CANR
WORK TITLE: The Dating Charade
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE: https://melissaferguson.com/
CITY: Bristol
STATE:
COUNTRY: United States
NATIONALITY:
LAST VOLUME:
RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL
Married; husband’s name Ben; children: three.
EDUCATION:King University, Bristol, TN, B.A., 2008; Ashbury Theological Seminary, Master’s of Biblical Study.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Author, educator. King University, Department of Philosophy and Religion, assistant professor, New Testament.
AVOCATIONS:Running, backpacking.
WRITINGS
SIDELIGHTS
American author Melissa Ferguson published her first novel, the romantic comedy The Dating Charade in 2019. An assistant professor of the New Testament at Tennessee’s King University, Ferguson crafted her debut about a pair of reluctant daters who hit it off and then immediately find that three children have suddenly come into each of their lives via the foster system and a irresponsible sibling.
In a Faithfully Bookish website interview, the author commented on the partial inspiration for the tale: “At the time I wrote The Dating Charade, my twins were two and I had a newborn. The idea of the male lead in this novel, who doesn’t love kids, to get surprised with twin 2-year-olds and a newborn overnight and see how he handles it was fun for me. Who knows, maybe it was therapeutic, watching the guy struggle through my own comedic parenting struggles.” Similarly, her female lead winds up with three children through her work as director of an afterschool program. Ferguson herself coordinated such a program for the local YMCA. “So, I suppose, this was the inspiration behind my story,” she explained in her interview.
Cassie Everson has about had it with rotten first dates. She has learned to avoid them over the years, and now is about ready to avoid dating altogether and give up her dream of a family. However, help is on the way. Cassie’s online dating profile comes to the attention of Jett Bentley, a firefighter and former high school classmate of Cassie. He recalls her as the most desirable girl from those high school years, and still having a crush on her, he now works up the courage to message Cassie. Initial contacts are not so successful, but with the help of a friend, Jett gets a first date. The pair hit it off online and even better, their first date is a great success. Then when they go to their respective homes, a surprise awaits each. Three children have come into their lives through the foster system for Cassie and via a sister who drops off her trio of kids for Jett. Instead of each informing the other of this turn of events, they do the opposite, taking the easy way out and hiding the kids from the other and hoping this weird situation will just work itself out. A recipe for disaster.
A Publishers Weekly reviewer had praise for The Dating Charade, commenting: “Ferguson’s delightful debut follows a first date that turns quickly into a childcare quagmire. … Ferguson’s humorous and chaotic tale will please rom-com fans.” A reviewer for the online Modern Day Fairy Tale was also impressed, noting: “The story drew me in laughing from the start. … I couldn’t help but suppress the laughs.” The reviewer went on to note, however, that this debut novel was more than just a light-hearted comedy, as it also deals with topics like “the foster care system and addiction.” The same reviewer concluded: “What a debut! I look forward to reading more from her in the future!” On her blog, Iola Goulton added further praise, observing: “The Dating Charade is a romantic comedy, so has the obligatory bizarre situations (like Cassie’s go-to plan for abandoning an undesirable first date). But it also deals with some tough real-life issues in a sensitive way—drug addiction, alcoholism, abandonment, interracial fostering, infertility…. The characters were excellent.” Similarly, online Neverending TBR contributor Jaymie Dieterle wrote: “I loved watching how these two single people were transformed when they became instant parents to three kids each. It was hard, but they also determined it was worth every struggle…. I enjoyed the story for what it was – a story of two adults who let the unexpected upend their lives for the sake of kids who need them.” Likewise, Among the Reads website reviewer Phyllis Helton termed this both a “funny and heartwarming story…. As a RomCom, there were certainly predictable elements and yet there were so many surprises. Every time I thought I had things figured out, I learned I was wrong. Again.” Helton concluded: “If you enjoy laughing and romance, I highly recommend The Dating Charade!”
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Publishers Weekly, October 14, 2019, review of The Dating Charade, p. 52.
ONLINE
Among the Reads, http://amongthereads.net/ (December 3, 2019), Phyllis Helton, review of The Dating Charade.
Faithfully Bookish, https://faithfullybookish.com/ (December 14, 2019), author interview.
Iola Goulton, http://www.iolagoulton.com/ (November 25, 2019), review of The Dating Charade.
