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The Dating Detox
If you can't date anyone nice, don't date anyone at all...
Dating is a dangerous sport. So after her sixth successive failed relationship, romantically-challenged 20-something Sass decides she's had enough.
The Dating Detox is born. No men, no break-ups, no problem.
The result? Her life—usually joyfully/traumatically occupied with dates, clothes and vodka— is finally easy. Chastity rocks. No wonder nuns are always singing. Everything falls at her feet. Especially men.
Will Sass break the rules? Why does fate keep throwing her in the path of the irritatingly amusing— and gorgeous—Jake? Will she ever roll the dice and play again? Or is a love-free life too good to risk losing?
For the post-Carrie Bradshaw, post-Bridget Jones, post-credit crunch generation of singles, life isn't beautiful, a bitch, or a beach. It's a party.
Dating is a dangerous sport. So after her sixth successive failed relationship, romantically-challenged 20-something Sass decides she's had enough.
The Dating Detox is born. No men, no break-ups, no problem.
The result? Her life—usually joyfully/traumatically occupied with dates, clothes and vodka— is finally easy. Chastity rocks. No wonder nuns are always singing. Everything falls at her feet. Especially men.
Will Sass break the rules? Why does fate keep throwing her in the path of the irritatingly amusing— and gorgeous—Jake? Will she ever roll the dice and play again? Or is a love-free life too good to risk losing?
For the post-Carrie Bradshaw, post-Bridget Jones, post-credit crunch generation of singles, life isn't beautiful, a bitch, or a beach. It's a party.
424 pages, Paperback
First published November 13, 2009
74 people are currently reading
3706 people want to read
About the author
Gemma Burgess
15 books626 followersGemma started writing anti-romantic comedies for girls who like chicklit that comforts and charms without the silly fluffy bits. She lives in Notting Hill in London, but grew up all over the place – mostly Hong Kong. She loves talking and writing, not necessarily in that order.
She also loves burgers, vodka, white-tipped Marlboro Lights, OK GO, Sixteen Candles, Lucky Jim, anything from Nora Ephron and Jilly Cooper, new wave music and clothes.
Email Gemma at gemma@gemmaburgess.com or get in touch with Sammie Rafique at Avon / Harper Collins, Laura Longrigg at MBA Literary Agents (London) or Jill Grinberg at Jill Grinberg Literary Management (New York).
She also loves burgers, vodka, white-tipped Marlboro Lights, OK GO, Sixteen Candles, Lucky Jim, anything from Nora Ephron and Jilly Cooper, new wave music and clothes.
Email Gemma at gemma@gemmaburgess.com or get in touch with Sammie Rafique at Avon / Harper Collins, Laura Longrigg at MBA Literary Agents (London) or Jill Grinberg at Jill Grinberg Literary Management (New York).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 209 reviews
September 20, 2015
Meh. Didn’t love it, didn’t hate it.
The predictable-happy finale was good and earned it its third star.
However this book didn’t capture me very much, the plot was a bit flat… it lacked tension. Definitely wasn’t gripping. Really, half of the book was practically the narration of useless day-to-day activities; the author spent too many words describing the surroundings, the group dynamics, the preparation and development of the parties or weekends. I felt that the Love Story, which for me should be the focal point in a chick-lit novel, was left with a meagre 20% of the book at most. I didn’t have to move to next chapter or die; I just sort of did because, unless a book is truly horrendous, I usually finish what I’ve begun to read.
The writing style was similar to the other book I’ve read from Burgess, which was a plus. You really feel like you’re in the head of the protagonist and she’s often funny and witty. However, the overall book was definitely inferior by far to ‘A Girl Like You’, which, unlike this one, I loved.
The predictable-happy finale was good and earned it its third star.
However this book didn’t capture me very much, the plot was a bit flat… it lacked tension. Definitely wasn’t gripping. Really, half of the book was practically the narration of useless day-to-day activities; the author spent too many words describing the surroundings, the group dynamics, the preparation and development of the parties or weekends. I felt that the Love Story, which for me should be the focal point in a chick-lit novel, was left with a meagre 20% of the book at most. I didn’t have to move to next chapter or die; I just sort of did because, unless a book is truly horrendous, I usually finish what I’ve begun to read.
The writing style was similar to the other book I’ve read from Burgess, which was a plus. You really feel like you’re in the head of the protagonist and she’s often funny and witty. However, the overall book was definitely inferior by far to ‘A Girl Like You’, which, unlike this one, I loved.
November 14, 2014
If you can't date anyone nice, don't date anyone at all...Dating is a dangerous sport.
Gemma Burgess reminds me of a real Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City, women love her and she just writes about dating, relationships, and sex so well. She makes you laugh and root for the main character. She also makes you forget all about your dating woes and see a hopeful future.
This book was funny, a page turner, and filled my girl power bucket up. I read it when I was single and tried almost every dating site out there and was becoming the Grinch of love and relationships. This turned my frown upside down.
Gemma Burgess reminds me of a real Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City, women love her and she just writes about dating, relationships, and sex so well. She makes you laugh and root for the main character. She also makes you forget all about your dating woes and see a hopeful future.
