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ashleykhoffman 's review for:
How to Get a Life in Ten Dates
by Jenny L. Howe
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this advanced copy; it has not impacted my review.
I thought this book was fast and fun, but it lacked a lot of emotional depth that would not have been difficult to include.
I knew how this book was going to end by 1-2 chapters in. With detail. From the moment Jack inserted himself into her plan, there was only one way this was going. There was zero shock to this, and I think it was because there wasn't time develop more/new drama and pressure. The premise of this book involves 10 dates, and I feel like 8 of the dates did relatively nothing for the plot whatsoever. This book could have been more fun and hard-hitting if a couple of those dates or relationships had been more interesting or impactful to Haleigh. The little questionnaire she had everyone fill out gave me the ick for almost every single person; some of them seemed unrealistic if you actually wanted a date to go passably well with someone. Oof.
I liked that the FMC got to just exist in her body because there was a caveat early on that every date would know her size/appearance in advance. I was nervous going into this book that some of the drama would revolve around someone not being size-inclusive on a date, and I'm glad she got to look/feel beautiful and hot in her fat body throughout this. Yes, queen! I also liked the representation of OCD through Jack. Therapy was discussed positively and Haleigh understood what Jack needed to feel safe.
This story didn't have much drama regardless of dating game because the end result was a party thrown by her sister and future sister-in-law where the key issue was whether or not she'd have a plus-one, but her sister was clearly loaded, so I don't understand why it actually mattered. And theproposal at the party was tasteless in my opinion because he couldn't even get down on a knee without offending her sister, so it felt like deeply the wrong moment. He should have taken her back to Hawaii or something.
So it was a mixed bag of emotions from me, but it was definitely a quick read that didn't make me think too hard, and that absolutely is sometimes exactly what someone needs!
I thought this book was fast and fun, but it lacked a lot of emotional depth that would not have been difficult to include.
I knew how this book was going to end by 1-2 chapters in. With detail. From the moment Jack inserted himself into her plan, there was only one way this was going. There was zero shock to this, and I think it was because there wasn't time develop more/new drama and pressure. The premise of this book involves 10 dates, and I feel like 8 of the dates did relatively nothing for the plot whatsoever. This book could have been more fun and hard-hitting if a couple of those dates or relationships had been more interesting or impactful to Haleigh. The little questionnaire she had everyone fill out gave me the ick for almost every single person; some of them seemed unrealistic if you actually wanted a date to go passably well with someone. Oof.
I liked that the FMC got to just exist in her body because there was a caveat early on that every date would know her size/appearance in advance. I was nervous going into this book that some of the drama would revolve around someone not being size-inclusive on a date, and I'm glad she got to look/feel beautiful and hot in her fat body throughout this. Yes, queen! I also liked the representation of OCD through Jack. Therapy was discussed positively and Haleigh understood what Jack needed to feel safe.
This story didn't have much drama regardless of dating game because the end result was a party thrown by her sister and future sister-in-law where the key issue was whether or not she'd have a plus-one, but her sister was clearly loaded, so I don't understand why it actually mattered. And the
So it was a mixed bag of emotions from me, but it was definitely a quick read that didn't make me think too hard, and that absolutely is sometimes exactly what someone needs!