When you've read an author's work, you get a taste of their writing style, and, if it's a good match, you may even get a whole slew of titles to explore to quench that hunger. Sometimes, it's a new author, and so the hunger pains have to be lived with until a new title hits publication...but when it does, you can bet you'll be RIGHT THERE to scoop up that next work, and devour it cover to cover. Such was the case here, as I had previously read Songs for Your Mother, and rather adored it, and couldn't wait to check this one out once I caught wind of it. Currently on tour with Rachel's Random Resources...
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Blind Dates
by
Gordon MacMillan
About the book....
Is true love just a few dates away ... or even closer than you think?
Tom has always been a hopeless romantic: but now he's just hopeless. After lockdown in particular made the millennial a reclusive introvert, it was finally time to get back 'out there' - at least according to his best friends Adam, Allison and sister Sarah.
As the group sets up ten miracle dates to rejuvenate Tom's love life, he soon realises how difficult the dating scene has become, along with juggling his Shakespearean-themed café on the side and a hobby of romantic mixtape making.
As the dates continue to turn into disasters, an old flame keeps reappearing in Tom's sight - along with bittersweet memories. Fearing it may be too little too late, Tom must decide whether he can date his way to happiness, or find his true match was under his nose the whole time.
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The story takes place just after the pandemic has released its grasp on everyone, allowing interactions to be held face to face again, and reminding us just how incredible awkward we can be when faced with only ourselves day after day after day. Tom went from slightly extroverted to severely introverted, and having to place yourself in the dating pool isn't going to bring anyone further out of their shells. Good thing he's got friends with his best intentions at heart, and maybe a little desire for him to see beyond his own nose, seize the day, and go for what his heart has always wanted. I mean, love is blind, but the bearer of it is often blinded by their own misconceptions, perceived inadequacies, and other nonsense that simply isn't there, but they can't help but see. The date setup was humorous, but it made my heart smile. The knowledge that perhaps there was someone out there for him that he simply hadn't taken a chance on yet, heartwarming. The fact that the chance he needed to take wasn't so much on the other person, but on himself, was eye opening.
I loved how it tied itself into our daily lives, before and after, while giving us a way to happily-ever-after that was plausible. I enjoyed how the emotional aspects and impact of everything was explored, from the reason for him getting back out there in the first place to why he should consider all his options...no matter how improbably they may seem to his own eyes. I thought the conversations were witty, and full of charm, while the feelings conveyed allowed this one to be enjoyable for both male and female readers...without jokes about their "man card" being pulled. I rather like the author's writing style, and appreciate the way he builds his characters, while taking baby steps forward within the story. The time is taken to let things progress naturally without some sudden earthshaking event throwing everything out of balance.
In short, if you're a Contemporary Fiction fan, this one's for you...and if you didn't check out the first title released, you should definitely take a click on over to discover what you've been missing!
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Special thanks to Rachel of Rachel’s Random Resources for the chance to bring this tour to you as well as the ebook for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, this tour, or those on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above. This title is available now, so click on over to your favorite online retailer to snag your copy today.
Until next time, remember...if it looks good READ IT!
Not a genre I read a lot of to begin with, I'd probably have passed this by and not given it another thought but then that's the magic of blogs.
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