Ex-Girlfriends United

Ed & Dan #2

by Matt Dunn

Despite his new-found fame on ITV 5's latest soap, womaniser Dan Davis is failing to score with the ladies. Every time. And he can't understand why.

All is revealed when Dan and his friend Ed Middleton come across a mysterious website - slateyourdate.com - where women rate their experiences of their exes, and where Dan is shocked to learn that long after he's given them one, his ex-girlfriends are giving him one - one out of ten, that is.

Faced with the prospect of a lifetime of singledom, Dan needs to crack the code of a website that's strictly women only to find out where he's been going wrong. Then he must track down his many exes in order to put things right.

Along the way, Dan discovers he has much to learn about himself. Particularly when he meets up again with Polly - and realizes he wants her back. Can Dan convince his former love he's changed? Can Ed convince Dan he needs to change in the first place? Can the two friends use their new-found knowledge to help other men in the same boat?

Genres: Chick Lit, Fiction, Romance, Humor, Comedy, British Literature, Contemporary

401 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2008

About the author

Matt was born in Margate, but eventually escaped to Spain to write his first novel (in between working as a newspaper columnist, and playing a lot of tennis). Previously he has been a professional lifeguard, fitness equipment salesman, and an IT head hunter, but he prefers writing for a living, so hopes people will keep buying his books.

Matt is the author of four contemporary romantic comedy novels; Best Man, The Ex-Boyfriend's Handbook (which was shortlisted for both the Romantic Novel Of The Year award, as well as the Melissa Nathan Award for Comedy Romance), From Here To Paternity, and Ex-Girlfriends United. He's also written about life, love, and relationships for various publications including The Times, Guardian, Cosmopolitan, Company, Elle, Glamour, and The Sun.

Several of Matt's novels have been translated for various European markets (he's big in the Balkans, apparently), as well as as far afield as Malaysia and Indonesia. He's a regular on the literary festival scene, and rates the recent lecturing stint he did on the Creative Writing degree course at London Metropolitan University as one of the most rewarding things he's ever done - and not only because of the number of ideas he was able to appropriate from his students for his books.

Reviews

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a solid bromantic comedy, not as funny as The Ex-Boyfriend's Handbook and with many more sex jokes, which weren't always humorous or tasteful, but still worth the read. I liked how Dunn developed Ed and Dan's stories, and the concept of the book was okay. I got a few smiles and chuckles out of it, and it's a quick and easy summer read. No complaints, really, but I wouldn't read it if you haven't read Ed and Dan #1 yet.

[BookWithAView · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this book up when I had nothing else to read, so went into it with no expectations.
It is part of a series but I didn’t need to read the first one to read it.

This book follows Ed and Dan as they spin around in boring, dry circles. Whilst there is a solid storyline, there is very little going on. It drags. It put me to sleep more than once. The first laugh out loud moment was on page 273/400. The second you expect the pace to pick up it falls back into slow and monotonous.

Why not put it down? Because it’s not fair to make a comment on a book not finished.
There was so much room in this book for Dunn to make his ideas more interesting and I’m sure he could.
Overall disappointing read. 3 out of 5 (being generous).

[Eliza Nat · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is suitable if you're looking for:

- A male's p.o.v. on dating and relationship
- Male 'BFF'
- Realistic modern-time romance

One-line summary: An interesting view on dating and relationship from men's p.o.v. with lots of blatant-yet-realistic dating advices.

Overall, this book was quite an interesting read. It didn't have an exciting twist in the storyline but it wasn't boringly flat either, although the synopsis on the back of the book sounded more promising than what the book actually offered. I thought the main story (from the title and synopsis) was a little skewed. That said, this book is still good for as a weekend read.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think the biggest let down of this book is how accurate it is. I mean, whenever Edward screws up - or takes Dan's advice - I just want to hit him in the head with the book and say, "Why, Ed?! Why would you ever do that?!"

