This is a brand new author for me, and I loved this story! Ashton and Terra were full of humor, sass, witt, sexy as all get out, and both from broken pasts that made them the perfect couple. Loved the way Ash met Terra, and their first experience together, a lot of laughing in this book, but there were a lot of tears too. Loved GG and Aunt Sonja, despised Marcus. Drama was appropriately placed in this book, and the swoon worthiness is in full effect throughout this book. Just a few editing issues, but nothing to distract from the story. Very much enjoyed it, will definitely be reading more from this author.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC copy of this book

Ashton Lyle was eight when his mother was diagnosed with cancer. They moved from London to New York for special treatment, but then it came back. After his mother died, his father mentally check out. Eventually they moved to Detroit. Subconsciously, he fears finding and loosing that kind of love, so now grown up and a pharmaceutical salesman, he has a lists of rules to keep him as a playboy, concentrating on older women. However, those rules are broken, after he rescues Terra, from a very aggressive blind date. She owns a club but is not free of her ex-husband and because of him, no longer trusts men or wants a relationship with them. But, there is something about the other ... that keeps luring them back together.

The characters are well developed, but for some reason I was not able to connect with them, and I can't figure out why. The steamy love scenes got to be too much, almost half the book and I found myself skimming quite a bit in order to finish.

I received a free advanced copy of this book from NetGalley.com. This was my unbiased and voluntary review.

**I received this book from Random House - Loveswept through NetGalley for an honest review.**

Terra is a self-made woman who knows what she wants and Ashton is a man in control.

I’ll be honest, I did not care for the first couple of chapters at all. Things started out a bit shallow and I felt like if I stopped I would be OK with my decision. While I questioned Terra’s decision making after knowing someone for such a short period of time I suspended my beliefs because I’m sure some people are like that in real life.

The middle of this book was very enjoyable. The chemistry between these two was legit hot and their banter was great. I appreciated the humor throughout, it lightened things up a bit with these two professionals. I also liked the introduction of their friends, they for sure added a lot to their story.

This had some drama that almost felt random and was a major WTF for me. I think that kind of made things go downhill for me since things started out so light and fun.

Overall, the epilogue redeemed some things for me after the lackluster chapters towards the end. The instalove and constant sex was not a plus for me. Also, Ashton’s stalker tendencies were a big red flag, attractive or not.

Ashton lived his dating life by a set of rules: 1.) Never date the prettiest girl in the room. 2.) No dates on Friday or Saturday night. 3.) No discussing family history… you get the gist. His mind is completely blown when he meets Terra, who makes him challenge every one of those rules. Terra has her own set of drama, in the name of an ex-husband. As they get to know each other a little better, the drama unfolds. Can Ashton get past her walls? Can Terra make him forget all of his rules?

I initially wanted to read this because I love interracial romance, and it had a great synopsis. LoveSwept hasn’t produced a book I didn’t like. Upon reading it I will say I was a bit nervous. Could this be the first book that doesn’t live up to my expectation? I have to say, it did live up to my expectations. I did have to get past a chapter or two, but it was totally worth it. While it does start off a bit slow, getting to know the characters, watching them interact with each other, watching the development… it gave the story so much depth and kept me enthralled. I am new to Aliza Mann’s work, but I would enjoy reading more of her work.

I’m sorry, this book was a DNF for me. I lost interest when I was 30% of the way. The male character did not appeal and the female seemed more interested in looking sexy than in being interesting

This a new author to me and I really liked the blurb and though I would give it a try. First of all, it took me a while to get through the whole book. I found myself reading it and then putting it away, to pick it back up. Don't get me wrong it is very well written and it is a good book, once I finally finished it. I just think that I personally, could not get into Ashton and Terra's story line. It starts off with Ashton giving us his rules, then to meet Terra who is need of saving on a date and they become friends but won't admit to the chemistry between them. It was touch and go for me. 3.5 solid stars*****

****I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book provided by NetGalley*****

In exchange for an ARC, I am happily giving my open and honest review. This is the first book of Ms. Mann's that I have read. It began with Ashton listing his rules oh how he dates women and then he finds the one woman who makes him start breaking said rules. Enter Tarra, a lady who knows how to take care of herself, but only just recently learned to do so thanks to her abusive ex-husband. The relationship between these two is long and full of stops and starts and pitfalls. My main problem with this book was how much time each of them spent inside their own heads and this is the main reason for my less than 5 star review.

