This is a surprising read, in a very good way! I have to admit that I really didn't like the heroine of the story, Liv, to start with. She's convinced she's up for promotion so when instead she's made redundant she's devastated. My problem then was all the lies she told to make herself look good. However, as the story progresses you learn just why she's so determined to put on a facade of being a success, even when she's struggling. She's desperate to leave her past behind though her childhood best friend, Dylan, is there whenever she needs him - he's a brilliant friend and great character. He's also the one who suggests she makes use of her talents in a new way that will help her make money......

There are some fun, laugh out loud incidents in this story, along with others that leave you wanting to give the characters a hug or a taste of their own medicine! It is a story which involves facing up to the past, realising that you are not responsible for your own childhood or parents, facing reality and being honest with yourself and others. It is also about discovering what real friendship is . . . . and how some people really are fake friends, only out for themselves whilst others will always accept you for who you are now. There's the added mystery of who her online follower is . . . . and that revelation is an absolutely fantastic romantic ending to the story!

Get ready for plenty of Gin Fizz in this contemporary romantic comedy! The growth of Liz as a character is well portrayed so she started off as a lying snob and became a lovely young lady in the end, but only after lots of trials and tribulations, plenty of gin and learning to accept help when she needed it.

I requested and was gifted a copy of this book via NetGalley and this is my honest review after choosing to read it - without drinking a drop gin in the process!

The Gin Lover’s Guide to Dating is the story of Liv, who after ten years of building her career, is let go by the company she’d been both loyal to, and worked her behind off for. Initially, she’s hopeful – with her resume, getting a new job should be easy, right? Well… No. Between a mix of an awfully swamped job market, and any employer she does get an interview with feeling like she’s too qualified, she’s struggling. Her money is swiftly drying up, she could lose her flat, and things aren’t looking up. What’s a girl to do? Well, not look a gift horse in the mouth, that’s for sure.

Written in 1st person with Liv as our narrator, this wonderful mix of comedy and chick-lit follows Liv’s external issues of trying to find her footing once more, and her inner demons. She’s not from the right side of the tracks, in her opinion, and her career was her means of escaping where she’d come from. Her mom drank their money away, and her father was abusive. Add to that the estate where she grew up wasn’t from the nice side of town, and you start to see her dilemma. She wanted to be different. She wanted to be more. Getting away was her only option. Ten years on, her past still haunts her. Her best friend in the world, Dillan, calls her the Ice Queen, and besides him… does anyone truly know her? No. Her ‘friends’ soon dry up, all only there through work proximity, and a need for gossip. Once they don’t have to be near her as colleagues, they’re gone. Dillan however, fights to remind her she’s better than that. She’s real, she’s feeling, and she only has to remember that. Liv has other plans though, all of which include keeping her past safely locked away, and her eyes on the future.

If only life weren’t a bitch, right?

This novel takes place over a series of time shifts, each moving a different amount of space forward, in order to focus on the important events, and prevent sag. The first is three months, and we zip ahead to the crux of the situation. There is a little recap, done carefully to prevent heavy exposition, but overall, with the scene setting, and the POV, only new information has to be given, and we’re welcome to it. I mentioned in my last review how I’m an intense maladaptive daydreamer, and how I have around five constantly fluxing narratives within my head, flicking between what’s enamoring me at that time, and going back and forth between their timelines as necessary. I thrive on time skips, jumps, and avoiding the mush that can come between key events. Gin Lover’s style spoke to me. It reached out to that part of my brain and appeased the storyteller in me. I know that’s a very personal positive, but in the grand scheme of review writing, it’s all just about taste and opinion. I loved how this was presented, and if you’re like me, and like things jumping to the good bits, check this out.

