The Art of Dating

by Ellie Messe

A year ago, I was a different person.
I was drawing hearts in my notebook convinced I would be Mrs. Cole Hewitt one day.

Six months ago, I was naïve, stupid, and whiney.
I believed in second chances.
Even when I was boyfriend less, apartment less, and my best friend was on me about moving on.

Five months ago, one insignificant moment changed everything.
I met Logan.
I agreed to undergo his ridiculous boot camp to get Cole Back.

Three months ago, a blimp in time knocked my world on its axis.
It threw me into free fall without the curiosity of a warning or a safety net.

Yesterday, I ruined everything.
One action that broke two hearts.
I used to believe in second chances.

My name is Devina Marshal, and this is the story of how everything went to shit.

Genres: Contemporary Romance, Fiction, Drama, Romance, Slow Burn, Friends To Lovers

Audio CD

First published April 6, 2018

About the author

I'm a fun loving book dragon who has the ability to make sailors blush with colorful language and obscene gestures. I love reading, mostly romance, young adult and new age. I'm a part of a BANGerangin' book club that is guaranteed to be better than yours. I like to spend my days wondering around department stores while reading erotica out loud, scaring the piss out of people, and playing "The floor is lava". (Adulting is lame.)

My Reader's Group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/29384...

Follow Me on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/ellie.messe.1

Follow Me on Instagram: @EllieMesse.Author PLEASE NOTE @EllieMesseAuthor is a dead account.

Or visit www.elliemesse.com

Reviews

[Dilek VT]

Devina, who is heart-broken, is trying to get her cheating ex back with the help of Logan, who is supposedly teaching her the art of dating but actually has other plans...

OK; I am stuck here:
"Why would you try to get your cheating ex back?"

Nope, I am not reading about such a stupid heroine, no matter how fun or hilarious the book is said to be!

[Katy Birch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh. My. God! So I have been literally gagging to read another Ellie Messe book since her debut novel Broken was released. Well shit, I was not disappointed!
It was fresh, which is hard to do in a market full of amazing books. The storyline was novel. The characters were amazing.
Devina is the character you want to protect. Innocent and sweet but oh so naive. Logan, the hot hunk you want you jump, quite literally. Amy, the best friend every one wants. Last but not least Cal, James, whatever his name is, well lets just say if I had a frying pan, i would quite happily knock the muppet out.
Everything you want in a book, well it is right here. I loved every single page.
Simply Fucking Amazing!

[MPT · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Ok so I was torn on how to rate The Art Of Dating, part of me wanted to give this a 3.5 Stars, because I found the book funny as shit and it truly keep me entertained. Seriously I laughed so hard I was crying, but on the other hand I never really connected with Devina and Logan. There were just to many things that needed explaining…for instance why did Logan even care to begin with on helping Devina? it wasn’t like Logan and her knew each other for long or had this off the chart chemistry when they first met, making Logan use any excuse to be around her. It was like Ellie Messe just threw things in her book for a filler, but never gave us any reason why…

Also it was very annoying on how naïve Devina was at 27.
Here you have this grown women acting more like a teenager, but was a prude like a 80 year old. 🙄
Her behavior just didn’t fit her age. Then you have Logan, which was funny as hell, but acted to desperate for being a millionaire. Again it just didn’t feel right..
Every thing felt forced in my opinion, even there chemistry between them… which was kinda non-existing.

This book had so much potential, and easily could have been rated higher if it wasn’t so rushed and lacking important details.

Audiobook review: As always Sarah Puckett did a fantastic job narrating. I love her voice. She truly brings the characters to life!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ive never read a book by Ellie Messe before, but I’m bloody glad this one fell through my clutches!
Devina is the slightly naive beauty that would do just about anything to get her ex boyfriend Cole back. (He’s a complete knob btw).
Cue Logan with his hilarious boot camp idea. He absolutely had me in stitches. Didn’t hurt that I also wanted to jump his leg. Yummy!
The shenanigans these two get themselves into are spectacularly cringe worthy, but oh so fun to read.

I laughed
I cried
I swore

Cracker of a book!!!

[Mou: Fae of Heartfelt ARC]

Cheating.