Melissa Ferguson, https://melissaferguson.com (December 14, 2019).
Modern Day Fairy Tale, https://www.amoderndayfairytale.net/ (August 10, 2019), review of The Dating Charade.
Neverending TBR, https://www.theneverendingtbr.com/ (December 4, 2019), Jaymie Dieterle, review of The Dating Charade.
Melissa Ferguson lives in Bristol, Tennessee, where she is an assistant professor at King University and pens books that make her laugh and grow. She used to have hobbies like running and backpacking the Appalachian Trail outside her door. Now she and her husband are outnumbered, and her hobbies include diaper changes, chasing toddlers in parking lots, and admiring the Appalachian Trail out her minivan window while singing "Winnie the Pooh." She survives by Jesus, rom coms, and roughly two espresso shots a day. The Dating Charade is her debut novel.
Melissa Ferguson lives in Bristol, Tennessee, where she is an assistant professor at King University and pens books that make her laugh and grow. She used to have hobbies like running and backpacking the Appalachian Trail outside her door. Now she and her husband are outnumbered, and her hobbies include diaper changes, chasing toddlers in parking lots, and admiring the Appalachian Trail out her minivan window while singing "Winnie the Pooh." She survives by Jesus, rom coms, and roughly two espresso shots a day. The Dating Charade is her debut novel.
She'd love you to find her and join in on her journey at melissaferguson.com.
QUOTE:
"[A]t the time I wrote The Dating Charade, my twins were two and I had a newborn. The idea of the male lead in this novel, who doesn’t love kids, to get surprised with twin 2-year-olds and a newborn overnight and see how he handles it was fun for me. Who knows, maybe it was therapeutic, watching the guy struggle through my own comedic parenting struggles."
So, I suppose, this was the inspiration behind my story,"
The Dating Charade by Melissa Ferguson + q&a
Hello, reader friends! We are celebrating new release The Dating Charade by Melissa Ferguson with a blog tour stop featuring a quick chat with the author and my review, hosted by Prism Book Tours!
about the author
Melissa Ferguson
Melissa Ferguson is an adjunct professor for Bible and religion at King University. She lives in the charming town of Bristol, Tennessee, with her husband, twin toddlers, and baby girl.
She used to have hobbies like running and backpacking the Appalachian Trail outside her door. Now her hobbies include admiring the Appalachian Trail out her minivan window while singing “The Itsy Bitsy Spider” en route to the library.
Visit her website or connect with Melissa on goodreads, facebook, pinterest, or instagram.
q&a
What is your favorite activity or hobby not related to books?
M: My favorite thing to do probably in the world is walk with a friend/hubby. Ever since we had children (especially starting out with twins) it’s been challenging to get out and do it (3 kids, stroller only holds 2, and they all get pretty crabby), but I used to go with my husband and walk at least three or four miles a day. Once we went on a walk on this beautiful creeper trail one Sunday and ended up going 17 miles!
B: I love walking, too!!! (my knees do not but hey, I can’t make everyone happy)
Share your inspiration behind The Dating Charade.
M: I’m not sure what exactly prompted me to start writing The Dating Charade, aside from the idea popping into my head: Huh, how funny would that be for a couple to have a fantastic first date, tell each other they don’t want kids, and then come home from that date to find three children dropped in their laps each! I suppose several factors came specifically into play in bringing about this idea, however.
hands
Aditya Romansa on Unsplash
First, at the time I wrote The Dating Charade, my twins were two and I had a newborn. The idea of the male lead in this novel, who doesn’t love kids, to get surprised with twin 2 year-olds and a newborn overnight and see how he handles it was fun for me. Who knows, maybe it was therapeutic, watching the guy struggle through my own comedic parenting struggles. 🙂
As for my female lead, Cassie, she ends up with three children through her work as a director for an afterschool program, and for several years I was the teen coordinator for my YMCA afterschool program. Those teens meant the world to me and we got really close. Some of their home lives were really tough, though, and so in a way, I wrote from the perspective of, “What would it have been like if one of my teens, whom I loved so dearly, ended up being put in foster care and split up from her sisters if I didn’t take them in?”
So, I suppose, this was the inspiration behind my story.
B: Ah, now readers will know why this story is so funny… because it rings of truth from experience!
