A fun, sexy friends to lovers, second chance romance featuring a relatable, messy fat FMC and her best friend, Jackson who she is afraid to risk taking a real shot at love with after their one week vacation fling didn't work out. I really enjoyed the dual generalized anxiety rep and the OCD rep in the MMC. The mental health aspects of this book were very strong and played a significant part of the story.

Equally steamy and heartfelt, the way the FMC lets her friends set her up on a series of blind dates ended in some hilariously disastrous scenarios and the pre-date quizes were priceless! I thought Haleigh was a great plus-sized FMC who was content with her body despite the extra challenges it posed when it came to dating.

There were also great cameos from the author's other books but this can definitely be read as a standalone too. With excellent narration by Billie Bryant, this is a perfect book to pick up for fans of authors like Olivia Dade, Julie Murphy or anyone who enjoyed Sophie Cousens' latest, Is she really going out with him? Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

The Audio narrator did such a good job bringing the FMC to life and I enjoyed her narration so much.

Jenny L Howe is such a talented writer and makes me feel so seen every time I pick up her books. As a far bodied woman I see so many of my own struggles in her books but also the love and joy. The anxiety rep with the MMC and FMC felt like it was ripped out of my own head. I related so much to them and appreciated the care Jenny had with it. I normally don’t like live triangles but this one felt so flushed out and not super hardcore love triangle. I also really appreciated the humor and horror of dating in current times. The bird scene had me crying laughing so hard.

I would highly recommend this book!

How to Get a Life in Ten Dates is a cute rom-com about Haleigh Berkshire, a plus sized single woman who gets set up on ten dates by her mother, sister, roommate, grandfather, and best friend. If Haleigh doesn't find the perfect person to spend her life with then her family and friends will leave her alone about being single. Haleigh and her best friend Jack come up with a questionare for each canidate to fill out propr to the date. The dates are mostly disastrous if not interesting by Haleigh's standards and she promises to see the whole date to the end. Will Haleigh get her perfect ever after or will she be single for the rest of her life. I liked this book because it touched on mental illness and that not all women are perfect. Haleigh embraces all her flaws with a postive attitude even though she is not perfect. I would like to thank both NetGalley and Spotify Audiobooks for letting me listen to this book.

How to Get a Life in Ten Dates is a wonderfully humorous and deeply touching book that offers an honest and relatable glimpse into the dating life of a plus-size protagonist. The story masterfully blends humor, emotion, and the everyday experiences of a woman navigating not only the challenges of dating but also societal expectations and self-doubt.

The book portrays the perspective of a plus-size individual with refreshing authenticity, breaking stereotypes without ever feeling heavy-handed or preachy. Instead, it tells the story with a delightful lightness, making it a perfect “easy read” for in-between moments.

What truly stands out is the author’s witty and charming writing style. Each of the ten dates brings its own unique flair, from heartwarming moments to laugh-out-loud scenes. However, the humor doesn’t overshadow the emotional depth of the story. The protagonist takes readers on a journey of not just seeking love but also discovering self-acceptance and inner strength.

This is a light yet captivating read that will leave you laughing, reflecting, and rooting for the main character. Perfect for anyone looking for a heartfelt, funny, and genuine story. Highly recommended!

I loved the concept of the various dates to get to know who your friends and family think is best for you; these were hilarious! I think my issue with the second chance is that, despite knowing her so well, Jack didn’t treat her well after their fling and got annoyed with her about things he knew were part of her personality. I think I would have liked this more if the ending had been different but I thought this was really cute.

This book was everything I wanted it to be and more!! I absolutely adore Jenny L. Howe and her book, On The Plus Side, is one of my all time favorite books! Haleigh is such a relatable character for me. The anxiety representation resonated for me and I really saw myself in that. I loved that Howe showed how Haleigh and Jack work on their mental health and how it takes trial and error sometimes. The dates Haleigh goes on are amazing!! I found myself literally laughing out loud multiple times!! The details Howe adds around living life in a bigger body are on point and are such smaller things that only people in bodies like this would realize (i.e. the standing on your tip toes to navigate through a restaurant). I will forever read and stan for Howe’s books! All three have been amazing representation to the plus sized community and I’m thankful for this.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Spotify Audiobooks for the free audiobook copy.

I mostly enjoyed this rom-com but did feel like it was missing a little je ne sais quoi. Due to this, I am giving this 3.5 stars rounded up.

Things I enjoyed: great plus size representation, many laugh-out-loud moments, and some genuinely sweet romantic moments. I love the premise of having friends and family set one up for some wonderfully disastrous first dates.

Things I am on the fence about: in my opinion, mental health illnesses are portrayed in both positive and negative ways, which might be fair and valid.

