This book surprised me in a lot of ways – all of them good. Check out my Review of Ten Blind Dates below!
10 Blind Dates by Ashley Elston
To be published on October 1, 2019 by Disney-Hyperion. Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy. This post contains affiliate links and I may earn a small percentage of qualifying purchases.
Synopsis adapted from Goodreads: Sophie wants one thing for Christmas: freedom from her overprotective parents. So when they decide to spend Christmas in South Louisiana with her very pregnant older sister, Sophie plans some much needed private (read: make-out) time with her boyfriend, Griffin. Except it turns out that Griffin wants a little freedom from their relationship. Heartbroken, Sophie flees to her grandparents’ house, where her boisterous extended family is gathered. That’s when her nonna devises plan: Over the next ten days, Sophie will be set up on ten different blind dates by different family members. When Griffin turns up unexpectedly and begs for a second chance, Sophie feels more confused than ever. Because maybe, just maybe, she’s started to have feelings for someone else . . . Someone who is definitely not available.This is going to be the worst Christmas break ever… or is it?
Review of 10 Blind Dates
First, (oops) I thought this book was by Ashley Poston. Then, I didn’t realize it was a Christmas book (ARC on kindle with no cover or synopsis). But I was happily surprised to find a cute holiday rom-com, heavier on the com than the rom. If you love Hallmark Christmas movies, this one is for you!
After Sophie overhears her boyfriend tell someone he’s thinking of breaking up with her, she preemptively dumps him. Then her large and meddling family sets her up on a bunch of blind dates.
Positives: Sophie’s large Sicilian extended family was fun and there were a bunch of genuinely funny moments on her dates. There was a subplot about the main character’s older sister and her pregnancy complications that balanced out the comedy but definitely stressed me out. And I had no idea this was a Christmas themed book, which was a complete surprise – but a good one (oops #2: I did not see that tiny mistletoe on the cover until just now.)
Things I Liked Less: Ten dates was a LOT. It was clear (to me) from the start who Sophie was going to end up with and the problem with all the dates was that you didn’t get to see that relationship enough. Plus there was some stalker-y/creepy behavior from guys that didn’t get called out enough for my liking.
But all in all, if you’re looking for a funny book with a big family and a little romance, and/or if you love cute holiday themed books, this could be a great fit for you!
I’ve been doing themed book lists and since it’s not even Halloween yet, I’m not really ready to do a holiday book list. But I will! In the meantime, check out my list of YA number themed books later in the week!
And if you missed my list of witch books and best YA liar books, you can check them out!
See, I knew this book was for me, a steadfast Hallmarkie. I am really looking forward to this one.
Yeah, 10 dates would be a lot. I’d probably grow bored after the 5th date. Lol.
It still sounds like a ton of fun, though. I especially love meddling families. 🙂
Haha yes the meddling family was the best part. But ten dates was way too many for me.
Yes Sam – this one is PERFECT for you!!!
10 dates is a lot but glad this was good- the extended family antics definitely sound fun. 🙂
I really like the multiple date trope but the main romance is almost always pushed aside until the last chapter when they finally go on their date lol
Karen @ For What It’s Worth
Yes, that is always the problem with these kind of books 🙁