It’s Okay to Sleep with Him on the First Date: And Every Other Rule of Dating, Debunked

If the piles of books proffering rule after hidebound dating rule make your palms sweaty before you’ve even left the house, then this one’s for you. Syrtash, author of He’s Just Not Your Type (And That’s a Good Thing), and Wilser (The Maxims of Manhood) address many of the popular “rules” of dating in a he said/she said format by assessing each in light of their own opinions and experiences, as well as those of numerous interviewees, both male and female. From long-distance relationships to Facebook stalking and the eternal question of whether to call or text, Syrtash and Wilser cover all the ground between the first meeting and the last goodbye. For the most part, they suggest throwing out any rule that feels outdated or inflexible. After all, advice that rigidly employs the words “always” and “never” is often simply bad advice. So should you sleep with him (the book is geared primarily toward women) on the first date or not? Well, do you want to? Does he? If so, then go for it. Combining sage wisdom with refreshingly down-to-earth wit, this one’s a keeper. Agents: (for Syrtash) Rob Weisbach, Rob Weisbach Creative; (for Wilser) Ryan Harbage, Fischer-Harbage Agency. (July)