You don't want a bad boy, my dear; at least not in the real world. You can fantasize all you like about a scruffy, Harley-driving, tattooed beast who does things you thought you'd never allow. But, you don't want to meet him, because eventually he's going to shit all over you, emotionally. You need a nice guy. Forget that nonsense about how anything worthwhile is worth working hard for. If you wanted to buy a horse you could ride around the neighborhood, you would never opt for a wild bronco that would scream, thrash, and resist every attempt you made to civilize him. You'd go for the broken stud, and avoid a broken neck. That's why I suggest you recalibrate your penis-homing device. If you're in a bar, and you spot a tanned God in a vintage T-shirt and sandals who winks and slaps your ass as he walks by, run away. Run toward that kind fellow over there-the one who has been down the aisle a few times, and learned how to behave. Have a nice guy

Are you single? Divorced or widowed, perhaps? Are you having your second, third, or fourth go at soul mate searching? Me too Do you look around at paired-up peeps and wonder why you haven't been picked yet? Or, as I have learned, do you acknowledge the happy couple and snicker silently because you know where they're heading? In the eight years since my divorce, I've gone on hundreds of dates. Now, I could consider that a problem, which I should have taken responsibility for after failure, say, number twenty. On the other hand, I can see it as a natural process for someone with such discerning tastes. Either way, if I don't vent about my struggle I'm going to cramp up and need a new jacket and rubber walls. So, come with me on my little journey here in my sixth book on the subject. (There's no end in sight.) I must warn you that I enjoy swearing and writing about sex. You're going to see the F-word quite a few times in the following pages. If that ultra-flexible word is going to leave a bruise, put the fucking book down now. If it tickles you, follow me into hell in a wine bottle.

What is Nice Guy Syndrome?

Nice Guy Syndrome is an affliction where a heterosexual male is frustrated because he finds himself caged within the friend zone of women he'd prefer to be dating. Often, he is a kind and sympathetic person who listens well, and lends a shoulder for women to cry on. He's loved and admired, but not the type of fellow women sleep with.If there is a hell, this is it, and I'm in the penthouse.

I was raised to be a nice guy. My relatives and teachers instilled in me the importance of: Treating women gentlyProtecting and providing for womenListening to women without judgingUnderstanding what it is women want, even when they don't say the wordsOpening and holding doors for womenHandling certain tasks for womenWriting love notes to womenComplimenting women

I'm a master of the above and, thereby, block my own access to the physical parts of women I long for.

So, what's a nice guy to do? Should I shed my skin, get a Harley and tattoos, lose all concern for how I'm perceived, and begin banging lonely chicks by the dozen, just to please my pecker? I can't do it. All I can do is vent, and hope someday, some woman will realize she deserves something better than bad boy bruises.Women love it.

"Only in the head of Mr. Torcivia will you find such a mix of wise truth about men and their behavior. Don't read this smut in the middle of the airport, LOL, or you will find your face turning the same color as this book cover." - Cathy Cook

"Congrats to Phil Torcivia on the newest book Here's hoping I don't get my Kindle taken away from me by my Doctor's assistant for giggling too loudly in the exam room." - Anita-Michelle Miller

"Phil's day to day kindness and sharing of relationships knows no bounds. I most definitely did not believe in the Nice Guy Syndrome until this book. Romantic, delicious with a touch of intrigue and blood." - Gracey CastroRead this book and laugh with (not at) me.

Seriously. I'm fragile. Be nice, dammit I promise a giggle or two from me to you.

Do you know any nice guys? Perhaps you're married to or good friends with one. Well, consider the possibility that this nice guy is so frustrated with his relationship failures that he needs to vent to keep from turning into a bad boy with anger issues. Then, try not to spit hot coffee as you read his sarcastic rants about why men and women don't seem to fit.

Love ... Who needs it?

I don't know if this just comes with age or what, but I'm less patient with my relationships, when I should probably be more patient. The first sign of any drama, no matter how sexually starved I happen to be, and I lose her number. Perhaps this makes me unpopular with the ladies. Maybe I'm getting a reputation.Meh

What I am hoping is that by reading my take on the whole mating game, you'll have a better appreciation for whatever predicament you're in, be that anything between marital bliss and been lovin' your fist.Karma Kicked Me

Sure, I'm bitter sometimes. Aren't you? How many times do you let karma kick you before you become jaded like me, and begin to expect it? So, you're pissed. He dumps you for a skank-hole. Go ahead and be hurt--that's natural. It's an ego slap. As you get older, you'll begin to take these more in stride. Sure, you'll complain about it to a friend, relative, or co-worker, but you'll get over it.

Look at this book as my way of getting over it. A collection of irreverent, sarcastic, vulgar, crude, whatever-you-call-it essays containing my odd perception of life, which might actually lower my blood pressure by writing, and generate a giggle or two for the reader.WARNING: F-Word Used Over 160 Times

Before we go any further, let me warn you that I love to cuss. F-ing love it. You're going to read plenty of bad words, so reading aloud is strongly discouraged, unless you're in church.

Also, since I have taken certain liberties with our language, and I am a bit whiny and insensitive, I've decided to enhance this tome with--drum roll, please--recipes Yay, Recipes

Cheers, my dears.

A divorced man continues his hilarious search for true love as he struggles to learn what women really want.

""Never allow someone to be your priority while allowing yourself to be their option." - Mark Twain"
I'm at a New Year's party with a bunch of friends, most married. Midnight is approaching, and I'm holding the tallest Bombay Sapphire and tonic I can find, because I haven't found Miss Next. A married friend remarks.
"Dude, who are you going to kiss at midnight?"
"No idea."
"Why don't you mingle and find someone?"
"Maybe I don't see anyone I'd like to kiss."
"Hey, beggars can't be choosers."
"Neither can married men."
"But..."
"Careful, lad. You don't want to confess infidelity to a writer."
"I'm not. I'm just saying, if I wanted to kiss another woman, I could."
"Right, and you might be caught and forced to pay the consequences, which would be more significant than mine."
"So, you like being alone because it's safer." "Single. I like being single, because it offers nearly limitless opportunities."
"What about the sex?"
"Really? You want to go there? How long have you been married?"
"Never mind. Enjoy your drink, nice guy."
I am nice-to a fault. Then, after being poked enough times, I stray into naughty land. Although I know it's what many women prefer, I can't seem to transform myself into a bad boy.
I witness bad boys treating women badly. Often, these women complain to me about it. Then, I watch them walk away from me, and swoon back into the beast's arms.
Insanity, if you ask me.
This is what makes me fall from niceness. Women constantly saying they want one thing, while selecting the other. Women don't want to fuck nice guys. Women want bad boys to fuck them.
There's only one way to describe it:
Nice Guy FAIL.

Is it true that nice guys finish last? It sure seems that way as a divorced man fights his way through a comedic dating scene. Will he ever find his soul mate? Phil has been called the male version of Carrie Bradshaw. Enjoy his humorous essays about relationships and the struggles we all have finding and keeping lovers. Women appreciate his open view into the minds of men. Artist Mike Swaim adds to the hilarity with his brilliant sketches, giving another dimension to Phil's quest for love.

Strip a man near fifty of his marital obligations, transplant him into the treacherous dating scene of San Diego, and something funny happens. Enjoy 84 humorous essays about one man's struggle with relationships, love, and lifestyles on the West Coast.