Dumped, Actually follows ‘nice guy’ Ollie, who after being dumped by his girlfriend, sets out to change his life by following the guidance of the subscribers to his column. What follows is a funny, strange yet heartwarming story about the quirky nature of humans and how the kindness of strangers can lead to monumental life changes along the road to self discovery.

I instantly warmed to Ollie as a character. I found him genuine, if a little too ‘nice’. At times I wanted him to be a bit grittier, and a bit less pathetic - especially in the beginning. He’s a bit of a push over without a backbone, but as the story progresses Ollie starts come into his own, and it was nice to see the overall arc and character development. I find there’s not enough male characters like Ollie in contemporary fiction, so it was a refreshing change.

Some of the situations Ollie finds himself in are a little on the extreme and absurd, and at times I did have to suspend my disbelief, but the humour and warmth to the writing kept it on the right side of ridiculous. This is a definite feel good book. The plot does also get a little predictable, especially towards the end, and the conclusion was obvious, but I found myself not really that bothered by it.

A lighthearted, quick read, perfect for those looking for a couple of hours escapism in a humour filled journey in self discovery.

Funny take on how to deal with a break up and the feelings that come with it. I loved Oliver's journey in this which comes with a very strong message. Great read.

I really wanted to like this book, but it had a slow start.

After Ollie gets dumped very publicly he’s distraught and uses it as fodder for his column on Actual Life’s website, in turn trying to rescue the site from its impending demise after a takeover.

The first 50-60% of the book was hard to read, repetitive and rather glum. As Ollie started to find himself as a person it got a bit better.

Thanks NetGalley for the read in exchange for an honest review.

I did try to like Dumped, Actually. But actually......I didn't like it at all. That isn't to say the story and characters didn't have merit. But I found the main character whiny, unlikable and sort of an embarrassment of a human being. I did like that Ollie (MILD SPOILER) does realize what his "problems" are and tries to rectify the issues. But for me, t'was not enough.

Now, I did like where the name of the book came from. Our hero does a Bridget Jones type of thing. And writes about issues we all have experienced. So that part, I enjoyed immensely.

Ollie's boss was also someone I really liked. She seemed like a smart, together woman.

Overall though, I didn't like it. But I would read another by the author. Just because one book isn't my cup of tea, doesn't mean others won't enjoy it. It's getting some great reviews over on Amazon. Just for me, it's a no.

Ollie Sweet - a hopeless romantic, possibly in love with the idea of love - plans a huge, over the top marriage proposal for Sam, his girlfriend, in public, at the opening of a new amusement park, with a jazz band, after they go on a death-defying roller-coaster ride.
And she says "NO" and walks away, leaving him stunned.
And so we descend into the murkiness that is the life of Ollie Sweet.
His boss asks him to develop his break-up into a series on their ailing website and to ask readers to submit their advice and tips via email.
The suggestions as to how to get over being dumped come flooding into his inbox.
- a makeover, in which he encounters wax in strange places.
- an interesting meeting with Bambi and family on an even more interesting camping trip.
- a strange, non-date with his immediate boss/friend.
- a disastrous golf date with his obnoxious big boss that takes a painful turn.
These are some of the suggestions Ollie tries out and writes about.
Towards the end of the book, he starts to discover some truths about himself, life and love and these affect his path onward in life.
This was not a bad read, but I just couldn't find myself liking Ollie - he just felt too "meh" for me - can't say I blame Sam for saying "No".
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me the chance to read this book.

Ollie had it all planned. He was taking his girlfriend, Samantha, to the opening day of an amusement park on her birthday. They were going to be the first to ride an amazing roller coaster. When they got off, there would be a jazz band playing and Ollie was going to get down on one knee and proposed to Samantha. Well, things didn't go as planned including Samantha turning him down.

Ollie didn't see this coming and is heartbroken. He just wants what his parents have ... the perfect loving marriage. Ollie is a journalist for an online magazine and his boss suggests that he write about his experience and ask his readers how to move on. He receives many emails and suggestions including get a makeover, go camping, find someone else, do meditation, skydive, etc. Some suggestions he does use and these become the basis of his ongoing articles. He is honest in the articles about his experiences and this begins to draw more and more readers and fans.

This is the fifth book I've read by this author and I liked it. I liked the writing style ... it was funny and sarcastic. It is written in first person perspective in Ollie's voice and it's as if he was speaking to me, the reader ("breaking the fourth wall"). The author is English and the story happens there so some of the references weren't common to me ... I had to Google what a Wendy House, for example, is. As a head's up, there is a swearing and adult activity.

I look forward to reading other books by this author.

Blog review post:

Another hilarious masterpiece by the brilliant, Nick Spalding.
If you've read any of Nick's other books, then you'll know what to expect - lots of awkward and bizarre scenarios for our haplass heroes, with a hint of romance. (but never slushy)

If you haven't read any of Nick's books, then why not? Read this, then storm through the rest, you'll not regret it.

