You’ve seen ads for online dating on television, in newspapers, and (naturally) on computer popups. The models are cute, handsome, young, or at least looking good for their age. But what REALLY happens when a computer semi-illiterate 60ish widow is prodded into this very 21st century form of dating—when the last time she dated was when Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first men to walk … walk on the moon? Getting back into dating makes her feel young. Actual dating makes her realize she is NOT sixteen anymore. What started out as entries on her Facebook page have expanded into detailed accounts of dating foibles and feats. Anyone who has embraced the concept of online dating, no matter at what age, will find her adventures laugh-out-loud funny and charming.
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A sexagenarian searching for love is not sexy. The author knows this well and applies the same realistic expectations in finding someone special to learning the use of digital dating technology as well as make-up and dressing tips for the older woman. The result is hilarious as well as terrifying as she courageously puts herself out there for all the right reasons.
This was a fun read, I enjoyed it. It’s good to know that everyone faces the same challenges in the ‘senior’ dating world!
Great portal into the world on mature adult online dating! Laughs abound!
Sweetness, honesty, and self-deprecation: great characteristics for a lovable protagonist. We’re Not Sixteen Anymore by Becky Andersen is an amusing memoir of a widow’s calculated leap into online dating. Her conversational style and witty demeanor gives off a real gal-pal essence. Imagine sitting on a deck, drinking sangria with your girlfriends, and being heartily amused by a Becky Andersen story. (What beats an anecdote about a date who makes a sport out of fishing coin out of a public toilet?) She’s a funny girl with a flair for storytelling. When a friend haughtily says to Becky, “If something happened to my husband, I’d never date or marry again. I would never let anyone else see me naked!” Becky didn’t hesitate to respond. “Oh, no! I’m all for beautifying America…That means no one sees me au naturel! Ever! I just want to find someone who can come over if I need my mousetrap emptied.”
Touche.
Not only is this book funny, but it offers suspense! Does Becky meet “the one?” If so, who is it? The hip grandmother doesn’t just dabble in online dating. She rallies to become an expert. The subtitle “A Baby Boomer’s Adventures with Online Dating” could have been modified to “A Baby Boomer’s Guide to Online Dating.” But I think ‘Adventure’ is a more apt description.
As a member of Gen X, I didn’t catch every Boomer reference. However, I was easily pulled into the author’s nostalgia. Who can’t love the spirit of the Baby Boomers? So youthful. Charismatic. Who can’t love the generation that brought us The Beatles?
While the stories are entertaining and Becky writes with a particular flourish, the book isn’t just a fluff piece. She writes with purpose and by the end of the book you realize why you’re so drawn in. At some level, we all want to connect. This is a story about connecting. Connecting with each other. Connecting the past and the future. The story ends happily-ever-after. I’m looking forward to a sequel to find out how happily-ever-after is working out.
This book had me laughing the entire time I read it. And no disgusting language!!!
I really enjoyed this book about the author’s foray into online dating in her 60s after losing her husband. Mostly because I did the very same thing after being a widow for almost ten years. I really related to her stories and she literally made me laugh out loud several times. Like her, I met my true love and have my happily ever after. I highly recommend this book. It is charming and funny with a self-deprecating wit.
The book was well written and held my interest for the most part. I did laugh out loud a couple of times. The author’s descriptions of her dates rang true to me based on experiences my adult children have had with online dating. Their accounts and this book’s author certainly make me appreciate the fact that my husband and I are still together! I can’t imagine being in my sixties (as I am now) and having to get myself out into the dating world again – especially using online dating sites. At least the author was able to turn her experiences into a book she can sell! lol
Well, this put me right off online dating!!
Quit reading it… just didn’t grab my attention fast enough.
This book was a waste of time. I did read it to the end, just to be sure it was as bad as I kept thinking as I read. Touted to be hilarious, one would have to wonder what that reviewer thinks is funny. It was NOT funny and it was total cliche throughout. No trace of real humor to be found. UGH
I really enjoyed the book and laughed out loud several times. The author captures the time period she grew up with “oh I remember that” references. The uncomfortable feelings of older dating are thoroughly explored. Love the “pet” names she uses for her “dates” . I really felt “in her shoes”.
Stupid
Amateurish
It was rather corny. I read it because I paid for it, but if I hadn’t I would not have read all of it.
A light humorous read. This was me 6 years ago when I found my 97% match online. We are still together.
A lighthearted look at on-line dating at age 60+. While parts were amusing, and the story did flow well, the author skipped over the meat of choosing and rejecting suitors. And, she never discussed her own browsing of male listings, or elaborated on what qualities made any particular suitor appealing or not. While the premise had more to offer, I felt the book fell short of what it could have been.