This book was funny, a page turner, and filled my girl power bucket up. I read it when I was single and tried almost every dating site out there and was becoming the Grinch of love and relationships. This turned my frown upside down.
May 12, 2014
While not quite as good as A Girl Like You—and maybe a little bit samey as well—this book is still a fun, evocative coming-of-maturity story with interesting characters you can't help but love. Also like the later book (this one was published some two years prior), it felt a bit long near the end with Sass being just a touch too clueless about her own emotional state.
But talking about how it falls short of its later cousin does it a bit of a disservice when the fact of the matter is that I enjoyed reading it and I'm glad I picked it up.
A note about editions: It looks like Avon originally published this book, too, but that the author is the one with the eBook rights. As such, the two aren't actually linked so if you hit Amazon on the hard copy it doesn't link the kindle book from there (and vice versa). That may be the case in other retailers as well with such a complicated rights issue. The author messed up, some, on the formatting on this one, too, only it's much subtler—it looks like all m-dashes (like this "—") became question marks. Weird, but again, no real harm done.
A note about Steamy: There's sex in the book, and a make out or two that get pretty hot, but Burgess cuts well before we get terribly explicit. It's just enough for me to flag as "Steamy" but on the lowest possible setting.
But talking about how it falls short of its later cousin does it a bit of a disservice when the fact of the matter is that I enjoyed reading it and I'm glad I picked it up.
A note about editions: It looks like Avon originally published this book, too, but that the author is the one with the eBook rights. As such, the two aren't actually linked so if you hit Amazon on the hard copy it doesn't link the kindle book from there (and vice versa). That may be the case in other retailers as well with such a complicated rights issue. The author messed up, some, on the formatting on this one, too, only it's much subtler—it looks like all m-dashes (like this "—") became question marks. Weird, but again, no real harm done.
A note about Steamy: There's sex in the book, and a make out or two that get pretty hot, but Burgess cuts well before we get terribly explicit. It's just enough for me to flag as "Steamy" but on the lowest possible setting.
June 15, 2019
Eh. This one seemed very amateurish and crude as compared to A Girl Like You. Couldn't really connect with the story.
August 27, 2019
3.5 stars
December 21, 2009
After being dumped six times in a row, twenty-something Sass decides enough is enough. On a night out with her friend Bloomie, Sass decides to begin The Dating Detox. For three months Sass will abide by numerous rules including: not making any new man-friends, not flirting with any man and most importantly, not going on any dates. Will Sass be able to abide by The Dating Detox for three whole months? After the three months is up, will Sass go back to her destructive dating lifestyle or will she decide that, actually, being on her own is a lot more fun and far less hassle?
The Dating Detox first came to my attention a while back when it was due to be released under the title of The Dating Sabbatical. I heard the synopsis and thought it sounded incredibly interesting and, most importantly, rather unique. I love a unique chick lit book. Gemma Burgess very kindly offered to send me this to review and I couldn’t wait for it to arrive so I could get started on it straight away. It’s taken me a few days (football/X Factor got in the way it seems!) but I have finally finished The Dating Detox. And, boy, did I love it.
The plot, as I mentioned, is a very unique one. Not in the fact that Sass is a regular twenty-something who gets drunk/dates a lot, but in the fact that Sass decides to quit men for good. Well, three months anyway. No book I’ve read has ever, out-and-out, had it’s main character stop dating full stop… until now! I wondered how the romance would come into the book since Sass has sworn off men for good, and I knew the romance aspect would undoubtedly be a big part to the storyline, as the book is essentially a rom-com so it was great to see the book unfold in it’s entirety. I was immediately sucked into Sass’s world and I thought Gemma tapped into the mind of a twenty-something serial dater pretty well. We learn early on about Sass’s six break-ups which have caused her to start her Detox and they were equally amusing and cringe-worthy in the way in which they happened. I could sympathise with Sass as we learn of each of her break-ups but, wow, she hadn’t half dated some losers. It made the Detox make sense, I must say!
The book actually skips over the three-months of the actual Detox and I thought I’d missed something out, as the blurb makes it appear as if after the three months, Sass will immediately give it all up. I actually love the fact she embraced her new single status and went out of her way to not go out on dates. It was actually quite a refreshing experience to see Sass want to stay single, rather than go back on all of her hard work throughout the detox and begin dating losers again. I could see completely why Sass was terrified of entering back into the dating world and did wonder if she would ever make that leap again.
All of the characters in The Dating Detox are fantastic. Sass is the perfect heroine as she has her flaws and, unlike most twenty-somethings, she doesn’t have the perfect life and isn’t afraid to speak her mind. I loved her from the get-go and any twenty-something will find it easy to relate to Sass. What makes the book though are the ensemble cast around Sass. Her best friends Bloomie and Kate were fantastic and the relationship between the three of them was portrayed very realistically. They had their moments, did the three friends, but when it all came down to it, they all pulled together regardless of all of the problems they all had to face. I adored Bloomie and would love to have her as a friend. In fact I’d love all three of the girls to be my friend. While the book is about love and finding the right man, albeit with a Dating Detox thrown in, it’s also about female friendships and that was an aspect of the book I loved. I loved Jake, who Sass meets one night and keeps bumping into with alarming regularity. I kept waiting and hoping he would appear throughout the book and I was so pleased when he did. There were a few more characters throughout the book, Sass’s friends and Sass’s ex-boyfriends but it’s mainly Sass, Bloomie, Kate and Jake who are our main focus.
