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

Post by **Stephen Christopher 1** » 16 Feb 2024, 00:26

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

5 out of 5 stars

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Poppy Mortimer shares stories of 20 years of her dating life in her book 28 Disastrous Dates.

From age 20 in Manchester, England, to age 40 when she’s living in ‘the city that she loves’ Melbourne, Australia, she takes us on a journey of 28 horrible dates with some of the world’s most revolting men.

28 Disastrous Dates is binge-reading at its finest. You can’t help turning the page and finding out how the next date(s) go. I read it in three sittings.

I hope that some of the stories were exaggerated; in Mr Captain, for example, if all that really happened, I would have jumped overboard like Poppy seriously considered.

A word of warning: don’t read this in a public place (like I did). There were too many laugh-out-loud moments that I was starting to get odd stares due to my too-frequent fits of giggles.

Just when you thought you’d read every possible awful date comes Date 28, the speed dating chapter — 20 awful dates in one go. As Poppy said, she might as well go out with a bang.

As an Aussie, I loved how she slipped Australian slang into the chapters about her dates in my home country.

I learned a lot from this book. I discovered that men really can treat women appallingly, and some 40-year-old men still think it’s ok to act and talk like 5-year-olds.

Being happily married now (even though he slightly resembles Mr. Muscles — Chapter 10), I’m so glad I no longer have to go out into the dating world; it’s dangerous out there. I sure wish I’d known about the ‘hug and dash’ when I was single.

It was refreshing to read, between some of the dates, that she’d had some longer-term relationships. I was beginning to think that this poor lady would never find love. The final thoughts section was eye-opening and a little sad, but that’s just my reaction to it.

Despite the humor in the book, I read a recent interview with Poppy Mortimer, and she claimed that there is a serious side to her stories. That’s demonstrated in the final summary of lessons learned — a one-sentence refresher of each date. She wants people to understand how poorly many men behave on dates and to use her stories as lessons.

28 Disastrous Dates is impeccably edited, and I didn’t spot a single mistake. I applaud Poppy for taking the extra steps to ensure this was the case. Based on my sheer enjoyment of the stories, I’m rating this book a solid 5 out of 5 stars.

This book is for everyone who has ever swiped right, answered a dating ad, or even said yes when they should have run screaming down the street. You’ll laugh, you’ll gasp, you may even have to put the book down and have a stiff drink. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

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28 Disastrous Dates: A (Mostly True) Humourous Memoir
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Rob Carr · Post by **Rob Carr** » 23 Feb 2024, 02:40

I love this review. It is fun and makes the book sound a real whirl. I've had a few female friends go through the dramas of online dating and they all had great stories to tell about the disastrous dates they had. This sounds like it would be a great read.

Terry Kimble · Post by **Terry Kimble** » 24 Feb 2024, 08:10

Oh, Stephen! I can't wait to get my hands on this book! Your review had me laughing out loud!! Excellent summary and very revealing. Between this and Cara's review of this book, I feel vindicated in my complete aversion to dating.

Even if we laugh at those 'dates' later, the thought of dating freaks me out. This book is a woman's experience dating men, but I know some men who have had scary dates with women, too! Dating is scary. Period. I loved this fun review!

Post by **Stephen Christopher 1** » 25 Feb 2024, 21:57

Rob Carr wrote: ↑23 Feb 2024, 02:40 I love this review. It is fun and makes the book sound a real whirl. I've had a few female friends go through the dramas of online dating and they all had great stories to tell about the disastrous dates they had. This sounds like it would be a great read.

It absolutely is a whirl reading this book, I hope your female friends didn't experience some of the awfulness that poor Poppy endured.

Post by **Stephen Christopher 1** » 25 Feb 2024, 21:59

Terry Kimble wrote: ↑24 Feb 2024, 08:10 Oh, Stephen! I can't wait to get my hands on this book! Your review had me laughing out loud!! Excellent summary and very revealing. Between this and Cara's review of this book, I feel vindicated in my complete aversion to dating. Even if we laugh at those 'dates' later, the thought of dating freaks me out. This book is a woman's experience dating men, but I know some men who have had scary dates with women, too! Dating is scary. Period. I loved this fun review!

Cara's review was the one that made me want to read this, and I wasn't disappointed hehe. It's good to read this from a man's point of view, just to see how many bad guys there are out there, who make us good guys look better

Gerry Steen · Post by **Gerry Steen** » 26 Feb 2024, 17:51

Hi, Stephen. You wrote a delighful review of this book. The book seems to be delightful as well. It has been a while since I have read a book that made me laugh all the way through. It was actually Howie Mandel's biography. This woman sounds charming and hilarious. Men can make such fools of themselves without realizing it. I am adding this book to my bookshelves. Thanks for this review.

Post by **Mari Thompson** » 26 Feb 2024, 19:57

The hug and dash sounds interesting. I have read good reviews about this book. Sounds funny. I will definitely recommend to people looking for a good laugh about disastrous dating

Post by **Stephen Christopher 1** » 26 Feb 2024, 22:35

Gerry Steen wrote: ↑26 Feb 2024, 17:51 Hi, Stephen. You wrote a delighful review of this book. The book seems to be delightful as well. It has been a while since I have read a book that made me laugh all the way through. It was actually Howie Mandel's biography. This woman sounds charming and hilarious. Men can make such fools of themselves without realizing it. I am adding this book to my bookshelves. Thanks for this review.

I hope that you enjoy it as much as I did, I hope the men in these stories do realize how awful they're being, you'll know what I mean when you read it.

Post by **Stephen Christopher 1** » 26 Feb 2024, 22:37

Mari Thompson wrote: ↑26 Feb 2024, 19:57 The hug and dash sounds interesting. I have read good reviews about this book. Sounds funny. I will definitely recommend to people looking for a good laugh about disastrous dating

Hehe, so if you're on an awful first date and you just know at the end they're going to try and kiss you. Instead, you quickly hug them and say 'bye' as you walk away. That's the hug and dash

Post by **Priya Murugesan** » 27 Feb 2024, 11:48

Seriously humorous review

After reading it, I long to read the book. I totally believe that I would enjoy it.

Post by **Stephen Christopher 1** » 27 Feb 2024, 21:29

Priya Murugesan wrote: ↑27 Feb 2024, 11:48 Seriously humorous review After reading it, I long to read the book. I totally believe that I would enjoy it.

I think you will too, it really is hugely entertaining. Thanks for stopping by.

Post by **Sarah Zain** » 28 Feb 2024, 10:00

I love reading your reviews , Stephen, it always makes me want to know more about books, your funny way of expressing dates encourages me to read the book. It's good that the author can describe the difficulty of these things humorously. Outstanding review!

Post by **Stephen Christopher 1** » 28 Feb 2024, 20:49

Sarah Zain wrote: ↑28 Feb 2024, 10:00 I love reading your reviews , Stephen, it always makes me want to know more about books, your funny way of expressing dates encourages me to read the book. It's good that the author can describe the difficulty of these things humorously. Outstanding review!

Wow Sarah, thank you so much. At times I felt bad laughing so hard at these dates, it can't have been funny at the time for poor Poppy.

Post by **Tomy Chandrafrost** » 28 Apr 2024, 22:02

The premise of the book already looks intriguing, combined with how you narrated it. I can't wait to read the part that made you laugh until you suggested not reading it in public. Thank you for the recommendation and the review. What a great writing.

Post by **Stephen Christopher 1** » 29 Apr 2024, 03:21

Tomy Chandrafrost wrote: ↑28 Apr 2024, 22:02 The premise of the book already looks intriguing, combined with how you narrated it. I can't wait to read the part that made you laugh until you suggested not reading it in public. Thank you for the recommendation and the review. What a great writing.

I absolutely loved this book, it was one of my reading highlights of the year. I'm sure you'll find lots to laugh at.