Summary
A fairy tale theme is interwoven through the fabric of Coco’s journey during her first foray into internet dating. The narrative is constructed around the personal experiences of Coco, a 50+ naturalised Australian of French background who grew up in Australia, after her arrival in the sixties. Make no mistake, the journey you are about to begin does not guarantee a happy ever after. The challenges this incursion into cyberspace represents for the over fifties age groups cannot be underestimated. Coco wears her heart on her sleeve as she throws herself into the hedonistic playground of Millennials to create awareness of the pitfalls of internet dating, as well as the joys of friendship formations. The images portrayed through the eyes of the prospective suitors are effectively the mirrors through which Coco would prefer to see herself even if she is aware that her looking glass will reflect graphic visions of who she really is. The lessons this chronicle provides for Coco, as a result of the dynamic changes to her identity, are worthy of investigation for the self-awareness exercise they represent for her cohort of daters. You will have the unique opportunity to witness Coco’s mental gymnastics, take a front row seat as she probes into her private philosophical and psychological meanderings that expose her weaknesses, her delights, her doubts, her loneliness, her trials and tribulations. She is a self-professed contradiction, invincible, yet vulnerable at the same time.
Product Details
File Size: 761 KB
Print Length: 280 pages
Publisher: Balboa Press AU (April 14, 2018)
Publication Date: April 14, 2018
Sold by: Amazon.com Services LLC
Language: English
ASIN: B07CV6X4M4
Coco Through the Looking Glass
Kindle Edition
Product Price
$3.99
Paperback Edition
Product Price
from $18.49
Marie-Claire Patron 
Having never ventured into the world of online dating, I was curious reading Coco Through the Looking Glass. This is a wonderful insight into the ever changing world of dating and had me both laughing and cringing at the same time. Elegantly written with humour and ease, this book both entertains and also teaches. I recommend for anyone who is just curious about online dating, or has personal experience – you will probably find this confirms everything you know! It is an enjoyable read.
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The life and times of Coco, or better known as “Coco through the looking Glass”. It is a must read for any couple who thinks it is greener on the other side of the fence. It made me relive my past experiences of internet dating, which I thought I had removed from my memory bank. Being a male who does all his shopping online, it was comforting to find out that equality is alive and well in internet dating. Both sexes experience the same trials and tribulations of trying to find a partner through the small and big screens. A must buy Christmas present for a family member or dear friend who is having relationship problems.
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Highly recommend this book for anyone who has been online, trying to find their “soulmate”. Coco took me through the all-so- familiar territory and had me exclaiming loudly “Ah, yes! I’ve met this man!” She writes with a voice that is not only engaging, but confident. It gave me comfort that I was not alone with my feelings of joy and despair, as I navigate through online dating. Coco’s heart is exposed in a raw, yet tender way that has the reader having to read “just one more page” before putting it down.
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Do not enter the online dating world without reading Coco Through the Looking Glass. Coco dives into this online cosmos and discovers the highs and lows of online life in search of love and romance. The story provides invaluable insight on how to navigate this sometimes treacherous space. Even if you have some experience of this world, don’t miss the opportunity to explore Coco’s experiences to help plan your own online journey. A page-turning read!
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What a fantastic read! As a recently single woman in my late-20s, I went on an eye-opening journey with Coco, whose wit, charm and experiences made for a joyful and heartbreaking tale, with brutal honesty and reassuring glimmers of hope. Highly recommend for men and women of all ages.
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Coco Through the Looking Glass is a roller-coaster ride, revealing the joys, hopes, fears & pitfalls of Internet Dating. Coco shares her sojourn, revealing her strengths, & vulnerabilities along the way. This emotional journey in search of her ‘Soulmate’ reveals how Coco endeavours to construct her perfect Cyber Identity, to catch her ‘Perfect Match’. For anyone considering this mode of dating, this is a must read! Coco’s story is absorbing, funny, witty, & educational, from start to finish.
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A surprising and pleasant book full of humor and reality. A great peek at online dating websites relationships. Truths that shuffle the reader between hope and disappointment, sometimes bordering on ridicule. Congratulations for sharing this experience with simplicity. I highly recommend this book.
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I read this book right before starting online dating myself. Although in a different age bracket, I was curious to find out about Coco’s experience and take on this “online dating” phenomenon. I read it as a novel, sympathising with the character, and avidly reading each chapter wondering what would happen next in Coco’s dating life, hoping for a happy ending; the reflection parts, special added bonuses! Little did I know that I would take away from it so much more. It is a book full of insights and nuggets of knowledge, that I’d recommend any woman considering online dating to read before they embark on this journey.
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Great insight to dating online. I feel so sorry for Coco. I never ever knew how mean and nasty dating websites can be. I can only hope that Coco finds her knight in shining armour one day and doesn’t give up.
