Bruce Bryans opens by arguing that excessive pursuit behavior in romantic contexts — chasing, excessive availability, prioritizing a romantic interest above appropriate self-respect — often undermines rather than supports genuine attraction and relationship success.

Why this excessive-pursuit critique matters:

• Many people, particularly when genuinely interested in someone, default toward increased pursuit and availability, when Bryans argues this pattern often produces the opposite of the intended attraction-building effect
• This framing provides an alternative approach emphasizing self-respect and appropriate boundaries over excessive pursuit as the more effective path
• This opening establishes the book's foundational thesis, motivating its subsequent detailed alternative guidance

This opening establishes the book's foundational thesis, arguing excessive pursuit behavior often undermines rather than supports genuine romantic attraction and relationship success.