Me & Moe

Alex Swanson planned to be a serious journalist until her stepping-stone-into-the-business talk radio position became a path to nowhere. Now the Suits in charge are offering up her dream job on a platter—if only she’ll help them out with one little project: an endorsement deal for CreateADate’s online dating service. All they’re asking is for her to broadcast her personal life for listeners’ entertainment. Never mind that she lives with her grandparents and hasn’t been on a date since high school prom. Still, Alex finds a way to put her own spin on the assignment and enlists the help of her conspiracy-theorist Grampa and reality-television-loving grandma Moe as she tries to figure out the dating world. Along the way, she must evaluate her objectives in life and love and finally face demons she’d thought long buried.

Alex’s self-effacing wit paired with Moe’s flamboyant enthusiasm makes for an entertaining story. I couldn’t help but picture Alex as the queen of deadpan cynicism, comedienne Janeane Garofalo. I don’t often cast celebrities in my readings, but the association came naturally—maybe because much of the story is very visual (odd to say, since it’s a written story about a radio personality, but true nonetheless).

I especially appreciate that it sticks to the realm of dating and romance without touching over into sexual relations. The back cover description declaring “station ratings fly off the charts, as her morals fly out the window” had me concerned, but now I know that I can happily recommend this title to any of my friends….and I will.

A small caveat: there are a couple dozen glaring grammar and usage errors, so red pencillers may be too distracted to enjoy this great little story. Personally, I felt that the story was strong enough to overcome my annoyance at the poor editing job. Ponder the meaning of love, consider boundaries of privacy and the balance of personal and public life, and laugh along with this fast-paced read.