The Playboy [Hardcover]

Carly Phillips (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 2003

Not the large print edition. From Publishers Weekly In the first book of Phillips's trilogy (The Bachelor) about the irresistible marriage-resistant Chandler brothers of rural Yorkshire Falls, N.Y., footloose foreign correspondent Roman got hooked, thanks to the ingenious plotting of his matchmaking mama. This follow-up focuses on the middle brother, Rick, a loving but broken-hearted divorcee determined to resist both mom's marriage plots and those of his admirers-roughly every single woman in town. To do so, Rick employs a counterplot involving equally commitment-shy Kendall Sutton, whom the playboy policeman rescues from a car mishap as she's fleeing her own wedding. But will the independent twosome, feigning coupledom to remove themselves from the matchmaking game, foil themselves by genuinely falling for each other? Of course. In fact, there's little in the way of surprise or suspense herein. The characters express astonishment at certain plot turns, but readers won't, as all devious deeds are broadcast miles in advance. Still, the brothers' considerable charisma makes up for many sins of style and substance. Those who like their romances fast 'n' frothy may well find this lightweight tale an appealing afternoon's diversion. Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 351 pages
• Publisher: Warner 2003/03; Book club edition (2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0739431404
• ISBN-13: 978-0739431405
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.8 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (50 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,183,892 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

New York Times bestselling author Carly Phillips tossed away her legal briefs and a career as an attorney to become a stay at home mom. Within the year, she turned her love of reading into an obsession with writing. Over 25 published novels later, Carly writes sexy contemporary romances, striking a balance between entertainment and emotion, and giving her readers the compelling story they have come to expect and enjoy.

Carly is a New York Times bestseller, USA Today Bestseller and Publisher's Weekly bestseller. The triple play earned her a spot on Romance Writers of America's coveted Honor Roll. In 2002, Carly's novel, The Bachelor, became Kelly Ripa's "Reading with Ripa" pick on Live with Regis and Kelly, making it the first romance ever chosen on a nationally televised bookclub.

Carly received her undergraduate degree from Brandeis University and is a graduate of Boston University School of Law (J.D.). To date, Carly has over twenty-five novels to her credit, all available wherever books are sold.

When not writing or playing online, Carly loves to read, to knit, and to spend time with her family. She lives in Purchase, New York with her husband, two daughters and two soft-coated wheaten terriers who act like their third and fourth children.

For more information, visit Carly's always updated web site at www.carlyphillips.com where she has monthly contests, excerpts and much more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Jerry Springer Style, February 11, 2003

By 

D. Hunt "dhunt2" (West Virginia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Playboy (The Chandler Brothers, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback)

It took me months to finish "The Bachelor" so I am really unsure as to why I thought "The Playboy" would be easier to read. The plot, although plausible, gets off to a wham bam start with meddling mothers, psychotic women chasing the hero, instant lust, and Kmart quality clothing descriptions. Perhaps I am getting old (32 in August) or maybe just jaded, but I felt like I was reading a Sweet Valley High on Summer Break novel.
Rick Chandler, the hero, was the most mature person in the cast of characters which includes his brothers, mother, and heroine, Kendell Sutton. Rick's mother is continuing to meddle in her son's lives, scheme and plot her fake heart condition, and beat herself up with guilt (albeit never telling them the truth), to the point where the reader wants to shake her hard and scream "Get a Life!"
Furthermore, the heroine is a little to quick to jump into spandex and Rick's sheets to be taken as seriously. Instant flames are great, and quick love scenes normally don't bother me, but the lack of emotional depth in the character makes it hard to believe that she can feel anything very deeply, other than maybe her tan lines. Her emotional immaturity and trashy mannerisms culminate in a confrotation near the end of the novel. Not all women are jealously possessive enough to pick fights; I kept wainting for the hair pulling to begin.
A trilogy is a great way to hook a reader. Look at Nora Roberts, she has it down to an art; however, this one seems to be the Jerry Springer version. It keeps the reader hooked the train wreck way - wondering "How much worse can it get?

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Disappointed, September 4, 2003

By 

Lisa B. (Sewickley, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Playboy (The Chandler Brothers, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback)

I picked up this book after reading all the rave reviews and I guess it must be me, because I certainly can't say I loved it. The storyline was pretty good and I really liked the characters but had enough of Kendall's constant hashing back and forth as to whether or not she could commit to staying put. That seemed to be a third of the book and it got old really fast.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Read it from cover to cover non stop!, January 5, 2003

By 

Tina M. Musial "tmmusial" (United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Playboy (The Chandler Brothers, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback)

I have been looking forward to reading this book since I finished The Bachelor! It came in the mail and I opened it and finished it 12 hours later! It met my high expectations for a sequel: the characters were detailed well, the plot was defined nicely and the situations were believable. I never once stopped and went huh? the booked flowed so smoothly.

We had more bits into the lovable Chandlers of the first book, but they didn't overshadow the new characters and they were easy to keep track of. (Some books are overrun with small part characters and you loose sight of the origianl plot line). The dialogue was believable, the sexual tension was great and Yorkshire Falls seems like a very quaint small town that I wish I could visit. This book has been delayed in its release, but I think the wait was well worth it as this book is solid in structure and content and not hastily thrown together to meet the original release date. The story of the second Chandler brother is entertaining, erotic and sure to please everyone who liked the first installment! My only problem will be passing the time until the third installment is released in August!