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106th out of 526 books
—
4,278 voters
Three Daves
by
Nicki Elson (Goodreads Author)
Jennifer Whitney was the last American virgin. At least that’s what she felt like in 1986 as she began her sophomore year at Central Illinois University. She was proud of her decision to wait for the right guy, and yet she was getting restless. It seemed like everyone around her was doing it... and having fun doing it, too. She didn’t want to become the campus slut or anyt...more
Paperback, 284 pages
Published
February 16th 2010
by Omnific Publishing
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For anyone who wants a trip down memory lane to the 80's, this book is for you.
Sprinkled with euphemisms, music, fashion of the era, and a few well-placed Jane Austenisms, THREE DAVES is a good-time blast from the past with a romantic twist at the end that even I didn't see coming.
Nicki Elson takes us on a journey when rites of passage for girls were plagued with doubt, guilt, and Madonna hair. We follow the main character, Jennifer, through four years of college and three very different men nam...more
Sprinkled with euphemisms, music, fashion of the era, and a few well-placed Jane Austenisms, THREE DAVES is a good-time blast from the past with a romantic twist at the end that even I didn't see coming.
Nicki Elson takes us on a journey when rites of passage for girls were plagued with doubt, guilt, and Madonna hair. We follow the main character, Jennifer, through four years of college and three very different men nam...more
Three Daves is the sweetest, tragic yet works out well, love story I have read since The Notebook. Elson has written characters that I adore and every twist, turn, change, growth, obstacle, and step they took I went right along with them. Having just finished reading, I have a sense of relief for the characters, goose bumps on my arms, and a smile on face.
I want to point out that this book is not about Jen, the main character, becoming a slut, or everyone is sleeping with everyone else. This boo...more
I want to point out that this book is not about Jen, the main character, becoming a slut, or everyone is sleeping with everyone else. This boo...more
I enjoyed every single page and read it over two days. I turned eighteen at the end of '91 so I didn't get to live out the 80's the way the characters in this book did, but I do remember it fondly and what I can remember as a teen, this took me right back to.
I really didn't know who was meant to be the hero.I knew guys like all three of the Dave's in my youth. I honestly couldn't say who I wanted to Jen to end up with, if she was to end up with any of them. Nicki Elson does a fantastic job of m...more
I really didn't know who was meant to be the hero.I knew guys like all three of the Dave's in my youth. I honestly couldn't say who I wanted to Jen to end up with, if she was to end up with any of them. Nicki Elson does a fantastic job of m...more
So, I'm not an 80s child. Although I was born in the 80s, it was so late in the game that it should really be considered the early, early 90s. So, I'm sure I missed some of the inside jokes in Three Daves that made people who actually really lived during the 80s think "Damn! I remember that. I so don't want to remember that!" But still, my imagination can do wonders so that little gripe about not actually having conscious thoughts in the 80s? Yeah it doesn't really bother me much (at least until...more
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I have been intrigued by this book since the first time I laid eyes on it! I was finally able to read it!
Overall, Three Daves is a good read. It was nothing special to me personally. It was a “read it and forget about it” book for me.
I was afraid during the first couple of chapters because reading from the Bible happened with a cute guy and we all know I ‘m not a fan of religion in my books. But after that, no more religion…I was relieved. This along with every chapter ending with a Psalm almost...more
Overall, Three Daves is a good read. It was nothing special to me personally. It was a “read it and forget about it” book for me.
I was afraid during the first couple of chapters because reading from the Bible happened with a cute guy and we all know I ‘m not a fan of religion in my books. But after that, no more religion…I was relieved. This along with every chapter ending with a Psalm almost...more
Funny, sweet, and sexy! Although I think any woman would enjoy this book, if she went to college in the 80's, she would especially appreciate and relate to it. The author has an amazingly vivid recall of 80's music, fashion, and slang that made me laugh and cringe (did we really wear those outfits and hairstyles?) at the same time. A perfect summer read!
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Jen is trying to figure out who she is. She's a good girl, and she feels like she's the last American virgin. She decides it's time for her to do something about it. Her best friend David just was dumped by his girlfriend, so in her mind it's perfect timing, and he's the safe choice for her. The question is, what happens afterwards? Will their friendship survive?
She then meets Dave, an irresistible punk rocker, who is a babe, and knows it. Despite his ego issues, she's drawn in by the white hot...more
She then meets Dave, an irresistible punk rocker, who is a babe, and knows it. Despite his ego issues, she's drawn in by the white hot...more
I enjoyed Nicki Elson's writing style and liked the main character, Jennifer, although her plan to get sex advice and experience from her friend (one of the Daves) strained at my belief. But then what do I know about the 80s? By then I was a nice settled down mother of six with the single college life far behind me.
