Book Review - The 24 Hour Dating Agency by Mary Jane Baker

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Title: The 24 Hour Dating Agency

Author: Mary Jane Baker

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Aria

Publication Date: 30th June 2022

Rating: 5 Stars

Tinder, Hinge, Bumble – thirtysomething journalist Saffie has tried them all. Now she's wondering whether it's time to throw in the towel and give up on love for good – and she's not alone...

Saffie's boss Tamara has been single since her divorce four years ago, but at forty-five, running her own magazine and with three kids at home, she doesn't feel she has the time, energy or confidence to go through the dating mill again. Meanwhile, Saffie's best friend Milo has just been dumped – again. A hopeless romantic with terrible taste in men, this is his fourth break-up in six months. There must be a secret to finding Mr Right, surely – but what?

Step forward The 24-hour Dating Agency, a matchmaking service with a difference. Instead of wasting months on casual dates, they promise to send you on an intense twenty-four-hour date with your perfect match – like speed-dating but in reverse. And even better, the agency offers a soulmate guarantee: meet The One or your money back.

Figuring they have nothing to lose, the three friends sign up. But when their matches turn out to be not what they were expecting, it seems like even the soulmate guarantee can't find them what they're looking for. Or can it?

Perfect for fans of Mhairi McFarlane, Kristen Bailey and Beth O'Leary.

This is so much fun, what a fabulous story, so much fun. 

And a 24 hour dating agency is certainly a novel concept and I loved the various dates the three friends all went on. 

Of the three matches it was the one for Tamara that I was most enamoured with initially, a man called Harry, who wasn't phased when she had to bring Willow on the date with her, and it lead to some truly wonderful moments. 

Milo who recent had broken up with West, who sounded like a nightmare, was paired with someone that he might have upset in the past. I didn't warm to his date at all, nothing wrong with the guy, I just didn't quite get the same connection between them - but the actual concept of the 24 hour date for them was so brilliant. 

And then there is Saffie, who really is only going along with this, to hopefully write a feature for the quirky periodical they all work for. But things didn't exactly go according to plan. 

I also loved this newspaper they all work for, the features are totally barmy but equally I think it is something I would have enjoyed reading! 

This is just a feel good book, with a wonderful cast of characters, some great storylines, and Tamara is ultimately my favourite character, she's just amazing for reasons you will discover when you read this. 

For what was my final book of 2023, I've got to say I've totally finished my reading for the year on a big high! Woohoo! 

Thank you to Aria and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.