Don't be too nice/men like the chase

I think your biggest problem is that you are trying to be chosen, rather than doing the choosing. So even when you weren't really into someone (the last guy) you feel pain and as though you have been 'rejected' when in fact you weren't the right person for him. It's no reflection on you.

If you can shift into the 'recruiter mindset' of dating, then it takes away all the fear - if it doesn't work out, it's not meant to be. So it's much better to meet up quickly, and if he doesn't want to take it further, you are less invested and have wasted less time. Natalie Lue is great on this:

https://www.baggagereclaim.co.uk/want-more-dating-success-be-discerning-by-adopting-a-recruiter-mindset/

It's impossible to judge 'spark' over text. So ask him to meet for coffee and go from there. At the moment you are bigging him up in your mind and trying to be 'picked' by a man who might think it's ok to pick his nose and eat it in company, for example! A fast meet up stops all that in its tracks.

You do not want a guy who 'likes the chase'. Absolute red flag. Being your authentic self will always have the benefit of weeding out the arseholes in life.

You're looking at this the wrong way. There is no point whatsoever in being with a man unless you can be yourself. Putting on an act and managing your behaviour to make yourself appealing is hard work, stressful and never worth it for the prize of a man who wouldn't want you if you didn't. Obviously there are certain extremes of behaviour to avoid. But they're largely common sense and to do with behaving to someone as you'd want to be treated. If a man likes you they will not be put off if you show you like them too. Just as if they're not enthusiastic no game playing will properly turn that around. Approach the date as the best version of you, and concentrate on whether you like them, not on what might be required to get them to like you.

Just be yourself. I don't believe any relationship worth having comes from pretending to be something you are not.

Be yourself. The right man for you will want the real you. It's no good acting a certain way that isn't your authentic self because it's not real and you won't be able to keep it up. I think good men when they like you will make that clear and don't waste time playing games.

You know, age dependent, I’,m not sure they do.

If you get the chance to get out for a drink just go for it and play it by ear.

if you start putting up artificial barriers to make him “chase” he may just not bother because he’s sick of the shit show that is modern dating as well.

I'm often described as 'sweet' which is not a bad thing, but I just don't feel like most men want that. They want someone a little more edgy and daring perhaps?

Er, no. Men are as individual as women are.
We all like different things in a person. Sometimes, meetings surprise you and you end up 'connecting' with people who wouldn't fit your 'tick-list' of 'your type'.

However, a relationship isn't going to work out if either person is pretending to be something they aren't. I mean, yes, you present your best side on a first meeting, but you are who you are. If someone only likes a role you are playing, that's not going to be sustainable.

If a man 'likes the chase', wouldn't you assume he'd be off on another 'chase' once you have been 'caught'? ;)

Anyone I know in a happy, adult relationship was authentic and straightforward from the outset.