A big family and the boy next door... 10 Blind Dates by Ashley Elston (Review & #Giveaway)

Friday, October 18, 2019 - Leave a Comment

Welcome to my tour stop! Check out my review of this cute read and the giveaway below...

10 Blind Dates

By Ashley Elston
YA Contemporary
Hardcover, Audiobook & ebook, 336 Pages
October 1st 2019 by Disney-Hyperion

Summary

Sophie wants one thing for Christmas-a little freedom from her overprotective parents. So when they decide to spend Christmas in South Louisiana with her very pregnant older sister, Sophie is looking forward to some much needed private (read: make-out) time with her long-term boyfriend, Griffin. Except it turns out that Griffin wants a little freedom from their relationship.

Heartbroken, Sophie flees to her grandparents' house, where the rest of her boisterous extended family is gathered for the holiday. That's when her nonna devises a (not so) brilliant plan: Over the next ten days, Sophie will be set up on ten different blind dates by different family members. Like her sweet cousin Sara, who sets her up with a hot guy at an exclusive underground party. Or her crazy aunt Patrice, who signs Sophie up for a lead role in a living nativity. With a boy who barely reaches her shoulder. And a screaming baby.

When Griffin turns up unexpectedly and begs for a second chance, Sophie feels more confused than ever. Because maybe, just maybe, she's started to have feelings for someone else . . . Someone who is definitely not available.

This is going to be the worst Christmas break ever . . . or is it?

Praise for the Book

"This piece-by-piece romance doesn't need its Christmas theme to sell, but it makes it glitter all the more."—Booklist

"In a funny holiday romance that has Sophie dog-sitting in a hockey rink, watching porn at a drive-in theater, and playing the Virgin Mary in a middle school Nativity, Elston cleverly reflects the family members' personalities through their choices of dates for Sophie."—Publishers Weekly

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My Review

10 BLIND DATES is one of those stories that is just pure fun to read! It's full of heart, a huge extended family with plenty of theatrics, ten blind dates, and a girl who is trying to find herself again and possibly reconnect with the boy next door. Definitely recommended to YA contemporary fans!

It's been a while since I've read this type of story. There's some heartache and there's a bit of a family scare, but there's no serious life disasters. Nothing to make you bawl your eyes out. It is, though, still a story about life and figuring things out. Here it comes with an over-loving, boisterous family that brought so much entertainment and laughs that I couldn't help loving them (the board and the bets!!!). There are also fabulous characters, including the protagonist Sophie. I loved her as well as the other members of the fab four (her two cousins and their best friend next door). The family love, antics, and friendship was my favorite part of this story. The dates were fun and also cringe worthy at times, with a few shocking moments. And it all ends with family, best friends, and sweet romance. Just the way it should.

In the end, was it what I wished for? This was entertaining and just a feel good read. Lovable characters, sweet romance, overboard family dynamics, with plenty of heart. Loved it!

Content: A few mild swear words, some drinking references, some suggestive parts, but pretty much clean.
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through Rockstar Book Tours, which did not require a positive review nor affect it in any way.

About the Author

Ashley Elston is the author of several novels, including THE RULES FOR DISAPPEARING (a finalist in the Best Young Adult Novel category of the International Thriller Awards) and THIS IS OUR STORY. She graduated with a Liberal Arts degree from Louisiana State University in Shreveport. Ashley worked for many years as a wedding photographer before turning her hand to writing. Ashley lives in Louisiana with her husband and three sons.

Ashley is represented by Sarah Davies at The Greenhouse Literary Agency.

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Tour Schedule

Week One:

10/1/2019- BookHounds YA- Excerpt

10/2/2019- Odd and Bookish- Review

10/3/2019- Fictitiouswonderland- Review

10/4/2019- Here's to Happy Endings- Review

Week Two:

10/7/2019- PopTheButterfly Reads- Excerpt

10/8/2019- Read. Eat. Love.- Review

10/9/2019- Paper Reader- Review

10/10/2019- A Bookish Dream- Review