MELANI BLAZER
ISBN: 1-4199-0277-6
2005
Cerridwen Press
http://www.cerridwenpress.com
eBook
$6.49
240 Pages
Chick Lit
Rating:
Most people can tell they are about to have a bad day by glancing at a nearly empty gas
gauge or a torn stocking. Jill Anthony’s bad day begins with a line of men outside her
door responding to an ad for a boyfriend that lists her address! She is past appreciating
her mother’s concern for her single status at this point, and cannot understand why
nobody listens when she says she is not interested in a relationship.
The only relationship that means anything to Jill is the one she enjoys with her work.
Being a photojournalist gives Jill a sense of worth and the opportunity to bask in the
glamour and prestige of her subjects. While Jill does not brag, the problem of men is
equally great, with some of her handsome, eligible subjects using her work as a means
to get to know her personally. While Jill is flattered, the thought of a relationship is far
from appealing. Even roommate and friend Hayley does not get the hint, as her attempts
to match Jill with new friend Benny become quickly transparent.
Just as Jill reaches the end of her rope, a work opportunity allows her to appease her
mother’s demands for grandchildren somewhat – she is asked to undercover as an
applicant to a secret dating club and feed information back to the newspaper. Jill seizes
the opportunity if only to give everyone the impression that she is shopping for a
relationship. Does it work? A bit too well, so much that Jill wonders if the price is right to
finally make a purchase.
Told in first person, Miss Blazer gives readers in Brand Name Dates an endearing
heroine in Jill Anthony. Her crack wit, coupled with a strong supporting player in friend
Hayley and a series of situations (particularly Jill’s dealings with the Mother of all
mothers), place DATES in league with the best of the chick lit genre out there today.
Leigh
Reviewer for Karen Find Out About New Books
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance
