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Not Meeting Mr Right
Alice Aigner is successful, independent, and a confirmed serial dater, but at her 10-year school reunion she has a sudden change of heart. Bored rigid by her married, mortgaged, and motherly former classmates, Alice decides to prove that a woman can have it all: a man, marriage, career, kids, and a mind of her own. She sets herself a goal: meet the perfect man and marry him before her 30th birthday, just under two years away. Unfortunately for Alice, it's not quite as easy as she imagines.
352 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2007
8 people are currently reading
369 people want to read
About the author
Anita Heiss
39 books577 followersProfessor Anita Heiss – bio
Anita is a proud member of the Wiradjuri nation of central New South Wales, and is one of Australia’s most prolific and well-known authors, publishing across genres, including non-fiction, historical fiction, commercial fiction and children’s novels.
Her adult fiction includes Not Meeting Mr Right, Avoiding Mr Right, Manhattan Dreaming, Paris Dreaming and Tiddas. Her most recent books include Barbed Wire and Cherry Blossoms which was longlisted for the Dublin International Literary Prize and was named the University of Canberra’s 2020 Book of the Year.
The anthology Growing Up Aboriginal in Australia which Anita edited, was named the Small Publisher Adult Book of the Year at the 2019 Australian Book Industry Awards.
Anita’s children’s literature includes Kicking Goals with Goodesy and Magic, co-written with Adam Goodes and Michael O’Loughlin. She also wrote two kids’ novels with students from La Perouse Public School - Yirra and her deadly dog Demon and Demon Guards the School Yard, and more recently, Harry’s Secret and Matty’s Comeback.
Anita’s other published works also include the historical novel Who Am I? The Diary of Mary Talence, Sydney 1937, non-fiction text Dhuuluu-Yala (To Talk Straight) – Publishing Aboriginal Literature, and The Macquarie PEN Anthology of Aboriginal Literature, which she co-authored with Peter Minter.
In 2004 Anita was listed in The Bulletin magazine’s “Smart 100”. Her memoir Am I Black Enough for You? was a finalist in the 2012 Human Rights Awards and she was a finalist in the 2013 Australian of the Year Awards (Local Hero).
As an advocate for Indigenous literacy, Anita has worked in remote communities as a role model and encouraging young Indigenous Australians to write their own stories. On an international level she has performed her own work and lectured on Aboriginal literature across the globe at universities and conferences, consulates and embassies in the USA, Canada, the UK, Tahiti, Fiji, New Caledonia, Spain, Japan, Austria, Germany and New Zealand.
Anita is proud to be a Lifetime Ambassador for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation, and an Ambassador of Worawa Aboriginal College, the GO Foundation and the Sydney Swans.
She is on the Board of the State Library of Queensland, CIRCA and the University of QLD Press. In 2019 Anita was appointed a Professor of Communications at the University of QLD and in 2020 is the Artist in Residence at La Boitte Theatre.
Anita’s website: www.anitaheiss.com
Storytime with Aunty Nita: https://www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/lib...
Anita is a proud member of the Wiradjuri nation of central New South Wales, and is one of Australia’s most prolific and well-known authors, publishing across genres, including non-fiction, historical fiction, commercial fiction and children’s novels.
Her adult fiction includes Not Meeting Mr Right, Avoiding Mr Right, Manhattan Dreaming, Paris Dreaming and Tiddas. Her most recent books include Barbed Wire and Cherry Blossoms which was longlisted for the Dublin International Literary Prize and was named the University of Canberra’s 2020 Book of the Year.
The anthology Growing Up Aboriginal in Australia which Anita edited, was named the Small Publisher Adult Book of the Year at the 2019 Australian Book Industry Awards.
Anita’s children’s literature includes Kicking Goals with Goodesy and Magic, co-written with Adam Goodes and Michael O’Loughlin. She also wrote two kids’ novels with students from La Perouse Public School - Yirra and her deadly dog Demon and Demon Guards the School Yard, and more recently, Harry’s Secret and Matty’s Comeback.
Anita’s other published works also include the historical novel Who Am I? The Diary of Mary Talence, Sydney 1937, non-fiction text Dhuuluu-Yala (To Talk Straight) – Publishing Aboriginal Literature, and The Macquarie PEN Anthology of Aboriginal Literature, which she co-authored with Peter Minter.
In 2004 Anita was listed in The Bulletin magazine’s “Smart 100”. Her memoir Am I Black Enough for You? was a finalist in the 2012 Human Rights Awards and she was a finalist in the 2013 Australian of the Year Awards (Local Hero).
As an advocate for Indigenous literacy, Anita has worked in remote communities as a role model and encouraging young Indigenous Australians to write their own stories. On an international level she has performed her own work and lectured on Aboriginal literature across the globe at universities and conferences, consulates and embassies in the USA, Canada, the UK, Tahiti, Fiji, New Caledonia, Spain, Japan, Austria, Germany and New Zealand.
Anita is proud to be a Lifetime Ambassador for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation, and an Ambassador of Worawa Aboriginal College, the GO Foundation and the Sydney Swans.
She is on the Board of the State Library of Queensland, CIRCA and the University of QLD Press. In 2019 Anita was appointed a Professor of Communications at the University of QLD and in 2020 is the Artist in Residence at La Boitte Theatre.
Anita’s website: www.anitaheiss.com
Storytime with Aunty Nita: https://www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/lib...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
July 27, 2021
I haven't any idea why we were set this for a women's writing course. Apparently we're meant to read this as satire (which as you'll see, is hard), begging the question: who is this written for? The average reader won't come to it actively thinking of the kinds of things our professor or Anita Heiss, also an academic, are. And by making fun of the key tenants of this kind of women's genre, aren't we belittling it--the exact thing a lot of academics in women's popular fiction are fighting against (when suggesting chick lit can be smart and feminist)?
I don't think Heiss subverts the tenants of the genre enough to really achieve anything here. In fact, I think she actually works against herself. This is basically Indigenous Sex and the City, even topped with references to Streisand and Redford in The Way We Were (looking for her Mr Right aka Mr Big) and the three easily summarised girlfriends. So why is Heiss taking a model for a story that she, or my professor, might announce as post-feminist, capitalist, and so very white for her Indigenous heroine? Isn't that on the nose? More importantly, before her quest for Mr Right, Alice knows that women get too easily consumed talking about their man, their babies; she knows the single life is great--so why does she got full crazy and decide she suddenly needs to be married in the next two years to show she can do it and not lose herself? Yes yes, Heiss, she ends up becoming that. How unexpected (!). But if all she was ever looking for was some guys to take her trash out and service her--that's what she gets. That's not some clever argument. It's so cynical. It all was so shallow and insincere and an insult to the genre.
I do think that "chick lit" can be well written and smart AND not condescending and this was none of those things. Alice is just a bag of contradictions: she loves Tiffany jewellery, European luxury cars, and Moet wine but she waxes cynical about the god-awful soggy 80s fish-and-chip joint being replaced by latté places when that kind of coffee culture grew in Australia from working class migrant Italians. Her faith is Catholic which is has long supported ownership and the idea of the dominant male-as-centre ideology but she never considers how that might ever work alongside Koori culture and in fact we never hear about her culture or how she works between the two. Although, she doesn't set much by those values. She's homophobic, constantly defending herself as straight--if a potential suitor of Alice's did the same she'd rip into him. Is this making fun of women? Of chick lit? Of "white women"? Urgh. Why is modern politics so segregationists? I feel like this is just a white chick lit story, but we've just changed our heroine to be Indigenous and that's supposed to do something or say something, to satirize, all on it's own.
Apparently it's ironic, our prof says. Generous two stars.
I don't think Heiss subverts the tenants of the genre enough to really achieve anything here. In fact, I think she actually works against herself. This is basically Indigenous Sex and the City, even topped with references to Streisand and Redford in The Way We Were (looking for her Mr Right aka Mr Big) and the three easily summarised girlfriends. So why is Heiss taking a model for a story that she, or my professor, might announce as post-feminist, capitalist, and so very white for her Indigenous heroine? Isn't that on the nose? More importantly, before her quest for Mr Right, Alice knows that women get too easily consumed talking about their man, their babies; she knows the single life is great--so why does she got full crazy and decide she suddenly needs to be married in the next two years to show she can do it and not lose herself? Yes yes, Heiss, she ends up becoming that. How unexpected (!). But if all she was ever looking for was some guys to take her trash out and service her--that's what she gets. That's not some clever argument. It's so cynical. It all was so shallow and insincere and an insult to the genre.
