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Swipe Right
Kieran Hall has never been lucky in love. She married her high school sweetheart only to have him leave when she came out as pansexual. Then there was the rebound relationship that turned serious. It wasn’t long before they were out the door, too.
For years Kieran avoided any attempts at finding the next person to break her heart, building a life that was comfortable but lonely. That loneliness finally pushes her to give dating another shot. The only problem is, without freshman homeroom or a chance meeting in a bar, she doesn’t know how to meet someone new.
With the help of her best friend, Penelope, Kieran takes the plunge into the intimidating world of dating apps. It’s just as bad as she knew it would be, but Pen is always there to pick her up and dust her off after another disaster. In fact, hanging out with Pen quickly becomes her main motivation to keep swiping right.
When one of her dates suggests that maybe her dating problems stem from her feelings for her best friend it leads Kieran to wonder, could love have been right there in front of her all along?
Genre: Romace
Editor: Cath Walker
Cover Designer: Heather Honeywell
For years Kieran avoided any attempts at finding the next person to break her heart, building a life that was comfortable but lonely. That loneliness finally pushes her to give dating another shot. The only problem is, without freshman homeroom or a chance meeting in a bar, she doesn’t know how to meet someone new.
With the help of her best friend, Penelope, Kieran takes the plunge into the intimidating world of dating apps. It’s just as bad as she knew it would be, but Pen is always there to pick her up and dust her off after another disaster. In fact, hanging out with Pen quickly becomes her main motivation to keep swiping right.
When one of her dates suggests that maybe her dating problems stem from her feelings for her best friend it leads Kieran to wonder, could love have been right there in front of her all along?
Genre: Romace
Editor: Cath Walker
Cover Designer: Heather Honeywell
250 pages, Paperback
First published June 17, 2021
7 people are currently reading
196 people want to read
About the author
Tagan Shepard
18 books81 followersTagan Shepard has always spent quiet moments weaving stories in her head. It didn't occur to her until recently to take the time to write them down. Now that she's started, she can't seem to stop. When not writing, she makes her living in a hospital laboratory.
She is a cardio junkie, history buff, and unrepentant nerd, happily wasting countless hours of her life on video games and science fiction/fantasy of every stripe. She lives in Richmond, Virginia with her very patient wife and two rather surly cats.
She is a cardio junkie, history buff, and unrepentant nerd, happily wasting countless hours of her life on video games and science fiction/fantasy of every stripe. She lives in Richmond, Virginia with her very patient wife and two rather surly cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
June 17, 2021
3.75 Stars. This was not my favorite book by Shepard, but I definitely enjoyed it. I’m a big fan of Shepard’s because ever since I read her debut I’ve been hooked. She comes from that long line of great authors that Bella has discovered in the past handful of years and I love the way she writes. If you follow my reviews, you might have noticed that before this book about 8 of the past 10 books I’ve read have not really clicked with my personal tastes (with only the brilliant One Last Stop and The Jasmine Throne, keeping me out of an awful reading slump). So while this may end up being my least favorite Shepard book, this felt so much better, and more enjoyable, than many of the books I’ve been reading lately.
I have a very love/hate relationship with book blurbs since I either don’t read enough of them and pick-up the wrong book for me, or I read too much and the blurb gives too much of the plot away. Unfortunately, the ladder was the case with this book. I want to thank the other reviewers who put a warning in their review to NOT read the whole blurb. The final paragraph especially gives too much of the storyline away and I actually hope Bella considers rewriting it before the book releases. Anyway, be very careful with the blurb and don’t let it ruin the story for you.
This is a romance book that can almost go in the rom-com category. This is basically the story of a woman kissing a lot of frogs before she finds her princess, and I’ve always been a fan of these bad dates type of storylines. The dates were interesting and were a bit humorous at times. This is definitely a lighter romance type book, although I did tear up a little at the end. I was really happy with all the sexual identity and gender rep and I was happy to learn more about Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. While I had heard of it before, my knowledge was very limited so I appreciated learning more about it.
The romance takes a while to get there but that is common with this type of book were the main dates others before they find “the one”. I was a fan of “the couple” and I thought they had good sexual chemistry together. I also thought the ending was well done. It does have some angst, but it was the kind that actually got to me emotionally and didn’t just feel forced.
There were some bumps, like for instance the characters could have used more development. Again, spending time with the main character dating people, you have less time to focus on “the couple” so I understood the lack of some development. In the end, it didn’t bother me as much as it might have in a different type of romantic storyline.
Overall, even with a few bumps I still really enjoyed this. I personally needed a book that spoke to me and Shepard’s writing always does. I started this book late at night thinking I would only read a few chapters, but that was a mistake since now it is 2am and I have to go to work in the morning. If you are looking for a lighter dating/romance book with a bit of a rom-com feel, then you might enjoy this as much as I did.
An ARC was given to me for a review.
I have a very love/hate relationship with book blurbs since I either don’t read enough of them and pick-up the wrong book for me, or I read too much and the blurb gives too much of the plot away. Unfortunately, the ladder was the case with this book. I want to thank the other reviewers who put a warning in their review to NOT read the whole blurb. The final paragraph especially gives too much of the storyline away and I actually hope Bella considers rewriting it before the book releases. Anyway, be very careful with the blurb and don’t let it ruin the story for you.
This is a romance book that can almost go in the rom-com category. This is basically the story of a woman kissing a lot of frogs before she finds her princess, and I’ve always been a fan of these bad dates type of storylines. The dates were interesting and were a bit humorous at times. This is definitely a lighter romance type book, although I did tear up a little at the end. I was really happy with all the sexual identity and gender rep and I was happy to learn more about Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. While I had heard of it before, my knowledge was very limited so I appreciated learning more about it.
The romance takes a while to get there but that is common with this type of book were the main dates others before they find “the one”. I was a fan of “the couple” and I thought they had good sexual chemistry together. I also thought the ending was well done. It does have some angst, but it was the kind that actually got to me emotionally and didn’t just feel forced.
There were some bumps, like for instance the characters could have used more development. Again, spending time with the main character dating people, you have less time to focus on “the couple” so I understood the lack of some development. In the end, it didn’t bother me as much as it might have in a different type of romantic storyline.
Overall, even with a few bumps I still really enjoyed this. I personally needed a book that spoke to me and Shepard’s writing always does. I started this book late at night thinking I would only read a few chapters, but that was a mistake since now it is 2am and I have to go to work in the morning. If you are looking for a lighter dating/romance book with a bit of a rom-com feel, then you might enjoy this as much as I did.
An ARC was given to me for a review.
June 24, 2021
Online dating.
Every other early review has warned readers not to read the blurb as it gives too much away. I agree - don't read the blurb. Just know that this is about a pansexual woman who has been through a divorce and a breakup but is now ready to dip her toe in online dating. She goes through a series of dates that end horribly before finally finding true love.
The story is interesting enough to hold my interest as the dates are disasterously funny and I love the diversity of dates that comes about because Kieran is pansexual. This is a slow-burn because Kieran takes a long time sorting her feelings out, but once she had her aha moment, she's confident and decisive. I would have liked the story better though, if the dates hadn't taken up so much of the book. Because if Kieran had made sense of her feelings sooner, the MCs could have had more time to work through their issues together.
Pen is a constant figure in Kieran's life as the best friend. Her character has plenty of layers that needed peeling back and she has a lot of hidden feelings but I feel like I only started to understand her towards the end and it wasn't enough for me.
Overall, it's not a bad book but I would have loved it more if the MCs had gotten together earlier.
