Thank you to NetGalley and Sarah for this amazing ARC*

Nora and Derek used to date in college, that is until Nora breaks up with him out of the blue. Years go by and they are both still madly in love each other, but have not seen each other since the break up. Until Derek gets matched with a new sports agent, Nora.

During a publicity trip to Vegas, they get crazy drunk and wake up with one too many mistakes from the night before. They both have a tattoo wedding ring 💍. In order for Nora to not get fired, they decide to pretend they intentionally got married and as a wild idea to give the agency good publicity, they were sent on a honeymoon for a magazine to photoshop.

Pretending to date causes feelings to resurface and I’ll let you read more to find out what happens. 😊

There is:
⭐️ Football Romance
⭐️ Long Lost Love
⭐️ Fake Dating
⭐️ Only One Bed
⭐️ Feminism
🌶️ Little Bit Of Spice ;)

4.5 ⭐️’s! This books was so good! If you loved The Cheat Sheet you will for sure love Nora and Derek’s story. I am usually not the person to enjoy the drunk marriage trope but this time it just worked for me! I would highly recommend this book to any and everyone.

I've been going back and forth unsure how to rate this one, but I think I'm going to settle on a 3.5 and round it down to 3.

I LOVE Sarah Adams. She is one of my favorite authors ever. Ever since I read The Off-Limits Rule by her, I've just been obsessed. That being said, The Cheat Sheet has been my least favorite book by her, and this is probably my second least favorite. Now, that's not to say that this one wasn't good because there were parts of this book that I LOVED. It did take me about 30-35% before I really got into the story and started loving it. At that point I was just obsessed. Then I hit the spicy scene. Yes, this book is open-door with one spice scene. And to be honest, I think it could have been left out. I didn't feel the chemistry between the characters at all during that scene and the remaining 20% of the book just went downhill.

Now, I did read an eARC of this book. I do have to say that I sincerely hope that this book goes through another round of edits and multiple proofreaders before it's published because it needs some serious work. I wish I didn't let that reflect my review, but writing style is and always will be part of my review.

Which speaking of writing style, this one was cheesy. And to be honest, I'm not a fan of cheese (and by that I mean the food). But really, this book was cheesy and if you are in a mood for a book similar to The Cheat Sheet, then this gives off similar vibes to that.

The character development was good. I do think both characters ended up growing a lot throughout the story. Now, I hate to say it, but the trope for second chance romance, in my opinion, was not well done. I just didn't feel the right person/wrong time situation that they had. Maybe if I would have gotten past chapters and seen how they were before, I might have liked it better. But to me, I just wasn't a huge fan of the second chance romance. On the other hand, I absolutely loved the marriage of connivence aspect of the story.

Overall, there were parts of the story that I loved and other parts that I just didn't. But I do recommend this one if you enjoyed The Cheat Sheet, and if you didn't enjoy The Cheat Sheet, then I'd say you can probably skip this one, or just not put it at the top of your TBR.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Receiving an advanced copy was a delightful surprise. I believe both existing fans and newcomers will find it equally enjoyable.

This was my favorite Sarah Adams thus far. I was giggling and smiling while reading this second chance. God bless us all because this didn't have some silly third act break up! Pick this up for your next vacation.

Sarah Adams is a writer that I've always wanted to love, but something is always missing for me. In the past, I've found her books to be too cheesy for me, and I've not loved how the MMC's voice sounds identical to the FMC's.

I'm happy to say The Rule Book is my new favorite Sarah Adams book though!

Was it still cheesy? Yes! Did the two main characters still sound basically the same? Yep! But for whatever reason, it worked for me. I loved the angst and the pinning. I loved the football setting and the summery vibes of the honeymoon. I also feel like Sarah Adams wrote the Marriage of Convenience storyline really well. Lots of times with this trope I feel like it's forced and the reason for the marriage isn't valid, but it worked flawlessly in this case.

Highly recommend!

Full review to come closer to pub date.

3 stars.

🏈 The vibes:
- dual pov
- Second chance
- A man with tattoos
- Marriage of convenience
- Girl power theme

🏈 My thoughts:
Ok. So this review leaves me conflicted. The first 50% to me didn’t give a lot of foundation for the last 50% of the book. If the book started at 50% - I think I would have enjoyed it so much more overall- because I really did enjoy Derek and Nora after we hit this point. But it took so long for me to get there. Everything before 50% had me feeling very meh about both main characters. It almost felt like I read two different books because I felt like the characters completely changed from one chapter to the next.

🏈 Nora’s personality reminded me a lot of Lorelei from Gilmore Girls (who I love). But Nora’s silliness and jokey vibe rarely turned off, and I just wanted to love her but I felt like I didn’t really know her for most of the book. The moments we saw the real Nora- I was thrilled - but it took most of the book to get anything aside from joking or teasing out of Nora. I think a lot of people will love her quips and reliance on humor, but I just wanted more from her sooner, I think.

🏈 I wished for more of a backstory and more chemistry. Sometimes I feel like second chance romance can feel very instalove to me. I specifically feel this way when we are told the couple was together in the past- but we weren’t there for that entire process so when we start the story- the characters are very much feeling all the feels, while I’m over here like ……I need to see the chemistry and the birth of the relationship. So it’s not ACTUALLY instalove, but it really feels like it to me.

🏈 overall, this book had some really enjoyable moments but unfortunately, the second half couldn’t fully undo the first half for me. Regardless of my feelings of this book, the fact continues that I will read anything. Sarah put out because I’ve been a big supporter for years. I can’t wait to get my hands on all of her re-releases coming out throughout the year.

Release date: April 2, 2024.


Thank you so much to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Dell, NetGalley, and Sarah Adams for the gifted copy.

Note: Review posted on the following sites:
Book bub- https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/1948963852?source=link_share

Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5878995971

Story graph- https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/2489c912-b006-47b6-9a11-4e965949e24d

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/s/aGlnaGxpZ2h0OjE4MjM5MTI4NjYwMTEwNzMy?story_media_id=3314189574958086118&igsh=ODN5NXEwaHR6YXNk posted on stories on 3/1/24 with a full talking explanation that will be up for 24 hours in stories. Review posted in stories and will be saved permanently on my reviews highlight.

Barnes and noble- https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-rule-book-sarah-adams/1143735406?ean=9780593873168&bvnotificationId=c44e462a-d381-11ee-9dae-0affda46568b&bvmessageType=REVIEW_APPROVED&bvrecipientDomain=yahoo.com#review/272374754

Will post on:
Amazon- on release date

This was so cute! Nora is an extremely talented up and coming sports agent. Derek is the tight end of one of the best NFL teams in the league. In his pursuit of finding a new agent, he doesn’t realize that he is sitting in his ex-girlfriend’s office until she walks through the door. Nora goes by her surname, Mac, to try and squash the idea that only men can reign in her industry. After some begging, Derek agrees to sign with Nora in hopes that he can make her so miserable that she quits. Lots of forced proximity and tension build up for two people who clearly never stopped loving each other in the years they were apart. And call me crazy, but I could not get the image of Travis Kelce + tattoos out of my head as Derek.

I did think the ending was rushed. There was such a great storyline that was built up so well to be concluded in only a couple of chapters. It’s rare that I say that I want to read more out of a 300 page Chicklit book, but I would definitely read more of Derek and Nora’s story.

This barely falls under what I like to call smut with plot since the spice level in all of Sarah Adams’ books is always very tame. More just a very sweet love story that will have you giddy and smiling the whole time. I have read quite a few of Adams’ books now and truly think her writing style is just getting better and better. I definitely recommend reading when it is released April 2, 2024.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the ARC in exchange for honest opinion.

