The Playa's Handbook [Paperback]

Brenda Jackson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 14, 2004

There's not a whole lot happening in Gary, Indiana. That is, until nationally renowned relationship expert Lance Montgomery bursts on to the scene. Twice divorced, Montgomery is now on a mission to perfect the art of being single. His tantalizing book The Playa's Handbook is causing quite a stir. His rules include:

*Never give a woman the key to your apartment.
*Playas "have sex"; they don't "make love."
*Don't be afraid not to commit, no matter how hot the sex is.
*A woman can't use you if you use her first.

One night, while watching the game and drinking beer, friends Marcus Lowery, Samuel Gunn, and Phillip McKenna all admit to buying Montgomery's book. Recent divorcees, Phillip and Sam are looking to unleash their hidden playa. And after being a widower for a year, Marcus is ready to cautiously ease back into the dating scene. So, they decide to put the rules to the test. . .and end up going on one of the wildest rides of their lives.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Jackson (The Savvy Sistahs) probes the "playa" mind in this spicy, engaging tale of Chicago singles. Lance Montgomery, an arrogant womanizer and "renowned divorce and relationship expert," has just published his philanderer's manifesto, The Playa's Handbook, to predictably mixed reviews: men appreciate his use 'em and lose 'em philosophy, but women sure don't. Thirty-something friends Samuel Gunn and Phillip McKenna, both divorced, and recent widower Marcus Lowery decide to take Lance's advice to heart ("A woman can't use you if you use her first"). Sam gets busy with Tina, whom he met on a business trip, but finds neighbor Falon a more tempting morsel, while Philip preys on the single moms at his daughter's school, namely beautiful, widowed attorney Terri. Marcus hits Internet chatrooms and Fantasyland, an exclusive masquerade sex party, though frisky family friend Naomi looks good, too. Meanwhile, Lance is determined to break the vow of celibacy of fellow relationship guru Asia Fowler with his patented slippery style and a shared talk show gig. But their seduction ploys begin to falter when Marcus is stalked and Philip recognizes the masked mystery woman he'd had a passionate encounter with at Fantasyland. Eventually, romance melts the hearts of these free spirits, even Lance himself. The consequences of being a "playa" outnumber the advantages in Jackson's clever, frothy story as independent, self-centered men cave to the irresistible lure of love.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

After two failed marriages, Lance Montgomery sees his book, The Playa's Handbook, hit the bookstores. His advice is so controversial that both women and men are discussing it. Similar to "The Dog Rules" in No More Mr. Nice Guy (2002), by C. Kelly Robinson, this handbook lists 10 ways a single man should handle his relationships with women. During a male-bonding session, Lance's best friend, Samuel Gunn, and two of his childhood friends, Philip McKenna and Marcus Lowery, discover that they all have a copy of the book and plan to heed its advice. Sam, recently divorced, finds a special woman who helps him trust again and get over his fear of commitment. Philip finally stops sneaking around with his ex-wife and begins to spend more time with his daughter. While being the primary caretaker, he meets a single mother who he wants to know better. After being a widower for a year, Marcus is cautiously ready to begin dating. A pleasing, reassuring read. Lillian Lewis
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin (October 14, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312331789
• ISBN-13: 978-0312331788
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,217,325 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Easy and Sweet, November 29, 2004

By 

Mahogany Book Club "Mahogany Media Review" (Albany, N.Y.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Playa's Handbook (Paperback)

The Playa's Handbook tells the story of long-time friends, Sam, Phillip and
Marcus who are ready to start dating again following the end of their
marriages. The trio is helped back out into the dating scene by Sam's
friend, best selling author, Lance Montgomery, a self avowed player of the
highest order. Sam, Phillip and Marcus use Lance's book The Playa's
Handbook as a guide, and make a promise that they are going to follow the
rules of the book and become true playas.

The Playa's Handbook starts out slow but builds to an interesting story of
how these three men fare back out in the world as single men looking for
fun and more importantly, no commitment. Lance's infatuation with fellow
relationship expert, Asia Fowler, is strong side story that I could not get
enough of, although I did not like how that story ended. There are
unresolved issues there. I wonder if there will be a sequel.

This book is not too heavy and is a lot of fun. It won't disappoint true
romantics. If you are looking for something easy and sweet, this book will
fit the bill nicely.

reviewed by:
misrich

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars An OK read, but I was hoping for more, July 1, 2005

By 

Sunnie B. (Dallas, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Playa's Handbook (Paperback)

I just finished this book last night and I'm still feeling the "huh" factor. I was actually ok with following Sam, Marcus, and Phillip, but Lance and Asia's story was not told as well as it could have been. The chemistry between those two characters was enough to hold its own in a novel by itself. Why did it feel like their story was told as an afterthought? Sam's storyline bored me to tears; Marcus was a little boring, but got interesting towards the end (left me "breathless"); I liked Phillip because he was such a caring father.

A part of me was glad that Lance and Asia didn't end with everything wrapped in a predictable neat tidy bow like the others, but it still could have been better. I really hope we see those two characters again. There's no way they can end like that.

All in all, this book was okay. Something to read when you have nothing else to do, but not a serious page turner like Ms. Jackson's other books.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Playa' Playa', October 30, 2004

By 

free4lyfe "VOR" (Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Playa's Handbook (Paperback)

This is a slightly different Brenda Jackson book but still has her signature. The story focuses on four very fine and successful brotha's who have experienced heartache for various reasons.

Lance Montgomery,Phd author and renound relationship expert. Twice divorced and product of a broken home is a skeptic of love and romance. His latest book the infamous "The Playa's Handbook" emphasizes his playa views. His lifelong friend Samuel Gunn is bitter after a divorce from his wife of two years who after having an affair with a co-worker remarries less than two months after their divorce.

Sam's friends Phillip McKenna, divorced for two years after his ex chose career over being a wife and mother. Comfortable with their weekly ex-sex liason, her sudden decision to end things has again changed his life. Marcus Lowery has been a widower for over a year, he and his beloved Dottie shared something special. Trying to move on after her tragic death, he's not ready for love, but sex is another issue.

I thought Sam, Phillip and Marcus were "wanna-be-playa's" from the start, a sentiment they echo when they finally realize playa's eventually play out but real men know how to keep things going. Phillip is a committed father left to handle an out of control situation with his daughter neglected by his ex. He meets Atty. Terri Davenport a widow and her daughter and has to evaluate the rules of a real playa' and those of a real man.

Meeting new neighbor Falon Taylor a master chief challenges Sam's decision to follow the playa's 10 golden rules. While a visit from the grave and postal supervisor Naomi Monroe teach Marcus that true forgiveness doesn't have rules.

Lance is a review all alone, his treatment of Dr Asia Fowler is a definite cause of regret for him as well as a need to review his own rules. I have no doubt the sequel to TPH will have him doing just that. I can't wait to find out what love has in store for Lyle, Logan and sister Carrie. I enjoyed this book. Mrs. Jackson keeps getting better without a doubt. It's not a wonder she is a best selling author. Thanks Brenda, you've done it again.