The Dating Playbook
Author: Farrah Rochon
Reviewer: Jen
Rating: B+
What I’m Talking About:
The Dating Playbook is the delightful sophomore story in Ms. Rochon’s The Boyfriend Project series. This time around, we follow Taylor, one of the three close friends who bonded over a shared dating mishap (book one). Taylor runs her own fitness training company and assumes that bootcamp attendee Jamar is staying after class to hit on her after seeing the viral video that gave her some internet fame. However, Jamar, a former college football star, wants to secretly train and earn a spot back in the NFL, so he proposes to hire Taylor as an exclusive trainer.
Jamar and Taylor share sparks from the start. Both are good people and can tell the other is a good match. Since we experience the story from both MCs POVs, the reader knows how each character feels. When Taylor tries to cover the fact she’s Jamar’s trainer by saying they are dating, they decide to pretend date to build up social media support.
I love a good “fake relationship” story, and The Dating Playbook nails the trope. The pair slip up and kiss and then cannot keep their hands off one another. They both want more than fake, but Jamar needs Taylor as a trainer more than as a hookup. And she needs cash and to maintain client/trainer boundaries to protect her company.
Jamar and Taylor’s story could have been predictable. It could have been messy and ugly. However, Ms. Rochon pens a lovely romance that addresses potential conflicts without adding in unnecessary drama. Both characters undergo personal growth – figuring out how to navigate uncomfortable waters (family, social media, the press, etc.) with confidence. They each learn that they don’t have to go it alone and have close friends/family support.
In the end, I thoroughly enjoyed The Dating Playbook and loved the chemistry between Jamar and Taylor.
My Rating: B+ Liked It A Lot
Jen
About the Book:
When it comes to personal training, Taylor Powell kicks serious butt. Unfortunately, her bills are piling up, rent is due, and the money situation is dire. Taylor needs more than the support of her new best friends, Samiah and London. She needs a miracle.
And Jamar Dixon might just be it. The oh-so-fine former footballer wants back into the NFL, and he wants Taylor to train him. There’s just one catch—no one can know what they’re doing. But when they’re accidentally outed as a couple, Taylor’s game plan is turned completely upside down. Is Jamar just playing to win . . . or is he playing for keeps?
Release Date: August 17, 2021
Publisher: Forever
Series: The Boyfriend Project #2
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Format(s): paperback (384 pages), e-book, audiobook
Book Source: Publisher/NetGalley
Purchase Info:
Amazon (affiliate link)
Reviews in the Series:
The Boyfriend Project by Farrah Rochon (The Boyfriend Project #1)