Customer Reviews

Dating Up: Dump the Schlump and Find a Quality Man

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The thing that sold me on this book was when the author talked about going out on a date with a guy, splitting a burrito for dinner and the guy not having the money to even cover his half. Incredible! I've done exactly that! It really is ridiculous the lameness a girl will put up with just because a guy throws a little attention her way. That said, I started cringing early on because it seems the goal in the author's mind, is finding a "wealthy" man. Well that's not my goal and if I had known it would be the main theme I would not have bought this book. In order to make it through I mentally substituted "good" or "considerate" or "goal-oriented" for wealthy. It helped a lot.

Things I liked about this book:
I liked the make-up basics part. If you already have your make-up routine down this may be no help to you b/c it is the very rock-bottom basics. However, I actually own no make up and went out and got a few things she recommended and hey, looks pretty nice if I do say so myself. The first day I got a few good "Something's different....Wow, you look bright and shiny today...." comments from my male coworkers.
Also the suggestion to get a playstation....Genius!! Why didn't I think of that? It gives you something to do and builds rapport without heavy conversational pressure. Not to mention the fact that guys have been lighting up like Christmas trees when I just mention that I would like their opinion on what are the best games. That tip alone was worth the cost of the book.
The recipes sound great, and also the suggested music.
The rest is kind of basic and old fashioned, but that's what I like about it. She's pretty much saying that men who will take care of you (be it fiancially or emotionally or whatever needs which you hope to have met by a life partner) will do it from the beginning. So let him. He needs to be asking you out. He needs to be paying. That kind of stuff.

Overall I'm glad I read it. I'd say about 20 percent of the content was helpful but that 20 percent was very very good.

Dating Up is like getting a whole bunch of advice about guys from your best friend, only this friend is honest and candid even about things that most women are uncomfortable admitting in the privacy of their own heads. If you want to up your dating game -- even if you've already got a guy -- this is the book for you.

The writer gives lots of useful advice not just about finding the right guy, but how to progress through the relationship -- even covering meeting the parents and attending family functions with your boyfriend.

There are tips and tricks scattered throughout the book on every subject remotely related to dating -- make-up, shopping, etiquette, sex....

Read it. You'll be glad you did.

Le sigh. More general "restating the obvious" dating advice: Don't put up with guys who are shiftless/abusive/etc, don't dress like a stripper when you meet his folks, higher-end places mean higher-end men, etc. Also seems fixated on certain near-mythological "types" of men that border on stereotypical. Also, there is a yawning gap in advice as what to do BETWEEN that second or third date and getting the (apparently coveted) ring--the author assumes that not only are you dying to get married, but that you can figure all that hard, icky relationship stuff once you've gone on a few dates and things start to look serious.

What would have been really helpful would have been some insight as to dating once you're out of your 20's, how to handle the more banal relationship roadblocks that people face (not made-for-television stuff like abuse or addiction, but more normative things like time management in a relationship), and so on. Basically, if you've been out of college or grad school for more than a few years, chances are this book is not for you.

Dating Up admits important, but sometimes awkward to admit, qualities that are essential in a partner. The book focuses on finding someone that is your equal and that challenges you. J. Courtney has defiantly done her research for this book and gives some specific and fantastic suggestions about how to find a quality guy. Everything from gym memberships to dating websites and recipes is covered in this fun book. It stays lighthearted and makes you laugh as she clearly identifies the losers and mistakes you have made. Every woman should carry a copy in her purse when out in the dating scene!! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!

The majority of the book reads like a "Sex and the City" chick-flicky bit of fluff. Most of the dating advice is geared to women who live in a large city/financial center like NYC. The book recommends using the Social Register and "Trader's Weekly" for prospecting for upper-income men. If you live in the midwest or a small to medium sized city without a large banking sector, you're not going to get a whole lot of useful information about who to date. However, there is a good chapter near the beginning that gives some insider information about how the editors of "Allure" and other magazines shop for makeup and get that "natural" look. Worth taking notes on which Maybelline and Cover Girl products to buy cheaply at your local drugstore. Overall, it is not the most helpful dating advice for someone over 30 who doesn't live in NYC, but it is an entertaining read. It would have been good if the author had included some advice for those living outside the NYC area, but oh well.

I love my copy of Dating Up. It's an easy read, and the author writes in a conversational way that made me feel as though she was one of my close friends leaning in to give me advice. This book is a great reminder of what every woman should be looking for in a man: someone who can pay for himself and, hey, who offers to treat YOU, too! It's not about finding someone rich to mooch off of but, rather, finding someone who is your social and intellectual equal. If you believe in taking care of yourself and being with someone who cares about the real you, I highly recommend this book!

This book was great! Entertaining yet informative, and as a male in his mid-20s who has had many conversations with both quality and sleezy men, I really feel like the suggestions are good ones. I wish there were more fun and informative books like this one. Bravo!

This book really stands out from other dating books. I felt like J. Courtney was talking about me and my friends. She has fantastic suggestions for being more successful at the dating game while still being yourself, and the beauty tips alone are worth the purchase price.

This book is basically on how to score a rich man. It doesn't really matter if you are looking for a good man, just a good, rich one. This book is defintely for gold diggers.

This book made me laugh out loud. J. Courtney is smart and funny while providing actual real information, recipes, tips.... She writes about men and situations that we can all relate to. The tips she gave to help start date conversations and meet new people at parties really helped, and the recipe suggestions are delicious. I think this book could could help everyone be more confortable in social situations and make flirting fun again.