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Playas #1
The Playa's Handbook
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.
*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.
304 pages, Paperback
First published November 2, 2004
32 people are currently reading
556 people want to read
About the author
Brenda Jackson
899 books3,603 followersIn 1994, Brenda Jackson’s first novel, Tonight and Forever, was released. Since then she has had more than 100 novels and novellas published (the first African-American author to accomplish such a feat) and has over 3 million books in print.
A native of Jacksonville, Florida, Brenda is the first African-American author to have a book published by Harlequin Desire and the first African-American romance author to make the New York Times and USA TODAY bestseller lists within the series romance genre.
In 2012, Brenda received the Romance Writers of America’s Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award—one of the highest literary awards a romance author can receive. In 2013, she was recognized by the mayor and the city of Jacksonville as being a Trailblazer in the literary field.
In 2010, she collaborated with Five Alive Films to turn her Truly Everlasting title into a feature film. Brenda’s 2011 novel A Silken Thread is scheduled to be filmed with Debbie Allen attached as director in 2015.
Email Brenda at authorbrendajackson@gmail.com or visit her on her website at brendajackson.net.
A native of Jacksonville, Florida, Brenda is the first African-American author to have a book published by Harlequin Desire and the first African-American romance author to make the New York Times and USA TODAY bestseller lists within the series romance genre.
In 2012, Brenda received the Romance Writers of America’s Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award—one of the highest literary awards a romance author can receive. In 2013, she was recognized by the mayor and the city of Jacksonville as being a Trailblazer in the literary field.
In 2010, she collaborated with Five Alive Films to turn her Truly Everlasting title into a feature film. Brenda’s 2011 novel A Silken Thread is scheduled to be filmed with Debbie Allen attached as director in 2015.
Email Brenda at authorbrendajackson@gmail.com or visit her on her website at brendajackson.net.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
July 11, 2024
I needed these laughs.
September 16, 2022
4 of 5 stars
Loved rereading this! Between this and the Madaris Family series, Mrs. Jackson had me in a chokehold back in the day and now I remember why! After rereading book 2, I'm definitely going to pick up some of her more recent work that I've missed!
Loved rereading this! Between this and the Madaris Family series, Mrs. Jackson had me in a chokehold back in the day and now I remember why! After rereading book 2, I'm definitely going to pick up some of her more recent work that I've missed!
July 5, 2008
AAMBC Book Review, May 29, 2008
When you get into the concept of this book, you can see how some men look at commitment, and how some crave for commitment. I enjoyed this book, because it was truthful and gave a depiction of four men looking for love in all the wrong places. If you think you can find love by following a book, you're wrong. When the men finally stop listening to what everyone else was telling them and started listening to their hearts, their life became more fulfilling. Great book, Brenda Jackson. The ending is a great one, the sequel is even better.
When you get into the concept of this book, you can see how some men look at commitment, and how some crave for commitment. I enjoyed this book, because it was truthful and gave a depiction of four men looking for love in all the wrong places. If you think you can find love by following a book, you're wrong. When the men finally stop listening to what everyone else was telling them and started listening to their hearts, their life became more fulfilling. Great book, Brenda Jackson. The ending is a great one, the sequel is even better.
November 29, 2022
Seriously rolling my eyes with this one.
I guess I am just not into this type of story right now.
Typical playa playa book.
I guess I am just not into this type of story right now.
Typical playa playa book.
December 31, 2018
One night, while watching the game and drinking beer, friends Marcus Lowery, Samuel Gunn, and Phillip McKenna all admit to buying Lance Montgomery's book "The Playa's Handbook". 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. Marcus decides takes to heart ("A woman can't use you if you use her first" and winds up with a stalker (decides to settle down with church girl). Sam gets busy with Tina who follows her horoscope and the stars, but finds his neighbor (chef) Falon a more tempting morsel, while Philip catches feelings for a single mom at his daughter's school, namely beautiful, (widowed attorney) Terri. Lance breaks all the playa rules for love with Dr. Asia] ‘04 VG
August 23, 2025
This was my second time reading (listening to) this book. I enjoyed it just as much as I did the first time. I was happy Phillip, Sam and Marcus finally threw the Playa's Handbook aside and were to their feelings with the new woman in their lives. Lance, on the other hand, played a game it appears he has lost, at least for now. While he hurt Asia deeply in this game, I was glad she did not settle. The ultimate Playa got played! I started this series in anticipation of the Thanksgiving book coming out. On to book two.
January 17, 2019
This novel was long and at times a little drawn out but the plot was good! I was glad Phillip, Sam and Marcus found a love to call their own. Lance played a game it appears he's losing. Asia was hurt in this game but she will not settle. The Playas got played! I will keep reading this series to see how it all turns out!
November 12, 2024
Marcus, Sam, and Phillip are three friends who are ready to get back into the dating scene. Marcus is a widower. Sam and Phillip are recently divorced. They read Lance's book and think they will try their hand at being playas. Doesn't take long for them to realize that they are the kind of men who need love in their lives.
This was a good book. I enjoyed it a lot.
This was a good book. I enjoyed it a lot.