Jen's relationships with her girlfriends were funny and real, with their spring break being one of my favorite scenes. Actually the whole college scene was very realistic. I could ea...more
Jen's relationships with her girlfriends were funny and real, with their spring break being one of my favorite scenes. Actually the whole college scene was very realistic. I could ea...more
May 21, 2011
Martensgirl
added it
I found this book difficult to get through, not because it was a difficult read, but because I was not gripped by the story or characters. It is set in the 1980s, but apart from the odd reference to the fashion and music of the time, I was not transported back to that decade. I also found the characters lacking depth and therefore difficult to empathise with. The book feels a bit 'Mills and Boon; at times, and I found the endless descriptions of what tongues were up to during kisses a little tir...more
Although I'm not American, I was at our equivalent of "college" in the late 80s, so this book brought back all sorts of memories for me. Not that my experience was quite like that of Jen and her Daves, but the little touches - like the thrill of getting your first VCR - were spot on. I loved the music references too, although I was quite disappointed that Peter Gabriel's name was misspelled.
Anyhoo, this was a nice, light, quick read. The storyline was cute, but I was a little worried for a while...more
Anyhoo, this was a nice, light, quick read. The storyline was cute, but I was a little worried for a while...more
Three Daves was such a fun book to read. I loved the throwback to the 80’s and Nicki Elson did a fantastic job with creating characters and situations. The story is set in 1986 and features Jennifer Whitney, who thinks of herself as the last American virgin. She is a sophomore at Central Illinois University, and getting a bit restless that she still has her V-card. But she doesn’t want to just give it up to just anyone and be coined a campus slut. And she also wants to feel somewhat experienced...more
As a college student of the eighties, I wish I had as much fun in school as the main character, Jen, did! Ms. Elson's characters ring true, as does her realistic settings, and that drew me in. I could really relate to Jen's attraction to the bad boy, her wanting to be good enough for the good guy, and finally realizing which Dave was really "the one."
Three Daves has kind of a chick-lit feel - it's not a hard and fast romance, rather the evolution of one woman and how she comes to recognize love....more
Three Daves has kind of a chick-lit feel - it's not a hard and fast romance, rather the evolution of one woman and how she comes to recognize love....more
Fun and Insightful 80's Romance!
Omnific Publishing released Three Daves in February of 2010, and I recently had the pleasure of reading the novel. Three Daves features Jen, a college student at Central Illinois University, and her travails with three men named Dave. The first sentence draws the reader right in: "Jennifer Whitney was the last American virgin."
Wow, I really identified with Jen. Not only does she share my name (and doesn't like to be called Jenny), but she has the same self-doubts...more
Omnific Publishing released Three Daves in February of 2010, and I recently had the pleasure of reading the novel. Three Daves features Jen, a college student at Central Illinois University, and her travails with three men named Dave. The first sentence draws the reader right in: "Jennifer Whitney was the last American virgin."
Wow, I really identified with Jen. Not only does she share my name (and doesn't like to be called Jenny), but she has the same self-doubts...more
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Ah Three Daves! It was on my TBR list for far too long because really, I wish I'd read it much sooner. Three Daves is set in the 80's (I. KNOW. RIGHT?!). And let me tell you, Three Daves is an excellent book, no matter what decade you grew up in. If you wore acid wash jeans, a denim jacket, had big hair, wore old concert t-shirts, swooned over hair band guys or wore your heels with socks - you'll love it even more.
I should probably preface this by saying I was born in '81 and didn't reach high s...more
I should probably preface this by saying I was born in '81 and didn't reach high s...more
Apr 02, 2012
Linsey
marked it as rewritten-fanfic
I remembered this being written and posted as fanfiction previously, but had forgotten the name of the story, so I went looking for it.
I was horrified, and frankly disgusted, to find a quote on the author's own website acknowledging the fact that she had used fanfiction as a testing ground for her novel.
"The funny thing is that I wrote Three Daves before I’d ever even heard of Twilight. But before I got around to polishing it up and seeking publication, I got swept away in Twilight and fanfictio...more
I was horrified, and frankly disgusted, to find a quote on the author's own website acknowledging the fact that she had used fanfiction as a testing ground for her novel.
"The funny thing is that I wrote Three Daves before I’d ever even heard of Twilight. But before I got around to polishing it up and seeking publication, I got swept away in Twilight and fanfictio...more
3 likes · like · see review
Three Daves is the journey of Jennifer Whitney through her college relationships, and she just happens to keep falling for guys named Dave. Jen really wants to keep her good girl reputation intact, but she also wants to gain a little experience, so she'll be ready when she meets "the one". So who's "the one", David, Dave, or Big D?
This was such a fun story. All of the characters had their own unique personalities, so there was definitely no problem distinguishing between the Daves. I was rooting...more
This was such a fun story. All of the characters had their own unique personalities, so there was definitely no problem distinguishing between the Daves. I was rooting...more
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Fun read! Extra points for the Echo and the Bunnymen references, too. While I contemplated to continue over the first few chapters I am so relieved that I did! At first it reminded me of chick-lit, adult Sweet Valley High-ish fluff but quickly turned into a very real, bittersweet, retro erotica homage to growing up. I couldn't put this down!
