The Rule Book

I absolutely loved the first book; The Cheat Sheet, so I had really had high hopes for this one. And OMG did I love it! 

Nora has been given her first ever client to represent it is none other than the ex-boyfriend Derek. Derek is obviously not too happy with the news when he finds out but makes Nora job harder than it should be so that she quit. Whilst making up the contract Derek and Nora make up a bunch of rules (these obviously get broken along the way). Nora however, starts scheming as well which they and she books him a photoshoot is Las Vegas, during a night out Derek fires Nora as he can't work with someone that he still loves, however, they both get drunk and married. They realisation when they find out what had happened. And obviously they both play along pretending to happily married, during the Las Vegas trip. But the true feelings show even after the trip

I was actually crying, and laughing. I loved it.  

3.5⭐️

I enjoyed this more than I remember liking The Cheat Sheet. Nora and Derek had me laughing and rooting for them!

• Second Changes
  - Football Player x Sports Agent
  - Grumpy x Sunshine
  - Hate to Love
  - Dated in College
  - Right Person Wrong Time
  - Dyslexia (him)
  - Accidental Marriage
  - Fake Honeymoon
  - Forced Proximity
  - Slow Burn
  - Only One Bed

I wanted to like this, but it bored me to tears.

Sarah Adams is the Queen of fluffy romcoms and sweet fictional men.

I was in the perfect mood for this, but it doesn't hurt either that it includes some of my favorite tropes in romance:
- Second chance
- “Intrusive” friends antics
- There is only one bed!
- Empowered FMC

I really liked the characters and how their relationship evolved, particularly because of how they supported each other feelings, failures and successes, representing what I picture as a healthy power couple. I also loved Nora's relationship with her mother, it was beautiful.

“I'm at your feet Nora, if you want me, I'm yours.” If she doesn't want you Derek, I want you

3.75/5

This book was interesting and I enjoyed it but didn't love it. I love accidental marriage and second chance romance but this book didn't scratch the itch.

The characters were bland. Nora was both over the top and boring and I have no idea how that's possible. Her catchphrases were corny and she tried to be not like other girls so much to the point of caricature.

Derek annoyed me with his constant “I love Nora but will make her life a living hell”, like come on dude. She was working her ass off trying to get you the deals and save your career and you played her like she was a pawn in your game. What's worse, he played with her career as well. No wonder she had dumped him at college. If he was so flippant now, I don't even want to know what he was like when they were younger.

One good thing: he redeemed himself. The way he protected her career later was nice and I liked it. I'm glad that they talked about their past and cleared the air. I hate the miscommunication trope. And a huge plus for the lack of the third-act breakup!. Instead, they talked and took a chance.

The writing wasn't my favourite. Some of the phrases were cringe and I hated seeing them. Some of the dialogue felt a bit wonky. The pacing was weird, sometimes it felt rushed, and the others, nothing was happening.

Thank you NetGalley and Headline for providing the ARC for an honest review.