The Little Black Book of Big Red Flags: Relationship Warning Signs You Totally Spotted... But Chose to Ignore [Paperback]

Natasha Burton (Author), Julie Fishman (Author), Meagan McCrary (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 18, 2011

Finding the right guy is often a trial and error process, during which you're bound to encounter more than a few big red flags. From not introducing you as his girlfriend, to calling his mom for help with every decision, a guy's behavior can offer valuable lessons of what you don't want in a boyfriend.

The Little Black Book of Big Red Flags explains all those relationship warning signs you totally spotted, but chose to ignore, combining what-the-heck-was-I-thinking?! tales of dating disaster along with advice on how to handle similar situations in your own relationship. Once you're aware of some of the red-flag-worthy problems men display, you can evaluate what you're okay with, what you're so not okay with, and, hopefully, gain a better understanding of what kind of man, and relationship, will work best for you.

Adapted from the blog (BigRedFlags.com) founded by the book's authors, The Little Black Book of Big Red Flags was inspired by the downright dreadful dudes they've encountered and, of course, the big red flags these men presented. No matter how completely insensible you may have been at certain points during your romantic career, you're not alone--a lot of women have had similarly dicey dating pasts. With this book you'll learn a little, laugh a lot, and improve your dating dexterity so that you don't get stuck in another big red flag situation.

Find the authors on Twitter: @bigredflags

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Splendid book! I love it!” --E. Jean Carroll, advice columnist for ELLE magazine

"Though these three twenty somethings have been blinded by love in the past, their hindsight is perfectly keen...The Little Black Book enumerates dating portents with moxie." --Marie Claire

"The Little Black Book of Big Red Flags [is] essentially the dating guide for the Sex and the City generation. Take the [authors'] advice...they could save you a lot of time and heartache. --Jill Dobson, CBS's The Early Show

"This captivating book is based on an abundance of bad date anecdotes pulled together at BigRedFlags.com. While the book offers warnings for single women, it is primarily a fun, somewhat voyeuristic window into the disastrous side of the dating world." --Library Journal

“The Little Black Book of Big Red Flags may very well become the dating girls' handbook. Run out and get a copy of the book before you say yes, or no, to your next date, ladies!” --Examiner.com

“According to a new book called The Little Black Book of Big Red Flags: ‘How a guy treats you right after sex can be just as important as how he treats you during it.’ It's so true!” --Michael Musto, The Village Voice

“Funny and engaging yet brutally honest, The Little Black Book of Big Red Flags marries useful advice and startling stories that will assure readers they're not alone in the often-rocky quest to find Prince Charming.” --YourTango.com

"The Little Black Book of Big Red Flags can help you understand women, which will help you get dates and help you get laid, and if you're really special, get laid on your dates." --MTV's Clutch Blog

"Dating gurus Natasha Burton, Julie Fishman and Meagan McCrary tell it like it is for dating newbies and experienced romantics alike. These writers break the tired self-help, pity-party mold." --The Philadelphia Tribune

"From bad boys to the emotionally infantile, these women manage to dish it out on the warning signs many women ignore. They find fun, light-hearted ways to talk about these tender topics in a blunt, honest tone." --The Frederick News-Post

About the Author

Natasha Burton is a serial monogamist who's currently the Relationships Editor of Glo.com, a women's lifestyle website partnered with MSN and ELLE magazine.

Julie Fishman is a tomboy turned comedy writer who teaches at a college in Hollywood and writes for screen, print, and web.

Meagan McCrary is an L.A.-based yoga teacher with an adventurous spirit for romance, who has also written for a variety of local lifestyle magazines.

Natasha, Julie, and Meagan are all Los Angeles-dwelling Pisceans who met while earning their Master's degrees in creative writing from the University of Southern California. This is their first book.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Adams Media (June 18, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1440512655
• ISBN-13: 978-1440512650
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (78 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #22,402 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #24 in Books > Self-Help > Relationships > Dating
  • #39 in Books > Self-Help > Relationships > Mate Seeking

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars BIG Laughs! May 6, 2011

By Cleezy

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

After following the blog for several years the book definitely didn't disappoint. The stories made me both laugh and cringe, and (unfortunately) I can relate to many of the red-flag-worthy references. Behind the humor is a great deal of truth and good advice that both guys and gals will enjoy. Highly recommended!!!