[BookSmackedMel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ellie Messe has done it again and this time she shows us her witty side. I’m telling you with this being only her second book and a completely different trope from her debut, Ellie Messe is one to watch.

The Art of Dating was hilarious I’m talking to the point where I was wheezing I was laughing so hard. Devina is a bit of what I would call a mess, she’s let her ex essentially walk all over her. She meets Logan who convinces her that with his help she can get him back. This book to me was like almost a mixture of John Tucker Must Die and The Duff but with people in their 20s as opposed to high schoolers.

Choked full of comedy it was hard not to fall in love with this storyline. This book was just entertaining as all hell. I giggled snorted.

But while this was mostly hilarious there were moments that had my heart pounding. Whether it was swooning with Logan’s actions or words, even when he was being a bit of a dick that needed to be punched in the junk to being nervous and a bit worried during some angsty moments. And of course my heart literally raced with nervousness as it all came to a head.

With awkward moments, some beautifying gone a bit terrifying to grand gestures that made me want to squeal in delight this book was fantastic.

A hilarious romcom with an ending that will make you heart want to high five itself.

[S.K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Art of Dating- man are you guys in for a treat.

You can’t help but cringe, ugly cry, and laugh at the messy webs these new characters find themselves tangled in.

Devina the heartbroken beauty gets a crash course in how to reel back the man of her dreams- but doesn’t realize just how difficult it will be, or the intentions of all the players, until she’s in the game too deep.

Logan is the man you love to hate- the cocky alpha who is more then willing to teach her the “art of dating” but not without a few tricks up his sleeve and a smart mouth your fingers will twitch to slap.

This crazy adventure of a sassy girl and her “teacher” is a must read, each new test he puts her through becomes funnier then the last- you won’t stop laughing and you won’t want to put down this amazing new book by the talented Ellie Messe!

[Terri Handschumacher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ellie Messe did it again. Another 5 star read.
Ellie just had a way of bringing these two characters together perfectly. This book had just the right amount of moments that will make you laugh, and moments that will make you swoon. And yes I said swoon. I just fell in love with these characters, so much so I was not able to put this book down. So one late night of reading done, I now have another book added to my re-read list.
Logan Devitt and Devina Anderson. Holy He** these two were just perfect characters. I was so sucked in by the way that Logan was offering to help Devina win her ex back, because I just knew that he had something going on behind the curtain. Especially since he would never say the ex's name right. I just knew he was doing that to make her open her eyes and see the a-hole for what he really was. I loved how there was this internal tug of war battle going on in Devina's head when she was starting to realize that there was something there between her and Logan. This internal battle was something that made her character so relatable. And it also played apart in her finding the confidence and strength inside herself. Logan just had a way of making Devina start to build herself back up to the woman that he knew she really was
I did not want to put this book to end. It was that good. I can't wait for Ellie Messes next release so I can get all her words and feels again.

[Pammy Shepherd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t even know where to start, The Art of Dating, for me was a mix of pretty woman, (without the leading lady being a lady of the night of course) And My Fair Lady, Devina was nursing a broken heart, her best friend Amy dragged her speed dating where she came across Logan, then the hilarity began, Devina comes across as a very strong independent woman but lacks certain lady like traits, Logan says he can teach her the Art of Dating so she can win Cole back.

Little does she know Logan has a different plan in mind, they go through different stages of learning the art of dating. And although some parts make you feel a bit sorry for Devina for the most part it’s hilarious. The relationship Devina and Logan have is brilliant and with the best friend Amy thrown into the mix there are lots of laugh out loud moments.

There was also a huge fan girl moment for me when one of my top 5 authors got a mention.

Will Devina win Cole back? Will she discover Logan’s secret plan? Well Read it and find out.

This is Elle’s second published book and although very different from Broken it is equally as fantastic.

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

I cant believe I waited so long to read this book! It's been in my To Be Read pile for forever now. Omg this was such an amazing read! Short, sweet, funny, sarcastic and just all around great! Give it a read!!

[Jennifer Gomez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was fantastic. When a book has you going through all the emotions and still laughing you're butt off you know you've found a winner. Ellie has delivered everything you could ask for with this book.