What did you learn or discover about yourself while writing The Dating Charade?
M: Well, God actually taught our family about fostering through this book. We were looking pretty seriously into international/domestic adoption at the time, with zero intention of getting into fostering. But as I wrote this story, the six kids come into the adults’ lives through the foster system (kinship in one case, work in another), and while the chapters unfolded, God honestly changed our hearts about fostering—especially being supportive of fostering with the intent of reunification.
There was even one day while I was writing this story with no contract in sight and sat back, thinking, “Man. I wonder if God is going to use this book to help change the world for fostering?” And my immediate, startling thought came back, “Or what if God is using this book to change you.” After about 10 months, we are finally approved to foster.
B: This is so powerful and I’ve loved following your journey as you share your heart on social media.
What book(s) are you reading right now?
M: Oh boy. I always have a few. I just bought The Princess Bride, I’m reading a book by Sophie Kinsella, I’m trying to work my way through The Creator and the Cosmos by Christian astrophysicist Hugh Ross, and I’m quite fond of a Toot & Puddle I’ll Be Home for Christmas book I just received and have been reading with my children.
B: THAT is quite a variety, my friend! Your reading life is well-seasoned!
What is your reading style?
M: Print only.
B: I salute you.
What is your next release and/or what are you working on now?
M: The Dating Charade released December third (woo!!!) and I’m working The Cul-de-sac War coming out fall of 2020. 🙂
B: Woo hoo! Thank you so much for chatting with us and sharing some of your thoughts on The Dating Charade, Melissa!
QUOTE:
"Ferguson's delightful debut follows a first date that turns quickly into a childcare quagmire. ... Ferguson's humorous and chaotic tale will please rom-com fans."
The Dating Charade
Melissa Ferguson. Thomas Nelson, $15.99 trade paper (336p) ISBN 978-0-7852-3100-4
Ferguson's delightful debut follows a first date that turns quickly into a childcare quagmire. After yet another date with a man who forgot to mention he was married, 33-year-old Cassie Everson gives up on dating and focuses on her work at Girl Haven, a center for disadvantaged teen girls. Fitefighter Jett Bentley has had a crush on Cassie since high school. After Cassie's best friend, Bree, goes into Cassie's dating app to set up a date with Jett, Cassie doesn't even give Jett a chance. Undeterred, Bree and Jett conspire to create a surprise that hard-to-please Cassie can't help loving. But after the dreamy date, both their nights take a sudden turn. Cassie has to intervene when one of her Haven girls, Star, along with Star's two sisters, is threatened with being taken into foster care. Meanwhile, Jett is surprised when his sister, Trina, shows up with her twins and a new baby--and then disappears. Since both Jett and Cassie had told each other they weren't ready to take care of children, each resorts, in a somewhat confusing plot twist, to shenanigans and misdirection to hide the fact that they are caring for children. While light on faith elements for inspirational fiction, Ferguson's humorous and chaotic tale will please rom-com fans. (Dec.)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2019 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Source Citation
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"The Dating Charade." Publishers Weekly, 14 Oct. 2019, p. 52. Gale General OneFile, https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A603319000/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=c0b34335. Accessed 5 Dec. 2019.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A603319000
QUOTE:
"The Dating Charade is a romantic comedy, so has the obligatory bizarre situations (like Cassie’s go-to plan for abandoning an undesirable first date). But it also deals with some tough real-life issues in a sensitive way—drug addiction, alcoholism, abandonment, interracial fostering, infertility. ... The characters were excellent."
25 November 2019
Book Review | The Dating Charade by Melissa Ferguson
I wanted to read The Dating Charade as soon as I heard about it: a couple meet through an online dating service, both having said they’re not interested in children. Within a day of their first date, both find themselves the unexpected guardians of three children.
Oops.
I expected the story to get straight into the first date and the accidental acquisition of children.
It didn’t, which means I did find the beginning slow. However, I was invested enough in the premise to keep going in the hope of the eventual payoff, and I was rewarded. But it took a while, and I may have succumbed to the temptation to skim.
