Go without technology for a month. Give it up; live in simpler times. Think 1980 without the terrible hair and godawful shell suits.

Calm down… Jeez, did the North Koreans design your self-defence system?

The china cups were presented neatly on saucers. I didn’t think I owned a saucer. I didn’t even own matching cups, just random mugs I’d received as gifts over the years sporting classy slogans such as ‘Basic Bitch’.

I rummaged through my bag; I seemed to have everything but that card. Amanda cast a disapproving look at my collection of ancient tissues going through various stages of decomposition. ‘Don’t you ever clean out your handbag, you disgrace of a woman?’

… he thinks his wife has run off with another man. He’s wondering why, wondering what this man has got that he hasn’t – it turns out it’s boobs!

My Review:

This was a fun and pleasantly entertaining read – shot through with irreverent humor and clever levity that provided frequent snickers and smirks. Melissa was days away from marking her thirty-fifth birthday and feeling quite dissatisfied with her constantly single standing. Maternal pressure was mounting, online dating had tanked, and fix-ups had been an uncomfortable disaster. She had been focused on her career and party-girl lifestyle for nearly two decades but didn’t seem to be feeling the love for her previous pastimes. She was highly motivated to upgrade her relationship status, yet her most recent e-Harmony perfect match had resulted in a humiliating walk of shame with a torn dress, courtesy of her date’s dog as she snuck out of his doggie flap in the locked door. Oh yeah, Melissa was a hot mess.

Her heinous boss challenged Melissa to unplug and go without her phone or internet usage for a month as the basis of her next article, which caused major adjustments, considerable inconvenience, and humorous results. Although there were some benefits to be had as well. She thought she had scored big time after engaging with a handsome man in a coffee shop led to an oddly exciting date with a bewildering conclusion and continued complications. Although Melissa also found unplugging to be unexpectedly freeing and more enjoyable than she expected and was hesitant to reboot once the month was up. She was still a bit of a hot mess with or without technology, although the wily Ms. Cooke allowed her to find that highly desired HEA and everything she had been longing for.