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_thelitlibrarian 's review for:
How to Get a Life in Ten Dates
by Jenny L. Howe
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4.50 stars
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TW: Mental illness, Fatphobia
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Haleigh knows how dating as a plus-sized woman can be disastrous, she's been on enough bad dates that she wants to take a break. Another thing that's stopping her from finding someone? She's madly in love with her best friend: Jack. After a whirlwind romantic week together in College, they've both decided that they're better off as friends.
As her sister's engagement party fast approaches, and constant nagging from friends and family, she and Jack do what they do best: scheme. Haleigh agrees to let her friends and family pick 2 potential suitors for her to go out on dates with, in hopes that one of them will be her plus one to the event. She then begins this journey of self-discovery all while trying to get her life on the right track.
I see myself a lot in Haleigh and get where the character was coming from, especially concerning body insecurities when it comes to dating. As much as this tugged at my heartstrings, I couldn't help but laugh out loud countless times. Especially at all of the bad dates she went on, not meaning that her setups were bad people - just odd dates to go on. Her plan is stumped when Jack throws her a curveball and sets himself up as the last date.
By this point she's got a good thing going on with a veterinarian named Brian - I enjoyed the love triangle plot point, I was rooting for both of them at the same time, but deep down knew what the outcome was going to be. I'm really glad we flashback to the week in Hawaii and what tore Jack and Haleigh apart, it's hinted throughout the book that whatever happened broke up their friendship for some time afterwards. I will say that both of our characters at that point were young, and yes, the situation probably could have gone differently. The break allows them both to grow and work through their struggles with therapy and other tactics.
-
TW: Mental illness, Fatphobia
-
Haleigh knows how dating as a plus-sized woman can be disastrous, she's been on enough bad dates that she wants to take a break. Another thing that's stopping her from finding someone? She's madly in love with her best friend: Jack. After a whirlwind romantic week together in College, they've both decided that they're better off as friends.
As her sister's engagement party fast approaches, and constant nagging from friends and family, she and Jack do what they do best: scheme. Haleigh agrees to let her friends and family pick 2 potential suitors for her to go out on dates with, in hopes that one of them will be her plus one to the event. She then begins this journey of self-discovery all while trying to get her life on the right track.
I see myself a lot in Haleigh and get where the character was coming from, especially concerning body insecurities when it comes to dating. As much as this tugged at my heartstrings, I couldn't help but laugh out loud countless times. Especially at all of the bad dates she went on, not meaning that her setups were bad people - just odd dates to go on. Her plan is stumped when Jack throws her a curveball and sets himself up as the last date.
By this point she's got a good thing going on with a veterinarian named Brian - I enjoyed the love triangle plot point, I was rooting for both of them at the same time, but deep down knew what the outcome was going to be. I'm really glad we flashback to the week in Hawaii and what tore Jack and Haleigh apart, it's hinted throughout the book that whatever happened broke up their friendship for some time afterwards. I will say that both of our characters at that point were young, and yes, the situation probably could have gone differently. The break allows them both to grow and work through their struggles with therapy and other tactics.