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Disaster In Love
Sam, is just a girl like everyone else. She wants to make it through life with minimum hiccups, but her mother is desperate for grandchildren. She understands, but unfortunately just hasn't met "Mr. Right" yet. In an effort to please her mother, she decides to amp up her dating life. Unfortunately, Sam suffers from a dating curse. No matter who she chooses to date there is something terribly wrong with them. From baby fetishes, strange sexual fantasies, Elvis impersonators, and crazy divorcees and so much more. Can Sam keep her sanity while enduring each of these dates or will she give up on making her mother happy by finding her happily ever after?
246 pages, Paperback
Published September 20, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 20, 2018
This book is a really fun book! Sam is looking for Mr. Right to get quiet on mom's nagging about grandchildren as she wants.Sam decide to register on a dating page online and get quick answers. The question how can a man succeed in just finding nuts, one more stranger than the other? There is no stopping it either, ranging from men with fetischm to real psychopaths. The only thing they have in common is that they are on a website and are really neat. They really show that the saying "Don't stare you blind on the outside, it's still the inside that counts. Despite the tragic of just hitting the wrong men or thanks to it it was a long time since I laughed out loud when the dates are described. After reading the book, I realized the very important lesson in it where to meet people from the Web IRL. If Sam hadn't had his favorite bar where the staff knew her, several dates would have ended very badly. Something we should all think about and learn the younger generations that are bred with the Internet. If Sam finds love at the end, I'm not going to reveal, read and you will see.
January 13, 2018
If you've ever been on one bad date you will appreciate Sam's pain and suffering trying to find the man of her life. Join Sam as Sam drinks her way through towards the light she knows has to be at the end of the tunnel.....somewhere.
This book is laugh out loud funny and you won't want to put it down. You might even have a new respect for people when you realized that these dates had to come from somewhere....
This book is laugh out loud funny and you won't want to put it down. You might even have a new respect for people when you realized that these dates had to come from somewhere....
January 13, 2018
This book is literally laugh out loud funny! Poor Sam endures so many hilariously horrible dates just to find what's been right in front of her face the entire time. I can't tell you enough how much you're going to love this book!
January 15, 2018
Can I just say that I am so glad I don’t have to date anymore! Sam’s adventures will make you groan and laugh at the same time. It will also make you crave Nick’s drink creations. We could all use a friend like Tania, and I would love a night out with these ladies.
February 15, 2018
I have mixed feelings about this book. When I first started reading it, I loved it, I couldn’t put it down. But it just seemed to go on and on and on with all of her bad dates when we all knew ultimately who she would end up with.
The writing was also OK. I think there were too many run-on paragraphs, where I’m more used to authors taking time between sentences to set the mood. Otherwise it almost feels like they’re just talking and talking and talking and no one really ever does that in real life.
I also wish that she would’ve taken some more time to develop the romance at the end of the book. I feel like they got together and boom the end. I would’ve liked to see some more of them together having a relationship beyond that night so Sam could find out what a real relationship is like.
Overall, 3.5 stars. Cute rom-com story with a HEA.
I reviewed this book for Lexus Infinitum Reviews.
The writing was also OK. I think there were too many run-on paragraphs, where I’m more used to authors taking time between sentences to set the mood. Otherwise it almost feels like they’re just talking and talking and talking and no one really ever does that in real life.
I also wish that she would’ve taken some more time to develop the romance at the end of the book. I feel like they got together and boom the end. I would’ve liked to see some more of them together having a relationship beyond that night so Sam could find out what a real relationship is like.
Overall, 3.5 stars. Cute rom-com story with a HEA.
I reviewed this book for Lexus Infinitum Reviews.
March 2, 2018
I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review from the Quill & Ink Review Team.
****
Disaster in Love is about a flight stewardess who, under pressure from her mother to "get a ring, pop out grandkids, etc," goes on a blind date. This blind date ends horribly (her mother has set her up with a man better suited to be HER date), but this gets Sam thinking: what if I made a Dating Site account and started dating in earnest?
