The Dating Playbook

Taylor Powell is a personal trainer struggling to keep her business afloat in New Orleans. When former NFL player Jamar Dixon hires her to help him get back into professional football shape, they agree to keep their arrangement secret by pretending to date. The pair establishes ground rules for their fake relationship while working through an intensive training program. Their professional dynamic becomes complicated as genuine feelings develop between them, forcing both to confront their fears about relationships and vulnerability. The story follows Taylor and Jamar as they navigate family expectations, career pressures, and personal demons. Their shared dedication to fitness and self-improvement brings them closer together, even as they try to maintain professional boundaries. This contemporary romance explores themes of trust, authenticity, and the courage to pursue second chances. Through Taylor and Jamar's journey, the narrative examines how past experiences shape our willingness to open ourselves to new possibilities.

Readers highlight the strong chemistry between Taylor and Jamar and appreciate their authentic relationship development. Many reviews mention the fitness/sports training elements feel realistic and add depth to the story. Readers connect with Taylor's financial struggles and family dynamics. Likes: - Natural-feeling dialogue and banter - Complex character backgrounds - Mental health representation - Sports/fitness details - Family relationships Dislikes: - Some found the fake dating plot predictable - Pacing drags in middle sections - Romance scenes feel repetitive - Several note Taylor's stubbornness becomes frustrating Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (7,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (1,200+ ratings) BookBub: 4.3/5 (300+ ratings) "The chemistry sizzles but the emotional depth makes this special" - Goodreads reviewer "Finally a romance with realistic fitness industry details" - Amazon reviewer "Great representation of anxiety and family expectations" - BookBub reviewer

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🏈 Author Farrah Rochon played competitive football herself in an all-women's league, which helped inform the sports training scenes in the book. 💪 The book tackles mental health stigma in professional sports, highlighting real issues faced by many NFL players who struggle with anxiety and depression. 📚 The Dating Playbook is part of The Boyfriend Project series, inspired by a viral Twitter thread about women discovering they were dating the same man. 🎓 The main character Taylor Powell's career as a personal trainer was influenced by Rochon's own experiences with fitness trainers who helped her through a health journey. 🏆 The novel won the 2022 Romance Writers of America VIVIAN Award in the Contemporary Romance: Mid-Length category.