First published 2012
Justin sits across from his dad at lunch, ready to announce his plan to propose to his longtime girlfriend. His father's response is typically blunt: after four years of dating, this shouldn't come as a shock to anyone. But the old man offers unexpected wisdom. He tells Justin to take a step back and reflect on everything he's learned about women, relationships, and himself before making such a big decision. Justin follows this advice, embarking on a hilarious journey through his romantic past. He revisits his childhood crushes that ended in disaster, recalls losing his virginity while working as a dishwasher at Hooters, and remembers countless moments of romantic fumbling. Along the way, his father's no-nonsense commentary provides a steady stream of uncomfortable truths about love and life. Justin's brother chimes in with his own bizarre theories about wedding night expectations, while former bosses remind him that real men face their failures head-on before scrubbing dishes. What emerges is a deeply funny exploration of one man's attempt to understand relationships, guided by a father who never sugarcoats reality.
Genres: family-life, humor, contemporary, memoir
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, found-family
180 pages · Hardcover · HarperCollins