Something else I found endearing was the fun way the events panned out. I obviously won’t go into it, but it felt unique, adorable, and out of the box. I didn’t expect the way things went, and it made me rethink assumptions I’d made – both of which are vital for a sweet surprise. I don’t even have one thing in mind as I mention that. There are a few moments as things wind down that made me happy, some for less pure, more petty reasons, than others, but overall, fantastic conclusions to storylines. And I have to mention that above all, more than the layout, amazing character development I’ll get into in a second, and conclusions, I loved the way the author tackled monologue. She blended internal and external fluidly, without jarring, and it flowed expertly. I never felt like a conversation was being unrealistically stretched, as other characters would point out if Liv was in her head too long, and just as an overarching medley, I loved the dynamic. I’m looking forward to seeing what the author has previously done, and does in the future. She writes female mindsets very well and creates a sense of optimism I warmed immediately towards. Even when things are rough for Liv, she’s trying, and I found that inspiring. I think in a day and age with a lot of uncertainty, it’s important to create an air of positivity. A lot of people aren’t in the mood to read, write, or be creative in any way, but if you are, and you’re wanting a healthy dose of feel-good, this is fantastic. I genuinely felt great after reading this, which if you’ve been following, you’ll know hasn’t been easy lately. The world felt a little brighter when I put this down – so if nothing else entices you, let that be it.

Did everything work for me? No, but that’s just natural. I wasn’t Dillan’s greatest fan. I’m sure the way he treats Liv is just their way, but I found him rude, assumptive, and a bit of a bully. He scolds her like he has a right to, and makes these profound, ground opening points that leave her with egg on her face, as if she’s a total asshole. I didn’t feel love there, and I definitely didn’t feel comradery. I guess I kept wondering why she kept him around, or why he stuck about if she made him feel so frustrated. I know that wasn’t the intention, and he’s meant to be the voice of reason… I just seriously disliked him from the moment we meet him. It’s a shame. I will say though, overall, I really enjoyed the characters. Reyes was probably my absolute favorite. She has a way of keeping it real the male characters just never quite achieved. Amir comes a close second. He’s just a sweetheart. So, no, Dillan wasn’t for me, but that’s not to say there wasn’t wonderful development, honesty, and true plutonic love here. I also wasn’t a major fan of Liv’s naivety towards anonymity. I can’t go into context, but she worked in PR and Communications for a decade… it just seemed an odd slip of the mind. Within the overall story, it worked, and pushed the plot toward where it needed to go… I guess I just expected more from her? It’s an easy enough slip up, which makes her very human… so in that way it’s down to Earth… I just didn’t expect that from her. If that makes sense.

And to have a hat trick, and going loosely back to Dillan in a way, I wasn’t won over by the way Liv’s lifestyle was portrayed as pompous and fake. So, she liked nice things? So, she made a comfortable life for herself – why wouldn’t she. There seemed to be a message to be comfortable, and no more here, that I doubt was intentional. Liv seemed punished for reaching and dreaming… which in a meta way fuels capitalism and creates these awful situations where people fall from great heights, but it just wasn’t for me. I thought she’d done well for herself and should aspire. There’s a scene where she’s told off for not taking a much smaller job than she’s after, as she needs to be real, which yes, I get. If you’re struggling, do what you must… but she was treated as if it were ludicrous to say no? I just really don’t think that was intended, and it continually rubbed me the wrong way. Other than that though, I thought Liv was a fantastic main character, full of life and lessons to be had, and reacted in a real, honest way. Her issues felt tangible and relatable. She seemed to be the type of person many would get along with, and as the novel progressed, she grew up. Everything needed for great character development was here, and add an interesting, quirky plot with lashings of comedy, and you have a great book.

I read this over a couple days, during that lull around midday when I’ve started accidentally napping. I’ve been watching a lot of TV lately and doze off without realizing… so decided to open a book and get stuck into that, rather than sleeping my afternoon away. With it’s light-hearted, easy breezy take on life, despite the tough situations it touches on, this kept me entertained. I don’t know if I laughed out loud, but I definitely felt good. The shift in approaching the lulls in my day with something uplifting is a great move, and this wonderfully slot into place. If you, like me, are finding the days a little long, and a little void, I’d highly recommend this novel. It’s on the feminine side, of course, so be mindful of that, but it’s sweet, and highlights relatable, easily approachable topics. I rooted for Liv, and the ending made me grin from ear to ear. That has to be enticing, if nothing else.

