After a particularly rough go of dating, it’s not crazy to think you might be left feeling disheartened.

Helena Gonda, commissioning editor at Transworld, said: “I’m thrilled to be working with Lala to publish this timely and powerful book. Her mix of professional knowledge coupled with her openness about her own experiences has already gained her an army of loyal followers and I know this book will be an invaluable guide for so many. We couldn’t be prouder to welcome her to Transworld.” And honestly, for at least the first half of this book, I don’t think you’ll feel anymore optimistic. Lalalaletmeexplain commented: “I am honoured and excited to have been given this opportunity by Transworld and Penguin Random House. I can’t wait to give women the guide that I wish I had had before I attempted to jump into the dating pool without learning how to swim. The dating pool is more like a sewer these days, but this book will be your armbands. It might not help you to find prince charming, but it will definitely help you to avoid his evil step-brother!” And it will definitely help you spot red and pink flags, and maybe even feel a little bit victimised by your own past dating choices. It’s a decent read even if I would recommend not taking everything in it to heart - it’s definitely quite a cynical outlook on dating, but there’s some good advice in there.

We love Layla. A thirty-something mother of one with an absolutely no way, no how, no nonsense approach to dating and relationships. Her refreshingly real and honest blog ( Link Here) announces the tag line “Bad Dates, Good Stories, Naked Truths (names have been changed to protect the guilty)”, which says it all. Everyone currently on the dating scene needs to read this right now. Cosmopolitan's hot new releases A mix of dispatches from the front line of dating plus expert advice: expect everything from how to understand your attachment type to why 'conscious celibacy' could be the best thing you try this year. Sunday Times Style

Thanks to the nature of my job I read a lot of books on relationships and dating. This is possibly THE best I have ever read. If you, like so many, are struggling with modern dating (apps, gaslighting, abuse, negging, ghosting) then get this brilliant book. It is helpful, empowering and clarifies so much of the haze. Jess Megan I would recommend this not only to those in my shoes of hurting badly but for all women embarking on a journey of love in this modern days and with all the ever and fast changing social media platforms! Danger themselves but useful if used with care. This book also gives hope! It also affirms all the basic principles of decency and and admits to the humanity in us all! So, not to beat ourselves up! If it is ours -let it go as if really ours will return! The worse bit was when she said she wouldn’t date a man again if he didn’t pay for the meal on the first date…as she has extra expenses including beauty treatments and a higher priced taxi fare (apparently taxis charge more for woman because they will pay to be safe from the streets of all the murderous men) - I’ve never heard such tripe! Thanks to the nature of my job I read a lot of books on relationships and dating. This is possibly THE best I have ever read. If you, like so many, are struggling with modern dating (apps, gaslighting, abuse, negging, ghosting) then get this brilliant book. It is helpful, empowering and clarifies so much of the haze. Jess MeganThe sad truth is that when it comes to modern dating, there are a whole host of challenges and hurdles to overcome. From ghosting and negging to gaslighting and abuse, this book teaches you what to look out for, to make sure that you're not accidentally dating men with toxic traits who secretly hate women, or who just want to have sex and run.

I particularly liked that chapters had trigger warnings at the beginning, which means you can easily skip past the ones that will negatively impact you.

Everyone currently on the dating scene needs to read this right now. Cosmopolitan's hot new releases