I enjoyed this story very much and I really liked the characters too. I wasn’t always sure where the story was going but it ended in the perfect place and for that I am grateful.

How to Get a Life in Ten Dates is a tough one for me. On the surface, it's a sweet little rom-com that is entertaining and fun. Haleigh and her friends and family are interesting and mostly well-created. But there's something… off here. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the book but there are things about it that bothered me.

For me, the ending felt a little too rushed, which was disappointing because the build-up had been so satisfying and well-paced. But the ending… like I said, it felt rushed and because it was rushed and because I have the type of brain that overthinks things, the ending felt a little toxic. I can't go into why without giving up major spoilers, so I'll mostly leave it at that. But let's just say, things that really needed resolving don't feel fully resolved, just papered over which worries me (which, hey - testament to Jenny Howe's writing talent - she created this character that I'm worrying about even after the book is over!).

Haleigh has pretty much given up on dating, but she needs a plus-one for her sister’s big wedding, so she gives her friends and family 10 dates to set her up, partially to get them off her back about how awful dating it. It goes all right, until her best friend Jack and long-time crush starts sabotaging them— after a ruinous fling years ago, is she ready to give Jack another chance? Cute and light, deals nicely with caring for each other’s neurodivergence (anxiety & OCD).

3.5 ⭐️

This one started out strong and I really was enjoying the overall premise. Where a group of people get to pick two people each for her to go on a date with. Each date have to fill out a quirky survey to get to know them better before hand. Meanwhile she is struggling with feelings for her bestfriend.

Some of the dates were pretty cute, funny, or quirky. I appreciated that the main FMC was bi and she had dates with both men and women. At about the 60% mark this book started falling apart. It was predictable where it was going but I just didn't feel that tension save chemistry between them. I found myself skimming the last 20% as I lost all interest.

I would be interested in reading more from Jenny Howe. The story was well written and I enjoyed the dialogue a lot. I find that the trope of them getting together off page prior to the story starting and then figuring out later what they are to each other just doesn't work for me I think that is what lost a lot of that build up tension that I enjoy in romance novels. It was a bit deflated before it even started.

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martins Press for this advanced reader copy. My review is voluntarily my own.

I like life it not loved- I'm always down for a plus size (I hate that description) MC where it's not about her overcoming it or losing the weight it's just a representation of who she is - just her existence- haileigh needs a date she gets her people to set up 10 dates- something has to stick right? Until her bestie jack starts throwing curve balls a classic will they/won't they/ do they wanna type story- great LGBTQ+ representation and mental health also love to see that!

Friends to lovers are one of my favorite tropes. Communication was key for this couple and the author did a wonderful job bringing you into their world and vested in outcomes. This is my second book from this author and I will continue to seek them out as they do a wonderful job of inclusion.

hilarious rom com type book. first book i've read from this author and certainly will not be the last!!!

I love when I get to read a @jennylhowe early! Fun fact, we attended her debut launch and have loved Jenny ever since! First off, LOVE all the connections to her previous two books! I got excited every time a new reference appeared (so if you’ve read the others you will love this-if you haven’t, what are you waiting for?). This actually had a similar base premise as the Sophie Cousens I read earlier this month with Haleigh’s family/friends setting her up on dates. The dates were so fun to read and the underlying friends to lovers theme was so sweet (it’s my favorite trope!). I just wish the characters were a little older, when I was 25 I lived at home and had just started working full time at a starter job, so it made me sad that she felt like she was flailing. I guess perhaps I was too! Overall, cute story with lots of laughs and a whole lot of heart!

I’ve read all of Howe’s books and find her to be a consistent source of joyful, thoughtful rom coms. I enjoyed that this story wove in characters from her earlier novels while also serving as a standalone in its own right. I enjoyed the <spoiler>friends-to-lovers </spoiler> romance but felt like other plot elements were a bit lackluster. While the interconnected characters are cute, I hope Howe branches out a bit more in the future because her MCs and stories are starting to blur together for me. All told, this was exactly the cozy cute book I signed up for and I will be seated for Howe’s next ride.

