Love, Intimacy and Online Dating

This topical book is an innovative work that explores the concept of intimacy during the COVID-19 pandemic. The book provides an overview of the online dating world and apps, the use of which gradually became common as the pandemic restricted people's interaction in the physical world.

Lisa Portolan is a journalist and author from Sydney. She has previously published two books, including bestseller, Happy As (Echo, Melbourne). She has written for publications like the Australian Financial Review, The Guardian, 9 Honey and 10 Daily, and appeared on the Today Show and The Drum. Sam McDonald is an Australian director and producer. She has a degree in Law and Communications from the University of Canberra. She has spent the majority of her career working in the fitness and communications space, as a trainer and later as a production expect. She grew up in Canberra and Sydney as a EURœpretty girlEUR and it took her years to shed that skin and reach a place of acceptance, joy and love.

1. Introduction. 2. Social Context. 3. Jagged Love - The conflict : romance vs dating apps. 4. (Digital) Intimacy vs IRL intimacy and why the distinction still needs to be made. 5. High Maintenance Girls and Aussie Blokes : love and gender stereotypes during Covid times. 6. Messiness - Three anecdotes. 7. References.