What follows is a series of painfully awkward dates with bizarre, brutish, sleazy, sinister, arrogant, machismo men, all at the same bar. Meanwhile, Nick the Bartender - a generally nice guy, cute, funny, etc - spectates these dates and comes up with a new drink for each awful date, often giving them to Sam "on the house," and it takes her the entire book to realize..... (well, you can figure it out).
The good parts, first. The writing style is fine - not bad, not brilliant. Simple and straight-forward. The couple sex scenes and side-character were hot and funny, respectively. What really gets my goat is the MESSAGE behind this book. For a couple "dates," hey, whatever, author can pull whatever she wants out of the creative toy-box. But when the ENTIRE FREAKING BOOK centers around these issues, I feel like the subliminal message is all but framed in neon lights. In a culture in ever-rising tension about feminist issues, masculine identity, and female courtship/dating, I feel like any reference to these issues needs to be treated with earnestness, not flippancy.
1. There were RARELY - and I seriously mean "rarely" - any guys who were ACTUALLY decent. From the first date, they were sending d*ck-pics, openly drooling over Sam's breasts, creepily inviting her to be candy on their private jets, showing no sense of appropriateness about their sexual fetishes, cheating on their wives, etc. It got old fast. I felt it was ridiculous how Nick was the ONLY moderately "the good guy," and even HE danced the line with callous condescension. By the end of the book, this series of dates was an exercise in caricatured Absurdity and Ridiculousness. -- But that's the thing, isn't it? The fact is, I feel like this book could have been something truly special if it was instead a series of dates with "nice guys, wrong girl (me)." What about the nerd? The geek? The gamer? The sports-fan? The career-powered businessman? The hermit? The social activist? The health-enthusiast? The zen/mystical hippie? Heck, go through physical stereotypes: scrawny, uber-buff, pretty-boy, tough-guy, etc. You can have your pick! These are stereotypes of men who are still believable, and you can gently poke fun at them. Instead, this parade of over-sexed MANIACS and sex-offenders really fatigued my brain after the 6th man.
- Sam's reaction. Oh my god, Sam's reaction. Let's ignore the fact that she lets her mother bully her into dating in the 2010's. Let's ignore that Sam likes her independent life and really is not looking to settle down anyway. Sam acts like the behavior of her sexually-abusive dates is acceptable normal behavior, like the only power she has is to smile politely and call the waitress for help. She acts like it is HER responsibility to give these guys a good time and let them down gently. Sam tolerates these - frankly- DISGUSTING, sexist behavior patterns and comforts herself by whining about it to Nick afterwards. WHERE IS THE EMPOWERED WOMAN?! Where is the woman who says, "Um, excuse me? We met five minutes ago. You don't know anything about me, nor I, you. So you propositioning me before appetizers arrive? TOTALLY CREEPY. SEE YA!" or at the very least tosses her drink in his face. Sam is part of the problem, allowing these men to talk with her and "woo" her in these ways, and not voicing an undeniable, firm objection to unacceptable behavior. When her personal fitness trainer whipped his d*ck out in his car en route to take her home, and started pulsing it at her, and her reaction was to say "oh! I forgot my car keys inside!" and go hide in the bar until he left?!?! Respect = lost. I would have mace'd the guy, called the police, and told his employer of his inappropriate behavior and made sure he got fired.
- Nick. Oh, Nick. Nick is one of the good guys, and even HE doesn't get why it's not appropriate to send a d*ck-pic immediately after a failed date. He challenges Sam's ability to commit to a meaningful relationship REPEATEDLY, blaming the failed dates her having some "hard to get" psychological hang-ups. Instead of having a meaningful discussion about how to find a good date, what is acceptable behavior on a date, what is acceptable masculinity and male indication of sexual-romantic interest, and being able to shut down a date without p*ssy-footing around, she merely pouts and fumes until he mollifies her with a free drink. And then he starts flirting with her, and the rest is history.
So, all in all....meh? As an exercise in silliness for silliness' sake? Okay, fine, this book accomplished that.
