How to Kill Your Boyfriend (in Ten Easy Steps)

by David Valentine Bernard and D.V. Bernard

A quirky novel which pokes fun at the nature of relationships and the self-help industry, showing the lengths that some people will go to make a perfect relationship. One Friday night, a famous radio call-in host, Dr Vera, is abducted by a woman who tells her that she has just killed her boyfriend. Stacy makes Vera walk to the van to show her the corpse. While Vera is shocked at this sight, that is nothing compared to her reaction when the boyfriend...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1593090668
• ISBN13: 9781593090661
• Release Date: June 2006
• Publisher: Strebor Books
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.1" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Expect the Unexpected

HOW TO KILL YOUR BOYFRIEND IN TEN EASY STEPS is a complicated, dark, and humorous tale about a famous psychologist and radio personality named Dr. Vera and her encounters with a woman who is a seemingly unstable fan named Stacy. When the two women meet (well really Stacy kidnaps Dr. Vera) Stacy explains she has just killed her boyfriend--and it isn't the first time. Somehow, her boyfriend comes back to life after a designated period of time, with no memory of his past. It is then up to Stacy to re-create his memory, and she often takes a bit of creative license in doing so. As the story develops readers, join Dr. Vera as she slips deeper and deeper into the reality Stacy has developed. Soon, it becomes accepted, that when things get out of hand with the boyfriend, the option of killing him and starting over exists as an easy, yet, powerful solution to the dilemma. By the time the story draws to a close, it turns out everything is much more complex than it initially appeared. The result is a story that is entertaining, unpredictable, and one heck of a wild ride. D. V. Bernard is quickly establishing himself as a highly creative writer who can create compelling stories across genres. His use of dark comedy is effective, yet, HOW TO KILL YOUR BOYFRIEND IN TEN EASY STEPS is the kind of story readers will most likely either love or hate. There are moments when the plot stalls slightly, but throughout, the author is setting the stage for future unpredictable scenes. As the story unfolded, there were many times I felt as if I was missing some clue that would suddenly make me understand the characters more clearly, but it wasn't until the very end that I had my "Aha!" moment and I completely understood what was happening. Love it or hate it, HOW TO KILL YOUR BOYFRIEND IN TEN EASY STEPS is not a book that will easily be forgotten--if you are looking for a story that is totally fresh and unique, this is one to consider because I can pretty much promise it won't be what you expect. And as a hint, when you read, pay close attention to character names, they add to the humor because some of them share the names of other Strebor authors and staff. I liken reading this tale to going on a treasure hunt with only part of the map, as you find pieces along the way the journey seems clearer, but it isn't until you reach the treasure that everything makes sense. Reviewed by Stacey Seay of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

funny stuff!

I got this as a gift for Valentine's. I think my boyfriend just liked the title so much he couldn't stop himself from buying it. It is a really funny book. I don't want to give away any plot details (unlike some reviewers) but if you have a "quirky" sense of humor, read this book.

IF ONLY . . . NOT!

Any woman who has had a relationship with a man would pick this book up on title alone, however be warned, it is not what you think . . . this death is not permanent. At least it is not permanent in D. V. Bernard's How to Kill Your Boyfriend in Ten Easy Steps. This book begins when a young woman, Stacy, who claims to have killed her boy friend. She abducts Dr. Vera, a famous radio call-in host and psychologist. Like anyone with good sense, Vera tries to get away but Stacy forces her to get into a van where her boyfriend's nude corpse is. Vera is shocked by the events taking place, but she is even more undone when the boyfriend comes back to life. She almost completely loses it when she realizes this is not the first time Stacy has killed him. After the initial insanity of it all, like a true psychologist, Vera becomes fascinated with this phenomenon and soon is under Stacy's influence. We find that every time Stacy kills her boyfriend, when he is brought back she is able to shape his memories because he only remembers what they tell him. With each death and life situation, bizarre adventures and mishaps happen and both women seem to lose a bit of themselves. Talk about a book that comes from another place. The concept of this book is completely unique in comparison to anything I have read. Mr. Bernard does not just throw an idea at his readers and leave them to put it together for themselves, he painstakingly walks you through this alternate reality. While this is completely needed, this reader grew anxious for him to just get to the point. His use of dark comedy is done well and the comic absurdity of some things that happen kept this reader from being completely disturbed by other events. Mr. Bernard is also very gifted in challenging social mores, which I believe comes from his sociological background. There is a section in the book where Stacy and Vera discuss morality. The basic premise is "need usurps morality." Whether you agree with that or not you will think about your belief structures and that is not a bad thing. Stacy also makes Vera question everything she knows about herself personally and the knowledge she has gained academically through random thoughts and stories. There honestly could be a development of anthology of sorts with just these "Stacy stories". At the very end of the book, Mr. Bernard gives the reader a look at one of Stacy's stories that he edited from the completed manuscript. It was wild. Bernard is a true "wordsmith" however as with most who have this gift they can get a bit "long in the tooth." I found myself in some cases scanning through it but having to go back to fully understand. Also the resolution of the story was reminiscent of the end of a rollercoaster ride where you felt like you should have had one more loop to make it a totally awesome experience This book is a definite read for someone who is ready for something different, has a bit of patience and open to a new way of thinking.

Not your typical book!!!!

The title was what got my attention. In reading this novel I could tell this wasn't your typical novel. All I can say that if your a person that is more for reality--this book isn't for you, but if you have an open mind, this book is very interesting and different, I think you would really enjoy it. I did!!!