Things I disliked: <spoiler>A major downfall to this book is the fact that Jack's interference in Haleigh’s dates is in the synopsis. I felt like the synopsis gave everything away. Even if it was not so clearly stated, I would have guessed that was the outcome, but as a reader I would have liked the ability to be surprised. I also was on the fence about whether Haleigh should end up with Jack.
With the fact that he lied to his therapist, himself, and her for so long about his feelings and the extent of his illness, I felt like he needed to work on himself and that Haleigh should start over romantically.</spoiler>

This is the first book I’ve read by this author & I would probably read another one in the future. It was a book that didn’t wow me at any point, it was just okay. The FMC was being set up by various people in her life with a variety of people, some male, some female. I thought many of the moments in the book were lackluster when they had the potential to be better. The ideas were there but not executed well. The MMC’s depression I felt was just glossed over as if you can just snap your fingers and all of a sudden be “normal”, when in reality it isn’t that cut and dry and I felt the book portrayed depression in a totally unrealistic manner.

THIS WAS SUCH A PLEASANT SURPRISE.

I liked so much about this book, and the vibes were just immaculate for me.

I felt that the FMC was so very relatable. As an anxious, overthinking, feeling like i’m behind everyone in life plus size girl - i felt so seen. Her confidence by the end of the book was something that really gave me some hope for myself.

I really enjoyed the overall plot of the book. The predate surveys were really funny to me, the questions were so random but also so telling. I really liked Jack and Hallie as a whole, but also as individuals.

I also really enjoyed the author’s writing style. It was enjoyable, quick, fast-paced, and the setup of the lists, questionnaires and just the story itself were really enjoyable.

I dualed between the digital copy and the audiobook and i LOVED the narrator. She added to the story so well and I think it’s a huge reason why i clicked with it so much.

Tropes you’ll find: Plus size FMC (without making it thrown into your face 24/7), Friends to Lovers, (SEMI) second chance romance?, childhood best friend & a littleeee moment of love triangle

overall i will absolutely be reading more by this author and i definitely recommend this book to my peers!

Thank you to NetGalley, Spotify Audiobooks, St. Martin's Press, and Jenny L. Howe for the chance to read and listen to this book in exchange for my honest review.

I am always eager to read stories about plus sized FMCs- so I jumped at the chance to read this book. It's a sweet story that had me laughing out loud during the dates that our FMCs closest family and friends set her up on. I especially enjoyed hearing all of the date "participants'" answers to the questionnaire. I kind of think the questionnaire should be patented.


The audio was really well done. I would definitely listen to this narrator again.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC of this audiobook. I DNF at 30%. I couldn’t get into the storyline or the characters.

Jenny L. Howe - thank you. Thank you for this book. Plus size gals don't usually get their spot at the front, instead we're doomed to be funny best friends. I've been struggling with my place in the world. I want to dress cute & step away from my jeans & t-shirt. But there are times where I feel as though I’m only pretending to be someone else. I grew up in a home where it was ‘okay’ to point out other’s flaws, at least it felt that way at times. Having things pointed out – how I could be pretty, had I lost 15 pounds, learned to wear make-up, or how to style my hair. Tends to make me feel as though I will never measure up – good thing for me that I grew away from that mindset. I think it’s time I stop thinking of myself as “plus size” & start thinking of myself as “curvy” … just like Haleigh.
Haleigh Berkshire, twenty-five, loves reading, copy editor in waiting, lover of animals, friend to Jack. The bad dates Haleigh experiences are comical yet cringe worthy. It reminds me of a quote I’ve seen jokingly shared around IG lately – “Hangovers are temporary but drunk stories last a lifetime.” Not sure who came up with that, but it applies to Haleigh’s dating experiences. They make great stories & had me laugh out loud & talking to the book (which is easier when it’s an audiobook, like this one).
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I have already recommended this book to several friends. Absolutely loved it!

I always love Jenny Howe’s books! the characters are sweet, swoony, and spicy, and the plot is deep, loving, and oh so tender. I loved Haleigh and Jacks friends to lovers, slow burn romance. I love being able to see how they’ve both grown, matured, and healed/ are healing over the years to be the best partners they can to each other. I loved the side characters here as well, especially Brian who’s just a big ole cinnamon roll, I really want to see him get his happy ending!!!
the narration was perfect, brought me right into the story and the characters so well, I felt so encapsulated in the story!!!
overall, another adorable, amazing story from Jenny Howe! thank you for the arc!!!!

Thank you NetGalley, publisher St. Martin's Griffin, and author Jenny L Howe for providing a copy of this eARC! All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.
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If Jenny L Howe writes it, I'm gonna read it. Period. And chances are, I'm gonna like it. And I liked this one a lot, and the audiobook narrator was fantastic! However, I don't think it's for everyone. I think for readers to enjoy this, they need to be able to relate to the FMC, and she is flawed.

