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emilywemily6's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I was surprised by how much I liked this book! It started off a little iffy because the friends immediately tried to get Derek married as though that was necessary for happiness, which bothered me, and Derek was actually really mean and annoying to Nora when they first started working together. But once Derek acknowledged he was being a jerk and acted normal again I loved this book. I loved how Nora pursued her dreams and stayed true to herself- her voice and motives are strong in this book. I also enjoyed seeing the progression of their relationship, how they recognized their love previous faults and also were more mature in the present day.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Blood, and Vomit
Minor: Medical content and Pregnancy
kb33's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
I think the narrators, Hathaway Lee and Will Damron, were both new to me, and I loved both their performances.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Vomit
Minor: Blood, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
frantically's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Sad to say this was a miss for me! The characters felt so caricature-ish and I couldn't find it in myself to care for them at all. The MMC was particularly infuriating – he says outright he's ready to make the FMC's career hell just so she'll be forced to quit as his assistant. The fuck??? Not the way to make me even want to give him a second-chance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Blood, Vomit, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Ableism
sunshinekmp's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Cursing, Misogyny, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Blood, Vomit, and Pregnancy
marzycxielka's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Vomit
hannah_hearts_books's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
It’s official: I absolutely love Sarah Adams.
Nora and Derek’s relationship had way more substance to it than any other characters I’ve read so far from this author, which made me love it all the more. This is a second chance romance trope, not usually my favorite because you never know if the relationship initially ended because of cheating( a nope trope of mine). Happily, this was not the case. It was so nice to see characters actual work through real issues that can come up when you have a complicated past.
As a literacy coach, I love that Derek is diagnosed with dyslexia late in life. It is a neurodivergence disorder which isn’t portrayed much, especially in books! Glad to see a light being shined on it.
If you pick up Sarah Adams books because she writes closed door romance, this book has one chapter of on-page steaminess. However,Sarah Adams has a preface at the beginning of the book and the audiobook letting readers know which chapter it happens in if they want to skip the chapter. This makes me respect Sarah Adams even more for wanting all readers to feel comfortable when enjoying her book. All in all, a damn good time that made me laugh and tear up.
Nora and Derek’s relationship had way more substance to it than any other characters I’ve read so far from this author, which made me love it all the more. This is a second chance romance trope, not usually my favorite because you never know if the relationship initially ended because of cheating( a nope trope of mine). Happily, this was not the case. It was so nice to see characters actual work through real issues that can come up when you have a complicated past.
As a literacy coach, I love that Derek is diagnosed with dyslexia late in life. It is a neurodivergence disorder which isn’t portrayed much, especially in books! Glad to see a light being shined on it.
If you pick up Sarah Adams books because she writes closed door romance, this book has one chapter of on-page steaminess. However,Sarah Adams has a preface at the beginning of the book and the audiobook letting readers know which chapter it happens in if they want to skip the chapter. This makes me respect Sarah Adams even more for wanting all readers to feel comfortable when enjoying her book. All in all, a damn good time that made me laugh and tear up.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism, Sexual content, and Vomit
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
kaelynbyers's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I have nothing bad to say about this book. I would give it 100 stars out of 5 if I could.
Everything Sarah Adams writes turns to gold. EVERYTHING.
I swear, every single time I read a new release from Sarah Adams it becomes my favorite book that she has ever written. And The Rule Book is no exception.
From start to finish, this book is perfection to me.
Nora is bright and completely herself but also tired of being too much for those around her.
Derek is strong and reserved but also terrified to lose the one thing he has always been good at.
And together, Nora and Derek are the perfect pair. Funny and honest. Competitive and loving. Confident and safe. I don't think I will ever get over them.
I love this book. It is my happy place. It is a warm hug on a cold day.
I will never get over my love for this book.
Everything Sarah Adams writes turns to gold. EVERYTHING.
I swear, every single time I read a new release from Sarah Adams it becomes my favorite book that she has ever written. And The Rule Book is no exception.
From start to finish, this book is perfection to me.
Nora is bright and completely herself but also tired of being too much for those around her.
Derek is strong and reserved but also terrified to lose the one thing he has always been good at.
And together, Nora and Derek are the perfect pair. Funny and honest. Competitive and loving. Confident and safe. I don't think I will ever get over them.
I love this book. It is my happy place. It is a warm hug on a cold day.
I will never get over my love for this book.
Content Warnings
Minor: Cursing, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
turnthepages_nl's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
I LOVE ITTTTTT
Nora is ADHD coded. I felt so seen!!! (Not intentionally written as ADHD, I checked with the author. But it still feels like ADHD, at least in the way how it looks in me!)
Derek has dyslexia and was diagnosed later in life. He has not been treated well as a child and has a big sense of failure. The journey he goes on was truly beautiful and I felt so seen as a neurodivergent reader. The feeling of not being enough, how you try your hardest and still you 'fail' in the eyes of society. The way this was talked about and handled was done very very well.
Nora is often seen as too much. And she is learning and growing to become fully herself and not feel sorry about it. She is super badass and very good at what she does as an agent. And I loved the relationship between her an Nicole (her boss and mentor). The way both women are going about the powerimbalance in the workplace. I loved how much of an example Nicole was to her!
But most of all I loved the emotional vulnerability between Nora & Derek. The way they are growing and learning to love and be open again. I was rooting for them from the very start. The sweet moments + the banter had me kicking my feet many times!
Also, the scenes with the other LA Shark boys were absolutely hilarious but also heartfelt.
Sarah Adams is an amazing author and truly has a gift for creating a safe and loving space for readers to feel seen and loved. To feel validated and supported. I hope she writes many many more stories! ✨️💕
Nora is ADHD coded. I felt so seen!!! (Not intentionally written as ADHD, I checked with the author. But it still feels like ADHD, at least in the way how it looks in me!)
Derek has dyslexia and was diagnosed later in life. He has not been treated well as a child and has a big sense of failure. The journey he goes on was truly beautiful and I felt so seen as a neurodivergent reader. The feeling of not being enough, how you try your hardest and still you 'fail' in the eyes of society. The way this was talked about and handled was done very very well.
Nora is often seen as too much. And she is learning and growing to become fully herself and not feel sorry about it. She is super badass and very good at what she does as an agent. And I loved the relationship between her an Nicole (her boss and mentor). The way both women are going about the powerimbalance in the workplace. I loved how much of an example Nicole was to her!
But most of all I loved the emotional vulnerability between Nora & Derek. The way they are growing and learning to love and be open again. I was rooting for them from the very start. The sweet moments + the banter had me kicking my feet many times!
Also, the scenes with the other LA Shark boys were absolutely hilarious but also heartfelt.
Sarah Adams is an amazing author and truly has a gift for creating a safe and loving space for readers to feel seen and loved. To feel validated and supported. I hope she writes many many more stories! ✨️💕
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexism, Blood, Vomit, and Alcohol
Moderate: Ableism, Emotional abuse, and Sexual content
Minor: Medical content and Pregnancy