All in all, Gin Lover’s Guide to Dating is the story of a modern woman, dealing with what life throws at her. The world is full of people trying to get by – and while yes, this is a story about love, it’s not just about romance. It’s about friendship, self-discovery, and rekindling past relationships. This is about healing, bridge building, and above all, about remembering life is to be lived, whatever that means for you. I loved this book. It came in a time when I needed it, and is one I think everyone who needs a little pick me up should add to their TBR.

If you are looking for a fun and feelgood story, with a good range of characters and a little mystery to solve at its heart, this will be the romcom for you. Liv is one of those characters who is instantly likeable yet you are shown her insecurities and flaws as well as her shining good points. Set in Edinburgh, you get to sample Liv's life as she appears to lose everything and yet begins to look at life through a different lens. I'm sure if you know the city, you will recognise some of the places she takes you to and maybe recognise some of the characters who she sees out and about.

Liv's eye for character points and body language seems to be spot on and her wry writing style adds some zest to the story. I really enjoyed reading her blog and could imagine its subjects only too well. There is plenty to smile at but also a slightly darker edge. Not everything in Liv's past can be airbrushed out. This is a fast-paced story with lots to entertain and to be recommended.
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of the book.

This book was nothing like I was initially expecting. It's so much better in many ways. The cover portrayed a trendy romantic comedy but the book itself encompasses mystery, hardship and turning your life around. A real shock but in a good way.

Having said that, I initially thought I was wasn't going to enjoy the book. Liv, the protagonist, comes across as a lying snob who cares far more about her own self importance and image than anything else. After being made redundant from her senior role in a big business, she cannot come to terms with not being the elegant, well-off business woman she had adapted to become. When reality hits and she realises that it's a lot harder to stay afloat financially and finding a job isn't what it used to be, she's humiliated by the lack of interest in her in the business world.

The amount of times Liv lies in this book is borderline ridiculous. Losing a job is horrendous, but lying and not getting support is worse. It wasn't comfortable to read how she treated others or herself at times. I can understand why she felt she had to lie, but it didn't make for easy reading. Sometimes in even the most minor situation where there is absolutely no need to lie, she still lies. I'm fairly certain that if there's a compulsive lying disorder, she's got it.

Fortunately, Liv's character became far more bearable as the story progressed. Her character growth is one of the best parts of the book and it's all thanks to the interactions she has with her friends, especially her best friend Dylan. The new friends she meets at the bar really show Liv what real friendship is and they make sure she is supported and that she has people who care every step of the way.

The mystery romance element to the story was fantastic. I was on tenterhooks waiting to find out if she would choose hunky Josh or the mysterious GrahamLeeton. It shows that love can develop without knowing a person physically and that emotional connection can be just as strong. I didn't know which man I wanted Liv to end up with!

Overall, The Gin Lover’s Guide to Dating is thoroughly entertaining  and an adventure of a read. It shows the reality of having everything and nothing and trying to find that happy place in between. With glitz, glamour and a good a dollop of romance, this book has it all. After all, what's better than a romance book with plenty of gin-spiration. I can't wait to try some of the cocktails from the book either. A captivating romance that's sure to enthrall.

Liv's career and high-flying plans all come crashing down. In the aftermath, she finds her true passion and learns what counts in life.

I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

After a rough childhood, Liv has proved all the doubters wrong. She's cast off all of her old life (with the exception of her best friend Dylan), and now has a high-flying career in PR and Marketing, a swanky flat in Edinburgh (psst: so excited for an UK urban romance set in not-London), and money to burn. Until she doesn't.
Despite pouring her heart and soul into the company she works for, when a merger takes place, her colleagues and 'friends' take the opportunity to oust her and take all the credit.
As this wasn't in her 5 year plan, her savings are non-existent, and she has to take up a bar job, to delay losing her flat.

