The Pocket Guide to Bad Boyfriends: How to Identify 40 Types of Boys Gone Wrong

By Simon Coleman and Ruby Turner

A Fun Gift Book for Anyone Who’s Totally Over Modern Dating Culture!

“Filled with witty illustrations, interactive checklists, and quizzes that will delight anyone who's been spurned by the modern dating scene . . . Get it for your friend who's deleted and re-downloaded Tinder more times than you can count, your unlucky-in-love work wife, or yourself. Then spend February 14 laughing about it with a nice, big glass of wine and the peace of mind that comes with knowing you've dodged so many bullets.”
—PureWow 
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Inside you’ll find 40 different boys gone wrong, from The Boy Toy to Midlife Crisis Man, The Gym Rat to The Fixer Upper, and from The Activist to The Couch Potato. Whether you met him at home, at the office, or farther afield, this little gift book will show you how to spot a bad boyfriend from fifty paces.

Special features like the handy “not to be confused with” help you avoid crucial errors in boyfriend handling. For example, no matter how outrageously he compliments your mother, The Parents' Favorite is guaranteed to keep his hands to himself while she’s around. Not so the Boyfriend Who Thinks Your Mom is Hot.

Filled with adorably witty illustrations, interactive checklists, and quizzes, this is an ideal birthday or Galentine’s gift, stocking stuffer, or “cheer up” present after a breakup.
 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Skyhorse
• Release date: Jan 28, 2020
• ISBN: 9781510756373

Simon Coleman

Simon Coleman is Chancellor Jackman Professor at the Department for the Study of Religion, University of Toronto. His publications include Pilgrimage Past and Present in the World Religions (Harvard, 1995, with John Elsner), Pilgrim Voices: Authorship and Narrative in Christian Pilgrimage (Berghahn, 2003, edited with John Elsner) and “Guiding the Pilgrim” (Special Issue of Tourist Studies, 2015, edited with John Eade and Evgenia Mesaritou).

Book preview

Introduction

Why is it so hard to meet the right guy? You’ve got all the apps, but despite all the swiping (and all the dating!), none of the guys you meet really clicks. Maybe it’s not working because DJ Devil is in the booth, spinning the tracks that keep us all dating a long list of Mr. Wrongs in the search for Mr. Right.

You might even date DJ Devil. You’ll know it the moment you meet a guy you can’t get enough of. He’s the itch you can’t scratch; the one who takes you to places you didn’t know existed; the one you can’t hold on to but can never forget. Just remember, he’s not a keeper.

But sometimes even the Devil takes a night off, allowing you to let the right one in. Enter The Keeper, your one true love. He’s out there somewhere, but finding him takes time and a lot of hands-on research (fun), broken hearts (no fun), and sleepless nights (some of those were really fun!).

The Starter Set

These are your first loves in all their horny, hormone-addled, pimple-riddled glory. Remember The Parents’ Favorite (your parents turned out to be more into him than you were), The Party Animal (into keg parties, crowds, and fun), and The Lead Guitarist (into himself)? First love! Always short, often sweet, and sometimes crazy.

The Parents’ Favorite

The Starter Set

WHY YOU FELL FOR HIM

He was so responsible and well-adjusted! He had a 401(k), went to the dentist twice a year, and ate three balanced meals a day. He totally had his act together—submitting his tax return in January and offering to do yours for you.

WHY YOU SPLIT UP

Someone sensible and practical was your parents’ dream, not yours. They loved him more than you ever did.

DESCRIPTION

From the side part to the sensible shoes, he is decked out in J.Crew—except in winter when he shows off his large collection of scratchy, hand-knitted sweaters.

NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH

Too Into Your Mom, The Young Fogey, The Nerd.

CHECKLIST

"Dinner was just delicious,