This is such a fun and entertaining rom com. There are so many unexpected moments and I was laughing so much! Following along with Hayleigh on her disastrous dates sure kept me on my toes. So many funny and cringy moments. Jack is the best friend that every girl dreams of having. I just loved him so much! He’s so kind and caring and definitely has the golden retriever energy. I enjoyed this book so much!

3.5 Stars for How to Get a Life in Ten Dates by Jenny Lowe

This is my second Jenny Howe book, and as a plus-size reviewer, I absolutely love seeing plus-size love stories represented with authenticity and heart. Jenny Lowe creates characters that feel real and relatable, and her commitment to inclusivity is truly refreshing.

In How to Get a Life in Ten Dates, we meet Haleigh, who has been best friends with Jack forever. She’s harbored feelings for him for a long time, and they almost crossed the line once—but they’ve kept their friendship strictly platonic thanks to a clear set of rules. As her sister’s engagement party approaches, Haleigh’s family and friends take it upon themselves to set her up on a series of dates. While she hopes to find someone to accompany her to the wedding and maybe even a loving relationship, Haleigh ultimately learns more about herself and her feelings for Jack, discovering that sometimes the rules of friendship can—and should—be broken when love is involved.

There’s a lot to love about this book! Haleigh’s personal growth is inspiring as she learns to open up, accept help from those who care about her, and figure out who she truly is. Her relationships with her roommate and her family are a joy to read; they’re supportive, open, and heartwarming. I also adored Brian’s character—he’s mature, self-assured, and a great influence on Haleigh’s journey of self-discovery.

While there were moments where I wished Jack had shown a bit more maturity and bravery, I think his hesitations and struggles added a realistic layer to the story. It’s tough being in your mid-20s and figuring out who you are and what you want, and both Haleigh and Jack’s journeys reflect the uncertainty and growth that come with that stage of life.

One thing I would have loved to see is Haleigh taking a bit more from each date, learning and growing through each experience. But the dates were still fun to read, and they added to the charm of her journey.

All in all, this was a sweet and charming story about love, friendship, and self-discovery. Jenny Lowe’s writing is heartfelt, and I thoroughly enjoyed the story’s themes of personal growth and inclusivity. I’m excited to see what Jenny writes next, and I’ll definitely keep following her work!

How to Get a Life in Ten Dates was a great friends-to-lovers romance and the sometimes disastrous experiences of modern dating, Haleigh is ready to give up on dating entirely and doesn't want to deal with the nagging of her friends and family anymore to find her life partner and live up to their expectations in terms of her personal life and in her career. So she gives them each the opportunity to set her up on two dates with people of their choosing. Some of the horrendous dates are hilarious to read too! And right when one date stands out from the rest and seems promising - Haleigh's best friend Jack wants to throw himself into consideration despite them both agreeing to move on after a vacation fling/hookup five years earlier. Haleigh and Jack were both very compelling and relatable characters as they manage anxiety and OCD, along with trying to live up to expectations not only set by themselves but also by others. Was definitely an enjoyable read - will definitely look to read more books by Jenny Howe. Thank you to St. Martin's Press/St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for the chance to read this novel.

Jenny Howe’s "How to Get a Life in Ten Days" is a refreshing and insightful exploration of self-discovery, ambition, and the quest for personal happiness. Centered around the protagonist, Clara, who is at a crossroads in her life, the novel invites readers on a journey of transformation and empowerment, all set against a backdrop of humor and heartfelt moments. "How to Get a Life in Ten Days" is a charming and thought-provoking read that resonates with anyone seeking to make meaningful changes in their life. Jenny Howe has crafted a narrative that is both entertaining and inspiring, reminding us that sometimes all it takes is a little courage and a sense of adventure to reclaim our lives. This book is a delightful addition to the contemporary fiction landscape, sure to leave readers feeling motivated and hopeful.

This was my first Jenny L. Howe book and It will not be my last. I will definitely check out her earlier books as well. How to get a Life in 10 Dates was a cute and funny read. The characters were funny and I really enjoyed the dates! I recommend it to all that want a fun beach read.