There is romance, and there is comedy in this book, as you might expect from the cover and description; but the real strengths of the book are the friendships that develop, and Liv's journey to discover what really matters in life.

After working so hard to get away from the estate she grew up on, with an alcoholic mother and abusive father, Liv thinks she's finally won and proven her doubters wrong. I totally understand her feelings of failure when it all falls apart; and how she tries to hide it from her colleagues. It was hard work winning the friends she had in the Marketing circle; and it would be impossible if they knew she had to stoop to bar work, when all her interviews fall through.
It was lovely to see her perspective start to change, as Liv fights to subdue her pride. Then she can really start to build a new life, without judging it solely on success and wealth.
I really related to Liv, growing up in a rough area, fighting to succeed, moving away to chase dreams and, in the end returning to my hometown, because it's the only place I belong.

Liv's friends are a massive influence on her - her real friends, I mean, not the corporate-flakes.
Dylan is the one part of Liv's old life that she can't shake, he tries to keep her grounded when she's hypnotised by her glamorous new life; and eventually tries to get her to connect to her old life.
Reyes is a new friend from the bar, who takes Liv under her wing, determined to make her see there is more to life than success - like Hot Josh and finding love.
These two are an absolute powerhouse, and there was no way Liv could deny their theologies for long.

The budding romance between Liv and her online hombre Graham was kinda sweet, if a little obvious who the mystery man was.
I felt sooo sorry for Josh, he was an absolute sweety and a puppy-dog that was clearly falling for Liv. It annoyed me that, even after months of dating, Liv still considered them as 'casual'.
Their relationship reminded me of the blonde woman off Love is Blind (the Netflix show I might have got a little hooked on), who dates a younger man who is clearly in love with her, and just wants to treat her as a queen; but she has her eye on someone else from the beginning, but she's happy to string along the other dude.
Poor Josh. Just be honest with him already!

Liv does have a habit of self-sabotage. She basically sets herself up for everything that goes wrong in this book, and is surprised when it blows up in her face.
Again, it was frustrating that she didn't take other people's feelings into consideration, in her own personal mission for redemption.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and look forward to reading more of the author's work.

Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources, Netgalley, and Orion DASH for this free copy. All quotes in this review are taken from the Advanced Reader Copy and may change in final publication.

Contemporary romance can be a hit or miss sometimes, but this one was definitely a hit for me. I think about how it’s like to have to figure out how to get things together after a huge life shift, and if it comes down to slinging drinks at the bar, then you gotta do what you gotta do. So I get why Liv ends up getting a bartender gig after her career ends up taking a turn for the worse, which definitely sucks! I felt for her so much, but I’m glad she didn’t just take it laying down and give up. Books like this is probably what my mom talks about when she talks about liking books where women overcome hardship, which is what Liv is working on.

It honestly sucks at the situation that Liv was in, and I don’t know if I would even have her strength to be able to pick myself back up, or deal with the humiliation that she had from her former job. I won’t get much into it except mention that she lost her job. It was even harder for her to realize that maybe she wasn’t able to find a position similar to what she had in the same career field, and having to admit that to her friends is difficult as it is. It feels like a failure on her end, especially since she can’t get back into the field that she spent a lot of her time and energy in.

While there is some romance involved between two different men in Liv’s life, I would say that my favorite part about this novel was the friendships that Liv seemed to have and how they were able to support her once she was able to finally be real with them. Sometimes it’s hard to find friends like that, and I feel like Liv was very lucky that she didn’t burn all of her bridges from what ended up happening.

One hundred….no, one THOUSAND percent YES!!!! Omg this book!!!!

Okay, ignore Liv’s snobbish attitude (we all have one) at times, and try to put her emotional indecisiveness down to previous turmoil, and you should agree with me that Nina Kaye has written an absolute stonker of a book!