October 22, 2018
Cliffhanger for sure
This was a really good book. I so wasn't ready for the ending and it didn't disappoint. There was a lot of emotional ups nd downs poured into this book. Excellent read.
This was a really good book. I so wasn't ready for the ending and it didn't disappoint. There was a lot of emotional ups nd downs poured into this book. Excellent read.
October 4, 2025
It was okay. 2.5 stars rounded up to 3. Some of the guys just seemed really corny and the language also seemed corny. lol I don’t know to explain it. Maybe this is just how I see guys who try to be “playas” or maybe it was the way the voice actor kept saying it. Who knows
August 4, 2017
Game's Over!
This was a great read. And it shined such a beautiful light on how men cope with and heal from heartbreak.
This was a great read. And it shined such a beautiful light on how men cope with and heal from heartbreak.
November 26, 2017
I know damn well Marcus isn't gone be with that woman. She felt him up right after his wife died!!!
December 21, 2020
Great book
Because I have the other books and needed this on because it's how Lance and Asia become a couple great book
Because I have the other books and needed this on because it's how Lance and Asia become a couple great book
October 15, 2022
Great read
January 23, 2024
Good read and listen. I missed this series and will be reading or listening to the others in the series.
November 18, 2025
I would have like for this book to have more about Asia and Lance. After they got together there was just this gap and you have no idea what really happens until closer to the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 16, 2010
4.5 stars. I don't know why I picked this book up and there were times I wasn't sure why I kept reading. In many ways, it is not the sort of book I would typically enjoy. The style was a bit abrupt, even choppy, the story was split between 4 concurrent lines that made it a little difficult to get into at first, and I didn't particularly like Lance, the author of "The Playa's Handbook," for which the book was named.
But every time I thought about putting the book down, either because Lance was doing something I hated or one of the other story lines got a little dull and I wanted to go back to a different one, something made me keep going. And going. And going.
And then something strange happened. I finished the last chapter, closed the book, and realized that I absolutely loved it. It was brilliant, real, down to earth, and absolutely perfect.
Here's the gist of it: Lance has written a book called "The Playa's Handbook" -- a guide for helping men to stay single and have frivolous, no commitment sex. He sends a signed copy to a friend of his, Sam, who just got through a divorce. Sam, along with his friend Phillip, also divorced, and their friend Marcus, a widower, decide to read the book and try to follow its guidelines as they haven't had much luck getting back into the dating scene. Each one has his own issues that he has to overcome, but for a while, they do try to follow the guidelines in the book. Meanwhile, Lance sets his sights on seducing the author of another book, the polar opposite of his, warning sistas away from men like him.
I'm itching to give away the very best part of the book but I won't because it's a massive spoiler...but those of you in my book club be forwarned, this may be coming up next time it's my turn to pick. It even comes with a list of reader questions. This is a romance, but not a typical genre romance at all and I do recommend it to almost anyone who would like to read a good book about relationships.
But every time I thought about putting the book down, either because Lance was doing something I hated or one of the other story lines got a little dull and I wanted to go back to a different one, something made me keep going. And going. And going.
And then something strange happened. I finished the last chapter, closed the book, and realized that I absolutely loved it. It was brilliant, real, down to earth, and absolutely perfect.
Here's the gist of it: Lance has written a book called "The Playa's Handbook" -- a guide for helping men to stay single and have frivolous, no commitment sex. He sends a signed copy to a friend of his, Sam, who just got through a divorce. Sam, along with his friend Phillip, also divorced, and their friend Marcus, a widower, decide to read the book and try to follow its guidelines as they haven't had much luck getting back into the dating scene. Each one has his own issues that he has to overcome, but for a while, they do try to follow the guidelines in the book. Meanwhile, Lance sets his sights on seducing the author of another book, the polar opposite of his, warning sistas away from men like him.
I'm itching to give away the very best part of the book but I won't because it's a massive spoiler...but those of you in my book club be forwarned, this may be coming up next time it's my turn to pick. It even comes with a list of reader questions. This is a romance, but not a typical genre romance at all and I do recommend it to almost anyone who would like to read a good book about relationships.
September 29, 2010
Gary, Indiana has come a long way from Ron Howard's lisped version of, Gary Indiana, Gary, Indiana, Gary Indiana! heard in the Musical, The Music Man.
In Brenda Hampton's Playa's Handbook Gary, Indiana is home to one Lance Montgomery who author's The Playa's Handbook. Read the top ten rules below:
Top Ten Rules [DS's comments in ()]
- Never give a woman the key to your apartment.
- Playas "have sex," they don't "make love."
- Avoid crotch-grabbers, unless you like feeling assaulted.
- Before you get carried away with a woman, make sure everything she's packing is the real thing (LOL, LOL, LOL!)
- Stay away from women who have reputations for "faking it."
- Beware of women who prefer the "on-top" position all the time. (eyebrows raised)
- Avoid the "First Come, Last Served Syndrome" by making sure she's willing to go down on you if you're willing to go down on her. (ROFLMBO)
- Don't be afraid "not" to commit, no matter how hot the sex is.
