This is exactly the kind of great contemporary romance I’ve come to expect from Zara. If you’ve been a fan of her other works, you should love this! Rosie is a great character and I loved the portrayal of the various dates. A really fun read!

This is a fun, entertaining, light rom-com that will perfectly warm your heart!

Rosie accepts a crash course from Noah, a stranger she meets at a bar, to help her find dates easily but where will it lead with these two enjoying their time together? Noah is absolutely adorable and their witty banter is so cute. The only issue I had was with Rosie’s daddy issues that felt repeated throughout the book. It was predictable but it was definitely engaging for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced reader copy.

I’m a Zara Stoneley fan. The first book of hers I read was “Bridesmaids”. Here’s how I started my 5-star review- “I will do my best to stop laughing and sputtering at you as I write this review. That’s how funny and adorable is this book is. Applause and lots of love to author Zara Stoneley for creating a warm and witty story.” So, 5 stars for “Bridesmaids”.

Then I read and liked her Christmas story, “Four Christmases and a Secret”. Daisy was the heroine of this holiday book; Daisy is not the shining star she had hoped to be. She is lost and subdued until she learns that it’s up to her to seize life’s opportunities.

So how did I like Ms. Stoneley’s latest book, “The First Date”? This book is billed as a “hilarious, heartwarming romantic comedy about what happens when the wrong guy turns up at the right time…” Rosie is the gal we are rooting for and she has given up on romance after her long-time relationship failed. Her ex moved to Wales to be a sheep farmer and then he remarried. Rosie, who works in a bookshop, wants to dip her toe into the dating world, but when Tindr fails her and she’s stranded at a local pub, she meets an intriguing guy who claims he can teach her to be a successful dater.

Great idea for a rom com, isn’t it? Indeed! And parts of this book work so well. Witty dialogue, two lovable characters, a big dog, wayward parents, and bits of sadness and heartbreak. In many ways, Rosie is like Daisy, the rom com lead in “Four Christmases”, they are both so appealing yet a bit lost and sad. Ms. Stoneley tells us in her bio on Goodreads that she writes about “friendships, dreams, love and happy ever after. She hopes her tales make us laugh a lot, cry a little, and occasionally say ‘ahh!’” And she mostly succeeds in this book.

I liked the main characters, Rosie and Noah. I liked Rosie’s mom, and Rosie’s friend Bea. What didn’t work for me? Well, there is too much dialogue, and too much internal dialogue. Also, there is no clear sense of the setting and where this story takes place.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter for a digital review copy. This is my honest review.

I always look for books i can enjoy and this is one of those authors...
Thank you to netgalley and onmorechapter books for this early book for a honest review. Here goes.
We have the main character, Rosie who happens to be single after a long relationship shes running solo and all alone and she just doesnt know what to do with herself. Hence, the name of the book she goes online to meet men like we do today and she sets up a first date.... who didnt even turn up or even tell her he wasnt on his way. Rosie, isnt feeling too good about herself and stays in the pub for a couple of drinks and before you know it, Noah is teaching her dating skills.
Rosie hasnt a difficult relationship with her charming Dad which is brought to light in the book. I liked Rosie and how she got to feel better about herslf with the help of Noah... the Tinder refrences are just that, and very funny scenes too. i laughed alot! There isnt much of a story in it, as its just the name of the book, the first date.
If your looking for a fun comical read, then look no further.

If you're looking for a cute romantic comedy, look no further! "The First Date" is based on the premise of a woman, Rosie, who is re-entering the dating scene and believes she needs help to attract men. Enter Noah, a funny and steamy man who has given up on love. These two have such great chemistry and witty conversations that I was rooting for them from the very beginning!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this book. It made me laugh and I enjoyed the relationship between Rosie and Noah.

It was a nice lighthearted read with a lovely storyline. I would recommend this if you’re looking for a pick me up.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 from me

A brilliant read. Fun and engaging from the very beginning.I absolutely loved the banter between the two main characters. I do enjoy a good Romcom and this didn't disappoint.

This was a light, rom-com read from Zara Stoneley.

Firstly, I really liked the cover design!

The book itself was an easy read and Noah is a likeable character. Rosie, however, I found to be not so likeable. Her inner dialogue was a bit too long and repetitive. It was obvious from the start she had issues with her dad which affects her current relationship, but that was repeated constantly throughout.

It was a pretty predictable storyline with no major plot.

I enjoyed reading it and got through it quickly, but would have liked for their to be more of a plot.

I recieved a free digital edition of the book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and given freely.

So going by the description I was incredibly excited to read this one - I read a lot of romances so it'sy kind of book - and sadly I was so disappointed.

