In "Rate a Date," it's hairstylist Eleanor's turn to take center stage while she and the rest of the gang prepare for their friend Caroline's upcoming wedding. Mutual friend Kelsey convinces Eleanor to try a new dating app with her so that they can double date, and against her better judgment, Eleanor gives in. Surprisingly, she connects with a man named Mitch, but he's about to move from California to Las Vegas for work. Eleanor's headed to Las Vegas for Caroline's bachelorette party, however, so she and Mitch agree to meet up while she's in town. Plenty of hijinks ensue (some of them pretty steamy), but what will happen when Eleanor has to return home? And what exactly is Mitch's mysterious job, anyway?
A full review is included at the end of this post, but in short, "Rate a Date" was just as sweet and amusing as the previous books in the series have been, and I recommend it for all fans of contemporary romance and romantic comedy. I am very much looking forward to reading the next book in the series!
About "Rate a Date"
The all new standalone in the Dating series by New York Times bestselling author Monica Murphy is LIVE!
The all new standalone in the Dating series by New York Times bestselling author Monica Murphy is LIVE!
Eleanor Murray is tired.
Tired of going on awkward dates. Tired of meeting men who just aren’t that into her. Tired of being set up on blind dates by her well-meaning friends.
She is a believer of true love, of finding that happily ever after, and she wants it. She deserves it. But at the rate she’s going, she’s pretty sure it’s never going to happen.
Until a friend creates a profile for Eleanor on a new dating app. At first, she’s reluctant. Dating apps aren’t the way to finding true love, are they? But then she makes a connection on Rate a Date, and this gorgeous, confident guy almost seems too good to be true…
Mitch Anderson has a secret.
He’s just moved to Las Vegas for his high profile job and after years of playing the field, he’s looking for a serious relationship. He wants to find a woman who likes him for who he is, not what he does. Meeting Eleanor on the dating app, he’s intrigued. Meeting her in real life while she’s in town for a bachelorette weekend, he completely falls for her. Now he’s in way over his head.
Their chemistry is combustible. They can’t keep their hands off each other. But will Eleanor forgive him when she finds out who he really is?
Read an Excerpt from "Rate a Date"
“You’re just saying that.”
“Not really,” I tell her truthfully. “You’re gorgeous.”
“Mitch.” She draws my name out, like she’s all embarrassed. “You really think so?”
“Oh, I know so.” I lean back, taking her in. “I can’t wait to meet you in person this weekend.”
“Wait a minute. You’re not some secret serial killer, are you?” She asks this with such seriousness, I start to laugh all over again.
“Even if I was, do you think I’d tell you?” I grin, unable to contain it. “I’d keep it a secret, right?”
“True.” She smiles. Laughs a little. “It’s just…my friends don’t want me to meet you by myself. They want to come with me.”
“Swear to God, I’m not a serial killer, Eleanor,” I say solemnly, holding my hand up and making the peace sign. “Scout’s honor.”
“That’s not what you do when you say scout’s honor,” she says quickly. Little Miss Smartypants. “You do your fingers like this.” She holds up her hand, the first three fingers up and pressed close together.
“How do you know that? Were you a secret Boy Scout? Have a brother who was one?”
“I, um, dated a guy who was an Eagle Scout.” Her expression turns sheepish. “He was really into the Boy Scouts.”
“Was that in high school?”
“Uh. No. College.”
I’m frowning. “College?”
“Well, he got his Eagle Scout status his senior year, but was still involved with the scouts through college. And—beyond.” She presses her hand against her forehead and briefly closes her eyes. “Fine, I went out with him after he graduated college. I never really went to college. I went to beauty school.” She drops her hand, sending me a meaningful look.
“So you went out with a guy who was still excited about being an Eagle Scout…and he was a grown man.” I start to laugh. “Sounds fun.”
“I’ve not had the greatest luck when it comes to dating guys,” she admits.
“Oh yeah?” I’m rubbing my chin again, contemplating her. Wondering what the hell is wrong with all the men in her life that they don’t know how to treat her.
And then I realize how lucky I am that they all blew it so now I have my chance.
“Yeah. I’m just—I don’t pick well. And I always get really awkward around guys.” She rolls her eyes. “I can say really dumb things. Or I just act all nervous and weird. I start to ramble.”
“Like now?”
“Yes.” She laughs. “Like now. I’m rambling. I’m totally rambling and you don’t look bored, so I take that as a good sign.”
“I think the rambling thing is cute. I like your awkwardness.”
“Wait until you see it in person.”
“I can’t wait to see you in person,” I tell her with a sly smile, making her blush. “I can’t wait to give you a hug. See what you smell like.”
“Mitch.” Her cheeks look on fire.
“What? I’m serious. You wear perfume?”
“Of course.”
“Use scented shampoo?”
“Duh. I’m a hairstylist.”
“Then I can’t wait to see how all those scents mix and create the essence of you.” Oooh, that was a good one. I didn’t even mean to say that. It just spilled out of my mouth.
“Aw, you’re being so sweet.” She sends me a heated glance. “Kind of sexy.”
“You think me talking about how you smell is sexy?”
“Honestly, Mitch? I think everything about you is sexy,” she says with a little sigh, right before she claps her hand over her mouth. “I probably shouldn’t have said that.” Her voice is muffled behind her palm.
“I love that you said that,” I say, warming up to this conversation big time. “I think you’re pretty fucking sexy too, Eleanor.” Hesitating, I wonder if I should tell her what I did in the shower.
Maybe not.
“Have you ever sexted with someone before?” she asks, sounding genuinely curious.
“I guess.” I shrug, not really wanting to answer her. Makes me feel like a slimy shit to admit that yes, I have. Lots of times. “Sort of. I’ve made plenty of booty call messages. DTF, stuff like that.”
She frowns. “DTF?”
“Down to fuck.”
“Oh.” Her eyes are wide. Her mouth is formed in this perfect O. “Oh.”
“Back when I wasn’t big on relationships,” I add. “But I’ve changed.”
“You have?”
“Yeah. I’m looking for a special girl.”
“Really?”
“I want a long-term relationship.”
“It’s too bad you’re moving,” she says, sounding sad.
I don’t want to focus on that right now. I don’t even know if this girl is the one. She has great potential. But we need to meet in person first. Test it out.
“We’ll see each other this weekend,” I remind her.
“I know!” Her face brightens. “And I’m excited.”
“So am I, Eleanor.”
So am I.
My Review
Monica Murphy's "Rate a Date" was a sweet, amusing story featuring likeable, well-developed characters and an engaging plot. Female lead character Eleanor was very funny and sweet, and while she seemed rather innocent at first, she
certainly wasn't afraid to try new things. She was also a romantic, unlike her love interest, Mitch, who had only recently decided to settle down after many years of playing the field. Their chemistry was off the charts from the moment they met, but I liked that they had a chance to get to know each
other virtually (through text and video chat) before they met in person. That gave them a chance to establish an emotional connection, so I didn't feel like they were moving too fast when their first date turned into an entire weekend together.
The main source of conflict between Eleanor and Mitch resulted from the fact that Mitch was keeping a secret from Eleanor about what he did for a living. I completely understood why Mitch would be concerned about the possibility that a potential girlfriend would be more interested in his money than him, but even so, I thought he kept his secret from Eleanor for too long. Eleanor had every right to be upset with him because not only was he lying to her, in a way he was assuming the worst about her without any evidence. That said, I liked Mitch's apology and thought his groveling was well done, so I was happy that Eleanor decided to forgive him in the end.
As always, it was a pleasure to check in with Eleanor's friends and their significant others while reading this story. The friend group featured in this series reminds me a lot of my own friends from college in the way that they care for each other so fiercely, so when I read these books it always feels like coming home.
The main source of conflict between Eleanor and Mitch resulted from the fact that Mitch was keeping a secret from Eleanor about what he did for a living. I completely understood why Mitch would be concerned about the possibility that a potential girlfriend would be more interested in his money than him, but even so, I thought he kept his secret from Eleanor for too long. Eleanor had every right to be upset with him because not only was he lying to her, in a way he was assuming the worst about her without any evidence. That said, I liked Mitch's apology and thought his groveling was well done, so I was happy that Eleanor decided to forgive him in the end.
As always, it was a pleasure to check in with Eleanor's friends and their significant others while reading this story. The friend group featured in this series reminds me a lot of my own friends from college in the way that they care for each other so fiercely, so when I read these books it always feels like coming home.
Overall, I very much enjoyed "Rate a Date" and recommend it for all fans of contemporary romance and romantic comedy. I look forward to the next book in the series!
*ARC provided by the author via Valentine PR. All opinions expressed are my own.
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