I have been so excited to read The Rule Book by Sarah Adams since she announced she was writing another book in The Cheat Sheet World! And boy this book did not disappoint!

Sarah has a way of immediately pulling you into the story and I immediately fell in love with Nora 😍 I loved how she was so unapologetically herself. I loved her friendship with Nicole and how they stood up for each other in a “man’s world!”

Aw Derek 🥰 we all fell in love with him in The Cheat Sheet and I loved to get inside his head! He was so gone for Nora…he was precious. Their love story is a really great one of right person, wrong time but they found their way back to each other!

Sarah usually writes closed door romances, but did include an open door scene in this one. I love that she made it clear to readers at the beginning to skip ch 34 if they want to keep it closed door.

I did receive an early copy of this one. Thank you to the publisher and netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House for the gifted eARC!

This was my first Sarah Adams, and it certainly won't be my last. From beginning to end, this book was just a joy. It's a second chance football romance about two college sweethearts who get a second shot at love as adults. The non-toxic masculinity in professional sports represented here was such a breath of fresh air, but the shining star of this book is Nora. Nora is such a quirky, neurotic, and joyful character and I love her so much. She's great at her job as a sports agent, but doesn't compromise any of her colorful, sunshine-y personality, and it was just so enjoyable to read. The girl power in this book is excellent, I loved the banter between Nora and pretty much everyone but especially Derek, and I was really rooting for their relationship the entire time. All in all, I loved this book and I'm very excited to dive into more by Sarah Adams!

Sarah Adams’s books are guaranteed to make me smile. And The Rule Book did that. Also, much thanks to Random House - Dell for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. When I tell you I screamed when I found out I was approved for this eARC!

The Rule Book is a very cute second chance rom com that also deals with some serious discussions around dyslexia and family trauma. The book follows Nora, a sports agent, who finds out she landed her first solo client - star quarterback for the LA Sharks, Derek. Derek also happens to be Nora’s ex-boyfriend from college.

Needless to say, when Nora and Derek meet again, Derek does not want to work with her. But, Nora convinces him and they create the rule book - a color-coordinated list of do’s and don’t’s of their working relationship. Parts of the book were cheesy in a Hallmark way, but I still had a smile on my face for most of the book and finished it feeling happy.

The book was endearing and heartfelt, and Adams included her first open door scene (which can be skipped by following the note at the start of the book). I’ve really liked this sports series, and I can’t wait to read the next one!

Oh how it PAINS me to rate a Sarah Adams book less than 4 stars. who knows me knows I adore Adams, with When in Rome being one of my all time favorite romances. Cheat Sheet though unfortunately falls to the bottom of the list for me.

Read if you love:
• Sports romance
• Second chance romance
• Marriage of convenience
• Dual POV
• He falls first

Overall this book was cute and easy to read, and had that signature Sarah Adams joy filled writing we all love. However, as much as I wanted to love the FMC she gave off major manic pixie dream girl vibes and her continuous one liners got me less and less interested in the story overall. I honestly didn’t feel the chemistry between Derek and Nora, and her constant ruminating gave me whiplash.

I don’t think this hit for me because of how cheesy the writing and dialogue felt. The way the boys spoke to each other seemed so unbelievable that it took me out of the story because I kept thinking “nobody talks like that”. Some of the lines Derek and Nora share with each other were too Hallmark-y that it didn’t feel human, and that human element is usually what I love so much about Adams’ writing.

I will OBVIOUSLY continue to read anything SA releases and can’t wait to see what’s next. This one just didn’t hit for me!

"Feminism, my love, is about uplifting women and fighting for our rights to equality and choice. If your choice is to follow your career, I will fight for that until my dying breath. If your choice is to be married and become a mother, or even a combination of both, I will fight for that until my dying breath too. It’s not about what that choice is, it’s about your freedom to make it."

I know The Rule Book is a sport rom-com but I really LOVE all the tidbits of wisdom Nora's mom shares!! There's some awesome girl power in here!!! It was so empowering watching Nora fight her way into a man's world with her work and job. She was fierce and didn't take crap from anybody all while still being sunshine happy and cheerful instead of bitter.

"Simply put: Derek was my everything that was never supposed to be."

Nora and Derek are both real and flawed characters. It makes them so relatable and easy to fall in love with. Derek could be a real prick at the beginning but that made for true lovers to enemies to lovers vibes. And it was fun to see his football buddies again! They're hilarious together!! I wish I could befriend everyone in this book IRL!!! So many fabulous characters especially the Sharks.

"I slied my eyes to Derek and..... he winks at me. Holy Mother of Harry Styles. What was that?"

Thank you Sarah Adams and @netgalley for my e-arc!!! I couldn't put it down! I loved it so so much!! Sarah knows how to write rom-coms. There's hilarious banter, heartbreak, love, and friendship. Trust me and go pre-order this before it comes out April 2nd!!