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I picked up Marie-Claire’s latest novel with much anticipation. Having no experience (or pre-conceived ideas) in internet dating, I was keen to get an insight – an education, even – into this world. After all, many of my friends (single, of course) had either dabbled with, or were fully engaged with dating websites. I admit to feeling a bit left out of conversations. But not anymore! Coco taught me quite a bit … the dating system, the lingo, what to look, as well as what to watch out, for. In reading Coco’s story, I wasn’t a mere fly on the wall watching the characters. Instead, with each chapter and adventure, I felt Coco’s trepidation, her hopeful excitement and her moments of disappointment, all the whilst cheering on and willing Coco to find her lasting happiness. I thoroughly enjoyed and recommend this book!
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I really enjoyed reading Coco Through the Looking Glass. It is a well-written story, romantic, funny, and greatly entertaining. This is a story where Marie-Claire Patron chronicles the efforts to actively find the perfect match. I definitely recommend this to online-dating fans.
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“Coco Through the Looking Glass” challenged me to think about online dating in a way that I never had before. I am in my mid-twenties, and I’ve never ventured into the online dating realm, so I was curious what my thoughts would be after reading this story. Coco’s reflections are universal; you don’t have to be someone who has experienced online dating in order to connect to the story. The narrative is honest, raw, geniune – and most importantly, it is relatable (and also funny! I often laughed out loud at Coco’s humor). Coco poses questions that so many of us are silently thinking – about the morals of online dating, whether it is good or bad for us, whether we should judge or not judge others and ourselves for delving into the world of online dating, and how to navigate the road of self-examination through the twists and turns of self-discovery, to eventually arrive at a place of self-acceptance… Overall, Coco’s story made me think differently. I used to be more judgmental about online dating, but after reading this book I am more open and understanding. That’s the best type of story – one that gets you thinking in ways you never have before. Marie-Claire Patron has crafted an enjoyable, approachable story covering an important topic at this time in our social history. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is curious/open and willing to broaden their thinking on social norms in regards to how human interaction shapes our understanding of ourselves.
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This review is written from the context of a single male who has participated in the Internet dating universe with varying degrees of success, definitely with extreme highs and certainly with plenty of Freudian slips.
In a similar cue from the Fifty Shades trilogy, any single male who does not read Coco Through the Looking Glass will be denied the opportunity of an insight into the extraordinary perspective of why intelligent, attractive, single women need, want, and expect and why they can be unresponsive or unpredictable, but preferably, uninhibited.
Single males ploughing into the mist of Internet dating for the first time, and those who have been there for a long time, must read Coco or they will miss an entertaining, educational, and instructive opportunity to gain advantage over those males not believing success in this space requires equal amount of art, and science.
Coco is intended as a narrative. For those of us open to the idea of being take on an exploration of the perspectives of women, and of course men, it can quickly morph into a guide. Despite the author’s stated intentions to the contrary, this book could be used very effectively as a roadmap. It will take you from the “known knowns” to a deep dive into the “unknown unknowns”.
A must read. But, it will force you to reflect, rethink, and reload.
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An enthralling and witty contemporary tale of the surprisingly difficult task women face in finding a suitable life partner. It was much easier in our teens and twenties to find that special guy, why so difficult now? We find answers to this and other new problems as Coco navigates her way through the man drought, the complexities of internet dating and the realisation that before you know what you are looking for you need to understand your own self. A great read, highly recommended.
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A great read giving a wonderful insight into the reality of internet dating. Coco gives a realistic insight into the reality of this scene….’warts and all!!’. I found Cocos detailed journey such a close parallel. ‘Through the Looking Glass’ would provide a very valuable read for anyone contemplating internet dating. JB
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An insightful look into the modern world of internet dating. You cannot help but empathise with the highs and lows as Coco searches for her unicorn. Along her journey she experiences a new world that redefines dating, the variety of personalities and the fragile nature of new beginnings. After reading the book I lament the days past where you met your significant other at a dance, disco or concert. The art of flirting, body language, awkward introductions and conversation that signalled romantic interest are now replaced by carefully curated profiles with pictures. This is a must read for anyone, particularly those new or even experienced in internet dating, on their unique adventure searching for the one. For the realists and romantics alike Coco’s experiences will help you gain strength from your own journey as you wade through the variety of time wasters to find genuine personalities worthy of your time.
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Un régal! Quel voyage! En tant que “mâle” je me suis senti de l autre côté du miroir et la passagère de ce voyage, COCO, a révélé avec beaucoup d humour et un certain fatalisme la réalité de ces @rencontres . Des déceptions mais toujours l espoir de trouver “l idéal”. Malgré une maîtrise correcte, sans plus, de la langue, lire ce livre m a été favile et agréable. Bravo á l’ auteur pour son style concis et abordable. Je recommande fortement.
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I read this fascinating and highly readable insight into the online dating game. Marie-Claire Paton’s in-depth research captures the highs and lows of of this phenomenon perfectly. The many genuine examples of interactions or ‘chats’ between onsite couples is an eye opener. I highly recommend this book to anyone contemplating a foray into the world. Michael
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Yummy! That was the first word that came up once I started to plan this review. A real-life account of dating online, written in everyday language, with a witty and humorous language [which made me wonder why the heck can’t I write that way…]. Patron, in a methodical and clear manner reviews Coco’s experiences while attempting to find a mate, romantic date and a soulmate. I was riveted reading her precise and insightful descriptions and analyses of the various men she encountered, their strengths and weaknesses, and what ‘killed’ their connection with Coco; a clear message as to what mistakes the searching men should not repeat. Coco, being quite open, self-reflecting, and knowledgeable of human psychology looks at herself with uncompromising eyes, attempting to understand where did she go wrong, and whether her reaction to the various men are rooted in hers or their pathology. It seems that it was mostly the men who made mistakes and stumbled in a way that left no other way for her but to end her relationship with them. This book is an excellent self-help piece which provides a thorough, funny, witty, captivating, and honest reflection on what happens and how to survive dating sites. While it addresses mainly the 50+ men and women, it is clear to me that all age groups can learn from it. Highly recommended, not only as a book that can teach you about online dating, but as a piece of interesting and witty account of one person’s journey dating online. Ami Rokach, Ph.D. Clinical Psychologist York University, Canada and The Center for Academic Studies, Israel
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This book takes the reader on the journey that is internet dating – very entertaining yet confronting at times. A must read for anyone looking or who has looked for love.
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Really enjoyed this adult read. For those of us who have been on the adult dating scene much of what the author has the courage to write about rings true. A witty turn of phrase and some interesting characters (frogs in the pond) in the book but alas not enough Prince’s I assumed. Easy bedside reading and highly entertaining. I can almost see myself being in some of the books characters.
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This is new age dating. Considering that I married the first man I met online 18 years ago, I was fascinated by Coco’s journey. Funny at times and sometimes heartbreaking, every single woman ‘of a certain age’ should read this book. Especially if they are single. Coco is my hero!
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After reading Coco through the looking glass it opened my eyes to a new side of online dating previously unknown to me. Coco’s unabashedly truthful yet sobering account of her foray into the over 50’s dating world makes one realise how challenging it is for those who brave the internet in the hopes of finding true love. We are taken on a funny, awkward at times journey through Coco’s experiences and I am grateful that a frank woman’s perspective on the dating world can be told.
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This is a poignant account of Coco’s experience with internet dating. In your 30s, 40s or even 60s and over, this book is for you. Coco’s story is entertaining, informative and is a vivid description of the ways to detect genuine partners and those with ulterior motives. Her journey through the maze of online dating will inspire you.
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I believe that Coco through the looking glass is a must read for anyone contemplating delving into internet dating. The pitfalls and advantages of internet dating are comprehensively illustrated in a straight forward and sometimes humorous way through Coco’s recounting of her online dating experience.
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Coco Through the Looking Glass is a heartfelt story of a mature woman’s journey into the complicated and sometimes torturous world of internet dating. Coco is honest about the difficulties encountered and funny enough to keep you reading.
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Wow, great book! What a wonderful insight into online dating and the ups and downs one must encounter in your journey to find true love in the digital world. Really enjoyed Coco’s myriad of experiences which highlighted the need for both both men and women to be prepared and knowledgable when it comes to understanding what lies ahead. As a man, it was educational and sobering to hear Coco’s story and to appreciate what we all need to do to avoid disappointment. A must read for both men and women wondering how to navigate the online dating waters.
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Glamorous at times, yet a realistic account of what mature dating is like in Australia. Unlike many other countries in the world, Australia offers plenty of freedom and opportunities for people at age 50+ to be adventurous and active on the love market. The character of ‘Coco through the Looking Glass’ can inspire anybody who is considering dating again but is afraid to get back onto the scene. It’s never too late and, indeed, might be even better when one is experienced and has a clear vision of who they are. However, the identity remodelling Coco underwent through her dating experiences raises a question of how complete a person’s vision of self is. Keeping track of her mental gymnastics is a challenge one is unlikely to forget as it gives food for thought and self-reflection. The book provides an insight into the changing values of our modern society and offers significant messages for individuals from all age groups.
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My first reading of ‘Coco Through the Looking Glass’ unsettled me. And yet I kept thinking of some of the important issues which had been tackled and exposed, particularly for the over 50s. So I returned to the book, and re-read short ‘grabs’ of Coco’s encounters. From my own perspective, it highlighted how easily we men underestimate the analysing power of the astute female. It amounts to a mirror-return of the gaze, which we men tend to assume is largely our province. My female friends love the book for different reasons. I do too, but males beware! The read will be worth it. And, did I think Coco found her prince? Well … I doubt she did, at least this time.
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What a fantastic read! This book is about a 50 something woman’s foray into the online dating world, raising awareness about the pitfalls of internet dating. Coco is witty, intelligent and sassy which makes for lighthearted reading but also gives you something serious to think about and might just help guide you through the online dating journey
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