others entertaining.
Andy certainly surrounds himself with people who like to have the upper hand – whether it is his best friend Jamie, or some of his female encounters – and even his wife is trying to control him after her death. She knows him better than he knows himself, how uncomfortable is that? He goes along with it, of course, always aware that anyone looking in might wonder about his mental faculties. So he has to keep stumm about what is going on.
This is a story with laugh out loud moments, heart rending events and a nice easy flowing style. It’s very readable and has some lovely observations, both about life, human behaviour and the lovely city of Edinburgh, “the Athens of the North”. Enjoy!
March 16, 2015
This book started out with so much promise. Although I found the first 30 pages difficult to read as it dealt primarily with Lindsay’s losing battle with cancer I understood why the author had included it. I felt the connection between Andy and his wife Lindsay, this experience was an important part of Andy’s character development as it showed he was a man in grieving not just for his wife, but also for his daughter, for his family and for the life they would have had together.
“I was grieving for the desolate aching her death had left inside me, then for Amy who would never know her mother, and finally for the world which seemed a much poorer and emptier place without my wife in it.”
Yet something happened after Andy received the first email from Lindsay. The tone of the novel appeared to change, or perhaps the problem was it didn’t change and I was expecting it too. Suddenly Andy is thrown into the world of online dating and although I imagine his ‘dates’ were supposed to amuse the reader that isn’t the emotion I experience. At times they angered me, sometimes they flummoxed me and other times I was bored. Andy is horrible towards these women he dates, insulting them, degrading them and just generally being a bit of arrogant twat...
For the full review visit my blog
“I was grieving for the desolate aching her death had left inside me, then for Amy who would never know her mother, and finally for the world which seemed a much poorer and emptier place without my wife in it.”
Yet something happened after Andy received the first email from Lindsay. The tone of the novel appeared to change, or perhaps the problem was it didn’t change and I was expecting it too. Suddenly Andy is thrown into the world of online dating and although I imagine his ‘dates’ were supposed to amuse the reader that isn’t the emotion I experience. At times they angered me, sometimes they flummoxed me and other times I was bored. Andy is horrible towards these women he dates, insulting them, degrading them and just generally being a bit of arrogant twat...
For the full review visit my blog
February 16, 2016
A Nice love story with an emotional ending.
April 3, 2018
Okay, but a bit clunky in the way it is written. Lots of telling the reader what is going on, rather than creating a believable world.
November 20, 2024
Intriguing and entertaining
A wretchedly sad beginning to the book. Since his wife died a year ago, Andy Hunter's life revolves around raising his small daughter. He's attracted to independent and confident people, this includes his late wife, Lindsay, who, it seems, is still controlling him from the grave with her emails instructing him to start dating again, even arranging his dates. As her messages continue she's always one step ahead of him. And if that's not creepy enough, events become even more bizarre when Andy enters into the dating world to find a wife, and mother for his daughter. Are there that many crazies around? Probably.
Very funny at times, if only more men would write rom-coms.
A page turner just to see what new loonies would arrive for Andy's dates.
The introduction states British Spelling was used, so why were there many occasions of words with a 'z' instead of an 's', i.e. realize, internalized. For this annoying reason and Andy being too much of a wimp to press charges when his flat and belongings were trashed, I intended rating 3*, increased to 4* for the clever book title.
A wretchedly sad beginning to the book. Since his wife died a year ago, Andy Hunter's life revolves around raising his small daughter. He's attracted to independent and confident people, this includes his late wife, Lindsay, who, it seems, is still controlling him from the grave with her emails instructing him to start dating again, even arranging his dates. As her messages continue she's always one step ahead of him. And if that's not creepy enough, events become even more bizarre when Andy enters into the dating world to find a wife, and mother for his daughter. Are there that many crazies around? Probably.
Very funny at times, if only more men would write rom-coms.
A page turner just to see what new loonies would arrive for Andy's dates.
The introduction states British Spelling was used, so why were there many occasions of words with a 'z' instead of an 's', i.e. realize, internalized. For this annoying reason and Andy being too much of a wimp to press charges when his flat and belongings were trashed, I intended rating 3*, increased to 4* for the clever book title.
January 22, 2025
Strange feeling, didn’t really connect with the male character. Not sure it was because of being a male author or because the characters are weird. Women behave very weird too.
It’s the story of a window with a 2yo daughter whose wife suddenly after 6 months starts sending him emails and sms pushing him to meet a woman to marry (so that her daughter grows with a mom). She has signed him up at a website and has even sent emails to potential partners on his behalf.
We read about several of those encounters and they are too unbelievable for my taste.
It’s the story of a window with a 2yo daughter whose wife suddenly after 6 months starts sending him emails and sms pushing him to meet a woman to marry (so that her daughter grows with a mom). She has signed him up at a website and has even sent emails to potential partners on his behalf.
We read about several of those encounters and they are too unbelievable for my taste.
February 28, 2025
This is not the type of book I would normally buy, but as it was a freebie on Bookbub and the premise outlined in the blurb sounded interesting I downloaded and read it. The emotional start was unexpectedly moving, and then the messages started arriving. Well written and engaging - so far.
Later on, as other characters arrived, the whole thing got a bit contrived and was no longer fully engaging me. That left me a little disappointed.
So overall, not bad but not top notch either.
Later on, as other characters arrived, the whole thing got a bit contrived and was no longer fully engaging me. That left me a little disappointed.
So overall, not bad but not top notch either.
