The Dating Playbook

This is as lively and fun as the first book. This time the focus is on Taylor, the fitness expert. She's trying to grow her fitness training business but has been frustrated by her lack of a college degree. She has a stroke of good fortune when hunky Jamar, a former pro football player whose knee went out, hires her as his personal trainer.All the interactions between Taylor and Jamar are good, solid building blocks for an epic romance. Relationships between characters, be they friends, lovers, or family, is a strength in Rochon's writing. I was left wishing I had seen even more of the families in this book.We don't see that much of the girlfriends in this book, but when they're there, they're there strongly. I really liked that Rochon did no shy away from the economic inequality of the three friends. Taylor's friends make a lot more money than she does. You can feel for Taylor being torn between multiple choices, none of them great. Does she not do things with her friends because she can't afford to go to fancy restaurants? Does she go places with them that she can't afford and wind up deeper in debt? Does she confess her money troubles and have them look at her differently and feel their pity. These are all very real issues and friendships get lost over them.Taylor's lifestyle is a pretty realistic portrayal, I thought. She lives in a studio apartment. I always get thrown out of the story when a character with a modest income lives in a fabulous place that no one in real life can afford. (Think TV show Friends or Lois Lane's apartment in the very first Superman movie with Christopher Reeve.) Real people live in studio apartments and run down houses.Jamar is a great character, too. I like his extended family - Dre and Big Silas. I have no knowledge of football but this got me somewhat interested. Jamar was complex and fully rounded as a character - not just "the hunky boyfriend." It was so sweet how he was going to help her with her college application.I'm looking forward to the third of these, London's story.

I loved Taylor in the first book in this series (The Boyfriend Project) so I was really excited to read her book. This book delivered. I loved it so much. Everything from the troupe (fake dating is my jam), to the continuation of the friendships between the ladies and the relationship between Taylor and Jamar was on point. Taylor is such an amazing character. I love how real she feels. We see Taylor come to terms with some things she's struggled with her whole life and I loved that. Jamar is without a doubt book boyfriend material. I loved absolutely everything about him. The thing I loved most about book one was the friendships between the ladies, the thing I love most about this one was 100% the relationship between Taylor and Jamar. I feel like their chemistry was through the roof, but I also loved their communication, I loved thir mutual respect for each other. I loved their banter and I loved them really supporting each other throughout the whole book. Of course this book checks all of my boxes.it was so swoony, so sweet, not super steamy but had some heat, and it was serious but also funny (there is a scene with Jamar at his parents house that I'm still laughing about) at the same time. I feel like Farrah Rouchon keeps writing these fantastic men and wonderful romances. I can't wait to see what London's book brings.

This was such a good read. I loved Taylor from the beginning to the end. I really loved Mr. 23 aka Diesel aka Jamar Dixon as well. These two were so good together.I really like when old characters from previous books show up and the fact that Samiah and Daniel from 'The Boyfriend Project' were heavily in this book, considering she and Taylor had become close friends, was a major plus for me. London is super funny as well and I loved this trio of super strong supportive friends/sisters. Cannot wait to read London's story.I liked the flow of this book. Taylor had things to work out, figuratively and literally and I'm glad Jamar was able to help her with it all. Same for Jamar. My heart hurt for him so much. Dealing with grief can be so hard and confusing and there's no one right way, yet I'm glad he was willing to work through his. I like that the author made that part of the book (dealing with grief) come from a personal experience. Made me like this book even more.There's a lot to unpack from this story, yet I'll close with the family dynamic from each main character and how their families helped or hindered them professionally. Very interesting spins.Really good read.

This book was so sweet, tender, and really was interesting shift in getting to the hea. Taylor and Jamar fake dating almost read like a friends to lovers, how they became a couple was a natural progression. I loved that James wanted to keep defining and redefining their relationship. Oh there's so much good stuff to unpack in this one.CW/N: death (bike accident), grief, learning disability and ADHD undiagnosed, anxiety, complicated family dynamics, military service (both characters), childhood poverty, drug abuse, parent death, incarceration, elder falling resulting in a hospital and live in nurse, slut shaming, working through guilt, PTSD

After reading The Boyfriend Project, I couldn’t wait to read Taylor’s book and Farrah Rochon didn’t disappoint. It was a fun and hilarious book. At first I thought Taylor would be the most exciting friend to read about but now I’m anxious to read London’s story. I hate I have to wait until Summer 2022 but I’m sure just like this one, it will be worth the wait too.Reviewed by Shemah Wright of #CillasBookManiacs

What a wonderful follow-up/ addition to the series from The Boyfriend Project. When Samiah, London and Taylor set up this project in the first book I could wait to see how each met their match. His book did such a great job handling some sensitive issues — learning disabilities, childhood trauma, adult career indecision, ethics, professionalism, etc. I’m impatient to know that we have to wait a year for London’s story.

A nice easy read. I love that the chapters are short and meaningful without filler back stories.I'm looking forward to reading London's story!