And if that's the only thing I can't stand, it just means that Matt Dunn has got me inside the mind of an almost thirty-something male. Well done.

[Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was really funny. Could read it again and still find it funny. Dan Davis is so hilarious. Recommend everyone should read this book.

[Sam Forster · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was ok, your standard chick lit to read on holiday, one of those you know it'll turn out fine in the end. Could have done with more characterisation as the characters in it seemed just that rather than fully rounded people. Even with the 'reveal' that Dan has had his heart broken isn't that much of a big reveal, just a tried and tested plot device.

If you want to read something with lots of silly sexual innuendos, daft lads' banter, a book that's a nice easy read then this is spot on.

[Louise Ashdown · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book will have you frustrated at times. It's a book about two friends, ones in a relationship and the other is a right ladies man until the ladies get their revenge via a website that exposes his pig headed way of treated woman.
I feel this book went on for a long time. It shows good friendship. Altho at times it annoyed me that Ed was slow and why would you take the advice of Dan who loves em and leaves em.

[Ipswichblade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another easy read, possibly went on a bit too long but enjoyed it enough to read in 24 hours!

[Billie (bilbo.h) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Full of sexist remarks and fat jokes.

[Jandira Pimentel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t enjoy it as much as the 1rst book. Let’s hope the 3rd is better.

[Katharina Bacher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Leichte Lektüre, ganz nett, sehr klischeehaft

[Saee :) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gets shelved in chick lit cause I am not making a dude lit shelf just for this book.
This book has a few laugh - out - loud moments but it gets a bit tiresome reading it only from Ed's view.
It' d been fun reading from Dan's point of view.(Loved Dan's relationship theories.)

[Sonia Fletcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a funny, easy read. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. A rom-com with not too much romance which suits me just fine.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love when you discover an author that makes you laugh out loud when you are reading one of their works. Life can be very stressful, and to me, there isn’t anything better than a well written comic novel. Matt Dunn is a great author that seamlessly blends elements of humor, romance, and manly friendship together to make the perfect fun novel.

I read and loved Matt Dunn’s novel, The Ex-Boyfriends Handbook last fall. At that time, I expressed a great desire in my review to read more about the main characters Dan and Ed. I was excited to discover that two of my favorite fictional characters were back in Ex-Girlfriends United.

As TV’s Dan Davis (presenter on an antique program called There’s a Will), Dan has had no trouble finding the ladies in Brighton. After a sudden lack of success on the dating front, Dan looks to his best friend Ed for support. Ed and his girlfriend, Sam, discover that Dan has quite the profile on SlateYourDate.com, a site where Dan’s previous girlfriends tell their tales of woe about him. While SlateYourDate.com helps Dan to earn a role as a cad (Wayne Kerr) on a soap opera called Close Encounters, Dan realizes that he will no longer be able to pick up new chicks unless he is able to make amends to the past girlfriends he has slighted. With Ed as his sidekick, Dan tracks down his past girlfriends, but also realizes that all of his relationships fail because they can never measure up to his lost love, Polly. Will Dan be able to get his love life going again? Will he be able to make amends with Polly?

As in The Ex-Boyfriends Handbook, the novel is told through the prospective of Ed. In this book, Ed is happy with Sam, but their happiness is threatened when Ed’s ex-girlfriend Jane arrives back in Brighton. Jane has decided she wants Ed back and strategizes to try to break Ed and Sam up.
I really enjoyed Ex-Girlfriends United. I loved the humor and I love Dan and Ed. Their witty banter is perfect. Although the book is about their dating lives on the surface, it is really about their manly friendship. They help may harass each other a lot, but underneath it all, they would do anything for each other. I read some of the funny conversations and quips from Dan and Ed to my husband and the thought they were hilarious or only too true as well. It’s fun reading a novel about men and what they think about dating, written by a man.

Overall, I loved Ex-Girlfriends United. If you are looking for a fun and funny book to read this summer, I highly recommend this book along with The Ex-Boyfriends Handbook.

