“Sometimes the very thing you’re hiding from the world might be the one thing that makes you exceptionally beautiful.”
No matter your age, interests or experience in the relationship world, dating can be a complex, frustrating and, sometimes, embarrassing experience. One look at TikTok or Instagram will show thousands of reels and videos from individuals dishing out the latest tips and tricks, and attempting to break down some of the most complex aspects of dating within a handful of minutes. But, sometimes you need something with a bit more depth to it. Which is why we here at What We Reading thought we would take you through some of our favourite books about dating for women. From guides to behaviour to uplifting and hilarious commentaries on the minefields that are dating apps, these relationship books come from therapists, sociologists and experts, all of whom use real-world data and research to back up their work and help you transform your approach to dating, relationships and love.
How To Not Die Alone: The Surprising Science That Will Help You Find Love – Logan Ury
Kicking off our list of the best books about dating women is Logan Ury’s How to Not Die Alone, the funny and practical guide to helping readers find, build and keep the relationship they’ve always dreamed of.
Through a series of hands-on exercises and data-driven insights, behavioural scientist and dating coach Ury explains how relationships are the culmination of decisions ranging from who to date, when to end it with the wrong partners and when to commit to the right ones. She also shows how our brains can get in the way of making the right decisions and how adjusting our behaviours is the way to amend the mistakes we make. From how ‘the spark’ is a myth to how you can make online dating apps work for you, How to Not Die Alone is accessible, friendly and one of the most simple-to-use relationship books available on shelves.
Date-onomics: How Dating Became A Lopsided Numbers Game – Jon Birger
Jon Birger’s Date-onomics is one of the best dating books for women for linking behaviours, the difficulty in finding a good match and how the numbers are surprisingly lopsided in favour of the folks. Using a combination of statistics, demographics, game theory and number-crunching, Birger argues that there are four eligible women for every three men in the United States, explaining why it is so hard to find a date.
A fascinating, if somewhat sobering read, Date-onomics delves into everything from how the maths shows that a woman’s good looks can deter a man to why women should never be afraid to give an ultimatum. The ultimate message of Birger’s dating book is that women who proactively date are more likely to win.
Marry Him: The Case For Settling For Mr Good Enough – Lori Gottlieb
Psychotherapist and New York Times bestselling author Lori Gottlieb offers women an eye-opening and in-depth exploration of the modern dating landscape and the case for what the real ‘Mr Right’ looks like in her book, Marry Him.
After finding herself single at forty and looking around at the happy households her friends had established with ‘good enough guys’, Gottlieb shares her quest for love. Having decided to reevaluate her expectations, she takes readers through the surprising insights she discovered from dating experts, researchers, sociologists, neuropsychologists, divorce lawyers, the clergy and single men and women ranging from their twenties to their sixties. The result is a hotly-discussed conclusion that single women need to stop chasing an impossible Prince Charming and instead go for ‘Mr Good Enough’. Whether you agree or disagree with Lori Gottlieb’s final thoughts, Marry Him is undoubtedly one of the best books about dating for women for those looking to understand more about their expectations and the power of the pull from your ‘type’.
This Is Supposed To Be Fun: How To Find Joy In Hooking Up, Settling Down And Everything In Between – Myisha Battle
For those readers seeking a dating book that helps make sense of the online dating world, Myisha Battle has you covered with her 2023 book, This Is Supposed to Be Fun.
Drawing on a range of engaging and original case study stories from her years as a certified clinical sexologist, This Is Supposed to Be Fun is the ultimate guidebook for navigating past all the faff of dating and getting exactly what you want from dating and relationships, whatever that may be. Battle’s friendly voice and expertise shine through, helping to create one of the best dating books for women looking to create a wonderfully imperfect dating profile, remain their true selves whilst on a date, find matches interested in the same kinks as them and break up with compassion.
The Women’s Guide To How Men Think: Love, Commitment And The Male Mind – Shawn T. Smith
A book on how men think prepared by a clinical psychologist and couples counsellor, The Women’s Guide To How Men Think is undoubtedly one of the most invaluable books about dating for women. In it, Shawn T. Smith uses his trademark humour to explain how men think and see the world, why they often feel frustrated and criticised and how partners can better work together with these things to cultivate compassion, understanding and communication.
Rather than being unhelpful bashing about how men should be more like women, Smith’s work is a practical guide to explaining how and why men are the way they are, and how women can use this knowledge to get what they need from their relationships. If you’ve ever found yourself scratching your head over the inner workings of the male mind, this is the book for you.
Check Out These Dating Books For Men
Block, Delete, Move On: It’s Not You, It’s Them – Lalalaletmeexplain
Viral dating expert sensation Lalalaletmeexplain guides readers through the hazards of online dating and teaches women how to block, delete and move on with living their best life in her 2022 book, Block, Delete, Move On.
From ghosting to gaslighting, the world of dating is full of hazards. This book aims to help women know what to look out for online, empowering them to use their voices when they spot warning signs or red flags, as well as pick up on green lights that point to a healthy partnership. Unlike other books about dating for women on this list, Lalalaletmeexplain doesn’t promise a soulmate at the end of Block, Delete, Move On, but her frank and no-nonsense approach is invaluable for those looking for guidance (and a few laughs) on how to date online successfully as a female.
Never Chase Men Again: 38 Dating Secrets To Get The Guy, Keep Him Interested And Prevent Dead-End Relationships – Bruce Bryans
Bruce Bryans’ Never Chase Men Again is one of the best dating books for women looking to get the guys they want, and the relationships they need without losing their confidence, self-respect or independence. Bryans explains how to foster confidence and use it to show what you want, what you’ll accept and, crucially, what you won’t stand for from a partner.
A handy guide on everything from how moving in is viewed as a way of testing the waters on marriage for men to when to escalate your emotional investment, Never Chase Men Again is a collection of timeless dating tips and behavioural insights designed to help make sense of how to get a guy interested and keep his commitment for the long-haul.
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