I'm definitely a fan of Jenny L. Howe, and I enjoyed this one (especially the brief cameos from the protagonists of her earlier books!). This probably isn't my favorite of hers, but only because I liked On the Plus Side so much! Our female main character in this one is Haleigh, a 20-something freelance editor who is tired of having bad dates and being asked about her dating life. She decides to give her friends and family a chance to get their unsolicited advice and set-ups out of the way by letting them set her up with a total if 10 different dates. She has some pretty hilariously awful dates and one or two pretty good ones, but the whole time she also has it in the back of her mind that she's been in love with her best friend Jack since forever, but after a disastrous (but romantic) hookup during a vacation in college, they have vowed to keep things 100% platonic. I found Haleigh to be a relatable and compelling main character, and I enjoyed the humor in this, but it did feel like the whole thing was leading to a foregone conclusion. It was a conclusion that I liked, so it didn't bother me, but at the end I felt like most of her dates were actually pretty forgettable. I almost wish she'd had more dates, just for the humor. I did really appreciate the mental health representation here, especially as a person with OCD who appreciates sensitive treatment of that in fiction.

Jenny is the queen of fat rep romance! I absolutely love seeing big girls on her covers and reading their realistic and relatable stories. She's so necessary in the world of romance books. I will always pick up her novels.

I forgot to review this one right after I read it and now I don't remember much beyond the fact that it was ok. I don't think I would pick up another book by this author.

This is my second book by Jenny Howe and I truly love her characters, plots and avoidance of the typical third-act-breakups!

Read if you like:
❤️ Friends to Lovers
❤️ Honest Characters without extra drama
❤️ Dating Challenge
❤️ Pop Culture References
❤️ Lovable Characters
❤️ Body Positivity

Summary:
Haleigh is fed up with dating. To prove it’s hard to find the one, she challenges her friends and families to set her up on Ten Dates. The hilarity of some of these dates, and her honestly trying, makes the book so lovable. She does end up meeting the perfect guy, but she has one more date and it’s a surprise set-up.

Would absolutely recommend this one!
4.5 Stars

This book was such a gem. I especially loved the plus-size and mental health representation. Haleigh was open and honest about both her size and her anxiety struggles and it was a joy to read how confident and self-assured she was, even when she was struggling. I found myself laughing out loud at some of the dates she went on, and at her interactions with the side characters. As for her friendship with Jack, I truly couldn't figure out why they weren't together, even after I found out what had happened between them. If they had talked through their issue when it happened, things between them would have been very different. But, their friendship was beautiful and it was endearing to see his reaction to Haleigh's dates. There was a lot of character growth throughout the book, and I was rooting for Haleigh in every way. I'm so happy to have read this hysterical, low-spice rom-com, and will be smiling about it for quite some time.

Pub Date: December 10th 2024

Thank you Netgalley and St Martins Press/ St Martins Griffin for the arc of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

I won’t lie, I went into How to Get a Life in Ten Dates hesitantly—I’ve read another book by Jenny L. Howe and just didn’t enjoy it—but I was ultimately pleasantly surprised. Haleigh is exhausted with dating, especially her family’s nagging about it—and it doesn’t help she’s been in love with her best friend Jack her whole life. To stop the nagging once and for all, she and Jack come up with a scheme: her friends and family can set her up with two men or women and if no one is a good match, they have to stop meddling. It took me a little to get into, there’s a lot of set up going on in this one. But Haleigh is a really relatable character. She’s 25 and figuring it out—her job, her living situation as her roommate’s boyfriend moves in (they all get along but she wants to give them space), and just dating in general. There’s a lot of complaining about being an adult, but honestly I felt that was super relatable, but I did have a moment of feeling like I was in my thirties (I’m 31) and that Haleigh was just so young. The friendships though are really strong. And Jack is so sweet, they have a good and authentic friendship that made sense to move to a romantic vibe. The dates were quirky and entertaining and it never felt like it was dragging on. The communication on all fronts was there, and the mental health rep was also really well executed. I had a lot of fun with this one!