This Is Supposed to Be Fun: How to Find Joy in Hooking Up, Settling Down, and Everything in Between

Sex and dating coach Battle dissects modern dating in this smart guide, her debut. Acknowledging the challenges of making romantic connections in the online era, Battle aims to equip readers with the tools and confidence to “create meaningful connections with people [they] actually like.” Each of the book’s three sections tackles a dating stage. “Know Thyself” explains how to create dating goals, while “Do No Harm” helps readers turn online matches into in-person dates and assess compatibility. “Leave It Better Than You Found It” explains how to gracefully move on from a match that isn’t working—or settle into a relationship offline. The exercises and questions that appear throughout help readers approach dating intentionally (“How personal do you want to get with someone you haven’t yet met in person?”). Advice also covers nuts and bolts of online dating, such as how to craft a successful profile and avoid burnout (for which Battle provides a sample dating schedule). She’s realistic about the process: “It’s called ‘dating,’ not ‘finding exactly what you want immediately.’” Battle’s program is clearly articulated, and she balances concrete tips with enough deeper guidance to ensure lessons will stay useful regardless of the technological moment. Those seeking connection beyond the right swipe will find plenty of useful tips. (Jan.)