Reading this book felt like a warm hug - like a breath of fresh air. It was so nice to read a queer love story that was not YA, and that grappled with real questions of what community means and what it means to be oneself.

Okay, it's time to admit that rom-coms aren't for me. But I had a lot of fun reading this one! I just don't think it's my type of book. Mostly because the things that should be endearing and romantic are annoying to me.

In the case of My Mother's Ridiculous Rules for Dating, the annoying part is in the title... It's the mother of the main character, Sam, Glory, as she prefers to be called, who is just too much for me. She thinks her 35-year-old son is a child who needs her all the time; not only does she find him dates, but she also chooses what he has to wear and what he should talk about. There were moments when I thought that she hated Sam; she never listened to him, she never asked why he didn't believe in himself, and she never tried to understand his feelings. Even when Sam tries to explain, she ignores him. And I actually think that Finn helped Sam model more than Glory. Because he was actually interested in him.

But while most scenes with Sam's mother were annoying, I still went through this book very quickly. And I loved Finn! I could feel the chemistry between him and Sam from their first scene together. There's also a whole cast of diverse supporting characters, all of them really lovely (except for Paul), and they could have a book of their own (or there could be a short stories book about Plant Daddy's workers and clients 😉). I was surprised that only a few of Sam's blind dates were described; I thought that there would be more of them. But I'm not complaining; it left more space for Sam as a character. He's very relatable, and his growth through the book was realistic and inspiring.

I could definitely see this book as a one-season TV show with every episode as a different date. And if you like rom-coms, then this book is for you. I think I will go back to reading queer romantasy for a while.

I really like the author’s writing style. It’s cheeky and engaging, and the premise of the story is fun and endearing.

Sam is likeable, and quite frankly, relatable. He hasn’t reached the milestones he expected to and he has a lot of self-doubts. It makes for a tumultuous time. Made even crazier by his mother. Doesn’t help that he’s a bit of a doormat.

Unfortunately, I wanted to set the mother a drift on a raft in the middle of the ocean. She was over the top and never once listened to Sam's wants & needs. I would have left the country if she was my mother.

The story had a number of wonderful side characters that brought a richness to the story.

What can I say? Sometimes I am a sucker for a RomCom and this one hit the spot.

Sam is the right amount of cute, innocent and stubborn, his mother Glory is just...well..glorious.

Paul was easy to hate, Finn was a dream, the story was nice, had a positive message. Count me in.

Of course, this was an easy, predictable read, but this is what I came for and the book served.

Thank you Hera for the ARC of MMRRFD in exchange for an honest review!

Sam Carmichael is less than thrilled when, upon his dumping, his overbearing mother recalls a promise that Sam previously made: if he’s yet to find the man for him by thirty-five, he will subject himself to his mother’s matchmaking and play by her rules. His mother, Gloria, is confident that she can find the perfect match for Sam. He’s less confident, but without much choice, he relents to her ways. Yet, is it possible that Gloria really knows him better than anyone? And could this be the push Sam really needs to find real, unattainable love?

There’s no denying that My Mother’s Ridiculous Rules for Dating is charming and an easy, pleasant read (and more than a good distraction during election times). Gloria is a Debbie Reynolds-esque icon come to life - silly and quippy and meddling. Sam falls more into the role of straight man (or straight gay man in this case), putting up with her nonsense with begrudging, reluctant adoration. There’s plenty of humor and heart here. It’s also saccharine sweet to the point of feeling like something Hallmark might adapt or put out. It could have had a stronger romantic heft to it, but at the end of the day, it’s more about mother, son and self. There’s nothing quite like a mother’s love; they say it’s endless, whether you like it or not.

What a heartwarming, wonderful read! The characters are delightful and I really enjoyed the amusing and fun story. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

This book is a slow-burn, but one where the real charm is the relationships around the romance. Sam’s mom, Glory, is the kind of meddling matchmaker you can't help but adore. She’s loud, proud, and as subtle as a neon sign, especially when it comes to nudging Sam toward Finn, the social justice photographer she’s sure is 'the one.'

Between cringeworthy dates, heartfelt laughs, and Sam figuring out what (and who) he really wants, there’s this cozy sense of community and growth that makes the story feel warm and real. It’s lighthearted, funny, and hits all the right feel-good notes. I'll definitely be looking out for more from this author!

Thanks you to NetGalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Someone in a wheelchair was casually mentioned and I was pumping the air! I love it when marginalized people are being part of the cast without it being a theme. This has nothing to do with being political correct, but everything with being open-minded. It is ridiculous that I even feel the need to explain this, but for the sake of the thought of being kind and paying it forward.

Anyway, Sam is lots of things and one of them is his need to act like a grownup. For which I felt like shaking him, but there we are: expectations... of ourselves and of others.
Sometimes you need a bit of help from someone else to see how wonderful you yourself are. Yes, the personal struggle of loving yourself... Sounds very familiar.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.

This had an interesting blurb, so I requested it from Netgalley.

I kind of expected this to be a bit over the top, and while I liked the two MCs, Sam and Finn, I had some issues with Sam's overbearing, super intense mother. Her character was just a wee little bit on the side of icky - no mother needs to know this much about her son's love and sex life. I fully believed that Gloria/Glory loved her son, and only wanted the best for him, but her methods left a lot to be desired, IMHO. I could appreciate the dynamic between them, but on occasion it was just a little too much. I could see that she wanted to get to him a point where he could love himself, and see himself the way she saw him - as someone worthy of love, and someone who deserved good things.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read for the most part. There was lots of good dialogue, a lot of humor and things that made me giggle-snort, and I really liked how diverse the supporting cast was, and how well the author portrayed each of his characters. The book had many additional layers, such as gender identity, sexuality, race, immigration/refugee status, and even disability, without ever delving into preaching territory. These things were seamlessly woven into the narrative, not taking center stage, but also not being swept under the carpet, and I appreciated that. The emphasis was on Found Family, and I really enjoyed reading about these characters.

What ultimately cost the book a 4th star is that I never really bought the romance between Sam and Finn, and that may be because it's told entirely from Sam's POV, and we don't get a lot of insight into Finn at all. The book is written in the first person, present tense, which worked for me but may not be everyone's cup of tea. Sam is obviously also an unreliable narrator, and he misses a few things that are obvious to others.

Even though this only was a three star read for me, I would recommend this book as a fun rom-com. The hangups I had likely won't apply to everyone.

Thanks to NetGalley and Hera Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Please keep in mind the following content warning: Mentions of Death of Family Members and Homophobia, and Toxic Relationships.

I loved this book so damn much. Not only I laughed so fucking hard, but I also saw part of my mum in Sam's mum. Of course, Gloria is way more insane and I love her for that, but her passion and care for Sam reminded me much of my own mother. I will never get tired of stories with family dynamics as a central point of the story and this is one of them.

I couldn't stand Sam's ex not even to save my life, and that's the point. You want to hate this guy, you want Sam to finally see what's in front of him, to believe in himself and to find the love that he truly deserves. Every time I got frustrated it was because I cared about Sam and wanted to give in to his obvious attraction to Finn.

Another big part of the novel that I highly related to was Sam's struggle as an aspiring author and feeling uninspired with his writing. Almost for as long as I can remember, I have wanted to publish a novel. That process has been filled with many ups and downs, moments where I stopped writing or didn't see the point. Even right now, where I have been the most confident in my writing I have ever been, I worry about the process of getting an agent, about whether publishers would like what I have, and what readers would think. And honestly, this is the best a book can ever do. That moment when you can still relate and see yourself in a character that has different circumstances, ways of life, and even personality than you because, at your core, you both want the same things.

I recommend this book to artists who struggle to believe in their art and themselves. It's also great for people with strong relationships with their mums, to the point it might be slightly unhinged. I'm sure you will enjoy it. Seriously, please make sure to pick up this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hera for this ARC.

Sam Carmichael, 35, has made a written contract with his overbearing mother Gloria 20 years ago - if he hasn't got a boyfriend by 35, she can make the dating rules for him. The time has now come and his mother is overjoyed that she is allowed to interfere officially. She is still grieving for the loss of her sister Shug and this might give her a new impetus.

The way she goes about it is hilarious, plunging poor Sam into the dating pool by all means necessary and shoving him from one horrendous date to the next. Sam isn't really interested anyway - all he wants is his ex Paul back who is making positive noises about getting divorced from his hubby soon. At the same time Sam is growing closer to Finn Montgomery, an artist his company represents.

Sam is a regular at Plant Daddy, a quirky coffee & plant shop owned by grumpy Kai and populated by a diverse clientele, including his best friend Omar. I loved this found family of characters, with his mother eventually starting to work there too, although many of them stay very much in the background.

The LGBTQ+ and diversity representation is exemplary. One character is introduced as a wheelchair user and later as a trans man completely in passing, making it normal and no big deal.

I have read a lot of books incorporating monster mothers. Gloria is not one of them. She is interfering, yes, and she would be too much for me. But she is not any different from any in your face, meddling but loving and supportive Jewish mother. She loves Sam and Sam loves her and she's also a fierce if sometimes inappropriate ally to the queer community.

Sam loves classic films which others see as outdated regarding queer representation. He's a writer but he doesn't see himself as one as he's "only" written six books for someone else as a ghost writer, and only one short story of his has won him critical acclaim.

It's a bit perplexing that Sam thinks so little of himself and his talents. Everyone around him can see his worth except himself. It might have to do something with his ex Paul who never supported him the way he should have. Finn basically spends the entire book trying to boost his self-confidence.

However, the story spends more time on the mother/son relationship than on any romance so I felt a little short-changed. I would have liked Sam and Finn to have more scenes together although I loved the character of Glory, as she re-christened herself.

Altogether, this is a fun, warm-hearted if predictable story of finding your self-worth and love in the process, if you believe in yourself and your strong support system.

<i>digital ARC was provided by Netgalley and Hera Books</i>

Alright, let’s talk about My Mother's Ridiculous Rules for Dating! I was super excited to dive in, and honestly, the beginning hooked me right away. Sam Carmichael is relatable, and his struggles with love and his overbearing mom, Gloria, felt real and hilarious at the same time.

I loved Sam—his dynamic with his mother was a highlight for me. Their interactions brought a lot of warmth and humor to the story. But then there's Finn, the important love interest. Honestly, I found it hard to connect with him. He felt kind of like a prop in Sam's journey rather than a full-fledged character. I really wanted more depth there.

On the flip side, the side characters, especially Omar, were fantastic! I appreciated the diverse representation, which added a refreshing layer to the story.

Now, I have to vent a bit about Sam's blindness when it came to love. I get it; sometimes you’re just a mess because of a guy, but it was frustrating to see him reduced to that.

As for the title, My Mother's Ridiculous Rules for Dating, it didn’t quite capture the essence of the story for me. Yes, Gloria sets up some blind dates, but it felt more about the chaotic relationship between a mother and her son than dating rules.

One thing I’d definitely change? The length. The book could use a trim—it felt a bit too long in parts. And the ending? It was just... okay. I wanted a bit more punch!

Overall, I enjoyed the journey, even with its quirks. If you’re looking for a light read with some laughs and relatable moments, this one might just hit the spot!

— Why I was Attracted to this book :
The Tittle and it’s a MM Romance

— What did you like about this book:
community and the middling mother

— What you didn’t:
You ever just want to shake a MC and slap them silly that was me !! I wanted to slap Sam and give him a big old bear hug several times while reading.

— Would you recommend:
Yes

— Would you read this author again:
It was my first time and I would



Ok this is not the romance story I was expecting at all, but it was a refreshing surprise. 
Heartwarming? Yes. Funny? It had its moments and I was all here for it.
This was definitely a falling in love with yourself kinda book where the MMC is struggling with his identity and how to give himself grace and love himself again, and I like that part very much. I feel like there was more that could have been done for Sam! Like you know therapy and I wish he had done that!

It’s an acquired taste but I think if you give it a try you’ll find something to really like about it.

