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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A great romance to kick off the month of love. And a sports romance at that!
I loved that our FMC was such a strong female and also had a love for sport/fitness as it’s not portrayed so much in these types of stories (at least from what I’ve seen and read)
I also thought that the issues of learning disorders, grief and money struggles were portrayed in such great ways.
When picking this one up I didn’t realise that it was the second in a series which normally reading them out of order really irritates me even if they can be read as stand-alones but I don’t think reading this one out of order had a negative effect.
The female friendship group also made me think of my girls and the love I have for them and how we would always be there for each other like the women in this story were.
I loved that our FMC was such a strong female and also had a love for sport/fitness as it’s not portrayed so much in these types of stories (at least from what I’ve seen and read)
I also thought that the issues of learning disorders, grief and money struggles were portrayed in such great ways.
When picking this one up I didn’t realise that it was the second in a series which normally reading them out of order really irritates me even if they can be read as stand-alones but I don’t think reading this one out of order had a negative effect.
The female friendship group also made me think of my girls and the love I have for them and how we would always be there for each other like the women in this story were.
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Usually I would consider a character like Taylor’s exhausting but I surprisingly liked her. I empathized with her story and why she felt the way she felt and made life way more difficult than it needed to be. Her growth through this story alone makes it a five star read for me.
Taylor Powell is a fantastic personal trainer, but she is getting her butt kicked by debt after a failed business venture. She is starting to lose hope when she meets Jamar Dixon, a former NFL player who wants to play pro football again after an injury ended his career.
Jamar offers Taylor enough money to solve her financial crisis if she trains him in secret. After a slip of the tongue, Taylor and Jamar are accidentally outed as a couple. Dating isn’t part of Taylor’s playbook, but she can’t deny the chemistry she has with Jamar.
I absolutely loved The Dating Playbook. Any book that can make me swoon in one scene and cry in the next is a home run in my book.
I love the friendship that Samiah, London, and Taylor have formed. Their interactions were so fun and it was cool to see more of Samiah and Daniel’s relationship. I cannot wait to get London’s story in the next book! I have my suspicions about who she will end up with based on the trio’s conversations in this book.
Jamar offers Taylor enough money to solve her financial crisis if she trains him in secret. After a slip of the tongue, Taylor and Jamar are accidentally outed as a couple. Dating isn’t part of Taylor’s playbook, but she can’t deny the chemistry she has with Jamar.
I absolutely loved The Dating Playbook. Any book that can make me swoon in one scene and cry in the next is a home run in my book.
I love the friendship that Samiah, London, and Taylor have formed. Their interactions were so fun and it was cool to see more of Samiah and Daniel’s relationship. I cannot wait to get London’s story in the next book! I have my suspicions about who she will end up with based on the trio’s conversations in this book.
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)
I really enjoyed *The Dating Playbook*—it was a fun and easy read that hit all the right notes of a rom-com. The chemistry between the Taylor & Jamar was fantastic and felt organic as it developed throughout the book. I especially loved how the characters had well-rounded backgrounds, making them feel real and relatable. The sisterhood aspect was also a big highlight for me, especially since it stemmed from a little drama, but it still managed to maintain those strong, supportive female relationships.
The setting was a bonus for me since it’s based in the city I live in. Jamar even went to the same college I did, which made the story feel more personal. I also appreciated the inclusion of the main character’s deaf niece, adding a level of diversity and representation that was both refreshing and important.
I found the financial struggles and relationship issues relatable—those are real-life challenges that make the characters feel grounded and not just fairy tale figures. The themes of resiliency, in particular, stood out and gave the book a bit more depth.
However, there were a couple of things that didn’t fully work for me. The guilt the Jamar feels over Silas’s death was a bit drawn out, and I think it took too long to reveal the reason behind it, which could’ve been handled a bit quicker. Also, while it was predictable that the couple would end up together (obviously), the fake relationship plotline felt like it peaked too early. I wish the tension could’ve been drawn out just a little longer.
Overall, *The Dating Playbook* is an easy and enjoyable read, with enough humor, drama, and heart to keep you engaged. Despite a couple of minor flaws, it’s a great romantic comedy that I’d definitely recommend!
You know, sometimes you need a sweet fake dating Black love story with low stakes and minimal angst…and Farrah DELIVERED. This was a light read that made me smile and given that we’re still in a pandemic, books that make me smile are precious gems.
** I received a free ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. **
3.5 stars! I enjoyed this book a lot more than the first book of the Boyfriend Project series, but it still fell a little flat for me. While the romance was cute, it was also verrrry predictable. As a football fan, I enjoyed the injured football player plot and was curious to see where that storyline ended up heading.
Even though the first and second books of the series fell in the 3-star range for me, I do still intend to read London's book when it gets released next year.
3.5 stars! I enjoyed this book a lot more than the first book of the Boyfriend Project series, but it still fell a little flat for me. While the romance was cute, it was also verrrry predictable. As a football fan, I enjoyed the injured football player plot and was curious to see where that storyline ended up heading.
Even though the first and second books of the series fell in the 3-star range for me, I do still intend to read London's book when it gets released next year.
This is not a book I would typically pick up. I was feeling overwhelmed with the amount of sadness and injustice around me and I needed something light. This book did not disappoint. It reminded me of a show I used to really enjoy (The Game-it was a guilty pleasure in college, okay?). Taylor is a physical trainer who struggles in school, so didn't finish college and therefore struggles to get jobs she really wants. Jamar is an injured pro-athlete that wants to get back in the game. In each other they find strength, encouragement, and love. It was an easy, fun read.