Member Reviews
A refreshing story line that keeps the reader engaged and curious. It is quite easy to read and does not require a lot of mental power to enjoy.
Fluffy, fun, if a bit predictable. It wrapped up a bit too suddenly as well, and I feel a bit whiplashed!
I hadn't read anything by this author before, but I will in the future. I loved the writing style. I felt it was fresh, charming, and a bit quirky! I loved the characters and the storyline was interesting. It kept me turning page after page! Highly recommend!
13 Dates is a pretty cute romcom in which Noah Wilson (geeky loveable character) falls head over heels over a woman named Angel -- someone his complete opposite. Noah's convinced that it takes thirteen dates to determine true love and he wants Angel to be the one. I enjoyed the book, however it took me quite a bit of time to finish as it was too easy to put down for other novels. It may have been due to my own 'to read' list that is full of sequels and not due to the writing style of 13 Dates.
13 Dates is apparently the number needed to make a couple fall in love. So its on that reasoning that Noah tries to keep persuading Angel to go out with him, as he has fallen in love at first site with her.
Of course nothing is ever easy and wow is there a good reason for Angel not really wanting a relationship, and with it is the storyline that gives the whole book an added layer of depth, complexity and emotion that I wasn't expecting at all.
I was expecting and received plenty of light hearted moments, funny bits, and and rather different ideas for dates.
What Matt Dunn does so well is create realistic characters that are likeable and easy to relate to and with Noah and Angel you have just that. I was willing them to be happy, but at the same time there was a certain unpredictability that you don't normally find in rom-coms, and I genuinely thought at one point there could be a major change of direction.
Easily one of the author's best books to date, it has everything you want from a romantic comedy, and its all written from the male perspective which I am always a fan of, after all any insight into what makes a man tick is always useful to know!!
Thank you to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
It’s been a while since I picked up a romance novel and when I picked this one up I wasn’t 100% sure on what to expect but I was pleasantly surprised. I have to be in the mood for a romance because usually I’m not in the mood for all the fluff and sappiness and bleugh. I’m definitely more of an action and adventure type of gal. But this wasn’t too bad.
Truth be told, I downloaded this while I was in hospital because I wanted something that wasn’t too heavy and was going to be a quick and easy read. Which is exactly what it is. It took me maybe two days to finish it, but then I find that it never takes me too long to make it through a romance book. It’s really easy to follow and I was easily able to put it down throughout the day and pick it back up not forgetting what was happening. It’s a very sweet book with some interesting turns you don’t really see coming however I was quite disappointed with the ending. Maybe it’s because I’m not really into the whole overly happy, sappy ending but I just couldn’t help but stare at the last page in a bit of disbelief that that was the end of the book. For someone who loves romances, I wouldn’t say it’s the best I’ve ever read but I didn’t hate it. I needed something to kill some time and something that was going to be a quick and easy read which is what it was so if that’s what you’re looking for then this might just be the book for you.
Noah Wilson is a single man in his 30s. He knows that there is no such thing as love at first sight. And while standing in line at a Starbucks, where he first encountered Angel, he is still convinced that there is definitely no way a man falls in love at first sight. First sound, however, sends him reeling, as the sound of her voice gives him weak knees, sweaty palms, and the singular knowledge that maybe for the first time in his life he is truly, completely, helplessly in love. Underline the helplessly part, as his attempt to talk to her is filled with a level of awkwardness that should send her running in the opposite direction. But it doesn't. However, she does tell him that she's not interested in a relationship, that it's just not for her.
Devastated, Noah doesn't know what to do. But he doesn't want to give up. With the encouragement of his elderly landlady Mary and his friend and co-worker Marlon, Noah decides to give it another chance and tracks down where Angel works. Marlon explains to Noah that it takes 13 dates to find out if you're compatible with someone, but the good news is that the Starbucks conversation counts as the first date, so he's ahead of the game. During an opening at the art gallery where he works (date 2!), he gets her to agree to another date with him, where they go rock-climbing, and things go from there.
Through many adventures and near-disasters, Noah keeps trying to make Angel fall in love with him. But even if he does manage to get in all those 13 dates, is love inevitable? Is happy ever after realistic? Can a relationship really develop between these two very different people, or will Noah be left broken-hearted?
Matt Dunn's latest novel, 13 Dates, is an utterly charming surprise that sparkles with cleverness, interesting dialogue, genuinely funny situations, and well developed characters. Noah is an everyman with slightly worse luck than average, more intelligence than average, and a keen self-awareness that keeps him from becoming maudlin. I thought this novel was absolutely adorable, and it made me irritated that I'd ignored Dunn's A Day at the Office, despite seeing it everywhere. That was my mistake, and one I will not repeat. Matt Dunn is a delightful writer, and I can't wait to dive into more of his books.