I do think that "chick lit" can be well written and smart AND not condescending and this was none of those things. Alice is just a bag of contradictions: she loves Tiffany jewellery, European luxury cars, and Moet wine but she waxes cynical about the god-awful soggy 80s fish-and-chip joint being replaced by latté places when that kind of coffee culture grew in Australia from working class migrant Italians. Her faith is Catholic which is has long supported ownership and the idea of the dominant male-as-centre ideology but she never considers how that might ever work alongside Koori culture and in fact we never hear about her culture or how she works between the two. Although, she doesn't set much by those values. She's homophobic, constantly defending herself as straight--if a potential suitor of Alice's did the same she'd rip into him. Is this making fun of women? Of chick lit? Of "white women"? Urgh. Why is modern politics so segregationists? I feel like this is just a white chick lit story, but we've just changed our heroine to be Indigenous and that's supposed to do something or say something, to satirize, all on it's own.
Apparently it's ironic, our prof says. Generous two stars.
July 14, 2022
July: NAIDOC reads
When I think of books written by and/or about Aboriginal Australians, I associate it with literary fiction or memoir tackling the harsh truths of colonisation, racism and reconciliation in Australia. When I think of Anita Heiss I picture her more prominent work "Am I Black Enough For You?"
This book is clearly neither of those things. And yet, I think it is just as important. For readers like me, who read mainly for fun and to escape, who will choose light-hearted and sweet over raw and hard-hitting, a rom-com with a Koori protagonist is just as important as a vehicle for representation and diversity as those literary heavyweights.
Alice Aigner challenges the stereotype of a young Aboriginal woman-- she is a smart, confident, successful, and regrettably single, woman living in Sydney looking for her Mr. Right. Alice faces all of the typical challenges any romantic lead would in her situation-- dodgy blind dates, drunken mishaps, heart break and despair at all those "succesful" couples. Add in casual racism, out-and-out racism, a newbie Aboriginal and some healthy doses of the truth about colonialism, Alice stands true as a "deadly and desirable" romantic lead.
While I love what this book means for #weneeddiversebooks, it was pretty middle of the road as a romance for me. I liked Alice and her friends, but don't love the 'dating my way to Mr. Right' storyline. I wanted to spend more time with Alice on her eventual romance than with all of the whinging about duds along the way.
When I think of books written by and/or about Aboriginal Australians, I associate it with literary fiction or memoir tackling the harsh truths of colonisation, racism and reconciliation in Australia. When I think of Anita Heiss I picture her more prominent work "Am I Black Enough For You?"
This book is clearly neither of those things. And yet, I think it is just as important. For readers like me, who read mainly for fun and to escape, who will choose light-hearted and sweet over raw and hard-hitting, a rom-com with a Koori protagonist is just as important as a vehicle for representation and diversity as those literary heavyweights.
Alice Aigner challenges the stereotype of a young Aboriginal woman-- she is a smart, confident, successful, and regrettably single, woman living in Sydney looking for her Mr. Right. Alice faces all of the typical challenges any romantic lead would in her situation-- dodgy blind dates, drunken mishaps, heart break and despair at all those "succesful" couples. Add in casual racism, out-and-out racism, a newbie Aboriginal and some healthy doses of the truth about colonialism, Alice stands true as a "deadly and desirable" romantic lead.
While I love what this book means for #weneeddiversebooks, it was pretty middle of the road as a romance for me. I liked Alice and her friends, but don't love the 'dating my way to Mr. Right' storyline. I wanted to spend more time with Alice on her eventual romance than with all of the whinging about duds along the way.
October 14, 2014
I'll make this short and sweet. I very much disliked everything about this novel. I mean if it wasn't for my Australian literature unit I would never have read it. A number of reasons why I disliked it and I may be a little bias:
1. I don't generally enjoy the 'sex and the city genre' which is what this book was going for.
2. It was absolutely disappointing in the respect to the Aboriginal culture. I'm not aboriginal but I didn't really get any new idea of what it is like from the story. I genuinely stepped away from this book not learning anything new. I know this isn't a historical book or whatever but I don't get why it is referred to as Koori chick lit, it just seemed very regular.
3. There was nothing special about it and it was VERY predictable.
4. The main character was shallow and rude. she annoyed me for those reasons mentioned previously.
5. The author tried to get the character to stand out as a hard working, cultured amd political individual but it just didn't work.
I really can't say anything else. I would never have read this if I didn't have a choice. I almost didn't finish it because I genuinely knew hiw it would end.
Sorry for all the negative :(
enjoy reading it if you can
1. I don't generally enjoy the 'sex and the city genre' which is what this book was going for.
2. It was absolutely disappointing in the respect to the Aboriginal culture. I'm not aboriginal but I didn't really get any new idea of what it is like from the story. I genuinely stepped away from this book not learning anything new. I know this isn't a historical book or whatever but I don't get why it is referred to as Koori chick lit, it just seemed very regular.
