I washroom sure about this book being written only in list form. It wasn't for me. I couldn't get invested in the storyline or even find a storyline. I finally gave up on this book midway through.

I enjoyed the style of the book......telling a story in a collection of lists. I felt like I was in his mind and really got to know Dan. Especially the self doubt, fears, and love. I laughed at Dan's insights about quitting teaching, opening a bookstore, marrying a widow, his parent's divorce, and the concept of fatherhood. I recommend this book strongly to anyone who enjoys an intimate view of a man's mind; A great story of belonging, love, and family.

I wanted to like this book more than I did. I enjoyed the alternative approach to telling a story and the use of lists. With that being said, I often found Dan to be depressing and gloomy. I also found that he would contradict himself when writing lists of things he does not like, but then goes and does them himself. Despite this, I was compelled to finish the story because there were questions that I wanted and needed to be answered, not to mention I wanted to find out what happens in the end.

Interesting approach to a novel... entirely written in lists. It took me some time to get into the rhythm of it, but once I did the book just flew. I can't honestly say I enjoyed this book, as I found Dan to be incredibly annoying and so lacking in confidence that it made me cringe. At the same time, I could see elements of friends and family members in him, and perhaps that helped me keep reading, as I am always looking for ways I should respond to them. The novel had a great conclusion.

This book is hilarious. I loved it--it is written entirely in lists. I read it in one sitting. I ddin't think I would be so into it but as soon as I started it, I could not stop reading it. Dan, that narrator and list writer, is sooo funny and honest. He has issues and flaws and he doesn't lie about them either which makes this books so good. He has a great personality and kept me interested from his very first list to his very last. Could not stop reading this one! Thanks to NG and St. Martin's Press for the ARC of this awesome, perfect-for-summer novel!!! Highly recommend this one!!! SO fun!!

I went into Twenty-One Truths about Love extremely excited, but a tad apprehensive because I’ve never read a novel that is written entirely in lists! Well, I definitely didn’t need to be worried because I found this novel absolutely brilliant! I was amazed how through the lists I was able to get a full storyline filled with humor, heartfelt times, and cringy moments. Throughout the entire book, I kept thinking that Matthew Dicks deserves a metal for creating such a wildly original novel that is unputdownable! Twenty-One Truths about Love is one of the most entertaining novels I’ve read in a very long time! I highly, highly encourage this 5+++ star book to everyone! I haven’t read Matthew Dicks prior to Twenty-One Truths about Love, but I will be 1-clicking his previous published novels as soon as finish this review—cannot wait to read more from him!

I started off really loving this book, but lost interest about half way through. The story is told entirely from lists which I found very unique & the humor throughout was entertaining. The more I got to know the MC, Dan, the less I liked or connected with him as a person & the way all of his problems get solved at the end just didn’t quite fit. Again, I loved the concept of a story told using only lists - but it needs more depth or a more relatable MC.

I actually enjoyed this book. I wasn't sure what to expect from a book written entirely in lists, but this did not disappoint. While it may seem a bit disjointed at first you get used to it and it becomes humorous as we follow the main character through his ups and downs in life and his love of his wife and his owning of a bookshop. It was a quick light read and I enjoyed it. I can't wait to read more from the author.

I would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for providing me a copy free of charge. This is my honest and unbiased opinion of it.

Thank you to NetGalley for my copy of this book. I wasn't sure what to expect from a book that is written entirely in lists but, I absolutely loved it. The format is so unique and never felt redundant or repetitive. Every character really comes to life with humor and drama as Daniel tries to come to terms with the fact that his life as a bookstore owner is not what he expected. He is having financial worries and his wife Jill, who knows nothing about the financial troubles, wants to have a baby. As he tries to make ends meet and simultaneously make Jill happy, he knows that something will have to change but, he isn't sure what that is. This book is a page-turner from the first to the last. I laughed out loud and could relate to Daniel. His worries are universal and Matthew Dicks does such a great job of making this character likable with his flaws and all. 4.5 stars

Twenty-One Truths About Love by Matthew Dicks was just such a treat of a read. This is a book of lists. Y'all, let me say that another way, this is a fictional story that is built entirely around and told only through lists. How does that even work? Read this, and you'll find out how it can be masterfully done. The story focuses on Dan. Dan owns a bookstore. It's stressful and not exactly going well, and he shares much of this through lists he makes, but hasn't told his wife. Then, his wife shares that she's pregnant. He's excited, but he's also wondering how he can make it all work financially. This really is a love story. Dan loves his family, and he did love/does love the bookstore, but he has to figure out how to make it all work. I would have never thought a story like this could convey so many feels through list, but y'all, it really does. There were lists that made me laugh out loud, others that made me legit tear up, and others that just made me really get the stress that Dan was under. I came to love Matthew Dicks through another "nontraditional" story (Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend - Read. This. Book.), and he's done it again with this one. You won't be able to check this one out until November (my early look is thanks to NetGalley), but add this to your to-read list now because you're going to want to immerse yourself in this gem of a read.

I appreciate having had an opportunity to read and review this book. The appeal of this particular book was not evident to me, and if I cannot file a generally positive review I prefer simply to advise the publisher to that effect and file no review at all.