[Obsidian · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second novel written by Matt Dunn about Edward Middleton and his best friend Dan.

If you have not read the first novel in the series, look away, look away.

Edward has moved on from his ex girlfriend Jane and is still doing his best to keep up with the positive changes he made in his life while attempting to get her back, see "The Ex-Boyfriend's Handbook".

With Edward happily dating and feeling better about himself than he has in years, his best friend Dan is going through a dating downward spiral. No matter what Dan does he seems to be turning women off left and right. Dan eventually finds out that all of his exes have rated him on a website called, "SlateYourDate.com". Too bad for Dan that all of his exes have nothing but negative things to say about him.

Though many women (and men) out there will loathe Dan I have to say that once you get into his reasoning for why he was dumping women left and right you will find the humor in the situation. Dan is not a very bright character, but definitely has some insights into women that Edward needs to listen to since Edwards keeps treating women like they are this rare species that he has no understanding of at all.

The main reason why I gave this novel only three stars (I dithered between three and three and a half) is that I think Mr. Dunn would have had a stronger novel, with even more hilarity if this story was told from Dan's point of view. Reading the book summary for "Ex-Girlfriends United" you would think this novel was told from Dan's point of view.

Instead the novel is told from Edward's point of view and you just deal with his problems through the whole novel (problems of his own doing by the way) and you have him insecure and questioning everything that his new girlfriend says and does.Frankly if I were Dan I would have told Edward to go see a shrink since his constant indecision about everything started to drive me mad by the end of this novel.

Readers do finally get to "meet" Edward's ex, Jane. She is definitely a flesh and blood character in this novel and I could understand her anger and jealousy on how Edward moved on and got his life together after she dumped him. Besides Edward "helping" Dan here and there with how to get his exes off of Dan's backs we as readers do not get to witness any of the things that Dan does, we merely hear about them after the fact when Dan is re-telling stories to Edward.

[Mary BookHounds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jack and Beth share a summer romance 8 years prior and Beth never hears from Jack again which breaks her heart. Beth, in desperate need of a job, receives an offer from a firm where Jack is the CEO. Her family and financial life is crumbling after her mother dies, her father has an accident and her talented teenage sister wants to go to an expensive acting school. She settles into an unsatisfactory relationship with Marcus, who owns the local used car dealership. And yes, you are right in thinking all used car salesman are alike since I just felt icky even reading about him.

After accepting the position, Beth finds her love and lust rekindled again being around Jack. The job as a travel planner is just exactly what Beth needs and she soon realizes that Marcus isn't what she needs. The minor characters in this book are spectacular. Freya (after Freya North, maybe?) is an extra sparkling star that provides a lot of comic relief and fun as the office assistance. She provides a reality check for Beth as well and can see that Beth and Jack belong together. Martha, Jack's personal assistant/mother-figure, knows how to run a tight ship and gets Jack exactly where he needs to be when it comes to Beth, even prodding Jack into hiring her. Oh, and throw in an ice queen in the form of Camilla (who is after Jack) just to make things interesting and get in the way of the reuniting couple. Sorry, but you have to read the book to get the full score.

I simply adored this book. It gets everything right and you bond with the characters after only a few pages. You will dislike (ok, maybe even hate) Camilla and Marcus but even then Ashley redeems them and shows their human side. Beth and Jack just belong together and the chemistry between the two is perfect. The is also a perfect balance between dialogue and description which to me makes the planets align. I think I read this in about 3 hours, so it is perfect for the beach and even has a few exotic locations. I really want to go to Corsica now. If you are looking for pitch perfect beach reading, you can't do better than Wish You Were Here.

