4.5 stars, rounded up

First and foremost, Jasper, Bobby, and Mark were absolutely adorable and the stars of the show. Watching Evan with them was so heartwarming and sweet, and I love how much they love Frances.

The only reason I knocked off half of a star is because this book got a little bit slow in the middle - it was one of those where they got together very early on and it kind of left the story without any tension for a while, but it definitely picked up later and kept me on the edge of my seat.

And one of my FAVORITE parts (spoilers ahead) was the fact that Charles’s atrocious actions at the end had ACTUAL CONSEQUENCES. Usually when stuff like that happens in a HR it kind of turns out like “oh he did something bad but he meant well, all is forgiven!” But I looove that this book recognized that no, shit like that is NOT okay! And he has to face the repercussions! I also love that Frances and her twin were able to bond at the end despite all of their differences.

Overall this was a great read and I definitely recommend it!

I forgot how much I love period romances. This was such a fun story to read from start to finish. I loved Frances and he personality so much! She was witty and confident and knew what she wanted and wasn’t afraid to go for it which I think is such a clever personality for a FMC in a period romance. As for our wonder MMC the Earl of Winthrop, I truly enjoyed his character development and the way that he treated Frances. Things could have gone so many other ways for these characters and to see the author choose the story line that she did was great in my opinion. Truly a wonderful story and some fun characters but I’m also a sucker for a good found family story so I may be biased.

Enter the surprise (illegitimate) siblings! Which I will say I much prefer to surprise babies. Goodness, Jennifer Haymore had me captivated with the characters in A Lady's Rules for Ruin. Her characters have a way of leaping of the page and making the reader completely invested in their growth.

I fell head over heals in fictional love with the MC and his friends in the previous novel in this series The Duke's Rules of Engagement and even more so with them within this novel. I feel like Winthrop has a very special place in my heart. His compassion and kindness and capacity to love his brother's when he found them stole my heart.

This is very much felt to me like a story of finding oneself as well as trying to break the mold that one has been forever set in. Frances hopes for freedom and to no longer be hemmed in by the beliefs of who her siblings demand she be. To find the thing about her for which she can be proud and find purpose. Which is not as the wife of someone she cannot love. Her way to go about it was rather hilarious and I loved the courage she found to take her life into her own hands even if it did backfire in a number of ways. And for Winthrop the complexities of his character and his identity and how finding out the truth forced him to reconstruct what he hoped for his own future; like he had actual been untethered until he finally found where and with whom he was meant to be.

And goodness the scene where he realized he needed his brothers and their specific skill sets to assist in the rescue nearly brought me to tears. And I loved the juxtaposition of found family with the family one is born into. How the family Winthrop had created with his friends was only strengthened with the addition of his half-siblings.

Once I started A Lady's Rules For Ruin, I found that I could not put it down. It filled me with all the perfect romance novel feels and I cannot wait to read the rest of the series when they are published. I am hoping for Cole's book next!

This book was cute! Some things worked for me others not so much but over all I had a great time reading it.

A great book full of lots of bantering, honesty and romance. Two main characters find they can help each other by working together. Along the way, the heat between them starts a fire that can't be denied. Two points about this is first, this is the second book of the series and while it can stand alone, I always recommend reading the whole series so you get the true feelings of each story. Secondly, this is my first read of this author and while I find 38 chapters very long, she kept my attention and interesting from beginning to end.

This one was so much fun!!
Both MCs set against society’s expectations for their own reasons, they quickly forge an unlikely alliance over his secret - nope, I’m not giving it away! And that’s not all they “forge”… Yes, this was an emotional ride with teasing, banter and forthright honesty, but also sizzling spark and delectable steam (everywhere but the bedroom)! It takes them a moment to see the light, but once it’s on, it’s on! And the way everything nearly goes south at the end, had me on the edge of my seat!
An excellent enthralling plot, MCs that aren’t exactly original but rather unique in their approach to life and its mayhem & mishaps, endearing side characters and a beautiful setting.
This book was extremely enjoyable and I highly recommend you check it out for yourself!!

📚 Titled, wealthy and handsome, Evan Locke, Earl of Winthrop is the ton’s golden boy and most-prized bachelor. Everyone wants a piece of him. That is, everyone except the mesmerising Miss Frances Cherrington. Even though he has just uncovered a disturbing family secret, he can’t help but be drawn to her and the Lady has a knack for popping up every time his life is about to change.

