Review: Better Date than Never Boxed Set (#1-6) by Susan Hatler
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 03 5, 2014
BETTER DATE THAN NEVER is one of my favorite romantic series.  Susan Hatler has a fun, witty, and down to earth writing style that make her books so enjoyable to read.  All six books in one boxed set is a steal of a deal and every one of the stories will touch your heart and keep a smile on your face!LOVE AT FIRST DATE (#1): Wonderful short story of Ellen's modern day search for love. This book was funny, sweet, cleverly written, heart warming and had a fantastic ending! I especially liked how the characters seemed real. Like people I'd know and be friends with, making it easy to relate to them and therefore the story. Gave me hope my Henry is out there... now if only I had a dog to take to obedience school! 4.5 starsTRUTH OR DATE (#2): I LOVED Gina and Chris's story. I think it was very romantic how Chris used the ruse of needing a pretend girlfriend to spend time with Gina. Their role playing banter was fun and sweet at the same time. It was clear to me as a reader that Chris was totally smitten with Gina and had my head shaking at several points when Gina was just not getting it. Ms. Hatler has once again written a sigh worthy love story with a swoon worthy leading man and a realistic leading lady. Enjoyed revisiting with Gina's friends Rachel, Kristen, and of course, the bride, Ellen. Would have liked to have a little more of Henry, the groom. Overall this is a very engaging and romantic love story with a delightful HEA ending. 5 starsMY LAST BLIND DATE (#3): Very sweet and romantic love story! Rachel finally gets her happy ending! Noah is a dreamy new coworker who after flirting with Rachel for months seizes the opportunity to make his move on Valentine's day! I really wish this story had been longer but what was there was wonderful! 4 starsSAVE THE DATE (#4): I've loved Kristen's character in the previous Better Date Than Never books and was thrilled she'd have her own happy ending. Even happier it was with Ethan who she'd once tried to set up with Gina even though it was obvious she had a thing for him herself at the time. Ethan and her have many interests in common (which in Kristen's mind makes their time together non-threatening), but more importantly amazing chemistry. A large part of this story is about Kristen trying to find her confidence again after her ex, Jake, rocks her world and not in a good way. Her good friends, Rachel, Ellen, and Gina, and her new friend Melanie, are there for her as well as Ethan. He patiently waits for her and offers her his friendship and support while she figures things out. Her self doubts spill over into her friends lives a bit, but everything works out in the end. 4.5 starsA TWIST OF DATE (#5): I really enjoyed reading a Twist of Date. It's a lovely balance of humor, romance, realism, friendship, family issues, and love. The main characters have worked together at a gym for awhile as good friends. Matt has deeper feelings for Melanie but can't get her to take him serious. Melanie is too busy looking for love in all the wrong places to give Matt a chance. But after too many bad choices her best friend and roommate, Patti, convinces Mel to live by a set of "boyfriend bylaws" for dating designed to force Melanie into thinking before dating. This book was funny (the closet scene is hilarious), heartwarming, and ends with more than one kind of HEA for sweet Melanie. 4.5 starsLICENSE TO DATE (#6): Susan once again delivers a wonderful romance that's also about great friends who never let you down, but also don't let you stay down.  Kaitlin got the bottom of the barrel with her last romance. "I wouldn't have dated her if I'd known she was your sister" was his apology for cheating.  So she's taking a break from dating and who could blame her.  Her friends, Ginger and Kristen have given her a few months, but think it's time for her to get on with her life. They bribe her into going on five dates.  Each more hilarious than the last, but what they have in common is the Geoffries Hotel and Paul, who is bartending there the night of her first date.  Paul is charming, gorgeous, and well, just dreamy and irresistible. Kaitlin can't keep him out of her thoughts no matter how hard she tries to convince herself she should.  Paul was my hero, and Kaitlin's after the rappelling save and that amazing kiss gone viral.  I love how their romance plays out, so sweet, and clearly meant to be. *sigh*  Don't miss out on this one, it's a 5 star read!