What do you think?
Rate this book
These Stories Are True ... I Shit You Not!: A Humorous Look at Online Dating for the Unsuspecting Older Human
“Cathy Berra’s online dating stories are too good to be true – and that's the fun of this great, page-turning romp.”
– Laurie Graff, author, You Have to Kiss a Lot of Frogs
Online dating is daunting at any stage of life, and the escapades seem to never end!
Join Catherine as she bravely navigates her way a through a search for modern-day love. Come along on a journey that will take you through stories of ridiculousness, confusion, bewilderment, and hilarity!
Relish in Catherine’s initial optimistic attitude and venture alongside as she describes some of the most preposterous dates you could imagine. Laugh out loud at her expense as she describes over ten years of uproarious encounters, experiences, and unbelievably comical misadventures that leave her dumbfounded. Peek around the corner of disbelief as she describes her giggle-inducing quest for that one true connection.
With a sense of humor and an eventual understanding that we humans are all quite muddled, lovely, messy, confused, and imperfect, these stories are for anyone who has ever attempted to venture out into the zany world of online dating.
– Laurie Graff, author, You Have to Kiss a Lot of Frogs
Online dating is daunting at any stage of life, and the escapades seem to never end!
Join Catherine as she bravely navigates her way a through a search for modern-day love. Come along on a journey that will take you through stories of ridiculousness, confusion, bewilderment, and hilarity!
Relish in Catherine’s initial optimistic attitude and venture alongside as she describes some of the most preposterous dates you could imagine. Laugh out loud at her expense as she describes over ten years of uproarious encounters, experiences, and unbelievably comical misadventures that leave her dumbfounded. Peek around the corner of disbelief as she describes her giggle-inducing quest for that one true connection.
With a sense of humor and an eventual understanding that we humans are all quite muddled, lovely, messy, confused, and imperfect, these stories are for anyone who has ever attempted to venture out into the zany world of online dating.
218 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 8, 2022
67 people are currently reading
1068 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
September 6, 2022
I received this as a giveaway on Goodreads. I thought it would be a funny read since I have my share of dating horror stories. I couldn’t finish. While the bad dates are funny the stories come with a high dose of fat phobic classist snobbery.
May 1, 2022
So many of these "humorous" stories aren't humorous. They often come down to the fact that the author or her sources do not make their expectations clear or say something before a situation derails completely.
I ended up somewhat disliking the author by the end of the book. Her pseudo-optimism, her judgmental attitude, and lack of taking any control on dates and then complaining about them all annoy me and speak poorly for her.
She liked one man until he showed he a video of his favorite band? Okay, it was bizarre but, that's all it took?
Her "friend" Susie is a little person. But, to say she reached out to show her engagement ring, "not that she could reach very far". Or to cite multiple examples of her use of a step stool. Or to refer to Susie as being a " little beacon of light". All of those bother me and I am 5'9". The mention of her being a little person was enough. After that the mentions border on discrimination.
The instance where she spent time texting and talking to a guy before they went to TopGolf for their first date and later he sent a text saying he wasn't interested in a relationship but would like to play golf and have sex with her. Tacky, yes. But she moans about the time and effort she wasted. She was the one who had their next date all planned out in her head. The whole day plotted. And she was mad because he didn't want to lead her on about his feelings? Would she prefer he ghosted her? The story makes him look tacky and her seem a little psycho.
Some of the stories are humorous in a "what was he thinking" way, not a ha ha way.
I ended up somewhat disliking the author by the end of the book. Her pseudo-optimism, her judgmental attitude, and lack of taking any control on dates and then complaining about them all annoy me and speak poorly for her.
She liked one man until he showed he a video of his favorite band? Okay, it was bizarre but, that's all it took?
Her "friend" Susie is a little person. But, to say she reached out to show her engagement ring, "not that she could reach very far". Or to cite multiple examples of her use of a step stool. Or to refer to Susie as being a " little beacon of light". All of those bother me and I am 5'9". The mention of her being a little person was enough. After that the mentions border on discrimination.
The instance where she spent time texting and talking to a guy before they went to TopGolf for their first date and later he sent a text saying he wasn't interested in a relationship but would like to play golf and have sex with her. Tacky, yes. But she moans about the time and effort she wasted. She was the one who had their next date all planned out in her head. The whole day plotted. And she was mad because he didn't want to lead her on about his feelings? Would she prefer he ghosted her? The story makes him look tacky and her seem a little psycho.
Some of the stories are humorous in a "what was he thinking" way, not a ha ha way.
June 3, 2022
I received a Kindle version of this book through Goodreads for a honest review.