The Dating Charade by Melissa Ferguson takes a while to get going, but is worth the effort. Recommended for fans of Kara Isaac and Jessica Kate. #RomCom #ChristianRomance
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The characters were excellent. Cassie can’t have children, hence her dating profile. But she manages an after-school programme for at-risk children and teens, which is how she ends up with three accidental children. Jett is a firefighter whose upbringing left him certain he doesn’t want children. But then his addict sister shows up with her three pre-schoolers … and leaves without them.
Oops.
The Dating Charade is a romantic comedy, so has the obligatory bizarre situations (like Cassie’s go-to plan for abandoning an undesirable first date). But it also deals with some tough real-life issues in a sensitive way—drug addiction, alcoholism, abandonment, interracial fostering, infertility.
Yes, there are times when it verges on ridiculous, but I find the comic relief is necessary when dealing with such tough subjects. It’s that old line about vinegar and honey, with the comedy being the honey.
Recommended for fans of Kara Isaac and Jessica Kate.
Thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.
About Melissa Ferguson
Melissa Ferguson is an adjunct professor for Bible and religion at King University. She lives in the charming town of Bristol, Tennessee, with her husband, twin toddlers, and baby girl. She used to have hobbies like running and backpacking the Appalachian Trail outside her door. Now her hobbies include admiring the Appalachian Trail out her minivan window while singing “The Itsy Bitsy Spider” en route to the library.
QUOTE:
"I loved watching how these two single people were transformed when they became instant parents to three kids each. It was hard, but they also determined it was worth every struggle. ... I enjoyed the story for what it was – a story of two adults who let the unexpected upend their lives for the sake of kids who need them."
by Jaymie Dieterle
After a string of bad dates, Cassie is giving up on her dating app and the blind date scene. Her best friend is convinced the string of bad luck is because her dating profile says she doesn’t want kids. She actually does, but she physically can’t have them. And that has caused enough heartache all on its own. She can’t get attached to a guy and then find out it’s a deal breaker.
Jett can’t believe he found Cassie on that dating app. He had such a huge crush on her when she was a senior in high school. As a lowly freshman, she didn’t know he even existed. But now he has a chance to try again.
And they hit it off. They have a great first date. They exchange some flirty texts. And then, in a moment, everything changes. Each of them becomes the caretaker of three kids. And neither wants to tell the other and risk ruining the tender new relationship they had just started to explore. But the girls in Cassie’s care are in desperate need of love and stability. And Jett’s niece and nephews are traumatized after being abandoned. They have to prioritize the kids. But how long can they keep up the charade of being the same single people they were on their first date?
Review
This was great! I loved watching how these two single people were transformed when they became instant parents to three kids each. It was hard, but they also determined it was worth every struggle.
The end was a little abrupt, at least on Cassie’s side. We get no explanation of how things wrap up like they do. But I enjoyed the wrap up and the epilogue.
I expected more Christian content since this is published by Thomas Nelson, but other than an extended scene at church, there aren’t really any faith pieces to this.
Expectations are a BIG deal when it comes to this book. The publicity materials sell this as a “romantic comedy.” I did not find that to be true at all. Jett and Cassie barely spend any time together before the arrival of the kids, and even less after. It’s almost like the romantic relationship is based on imagination and potential rather than reality. Thankfully the epilogue takes place a year later so I could tell myself they had a real foundation by then. But there’s not a lot of romance happening in the story. I also didn’t find it especially funny. I thought of it as a Christmas story, and in that regard, I was satisfied. This situation is fascinating. I would have liked more obvious treatment for the girls in Cassie’s care and more discipline and boundaries for Jett’s three. But I enjoyed the story for what it was – a story of two adults who let the unexpected upend their lives for the sake of kids who need them.
Rating: ♥♥♥♥
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QUOTE:
"funny and heartwarming story. ... As a RomCom, there were certainly predictable elements and yet there were so many surprises. Every time I thought I had things figured out, I learned I was wrong. Again." Helton concluded: "If you enjoy laughing and romance, I highly recommend The Dating Charade!"
he Dating Charade by Melissa Ferguson – Book Review, Preview
Posted December 3, 2019 by Phyllis Helton in Book Reviews /
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The Dating Charade by Melissa Ferguson – Book Review, Preview
The Dating Charade
by Melissa Ferguson
Published by Thomas Nelson
Publication Date December 3, 2019
Genres: Clean Romance
Setting: Tennessee Contemporary
Main Character Ages: 25-34
Written for: Adults
Pages: 336
Synopsis:
Just when you think you’ve met your match . . . the charade begins.