I received an ARC from Bella Books through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Every other early review has warned readers not to read the blurb as it gives too much away. I agree - don't read the blurb. Just know that this is about a pansexual woman who has been through a divorce and a breakup but is now ready to dip her toe in online dating. She goes through a series of dates that end horribly before finally finding true love.
The story is interesting enough to hold my interest as the dates are disasterously funny and I love the diversity of dates that comes about because Kieran is pansexual. This is a slow-burn because Kieran takes a long time sorting her feelings out, but once she had her aha moment, she's confident and decisive. I would have liked the story better though, if the dates hadn't taken up so much of the book. Because if Kieran had made sense of her feelings sooner, the MCs could have had more time to work through their issues together.
Pen is a constant figure in Kieran's life as the best friend. Her character has plenty of layers that needed peeling back and she has a lot of hidden feelings but I feel like I only started to understand her towards the end and it wasn't enough for me.
Overall, it's not a bad book but I would have loved it more if the MCs had gotten together earlier.
I received an ARC from Bella Books through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 6, 2021
3.5 stars. I’ve read a couple of books by Shepard by now and I like her writing style, so I was looking forward to reading this book. I have to be honest, this book was not my favorite book by Shepard, it was a bit up and down for me. In the end it left me with a good feeling though and I generally enjoyed reading it as a relatively light, easy read.
I want to start with mentioning the blurb, if you have not read it, don’t! In my opinion it just gives away a little bit too much of the plot. All you need to know it that Kieran comes out of a 5-year relationship and she is ready to go back to dating. She makes a dating profile with the help of her best friend Pen (Penelope) and together they evaluate each of Kieran’s disaster dates.
What I really liked about this book was the diversity in Kieran’s dating life. This is a f/f romance, but Kieran is pansexual so there are male, female, and non-binary dates. This open approach felt realistic. The dates themselves were also funny, well I should perhaps not say funny because they are horrible and Kieran is often hurt and sad. But they are so over the top, really those kinds of stories that you can laugh about after a while. I was looking forward to every new date, would it be more terrible than the previous one? Another thing I liked about the book were the insights that are given in what it is like to live with a chronic illness, as Pen has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
Now over to some things that didn’t click for me. First of all, I couldn’t connect very well with the characters. The story is told in first person from the POV of Kieran, so you get to know her best. Her description was well done, but she is a nervous person and she sometimes got on my nerves as well (that’s totally on me, but it kept me from connecting). She was also totally oblivious to what was going on around her which didn’t feel believable anymore at some point. Pen is a huge player, everybody seems to fall at her feet, she has a new hookup every time they go out, how is that even possible, well perhaps it is, I don’t know, she felt shallow. At some point you get more insights in her character, and I immediately started liking her better, but it felt a bit too late and too little. The book also started dragging a bit somewhere after the middle, it coincided with this obliviousness that I was talking about, it didn’t last too long, but for once I was happy when the drama moment arrived.
All in all, there were some bumps, but I enjoyed the way it is written, as I am coming to expect from Shepard, and it was an entertaining read that I think plenty of people will enjoy.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I want to start with mentioning the blurb, if you have not read it, don’t! In my opinion it just gives away a little bit too much of the plot. All you need to know it that Kieran comes out of a 5-year relationship and she is ready to go back to dating. She makes a dating profile with the help of her best friend Pen (Penelope) and together they evaluate each of Kieran’s disaster dates.
What I really liked about this book was the diversity in Kieran’s dating life. This is a f/f romance, but Kieran is pansexual so there are male, female, and non-binary dates. This open approach felt realistic. The dates themselves were also funny, well I should perhaps not say funny because they are horrible and Kieran is often hurt and sad. But they are so over the top, really those kinds of stories that you can laugh about after a while. I was looking forward to every new date, would it be more terrible than the previous one? Another thing I liked about the book were the insights that are given in what it is like to live with a chronic illness, as Pen has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
Now over to some things that didn’t click for me. First of all, I couldn’t connect very well with the characters. The story is told in first person from the POV of Kieran, so you get to know her best. Her description was well done, but she is a nervous person and she sometimes got on my nerves as well (that’s totally on me, but it kept me from connecting). She was also totally oblivious to what was going on around her which didn’t feel believable anymore at some point. Pen is a huge player, everybody seems to fall at her feet, she has a new hookup every time they go out, how is that even possible, well perhaps it is, I don’t know, she felt shallow. At some point you get more insights in her character, and I immediately started liking her better, but it felt a bit too late and too little. The book also started dragging a bit somewhere after the middle, it coincided with this obliviousness that I was talking about, it didn’t last too long, but for once I was happy when the drama moment arrived.
All in all, there were some bumps, but I enjoyed the way it is written, as I am coming to expect from Shepard, and it was an entertaining read that I think plenty of people will enjoy.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 19, 2021
This book had me laughing by the end of the first page. It’s not a comedy but the relationship between Kieran and Pen includes hilarious moments.
The decision to date again hasn’t come easily to Kieran, after a couple of years of protecting herself following two painful break-ups. But she’s ready. And who better than her best friend Pen to help her set up a profile on a dating app? No one knows her better, no one understands her better. And Pen is always there for her after each bad date. In fact, those after-date moments with Pen become Kieran’s favourite part of the whole dating thing. If Kieran is looking for a relationship, Pen, on the other hand, is more into hookups and fuck buddies. She’s however always ready to ditch any of them when Kieran needs her.
When I read a book set in the world we live in (ie, not sci-fi, or fantasy…), I want to be able to trust that what the author writes about is real. If the author has no personal experience with the topic they choose to write about, I want to be able to believe they did their research or had sensitivity readers or both, depending on the topic. That allows me to relax entirely into the book and let my feelings take over. In this book, it meant learning about Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a condition Pen lives with and which explains a lot about why she acts the way she does. I liked the way Tagan Shepard wrote it in the story, the way it affects Pen and her relationships, especially with Kieran.
The story is told from Kieran’s point of view, and when the reader first meets her, she’s not at her best, which makes it a bit hard to like her at the beginning. As the story unfolds, she gets more and more relatable. Pen, by contrast, is immediately likeable as we see her through Kieran’s eyes. She’s strong, she’s kind, she’s sexy.
There are a few very moving scenes between the two friends but one of the most poignant doesn’t involve Pen, at least not directly: Kieran’s coming-out as pansexual to her then-husband is sad and real and empowering at once. Beyond that scene, I liked the pansexual representation a lot, as well as the diversity of potential partners Kieran meets. Even if most of the dates went wrong, the people’s identity was never the reason why it did.
One of the things I love best with the friends to lovers trope is that authors have to make me believe that friendly touches are really chemistry filtering between the characters unbeknownst to them, or at least to one of them. For the major part of this book, Kieran marvels at Pen’s soft skin, relaxes in her arms after a bad date, can’t get a comforting kiss on her forehead out of her mind. Then when she realises the reason she feels so good with Pen isn’t friendship at all but love, she revisits all these tiny moments which, in hindsight, tell the whole story. Shepard writes these really well. As the reader, we know what is going on even if the character doesn’t, and the line between plausible and eye-roll-worthy is thin. Shepard stays on the right side of the line. The culmination comes in several steps, a first kiss that is at once tender and hungry, a first time and another first time, each hotter than the one before.
The pace is okay for most of the book but there’s a slump in the middle. Keep reading, the characters are worth it. And don’t read the official blurb, it gives away too much.