I NEED A LOGAN IN MY LIFE!
Devina and Logan! She is stubborn and he is patient but how long can one person be patient? These two are dynamic. You really just need to read this book.

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, at first i wasn't going to start this book right away, bc i was super busy all day Sunday when i first got it. But after putting mini me to bed, i thought, oh, i will read a few chapters before going to bed myself. BOY WAS I WRONG!
The Art of Dating follows Davine, and how she is still wanting her ex-boyfriend Cole back. So, when she meets Logan who decides to help her try to win him back- she hesitantly agrees. Because what could possibly go wrong with that? Apparently everything.
"It's like a cliffhanger at the end of a really good book, you're floored by how great it was, but at the same time, you feel disappointment that it's over And physically ache to continue."
I loved this story. It was cute, fun, and light. I loved Logan- how could I not? And i related to Davine, probably more than i should have throughout the book. I loved getting lost in the story, and just a few chapters turned into me staying up half the night to finish the story. Because, who the hell needs sleep when there s answers to be had! And I needed answers. Yes, i will be paying for this in misery tomorrow, but right now? I'm blissfully happy, if not a little tired. I give this book 4.5⭐ out of 5⭐. I didn't want it to end.

[Kary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m having a week of disappointment.

I loved Broken - loved it. It still sits with me. I can’t wait for famished. When I saw this was out there, I was so excited for it. And then - blerg.

This is the story of Devina, who is broken hearted, and Logan, who is supposedly going to help her get her cheating ex back.

I felt kind of rushed with this. I didn’t feel why Logan cared, and honestly, he was too much of a dick to her. I didn’t really get until the end why Devina wanted to be with Cole. And I didn’t ever understand why Logan and Devina were into each other. There was no sense of Logan even liking Devina until his intervening chapter, and their whole thing was rushed. Why would she like him at all since he was constantly rude? She said he didn’t try to change her - but that was exactly the sense I got from the whole first half of the book.

The book itself also felt a little rushed/unedited. There were a lot of extra commas, it was unfortunately distracting.

But either way, you should read Broken. Skip this one! And I can’t wait for Famished!!

[Rmederios · Rating 5 out of 5]

It amazes me that this happens out of a writers block when she's taking a break from the characters in her head.
Devina is devastated that her boyfriend of five years cheated on her. So being the pushover that she is, she moves into her bestfriend appartment and waits for him to wake up from the mistake hes made.
Tired of seeing her bestfriend wallowing around, Amy takes her out for speed dating.
Logan is taken with Devina from the first moment he sees her. Unfortunately for him, her determination to win back her ex is the only way to spend time with her. So he becomes the teacher.
This is a humorous, feel good read. Ofcourse she brings you into the characters world and feelings. You gotta flunk sometimes before you realize you need to study harder. This author is definitely one of my favorites and this is only her second debut!!

[Joanne Bulmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG, she only went and did it again!! This book is absolutely amazing, the kind of book you want everyone to read, but you don't want to tell them a thing about it because it really IS that good!!!
Devina is newly single and heartbroken after catching her boyfriend cheating. She meets Logan one night when here friend drags her to a bar. Together they cook up a scheme to win back her ex with Logans help, but are things really what they seem? It follows Devinas journey of rediscovering herself and moving on and you simply can't put this book down. Oh and theres plenty of hysterical moments that had me crying with laughter. Amy's one-liners are priceless too, this girl should get her own book! (hint hint).
This book is absolutely brilliant and I loved every bit of it. This deserves so many more than the five stars I have to give!!!

[Claire M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it now...... No not my review the book just buy it!

OK so u know when u read a book and u think holy sh*t how am I going to write a review for that? People need to pick it up and read it well..........
OMG!! I have been so desperate to read this book that I read it all within 24hrs if it landing on my kindle! There are so many great scenes in it that the whole book would be in this review if I posted them, one of my faves is definitely the waxing scene( my daughter asked her daddy "what's up with mummy" coz I was laughing so hard)
Logan is "helping" Devina win back her ex but to her it seems like he is criticising everything but is that really his aim?
Amy is like the best friend ever I want her!!

