Includes bibliographical references (pages [269]-273) and index.

Machine generated contents note: 1.Tricks -- 2.Likes -- 3.Outs -- 4.School -- 5.Steadies -- 6.Freedom -- 7.Niches -- 8.Protocol -- 9.Plans -- 10.Help.

"It seems as though every week there's a new app available on your smartphone promising dates a plenty--just swipe right. A mate, on the other hand, is becoming harder and harder to find. The age-old quest for true love requires more effort than ever before. Let's face it: dating is work. Which, as it happens, is exactly where it began, in the 19th century--as prostitution. In Labor of Love, Moira Weigel dives into the secret history of dating while holding up a mirror to the contemporary dating landscape, revealing why we date the way we do and explaining why it feels so much like work. This isn't a guide to "getting the guy"; there are no ridiculous "rules" to follow in Labor of Love. This is a brilliant, fresh, and utterly original approach to help us understand how dating was invented and, hopefully, lead us closer to the happy ending that it promises"--

"A brilliant and surprising investigation into why we date the way we do"--