I enjoyed this sexy and emotional contemporary romance with great characters and a well-written story that kept me entertained and engaged from the first page to the last word. I loved the instant attraction, sizzling chemistry and repartee between Ashton Lyle, a modern-day playboy, and Terra Ellis, a successful entrepreneur who knows what she wants.

This is a great poolside or beach read filled with humor, charm and heart. I received an advance reader copy of Breaking His Rules from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my voluntary review.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Mary – ☆☆☆☆
What happens when two people not looking for love meet? They seem to be drawn to each other and the romance is off the charts.

Ashton is a lady’s man and he doesn't think that love is in the cards for him. And he seems to be alright with that. He finds the ladies not looking for a relationship to get what he needs and gives them what he knows they need. He can watch a woman and know a lot about her, this is how he ran into Terra.

Terra is on another date from hell. Although this guy is a friend of a friend, she can't stand being with him any longer. When the man she noticed at the bar watching the group of older ladies approaches her, she doesn't know what to do. Then she realizes he is there to save her from Mr. Grab Hands. She isn't looking for a relationship, just a little fun, is that really too much to ask?

Ashton and Terra end up spending time together and it is messing with both of their heads. Neither one wants to admit to themselves that they are feeling something for the other.

Can they go out on a few dates without getting involved? Will Terra tell Ashton about her past? Can Ashton share his past with Terra? Will they be able to move on from each other if a relationship is not possible?

I really enjoyed this story and I hope you like it too. This being a first for me from this author, I can't wait to read more from her.

An okay read for me.

Ashton was a playboy who loved his ladies a few years older than himself. One Sunday he meets Terra and is immediately smitten. Terra is a strong woman who has a club she has worked hard for. After she meets Ashton, she tries to to forget him because she believes that he’s not the type of guy to commit to a relationship.

The storyline is good and I liked the characters ... but I didn’t love them. Even though Ashton was a hottie and Terra was a strong beauty ... I just found the banter between them awkward sometimes. There was one really good twist in the story, but otherwise I found it predictable.

I received an early copy courtesy of Random House-Loveswept through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

Excellent contemporary unique romance. The blurb gives a great description of what the story is about. Each of the characters believe that loving someone isn't worth it so they avoid relationships. Ashton and Terra have unresolved issues in their lives that come back to haunt them. The author did an excellent job developing both the characters and story line. I enjoyed this book. I received a complementary copy of this book via Net Galley and chose to write a review. I look forward to reading future books by this author.

Oh my...this was a great book. Enjoyed everything about it. Can't wait to read more from this author. The characters were well developed. The setting well defined. Overall a great read.

Rules are great. Just make sure you don't break them. Keep it casual. Remember what happened in your last serious relationship. And thus began the romance between Ashton Lyles and Terra Ellis. begins. Add pretty sexy times and even better banter and you have the combination for a good book. Definitely 3.5 stars. .

4 star

I was pulled right into this story. The story has laughs, secrets, and heartbreak.

This is Terra and Ashton’s story. Both strong willed can they really have a chance? Both hard workers but is that keeping them from love? She is a little put off relationships after her last one. Can he convince her to give him a chance? The both have a set of rules but in the end are they willing to break them all for each other?

I loved these characters and the side characters. I felt I could connect with the characters and the story was a great read.

I recommend this book.

