I thought this book was clever and fun. I liked the format and the way the story unfolded. The book was unique which is hard to find these days.

I must say I was initially intrigued by this title because of the formatting of the story. Books written in various formats always tend to catch my eye and I usually enjoy the change of pace from your average novel. I did indeed enjoy the way this book uses only lists by the main character to tell the story. However, there were some places in the book that I felt could have used more relevant lists to help tie in to the plot a little more. That being said, I did like the humor in some of the more irrelevant lists in the book that were funny observations of the mundane things in life.


I wished I could have warmed up more to Dan, the main character in the story. I could understand the frustration and uncertainty he was going through with all of the changes happening in his life, but some things he did just didn't make sense considering how smart and practical the guy seemed to be. Most of what you see throughout the story gives you a sense of how Dan is trying to handle all of the small and large changes and predicaments that life is throwing at him. The only major confusion I had was the plan that Dan was trying to put into place to solve his financial problem. It seemed kind of absurd to me. I don't know, just my opinion.

I rated this book 2 out of 5 stars which in my rating system means that I thought it was okay. It had some humor and you were hoping throughout the book that Dan would come out on the other side of the story with a clearer vision of his future and a way to handle his life going forward. It just didn't quite fit the vision I had of it going into reading it. If you're looking for a story with a non-conventional format, take a gander. If you're looking to see how a man copes with big changes in his life and how he makes it out on the other side, take a peek.

I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC of this title.

I loved the short entries and lists that this book is made up of.
I had both an E Galley and final copy of this book sent by the publisher. Immediately appealing as a book of lists and a main character who owned a bookstore.
Dan is the kind of honest and quirky guy we all want as a friend, but he doesn’t really get close to others. He loves his wife Jill more than anything. His insecurities are his biggest problems. He writes down everything and this is endearing.
While it isn’t a great great work of fiction this book is endearing and thought provoking. I found myself sharing snippets with my husband and I have a friend I want to share it with right now. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press.

Twenty-one Truths About Love was a quick read, written entirely in list format. There were some gems of advice throughout the book, parts that made me laugh out loud (terrible people think Turkey Trots on Thanksgiving are a good idea - my family did this every year in my childhood), and parts that made me cringe. Unfortunately, the list format as a whole didn't work well for me. The man character, Dan, felt a little whiney, which is probably in large part because I didn't get to know him, outside of lists where he complained regularly and talked about horrible decisions. The good parts made it worth reading, but I likely would not pick up a book entirely in list format again. It would have suited me better if there were lists throughout a novel, rather than solely lists to tell the story.

Thanks Net Galley for the preview!

I loved this quick read! The short excerpts kept me interested and I loved the feature of "one sided" conversations. Also Dan was full of surprises-I did not expect him to go through with his plan at all. I'm glad he ended up doing the right thing and asking for help. I've always dreamed about owning my own small bookstore in a sleepy town so I was drawn to the store and very invested in it succeeding! Overall great little read!

Twenty-one Truths About Love is a breath of fresh air! Told entirely in lists, I thoroughly enjoyed this story!

This book was so good! And super unique as it is a novel, told entirely in lists. The premise is that our narrator Dan started keeping lists at the suggestion of a past therapist and just never stopped. His lists are all date and time stamped and show a window into his world, revealing more and more as you read along. The story encompasses just one of his presumably numerous notebooks, dated November 1, 2017 - June 1, 2018. So much happens in just 7 months! It was just brilliant. I truly don't want to spoil an ounce of the plot but there were some parts that were so suspenseful that I just couldn't put the book down! I especially loved that he owns a bookstore and starts each month off with a list of "staff picks" - many of which were already on my "to-read" list and some I've already read - good choices all around I'm sure! (Also, as an avid Billy Collins fan, bonus points for the "Ballistics" rec ;-) )

This novel composed entirely of lists weaves a hilarious story of an independent bookstore owner of many insecurities with not enough money and a baby on the way. He entangles himself in many mishaps but manages to still have a happy ending!

This book is written in lists, and I don't think I've read anything written quite like this before. Dan has been lying to his wife Jill. Years ago, he quit his job as a teacher to open up a book store. The bookstore is failing, and he has kept this from Jill who is ready to have a baby. He keeps this from her as they are running out of money, through out their family planning and the duration of Jill's pregnancy. The longer he keeps this secret, the more difficult he finds it to tell Jill. As money is running out, and Jill's due date is drawing near, Dan's fear and anxiety leads him to desperation.

Dan is obsessed with lists, which is how this story is told, through his lists. He isn't a bad guy, but he is not a like able character. I found him quite frustrating. He was the cause of all his problems, and worked to make them worse.

I give this book 3 stars because of its unique style, and the humor I found in the ridiculousness of Dan.

Such an interesting concept for a book! The author manages to illustrate common struggles - love, marriage, financial stress - in a truly innovative way. The main character, Daniel, is obsessed with lists, and that's how the story is told. The lists beautifully show the man that Daniel is, and the man he wants to become. On paper, the idea doesn't seem like it would work, but it does and it's so creative and entertaining!

