Around the World in 80 Dates

Lynne Perras teaches communication arts at the University of Calgary.

Tired of failed romances and the single life, 30-something British
travel writer and public-relations head Jennifer Cox contacts friends
and colleagues from around the globe asking them to arrange dates with
single men of their acquaintance. She then sets off on a tour of the
world that includes dates with 80 eligible men and takes her through
four continents and 70 countries.

Cox recounts her six-month quest for Mr. Right with wit, energy, and
wry humour. Despite the reason for her trip, she does not come across as
desperate or needy. Her book effectively communicates the idea that the
more open a person is to the possibility of finding true love, the more
likely it is to happen. Cox also makes the point that the search for
one’s soulmate is as important as the destination and should be
enjoyed wholeheartedly. Her own story has a happy ending.

While it would have benefited from some judicious editing, Around the
World in 80 Dates is a light and charming read.