Farrah Rochon

When a personal trainer agrees to fake date her client, all rules are out the window in this "fun, heartfelt, and totally relatable" romantic comedy (Abby Jimenez, NYT bestselling author of Life's Too Short). 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? PopSugar: Best Summer Reads of 2021 BookBub: Best Romance Books of Summer

The Dating Playbook

'A total knockout: funny, sexy, and full of heart' Kirkus If you love Helen Hoang, Abby Jimenez and Talia Hibbert, you'll LOVE Farrah Rochon, whose books are always witty, hot, and engaging (BuzzFeed)! The Boyfriend Project was one of Cosmopolitan's '12 Books You'll Be Desperate to Read This Summer' and one of Oprah Magazine's Best Romances of 2020, and described as 'a prime example of how complex and insightful romances can be' (Jasmine Guillory) What happens when three women discover, thanks to the live tweeting of a disastrous date, that they've all been duped by the same man? They become friends of course! The dating game is on. And the rules just went out the window. 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 to get 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? Raves for Farrah Rochon: 'Relatable and real... I smiled the whole time I was reading' Andie J. Christopher 'The free-spirited, tell-it-like-it-is page-turner you've been looking for!' Kwana Jackson 'A multilayered story about friendship, love, and following your dreams - all of it told with heart and emotion' Nalini Singh 'Funny, fresh, sexy, and heartfelt. This is my new favorite romance series' Suzanne Brockmann 'A smart, funny digital-age romance about real women living in the real world. Couldn't put it down!' Abby Jimenez 'A masterpiece of modern-day Jane Austen with effortless, razor-sharp social commentary, romance, and humor. Farrah Rochon is one of the absolute best romance writers today. Period' Kristan Higgins 'Swoon-worthy romance, the power of true friendship, and a grand gesture that makes your heart sigh with pure satisfaction. Absolutely a must-read summer romance!' Priscilla Oliveras 'Rochon is a romance master who adeptly writes interesting and dynamic characters... A richly layered conflict adds depth and complexity to this charming workplace romance' Kirkus

A fake-date rom-com to steal your heart! 'A total knockout: funny, sexy, and full of heart'

chichi lewis

It was just alright. Nothing really amazed me about it. It was super predictable as well but cute story overall.

Preye

This book was steamy and deep and everything I would love on a usual day and yet, it took me a long as time to finish it. It dragged on and I honestly feel the storyline could have been compressed into way fewer pages. I loved the representation and how the characters were able to be emotionally vulnerable with each other.

I finished this a while back but forgot to leave a review, and I'm remedying that now. Part of the reason I didn't leave a review was because, inasmuch as the plot was something I would have loved on a normal day, I came out of the reading phase very bland. That's to say that I didn't enjoy it. 

I let my feelings sit and ended up forgetting about the book. It's not a bad book and the narrator—I listened to the audiobook—wasn't bad either but it took me a looong time to finish it, and it wasn't even that long. 

Regardless, you should read this if:
1. You like the fake-dating trope.
2. You don't mind a few steamy scenes.
3. You like a band of fiercely loyal friends.

Tatyana

I loved The Boyfriend Project. And Dating Playbook is a good one too. There was definitely attraction between Taylor and Jamar. And I can see how that attraction turned to love.
Taylor struggling through financial issues and Jamar dealing with his knee injury and guilt. It's almost like they needed each other to lean on for different reasons. And it's really pushed them together.
This story definitely relates to what a lot of people go through. We sometimes can't let go of the past, we go through financial hardships, we think of ourselves a certain way that can project how we think others see us. I can go on and on with what this book has to offer. 
While there was romance it definitely hit me with the other aspects hidden within. Looking forward to reading London's story

I finished this a while back but forgot to leave a review, and I'm remedying that now. Part of the reason I didn't leave a review was because, inasmuch as the plot was something I would have loved on a normal day, I came out of the reading phase very bland. That's to say that I didn't enjoy it. 

I let my feelings sit and ended up forgetting about the book. It's not a bad book and the narrator—I listened to the audiobook—wasn't bad either but it took me a looong time to finish it, and it wasn't even that long. 

Regardless, you should read this if:
1. You like the fake-dating trope.
2. You don't mind a few steamy scenes.
3. You like a band of fiercely loyal friends.

cossette

content warnings: death of a friend, grief, injury, hospital scenes, car accident, anxiety

Linda Quintanilla

This book had so much potential yet it was disappointing. I could not get over the character's personality. They clash too much with each other. It truly did not feel like a romance story. Plus, they were too harsh on each other and with each other. I understand that people mess up from time to time but there is no need to be harsh in vulnerable situations. Things happen. It's life. Take it one step at a time. Don't always be so harsh on yourself and for others.

Anna Agarwal

Courtney Patterson

The banter...I could not stop laughing. Probably my favorite of the two. The fake dating is one of my favorites and it did not disappoint.

Jadyn Post

OH MY GOSH!!! This book totally had me laughing on the floor. I think this can definitely be considered a rom-com, but I adored how the author also put really deep and personal themes in the book as well. I loved TayJar so so much🙌🏼🥰

Emma-Leigh Pedder

The amount of girl power in this book - *chef’s kiss*. This series focuses around a group of three girls who all met by finding out they were dating the same guy and then taking their revenge. This was actually the first book I’d read in the series which didn’t hinder my enjoyment at all, but I LOVED the backstory connecting the girls. 10/10. This book focuses on Taylor, a fitness guru who is known for her military style workouts. Our hunky football player is obsessed with her badass style and recruits her to be his personal trainer - but we all know where this is going don’t we…

I loved that Taylor was almost the tougher one - although she certainly had her own troubles - and Jamar the more vulnerable, it made for some great storylines. I just loved the overall girl power message across the whole book. Taylor was a badass. 

Deffo one to pick up!!

Thank you to Netgalley and Headline for the ARC ❤️

The Dating Playbook

Reviews