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bfdbookblog's review
4.0
this is my first jay northcote read (i'm not sure why) and it was just a really cute story. i liked that there was minimal angst and the writing was really good. both the characters have a decent history with each other and fall into a believable, sweet and loving, albeit quick relationship. their chemistry is hot and sweet at the same time. owen's relationship history leads us to believe he's a bit shallow and the first scene in the bar solidified that. as his relationship develops with nathan we see him for the man he is underneath the facade - a closet romantic that wants nothing more than to please nathan. nathan is a bit pessimistic that owen can change and be a worthy boyfriend. that coupled with his desire to not be just a casual, one-night stand with owen leads to the 'five dates'. during their time together they both grow into relationship stable men. i'm anxious to see how things unfold in book 2.
the_novel_approach's review
5.0
4.5 Stars
Owen had a crush…a secret crush on someone he thought he knew was a quiet straight boy, Nathan. But that was before and Nathan hadn’t been around for a while, until he walked into the same pub Owen was in, declaring he was back in Bristol to stay. However, misconceptions run on both sides of the road for these two young men, and when Owen suggests a hookup with Nathan after finding out that he is indeed gay, he is dismayed to have his reputation thrown back in his face. You see, Owen never stays around for second dates, so when Nathan insists on five— with a no sex clause—Owen swallows his frustration and agrees. The real question now is, can these two men see it through and make it to date number five without throwing in the towel along the way.
Jay Northcote’s The Dating Game takes a simple love story and puts a twenty-first century spin on the dated practice of good old courtship! Owen must woo Nathan and somehow convince him that despite all evidence to the contrary, he is not a love ‘em and leave ‘em kind of guy—well, not anymore. As this story unfolds, we watch a mating ritual as old as time: one man courting another, slowly trying to convince him to take a risk and fall in love. For anyone this would be a tricky task, but for Owen, who is not really sure he even knows what love looks like, this could be nigh on impossible. And yet, as is often the case, when we find that we are drawn to another person, all those worries seem to disappear…until the fifth date.
The Dating Game is, simply put, a story about falling in love, one date at a time. The beauty of this short novel is its two main characters. Owen and Nathan both came to the table with a heaping sense of insecurity but a determination to make it work. The slow building friendship that rapidly led to deeper emotions was fun to watch. For a story that focuses solely on two characters, I never felt a lull in the action and yet this is not some epic saga with tons of plot twists. Instead, it’s a story of exploration, of tiny moments that come together to make a story that moved along swiftly, and easily held my interest. I was rooting for these guys by the second chapter!
Author Jay Northcote took two lovely young men, threw in some sexual tension and some delightful getting to know you moments, and crafted a sweet love story. If you are looking for a lighthearted story that leaves you feeling warm and cozy, then The Dating Game is the one for you!
Owen had a crush…a secret crush on someone he thought he knew was a quiet straight boy, Nathan. But that was before and Nathan hadn’t been around for a while, until he walked into the same pub Owen was in, declaring he was back in Bristol to stay. However, misconceptions run on both sides of the road for these two young men, and when Owen suggests a hookup with Nathan after finding out that he is indeed gay, he is dismayed to have his reputation thrown back in his face. You see, Owen never stays around for second dates, so when Nathan insists on five— with a no sex clause—Owen swallows his frustration and agrees. The real question now is, can these two men see it through and make it to date number five without throwing in the towel along the way.
Jay Northcote’s The Dating Game takes a simple love story and puts a twenty-first century spin on the dated practice of good old courtship! Owen must woo Nathan and somehow convince him that despite all evidence to the contrary, he is not a love ‘em and leave ‘em kind of guy—well, not anymore. As this story unfolds, we watch a mating ritual as old as time: one man courting another, slowly trying to convince him to take a risk and fall in love. For anyone this would be a tricky task, but for Owen, who is not really sure he even knows what love looks like, this could be nigh on impossible. And yet, as is often the case, when we find that we are drawn to another person, all those worries seem to disappear…until the fifth date.
The Dating Game is, simply put, a story about falling in love, one date at a time. The beauty of this short novel is its two main characters. Owen and Nathan both came to the table with a heaping sense of insecurity but a determination to make it work. The slow building friendship that rapidly led to deeper emotions was fun to watch. For a story that focuses solely on two characters, I never felt a lull in the action and yet this is not some epic saga with tons of plot twists. Instead, it’s a story of exploration, of tiny moments that come together to make a story that moved along swiftly, and easily held my interest. I was rooting for these guys by the second chapter!
Author Jay Northcote took two lovely young men, threw in some sexual tension and some delightful getting to know you moments, and crafted a sweet love story. If you are looking for a lighthearted story that leaves you feeling warm and cozy, then The Dating Game is the one for you!
sls0369's review
4.0
Really sweet and fun. I liked both Nathan and Owen, and thought the premise of the story was really good, and allowed for the interaction between the two. And the sex was hot. There's always that.
rissa53's review
3.0
Short and sweet story about Owen and Nathan!
I see there's a book 2! I'm interested to see what happens between the two!
I see there's a book 2! I'm interested to see what happens between the two!
digthewriter's review
4.0
4.5, really.
Not gonna lie. After the disaster I thought was "Nothing Serious" I was sceptical about "The Dating Game," but it was actually really cute and sweet and funny. It was super hot and I loved both the characters.
It's such a fluffy HEA story that you don't think you need, but you do.
Not gonna lie. After the disaster I thought was "Nothing Serious" I was sceptical about "The Dating Game," but it was actually really cute and sweet and funny. It was super hot and I loved both the characters.
It's such a fluffy HEA story that you don't think you need, but you do.
anitalouise's review
4.0
Probably more of a 4.5. Sweet, sexy and quirky! A great premise - five dates - no sex. Owen has a reputation as a man whore both in school and now. Nathan, while in university, had not yet come out. Owen had always had a straight-boy crush on Nathan. Only Nathan is not straight now. They run into each other and Owen realizes that Nathan is even more delicious than he remembers. Owen doesn't date. Just serial one-night stands. Nathan doesn't want to be a one-night stand but likes Owen. So begins this cute but, only as a book with two hotties can be, sexy romp. I loved the closeness they develop and their hilarious struggles with getting hot and bothered! Their dates depict the intense attraction between the two not only sexually but also as people as they learn about each other. It's great to watch Owen's growth as they continue to date. And when they come together - bam! Strong writing, solid secondary characters and lots of mm sizzle!! Definitely a good read.
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