Also, it’s not a huge flaw but it surprised me: in one scene, Kieran gets all snobby about sloppy penmanship, which feels completely out of character. Not only does she come across as a kind person, but she’s also very aware of hidden disabilities, thanks to being friends with Pen, so how come it doesn’t cross her mind that bad penmanship could be something other than distraction? She should see the way I write…
There are also a few very well-written secondary characters which, even if they don’t play a big part, add a lot to the story. I loved Kieran’s colleague Arthur, Abby the bartender/artist, Ashley, and even Pen’s father, despite his very short appearance.
Tagan Shepard writes sweet stories with deeper meaning cleverly hidden beyond the romance. Swipe Right is another enjoyable and satisfying read.
ARC provided to Les Rêveur for an honest review.
The decision to date again hasn’t come easily to Kieran, after a couple of years of protecting herself following two painful break-ups. But she’s ready. And who better than her best friend Pen to help her set up a profile on a dating app? No one knows her better, no one understands her better. And Pen is always there for her after each bad date. In fact, those after-date moments with Pen become Kieran’s favourite part of the whole dating thing. If Kieran is looking for a relationship, Pen, on the other hand, is more into hookups and fuck buddies. She’s however always ready to ditch any of them when Kieran needs her.
When I read a book set in the world we live in (ie, not sci-fi, or fantasy…), I want to be able to trust that what the author writes about is real. If the author has no personal experience with the topic they choose to write about, I want to be able to believe they did their research or had sensitivity readers or both, depending on the topic. That allows me to relax entirely into the book and let my feelings take over. In this book, it meant learning about Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a condition Pen lives with and which explains a lot about why she acts the way she does. I liked the way Tagan Shepard wrote it in the story, the way it affects Pen and her relationships, especially with Kieran.
The story is told from Kieran’s point of view, and when the reader first meets her, she’s not at her best, which makes it a bit hard to like her at the beginning. As the story unfolds, she gets more and more relatable. Pen, by contrast, is immediately likeable as we see her through Kieran’s eyes. She’s strong, she’s kind, she’s sexy.
There are a few very moving scenes between the two friends but one of the most poignant doesn’t involve Pen, at least not directly: Kieran’s coming-out as pansexual to her then-husband is sad and real and empowering at once. Beyond that scene, I liked the pansexual representation a lot, as well as the diversity of potential partners Kieran meets. Even if most of the dates went wrong, the people’s identity was never the reason why it did.
One of the things I love best with the friends to lovers trope is that authors have to make me believe that friendly touches are really chemistry filtering between the characters unbeknownst to them, or at least to one of them. For the major part of this book, Kieran marvels at Pen’s soft skin, relaxes in her arms after a bad date, can’t get a comforting kiss on her forehead out of her mind. Then when she realises the reason she feels so good with Pen isn’t friendship at all but love, she revisits all these tiny moments which, in hindsight, tell the whole story. Shepard writes these really well. As the reader, we know what is going on even if the character doesn’t, and the line between plausible and eye-roll-worthy is thin. Shepard stays on the right side of the line. The culmination comes in several steps, a first kiss that is at once tender and hungry, a first time and another first time, each hotter than the one before.
The pace is okay for most of the book but there’s a slump in the middle. Keep reading, the characters are worth it. And don’t read the official blurb, it gives away too much.
Also, it’s not a huge flaw but it surprised me: in one scene, Kieran gets all snobby about sloppy penmanship, which feels completely out of character. Not only does she come across as a kind person, but she’s also very aware of hidden disabilities, thanks to being friends with Pen, so how come it doesn’t cross her mind that bad penmanship could be something other than distraction? She should see the way I write…
There are also a few very well-written secondary characters which, even if they don’t play a big part, add a lot to the story. I loved Kieran’s colleague Arthur, Abby the bartender/artist, Ashley, and even Pen’s father, despite his very short appearance.
Tagan Shepard writes sweet stories with deeper meaning cleverly hidden beyond the romance. Swipe Right is another enjoyable and satisfying read.
ARC provided to Les Rêveur for an honest review.
November 17, 2021
4 Stars
“Swipe Right” is a rom-com-esq, friends-to-lovers romance that was quick and fun to read.
Kieran is single and finally ready to start dating again. Being in her mid-thirties, it’s not as easy for her to find dates so she turns to online dating with the help of her best friend, Penelope (Pen.)
This was very cute and had me laughing out loud several times. Kieran goes through several dates and has very different experiences each time. She’s pansexual so we see dates with lesbians, cis men, and non-binary folks. Each disastrous date was that way because of circumstances or personality issues, it was never about the orientation/identity of that person and that was a refreshing take.
This story is told Kieran’s pov so I felt like I got to know her really well. She’s ready to move on from her last relationship but doesn’t really know how to go about doing it. She gets her best friend, Pen, to help her set up an online profile since she figures Pen knows her better than anyone. Kieran’s got a sense of humor but also comes across a little bit desperate but also just wants to meet the right person and can sometimes be impatient about it. She’s not sure the right person is out there but she has to keep looking, in part to Pen’s nudges. Kieran and Pen meet up after every date to discuss the date what went wrong and this seems to be the highlight of their night.
Unlike Kieran, Pen wants nothing to do with relationships. She has EDS (Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome) and doesn’t want to be a burden to someone else. She’s happy with her many hookups and friends-with-benefits. I liked Pen quite a bit. She seems funny, kind, and sure of herself, especially when it comes to other women. I do wish we had gotten to know her a bit better. A lot of her scenes involved her hitting on/being with other women and I wanted more substance from her. Kieran and Pen are pretty different but they respect one another and try to be there for each other as much as possible.
While I really liked Kieran in the beginning, it did lessen a bit as the story went on. She spends a good amount of time whining and crying over things I didn’t see a reason to whine or cry about. Luckily, she has Pen there as a shoulder to cry on. Kieran is oblivious to things and is even called out about it and it still takes someone else to point out what everyone else clearly sees. I found her acceptance of this light bulb moment to be a little quick for her. Her realization was a little unbelievable in that I expected her to sit and think about it for longer than she does.
My only other real complaint is that I do wish there was maybe one less date. The story started dragging a bit and then I think the ending felt kind of rushed. I would’ve liked more out of the relationship and less about dating woes. The epilogue was a nice touch, especially since you don’t see our couple as a couple for long.
All the above comes down to I really liked my first foray into Tagan Shepard’s writing. This was fun and funny and has some heart as well.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bella Books in exchange for an honest review.
“Swipe Right” is a rom-com-esq, friends-to-lovers romance that was quick and fun to read.
Kieran is single and finally ready to start dating again. Being in her mid-thirties, it’s not as easy for her to find dates so she turns to online dating with the help of her best friend, Penelope (Pen.)
This was very cute and had me laughing out loud several times. Kieran goes through several dates and has very different experiences each time. She’s pansexual so we see dates with lesbians, cis men, and non-binary folks. Each disastrous date was that way because of circumstances or personality issues, it was never about the orientation/identity of that person and that was a refreshing take.
This story is told Kieran’s pov so I felt like I got to know her really well. She’s ready to move on from her last relationship but doesn’t really know how to go about doing it. She gets her best friend, Pen, to help her set up an online profile since she figures Pen knows her better than anyone. Kieran’s got a sense of humor but also comes across a little bit desperate but also just wants to meet the right person and can sometimes be impatient about it. She’s not sure the right person is out there but she has to keep looking, in part to Pen’s nudges. Kieran and Pen meet up after every date to discuss the date what went wrong and this seems to be the highlight of their night.
Unlike Kieran, Pen wants nothing to do with relationships. She has EDS (Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome) and doesn’t want to be a burden to someone else. She’s happy with her many hookups and friends-with-benefits. I liked Pen quite a bit. She seems funny, kind, and sure of herself, especially when it comes to other women. I do wish we had gotten to know her a bit better. A lot of her scenes involved her hitting on/being with other women and I wanted more substance from her. Kieran and Pen are pretty different but they respect one another and try to be there for each other as much as possible.
While I really liked Kieran in the beginning, it did lessen a bit as the story went on. She spends a good amount of time whining and crying over things I didn’t see a reason to whine or cry about. Luckily, she has Pen there as a shoulder to cry on. Kieran is oblivious to things and is even called out about it and it still takes someone else to point out what everyone else clearly sees. I found her acceptance of this light bulb moment to be a little quick for her. Her realization was a little unbelievable in that I expected her to sit and think about it for longer than she does.
My only other real complaint is that I do wish there was maybe one less date. The story started dragging a bit and then I think the ending felt kind of rushed. I would’ve liked more out of the relationship and less about dating woes. The epilogue was a nice touch, especially since you don’t see our couple as a couple for long.
All the above comes down to I really liked my first foray into Tagan Shepard’s writing. This was fun and funny and has some heart as well.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bella Books in exchange for an honest review.
June 25, 2021
This is the first book I’ve read by this author but it won’t be my last. Somehow Ms. Shepard flew under my radar but I got a taste of her writing in Bella’s Wedding Anthology Save the Date, I particularly enjoyed the introduction. I was intrigued by this book’s theme of online dating but mostly about one of the characters suffering from a rare disease.
After a nasty divorce and then a failed relationship, Kieran is ready to date again so she asks her best friend Penelope for help with online dating. After every failed date, Pen is there to give her support and listen to her ranting. Maybe the right person was in front of her all along?
This novel has two main themes, one is Kieran’s online dating experience and the other is her relationship with her best friend Penelope. Through the years, I’ve read a few books about characters going through (or suffering) online dating and the difficulty of finding the right person in that environment where people can have very different agendas. Most of the books I’ve read – for example, 30 Dates in 30 Days – tend to show ridiculous, dreadful, or funny experiences. I loved 30 Dates in 30 Days but I’m glad that Swipe Right‘s plot focused on more real issues that anyone who has done online dating can empathize with.
There is a lot going on for both characters in their lives and some unresolved issues for both. Some of them are pretty heavy but Ms. Shepard adds a bit of levity and humor to balance it out, Ms. Shepard writes humor very well, and sometimes it made me laugh out loud. I appreciated that the levity wasn’t so much in the online dating experience but in the relationship between Kieran and Pen. Those two have very good friendship chemistry, so much so that I’m glad that the author took her time to develop a romantic relationship between them. The novel is written in first person from Kieran’s Point of view so the reader can see how she slowly starts to realize what her true feelings are but Pen’s feelings are harder to understand.
Both characters are well fleshed out and I appreciated that Ms. Shepard went beyond any stereotypes to create these characters. I loved the diversity in sexual orientation and gender identity in different characters and seeing Kieran’s struggle to be accepted as pansexual gave me food for thought. I also loved the way the author describes Pen’s struggles with her health, related to her suffering from Ehlers-Danlos syndrome which I knew nothing about. However, I wasn’t totally convinced about Pen’s change of attitude in her own dating life.
Regarding the main characters’ names, here in Ireland Kieran is a very common male name so it was hard for me to represent in my mind such a feminine character. I also related the name Penelope to the Greek myth of the faithful wife waiting for her husband to return from the war. It made me wonder if there was any symbolism to the author’s choice of names.
Overall, a very good friends-to-lovers romance with a bit of food for thought on the side. 4 stars.
After a nasty divorce and then a failed relationship, Kieran is ready to date again so she asks her best friend Penelope for help with online dating. After every failed date, Pen is there to give her support and listen to her ranting. Maybe the right person was in front of her all along?
This novel has two main themes, one is Kieran’s online dating experience and the other is her relationship with her best friend Penelope. Through the years, I’ve read a few books about characters going through (or suffering) online dating and the difficulty of finding the right person in that environment where people can have very different agendas. Most of the books I’ve read – for example, 30 Dates in 30 Days – tend to show ridiculous, dreadful, or funny experiences. I loved 30 Dates in 30 Days but I’m glad that Swipe Right‘s plot focused on more real issues that anyone who has done online dating can empathize with.
There is a lot going on for both characters in their lives and some unresolved issues for both. Some of them are pretty heavy but Ms. Shepard adds a bit of levity and humor to balance it out, Ms. Shepard writes humor very well, and sometimes it made me laugh out loud. I appreciated that the levity wasn’t so much in the online dating experience but in the relationship between Kieran and Pen. Those two have very good friendship chemistry, so much so that I’m glad that the author took her time to develop a romantic relationship between them. The novel is written in first person from Kieran’s Point of view so the reader can see how she slowly starts to realize what her true feelings are but Pen’s feelings are harder to understand.
Both characters are well fleshed out and I appreciated that Ms. Shepard went beyond any stereotypes to create these characters. I loved the diversity in sexual orientation and gender identity in different characters and seeing Kieran’s struggle to be accepted as pansexual gave me food for thought. I also loved the way the author describes Pen’s struggles with her health, related to her suffering from Ehlers-Danlos syndrome which I knew nothing about. However, I wasn’t totally convinced about Pen’s change of attitude in her own dating life.
Regarding the main characters’ names, here in Ireland Kieran is a very common male name so it was hard for me to represent in my mind such a feminine character. I also related the name Penelope to the Greek myth of the faithful wife waiting for her husband to return from the war. It made me wonder if there was any symbolism to the author’s choice of names.
Overall, a very good friends-to-lovers romance with a bit of food for thought on the side. 4 stars.
June 11, 2021
My first book by Tagan Shepard was pretty good! Shepard is an author I've heard about several times but never got around to reading myself. So when I saw her new book become available for ARCs a couple weeks ago, I jumped at it.
And it was fun! This book follows Kieran Hall who is unhappy with her dating life. So when her best friend Penelope suggests she join a dating app then helps her make it, all kinds of shenanigans happen. And Pen is always there to hear about them. And Pen always being so close might lead Kieran to discover things about her friend she wasn't always expecting.
I need to get a thought out of the way first. Pen's looks are described as "short and choppy brown hair" and "big green eyes and a face that looks like it could be a decade younger than 35". And Pen is notably a player and has never had a stable relationship. Is this Shane McCutcheon? Just with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome? I ask absolutely not out of criticism, I am a certified Shane stan- I just absolutely could not get Kate Moennig out of my head whenever Pen was on page.
This book was really fun. It was rather funny watching all the dating disasters Kieran gets herself into time and time again was amusing (Though as someone who met my partner via online dating- I gotta say it's really not THAT bad).
I feel like this book does Pansexual representation really well. And has a lot of nonbinary characters in it that Kieran shows interest in, even if many are comedic fodder along her dating journey- but it's never their identity being the reason why and I appreciated that. And Kieran did really date many different types of people. I thought it was all done well. Also this book has nice representation for Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. I had heard of it before, but showing the realities of living with something like that was pretty powerful.
I do have a criticism in the fact that if you read the blurb of this book you will know exactly what is going to happen. Like it's not even easy to guess. Many romance novels follow a set of tropes- and we love them for that. But this book really does just put it in front of you. It's a fun ride but I felt literally no err of mystery or suspense in this read as to what will happen next.
Also with knowing pretty much exactly what was going to happen, when everything did finally fall into place at the end, it all seemed rather rushed. I feel like Kieran could have one fewer date before her realization- and that would have left more room for other feelings to develop and be thought out.