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Damn funny May 7, 2011

By Brett

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

The Big Red Flags blog has cracked me up, and made me cringe, for a long time. So I was thrilled to see this book released with new horror stories and some of the funniest entries from the blog. It's a hysterical read for guys and gals alike. As a bonus, it will help you recognize total creeps and potential stalkers in your own dating life.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful and Funny May 7, 2011

By MT25

Format:Paperback

I followed the blog since its inception and watched it develop a meaningful following. The book was a natural addition and is a must-read / easy read. Blends subtle and explicit humor into the often callous life of dating. The anecdotes resonate and make you grin from experience. You will not be disappointed!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious dating horror stories! May 6, 2011

By Joy Rose

Format:Paperback

I've been following this hilarious and entertaining dating horror story blog for years. This book would make an excellent gift for anyone who has kissed a few frogs!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars loved it! May 6, 2011

By lily callihan

Format:Paperback

being a girl who has dated a red flag or two- i found this book informative, enjoyable and fun as well something i could relate to! this book would make a great addition to any reading list and will be a perfect summer read- i absolutely loved it (and you will too!)!!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars We've all been there before May 6, 2011

By jcal812

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I got this book from a friend a few days ago and could NOT put it down. Eventhough, I'm currently in a healthy relationship, had I received this book before, I could have been saved A LOT of trouble! The book is separated by warning signs and provides REAL stories and commentary related to that warning sign. Yes, some of the stories are really over the top, but more often then not, we've been there at some point. Hilarious book! I just bought one for a friend who is getting over a breakup from a complete loser.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars It only moderately failed to meet my expectation. December 19, 2011

By NH

Format:Paperback

I picked this up, thinking that I would have a quick, silly and funny read for an afternoon. Instead, I got a quick, silly, boring read. It was near painful to make myself finish it.

I pretty much expected this to be full of generalities about how men and women function in relationships that are based on essentially what is indicated by RomComs. It lived up to that.

I was, however, also expecting this to be witty and entertaining to make up for the fact that I was going to roll my eyes at the horrible gender roles that sound like they came out of a frickin' Kate Hudson movie. It did NOT live up to that.

The problem is that it tries to sound like an actual self-help dating book without having authors that have actual credibility in the area other than some collective dating experience, which makes the book kind of dry and simultaneously fluffy because it lacks real analysis. It tries to make up for it by including the anecdotes from the authors and some random people from their website to make it funny. It's like they're trying to marry a marriage counselor with Sex and the City but the marriage falls apart pretty much instantly after the ceremony and ends up with it really failing at both goals.

While the red flags are decently accurate and common (yes, if a guy doesn't introduce you as his girlfriend, it means he doesn't consider you his girlfriend or isn't really that into your relationship period) the reasoning of why this happens is based around things such as men like property and are animals and women like to be possessed and just want the security of a man.... Noticeably, none of the people involved in the making of this book have a degree in social science or any real professional experience in mediating relationship issues like a counselor would.

I'm not really stuffy-- you can write witty books about relationships that are entirely anecdotal-- but the problem is that I didn't even find the book entertaining. I think I mildly chuckled once or twice. It was pretty dismal. So overall I was left thinking to myself, "why the hell did I read this? It was kind of boring and contained slightly offensive, backwards views of women." Read more ›

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars An interesting if not entertaining read. June 8, 2011

By Eric

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I won't go into to much depth as this book clearly isn't aimed at me (a male). Suffice it to say that I had occasion to pick it up and after having read a bit, have come to this glorious venue to spout of my opinions (which I' m sure you're all desperate to hear).

The tone that the authors take in this book is especially noteworthy. It is one of a friend, but one with a sound head on her shoulders, a wealth of dating experience and a flair for giving good advice. And, if I may be frank for a moment, reading about other people's sex lives is ALWAYS fun.

This book is well written, sophisticated enough to be worth contemplating and decadent enough to keep you reading. Worth picking up: especially if you often find yourself in the wake of foreseeable dating trauma. But, really, this book is for anyone who likes sex, romance, and catastrophic train wrecks, and I think that's just about everyone.