The Pursuit of Love and Other Disasters
A Memoir
Effie Tsergas

The Pursuit of Love and Other Disasters
A Memoir
Effie Tsergas
There have been many soul mates, many ‘true loves’ as it were, and many, many times, where I believed that he (whoever he happened to be at the moment) was The One.
My intention is to share some of those stories for everyone still searching for that special person to call your One. Perhaps this book will cause you to search your soul, reflect, and inspire you to make different choices or, at the very least, gain a better understanding of how your upbringing, ancestral history and your past experiences have affected your ‘here and now.’ This is my hope.
CHAPTER TWO: SATAN Dating a Married Man
CHAPTER THREE: The Toilet Paper Stealer
CHAPTER FOUR: Hot Boy: Raising a Younger Lover
CHAPTER FIVE: The Bed Farter
CHAPTER SIX: The Stockbroker Commitment-phobe
CHAPTER SEVEN: The Con Artist
CHAPTER EIGHT: The Towel Fucker
CHAPTER NINE: Hot Boys Revisited
CHAPTER TEN: Online Dating: The Pretenders
CHAPTER ELEVEN: The Grifter
CHAPTER TWELVE: The Office Crush
THE FINAL CHAPTER: Epilogue: I Found The One!


About Effie Tsergas
Effie Tsergas, born and raised amidst the vivid tapestry of Montreal’s cultural scene, threads the fine line between the life she was destined for and the life she dared to choose. Her rich Greek heritage has simultaneously been a source of pride and contention, having molded her perspectives on love, life, and self-worth. Effie is an award-winning writer, recognized by the Governor General of Canada in her youth, which is a testament to her innate ability to convey powerful narratives. Her journey of love, marked by a tumultuous quest to find ‘The One,’ offers readers a raw, honest, and sometimes hilarious reflection on love, culture, and personal transformation. While her stories primarily revolve around her relationships and the colorful men from her past, they also delve deep into the nuanced dynamics of familial expectations, cultural identities, and the resilience of the human spirit. Effie’s first book, The Pursuit of Love and Other Disasters, written over two decades, is a testament to the transformational power of introspection, a reminder that it’s never too late to rewrite one’s story. Today, she seeks to inspire others to traverse their own paths of self-discovery and to break free from the confines of cultural and familial expectations.
Beyond her personal tales, Effie embodies the spirit of perseverance and the relentless pursuit of self-awareness. Her writings provide a sanctuary for those grappling with their own identities, caught between the expectations of culture and the desire for authenticity. A fervent believer in the transformative power of storytelling, Effie uses her pen to bridge gaps, heal wounds, and inspire hope. Drawing from her tumultuous past, she offers readers more than just tales of love and heartbreak — she offers a roadmap to reclaiming one’s narrative. In an era where voices can easily be silenced, Effie’s boldness serves as a beacon, encouraging all to embrace their truths, no matter how imperfect or unconventional they may be.
I was immediately drawn into the municipal political arena: the power, the drama, it was theater at its best. It was an aphrodisiac.
My relationship with Mick would last for almost two years. This was the average relationship length for me at that time—roughly two years of misery, and of painting red flags green before exiting stage left and moving onto the next idiot in this sad saga.
You might have gathered too, by this point, that I was a bit of a relationship jumper. I developed a pattern of jumping from bad relationship to worse relationship in rapid succession. A part of me knew this, but I wasn’t fully conscious of it at the time. Sadly, consciousness wouldn’t enter the picture for another fifteen to twenty years.

Maybe it was time for me to stop leading with my sexuality and lead with my vulnerability instead.
The Pretenders
Just Some of The Idiots Not Even Worth Their Own Chapter
James:
Firefighter dating multiple women. Cut and pasted the same email message to multiple women including my friend, Marina. Probably a catfish. He looked way too old and way too fat to be a firefighter. I could be wrong. Either way, block.
Graham:
Too thin. Also wore navy blue gabardine pants and Crocs on our first date at Starbucks. Kept trying to get me to stay longer. Wanted to come back to my place. AS IF.
Vlad:
A wannabe competitive ballroom dancer who loved the tango and was not so secretly secretly in love with his tango partner. A big oaf who pretended to be interested in actually dating — I’m fairly certain he was in love with his neighbor too.
Anthony:
Another married liar pretending to be single. He once made the mistake of calling me from his landline. When I called back on this number he answered the phone, stating, “This is Carlos.” He had clearly been using an alias online. He seemed to panic when I called the landline, telling me never to call that number again. Asshole.

Life is a journey, and we’re all authors of our stories. Each page turned reveals lessons learned, bridges crossed, and battles fought. While the past shapes us, it doesn’t define our future.
For everyone who’s ever felt trapped in their own narrative, know that you’re not alone. It takes courage to face our shadows, to rewrite our stories, and to break the cycles that bind us. It’s never too late to seek your truth, find healing, and emerge stronger.
May this book serve as a testament that healing is possible, that growth is continuous, and that every end can be a fresh start. Embrace your story, love yourself fiercely, and remember: the best chapters are yet to be written.
Contact Effie
Dive deeper into “The Pursuit of Love and Other Disasters” with its insightful author, Effie Tsergas. Whether you’re interested in in-depth interviews, captivating discussions, or simply wish to share your thoughts on the book, we’re eager to hear from you.
For Press & Media: Uncover the inspirations and insights behind the pages. Effie is available for interviews, features, and more.
For Bookings: Interested in having Effie share her journey at your event or workshop? Let’s make it happen.
General Inquiries: Questions, comments, or just a friendly hello? We’d love to hear from you.