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The Bad Boyfriends Bootcamp
The fun-filled novel about dating and friendship Claudia Carroll called ‘simply unputdownable’
When Molly Cooper’s sweet but hopeless brother Sam comes to her with news of yet another failed romance, she offers to show him where he keeps going wrong. By teaching Sam some of the golden rules of dating, Molly helps Sam land his dream woman.
Molly soon hits on the idea of turning her dating wisdom into a career. With the aid of her two best friends it isn’t long before The Bad Boyfriends Bootcamp is off the ground, educating men in the art of texting, fashion and understanding women.
Yet as Molly and co solve their clients’ problems, they soon realise that sometimes it’s easier to dish out the advice than to take it – and that maybe the rules of love are made to be broken…
353 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 10, 2012
29 people are currently reading
236 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
November 15, 2021
I give the four stars because I really enjoyed the listen. Also the book seems very aware of how problematic the premise is. As in „you have to improve yourself to be worthy of love“. People in the book do criticize and discuss the subject. On the other hand this book must have been written a while ago, as a lot of the pop culture references and the technology were dated, and so seemed some of the views. The heroine and her family and friends were interesting, well written, somewhat realistic characters which I liked spending time with. It is not a romance per se, but has several romances in it. There was a falling out between friends that I really hated, but it was resolved pretty fast and in a satisfactory way. Very good dialogue.
June 12, 2014
I really enjoyed this story, the premise is quite original and the characters are likeable, modern women who sometimes make mistakes. It's witty and funny and full of pop culture references that made me smile again and again. It wasn't a page-turner for me, rather something I savoured over a week. I would have liked to see some more of Patrick, which is why I'm giving it 4 stars instead of 5. Chick lit at its best .
March 28, 2019
Sometimes you just need a funny, easy, slightly ridiculous read to get you through cardio sessions on the treadmill.
This delivered.
This delivered.
March 13, 2021
*Fun & Dating*
Molly’s younger brother Sam does not have a good track record of holding onto his dates. Molly decides to put him on the straight and narrow when it comes to dating. After guiding him and helping him to go onto eventually finding the One for him Iris, Molly thinks she must be onto something.
She decides to set up with the help of some key friends what she calls the “Bad Boyfriends Bootcamp”. The boys/men are put through their paces with fitness, cooking, dinner dates etc.
Molly let’s it all go to her head and her natural bossiness leads her to fall out with friends and she feels like she is the authority of the rules. Now when she applies it to her own personal life what could go wrong.....
Molly’s younger brother Sam does not have a good track record of holding onto his dates. Molly decides to put him on the straight and narrow when it comes to dating. After guiding him and helping him to go onto eventually finding the One for him Iris, Molly thinks she must be onto something.
She decides to set up with the help of some key friends what she calls the “Bad Boyfriends Bootcamp”. The boys/men are put through their paces with fitness, cooking, dinner dates etc.
Molly let’s it all go to her head and her natural bossiness leads her to fall out with friends and she feels like she is the authority of the rules. Now when she applies it to her own personal life what could go wrong.....
March 13, 2013
Pretty disappointed with this book. It drags on far too long and I found myself skimming over a lot of the pages. I wanted to enjoy it but I was pretty much forcing myself to read it as I can't leave a book unfinished.
I found some of the language quite irritating too like saying 'bums' all the time.
If the book wasn't as long it could have potential but there's far too much useless, pointless information in it.
I found some of the language quite irritating too like saying 'bums' all the time.
If the book wasn't as long it could have potential but there's far too much useless, pointless information in it.
November 11, 2013
Gave up 70% through as it was just too long winded for me - was funny in parts but lots of typos :-(
December 7, 2014
I really enjoyed this book and will look up Poppy Dolan for more lighthearted entertainment. Her characters are believable and story telling is good fun.
August 6, 2016
Fing stark an, aber hat dann doch leider genau so stark abgebaut. Schade ...
February 12, 2018
Synopsis:
Molly loves her younger brother Sam more than anything in the world, so she decides to interfere with his love life, with the result that he successfully falls in love with Iris, a girl you can only describe as "a great catch". Together with her two friends Rachel and Josie, Molly decides to start a business based on the idea of giving love advice to strangers. At the end of the day, will she still remain a spinster, or will there be a happy ending for her?
If I said to you, "Oh, Molly, you'd be a great girlfriend if you just dyed your hair blonde and wore lacy underwear and pretended I was cleverer than you," it would be sexist and illegal. (...) But if you do it, suddenly it's not wrong.
This quote from the book perfectly sums up the double standards in the book that many women nowadays seem to have. Princess complex, anyone? The book will appeal to upper middle-class, single, high-maintenanced women in their twenties. The book started out with an interesting and promising premise, but it lost itself in minor, unnecessary details and shallow ramblings. I highly doubt any self-respecting man would voluntarily subject themselves to such a "bootcamp", but that's only my two cents. I wish the book would have had a little bit of substance and fewer typos. Wanted: a good editor.