The concept of establishing rules of engagement between exes is a fun concept for a rom-com. I was super intrigued! For me, the first 30% of the novel is a bit of a challenge to read, because Derek treats Nora poorly and she does his bidding instead of standing up for herself. The motivation for their behavior isn't super clear. It didn't feel like 'friendly revenge' to me. Especially when she seemed quite savvy as a professional agent. I didn't understand why she was so passive. But the story does get more interesting and the pace picks up. There are plenty of humorous and lighthearted moments balanced with poignant scenes, and both characters show tremendous growth.
The Rule Book is a fun, second-chance sports romance with a happy ending that Sarah Adams's fans will enjoy.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the complimentary copy. All opinions shared here are my own.

NetGalley Review — my rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

“The Rule Book” by @authorsarahadams is A+ material! It is the second installment after “The Cheat Sheet” and so so so cute!

I won’t give away too much but if you like second chance romance, one bed, accidental marriage, sports galore, funny & heartfelt, Derek and Nora’s story is for you! I was laughing the whole way through and really enjoyed.

Snag this book on April 2, 2024!

Huge thanks to @netgalley and @randomhouse for this ARC!

#netgalley #therulebook #sarahadams

What Happens in Vegas...doesn't stay in Vegas when you're a high profile athlete. This second-chance sports romance takes a Vegas-style twist that makes reading so fun, you can't wait for the next chapter. Derek and Nora's love story covers the bases of sports romance, workplace romance, fake dating, and forced proximity. Their banter is fun, their connection is just mildly spicy, and their happily ever after is what we swoon for. Sarah Adams did not disappoint with this one.

I just love Sarah's books! Nora is finally promoted to a sports agent and receives her first client. She discovers it is her ex boyfriend from college - the only guy she has ever loved - but she broke up with him suddenly to put her career first. Derek is a football player who had a bad injury and is getting ready to make his comeback. His agent has quit and has a new one lined up only to discover its his ex he has never really gotten over. The tension between these two is amazing as they try to navigate player/agent relationship while trying to fight feelings they still have for each other. Another winner!

In my opinion, this is Sarah’s best book yet, and that’s saying a lot because I have LOVED her other books!

I was enamored with Nora and Derek from the very beginning and was grinning like a fool the entire time! I LOVED this love story! It was full of tender moments, flirty moments, funny moments, loving moments, honest moments, raw moments, hurt moments, and real moments! The banter was off the charts, the winking had me in a puddle, the smiles, hard won, were my favorite, and the tenderness of the past colliding with the present was so perfectly done!

Sarah did a beautiful job of honoring hurts of the past while remaining hopeful for a future in the present. Not an easy feat! I loved how both Derek and Nora were made to confront their feeling then and really do the work to recognize the good and bad that could have unfolded if things had been different! This added so much angst and depth to the plot in my opinion! You ached for the young adult Nora and Derek in this story, wishing more than anything they could be together!

Present day Nora and Derek are stuff dreams are made of! She’s sunshine and strength and silly catchphrases and he is sports, and hope, and family, and safety! They both bring so much to the table for themselves, those around them, and one another! It was lovely! I loved Derek’s character struggles. My heart went out to him as he grappled with feeling of inadequacy and the uncertainty of the future!

I adored Nora’s drive and focus on work! I think Sarah did the most amazing job of showcasing the plight of women in the “boys club” that is professional sports. Not only do we get to see Nora fight for her hard earned job, but we also get to see the sisterhood of women in those jobs together, the support of amazing partners who lift up these women and support their drive, and we get the chance to allow those same women to chase whatever they want- be it marriage, family, the lack there of, anything! I was HERE for this part of the story!

This was also Sarah’s first book with on page spice and can I just say I’m SO HAPPY it’s here! It made sense for these characters, it was well done, there was a content warning at the beginning of the book making it easily skippable for her readers that have been here from when her romances were more on the sweet side, and it was so well written! It wasn’t overly descriptive, it was full of emotion, honestly- it was really well done! 1🌶️

Allison in all, highly recommend! This will be a favorite of mine this year!