This was a pretty fun book. I enjoyed it and laughed several times- but I do wish there was a little more to it as well. 3.5/5
Thank you to Bella Books and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review
And it was fun! This book follows Kieran Hall who is unhappy with her dating life. So when her best friend Penelope suggests she join a dating app then helps her make it, all kinds of shenanigans happen. And Pen is always there to hear about them. And Pen always being so close might lead Kieran to discover things about her friend she wasn't always expecting.
I need to get a thought out of the way first. Pen's looks are described as "short and choppy brown hair" and "big green eyes and a face that looks like it could be a decade younger than 35". And Pen is notably a player and has never had a stable relationship. Is this Shane McCutcheon? Just with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome? I ask absolutely not out of criticism, I am a certified Shane stan- I just absolutely could not get Kate Moennig out of my head whenever Pen was on page.
This book was really fun. It was rather funny watching all the dating disasters Kieran gets herself into time and time again was amusing (Though as someone who met my partner via online dating- I gotta say it's really not THAT bad).
I feel like this book does Pansexual representation really well. And has a lot of nonbinary characters in it that Kieran shows interest in, even if many are comedic fodder along her dating journey- but it's never their identity being the reason why and I appreciated that. And Kieran did really date many different types of people. I thought it was all done well. Also this book has nice representation for Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. I had heard of it before, but showing the realities of living with something like that was pretty powerful.
I do have a criticism in the fact that if you read the blurb of this book you will know exactly what is going to happen. Like it's not even easy to guess. Many romance novels follow a set of tropes- and we love them for that. But this book really does just put it in front of you. It's a fun ride but I felt literally no err of mystery or suspense in this read as to what will happen next.
Also with knowing pretty much exactly what was going to happen, when everything did finally fall into place at the end, it all seemed rather rushed. I feel like Kieran could have one fewer date before her realization- and that would have left more room for other feelings to develop and be thought out.
This was a pretty fun book. I enjoyed it and laughed several times- but I do wish there was a little more to it as well. 3.5/5
Thank you to Bella Books and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review
June 6, 2021
This is my first book by this author and I’m a bit... disappointed.
Kieran is a single almost forty year old woman ready to mingle. She joins a dating app and with the help of her best friend creates her profile.
Now first I wanna talk about the marketing/ first look at this book. The cover is fine and definitely better than a lot of the books I’ve seen on here but the description is my first small problem. It gives away too much of the book. Leaves nothing to mystery which may work for some people but it just left nothing much to my imagination. Created such a predictable atmosphere.
Characters- despite appearing to be in her 30’s herself the author presented characters who I felt were immature and talked like people my age (early 20’s). The book is told from Kieran’s point of view which even though amplified that immature view I had of her character was as I must admit, entertaining. The characters being aged lower could’ve fixed this- would’ve been more realistic if they were in their 20’s
The stream of consciousness of this character however was- and I hate to use this word to describe things but- cringy. The insight of this character was over saturated. There was too much random knowledge on random things. In my opinion this could’ve easily been swapped out for more information on Pen! Which leads me to my other issue with this book.
I took absolutely nothing away from her character. What was her deal? Is she charming? Funny? Great in bed? Selfish? This character felt very underdeveloped and in the last few chapters I observed a slightly weak attempt to build character.
The plot, to be honest bored me a bit. The whole true love was right there the whole time thing didn’t work for this book. Maybe if the author spent more of the book highlighting or hinting at that love instead.
Now, to the things I enjoyed about this book- the humor. Kieran’s inner monologue did present several laughable moments though I found my self wondering when the author was gonna give this girl a break from the constant embarrassment she got.
I also enjoyed the inclusivity!
3.5 stars!
Do I recommend- sure! This book could easily pass as a light read for anyone else.
Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for the arc in return for an honest review!
Kieran is a single almost forty year old woman ready to mingle. She joins a dating app and with the help of her best friend creates her profile.
Now first I wanna talk about the marketing/ first look at this book. The cover is fine and definitely better than a lot of the books I’ve seen on here but the description is my first small problem. It gives away too much of the book. Leaves nothing to mystery which may work for some people but it just left nothing much to my imagination. Created such a predictable atmosphere.
Characters- despite appearing to be in her 30’s herself the author presented characters who I felt were immature and talked like people my age (early 20’s). The book is told from Kieran’s point of view which even though amplified that immature view I had of her character was as I must admit, entertaining. The characters being aged lower could’ve fixed this- would’ve been more realistic if they were in their 20’s
The stream of consciousness of this character however was- and I hate to use this word to describe things but- cringy. The insight of this character was over saturated. There was too much random knowledge on random things. In my opinion this could’ve easily been swapped out for more information on Pen! Which leads me to my other issue with this book.
I took absolutely nothing away from her character. What was her deal? Is she charming? Funny? Great in bed? Selfish? This character felt very underdeveloped and in the last few chapters I observed a slightly weak attempt to build character.
The plot, to be honest bored me a bit. The whole true love was right there the whole time thing didn’t work for this book. Maybe if the author spent more of the book highlighting or hinting at that love instead.
Now, to the things I enjoyed about this book- the humor. Kieran’s inner monologue did present several laughable moments though I found my self wondering when the author was gonna give this girl a break from the constant embarrassment she got.
I also enjoyed the inclusivity!
3.5 stars!
Do I recommend- sure! This book could easily pass as a light read for anyone else.
Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for the arc in return for an honest review!
October 29, 2022
3 stars
If I saw this as a movie I'd think it was a cookie-cutter romcom without much originality.
The same applies to the book.
One MC has commitment issues based on a disability, the other MC seeks love in all the wrong places,...
Basically the main difference from other books with similar themes was the EDS.
Have to give it to the author, I haven't read about it in a fiction book before.
Side note: the blurb basically spoils everything. If you've read it it's almost impossible to be surprised by anything in the story.
If I saw this as a movie I'd think it was a cookie-cutter romcom without much originality.
The same applies to the book.
One MC has commitment issues based on a disability, the other MC seeks love in all the wrong places,...
Basically the main difference from other books with similar themes was the EDS.
Have to give it to the author, I haven't read about it in a fiction book before.
Side note: the blurb basically spoils everything. If you've read it it's almost impossible to be surprised by anything in the story.
June 10, 2021
As readers, we all have our handful of authors that the publication of a new book is an EVENT in our lives. Off the top of my head, Kris Bryant, Lee Winter, and Emily Noyes are on my list. Once I hear of a scheduled book release for those authors (and there are others as well), I begin to look forward to that date and make plans to read it as soon as I get my hands on it. You know the type, you can't WAIT to read it, then you're sad when it's over. Well, Tagan Shepard has now made my list. I was blown away by both of her books last year (And Then There Was Her and Queen of Humboldt). She literally has never written the same book twice and I love that.
I never read a blurb by my favorite authors, so other than this being about online dating (duh, Swipe Right) I had no idea about the rest of it. I was so worried about "spoiling" the surprise that this is a friends-to-lovers story. Imagine my surprise JUST NOW when I read the blurb and learned it's not a secret! Kieran's best friend Penelope actually has a genetic condition that has led her to make the decision to never get into a relationship (I love her disclaimer). I had never heard of EDS so it was fascinating to learn about it. Also interesting to me is how dating apps work.
Tagan Shepard's writing style is so lyrical and lovely and lush that it just draws me in immediately. I love first person and it really works here as we get to experience all the disappointment Kieran feels every time one of her dates is a disaster. This could have been a listing of faux humorous situations, and I'm so glad it wasn't. Her dialogue is witty without being like a sitcom script. Within the lovely writing, Shepard parcels out Pen's back story in increments that resulted in this being unputdownable for me.
