Customer Reviews

MatchDotBomb: A Midlife Journey through Internet Dating

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Francine Pappadis Friedman accomplishes a great deal in this book. She gently moves her readers through moments in her life that reveal joy, heartbreak, survival and, ultimately, spiritual enlightenment. And on the path from here to there, you are treated to an amazing assortment of "close encounters" that keep you turning pages, shaking your head, laughing and sighing. I was deeply moved and thoroughly entertained if somewhat anxious, because the further I read, the more I was cheering Francine on. I wanted her to find her elusive soul mate. Of course, you will have to read the book to find out if that's what happened. MatchDotBomb is a gift to every person who, tired of the fix-ups and tired of the loneliness, chanced one fateful day to look at the computer screen and wonder..."what if"? If that is you, read this book. If you don't know online dating from fly-fishing, read this book. If you are a man, a woman, or even a semi-intelligent life form from another planet (many of whom, I am convinced, run personal ads on the Internet) read this book. Francine's story is a poignant reminder that life is not about the destination. It is about the journey.

MatchDotBomb: A Midlife Journey through Internet Dating, by Francine Pappadis Friedman

Reviewed by Ted Roupas

(Five stars)

Francine Friedman undoubtedly speaks for countless widowed, divorced, or never-married middle-aged women who have turned to the Internet in hopes of finding a man, and been disappointed by the goods on offer. In a hilarious catalogue of male defectives, she encounters a doctor who can't keep his hands to himself, a lawyer who is always ready to sue regardless of fault, a jokester whose wisecracks quickly grow tiresome, and many others. After each turn-off, she finds a way to end the date early and retreat to her beloved bubble bath, where she soothes current disappointments while reflecting on certain men in her past who were truly dear to her: her father, her older brother, and her husband, all now deceased. Despite the inability of any of the current Internet offerings to measure up to these sterling male role-models, she is ultimately an optimist, who finds the journey she is on to be revealing not only about those she meets along the way, but about herself as well-- the things and the qualities in people that are important to her.

Her eye for character is sharp and precise, her ear for dialogue impeccable, and her thoughts to herself (often just the opposite of what she is telling her date) extremely amusing. I highly recommend this book, both to women and to men who want to know (as I do) what women-- particularly successful, sophisticated, discriminating women-- think of them.

Great title! This book is so sweet and funny. Whether you've been on the internet dating scene or not, you can relate to the weary world of finding a companion. A well written and honest portray, you'll find yourself rooting for Francine, as she explores the dating world and learns so much about herself along the way.

Helen Gallagher, author Release Your Writing: Book Publishing, Your Way

When fellow Chicagoan Francine Pappadis Friedman found herself widowed in her fifties, she was devastated. "When I got married years ago it was .. 'til death do us part. I just never counted on that death part."

Spurred on by two good friends, Francine, an attractive, hard-working professional woman and fifty-something mother of two grown children, tried the world of Internet dating. Her encounters with a rogues's gallery of lonely men are hilarious; her dates range from the always-angry, cynical lawyer who sees a potential personal injury suit everywhere and the aging hippie with long white hair, earrings, tattoos, and a motorcycle to the extreme health nut, obviously much older than stated in his on-line profile, who talks only about his diet and exercise regimen. They are all there: the extremely needy, the seemingly deranged, the not-so-funny joker.

Along the way through her journey, Friedman also describes a trip to Greece when she was twelve. It was a family trip to the country and the tiny village where her father was born and raised. Understanding her heritage was important to her life journey, as was reflecting about her happy marriage and family life.

Francine Friendman seems to understand the men she meets very well, but this book is not really about Internet dating. She does not find her soul mate, but along the way, she finds herself. Discovering who we really are and what we really want and acting on that knowledge are what really matter. The author learns this lesson. Her book is about an awakening and about following one's own dreams.

