The Love Playbook: Rules for Love, Sex, and Happiness

by La La Anthony, Karen Hunter

Star of VH1’s La La’s Full Court Life, actress, entrepreneur, and wife of New York Knick’s star Carmelo Anthony – La La Anthony found love and success on her own terms. But before La La was a strong woman balancing a growing career, a high-profile marriage, and motherhood, she suffered through bad dates, tumultuous relationships, and backstabbing friends. She learned the hard way how to rise above it all to live the life she loves. And now, for the first time, she channels her most rewarding and challenging lessons into a personal playbook, providing empowering, go-to advice for healthy relationships and a happy life.
 
With her attitude of no nonsense and no judgments, La La is the one her friends come to for relationship advice. She tells it like it is, sharing her personal experiences and revealing intimate details about her marriage and past relationships, to illustrate what she’s learned the hard way.
 
In The Love Playbook, La La provides play-by-play plans—from teaching your man the right way to treat a woman to dealing with a fickle friend, and, of course, how to snag a baller. With personal secrets and empowering advice, you will learn how to take control of your relationships, rise above adversity, and live your life by your rules.
 
THE LOVE PLAYBOOK is the everywoman guide to finding love, building healthy relationships, and staying true to yourself along the way. 

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, Relationships, Biography, Romance

240 pages, Hardcover

First published January 28, 2014

Reviews

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although La La spoke mostly from her own personal experience, most of the things she mentioned in this book should have been advice instilled in every woman at an early age in life. She mentions how important it is to have self-respect and set valuable standards for yourself. She had also touched base on a savvy ways to handle certain situations in a relationship. I love the way she incorporated the rules of basketball into each chapter and changing it up to point out particular dating and life issues by offering either her own personal advice or the advice of her parents or grandmother. This was truly an enjoyable read, fresh and enlightening for women who's real about being true to themselves and their relationship with their man. I see this book as the female version of Think Like A Man...but with a more personal touch.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful true story of La La Anthony on her success in radio, TV, entrepreneur and wife to NBA Star Carmelo Anthony. She also tells of having a son and the many relationships with coworkers (both male and female), and girlfriends but most importantly her relationship with her husband. She is well grounded and has taken some valuable life lessons from her Mom, Dad and stepdad. It was rewarding to see how she relates to people in a way that she does not bond with them by their wealth but as a person. I would have liked for her to expound more on if she had a relationship with God as I read her book it almost seems like she does as she treats people the way she would want to be treated with is the "Golden Rule"

[Roberta Decenzo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good read. La La outlines everything we already know but she does it in a way that actually connects. I’ve heard so many times how one needs to love oneself first, how men need something to chase etc. but it never really sank in. La La makes it relatable with her own life examples and the examples of her friends. While the advice itself is something that women have all heard before, La La says it in a way that feels more genuine and from the heart based on her experiences and not just said as an automatic statement. I feel the book helped me realise in hindsight where past relationships went wrong, where I was holding on too tightly, and how to change that.

[Emy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un véritable guide pour trouver l'amour, bâtir des relations solides et rester fidèle à ses valeurs. Comment avoir le contrôle et obtenir ce qu'on veut indirectement en ayant simplement confiance en soi. Lala a tiré des leçons de ces relations amoureuses ou de celles de son entourage, et elle met en lumière les difficultés à rester soi-même tout en cherchant une stabilité sociale, amoureuse et familiale.

[Steve Bahwe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting how an author can use their own life experience to provide guidance to the mass on basic things... Really good and easy read.

[Mutamuriza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!!!! every female out there should read this book

[K Lamb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. I liked how she incorporated basketball terminology into the beginning of the chapters. Any woman, regardless of relationship status should read this book. A good amount of it is common sense, however, there's nothing wrong with a refresher. She encourages women to find out who they truly are and know themselves before trying to pursue a relationship. There are many relationship books in existence, however, many don't tell you to find and know yourself. Also, Mrs. Anthony was very straight to the point and cut no corners in this book.

