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Audible sample Sample
Playing with Boys: A Novel Paperback – July 1, 2005
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From the author of The Dirty Girls Social Club comes another fast, funny, soulful, and sexy novel about friendship and love amid Latinas.
It's a jungle out there -- in Los Angeles, that is, where the tangle of freeways and ingrained insincerity can make a girl feel very alone, no matter how fabulous the weather or how cute the clothes at the South Coast Plaza mall. With very different styles and attitudes, Marcella, Olivia, and Alexis are trying to crack the code in L.A, trying to snare love and success. But first they have to come together―to make their marks and plan the fun they're going to have along the way.
Marcella is a hot, sharp young television actress who's barely able to enjoy the life she's bought for herself and certainly isn't enjoying her body, which is never quite perfect enough. Olivia, whose life revolves around her toddler son, Jack, is tethered to her suburban mommy track so tightly she can almost forget the horrible thing that happened to her family when she was a child herself. Alexis is a musicians' manager with a smart mouth, an ample body, and loads of style but barely enough self-esteem to fill a Prada card case. And the boys in their lives? Marcella's had about enough of them throwing themselves at her; Olivia's boy is her son; and Alexis is still searching, not for a boy this time, but for a man.
Playing with Boys is a savvy novel with charm, style, and heart to spare.
- Print length368 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication dateJuly 1, 2005
- Dimensions5.5 x 0.82 x 8.5 inches
- ISBN-100312332351
- ISBN-13978-0312332358
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Editorial Reviews
Review
“Three very different Latina women vow to bring Los Angeles to its collective knees in this funny, guilty pleasure of a novel . . . [A] heartfelt piece of escapism.” ―Publishers Weekly
"Playing with Boys is a testament to the powers of women wrapped up in a pretty Cinderella story times three.” ―Albuquerque Journal
“A beach read that . . . might make you giggle and blush.” ―Chicago Sun-Times
“As Marcella, Alexis, and Olivia grapple with men and their careers, they really don't seem all that different from Bridget Jones herself.” ―Miami Herald
“The three amigas--a television actress, a single mother, and a manager of musicians--each has her own distinct lifestyle, quirks, and notions of romance, yet each manages to help her friends find balance, along with loads of good times.” ―Sacramento Bee
“If you're looking for a great beach listen, The Dirty Girls Social Club is just what the audio doctor ordered.” ―Bookpage
“The personalities are sparkling fresh...Valdes-Rodriguez offers a spirited reading...highly recommended.” ―Kliatt
“[Valdes-Rodriguez] speaks in the accent and personality of each character and is completely convincing. [She] is not only someone to watch, but someone to hear.” ―Memphis Commercial Appeal
From the Back Cover
..."a fresh spin on the best-of-friends novel that's funny, touching, and exhilarating. A winner!"
- Jennifer Crusie, author of "Faking It
"Don't dare lump this novel in with..."Sex and the City knockoffs. Yes, it's a compulsive beach read, but the women are smart, brassy, and messy enough to make you pause mid-sunscreen slathering."
- "Entertainment Weekly
"The feel of a night out with the girls...charming...undeniably fun."
- "Miami Herald
"This lively debut novel...reads like the Hispanic version of W"aiting to Exhale."
- "New York
About the Author
Product details
- Publisher : St. Martin's Griffin; First Edition (July 1, 2005)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 368 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0312332351
- ISBN-13 : 978-0312332358
- Item Weight : 1.05 pounds
- Dimensions : 5.5 x 0.82 x 8.5 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #5,122,347 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #6,224 in Hispanic American Literature & Fiction
- #12,260 in Cultural Heritage Fiction
- #16,626 in Women's Friendship Fiction
- Customer Reviews:
About the authors
Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of many novels. Published in 11 languages and with more than 1 million books in print, Alisa was named one of the 25 Most Influential Hispanics in the United States by Time magazine; Latina magazine named her a Woman of the Year; Entertainment Weekly hailed her as a Breakout Literary Star; and Hispanic Business magazine has twice named her among the 100 Most Influential people in the nation. Alisa is a former staff writer for the Boston Globe and the Los Angeles Times, and holds a master's in journalism from Columbia University. Alisa is also a screenwriter and TV and film producer, and a playwright and composer with a bachelor's from Berklee College of Music.
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I agree with the other audio reviewer, the voices of the author and two actresses make this audiobook sparkle. The plot is a little bit light and predictable, but the characters are so charming and human, and the light and relatable humor in every sentance made this a pleasure to listen to.
I don't think I would have enjoyed this nearly so much had I sat down and read it, because the accents of the readers and their intonations really brought the dialogue and characters to life.
Fans of her earlier book, The Dirty Girls Social Club, will find this a little lighter, but still enjoyable. I can't wait for the next one!