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The Cheap Dates Club
Two broke strangers.
Two broken hearts.
Two happily-ever-afters for the price of one?Isla and Leigh are starting to think love is not worth it.
Until they both see an ad in the gazette for a new dating service, which vows to help skint singles ‘find love for free’ while giving back to the community. The dates on offer range from the classic meet cute (dog walking) to the less-than-cute (litter picking)… but when Isla is matched with Leigh, she’s surprised by how quickly sparks begin to fly.
Being a cheap date is nothing to be ashamed of. But will the price of Leigh’s past heartbreak – or a suave rival offering Isla a more lavish lifestyle – keep them apart? Sometimes, even low-cost romance is high stakes…
Two broken hearts.
Two happily-ever-afters for the price of one?Isla and Leigh are starting to think love is not worth it.
Until they both see an ad in the gazette for a new dating service, which vows to help skint singles ‘find love for free’ while giving back to the community. The dates on offer range from the classic meet cute (dog walking) to the less-than-cute (litter picking)… but when Isla is matched with Leigh, she’s surprised by how quickly sparks begin to fly.
Being a cheap date is nothing to be ashamed of. But will the price of Leigh’s past heartbreak – or a suave rival offering Isla a more lavish lifestyle – keep them apart? Sometimes, even low-cost romance is high stakes…
350 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 20, 2023
10 people are currently reading
185 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
August 31, 2023
4☆ A Quirky, light hearted Romance!
This is such a warm hearted must read.
I absolutely adore Isla & Leigh! Watching their budding romance fizz as they continue on their cheap dates is so heart warming.
The banter and chemistry feels so genuine which is a credit to the author.
There's plenty of smiles & giggles along the way.
Although it's not all plain sailing, so buckle up it might get a lil bumpy!
I just have to mention Doris a resident at the care home Isla works at.
Not only is she Isla's biggest fan, she is a lil minx! Proving your Never too old to fall in love! 🩷
What I loved about this book was how current and relevant it felt to dating and the current cost of living situation. It was quirky and intriguing to see what date would be next.
My only teeny tiny niggle was the ending. I wanted a little more from it. Yes it ended perfectly but I felt it ended a lil too quickly. However I do want more please!
Thank you to Harper Collins and Netgalley for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2023/0...
This is such a warm hearted must read.
I absolutely adore Isla & Leigh! Watching their budding romance fizz as they continue on their cheap dates is so heart warming.
The banter and chemistry feels so genuine which is a credit to the author.
There's plenty of smiles & giggles along the way.
Although it's not all plain sailing, so buckle up it might get a lil bumpy!
I just have to mention Doris a resident at the care home Isla works at.
Not only is she Isla's biggest fan, she is a lil minx! Proving your Never too old to fall in love! 🩷
What I loved about this book was how current and relevant it felt to dating and the current cost of living situation. It was quirky and intriguing to see what date would be next.
My only teeny tiny niggle was the ending. I wanted a little more from it. Yes it ended perfectly but I felt it ended a lil too quickly. However I do want more please!
Thank you to Harper Collins and Netgalley for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2023/0...
August 31, 2023
4☆ A Quirky, light hearted Romance!
This is such a warm hearted must read.
I absolutely adore Isla & Leigh! Watching their budding romance fizz as they continue on their cheap dates is so heart warming.
The banter and chemistry feels so genuine which is a credit to the author.
There's plenty of smiles & giggles along the way.
Although it's not all plain sailing, so buckle up it might get a lil bumpy!
I just have to mention Doris a resident at the care home Isla works at.
Not only is she Isla's biggest fan, she is a lil minx! Proving your Never too old to fall in love! 🩷
What I loved about this book was how current and relevant it felt to dating and the current cost of living situation. It was quirky and intriguing to see what date would be next.
My only teeny tiny niggle was the ending. I wanted a little more from it. Yes it ended perfectly but I felt it ended a lil too quickly. However I do want more please!
Thank you to Harper Collins and Netgalley for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2023/0...
This is such a warm hearted must read.
I absolutely adore Isla & Leigh! Watching their budding romance fizz as they continue on their cheap dates is so heart warming.
The banter and chemistry feels so genuine which is a credit to the author.
There's plenty of smiles & giggles along the way.
Although it's not all plain sailing, so buckle up it might get a lil bumpy!
