Review: Chick Lit dating adventures
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 02 17, 2013
I enjoyed the chick lit novel The Dating Game by Susan Buchanan. The writing style is clever and fun and relatable. Gill is a workaholic and in her late thirties. I connected with her and her singleness. I admired that she decided to take some steps and make changes in her life for the chance at a committed relationship. Also, the European setting of the story made me feel like I was on holiday in Glasgow and later on a girl's getaway to Barcelona. I liked reading about the food, restaurants and sites... though it made me hungry.I got a huge kick out of Gill noticing an advertisement for a dating service for professionals on the bus! She takes a leap and signs up. I was applauding her courage and it's made me wish there was a Happy Ever After agency that I could sign up for. The candidate profiles for her perspective dates were entertaining and I loved that Gill kinda fudged on hers and said she liked Zumba. Gill's dating adventures were real and at times painfully funny. The different guys and situations she encounters were sweet, funny and embarrassing.I think my favorite parts of the story were the scenes with Gill and her girlfriends. I LOVED their interaction! Their conversations felt so relatable and familiar. I was chuckling and nodding. They talked about everything from food to work to men. I could feel how much they cared about each other. I was highlighting a lot of their dialogue. :DA few of my fav lines...♦ "Hear, hear,' said Gill. 'But to be honest, I don't really go in for dark or tanned men. I like them a bit...''Pasty?' Lisa offered.'No.''Milk-bottle white?' Suggested Angela.'No!''I think what Gill is trying to say is she likes them pale and interesting, like Anton for example. Isn't that right?' Debbie cut in.♦ Some sweet dreams she was having, thought Gill.  More like nightmares.  She really could pick them.  What was so wrong with her, that she couldn't find someone who loved her and wanted to be with her and treat her well, without being jealous, or going off with someone else, as she wasn't enough for them?♦ 'Yikes! Forty-nine. There's no way he's forty-nine. He looks about sixty-five. Has he had Botox in reverse?'"Yeah, I thought he might be lying about his age, too.''Lying? He should be prosecuted for fraud! That's a gross misrepresentation.'♦ What was she looking for?  Friendship and perhaps something more? Someone to have a kiss and a cuddle with and in time, rampant sex?  A deep and meaningful relationship?The writing style lets you get into the heads of the different characters and see where they're coming from. I felt a bit sad for a few of her dates and a really mad on her behalf at others. I was also grieving for the outcome of one of her relationships. It rather sucked all around.... I did like the ending though honestly I wanted more. :DI would be interested in a  sequel to follow Gill and see the next chapter of her life unfold. If you enjoy Chick Lit and you're in the mood for a European vacation, give The Dating Game a try and enjoy the trip.(((hugs))) KatThe Queen of Tarts♦ ebook provided for review for my honest opinion.