Hopeless Romantic

by Dolly Alderton

Journalist, co-host of the weekly news and pop culture podcast The High Low and author of bestseller Everything I Know About Love, Dolly is an old and important friend of The Pound Project. In her personal essay Hopeless Romantic, she shares an incredibly intimate account of love, therapy, her parents, and her place in the world as an incurable dreamer.

Genres: Nonfiction, Essays, Memoir, Romance, Love, Short Stories, Poetry

Paperback

Published October 17, 2018

About the author

Dolly Alderton is an award-winning author and journalist. She is a columnist for The Sunday Times Style and has also written for GQ, Red, Marie Claire and Grazia. From 2017 to 2020, she co-hosted the weekly pop-culture and current affairs podcast The High Low alongside journalist Pandora Sykes.

Her first book Everything I Know About Love became a top five Sunday Times bestseller in its first week of publication and won a National Book Award for Autobiography of the Year. Her first novel Ghosts was published in October 2020 and was also a top five Sunday Times Bestseller.

Reviews

[Rob · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m so jealous of Dolly’s ability to write 😩

[Claire Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

As usual with Dolly's writing, 'Hopeless Romantic' is heartfelt and warm, witty and astute. Dolly frames the concept of romance with democratic inclusivity, championing the love between friends and self love as just as significant as romantic relationships. She also explores the misunderstood nature of the 'hopeless romantic' in a way I have never heard or thought about before; as obsessive yet optimistic dreamers. I came to the realisation that I must, too, be a hopeless romantic, but after Dolly's flattering analysis, I don't think I mind.

[Elena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Does anyone know how to get the book? I can't find it and I would love to read it

[Megan Staunton · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re hungry for more of Dolly’s writing on love, whether that be self love, friendship or romantic love, this is a glorious little pick-me-up.

[Izzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just LOVE dolly alderton’s writing - it felt like we were in the room with a friend hearing her thoughts on love.

Thank you Chlo for lending me this ❤️

[🌶 peppersocks 🧦 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reflections and lessons learned:
“I caught Romantic young”

Ahhh… an analysis of all sorts of love! Very short but lovely

[Sofia Costa Lima · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can I repeat myself and say that I just really love non-fiction Dolly Alderton? 🥰🥺

[Babette Tallen · Rating 5 out of 5]

v cute v beautiful and heartfelt

[Lily Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Maybe it was predetermined long before I could listen to my first Frank Sinatra song or smell my first rain-beaded rose petal… A line from the prologue of my existence; an epigenetic inevitability.

There was no other way for me to be, but a hopeless, hopeful romantic.”

Once again, Dolly Alderton is insightfully relatable.

[Soesja Schelling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don’t necessarily think this should count towards the number of books I read this year as it took me literally 15 minutes max, but it was too good not to rate. Dolly just writes so so well, I found myself laughing, sighing and nodding my head in agreement all within those aforementioned 15 minutes. I will probably read this a couple more times as I simply loved it, and I can’t wait until Dolly publishes more (longer!) stuff.

[Natasha Jarrold · Rating 4 out of 5]

Either you are or you aren't! I am. Therefore I can relate significantly to the words in this short story. Funny and poetic. A great short story to end your day on. For the dream of being a hopeless romantic continue. 😊

[Eoin McGrath · Rating 4 out of 5]

Preach it Dollz

[Phoebe Trueman · Rating 5 out of 5]

would marry this woman if i could xxx

[Akanksha Jha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish there was more -
JP Watson, in his introduction has described Dolly as someone who "writes with her soul. She knows words are comfort to the solitude", and the entire paperback is a proof of that , entirely.
The hopeless romantic was a publication part of the Pound Project which is an independent publisher based project in the UK, hence the paperback was only published for the duration of the movement, and not available easily.

It is a small paperback (about 30 pages) describing the Romantics (both you and I, and all of us - in some way or the other) and how the world ridicules them, for their own uncanny ways - but rather we all have that romantic in us, in ways that cannot be explained.
But is it real (and easy)? Being a die hard romantic? Or is it just in our hearts (and books and movies) - and the reality always differs?

I have come to my final realization of always asking myself when i find being a hopeless romantic -
is it the person i am falling for, or my thought about the person?

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a lovely little essay and I really like the idea of the Pound Project. I was lucky to have had the chance to buy old copies but I’ll definitely be following and supporting the project from now on!

Dolly speaks very beautifully on romanticism, something I used to really experience and now feel totally removed from (when did I become a hopeless cynic?). It makes me reminiscent of adolescence, and I totally envy those who manage to keep that romance alive!

[Anna Buskirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

i thought this short essay by dolly alderton was a sweet anecdote about love! as well, i think she addresses the common issue of overly romanticizing relationships and relates with her readers. i think what dolly does best is addressing common issues and struggles without accusing. she makes her readers feel less alone and gives them helpful advice on how to improve their life.

[Renata Alves · Rating 5 out of 5]

*the sun is hitting on my face* it only took me five years to find this story, but a random kind soul finally shared it with me. It’s a Saturday afternoon, the sun is shining in Stockholm (my favourite place), I’m having a coffee outside, and from now on, April 12th is a core memory—me, in my happy place, reading this short story in absolute bliss. This too feels like an epigenetic inevitability.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect account of love in all its forms and the role of the romantic ‘dreamer’. Wee gem of a book! Love her writing and would totally agree with those people lauding her as the voice of our generation.

[M-L · Rating 4 out of 5]

🌟🌟🌟🌟 As a fellow sufferer or the 'hopeless romantic' affliction, Dolly's words as always, spoke to me directly. Like seeing thoughts lifted directly from my own mind and confirming that being a romantic, although full of heartbreak is something I will always love to be.

[Chloe Spinks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me want to ring all my besties and tell them I love them. This is a book every 20-something woman should read. I’ve sent my book to one of my closest friends and have asked her to pass it on once she finishes it. Women are awesome 🙌🏼

[molls · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I saw the branches of trees change their seasonal outfit, I pushed aside Keatsian thoughts of who I might kiss under them on a bench. I listened to my favourite Jeff Buckley songs and managed to not fold my own memories of old love in between the chords.

[Oscar Pimlett · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short but interesting look at what it means to be a hopeless romantic and how that impacts our lives. As ever, Alderton writes with confidence and certainty that makes her writing incredibly easy to read and very digestible. Definitely recommend.”

[Jenny Grebennikova · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a warm, kind and gentle reminder of what being a romantic is like. Hopeless, yet leaves you full of hope.

[Sophie Duggan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful confession from the wonderful Dolly Alderton.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really do keep this book in my bag. Whenever I feel overwhelmed about life and love, Dolly’s soothing words just put everything in perspective for me!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fabulous project to be a part of and a delightful little read. Dolly's writing makes me smile and I could read what she has to say day after day. So glad I'm aware of the pound project now.

[Hayley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful little book

[Claire Coupland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written, a lovely little book to spend an afternoon reading.

[Sarah Jones]

5/5

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dolly can literally do no wrong!