Frances doesn’t care one wit for the earl, she has her own problems. Mainly her family constantly criticizing her and pushing her toward marriage. Moving from one cage to the next, holds no appeal, but Winthrop - arrogant and full of himself as he may be - just gave her an idea. Ruining her reputation with a man set to leave the country, might do nicely…

Of course nothing ever works out as planned… For Frances disgrace means a newfound freedom and the need to find an occupation. On her first try she runs into Winthrop - of course - and becomes unwittingly and inextricably attached to his secret. An ever expanding secret as it turns out. A secret she no longer wishes to give up… But then her disgrace catches up and her family insists she makes things right. Only, what’s right for them, is the worst possible outcome for her.

While this book did not entrance me as much as the first book, it was a very good book and I absolutely loved both Winthrop and Frances. The way Jennifer wrote of the love Winthrop had for his brothers, it was magic on the page. Both Winthrop and Frances’ admiration for these children was front and center of this story. Jennifer puts her heart into every word on the page.

I thought this book was ok, parts worked for me and I found other parts dragging on. I did enjoy the premise and being a different twist in the typical story though the love story felt forced to me. Frances was a fun character though.

Thanks to Netgalley and Entangled for the ARC

This is a beautiful story about how we should always follow our hearts. Frances and Evan are determined never to marry, but soon their paths cross and they begin to develop a friendship that soon gives way to deeper feelings.

The chemistry between them is pure fire, their scenes almost cause me to instantly combust. I loved them together, the evolution of their relationship and how they complement each other so perfectly.

This is a cute and sweet and sexy story that captivated me and left me with a big smile. If you're a fan of spicy, historical romance with a sassy heroine and a sweet, sexy hero, this one is perfect for you.

This book was everything! It gave me warm fuzzy feelings and it made me cry. It was also steamy and romantic. Evan, with his mix of strength and vulnerability, was the perfect hero. Frances was smart and just a little bit crazy. She didn't have the arrogance of many HR heroines--the ones that feel that their ambitions are so incredibly important that they couldn't possibly chain themselves to a marriage. Frances just assumed that no one would want to marry her anyway, so she wanted to make a life for herself. She was tired of being controlled by her siblings.
Evan, the Earl of Winthrop, was going through some difficult times of his own. Conveniently, Frances was always there when he needed someone, He gradually begins to fall in love with her.
One day, Frances impulsively decides that getting herself ruined would be an easy path towards freeing herself from the annoying expectations of her family and society. Of course, this completely backfires and it nearly causes her to lose Evan forever. Surprisingly, it's not because he was judging her unfairly. The trouble comes from a completely unexpected source and the betrayal is devastating.
I highly recommend this book to everyone. It shows lots of family dynamics and it has a wonderful ending. I received a free ARC from NetGalley and this is my honest review.

Miss Frances Cherrington, defeats the marriage mart, society, and their rules. She decided long ago to be a happy spinster, however her family thinks it is just her being stubborn. She is the last one not married.

Her twin, Martha, keeps pushing her towards Mr Herbert Salt a fellow Egyptian archeologist. As Martha, her husband and Mr Salt are leaving the next day for the African continent.

Mark Bennington Locke, the Earl of Winthrop, has tried his whole life to live down his father's reputation. His mother is aloof towards him, but his saving grace was her sending him to school. That is where he met his best friends, the Duke of Crestmont, Oliver Jameson, and Viscount Coleton. They were on the rowing team, cricket team and have kept up with the rowing every Sunday.

While chatting at The Worthington Masquerade with each other, Winthrop gives Frances a suggestion which she elaborates more on and then goes and does something wild. Thinking that she would finally be free and safe from the repercussions, she kisses Mr Salt in front of the meanest gossipers.

Winthrop on the other hand receives news he wants to avoid dealing with for a few hours. So the masquerade party is just the thing to help until Frances leaves him wondering what she has planned. Then the following day he heads to see his mother who misinterprets what he is asking and gives him the family secret about himself, which spins his world even further out of control.

Meanwhile, Frances has made a list of what she would like to do with the remainder of her life, but is somewhat thwarted by her family due to her scandalous kiss. She does escape the house after receiving the note from the orphanage home to accept her help with the boys.