Molly loves her younger brother Sam more than anything in the world, so she decides to interfere with his love life, with the result that he successfully falls in love with Iris, a girl you can only describe as "a great catch". Together with her two friends Rachel and Josie, Molly decides to start a business based on the idea of giving love advice to strangers. At the end of the day, will she still remain a spinster, or will there be a happy ending for her?
If I said to you, "Oh, Molly, you'd be a great girlfriend if you just dyed your hair blonde and wore lacy underwear and pretended I was cleverer than you," it would be sexist and illegal. (...) But if you do it, suddenly it's not wrong.
This quote from the book perfectly sums up the double standards in the book that many women nowadays seem to have. Princess complex, anyone? The book will appeal to upper middle-class, single, high-maintenanced women in their twenties. The book started out with an interesting and promising premise, but it lost itself in minor, unnecessary details and shallow ramblings. I highly doubt any self-respecting man would voluntarily subject themselves to such a "bootcamp", but that's only my two cents. I wish the book would have had a little bit of substance and fewer typos. Wanted: a good editor.
May 5, 2018
Not awful, but not really good either. The premise is cute and fun - Molly is an entrepreneur by nature and stumbles across an idea of helping guys get their romance act together to be better boyfriends. She’s not perfect in her approach and it bites her on the ass, nearly costing her friendships and relationships alike.
However, the writing wasn’t great (and I think the author should stick with limited third person POV rather than awkwardly jumping in and out of everyone’s head in a scene) and the plot was transparent. I also felt that the miscommunication-angle of the story was a little weak (for example, Patrick weighing in on her business before having it thoroughly described to him).
I guess it’s memorable and an entertaining enough quick read, though.
However, the writing wasn’t great (and I think the author should stick with limited third person POV rather than awkwardly jumping in and out of everyone’s head in a scene) and the plot was transparent. I also felt that the miscommunication-angle of the story was a little weak (for example, Patrick weighing in on her business before having it thoroughly described to him).
I guess it’s memorable and an entertaining enough quick read, though.
February 10, 2018
A little long and predictable, but fun, light, and entertaining. It is a pretty neat premise, even if I don't necessarily agree with it (much along the lines of the late love interest into the book). I had imagined that it would start with the business already going with just mentions to the set up, but instead it went through the whole process and that got a little old and wasn't what I was hoping for.
May 12, 2019
Couldn't put it down.
Is it just me or does anyone else get so engrossed into the characters lives and wrapped up in a book?
Such a well written , funny and light hearted book that had me clinging on to every chapter. I needed to know what happened with the characters and how everything turned out.
Is it just me or does anyone else get so engrossed into the characters lives and wrapped up in a book?
Such a well written , funny and light hearted book that had me clinging on to every chapter. I needed to know what happened with the characters and how everything turned out.
April 23, 2022
There was so much potential here.
Molly is slightly insufferable and narcissistic. We saw a lot of her surface personality, but didn’t really get to know her deeply.
Patrick is the same. They only interacted a few times and suddenly they wanted each other. It’s both too slow and too rushed at the same time.
Molly is slightly insufferable and narcissistic. We saw a lot of her surface personality, but didn’t really get to know her deeply.
Patrick is the same. They only interacted a few times and suddenly they wanted each other. It’s both too slow and too rushed at the same time.
September 3, 2025
A mostly charming romcom about a woman who starts a company to help bad boyfriends become better boyfriends. Of course things go wrong, and she can't see the man right in front of her.
It moves along briskly, it is very closed-door, and is a fine story to listen to whilst doing things that don't require much attention.
It moves along briskly, it is very closed-door, and is a fine story to listen to whilst doing things that don't require much attention.
November 22, 2025
This was a very British story, which I like. Molly has a supportive family and friends, but tends to be a bit extra in the bossiness department. And in the need-to-succeed department. The story was cute and I particularly liked the supporting cast. The chemistry between Molly and Patrick was a little lackluster, and the story dragged a bit in the middle. But, overall, I enjoyed the story.
April 5, 2018
a real laugh out loud read which calls out the truth of what women are looking for from a boyfriend, but also how its important to always be yourself. A definite must for anyone who likes romance with a lot of laughter
July 23, 2018
An entertaining read with good characters. Would like to read something more recent of Poppy Dolan’s that was edited. I’m not very good at ignoring the mistakes and there were quite a few. Good for her first book. It’s been on my to-read list for so long and I’m glad I finally got around to it.
February 12, 2023
Mmmm not really a book that drew me in
It’s alright
Nothing to rave over
My favourite character would properly be the brother.
Our fmc decides to make a business off the flaws of the opposite sex. Make them better in relationships with mixed signals.
It’s alright
Nothing to rave over
My favourite character would properly be the brother.
Our fmc decides to make a business off the flaws of the opposite sex. Make them better in relationships with mixed signals.
February 11, 2018
If you like romance, this is a fun & quick read without the sex details.
