I am glad i came across this website. If i get the chance i will read the book. I have always been an “ugly” woman even though I am still a young woman. I have grown up with disease and as it turned out God had other plans for me than making me physically beautiful. my body did not grow “normally” nor did my face turn out “normally”. i don’t ever date but my experience in society has been very brutal.

Men have treated me brutally because i do not look up to their expectations even though I am just minding my own business. People are just not used to seeing someone like me but that gives them no excuse for cruelty.

What do i want to say to the “ugly” people? I want to tell them that we are worthy of love, that we are worthy of being treated with respect, and that the “beautiful people’s” good looks will only last a few years and will then fade. This is a “soapbox” issue to me i could go on and on. I know that someday….not too far away….the “beautiful people” who tormented me will be judged for it and God will make my outward body extremely beautiful.

@Paul Thompson
What an insightful and honest review you have written. I was moved and challenged and inspired by the Mandela quote, and I believe that you and he have pinpointed the true source of the misery and isolation of presumed “inadequecies”…ie, it is the scariness of our shining brilliance rather than fear of failure that holds us back. I hadn’t really thought of it this way before. Thank you so much!

The Ugly Woman’s Guide to Internet Dating is a personal story of a very talented woman who wasn’t a Marilyn Monroe or Raquel Welch. She suffered from low self-esteem in that she felt she was physically unattractive and wasn’t the type of person that would or could “wow” a man even though she was an accomplished author with several neat books under her belt. Lonely after her 25 year marriage ended in divorce, she tried the murky waters of the internet dating scene and this book is a chronicle of seventy first dates over a four year period as well as the rejections, the shallowness, the negativity and the attitude that she was useless and worthless because she wasn’t “pretty” or a “blond Episcopalian”.

Why would I want to review this book? It wasn’t addressed to me, it was addressed to “ugly” women. I’m a man. I’m divorced. I’m older. To begin with, I’ve lost the best years of my life to loneliness so I well know how Rosemary felt. And, I’ve been tempted looking at the internet ads but, unlike Rosemary, I never jumped into the pool. I’m scared for a lot of the same reasons Rosemary was. I’m chubby. I suffer from low-self esteem and there are times I feel clinically depressed. I have a great sense of humor but my humor often covers up the fact that I’m very sad inside. Honestly looking at my total picture, I’m not a good candidate for what I see on the internet dating ads - you know, the ones on Facebook and other social networking pages? It seems like for men, most of the soliciting ads all feature busty DD+ women breaking out of their undersized bra’s inside tight tops that highlight every curve, nook and cranny where nothing much is left to the vivid imagination. And, for women, the men are tall, dark and handsome, don’t have man boobs but solid pecs and bulges are located in all of the right places. The pictures used in this type of advertising hedonism tell me loudly that I will not be acceptable to the type of clientele that are being solicited as members for these sites because it’s all about physical attractiveness. So, my logic says “why should I pay these sites for what will, no doubt, be failure from the getgo?”

As a consequence, I never took the plunge and I remain alone. I’m not satisfied, but at least I haven’t gone through the suffering that Rosemary went through when she dived into her pool. Her book is a well written story about the swim and the lessons learned when she came out of the water. It is a story of human nature and how men and women see each other and the games that are played as part of the vicious process of dating via the internet.

Nelson Mandela once wrote: “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?

We are born to make manifest the Glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us, it’s in everyone, and as we let our own light shine, we consciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

Unfortunately, I haven’t progressed to the point where Nelson Mandela says I should be. But the world is a better place because Rosemary embraced her light by writing her painful story. (There was a happy ending). Her story manifests the Glory of God within her and liberates not only herself but the reader. It’s why I’m writing this review and why this book is a must read for both men and women. I said MEN and women……….

Thank you, Rosemary, for sharing your story which is your gift of sowing the seed of liberation in me. That’s what it should be all about - liberation, light, brilliance, talent. You really ARE a beautiful woman! Wow!