- Beware of women who ask what sort of work you do too soon in the conversation. Usually that's an indication they are trying to find out how much money you make. (Wrong! If you have a J O B and if it's legal... LOL)
- A woman can't use you if you use her first.
Reading the a book which includes the above rules and following an example of the author, Lance Montgomery, three male friends give into unspoken male peer pressure to unleash their inner playa.
This book was a good afternoon read. The characters are indentifiable as someone's brother, bonehead or significant other that we've all encountered at some time in our lives.
In Brenda Hampton's Playa's Handbook Gary, Indiana is home to one Lance Montgomery who author's The Playa's Handbook. Read the top ten rules below:
Top Ten Rules [DS's comments in ()]
- Never give a woman the key to your apartment.
- Playas "have sex," they don't "make love."
- Avoid crotch-grabbers, unless you like feeling assaulted.
- Before you get carried away with a woman, make sure everything she's packing is the real thing (LOL, LOL, LOL!)
- Stay away from women who have reputations for "faking it."
- Beware of women who prefer the "on-top" position all the time. (eyebrows raised)
- Avoid the "First Come, Last Served Syndrome" by making sure she's willing to go down on you if you're willing to go down on her. (ROFLMBO)
- Don't be afraid "not" to commit, no matter how hot the sex is.
- Beware of women who ask what sort of work you do too soon in the conversation. Usually that's an indication they are trying to find out how much money you make. (Wrong! If you have a J O B and if it's legal... LOL)
- A woman can't use you if you use her first.
Reading the a book which includes the above rules and following an example of the author, Lance Montgomery, three male friends give into unspoken male peer pressure to unleash their inner playa.
This book was a good afternoon read. The characters are indentifiable as someone's brother, bonehead or significant other that we've all encountered at some time in our lives.
July 7, 2016
The Playa's Handbook by Brenda Jackson. This book I loved it. It about three best friends name Marcus Lowery ,Samuel Gun (aka) also best friend with Lance Montgomery and Phillip McKenna. It starts each friend read Lance Montgomery handbook trying to follow the books. Sam has been hurt by his Kim ex-wife his called told him she was marrying the guy she cheated on. He had trust issues that was wrong how she did him. Then Phillip divorced from Rhonda. Then their Marcus who is a widower who wife Dottie died in a tragic train accident. All three friends read the book the were to start had a lot to choose from. Marcus met Naomi Monroe they had a misunderstanding she was always attract to him since high school he ended up in mean less relationship and a starker. His mother kept put them together Marcus fought his feelings he did want to play games anymore he finally realize Naomi he was in love with her. Sam met Trina he meets his sexy chef neighbor Falon. Then their Phillp and meets and Terri after a long of mean less sex. They each meet and fell in love with their soul mate trying to be Playa's.
March 1, 2011
I liked this book. I would have liked it even better if there had been one character who was really a great example of the handbook. Especially considering the author of the handbook meets the woman who makes him want to change his way. I also would not recommend this book unless you are a believer. Jackson makes more references to religion than in any of her books I've read and I believe I've ready 95% of them.
July 18, 2015
The book started at a slow pace, but it picked up. The author did a good job telling the story. I particularly loved the way she separated each character's story by heading the chapters with the names of the characters that they focused on. Some of the wording was repetitive, which did wear on me a few times, but other than that, it was an enjoyable read. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
March 27, 2013
This was a quick read. The story was about some guys who try and follow these rules for how to be a playa. While going through this exercise things get a little crazy and in the end they figure out the type of men that they really are. I think that it teaches the lesson that being a playa is not always as great as many think it is.
April 20, 2013
At first I thought this book was dragging a bit and maybe what was said in 600 pages could've been said in 300. But Brenda Jackson is one of my favorite authors for a reason. The story compelled me to continue, pushing me to understand the depths of the characters and their dilemma. There was a twist to ending that I didn't anticipate but was happy for it!!
September 6, 2014
Awesome read and a wonderful start to this "Playas" series. Although Lance started out as a male DOG, I was amused to see him get what he deserved. However, I am secretly wishing for him to claim his true love after learning his own lesson about love. I look forward to reading the next installment of the playas series "No More Playas"!
Read
March 15, 2010Very good book. This book is an eye opener for those of you who think life is over when you get cheated on or a spouse is deceased. It's not over...life goes on...and you have to, too.(YOU LIVE & YOU LEARN!)
April 19, 2012
Quite engaging as the stories of the four main characters unfold and in places intertwine but really four romance stories in one ,with likeable characters ,except Marcus who gets what he deserves. Enjoyable easy read.
August 24, 2013
What an interesting story.... Brenda Jackson has done it again. I especially loved the fact that all the men excluding the unfortunate Lance... came to the realization that they were one women men. Great read!
August 23, 2015
A book about 5 men who think they can be or try to be playa's. I must admit that I sometimes got confused between the 5 male characters but otherwise the author manages really well to tell 5 interlocking stories.
December 2, 2011
Page turner. I thought it was going to be boring, but it was not. It was good that Lance found the woman that he loves and did not give up fighting for her.
July 23, 2012
Slow start decent ending
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews