READER REVIEWS

John Weaver, Page One Literary Reviews

There's nothing soft about the new novel "Hard-Boiled Men" by Guy Jacobs (ISBN-10: 0595382444). Guy Jacobs is a fresh, real and talented new author who has written a solid, humorous tale of a fictional university professor on a journey of single-life in a Big City.

Hard-Boiled Men works well because of a great chemistry of old school story-telling mixed in with a modern day unique contemporary style.

Guy Jocobs understands character development. The author's ear and eye for character thoughts and dialogue are a major successful achievement that adds the depth his story demands. Dr. Benjamin Wise is a university professor on personal journey of finding meaning in recent relationships ("When think back to my days with Miriana, I often wonder if I misled her - I always assumed that she knew that our time together was limited"); Developing new relationships ("Two ships heading in different directions could never maintain a common course."); and relationships overall ("I always viewed relationships as a platform for mutual development, the man must help the woman fulfill her dreams, build and develop herself, but the woman should reciprocate.").

"Hard-Boiled Men" is a window into current human connections universally. It is smart, raw, tight and inventive while maintaining some old-school literary style. In a recent interview the author says, "One of the main issues that my novel deals with is single life for a man in his mid-thirties. Single life can at times feel exciting and at times lonely, at times enthralling and at times cold. I believe that no city better represents these emotions better than New York. I could not think of a better place to live but then again, I would not bring this city home to meet my mother."

"Hard-Boiled Men" is written for a mature audience. It's been described as "Sex in the City" from a male point-of-view. There's plenty of Sex. A great 'Big City' descriptions so I see the comparisons, but "Hard-Boiled Men" is different and much smarter than any "Sex in the City" episode because the characters in "Hard-Boiled Men" are real which gives the reader more of 'reality' point-of-view rather than Hollywood fantasy. The author says, "Benjamin Wise is myself, my best friend, the guy I borrowed twenty bucks from and never paid back as well as a few other people that I ran across in my times. I do not think that anyone can write a novel that doesn't have some biographical elements in it but I would not admit to anything I wrote down."

I highly recommend "Hard-Boiled Men" - It's more Real than any 'Dr. Phil Show' and a whole lot more fun.

http://www.authorspressreleases.com/HardBoiledMen.htm

Sherri A. Marchese from Ohio:

Guy Jacob's character Ben Wise is completely intoxicating, seductive, confused, true to life, addictive, and a character to be identified with. Jacobs is truly a talented writer effortlessly able to keep you riveted and enthralled from cover to cover. This novel is a breath of fresh air to the usual single/dating life account cleverly laced with a healthy dose of humor. Nothing about this novel is ordinary from the characters to the racey love scenes. You will put it down feeling completely entertained and satisfied.
Charlie Segal from Boston:

Hard-Boiled Men is a hilarious book about the life of a single university professor in NYC. I finished the whole thing in less than a day, could not put it down. If you liked such books as Women by Charles Bukowski or Portnoy's Complaint by Philip Roth then you will definitely like Hard-Boiled Men by Jacobs.
Book of the Month - February 2007:

This novel, while itself unique, reminds me of a variety of other books I've read in the past. How's that for starting off a review with words that don't make sense. "Hard-Boiled Men" has a Sex in the City/Bukowski/more simple version of Henry Miller-esque-ness to it. (Yes, I'm creating my own words now, leave me alone.)

The story is about Ben Wise, a recently singled man in lonely New York City. Ben has never truly gotten over his last girlfriend, and though he does everything he knows he should, moving on just doesn't come easy for him.

If you're easily offended by perverse sexual discussions, I would recommend you not pick up this book. There is an honesty and frankness similar to that written by Henry Miller throughout this novel..the author holds nothing back and leaves little up to the readers imagination when it comes to the characters' sexual encounters.

Aside from being humorous and perverse, the undertones are sad. Ben truly is an unhappy guy..through every one night stand and blind date, the reader knows there is more to Ben Wise, and wants almost as desperately as he does for him to find happiness.

Give it a read ... its a good one
Nicole May from Oakland:

So you want to figure out what men are thinking about 23 hours a day? You’re dying to know their true feeling about women, sex and love? Read this book. Hard-Boiled Men should be required reading in any women’s health course. Screw The Rules – You want to beat them, you got to join them and this book shows women how to play dirty and win.
Jay Roberts from Albany:

From the very first page, I found myself utterly immersed in the storyline. Hard-Boiled Men presents a hilarious account of single life in Manhattan. At first I thought that this is mostly a 'Man's' book but my girlfriend who read it after hearing me talk about it for days, also loved it and actually argued that this is the kind of book that most women would enjoy as well. Some of the stuff in the book is a bit shocking at times, Jacobs puts down in black and white what most of us will often think but never dare to say.
Susan Jaskulski from Chicago:

Hard-Boiled Men is a great read, easy, funny and tough to put down. The character of Benjamin Wise would make you think twice about sending your own kids to college. Jacobs puts down in print what no other university professor would ever admit to. I guess that at the end of the day, men are all the same whether they have a GED or a PhD.
Hollie Arenson from New York City:

I really enjoyed Hard Boiled Men. This is a great story about single life in New York City. While this book is written from the perspective of a single man, I think that women could also relate to the story line. Anyone who ever dealt with a harsh breakup or with the emptiness of dating will like this novel. I read the entire book in less than 48 hours and already recommended it to several of my friends.
Steve Delonis from Olympia:

I must admit that I ran across this book by accident. A friend of a friend recommended it to me. I usually do not read authors unless I know more about them but this “Guy” really did manage to put together an intelligent as well as very entertaining novel. A few of the chapters were a bit to racey for this conservative reader but I did enjoy the overall tone and message of the book which are both romantic and postmodern at the same time.
Hard-Boiled Men © Guy Jacobs 2008