The cover of this book is quite eye-catching but it doesn't serve the purpose of the story for me. This isn't your standard pithy light-hearted romance, and the cover suggests. And I'm so glad it isn't. This one will be standing near the top for me at the end of 2021 when I look back on my favorites of the year.
I never read a blurb by my favorite authors, so other than this being about online dating (duh, Swipe Right) I had no idea about the rest of it. I was so worried about "spoiling" the surprise that this is a friends-to-lovers story. Imagine my surprise JUST NOW when I read the blurb and learned it's not a secret! Kieran's best friend Penelope actually has a genetic condition that has led her to make the decision to never get into a relationship (I love her disclaimer). I had never heard of EDS so it was fascinating to learn about it. Also interesting to me is how dating apps work.
Tagan Shepard's writing style is so lyrical and lovely and lush that it just draws me in immediately. I love first person and it really works here as we get to experience all the disappointment Kieran feels every time one of her dates is a disaster. This could have been a listing of faux humorous situations, and I'm so glad it wasn't. Her dialogue is witty without being like a sitcom script. Within the lovely writing, Shepard parcels out Pen's back story in increments that resulted in this being unputdownable for me.
The cover of this book is quite eye-catching but it doesn't serve the purpose of the story for me. This isn't your standard pithy light-hearted romance, and the cover suggests. And I'm so glad it isn't. This one will be standing near the top for me at the end of 2021 when I look back on my favorites of the year.
June 10, 2021
I'm so bad at reading blurbs I sometimes end up with books that really aren't for me. So I made myself a promise, pay attention when reading the blurb. That immediately backfired for me with this one, it gives the entire book away. So please refrain from reading the blurb. I repeat: STAY AWAY FROM THE BLURB! The blurb is like a trailer of a comedy movie that already has all the funniest jokes in it, leaves nothing to discover.
Kieran is taking some careful steps back into the dating world. She sets up an online dating profile, or rather her best friend Pen sets it up for her. Kieran is pan so her dates are really varied, I like this, but it does drag a little in the middle of the book. Very early on you see where it is heading, but it just takes forever and ever to get there. And it's not the nice tension and anticipation, it's the boring kind where you think just get on with it. The dates are fun, sometimes funny and cringe-worthy, the message exchanges are flirtatious, but I find that it all falls a bit flat. Pen is such a player, but we don't really get to know her, I feel we don't really get to know any of the characters, not even Kieran and the story is written from her POV in first-person. I do like the dynamic between Pen and Kieran, I don't fully understand it, but you get tidbits of how it all came to be that make it fun.
As with a previous book I read by Shepard I appreciate the writing style more than anything. The characters are fun enough, but it all just drags on a bit too much for to say I really enjoyed this book. It was an ok read, but not amazing, 3.25 stars.
Kieran is taking some careful steps back into the dating world. She sets up an online dating profile, or rather her best friend Pen sets it up for her. Kieran is pan so her dates are really varied, I like this, but it does drag a little in the middle of the book. Very early on you see where it is heading, but it just takes forever and ever to get there. And it's not the nice tension and anticipation, it's the boring kind where you think just get on with it. The dates are fun, sometimes funny and cringe-worthy, the message exchanges are flirtatious, but I find that it all falls a bit flat. Pen is such a player, but we don't really get to know her, I feel we don't really get to know any of the characters, not even Kieran and the story is written from her POV in first-person. I do like the dynamic between Pen and Kieran, I don't fully understand it, but you get tidbits of how it all came to be that make it fun.
As with a previous book I read by Shepard I appreciate the writing style more than anything. The characters are fun enough, but it all just drags on a bit too much for to say I really enjoyed this book. It was an ok read, but not amazing, 3.25 stars.
June 16, 2021
Kieran Hall did marry her highschool sweetheart but when it ended in divorcee was the same time Kieran knew she was pansexual. So how was she to find romance when she never felt like ‘romance’ was in her life plans. Because that is exactly what she wanted even when she spent much of her time living a life that revolved around friends and family. But she did get lonely sometimes. But how to meet new people her age.
Leave that to her best friend Penelope who pushes Kieran to at the very least try using a dating app. Even though she knows that this method won’t work she kept trying because that was another way to spend time with Pen. It’s when someone else points out what the problem is she realizes she just never thought of Pen that way. Until now.
Ms Shepard has given us a book that you can’t stop reading. Why I don’t know. I didn’t particularly like either of the main characters. It’s at this time I was reading just to read. Not as good as I’d hoped but still a nice little read.
ARC via NetGalley/ Bella Books
Leave that to her best friend Penelope who pushes Kieran to at the very least try using a dating app. Even though she knows that this method won’t work she kept trying because that was another way to spend time with Pen. It’s when someone else points out what the problem is she realizes she just never thought of Pen that way. Until now.
Ms Shepard has given us a book that you can’t stop reading. Why I don’t know. I didn’t particularly like either of the main characters. It’s at this time I was reading just to read. Not as good as I’d hoped but still a nice little read.
ARC via NetGalley/ Bella Books
March 7, 2022
Unexpectedly awesome!
I found myself sharing the highs and lows with Kieran and suspecting and rooting for the ultimate love interest.
The few hours I spent reading felt addictive....I mean I had lunch with this book. My people watching was kicked to the curb for Kieran🤗
I found myself sharing the highs and lows with Kieran and suspecting and rooting for the ultimate love interest.
The few hours I spent reading felt addictive....I mean I had lunch with this book. My people watching was kicked to the curb for Kieran🤗
June 26, 2021
This book definitely made me feel very thankful I was not on the online dating scene! For the majority of the book, we follow Kieran and her many disastrous dates while getting to know her and her best friend, Pen. Some of the dating horror stories in this blew me away, but they were definitely engaging and entertaining!
Although the blurb gives the HEA away, I still enjoyed this novel and getting to know the two main love interests. Pen particularly, as although we get to know her, I kept hoping I'd see more. I couldn't quite picture her or really understand her, which was a little frustrating as the novel centres around their friendship and then their relationship development. Meanwhile, I could picture Kieran in my head clearly and I think that's why I was particularly attached to her and her romantic life.
I enjoyed reading lightly of polyamorous relationships and pansexuality. I really enjoyed this novel due to the slow development of the relationship between our mains, as well as the realistic element to the story. Sometimes it is the best friend that's perfect for you, but crossing that barrier is tough when there's so much riding on it.
A great romance, with Shepard becoming a firm favourite lesfic author for me.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Bella Books for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
Although the blurb gives the HEA away, I still enjoyed this novel and getting to know the two main love interests. Pen particularly, as although we get to know her, I kept hoping I'd see more. I couldn't quite picture her or really understand her, which was a little frustrating as the novel centres around their friendship and then their relationship development. Meanwhile, I could picture Kieran in my head clearly and I think that's why I was particularly attached to her and her romantic life.
I enjoyed reading lightly of polyamorous relationships and pansexuality. I really enjoyed this novel due to the slow development of the relationship between our mains, as well as the realistic element to the story. Sometimes it is the best friend that's perfect for you, but crossing that barrier is tough when there's so much riding on it.
A great romance, with Shepard becoming a firm favourite lesfic author for me.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Bella Books for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
December 31, 2021
Enough time has passed since Keiran's marriage ended when she comes out as pansexual, so she begins to start dating again. Her entry into the dating world isn't a smooth one, but thankfully her best friend Penelope is always there to dust her off and lend an ear. But as time goes by, Keiran finds herself looking forward to breaking down the dates with Penelope more than the dates themselves, and she finds herself looking at her friend in a whole new light. Will she eventually swipe right on the right person or has the right person been by her side all along?