[Marquitta Harlan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was book about finding the love of your life while Lala Anthony give you a sneak peek of her own life. It will make you reflect and look inward at some of the choices that you have made. Were they mistakes? Or were the right choice? At the end, you will find yourself figuring out what you will do better in the future.

[Jezzeri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Access your value and cultivate your talents and skills. Be yourself so the one who appreciates what you have to offer deserves to be with you. When a relationship is right, a partner's differences can help strengthen your weaknesses. Find yourself first--be happy with who you are and be true to yourself. When you truly love yourself, you're open to having the best things in life come your way.

[Ameena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good book it put me in the mind, of Steve Harvey's book Think Like Man, but on a woman's point of view.

[Iami Menotu · Rating 1 out of 5]

Gobblydook of advice for women and personal story.

[Thao-Nguyen Nguyen · Rating 3 out of 5]

My favorite quote from the book: “So take a breather, pause, pay attention”.

[Corinn · Rating 1 out of 5]

Way worse than a huge yawn 🙄 or even the biggest SNORE. Monotonous. Snooze fest.

[Devarsi Majumder]

great book and insight advice

[Mrs Bty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice to read Lala Vasquez's story in this perpective.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting to learn life through her perspective.

[Francesca Reid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Released in January of 2014 , this New York Times Bestseller, 'The Love Playbook: Rules for Love, Sex, and Happiness' written by Lala Anthony the wife of NBA star Carmelo Anthony was a big hit. Comparing the game of basketball to the game of love, Lala provides readers with what she believes to be the key to finding love and happiness.


While it took me quite some time to finish this read, I can say I was pleased. There weren't any new tips or tricks given but I appreciated Lala giving us her perspective. It appeared 100% real and genuine. The information wasn't forced and she didn't have a "no-it-all" tone in this book. She gave us her opinions based on her experiences as well as experiences of others that she shared with us. While Lala is somewhat public, having a show on VH1, there were many things we did not know especially about her relationship with Carmelo so it was nice that she gave us a some insight.


I have a good number of highlights throughout the book and have even applied some suggestions and tips to my own relationship. After I finished reading The Love Playbook: Rules for Love, Sex, and Happiness, I tried her "60 day relationship challenge" which she has a version for those in relationships as well as one for singles.


During this relationship challenge you pick something you would like to work on, a flaw or area you know you could be better at where your relationship is concerned, and you work to improve it. You do not tell your partner about it, you just do it. The relationship challenge for singles focuses on you as an individual. You spend those sixty days "NOT looking, thinking, or trying to get a man". Use that time to be the woman you want to be. Set a reasonable goal/ goals and use that time to work towards it.


I rated this book 4 out of 5 stars and would recommend to any reader single and taken, who enjoy self-help, non-fiction, relationship, and romance books.

[Mary Karpel-Jergic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wanting to get a taste for young women's attitudes to relationships I decided to read this book written by an American radio and TV presenter. Openly declares her lack of any credentials from the start "I'm not a relationship expert" - but quite frankly who is? However, she bases her advice on her own experiences and wow - what a woman with her head screwed on and her feet firmly grounded even with celebrity status and beautiful looks.

Let your daughters read this. "We determine how a man will treat us".

"Women lose when we don't view other women as members of our team"

"You should establish that you're worthy of respect and that you expect to be treated with respect. Men respect women who respect themselves"

At a time when I worry deeply about the impact of pornography on young people's expectations of relationships and the objectification of the female body I find this book a breath of fresh air.

[Stashia Barnaba · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to admit that I wasn't sure what to expect, but I was PLEASANTLY surprised with this book! Even though it is meant to be a book on love/relationship advice, it reads like a lighthearted biography in which you feel like La La is an old girlfriend you're catching up with over happy hour drinks. I loved the conversational aspect of the writing. It made it easy to read, hard to put down, and left me with a smile after turning the last page. Not just because I found some of the advice helpful (most of it resembles the guidance I've received from my mom or grandmothers), but because I could relate to her journey of finding love with a significant other but also recognizing the love you have within your family and yourself.

