Review of 28 Disastrous Dates: A (Mostly True) Humourous Memoir

[Kathy-Smith]

[Following is a volunteer review of "28 Disastrous Dates: A (Mostly True) Humourous Memoir" by Poppy Mortimer.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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28 Disastrous Dates: A (Mostly True) Humourous Memoir lives up to its name. Poppy Mortimer’s tales of dating woes range from awkwardly entertaining to side-splitting hilarity. Every single encounter makes me appreciate that it is not my story to tell! Poppy’s storytelling is top-notch with enough detail and wit to bring the reader into her head through each dating tragedy.
Each chapter focuses on a different “date,” and Poppy follows a specific formula. If applicable, she starts the chapter with a warning if there is any content that might be triggering to a sensitive reader, whether it is due to language/abuse or grossness. Then she gives us the following data: her age, the city, where she met the man, and how he asked her out. The narrative starts with Poppy catching the reader up on what has happened in her life since the end of the last date and introduces us to the next romantic interest. Then the chapter has two subsections: The Date and Lessons I learned from this date. I enjoy the formatting and lessons learned section; they elevate each date from an amusing story to a case study.
I have one main question after finishing the book. What makes it “mostly true?” I have read back through the “Acknowledgements” and “Introduction” sections to see if there is a hint, but it is still a mystery. I like to think it is because she exaggerates just how much saliva and projectile spit Mr. Say It Don’t Spray It actually produced during their date. Surely one man cannot be that productive!
I rate this (mostly true) memoir 5 out of 5 stars for the hilarious content and the author’s incredible delivery of it, with barely any errors to be found. Any reader who wants to sit back and simultaneously gasp and laugh should pick this up.

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28 Disastrous Dates: A (Mostly True) Humourous Memoir
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[Cara Wilding]

[Following is a volunteer review of "28 Disastrous Dates: A (Mostly True) Humourous Memoir" by Poppy Mortimer.]

28 Disastrous Dates: A (Mostly True) Humourous Memoir lives up to its name. Poppy Mortimer’s tales of dating woes range from awkwardly entertaining to side-splitting hilarity. Every single encounter makes me appreciate that it is not my story to tell! Poppy’s storytelling is top-notch with enough detail and wit to bring the reader into her head through each dating tragedy.
Each chapter focuses on a different “date,” and Poppy follows a specific formula. If applicable, she starts the chapter with a warning if there is any content that might be triggering to a sensitive reader, whether it is due to language/abuse or grossness. Then she gives us the following data: her age, the city, where she met the man, and how he asked her out. The narrative starts with Poppy catching the reader up on what has happened in her life since the end of the last date and introduces us to the next romantic interest. Then the chapter has two subsections: The Date and Lessons I learned from this date. I enjoy the formatting and lessons learned section; they elevate each date from an amusing story to a case study.

I have one main question after finishing the book. What makes it “mostly true?” I have read back through the “Acknowledgements” and “Introduction” sections to see if there is a hint, but it is still a mystery. I like to think it is because she exaggerates just how much saliva and projectile spit Mr. Say It Don’t Spray It actually produced during their date. Surely one man cannot be that productive!
I rate this (mostly true) memoir 5 out of 5 stars for the hilarious content and the author’s incredible delivery of it, with barely any errors to be found. Any reader who wants to sit back and simultaneously gasp and laugh should pick this up.

Kathy, OMG - I've been waiting for someone to review this book! There is so much to enjoy here! Very smart on the author's part to start each cahapter with a content warning - I appreciate this so much. I like how she closes the gap in between the dates and that she provides lessons learned from each date! I was laughing so hard with your description of Mr. Say It Don't Spray It...my girlfriends and I almost always name our datees by some characteristic (i.e., Elf Hands is one of my own favorites)! I'm SO getting this next. Thank you for your review, I was a little hesitant to pick it up...but now I'm certain I'll love it! Until next time...