Breaking His Rules by Aliza Mann is a good fit for readers looking for a heartfelt exploration of finding love and breaking down walls, despite past relationship struggles and personal reservations.

DNF @54%. I kept trying to get into this book, but neither character was interesting nor likable. They both had trust issues that they just couldn’t give up, yet were more than willing to have steaming hot sex with the other (that went on for far too many pages relative to the plot around it). Also way too many abbreviations of popular slang that I guess I’m just too old to know, as i had to keep looking up in the Urban dictionary. I did like the way it’s written in dual POV. Terra’s best friend Gloria was the best thing going in the book. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and Netgalley. This is my freely given, honest review.

DNF
At this time, I am no longer interested in reading this title. Thank you for the opportunity to review this title and I apologize for the inconvenience.

An absolutely charming love story and realizing rules were sometimes made to be broken allowing you to get everything you want in life.

DNF at 30%

I tried, but I just couldn't. Ashton comes off too strong/forward, which apparently is okay because he's hot? (but when Terra's unattractive blind date acts forward it's creepy). Then, not even a week of knowing each other, Terra apparently trusts Ashton enough to try BDSM. In what world does absolute trust happen that quickly. I ended shortly thereafter.

I enjoyed this book. It was a sweet passionate read. I loved Evan and Harlows relationship and playfulness.

I just couldn’t get into this one. It started out funny with how they met, but I just found it to be a bit outlandish that on their first date, she is willing to be that sexually free and wild with a guy she barely knows. It just felt off between them and i struggled to finish.

I really wanted to like this book and started out well. Ashton is a certified playboy until he sees Terra being harassed at a restaurant. They are instantly attracted to each other, but Ashton doesn't want anything serious and Terra is still cautious after her divorce. They quickly become lovers with Ashton being the pursuer. So much for his "rules." There is some drama with Terra's druggie ex-husband and Ashton's relationship with his dad. I felt the author tried to throw too much together and it made the book a little ho hum to me. I missed the slow burn and having them fall in love. I also thought the BDSM felt a bit out of character for Ashton.

I really enjoyed this romance - it's a sweet romance with lots of sexy times. I really liked the hero and heroine - both strong people who have successful lives of their own who ultimately find what they didn't even know that the needed with each other. Ashton grew on me over the length of the book but it is Terra who really grabbed me immediately. Strong, successful, confident and intelligent - everything a good heroine should be. I love the way their relationship unfolded. Although Ashton's falling for her felt a little fast, given what we know of him, I was able to overlook it. All in all, a really successful romance with memorable characters.

DNF before the end of the first chapter. Honestly, I was turned off almost right from the start. I didn't like either character, I couldn't connect with them, and I was getting cranky with the way they were behaving. I looked at a few reviews and figured it probably wasn't going to change, so I thought I would cut my losses since it obviously wasn't a match for me. Course, now I forget the specifics, so not helpful...but whatever.

I normally wouldn't give a rating on a DNF, but since I had to on NetGalley, I gave 1 star. But since I didn't read it, that's only conjecture.

The story was written as dual narrative first person point of view of Terra Eliss and Ashton Lyle. The characterization was done directly from both points of view. The conflict is a mixture of internal and external as characters battle themselves, other characters, and society. The mix of popular themes are love, power and corruption, courage and heroism, survival and prejudice.

Ashton Lyle is our protagonist who is all about being a playboy for the older ladies, He has strict set of rules that he follows that makes him discipline but also a little rigid. He is British and chivalrous and knows how to use them to his advantage, but he slowly learns that not letting anyone in can sometimes not always be the best plan of action. Terra Ellis plays to role of antagonist and is a self-made woman who rules her own world, but has some history that she would rather not share. This is what has led her to believe she doesn't have time for love or attachments and has left her closed off to the idea of love and relationships. Ashton happen to be on his weekly cougar hunt when Terra entered his world, she has been setup on a very bad clingy blind date. Always the chivalrous type, Ashton steps in to save the lady and finds his whole world and rules about to be changed. This brings our anti-relationship pair together but when you add in a bit of misunderstanding that leads to assault that needs healing, meddlesome friends and ex with a need for revenge. Ashton and Terra might just need to rethink their rules of interactions.

