Asking for a Friend by Andi Osho was a debut and light contemporary novel. It is set in London where three longstanding friends decided they need a different approach to dating. They had all been burnt by past relationships and concluded they needed to reset the type of man they went out with. So, they decided each woman would pick a man for another to date.
Simi was a struggling actor that jumped into relationships quickly. After another painful ending to a relationship, she realizes she always dates the same type of man. She finally started to feel like her life was back on track with the dating game and the auditions Meagan had arranged for her. Eventually, she understands her own strength and that she has been searching for someone to make her life feel whole, but no one could do that but her
Meaghan was a successful agent for comedians and hopes that getting Simi a job will allow her to expand her clientele. When she was younger her heart was broken by Parker; a married man who claimed he was getting divorced but after a year she finally gives up. Now she has a rule of not dating, and she keeps Todd, her friend with benefits, at arm’s length. She has her life all planned out with a five-phase plan after the catastrophe with Parker. Phase one was to party until she was 20 years old, now in phase two, she is going to get all her clients employed before moving on to phase three which is to have a relationship. In the end, she finally realizes that her lack of trust and controlling ways have done nothing but make her life lonely.
Jemima is a successful writer of insurance investigating novels but is struggling with the current book she is writing. Eve, her agent, wants more romance in the book but Jemima doesn’t want to change Beverly’s current character. After her breakup with Miles, her ex-boyfriend, Jemima refused to allow anyone in or date again. She cut romance out of her life and therefore was having a hard time writing a romance for Beverly. So, she decides to compromise and write a backstory with a painful breakup that will explain why Beverly is single. After finishing the dating game, Jemima realized that she is always running from her fears, and she needs to change.
This book was a struggle for me, the pacing was slow and multiple switching of the point of view was confusing. I thought the main characters came off as immature, selfish, and even cruel at times. The comedy part was just not there for me because I could not understand all the slang and terminology used. The game and the women’s dates were interesting. I loved watching the transactions of the women as they grew and opened themselves up to love and relationships. It was an emotional journey for the three women and a test of their friendship. I am sure this book will appeal to some readers, but I would not want to read it again.
Book Info:
Publication: February 4, 2021 | Harlequin |
No woman gets left behind
Three best friends are going to solve their relationship woes once and for all
Forty-something Jemima’s life is on track – well, sort of. All she has to do is muster the courage to bat her niggly ex away for good.
Twenty-something Meagan is in the midst of her five-phase plan and is nearly ready for phase three – a relationship.
While thirty-something Simi has had more it’s not yous than any I dos.
Deciding it’s time to play the dating game by their own rules, they’re going to ditch the dating apps and ask people out in real life. The catch? They’re playing matchmaker and can only ask out potential dates for each other because the most important rule is that no woman gets left behind.