Cassie Everson is an expert at escaping bad first dates. And, after years of meeting, greeting, and running from the men who try to woo her, Cassie is almost ready to retire her hopes for a husband—and children—altogether.
But fate has other plans, and Cassie’s online dating profile catches the eye of firefighter Jett Bentley. In Jett’s memory, Cassie Everson is the unreachable girl-of-legend from their high school days. Nervously, he messages her, setting off a chain of events that forces a reluctant Cassie back into the dating game.
No one is more surprised than Cassie when her first date with Jett is a knockout. But when they both go home and find three children dropped in their laps—each—they independently decide to do the right and mature thing: hide the kids from each other while sorting it all out. What could go wrong?
Melissa Ferguson’s hilarious and warmhearted debut reminds us that love can come in very small packages—and that sometimes our best-laid plans aren’t nearly as rewarding and fun as the surprises that come our way.
I would like to thank Netgalley, Prism Book Tours for giving me this copy of the book. This gift did not influence my opinion or review.
Goodreads Amazon Book Depository
Such a funny and heartwarming story!
I don’t always enjoy stories that combine humor and serious elements. A balance is needed to make this work. To not make the humor seem out of place in the midst of the tragedy or to make the more serious elements seem like a shock because they are so extreme. Melissa Ferguson crafted a story that had me laughing and pulling out the Kleenex!
The failed dates Cassie had been on had her careful to always have an exit plan. And what an exit plan she had! The poor dates didn’t really know what happened! She was so done with the jerks she was meeting through the online app, that when Jett contacted her, she blew him off completely. Which would have been THE END if not for her friend Bree.
I loved the connection between Cassie and Jett. And that his being a few years younger wasn’t an issue for her. They worked so well together and the one-on-one basketball games they played were so intense! Competitiveness and attraction made for some great moments.
Circumstances surrounding their unexpected blessings, the kids, were heartbreaking. Yet they jumped in with both feet, not hesitating – much – and accepting responsibility. They both made some big mistakes there! And Jett trying to take care of toddlers and a baby? Yikes!
As a RomCom, there were certainly predictable elements and yet there were so many surprises. Every time I thought I had things figured out, I learned I was wrong. Again.
Secondary characters, Cassie’s best friend Bree, Jett’s roommate Sunny, the neighbor who helped babysit, Sarah, and of course, the kids, were marvelous and added great dimension to the story. In fact, Sarah’s obvious attraction to Jett added an obvious complication!
If you enjoy laughing and romance, I highly recommend The Dating Charade!
QUOTE:
"The story drew me in laughing from the start. ... I couldn't help but suppress the laughs." The reviewer went on to note, however, that this debut novel was more than just a light-hearted comedy, as it also deals with topics like "the foster care system and addiction." The same reviewer concluded: "What a debut! I look forward to reading more from her in the future!"
Whoever came up with the old cliche, 'never judge a book by it's cover' was CLEARLY talking about The Dating Charade. Looking at the fun cover image and even reading the back cover copy, I expected nothing more from this book than a light-hearted romantic comedy. While it certainly had that too, it was so much more than I expected...and I absolutely loved it.
The story drew me in laughing from the start as we meet Cassie and her fail proof date escape plan. I couldn't help but suppress the laughs. THIS was just what I had anticipated this story would be. Fun. But while the humor carries on throughout the story to the final pages, it also goes onto tackle some pretty weighty topics in the midst of that. Topics like the foster care system and addiction. Not topics you'd think to talk about in a romantic comedy, is it? Still, the author blended the humor so beautifully with these deeper issues to create a heartwarming story that I could not get enough of. You'll be laughing at those humorous scenarios... but you'll want to have a box of tissues ready too.
While this is a Christian romance, I could see it appealing to a wider audience as well. There are certainly elements of faith found throughout the story, but there is not a preachy tone in the slightest. The characters attend church, they talk about praying, etc so it really just falls very naturally into the characters lives, reading more like a clean women's fiction or contemporary romance with characters who happen to be Christians/believers.
This book was so well done that I was quite shocked to discover that it was Melissa Ferguson's debut novel.What a debut! I look forward to reading more from her in the future!