Internet Mating (Dot.Homme - Jane Moore)

Member Name: kirstymack80

Product:	Dot.Homme - Jane Moore
Date:	06/01/06 (280 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: lightweight, laugh out loud funny

Disadvantages: bit sad in parts

Jess Monroe is a 34 year old singleton. She’s fairly happy being alone but, alas, her friends do not share her opinion. So as a birthday ‘treat’ they buy her an advertisement on an internet dating site.

Not at all happy with her gift, she is at first angry at the intrusion into her personal life but eventually relents and agrees to give it a try. Unfortunately the men she meets appear to be a little ‘economical with the truth’ – whether it be the fact that they are married or the fact that the photo they submitted on the site is 20 years old!

So begins the task of meeting Mr Right. From the one who escapes through the kitchens of a well known Covent Garden restaurant leaving her saddled with the bill to Mr Obnoxious who complains about *everything* on the menu (at full volume), Jess is tested to the limit in her quest for lurrrrrve.

* What I thought *

I had never read any books by Jane Moore and probably wouldn’t have chosen this. Only at the time this book was published, I heard the author on Radio 2 talking about Dot.Homme and it sounded like my kind of thing. It’s an interesting outlook, at times hilarious and what’s so good about it is that it’s laughably realistic. It’s set in London, which I can strongly identify with (not to mention the fact I’m *ahem* around the same age as the 'heroine' of the book) and Moore has the misgivings and apprehensions of Jess down to a tee.

The book did grab my attention from the start. The chapters cleverly start with the ad that Jess has responded to – and of course, in true Hollywood style, they don’t ever go smoothly or according to plan. Nine out of ten times the men look nothing like their photograph, which always happens to be blurred. And one guy she meets is so dishevelled and strange looking that when he turns up at the designated meeting spot, Jess pretends to be someone else and runs away!

To start with I felt Moore was trying a bit too ‘hard’ with the funnies. Jokes like ‘he was more P&O Cruise than Tom Cruise’ and ‘more Pig Penn than Sean Penn’ did irritate me slightly as it reminded me of Kathy Lette’s style of writing, which I really don’t like. However this was a minor quibble that didn’t ruin the rest of the story as I found it very amusing and at times had a few chuckles to myself.

She then redeems herself with quotes like ‘Someone remove the butter knife before I throw myself on it’. I think any gal that reads this will probably identify with Jess on some level!

* Other issues *

Far from being completely lightweight, this does tackle a more serious issue which is dealt with in a surprisingly sensitive way. A family illness brings Jess’ problems into perspective as she has to face the prospect of losing someone very close to her. So from being highly amusing, the tone takes a sombre turn and Moore cleverly manages to balance the two stories very well without one ever overpowering the other.

Plus great other characters are introduced – Jess’ bitchy boss, her friends the gay couple Richard and Lars, and the delightfully sullen Kara, who once saved Jess’ life and has been a thorn in her side ever since!

If you like chick lit, fluffy stuff in a similar style to Jane Green or Sophie Kinsella, this is probably for you. This will be a great read for the beach and has a very eye catching front cover (according to Moore, in two different colours!). I spotted the alternative cover in Woolworths, with bright red lips and a scarlet fingernail in a ‘shhhh’ pose but my cover is the more neutral make up with the pouty glossy lips and nude colour nail polish (shown above).

* About the author *

If you’re wondering where you heard the name Jane Moore, she is a columnist for The Sun and also writes regular articles for the Sunday Times. She also regularly co-presented the ITV lunch time show ‘Loose Women’. And I’m pretty sure I recognise her from appearing on ‘The Weakest Link’ at some point!

Her two other novels are ‘Fourplay’ and ‘The Ex Files’.

* Other info *

ISBN 0-09-946502-7
452 pages
RRP £6.99

* Verdict *

OK so this is a little predictable. I could see how the book was going to finish and who she was going to end up with pretty much half way through. However there's enough distraction with the 'other' storyline to lay down the foundations for a smooth, if unsurprising, ending.

This is an excellent and enjoyable holiday read. It’s almost like peeking in on someone else’s unsuccessful love life, and while we can at least snigger at Jess’ bad luck with the men, we can also relate to the support she gives her family and friends in a time of crisis. She comes across as a likeable character, funny and loyal.

Recommended with the full five stars. There’s a fair amount of swearing in it if you’re particularly offended by that. I usually am – but in this instance it’s all done in good part.

Thanks for reading.

Summary: The course of love never runs smoothly.