Playing with Boys

by Alisa Valdes and Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez

Book Overview

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,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312332351
• ISBN13: 9780312332358
• Release Date: July 2005
• Publisher: St. Martins Press-3PL
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Recomendado

Este libro contiene mucho humor y romanticismo. Todos los acontecimientos tienen lugar en California en la ciudad de Los Angeles. Los personajes son entretenidos y bien representados. L'historia tiene muchas sorpresas y esta muy interesante. Un buen libro para la playa.

Better than expected!

I picked this book up on a whim and was very pleasantly surprised. Though I found it slow in the beginning, I pushed through the first 100 pages or so and then I was hooked. Valdes-Rodriguez writes charmingly and weaves an intricate storyline full of complicated, realistic characters - each loveable in his or her own way. Alexis is a plus-sized music manager with an eye for talent. Texan born and raised, she is friendly to a fault, always smiling and going out of her way to help others. Though underneath her innocent exterior is a witty, bright, even sexy girl with a true eye for talent and real potential to make it in the industry. Her self consciousness is endearing rather than annoying, and the respect she recieves from the other characters only enhances her appeal. It is impossible not to root for Alexis as she seeks success in a cut-throat business, while trying to balance a busy social life and an unrequited love in the meantime. Marcella, a former soap actress oozing confidence and beauty, refuses to be degraded by Hollywood, which offers her only stereotypical Mexican roles, such as the foreign maid, or "Hispanic Stripper Number One." Seemingly heartless, Marcella is not afraid to be a [...] After all, she was raised by two parents immune to love and affection. But over the course of the book, Marcella gradually softens and becomes Alexis' number one confidante. Their relationship is touching, and an example of a great womanly bond. Olivia is most unlike the other girls. In her mid-thirties, she is stuck in a lifeless marriage, suffocated by the burden of caring for her energetic two year old, and perpetually haunted by a gruesome, heartbreaking past. She has let herself go - her hair is streaked with gray and she could care less about fashion. But Olivia has one passion that still burns, despite her depression and hopelessness. She loves to write, and harbors an impressive talent. When she pours her heart, soul, and history, into a riveting screenplay, she is bound to get noticed. Though meanwhile her home life falls apart. As the title implies, the book is centered around the girls' exploits with men. The male characters are well-developed, too, but in particular, Goyo shines. He is undeniably sexy and if the girls can't keep you glued to your seat, I'm willing to bet Goyo can. This book is definitely recommended to chick lit fans. Its happy ending will leave a satisfied smile on your face.

An author who just gets better

Alisa Valdes Rodriguez only gets better with Playing With Boys. If you love a great "bad girl" character, one who doesn't give a sh*% what people think and yet under that f-you exterior is someone quite vulnerable and human, you'll find yourself cheering for Marcella. Only Alisa can create characters who are daring enough to show their darkness and yet they shine even brighter because of it. And if you love a weak woman who finds her backbone and tosses bad rubbish out the door, you'll also cheer on Olivia and Alexis. Don't miss it!

Excelente!!

I am always looking for books, movies, plays or tv shows that tell our stories: Hispanic stories. There are so rare! This book tells great ones! Stories of Hispanic American people in all the spectrum: the civil rights leader but also the famous mainstream actress, the great mother, and the smart young entrepeneur, and they all tie up as a bunch of Hispanic success stories, which are also rare to find in maintrema media. I strongly reccomend it!

Audio CD version - an excellent listen

The abridged audio version has 4 CDs and runs for 5 hours. 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!