But as a meaningful story that is relevant in today's society? A realistic relationship, and character growth that is worthy of the title "Disaster in Love?" I just couldn't make myself like Sam or root for her. She needed a dose of courage, honesty, and a few guys with integrity to shake up the line-up of buffoons.
Peace and happy reading, all.
****
Disaster in Love is about a flight stewardess who, under pressure from her mother to "get a ring, pop out grandkids, etc," goes on a blind date. This blind date ends horribly (her mother has set her up with a man better suited to be HER date), but this gets Sam thinking: what if I made a Dating Site account and started dating in earnest?
What follows is a series of painfully awkward dates with bizarre, brutish, sleazy, sinister, arrogant, machismo men, all at the same bar. Meanwhile, Nick the Bartender - a generally nice guy, cute, funny, etc - spectates these dates and comes up with a new drink for each awful date, often giving them to Sam "on the house," and it takes her the entire book to realize..... (well, you can figure it out).
The good parts, first. The writing style is fine - not bad, not brilliant. Simple and straight-forward. The couple sex scenes and side-character were hot and funny, respectively. What really gets my goat is the MESSAGE behind this book. For a couple "dates," hey, whatever, author can pull whatever she wants out of the creative toy-box. But when the ENTIRE FREAKING BOOK centers around these issues, I feel like the subliminal message is all but framed in neon lights. In a culture in ever-rising tension about feminist issues, masculine identity, and female courtship/dating, I feel like any reference to these issues needs to be treated with earnestness, not flippancy.
1. There were RARELY - and I seriously mean "rarely" - any guys who were ACTUALLY decent. From the first date, they were sending d*ck-pics, openly drooling over Sam's breasts, creepily inviting her to be candy on their private jets, showing no sense of appropriateness about their sexual fetishes, cheating on their wives, etc. It got old fast. I felt it was ridiculous how Nick was the ONLY moderately "the good guy," and even HE danced the line with callous condescension. By the end of the book, this series of dates was an exercise in caricatured Absurdity and Ridiculousness. -- But that's the thing, isn't it? The fact is, I feel like this book could have been something truly special if it was instead a series of dates with "nice guys, wrong girl (me)." What about the nerd? The geek? The gamer? The sports-fan? The career-powered businessman? The hermit? The social activist? The health-enthusiast? The zen/mystical hippie? Heck, go through physical stereotypes: scrawny, uber-buff, pretty-boy, tough-guy, etc. You can have your pick! These are stereotypes of men who are still believable, and you can gently poke fun at them. Instead, this parade of over-sexed MANIACS and sex-offenders really fatigued my brain after the 6th man.
- Sam's reaction. Oh my god, Sam's reaction. Let's ignore the fact that she lets her mother bully her into dating in the 2010's. Let's ignore that Sam likes her independent life and really is not looking to settle down anyway. Sam acts like the behavior of her sexually-abusive dates is acceptable normal behavior, like the only power she has is to smile politely and call the waitress for help. She acts like it is HER responsibility to give these guys a good time and let them down gently. Sam tolerates these - frankly- DISGUSTING, sexist behavior patterns and comforts herself by whining about it to Nick afterwards. WHERE IS THE EMPOWERED WOMAN?! Where is the woman who says, "Um, excuse me? We met five minutes ago. You don't know anything about me, nor I, you. So you propositioning me before appetizers arrive? TOTALLY CREEPY. SEE YA!" or at the very least tosses her drink in his face. Sam is part of the problem, allowing these men to talk with her and "woo" her in these ways, and not voicing an undeniable, firm objection to unacceptable behavior. When her personal fitness trainer whipped his d*ck out in his car en route to take her home, and started pulsing it at her, and her reaction was to say "oh! I forgot my car keys inside!" and go hide in the bar until he left?!?! Respect = lost. I would have mace'd the guy, called the police, and told his employer of his inappropriate behavior and made sure he got fired.
