This was a cute spin on something that could have easily gone the other way. Bernie is accidentally part of a viral moment where she looks disapproving toward an engagement at her library and ends up being asked to do a makeover and series of dates for a local magazine. Colin was the reporter sent to cover the story and of course ended up being the male interest in this book. They argue to argue because that's their thing. I wish there was a little more depth in their relationship. I would say this book was pretty predictable but still enjoyable. Thank you to Netgalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to review this book and to be an early reader via NetGalley! However, I will not be writing a review for this title at this time, as my reading preferences have since changed somewhat. In the event that I decide to review the book in the future, I will make sure to purchase a copy for myself or borrow it from a library. Once again, thank you so much for providing me with early access to this title. I truly appreciate it. Please feel free to contact me with any follow-up questions or concerns.

This book definitely has appeal to romance readers working in information fields (me), but it's also really charmingly written that I think it would appeal to bookish types generally. I like the idea of this series about librarians in love, because there are so many absurd stereotypes about librarians that are just waiting to be defied on the page.

Loved this book. You can tell that Sarah Title is a librarian. Recommended for those who like some librarian with their Romance.

I really enjoyed the book, it has everything I love in a novel from start to finish. I can’t wait to read what the author has planned next!

A cute romantic story that was an easy read, with likable characters. It's not a deep story, but I felt was a fun, make you smile one. There a couple confusing parts of the story that didn't make a lot of sense to me, but that didn't detract from the overall storyline.

This ARC book was a complimentary copy provided by the Publisher and Netgally, I am voluntarily providing my honest review.

This is the first book in the Series Librarians in Love and can be read as a standalone. The story of Bernie and Colin is quite engaging and moves at a believable pace. If you love slow burn and how two characters get to know each other as friends first, before anything else, this book is good for you.

Ok, so this my first book by Sarah Title and I hate to give a neutral review ... but I found the book a little difficult to read ... I felt it was moving slow and did not retain my interest ...

The blurb and of course, the cover got my attention, coupled with the fact that I have read and loved a lot of books from Kensington. However, this was no wasn't that exciting ... I must add.

Since this is my first book by Sarah, I might give her another go ... but this one was a little slow-paced for my liking and often, did not retain my interest ... so much that I had to remind myself to get BACK to reading!

Confession—as a librarian, I mostly just wanted to read romance this because the heroine is a librarian, too. It turned out to be a fun read, luckily for me.

As the book opens, Bernie is waiting for her student worker to take over at the desk so she can get some lunch. The student is late, Bernie is starving, and when the student does finally show up for her shift, Bernie is irritated to see a large group of students approaching the desk, which means she still can’t get away. That group turns out to be a flash mob organized by the student worker’s boyfriend as part of his plan to propose, and when all of this culminates in students dancing on the service desk—Bernie is NOT AMUSED. Her expression is captured in a picture taken by an observer, and Bernie becomes a meme: the “Disapproving Librarian.”

When Colin’s boss pits him against an ambitious coworker to see which one can get Bernie’s story for a makeover piece for their fashion website, his initial conversation with Bernie doesn’t go so well. However, Bernie’s assertion that she is “undateable” inspires Colin to pitch a series of articles documenting Bernie’s makeover followed by 30 dates in 30 days with men who express interest in her through the website. Bernie’s not thrilled with the idea, but she reluctantly agrees after some prodding from her friends. Of course, with Colin having to observe Bernie’s dates in order to write about them, Bernie and Colin ultimately wind up spending a lot of time in each other’s company . . .

First of all, the library-related stuff in this book? Pretty much spot on. Just as an example, I had to laugh when Bernie’s library director decides to take advantage of the meme and use it for library promotional materials like bookmarks, in spite of Bernie’s horror at the idea. First of all, librarians in general love to use memes in any way they can, and secondly, I could totally see a director thinking “Anything to get people to use the library!”

I liked Bernie, too. She’s pretty funny, for one thing, but she’s also an interesting character. Bernie really doesn’t think about things like clothes and makeup, so she lives up to the image of the frumpy librarian. Partly it’s a matter of comfort, partly it’s because she doesn’t see the need for women to invest so much in trying to appeal to men, but it’s also partly because Bernie doesn’t really want to put herself out there. She’s undateable not so much because she’s a frumpy librarian, but because she has a lot of anxiety about dating, and she sabotages herself when she’s with men. Colin’s input and companionship are vital in helping Bernie change and grow when it comes to the dating scene.

Colin was a less likeable for me, at least at first, because he seems to be a bit of an aimless slacker. When the character is introduced, Colin is waking up in a stranger’s house after a drunken spree the night before. Then it’s revealed that the only reason he actually has a job is because his parents wouldn’t let him live rent free in their San Francisco house unless he was employed. Not the stuff that romantic heroes are made of, at least for me. However, Colin is also influenced by Bernie to change for the better in terms of finding some direction for his life, which made me appreciate him more as the book progressed.

