Book Review: 10 Blind Dates

February 01, 2021

Book Review: 10 Blind Dates

10 Blind Dates

by Ashley Elston

Blurb: Sophie wants one thing for Christmas-a little freedom from her overprotective parents. So when they decide to spend Christmas in South Louisiana with her very pregnant older sister, Sophie is looking forward to some much needed private (read: make-out) time with her long-term boyfriend, Griffin. Except it turns out that Griffin wants a little freedom from their relationship. Cue devastation.

Heartbroken, Sophie flees to her grandparents' house, where the rest of her boisterous extended family is gathered for the holiday. That's when her nonna devises a (not so) brilliant plan: Over the next ten days, Sophie will be set up on ten different blind dates by different family members. Like her sweet cousin Sara, who sets her up with a hot guy at an exclusive underground party. Or her crazy aunt Patrice, who signs Sophie up for a lead role in a living nativity. With a boy who barely reaches her shoulder. And a screaming baby.

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?

Cover Review: I think this cover is perfect because it's as cute as the book. I love the balloons making the title, and the little touch of the mistletoe above her head.

Plot: I'll admit, it was a little predictable. But in a good way, where you know where the story will end and can't wait for it to do so. It kept me turning pages from beginning to end. It took place over about two weeks and each day pretty much got a chapter.

Characters: Sophie was our main character and she was a good one. A lot of people called her boring, but I didn't think she was. She was always pushing herself out of her comfort zone throughout the story. I think my favorite part about her was her relationship with her sister and niece.

Beside her, there was a lot of characters. Sophie had a large extended family and they all had some screen time. But the author still managed to handle them all and make them easily memorable. I applaud her for that. And you can't forget Wes, the boy next door, who she totally doesn't like *wink wink*.

World: The book takes place in Louisiana, where the author lives in fact, and you can tell. It has that feeling that you get when someone knows a place well. The setting didn't feature a lot, but there were some cool places.

Other: I've got to come back to the big family. Sure, they're a kind of cliche large Italian family, but I was just happy to see all these aunts and uncles and cousins. Being one of 18 cousins, it brought back many found memories of my childhood. There were all these details she got right that made me think she must of had a large expended family too. Like the not adult not little kid table or the grouping of cousins by age.

Rating: 4 stars for the story and half a star for the big family rep