- Paperback: 336 pages
- Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark; Original edition (June 1, 2011)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1402245041
- ISBN-13: 978-1402245046
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0
Product Description
Praise for Matt Dunn:
"Full of great one-liners...a terrifying eye-opener into what men really think."-Company
"Witty, astute, but tender too."-Freya North
Ever wish you could let the world know just what you think of your ex?
Thanks to SlateYourDate.com, Dan Davis has discovered that long after he's dumped them, ex- after ex-girlfriend is dumping on him-all over the Internet. And it's ruining his dating life.
Faced with the prospect of a lifetime of singledom, Dan must track down his many exes in order to put things right. Along the way, he discovers he has much to learn about himself. Particularly when he meets up again with Polly-and realizes he wants her back. Can Dan convince his former love he's changed? Can his friend Ed convince him he needs to change in the first place? And can the two friends use their newfound knowledge to help other men in the same boat?
Review: A fun read, if convoluted thinking!
This story is told in first person by Edward who is a likeable, friendly character. He is trying to find balance in his relationship with his new girlfriend, Sam. They seem to be doing well but it is not clear where their commitment level stands. Ed met Sam, a personal trainer, when he went to the gym after being unexpectedly dumped by his girlfriend of 10 years, Jane.
Ed’s best buddy, Dan, is not so likeable. He is a small time actor and womanizer. All of a sudden he can’t get a date much less any action and he is clueless what has occurred. He and Ed discover that Dan has gained a horrendous reputation from bad ratings at SlateYourDate.com.
Dan enlists Ed’s help to locate his exes and turn around his rating and his ‘love’ - okay really it’s his ‘lust’- life. Along the way, Dan, who has never committed to a relationship, gives advice to Ed on how to deal with Sam. A bit ironic that! These seem like unlikely friends as Dan’s view of life is that it is all about scoring and scoring points while Ed ponders issues of partnership, cooperation and commitment. The thought process that Dan presents, and Ed has to argue with, is convoluted, game playing from a male mind set.
When Ed bumps into Jane and decides to meet with her, without telling Sam up front, he begins to dig himself into a bit of a hole. Meanwhile, as Ed challenges Dan to face the one really good relationship he lost with Polly, Ed is at risk of losing Sam when she discovers that Jane has been pursing Ed.
The book blurb in the product description isn’t quite accurate, as the story is more about Ed with Dan as a character foil to show the worst of the male ego! The quote that the story is “full of great one-liners” is quite true. There are also some gems of wisdom that come through Ed’s efforts to make his relationship last and his challenge to Dan to face his fear of the pain and struggle that are likely to be part of any relationship.
I enjoyed the easy flow and crisp British humor with the subtle double entendres. It was different to read a romance from a male perspective and nice that the author made it light, fun and somewhat introspective. The ARC does have quite a few typographical errors (more than I usually find) which I trust will be cleared before final print. The story is solidly good entertainment.
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Thank you to Sourcebooks for the book to read and review.TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY FOR THE ARC COPY:
1. Visit the Author's Website and tell me something you like there. Please leave your e-mail!
2. For two extra entries comment on the Author's Q&A Interview.
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4. For two extra entries, blog, facebook, tweet (any of those networks!) about this giveaway and tell me where you did.
(Six total entries possible.)
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* This contest will close 10:00 PM (Central) on July 1, 2011.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
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