Galleys for 13 Dates were provided by Lake Union Publishing through NetGalley.com, with many thanks.
13 Dates, is a romantic comedy written from the POV of the lead male, Noah. It isn’t often that you find this genre of books written by a man. Matt has this knack of grabbing hold of you and making you invest your time in his characters, whilst also making you laugh. He has a wicked sense of humour and the ability to bring stories to life.
Whilst I loved getting to know Noah and Angel, I adored elderly Mary. Her words of wisdom, and the way she looked at life was special. I also think it is a brilliant idea where she decided to live out her years.
The book is filled to the brim with laugh-out-loud scenes, one liners and insane situations. That being said, there is also a serious side to the book. I can’t say too much about this as it would be a major spoiler, but what I can say is that I am personally in a similar situation (parent wise), and can understand how the character felt – sorry for being cryptic but you will understand if you give this book a read.
I was hooked from the beginning and I truly believe that this would make a great romcom film. A book to definitely add to you TBR list.
SUPER CUTE, FUNNY QUICK READ. Very real characters that I liked! A little cheesy in part but all in all a good book. I actually think this would be a really good movie!! Just a suggestion!!! Thanks Netgalley!!!!
I was provided a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review. This book tells the story of Noah Wilson and Angel Fallon, a couple who meet at a Starbucks. Noah falls in love with Angel almost immediately, in a rush of feelings he never expected. Angel though is a bit more hesitant, convinced that relationships "aren't her thing." After spending a good amount of time just tracking her down, Noah wears down her defenses until she agrees to go out on a date with him. Since Angel is all about "new experiences" though, Noah has to spend some time coming up with various original date ideas, including horseback riding, rock wall climbing, and even eating jellied eels. And as Noah finds himself falling even harder in love with Angel, can he convince her to do the same?
Overall this book was ok but wasn't my favorite. I found Angel's character annoying and frustrating, and Noah's character was overly nice and naive. I understand Angel's hesitancy towards relationships, given her situation, but the whole Margate trip sent me over the edge because she was so outstandingly rude. Other than that it was an ok and cute story. It reminded me a little oat first of The Rosie Project, mostly because of how incredibly different Angel and Noah were personality wise.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34758015-13-dates
13 Dates by Matt Dunn is hilarious! This book will have you laughing, crying, it's beautifully written! Just remember, in love, there are no rules!
13 dates is fun read. I like the characters and the plot. Reading this book felt like reading Rosie Project. It got same vibe and the main chara, Noah remind me of Don Tillman. I would recommended it for Rosie project fans.
Review published on NightsAndWeekends.com and aired on Shelf Discovery
Hilarous! Mr Dunn creates hiarous characters in Noah, Marlon and Mary... their dialogue is the classic example of the legendary 'British Sarcasm/Humor' made up for some great laughs!
I personally was not a big fan of Angel as i don't like the type of personaltites as her...
The story was intriguing in a 'will-they, won't they' kind of way...
4 humorous stars!! :D
**Thank you Netgalley for my ARC**
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
About a chapter in I knew this book was not for me. I kept trying over the course of about two weeks but eventually gave up.
The synopsis had me hooked (reminded me a little of How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days), the cover was cute (similar to Sophie Kinsella's rom-coms), and thought this would be a good fit. Unfortunately, there were no sparks and I disliked the writing style.
I did, however, really like Mary – she had a lot of spunk!
Noah is in his mid-thirties and runs a small art gallery. He is on his way to a blind date when he stops to use the washroom at a Starbucks and meets Angel. He can't get Angel out of his head and eventually tracks her down. When he tells his friend and colleague, Marlon, about her, Marlon said that it takes 13 dates to fall in love. Noah is determined to have Angel fall in love with him.
Noah is a planner and eventually wants marriage, kids, a house, etc. Angel, though, lives for today and isn't willing commit to a relationship and has a secret she is keeping from him. Once he finds out what the secret is, Noah has to decide whether he is willing to put aside his future dreams for a life with Angel.
I've read many books by this author and I thought this one was okay. I liked Noah ... he seemed like a funny loser. I wasn't crazy about Angel until she revealed her secret to Noah ... but the way she kept going on about it got a bit tiresome. I figured out the nature of her secret early on.
I enjoyed the writing style and found it amusing. It is written by an English author so their brand of humour was there. It was written in first person perspective from Noah's point of view. As a head's up, there is some swearing.
Light entertaining rom-com that actually would make a good movie. Noah and Angel, well, will they or won't they fall (mutually) in love? Is that the right thing? Dunn has written two characters that are more complex than you might expect given the slightly madcap nature of some of the dates. Framing the relationship in those 13 dates though, sets a good boundary. This is a quick read but one that you'll like for its heart and positivity. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.