The Dating Detox isn’t written in a spectacular way and I don’t mean that as a criticism. The writing style is easy and relaxed and it’s as if Sass is talking to me throughout the book, rather than myself reading about Sass – if that makes sense. It must be a difficult writing style to keep up considering it’s written in the present tense (which I think is probably the most difficult tense to write in as you have to keep yourself from slipping back into the past tense) as well as being written in first-person. I applaud Gemma for going with that writing combo for her debut novel, she really pulled it off and made reading the book an utter pleasure.
The Dating Detox is just a fantastic read and I can’t wax lyrical about it enough. It’s humourous, it’s warm and it’s witty and I really recommend that you give this book a read. I could have read about Sass all day long, she was that enjoyable a character. Gemma has hit a winner here with her debut novel and I truly loved it. Not only is the plot unique but the characters are ones you really care about and only want the best for. A true must-read.
The Dating Detox first came to my attention a while back when it was due to be released under the title of The Dating Sabbatical. I heard the synopsis and thought it sounded incredibly interesting and, most importantly, rather unique. I love a unique chick lit book. Gemma Burgess very kindly offered to send me this to review and I couldn’t wait for it to arrive so I could get started on it straight away. It’s taken me a few days (football/X Factor got in the way it seems!) but I have finally finished The Dating Detox. And, boy, did I love it.
The plot, as I mentioned, is a very unique one. Not in the fact that Sass is a regular twenty-something who gets drunk/dates a lot, but in the fact that Sass decides to quit men for good. Well, three months anyway. No book I’ve read has ever, out-and-out, had it’s main character stop dating full stop… until now! I wondered how the romance would come into the book since Sass has sworn off men for good, and I knew the romance aspect would undoubtedly be a big part to the storyline, as the book is essentially a rom-com so it was great to see the book unfold in it’s entirety. I was immediately sucked into Sass’s world and I thought Gemma tapped into the mind of a twenty-something serial dater pretty well. We learn early on about Sass’s six break-ups which have caused her to start her Detox and they were equally amusing and cringe-worthy in the way in which they happened. I could sympathise with Sass as we learn of each of her break-ups but, wow, she hadn’t half dated some losers. It made the Detox make sense, I must say!
The book actually skips over the three-months of the actual Detox and I thought I’d missed something out, as the blurb makes it appear as if after the three months, Sass will immediately give it all up. I actually love the fact she embraced her new single status and went out of her way to not go out on dates. It was actually quite a refreshing experience to see Sass want to stay single, rather than go back on all of her hard work throughout the detox and begin dating losers again. I could see completely why Sass was terrified of entering back into the dating world and did wonder if she would ever make that leap again.
All of the characters in The Dating Detox are fantastic. Sass is the perfect heroine as she has her flaws and, unlike most twenty-somethings, she doesn’t have the perfect life and isn’t afraid to speak her mind. I loved her from the get-go and any twenty-something will find it easy to relate to Sass. What makes the book though are the ensemble cast around Sass. Her best friends Bloomie and Kate were fantastic and the relationship between the three of them was portrayed very realistically. They had their moments, did the three friends, but when it all came down to it, they all pulled together regardless of all of the problems they all had to face. I adored Bloomie and would love to have her as a friend. In fact I’d love all three of the girls to be my friend. While the book is about love and finding the right man, albeit with a Dating Detox thrown in, it’s also about female friendships and that was an aspect of the book I loved. I loved Jake, who Sass meets one night and keeps bumping into with alarming regularity. I kept waiting and hoping he would appear throughout the book and I was so pleased when he did. There were a few more characters throughout the book, Sass’s friends and Sass’s ex-boyfriends but it’s mainly Sass, Bloomie, Kate and Jake who are our main focus.
The Dating Detox isn’t written in a spectacular way and I don’t mean that as a criticism. The writing style is easy and relaxed and it’s as if Sass is talking to me throughout the book, rather than myself reading about Sass – if that makes sense. It must be a difficult writing style to keep up considering it’s written in the present tense (which I think is probably the most difficult tense to write in as you have to keep yourself from slipping back into the past tense) as well as being written in first-person. I applaud Gemma for going with that writing combo for her debut novel, she really pulled it off and made reading the book an utter pleasure.
The Dating Detox is just a fantastic read and I can’t wax lyrical about it enough. It’s humourous, it’s warm and it’s witty and I really recommend that you give this book a read. I could have read about Sass all day long, she was that enjoyable a character. Gemma has hit a winner here with her debut novel and I truly loved it. Not only is the plot unique but the characters are ones you really care about and only want the best for. A true must-read.
