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The Date

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How do you impress the father of a girl you like?
Survive.

When Dean lands a date with his dream girl Lara, he’s nervous about meeting her protective
family first.
Dates are always nerve-wracking, but Dean will remember this one for the rest of his life.
However short that life might be.

WARNING: There might be some violence in this story...

ebook

Published August 16, 2022

2 people are currently reading
182 people want to read

About the author

Mort Stone

3 books1,619 followers
Mort Stone is a reader, reviewer, editor and award winning writer. The award in question was second place at the county fair for handwriting when he was eight years old. It was a blue ribbon!

A socially awkward introvert, he will be the life of the party once he relaxes and is all by himself. Growing up as somewhat of a movie buff, his discovery of the family comedy PET SEMATARY when he was thirteen years old developed a life-long love of darker stories. And humor. And a keen eye for misspelled words.

He was already in his twenties when he first tried his hand at writing. Having given up on ever becoming a professional athlete in extreme sports like speed chess, needle-less knitting and invisible ink Sudoku, the world of books remained his one constant.

His journey took decades before he sent one of his stories out into the world for public consumption, with his novelette THE DATE being chosen as the 8th winner of the Emerge series by D&T publishing.

Mort hopes to entertain you by either scaring you or making you laugh, and if all goes well both, with his brand of dark humor on top of truly horrific events. You know, like his school pictures.

He is a resident of a third world country, where he lives with his wife (he married up), his son (he was truly blessed), two dogs, three cats and all the unlucky animals they manage to catch and bring him…in a strange way making him feel like a resident of an animal cemetery.

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5 stars
43 (57%)
4 stars
25 (33%)
3 stars
6 (8%)
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1 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
Profile Image for Kay.
2,212 reviews1,196 followers
August 12, 2022
Great debut!

Maybe I'm into a bloody kind of horror and do not know it? 😱 This is a fun short story that kept me guessing until the end!

Sixteen-year-old Dean is excited and nervous at the same time. And for a good reason. Lara who is out of his league and doesn't date asked him out to see a horror movie (scary movie turns her on!), but he must first meet the family. Lucky Dean? Or not. You be the judge!

I was invited to read this ARC by the author.
Profile Image for Peter.
4,033 reviews787 followers
August 19, 2022
Absolutely loved that little twisty tale of yours with its surprising denouement and reference to famous horror movies. What a date it is, ha. "Want to fuck my daughter?" LOL. The father is directly getting to the point. Here you learn the true reason why Dean is given a date by Laura, his beautiful school mate. Brilliant and entertaining stuff. Just updated my review to avoid any possible spoilers (thanks Mort). Horror hits home. Highly recommended!
Profile Image for Michelle .
1,070 reviews1,874 followers
August 10, 2022
Remember being 16 years old and going on your first date with the person you've been crushing on secretly for months. The butterflies, the sweaty palms, the heart palpitations that come from a mixture of anxiety and excitement.

Well, that's what's happening to Dean as he approaches the front door to the stunningly beautiful Lara's house. With all the courage he can muster he manages to knock on the door, a door that when once opened, will alter his life in ways he could never imagine.

This novella is disturbing, disgusting, and funny too which is exactly what I would expect from Mort Stone. Thanks, my friend, for thinking of me and allowing me the honors to review this sick little story. 4 stars!
Profile Image for Leeanne 🥀 The Book Whor3 🥀.
367 reviews193 followers
August 9, 2022
I was lucky enough to receive this as an ARC from the author and I feel very honoured! This was a phenomenal piece of work, and I’m so glad it’s being published with a stunningly beautiful cover to top it off. The Date is a very story but packs a mighty punch! This is a fabulous horror with some splatter, which won’t be for everyone but for those who like this genre, y’all need to read it!

You so deserve this Mort, good luck my friend!!
Profile Image for Reading .
496 reviews263 followers
August 10, 2022
I don't think there's much vision to this story, it's pretty straightforward and lacks imagination.

It reminded me of something I read by Rayne Havok but it doesn't work for me this particular story because it feels forced.

I see most people who also got the ARC from the author gave it five stars, that's insane.

You're not helping this author by being kind, I mean clearly this is not a five star read.

My advice to you as a reader is take your time, focus on details, develop your characters better and edit better - there was spelling mistakes.

