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jackiesreadingjourney's review against another edition
3.0
This is a story about three friends who work together for a newspaper who sign up for a 24 hour dating agency which promises that after the 24 hour date you'd find your soulmate. It is an unconventional method after the friends have absolutely exhausted all online/speed dating options. The three friends are in their mid-late 30s and 40s, and they all have an entirely different love story. Milo is a homosexual man who feels like he has already dated all of the eligible bachelors in his town, Tamara is in her 40s and is divorced with three children, and Saffie has simply never been in love. We follow all three before, during, and after their dates and how this "soulmate guarantee" works out for them.
I gave this 3.5 stars. I really enjoyed how quirky and unique the story was, but it felt like there was way too much going on with all three stories, plus the author threw in a lot about the newspaper they work for. It felt like information overload at times, and that the stories weren't fleshed out enough. I would have loved three separate books focusing on each character because there actually were really surprising twists and it was such an entertaining book. Milo definitely got the short end of the stick with his story as his had the least going on, and Saffie's could have benefited from more details. However, Tamara's story was nicely done. I very much enjoyed this book, and I will read more books from this author in the future.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Head of Zeus, Aria for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. This is being published on 6/30/22 ❤️
I gave this 3.5 stars. I really enjoyed how quirky and unique the story was, but it felt like there was way too much going on with all three stories, plus the author threw in a lot about the newspaper they work for. It felt like information overload at times, and that the stories weren't fleshed out enough. I would have loved three separate books focusing on each character because there actually were really surprising twists and it was such an entertaining book. Milo definitely got the short end of the stick with his story as his had the least going on, and Saffie's could have benefited from more details. However, Tamara's story was nicely done. I very much enjoyed this book, and I will read more books from this author in the future.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Head of Zeus, Aria for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. This is being published on 6/30/22 ❤️
seasonforreading's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars!
This was a fun read! The book follows Milo, Saffie and Tamara, as they struggle to find 'The One'. The characters and their progression is very enjoyable to read about. I particularly liked Tamara's story, and Harry was my favourite character in the book.
The concept of a 24 hour date was interesting, and while I can't imagine such a thing would really take off, I enjoyed reading about it in a fictional setting.
The Throstler tied all three stories together, and I loved that this was something that they all had in common, and we saw their stories intertwine through this. Overall, I thought this was a good read, filled with fun, love and humour.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book to read and review.
This was a fun read! The book follows Milo, Saffie and Tamara, as they struggle to find 'The One'. The characters and their progression is very enjoyable to read about. I particularly liked Tamara's story, and Harry was my favourite character in the book.
The concept of a 24 hour date was interesting, and while I can't imagine such a thing would really take off, I enjoyed reading about it in a fictional setting.
The Throstler tied all three stories together, and I loved that this was something that they all had in common, and we saw their stories intertwine through this. Overall, I thought this was a good read, filled with fun, love and humour.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book to read and review.
queencleo's review against another edition
4.0
Oh this was so much fun!
I had no idea it was set in my home county of Yorkshire, but it was so lovely hearing about their dates to York and Scarborough.
Minus one star as the point of the Agency, and the way the dates were set up was not at all explained. All of the rest of the stars for the characters whom I have come to love and the little magazine they all work on, the Throstle's Nest.
A very merry meetcute of three different couples, set up on blind dates for a 24 hour period. 3 different colleagues, all best friends but at different stages of their lives get drunk at the "Mucky Duck" (oh how it warms my heart to hear the Black Swan called so) and make a pact to sign up for the agency to try to meet their One True Love. Saffie the career journalist, unlucky in love. Milo her best friend, who realises at a speed dating event that he has hooked up with every gay male in a 50 mile radius of the appropriate age. Tamara, Milo's sister, divorcee and single Mum, desperately looking for some fun "me-time" again.
A delight
I had no idea it was set in my home county of Yorkshire, but it was so lovely hearing about their dates to York and Scarborough.
Minus one star as the point of the Agency, and the way the dates were set up was not at all explained. All of the rest of the stars for the characters whom I have come to love and the little magazine they all work on, the Throstle's Nest.
A very merry meetcute of three different couples, set up on blind dates for a 24 hour period. 3 different colleagues, all best friends but at different stages of their lives get drunk at the "Mucky Duck" (oh how it warms my heart to hear the Black Swan called so) and make a pact to sign up for the agency to try to meet their One True Love. Saffie the career journalist, unlucky in love. Milo her best friend, who realises at a speed dating event that he has hooked up with every gay male in a 50 mile radius of the appropriate age. Tamara, Milo's sister, divorcee and single Mum, desperately looking for some fun "me-time" again.
A delight
samjunipero's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was an easy and fluffy read. It’s relatable for those of us who have been on the dating apps and struggled with it. I felt for the characters’ woes regarding romance.
