The Boyfriend Test: How to Evaluate HIS Potential BEFORE You Lose YOUR Heart [Paperback]

Wendy L. Walsh (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 9, 2001

LISTEN UP, LADIES!!! Tired of fretting over the latest in a long line of lotharios who decided that he wasn't ready for a serious relationship -- about 24 hours after you introduced him to your parents? Sick of not answering your phone to avoid that dream guy you met at a party who turned into a dud after three dates? Wonder when you'll stop calling your best friend at 2 a.m. sobbing over that Mr. Wrong you thought was so right? Well, here's the perfect cure for your many broken hearts -- an ounce of prevention in The Boyfriend Test.

Instead of hoping that your man or your relationship will live up to your dreams, Wendy L. Walsh, a dating doyenne who has kissed her fair share of frogs, urges you to take a long hard look at yourself, your boyfriend candidates, and couplehood--and put you, him, and "we" to the test. The Boyfriend Test is divided into three thought-provoking sections:

* The Girlfriend Test--what's motivating you to get involved anyway?
* The Boyfriend Test--evaluating everything from his first-date behavior (is he too good to be true?) to his consistency over five dates (ah, the truth emerges).
* The Couple's Report Card--full of quick tips on maintaining a healthy
relationship.

Funny and wise, The Boyfriend Test is a must-read for any woman on the brink of starting a new romance, or on the brink of insanity from her current one!

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Walsh's appealing personality and empowering attitude set this small book of dating advice apart from standard magazine fare. The 20- and 30-something women she targets could do worse than listen to these zesty, positive tips for sizing up prospective dates. A former model and news anchor who's now a happily coupled mother, Walsh includes anecdotes from her own dating adventures that might seem tony and glamorous to many women (e.g., making out with Dennis Rodman and cavorting with Hollywood types). Still, she's had her share of mishaps and disappointments. Hers is not a Rules-like strategy for snaring a man, but an upbeat effort to keep women in the driver's seat by establishing a list of acceptable male behaviors. A "Boyfriend" must prove himself on several counts: including how he "meets and greets," his telephone skills and how he behaves on the first date. Walsh prompts another evaluation after five dates. Most of the "boyfriend" criteria are based on common sense, such as his ability to respect a woman's boundaries. Sounding like a savvy big sister, Walsh knows that sometimes one's heart or hormones may overtake judgment; she's at the ready with lighthearted, pragmatic help. Exercises and quizzes--such as the "Create your own perfect man" exercise, and several questions that determine one's relationship readiness--make the book fun and promotable. Walsh smartly says that a relationship shouldn't end until "all the lessons have been learned on both sides of the union." (Feb.)Forecast: Timed for Valentine's Day, this stylish and savvy primer should do well if given prominent display, and the author's media savvy should, if tapped into by the publisher, help the book immensely.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From the Inside Flap

LISTEN UP, LADIES!!! Tired of fretting over the latest in a long line of lotharios who decided that he wasn't ready for a serious relationship -- about 24 hours after you introduced him to your parents? Sick of not answering your phone to avoid that dream guy you met at a party who turned into a dud after three dates? Wonder when you'll stop calling your best friend at 2 a.m. sobbing over that Mr. Wrong you thought was so right? Well, here's the perfect cure for your many broken hearts -- an ounce of prevention in The Boyfriend Test.

Instead of hoping that your man or your relationship will live up to your dreams, Wendy L. Walsh, a dating doyenne who has kissed her fair share of frogs, urges you to take a long hard look at yourself, your boyfriend candidates, and couplehood--and put you, him, and "we" to the test. The Boyfriend Test is divided into three thought-provoking sections:

* The Girlfriend Test--what's motivating you to get involved anyway?
* The Boyfriend Test--evaluating everything from his first-date behavior (is he too good to be true?) to his consistency over five dates (ah, the truth emerges).
* The Couple's Report Card--full of quick tips on maintaining a healthy
relationship.

Funny and wise, The Boyfriend Test is a must-read for any woman on the brink of starting a new romance, or on the brink of insanity from her current one!

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Three Rivers Press; 1 edition (January 9, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0609805843
• ISBN-13: 978-0609805848
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,056,259 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars There really are good men to be had out there, October 5, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Boyfriend Test: How to Evaluate HIS Potential BEFORE You Lose YOUR Heart (Paperback)

I was given an early copy of this book a couple of months ago... when I was in a very different space then I am now after reading it. Many of Wendy's past experiences mirrored mine, but I never had her insight on why relationships wouldn't work out as I thought they should have. This book brings to life why men and women react toward each other and relationships differently and suggests to women how and why we need to avoid repeating bad habits and learn to take care of our emotional selves better. The Boyfriend Test is the antithesis of The Rules. It's written for bright, thoughtful women, not for women willing to lower their standards and play head games in order to win a man. Since reading the book I have met a wonderful guy, who had to pass many of Wendy's tests before I gave him the thumbs up. I'm not saying that you'll find yourself in a committed relationship after reading The Boyfriend Test, but I will say that it speaks to the larger percentage of us, the bright women looking to treat and be treated respectfully and lovingly.

28 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Misguided advice from a misguided author, July 17, 2003

By 

Andrei Pankov (Ann Arbor, MI, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Boyfriend Test: How to Evaluate HIS Potential BEFORE You Lose YOUR Heart (Paperback)

I am a guy; I have always been fascinated by what actually is going on in woman's mind. It seems that a different sexual orientation is the greatest forces that can diversify thinking between two members of the same species. This book can easily attest to that.

After reading the Boyfriend Test I was rather sad to know that this author thinks of her experience as valuable and educational to her audience. Actually, they are educational in that they might tell women on how not to behave. The author is a good example of a person who knows little about the dynamics of intersexual interaction. It is not a surprise to see no PhD. following her name, which led me to speculate where whether she gathered most of her "valuable experience" at college frat parties. However, a beautiful anchor woman is rather a sought after mate by most men and I'm not surprised after all that Walsh developed scars from jumping between relationships.

Anyway, what most irritated me about this book was a large number of generalities she states with outmost confidence of being correct. Is it really bad when a guy arrives early for a date? If a guy did not have a serious relationship until past 25 does that mean that something is terminally wrong with him? My happily married psychology professor went out on his first date when he was 24!

Overall, Walsh's approach to dating was extremely superficial. Her advice would be valuable to those women who seem to have the same problems as her, attracting or looking for wrong men. I have many guy friends and I can tell a girl right away whether one of my friends will be a devoted boyfriend or someone who will break her heart. How do I know? I know because I knew my friends for a long time I and I have a good insight into their personalities. I have friends who are in teens but who had over 10 sexual partners. I have friends who are in twenties but never kissed a girl because they are too shy. It all boils down to one thing. When starting to date, do not hurry things. You have to get to know that person better! You have to understand whether you two are compatible. This is common sense and I know that women are intelligent enough to know it without needing a book to tell them this. There are no rules guidelines, there just needs to be time.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Interesting, but not overwhelmed, September 18, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Boyfriend Test: How to Evaluate HIS Potential BEFORE You Lose YOUR Heart (Paperback)

There are some basic themes here that you'll find in most dating guides. 'Be yourself,' 'expect more,' and 'don't be a doormat.' The most notable things she talks about are picking up on signals, and not filling in gaps with what you want to hear. Mainly, she says, listen to what he's really saying -- both in his words and actions.

Frankly, the woman who wrote this is not your standard-issue female -- she's a former model (if memory serves) who is a beautiful, on-air reporter. Her initial story is about her making out with Dennis Rodman. It kind of made me feel like I was circulating in a very different crowd... perhaps that's why I didn't really bond with her?