Review: 'The Very British Rules of Dating' by Lady Lara Asprey (2015)

How to find and keep your perfect gentleman (and yes, he does exist!)
The Very British Rules of Dating takes a refreshing and light-hearted approach at how to date the perfect British gentleman (and getting him to do all the wooing!). It explores the answers to ever-so-common questions such as:
 - Where are all the quality men hiding? Why do they never approach me?  - Why do men only seem to ‘flirt’ after a bit of Dutch courage?  - How do I know where I stand when he never says what he means?  - How do I know when we’re an official item? He hasn’t said anything.  - Why is he acting strange? He suddenly just stopped messaging me!
Looking at every aspect of both traditional and modern dating, including advice for online dating, apps and texting, this book will become the go-to guide for your dating life! It will help you navigate your way through the minefield that is dating in the UK to find the ambitious and charming gentleman of your dreams, who exudes that world-famous British charm and will sweep you off your feet (or very nearly).
The review I am sharing with all of you today is quite a special one for me personally, because it is the first review I've ever done for a non-fiction title! Publisher So Vain Books released Lady Lara Asprey's 'The Very British Rules of Dating' earlier this year and when I saw the cover appear on NetGalley, I was quite intrigued. I love almost anything British and I've always been curious to check out self-help books like this one; books filled with advice on how to tackle certain aspects of real life. So, forgetting for a minute that I already have a lovely boyfriend, I sat down with the book, ready to pick up some great dating advice!
As a book 'The Very British Rules of Dating' already quite clearly shows us what it will be all about with just its title; the world of dating, and then particularly the British world of dating. While some might think dating can't be that different in the UK, think again, because Lady Lara Asprey is quick to explain how British men really are a species of their own that come with their own set of rules and expectations. Dealing with topics such as the background to British dating, the modern British gentleman, first dates, and how to hold onto a good man, the book covers all aspects of British dating and how to be successful at it.
I have to be honest and say I am not familiar at all with non-fiction books about topics such as dating, or self-help books in general. Therefore, I can't compare this book to others of the same genre; yet, I think Lady Lara Asprey has written an entertaining account of one side of the British world of dating, and I thought it was a fun read. I really liked how the novel focuses on the British man as a unique species and tries to provide the reader with tips to start a successful relationship with one. The author does this in a playful and fun way and deals with all kinds of topics related to the main subject.
The writing style of the book is well-paced and easy to get through, but I did think it was a bit dry at times and I would have liked it if the book had had more examples of do's and don'ts. I had a bit of trouble finishing the book, because I was missing a captivating storyline, something to keep me reading. Maybe it's because I'm just more a fiction kind of person, or because I have been in a happy relationship for quite a while now and am not a part of the dating scene, but I found it difficult to really enjoy this book. That being said, though, I do think a lot of people will be able to get something out of this book and Lady Lara Asprey has written an entertaining and helpful addition to the collection of dating books that's already out there.

Rating:7,5/10

  For more information about this book: Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Review: 'Casting the Net - Volume 1' by Julie McDowall

Anyone who's dabbled with internet dating has a story to tell, but few can tell them with as much wit and honesty as Julie McDowall.

Her online dating blog became an instant sensation on HeraldScotland.com when she charted her bizarre and hilarious experiences in search of the perfect man. Or at least a man who wasn't a total freak. Or, failing that, a freak who was freaky in the right ways...

Now for the first time CASTING THE NET - VOLUME 1 presents the unexpurgated true story of her ongoing quest for love, including all the material deemed unfit for a family newspaper. Join the eloquent and intrepid McDowall as she tackles The Janny, The Accountant, The Comedian, Foxy Doctor, the inimitable Shug -- and her ultimate nemesis, The Clown.

When I received a review request for Julie McDowall's 'Casting the Net', at first I wasn't sure whether this book would be something for me. I hardly ever read any non-fiction and I'm also not a big fan of columns or anything of the like. However, the fact that the book describes Julie's adventures in the world of online dating straight away sparked my interest. I've never tried online dating myself, but I think it is something people in the modern day and age are fascinated by, and I felt myself wanting to read about the experiences of someone who actually tried it. So, as soon as a review copy fell onto my doormat I added it to my to-read pile, looking forward to picking up my first non-fiction review copy!

'Casting the Net' is the first volume of two in which author Julie McDowall shares her experiences with internet dating. At the start of the book, Julie breaks up with her horrible boyfriend who loves alcohol a bit too much, and is forced to move in with her grandmother. After a short period of time, she finds a new place of her own, but also decides that she needs to get back in the field and start dating again. Internet dating offers an interesting and exciting opportunity, after hearing positive things from her friends, and this is where Julie's journey begins. Different men come into the picture, including a janitor, an accountant and a clown (yes, really), as the reader joins Julie on her quest to find the perfect man.

'Casting the Net' is a book that isn't very long (about 200 pages) and incredibly easy to read; I managed to finish it in one day, on my train journeys from and to work. I specifically admired Julie's guts to actually try internet dating, giving all these different kinds of men a chance by going on a date with them, and then sharing her experiences with the world. She isn't embarrassed and completely honest; she's willing to actually write down the things most of us only dare to think after going on a date with someone. Julie McDowall shares her experiences with all of us, and she doesn't even do it anonymous, so I definitely applaud her for that.  

The book is slightly darker than a regular chick lit novel, but this also gives it a realistic edge to it. I have to say that sometimes it felt more like fiction than non-fiction to me; some aspects of the book, including some of the characters, really had a fictional feel to them, which resulted in me reading the book like it was fiction, instead of a true story. Julie's experiences didn't make me laugh out loud, but I can certainly imagine that other readers find it thoroughly entertaining. I'm quite curious to find out who Julie will eventually end up with, so I would probably read Volume 2 to see what is going to happen. Overall, an interesting non-fiction account of a woman's adventures within the world of Internet dating, fitting to the modern day and age, and based on true life, which I think many readers will enjoy!

Rating:7/10