Dating Without Novocaine

by Lisa Cach

On the brink of turning thirty and depressingly single, self-employed clothing designer Hannah O'Dowd, who is terrified of anything dental related, embarks on a hilarious mission, fraught with dating disasters and enlightening escapades, to find Mr. Right. Original.

Genres: Chick Lit, Fiction, Romance, Humor, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary

282 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Lisa Cach grew up in a farm near Portland, Oregon, a place she loves although she'd always trying to leave it. Wanderlust has led her to sail the Sargasso Sea, teach English in Japan, and trek the leech-infested jungles of Borneo. She has degrees in both English and psychology, two subjects that were fun to learn about but that guaranteed her low-paying jobs. Her father, she admits, may have been right about the MBA.

Lisa started to writing romances in her parents' basement during snatched moments from work. Since her writing career began her free time has become less and less as her novels become more and more popular. She's loved romance novels since Junior High School, and at least now she doesn't have to worry about getting caught reading one. Lisa married, and bought with her husband a home in Seattle, Washington. She describes her personal paradise as "...a pile of books, a plate of brownies, and the free time in which to enjoy them".

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

During the hottest spell ever in Melbourne, I would try to do anything in my powers during the day to stay in A/C. It wasn't to hard and during this time, I discovered the public library in town and read this book over two days of just sitting there. Typical chick-lit, but not too horrible. Took place in Portland, which was nice, as a change in town is always appreciated. And lots of geographical stuff, which I'll have to assume was correct, as I haven't been there in like 15 years. Girl owns her own business and she and a bunch of friends sign up for internet dating and she goes on some dates, but of course, the man of her dreams is right in front of her. They don't get together until the end of the book because the Dude is a old high school boyfriend of one of her friends and she thinks that her friend doesn't want them to go out, which I could totally see. But of course, she lets the rules slide because they are oh-so-perfect for each
other. Not too bad, but nothing special.

Grade: C

[Esonja · Rating 1 out of 5]

So unsatisfying.

[Kristina · Rating 2 out of 5]

I started this one the fall I turned 14, but I never finished it. I can't remember if it was because I was so embarrassed because of some of the topics here (everything sexual made me cringe back then), or if I just thought it was bad. Maybe I'll finish it one day, but till then it only gets 2 stars from what I remember of it.

[Sherri Bryant · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story. I found Hannah's adventures in dating interesting, if not all together successful. I thought the voodoo dolls added a humorous twist.

[Ireadit · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up this book almost 20 years ago at Costco as I was curious about dating. read the first 30 pages and put it down, her characters were interesting and the author has a sense of humor about alternative Portland, and other aspects of modern life, but I just never got back to the book. just picked it up again this week and finished it. the sense of humor is fine, and it's an okay view of life and conversations between friends, reads easily. the heroine is about to turn thirty and trying to date up a storm to meet "the one" told with humor and readability. but although I began by enjoying the heroine's jaded sense of humor and open outlook on the people and situations that unfold, by her last encounter she had turned into the kind of whiny intensely critical female who will never reach that goal, and will be complaining about it all the way. I know the author was probably trying to make the point "girls, don't drive yourself crazy about being married by thirty, you can choose the right man for you", but this character (for me) turned from a likable independent thinker laugh/crying at the agony of dating into a hyper-picky complainer, and I left at the ending disappointed. as I said, enjoyable writing style and the story moved along well, but am not satisfied as a whole.

[Janet C · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have enjoyed other books about internet dating and kissing a lot of toads to find your prince, so I thought this would be a fun read. About halfway through it, I just found it boring and considered stopping reading. I slogged through the rest of it. This had the ability to be quite a fun read, but her dates weren't laugh-out-loud as I was expecting. They were actually pretty mundane. It was easy to predict at the very beginning who she would end up with. I was disappointed in this book and would not recommend it.

[Nikki Soulsby · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you want to remind yourself what life was like when people called each other and internet dating was a new thing, this will take you back. The language is very much of the late 90's era, which was fun to read although sometimes VERY cringey.

I'm going with three stars because it was a fun read if you exclude the ending which was like a big let down. The author pokes fun at the challenge of cunnilingus (staying on the right spot until the big finish) - the plot kind of reminded me of that scene. Moments of brilliance and then... not much.

[Krista · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a funny, light hearted book! Kept my attention the whole time. I wish the ending would have gone a little farther. It just kind of stopped so suddenly and o wish I could know what happened next!

[Fairserenity · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was a fun read, but the ending was lacking. It felt like the author just needed to end the book.

[Linda Famous · Rating 1 out of 5]

Besides being predictable, the main character was completely shallow and her use of the word "weenie" to refer to male genitalia made me feel like she was in middle school.

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty predictable, but still an enjoyable story.

[Mikelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very mindless read and very predictable. But it was funny and a quick read.

[Alyssa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Predictable, but a sweet & quick mindless read.

"Maybe there was a reason love and war were so often mentioned together. In both cases, the casualties were legion."

"I spoke primly. 'Some girls eat meat, some don't.'
Scott gaped at us. "And they say guys are bad. You there are worse than any group of men.'
'Oh, we are not,' Louise said, wishing her hand dismissively.
'My privates are not up for discussion.'
'You were the one who insisted,' I said. 'And why is it always referred to as a met product? Sausage, salami, meat, sirloin, and having sex is porking.'
'Because you women are the ones who spend all your time discussing it. In centuries past you were all in the kitchen with the meat.'"

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mildly enjoyable read mostly because of its setting in Portland and Hannah's great fear of dentists and love of sewing. It was fun to read about places that I know so well and I too have my own fear of dentists and love for sewing. Hannah however was a bit too desperate to be 100% likable. I thoroughly enjoy books by Red Dress Ink and look forward to reading more.

[Cassie · Rating 2 out of 5]

My sister gave this book to me, apparently I need more romance books in my life??? It wasn't too terrible, a good way to waste a few hours. Semi-interesting charcters and a cute and predictable ending.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ridiculous, I know, but I'm trying to balance something fun with McCullough's John Adams biography, and this definitely does it! All in all, there were some funny parts, but my book on dating would be much more entertaining...ha.

[Bella Richardson · Rating 2 out of 5]

A lot of stress in my life right now, so wanted a little bit of light reading. Light story of dating perils, undeveloped characters, easy read, but nothing to recommend to anyone. More of a waste of time.

[Michelle P · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laughed so hard reading this book, that I almost peed my pants.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, quick read. Utterly predictable, but entertaining.

[Sarah Philips · Rating 3 out of 5]

Again cute but totally unrealistic.

[Christy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't know how to say nicely that this book was boring, stereotypical, and cheesy. Alas!

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not what I exactly expected. There was more sexthan I was used to in a book but that is not all bad...It was just a fun chick lit fast novel.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

very funny!

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so funny for anyone who has played the dating game and thinks it can be ridiculous or hilarious! There were times that I just laughed right out loud. I've read it twice.

[Shawna · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn't read more than about 10 pages before I was too disgusted with all the references to sex to continue.

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

eh...mediocre and predictable. as i expected. had a couple of bright spots but for the most part i was ready to be done reading it and move onto the next book. a short, quick read at least.

[Rebecca King · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun breezy little read set in Portland, Oregon. It's a Red Dress Ink publication.

[T.]

I keep trying to read this book since I own it, but haven't been able to get into it.

[Noushin · Rating 1 out of 5]

I could not finish this book. After 75 pages I gave up.

[Sue Salazar · Rating 2 out of 5]

It took a while for me to get into this book, but once I did, I liked it.