Twenty-one Truths About Love is a very different and unique concept in storytelling. I appreciate it as a written art form, and found myself really enjoying a couple of the lists. It is a fun option for those that struggle to get into lots of dialogue and details in a long chapter book format. I do not feel that I became as invested as I normally do with a more traditional book. I received an ARC of this book, all opinions are my own.

Written entirely in lists, TWENTY-ONE TRUTHS ABOUT LOVE is a fresh, original new novel from Matthew Dicks, the author of MEMOIRS OF AN IMAGINARY FRIEND. Blending humorous and witty takes on life’s idiosyncrasies with a raw and deeply human main character, Dicks pens the perfect between-the-holidays book for readers who enjoyed MR. PENUMBRA’S 24-HOUR BOOKSTORE and HOW HARD CAN IT BE?

The first thing you must know about Daniel Mayrock is that he loves his wife, Jill, and wonders every single day how a woman so cool and so self-assured chose an average guy like him to be her second husband. (That’s right, second husband; Jill’s first husband is a specter that hangs over their marriage, bolstering Dan’s insecurities and forcing him to wonder if he will ever measure up.) The next thing to know about Dan is that he is a proud (well, semi-proud) bookstore owner...of a failing bookstore that has nearly drained his family’s savings. The third, and perhaps most important, thing to know about Dan is that he has been lying to his wife about the bookstore, his income and, well, a little of everything.

Knowing full well the extent of their debt, Dan has been, ahem, “faking it” through their attempts to produce a child, even though Jill is ready and eager to become a mother. Trapped in a web of his own lies and desperate to avoid hurting his wife, Dan obsessively writes lists --- lists about his responsibilities; lists about ways to get out of debt, fast; lists about his daily observations; and even lists about lists. Using sparse but vivid and immediate prose, Dicks unpacks the anxiety- and love-filled life of Dan Mayrock, and how he discovers the truth(s) about love.

Making lists and faking it in bed are easy enough, but when Jill really becomes pregnant, Dan has to figure out a way to support his growing family, deal with his fears about being a father and come clean to his wife --- fast. What follows is a zany and twist-filled ride through debt, failed business endeavors and learning to accept oneself. Dan constantly strays from the realm of believability by choosing the least certain and most foolhardy ways to improve his situation, but through it all, he maintains a real sense of heart and earnestness.

I’m fully aware that I’m not making Dan sound like a great guy right now, but despite his flaws, he is a truly wonderful protagonist: dreamy and inquisitive, but often shortsighted and a bit reckless. Dan is not the most unique character at face value --- what thirty-something guy isn’t struggling with honesty, commitment or feeling like a failure? --- but what makes him extraordinary is the reader’s raw, limitless access to the inner workings of his mind. Dicks writes with complete humility and grace, elevating ordinary Dan to someone you want to root for, even when you are grimacing at his choices. He is also deeply anxious --- and not just about his failing bookstore, but about his wife, his career path and so much more --- and the unique list format mirrors his anxieties in a way that makes the book feel totally immersive.

As you speed through these lists and bounce from subject to subject, your own heartbeat increases, and before you know it, you’re ready to make some anxiety-fueled lists, too. I truly do not know how he’s done it, but Dicks has crafted a book that feels a bit like a rollercoaster, with a pacing that is perfectly in tune with its main character’s emotions.

If a book written entirely in lists sounds unusual, you’re not wrong. Though epistolary novels are popular across all genres, TWENTY-ONE TRUTHS ABOUT LOVE is unique in its format. As intriguing as I initially found this style, I was equally worried that Dicks would not be able to fully flesh out his characters and their motivations through lists and lists alone. Reader, I am so happy to report that I was dead wrong. Because of the limits that lists present, Dicks has taken great care and effort to select every word carefully so that each and every one is packed with meaning. Even when Dan’s lists veer from the immediate plotline, they provide tons of depth into his character --- after all, haven’t you ever wondered about the thoughts that keep Harry Potter up at night, or dreamt about what Sherlock Holmes might say about cartoon character-themed diapers?

With this book, you get the full picture of Dicks’ protagonist: his observations on football, his thoughts on school administrations and so much more. Dicks has somehow turned what could have been an impediment into an experiment in creativity, and Dan is all the more wholly developed for it.

TWENTY-ONE TRUTHS ABOUT LOVE is a lightning fast read. Poignant though they may be, Dan’s lists read very quickly, but I recommend you savor this one. It is the perfect book to get you through the holidays --- read a few lists before Thanksgiving dinner and continue long after the leftovers are finished. Packed with humor, heart and oh-so-many lists, this novel is full of countless truths about life, love and the anxieties that propel us through it all.

I loved how this book made me laugh out loud AND how it made me cry. However, the premise was a bit too unreal, and the outcome was as well. I enjoyed the format for the most part, but I also got a little tired of it by the end. This would be a great format for a YA book.