[J’s Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ellie has once again given us a brilliant story! I went into this book not even knowing that I had set expectations. But as a finished this story I realized it completely surpassed anything I could’ve imagined.
IT IS THAT GOOD!

We start off meeting Devina who is beautiful, sweet and full of hope. She is so relatable but at the same time you kind of want to shake her.
We also meet Logan, the arrogant hottie, he is sexy and he knows it. I’ll admit his Asshole-ish tendencies made me want to simultaneously jump him and slap him.

This journey in learning the “Art of Dating” just gets better with each lesson. There are so many ups, downs and arounds along the way you won’t be able to put it down. And when you finally get to the end your mind will be blown in the best way!!

[NaeNae · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could put my emotions into writing to perfectly describe just how much I am absolutely in love with this book, this review would be so much easier.
Devina is this wildly naive, lost and smart ass woman who wants nothing more than to get her ex, Cole, back. So much so she decides to take up the advice of Logan, this ... sexy as hell and millionaire who is going to help her do it. Except Logan is going to help Devina get so much more back than her ex but herself as well and she isn’t prepared for how this is going to change her world forever.

The whole time I read this book I bounced between sympathy, sadness, laughter and lust.

Ellie Messe has done it AGAIN.

[Emma Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh holy wow! I've been so excited for this book since this author's debut novel!

I loved Devina and Logan! I loved that there was a genuine connection and relationship between the two, and I loved the humour throughout this book. The fact that Logan was willing to help Devina and her sweaters was a brilliant beginning to this book. Amy was a brilliant secondary character, I think Ellie writes secondary characters so well that I want Amy as my bestie! And I hope she gets her own book *wink wink*

Another fantastic book from Ellie Messe, It's so hard to believe that this is only her second book! Highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a feel good romance <3

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's hard to believe that this is Ellie Masse's second book. The first one "Broken" blew me away and this one did too! After being cheated on by her boyfriend Cole, Devina get dragged to a speed dating night by her best friend. She meets Logan there and after he wears her down he offers to teach her how to get cheating asshole boyfriend back. Logan sets up a dating boot camp for her. This book took me through all the emotions, I cried and laughed at all the silly things that Logan and Devina went through. I can't wait to see what Ellie will write about next.

[Dawne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever open a book, turn the page and BLAM- the night is gone and you are blinking and looking around in a complete stupor? This is one of those books you not only can't put down, but completely steals your sense of everything and everyone around you. I will admit, there were parts where I just wanted to scream at Devina to just grow up; but when she finally opens her eyes all hell breaks loose. I finished this book in just a few hours. What are you waiting for? Read this book!!!

[Jennifer Richey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow oh my gosh what a fun read when Devina finds out her bf is sleeping with her client she moves out and in with her best friend Amy,. Amy drags her to speed dating and this is where she meets Logan and he offers to help her win back her ex. At first he’s a jerk but what they both don’t plan is being more than friends such a great book!

[Meeg · Rating 5 out of 5]

So this was freakin amazing!! I just..I don’t know how to put into words how awesome this book is. Ellie has such raw talent! It blows my mind how new she is to writing after reading this or her debut book you would think she was a very seasoned writer. But at the same time her youth and freshness makes the books and characters come alive. I just can’t say enough good things about this book!

[Sarah Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first read from Ellie, and what an opener.

Absolutely hilarious in most, some small parts for tears and some true cringe worthy moments.

Logan, absolute hottie. He has his sight set on its target and there is no stopping him. Well, until his little Duck stutters.

An absolute must read!

[Yeri (wildflowerreader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ellie Messe is rocking the book world!

I adored this book, the characters, and most of all the author's writing.

Ellie Messe gave us Broken, a heart wreaking and incredible Debut. And now, she's given us this sweet heart-warming, humor filled story.
The Art of Dating was so, so good.
At first I wasn't very sure about Logan, he put off this know-it-all-I'm-too-good-for-you vibes, boy, was I wrong.
Devina, Devina, De-freaking-vina, one moment I wanted to wrap her up in a big hug, go chill at a bar (that has food) with her and the next I wanted to bop her upside the head and shake her, all the while screaming "GET YOUR HEAD OUT OF YOUR REAR END".
Ohmagaaaawd, don't get me started on Amy, she's that good friend, you know the one that means well, but is also a bit too self_involved? Yeah, that one. I loved her and I wanted to slap,her. Most of all I loved her and Devina's dynamic. They understood each other.