I just have to mention Doris a resident at the care home Isla works at.
Not only is she Isla's biggest fan, she is a lil minx! Proving your Never too old to fall in love! 🩷
What I loved about this book was how current and relevant it felt to dating and the current cost of living situation. It was quirky and intriguing to see what date would be next.
My only teeny tiny niggle was the ending. I wanted a little more from it. Yes it ended perfectly but I felt it ended a lil too quickly. However I do want more please!
Thank you to Harper Collins and Netgalley for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2023/0...
July 20, 2023
Isla decides to try the Gazette’s “Cheap Dates Club”. A new take on dating, a bit of a social experiment, where applicants try dating doing community service instead of spending money. Living in a shared house, struggling to work out how to make her £7 last a week, she figures “why not?”
Will Isla find love? Or will it be a complete disaster?
A funny, lighthearted and very cute read. The characters were likeable (Doris was just adorable and my favourite). The friendships were very genuine and believable and I was absolutely rooting for Isla and Leigh. A heartwarming and enjoyable book.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the opportunity to read an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
Will Isla find love? Or will it be a complete disaster?
A funny, lighthearted and very cute read. The characters were likeable (Doris was just adorable and my favourite). The friendships were very genuine and believable and I was absolutely rooting for Isla and Leigh. A heartwarming and enjoyable book.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the opportunity to read an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
July 26, 2023
The Cheap Dates Club is an authentic and genuine portrayal of modern dating, with all the self doubt and red flags you'd unfortunately expect.
If you're looking for a sweet contemporary romance this is both heartfelt and genuine, with the addition of the cutest old lady, then this is definitely one for you.
Read via audiobook on Scribd. Rating 3.5
Availble on Amazon & Scribd.
If you're looking for a sweet contemporary romance this is both heartfelt and genuine, with the addition of the cutest old lady, then this is definitely one for you.
Read via audiobook on Scribd. Rating 3.5
Availble on Amazon & Scribd.
February 12, 2024
this book is great if you want to feel like you’re reading the script of a cheesy yet feel-good netflix romance movie
August 22, 2023
Soooo sweet! A very cute British rom-com with the most genuine characters. I have no idea where I learned about this one, but so glad I got it.
September 27, 2023
Such a sweet book. The author does a great job with her character development, you can't help but route for Isla and Leigh.
Nice take on modern dating!
Nice take on modern dating!
October 18, 2024
A cost of living dating crisis that seems to save the future of newspaper publishing at the same time as bringing the loveliest people together. Sweet.
February 6, 2024
"The Cheap Dates Club" by Lottie Brook is a delightful romantic comedy that proves love doesn't have to break the bank. In a world where dating can often feel like an expensive and exhausting endeavour, this novel offers a refreshing take on finding love on a budget.
The story follows Isla and Leigh, two strangers who are struggling with broken hearts and empty wallets. When they stumble upon an ad for a new dating service promising to help cash-strapped singles find love for free, they decide to give it a try. What follows is a series of quirky and unconventional dates, from dog walking to litter picking, that bring Isla and Leigh closer together in unexpected ways.
One of the highlights of the book is the chemistry between Isla and Leigh. Despite their initial scepticism about the dating service and each other, they soon find themselves drawn to one another in ways they never expected. Their banter is witty, their interactions are heartfelt, and their journey towards love is both entertaining and relatable.
Brook's writing is engaging and humorous, with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments sprinkled throughout the story. She has a knack for creating lovable and quirky characters that readers can't help but root for, from Isla's quirky best friend to Leigh's charming rival for her affections.
At its core, "The Cheap Dates Club" is about more than just finding love on a budget. It's about overcoming past heartbreak, embracing the unexpected, and learning to appreciate the simple joys in life. It's a feel-good read that will leave you smiling long after you've turned the last page.
The story follows Isla and Leigh, two strangers who are struggling with broken hearts and empty wallets. When they stumble upon an ad for a new dating service promising to help cash-strapped singles find love for free, they decide to give it a try. What follows is a series of quirky and unconventional dates, from dog walking to litter picking, that bring Isla and Leigh closer together in unexpected ways.
One of the highlights of the book is the chemistry between Isla and Leigh. Despite their initial scepticism about the dating service and each other, they soon find themselves drawn to one another in ways they never expected. Their banter is witty, their interactions are heartfelt, and their journey towards love is both entertaining and relatable.