March 24, 2013
Ok, I am in love with A Girl Like You So I thought I was love this one as well, that wasn't the case. There was too much description of clothes that bored me, and as it wasn't my style of dressing, I found it weird. Also, the love story didn't hook me, I don't know but it isn't like A girl like you, were I was totally in love with how the relantionship grow and the many details that you could read about it (he folding the paper for her, that kind of stuff).
Maybe I had so many expectations because of her other book, but if you are trying to decidie which one to read first I would reccomend you go to check "A girl like you".
Maybe I had so many expectations because of her other book, but if you are trying to decidie which one to read first I would reccomend you go to check "A girl like you".
March 12, 2019
Some very strange feminist ideals.
I am a feminist but I still judge women for being overt with their sexuality more so than I would ever judge my equally playboy dude friend.
I am a feminist but the guy should still be the one to give chase.
I am feminist but it should still be the guy who asks me out first.
I am a feminist but the guy should still say I love you first.
I am feminist but, but, but....
Sigh.
But the book had its good parts too-like Sass standing up to her asshole coworker.
The rest of it was just a bit bland...
I am a feminist but I still judge women for being overt with their sexuality more so than I would ever judge my equally playboy dude friend.
I am a feminist but the guy should still be the one to give chase.
I am feminist but it should still be the guy who asks me out first.
I am a feminist but the guy should still say I love you first.
I am feminist but, but, but....
Sigh.
But the book had its good parts too-like Sass standing up to her asshole coworker.
The rest of it was just a bit bland...
April 2, 2015
Overall, I liked this a lot, but I think the pacing was a bit off. I wish it hadn't (slight spoiler)
I REALLY liked the work stuff. I've been feeling that a lot lately, that increasing sense of confidence that maybe you DO know what you're doing!
And I liked that this dealt so head on with the recession. I'm not sure I've really read that before. And certainly it's affected, is really still affecting, my generation a lot. It made me think about my own life. It took me so long to get a job and I blamed that more on me and my issues than the recession, but it's all interconnected.
I liked the group of friends and the fun they had together. Sass was maybe a little too mean in her thoughts to some of them, but I suppose that's realistic, too. You don't love everyone in a group of friends. (Not you all--I love each and every one of you.)
The love interest took a while to grow on me, maybe because he didn't have much of a presence in the first part of the book, but I was hooked by the end.
But, yeah, if you're looking to try this author for the first time, go with A Girl Like You.
I REALLY liked the work stuff. I've been feeling that a lot lately, that increasing sense of confidence that maybe you DO know what you're doing!
And I liked that this dealt so head on with the recession. I'm not sure I've really read that before. And certainly it's affected, is really still affecting, my generation a lot. It made me think about my own life. It took me so long to get a job and I blamed that more on me and my issues than the recession, but it's all interconnected.
I liked the group of friends and the fun they had together. Sass was maybe a little too mean in her thoughts to some of them, but I suppose that's realistic, too. You don't love everyone in a group of friends. (Not you all--I love each and every one of you.)
The love interest took a while to grow on me, maybe because he didn't have much of a presence in the first part of the book, but I was hooked by the end.
But, yeah, if you're looking to try this author for the first time, go with A Girl Like You.
August 20, 2012
Taken from my blog www.rosiereview.wordpress.com
I think it’s a first for me. To read a book from one author and then run straight to another. Normally if I like a author I’ll download another, but I’d read a book from a different author; in a way cleansing my reading pallet before coming back to this author. But after A Girl Like You I had to read more Gemma Burgess! This book like AGLY was excellent. It had me in stitches, it had me wanting for more. It shows really well a girl’s insecurities about dating and also the rituals a girl would try in order for things to go their way. Hands up who has a lucky clutch?? I do, I also have lucky socks, consider my Links of London bracelet lucky and haven’t walked on three drains in a row.
This book made me want to up sticks and move to London, just so I could become a copywriter and live Sass’ life. And I’m a country girl at heart!!! lol This book is so going on my must read list.
I think it’s a first for me. To read a book from one author and then run straight to another. Normally if I like a author I’ll download another, but I’d read a book from a different author; in a way cleansing my reading pallet before coming back to this author. But after A Girl Like You I had to read more Gemma Burgess! This book like AGLY was excellent. It had me in stitches, it had me wanting for more. It shows really well a girl’s insecurities about dating and also the rituals a girl would try in order for things to go their way. Hands up who has a lucky clutch?? I do, I also have lucky socks, consider my Links of London bracelet lucky and haven’t walked on three drains in a row.
This book made me want to up sticks and move to London, just so I could become a copywriter and live Sass’ life. And I’m a country girl at heart!!! lol This book is so going on my must read list.
November 12, 2014
As usual, I did enjoy Gemma's lively and amusing way with words. I'm simply charmed how London comes to life. I liked Sass and her friends, Jake is smashing, of course - although Robert in "A girl like you" touched my heart a lot more. Gemma Burgess is now officially my favourite chick-lit writer. One thing that bugs me, though: Do they REALLY drink this much? If life is so great, why the constant need to drown it in vodka, wine, beer, schnapps ...?
August 22, 2014
The Dating Detox was a whole lot of laughs. It was fun, well written, easy to read and I liked the authors humour a lot.
