bookedandbusywithmrc 's review for:

How to Get a Life in Ten Dates by Jenny L. Howe

5.0

emotional hopeful lighthearted 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

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Dating as a plus-size woman has been... a lot for Haleigh Berkshire. At 25, she’s been at it for a decade, and she's starting to think a break might be in order. Especially since she’s been in love with her best friend, Jack, for years. But after one epic disaster in college, she knows they’re never going to be more than friends.

With her sister’s engagement party coming up, and her family pressuring her about bringing a plus-one, Haleigh and Jack decide to do what they do best: come up with a plan. Haleigh agrees to let her friends and family set her up with ten different people. She’s pretty sure that once none of them work out, they’ll finally get the hint and stop nagging her about dating.

But then, surprise—some of the dates are actually kind of fun. And for the first time in ages, Haleigh isn’t totally miserable. That is, until Jack starts throwing every rule they made back in college out the window. He starts trashing every guy she likes, randomly showing up to her dates, and, eventually, inserting himself into the mix. Dating Jack has always been her fantasy, but now that it’s a possibility, Haleigh is freaked out. Is it worth risking her best friendship for something that might never work?

This book was an absolute blast! It had me on an emotional rollercoaster, from moments of pure anxiety-driven heartache to scenes that had me laughing out loud and praying I never have to experience them myself. The characters are incredibly relatable, representing a wide range of cultures and sexualities, making it easy for every reader to find a connection. I highly recommend this book—though the author may call TLC’s "No Scrubs" an “oldie,” I’m excited to see what they come out with next!