1.04k reviews for:

The Dating Playbook

Farrah Rochon

3.71 AVERAGE

runningonwords415's review against another edition

4.0

hopeful 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

istar_woman's review

4.0

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I enjoyed this book.

charlireader's review

3.5

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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While I really enjoyed this, I was let down by the lack of on page intimacy. I respect this is more a romance than a 'smut book' but i still wanted more than we got in this which was much the same vein as her previous book. I liked the characters and all the positive Black love which is always a bonus, I just felt that things were a little too easy throughout. While i despise a forced third act break up, to have one that have it resolved so quickly, almost feels worse lol
Im also not a fan of how much emphasis this writer puts on the FMCs knowledge about things. Like in the first book in this series, there were pages and pages about app technology that i know nothing about or care about, this one was about fitness and working out and American Football which i also know nothing about. It just felt unnecessary and slowed down the book that was already slow on the romance element anyway.
Even so, I liked all the characters but it just needed a tad more spice for me personally. 

bmurrscott's review against another edition

3.75

emotional funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

nerdstacey_606's review

3.0

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The first Boyfriend Project book was so much more intriguing and held my attention better than this one.

irinatzofiyay's review against another edition

4.75

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

elireadsandcrohect_'s review

4.0

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I rated this a 4.25

feministfaereads87's review

4.0

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I loved Taylor and Jamar’s dynamic. I really loved Taylor, and her humor had me cackling. Taylor’s love of Princess and the Frog was utterly relatable. I empathized immensely with her desire to belt out “Almost There” regardless of singing talents.

The moment between her and her mom in her parents’ house the evening/early morning after her dad’s birthday made me tear up and smile. I was so happy to see her acknowledge Taylor’s learning disability and tell her how proud of her she was and tell her that she liked Jamar and wanted to her more about her daily life.

Fredericka was an absolutely precious addition and the fact that Taylor was just causally signing with her. I had Jamar’s exact reaction that she was severely underestimating her learning abilities / intelligence.

Loved all the gal pal moments! They make me so happy every time they hang out.

actbookshelf's review against another edition

3.75

adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Farrah Rochon delivers a super cute and engaging romance in The Dating Playbook. (the second book in The Boyfriend Project series.) This one features some of my favorite tropes fake dating, athletes, self-sabotage, and just the right amount of family drama to keep things interesting.

The story follows Taylor Powell, a personal trainer struggling to keep her business afloat, and Jamar Dixon, a former football star looking for a comeback. When Jamar hires Taylor to get him back into shape, the media mistakes them for a couple, and instead of denying it, they decide to play along. Fake dating, of course, comes with real chemistry, and watching their relationship unfold is both fun and heartwarming.

I listened to this on audiobook, and it made the experience even more enjoyable. The narration brought the characters to life, making their chemistry feel even more real. While I really liked the book, there were moments where I wanted to shake Taylor and Jamar for her self-sabotaging ways, that just made  there growth by the end all the more rewarding.

That bonus scene was such a great addition! It really highlighted the reality of financial struggles and the effort it takes to climb out of them. 

If you love fake dating, sports romance, and heroines who are working to overcome their own doubts, The Dating Playbook is worth picking up!

smadams's review against another edition

3.0

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This one's from another series I like - in fact, I selected The Boyfriend Project as a Book of the Month sometime last year. The novels connect through a group of friends who meet father being duped by the same man (named Craig, which is a red flag in and of itself). This story focuses on Taylor, a fitness trainer and health guru, who signs up to get former NFL hottie Jamar in shape so he can get back in the 'League'. I don't follow the NFL at all, but I DO love a good sports romance. There were parts that made me roll my eyes, but also parts that made me laugh. Taylor's dynamic with her family was really interesting, and I was glad to see Jamar help her explore that and grow. The part about her acceptance of a learning disability was also sweet. I've mentioned this in reviews of other books, but I really am happy to see romance as a genre embrace more diverse issues. It's only 3 stars for me because the humour missed the mark for me.