8 Books Single Women Need To Read ASAP

When you’re single and frustrated and feel like you’ve tried everything, it’s tempting to want to throw in the towel on dating altogether and just become an old cat lady. Not so fast! Maybe you just need another perspective, which you can easily get by picking up one of these books.

Maybe He’s Just An Asshole: Ditch Denial, Embrace Your Worth, and Find True Love! by Halle Kaye

Halle Kaye’s refreshingly blunt outlook on love doesn’t sugarcoat the realities of dating, helping you spot jerks from a mile away and hopefully escape them altogether in future.

Girlfriend 101: Getting Past the Baggage to Have the Relationship You Want by Kim Baker

While everyone’s opinions on what gets the guy will differ, there are some foolproof methods laid on by Baker in this book and it’s well worth grabbing.

Never Chase Men Again: 38 Dating Secrets to Get the Guy, Keep Him Interested, and Prevent Dead-End Relationships by Bruce Bryans

Is this advice any more valuable because it’s coming from a dude? Maybe. At the very least, it’s interesting to hear what to do from a guy’s perspective.

Why Men Love Bitches: From Doormat to Dreamgirl―A Woman’s Guide to Holding Her Own in a Relationship by Sherry Argov

This is basically the single girl’s bible. While written more than a decade ago, the principles it discusses still apply to today’s dating world and it’s well worth reading.

Ignore the Guy, Get the Guy – The Art of No Contact: A Woman’s Survival Guide to Mastering a Breakup and Taking Back Her Power by Leslie Braswell

Another perspective on how to get the guy… after getting rid of the guy. If you’re struggling to move on, this one might be for you.

F*CK Him! – Nice Girls Always Finish Single by Brian Knox

Do nice girls really finish last? According to Nox, the answer his yes. His advice on finding love is a bit more unconventional but still interesting (even if you decide not to follow it).

It’s Called a Breakup Because It’s Broken: The Smart Girl’s Break-Up Buddy by Greg Behrendt and Amiira Ruotola-Behrendt

This couple teamed up to help you get through a rough breakup. There’s a lot of advice out there about the best way to get back on your feet after having your heart broken, but Behrendt and Ruotola-Behrendt’s guide is funny, heartwarming, and potentially really helpful.

He’s Just Not That Into You: The No-Excuses Truth to Understanding Guys by Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo

Behrendt is back again, this time with Tuccillo, to decode the mysterious language of guys. While we like to think they’re not that complicated, that doesn’t mean they’re not confusing sometimes. This book might make them a little less so—it’s worth a try at least!

Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man by Steve Harvey

While Steve Harvey might not be the first person you think of when it comes to valuable relationship advice, he’s actually pretty good at it. His tips for understanding the way guys think can help your relationships and even your basic interactions with them immensely.

Mars and Venus on a Date: A Guide for Navigating the 5 Stages of Dating to Create a Loving and Lasting Relationship by John Gray

Unfortunately, getting into a great relationship isn’t as simple as going on one great date and viola, there’s your long-term boyfriend. There are stages you go through in dating, and Gray’s book will help you navigate them with finesse.

For Women Only: What You Need to Know About the Inner Lives of Men by Shaunti Feldhahn

Guys can be notoriously difficult for us to understand, but they don’t have to be. The most important thing for us to realize is that they think in a completely different way. Feldhahn lays out the basics and gets into the nitty-gritty to make “getting” guys so much easier.

Attached: The New Science of Adult Attachment and How It Can Help You Find – and Keep – Love by Amir Levine and Rachel Heller

While we don’t necessarily see attachment in adult relationships as a positive thing, the truth is that it can be when done correctly. If you want healthier, stronger relationships, Attached is a must read.

All the Rules: Time-Tested Secrets for Capturing the Heart of Mr. Right by Ellen Fein & Sherrie Schneider

While it’s certainly helpful to have a guy’s perspective on, well, guys, it’s also good to hear from other women who’ve been there, done that, and got the t-shirt. That’s why Fein and Schneider’s book is such an invaluable resource for single women everywhere.

Make Him Beg To Be Your Boyfriend In 6 Simple Steps by Michael Fiore

Fiore claims there’s a “simple, step-by-step system any woman can use to finally flip the ‘commitment switch'” in a guy’s brain. Does it work? You’ll have to read it to find out.

Bolde has been a source of dating and relationship advice for single women around the world since 2014. We combine scientific data, experiential wisdom, and personal anecdotes to provide help and encouragement to those frustrated by the journey to find love. Follow us on Instagram @bolde_media or on Facebook @BoldeMedia