April 1, 2019
Fun easy read.
July 30, 2022
I've read this book a while back via audiobook. I can't really remember a lot about it, therefore I give it only 2 stars
November 16, 2023
Had een goed boek kunnen zijn als het 200 pagina’s minder had
December 5, 2025
Pretty good for a free audiobook. Predictable but the banter was good and funny. Was a nice book to listen to in between series.
February 4, 2022
Molly is making it her mission to ensure the continuance of the human race, one hopeless slob at a time.
April 27, 2015
I really enjoyed this warm, feisty and laugh-out-loud story.
The story follows Molly, an independent young business woman with a bossy streak. Molly is in the red and needs to think sharpish about how to improve her failing business. One evening, Molly returns to her flat that she shares with her brother, Sam, to find him wallowing in his own filth listening to the saddest notes that Johnny Cash ever played. As any good sister would do, Molly picks her brother up, dusts him off and gives him the kick up the backside that he needs. She also throws in some advice about the female species and sends him on his way. That's when Sam meets Iris.
The idea for Molly's future business is planted and this means the birth of the Boyfriend boot camp.
Molly's new business is no means an easy ride. When will Molly realise that she needs to take some time out from her career to find true love for herself as well as helping everyone else to find it?
This is a cute, quick read. Thoroughly enjoyable.
The only thing I would comment on is the repetition that Josie is a beautifully toned Californian gets a little tedious after a while.
The story follows Molly, an independent young business woman with a bossy streak. Molly is in the red and needs to think sharpish about how to improve her failing business. One evening, Molly returns to her flat that she shares with her brother, Sam, to find him wallowing in his own filth listening to the saddest notes that Johnny Cash ever played. As any good sister would do, Molly picks her brother up, dusts him off and gives him the kick up the backside that he needs. She also throws in some advice about the female species and sends him on his way. That's when Sam meets Iris.
The idea for Molly's future business is planted and this means the birth of the Boyfriend boot camp.
Molly's new business is no means an easy ride. When will Molly realise that she needs to take some time out from her career to find true love for herself as well as helping everyone else to find it?
This is a cute, quick read. Thoroughly enjoyable.
The only thing I would comment on is the repetition that Josie is a beautifully toned Californian gets a little tedious after a while.
July 27, 2012
It was the zany title of this book that really grabbed my attention. What a brilliant idea - a training ground for bad bad boyfriends and possibly horrid husbands.
All the reviews I saw rated it well so I uploaded it my Kindle. At first I was a bit disappointed as it didn't grab me as much as I thought it would, but I'm glad I stuck with it as I grew to love the characters and their antics. It's a shame that there are quite a few typos and wrong words in places as it stilts the reading pleasure somewhat, but overall a thoroughly enjoyable chick lit jaunt.
Looking forward to reading more from this new author in the future.
All the reviews I saw rated it well so I uploaded it my Kindle. At first I was a bit disappointed as it didn't grab me as much as I thought it would, but I'm glad I stuck with it as I grew to love the characters and their antics. It's a shame that there are quite a few typos and wrong words in places as it stilts the reading pleasure somewhat, but overall a thoroughly enjoyable chick lit jaunt.
Looking forward to reading more from this new author in the future.
October 6, 2012
The Bad Boyfriends Bootcamp is an amusing book, which had me laughing out loud in places (particularly the Oxo Tower part). Although she wasn't perfect (as her friends discover along the way), I really warmed to Molly. She was warm, funny and caring and I loved the close bond she had with her brother, Sam, and the banter between her and Sam's friends. I also loved the friendships that were built up in the book and thought that, despite a few niggles, Molly, her best friend, Rachael and new friend, Josie, made a fantastic team.
There was humour throughout the book, making The Bad Boyfriends Bootcamp an immensely enjoyable read.
There was humour throughout the book, making The Bad Boyfriends Bootcamp an immensely enjoyable read.
April 8, 2014
A fun read but a little heavy on detail and slow in parts.
Molly's younger brother asks for her advice on getting a girlfriend. The business she has is a failure and in desperate need of funds she ropes some friends into setting up a business to help transform some chaps, that are hopeless with girls, into being good boyfriend material. Nothing really goes to plan and things get complicated.
The book has some laugh out loud moments and the characters are fun.
Molly's younger brother asks for her advice on getting a girlfriend. The business she has is a failure and in desperate need of funds she ropes some friends into setting up a business to help transform some chaps, that are hopeless with girls, into being good boyfriend material. Nothing really goes to plan and things get complicated.
The book has some laugh out loud moments and the characters are fun.
March 29, 2015
I loved the sound of this book but sadly it didn't live up to expectations and I almost gave up on it. The only reason I didn't is I'm trying to DNF fewer books. It was slow and boring in places and had several spelling mistakes. I verged between really liking the main character, Molly and thinking she was full of herself and annoying. Not one I'd reccommend to be honest although it did have it's redeeming moments and wasn't all bad.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews