Thursday, August 8, 2019

Lots to like about Hannah Orenstein...plus a book giveaway

Photo by Elyssa Maxx Goodman
Today we welcome Hannah Orenstein to CLC. Her latest novel, Love at First Like, was published this week. Melissa A enjoyed her debut, Playing With Matches (reviewed here), and is excited to dig into this one. Thanks to Atria, we have one copy of Love at First Like to give away!

Hannah Orenstein is the senior dating editor at Elite Daily and the author of two novels. Her debut, Playing with Matches (Touchstone Books, 2018), is a rom-com about a young matchmaker at a top dating service, inspired by Hannah’s experience as exactly that. She’s currently at work on a third novel set in the world of elite gymnastics, forthcoming from Atria Books in 2020.

She has written for the Washington Post, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, Refinery29, BuzzFeed, and Bustle. Her work has been featured in the Boston Globe, The New York Post, The Cut, Us Weekly, and many more.

Hannah is a speaker and panelist, appearing at TEDxNYU, The Strand, on HLN, Bold TV, Sirius XM radio shows You Up w/ Nikki Glaser and At Least You Woke Up with Jill Kargman, Her Campus’s Her Conference, and more. Previously, Hannah was the assistant features editor at Seventeen.com. At 21, she became the youngest matchmaker at a top dating service. She lives in Brooklyn. Visit Hannah at her website, Twitter, and Instagram. (Bio adapted from Hannah's website.) 


Synopsis:
Eliza Roth and her sister Sophie co-own a jewelry shop in Brooklyn. One night, after learning of an ex’s engagement, Eliza accidentally posts a photo of herself wearing a diamond ring on that finger to her Instagram account beloved by 100,000 followers. Sales skyrocket, press rolls in, and Eliza learns that her personal life is good for business. So she has a choice: continue the ruse or clear up the misunderstanding. With mounting financial pressure, Eliza sets off to find a fake fiancĂ©.

Fellow entrepreneur Blake seems like the perfect match on paper. And in real life he shows promise, too. He would be perfect, if only Eliza didn’t feel also drawn to someone else. But Blake doesn’t know Eliza is “engaged”; Sophie asks Eliza for an impossible sum of money; and Eliza’s lies start to spiral out of control. She can either stay engaged online or fall in love in real life.

Written with singular charm and style,
Love at First Like is for anyone growing up and settling down in the digital age. (Courtesy of Amazon.)


What is a favorite compliment you have received on your writing?
After my first book was published, a few readers reached out to say that it helped them get through a breakup. That was really meaningful to me. Breakups are awful and I'm glad I could help, even just a little bit!

How are you similar to or different from Eliza?
While Eliza and I have made some pretty significantly different life choices, she and I are similar in a lot of ways: We're both career-driven New Yorkers who spend too much time on Instagram and love a good piece of jewelry. I probably wouldn't have the courage to pull off a PR stunt of a relationship, though!

If Love at First Like were made into a movie, who would you cast in the lead roles?
Leighton Meester would do an amazing job as Eliza.

What is the last movie you saw that you would recommend?
I loved Always Be My Maybe on Netflix, starring Ali Wong. It was so incredibly funny, heartwarming, and moving.

What is the strangest date you have ever been on?
Definitely the time I accidentally bumped into the guy I was dating at a Halloween party. I had no idea that we were going to the same one! I was worried that I looked like such a creep.

What is the most exciting thing you have done this summer?
Ha, besides my book launch? I took a trip to Barcelona with my boyfriend and we had the most incredible time! Some highlights were learning to make paella (and eating so much paella), taking in the incredible architecture at Sagrada Familia, and sailing around the city at sunset.

Thanks to Hannah for chatting with us and to Atria for sharing her book with our readers.

How to win: Use Rafflecopter to enter the giveaway. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. If you have trouble using Rafflecopter on our blog, enter the giveaway here

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Giveaway ends August 13th at midnight EST.

18 comments:

Suburban prep said...

I think that as long as when people are on a date they leave the phones aside and actually interact face to face and not phone to phone that is better.
I have seen so many couples at the same table and then they both are on their phone texting.

GrandmaD said...

I like meeting the old fashioned way:at a party or a friend’s home.

traveler said...

Since I am old school meeting people and having a real conversation is important and meaningful.

Michelle L said...

I'm old(ish) and very old school, so, online dating is not something I know much about.

Jennifer said...

I have never had to try online dating because I met my partner over 10 years ago. I know people who have found their forever person that way, and others that hate it. I think it's not going to be for everyone.

Letty Blanchard said...

It seems to work for some people but I don’t think I’d try it. ThankfullyI’ve been happily married for 28 years and have no need for that. ☺️

Linda Kish said...

I guess it works for some people. I have never tried it. I would prefer meeting someone in person.

diannekc said...

I've never tried online dating. Not comfortable with it.

Peggy Russo said...

I've been married for 37 years so I'm beyond online dating at this point. Two of my sons have used various dating apps to meet girls and date. However, I don't think I would be comfortable with it myself.

Rita Wray said...

People should do what they're comfortable with. I would not try online dating. I don't have to worry about it because I'm married.

Mary Preston said...

I can see the pros and cons.

Mary C said...

I would not do it, but it works for some.

bn100 said...

lots of weirdos

Lelandlee said...

I like meeting the old fashioned way

Xia Lee said...

Not comfortable with the digital way .

Nancy P said...

Dating online isn't much different than dating any other way. You need to use common sense & put safety first.

Tatum Rangel said...

It can be overwhelming, as well as time-consuming.

Kelly Rodriguez said...

I wouldn’t have a clue how to date in the digital age! It’s all new to me, I’ve been married for way too long to worry about dating!