I picked up this book while doing my grocery shopping (Asda in case you were wondering), and bought it purely from the blurb on the back cover, which cracked me up.
I'd never heard of the author, or the blog from which the novel was inspired, but I'm a sucker for a brand new writer and a pretty cover...
The synopsis reads;
"I feel like a failure. It's now been 351 days since I had sex. That's a carnal drought. If Bob Geldof knew about it he'd hold a concert. Sarah Sargeant has been single for three years and nine months. She has just spent five months plucking up the courage to ask out a balding man with a paunch who works in her local pub. The gentleman in question informed her that he would rather stay in and watch the "Narnia" movie on DVD. Her pride has not just been bruised, it's been disembowelled. And she vows it's the last time she will ever reach out to a member of the opposite sex. But her family and friends have other ideas. They enter her into a reality TV show against her will, persuade her to go speed dating and even more radically, they encourage her to start a blog. Suddenly Sarah Sargeant is on a mission. A mission to explore 50 ways to find a lover."
Continue Reading Review - 50 ways to Find a Lover
The best thing about this book is that it is extremely funny. Holmes writes in a conversational witty, tone that makes the reader feel like they are hearing a story from a friend. I must admit I laughed like a loon more than once.
Where this book falls down however is in its stucture and plotline. The character of Sarah flits about from one way to find a lover to the next, whithout much of a storyline. This makes the book come across as more of a series of dating anecdotes than a novel with a beginning, middle and end.
The lack of storyline maybe due to the fact that the novel is largely autobiographical, but this certainly doesn't detract from its humour. The passages about being a new blogger were hilarious and very true to life (especially the bit about obsessive comment checking!) and the supporting characters were a joy to read.
This book is worth a try if you like your writers funny. But if you're one for twists, turns and heavy plotlines, then you'd be better off with something else.
Rating 3/5
You can buy 50 Ways to Find a Lover here
