Rating: 
Summary: Bland and disappointing
Review: Despite the enticing cover and the New York setting, this bland romance barely allows us to get to know the potentially intriguing romantic foil to the main character, and thus the predictable romance and its crisis and resolution barely register as anything worth reading about.
Rating: 
Summary: The Real Deal
Review: Guys, don't be put off by the word "love" in the title. This is a book about guys for guys -- which means it's for us too, ladies. As a woman, I have to say that I was shocked to learn that men actually talk about women, relationships, sex and commitment the way Dearie's characters do -- and in such detail! This is what happens when we're not around.Dearie's characters are so real, you know them from the first page. I know Jack, and Alex, and Sarah, and Kim!!! The book reads almost like a play -- more dialogue than pure action, but the story is my life and the lives of my friends. Dearie's ear for what matters is dead on, both in what the characters say, the scenes, the circumstances -- everything rings true. And his writing is clear, crisp and breezy, like a nice summer cocktail. Be both entertained and enlightened -- read this book!
Rating: 
Summary: Great read
Review: I enjoyed this novel very much. It was witty and smart and very engaging. I'm buying copies for all my friends--male and female! Can't wait for his next book...
Rating:
Summary: Sex and the City for the male set!
Review: I know, I know. My review's subject isn't original, but I couldn't resist. John Dearie's novel is a fast-paced, fun and enlightening read. Relationships from a man's vantage point are done with a great deal of insight in this gem. Having had his heart broken, Jack Rafferty wants nothing to do with relationships. He's decided to swear off women, but the aforementioned decision isn't facilitated when most of his male friends have taken the plunge into marriage. Also, the beautiful Sarah Mitchell weakens his conviction. Will Jack hold on to his promise to remain unattached? There are some fun twists in the novel. As mentioned, Drearie's takes on relationships are quite insightful. The parts in which Jack reflects on his feelings for his ex-fiancee are done with intelligence and wit. This is a fun and quick Lad Lit to indulge in - Sex and the City for the male set. Highly recommended to both genders, though.
Rating:
Summary: Skip it....
Review: I thought the book lacked the love and romance suggested in the title. It had no plot and alot of rambling of the male mind. Men should stick to writing about sports, not love and romance. There were a few funny parts, but manly the women in the book were bashing men.
Rating:
Summary: A twist on the romance theme
Review: Intelligent and humorous beach read, a romance with a MAN who's on the lookout for love. As it's primarily (exclusively?) women who will read this book, they can look forward to exploring the inside track into the male brain. The premise of this book is that Jack Lafferty, after having been burned on his way to altar by a fiancée who cheats on him, has declared himself a woman-free zone. Enter a beautiful corporate lawyer, and see what happens to Jack's resolve.
Rating:
Summary: A twist on the romance theme
Review: Intelligent and humorous beach read, a romance with a MAN who?s on the lookout for love. As it?s primarily (exclusively?) women who will read this book, they can look forward to exploring the inside track into the male brain. The premise of this book is that Jack Lafferty, after having been burned on his way to altar by a fiance who cheats on him, has declared himself a woman-free zone. Enter a beautiful corporate lawyer, and see what happens to Jack's resolve.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent...When's the next book
Review: John Dearie writes a great story. He reveals the innermost secrets and theories of the male's perspective on dating in a humurous and sometimes embarassing fashion. Embarassing in that we know its true, but we wish we did not think that way. In addition to the dating intelligence, Dearie makes you feel like you really know his characters and have experienced the same things they have. Half the fun of reading this witty and insightful book is seeing yourself with your own friends discussing the rigors of dating. Finally, after thoroghly enjoying the dating antics of Jack Lafferty, I actually found some significant "take aways" from this book. I will let you find them on your own. Enjoy this great book.
Rating:
Summary: A Real Page Turner!!
Review: John Dearie's book paints a vividly realistic portrait of New York and single life here from the man's perspective (one often overlooked in writing or films these days). Although more about dialogue than action, the book moves quickly, as each character or scene evokes familiar memories of our own lives-- the persona we take on in public or private, the crossed signals people send, the ease with which we manage to screw things up without realizing until too late... This is Dearie's first published book, but I expect we'll be hearing much more from him. If you're thinking of purchasing, then (as one character memorably puts it) carpe diem-- seize the carp!!
Rating: 
Summary: Does "Love" score?
Review: The setting: Chic urban area. The lead: a single professional with a tumultuous love life and an unobtrusive job. Chick lit? Not exactly -- it's a book for guys. Like "Love Monkey," John Dearie's debut novel is a sort of chick-lit for guys, well-written but too uneven.
Jack Lafferty has no interest in settling down, especially when his beautiful, hypnotic fiancee Kim sleeps with a client three weeks before they were supposed to get married. While attending a pal's wedding, he meets the beautiful Sarah, and starts to form a friendly rapport with her -- and then to develop other feelings as well.
Confused and rapidly falling for Sarah, Jack runs into his ex-fiancee and ends up in bed with her (courtesy of old feelings and alcohol). He's wracked with guilt, but goes on a prearranged date with Sarah anyway. Everything goes well -- until Kim appears, and tells Sarah about what she did with Jack. Now Jack has lost Sarah -- unless he learns to be bold, to take risks with love, and find a way to win her heart and trust back.
If men constantly wonder what women think about, then women think just the same about men. "Love and Other Recreational Sports" is a bit like listening in on a men's locker room conversation, especially since it's written by a guy as well. Some of his "insights" seem a bit cliched -- such as the subplot about the newlyweds -- but quite true to life as well.
Dearie has a fairly pleasant writing style, about on par with average light fiction. But he doesn't quite know how to balance his book. He spends too much time having characters yammer about the intricacies of the male mind. Despite this, the plot itself is fairly interesting as it unfolds, watching as Jack tries to figure out what he wants to do.
Despite having a male protagonist, it's hard to really like Jack until the last quarter of "Love." Then he seems to develop some passion and drive, and drop his cynical, whiny attitude. It's pleasant to see his friendship with Sarah slowly bloom into real love and respect, despite the odds. Kim is a typical temptress type, while Jack's goofy pal Alex provides some welcome comic relief.
"Love and Other Recreational Sports" is a beach read for both sexes -- intriguing to women, sympathetic to men. Fairly entertaining light story, a chick-lit book specifically for guys.
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