Personally, I will say that anything to do with Tamara’s storyline bored me and made me cringe. Anything to do with children is just not of interest to me so it struggled to keep my attention. Saffie’s romance and Milo’s romance were both engaging in different ways. I felt for them as they tried to navigate things with their love interests.
I know most romances have happy endings but sometimes, like with this book, narratively it comes off as insincere. This is mainly in reference to Tamara’s story, so much of the drama and conflict with her ex and his new fiancé, was so easily tied up with a bow in the end that it just didn’t feel realistic to me. I wished I had felt the growth within those characters as I was supposed to.
Overall, I’d give this a 3.5
This was an easy and fluffy read. It’s relatable for those of us who have been on the dating apps and struggled with it. I felt for the characters’ woes regarding romance.
Personally, I will say that anything to do with Tamara’s storyline bored me and made me cringe. Anything to do with children is just not of interest to me so it struggled to keep my attention. Saffie’s romance and Milo’s romance were both engaging in different ways. I felt for them as they tried to navigate things with their love interests.
I know most romances have happy endings but sometimes, like with this book, narratively it comes off as insincere. This is mainly in reference to Tamara’s story, so much of the drama and conflict with her ex and his new fiancé, was so easily tied up with a bow in the end that it just didn’t feel realistic to me. I wished I had felt the growth within those characters as I was supposed to.
Overall, I’d give this a 3.5
kirstyreviewsbooks's review against another edition
3.0
The 24 Hour Dating Agency by Mary Jayne Barker
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Head of Zeus and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Blurb
Tinder, Hinge, Bumble – thirtysomething journalist Saffie has tried them all. Now she's wondering whether it's time to throw in the towel and give up on love for good – and she's not alone...
Saffie's boss Tamara has been single since her divorce four years ago, but at forty-five, running her own magazine and with three kids at home, she doesn't feel she has the time, energy or confidence to go through the dating mill again. Meanwhile, Saffie's best friend Milo has just been dumped – again. A hopeless romantic with terrible taste in men, this is his fourth break-up in six months. There must be a secret to finding Mr Right, surely – but what?
Step forward The 24-hour Dating Agency, a matchmaking service with a difference. Instead of wasting months on casual dates, they promise to send you on an intense twenty-four-hour date with your perfect match – like speed-dating but in reverse. And even better, the agency offers a soulmate guarantee: meet The One or your money back.
My Opinion
Well this was a different read - there were some unique ideas in the book but for me it didn't manage to hold my attention as there was too much information in places. It is a light read and was funny in places but just not the book for me unfortunately.
Rating 3/5
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Head of Zeus and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Blurb
Tinder, Hinge, Bumble – thirtysomething journalist Saffie has tried them all. Now she's wondering whether it's time to throw in the towel and give up on love for good – and she's not alone...
Saffie's boss Tamara has been single since her divorce four years ago, but at forty-five, running her own magazine and with three kids at home, she doesn't feel she has the time, energy or confidence to go through the dating mill again. Meanwhile, Saffie's best friend Milo has just been dumped – again. A hopeless romantic with terrible taste in men, this is his fourth break-up in six months. There must be a secret to finding Mr Right, surely – but what?
Step forward The 24-hour Dating Agency, a matchmaking service with a difference. Instead of wasting months on casual dates, they promise to send you on an intense twenty-four-hour date with your perfect match – like speed-dating but in reverse. And even better, the agency offers a soulmate guarantee: meet The One or your money back.
My Opinion
Well this was a different read - there were some unique ideas in the book but for me it didn't manage to hold my attention as there was too much information in places. It is a light read and was funny in places but just not the book for me unfortunately.
Rating 3/5
whatsophreadnext_'s review against another edition
3.0
3.25/5
The 24 Hour Dating Agency is a book with a promising premise, with Dr Sheldrake hooking you up with the perfect partner for a sizeable fee of £500 (plus £50 deposit). Three friends and colleagues take the plunge, with a varying degree of success.
It’s a romance, so of course there are plenty of happily ever afters but I feel that the HEAs overshadowed the dating agency. Safie, Tamara and Milo had great potential to be well-defined characters but by lumping them into one book together I feel like I didn’t really know them. So much was left unsaid, and only a minute portion of the novel focussed on the 24 hour dates.
I thoroughly enjoyed the characterisation (Tamara was definitely my fave of the three friends) but I was left a litter underwhelmed in that I never truly got to know any of them deeply enough.
Thanks to NetGalley and Head of Zeus for the ARC.
The 24 Hour Dating Agency is a book with a promising premise, with Dr Sheldrake hooking you up with the perfect partner for a sizeable fee of £500 (plus £50 deposit). Three friends and colleagues take the plunge, with a varying degree of success.
It’s a romance, so of course there are plenty of happily ever afters but I feel that the HEAs overshadowed the dating agency. Safie, Tamara and Milo had great potential to be well-defined characters but by lumping them into one book together I feel like I didn’t really know them. So much was left unsaid, and only a minute portion of the novel focussed on the 24 hour dates.
