Review of Awesomely Awkward Dating Tips for Beginners

[Seetha E]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Awesomely Awkward Dating Tips for Beginners" by Tina Kowalski.]

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4 out of 5 stars

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Tina Kowalski, the author of Awesomely Awkward Dating Tips for Beginners, shares her own and several anonymous contributors’ real-life dating experiences. Though awkward, it may comfort many who have survived similar situations. Read it just for fun or to check if you fit the bill to risk experimenting with the suggested dating tips.

She sets the ground by first explaining the awkwardness scale. For example, awkwardness resulting when one has been out of the dating scene for a while owing to being married, in prison, or in a long-term committed relationship, or even video game addiction, is included under level 2 as rusty awkwardness. After briefly explaining what factors differentiate each level, she presents tips across six chapters. These chapters address various stages/aspects that give tips for initial interactions, pick-up lines to avoid, and first-date blunders.

I appreciate that the author encourages approaching the process as an opportunity to initiate great friendships like the one under tip number 14. Here, one partner sends a letter to their crush’s residence without knowing if they share the same feelings while hoping they will not hold it against the sender and at least become good friends later. She states a disclaimer of sorts about creepy or arrogant awkwardness, like the one described under the 10th tip. The author advises you to steer clear of such people and change yourself if you belong to this category of awkwardness. She also lists a few pick-up lines that are a strict no-no. The pick-up line involving boogers was plain gross.

The following chapters, in the author's words, offer a whole new set of opportunities to make a fool of yourselves. These chapters progress till the honeymoon stages.

The best part about the book is how it strongly encourages us to be our authentic selves. As found through the examples shared, accepting our awkwardness is the first step to making the other person less uncomfortable. She assures readers that with presence of mind and a little humor, all will sail smoothly, as long as a little embarrassment is something you can digest. If you belong to the “Country of Lack of Dating Experience,” like the author and her spouse and all the several contributors, you will enjoy knowing how weird one can get in their attempts at dating. I hope the author considers picking out a few of these for a collection of short stories and giving a complete picture of what led to the awkward moment and how things ended. I am glad that the author calls out some of the purely inappropriate ones. It is a quick and light-hearted read. I recommend a re-edit to ensure an error-free book.

Coming to the parts that I did not appreciate. The book is written with a young target audience in mind, 15 to about 19-year-olds. This age group needs a little more well-rounded guidance, which was missing in this book. It was too short to enjoy, forcing me to reduce one star. I rate the book four out of five stars. Some of the tips were sweet and thoughtful.

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Awesomely Awkward Dating Tips for Beginners
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[Priya Murugesan]

This book looks like a fun read. Hope the author take notes of your negative points. Thanks for your wonderful review!