This is a modern day dating manual with a twist – the twist being that it isnt actually a manual, more of a story where you get told what NOT to do in a relationship. Its also a story that ends up teaching you a few important things, like how to rebuild your confidence, how to find your worth, how to make new gin recipes to help you forget your past endeavours. You know, the vital thing every woman should know.

Dylan is such a good friend to Liv, it annoyed me how much she took that for granted! I found Reyes’ spin on the English language absolutely brilliant. Who on earth came up with our lingo anyway! Such good fun!

I finished reading this novel with a massive smile on my face and a fizzy tummy (no, I didnt drink all the gin). I had had a feeling as to who GrahamLeeton was, but I kept doubting myself due to how obvious it was! My stomach fizzed in anticipation because I felt the energy, I felt the connection between them. Gosh, it was so real!

I was in my absolute element reading Nina Kaye’s novel. This author speaks my language with her dry sense of humour, and her characterization is second to none – I was so impressed by how put together the entire storyline was. For me, ‘The Gin Lover’s Guide to Dating’ is the ideal antidote for the current climate as it has definitely put the smile back on my face for the time being. I honestly feel like this is a priceless gem waiting to be discovered – I loved it.

Love, Love, Loved it!

I have to admit, I feel in love with the writing immediately and I knew this was going to be a novel I would thoroughly enjoy.  The writing just flows and reading this novel is effortless (in such a good way).  It's definitely one to grab your drink of choice, find your favourite reading spot and block out the real world for a few hours.   

I was quickly sucked into Liv's life and even though to begin with I found her shallow and a bit of a sheep, I soon warmed as the outer layers peeled away and the true Live shone through.   The plot includes romance, humour and friendship but for me it's a journey for the main character to find out who she is and what she really wants.  It's a hard look at how we present our lives to others and a little though provoking about who we actually need to keep dear to us.   

This is such an adorable novel to just lose yourself in.  Highly recommended.

Thank you to Rachel for letting me take part in this tour and to Orion Dash for my copy of this book via Netgalley. I am a recent gin convert so this book was right up my street.

Once you broke down Liv's walls she was a very easy character to like. Liv had lost herself in her high flying career and forgot her values. Losing her job was actually the best thing for her. It brought her down to earth with a bump and reminded her of the things that are truly important. When the true Liv was discovered I really liked her.

I loved Dylan, Liv's lifelong friend. He tries to keep her grounded and is really there for her when she needs him. I also love Reyes, one of Liv's new work colleagues. I loved her outlook on life as well as her meddling. She is one of those people that an brighten your day no matter what mood you are in. I also loved the way she tried to use colloquiums but got them ever so slightly lost in translation.

I loved the different Gin recipes that came later in the book, I'm going to have to give some of them a try. Liv's blog posts were funny and enticing. I would definitely subscribe to it.

This was a fun read with some deeper aspects which make you question what is really important in life. I look forward to another book from Nina in the future.

The Gin Lover Guide to Dating is smart, witty, fun, and relatable, the perfect read for the beleaguered pandemic soul. It was precisely the type of reading I was looking for to escape for a short while.

Favorite character: Reyes

I loved Liv, the main character, but Reyes is the character that intrigued me the most. She wears a giant diamond on her left hand, and it is rumored she married a man from a wealthy family – so why is she tending bar? That question, along with a few others, is answered by the end of the story, but there is still so much to learn about her, and I am inquisitive. She is smart, fiery, and a true romantic at heart. She also makes sure that Liv does not sacrifice parts of her self to regain her footing in the corporate world.

What I Loved

In short, I loved everything, and I mean every little thing.