Ollie Sweet is the eternal romantic, completely convinced that there is such a thing as the perfect relationship which sees two people in perfect sync with each other, and he believes he has found it, until she dumps him. What follows is a downward spiral of self-pity and an encounter with a suicidal man wearing women’s shorts and flip-flops...
This is the first of Nick Spalding’s books I have read, but I’m asking myself why I haven’t done so sooner. His writing is easy to read and filled with humour and a healthy dose of insight into the human condition. I loved the way the story is told by Ollie, and that he takes occasional moments out of the story to speak directly to you, the reader.
I quite literally laughed out loud several times while reading, and I equally cringed more than once on Ollie’s behalf. I will never look at Nintendo’s Mario the same again, lol.
A great read that I thoroughly enjoyed from start to finish and I highly recommend.
My thanks to #NetGalley and Amazon Publishing Uk for allowing me to read this book in return for an honest review

This book is absolutely hilarious! Thank you so much to Net Gallery, Amazon Publishing UK and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to review it. I was standing at the bus stop belly laughing at the deer scene! I'm a big fan of Nick Spalding anyway and I thought Dry Hard was so funny but this is a whole new level of hilarious.

I don't want to give too much away (like they do in trailers for funny films and all the best bits are included) so I'll just do a brief synopsis of the story. Ollie has planned the perfect proposal for his girlfriend Samantha but she declines. He is a journalist at a lifestyle magazine that is in danger of being shut down so his editor has the idea for an article about getting over being dumped. Readers write in with their suggestions and Ollie carries them out.

If you are looking for a belly achingly funny book then this is for you.

I absolutely loved reading DUMPED, ACTUALLY, by Nick Spalding. In fact, it was pretty much pretty much love at first LOL for me. ♥️

Poor Ollie Sweet is devastated by the utter failure of his well orchestrated proposal to his girlfriend (in public - at an amusement park!), which is an absolute flop. It’s not a spoiler to let you know that she, most unceremoniously, and with a completely heartless lack of compassion, said no. Cringe. Heartbreak. Despair. Humor? Yes!

Is it terribly wrong to lol at someone’s misfortune? Not when it is so cleverly written by Nick Spalding, who is, in fact, hilarious. He’s written several books which appear to be similarly witty; I’ll probably gobble them up forthwith. Laughter really is the best medicine, don’t you agree? If you do, you’ll probably love this witty RomCom escapade. Perfect summer beach read.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Nick Spalding, Amazon Publishing and Lake Union Publishing for this delightful ARC, in exchange for my honest review.

Great read. The author wrote a story that was interesting and moved at a pace that kept me engaged. The characters were easy to invest in.

I happened upon Fat Chance a few moths ago and literally LOLd so much I had to grab up this Nick Spaulding ARC on NetGalley and I’m so glad I did. Another relatable real and funny book that had me giggling and buying more books by Nick to read!

A novel about lost love and coping with the aftermath of being publicly dumped. Oliver 'Ollie' Sweet is a journalist and lives up to his name. He really is very sweet and perhaps a little bit wet at times. The novel begins with a day out with Ollie and his girlfriend Samantha at a amusement park where Ollie has big plans to propose. And it all goes down hill from there. Samantha publicly humiliates him by saying no and we launch into a very depressed time for Ollie, trying to understand where he always goes wrong with girlfriends past. There is even a very bizarre meeting with a suicidal man in a flip flops at the top of a car park which leads to an unlikely but funny friendship between two lost souls. So launches 'Dumped Actually' his column in a online website and through advice sent in by his readers, we follow him through many hilarious events in an attempt for him to get over Samantha and finally find himself. Ollie soon finds himself being the centre of attention of hundreds and thousands of readers, whether he likes it or not. Does his chance at being happy depend on love or actually finding himself?
I have read a few of Nick Spalding's novels in the past and they never fail to disappoint. It is totally refreshing to read a romance novel in the eyes of the male protagonist and Ollie ended up reminding me of a female Bridget Jones. Nick Spalding has a fantastic way of making scenes sparkle with humour. His way of writing with inner thoughts and sounds bring together perfect imagery that will have your sides splitting with laughter. i literally couldn't stop chuckling throughout this novel. There were so many moments so cleverly written that were just unbelievably funny. It really is a great, light hearted read.
Ollie is a little bit of a push-over but I think that was intentional and Spalding needs to give his personality room to grow and for Ollie to get his own backbone eventually. Sometimes his reactions to events were a little bit predictable but overall it was a sweet and funny story. It would have been nice to see his relationship grow with Wimsy a bit more, and perhaps for a new love interest to have been staring him in the face. I thought perhaps, he might get that with Rachael his boss, but I was left a little disappointed.
A fast-paced read, perfect for escaping and having some laugh-out-loud moments, this novel really is great, Booklovers. Pick up your copy from the 16th July.
Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book was so so for me. It was an okay story but it wasn’t an addictive book. The characters seemed a bit too “out there” and I found the book as chaotic as the characters’ lives.