Not only was the plot very obvious - which is fine... It was expected that's not the problem - there was no real plot other than that, there was hardly any character development to be honest the characters seemed unbelievable.

I really didn't like Rosie, she was one dimensional and pathetic and far too self loathing. And I hated her inner monologue.

I don't remember if it's ever stated where abouts they lived - which just shows very poor world building - but I live in the north east and the words and terminology they use just isn't something a grown woman uses... It felt like I was reading a 12 year olds point of view. And quite frankly it really put me off the book.

But I pushed through and sadly I loathe Rosie quite a lot. There was so much untapped potential and the actual book could have been a lot shorter.

Rosie, who has just broken up with her childhood sweetheart, hasn’t had a date in years. When she gets stood up on a first date, good looking and flirty Noah offers to help get her ready to date. Rosie’s looking for boring and safe, everything Noah’s not. How will their experiment end and will Rosie find what she is looking for?

A lighthearted book which was an easy and entertaining read.

A great story of Rosie who gets stood up by her date - through Tinder.
In steps Noah to give her education in first dates.

There’s depths to the story that get uncovered as the book progresses and you get to understand the reasons why the characters behave in certain ways.

A heartwarming romantic comedy.

Rosie has broken up with her long-term boring boyfriend and has arranged to meet someone new in a bar via Tinder. This is Rosie's first date and it doesn't go well.
Noah is also in the bar and they start chatting - and drinking. Noah ends up offering to teach Rosie how to flirt/ behave on dates and against her better judgement, the next morning during a hangover brunch with her best friend, Rosie texts Noah and takes him up on his offer.

Both main characters were nice enough although I couldn't possibly be friends with Rosie. Her attitude toward men really was too much. There's a good reason for why Rosie felt the way she did, and we find this out very early in the book - but I didn't like it / couldn't relate and felt that it was just an excuse and someone should have told Rosie that she was being ridiculous a long time ago.

This is of course a very predictable story. We all knew how it was going to end but having said that, the journey was still enjoyable.

First date is a terrific romance novel. I love the characters each is flawed in a what life has made me. But there flaws fit together well to make a whole relationship

Unfortunately, I could not finish this book. I made it about a quarter of the way through, but the writing was really just not for me. It was just difficult for me to like the protagonist, especially because she continually blames her dating issues on her dad, which is valid but she brings him almost every page.

This was a lovely and romantic novel that drew me in and never let go. I felt emotionally invested in the characters’ lives and couldn’t stop reading.

First, I want to thank Zara Stoneley, One More Chapter and NetGalley for providing this book so I may bring you this review.

The First Date by Zara Stoneley is an incredibly cute and funny read that many can relate to. This book will make you smile and laugh out loud at times. Not to mention you may be able to relate to it at times.

I absolutely loved the front cover of The First Date. The cup of coffee with the heart foam was perfect! Loved the font layout and the colors as well. Kudos to the Graphic Designer on this cover.

There were so many aspects of this book I totally related to the main character. So much so I found myself cracking up laughing at the character! You have to love all the references to Tinder, online dating, not looking like your online profile pic, and shaving habits.

My fave part of the storyline where this guy wanted to give her pointers on how to go on first dates. Who does or says that in real life?!

If you are looking for a fun and comical read pick this one up.

A really great tale of Rosie who gets stood up by her Tinder date. Really enjoyed her education in first dates by flirty Noah. There’s greater depths to the story that get uncovered as the book progresses and the motivations and experiences of the characters demonstrate why they/we behave in certain ways. I always enjoy Zara Stoneley’s writing and started this one straight away. A heartwarming book that underlines this author’s ability to deliver a great story and very readable book. 4 🌟 from me

Wow. Wow, wow, wow. I was really hoping to love this one. It had a great premise of a woman whose trying to get back into the dating game with horrible success when she meets a great guy but just the wrong guy for her. I loved the idea of Noah helping Rosie build her confidence back and the potential for sparks to fly, but this really fell flat for me. I think it mainly had to do with the fact I couldn’t stand the main heroine Rosie. There’s only so much I can take about a character feeling bad about herself and her family issues. It felt very competitive at times and I wanted there to be more romance between Rosie and Noah. This was an extreme slow burn with hardly any steam. While it wasn't my cup I did enjoy Noah and his growth through this one.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Wow! This book was everything I envisioned and so much more. The story is as cute as the cover. Loved it so much 💕 I rate this book ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫

Loved this book, the story of Rosie and Noah. He is supposed to be helping her out after she gets stood up on a first date. The more time they spend together the more they start to fall for each other, but she thinks he is too like her Dad so will she give him a chance?