The relationship between the two of them is slow to develop, with their first kiss about halfway through the book. They do eventually take it further, but this book doesn’t have a lot of hot and heavy action. If that’s what you like, then be warned: this is a pretty tame read by romance standards.

Recommended for contemporary romance readers looking for a light and sweet story.

An eARC of this novel was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a fun, quick, whimsical book about a young woman working as a librarian who gains notoriety after a not so flattering pictures becomes a popular social media meme. Melissa “Bernie” Bernard decides that a little time off while all the hoopla dies down is just what she needs. When she's approached by a very handsome and persistent reporter she decides to take him up on his offer and prove she's not undateable. But as one bad date after another rolls by it seems that maybe she is. Colin isn't willing to accept that even if he has to date Bernie himself!!

This story is very well done and while perhaps a little silly at times it will definitely leave you smiling. I definitely recommend it.

had hoped to enjoy this but really couldn't get into it

Review by Elizabeth for Love Romance Books

This book was given to me for an honest review.

3.5 stars


I have to say this book had me giggling at parts. The blurb of this book wanted me to read it. I loved putting a librarian in the mix. I never read a book quite like this. What has this librarian gotten herself into. One innocent roll of the eyes and BAM its caught on camera. Some people just don't believe in the happily ever after and unfortunately Bernie does not believe in them. Bernie has so much spunk that she makes this book. Just her whole outlook on life is perfect. She isn't there to impress the other sex, she is just there to be her. Which is pretty awesome being a woman of this time. She kept my attention the whole time and like I said some of the commentary definitely had me giggling at the pages of my book. Colin is also so unique for this book. The only male at a female magazine. You gotta love that, but with Colin someone is always trying to take your place. He needs something interesting. Something that will keep his bosses wanting him around. When he asks Bernie if she will be his story and explains what he is going to do she reluctantly agrees. The way the story develops makes you like the characters more as the book goes on.

I gotta tell you I thought I wasn't going to like Colin trying to change who Bernie was, but it was the exact opposite. I think he brought out who she was. This was slow moving book so it took some time to get the build up, but I am glad that I stuck with the book. The only thing that I missed was there was tension at Colin's work and of course Bernie being a librarian, I just thought the author left some of the good stuff out and concentrated on things that would have made the story have more.

I think this will be a great series and I would really like to see what this author has in store for us next.

Do you know these kind of silly, yet super sweet romantic comedies where the heroine starts off kind of unattractive and by the ending the viewers have discovered a stunning woman underneath all that alongside the hero? Well, this book reminds me a bit of those movies with the exception that this book isn't as awkward as those movies sometimes are. It's a lovely story that was simply a blast to read because I believe a lot of women could relate to Bernie. A modern woman who doesn't do slut-shaming and who is ready to face the fact that women, too, are quite capable of wanting sex and it's not something one should be ashamed of.

I also quite liked Colin. Although he didn't seem all that great to me at first, he totally grew on me just like he grew on Bernie. Bernie and Colin are super sweet together and I loved their banter and how they couldn't agree with each other in the slightest, but somehow discover that they're actually quite interested in the other.

There's more than enough of feminist power in this novel and I actually loved reading about a heroine who was actually comfortable in her skin from the very beginning. Yes, she agreed to some alterations about her person, but she was still comfortable the way she was, she stayed true to her principles and she was actually really interesting to read about.

I would definitely recommend this book to all romantic comedy fans.

This book was not for me, maybe because I'm not a fan of social media, but other than Colin's advice column written as a woman, I couldn't connect with the characters, especially Colin (30 & still living off his parents until they made him get a job). Disappointing read.

when you accidentally become a meme due to your resting bitch face and fall into stereotypes you've long tried to rise above, it makes life a little difficult. it's not like bernie had an active dating life. she wasn't even wishing she had an active dating life.

but colin, the only male on staff at a fashion blog/e-zine, needs a story that will up readership and solidify his place as the features writer. so he approaches bernie with a plan. he'll prove that she isn't undateable, if she'll let the magazine feature her dates as a series, and offer some help in the fashion, makeup and hair department.

the undateable follows bernie and colin as they navigate her horrible dates and he posts dispatches about the highlights and lowlights. it's not all terrible. and some of the dates show some promise. bernie realizes that making an effort for a date doesn't mean becoming someone she is not. it's not an assault on feminism if you dress up or put on a little mascara. there is something to be said for looking good for yourself. making time to feel good about how you look isn't a horrible thing. if it helps you feel good, then there is nothing wrong with it. and bernie figures out what her limits are--what things are for her and what changes cross the line.