As Frances is directed to a room with a child and told to show him how to address his sponsor properly, she realizes that this boys orphanage is not run with their interest at heart. Then when Winthrop shows up, the identity of the child hits too close. She has befriended the child somewhat that he will, to an extent, do what she asks. When Winthrop hears about the treatment, he takes the child, with Frances help, to live with him. Only to discover he has an older brother.

As Frances deals with her fallout and trials for employment to support herself, she keeps running into Winthrop with his brothers in tow. Both boys will listen to and do as she asks, must to Winthrop's dismay.

When Frances asks to stay in their hometown of the lake district for awile, reluctantly, her brother agrees. She gets a surprise when she runs into Winthrop again as he is collecting a third brother. As this one is even younger, she helps again. To her own surprise, she finds it very wonderfully different from her own family life.

As the two bond over his brothers and they with her, each states their reason, mostly, for not wanting to marry. She confesses all but he holds one secret back.

When she arrives home to her brother's house she gets a surprise of her twin Martha with Mr Salt in tow. There to do the honorable thing and marry her. When she declines, her brother goes behind her back to have the marriage contracts drawn up, signed, and the bans started being read. When she still declines and he fines her sending notes to a male, he finally has had enough and locks her in her room, denies any visitors, correspondence, and only her family can see her.

But when that secret is finally revealed and he asks her to marry him, is it too late? Will he even get to ask? Will she forgive her family? Does she go through with marrying Salt or does she marry Winthrop? Will she accept, acknowledge, and keep the secret safe?


So come join the antics, fun, and romps of Frances as she decides what she wants and goes after it. Enjoy the merry mischief of three boys that have not had an easy life or fun before. Root and cheer for Winthrop as he takes on these wild, rambunctious boys to love and support them.

Jennifer Haymore has quickly become a favorite author! I found her books this year and I've enjoyed each and every one of them. A Lady's Rules for Ruin is the second book in The Lions and the Lillies series but it can definitely be read as a standalone.

Our fmc is Miss Frances Cherrington. She would prefer to be a spinster but her family has other ideas. When at a party, she has an idea to ruin herself to ensure she doesn't find herself married to someone she doesn't want, she actually makes things more difficult for herself. I just have to say here - her family is pretty awful so I couldn't help feeling sorry for Frances and her situation. Her brother is pretty much the worst.

The Earl of Winthrop knows more about ruin than anyone suspects. He’s just uncovered a secret that would tear his name—and everything he’s worked for—apart. With that said, he is drawn to Frances and can't seem to stay away.

I loved how the relationship between Evan and Frances developed. Neither were truly looking for the other but their chemistry was perfect.

As I mentioned, I've enjoyed all of Haymore's books that I've picked up so far and I'm not sure how I missed book one in this series but I will definitely be going back to pick it up. I don't believe I missed anything by jumping to this one first so I think you could do the same.

Frances Cherrington at 25 is getting too old to marry and it is just how she wants it to be. But her overbearing brother insists she marry. To make it impossible she decides to be seen kissing a man at a party ruining her reputation. She chooses a man leaving the country the next day so as not to entrap him. Now she gets to make plans for her future. Or so she thinks.

Evan, The Earl of Winthrop has no plans to marry as he has found out secrets about his past. But when his path crosses with Frances sparks fly. I read this easily as a stand alone but it is second in The Lions and the Lilies series. (The three male leads are lifelong best friends.) I love the respite from London taking time in the Lake District. I also like how the author includes how France's actions have repercussions for the family as a whole. And brother Charles receives the right amount of consequences for his actions although that may not happen in the time period.

Overall a steamy historical romance that has heart. I enjoyed whiling away the afternoon reading it. Thank you to Entangled Publishing for the ARC via NetGalley and I am leaving a voluntary review.

3.5 of 5 stars

Ethan, the Earl of Winthrop, has always been fascinated by Miss Frances Cherrington. She's everything he'd want in a wife, but he's never quite sure if she even likes him, so he keeps his distance but admires her from afar. Frances has been criticized by her family for as long as she can remember. They complain she is too bold or too prickly, and she drives away potential suitors. What they refuse to do is listen to her. She doesn't want to get married and be beholden to a man. She wants her independence, so she hatches a simple plot to ruin herself. Caught kissing in the garden, her disgrace is soon all over London. Everyone seems to know what she did except the Earl of Winthrop.