September 14, 2020
I don’t think I’ve read a romantic comedy written by a man before but I certainly enjoyed the change of perspective as hapless widower and single dad, Andy, tries to negotiate the crazy dating world.
At times emotional and tugs at your heartstrings but ultimately an easy and enjoyable read which will have you laughing out loud.
I liked it and will definitely read more by the author.
At times emotional and tugs at your heartstrings but ultimately an easy and enjoyable read which will have you laughing out loud.
I liked it and will definitely read more by the author.
April 1, 2025
I have mixed feelings about this book. I liked Andy and parts of the story made me laugh, hence the 3 stars. I really disliked Lindsey and that made me uncomfortable as she was the dead wife. I found her emails, setting up dating profile and the email to Mollie coercive and controlling. Even more so as Andy wasn’t able to see what she had written.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 17, 2025
Worth More Than 5 Stars
Have some tissues at the ready, you may need them! Andy Hunter is a single dad of a two year old little girl. Out of the blue he received an email from his dead wife, telling him she had set him up on a dating site (before she died of course) and wanted him to find someone new. This book made me laugh and cry, I would give it more than 5 stars if I could.
Have some tissues at the ready, you may need them! Andy Hunter is a single dad of a two year old little girl. Out of the blue he received an email from his dead wife, telling him she had set him up on a dating site (before she died of course) and wanted him to find someone new. This book made me laugh and cry, I would give it more than 5 stars if I could.
May 3, 2018
Easy read
A wonderfully slushy, easy reading book. Very easy to pick up and put down. Great humour in places to lighten a very sensitive and tragic story line. Everyone loves a happy ending don't they.......
A wonderfully slushy, easy reading book. Very easy to pick up and put down. Great humour in places to lighten a very sensitive and tragic story line. Everyone loves a happy ending don't they.......
May 17, 2018
A nice easy read that made me laugh and cry in equal measures. I could relate to a few of the scenarios involving young Amy and I'm sure that most parents would agree with me; I laughed out loud more than once.
Well worth a read.
Well worth a read.
June 11, 2018
Rollercoaster of emotions
Laugh out loud, tears you name it; told from the mans viewpoint losing his wife to cancer ( and her helping him to a new life) with their little girl, and his forays into the dating world. What could go wrong. A good read
Laugh out loud, tears you name it; told from the mans viewpoint losing his wife to cancer ( and her helping him to a new life) with their little girl, and his forays into the dating world. What could go wrong. A good read
June 25, 2018
This was really cute. I thought it was going to be a re-write of P.S I love you, but it was surprisingly fresh. I really wish he'd taken action at times though, especially with regard to the property damage, that was ridiculous. But not worth taking stars off for. A good, warm and quick read.
July 6, 2023
This needs to be made into a film!
What an outstanding book, funny, heartfelt, warm, human, everything needed for a book to be un putdownable.
Twists and turns abound, but overall superbly enjoyable.
Thank Author.
What an outstanding book, funny, heartfelt, warm, human, everything needed for a book to be un putdownable.
Twists and turns abound, but overall superbly enjoyable.
Thank Author.
January 20, 2018
Clever, insightful and most certainly heartwarming!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 3, 2018
brilliant
a brilliant story made even better that it was set in scotland . it had me laughing and crying .i will be reading more from david atkinson
a brilliant story made even better that it was set in scotland . it had me laughing and crying .i will be reading more from david atkinson
April 5, 2018
Couldn’t put it down!
An honest read. Emotive and quick paced. A real page turner! I’m looking forward to reading more from David Atkinson.
An honest read. Emotive and quick paced. A real page turner! I’m looking forward to reading more from David Atkinson.
April 10, 2018
amazing
Brilliant read
Couldn’t pull my self
Away brill ending laughs tears and moments u wish u could shake the character to do the right thing but brill
Brilliant read
Couldn’t pull my self
Away brill ending laughs tears and moments u wish u could shake the character to do the right thing but brill
May 4, 2018
Exceptional
this was an absolutely brilliant read, lindsay's e-mails had me in tears, the story was well written could not have done a better job myself
this was an absolutely brilliant read, lindsay's e-mails had me in tears, the story was well written could not have done a better job myself
May 21, 2018
A lovely romance book and quite emotional at times! A nice read!
May 23, 2018
Loved it
I found this book very emotional in parts, funny and I love a story with a happy ending. Definitely worth a read
I found this book very emotional in parts, funny and I love a story with a happy ending. Definitely worth a read
August 9, 2018
Too much filler
Sweet story but too much random reflection and banal detail from the main character. Could have been great if 1/3 pages removed.
Sweet story but too much random reflection and banal detail from the main character. Could have been great if 1/3 pages removed.
November 6, 2018
Brill
My sort of book,you think you know the ending but get a thrill still reading it to the end conclusion
My sort of book,you think you know the ending but get a thrill still reading it to the end conclusion
February 6, 2025
Very depressing for me.
Gave you!
Gave you!
June 22, 2025
Had me laughing and crying from page one to the end. Great characters and a wonderful story
September 25, 2025
Who's cutting onions?
5 star find! The book made me cry like a baby 20 pages in. After that, so many 'laugh out loud' moments and MORE tears. A lovely, funny, heartfelt story.
5 star find! The book made me cry like a baby 20 pages in. After that, so many 'laugh out loud' moments and MORE tears. A lovely, funny, heartfelt story.
August 27, 2018
I enjoyed reading this one, I didn't think I would at the start. It's easy reading, quite funny and a clever idea.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews