A review by lilradridinghood
Rules for Rule Breaking by Talia Tucker

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

When Bobby and Winter's parents insist that the two academic rivals go on a road trip together if they want to visit their top choice colleges in Cambridge, MA, they decide to use the trip as an opportunity to have fun breaking the rules for once.

I appreciate how the main relationship is developed because it's missing the main pet peeves I have with a lot of "enemies to lovers" stories. This book is truly rivals to lovers. They really do annoy each other in the beginning, as they have for years, and there's no "I hate him but he's hot" nonsense that I see in a lot of other books. It also seems natural when they start to grow closer.

Unfortunately, the story failed to actually make me feel anything (aside from the uncomfortable tension with Bobby's relatives in one part of the book). I think I just don't care enough about the characters. While not insufferable, they are kind of annoying. I can't think of any traits that endear them to me.