Salty Flames

by Tamar Tremaine

ARE YOU FEELING ALONE IN THE LAND OF HAPPY COUPLES?
Afraid to download a dating app? Nervous to go on a first date? Curious what online dating is like? Upset that you're never "the one?" Too many duds and not enough studs? You are far from alone...

TAMAR TREMAINE has gone on hundreds of first dates and chatted online with thousands of men over the last ten years. On a few occasions, she has even gone on as many as three dates in one day. (Not recommended.) According to Malcolm Gladwell, author of Outliers, it takes 10,000 hours and approximately ten years to become an expert. Tamar has easily spent 10,000 hours swiping, going on dates, and staring at her phone waiting for that cute guy to text her back. This book, however, is not "Tamar Tremaine: Expert in Online Dating." This book is for you. Through a series of highly relatable short stories, Tamar reveals her crazy dating history. From in-person dating to online dating, to quarantine dating, Tamar inspires readers to keep trying, download that app, and go on that date. After all, there's usually a good story in the end!

160 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 15, 2021

Reviews

[Alessandor Earnest · Rating 5 out of 5]

These stories are relatable, hilarious, and engaging. Highly recommend. Would make a great gift for a sister or BFF.

[Jenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Wow..Tamar has had some doozy of dates. This was relatable to anyone who's put them self out there or has tried online/app/internet dating.
The book is divided into short chapters with each date categorized into a quote, for exs. "Cranberry Vodka guy. Teddy Bear. Lady Killer" with a short summary of those outings.
Some humor.
I liked the illustrations included. My fave chapter was "I paid for these, so these are mine." That's happened to me so it must be more common than I thought.

Some quotes:
"I OFTEN GOOGLE my dates before I meet them. I’ve dug up shocking details hours before a first date. One of my dates was arrested for drug trafficking. One was married. Yet another was registered for multiple MILF dating websites. If I’ve learned anything, it’s that it’s always better to know too much going into a date than to be surprised with the details after it’s too late."

"LADIES. Google everyone."

---thank you Tamar, I will totally do that.

"You can typically find me in black leggings with a fitted shirt and fancy sneakers, trying to show off my body without showing off my body. I’m not photogenic, so everyone online thinks I look better in person. Or maybe that’s part of my strategy?"
---I can totally relate!

"TYPICALLY, I’m that girl that guys stop talking to three messages in because I’m too boring. I can have fun, don’t get me wrong. I’m just not great with witty text banter."
---been there, got the T-shirt.











Thank you to Hidden Gems for a copy of the ARC in exchange for a review.

[Absolutpro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun quick read! I finished it in one sitting. The illustrations are unique. I like how the author pokes fun at herself and doesn't get her hopes down.

[Monty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was drawn to the book by the craftiness of the name and theme. Upon opening the book it dawned on me the thoughtfulness of the author was clear as the stories are well articulated paired fun illustrations. Within the same breath I knew this was a real page turner. The stories are highly relatable, easy to read and a necessity to have on your bookshelf. A top-notch treat to enjoy over a glass of wine or coffee.

[Kristen Lewendon · Rating 4 out of 5]

The stories and images in this book are really quite cute. They’re amusing in a very sweet way. My sense of humor has more of a snarky, sarcastic, slant to it, so this was a bit tame for me. But I deeply appreciate the author’s sensitivity in being kind to these people who have passed through her life. I know the author wanted this book to inspire singles to continue getting out there in search for ‘the one’ however, I personally, will be much more cautious in the face of her experiences.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book from Hidden Gems Books.

[Jaclyn Yepsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advanced copy of this book. I really enjoyed it. Humor is kind of hard to do well, and Tamar's date stories were hilarious. I also thought the art inside was really cute.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tamar’s stories are painfully funny and easy to read. One has to appreciate the unrelenting optimism and sheer effort required to put up with these less-than-ideal dates. May her adventures continue, though admittedly more for the reader’s sake!

[Daisy Bee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Any woman who has had the pleasure/misfortune (you decide) to experience modern dating cannot fail to relate to this short, and brutally honest account of one woman's dating history.

From men who only talk about themselves, to those who cannot take no for an answer and hassle you on every social media platform for weeks after.

Commitment phobes, to men who bring lunch in Tupperware to a first date.

A date who grills her on her STD status, to one who was recently in jail for revenge porn.

Funny, relatable and with anecdotes that we can all relate to, this is a lighthearted read that made me smile wryly.

And don't worry. Names were changed to protect the, ahem, innocent.

P. S Yes of course there was that man who sent an unsolicited video of himself... 🙈

[Destiny Bridwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Personal Review: I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. I got a hardcover copy of this book from the author. I love the drawings that are in and the stories of the dates. The guys that she talks about some bad dates. The things that she labels the guys made me actually laugh out loud. The college story about the fake revolution is one of the best and than meeting him again years later. It was a lot of fun to read and take a stroll through the author's dating experiences was more fun than I first thought it could be. I am glad I took the time read this book.

[Kristen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This…uh definitely is written. Great concept, poor execution. These stories were not interesting nor funny. In order for this to have worked, we’d need to know our author a little more, there would have to be some judgmental/self deprecating humor, and we would need more pertinent details. That being said, I did receive an advanced copy and maybe these things were corrected before printing.

[Marcia Vincent · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm writing this review in regard to the book Salty Flames. I was impressed with the author's brutal honesty in various dating scenarios; not an easy task, knowing parents would be reading it! The concept of the book's content is unique and easy entertaining read. I look forward any future books this author writes, as she displayed a talented way of shedding her perspective on the complicated topic of dating with which most anyone can relate.

Marcia V

[David Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an endearing story of a young woman trying to find a partner in the world we live in today. As an older man, Tamar's story made me feel sad that her search for a life partner in these modern times seems so very difficult. So, along with the obvious humor and variety of characters, I was left wanting to root and hope for Tamar to finally meet a suitable match.

[Amory · Rating 2 out of 5]

Remarkable how fast the authors dull, tedious and repetitive failures become plain boring.
Should be some sort of award, or therapy, for readers completing the challenge.

[Anja Chillemi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great relatable book about dating life today. It was well written and hilarious! I loved it! It is a must read!