This book made me laugh out loud and giggle to myself on more than one occasion !
Whilst not the type of book that I would usually reach for, I am so glad that I took a chance on this one. Ollie Sweet is just so ridiculous, so horrendously pathetic, yet by the end you can't help but like him. He goes on such a journey, I couldn't put the book down !
My god - you'll love the waxing scotsman !
Very well written, I will be searching out more books by this author !
I was incredibly happy to be given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion #netgalley #dumpedactually

(Also posted on my GR account!)

Midway, I was torn about giving it 2 or 3, but moving on, I decided 2 is appropriate.

Dumped, Actually followed a story of how a manchild Ollie Sweet overcame his break up. I have to admit, some parts were fun. In fact, if I didn't have to deal with <i>Ollie himself</i> the book would have another star.

Ollie was downright... dislikeable, is that a word? <spoiler>There was a reason why his relationship never worked out and to honestly think that he believed his parents never fought and thus cemented the idea of how <i>the one</i> should or that he truly needs someone was kind of.. off putting.</spoiler>

However, I can see the book being filmed and if they've changed some parts that I dislike (mostly Ollie), I'd watch it.

Another nice tongue-in-cheek almost rom-com from Mr. Spalding! I think I enjoy his books so much because they are from the male perspective when so many of these books are considered "women's fiction" and written off as romance books. His writing proves that this isn't just for women. And in this case, it is almost a matter of a guy with too much romance. Poor Ollie Sweet loves Samantha and is devastated when she turns down his proposal. He doesn't understand why he keeps getting dumped. Since he is an columnist for an online e-zine, he shares his struggles with his readers. Their responses are terrific and lead to some hysterical adventures on the part of Ollie. Too bad this wasn't done years ago so that Hugh Grant could play Ollie in the screen adaptation! As I've come to expect from Mr. Spalding, his characters are truly loveable and the stories are pure fun. I love these fluffy reads and even learned what a Wendy House is! (Does that mean they are educational too?)

Poor Ollie! No one likes to be dumped but he was REALLY blown out of the water. When he decides he'll take on line advice from the readers of website as to how to recover, he finds himself in a raft of crazy situations. Some of these are funny, some are a bit silly, but they are all written with good humor. So often this sort of book features a woman trying to get over a man so it was nice to see things from Ollie's perspective. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A light and amusing read.

I discovered this author about six months ago when I found Dry Hard on NetGalley, and loved its mix of comedy and insightful relationship drama. I bought several of his other books on the strength of that, and read and quite enjoyed Bricking It, although didn’t find it quite so funny. This one was the same - there are plenty of snigger-worthy moments but nothing that had me laughing out loud. What I did really like was the moral of the story.

Ollie Sweet, 30-something journalist on a struggling Internet magazine, has planned the perfect proposal for his girlfriend Samantha’s 29th Birthday, inspired by the Rom-Com movies he adores, so is gobsmacked and devastated when she not only says no, but dumps him in front of a crowd of onlookers. His boss, Erica, persuades him to write about it, and, figuring he couldn’t possibly feel worse, he pens an article describing his experiences, and asking for ideas on how to help heal his broken heart. To his amazement, it goes viral, and so he follows it up with stories about these suggestions, from a manscaping makeover to camping in a forest. As his success starts to turn the magazine’s fortunes around, through some mortifying but hilarious adventures, Ollie learns some uncomfortable truths about love, life and becoming comfortable in your own skin.

What Spalding does very well is portraying completely relatable normal people with all their insecurities and foibles, and putting them in ridiculous and embarrassing situations. Ollie is a likeable kind-hearted doormat, and you feel his pain as the glorious future he has envisaged crumbles away - anyone who has been dumped should recognise that. While the situations he ends up in are over the top and mostly all arise from his inability to say No to anyone - even Bambi - it made following his story of how he finds his courage all the more enjoyable. I loved the ending, as I get so fed up with the predictability of almost all romantic comedies, that I mostly stay away from the genre, so this one was perfect.

My thanks to NetGalley and Amazon publishing for the ARC, which allowed me to give an honest review. Dumped, Actually is published on 16th July 2019.

Enjoyed this book. Quite a few funny bits. I laughed out loud during the opening scene with the botched amusement park proposal. However, I could've done without some of the more tasteless sexual jokes (as well as the extended booger drama at the amusement park). Overall, this was a quick, light read. Thank you to the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.