[Bree Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

My best friend and I read this book at the exact same time states away from each other and I remember once I finished it I was like "this was a pretty fun read." I didn't get the notion that she was being full of herself. We know who she is we know who she's married to we know who her friends are. If I wrote this type of book I'd more than likely throw the names of my friends in there as well so she can't be faulted just because hers happen to be celebs. The advice was basic relationship stuff but love shouldn't be hard. It should be easy. Can't expect her to pull random unknown advice out of a hat. I thought it was a good read.

[Niecy · Rating 4 out of 5]

For me the book was common sense, but still a good read none the less if you just want/need to hear some sound advice. She prefaces the book by saying she's not a relationship expert so if you don't like what she has to say keep it moving, but she is speaking from her personal experiences. I'm not in to reality tv and never had a bad opinion of her, but after reading the book I do have a new found respect for her. The book is a very easy read, it can be done in one sitting easily if you're anxious.

[Tara Jefferson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought it gave a little insight into Lala and Carmelo's relationship, but the relationship advice here is pretty basic (have your own life outside of the relationship, love yourself first, etc.). I feel like Lala held back a lot in her present relationship (which I can understand) and focused more on relationships she had in college, which the average reader probably doesn't care about. She is in a high-profile relationship with an NBA player - how they've managed to stay together all these years is something she should have explored.

[Mai · Rating 4 out of 5]

I find it kind boring at first because i expected it to be a relationship book but it's all about the writer and her life and the life lessons she learnt from each experience specifically her relationships whether with family,friends or men she used to date. the author of this book La La Anthony gives us advices based on her life and experiences which i find it interesting and kinda cool whether you can relate to her story or not doesn't matter ,if you can apply the rules she gives, it could be beneficial to anyone .

[Daree Allen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think the titles are clever for basketball, but since that's her husband's profession, maybe she should have chosen a theme related to music or general entertainment as that is what she is more closely affiliated and how she became famous.

It's good that she said some things differently with Melo than she advises (e.g., her long engagement and pre-marital baby).
Sometimes topics jumped back and forth and that made it hard to follow some of her stories.

Overall it was an entertaining and enjoyable read, but not advice is not new information.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

La La surprised me with her candid honesty and her willingness to keep it real about love, sex and happiness (as she shared some really challenging times with the reader) that allowed you to see her vulnerabilities, insecurities and ultimate growth.

I really enjoyed how La La was able to drizzle some real tidbits of wisdom for women about having your own and loving yourself fully - despite your status (i.e., single, divorced or married).

[Sunflowergurl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, her books was good. It provided relationship advice to women out there who are seeking some thoughts about how to get a good man and how to be in a good relationship. Most of her advice are pretty common sense but I guess there are still others out there who are in a complicated relationship. I pretty much read this book because I liked Lala since her 92.3 the beat days. She's come a long way.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written book containing excellent dating advice. A negative aspect of the book is her tendency to switch from sounding humble to a bit full of herself. I'm not entirely sure why she felt the need to name drop a lot of celebrities that weren't crucial to her stories, but in fairness, maybe she was writing those parts to publicly compliment her friends.

[Anahi Abreu · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book

This book is inspirational. Lala Anthony speaks to many when she talks about the experiences she had faced in her life. I am very big on sports and I love how she interpret her life as a basketball wife a mother and a television personnel all in one book. I will definitely recommend this book to everyone. this book is a must read

[Alana Benjamin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved this book because it reinforced little life mantras about life, love, friendship and career.

I didn't love that a lot of the advice given was advice that the author didn't personally adhere to ... so the legitimacy faded as the book progressed.

However, it satisfied our curiosity on all things celebrity. There was also a very touching story about her friendship with Kimmy K.

[Kibkabe · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Power Playbook was better. In this book, the advice is sound and her perspective is common, but there's a lot of repetition with the storytelling and it comes off as a disorganized thought process at times. Other than that, she says what most people believe but getting the info from her may be easier than from people in your real life.