I didn't believe the story, I wasn't convinced.
Profile Image for MadameD.
585 reviews54 followers
August 9, 2022
I was lucky to receive the advance copy of The Date by Mort Stone.
I loved it!
This short horror story is very well written, it has a good plot , interesting characters and dark humor.
Dean’s date with Lara, the girl of his dreams, is memorable.
Be careful of what you’re wishing for.🤣
I highly recommend it!
Profile Image for Marie.
1,112 reviews389 followers
August 9, 2022
Awesome!

Backstory:

Dean wants to make a great impression with his date, Lara and hopes everything turns out okay with her parents the first time he meets them, but dating plans can go so wrong so quick and Dean finds out that first impressions are lasting ones!

Thoughts:

This short story was twisted and messed up along with keeping me riveted to my kindle as I was literally on the edge of my seat! This was a debut book by Mort Stone and I have to say that I was very impressed with this story! There was quite a bit of splatter as well which makes this short story worthy of my gore suit! Giving this story five "Dating Horror" stars!


My thanks to the author for sending me an advanced copy for an honest review.
Profile Image for Pat.
2,310 reviews499 followers
August 21, 2022
This short story packed a big punch! There are laughs, there is blood and there is “what the fuck happened”!

When Dean gets a date with the girl of his dreams he is unaware that her family are a little on the strange side and are planning to prank him. This date does definitely not go according to plan.

Fabulous debut Mort, I really loved it, and thank you for letting me read it prior to publication! And that cover is gorgeous!
Profile Image for KillerBunny.
269 reviews156 followers
August 9, 2022
That story will gut punch you and you will ask for more. I'm serious, I'm hoping to read other stories by Mort Stone in the future.
Profile Image for Jeffrey Caston.
Author 11 books194 followers
February 26, 2023
Mort Stone. He’s a lot of things to me and to a lot of people in the reading/horror world, especially the indie writing slice of that group.

A great, patient, friend.

A solid editor.

A very, very funny, guy.

Without a doubt the most amusing reviewer I’ve encountered.

One of the nicest people I’ve had the pleasure to come across on social media.

None of that is affecting my judgment as to what I’m going to say next or the rating I reached. Well, the humor bit does, but that should be obvious.

But now, having read The Date, I am adding one more thing to that list:

Awesome storyteller.

I have a particular criteria that I am looking for when I delve into a short story that also ultimately determines whether I like it. I judge short stories differently than regular books. (I judge other types of books differently, too, as I suppose all of us do. A five-star cookbook is not the same as a five-star novel.) But, me personally, with a short story, I am looking for something that gets me engaged right off the bat; keeps me guessing as to where it is going (preferably the whole time); and surprises me at the end.

The Date hit all those marks. It starts out our main character, sixteen year old Dean, approaching the home of his date, the amazing Lara Reed, a young woman who seems WAY out of Dean’s league. The scenario is Dean is coming to meet Lara’s family for the first time. No pressure, right? Yikes. Anybody would be nervous before a first date. I can remember how that felt approaching the door to an imposing home when I met my date’s (now spouse’s) family. Thanks very little for that little PTSD trip now memory lane, dude. Yeesh. But it got me invested.

Anway, I get a bit into the story and I’m wondering, hmmm… is this a cautionary tale? So it had me engaged right off the bat.

It kept me guessing as to what was happening with little clues sprinkled in, here and there. The POV shifts and we also get flashbacks to Dean’s preparation and discussion of the upcoming date with his buddy. Then Mort convincingly gets me immersed into Dean’s mind. He perfectly captured the voice and perspective of a 16 year old kid nervous about his date.

I can’t really get into too much more without spoiling it. So suffice it to say I was engaged, wondered the whole time how it was going to play out, and then after my mind raced through ALL kinds of possibilities, Mort Stone managed to throw a little twist in there that had me going OH MAN!!! WILD!

Infused with Mort’s great sense of humor, I found this short story very entertaining and I enjoyed it immensely. I can ask no more.

Well done, good sir. Well done.
Profile Image for Renée.
225 reviews3 followers
August 9, 2022
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this story. This is a well written, punchy little read with a surprise twist. Made me LOL too! Very impressive but I expected nothing less from Mort. I can’t wait to see what he writes next!
Profile Image for The Yeti Reads and Reviews.
338 reviews17 followers
August 4, 2023
Dean was worried about going out on a date with Lara Reed; it was known that she didn’t date due to her overprotective father, however, to his surprise, she asked him to take her out. Once he gets there, his nerves start to get the best of him. Dean takes a deep breath and knocks on Reed's door. Little does he know that his entire life is about to take a turn. A great story from the Emerge series is available on Godless. Funny, fast-paced, and out of control. Everything that may go wrong does. It was definitely a fun read. Check it out!