[Best Crime Books & More · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having read the first book by Matt Dunn featuring Ed Middleton and his friend Dan Davies, I was keen to read the second book. Once again we meet with Ed and Dan, only this time around Ed is settled down with his girlfriend and Dan seems to be going through a dry spell. Dan Davies has a job as a TV presenter, and has landed a role in a new daytime soap. He just can’t figure out why the women aren’t falling at his feet like they usually do. In the first book we see more of Edward and his dilemma of trying to change his ways, and I actually preferred that as Dan grated on me a little bit. With Dan being a little bit more prominent in this book I wondered if I would like it as much.

When Dan and Ed realise that a website ‘Slate Your Date’ features Dan heavily they realise Dan’s situation is a little trickier than they first thought. Ex Girlfriends seem to have overloaded the site with details of Dan’s disgraceful behaviour. Between them, they decide the only way to get things sorted is to track down Dan’s exes and try to make things right. As usual humour is the main key to Matt’s books slightly having the edge and there is no shortage of that in this book. The one thing that did make me feel it wasn’t as good as the last is the fact that I just couldn’t imagine Dan and Ed actually being friends in real life?! Having said that, towards the end of the book my attitude towards Dan changed somewhat and I found myself thinking that he wasn’t that bad after all!

I think Matt Dunn has produced another good book and although Dan grates on me a bit, I really like the two of them and more to the point want to know how things go from here. Luckily, the next book The Accidental Proposal should answer my questions. I think his two books I’ve read so far are pretty solid reads, although yet to blow me away! Can’t wait for the next one and can definitely recommend them for men and women!

[Luanne Ollivier · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5
I read and reviewed Matt Dunn's book The Ex- Boyfriend's Handbook last year and quite enjoyed it. Dunn writes - well - chick lit or rather lad lit if you will. It's the same light fun hearted read, but from a male perspective.

Dunn reprises the two lead characters - Edward, who turned his life around after being dumped by his girlfriend. And Dan, Edward's best friend - a womanizer whose best friend is his mirror.

The tables are turned in Ex-Girlfriends United. Dan's womanizing has caught up to him. His past girlfriends are rating him at an online review site Slate Your Date. And it's not good... Dan and Edward set out to to clean up Dan's reputation - and maybe win back the one girl he did love. But Edward has his own issues when his ex - Jane - decides she wants Edward back.

What makes Dunn's books for is that other side of the coin view. The 'what does it mean if she does this?' or 'Should I call and when?' and more. Dan, of course, has very set 'rules' of engagement. Edward is more naive and sweeter. Edward is the boyfriend you'd want to have. Dan, well.... Dan's dialogue sometimes veers past funny and crude into just plain crass. I think this is my only complaint about the book.The repartee between the two characters is quick and witty. But I do wonder how and why the two of them are friends, being such polar opposites.

Other than that (and really it wasn't that bad) Ex-Girlfriends United is perfect for the beach bag. It won't tax your brain, but will provide an entertaining read with some laughs along the way.

Cover blurb from Sophie Kinsella - " A hilarious insight into the male mind"

[Heather Bode · Rating 2 out of 5]

I should preface this review by saying this was a book that I randomly plucked off the shelf at the library, because it's summer time and I wanted light reading. I have not read the first book (didn't even realize there was a first book until about halfway through the novel).

Perhaps it takes reading the first book to understand the characters better. Ed was sweet, thoughtful and moral, and yet it was so incredibly irritating how thick he was. Not in the big relationship questions sense, more so his inability to understand any point a person was trying to make unless it was phrased in the form of a metaphor or analogy . And dear lord - the analogies. SO MANY. I'm a fan of a good analogy, but it seemed as it was the only way these people could communicate with one another. It was a literary device that got really old really fast to me.

I feel like a could complain about a number of things, but part of me wonders if it's because I'm a woman, and one could argue this book is presented from a male perspective, hence there being inherent differences of opinion. Despite all the ridiculously sexist, outlandish, horrible shit that would spew out of Dan's mouth, he made some (few) points that weren't 100% false, which was irritating, but well-played.

Anyway, overall it was an entertaining read to pass the time, but didn't grab me, and didn't leave me with much of a desire to read the first book.