I always really enjoy Tagan Shepard's books and this one was no exception. To me this wasn't particularly spicy and exciting but it was the perfect cozy winter afternoon read. The characters were lovely, intelligent, and interesting. I enjoyed the slow burn of their new-found romantic relationship and they had good cozy chemistry together. It's always hard to get just the right balance in a friends to lovers romance, if it happens too fast to be believable, but I think the pacing was perfectly done here.
I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I always really enjoy Tagan Shepard's books and this one was no exception. To me this wasn't particularly spicy and exciting but it was the perfect cozy winter afternoon read. The characters were lovely, intelligent, and interesting. I enjoyed the slow burn of their new-found romantic relationship and they had good cozy chemistry together. It's always hard to get just the right balance in a friends to lovers romance, if it happens too fast to be believable, but I think the pacing was perfectly done here.
I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 6, 2021
This book was a difficult read for me, but not because it wasn’t good. Swipe Right has that uncanny ability to tug your heartstrings and make you really feel how lonely Kieran has become since her last relationship from 2 years ago. We also witness how crushed she is when her dates leave her feeling demoralized and even more lonely than ever. Kieran’s only refuge is her best friend Pen, and much of the book is a slow build towards something more than they ever expected or could ever want in a partner. What I appreciate most is the level of respect that’s given to build their relationship to the next level. This author has a knack for observing and translating the human heart and the emotions we tie to it while moving the story through a roller coaster of how Kieran reacts to those emotions. So much more than a standard romance, Swipe Right will be one of my favorites of 2021. I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 27, 2022
It's a great read, although I wish Kieran met Charlie sooner so she had her epiphany about Pen earlier. It would've been good to see the two of them interacting more as a couple or trying to figure out how to be a couple.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 19, 2021
This was my first book by Tagan Shepard, I'd heard from her others and went into this one with high expectations. In all honestly, they were not completely met, but it was still a very enjoyable, light read that is easy to recommend. (Don't read the blurb though!)
I had quite a few chuckles being in Kierans head leading up to and during the embarrassing dates she has to endure. The writing style is easy going, flows nicely and you can relate to the emotions and feelings Kieran goes through after trying to find love again. I also loved the inclusivity of this book and how it shows in the different dates in a completely natural way.
My main issue was with Pen, as one of the main characters and Kierans best friend she wasn't all that fleshed out which made me not really connect to her. Towards the end of the book it seemed like Shepard wanted to give more depth to her character but that was a little bit too late in my opinion. I did learn a lot more about EDS though and I like that, it's always good to become more aware of certain things and as far as I can tell the writer did a good job portraying people with this syndrome.
3,5 stars for being getting me to laugh and enjoy this lighthearted road towards love.
*** An ARC was provided by Netgalley in exchange for a honest review ***
I had quite a few chuckles being in Kierans head leading up to and during the embarrassing dates she has to endure. The writing style is easy going, flows nicely and you can relate to the emotions and feelings Kieran goes through after trying to find love again. I also loved the inclusivity of this book and how it shows in the different dates in a completely natural way.
My main issue was with Pen, as one of the main characters and Kierans best friend she wasn't all that fleshed out which made me not really connect to her. Towards the end of the book it seemed like Shepard wanted to give more depth to her character but that was a little bit too late in my opinion. I did learn a lot more about EDS though and I like that, it's always good to become more aware of certain things and as far as I can tell the writer did a good job portraying people with this syndrome.
3,5 stars for being getting me to laugh and enjoy this lighthearted road towards love.
*** An ARC was provided by Netgalley in exchange for a honest review ***
June 22, 2021
Not a good read for me. Not for me. I like my lesbian books to have two lesbian characters.
June 8, 2021
Kieran just got out of a relationship she now feels ready to start dating again. Kieran and her best friend Pen sets up a dating profile for her.
As Kieran starts dating different people she left with feelings that she never going to meet the one. While Pen is there for her we learn a bit about Pen at first she a bit shallow because she a player but then we get to see more insight into her. I like Kieran she was anxious a bit oblivious to what goes around her. I like the slow build of Kieran and Pen when they realize their feelings for each other. Overall good read.
I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.
As Kieran starts dating different people she left with feelings that she never going to meet the one. While Pen is there for her we learn a bit about Pen at first she a bit shallow because she a player but then we get to see more insight into her. I like Kieran she was anxious a bit oblivious to what goes around her. I like the slow build of Kieran and Pen when they realize their feelings for each other. Overall good read.
I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.
September 11, 2023
I'm really glad I heeded the warnings in other reviews to not read past the first sentence of the published synopsis of the novel because if you do, I have since found out, the entire novel is summarized in two sentences.
All you need to know is that Kieran is finally ready to start dating again and, since finding someone as an adult is really hard, she decides she will give online dating a go. To create her profile, she enlists the help of her best friend and local queer Casanova, Pen, who knows her better than anyone and who's not as critical about Kieran as Kieran is. Pen fully endorse Kieran's plan and encourages her to continue when Kieran's dates go poorly.
Swipe Right is my first Tagan Shepard novel, so I'm not sure how to compare it to her other works, but I was entertained. Kieran's dates were something! But it was just okay. I didn't love it and I didn't hate it. And I would probably read another one of Shepard's books.
All you need to know is that Kieran is finally ready to start dating again and, since finding someone as an adult is really hard, she decides she will give online dating a go. To create her profile, she enlists the help of her best friend and local queer Casanova, Pen, who knows her better than anyone and who's not as critical about Kieran as Kieran is. Pen fully endorse Kieran's plan and encourages her to continue when Kieran's dates go poorly.
Swipe Right is my first Tagan Shepard novel, so I'm not sure how to compare it to her other works, but I was entertained. Kieran's dates were something! But it was just okay. I didn't love it and I didn't hate it. And I would probably read another one of Shepard's books.
June 10, 2021
I saw this book a bit ago when I was checking out some of Bella Books upcoming releases. I really enjoy friends-to-lovers relationships, especially when one of them is a bit oblivious. I was intrigued and really wanted to read this book. I was lucky enough to be able to request and receive a copy from Netgalley. Thank you so much for allowing me to read this book!
Kieran is finally feeling like she can try for another relationship, and she decides to use apps. She enlists helps from her friend Pen to create a profile for her. She gets responses and goes on a date that goes badly, and she meets with Pen to commiserate with after. This keeps going on: bad date, then meet with Pen where Kieran is looking forward to the meetings with Pen more than the actual dates. She has to look at her friendship with Pen differently when one of her dates poses the idea that she might have feelings for her friend.
I really liked Kieran and Pen. The two of them had a great and solid friendship with each other. Kieran was a very nice character who had insecurities that were realistic and well-portrayed. She was written as a character that I genuinely cared about. I wanted her to go on a good first date and I was annoyed with her dates when they turned out to be less than ideal. Pen just sounds amazing. It’s clear that she cares about Kieran and her other friends. She’s honest and true and I really liked her as a character. It was also interesting to see a character with Ehler-Danlos Syndrome. I’ve never heard of that before, but it added an interesting dynamic with Pen.
I really enjoyed the bad dates that Kieran went on. They seemed, at times, almost comically bad but it was entertaining and kept me invested. I also liked wondering how the date was going to screw up. The bad dates made for good side characters as did the friends. I wouldn't mind learning more about Abby, Marlene, and Charlie. (Just to clarify, not necessarily as a threesome. I just want to know more about them in general.)