5 severed fingers out of 5
526 reviews45 followers
August 12, 2022
This short story by Mort was awesome fast paced and in your face with a twist at the end that leaves you going..... OH SHIIT. I dug the fact that I could see some of Mort's influences in this story. I saw the dark humor that reminded me of movies like "Cheap Thrills" and Bloody Hell because this story leads you down a path of violence that has the effect of a train wreck... You're seeing the chaos and destruction happening but there is nothing you can do but watch and go what the fuck .... Nooo just why. The other thing I noticed about this story was how crisp and clean the writing was just razor sharp and to the point. My only complaint is I want more. I think Mort is just getting started and I can't wait for the next one. This comes out 8/16 on godless.com as part of the emerge series. Go get this you won't be disappointed.
Profile Image for Michael J..
1,034 reviews34 followers
August 9, 2022
Wisely, Mort Stone begins his jarring short story with a lead-in that gives readers time to empathize and sympathize with the young protagonist. Who doesn't remember being nervous on their first date?
Standing on the doorstep/front porch, timidly knocking on the door and hoping a friendly face will greet you, and not an antagonistic or angry father/parent?
From that point forward, it's full speed ahead in a fast-paced story that I finished in one quick reading. Stone ramps up the energy, action, and ultra-violence in a deeply dark but comedic piece that is (to quote one of my favorite rockabilly albums by Dave Edmunds) "Subtle As A Flying Mallet!"
The date from Hell? Well, pretty damn close!
As long as you're not deeply sensitive towards this subject, join in for a wild one. Ripping good! Delightful!
Profile Image for Ian.
551 reviews83 followers
August 9, 2022
What a fantastically unique short horror story, packed with lots of bloody action and great characters.

Going on a first date? - then don’t take anything for granted!

You know what, I can still hear those sirens blaring away, even now….

Thanks for the advanced copy, Mort - much appreciated and thoroughly enjoyed. Looking forward to your next gruesome instalment of crazy, chilling madness.

Rating: 4.6 bloody red, glowing bright stars of pure fun.
Profile Image for River Dixon.
Author 20 books89 followers
August 12, 2022
Yeah, I liked this story. I thought it was a fun read and had a nice tension that was established early on and carried throughout. I look forward to seeing what the author comes up with next.
Profile Image for Rachel M.
409 reviews17 followers
August 18, 2022
Full review available at The Mort Report………. Just kidding! 😂

Thoroughly enjoyed this one! Short fast paced story, you kinda think you guess where the story is heading to find a surprisingly little twist thrown in at the end. Hope to see more from Mort in the future 😊
Profile Image for Corrina Morse.
815 reviews121 followers
August 16, 2022
This is the next installment in the D&T Publishing/Godless Emerge series, and what an installment!! This might just be my fave yet! This was an awesome, fun read!

Dean has been invited on a date with Lara! Lara is way out of his league, and she has a very protective and intimidating Dad! Dean is understandably nervous, but little does he know how justified those nerves are for what is to follow! A totally unexpected night ensues, a night that is brutal, nuts and very bloody!
Mort gives us a real tense and intriguing build up, then smacks us in the face with some pure and brilliant savagery, and some fantastic twists! I absolutely loved this! Humorous, fun, fast paced and bloody, I read it in one sitting and didn't want it to end!

The family that plays together - stays together!! 😉
Profile Image for Richard Bankey.
469 reviews34 followers
August 15, 2022
This one was a lot of fun. Meeting the parents on a first date taken to another level. 4.5 🌟
Profile Image for Frank.
Author 36 books130 followers
December 27, 2022
Mort Stone offers up his first officially published twisted tale the likes of which would have Rod Serling clawing his way back from the grave to offer up as an episode of The Twilight Zone. This short is well crafted to provide equal parts intrigue, chills and squirms. Every word drags you along with baited breath to the next until the final shocking moment.

Save THE DATE with Mort Stone and don't you dare stand him up.
Profile Image for Nikki.
240 reviews20 followers
August 9, 2022
This is an amazing short story that packs a punch! This is what happens when a first date spins dangerously out of control. It was kind of like the movie Scream meets April Fools day, but then again also stayed very different and original. There are some twists and turns and the characters are very memorable and realistic. Dean reminds me of the guy from scream (the one that knows all the horror movie “rules”) and Lara reminds me of Muffy from April Fools Day, but doesn’t come out quite as lucky as her.
I always enjoy reading Mort reviews and always thought he would make a great author and I was absolutely right!
You should read this! Your missing out on something special if you don’t!
Profile Image for Diana  | Indie Book Addict.
541 reviews24 followers
August 14, 2022
Dean is getting ready for a date with his dream girl Lara. He is a huge ball of nerves which is making all kinds of crazy thoughts run through his head. He’s heard horror stories about Lara’s dad and how she’s not allowed to date. Yet here he is, standing on her porch, waiting to meet the family. Once he talks himself into knocking on the door, everything changes.