feeling better about herself does improve her dating life. and this improvement proves to be unsettling for colin. he can't deny he is attracted to bernie. in some ways he's the one who sends the most time with her throughout the dating series. they start out antagonizing each other, only to become friends. they never put up the walls that often exist when you start out on a relationship with someone. bernie and colin see the worst of each other, and for a time believe the worst of one another, but the truth is that they know each other better than anyone. the friendship that grows between them is something real and precious.

when colin kisses bernie after she is stood up on one of her dates, he's not sure how he crossed that line. but soon they find themselves crossing it more and more. but bernie is committed to having thirty first dates in thirty days and colin has committed to seeing it through. and when colin's boss insists on a bachelor-like finale, colin is put in an untenable position. he knows that bernie doesn't want anything like that. at the same time he can't say no. it's his job to see this through. and his avoidance of the issue cause some real problems that he and bernie need to figure out.

Cute story. Could not relate to the characters. Did enjoy reading the moments with Bernie and her elderly neighbors.

This is a light and fun love story about a librarian - the perfect beach read. As a librarian who loves a good pun, I get a kick out of the book's tagline: Love is long overdue.

*3.5 stars*

Way more than what I was expecting from the cover, this book reads like a trendy contemporary adult romance with an interesting female MC and a lot of #feministpower elements.

The Undateable was my first read from Sarah Title, and I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. The cover looked a bit tired, if I'm being honest, and didn't reflect the freshness of the story.

Bernie is a somewhat of a modern-woman stereotype. She is so concerned with not "dressing to please the male gaze" and being comfortable, non-conformist, and wary of cis-genered, man-bro-types that she ends up coming across as cynical and abrasive... and unwittingly ends up as a viral meme. When given the opportunity to open up and invite change, she slowly takes baby steps to get there, yet still retains much of her spunk and originality.

Bernie was a well-developed character, and I think many of my modern, liberal friends could relate to her. She is SO many things that we don't often see in romance but we should: she is sex-positive, vehemently anti-slut-shaming, unfazed and open to dating bisexual men (and acknowledges their existence!), and struggles with issues like privilege and bias. She reflects a true woman living in San Francisco, and I loved that about her.

Colin, the male MC, also was an interesting character. We get into his head with the duel POV-style story, and I liked how he grew to like and really enjoy Bernie over time. It's a slow-burn romance, and I think it has to be that way for it to be believable.

I had a few issues with the book, though overall I was pleased. For one, the pacing needed work. The book felt very long, and it is, clocking in at over 350 pages. It could have been cut down a lot, honestly, because parts of the story dragged a good deal.

I also think that a lot of plot threads were abandoned or unused, like Colin's tension with his co-workers and writing as Maria, as well as Bernie's work as an actual librarian. Those elements were introduced and never went anywhere, which irritated me a bit.

Overall, however, this book was a success, in my book. A smart romance with a female MC that sounds like many of my friends, I think Sarah Title is doing something right.

*Copy provided by the publisher for review*

The Undateable by Sarah Title, is a cute story with some very funny moments. I requested this novel because of the book blurb and pretty cover. This is the first novel in the author's brand new series, Librarians in Love, and it can be read as a standalone.

Bernie Bernard loves her job as a college librarian. She thrives on helping the students with their research, in addition to the hustle and bustle of the reference desk. Her frumpy appearance contributes to the librarian stereotype and her single status. She doesn't date much, but she has two really good friends that are oodles of fun. Her delightful elderly neighbors let her spend a ton of time with their dog, which brings her a lot of happiness. Bernie believes that she does not need romantic love in her life, so she does nothing to attract the opposite sex.

Good-looking journalist Colin Rodriguez is the only male employee and senior writer for an online women's' magazine. He provides the male point-of-view, even though one of the junior writers is hot on the trail to takeover his job. Colin needs to attract new readers in order to remain employed. He comes to the conclusion that Bernie is the solution to his problem, because she has been recently outed as the the disapproving librarian. A meme has been created in her likeness and it has gone viral.

Colin wants to evolve Bernie's new personality, which is causing Bernie nothing but grief, into someone that is likeable, attractive and dateable. Bernie reluctantly agrees to be the subject of Colin's articles on overcoming being undateable. Colin's employer gives her a makeover, and Bernie agrees to go out on many first dates. During the month long dating process, Bernie and Colin fall in love.

This is a nice story, that could have been a great story if it had been condensed into fewer words. I liked both main characters and their differences are what made them so attractive to each other. Colin's blog, where he is perceived as an older woman giving advice on relationships and love, is an amusing and complimentary sidebar to the existing plot. The secondary characters add a lot of liveliness and personality. I am looking forward to the second book in the series.

Complimentary copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.