This book needs to be at the top of every woman’s Must Read list, regardless of whether you’re single and happy, single and looking, or happily taken. Every woman can relate to Rosemary’s intensely honest and open narrative. Not only is the tale of her 70 first dates immensely empathetic and encouraging to the internet dater, but through her trials and tribulations, any reader - man or woman - can teach themselves to look at the inner beauty and strength of the soul, whether it is their own, or that of the people around them. Rosemary’s witty sense of humor comes to life at all the right times, and she somehow manages to find peace and calm throughout some of the darkest, doubt-filled chapters of the book. This is a wonderful read, and not just a “guide” for women, but an insightful, eye-opening story that everyone can enjoy.

This is an extraordinarily interesting book. I was so fascinated that I read it in a single sitting.

Every American woman – “ugly” or not, dating or not – will be able to identify with the story.

REALY ENJOYED THE BOOK - READ IT ALL NIGHT LONG. ROSE IS A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN INSIDE AND OUT. CANDID STORY. I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO READING MORE ABOUT THE SEARS HOMES TOO. JANICE WALKER

Evening schedules went by the way-side as I opened the book, having previously been honored with the request to review the introduction and first two chapters. Now, I had the book in hand and the result? My suggestion to family was “Pick a comfortable chair to read The Ugly Woman’s Guide to Internet Dating”. I - personally, had a difficult time putting the book down. You’ll mentally find yourself along on those dates Rose had, all the way from date #1 to that happy ending with #70. I couldn’t imagine her paying the emotional cost, without the hope that there was a Mr. Right out there before the count went to three digits. Rose dramatically weaves the realities of the search with a mix of raw emotion, insight and humor, making it truly a great read. And thankfully, the story does have a happy ending.

The Ugly Woman’s Guide to Internet Dating is a delightful manual for any woman, ugly or otherwise, brave enough to travel the world of internet dating. Cynics have been described as romantics gone bad, but Ms. Thornton refuses to let her romantic feelings disappear. Traveling the road from lonely, rather desperate new divorcee to the world of an accomplished, sought-after author, she offers nine red flags to be heeded in the search for “Mr. Right.” This book not only gives these wise red flags, but also is a testament to the strength and beauty of women’s friendships. I loved that! Also included are lessons on being true to one’s nature and emphasizes finding one’s authentic self as the true road to successful internet dating. This book will provide a reality check for those women who have tried and discarded internet dating; don’t miss chapter 7 in which wonderful guidelines are given for becoming a better listener and getting useful information about a new friend in return.

I felt I was pulled into this womans life and lived through it with her. I couldn’t put it down! She has a great talent!

Way to go, Rose. I am so proud of you.

Even in you aren’t involved in the world of internet dating, you may just find that elements of Rose’s story ring true in your own life. And for those who are treading through the often trecherous waters of on line dating, Rose does a wonderful job of providing a connection and feeling that the reader is not alone. The dark and heartwrenching experiences are an excellent guide to avoiding the pitfalls associated with internet dating, but the book is so much more than that. It is entertaining while insightful and most of all it inspires hope that everyone can find happiness and love at the end of the process.

The book made me laugh and cry. I was happy for Rose when she finally met Mr. Right, but sad that the book was over, somehow. The book was a candid and honest depiction of internet dating, showing how we are all expendable paper dolls in a not quite “real” internet dating market. Endless supply of product so any one person is able to be easily deleted. Hope does spring eternal and the dream of something better pushes us all on. Rose never gives up and we shouldn’t either!

This book comes from the core of the author’s being. Self-deprecation leads to understanding of herself and those of the infamous 70. Leave your judgments in the back of your mind until you have read the last page, and appreciate what she has discovered about people at large, but mostly about herself.

I found the book to be entertaining, and informative, and had to be the result of a lot of introspection on the part of the author. For the reader I believe it will also inspire introspection. Besides that, it is fun to read! In fact I read it twice. I enjoyed and appreciated the humor, especially the way it came sliding in side ways. I often had LOL moments.
The use of many references shows the writer to be a well-rounded reader and using them to back up her thoughts is very good.

The message of the book would be very helpful to young people as well as those more experienced in the dating world, Internet or otherwise. In fact, a second book based on the same premise and leaving out the Internet would be a great other book! Our young people are in dire straits believe.