My only small complaint was all the smoking breaks really began to get on my nerves.
Definitely recommended.
Thanks Tory for picking it as our first super awesome book group choice :)
My only small complaint was all the smoking breaks really began to get on my nerves.
Definitely recommended.
Thanks Tory for picking it as our first super awesome book group choice :)
March 2, 2014
I'm just gonna say one thing: epic parties and nights out that make you wanna hit town.
I mean, seriously: I wanna bring out my shades, put my best party dress on, turn up the music (preferably something like Bright Lights, Bigger City or other party tunes) and be part of that crew. Totally worth the hangovers.
I mean, seriously: I wanna bring out my shades, put my best party dress on, turn up the music (preferably something like Bright Lights, Bigger City or other party tunes) and be part of that crew. Totally worth the hangovers.
November 19, 2014
Writing is appalling!
February 26, 2021
Don't judge me, I wanted a pandemic distraction and guess what I LOVED IT
March 11, 2015
Ok, but not great. Didn't love it.
December 18, 2012
Review originally on I Heart.. Chick Lit.
www.chicklitkevinxx.blogspot.com
Recently, I went to a book sale in Kuala Lumpur (KL) and had the best time of my life, shopping for well, BOOKS! I had a couple of hundreds and I thought, I'll splurge it ALL on books. I know, I'm that crazy. It was a day I would remember for the rest of my life. Okay, until next year when I go again. It was probably THE BIGGEST book sale I've ever been to.
And the best part was, all fiction titles, hardback and paperback, were only RM8, which means less than £2. It was that cheap and I went completely over the top and bought about 15 chick lit titles, sadly I would buy more, but I was soon broke after picking up the last book. Sigh, so I spent about RM175 (£35) on books in a day, less than 3 hours. And... Gemma Burgess's The Dating Detox was in my pile! Hurrah! *happy dance*
Okay, so sorry for the extended preface/epilogue/complete rubbish talk, so here's the deal: The Dating Detox was the amazeballs of modern-day chick lit, where single ladies are free, independent and always on the dating scene, either pulling gorgeous men or picked up by sleazy bastardos (new word, thank you, GKB). Fed up with the perils of dating and getting her heart broken, she and her best friend Bloomie, come up with a list, all the things she shouldn't do in order to get her life around, thus, the Dating Sabbatical was born.
The Dating Detox is about Sass, or Sarah (she hates being called Sarah), who has sworn off dating men because they are all cockmonkeys (new word) and sadly, being dumped 6 times in a row by unsuitable men. Sigh. The funniest thing was, at the first few chapters, Sass tells you about all the bad men who broke her heart. I almost felt sorry for her, but of course, I was busy laughing and grinning like a loon. Okay, here's the reveal: for me, Sass was a cross between Gemma and Blake Lively (Serena van der Woodsen from Gossip Girl - ooh! You know, in the season finale of the final season, the identity of Gossip Girl was revealed. Shocking, OMG! Super shock with jaw hitting the ground!) and Jake was... Andrew Garfield. Shoot me.
All right, let's talk about Sass! Personally, I loved her, the way she carried herself in the book, the way she flirts (RAWR) and her OCD-ish behaviour when she gets ready for work. I don't know why, specifically, but I really liked her, as in, the feeling you get when you see some popular senior in school and all you think about is "I would love to hang out with her!". Yep, that's exactly how Sass was for me. She's a really funny character, in fact, hilarious! Her sarcasm is unparalleled to all the other chick lit heroines I've read about. The dialogues in the book are a bit tongue-in-cheek and it never failed to crack me up. I really adored Sass, pre- and post-Dating Sabbatical.
And of course, what kind of chick lit book would it be without the help of the wonderful best friends? *Enter Bloomie and Kate* Both of them were so supportive and caring. I'd love to have them both as best friends, strangely, the trio reminded me of the girls from Sex in the City, minus the expensive designer clothes and Cosmos. Minus the sex ("There's no sex in this city").
The flow of the book worked for me. I wasn't bored throughout the book because in every chapter, you'd definitely have something to laugh about or gasp in shock! Exciting it may seem, but there's a part, where Sass and Jake were really into each other and I thought it was really beautiful - relationships don't need sex to bond the pair together, it's all about chemistry/compatibility and the gut feeling.
The Dating Detox is the new Bridget Jones's Diary, where Sass is the HOT Bridget and Jake is Daniel Cleaver and Mark Darcy - fun, witty and utterly charming. Oops. Sorry, Helen Fielding! This book is perfect for fans of Lindsey Kelk, Lucy Robinson and Lucy-Anne Holmes. Loved it, get your copy, you won't be disappointed!
Rating : 5/5
www.chicklitkevinxx.blogspot.com
Recently, I went to a book sale in Kuala Lumpur (KL) and had the best time of my life, shopping for well, BOOKS! I had a couple of hundreds and I thought, I'll splurge it ALL on books. I know, I'm that crazy. It was a day I would remember for the rest of my life. Okay, until next year when I go again. It was probably THE BIGGEST book sale I've ever been to.