Read this if you like:
-second chance romance
-sunshine characters
-women in sports
-footballer/sports agent relationship
-woke up in Vegas married
-hurt/comfort
-ice cream and cereal
-revenge plots
-dyslexia rep
-tattoos
-camomile tea
-The Cheat Sheet crew!

This is a charming and delightful romantic comedy that will leave readers smiling from ear to ear. Adams crafts a witty and engaging story filled with lovable characters and laugh-out-loud moments.

All the stars! All my love!

I'm almost disappointed I got an ARC because now I can no longer look forward to reading this book when it comes out and I have to wait however long until Sarah Adams releases her next book. Seriously, Sarah Adams never misses for me. Absolutely obsessed with this book.

Nora is strong and competent and a great sports agent, but also unabashedly wears adorable colorful clothes (LOVE HER).

Derek's a big shot football player trying to make a comeback. And Nora's first big client. And oh, hey, they used to date in college.

Enemies to lovers. Second chance romance. Forced proximity/accidental marriage. The tropes are so good.

Also, if you're a Taylor Swift/Travis Kelce fan, just do yourself a favor and get this book. You'll know why when you read it. You're welcome.

I really don't know what else to say. Absolutely adored this book and will probably have to read it again when my physical copy comes in.

Thanks to NetGalley and Dell for an ARC of this book. All thoughts are my own.

I really love Sarah Adams. Normally I'm not a sports romance fan, but I AM, as it turns out, a sports romance fan when Sarah Adams writes them.

I absolutely loved this! All of Sarah's books are so much fun and you can't help but love the sweet but dynamic characters. Another fave!

I didn't think I was a fan of second chance romance all that much but this book might have changed my mind. The characters were strong and the plot, although not the most unique, was still very fun. Derek is so sweet, so swoonworthy, and I love how aware he was of his feelings. His friendship with his teammates was so wholesome and it was so much fun to see how they genuinely supported each other. Nora, on the other hand, is such a funny character. She knows exactly what she wants and know exactly what she should do to get it, and she was just a very strong female character. One thing I like about this book in particular is how you can see the growth in their relationship. I loved their communication. The author did a great job showing how their relationship as a couple had more strengths that it didn't have before. The genuine love they had for each other, even before their reunion, is so sweet and along with their humor, they were the perfect couple. Though there were some predictable things, I liked that there was no silly conflict at the end. They handled everything perfectly!

If you liked the Cheat Sheet you will love this. It gave very similar vibes to the first book. You also get little glimpses into Bree and Nathan’s life.
In the Rule Book you have Nora, who always did what is best for her. She makes sure nothing will stand in the way of her dreams. She wants become a sports agent but as everyone knows that is a man’s world and she has a lot of obstacles to overcome.
Then we have Derek, who is a tight end for the LA sharks. He injured himself last season and does not have a lot of faith in himself that his team will keep him on.
Now, Derek is assigned to be Nora’s first client on her own…. There is just one problem. They used to date in high school and were both madly in love with each other. Can they work together or is a terrible pair.
I was not a huge fan of the Cheat Sheet and this book seemed super similar even though the plots were different. Nora was a little too quirky for my taste. I know that’s what makes her her in the book but some of her sayings just made me cringe. Derek was nothing special and didn’t stick out to me. He was the average jock who thinks people only like him cause he is a famous athlete.
Overall it was a cute book but not a favorite of mine.

The Rule Book is a super sweet romance about Nora and Derek, who dated in college and have been out of touch since their breakup. Nora is an up-and-coming sports agent in a male dominated profession with an exuberant , quirky personality. Derek is a hardworking and compassionate professional football player hoping to continue in the sport he loves after a bad injury. When these two are paired together, the relationship gets tense. I really enjoyed this book. This isn’t my first book by Sarah Adams, and I hope to read more in the future.