[Mary BookHounds · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dan is a low rung TV star that has just landed his perfect role in a soap opera. He finds woman are not throwing themselves at him as they should be with his new found glory. His friend Ed finds him on a dating website that lets you rate your date and all of his previous dates have given him a ONE out of ten.. Dan enlists Ed to help him clean up his online persona and through a series of missteps that aren't quite honest, he learns that he must be truthful with himself to right everything. The story is told from the point of view of Ed which leads to very original observations and a lot of very funny one liners. Ed's girlfriend, Sam, provides a great counterpoint to the whole situation especially when his ex arrives on the scene. There are some really sweet moments when Dan realizes that Polly is the "girl who got away" and he works on his issues to win her back.


This is chick lit from the mind of a man and really hits the mark. I haven't read The Ex-Boyfriend's Handbook, but I guess I will have to now since this really exceeded my expectations. It is nice to have a romance like this told from a male viewpoint. It is a wonderful story about second chances. If you have read and adored Nick Hornby like I have, you are going to love Matt Dunn.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being a romance writer who likes to get inside the head of her heroes, I decided to read a 'Matt Dunn' for the perspective of the male voice.

This was an incredibly funny, light-hearted, entertaining read. It's in first person, and you're in Ed's head. It's got great pace and there are so many laugh out loud moments.

This is book two, and I really wish I'd read The Ex-boyfriends Handbook first but you don't need to read that to follow this story. You get the idea.

I actually thought this book would be much more about Dan, Ed's womanising, bed-hopping best friend, as it starts out with him having the problems, but really it turns out to be more about Ed and Sam, and Jane, Ed's ex.

I will definitely be reading more. It's not really chick-lit (although I have a hard time knowing what really is chick-lit) in the sense it's more about romance than anything, and I don't want to categorise it as Lad-lit because this book really is written for women to read, though I think men would enjoy this book too, (they would find it hilarious) as long as romance is their thing.

Definitely an enjoyable read.

(I would have read this quicker but with reading Harry Potter with my son, I'm having to split my reading time).

[drey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Matt Dunn's Ex-Girlfriends United is a funny tongue-in-cheek look at a guy who's trying to get his best buddy to change his caddish ways. It's not too difficult to start the process--by apologizing to his exes--especially when they've rated him badly on a website, but how much does the process stick with the guy?

I expected this to be more about Dan (the cad). After all, it's Dan's ex-girlfriends who've torpedoed his chances at adding to that loooooooooong list... Instead, it's more about Eddie, who starred in Dunn's previous novel Ex-Boyfriend's Handbook, and his confusion about his current relationship when his ex-girlfriend shows up out of the blue. Wanting him back, of course.

There's angst, which I'm not used to from guys. There's denial, which I am. And there's humor, which makes everything better.

I wasn't enamored with Dan, and Eddie was a bit too wishy-washy for my liking. But I did appreciate this addition to the chick-lit/contemporary romance genre, as you hardly get much that's written from the guy's point of view.

[Diana Hockley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally hilarious, laugh aloud moments. Heaven help us, this is an author who understands women's wiles!

Dan Davis, lover extraordinaire – at least in his own estimation – is going through a “woman” drought. For some reason, he can’t get a date but then he discovers there is a website where women post their experiences with men. Not only do they do that, but they name the men in question and Dan finds himself “mentioned in dispatches” with alarming regularity.

His friend, Ed Middleton, tries to explain to Dan why he is in such deep poo with the girls, but Ed has his own problems. Jane, who dumped him after ten years together, is back on the scene and wants him back – because she can. However, Ed is now in love with Samantha who he met when he was trying to get his figure back to it svelte former glory.

How Dan and Ed resolve their problems makes for a terrific read. I loved this book and will read more of Matt Dunn’s books.

[Teena in Toronto · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the sequel to The Ex-Boyfriend's Handbook which I read a couple weeks ago ... Edward and Dan are back.