The characters are all so thoroughly developed that you will instantly recognize them among your friends and family.
Liv – she has fought her way up from nothing and made a success of herself in the business world as a communications specialist. When corporate restructuring leads to the loss of her job, she finds how tough it is out there to find a new job.
But she still has that determination she has always had; she needs to figure out where to direct it.
Dylan is the only person who has remained with Liv since childhood. He is her rock, her sounding board, and, more importantly, her friend.
Josh is the 23-year-old who loves a good game of pool and has risen through the ranks of the hotel staff quickly, speaking to his work ethic and his ability. He is very fond of Liv and is well beyond noticing any significant age difference.
Reyes – Liv’s co-worker at the Gin bar, she believes strongly in enjoying life to its fullest and won’t let Liv do anything less.

I loved that Gin Lovers Guide is a story about identity, self-discovery, and reinventing yourself. What we do as a job/career is a significant factor in how we define ourselves, so how do you handle it when that identity is taken away from you through no fault of your own? The story takes us on Liv’s journey of denial to acceptance to, ultimately, a redefinition that is as inspiring as it is relatable. It’s a path full of sad and scary truths, humility, and finally, determination. All of which Liv goes through with a witty sense of humor and a fighting spirit.

There is a great deal of tongue-in-cheek humor that had me laughing out loud while appreciating how brilliant and creative it is. This is not a story of slapstick comedy, nor is it a sappy romance – it is a story of fighting back and of keeping your sense of humor even when the world is crashing down around your ears.

To Read or Not to Read
YES! READ IT! NOW! TODAY!

With Valentines Day that has passed I knew that I needed some form of Chick Lit and I had been waiting to read this, luckily for me it did not disappoint!

The blogging aspect was so much fun and I was hooked from the start!

I seem to be be on a chick lit train this month because here is another one. ⠀
⠀
This one was cute. My favourite part was reading the blog posts written by the protagonist and reading through all the comments. I wish this blog actually existed as I would be an avid follower for sure . I enjoyed the flow of the story and adored the side characters. ⠀
⠀
I just found the main character to be a tad bit immature at times which is jarring seeing as how she is 31. Although her snobbish ways and materialistic outlook on life was an important growth opportunity in the story, it was too much to handle at times. ⠀

This was a fun, light read. The perfect palate cleanser for all the crime fiction that I read. It also mentioned gin a lot

Woah, this was not what I was expecting. The characters were so stilted and the dialogue cringeworthy. No one says "oh" at the beginning of every single sentence. And the upbeat writing and the inevitable downfall was just not that great. I sadly couldn't look past the writing style with this one because the story just didn't catch my interest enough to ignore the unnatural dialogue and inner monologue.

Ten out of ten for this, I really loved it and wish my blogging was adventurous and fun like this was. People watching is what we all do but this makes everything fun. Loved the characters and the way it could all really happen. Well written and fun to read, it made a pleasant change from crime. I look forward to reading the next book and hope it's just as good.

I really enjoyed this read from author Nina Kaye. I would class the book as modern chick-lit: chick-lit with substance, which is one of my favourite genres. Although the book has a light-hearted and fun feel about it, there are deeper issues that are explored. This makes the growth of the main character during the novel more believable and realistic, giving it that extra something compared to a lighter, fluffier, chick-lit (which I also enjoy reading).

I loved being close in Liv's point of view and seeing the world through her eyes. And I loved the supporting characters, particularly Dylan and Reyes.

It's a fun, easy read, with a few twists and turns that you may or may not see coming, which added to the fun.
Looking forward to reading more from Nina Kaye.

Great story and very fun read. My only problem is that it took a while to get going and did nearly give up. I'm glad i stuck with it though as I soon found myself invested in the characters and the story.

An enjoyable enough read, but the book felt a bit slow, pacing was off and due to this it struggled to hold my interest. The characters and story were cute enough, I think with a bit of work it could be really good too. But as it is, it’s just an ok read for me.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

Sadly this isn't for me and I had to DNF.
The writing is really stilted and the coversation doesn't flow. I didnt connect with the characters and so couldn't finish.

A great read.

As a character Liv is likeable but you do want her to sort herself out and listen to her good friend Dylan.

The twist in the story is kind of expected, but an enjoyable read still.