NFL romance (but not really?)

Fake dating, grief/mourning, learning disorders, financial insecurity

Taylor (FMC) can be a bit frustrating with how much she withholds from others and her stubbornness. Jamar (MMC) is sweet but it felt like his main personality trait was grief mixed with guilt.

I read this first despite it being the second of the "series." I think they're mostly stand-alone novels in the same universe.

A fun and easy modern day romance read. Not as steamy as others, but great characters with grounded conflict and relatively realistic plot points (I mean it is a romance novel, sooo). Overall a nice light read if that is what you are looking for.

As we all know, I’m a sucker for fake dating romance, so it’s no secret why I had to read this one, especially since it’s an African American Romance. While it was a little more intense and a tad angsty in parts than I expected, I was not disappointed. The Dating Playbook, The Boyfriend Project book 2 by Farrah Rochon, is a funny, sweet, emotional, steamy, and engaging sports romance about facing your fears so you can put the past behind you, achieve your goals, make your dreams come true, and move on to the good things in life.

Taylor Powell is a personal trainer struggling to make her work profitable until she can make her dreams a reality. She’s an impulsive, fit, stubborn, driven, competitive woman who tries to stay positive. Jamar Dixon is a football player injured early in his career. Arrogant, handsome, competitive, driven, charming, focused, isolated, and haunted by the past, he wants more than anything to prove everyone wrong and get back into the NFL. Believing her to be his best option, he asks Taylor to train him, but they must keep it secret until he is ready to go. She agrees. When they’re seen together by press, they pretend that they’re dating for cover. Despite the obvious mutual attraction between them, they each personally decide to ignore it and keep things purely professional, which of course, doesn’t last long. The road to letting go of the past and achieving their goals is not easy for Taylor and Jamar, but they help each other by bringing out the best in each other and offering encouragement, support, and love.

Rochon writes down-to-earth, authentic, and relatable characters, dealing with real-life issues we all can relate to. Characters who drive you crazy with their all too human flawed and hot messiness, but who you also admire for their strength, courage, determination, and willingness to adapt and grow. I love Taylor’s relationship with her friends and how Rochon describes their interactions throughout the novel, not just once or twice. Taylor’s squad is as integral to her development and growth as her relationship with Jamar. Just as Jamar helps Taylor grow, she does the same for him, especially as he seems to lack her immediate support system. Rochon has a flair for description and one-liners that are hilarious and memorable and nicely balances the intense, emotional moments – and issues – in the novel with the sweet and humorous ones.

If you enjoy sweet, funny, sexy sports romances where characters overcome the challenges life throws at them and follow their dreams together and with the support of their squads and family, The Dating Playbook is definitely worth a read or two.