And the best part was, all fiction titles, hardback and paperback, were only RM8, which means less than £2. It was that cheap and I went completely over the top and bought about 15 chick lit titles, sadly I would buy more, but I was soon broke after picking up the last book. Sigh, so I spent about RM175 (£35) on books in a day, less than 3 hours. And... Gemma Burgess's The Dating Detox was in my pile! Hurrah! *happy dance*
Okay, so sorry for the extended preface/epilogue/complete rubbish talk, so here's the deal: The Dating Detox was the amazeballs of modern-day chick lit, where single ladies are free, independent and always on the dating scene, either pulling gorgeous men or picked up by sleazy bastardos (new word, thank you, GKB). Fed up with the perils of dating and getting her heart broken, she and her best friend Bloomie, come up with a list, all the things she shouldn't do in order to get her life around, thus, the Dating Sabbatical was born.
The Dating Detox is about Sass, or Sarah (she hates being called Sarah), who has sworn off dating men because they are all cockmonkeys (new word) and sadly, being dumped 6 times in a row by unsuitable men. Sigh. The funniest thing was, at the first few chapters, Sass tells you about all the bad men who broke her heart. I almost felt sorry for her, but of course, I was busy laughing and grinning like a loon. Okay, here's the reveal: for me, Sass was a cross between Gemma and Blake Lively (Serena van der Woodsen from Gossip Girl - ooh! You know, in the season finale of the final season, the identity of Gossip Girl was revealed. Shocking, OMG! Super shock with jaw hitting the ground!) and Jake was... Andrew Garfield. Shoot me.
All right, let's talk about Sass! Personally, I loved her, the way she carried herself in the book, the way she flirts (RAWR) and her OCD-ish behaviour when she gets ready for work. I don't know why, specifically, but I really liked her, as in, the feeling you get when you see some popular senior in school and all you think about is "I would love to hang out with her!". Yep, that's exactly how Sass was for me. She's a really funny character, in fact, hilarious! Her sarcasm is unparalleled to all the other chick lit heroines I've read about. The dialogues in the book are a bit tongue-in-cheek and it never failed to crack me up. I really adored Sass, pre- and post-Dating Sabbatical.
And of course, what kind of chick lit book would it be without the help of the wonderful best friends? *Enter Bloomie and Kate* Both of them were so supportive and caring. I'd love to have them both as best friends, strangely, the trio reminded me of the girls from Sex in the City, minus the expensive designer clothes and Cosmos. Minus the sex ("There's no sex in this city").
The flow of the book worked for me. I wasn't bored throughout the book because in every chapter, you'd definitely have something to laugh about or gasp in shock! Exciting it may seem, but there's a part, where Sass and Jake were really into each other and I thought it was really beautiful - relationships don't need sex to bond the pair together, it's all about chemistry/compatibility and the gut feeling.
The Dating Detox is the new Bridget Jones's Diary, where Sass is the HOT Bridget and Jake is Daniel Cleaver and Mark Darcy - fun, witty and utterly charming. Oops. Sorry, Helen Fielding! This book is perfect for fans of Lindsey Kelk, Lucy Robinson and Lucy-Anne Holmes. Loved it, get your copy, you won't be disappointed!
Rating : 5/5
June 6, 2013
3.25???
I don't know...I'm really confused about this book,so just bear with me guys... :P
Dating Detox is not what I'd call an epic book nor something I'd refer to as an epic fail.
Something that you won't feel lack of in this book is the presence of the main protagonist..that is,Sass. Which can be very annoying..I'll get back to that in a minute.
The characters in this book are people who you'll get attached to quite instantly. Something that I adore in a book.
Sass and her friends are quite hilarious and grab your attention very effectively. Where Sass and her friends are very entertaining,the male protagonist of this book is so lost that it's like he's almost not there. Though,I like Jake's character but imagine that you're more than halfway through the book and he makes only two appearances?
Yes. That can be very very annoying...
Other thing. Dating Detox is a new concept which I liked. The idea of not dating was good and a bit refreshing. But then theres a limit to where you should strech things. It is good till a limit but after 90% of the book is done and the female is still stuck on that obstinately..... it starts to really piss off the reader(speaking from experience..ahem :P)
The story in the second half is really predictable....and well,that's not soemthing I would emphasise on.
The thing is this book was really really really good in some sections and makes you laugh out loud at times with refreshing jokes and one-liners and whatnot. In the other section,it's really really really annoying.... the reasons are above mentioned...
So i'm a bit confused about this oneas to where to go with this. So this is me,in my confusion..rating it confusing 3.25 stars
I don't know...I'm really confused about this book,so just bear with me guys... :P
Dating Detox is not what I'd call an epic book nor something I'd refer to as an epic fail.
Something that you won't feel lack of in this book is the presence of the main protagonist..that is,Sass. Which can be very annoying..I'll get back to that in a minute.
The characters in this book are people who you'll get attached to quite instantly. Something that I adore in a book.
Sass and her friends are quite hilarious and grab your attention very effectively. Where Sass and her friends are very entertaining,the male protagonist of this book is so lost that it's like he's almost not there. Though,I like Jake's character but imagine that you're more than halfway through the book and he makes only two appearances?