The biggest problem with this book is that it’s missing development points. Someone points out that Kieran has feelings for Pen and, in like ten minutes, she’s fully comfortable and behind that idea. There was a piece of their dynamic that we were told about in the epilogue that would have been much better if it had been included in the story. I just feel like if there had been more pages and chapters, that this book could have been amazing. It just feels like key development points in Kieran and Pen’s relationship was left out.
My other issue was kind of a minor one, but it seemed like at times Kieran just started thinking about her past with no actual lead up. It wasn’t horrible or anything, it just didn’t feel like there was a purpose and we were just being given backstory to have backstory.
This book is good, but it could have been better. I wish there had been more development, but there was enough given history with Pen and Kieran that I wasn’t feeling as though the relationship was unfounded. If you want a simple book with a happy ending, go for it.
Kieran is finally feeling like she can try for another relationship, and she decides to use apps. She enlists helps from her friend Pen to create a profile for her. She gets responses and goes on a date that goes badly, and she meets with Pen to commiserate with after. This keeps going on: bad date, then meet with Pen where Kieran is looking forward to the meetings with Pen more than the actual dates. She has to look at her friendship with Pen differently when one of her dates poses the idea that she might have feelings for her friend.
I really liked Kieran and Pen. The two of them had a great and solid friendship with each other. Kieran was a very nice character who had insecurities that were realistic and well-portrayed. She was written as a character that I genuinely cared about. I wanted her to go on a good first date and I was annoyed with her dates when they turned out to be less than ideal. Pen just sounds amazing. It’s clear that she cares about Kieran and her other friends. She’s honest and true and I really liked her as a character. It was also interesting to see a character with Ehler-Danlos Syndrome. I’ve never heard of that before, but it added an interesting dynamic with Pen.
I really enjoyed the bad dates that Kieran went on. They seemed, at times, almost comically bad but it was entertaining and kept me invested. I also liked wondering how the date was going to screw up. The bad dates made for good side characters as did the friends. I wouldn't mind learning more about Abby, Marlene, and Charlie. (Just to clarify, not necessarily as a threesome. I just want to know more about them in general.)
The biggest problem with this book is that it’s missing development points. Someone points out that Kieran has feelings for Pen and, in like ten minutes, she’s fully comfortable and behind that idea. There was a piece of their dynamic that we were told about in the epilogue that would have been much better if it had been included in the story. I just feel like if there had been more pages and chapters, that this book could have been amazing. It just feels like key development points in Kieran and Pen’s relationship was left out.
My other issue was kind of a minor one, but it seemed like at times Kieran just started thinking about her past with no actual lead up. It wasn’t horrible or anything, it just didn’t feel like there was a purpose and we were just being given backstory to have backstory.
This book is good, but it could have been better. I wish there had been more development, but there was enough given history with Pen and Kieran that I wasn’t feeling as though the relationship was unfounded. If you want a simple book with a happy ending, go for it.
June 5, 2021
This is a slow burn romance with a friends to more trope. Kieran Hall married her high school sweetheart divorcing after ten years. Her next relationship she lived with someone for five years. Now at the age of 37 she is ready to look for another relationship. With the help of best friend Penelope (Pen) she is ready to get back into the dating world. Pen helps her with her online dating profile to get the ball rolling. And Pen is there to listen to the dating details. Dating and meeting the right one turns out to be hard.
I like that Kieran is an average, hard working, normal person. She cleans when anxious and has a good life. She just wants someone to share it with her. Pen is a successful real estate agent and a player with her own set of dating rules. I did like the author highlighting the Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Pen suffers from the disease and I wasn't familiar with it. This book honestly made me pray I never have to enter the dating world again. The dates were more realistic than humorous. When Kieran finally realizes her feelings for Pen everything moves quickly. It's acceptable because they are already best friends but I would have enjoyed a more conversations between the two about being together.
I've not read Tagan Shepard before and will look for future books from her. Thank you NetGalley and Bella Books for an ARC ebook in exchange for an honest review.
I like that Kieran is an average, hard working, normal person. She cleans when anxious and has a good life. She just wants someone to share it with her. Pen is a successful real estate agent and a player with her own set of dating rules. I did like the author highlighting the Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Pen suffers from the disease and I wasn't familiar with it. This book honestly made me pray I never have to enter the dating world again. The dates were more realistic than humorous. When Kieran finally realizes her feelings for Pen everything moves quickly. It's acceptable because they are already best friends but I would have enjoyed a more conversations between the two about being together.
I've not read Tagan Shepard before and will look for future books from her. Thank you NetGalley and Bella Books for an ARC ebook in exchange for an honest review.
December 19, 2022
This story has not been entirely to my liking although the plot was promising. I think it was due to the lack of feeling since the story is detailed in a very aseptic way. The two protagonists have problems of different kinds, which are important and serious enough. These problems are explained very slowly, little by little throughout history, when some of them could have been exposed much earlier and perhaps the story would have made more sense. Because many of the protagonists' reactions make sense only when you know why they have acted like this.
And that the story was told from the point of view of one of its protagonists and in the first person, did not benefit the complete understanding of things either.
It also didn't help that it was very, very predictable, I think for everyone except Kieran.
Publisher Bella Books was kind enough to provide me with an advanced reading copy via Netgalley for my honest review
And that the story was told from the point of view of one of its protagonists and in the first person, did not benefit the complete understanding of things either.
It also didn't help that it was very, very predictable, I think for everyone except Kieran.
Publisher Bella Books was kind enough to provide me with an advanced reading copy via Netgalley for my honest review
December 2, 2024
I really love this book! It's another diamond from my TBR shelves! Kieran is divorced, put of another long term relationship and after 2 yrs ready to hit the dating pool again. Her best friend Pen (Penelope) talks her into trying a dating app. Pen helps her to put her profile together and pictures. Then helps her answer when they contact Kieran. She's also there to help her pull herself together after hilarious, disastrous dates.
This is a beautiful friends to lovers love story. 5 stars!
This is a beautiful friends to lovers love story. 5 stars!
June 8, 2021
I am not sure what is about online dating that make me laugh so much. Probably because I have never done it and if I was single again I can picture myself not doing a great job. I could relate to Kieran a great deal, especially not reading well all the signs that are obvious for everyone else but yourself. Since the book is told in 1st person it works really well.
Pen is a joy and although I didn't know much about her illness before reading this book I can see why someone is reluctant to let anyone in. She is the best friend and has the patient of a saint or simply in love to be always there for Kieran.
The author covers really well most of the LGTBQ+ spectrum and the "fights" between the groups, it felt very common.
The romance between both MCs was good, dark alleys always a good fantasy.
This was my first book from the author so looking forward to read more from her.
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review
Pen is a joy and although I didn't know much about her illness before reading this book I can see why someone is reluctant to let anyone in. She is the best friend and has the patient of a saint or simply in love to be always there for Kieran.
The author covers really well most of the LGTBQ+ spectrum and the "fights" between the groups, it felt very common.
The romance between both MCs was good, dark alleys always a good fantasy.
This was my first book from the author so looking forward to read more from her.
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review
December 29, 2023
An easy feel good read with some angst in the end. I really liked Kieran, and Pen even better. Their interaction was heartwarming and humorous. Unfortunately the synopis was kind of a spoiler. So don't read that if you already haven't.
August 30, 2021
eww dating apps
March 21, 2022
Well written story but for some reason it didn't work for me.
May 3, 2022
3.7 I would've liked this better if Pen had a pov in the book.
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