The story followed and logical and organized flow with ideas that were both interesting and important to the story line. Each character had a unique voice that was individualized and appropriate for them. The story had no garble, metaphors or words that were uncommon or difficult to put into context. Yes, I would recommend this book. Those who are young adult readers, anyone smitten by a self assured British male role, or looking for a strong female lead. Not for those who enjoy damsels in distress or dislike mentions of abuse or violence.

My Thoughts:
Ashton and Terra are definitely discovered that some rules were made to be broken…

It’s always great when a character/s is able to beat the odds and fall in love.

Ashton, (Mr. bourbon neat) grew up with an unresolved childhood trauma that dampened his view of relationships and love. He is content with casual relationships/hookups to satisfy his carnal needs.
In fact, his is on his on one of his regularly scheduled hookups, when life’s course is derailed not only for him, but for Terra as well. When she finds herself in a blind date gone bad, Ashton steps in to defuse the situation. As fate would have it they end up saving each other…literally.

You will enjoy this comical and drama filled romance as these two breaks down the barriers of their long-standing baggage, becoming whole and just what the other needed.

I have to be honest and state that I had a hard time connecting with Ashton and Terra. Both of them want an uncomplicated relationship for various reasons. Ashton even has a list of qualifications as to who he will go home with and older women fit the bill for him. Terra is running a club, has an ex-husband that she wishes she never met and comes across as stuck-up at points. Neither one is honest in the beginning and for their ages that felt so many levels of wrong. I just didn't feel their chemistry or their feelings for each other as being real. It was too superficial for me in the beginning. I would read a few chapters and then put the book down which is unusual for me. Overall the writing was well done and the editing was great, just didn't connect with the story.
Am grateful to NetGalley for receiving an ARC for this book.

Honestly, this book was just okay for me. I had been waiting and waiting for it to be available but it honestly did not do much for me.

The premise is a romance surrounding a middle-aged woman (Terra) and a younger man (Ashton) who doesn't actually commit to relationships. I felt that Ashton "fell in love" with Terra very quickly for someone who doesn't commit. Then Terra fights pretty hard to keep him at arm's length - this helped to build some much needed romantic tension. Their romance became sweet and fun. Their chemistry ignites and their love blossoms. This is definitely a quick read that is different from the normal modern romance. If you are looking for something that flips the gender roles a little, this may be the book for you.

"Sometimes, you don't know what you need until it's there, just in front of you. Then boom. your life begins." ~ Terra

Ashton had life rules he lived by religiously. Terra had sworn off of love. Somehow the two of them found themselves in the same place at the same time, because love works that way. What was supposed to be a one-time attraction, morphed into a lifeline that could not be denied. Together they helped to heal their hearts and taught each other to trust.

This was a good read. Humor is a component of their personalities and I appreciated the quirkiness. Ashton at times was swoon worthy and Terra was no wallflower.

Good premise, but I could not get past the first person narrative. I could not connect to the characters enough to care about their love interest.

This book kept my attention but never wowed me. It is a plot seen many times that tends to feel stale. That being said, the author's style of writing is solid and the dialogue flowed very well. I also enjoyed the character development.

Everything was ok. Writing, characters, etc. were all so-so. Side characters were meh, but considering how huge the GGs and ex were, I wish they were better written to have more of an impact.

I think this story could've been shorter. I just felt like it dragged to get to our HEA. I didn't think the author needed to wrap up all the elements because we knew justice would be served, etc. Maybe things could've been wrapped in an Epilogue? But to go on after a defining act of courage/minimizing a potential tragedy and then going into recovery, reconciliations, going to court, engagement, blah-blah was spelling things out too much for me.

Sexy and addictive, this story felt fresh and different right out of the gate. I'd never read this author before but I enjoyed this storyline quite a lot.

I love a book with great dialogue, and Ms. Mann serves this up in this novel, along with so much more! Sexy, British hero! Smart heroine! Both Ashton and Terra had their reasons for not getting into a relationship. But, can they fight the chemistry occurring between them? I could not fight the chemistry of this book; I don't think you'll be able to either. Enjoyed this story, and first time reading this author!