Yes. That can be very very annoying...
Other thing. Dating Detox is a new concept which I liked. The idea of not dating was good and a bit refreshing. But then theres a limit to where you should strech things. It is good till a limit but after 90% of the book is done and the female is still stuck on that obstinately..... it starts to really piss off the reader(speaking from experience..ahem :P)
The story in the second half is really predictable....and well,that's not soemthing I would emphasise on.
The thing is this book was really really really good in some sections and makes you laugh out loud at times with refreshing jokes and one-liners and whatnot. In the other section,it's really really really annoying.... the reasons are above mentioned...
So i'm a bit confused about this oneas to where to go with this. So this is me,in my confusion..rating it confusing 3.25 stars
March 11, 2015
Gemma Burgess is on the highway of being my all time favourite chic-lit author!
(Let's say it's a tough one between her and Queen Meg Cabot, okay. Hashtag keepin' it classy and loyal)
Come on, watch this little trailer I found, because I know not many know about its existence (here's looking at you Cloudyskye):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEqFZ...
I love it when chic-lit involves a lot of banter and especially a lot of fashiony details - two things I can count on with Ms Burgess!
I loved the fact that our main girl Sass had a sort of coming-of-age plotline at 28 slash 29 years old and that she engaged with the reader, referring to stuff she "told us" earlier and all that jazz.
Yes - she is now my friend, okay!
All secondary characters where beautifully well-rounded and I loved how everything played out for them, too, and just worked.
Gemma Burgess has a lovely way of making atmospheres and vibes come alive and I could sense being on that Oxfordshire getaway weekend and enjoying the sun (or, mind, rain) with that funny and raucous crew.
Personally, I could have done with waaaay less swearing, but hey, I guess it creates a certain atmosphere...
I was so pleased for Sass to see how her life and all gets sorted out, especially the work situation left me h a p p y.
You go girl!
Fun, actually somehow inspiring, cute book with a relatable heroine who gets her act together and a cutie as her counterpart!
P.S. Where, did you say, can I sign up for a weekend-houseparty like that? I wouldn't even make such a mess since I'd like it without all the booze and cigarettes!
P.P.S I'd love to see Sass doing her skippy-bunny-hop irl...
(Let's say it's a tough one between her and Queen Meg Cabot, okay. Hashtag keepin' it classy and loyal)
Come on, watch this little trailer I found, because I know not many know about its existence (here's looking at you Cloudyskye):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEqFZ...
I love it when chic-lit involves a lot of banter and especially a lot of fashiony details - two things I can count on with Ms Burgess!
I loved the fact that our main girl Sass had a sort of coming-of-age plotline at 28 slash 29 years old and that she engaged with the reader, referring to stuff she "told us" earlier and all that jazz.
Yes - she is now my friend, okay!
All secondary characters where beautifully well-rounded and I loved how everything played out for them, too, and just worked.
Gemma Burgess has a lovely way of making atmospheres and vibes come alive and I could sense being on that Oxfordshire getaway weekend and enjoying the sun (or, mind, rain) with that funny and raucous crew.
Personally, I could have done with waaaay less swearing, but hey, I guess it creates a certain atmosphere...
I was so pleased for Sass to see how her life and all gets sorted out, especially the work situation left me h a p p y.
You go girl!
Fun, actually somehow inspiring, cute book with a relatable heroine who gets her act together and a cutie as her counterpart!
P.S. Where, did you say, can I sign up for a weekend-houseparty like that? I wouldn't even make such a mess since I'd like it without all the booze and cigarettes!
P.P.S I'd love to see Sass doing her skippy-bunny-hop irl...
March 1, 2014
This one is epic.
What I luuuuuved:
1. the heroine
she's like this-
"I feel terribly happy all of a sudden. I skippy-bunny-hop a couple of steps, and high-five myself. No, I really do. (A self-high-five involves jumping in the air and clapping your hands together, with the back of one hand facing you and the other coming up to clap it from below. It looks funny, but it feels great.)"
and this-
Talks to herself all the time.
Oh, and she knows her 80's music!
What's not to love about a girl like that?
Although she's a pushover at first, hates confrontation and doesn't believe in herself. And I love a good transformation.
2. her gang- lots of high-five (no need to ask), witty banter and a balance of gender, rocking it in their late 20s. No, they haven't got it all figured out, but they stick together. When i get to that point in my life, God! I wish me and my friends remain just as close.
3. the writing is good, humorous but long and what stops me from giving this five starts is the not-so-spectacular finish.
October 15, 2010
I needed something light and fun to read and The Dating Detox fitted that bill perfectly. the characters are classic chick lit, Sass is a twenty something babe who works in advertising (apparently every single girl in London works in advertising), tired of her love life never quite working out she declares herself a date free zone. Predictably she meets the perfect guy practically the day after, whom she has to beat off with a stick for the next three months.
While the plot is fairly transparent, there is a positive message about the benefits of being single which I liked. I don't get the whole need for immediate intimacy thing (ie sex on the first date - and I'm not that old), so to have a character in this genre step back and examine that is original.