3. There was nothing special about it and it was VERY predictable.
4. The main character was shallow and rude. she annoyed me for those reasons mentioned previously.
5. The author tried to get the character to stand out as a hard working, cultured amd political individual but it just didn't work.
I really can't say anything else. I would never have read this if I didn't have a choice. I almost didn't finish it because I genuinely knew hiw it would end.
Sorry for all the negative :(
enjoy reading it if you can
October 27, 2014
At first, I was unconvinced by the flat characterisation (it's difficult to grasp a character whose emotions, attitudes and feelings can be reduced to one line mantras). Then about halfway through, I realised I was meant to read it ironically. Heiss does not mean us to admire this character, unlike the empathy that's established for Bridget Jones. In fact in the end Heiss gives Alice exactly what she wants from a man: someone who literally takes out the garbage. In doing so, Heiss points to the dangers of an ambition that reduces partners to the level of a job or other goal. However, I think what this novel is missing is a strong, engaging voice. I have to commend Heiss for challenging racial stereotypes that represent indigenous people as 'in the outback' as a politician said recently, but honetly, I think I'll stick to gothic romance next time I'm looking for some light reading.
January 5, 2013
I have been wanting to read this book for years and when I had the chance to get a personally signed copy I grabbed it with both hands. It was worth the wait!
I was looking forward to reading a book that would make me laugh, as well as think. This novel might look like a relaxing beach read, but the characters are so strong-willed and opinionated that it was like being privy to an out-of-control dinner party conversation. They are exactly the kind of gals you would want to be seated next to at a wedding. They would definitely keep you entertained during the speeches!
I was torn between wanting Alice to find Mr. Right, and for her to continue her journey through Loserville so I could tag along! Good news is there are more books in the series!
I was looking forward to reading a book that would make me laugh, as well as think. This novel might look like a relaxing beach read, but the characters are so strong-willed and opinionated that it was like being privy to an out-of-control dinner party conversation. They are exactly the kind of gals you would want to be seated next to at a wedding. They would definitely keep you entertained during the speeches!
I was torn between wanting Alice to find Mr. Right, and for her to continue her journey through Loserville so I could tag along! Good news is there are more books in the series!
January 25, 2010
Indigenous Australian chick-lit! Totally awesome!
Heterocentric (naturally), but it’s chick lit, so what was I expecting? And so the heterocentricity is in no way a criticism.
Heiss’ characters are alive. Alice and her thick-headedness got on my nerves occasionally, but only occasionally. Generally it was great fun, and far more enjoyable than the sort of Marian Keyes-esque chick lit that I’ve read in the past – usually when desperate for something new to read. Alice’s circle of friends – and occasional dates – are described so very vividly that they almost leap off the page: as do her family. Although the parts of Sydney in which the book is set are *not* parts with which I am familiar (I only got east of the city twice in three years, and both times for movies), there’s a recogniseable Sydney flavour to it. For this reason, I’m particularly looking forward to reading Avoiding Mr Right, which is set in Melbourne.
Heterocentric (naturally), but it’s chick lit, so what was I expecting? And so the heterocentricity is in no way a criticism.
Heiss’ characters are alive. Alice and her thick-headedness got on my nerves occasionally, but only occasionally. Generally it was great fun, and far more enjoyable than the sort of Marian Keyes-esque chick lit that I’ve read in the past – usually when desperate for something new to read. Alice’s circle of friends – and occasional dates – are described so very vividly that they almost leap off the page: as do her family. Although the parts of Sydney in which the book is set are *not* parts with which I am familiar (I only got east of the city twice in three years, and both times for movies), there’s a recogniseable Sydney flavour to it. For this reason, I’m particularly looking forward to reading Avoiding Mr Right, which is set in Melbourne.
May 11, 2010
This is a very enjoyable, fun, light story. I laughed a lot with the main character Alice, who is smart, funny, likeable and down-to-earth. And the major bonus - her always amusing exploits are set to the sunny and familiar backdrop of Sydney.
I hardly ever read so called "chick lit" because I can't stand the pretentious wank, the incredibly stupid and unlikeable heroines and even more stupid story lines. But one Sunday morning I read an interview of Anita Heiss in the newspaper, who came across as a fun, intelligent person - who didn't sound like she was going to write the normal crap. So I'm glad I took the plunge and got this book.
I hardly ever read so called "chick lit" because I can't stand the pretentious wank, the incredibly stupid and unlikeable heroines and even more stupid story lines. But one Sunday morning I read an interview of Anita Heiss in the newspaper, who came across as a fun, intelligent person - who didn't sound like she was going to write the normal crap. So I'm glad I took the plunge and got this book.
