This review contains affiliate links, which earn me a small commission when you click and purchase, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my small business and allowing me to continue providing you a reliable resource for clean book ratings.
Sophie is looking forward to Christmas this year for one reason: With her overprotective parents spending Christmas in south Louisiana with her pregnant older sister, she’ll have the freedom to spend the holiday break with her boyfriend, Griffin. With graduation and college just around the corner, it’s been a long time since they’ve just been able to hang out without focusing on school or their futures. But when Sophie overhears Griffin talking with his best friend, she learns he wants freedom too — freedom from his relationship with her.
Heartbroken, Sophie flees to her grandparents’ house, where the rest of her boisterous extended family has gathered for the holiday. Sophie doesn’t feel much like celebrating, but her nonna has devised a plan to distract her, and her family is quick to get involved.
Over the next 10 days (excluding Christmas), Sophie is set up on 10 blind dates by different family members — from her sweet cousin Sara to her crazy aunt Patrice.
Throughout it all, Sophie battles her confused feelings between facing Griffin, who turns up begging for a second chance, and her growing feelings for someone else who is definitely not available.
When I think of Christmas, I think of family, and Sophie’s large Italian family definitely offered the vibes of home and holiday spirit — from Sophie’s close relationship with her sister to her antics with her cousins. Despite the large cast, each had their own distinct voice and personality that only added to the appeal of the story and reminded me of holidays with my own family. (Minus the blind dates and abundant Italian food.)
Sometimes you just need a lighthearted rom-com, and this young adult romance book definitely hits the mark. 10 Blind Dates is absolutely charming and heartwarming and definitely a cozy Christmas read. It had me laughing out loud several times and groaning at others, and while the story might be predictable, that doesn’t make it any less fun to read.
(If you’d like to read another lighthearted clean young adult romance, check out By the Book.)
Rated: Mild, for a few uses of mild language, around 8 uses of moderate language, and 12 uses of the name of Deity. Sophie stops at a friend’s party where beer is served. Scantily clad women performing at a formal adult party balance on tables like human platters and food is served on them. Someone jokes about streaking down the road if they lose a bet. A handsy younger boy tries to grab Sophie’s butt. Sophie gets set up by her twin cousins — “the evil Joes” — who send her to a drive-in theater that turns out to be showing porn. There is no description other than to show Sophie’s shock and mention that the characters on the screen are wearing no clothes. She runs and hides in the gift shop, which mentions adult toys, but again features no real descriptors, and she immediately calls for a ride home from a friend. Characters kiss.
Click here to purchase your copy of 10 Blind Dates on Amazon.
