The G.F. List

Book excerpt: Sharyn Atkinson doesn't claim to have all the answers, but after twelve years of being single in Melbourne, she does have some hilarious—and cringe-worthy—stories to tell. In this light-hearted, playful, and honest account of her romantic experiences, you'll find stories of hope, loss, deception, discovery, sex, and love in all its many forms. Read it cover to cover, or pick a chapter that calls out to you—“Mr. Loaded," "Mr. International Jet Setter," or perhaps the intriguing "Mr. Stripper Electrician.” Though she would love to get married and start a family, Sharyn doesn’t plan to settle for anyone—even if that means navigating the murky waters of dating in your thirties. As she explains, “I don’t want to be someone’s handbag, mother, housemaid, bimbo, friend with benefits, notch on the belt, therapist, ‘bit on the side’, rebound, second wife, ‘cougar’, party girl, provider, or door mat. Call me crazy, but none of that really appeals to me.” Whether you’re single, happily married, or somewhere in between in the dating game, Sharyn’s honest, relatable, and disarming accounts of trying to find “the one” in a vast sea of “not quite” will have you nodding in understanding and considering the various people you’ve decided to make time for—or catch and release.