I read this book in one sitting, it was a page-turner, I couldn't get enough. I creaked, laughed, won't admit to shedding a tear, and cheered when the going got good.

Cole needs to be tied naked to a cactus.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hooked

Damnit! I lost everything I already typed, sensitive, stupid tablet,( I love it, actually), so will try again!
Broken hooked me, you are now on my must list, follow means nothing, must means I must read more!
Due to broken emotionally ripping me, yet making me fallout laughing with real humanity that was believable, I had to have more!
Hence, The Art of Dating! Wow I have never laughed so hard, or identified so much with a character, trying to please everyone, like Devina has me struggling to rob Peter to pay Paul, to stop a foreclosure.
Unlike Devina, I lost my Prince Charming 6, years ago in June.
But he made me laugh just as Logan did, was an asshole too, but loved me more than anything to the min he died in my arms.
Thank you for making me laugh out loud and uncontrollably, you're real, Ms. Messe,and that means I must have more from you. While the characters could be my children, I am Not 55 when reading your books. You brought me into the book, to the point leaving hurt!
You're not a follow for me, but a must!
Write On! Be real and be true!
Karen

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dating for dummies

The Art of Dating should have been titled, The Art of Missing whats what under your nose.
Devina and Logan's relationship begins as a how to guide. How to win back your ex boyfriend. A boyfriend that doesn't deserve a second chance.
Logan is determined to show her how much she's worth to the right man. How much she should be worth to herself as well.
But Devina wears blinders. She doesn't see herself. Doesn't really want to. She can't see how being with her ex, changed her. How much of her true self she lost, trying to please him.
Allot of us fall into that category at times. But not all of us are lucky enough to find out Logan's. So until you find your perfect fit, your triangle, give this a read. Use it as an instruction manual if you will. Call it, the art of laughing out loud, while screaming, it's right under your nose!!!!

[Kandace Denys (bookish_kayy) · Rating 5 out of 5]

How adorable!

Devina is really trying hard to do the right thing, and forgive her ex, when her best friend talks her into a night of speed dating, where she meets Logan.
Logan is all of the things , including a little bit arrogant when they meet, although after coming across each other more than once, he’s offering his services to turn her into her ex’s dream woman.
I respect the heck out of Dee for keeping to her morals, and keeping it friendly for as long as she did.
And Logan for trying to do right by her, even if he does have his moment of stupidity.
This whole book would have been incomplete without the best friend, and she added just the right amount of chaos to the story.
I thoroughly enjoyed this one, maybe even more than Broken, although they are VERY different books.

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice fun read about a guy perusing a woman that he feels is broken and needs help after a bad breakup. There weren't any terrible grammatical errors, was a smooth read, and there was a HEA. My only issues with the book were that the characters were a bit unbelievable. There was no real explanation as to why an extremely wealthy good looking guy would pursue someone that was such a hot mess. Unless he had some sort of savior complex. The main heroine also struggled with her attraction to Logan, but that wasn't really rational either. Quite frankly, with the amount of rejection she gave Logan (for the price of how much he had to work for it), most guys would have jumped ship a loooong time before it. At the end of the day, I do hope to read more from this author as it was a nice love story overall.

[Helen M.A · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A cute post book hangover read

This book was a pretty sweet read. If you’re struggling getting over a major book and have the worlds greatest book hangover, this is the book to read.
I had so many laughs with this book, something I’m starting to notice about Ellie Messe’s writing. Whether it’s dark or light, she’s gonna make sure to have you in stitches by the end of the book.
I loved Devina. She was a pretty cool MC but there were quite a few time I wished I could just go into the pages and slap the crap out of her, lol. I got so frustrated with her and her feeling for Cole. I mean, come on!!!! Never make excuses for a man.
I loved Logan. He was so funny. How often he would pick on Devina had me laughing way too hard.

On to the next book!