Just began reading this book last night. Read until late evening. Couldn’t put it down! Can’t wait to get home and read more. The Author has the ability to reel you in and let you feel every emotion with her on her arduous journey into dating and all that in just the first quarter of the book. Can’t wait until the next “date’s” drama unfolds! No fluff and puff, just an honest-to-goodness, I-have-made-it-through-this, and I-will-survive book! Loving it!

A GREAT guide every single woman should read. Funny at times, heart-wrenching at others, and thought-provoking. You’ll find yourself saying “right!” . . . “exactly!” as she points out subtle signs (and in some cases, danger signs) that are MUSTS for knowing when the current relationship is going nowhere and to head immediately for the nearest exit. You learn that every man who “glitters” is NOT necessarily gold. Actually, some of the BEST ones may not glitter at all! They shine in other ways.

Men could learn a few things from her book too! Finding a beautiful woman seems to be the first and foremost for some of them. It can’t be the ONLY thing — just think of how many men cannot seem to STAY with these BEAUTIFUL women. Not only don’t they stay with these women, they have a “pre-nup” waiting for WHEN the relationship goes south. You need only look to Hollywood relationships for proof.

I too, am glad there’s a happy ending for the woman who went through a lot of heartache but finally found her prince.

This book definitely has my seal of approval.

I was so excited to begin reading this book, as it really held a strong appeal to me having lived in that world for so many years. It did not dissapoint. This is not a sugar coated slant on internet dating, but rather the real guts that it takes to put yourself back out in the dating world as a middle aged women.
This book is a have to read for anyone, young or old, man or women, looking for “Mr. or Ms. Right”.
Thank you Rose, for not only doing what you did, but putting your honesty and experience to pen and paper. I would love to have this in CD or tape version for the car.
I will be buying copies of the book for Christmas presents this year.

Thornton shreds the veil of Internet dating and takes the reader on a sometimes dark odyssey of 70 first dates. For someone new to cyberworld dating, the book is revealing and informative while old hands at the game will be nodding in agreement and sympathy. Best of all, the book has a happy ending and that’s what dating is all about.

Mike Montgomery
host, “Matinee Madness”
WBGZ Radio

I just can’t say enough about this book and the real life experience that is revealed.

This is going to be a #1 Seller for sure.

A peek into the workings of the guy half of a “sought after” relationship. Not a comfortable
view. Rose has exposed our hiding place – self.

This is a well-written factual diary by Rose, the artist with the word brush who blends colorful insight into the human soul. Her life experience could be a primer for required reading – but be careful, if emotion rides close to the surface, you could find yourself swept along, searching for assurance that you have made all the right choices with the least emotional cost

This is a great read!

Rose Thornton gives an HONEST, hard hitting look at internet dating. It’s not all peaches and cream as some may think or hope it to be. If you want honesty, sincerity and a few laughs thrown in for good measure then you NEED to read this book. It’s also good advice.

Ms. Thornton correctly speaks of all the pain in internet dating - I know, I’ve been there from the other side of the aisle. She shows many of the pitfalls to avoid in her personal recounting, but that is not the glory in this book. Her sharing the heartache involved eases the burden, and knowing that she did indeed find that “special someone” makes her work a marvelous tonic.

A guaranteed best seller. It’s sad, funny and authentic.

This sort of writing, like Rose’s quest for love, takes a special courage.

Most enjoyable except that I was empathizing like mad and I only got to read the first three chapters. Glad you mentioned a happy ending on the way.

This is a wonderful book, with real life experience, of a Woman that has had a bad time in her early romance, but has overcome this and now lives a nice comfortable life with the man in the world that truly loves her.

This Lady is a personal friend of mine and shares her personal life experience.

I would sure recommend this book.

Curiosity about the title inspired me to begin reading the book which is thoroughly enjoyable. The mix of humor, compassion and witty expressions brought smiles to my face. People need to realize that those more ordinary or less than ordinary in looks have as much to offer as the field of picturesque statuesque women and men. The points you make would play well for discussion in schools or on talk shows such as Doctor Phil, Oprah, Regis and Kelly, etc. We can all learn something from your experiences.