Brook's writing is engaging and humorous, with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments sprinkled throughout the story. She has a knack for creating lovable and quirky characters that readers can't help but root for, from Isla's quirky best friend to Leigh's charming rival for her affections.
At its core, "The Cheap Dates Club" is about more than just finding love on a budget. It's about overcoming past heartbreak, embracing the unexpected, and learning to appreciate the simple joys in life. It's a feel-good read that will leave you smiling long after you've turned the last page.
July 23, 2023
It was the title that attracted me most to this book, in addition to its very bright cover, as in a cost of living crisis, it makes sense for dating to be done in more unusual and less expensive ways
Isla and Leigh though sceptical at first, decide to give it a go, and I loved hearing their dates and the newspaper's reporting of them.
I can't say many people would be litter picking on a first date, it certainly would never occur to me but amazingly it did provide prompts for conversations, well nothing deep and meaningful but basic small talk.
I loved Isla and Leigh so much, the book is written with chapters dedicated to each of them, so we can see things from both sides, and I enjoyed getting to know them both.
But easily my favourite character was Doris, from the care home that Isla works at. She's a breath of fresh air!
I can't believe how fast I devoured this fabulous story, especially for an author i've never read, Which to me is mark of how much I was loving what I was reading.
I'm definitely keen to read more from this author in the future.
What a great book.
Thank you to HarperNorth and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
Isla and Leigh though sceptical at first, decide to give it a go, and I loved hearing their dates and the newspaper's reporting of them.
I can't say many people would be litter picking on a first date, it certainly would never occur to me but amazingly it did provide prompts for conversations, well nothing deep and meaningful but basic small talk.
I loved Isla and Leigh so much, the book is written with chapters dedicated to each of them, so we can see things from both sides, and I enjoyed getting to know them both.
But easily my favourite character was Doris, from the care home that Isla works at. She's a breath of fresh air!
I can't believe how fast I devoured this fabulous story, especially for an author i've never read, Which to me is mark of how much I was loving what I was reading.
I'm definitely keen to read more from this author in the future.
What a great book.
Thank you to HarperNorth and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
May 31, 2023
The Cheap Dates Club, perfect for a cost of living crisis!
I thought this book was fabulous. Set in Sheffield, I love the Northern references and humour. A book that delivers with every page.
I loved Isla, but she had no luck in the dating game. Living in a shared house, skint with a low paid job. She didn’t really feel like a grown up yet. She worked in a care home sorting out the activities for the residents. Doris was a great character, liked a bit of Boggle.
Also short on cash is Leigh, divorced graphic designer. He comes with the baggage of a parrot, left over from his marriage to Serena who is also his boss.
An ad is put in the local paper for a dating experiment, cheap dates which also help in the local community. Isla and Leigh both sign up.
I thoroughly recommend this book. A brilliant concept which should be rolled out nationwide, even as a TV show. It would certainly be better viewing that the pretentious over-preened current dating shows.
Thanks to Harper Collins, Harper North and NetGalley for the review copy in which I give my honest opinion.
(I've missed Anna Mansell, so good to see her back!)
I thought this book was fabulous. Set in Sheffield, I love the Northern references and humour. A book that delivers with every page.
I loved Isla, but she had no luck in the dating game. Living in a shared house, skint with a low paid job. She didn’t really feel like a grown up yet. She worked in a care home sorting out the activities for the residents. Doris was a great character, liked a bit of Boggle.
Also short on cash is Leigh, divorced graphic designer. He comes with the baggage of a parrot, left over from his marriage to Serena who is also his boss.
An ad is put in the local paper for a dating experiment, cheap dates which also help in the local community. Isla and Leigh both sign up.
I thoroughly recommend this book. A brilliant concept which should be rolled out nationwide, even as a TV show. It would certainly be better viewing that the pretentious over-preened current dating shows.
Thanks to Harper Collins, Harper North and NetGalley for the review copy in which I give my honest opinion.
(I've missed Anna Mansell, so good to see her back!)
August 7, 2023
Cheap Dates Experiment
Intrigued by the Gazette's "Cheap Dates Club," Isla decides to embark on a unique dating experience that also serves as a social experiment. Rather than splurging on conventional dates, participants engage in community service. With a humble budget of £7 for the week and living in a shared house, Isla takes the plunge, thinking, "Why not?"