Edward is happy now dating his ex-trainer, Sam. Dan, on the other hand, can't get a date and it's because all the women he's dumped have rated him on a website called Slate Your Date. Edward comes up with a plan to have Dan make it up to every woman on the website so they'll erase the bad ratings.

Jane, Edward's ex-girlfriend who dumped him, returns and wants Edward back which sets off a huge chain of events.

Dan is still the same egotistical fella he was in the first book and Edwards is still his ever patient pal trying to turn him around.

It is an entertaining "guy-lit" book told from a man's perspective.

Blog review: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2011/06...

[Ruthy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay, I saw this book at the library, read the description and was interested so why not. It's an easy read, not too complicated...but the story doesn't really match its synopsis. The synopsis turns out to be only half of the story maybe slightly less. It almost felt to me like it was a switch and bait type of thing. Again, if you want something simple (it's almost got a "this could be a sitcom" vibe to it) and just a quick read, I would try it out but only after reading the first book (see below). I'm a believer is reading in order; even if it's sometimes not required.

Did a little research and found out this is the second book that evolves around the two main characters. The first book is "The Ex-Boyfriend's Handbook" which I will try to locate at my local library.

Happy reading!!!! =)

[Mindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just saw this book while picking random ones to add to my cart, at first I was quite hesitant to bring it home as I was over my quota (I usually set a fixed number of quota before I go book shopping as I have a tendency to just grab everything off the shelf). But the blurb and tittle was too attractive to put it back so I did what a bookworm have to do, break my quota again (it's going to haunt me when the bills come) and I did not regret it.

I didn't struggle to immerse myself in the book since it was very well written, relatable in a lot of sense, it gives you a clear picture of what's really going on in a guy's head. The plot was good tho but can't say I like the ending much, it was quite dry... to me. So 4 out of 5 stars!

[rudy · Rating 1 out of 5]

i really did not enjoy it at all. it was good, but i thought the characters were too meh. like the main guy helping Dan, (its that bad i forgot his name) he was so clueless and so annoying to read. his stupidness about dating was getting me annoyed, as i the reader got what Dan was trying to explain, but his friend was like "why? why? how does that explain anything" it was annoying to read. whenever i picked up the book i thought, ok this is going to be good, im this far in the book im sure it will be good, but noooooooooooooooo, it was annoying me, it also seemed to drag! i had to stop reading or i will go crazy! not a good book. so far from 2012 this is the book that let me down.
xxx

[Lina Khairunisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book made me feel uneasy in each chapter, which is a good vibe to me. I really thought the story focuses on Dan alone since at the beginning, it's all about him him and him. But then, there comes the part where Edward is concerned. Whatever it is, I was annoyed by Dan's behavior- he loves to insult Edward whenever he likes but come to think of it again, they're best friends, and best friends, especially guys, always insult each other. And I really think the guys should read this book, it helps to save their relationship with their girlfriends, well, at least. Will look forward to read Matt Dunn's books again.

[Phyllis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the sequel to Ex-Boyfriends Handbook and has the same funny style.
Dan, the womanizer, can't get a date since his ex-girlfriends started giving him bad reviews on "SlateYourDate" (47 bad reviews and climbing).
Edward thinks his relationship with his new girlfriend, Sam, is going great until his ex, Jane, decides she wants him back. Ex-Girlfriends United is another hilarious look into the male mind as Dan tries to make reparations to his many exes to improve his sex life - or rather get one again - and as Edward keeps putting his foot in his mouth as he tries to keep Sam.

[IzzahAbd · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't really enjoy this book. There's not really that jaw-dropping plot twist but the writing style is light.
It's wasn't the type of fluffy bubbly kind of love I had hoped for but thank God there wasn't anything explicit.
There's too much talking and the guys made things more complicated than they really are. Which is so frustrating.
The characters are sort of inconsistent. One minute Dan is a genius and one minute he isn't. same goes for Edward.