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

The Rule Book is my new favorite from Sarah Adams. I adore a second chance romance and this one was one of the best. I especially loved Derek’s arc as he worked through his anger and disappointment from their previous breakup. I also loved Nora’s story as a hard-working brilliant woman in the testosterone world of sports management. Together, they were absolutely delightful, swoon worthy, and oh so sexy! The ending is perfection in more ways than one - no spoilers! Romance readers are in for a treat with this one! All the stars!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC to read and review. All opinions are my own.

4.25⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the ARC!

I was a little hesitant going into this book as I wasn’t a huge fan of the cheat sheet but I’m so glad I read this book bc it was so good! This second chance romance was legit so well done! The banter was hilarious and Nora’s jokes and comments made me actually giggle out loud! Plus we got a little bit of spice which is new from this author!! The women supporting women in this book was everything and I really appreciated that there wasn’t a 3rd act breakup, they actually communicated like adults👏🏼👏🏼!! I will def be reading more going forward from Sarah Adams!

4.25 🌟

Football + romcom = W for me!

I love Sarah Adams and The Cheat Sheet so I was so excited to get an ARC of this book (note: you don't have to read The Cheat Sheet prior to reading The Rule Book but you should). I loved seeing Nora succeed in a male dominated career and the banter between Nora and Derek. This book had so many fun troupes - second chance love, one bed etc. The one thing to note is this book is a little more 🌶 than most of Adam's novels.

Thanks, Netgalley for the ARC of this book!

I’m so happy I got this ARC! This book has so many good tropes that I love! Fake marriage, one bed, second chances, touch her and you die. I loved this story. I smiled and laughed so much. At the end I was crying. I loved how the story brought in characters from the cheat sheet and advanced their story as well. It was all perfect. Will probably read this again

Thank you to NetGalley and Dell for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.

This one's as good as The Cheat Sheet. I wish we had more from the guys together as a group but that's ok, it was still great. The slow burn was worth the wait. Nora's quirkiness could have been annoying yet she pulled it off as cute and sweet. She and Derek were so funny. I loved all the trips down memory lane, and that Derek obviously didn't forget a thing. The secret found in his bedside table was (swoon) a delight. Let's hope we get to meet up with these characters again!

Thank you for the early copy of this book. I did not expect to be pulled into this storyline as much as I was. It was filled with so much comedic reliefs. Derek’s friends dynamic made you laugh with all their quirks. (Loved The Cheat Sheet cameos) Their actually love story really had you on the edge will they, won’t they. Nora and Derek arc really tugged and made me so invested in their story. Sarah Adams delivered yet another great book, filled with romance and comedy.

If you’re looking for a second chance sports romance that is light and fluffy, this is the book for you.

Nora and Derek were cute and easy to root for, but the secondary characters truly stole my heart in this one. Nora’s mother and boss were both amazing, hilarious and wonderful characters.

Nora faces a fair amount of sexism in her career choice (as a sports agent) but it was handled well, and she never let it bring her down too much. I also appreciated she never let other’s opinions change her.

Derek was so sweet, and the representation of Dyslexia was refreshing - it’s not something we see a lot of rep for, and I thought it was handled well.

It was exactly what I’ve come to expect from Sarah Adams; easy to read, sweet, with lovable characters. If you liked The Cheat Sheet, The Rule Book should be right up your alley! It is technically a spin off, although you can easily enjoy this story without the first book.

Rule book
Sarah Adams
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Pub date : April 2024

Nora has just gotten promoted and is now a sports agent, getting her first athlete added to her roster. But when she finds out it’s none other than her ex-boyfriend (who she dumped), neither of them are thrilled. After writing a long list of rules to keep things professional, he finally agrees to let her be his agent. But secretly he plans to make her life miserable until she quits. But when, after a night of drinking, they wind up married, they decide to keep up the image so that she doesn’t lose her job and credibility. But when they start to get the feels, their own rules start to get broken.

Super cute.
Lovable characters.
You’re totally rooting for them to get together.
Loved how close she and her mom were.
Love Sarah Adams. Always a fun read.

I'm going to start by saying that there are so many little lines and quips in this story that just made me smile. Nora and Derek are genuinely fun people and they seem to get along really well. I loved Nora as a character and some of her quirk which, sure, is a little OTT especially in the workplace, but made her such a fun character to get to know. Derek was a kind soul and fragile, which made him the perfect match. There were a bunch of romantic tropes in the book including the honeymoon and pretending to date/be married, but they all worked together. Yes, again, OTT, but I just wanted things to be good for these two characters that I could let it go.

Adams does an excellent job of creating highly likeable characters and then inserting some great dialogue to keep the romance story rolling. A solid addition to her works, and a great read for anyone who likes Adams. I think I like her writing better than Ali Hazelwood. Definitely up there with Christina Lauren for me.