The Date had me on the edge of my seat, especially when the scene in the basement started. This book is gripping, gory, and has a twist I wasn’t expecting. In fact, the ending was the exact opposite of what I figured was going to happen. The book flipping from past and present really adds to the story, especially once you realize what is actually happening. Great debut from Stone. I just wish it was longer. Based on this short, I would definitely read more of his work.

The Date is the eighth book in the Emerge series from D&T Publishing and Godless. If you haven’t read any of them, you are missing out. Each book is a standalone written by an emerging author and each one has been brilliant! Short reads that pack in some great details. Grab them all!
Profile Image for Nick.
140 reviews33 followers
August 10, 2022
THIS SHORT STORY I RECEVIED FREE FROM THE AUTHOR FOR MY REVIEW.

ALERT – Quotes from book in review.

The Date is an awesome short horror story.

Horror movies are referred to throughout the story and they fit in perfectly

A boy called Dean is extremely nervous when he arrives at Lara’s home to take her on a date. Already, this short story drew me in as I remembered my nervous self and all those girls who were (quote) “out of my league”.

The story jumps to the before, where Dean and his best friend Jimmy discuss his forthcoming date. Lara’s dad and brother can both be overprotective. And back in the now that is certainly the case!

Lara’s family are not all they seem, and they have a secret which results in plenty of gore and violence.

There is a great quote “It was important to do things as a family. And when a family has fun together, it is a sign of healthy, happy people”. This family are twisted sickos!

Then, in the grand finale there is a twist which changes everything! A surprising revelation!

What a fantastic, excellent horror read!

Thanks Mr Mort Stone
Profile Image for Kate Victoria RescueandReading.
1,872 reviews108 followers
October 17, 2024
I wasn’t sure what to expect when picking up Mort’s debut novel, but was gruesomely and happily surprised.

It’s a small, but explosive (like dynamite 🧨 ) tale with twists and turns that are hard to predict. Who knew a date could go so, so terribly wrong. I’m definitely glad to be engaged and out of THAT playing field, you never know what skeletons might be in a person’s closet, or monsters in their homes…

“I really like this guy, daddy. You’ll allow him to date me if he makes it through tonight, right?”
Profile Image for D.W. Hitz.
Author 38 books176 followers
August 9, 2022
Stone has a great voice and the story is thrilling to the end. Highly recommend.
Profile Image for Jeremy Fowler.
Author 1 book29 followers
August 12, 2022
When I think back on the first dates that I went on in high school I think of all the anxiety and of trying to make a good first impression. This story captures all of those feelings to a tee.

Mort Stone has written a truly harrowing account of first dates and intimidating family members. I loved this book from start to finish and found myself racing to see how it would conclude. It is fast-paced and gruesome, but I feel totally justified in all the actions. I can't say I would have reacted any differently!

Check this out!
Profile Image for Vicky K22.
31 reviews17 followers
August 19, 2022
Holy shit! this was such a wild ride ,I was immediately sucked into it ! Thank you Mort , cannot wait to read more masterpieces from you! I absolutely loved it!
Profile Image for Caleb CW.
Author 1 book32 followers
August 25, 2022
So as the great Rafiki once said, "It is time."

This little guy had a typical high school setup of two buddies discussing the main's impossible luck of getting to go on a date with the school's untouchable. By that I mean her parents don't allow anyone to date her because... well they're good parents. They allow her a range of freedom but want the best of the best. However in being decent parents they also go along with whatever their princess wants which proves to be poor parenting. In this instance they should have just said no kid. Things would have turned out better for everyone.

This was a fun little story and I thank the author for entrusting me with an ARC, you're a gem Mort. As it is I can't remember the characters' names which is part of why my rating got dropped to 3. I will say I read it all in one sitting and had a good time trying to figure out what the blast was going on. Really good debut. It reminded me of good horror movies like The Loved Ones and Cry Wolf mixed really well with its own voice. Good stuff.

There it is and there you have it.
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