September 14, 2022
Yay I finished it! Gosh. She was actually just so annoying. I could not have cared less about her. She was rude and obnoxious not just in dating but in her professional and personal life. Her inner monologue was painful. Those damn mantras. Get over yourself. And, as a shock to no one, the guy she found (in the damn epilogue) was the one right in front of her the whole time and even left little hints. You’d think he was close enough to witness she’s the worst but I guess Gary liked her anyways.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 10, 2020
I like other books by Anita Heiss and her advocacy for Aboriginal people and wanted to try one of her “chick-lit” books. Some important social justice themes and references in this book. Great to have an Aboriginal main character. Light-hearted read that I enjoyed. I liked the Australian setting and the main characters were appealing to me.
August 29, 2010
The first chic lit book from this Australian author. There's lots to laugh about from this novel. Enjoyable.
June 22, 2024
I’ve been meaning to read work by this renowned author for sometime as I’ve heard fabulous things about her.
Meeting and listening to Anita on the weekend at a retreat and being gifted one of her books was a double win.
The personality, convictions and humour was reiterated on the page in this fun and reflective book.
Alice is approaching 30 and the pressure to settle down and marry is coming from everywhere.
Although happy and successful in her career she decides she wants to be hitched before the milestone.
A journey into the online dating world and introductions from friends results in a series of dates and few broken hearts.
When you look too hard you meet with failure.
Sometimes taking a step back and removing the pressure you see a new perspective and you never know who may surface.
This was comedic, entertaining and so realistic.
Although new to Anita’s voice I instantly felt familiar and yearn to read more now.
Meeting and listening to Anita on the weekend at a retreat and being gifted one of her books was a double win.
The personality, convictions and humour was reiterated on the page in this fun and reflective book.
Alice is approaching 30 and the pressure to settle down and marry is coming from everywhere.
Although happy and successful in her career she decides she wants to be hitched before the milestone.
A journey into the online dating world and introductions from friends results in a series of dates and few broken hearts.
When you look too hard you meet with failure.
Sometimes taking a step back and removing the pressure you see a new perspective and you never know who may surface.
This was comedic, entertaining and so realistic.
Although new to Anita’s voice I instantly felt familiar and yearn to read more now.
August 28, 2025
that was so #cute
LOOOVEEEEEDDDD this book so much. Alice is so funny and relatable and I love her. My favourite part of the book “I drove home along Campbell Parade, wondering if I would ever meet a man I could respect as an equal”. Seeing the actual locations she’s visiting in my head bc they’re also places I love to go in Sydney was EVERYTHINGGGG. Like hello Broadway mentioned, McIver’s Ladies Bath LIKE HELLO I been thereeeee. All I needed was for her to go to Glebe markets and I would’ve been gagged, but I’ll settle for Covent garden hotel shoutout. If I’m being honest I don’t appreciate her ending up with a garbage truck driver but hey it ain’t my life. Also the main character is a Leo THANK YOUUUu #measf
LOOOVEEEEEDDDD this book so much. Alice is so funny and relatable and I love her. My favourite part of the book “I drove home along Campbell Parade, wondering if I would ever meet a man I could respect as an equal”. Seeing the actual locations she’s visiting in my head bc they’re also places I love to go in Sydney was EVERYTHINGGGG. Like hello Broadway mentioned, McIver’s Ladies Bath LIKE HELLO I been thereeeee. All I needed was for her to go to Glebe markets and I would’ve been gagged, but I’ll settle for Covent garden hotel shoutout. If I’m being honest I don’t appreciate her ending up with a garbage truck driver but hey it ain’t my life. Also the main character is a Leo THANK YOUUUu #measf
February 22, 2025
I wanted to like this so bad, but god Alice (FMC) was so annoying. I’m not here for the mum-bashing, I’m not here for how shallow she was and I’m not here for how she was treating her supposed friends. The story was okay, the encounters mostly fun or funny, but the lack of self-reflection the MC had in-between each man was silly.
2 stars instead of 1 for being vaguely diverse in the cast, a vaguely entertaining story (Alice’s judgemental commentary aside) and I do love that the MC was a Koori women who was connected with her culture.
2 stars instead of 1 for being vaguely diverse in the cast, a vaguely entertaining story (Alice’s judgemental commentary aside) and I do love that the MC was a Koori women who was connected with her culture.