As she immerses herself in this unconventional dating journey, the burning question remains: will Isla discover love, or is disaster looming on the horizon?
The unfolding story offers a delightful and amusing read, brimming with humor and lighthearted moments. The characters, especially the lovable favorite Doris, endear themselves to the readers. The authentic and believable friendships that blossom throughout the narrative warm the heart, leaving readers rooting for Isla and Leigh's blossoming connection.
Overall, this heartwarming and enjoyable book beautifully captures the essence of human connection, reminding us that unconventional paths can lead to unexpectedly beautiful outcomes.
Intrigued by the Gazette's "Cheap Dates Club," Isla decides to embark on a unique dating experience that also serves as a social experiment. Rather than splurging on conventional dates, participants engage in community service. With a humble budget of £7 for the week and living in a shared house, Isla takes the plunge, thinking, "Why not?"
As she immerses herself in this unconventional dating journey, the burning question remains: will Isla discover love, or is disaster looming on the horizon?
The unfolding story offers a delightful and amusing read, brimming with humor and lighthearted moments. The characters, especially the lovable favorite Doris, endear themselves to the readers. The authentic and believable friendships that blossom throughout the narrative warm the heart, leaving readers rooting for Isla and Leigh's blossoming connection.
Overall, this heartwarming and enjoyable book beautifully captures the essence of human connection, reminding us that unconventional paths can lead to unexpectedly beautiful outcomes.
July 16, 2023
ARC Rating 4/5 ⭐️
‘I think that you are the kind of woman I could one hundred per cent fall in love with.’
I really liked the neon bookcover for this and just had to read it 💟
This is a sweet modern contemporary romance.
The story follows Isla and Leigh, who have been burnt from previous relationships but decide to sign up to the local paper's dating service ad and give love another go. The dating service/experience aims to match couples up and set them on cheap dates.
The story was really nice, and I enjoyed a lot of the humour and northern references. The main and supporting characters were well written.
I think the story touched on a lot of important things regarding the reality of living on the bread line, balancing job satisfaction, renting/ housesharing, and living paycheck to paycheck. While still being a nice, funny, cute read.
Thank you, NetGalley, HarperCollins, and Lottie Brook, for sending this book for review. All opinions are my own.
‘I think that you are the kind of woman I could one hundred per cent fall in love with.’
I really liked the neon bookcover for this and just had to read it 💟
This is a sweet modern contemporary romance.
The story follows Isla and Leigh, who have been burnt from previous relationships but decide to sign up to the local paper's dating service ad and give love another go. The dating service/experience aims to match couples up and set them on cheap dates.
The story was really nice, and I enjoyed a lot of the humour and northern references. The main and supporting characters were well written.
I think the story touched on a lot of important things regarding the reality of living on the bread line, balancing job satisfaction, renting/ housesharing, and living paycheck to paycheck. While still being a nice, funny, cute read.
Thank you, NetGalley, HarperCollins, and Lottie Brook, for sending this book for review. All opinions are my own.
June 8, 2023
Well, now! This book is a bit special! I absolutely loved the premise of TCDC and found it completely adorable. I want to be friends with Isla, and I wouldn't mind going on a date with Leigh.
The activities chosen for the cheap dates are so cute, and I think it's a genius idea!
There was not a single second that I didn't love about this book. Highly, highly recommend!
The activities chosen for the cheap dates are so cute, and I think it's a genius idea!
There was not a single second that I didn't love about this book. Highly, highly recommend!
January 5, 2025
I finished several other books in the middle of reading this. It is a third person narrative. The cheap dates were cute. Then there is a bit of Other Woman/Other Man drama (of course they're total witches and creeps)
April 19, 2025
1/5 stars! I wanted to like this but didn't like anything about it. The premise sounded so good but both these FMC were petty and acted stupid the whole book. That is not the kind of women's lit I am interested in reading.
July 25, 2023
4.5 stars, super cute book!
August 14, 2023
Very cute little romcom with fleshed out characters that didn't go exactly where I expected it to straight away! Nice read for summer!
September 27, 2023
quick cute read. good premise, very relatable plot, characters feel very flat.
