Dating by the book

' I identified with plenty female protagonists: Anne Shirley, Lizzie Bennet, Belle, Hermione Granger, and Jo March. Especially Jo. Smart, driven woman. But my main plot thread had never been a romatic arc.'

Title: Dating by the book

Author: Mary Ann Marlowe

Publisher: Kensington (June 25th 2019)


Plot


Maddie, the new owner of a book store she visited herself very often in her childhood, had not had the best romantic experiences in the passed and was not quite jet ready to plunge in another one. Instead of trying to find her romantic hero in real life, she prefered to creat him herself in her first finished fantasy novel, that was going to be released in a few weeks. But then she reads a review of her book, which laments missing realistic romance and accuses the author of not having had any in her life herself and finishes with 'three solid stars'. Enraged and drunk Maddie answers 'Silver Fox' and a correspondance developes, which encourages her to go find true love, new or old.


Review

If you are a sucker for old classics, but like the occasional 'chick flick' aswell this book will absolutey hit home! It contains the perfect mixture of references to beloved books, which will make you feel home at once, and modern day romance of an independent and strong woman.

Admittedly I found, the book started a little slow taking it's time to introduce the characters, the venue and the background story. But although the author created an extensive introduction, I initially got some relationships between characters wrong. The connection between Max and Maddie for example, focused on the negative at the beginning and did not give the impression of a longstanding and warm friendship, which I was a bit surprised to find described later on.

But after the first few chapters the book simply grabbed me and I didn't want to lay it by before I had finished it.
As a bookshop owner and founder of a book club, all my favorite classic books were mentioned, connections or puns made and comparisons drawn to make a book worm happy. Also all the hints and comparisons had an underlying meaning, which give you a little preview of what to come, if you interpret them correctly adding a little extra fun.
Also there were enough potential romantic heros to keep you distracted and to not make it obvious, who will share Maddies happy-end, which I particularly liked. Although it also toughens the decision which couple you actually want to end up together and ship for the rest of the book.
A few other plot twist hold up the tension and make the story enjoyably surprising and exciting. For example her communication with Silver Fox or the revelation who he actually is.
Another great aspect of this book was, that the book club nights and their discussions were described and with Maddies questions and the contributions to the conversation of the members can deal as foundation for own discussion or thoughts about books you already know and can open up new aspects to think about. 

I had lots of fun reading this book myself and hope you will enjoy it too!