Thoughts about this book:
1. This novel was written solely in the form of lists written by the main character. Very creative and original device.
2. It was amazing how much nuance and emotion this book nonetheless had. I really felt like I got the main character more than in many books written more conventionally.
3. Many laugh out loud lines, plus a few deep thoughts that resonated.
4. I found myself agreeing with some list items and arguing with others.
5. This was a perfect book to read on my phone.
6. I love making lists too, obviously.
7. Really enjoyed this quirky and unique book.
8. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

This might be one of the most unique books I've read ever. It's told in an unconventional format: it's told entirely in the form of lists that the narrator, Daniel, writes. While the format was entirely unique, it was difficult to really get immersed in the story than a traditional novel. Once I was able to, it was a fun, quick read with an interesting story and some underdeveloped characters.

This book is a deceptively quick read, especially once you get used to the format. Will I read another book in this format? Probably not. Writing an entire novel in the form of lists is definitely a gimmick - one that will likely be retired after this book. It's a jarring format for sure - it takes a while to establish what is happening in Daniel's life and get truly invested in the story. Once you are immersed in Daniel's story, the plot moves quickly - and is fairly unpredictable and unexpected. Honestly, I didn't see the ending coming, and by the end I completely empathized with his situation and couldn't stop flipping the pages to see how it all ended.

Daniel comes off as a little pompous and arrogant sometimes, but never to the point that he can't redeem himself. After all, he's a man under immense stress: his business is failing and his wife is unaware. His character progression was fascinating - as he gets more and more desperate, he goes to more and more crazy lengths to hide his situation from his wife. Unfortunately, Daniel is the only character to get much definition. He's so focused on his own issues that other characters are only mentioned as the pertain to his current struggles - they don't go much deeper than surface level traits and they didn't have any subplots. This book is basically the equivalent of a one man play.

I can honestly say I've never read a book like this before, both in terms of format and plot. If you're looking for something unusual to spice up your reading, this is the book for you. It's unusual, unexpected, and pretty darn fun to read. Twenty-One Truths About Love would make a great break between heavier books or as a beach read. 4/5

Twenty one truths about this book:
1. It’s often hilarious
2. Except when it isn’t
3. I LOVE lists
4. But an entire book written in list form gets annoying after a while (maybe like this review?)
5. Read it as you would a book of essays and set it down in between.
6. My husband wasn’t annoyed when I read some of the items on the list out loud, and actually chuckled
7. Dan loves his wife
8. Dan’s wife is pregnant
9. Dan’s wife is sweet
10. Dan is jealous of his wife’s dead husband
11. Dan doesn’t share with his wife that they are in financial dire straits, however….
12. Dan can’t be all bad because he loves reading and books
13. And, Dan owns a bookstore ❤️
14. However, Dan doesn’t like their dog which makes me not like Dan
15. Dan’s friend Bill is delightful
16. Dan comes up with a ridiculous and unethical plan to get out of financial trouble which makes me want to smack him
17. Dan is an idiot
18. Dan is annoying
19. Dan is weak
20. A whiny man is an unattractive man
21. I had to speed read through the boring lists

So, bottom line: the book is uneven with a mostly unlikable character. But some of his insights are hilarious. It's the perfect book to dip into occasionally for a chuckle.

I received an uncorrected proof copy of Twenty-one Truths About Love, by Matthew Dicks, from the publisher, St. Martin’s Press, in exchange for an honest review. The book is completely comprised of lists. This was hard to adapt to at first, as a lot of the early lists seemed to be random thoughts, and made little sense to me. I kept thinking, “Well, where are the twenty-one truths?” However, near the end, they come to light.

The lists are Daniel Mayrock’s daily contemplations as he ponders over the slow growth of business in his book store. He regrets quitting his job and buying the store. His finances are tanking, and he hasn’t told his wife, who he loves deeply. She wants a baby. He knows they can’t afford it.

It’s a great story; definitely quirky and imaginative, but the whole list-thing is not my thing. Some say you can’t put it down. I’m sorry to have to say this, but I had no problem putting it down. On the other hand, there was some commentary on current social issues I was glad to see.

What made The Grumpy Book Reviewer grumpy?

Knowing this is an ARC, not a published copy, I will go easy on the typos, and words capitalized that should not be. There are things, that based on most books I have reviewed, I suspect the publisher will let slide. For example, using “brings” in place of “takes”.

Twenty-one Truths About Love is a book written entirely in lists. What initially appealed to me as a fresh take on fiction (and as a list maker myself!) ultimately was just not my favorite. I would have loved if the lists were broken up with some narrative or even brief chapters. Ultimately, the format fell flat by halfway through the book. Also, I was bothered by the vast amount of privilege and complaints in the lists.

I’d say 3.5 rounded up to 4 stars, really. I love lists, and I thought this was such a creative way of writing a book. However, about half of the way through...it became a bit tiresome and monotonous. I continued anyway, and ended up enjoying it overall. I loved the quirky characters and humor throughout. I’ll still continue to look forward to read more of his work.

I’m laughing my tailfeathers off reading Twenty One Truths About Love. .
📝I’m finding it hilarious, personal, and unconventional—Dicks is bending this genre creatively. PS-If your reading pace is more 🐢 than 🐇 this book will make you feel like an Olympic speed reader! .