I thoroughly enjoyed the characterisation (Tamara was definitely my fave of the three friends) but I was left a litter underwhelmed in that I never truly got to know any of them deeply enough.
Thanks to NetGalley and Head of Zeus for the ARC.
mamas_gotta_read's review against another edition
4.0
This was absolutely adorable. I really appreciate books that feature main characters getting a HEA beyond their early twenties, and this book delivers that in spades. I loved the characters in this book, they were all so unique and fun, I couldn’t help but root for them (well maybe not Andy). While the book did feel a little long at times, I was never BORED. The plot had so many surprise twists that I never saw coming. I really did enjoy this!
I was given an ARC of this book by NetGalley and Head of Zeus. All opinions are my own.
I was given an ARC of this book by NetGalley and Head of Zeus. All opinions are my own.
sikonat's review against another edition
5.0
Don't be fooled. The real love story of Mary Jayne Baker's 24-hour Dating Agency is the friendship between Saffie, Tamara and Milo.
The three friends, who all work together for a quirky magazine owned by siblings Tamara and Milo's grandmother, decide to sign up to a dating service that promises to send daters on an intense 24-hour date with their perfect match.
All three have varying reasons. Tamara, because her deadbeat ex-husband has announed he's having a kid with a woman 20 years younger. Despite the fact he walked out on his family after she became pregnant aged 39 and didn't want another child. Milo, because his boyfriends have lasted a month. And Saffie, who scoffs at the premise, decides to sign up to see if she can turn it into a freelance article.
I love Mary Jayne Baker's books. She always has a cast of quirky but close-knit friends with an interesting premise. Her strength is balancing the less lighthearted life challenges with warmth and wit.
I really felt for Tamara - the anger, grief and emotional turmoil she felt after hearing, then running into her ex was heartbreaking.
There's a lot of heart and depth in her characters and this book was no exception.
If you love heartwarming stories with wit, a lot of heart, and portrayal of strong friendship groups, this is another for your TBR pile. I loved this book so much its on my pre-order list.
Thank you to Head of Zeus/Aria and NetGalley for the ARC.
The three friends, who all work together for a quirky magazine owned by siblings Tamara and Milo's grandmother, decide to sign up to a dating service that promises to send daters on an intense 24-hour date with their perfect match.
All three have varying reasons. Tamara, because her deadbeat ex-husband has announed he's having a kid with a woman 20 years younger. Despite the fact he walked out on his family after she became pregnant aged 39 and didn't want another child. Milo, because his boyfriends have lasted a month. And Saffie, who scoffs at the premise, decides to sign up to see if she can turn it into a freelance article.
I love Mary Jayne Baker's books. She always has a cast of quirky but close-knit friends with an interesting premise. Her strength is balancing the less lighthearted life challenges with warmth and wit.
I really felt for Tamara - the anger, grief and emotional turmoil she felt after hearing, then running into her ex was heartbreaking.
There's a lot of heart and depth in her characters and this book was no exception.
If you love heartwarming stories with wit, a lot of heart, and portrayal of strong friendship groups, this is another for your TBR pile. I loved this book so much its on my pre-order list.
Thank you to Head of Zeus/Aria and NetGalley for the ARC.
kristine1246's review against another edition
Thank you to NetGalley, Head of Zeus/Aria, and the author for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Unfortunately, this was a DNF for me. I understand how this could be intriguing to some, but this was not the book for me. Three good friends are given pretty shitty hands and decide to sign up for an unconventional dating agency where soulmates are guaranteed in 24 hours.
About 100 pages into this book, I found myself liking one storyline much more than the other two. It started off a little too slow for me and then felt slower as I progressed. The one story I preferred greatly outshined the others and I feel like at that point I just wanted to skip over the other two MCs stories.
It was also a little difficult to follow with the British slang and the different storylines as there were too many names and nicknames to remember that I often felt like I had to reread quite a bit.
Anyway, this book wasn’t terrible. It just didn’t keep me interested enough to continue. Maybe I’ll give this book another shot in the future?
Unfortunately, this was a DNF for me. I understand how this could be intriguing to some, but this was not the book for me. Three good friends are given pretty shitty hands and decide to sign up for an unconventional dating agency where soulmates are guaranteed in 24 hours.
About 100 pages into this book, I found myself liking one storyline much more than the other two. It started off a little too slow for me and then felt slower as I progressed. The one story I preferred greatly outshined the others and I feel like at that point I just wanted to skip over the other two MCs stories.
It was also a little difficult to follow with the British slang and the different storylines as there were too many names and nicknames to remember that I often felt like I had to reread quite a bit.
Anyway, this book wasn’t terrible. It just didn’t keep me interested enough to continue. Maybe I’ll give this book another shot in the future?
jessjustreads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0