A sweet and spicy story. Ashton and Terra were not looking for relationships or love. The rescued and resuscitated each other. The story is funny and filled with plenty of wit and charming banter. They are both strong characters who are always fighting for dominance. The bedroom activity is steamy with a hint of gentlemanly charm. The author is very adept with her use of modern day cultural references and language which gives the characters very interesting and identifiable features. The relationship struggles make them relatable and the plot definitely works realistically because it is not rushed. A well put together story.

Aston and Terra meet when he rescues her from a bad blind date. Aston isn’t the relationship type of guy and Terra is all about her business. What will happen when sparks fly between these two. Fast-paced read with plenty of drama and steam. I liked the characters and the story held my interest throughout. A good read.

I so wish that I can say that I loved Breaking His Rules by new-to-me author, Aliza Mann, but, frankly, it was a struggle for me to finish.

I was drawn to Breaking His Rules because of that gorgeous cover and the fact that I'm trying to read as many authors going to Book Lover Con this year as possible. However, I always struggle with M/F contemporary romance, and this book fell to that curse.

I'm not sure exactly why I had so much trouble with the story. It felt polished and well-written, but it took me ages to read. I had to force myself to read a few pages every day, and my mind kept wandering to other books and I'd put this one down again. It didn't engage me.

Part of the reason is probably that I don't like when book start off sex-forward. I am a huge fan of the slow, slow burn and sexual tension that builds over time. I like the MCs to not even kiss before 50% in, just build the tension and get to know one another. I know that is just my personal preference, but I tend to check out when relationships process too fast because I just don't get as emotionally invested in the romance. I also thought it was strange in this story how there was a BDSM-lite scene right off the bat, which didn't quite fit with the tone of the story.

I was also excited for a reformed-rake premise, which is a weakness of mine, but Ashton went from "I never get involved" to extremely attached in the blink of an eye. I wanted more of the cocky playboy who gets schooled-vibe, which I didn't quite get.

I wish I loved this one, but it was just okay for me. Bummer.

*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*

I had a hard time with this book. It never really hooked me. So It did not keep me engaged. I had it for weeks and would pick it up, read a bit and put it down. It had great dialogue and the writing was very well done. But, in the end, I think there just wasn't enough tension or concrete plot to hang the forward story on. And honestly the couple chemistry just wasn't there on page for me.

We are first introduced to Ashton, the hero, in his first person POV chapter where he is telling us his philosophy of romance/sex etc. Basically he keeps it light with no strings and he tends to like older women. He is at a bar trying to pick up one such woman when he notices the heroine Terra who is trying to fend off a rather handsy date and he heads to her rescue.

That is their meet cute and it actually moves into a rather amusing, somewhat slapticky scene where she ends up punching him (accidentally).

From there they dance around each other and have no strings sex. Of course that never works in a romance novel. In this case it is Ashton who catches feelings real fast with Terra blowing hot and cold. He'd pursue, she'd try to hold him off, they'd realize they're just so sexually attracted to each other and then they have sex. Only for the whole dance to start over. There is a scene where Ashton get to show his protectiveness of Terra which finally convinces her to take him seriously. This could have been an effective push-pull tension but it fell flat for me and I just wondered what was the hold up?

I also don't feel I got a bead on either one of them as a person. The book is told in alternating first person POV chapters However the 'voice' of Terra and Ashton was indistinguishable. I could easily forget whose chapter I was in sometimes because there was no difference in tone, thought etc. As a mater of fact, Ashton is a white, British male and there were times his inner thoughts (word choices, inflections) felt distinctly like a black woman's.

It was an ok book but it really didn't get me invested in either the characters or their relationship.

A fantastic story filled with love and life revelations. Ash and Terra are established with their own lives but will perfect timing bring them together? Can they breakdown their own barriers for a piece of happiness?

Lots of sexy time and humor made this a fun read.

This book was so much fun to read! Ashton has rules and he has a specific type of woman he goes after. Terra is not his normal, she's the one he avoids at all costs but something changes the night they meet. He finds himself breaking rules and falling for Terra. These two characters were fun and had some major chemistry in the bedroom. I really enjoyed reading this book!