FMC Haleigh is a self-described mess, and readers should take the time to read and digest the author's note at the beginning of the book. Haleigh has general anxiety disorder (lol same) and has been in and out of therapy (lol same). Haleigh has confidence issues that are not related to her body, but rather to her perceived failure to meet a self-imposed standard of success. Like many millennials and Gen Zers, Haleigh keeps herself afloat financially through gigs like dog walking and short-term editing contracts, rather than a "standard" 9 to 5 job with benefits. Like many millennials and Gen Zers, her living arrangements include a roommate. Haleigh believes "success" requires a job with a 401k and a number of PTO days per year and a one bedroom apartment to herself. Based on past comments to her by her family, she also believes that to be "successful" she must be in a stable relationship. Readers who dread family feedback or have been on the receiving end of a hurtful but well-intended observation paired with the placation "I just want to see you happy!" will probably resonate with Haleigh's perception of herself. There's also the element of a not well-intended comment spoken by Haleigh's sister that wormed it's way into Haleigh's brain and stayed there for twenty years, the nickname "Disaster Girl". Kids can be assholes, and siblings even more so. But these assholic comments have a way of staying with us, and becoming the disparaging voices in our heads.

While this book is a romance/rom-com and explores a number of hysterical, cringe-worthy, and a few particularly nightmarish dates, and then throws in a delightful love triangle between the new love interest and the childhood friend, it's also a story about Haleigh's acceptance of herself and her journey to find the bravery to make the changes in her life that she wants to see, and to explore her insecurities and face some personal demons. She refers to herself as a mess about 20 times in this book; her anxiety latches on to this and calls her a tornado, a disaster, a failure. Fear grips her in a way that, to me, felt all too familiar. Haleigh learns over the course of the story to embrace what is said in the book's dedication: For anyone who has ever thought they’d never get it right— remember, right and wrong are subjective words, and messes can be beautiful.

Come for the silly little dates, emotional support cockatoo, and narwhal plushes named Marshmallow, but stay for the world-class representation and character growth.

How to Get a Life in Ten Dates main character is Haleigh who has had a string of bad dates. She receives an invitation to her sister's engagement party, and now she is in need of a plus one. One night Haleigh together with her best friend Jackson, come up with a plan for her friends and close knit family to set her up on 2 dates. The come up with rules including that she can't self sabotage the dates, a questionairre for the date to fill in and if there are no matches, no one gets to complain about her being single for six months.

What follows is delightful rom com that's easy to read. You really feel connected to Haleigh as a character. Some of the dates have you cringing and laughing out loud but you will be fully invested in her journey.

I enjoyed this title as an audiobook. The narrator's voice was expressive and engaging, drawing me into Haleigh's world and kept me hooked.

Thank you to Netgalley for the advanced copy.
#HowtoGetaLifeinTenDates #NetGalley

I thought this story was pretty good, but could have been better. I enjoyed having a plus sized FMC and reading about her dating experiences in hopes of finding a date to her sisters engagement party. Her beset friend, Jack, who she has been in love with forever decides that he wants to make himself an option for her. It was a cute, easy listen.

I have been a fan of Howe’s other two books, but this one is my favorite so far. I loved the writing, the characters, the plot. I loved the exploration of the dating world for plus size characters and how one of the love interests was also plus size. I love the friendship, the mental health rep, and the cameos from other books.

Jenny Howe is a consistent delight - this may be her best yet. A recommended purchase in all formats for collections where contemporary romance is popular.

⭐️⭐️.5

***I received a copy of this as an audio ARC via Netgalley for my honest review ***

- Plus size FMC - BFF to lovers - romcom -

I feel like this book just missed the mark for me. There was potential for it to be really cute, but something is missing. There were parts i enjoyed, but overall, I just wasn't that into it.
We have a plus sized FMC, Haleigh, who enlist her friends and family to set her up on two dates each to help her find a partner and a plus-one to her sisters engagement celebration. One of these friends is her BFF that she's has been in love with forever, Jack. After going on a bunch of not-so-great dates and one that actually could work out, Jack puts himself in the ring to be considered confessing he has been in love with her as well. Then, she has to decide if trying a romantic relationship with Jack is worth risking their friendship.

The narrator did a fabulous job bringing the story to life. I absolutely loved this book! It was such a fun story. And it deserves all the stars! I listened to this book so quickly because I just couldn't put it down. Haleigh is an amazing character who I could really relate to which was nice. And the dates were super cute! Plus the slow burn/friends to lovers was done so well, chefs kiss! If you like romance with humor and heart then this is for you!

Thank you to NetGalley and Spotify Audio for allowing me to listen to this book ahead of release in exchange for my honest opinion.