Ethan has his own problems. He's been to see his mother, and she's told him a dirty family secret that knocks him on his heels. While he tries to cope with this new knowledge, he runs into Miss Cherrington. She's the last person he wants to see, but even without trying, she soothes his soul. His family situation is in crisis, but Frances stands by his side to help him navigate the troubled waters. The more time they spend together, the more they realize that perhaps they each have found the one person who sees their real self and loves them anyway.

The book was a bit slow in the beginning, and this accounts for the lower star rating. There are some cute scenes in the book and Ms. Haymore shines the light on all the double standards young women in the Regency era had to contend with. Men could kiss as many women as they pleased, but young women were not even supposed to be alone with a gentleman. The romance between Frances and Ethan is a slow burn. There are some graphic sex scenes so buyer beware if you prefer a clean romance.

It took awhile to get into this book, but I stuck with it. It was a slow read in the beginning.
Frances and co take you on a wild ride through the highs and lows of society. This book will make you feel joy and sadness and most of all hope. Not something I'd normally pick up but an okay read. I'd recommend it

Francesca Harrington's family wants nothing more than for her to marry. They take her to every social event and then berate her when it looks like she's not enjoying herself. Well, that's because she's not. Francis does not want to get married, she wants the freedom to find herself and what she wants from life. She decided to ruin herself, thinking that when people found out no one would want to marry her.
It works! Francis is able to try new things and one of those leads into the path of Evan the Earl of Winthrop. I love how they came together she is able to be herself with him and find what makes her happy.
For Evan, it seems like Francesca pops up during every moment that he doesn't want another person to see. But it turns out she helps him in ways he didn't even know he needed by just being there and listening.
I loved watching them fall in love, it was beautiful and heartwarming. You could feel the chemistry and the growing love between them.
This book was fun, full of humor, love, some shenanigans, and an amazing heartwarming love story. I can't wait to see what's next in this series! and I hope we get to see more of Evan and Francis in the future!

A Lady’s Rules for Ruin by Jennifer Haymore was a quirky historical romance. The novel focused on Frances Cherrington. She was the one member of her family that was unmarried and quite frankly she wanted to stay that way. She was under a great deal of pressure to marry from all her siblings. While at a ball, speaking with Evan, the Earl of Winthrop, Frances got an idea to ruin herself so she wouldn’t have to marry.

The problem with her impetuous plan was that it didn’t even take every consequence in her mind and the consequences were quite scandalous. Her family was suffering from her scandal with the sisters being not treated well by the tonne, actually being shunned.

The Earl felt badly for her while at the same time was drawn to her time and time again. HE began spending time with her and slowly they began to fall for each other. Frances’s brother figured out what was happening and decided to take everything in her own hands and demanded Francess marry the man she tricked into kissing her.

The story is ramped up at this point with the family being torn apart by all their decisions. Frances is miserable. The story has some fun elements and certainly reminded me of all the double standards that existed at the time. While this book is the second in a series, it can be read as a standalone easily. A Lady’s Rules for Ruin by Jennifer Haymore was a good read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this book.

Took me a while to get to this one, but I wish I had moved it up on my list. It's such a great book.

It is not your typical, predictable romance story.

Characters are in depth and believable. A fully developed plot and a great message.

Great read. Recommend.

This story will warm you in unexpected ways. Frances just wants her family to leave her alone to live the life of a spinster. Evan, the Earl of Winthrop is enjoying the freedoms of being a sought after single gentleman. There are so many surprises to be discovered as you turn the pages of book. The characters in the story are fantastic and very entertaining. I enjoyed the plot and the trajectory as the story unfolded to reveal the happy ending between Frances and Evan.

"Ruin" is another enjoyable historical romance in Jennifer Haymore's The Lions and The Lilies series.

Haymore's heroines in this series are rulebreakers. Frances is fighting her family's pressure to marry, and decides that ruination is the perfect "out". She will destroy her reputation, and consequently no one will want to marry her. Evan, the Earl of Winthrop is perfect for her plans

Frances and Evan's slowly developing romance is fun to read, but even more delightful are the secondary characters, Evan's newly discovered half-brothers. Evan, the boys, and eventually Frances create a found-family, and their love is joyful.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.