Dating a Cougar by Donna McDonald
Series: Never Too Late, #1
Published on March 10, 2011
Genre: Romance, Contemporary, Chick Lit
282 pages
Format: eBook
Source: Freebie
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Find on Goodreads
Get it on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3bJ3PWE
After several decades of looking for true love and never finding it, aging model and lingerie designer, Alexa Ranger, has finally given up the search. A couple years ago, she got tired of the game completely and just stopped dating. Now friends and family keep her mostly content, so it’s shocking at 50 yrs old to find herself suddenly wanting a sex life again. It’s even more shocking to be attracted to a much younger man this time. She definitely thinks medically retired Marine, Casey Carter is sexy, but can’t get passed their twelve year age difference to even consider a fling. Not that it matters anyway, anything resembling a normal dating relationship is totally out of the question because Casey is related to and living with her daughter’s boyfriend. The very last thing Alexa needs is yet another talk-show worthy drama in her already complicated life, no matter how amazing Casey’s kisses make her feel.
Review
Dating a Cougar isn’t exactly my kind of book, I’m not sure exactly what made me add this one in my TBR. I guess it’s because of the title or the sypnosis was convincingly good, either way, I’m still glad that I did *wink.
I haven’t read anything like this one before (though the idea isn’t foreign to me), but I’ve read one where the guy is almost twice the age of his wife, so I had this hopeful feeling that this one’s going to be exciting. I decided to try reading the prologue first to see if I would like the tone and the writing style of the author then eventually found myself at the last page of the story. For Dating a Cougar, I am giving it a 3.5 star rating. I really do enjoy the pair up of Alexa and Casey; they’re both hard headed that’s why they argue most of the time, which mind you is quite entertaining to read. I also find their setup amusing. You see, Casey is currently living with Seth which is the ex of Alexa’s daughter, Jenna. What a coincidence eh?
During the first few chapters of this story, I find Casey so charming (so charming that he sounded a little bit like a stalker to me haha), but when I reached the part where he lectured Alexa about being too flirty (in a rude way), I changed my mind. Casey wasn’t charming at all but an egotistical jerk. He’s a retired Marine so I kinda understand the outburst or the manly prowess he possesses, but dude! Can you practice a little decency on speaking your mind and on saying it in the right place and time? But overall, he’s a good man despite being a jerk sometimes. I guess all men have their jerky side eh? Besides, I find it amusing how open he is that he’s been professing his love for Alexa to a countless number of people already, haha. Also, I love that even if Alexa’s 12 years older than him, that didn’t stop him from pursuing the woman who captured his attention after 2 years of losing his first love.
Alexa on the other hand is a hot 50 year old momma. She’s a former model plus she’s in a lingerie business so I guess her appeal and youthful beauty will never fade that fast. I love how stubborn, tough and independent she is. When I think of a successful business woman, all I could picture out now is her. Another thing that made me adore her character more was when I found out about her ex husband. I was really surprised and never even suspected about it. After all that she endured, I have to say that she totally deserves everything that she has now, including Casey even if he can be a prick sometimes. And lastly, her relationship with her daughter is so charming to read. With Casey in, her platonic family is finally complete. *Wink.
I don’t have any complaints about the writing style, it was surprisingly good and I love the tone of the story. Even if we’re in the part of a conflict, the story exudes a very warm, friendly and good tone that’s why throughout the story, I didn’t feel angry or frustrated.
Also, the shifting of POVs can be a bit confusing but it was still a very good read considering that almost all of the characters have their own share of POV. Even if it were just a little at least we were able to know what they were thinking, especially the main leads. Dating a Cougar only has a handful of characters which the author brilliantly utilizes them all. All of them have their own important roles to both Casey and Alexa’s life thus giving them a chance to shine in their own way.
Dating a Cougar is the first book of the Never Too Late series and based on the series name, I’m pretty sure the other books will include the stories of Alexa’s close friends, Regina and Lauren who’s also in their 40s. I’m used to stories where the main character are young so once in a while, reading a story like this one is kind of refreshing which makes me wish I could be as badass as Alexa when I reached my 50s (in God’s time) *wink.
Overall, Dating a Cougar is a very entertaining read with a hint of sexiness.
Challenges
- 2017 New To Me
- 2017 Mount TBR Reading
- 2017 eBooks Reading
- 2017 You Read How Many Books?
- 2017 Review Writing
Book Preview
Check out my book shelf for book suggestions and recommendations!
Despite that it isn’t really your genre, it is nice to see that you had a a good time in a whole
Yeah, quite surprising really hehe. I’m actually very interested in trying other books in this series as well 🙂
Glad to see you liked this one. I’ve never read this author but the book sounds interesting.
The fact that the heroine is above 40 years old, plus a one tough momma, this is really interesting Mary. I hope you could get a chance to try this one 🙂
I love reading books I wouldn’t normally read, it’s how I found some of my favourites surprisingly. I’m not a big romance reader but I love seeing that Alex is a tough and independent older lady. All too often romance tends to have the male love interest as the older, dignified character who ‘teaches’ the younger and often naive young woman about life. So glad you were still able to enjoy it Vanessa despite Casey being a jerk. Wonderful review <3 <3
Yeah, that’s absolutely true. That’s now I’m slowly getting out of my comfort zone and trying something out 🙂
Despite Casey being a jerk, I was still entertained by this story, good thing Alex was one tough momma hehe
Not too bad for a freebie!!
Hehe, true
I’ve seen these around. Do they have humor in it, sounds like they do.
I love that someone wrote romances using that age group. I think it creates a different type of plot from the one where people are in their 20s
Yeah it did have but not as good as the previous one I’ve read which was the Wallbanger.
And yes, you’re absolutely right. And it also makes it very realistic as not just younger girls can find love but whatever age you are in. 😉
Wow. Freebies can be hit or miss but it sounds like you found a gem with this one. The characters sound like a fun combination. I will have to check this book out.
Hehe, true. And I’m glad I hit it this time. Hope you’ll enjoy this one too Kristin 🙂
Is this series all about Alexa dating a different man each book? I’m wondering what the amnesia thing is because I don’t love that either but I am interested in reading a romance about an older woman.
For What It’s Worth
No, the other books in this series were from different characters, two of whom we’re Alexa’s friends. But Alex’s story has book 2, I wonder if they’ll be heading the altar this time 😉
The “amnesia” scene we’re pretty sudden but it wasn’t dragged on so it was fine 🙂
I don’t usually read this kind of story but now that I tried one, I can’t wait to try another 😉
This sounds interesting… I don’t think I’d have went for it based on the synopsis but you’re review has put it in the maybe pile! 🙂
This one’s not usually your typical read because of the age difference of the main characters plus the heroine is very likeable as well as some other characters too. Hope you’ll get the chance to try this one Nicola 🙂
Sounds like a fun read Vanessa. A shame Casey was a bit of a prick though!
Naomi @ Naomi’s Reading Palace
Hehe, true. Good thing Alex is a badass 🙂