Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Book Review: The Dating Detox

I know chick lit isn't for everyone, the same way vampires and werewolves aren't for everyone. But, like any other kind of novel, there's a definite art to writing chick lit, and Gemma Burgess has got it.

Awhile back, I posted the wonderful trailer for the book. It was such a great teaser that I started reading the book that afternoon!

Here's the blurb, courtesy of Amazon:

If you can't date anyone nice, don't date anyone at all...Dating is a dangerous sport. So after her sixth successive failed relationship, romantically-challenged 20-something Sass decides she's had enough. The Dating Detox is born. No men, no break-ups, no problem. The result? Her life -- usually joyfully/traumatically occupied with dates, clothes and vodka -- is finally easy. Chastity rocks. No wonder nuns are always singing. Everything falls at her feet. Especially men. Will Sass break the rules? Why does fate keep throwing her in the path of the irritatingly amusing -- and gorgeous -- Jake? Will she ever roll the dice and play again? Or is a love-free life too good to risk losing? For the post-Carrie Bradshaw, post-Bridget Jones, post-credit crunch generation of singles, life isn't beautiful, a bitch, or a beach. It's a party.

I'm a big fan of writing in the first person, but it's something I've sometimes found difficult to both read and write. But Gemma balances the main character's internal dialogue with external events so well I never felt trapped within her POV. Indeed, Sass is so lovable that I actually developed a girl crush on her half-way through the novel and I felt rather bereft when I closed the book on the lovely Sass at the end. Every woman can likely relate to Sass' dating disasters, and her wonderful combination of intelligence and determination to change her life made this such a readable book. If you do like chick lit, I recommend it!

Gemma Burgess tweets as GKateB on Twitter and blogs here. The Dating Detox is available on Amazon UK or The Book Depository.

38 comments:

  1. Enjoyed your review. Chick lit reading is fun and good for a change. Definitely adding this to my wish list.

    Mason
    Thoughts in Progress

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  2. I'd recommend this wonderful book even if you don't like chick lit. I've never read much of it in the past but, like you, Talli, Sass completely won me over within a couple of pages and I was hooked.

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  3. Sounds cute! I love some chick lit every once in a while.

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  4. Mason - thank you!

    Kath - good point. Yes, even if you're not usually a fan of chick lit, it's a great read!

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  5. I'll take chick lit anyday over vampires and werewolves! This sounds like another good one. Thanks for all the reviews, Talli!

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  6. I'll admit I'll usually take the werewolves and vapires over the chick lit, but this sounds really good. I may have to take a minor detour away from the paranormal and check it out. Thanks for the review!

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  7. This book looks so awesome!! I haven't read that much chicklit, but it's usually because I have my nose stuck in some massive high fantasy novel that's like 2,000 pages long, not because I dislike the genre. After seeing that book trailer and reading your review, I REALLY must have this book. I think I need something a lot lighter than what I've been reading.

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  8. Ah--it feels so good to have a second to blog hop again--after this crazy week. And what a great review to come back and find. I love Chick-Lit and had not heard of this book, so thank you so much for pointing it out!

    Hope you're having a great week!

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  9. sounds good- i love chic lit now and again

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  10. Thanks for the awesome recommendation! I'm all about the chick lit genre, and to all those who have the gift of writing it! ;) I don't have the gift but I appreciate others who do!

    I've wondered about this author and I'm glad to see that she is well liked, I'll be picking up a copy! Thanks Talli!

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  11. No wonder nuns are always singing--love that! :)

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  12. I definitely like the sound of this book and will have to read it.

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  13. I just want to sit around a read all day. Is that a problem?

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  14. This sounds really good, thanks for telling us about it!

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  15. Thank you so much for a lovely review Talli! I am thrilled that you love The Dating Detox.

    It's odd: I am most comfortable writing in first person present tense. I don't know why. When I try other narrative techniques I find it hard to get the immediacy. Hmm. Must look into that.

    Really really looking forward to The Hating Game...

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  16. Seems like a great summer read, a nice book to tuck into the beach tote!

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  17. I saw the trailer and wanted to read the book. I'm glad you recommend it. I recently started my first first-person novel. It's difficult. I should read her book to learn from the pro.

    CD

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  18. That sounds like such a great summer read!

    Thanks for the review Talli!

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  19. I need a change of pace and may have to pick this one up!!! Thanks for the great review!

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  20. Oh my Talli, my books to read list needs this one too!! Thanks for bringing to my attention! ;)

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  21. Thanks for the comments, everyone! It is a great book - a very engaging read. :)

    Gemma - my pleasure! And thanks for your kind words about The Hating Game.

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  22. I love the trailer. I haven't read much chick lit, but this book looks a goody. Thanks for the review, I will add it to 'my to buy list'.

    (I love the Book Depository, they deliver free to me in Cyprus). :))

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  23. Sounds like a fun read, Talli. Thanks for posting your review!

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  24. I saw the title and was thinking, "that's familiar" as I kept reading. I recalled the trailer at the same time you jogged my memory, too funny. The cover art surprised me after seeing the trailer, but it is something I'll be putting on my list whenever I get my butt back to Goodreads.

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  25. Great review! This sounds like such a fun book to read. :)

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  26. This book sounds like it's going to make it big time. It's certainly getting a lot of publicity. I love first person books and I enjoy writing in the first person too.

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  27. All the best to Gemma Burgess with this fab book! Although I'm going, NO!! Chastity does NOT rock and life should be a beach not a bitch - I so liked the trailer of this book that it's so on my lovely list of titles to read/borrow/purchase by the end of 2010 (tis a list I love and treasure!!).

    Just a quick question cos it's driving me crazy!! Sass is short for....??? (I'm betting Susan but that doesn't sound right!)

    Take care
    x

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  28. Great review Talli. Another one for me to read.:)

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  29. Thanks for this, Talli. I remember the trailer & going over to Amazon & reading about the book. It does sound like another title to add to my ever expanding to read list.

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  30. I need to be getting a new book soon, and I'd like a more light-hearted one. Something like The Dating Detox would be perfect! Thanks for the snazzy review!

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  31. I hardly every read chic lit, but that doesn't mean that I shouldn't! Just so many other genres to distract me. I mean, it took me thirty years to pick up a Stephen King book, but I was blown away by his storytelling abilities. I've heard good things about Gemma Burgess. Cool.
    And, y'know, I feel the same way you do about first person p.o.v...I'll have to do some "research" on how she makes it work.

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  32. What a great recommendation, Talli! I'll have to look out for this book. Sometimes a girl needs some chic lit in her life.

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  33. Great review, Talli! This sounds like an amazing book.

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  34. Great review - another for my tbr pile, I think.

    X

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  35. Thanks for the recommendation. I love/hate that feeling of falling in love with a chracter and then having to say goodbye - bit like writing as well x

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  36. I enjoyed the trailer enough to tease me into looking out for this book. Thanks for the review. And interesting regarding your views on first person. I'm a fan of first person for YA , but not so much with adult novels. But some authors do write it very well!

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  37. I tried recently to start a book in first person and found I jumped back to third almost immediately--it DOES take a special gift, doesn't it?

    It's funny, I'm not normally a romantic comedy kind of gal, but with a British accent, it is much more appealing. The trailer was fun.

    Talli-I have an award for you at my blog!

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  38. Chick lit reading is fun and good for a change. Definitely adding this to my wish list.
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