- Nick. Oh, Nick. Nick is one of the good guys, and even HE doesn't get why it's not appropriate to send a d*ck-pic immediately after a failed date. He challenges Sam's ability to commit to a meaningful relationship REPEATEDLY, blaming the failed dates her having some "hard to get" psychological hang-ups. Instead of having a meaningful discussion about how to find a good date, what is acceptable behavior on a date, what is acceptable masculinity and male indication of sexual-romantic interest, and being able to shut down a date without p*ssy-footing around, she merely pouts and fumes until he mollifies her with a free drink. And then he starts flirting with her, and the rest is history.
So, all in all....meh? As an exercise in silliness for silliness' sake? Okay, fine, this book accomplished that.
But as a meaningful story that is relevant in today's society? A realistic relationship, and character growth that is worthy of the title "Disaster in Love?" I just couldn't make myself like Sam or root for her. She needed a dose of courage, honesty, and a few guys with integrity to shake up the line-up of buffoons.
Peace and happy reading, all.
March 5, 2018
At some point in life, we've all had those horrible dating experiences that make us wonder if there is even a point to looking for love. Erin Thornton's Disaster in Love tackles that scenario by chronicling for the reader Sam's forays into the dating world, brought on by the massive guilt trip about future grandchildren that her mother lays on her. What follows is one wacky date after another in her pursuit of Mr. Right.
I liked the screwball nature of Sam's dating life, even when the author was pushing the limits of just how crazy the world of online dating can be. There were moments when I was reminded of my younger self, dating back when online dating wasn't so common, and shaking my head as Sam stepped into similar messes that I once found myself in.
There were times when I wished Sam wasn't so intent on pleasing everyone and had a little more of a backbone, but she's likeable character and, as a reader, you find yourself caring about what happens to her and whether her search for the One will be successful.
Disaster in Love is a fun, frothy, screwball of a read. You'll appreciate some of the laugh-out-loud moments and probably find yourself shaking your head as you commiserate with Sam while she traverses this crazy modern age of dating.
Note: I received an ARC of Disaster in Love, which I chose to read and review.
I liked the screwball nature of Sam's dating life, even when the author was pushing the limits of just how crazy the world of online dating can be. There were moments when I was reminded of my younger self, dating back when online dating wasn't so common, and shaking my head as Sam stepped into similar messes that I once found myself in.
There were times when I wished Sam wasn't so intent on pleasing everyone and had a little more of a backbone, but she's likeable character and, as a reader, you find yourself caring about what happens to her and whether her search for the One will be successful.
Disaster in Love is a fun, frothy, screwball of a read. You'll appreciate some of the laugh-out-loud moments and probably find yourself shaking your head as you commiserate with Sam while she traverses this crazy modern age of dating.
Note: I received an ARC of Disaster in Love, which I chose to read and review.
February 10, 2018
I really enjoyed this story. That being said I had two things that did bug me. There were some words that didn't belong. It wasn't a ton but enough that I noticed and it pulled me out of the story. The other thing may be just me. I had to skim a few sections of describing what she wore. It slowed the story and I found it unnecessary. That said... I haven't laughed and cried from laughing so hard in parts in a very long time. This is a story you can read over and over again. Ms. Thornton is new to me and I'm going to see what else she has to offer. I really loved Nick.
April 19, 2019
The book was so light and funny just what I needed. The chemistry was so sweet between the guy she got with in the end it gave me Luke and Lorelei vibes. The failed dates in the middle gave it a great communal vibe that had my actually laughing out loud. I loved it I only wish I could watch their relationship bloom it would make a great movie.
February 8, 2018
this book was funny i will give you that. she couldnt find a date for anything that would last one day. so the bartender named a drink after each date. just not really a story to me sorry.
March 3, 2018
I enjoyed this book, I found it funny and entertaining. I would definitely read this again.
May 3, 2019
The book was so light and funny just what I needed. The chemistry was so sweet between the guy she got with in the end it gave me Luke and Lorelei vibes. The failed dates in the middle gave it a great communal vibe that had my actually laughing out loud. I loved it I only wish I could watch their relationship bloom it would make a great movie.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews