Let's talk Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton

 Hey lovelies, welcome back! 

After reading Ghosts back in November, I fell in love with Dolly Alderton's writing! I'd seen a lot of people were reading her first book too, so, since I've been dabbling in non-fiction quite a bit recently, I decided this was next on my list… Everything I Know About Love is a coming of age memoir compiled of tragically hilarious anecdotes about her twenties.

What struck me the most about this book is how relatable the content is. Alderton opens the book reminiscing about her childhood and teenage years, and you instinctively reminisce about your own childhood antics that are now fond memories. It then follows on to her time at university and navigating the void that is your twenties. Alderton talks candidly about the turbulent relationships she had with alcohol, self-esteem and dating - a lot of which makes you instinctively relate to.

  The format enhances the content effortlessly. The content isn't heavily edited or air-brushed and it feels as though you are reading a diary rather than a biography.  

My only criticism is the sequence of the anecdotes which I didn't think flowed together at all. It was constantly jumping back and forth between years at university to her mid-twenties creating quite a disorientating reading experience.     

While I wouldn’t say I was completely enthralled in the reading of this book, I was left with an overriding feeling of optimism and content at the end, for which I can appreciate this book. 

Have you read Everything I Know About Love? If so, what were your thoughts? Let me know in the comments down below. 

Until next time, lovelies! 

Lets talk Ghosts by Dolly Alderton

 Hey lovelies, welcome back!

Ah, ghosting - the by-product of online dating that unfortunately we all have to contend with at some point as we navigate the world of dating in the 21st century. If you are lucky enough not to know what it is, it's where someone suddenly cuts all communication and disappears without warning. Makes sense, right? In a world where communication is virtual and instant, why bother having the uncomfortable "it's not you, it's me" talk when you can just erase them from your social media and carry on with your life... Such is the theme of Dolly Alderton's debut novel, Ghosts - A funny, relatable, heart-warming story about dating in your 30's.

Ghosts follows a year in the life of Nina Dean starting on her 32^nd birthday. By all accounts, Nina is living her best life – a successful food writer, just brought her first home and is surrounded by loving friends and family. Nina is content, but the pressure of everyone’s interest in her love life prompts her to join online dating where she meets the beguiling, Max… Everything feels like it’s falling into place, and just in the nick of time, or is it?

This is the first of Alderton's books I've read, and you can guess what I did the moment I closed the cover... I'm incapable of not buying books ok! I loved everything about this book, from the all too familiar storyline to the flawlessness of Alderton's writing, which had me laughing out loud and relating extracts to my boyfriend on multiple occasions! The comedy is natural and blends with the plot effortlessly - a testament to Alderton's writing ability. 

Of course, Alderton doesn't gloss over the reality behind ghosting and depicts the pain and confusion perfectly. Alongside that, she explores the struggles that come with a Dementia diagnosis, proving this is not just a romantic novel that follows the development of a relationship, this is a novel that follows life. The lasting message being that love presents itself in many forms, not just in a romantic partner, and I was left feeling upbeat and optimistic for Nina, and anyone else who has ever been ghosted, about what the future holds.

A real gem, Ghosts is a novel for the 21st century that I'll be recommending to everyone - singleton's and couples alike!