I have several friends that are re-entering the dating world. I have heard some of their stories and wanted to see how they compare. So sad. I am so glad that I am no longer in the dating scene. It seems like it is harder and harder to find a decent person to spend your time with. After reading this book and listening to my friends, if anything ever happens to my relationship, I'm done. Good luck to everyone out there trying to find their person. I'm not sure if I found this book funny or if it just makes me look at people in a not so positive light.
I have several friends that are re-entering the dating world. I have heard some of their stories and wanted to see how they compare. So sad. I am so glad that I am no longer in the dating scene. It seems like it is harder and harder to find a decent person to spend your time with. After reading this book and listening to my friends, if anything ever happens to my relationship, I'm done. Good luck to everyone out there trying to find their person. I'm not sure if I found this book funny or if it just makes me look at people in a not so positive light.
April 27, 2025
HILARIOUS AND SO ENTERTAINING!
This was hilarious! For someone who has done the online dating experience, I can totally relate to these stories! I have quite a few of my own I could contribute to her next book or perhaps write my own! In telling my friends about my experiences, I honestly thought I was the only one who had such wacky dates, so its good to know so many others have had similar catastrophes! I laughed out loud so many times during this book! So funny and almost hard to believe its true unless you have navigated bathe experience yourself. Loved it, Cathy writes very descriptively and beautifully.
This was hilarious! For someone who has done the online dating experience, I can totally relate to these stories! I have quite a few of my own I could contribute to her next book or perhaps write my own! In telling my friends about my experiences, I honestly thought I was the only one who had such wacky dates, so its good to know so many others have had similar catastrophes! I laughed out loud so many times during this book! So funny and almost hard to believe its true unless you have navigated bathe experience yourself. Loved it, Cathy writes very descriptively and beautifully.
June 1, 2022
I only finished this because I won it in a Goodreads Giveaway and felt bad not completing the review. The stories could be humorous, but the writing is poor. The writing is conversational and the dialogue is unbelievable. The worst part for me is that the author is super judgmental, commenting often on her dates’ looks, weight, and job. She mentions her own high profile job several times, as well as her various BMWs.
This was a no for me.
Thank you to Goodreads Giveaways and the author for providing a copy in exchange for my honest review.
This was a no for me.
Thank you to Goodreads Giveaways and the author for providing a copy in exchange for my honest review.
September 6, 2022
While anyone that has tried online dating, it's challenging and you have to have a certain amount of humor as well as patience with it.
Being positive, the concept is good to share one's experience with online dating.
However, I thought the author comes across as judgmental and stereotypes people and a challenge to make it through the book.
Putting yourself out there personally, one has to have a level of honesty with themselves as well as the other person to not waste your or their time.
Being positive, the concept is good to share one's experience with online dating.
However, I thought the author comes across as judgmental and stereotypes people and a challenge to make it through the book.
Putting yourself out there personally, one has to have a level of honesty with themselves as well as the other person to not waste your or their time.
March 21, 2023
There was this time....
True stories of the online dating world for the ladies who already have their $&it together. Who are not looking for a project but an equal mature human man. One would think that would be an easy thing to do but you have to kiss a lot of toads and that doesn't even come close to finding the one. Catherine Berra has been on some strange dates and let's you tag along.
True stories of the online dating world for the ladies who already have their $&it together. Who are not looking for a project but an equal mature human man. One would think that would be an easy thing to do but you have to kiss a lot of toads and that doesn't even come close to finding the one. Catherine Berra has been on some strange dates and let's you tag along.
March 25, 2023
This book on “online” dating is hilarious.
I’m over 70 years old, been married for over 45 years and thank God I’m not in the online dating pool.
These stories are hilarious and unbelievable at times. I have learned what not to do if I ever have the need to do online dating. Not something I’m interested to do in this stage of my life.
Just a fun read about some unbelievable people in this world of craziness of online dating.
.
I’m over 70 years old, been married for over 45 years and thank God I’m not in the online dating pool.
These stories are hilarious and unbelievable at times. I have learned what not to do if I ever have the need to do online dating. Not something I’m interested to do in this stage of my life.
Just a fun read about some unbelievable people in this world of craziness of online dating.
.
April 5, 2023
Happy trails Cathy.
I enjoyed this book and the wild, crazy experiences. I’m on my third marriage and I can attest to the worthwhile effort of finding “the right one”. My wife and I now have been married for 40 plus years. She is the most beautiful, talented and wonderful person in the world. The author does a great job of describing the dangers and pitfalls of online dating. Some could actually turn it very bad. Be careful out there Cathy and good luck!
I enjoyed this book and the wild, crazy experiences. I’m on my third marriage and I can attest to the worthwhile effort of finding “the right one”. My wife and I now have been married for 40 plus years. She is the most beautiful, talented and wonderful person in the world. The author does a great job of describing the dangers and pitfalls of online dating. Some could actually turn it very bad. Be careful out there Cathy and good luck!
May 9, 2022
I read this book for the 52 books in 52 weeks reading challenge. I used a 2022 prompt for an april mini challenge. I used the prompt a comical read. I did giggle in a few places. Having never had a dating experience It wasn't super relatable to my life. Although i do know a few friends that have experienced something similar.
July 27, 2022
I won this book in the Goodreads giveaways. I wasn't going to finish reading it after the first paragraph, but I did and it was disappointing. It truly felt as though the author is overly dramatic and her dramatic friends said, oh, the way you judged and treated that person is hilarious, you really need to write a book. This was not for me.
September 5, 2024
It’s a very twisty story and never explains what the Duke’s original problem with the evil one was. Lots of period details of manners, customs and dress. It got a little long but I never lost interest. In the end all the good guys are reunited.
The Duke, Leon/Leonee, Rupert, duke’ sister and husband, lots of French and English noblemen.
The Duke, Leon/Leonee, Rupert, duke’ sister and husband, lots of French and English noblemen.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 6, 2022
as an older human.....
and a fellow sufferer of on-line dating, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. In fact, I wish it was longer. I entered that realm in the early 2000s and it was nightmarishly ridiculous.
and a fellow sufferer of on-line dating, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. In fact, I wish it was longer. I entered that realm in the early 2000s and it was nightmarishly ridiculous.
May 3, 2022
thanks for the warnings!!
I’m glad to read that her group of girlfriends can laugh at the crazy, inappropriate, stupid, sleazy and clueless behavior of men. Unbelievable funny stories.
I’m glad to read that her group of girlfriends can laugh at the crazy, inappropriate, stupid, sleazy and clueless behavior of men. Unbelievable funny stories.
May 14, 2022
Glad it's not me
Sometimes it's fun to read that odd book you know nothing about. I couldn't even imagine the difficulties of using dating apps, let alone the strange things in this book. Scary stuff when you think in terms of people and relationships.
Sometimes it's fun to read that odd book you know nothing about. I couldn't even imagine the difficulties of using dating apps, let alone the strange things in this book. Scary stuff when you think in terms of people and relationships.
June 19, 2022
Jokes
I'm not usually one for comedic stories, especially "dating" ones but this... just wow. These stories had me laughing so loud at points, I'm sure to the unsuspecting neighbor I sounded like a loon. Loved them though and I sure hope others readers feel the same.
I'm not usually one for comedic stories, especially "dating" ones but this... just wow. These stories had me laughing so loud at points, I'm sure to the unsuspecting neighbor I sounded like a loon. Loved them though and I sure hope others readers feel the same.
August 21, 2022
Why do we like watching train wrecks? This book was a great diversion. Fun, pathetic stories of online dating. Had me shaking my head at the crazy things people say and do. A great read when you want to escape. A read for the fun of it.
March 21, 2023
I don't do comedies I'm more an extreme horror loved but I really did laugh at this book.some of the things she was put off by tho I reckon she added for dramatics as they really wernt that bad unless she's a real prude but nonetheless it's well worth a read well done x
April 11, 2022
ding-a-ling central
I hate, in a way, to say this book was funny. But well, it was! This is the definition of truth is stranger than fiction. Very entertaining.
I hate, in a way, to say this book was funny. But well, it was! This is the definition of truth is stranger than fiction. Very entertaining.
May 7, 2022
Oh boy!
Loved all the horror stories in this book! Every one made me so happy that I am not in the dating world lol.
Loved all the horror stories in this book! Every one made me so happy that I am not in the dating world lol.
June 1, 2022
Humorous stories of the modern dating world.
March 19, 2023
This stories are true
This collection of funny stories about bad dating dates they were funny and unbelievable but she just kept trying very funny
This collection of funny stories about bad dating dates they were funny and unbelievable but she just kept trying very funny
April 14, 2023
Funny and insane stories all at once. Humorous and sad at the same some are just unbelievable. I throughly enjoyed reading this book. More Please!
Read
January 17, 2026This book was ok but the stories seemed to all have a similar theme.
June 10, 2022
Entertaining read!
You will laugh, you will cry, but you will love this hidden gem! Fun stories mixed with sad trivia of modern day dating.
You will laugh, you will cry, but you will love this hidden gem! Fun stories mixed with sad trivia of modern day dating.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews