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niamhreviews 's review for:
The Dating Playbook
by Farrah Rochon
If I'm being completely honest...I was a smidge disappointed by this book. It's not bad, I just had high expectations after how much I enjoyed 'The Boyfriend Project' last year.
'The Dating Playbook' is a sort-of sequel, in that it takes place in the same world, but this time follows Taylor, one of the other 'Craig Girls'. Taylor, a fitness coach, is hired by a pro football player to help him get ready to rejoin a professional team.
Some things I liked - I thought the additional grief aspect to Jamar's character was really interesting. We got to spend a lot of time in his head and, from reading the author's note, you can see just how personal this storyline was to them. Jamar, overall, was a really great character. He had depth and shades of light and grey, which made him that much more interesting to read about. Obviously, the book is a little steamy - a bit 'avoid-y' for my tastes, but the scenes are always a great addition to the story. I also loved that we got to see old characters return again and I'm looking forward to London's book (which I imagine is next in the series...?).
Some things I didn't like. There were shoots of great ideas in this book but they never fully got a chance to bloom. Taylor's learning disorder is a wonderful addition, but it comes so late it doesn't get a chance to be used as part of the wider narrative. Also the conflict with her brother felt entirely unnecessary and made her come off as mean and a bit of a steam-roller (that happens multiple times in the book). I didn't understand WHY this problem happened. With a bit more development, I feel it could have been better executed as a wider part of the narrative. Also - the book is sold on a 'fake dating trope' thing and that...just kind of happens for a couple of chapters and then it stops. Another thing that I feel, with a bit more time, could have made the plot really sparkle.
'The Dating Playbook' is a sort-of sequel, in that it takes place in the same world, but this time follows Taylor, one of the other 'Craig Girls'. Taylor, a fitness coach, is hired by a pro football player to help him get ready to rejoin a professional team.
Some things I liked - I thought the additional grief aspect to Jamar's character was really interesting. We got to spend a lot of time in his head and, from reading the author's note, you can see just how personal this storyline was to them. Jamar, overall, was a really great character. He had depth and shades of light and grey, which made him that much more interesting to read about. Obviously, the book is a little steamy - a bit 'avoid-y' for my tastes, but the scenes are always a great addition to the story. I also loved that we got to see old characters return again and I'm looking forward to London's book (which I imagine is next in the series...?).
Some things I didn't like. There were shoots of great ideas in this book but they never fully got a chance to bloom. Taylor's learning disorder is a wonderful addition, but it comes so late it doesn't get a chance to be used as part of the wider narrative. Also the conflict with her brother felt entirely unnecessary and made her come off as mean and a bit of a steam-roller (that happens multiple times in the book). I didn't understand WHY this problem happened. With a bit more development, I feel it could have been better executed as a wider part of the narrative. Also - the book is sold on a 'fake dating trope' thing and that...just kind of happens for a couple of chapters and then it stops. Another thing that I feel, with a bit more time, could have made the plot really sparkle.