If you need a good beach read or a good book for a staycation, this is a great choice.

This book is so sweet and incredibly funny.

I loved Nora and Derek.

Nora is a ball of sunshine. And her phrases and the fact that she organizes people’s spaces unsolicited is so funny.

Derek is kind and supportive. And the way he always supported Nora in some way was lovely.

I worried a little because of my feelings toward second chance romance. But I enjoyed this one. The way Derek attempted to play with Nora when he signed as her client but then she played right back. The way they slowly talked things out and didn’t quite fall right back into their previous relationship. I think I would have wanted a bit more on the breakup especially why it was so important for Nora but that is my personal preference.

There were moments where I actually laughed out loud. I was smiling and just happy throughout this book.

I probably could say more but idk. I just loved it. Another fantastic book from Sarah Adams. Recommend.

Thank you NetGally for the ARC. This is my second Sarah Adams book and I'm not disappointed. This book has everything I need from a romance book, and I loved every single second of it. It was such a fun read! Sarah Adams is becoming my all-time favorite romance author. If you like second chance romance/sport romance books, do yourself a favor and got yourself a copy of this book!!

Sarah Adam’s The Cheat Sheet has been one of my go-to reads lately, so of course, I was desperate to get my hands on the next book in the series, The Rule Book. The Rule Books begins with Nora becoming Derek’s sports agent, which is exactly the career break she is looking for. Too bad he’s her ex-boyfriend from college, the one she never quite got over. And it turns out, maybe he never quite got over her either…

My reaction to this one probably says more about me than it does about the book. I always have a hard time buying into the trope of the player with a heart of gold. I don’t mean football player here—Derek just seemed too mean for me at the beginning, and he was such a player in The Cheat Sheet. I think my expectations going in were also part of the problem—I wanted the clone of The Cheat Sheet, and this book is its own story. Nora just also seemed a little too quirky to me sometimes,

If that trope doesn’t bother you and you love the ridiculous, light-hearted banter of Sarah Adams’ rom-coms, which still come with real challenges the characters need to work through, I think you will enjoy this one. I found it to be a nice escape.

Side note: I did appreciate that while this book is open door, Sarah Adams includes a note at the front of the book, so readers can choose to read the open door chapter or not.

Another must read from Sarah Adams! If you loved The Cheat Sheet, When in Rome, and Practice Makes Perfect then you will love how the story continues with The Rule Book. This is not a pick up where we left off story, but rather a reconnection with old friends story.

I really like how the author continues to intertwine these characters throughout the books and expand the circle of friends that we've come to know and love. In The Rule Book we are introduced to Nora and Derek - brought together by work with a past that is unknown to others. Will they be able to work together? Will they resolve their past issues?

We soon learn that Derek is friends (well teammates) with Nathan and the whole gang is quickly back together. It's like we never left The Cheat Sheet! Bree-Cheese is as bubbly as ever and I loved the references to previous events in the other books. Past lovers, fake relationships, second chances, and more make this a book that I couldn't put down.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for sending this ARC for my review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I give this book 5 Stars.

The Rule Book is available for purchase on April 2, 2024

This was my first Sarah Adams book and it did not disappoint! This dual POV had a cool mix of college exes turned second-chance romance with a lot of witty comebacks, some grumpy/sunshine, a sprinkle of revenge, and a lot of love.

My favorite character might have to be Nora's mother, who taught her to build herself up and not rely on anyone for her happiness, but it's also okay to listen to your heart.

I feel like Nora will be a wonderful role model for anyone who needs to see that they can push and drive themselves to do whatever it takes to fulfill their own dreams. Both Nora and Derek grow to become emotionally available people, pushing their insecurities aside to achieve what they truly desire: each other.

This was a hit for me and I can't wait to read Sarah's other books and see what comes next!

I don't even think there are words to express how much I loved this book. Sarah Adams continues, with each book she writes, to prove why I consider her to be my favorite author.

I truly believe that Nora will be an incredible role model for every girl reading this book with Nora's dedication to proving her worth and her beautiful tendency to be unapologetically herself in every aspect of her life. Derek, in a similar way, could very well be an incredible example for other men as he works through his fears in this book while navigating his purpose and attempting, to the best of his ability, to make himself emotionally available. So often, men are put in this position of thinking they have to have it all together and be tough at all times, but Derek shows the side of how expressing your concerns and feelings can lead to a better outcome in the long run. Independently, these characters are absolutely amazing, but, together, they show how sometimes (no matter how capable you are) having a person to support you is so vital and can completely change you for the better.

This entire story just melted my heart and I cannot wait to see what Sarah writes next because I have zero doubts that she will continue to approach some of these tough subjects while maintaining her beloved sunshine-on-paper writing style. I would recommend this book to everyone and anyone.