Sass is amusing, fun, bright and yet flawed. She has a strong voice which makes her easy to relate to and is less superficial than I expected.
The secondary characters are appealing and believable. We all know a cockmonkey like Dean or have a best friend like Bloomie or Kate. Jake, as Prince Charming, of course is irresistable.
I really enjoyed the sense of humor, Burgess's style is warm (if profane) but so readable.
Entertaining and witty, Dating Detox is a great read.
While the plot is fairly transparent, there is a positive message about the benefits of being single which I liked. I don't get the whole need for immediate intimacy thing (ie sex on the first date - and I'm not that old), so to have a character in this genre step back and examine that is original.
Sass is amusing, fun, bright and yet flawed. She has a strong voice which makes her easy to relate to and is less superficial than I expected.
The secondary characters are appealing and believable. We all know a cockmonkey like Dean or have a best friend like Bloomie or Kate. Jake, as Prince Charming, of course is irresistable.
I really enjoyed the sense of humor, Burgess's style is warm (if profane) but so readable.
Entertaining and witty, Dating Detox is a great read.
June 7, 2013
Forgive me but i am completely flummoxed with where the plot is actually heading. I really thought this was some chick lit romance w/ Sophie-Kinsella humor but i am gradually flabbergasted already. The absurdity of the story is making me just drop it and close it without finishing it. It is just a drag. I completely understand the character's intent on ceasing the dating arena because she has been a complete dormat but it is just toooooo much already like stop it already and get on with him. but where is him? I am more than halfway through but the conversation of the two of them is such a rare event i was thinking it as an imagination if they ever did. Okay so go for the focus on friendship here and i was just like Zzzzz. Some chapters are a complete waste, some events i don't actually need to read, countless bastardos yeah yeah i get it. So i'm hoping that when i wake up i might decide whether to ditch this book and continue...scanning. *heavy, frustrated sigh*
September 12, 2011
It took me back to be honest, for I was 'Sass' in a former life (when I still had one before I met my husband, settled down and had kids) and frankly, I'm glad not to have to put up with any 'cockmonkeys' or 'bastardos' anymore since I don't think my liver could take it. This book was hugely enjoyable and written from the main character's 'POV', being easily read/relate-able with plenty of intelligent observations thrown in for good measure and I liked the wordplay bits too. This is totally one author to look out for in the future and I'll definitely be reading more of Gemma Burgess's amusing takes on relationships that's for sure.
June 2, 2014
This was good, but much less than her second novel, A Girl Like You. The increase in experience really shows! Some things annoyed me in this: the endless details about her clothes/make-up/morning routine, and how all her friends seemed to blend together, even her two best friends. Otherwise, the banter with the main couple was awesome, and the conflict pretty believable. I liked her work stories too, and how it helped her find her confidence/awesomeness. Not bad, but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it. (Read A Girl Like You though.)
October 14, 2011
To say I loved this book is an understatement. Before finishing it I'd recommended it to friends who lapped it up too with equal relish. This even involved reading the kindle on the window ledge during dinner prep. It's that good. She's witty, she's sassy and she does write a book with cojones. I will be making sure I read Gemma Burgess from now on - and I will be praying hard for a film of this book. This one so deserves it. (By the way, Jake is to die for and the line of hapless wrong-boyfriends are priceless!) Well done, brilliantly written and laugh out loud funny.
September 15, 2012
Sass has had enough of being dumped by blokes, so she decides to embark on a Dating Detox - which prooves to be a challenge as she goes about her normal life - men don't believe her and she finds herself in situations that test her resolve - especially when she meets Jake...
She is convinced that it is the men that are the trouble as everything else in her life starts going so well once the Dating Detox sets in.
Laugh out loud moments and a good journey through Sass', Bloomie and Kate's lives!
She is convinced that it is the men that are the trouble as everything else in her life starts going so well once the Dating Detox sets in.
Laugh out loud moments and a good journey through Sass', Bloomie and Kate's lives!
August 13, 2015
All the characters in this book are alcoholics. Each time they go out, they get so drunk that they throw up, have an argument with someone or become unable to walk in a straight line. And these characters wonder why their lives are such a mess.
The "jokes" were painful, Sass and Jake had little chemistry, and I found it difficult to differentiate between all of the characters as they were clones.
The "jokes" were painful, Sass and Jake had little chemistry, and I found it difficult to differentiate between all of the characters as they were clones.
February 20, 2012
I found this book quite slow to start off with and can honestly say I really did not care about the main character or the supporting characters. After a bit the pace of the book picked up and i enjoyed the book a lot more. It was a fun read in the end, very silly but perfect if you are in the mood for something light, fluffy and that doesn't make you think too much!
November 6, 2012
Three and a half stars. The first half dragged a little and I could really have done without the constant description of clothing, hair styles and make-up. The heroine has the potential to be very annoying, but in the end she gets the grip. Not for everyone, but I enjoyed it, especially the second half.
February 19, 2014
I want to read it again! Right now! I haven't enjoyed a book this much in ages. I laughed hysterically on several occasions & could completely relate to Sass, she too is a little crazy. I just loves it!
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