December 22, 2023
Such a lovely, wholesome, cosy and sweet book
December 25, 2023
A really cute and fun book with a little bit of a different premises which I really enjoyed.
January 14, 2024
Slow to start, but it’s a nice light hearted book, discussing modern dating
Read
August 18, 2024DNF at 40%
September 18, 2024
Easy reading but a cool idea.
September 24, 2024
Cute storyline. The audiobook narrator wasn’t the best. There was some infrequent strong language and a fade to black sex scene. Overall it was ok.
December 7, 2024
This book started out awful. Definitely improved as you went on
October 5, 2025
A cute little audiobook that wasn’t anything special but was heartwarming and cozy
December 22, 2024
I wasn't expecting much from this one, a light hearted bit of escapism perhaps. And the basic premise is very promising - a local community newspaper creates a Cheap Dates Club, where strangers are matched up and sent on dates based on community service such as litter picking in the park, removing graffiti etc. Isla and Leigh are the couple in question and it all goes great until Leigh is sent on an unavoidable business trip at short notice. It's about here where it starts to fall apart and I became frustrated and started skipping pages.
Romance novels always have a misunderstanding but this was just too dumb to be believable. Isla - a supposedly intelligent young woman - decides with no evidence that Leigh isn't really on a business trip but is ghosting her and REFUSES TO ANSWER HIS PHONE CALLS. And then she decides to go out with THE RIVAL (there's one required in every romance novel), the extremely handsome and wealthy, and with no other redeeming features, Rupert. You can tell this isn't going to work out because Rupert doesn't have a back story and sure enough his sleazy side (obvious to the reader from the start) becomes too blatant for even Isla to ignore.
There's a beautiful ex wife who doesn't really have much effect on the plot, I think she's just there to tick the beautiful ex wife box. And an unbelievably smart Alec parrot that always has a witty comment to add, in what I suppose is an attempt at comic relief. Apart from that there's a bit of localisation - it's set in Sheffield rather than London - which might matter to Sheffield locals but isn't enough to save it for a foreign reader.
I guess Isla and Leigh get together in the end but even with skipping chapters I couldn't care and couldn't get back into the story. I read the last pages but in truth this one was Unfinished.
Romance novels always have a misunderstanding but this was just too dumb to be believable. Isla - a supposedly intelligent young woman - decides with no evidence that Leigh isn't really on a business trip but is ghosting her and REFUSES TO ANSWER HIS PHONE CALLS. And then she decides to go out with THE RIVAL (there's one required in every romance novel), the extremely handsome and wealthy, and with no other redeeming features, Rupert. You can tell this isn't going to work out because Rupert doesn't have a back story and sure enough his sleazy side (obvious to the reader from the start) becomes too blatant for even Isla to ignore.
There's a beautiful ex wife who doesn't really have much effect on the plot, I think she's just there to tick the beautiful ex wife box. And an unbelievably smart Alec parrot that always has a witty comment to add, in what I suppose is an attempt at comic relief. Apart from that there's a bit of localisation - it's set in Sheffield rather than London - which might matter to Sheffield locals but isn't enough to save it for a foreign reader.
I guess Isla and Leigh get together in the end but even with skipping chapters I couldn't care and couldn't get back into the story. I read the last pages but in truth this one was Unfinished.
December 17, 2024
Firstly, I’m not a blogger or receiver of arcs - I just happened to be recommended this little gem by the Amazon Kindle App and I absolutely loved it!
V likeable characters (both the MCs and the secondary), really funny (great British humour and the observations resonated perfectly), I enjoyed the storytelling and I just loved the concept.
As you can tell I enjoyed this one and have happily given 5 stars (which sadly hasn’t happened as much as I’d like this year).
V likeable characters (both the MCs and the secondary), really funny (great British humour and the observations resonated perfectly), I enjoyed the storytelling and I just loved the concept.
As you can tell I enjoyed this one and have happily given 5 stars (which sadly hasn’t happened as much as I’d like this year).
July 30, 2025
it makes me wish there was a cheap dates club IRL 😭 volunteering together is such a cute and non-pressurising way to bond!! i was hooked on understanding Isla and Leigh’s lives separately, and was sooo mesmerised and happy reading about all their interactions. It feels like they were meant to meet and they are each other’s safe space <3
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews