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colleens_conclusions's review against another edition
5.0
If your favorite beverage was a book, The First Date by Zara Stoneley definitely was it! It was definitely my cup of tea! Ok, I drink Dr. Pepper, but cup of Dr. Pepper doesn't have the right sound to it.
What I liked:
I really liked the characters in this book. I know I say that over and over again in my review, but I love it when authors can make me like their characters. It's rough when you can't identify with the main character, but I could definitely relate to Rosie.
This book was like the movie He's Just not that into you and Sophie Kinsella's books combined. I seem to be on a roll with finding books that are like Sophie Kinsella. I love rom-com right now especially.
I did like Noah a lot. He was such a fun character and I liked how Rosie was able to be herself around him even though he was a stranger at first.
Rosie's mom and best friend were also good characters who tried to let Rosie relax.
What I didn't like:
I didn't like the fact that Rosie kept comparing Noah to her dad, because not every guy is going to be like one particular guy. I also learned that too several years ago, though it took me awhile. I liked how that was changed in the book.
It did take a bit to get into the book for some reason. I kept stumbling over the first chapter a couple of times, but that may have been because it was a PDF book originally and Netgalley recently changed it to Mobi/Epub file and I like those types of files best.
The First Date by Zara Stoneley was a five star read and I think it is a perfect book to pick up especially if you are looking for something light to read while in quarantine or working from home or whatever situation it is you are escaping from. Thank you Netgalley and publishers for the chance to read this book! This had no impact on my opinions, my opinions are my own.
What I liked:
I really liked the characters in this book. I know I say that over and over again in my review, but I love it when authors can make me like their characters. It's rough when you can't identify with the main character, but I could definitely relate to Rosie.
This book was like the movie He's Just not that into you and Sophie Kinsella's books combined. I seem to be on a roll with finding books that are like Sophie Kinsella. I love rom-com right now especially.
I did like Noah a lot. He was such a fun character and I liked how Rosie was able to be herself around him even though he was a stranger at first.
Rosie's mom and best friend were also good characters who tried to let Rosie relax.
What I didn't like:
I didn't like the fact that Rosie kept comparing Noah to her dad, because not every guy is going to be like one particular guy. I also learned that too several years ago, though it took me awhile. I liked how that was changed in the book.
It did take a bit to get into the book for some reason. I kept stumbling over the first chapter a couple of times, but that may have been because it was a PDF book originally and Netgalley recently changed it to Mobi/Epub file and I like those types of files best.
The First Date by Zara Stoneley was a five star read and I think it is a perfect book to pick up especially if you are looking for something light to read while in quarantine or working from home or whatever situation it is you are escaping from. Thank you Netgalley and publishers for the chance to read this book! This had no impact on my opinions, my opinions are my own.
finitha's review against another edition
4.0
Before we begin let us be clear about one thing: there is absolutely nothing new in this book. Nope, not even a minor surprise, the plot is going to go exactly as you thought (if you are thinking like me that is). So why should you read it? For the same reason you pick any HEA novels; so that you can relive it again and again and again. Can we ever get tired of ice cream?
A fake date trope. You know the drill; a damsel in distress, help from a handsome man on dating tips and ta-da! Feelings get involved. But there is always a hurdle and here it is called Daddy. Rosie is too aware of the disastrous effects of falling in love through her parent's marriage. So a serial first dater like Noah must never be the right person for her. Alright, I will let you figure out the rest.
I loved the banter and the chemistry between Noah and Rosie and the way they avoid confronting their feelings is too adorable. There are some hilarious scenes, especially the one in the lingerie shop and we also get to meet a Great Dane, named Hugo. I would have loved a double POV, but it is pretty easy to guess what is going through Noah's head. Still, it would have been great to know his side of things.
Altogether a brilliant book that makes you laugh, relax and teaches you to make the most of every adverse situation.
A fake date trope. You know the drill; a damsel in distress, help from a handsome man on dating tips and ta-da! Feelings get involved. But there is always a hurdle and here it is called Daddy. Rosie is too aware of the disastrous effects of falling in love through her parent's marriage. So a serial first dater like Noah must never be the right person for her. Alright, I will let you figure out the rest.
I loved the banter and the chemistry between Noah and Rosie and the way they avoid confronting their feelings is too adorable. There are some hilarious scenes, especially the one in the lingerie shop and we also get to meet a Great Dane, named Hugo. I would have loved a double POV, but it is pretty easy to guess what is going through Noah's head. Still, it would have been great to know his side of things.
Altogether a brilliant book that makes you laugh, relax and teaches you to make the most of every adverse situation.
romcommer's review against another edition
1.0
sexist asking the woman to give control to the man I really hope no one takes the advices Noah gives.
She made clearly has daddy issues and needs help.
The way she handled gabe ....
She made clearly has daddy issues and needs help.
The way she handled gabe ....
theeclecticreview's review against another edition
5.0
I love British romcoms so I jumped at the chance to read my first Zara Stoneley novel which exceeded my expectations.
Rosie is a dating disaster. She's only been in one relationship that lasted 15 years until he left the country to find himself. She's a bit rusty, to say the least, but when she arranges a first date with a man on Tinder, he's a no show. Who knew the man sitting at the bar next to her would be her ticket to seduction. His name is Noah and he's funny, sexy, a flirt and a serial first dater. Not her type at all. He's too much like her dad. And he's offered to give her lessons on dating. What could go wrong?
I love this delightfully funny and endearing romantic comedy! Rosie is such a loveable character who has been emotionally scarred by a shit of a dad and a mother who won't stand up for herself. Her expectations are low when Noah, the gorgeous, kind, and charming player comes along. He becomes her dating teacher and good friend who gives her confidence and encourages her to just be herself. But Noah has no faith in love brought on by some very real tragedies in his life. They are such a great and funny couple who deserve to find love when they least expect it. If you like LOL romantic comedies with a friends-to-lovers theme, give this one a try.
Thank you to Ms. Stoneley for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
Rosie is a dating disaster. She's only been in one relationship that lasted 15 years until he left the country to find himself. She's a bit rusty, to say the least, but when she arranges a first date with a man on Tinder, he's a no show. Who knew the man sitting at the bar next to her would be her ticket to seduction. His name is Noah and he's funny, sexy, a flirt and a serial first dater. Not her type at all. He's too much like her dad. And he's offered to give her lessons on dating. What could go wrong?
I love this delightfully funny and endearing romantic comedy! Rosie is such a loveable character who has been emotionally scarred by a shit of a dad and a mother who won't stand up for herself. Her expectations are low when Noah, the gorgeous, kind, and charming player comes along. He becomes her dating teacher and good friend who gives her confidence and encourages her to just be herself. But Noah has no faith in love brought on by some very real tragedies in his life. They are such a great and funny couple who deserve to find love when they least expect it. If you like LOL romantic comedies with a friends-to-lovers theme, give this one a try.
Thank you to Ms. Stoneley for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
merms's review
4.0
Absolutely loved this quick fun read!!
Rosie is going to a local bar to meet up with a tinder date and what could be worse? he doesn't show up! Instead she runs into a man named Noah who is quite the charmer and reminds me of her unfaithful father, Noah finds out that she was stood up for a date and decides to give her some coaching to keep/find some dates. Within the process Rosie is kind of falling in love with Noah and refuses to admit it to her best friend. What does the future hold? read this book and find out!
Thankyou NetGally and publishers for the early release in exchange for an honest review,
Rosie is going to a local bar to meet up with a tinder date and what could be worse? he doesn't show up! Instead she runs into a man named Noah who is quite the charmer and reminds me of her unfaithful father, Noah finds out that she was stood up for a date and decides to give her some coaching to keep/find some dates. Within the process Rosie is kind of falling in love with Noah and refuses to admit it to her best friend. What does the future hold? read this book and find out!
Thankyou NetGally and publishers for the early release in exchange for an honest review,
norwayellesea's review
5.0
It's another winning novel from Zara Stoneley!
Rosie Brown wants to start dating again after her long term boyfriend Robbie left her and moved to Wales. After plucking up courage, she arranges to meet Gabe Stevenson who she met on Tinder only….he stands her up! Sat alone at a bar, she's approached by Noah Adams. He's good looking, flirting up a charm but not her type. Besides he's a self-confessed expert at first dates and someone she needs to avoid. Somehow though as they get chatting, he's keen to assist in helping her improve her first date chances, but why?
Noah Adams sees a woman sat at a bar. Sat alone, he goes across to talk to her and for some reason, she's not reacting to his chat-up lines; it's a blow to his ego. As they talk, she tells him the first date after her long-term boyfriend left her has stood her up. Eager to pass on his dating wisdom, he hatches a plan to teach Rosie dating techniques but is there more to his desire to just help her?
Firstly, I really liked Rosie and Noah together as they work through the first-date lessons he's put together for her. It's clear they both like each other as they form a friendship based on trust. There's lots of fun banter flying between and it's easy to see they are comfortable with each other. It can be argued Noah is conscientiously moulding Rosie into a stereotypical male object of desire. However, I interpreted his lessons as a way of lifting Rosie's confidence and self-esteem, all the while, there's an undercurrent of combustible chemistry sparking between them. So it's only a matter of time before they react to their attraction to each other only, all roads to a "Happily Ever After" tend to be bumpy and theirs is covered in rocks!
Rosie has "daddy issues". Thankfully our heroine eventually finds closure to this unfortunate issue which has held her back for far too long. Interestingly, it comes from an unexpected source and I liked this little twist of fate. Noah too has to face up to his serial one-date-only issues, which he does and it's Rosie's action which triggers him to face up to what has been holding him back. It proves they are meant to be together and leads to a more than satisfying ending.
The author has successfully written another hilarious and heart-warming romantic comedy filled with adorable characters and entertaining dialogue and it's my favourite Zara Stoneley novel!
Lastly and not least, an honourable mention to Hugo; for simply just been himself!
4.5 stars
***arc generously received courtesy of One More Chapter via NetGalley***
Rosie Brown wants to start dating again after her long term boyfriend Robbie left her and moved to Wales. After plucking up courage, she arranges to meet Gabe Stevenson who she met on Tinder only….he stands her up! Sat alone at a bar, she's approached by Noah Adams. He's good looking, flirting up a charm but not her type. Besides he's a self-confessed expert at first dates and someone she needs to avoid. Somehow though as they get chatting, he's keen to assist in helping her improve her first date chances, but why?
Noah Adams sees a woman sat at a bar. Sat alone, he goes across to talk to her and for some reason, she's not reacting to his chat-up lines; it's a blow to his ego. As they talk, she tells him the first date after her long-term boyfriend left her has stood her up. Eager to pass on his dating wisdom, he hatches a plan to teach Rosie dating techniques but is there more to his desire to just help her?
Firstly, I really liked Rosie and Noah together as they work through the first-date lessons he's put together for her. It's clear they both like each other as they form a friendship based on trust. There's lots of fun banter flying between and it's easy to see they are comfortable with each other. It can be argued Noah is conscientiously moulding Rosie into a stereotypical male object of desire. However, I interpreted his lessons as a way of lifting Rosie's confidence and self-esteem, all the while, there's an undercurrent of combustible chemistry sparking between them. So it's only a matter of time before they react to their attraction to each other only, all roads to a "Happily Ever After" tend to be bumpy and theirs is covered in rocks!
Rosie has "daddy issues". Thankfully our heroine eventually finds closure to this unfortunate issue which has held her back for far too long. Interestingly, it comes from an unexpected source and I liked this little twist of fate. Noah too has to face up to his serial one-date-only issues, which he does and it's Rosie's action which triggers him to face up to what has been holding him back. It proves they are meant to be together and leads to a more than satisfying ending.
The author has successfully written another hilarious and heart-warming romantic comedy filled with adorable characters and entertaining dialogue and it's my favourite Zara Stoneley novel!
Lastly and not least, an honourable mention to Hugo; for simply just been himself!
4.5 stars
***arc generously received courtesy of One More Chapter via NetGalley***
kdurham2's review
3.0
Check out the full review at Kritters Ramblings
Rosie, the main character, ends up at a bar hoping to meet up with an online date and dip her toes into the online dating world for the first time. She doesn't end up meeting up with her intended date, but instead a man named Noah who has had a checkered dating past himself and dubs himself a serial first dater and will teach her the ropes of casual dating. As this is a romance book, the reader knows that this story will only end with a happy ending, but there will be some bumps and bruises along the way.
Rosie, the main character, ends up at a bar hoping to meet up with an online date and dip her toes into the online dating world for the first time. She doesn't end up meeting up with her intended date, but instead a man named Noah who has had a checkered dating past himself and dubs himself a serial first dater and will teach her the ropes of casual dating. As this is a romance book, the reader knows that this story will only end with a happy ending, but there will be some bumps and bruises along the way.
lillyofthenally's review
1.0
sexist asking the woman to give control to the man I really hope no one takes the advices Noah gives.
She made clearly has daddy issues and needs help.
The way she handled gabe ....
She made clearly has daddy issues and needs help.
The way she handled gabe ....
aliciareadsit's review
3.0
This was a really cute story! Rosie is so cute and relatable. The premise was lovely, and the pacing was great. I read it quickly and it was a nice light read. The only issue I had with this one was our main man Noah. He was TOO arrogant for me. Yes, I know that it’s a face he put on most of the time, but I just had such a hard time liking him the entire book because of it. I also found certain things very predictable, but otherwise this was such a cute read.
totallybookeduk's review
5.0
Rosie has only ever dated one boy/man and after they break up she is left feeling somewhat clueless about the dating scene. Swiping right on someone she met on Tinder she is looking forward to meeting him in real life. Except he doesn't show, he doesn't reply to her messages - he ghosts her.
Whilst sitting at the bar wondering what to do she meets Noah, who appears to take pity on her. A confident man who has had more than his fair share of first dates offers Rosie advice on dating. Rosie hopes that if she can get a few first dates under her belt she'll feel more confident in the dating world.
Offering to give her dating lessons, Rosie is soon wondering whether these are fake dates or whether she would quite like to be dating Noah. But Noah doesn't do second dates or love for that matter - will Rosie find the right path to dating again?
Whilst sitting at the bar wondering what to do she meets Noah, who appears to take pity on her. A confident man who has had more than his fair share of first dates offers Rosie advice on dating. Rosie hopes that if she can get a few first dates under her belt she'll feel more confident in the dating world.
Offering to give her dating lessons, Rosie is soon wondering whether these are fake dates or whether she would quite like to be dating Noah. But Noah doesn't do second dates or love for that matter - will Rosie find the right path to dating again?