The story begins with Jen, college student/last American virgin who winds up coincidentally dating three guys named Dave over the course of her school years...more
The story begins with Jen, college student/last American virgin who winds up coincidentally dating three guys named Dave over the course of her school years...more
Three Daves describes Jen's journey through college life in the 80s. She learns lessons of love, life and virtue as she explores relationships and intimacy, all while trying to figure out who she is.
Although the setting takes place in the 80s, my favorite era, Jen's story stands the test of time by describing the challenges met by any college student. Jen's life is told in a lighthearted manner but keeps raw to her emotions throughout.
Although the setting takes place in the 80s, my favorite era, Jen's story stands the test of time by describing the challenges met by any college student. Jen's life is told in a lighthearted manner but keeps raw to her emotions throughout.
Fun book to read. Central University is based on Eastern IL University where I attended so the descriptions in the book of the campus and bars is what I really liked as I remember so many of the spots. Names have been changed but was super fun trying to figure out what bar she was describing !
As a woman who went to college in the 80s, I could totally relate to the main character, Jen, as she meandered her way through three relationships. There were times I truly felt for her and times I laughed so hard my ribs hurt (the Halloween chapter - Oh. My. Word. Too funny!). Even if you didn't go to college in the 80s or any other time, Jen's experiences ring true for any young woman trying to figure out life and love. The characters were real, scenes were well described, and I honestly didn'...more
This story brought through so much of the 80's it was like going to college during the era.
The heroine was cute, sweet, and amusing. I loved her interaction with people and in her own head. It was a really fun read with great writing.
The heroine was cute, sweet, and amusing. I loved her interaction with people and in her own head. It was a really fun read with great writing.
I could not finish this book. It felt silly and not well written. Some folks may appreciate the attention to 80's fashion details, but I would have appreciated the same amount of detail to character development. I like a good light read, but this was just too insubstantial.
I really liked this book. It only gets four stars, since I didn't care for the first 60 pages, and the little quotes from the Bible at the end of each chapter, annoyed me.
Would recommend reading this, since it's a rather fun and light read.
Would recommend reading this, since it's a rather fun and light read.
This was a pretty good book. I would NOT recommend for young readers as there is a lot of sex and alcohol use. However, it is a very good book, and I found it hard to put down.
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Three Daves is an absolutely classic Valentine to college life in the ’80s…FAR hipper than my ’90s experience, to be sure, especially where MUSIC was concerned. Props for capturing the decade in all its high-haired and mini-skirted glory, and providing it a brilliantly selected soundtrack that breathes life into the storyline with its plot parallels. I appreciate how this is a modern tale with a saucy flare that still embraces traditional propriety and morality, illustrating how gals can be ladi...more
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Just finished! Yay! I'm so happy with the ending. Dave was an ass, Big D was sweet, but not for Jen. Loved, loved, loved, David. Great read :)
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A fun weekend read and, for me, a walk down memory lane with all the references to southern Illinois.
Three Daves is a story about this college girl Jen. She is a virgin but doesn't want to be a disappointment to her husband (once she finds the right guy). So she has her friend David give her some "classes" about sex. She ends up having three major relationships all with men named Dave. A little slow to get into and mostly unbeliveable in this day and age but a nice little love story.
As a child of the 80's I loved all the music references that were sprinkled throughout this story. It was a fun trip back in time when we were ALL struggling with the perfect perm, the oversized Flash Dance sweatshirts and stirrup pants and crazy Aziza eye shadow. I loved reading about Jen Whitney and her path to true love and enlightenment. Three Daves was funny, clever and you really, really want Jen to find her way...away from sweet Big D, even further away from the punk, Dave, and into the a...more
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Love it! What a flash back!
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Adult Book Club: #36 - Three Daves | 13 | 63 | Jun 07, 2013 02:14pm | |
| Which Dave do you like? | 4 | 17 | Jan 01, 2012 10:40pm |
Writing wasn't something Nicki set out to do; it just sort of happened when she realized writing reports was by far her favorite part of her investment consulting position. She traded stock allocation and diversification for story arcs and dialogue and now weaves her creative writing time in with the other activities of her busy life with her family in the Chicago suburbs.
Nicki writes with two go...more
More about Nicki Elson...
Nicki writes with two go...more
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“Chapter Eleven:
C’mon good girl, be bad.”
—
24 people liked it
C’mon good girl, be bad.”
“Chapter Twenty-Four:
She was starting to think that it might be fun to be in control of the universe.”
—
7 people liked it
More quotes…
She was starting to think that it might be fun to be in control of the universe.”