I sincerely wish I had read this book before my journey into the abyss of Dot.com dating. Not a widow but a divorcee, it still pertained to all I have experienced. Sometimes laughing to the point of tears. Sometime feeling the sadness to the same degree. Thank you for taking us on a personal and heartfelt journey. I know what I'm giving my single forty something friends for Christmas. And I'm sure I will get a thank-you note THIS YEAR !
Kate Covington

"What does a woman want?" In her witty and poignant book, MatchDotBomb, Francine Pappadis Friedman gives a unique insight into the age-old question. Not only a candid look at computer dating-often hilarious-but also a moving story of how to deal with loss and survival. The author does give a clear perception to what women seek: kindness, honesty, accountability and to top it all off - a sense of humor is what they seek. What a wonderful read!

I bought this book after I saw the author on The Mike and Juliet Show. Her book did not disappoint. She has such a gift for writing that you really feel like you are right there with her as she begins dating again. She made me laugh and cry and definitely increased my gratitude for my husband of 22 years. Whether you are interested in online dating or not, this book is definitely worth reading just to meet all the characters she meets on her dates.Power Path to Love

MATCHDOTBOMB advertises itself as an autobiography, but it's also a memoir (a subcategory). The latter is entwined with the former so emotionally that they flow together quite naturally.

No matter, when I started reading, I thought I was going to place this book in the negative column. "Be patient," I thought, "you might change your mind." And I did! As a person who has been both rewarded and frustrated by Internet dating, myself, I wanted the author to get to the point. About one-fourth way through the book she finally "puts the rubber to the road," to use an awful analogy. And what a fast read from "Chapter 5" through 20-plus! Not because there are only 182 pages, but because it's so exciting to go along for the ride with her.

By "Chapter 13" the author manages to bring this reader to tears when she writes about the joy of a family reunion about the age of twelve (this is one autobiographical section). The chapter seems to have absolutely nothing to do with the book's theme, but it's a gem of a read anyhow. (Well..., when you get near the end of the book you might sense a tie-in.)

Her Internet dating experiences are hard to believe. Not that they aren't true; I just can't imagine those of my gender being so inept with a lady. But she still searches that Ethernet world; still hoping. Why? Her answer: "I...recalled how much I loved being needed and how terribly I missed it."

Eventually, she begins to "accept the fact that there might never be another guy out there like Bob [her deceased husband]. Perhaps a reasonable facsimile. But certainly not a carbon copy. On the one hand, that sobering fact frightened [her]. On the other hand, the limitless possibilities were beginning to fascinate [her]."

Friedman--it seems friendlier to call her Francine--takes us on the emotional ups and downs of the Internet dating scene: from elation to fighting back tears when rejected. And her both sharp and humorous thoughts (which she wittily shares) when interacting with these potential partners--and when not--had me laughing out loud, and sometimes holding back a tear.

I'm glad I persisted past "Chapter 4," (only after reading it do you know it is a stage for "Chapter 5") and I'm delighted to have read the book. I had to: Francine knows how to continually hook you, massage your emotions, and tickle that funny bone. Normally, I read many books then resell them on Amazon. This one I will keep to share.

Hope you find someone, Francine. (Although, I suspect--after these experiences--she might be quite content in her present state of singlehood.)

The Creative Teacher: Activities for Language Arts (Grades 4 through 8 and Up)

The book made me feel that I know the author as a friend; I suffered with her as she went through her internet dates and I realized that I wasn't alone in wanting someone special in my lifeWidowpedia: A Little Information About Internet Dating and Other Matters for Women in Act Two!

After my 8th match."bomb" date, I had an epiphany, and I could not get to my computer fast enough to resign from my internet dating service and embark upon the rest of my adventure "offline!" Writing an article, blog or book had been running through my mind as I (somewhat) cheerfully met "TomTom," "TownLakeLover," "Horseman007," "Gent4U," et al. Then, checking to see if some smart woman had beaten me to it, I found "MatchDotBomb." Honestly, I could hardly put this book down! Our life experiences were different, but there were so many parallels, I could scarcely believe what I was reading.

Francine Pappadis Friedman has written THE book. What an absolute delight it is -- that rare combination of humor and wisdom amid the dreary OR frothy "self-help" and "relationships" offerings. Her book is must reading for any woman who is starting to date, again, for any reason, in midlife.