February 5, 2019
A lot of fun and perfect for a commuter read. I found myself relating to parts of the story, the good, the bad and the ugly. While it's not a book to take too seriously, Alice does bring in her Aboriginal culture and identity at relevant moments. Uncomfortable at times, Alice is not always the most likeable person, but again I don't think that's the point. I'm onto the follow up book now, one in which the main character goes to Melbourne. I'll see what the rivalry looks like in Peta's mind. I'm Melbourne born and grown up, but the women here are all Sydney based, helped me know Sydney a bit better. This book is just what it sets out to be, a spin on chick lit, and the ambitions of a late 20s woman in Sydney and her dating foibles.
January 15, 2013
Fun romance. I've been waiting to read this one for a while, even though romance is not my usual genre. I enjoyed the quirky humour and the familiar settings for this Australian novel. I like Anita Heiss' writing and I'll try the next in the series. At times I found the protagonist a little unlikeable, judgemental and a bit nasty. Like many comments, I enjoyed reading about an Indigenous characters for a romance, it was refreshing. I did find the them and us a little heavy, but I have confidence this will soften throughout the series. Worth a read.
February 8, 2014
Hello, readers!
Not Meeting Mr Right was such a hilarious and enjoyable book about a woman searching for love. Alice goes on many dates, man after man, trying to find her dream husband before she hits 30. This book kept me entertained the whole way through and it was so easy to get into. It's an easy read and is sure to bring you many laughs. This book is recommended to those who love romance (obviously) and comedy. Great story so I give it 4 stars. Girly-girls (and as well as everyone else!) this is the book for you!
Happy reading,
Amy Therese.
Not Meeting Mr Right was such a hilarious and enjoyable book about a woman searching for love. Alice goes on many dates, man after man, trying to find her dream husband before she hits 30. This book kept me entertained the whole way through and it was so easy to get into. It's an easy read and is sure to bring you many laughs. This book is recommended to those who love romance (obviously) and comedy. Great story so I give it 4 stars. Girly-girls (and as well as everyone else!) this is the book for you!
Happy reading,
Amy Therese.
February 19, 2014
A bit rubbish but I knew it would be. I wanted to read something by Anita Heiss but only her chick lit books are available on kindle as far as I can see. Dates lots of unsuitable men in desperate search to find husband before finding he'd been under her nose all the time. So far so yawn. But the author is an Aboriginal (wiradjuri) Eastern Suburbs Sydneysider, as is the main character, so in between the clichéd set pieces there were some perspectives and commentary that were new and interesting to me. Might have to get one of her "proper" books from the library.
February 11, 2012
Anita Heiss is smart, funny, and likeable. In light of that, I wish I could say something positive here. Not Meeting Mr Right is not what I expected from someone of Heiss's high profile, that of academic and indigenous rights campaigner. So, I guess I expected something, well, more thoughtful.Unforunately, the characters of NMMR are unrealistic, the dialogue bland, the writing tentative, and the book a bit of a chore to read. I am looking forward to reading more of her work, academic this time.
April 7, 2012
just...awful. The description of the protagonist's teaching style got to me; "I really felt they were starting to question things" or something like that. No, your students are not questioning the world; they are repeating exactly what you've just probably spent a year shoving down their throats, in bid to make them less "prejudiced" and more "open-minded". but seriously, a terrible book, and so hypocritical.
October 16, 2011
What a disappointment. I was looking forward to a bit of clever chick lit. The author just couldn't pull it all together to either make me laugh or engage with any of the characters. The whole book just seemed to fall into an uncomfortable 'in between' place where it was mostly just cringe-worthy.
March 27, 2024
1 star- did not enjoy.
It's been a while since I've met SUCH an unlikeable protagonist. The book centres on the progtaonist's quest to find the perfect man —Mr. Right— despite her previous, unceasing repetition about how she loves being single and single life is amazing. Alice, do you want a life partner or do you just want an extravagant wedding? It seemed to be more about the wedding than the man. Alice was incredibly rude, snotty and discriminatory (how ironic, for someone who prides herself on knowing every single thing about Koori culture and hating on others when they do not). She's the worst part about the book. The plot was repetitive and thus, boring— find a man, find a problem with him, whinge, repeat. This caused the ending to feel incomplete, because this cycle never really could be broken and was just nipped off at this random point. This book bored me and the characters angered me, and ultimately, I wouldn't recommend to anyone.