A novel written in list form. Seriously? Wait…what did you say? A novel written in list form? What kind of book is that???
An engaging, captivating book. Really! My one piece of advice before you start this book- buy some Little Debbie Snacks.
On Amazon, Twenty-one Truths about Love is categorized as “Epistolary Fiction”. (Please don’t confuse “epistolary” with “episiotomy”- which also figures in this book.) Epistolary fiction is a novel written in letter form. I have read books like that, and also books written in diary form. This is the first time that I have read a book that is written in list form- and only lists.
Author Matthew Dicks is an accomplished author and he has crafted a story that will make you laugh, shake your head, tear up a bit, and completely entertain you. The lists, some are long, some short, some use but a few words, amazingly form a complete story. A story that will engage you with a well-rounded main character. Sometimes you want to hug Dan and sometimes you want to shake him. He has many problems, involving his wife, job, family, friends, his whole life. Months by month, list by list, he struggles to work it out.
I highly recommend this book and I also recommend that you read the reviews for this book on NetGalley or Goodreads. (The book doesn’t release until November). Many of the reviewers were braver and more talented than me and reviewed this book in list format- and their reviews work, too! Here’s my favorite item from one of Dan’s lists: “Winners arrive on time. Losers are always unexpectedly stuck in traffic.”
Many thanks to NetGalley, the writer, and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with a digital review copy. This is my honest review.

From the beloved author of Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend comes a wonderful new novel about a struggling man, written entirely in lists. This heartfelt story is about the lengths one man will go to and the risks he will take to save his family. Dan doesn’t just want to save his failing bookstore and his family’s finances. His story unfolds entirely in his lists, which are brimming with Dan’s hilarious sense of humor, unique world-view, and deeply personal thoughts.

Holy. Moly.

This book was amazing.
Start to finish.
One day, couch binging, reading.

I am so pumped to have read this book.
This is seriously some great stuff.

It’s not a traditional book with structure of a disturbance or fully building problems. We’re placed into the middle of Dan Mayrock’s life. Lists and all. He doesn’t want his wife to get pregnant, but she does and the rest comes after.

His witty lists, funny descriptions, and real thoughts make this one absolutely a must.

A different approach done really well. The adult fiction market needs a new approach. I’m not asking every author to write like this, but this stands out as a successful way to bring story to light.

There’s charm, there’s love, and there is determination. Sure, Dan gets whiny and complains at time, but you know what? This is real life and I honestly couldn’t have asked for something better.

Unique and quirky. Would love to hear more from another point of view. I can imagine how his wife, Jill, could write her lists and there could be an excellent contrast.

Effective. Witty. Funny. Emotional. This book knocked it out of the park.

Thanks, NetGalley for the opportunity to read this one!

*I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

3? 3.5? I actually really liked this book and the only reason it didn’t get a higher rating is because Dan is actually the worst and I don’t like that things worked out for him in the end.
Bill? Love him. Jill? A goddess. Steve? Want to know more about him. Peter? I wish he was alive too. Dan? Shut up already.
I do love how much Dan loves his wife but I wish he would have focused less on Peter and focused more on other alternatives for cash than resorting to crime. Even if it was the DAR.
I absolutely love the style this was written in, it gives the reader such a unique first person perspective and we don’t actually see the main character interact with anyone so we really have no choice but to trust what he says.
I hope to be able to read more from this author, ideally a book with a less morally ambiguous main character.

This was a different approach!!

Book of lists - it threw me for a minute..
then I could see what the list writer/author was saying

The football lists were funny.

"The single greatest thing you can do to
guarantee your future success is to read a lot."

Matthew Dicks' Twenty-one Truths About Love did not make my list of favorites. IMO the list concept was not cohesive and was very hard to follow.

Touching Story about Male Anxiety in a Modern World in List Form

Dan makes lists, lots of them, about every mundane thing you could possibly imagine. These lists are strung together to make up this novel of a thirty-something year old male who lives in a perpetual state of anxiety over his fear of being unable to care for his family.

Dan is having financial difficulties. He left his teaching position, the only thing he is qualified to do, to open a bookstore. The store is not doing well and he is afraid to tell his wife, Jill.

Then Jill becomes pregnant and Dan goes into full crisis mode. All of his worst fears come rushing to the surface including the ones originating from his own troubled relationship with his father. He makes an outlandish decision based in that fear.

Dan is a sensitive guy yet under confident and insecure. He loves his wife but is unable to be a real partner due to his unresolved baggage. His obsessive list-making serves as a diversion to tackle his problems head on.

Still, the story holds a certain charm mostly contributed by the ancillary characters, especially his older friend Bill whom he meets at a bingo game. It’s rather lighthearted and a bit more original coming from the male perspective, Written entirely in list format, the story flows evenly as Dan’s coming of age progresses.

BRB Rating: Read It.

Funny and quick to read, I simultaneously thought Dan's lists were hysterical and proved he utterly lacked confidence in himself and his relationship with Jill. Loved his friendship with Dan, his lists about Kimberly, and the ridiculous thoughts in his mind.

I tried, because I was intrigued to see how it would play out, but I just couldn't do this one... The list idea was a clever construct, but like so many non-traditional clever constructs, I struggled with it and ultimately couldn't find enough story in it to keep my attention. It is entirely possible I am the wrong generation for this one - a reader born and bred on twitter and sound bites would likely be a much better fit than someone who grew up with newspapers, epic sagas, and seven-book series! Seriously though, it's a fun idea - just not a good fit for me. I found it tough to parse out where things were supposed to be heading or to get enough character development to find myself lost in the story, as opposed to the minutiae of daily life.

If I hadn't seen this book on NetGalley I don't think I would have picked it up to read. Who writes a book of all lists - how will that be an enjoyable read? Well, it was! It is amazing how fast the lists morph into a story. And for the author's sanity, I'm glad he wrote this book - it would be hard to keep this many lists in your head at any one time. It's a compelling story and often witty; albeit sometimes I think he is trying a tad too hard at it. Try it - I think you'll like it.

I'm looking forward to hearing what others think of this book and what the author comes up with for his next book.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an early release in exchange for an honest and fair review.