Star Book Review - The Little Black Book of Big Red Flags: Relationship Warning Signs You Totally Spotted but Chose to Ignore by Natasha Burton, Julie Fishman and Meagan McCrary

In chick lit, everyone’s always searching for Mr. Right. We want to know how we can spot him, what he looks and acts like and where we can find him; but what if we about all the things he isn’t? The Little Black Book of Big Red Flags gets into all those details that should have tipped you off a long time ago that he was not “The One.” In a very organized, methodical and funny way, Natasha Burton, Julie Fishman and Meagan McCrary have compiled various recounts, (horror) stories, top ten lists, rules and a whole lot more to inform you of all the ways to spot the guy you want to avoid, which will only lead you that much closer to Mr. Right. Before I get into my review, let me give you a little taste of the hilarity contained in this new nonfiction novel on how to spot Mr. Wrong.

WTF? “When it was time for bed, whether we’d been fighting or just had sex, my ex would stuff a pillow between us so that I couldn’t touch him during the night. (p.87)

Red Flag Rule #26 It’s better to have loved and lost than to be stuck in a relationship that’s no longer full of love at all. (p. 120)

He’s shady with his phone. (p. 152)

      Most of the novel was comprised of stories and tips that came from the blog of the same name, BigRedFlags.com. Readers sent in their stories and “WTF” moments and then these three friends expertly combined them into The Little Black Book of Big Red Flags, a novel, quite literally “little” enough to carry around in your purse for any of those times you need a quick reference. I was forewarned by the representative who gave me a copy of this book that some of its contents are a bit “raunchy” but after reading it, I really didn’t feel like the book required such censorship, although I am a bit more open-minded (and forgiving) of some of the more taboo words in the English language. That said, it’s definitely not something to read to your thirteen year old.

Big Red Flags takes on a Carrie Bradshaw-like perspective, at times asking readers rhetorical questions about love, life and dating and always, sharing wisdom on past dating woes and disasters. Although the little novel is compiled of random tellings and retellings of the three authors’ and bloggers’ experiences in love and dating, it’s broken down in a very systematic fashion with different sections named by topic. Each section contains “WTF” moments, “Big Red Flag Stories”, “Red Flag Rules”  and then they all conclude with a summary, “The Bottom Line” and a “Top Ten Red Flag” list. Overall, The Little Black Book of Big Red Flags was a quick, fun and humorous read…and hey, I even learned a thing or two about male encounters. A great book to gift to all your girlfriends, even Mom and Grandma.

4 Stars

For more info on the novel or any of readers' past stories, please visit their blog at http://bigredflags.wordpress.com/