Longer, more specific review (more so a rant, with this book💀) below. All main points are in bold if you'd rather skim :)
what I liked:
-the diversity? (with a question mark, because Alice's professional hater behaviour felt weirdly (and ironically) white lol).
what I didn't like:
-Alice, the main character.
a) she has SUCH narrow mindsets. For someone who prides herself on being knowledgable about diversity, she is one of the most discriminate characters I've ever met. A chapter into the book, she was telling a MOTHER that she shouldn't be sending her kids to daycare; instead, the mother should've been at home, raising her kids. HELLO? It's 2024. Women ARE allowed to work, Alice. I don't see you talking about the father, either? Are both parents not equally responsible for their children, or are only mothers obligated to erase their need for friends and for financial in this hypothetical, disgustingly misogynistic world of yours? Mothers are people. Everyone needs an environment outside of their home, ESPECIALLY if it's something they want. Alice isn't a mother. Alice wouldn't know. Alice thinks her opinion is relevant anyway, and decides to argue her point with someone who IS a mother. Alice makes me angry for her narrowmindedness, and this is just ONE example of many.
b) she is consistently contradicting herself. She calls herself a feminist (LOL) and goes on to say women shouldn't work when they have kids; they should stay home. She says she loves being single (SO SO MUCH. SO SO SO SO SO SO MUCH) but then acts in embarrassing, desperate ways to find a man. I mean, she EVEN repeats her I love being single mantra WHILE DISCUSSING A MAN SHE'S VERY INTO AND MAKING EXCUSES FOR HIS DISINTEREST. Clearly, Alice, you don't love being single. It's okay to change your mind about something, but to be so deluded that you preach two opposite things SIMULTANEOUSLY, and consistently, is incredibly annoying and confusing.
c) she slut shames people. Again, it's 2024. It's not cute.
d) she judges people (nastily) due to their appearance. She called someone "crater face" because he had chicken pox scars. How incredibly mean. She yelled at a man because he said his grandparents were Aboriginal, but he looked white. Who are you to correct someone's identity? If you don't like how they act, leave them. Why did she have to scream at him lol? Nasty.
e) she cares WAY too much about fake science. Horoscopes are cool and all, but do you really have to base your love life around them? Why did she have to cancel out whole people because she didn't like their horoscope😭 It's not that deep and it's concerning to see people (ahem, Alice) obsessed with it.
f) she's incredibly vain😭 Yes to self-love, but not when it blinds you to literally everything else on the planet. Yes to self-love, but not to the point where you fail to see that there's room for improvement within yourself. Yes to self-love, but not to the point where you make a cringey mantra about how deadly you are and repeat it 24/7. Self-love is loving yourself while working on yourself, not just the belief that you're entirely flawless. Maybe if Alice hadn't been so unlikeable (ie. look at points above) then maybe this wouldn't have been such a problem and maybe it would've come off differently, but it didn't.
-the other characters weren't much better. I just finished the book and I don't remember anyone's names💀
-the plot was repetitive and predictable. Find a man. Date the man. Hate the man. Repeat mantra (I love being single) while crying about man and simultaneously planning wedding to some unknown man. Repeat.
-the ending felt incomplete and weird. Because of the cyclical plot, it felt like the author just needed a spot to wrap things up and chose that random one. BOOM, character has epiphany, BOOM, good man comes into her life (who doesn't even stick around? They decide they're better friends as she finds another new man in the EPILOGUE), BOOM, the end. Sigh.
-the "true" (lmao, let's be real, it probably won't last) romance was only introduced at the end, which meant there was no development. What's the point of a romance with no emotional connection, or a romance where readers aren't able to feel the spark along with the characters?
It's been a while since I've met SUCH an unlikeable protagonist. The book centres on the progtaonist's quest to find the perfect man —Mr. Right— despite her previous, unceasing repetition about how she loves being single and single life is amazing. Alice, do you want a life partner or do you just want an extravagant wedding? It seemed to be more about the wedding than the man. Alice was incredibly rude, snotty and discriminatory (how ironic, for someone who prides herself on knowing every single thing about Koori culture and hating on others when they do not). She's the worst part about the book. The plot was repetitive and thus, boring— find a man, find a problem with him, whinge, repeat. This caused the ending to feel incomplete, because this cycle never really could be broken and was just nipped off at this random point. This book bored me and the characters angered me, and ultimately, I wouldn't recommend to anyone.
Longer, more specific review (more so a rant, with this book💀) below. All main points are in bold if you'd rather skim :)
what I liked:
-the diversity? (with a question mark, because Alice's professional hater behaviour felt weirdly (and ironically) white lol).
what I didn't like:
-Alice, the main character.
a) she has SUCH narrow mindsets. For someone who prides herself on being knowledgable about diversity, she is one of the most discriminate characters I've ever met. A chapter into the book, she was telling a MOTHER that she shouldn't be sending her kids to daycare; instead, the mother should've been at home, raising her kids. HELLO? It's 2024. Women ARE allowed to work, Alice. I don't see you talking about the father, either? Are both parents not equally responsible for their children, or are only mothers obligated to erase their need for friends and for financial in this hypothetical, disgustingly misogynistic world of yours? Mothers are people. Everyone needs an environment outside of their home, ESPECIALLY if it's something they want. Alice isn't a mother. Alice wouldn't know. Alice thinks her opinion is relevant anyway, and decides to argue her point with someone who IS a mother. Alice makes me angry for her narrowmindedness, and this is just ONE example of many.
b) she is consistently contradicting herself. She calls herself a feminist (LOL) and goes on to say women shouldn't work when they have kids; they should stay home. She says she loves being single (SO SO MUCH. SO SO SO SO SO SO MUCH) but then acts in embarrassing, desperate ways to find a man. I mean, she EVEN repeats her I love being single mantra WHILE DISCUSSING A MAN SHE'S VERY INTO AND MAKING EXCUSES FOR HIS DISINTEREST. Clearly, Alice, you don't love being single. It's okay to change your mind about something, but to be so deluded that you preach two opposite things SIMULTANEOUSLY, and consistently, is incredibly annoying and confusing.
c) she slut shames people. Again, it's 2024. It's not cute.
d) she judges people (nastily) due to their appearance. She called someone "crater face" because he had chicken pox scars. How incredibly mean. She yelled at a man because he said his grandparents were Aboriginal, but he looked white. Who are you to correct someone's identity? If you don't like how they act, leave them. Why did she have to scream at him lol? Nasty.
e) she cares WAY too much about fake science. Horoscopes are cool and all, but do you really have to base your love life around them? Why did she have to cancel out whole people because she didn't like their horoscope😭 It's not that deep and it's concerning to see people (ahem, Alice) obsessed with it.
f) she's incredibly vain😭 Yes to self-love, but not when it blinds you to literally everything else on the planet. Yes to self-love, but not to the point where you fail to see that there's room for improvement within yourself. Yes to self-love, but not to the point where you make a cringey mantra about how deadly you are and repeat it 24/7. Self-love is loving yourself while working on yourself, not just the belief that you're entirely flawless. Maybe if Alice hadn't been so unlikeable (ie. look at points above) then maybe this wouldn't have been such a problem and maybe it would've come off differently, but it didn't.
-the other characters weren't much better. I just finished the book and I don't remember anyone's names💀
-the plot was repetitive and predictable. Find a man. Date the man. Hate the man. Repeat mantra (I love being single) while crying about man and simultaneously planning wedding to some unknown man. Repeat.
-the ending felt incomplete and weird. Because of the cyclical plot, it felt like the author just needed a spot to wrap things up and chose that random one. BOOM, character has epiphany, BOOM, good man comes into her life (who doesn't even stick around? They decide they're better friends as she finds another new man in the EPILOGUE), BOOM, the end. Sigh.
-the "true" (lmao, let's be real, it probably won't last) romance was only introduced at the end, which meant there was no development. What's the point of a romance with no emotional connection, or a romance where readers aren't able to feel the spark along with the characters?
abandoned-unfinished
March 23, 2014This book was outside my usual reading range, but every now and then I think it worth trying another romance. This one, I was so unengaged that I chose not to finish, and as such have not given it a rating.
June 7, 2018
Technically not a romance, since the core of the book is not on the couple, but in the style of a romcom.
A hilarious look at single life in Sydney and dating in general. With a lovely HFN ending.
A hilarious look at single life in Sydney and dating in general. With a lovely HFN ending.
June 4, 2010
Aboriginal chick lit. Quite enjoyable, but ultimately I found the main character a bit mean, so didn't warm to her.
October 21, 2011
Waste of time
Read
August 1, 2011a little too politically biased for me. yet, some very nice and funny bits, loved the Sydney atmosphere.
June 17, 2012
Easy to read, easy to digest, easy to finish ... and remember not much of it. Lose yourself for a couple of hours stuff, but leaves you hungry for a book that makes you think.
June 10, 2012
yet another book that hasn't met the 100 page challange.
This was the 3rd time I had tried to read this book but I just couldn't get into it and past 50 pages.
This was the 3rd time I had tried to read this book but I just couldn't get into it and past 50 pages.
August 23, 2013
Disappointed with this one. I know chick lit isnt meant to be deep and meaningful but this was kind of boring.
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