Review: The Rule Book by Sarah Adams

Hello readers!
How are you?

Here I am again with another review. As always, I have to thank for the free book to PRH International, that always allows me to read some of my most expected books of the year. Today is the time of a novel I was really curious about (you'll know more in my review's premises), and that I'm sure will be loved by every sport romance reader 💗. So, here is my review of The Rule Book, by Sarah Adams.

Title: The Rule Book
Author: Sarah Adams
Publishing Date: April 2, 2024
Publisher:  Dell, Trade Paperback Original
Pages: 416 (paperback)
Price: $18.00 USD, $24.95 CAD

Plot: College exes break all the rules when they reunite years later in this enemies to lovers, second-chance romance, the highly anticipated companion novel to the TikTok sensation The Cheat Sheet—from Sarah Adams, the New York Times bestselling author of Practice Makes Perfect.

Nora Mackenzie’s entire career lies in the hands of famous NFL tight end Derek Pender, who also happens to be her extremely hot college ex-boyfriend. Nora didn’t end things as gracefully as she could have back then, and now it has come back to haunt her. Derek is her first client as an official full-time sports agent and he’s holding a grudge.

Derek has set his sights on a little friendly revenge. If Nora Mackenzie, the first girl to ever break his heart, wants to be his agent, oh, he’ll let her be his agent. The plan is simple: make Nora’s life absolutely miserable. But if Derek knows anything about the woman he once loved—she won’t quit easily.

Instead of giving in, Nora starts a scheme of her own. But then a wild night in Vegas leads to Nora and Derek in bed the next morning married. With their rule book out the window, could this new relationship save their careers or spark the romance of a lifetime?

Review:

Rate: 4 stars⭐

After enjoying to The Cheat Sheet, I was very curious to see what Sarah could present to the readers. Her previous book was a lovely delight, but at the same time it was too swoony to be totally relatable – and yes, I was envious of Bree because Nathan was too perfect. So, I didn't know if it convinced me at 100%.

But you know what? Every now and then, a good happily ever after's book, without too many difficulties or tough themes to face, is a perfect cozy treat to enjoy, and The Rule Book is the perfect embodiment of that.

I appreciate the writing pace, the entertaining banter between Derek and Nora, and the tender moments where they really talk and discuss about their relationship and themselves. Finally, a book with no miscommunication's trope! That was a great relief. Maybe I would have loved a little bit more spice, but the tension leading to those moments was perfect, so, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

Just a warning: there are not many big events in this book, that is centered on the relationship between the two main characters and how it would affect their career. I'd consider it more an introspective book, if I have to describe it. Another thing I didn’t expect to find but was a great thumbs up for me was the idea that even when two people are meant to be together, this doesn't mean the first time would be the right one. I liked the fact that, even if it was a mistake made by Nora’s fear to jeopardize her future career for a love relationship, the message underneath was that sometimes people have to have more experience and grow up individually, before arrive to the right moment in space and time to have another shot. Of course, my stupid romantic heart cried nonetheless for their time loss. Fortunately, Derek dealt with the revelation of their break-up so well I wanted to hug him: instead to show anger or refusal, he was understanding, sweet and thoughtful.

Even if I didn’t consider him the soft side of the couple, because they’re both well balanced, I have to admit it was cool to find a main male character who deals with panic attacks and insecurities, an aspect that often is represented by a female figure. And it was refreshing seeing him face his fears regarding his career with Nora and also opening up about his dyslexia, maybe forgiving himself for all the time he hated his low performances at school.

Then, it’s true, there are some similarities with The Cheat Sheet, and you’ll find here as well a supporting brotherhood that will always cheer for the "grumpy bear" of this story to find his happy ending with the woman he loves. Personally, I would have loved to see them even more, because those scenes were hilarious, and I’m a sucker for Bree and Nathan! hat said, in the Rule Book the focus also shifts on the difficulties a woman has to face when entering a field usually "reserved" to men and working in a toxic environment. I liked how Nora and Nicole have been shaped by Sarah, and how they deal with this current issue with their different kind of personalities and approaches during the length of the story. Plus, it was good to show that to fight for yourself you don’t always have to make big scenes or brawls, you can just be yourself, faithful to your personal principle and kind to the others, even when they don’t deserve it.

I also loved all the underlining of the importance to have a partner who supports you, understands you, and doesn't limit your dreams and ambitions; not to mention the message to love ourselves and our physical aspect even if it's not perfect. You find those little phrases here and there during the book, like a soft reminder to be kind with ourselves, to remember our own value and that we deserve to find someone who really sees it, both at work and in a relationship.

At last, I didn't expect that kind of ending, because the story seemed to go in another direction. Anyway, it was cute and I hope to see glimpses of Derek and Nora (as well as more Nathan and Bree) in future books.

And what about you?
Have you already read it? If yes, did you liked it? Let me know in the comments💗

To the next review!

Chiara

Read More

Review: "THE GRAHAM EFFECT" by Elle Kennedy

Good morning my friends!

Today I bring you the review of Elle Kennedy's newest book, The Graham Effect, whose protagonist is Gigi Graham, Hannah and Garrett's daughter. 

The book will come out on 31st October, so this is a preview review!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Piatkus for the chance to read one of my most anticipated release of the year!

Title: The Graham Effect

Author: Elle Kennedy

Publishing date: 31 October

Publisher: Piatkus

Pages: 368

Price: 17€ (on Amazon.it)

Plot: Gigi Graham has exactly three goals: qualify for the women's national hockey team, win Olympic gold, and step out of her famous father's shadow. So far, so good, except for two little things. Fine - a little thing and a big, grumpy thing. She needs to improve her game behind the net, and she needs help from Luke Ryder.

Ryder is six-foot five, built, opinionated, rude . . . and sexy as hell. But he's still the enemy.

Briar's new hockey co-captain has his reasons, though. The men's team just merged with a rival program, leaving Ryder with an angry roster where everyone hates one another's guts. To make matters worse, the summer coaching spot he's angling for with the legendary Garrett Graham is out of reach after he makes the worst possible first impression on his hero. So, really, this compromise with Gigi is win-win. He helps her make the national team, she puts in a good word with her dad.

The only potential snag? This bone-deep, body-numbing, mind-spinning chemistry they're trying to ignore. It's a dangerous game they're playing, but the risks just might be worth it. 

Series:

1. The Graham Effect (for now only this has been announced)

Review:

Rating: 4 stars!

The Off-Campus series is one of my favorite series ever, so I was super excited when The Graham Effect was announced, but also a little bit scared, because my expectations were really high. At the end of the reading I can say that Elle Kennedy did it again! She brought us back to a beloved world, with our beloved characters and gave us new informations and new people to love. 

The story follows Gigi Graham, the daughter of Garrett and Hannah, the protagonists of The Deal. And if you read the original series, you know why she is called like this. She not only took her name from her father, but also the love for hockey and she plays in the Briar women's hockey team. Her dream is to play for the US national team, but even though she is one of the best players she is having problems to enter the team. For this she asks the help of Ryder, the new co-capitan of the men's hockey team. He will not help her for free, in fact he wants that she puts a good word with her dad in his behalf, so that he can work with his legend Garrett Graham during the summer. 

A win-win for both of them... but they have to fight against their mind-spinning chemistry. 

Gigi is definitely Garrett's daughter. She is strong, passionate and always keeps her eyes on the goal. I saw parts of her parents in her personality, but she is also her own person. It is interesting also seeing a good and healthy relationship between a daughter and her parents. 

Ryder is also concentrate on his goal: play hockey professionally. He doesn't have a good family situation and this made him really a grumpy character, but also stoic. I think this differentiates him from the author's other male characters. 

Their relationship doesn't start in the best ways, some miscommunication, enemy of a friend and then it arrives the pact.  When their bond becomes something more, at the beginning is only physical, so prepare yourself for a lot of spicy. Fortunately, we later get to see how their relationship grows and how they open up about their past, worries and hopes for the future. They started out as friends with benefits and then we see a more emotional connection, and that it's what I like in romance books. So I am pretty satisfied on this. I loved how Ryder is so stoic and grumpy at first and then becomes super sweet with Gigi. I really enjoyed the things that he did for her, I couldn't stop smiling. 

I also appreciated how the protagonists take something from past characters, while remaining original. They didn't seem like a copycat of Garrett and Hannah or another couple. On the other hand, some of the secondary characters reminded me a little too much of other characters from the original series.

Writing a book that is the return of beloved characters without them been protagonists is really difficult, because too much and it is another book about them, not enough in a second generation book and the characters that you loved are terrible parents. Elle Kennedy managed to give us back these characters without stealing the place of the protagonists. Hannah and Garrett are there as Gigi's parents, we see them only in this light. And also the others characters from Off-Campus and Briar U did some cameos that I really liked. It made the book more familiar and they were hilarious as always. 

I think that this book for now will be the only second generation of this series. The others will probably concentrate on Gigi and Ryder's friends who were introduced in this one. At the end of the book you have some ideas on what will happened to them and I am really interested to see especially how one of the relationship will continue. 

Even thought I really appreciated the book there are some aspect that didn't convince me. Some points could have been more detailed, especially the ending which is a little too fast. Personally I didn't also like a narration choice of the author, but this is totally a subjective thing. 

Some of the initial dialogues  between Ryder and his friends didn't feel right to me. They are definitely realistic, but I didn't want reality. I want the fictional part because the men treat women better here. Ryder had the chance to prove himself later and he won my affection, but sometimes at the start I was not really totally on board.

The Graham Effect is a good book, with charming characters, a sexy and emotional love story and it also has Garrett Graham in his DILF era. So what more can we ask? If you loved the original series, you would definitely love Gigi and Ryder too.

- Camilla

Read More

INTERNATIONAL BLOG TOUR: The Stand-Up Groomsman by Jackie Lau

Hello readers!
How are you? Today we celebrate the release of The Stand-Up Groomsman by Jackie Lau, the second book in the Donut Fall in Love series. The Stand-Up Groomsman is an entertaing and enjoyable reading that, with the previous novel, made me discover a very interesting author!

As always, I have to thank Penguin Random House and Berkley Publishing Group for the free copy and the invitation to be part of the International Blog Tour. 

 

Let me present you this book:

Title: The Stand-Up Groomsman
Author: Jackie Lau
Publishing Date: October, 25th
Publisher:  Berkley Trade Paperback
Pages: 368
Price: 17,90 €

Plot: **please be aware there will be some SPOILERS if you haven't read Donut Fall in Love.

A bridesmaid and groomsman put their differences aside to get their friends down the aisle in this opposites-attract steamy romantic comedy.

They say to never meet your heroes, but when Vivian Liao's roommate gets engaged to her favorite actor’s costar, she has no choice but to come face-to-face with Melvin Lee again. He's just as funny and handsome as he is on-screen...but thinks she is a snob and a sellout. It's none of his business how she chooses to live her life, no matter how charismatic he is.
 
Mel is used to charming audiences as an actor and stand-up comedian but can't connect to Vivian. She's a smart, talented artist—which is why he thinks she’s wasting her life as a corporate finance drone. The only thing uniting them is their goal for the wedding to go off without a hitch.
 
As they collaborate on wedding cake and karaoke parties, Mel realizes he might have seriously misjudged this bridesmaid, while Vivian discovers the best man might just be as dazzling off-screen as he is on. With the wedding underway, maybe more than one happily ever after is in the future.

 

The Author:

 

Jackie Lau decided she wanted to be a writer when she was in grade two, sometime between penning “The Heart That Got Lost” and “The Land of Shapes.” She later studied engineering and worked as a geophysicist before turning to writing romance novels. She is now the author of over a dozen romantic comedies. Learn more online at www.jackielaubooks.com. 

 

 

Review: 

3.5 stars⭐

What did I appreciate about this book?

• The style: Jackie Lau has an ironical way of writing that is really enjoyable and allows the reader to keep reading with a fast pace. Pages flies, without you even notice it! And I assume it has been a real challenge using it, when at the same time she decided to have a main character that is a comedian. The monologues inserted in the book were not only entertaining, but also very interesting to read, because, as it should be, they contain - within them - valuable thoughts. 
• The diversity: since Donut Fall in Love, one of the points that catches immediately the reader's eyes is the presence of Asian main characters and a really good LGBTQIA+ representation. I really cherish both of those choices, because I greately appreciate to have the chance to know more about other cultures even from small details, could they be habits, or different ways to call a parent. Even when there are jokes related to that, Jackie Lau is always respectful of those cultural roots. Then, the LGBTQIA+ representation: in this case too I have to admit I loved so much how those characters have been depicted, with a special mention to the bi ones, who often are just mentioned but don't have a proper space on the scene. Another praise to have chosen a "plus size" male character, surely not a common choice that remembers us that not only people with abs can be considered attractive.
  
• The characters: as in Donut Fall in Love, not all the characters have been greatly deepened, except the main ones. Nontheless, they are the light of the story (but I was SO happy to have lots of scenes with Lindsay and Ryan)! We can say that they're a sort of atypical figures and for this specific reason they're SO interesting to discover: Melvin a comedian that in real life is not keen to make jokes all the time, and Vivian that often seems indifferent to what (and who) is around here. The double point of view here is absolutely essential, and creates an entertaining change of perception of the same event. Furthermore, I've really loved both backgrounds, that explain a lot of their mutual misunderstandings and behaviour toward the other. Anyway, my favorite character is, of course, Po Po. I adore her!
  
• An enemies to lovers relationship: if you're a fan of a story that starts off with a wrong foot, this is the book for you! The tension and the attraction between them was so tangible you could feel it.

What would I have expected more from?

• Less rush. I think there are some moments within the book that should have more space and being developed better. The final release was absolutely enjoyable to read, but I found myself at the end with the feeling that something was missing.
• More insights related to certain themes. I would have appreciated to deepen some family relationships or to discover more about the character's feelings, which are present and presented to the readers, yes, but they miss the strenght to hit deeply. That doesn't permit to empatize with the protagonists at 100%.

 

And that's it! I really suggest you this series for the fresh elements within the story and a captivating style. For me it has been a really lovable surprise! 

Thanks again to Berkley Publishing Group, and happy release day to Jackie Lau💙

See you soon in the next review!

- Chiara

*credit:author's photo by J. Mitchell 2021

Read More