This is a slow paced hallmark movie type of a romantic comedy. The focus is more on Sam's relationship with his mother and his group of friends than on his budding romance with Finn. Sam is stubbornly adamant that he feels nothing for Finn even though they are perfect for each other (just ask his mother) and trying to rebuild his relationship with his lying, cheating ex because he believes that things have changed now. Or at least he wants to believe that. There are multiple dialogues that will make you burst into laughter, mainly the dialogues between Sam and his mother. That woman would not know subtlety and boundaries if they smacked her in the face wearing rainbow makeup and a unicorn tiara. And I love her for it.

Sam Carmichael had dreams of becoming an author, he even won a prestigious writing prize when he was younger. Unfortunately, things didn't pan out, he spent many years ghostwriting for a female romance author who just couldn't be bothered to write any more, but when she retired none of the publishers wanted him to continue writing in her style. Now he's working part-time in an advertising agency, toying with the idea of completely giving up on his dreams and becoming a full-time corporate 'normal'.

Since his aunt Shug died a year ago, Sam's mother Gloria has really struggled to find joy in life, so when she unearths a 'contract' Sam signed years ago in which he promised his mother that if he wasn’t coupled up by thirty-five, he would do whatever she wanted to find a boyfriend. Well guess what, he's thirty-five and single (after his much older boyfriend Paul went back to his husband) and Gloria is coming to make good on his promise.

I really liked the premise of this story but to me it didn't quite work. Sam's ex, Paul, was just too obviously a creep, Gloria set Sam up on some truly horrendous dates with some ghastly people - why? Even Sam's love interest seemed to delight in telling Sam what to do - he was too similar to Paul in that respect.

Overall, I suspect there is a bit too much autobiography in this and I didn't really find Sam a likeable character (although I did sympathise with him over the way everyone pushed him around 'for his own good').

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.

If there's one sorta quibble I have, it's that Finn is too cool, almost too perfect.. That said, I kept picturing Jonathan Bailey but with a New Orleans accent. Make of that what you will.
I quite like Sam as a MC, tho I 'm sure there's plenty of people who will find Sam rubs them the wrong way. I get the feeling, however, that it will be many of those traits that I find most relatable in Sam. Gloria feels too often like a carbon-copy of Debbie from Queer As Folk and I wish we had gotten more of her depth/nuance earlier in the story.

Yes it's predictable, but it's also fun and for that it's definitely recommended.

This was such a funny and cute read omg, I had a lot of fun reading it. I did so in one sitting, I was waiting for my car at the dealer and started to read,.it a cute read, it quick and to the point. the banter is top tier and the friends, family dynamics are spot on. I def recommend this one.

2.5 stars - I struggled with this book because the pacing felt wonky and the romance lackluster. The emotion and touchy feeliness I want from my romance was missing. The humour was top notch and I really enjoyed the banter and the concept, but I did not believe the romance part of this romcom.

This is the first book from this author, and I have to say, he will now be on my to buy list. It’s a classic trope with a twist—if you’re still single by a certain age you’ll pair up with someone. In this case, we have Sam who promised his mother he’d let her pick. I loved the main character and seeing his relationship with his mother—and all the dates. It was witty and funny and very easy to read.

What I loved about this book wasn't necessarily the romance between Sam and his client at the marketing agency, social justice campaigner and photographer, Finn, but all the side characters, based around the plant shop and cafe, Plant Daddy, run by queer Kai who uses a wheelchair, and is grumpy to everyone but doesn't mean it; there's Sam's best friend, Omar, who has backed him up forever and lives upstairs from him, and of course Glory, Sam's mum, who puts into place their ancient agreement that once he hits 35 and is single, she will organise his dating life.

Cue disastrous dates but also the growing realisation that his ex, who is trying to tempt him back, might not be The One and that it's worth embracing community and activism and trusting himself more rather than relying on an older, quite boring, man to be the grown-up. Glory couldn't be prouder of Sam and is a relentless social justice campaigner herself, particularly around LGBTQIA+ issues, with a nice line in T-shirts, and she helps him to realise how important that is, too. Although there's some serious self-development and learning and lots of role modelling and helping younger people, it's a lighthearted and positive novel that I loved, and I will be seeking out the author's other books asap.

Blog review will be published 22 October https://librofulltime.wordpress.com/2024/10/22/book-review-philip-william-stover-my-mothers-ridiculous-rules-for-dating/