Reviewed by Marieke
TITLE: The Dating Game
AUTHOR: Jay Northcote
PUBLISHER: Self Pub
LENGTH: 30.000 words
BLURB:
Five sex-free dates—how hard can it be?
When they were at uni, Owen always had a bit of a crush on Nathan. But Nathan was apparently straight, and Owen was too busy with other guys to take his crush seriously.
When Nathan moves back to Bristol after a year away, Owen hears that Nathan has come out of the closet, and he propositions him. Nathan doesn’t want to be just another notch on Owen’s bedpost, though, so he challenges Owen to prove he can be serious: five dates before they have Owen doesn’t think that sounds too difficult. He’s expecting Nathan to find his charms irresistible anyway. But as they grow closer, Owen begins to care more about proving himself to Nathan than he does about getting him into bed.
REVIEW:
The story starts when Owen spots Nathan in a bar, and hears from his friend and roommate Simon, that Nathan has come out. Owen has always had a crush on Nathan and he thinks he can just swoop in and have a little fun with the guy, like he always does. He never has dates or relationships, and I have to wonder why. Is it because he’s scared, or because he was just waiting for the right person?
The fact that he’s had a thing for Nathan for so long, makes my romantic heart think it’s the latter. Owen accepts Nathan’s challenge of five dates before sex. You’d think this would turn into a comedy story after that deal, but no. The dates are going very well. So good, that you can actually feel their connection growing.
I loved how their dates are nothing but the awkward scenes I expected, not after the first few minutes into their first date. They actually have a lot in common, respect each other’s differences and get along very well. The dates are original too, nothing like the dinner and a movie kind. Everything goes according to plan until… an ill placed comment and an over reacting Owen. The misunderstanding only last a short while, and the relationship is on again.
This wasn’t a long book, but it was well written in a typical British way. I loved the British slang. There is no real big surprise in the storyline, but the little things like the dates make all the difference here.
It wasn’t a five star spectacular read, but it was fun and entertaining.
RATING: 
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