Sarah Adams is a millennial magician with words and romance and her stories are always the perfect balance of relatable and cheesy and sweet. Nora and Derek were such lovable characters and their story was just heartwarming. In usual Sarah Adams fashion, there was great banter, slow burn chemistry, humor, relatable main characters and delightful side characters. Characters from The Cheat Sheet make an appearance in this one, which was fun. While sports romances aren’t always my preferred trope, The Rule Book hits on second chance romance, disability rep and has a dual pov style, all of which are things I love.
This was my first ARC experience…thanks NetGalley and Penguin Random House! This book comes out on 4/2 and I highly recommend it!

I've read a couple of Sarah Adam's closed door romances and this was not that...luckily! I was surprised to enjoy this sports-centered romance, but the chemistry and angst between Derek and Nora made this book addicting! Derek held onto his grudge a little too long, but his conflicted feelings towards Nora really upped the angst, so all is forgiven. Especially since after their wild night in Vegas, the romance really kicks off.

A few years ago, Nora and Derek had a strong college relationship. Derek was heartbroken when she broke up with him out of the blue, with little to no explanation. But he continued with football and went pro. Nora was the last person he was expecting when he needed to replace his agent. He saw it as an opportunity to enact a little revenge towards her.. But old feelings die hard, and the retribution did not last long.
The Rule Book was a really cute read. I loved Nora's character. Using her quirkiness in uncomfortable situations- even though it got used against her in her male dominated career- that made her very real. She was witty, tried hard, and had an awesome appreciation for her momma. Derek was a sweetheart and a master at putting others first. This was my first Sarah Adams book, but now i need to find the rest of her sports romcoms. thanks to Netgalley and Random House for this earc.

I have loved all of Sarah Adam's books and this one is no exception!

Nora and Derek were college sweethearts. Nora needed to pursue her dreams and broke up with Derek, moving with her life, but not quite - a part of her still pined for Derek. And unbeknownst to Nora, Derek has spent all of this time still pining for her, too. When Nora has to step in to become Derek's agent, Derek initially tries to get her to quit by having her do ridiculous errands for him, but Nora holds strong. One night in Vegas leaves them accidentally married - which could be the end of Nora's career. Instead, Derek convinces her to stay married to him and spin things so that it "looks" like they're still in love.

I secretly love a marriage of convenience trope and this one was fun to read! It's also Sarah's first open-door romance and I think she's so talented her stories do not even need that (and I'm typically an ONLY open-door reader!).

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

The Rule Book is perfect for fans of second chance romance. Sarah Adams does what she does best and build characters and a relationship that feels real.

A second chance, it's always been you, workplace, accidentally end up married in Vegas romance that has all the feels and butterflies. I loved this one. It had cameos from the cheat sheet (at one point the guys referred to themselves as the sisterhood of the traveling pants and I am here for it!!)

Nora is assigned as Derek's new agent, unbeknownst to both of them, at the last minute, with both unprepared for the onslaught of feelings that resurface. Their first meeting, ends rather abruptly with him bolting almost immediately from the building. She follows and tries to wear him down, that she'll be the best agent ever. He reluctantly agrees and proceeds to do some light hazing because he doesn't want to deal with his very real feelings. She goes toe to toe with him regarding an endorsement deal that requires them both to travel to Vegas for a couple days (where they both end up at the hotel bar, many drinks later, and they wake up married). For damage control they take a fake honeymoon with a strategically placed interview and publicity shots to keep up the ruse.

But then. Feelings. And y'all watching them fall in love all over again was so so sweet. The nostalgia pieces from when they were in college were spot on (and you definitely want to know what the guys found in his nightstand that they kept mentioning throughout the book 🤣), and seeing how they intentionally got to know each other all over again because they never let the other go had so many melt worthy moments that at the end of the day....this was easily a one sitting read. 🥰 🫠 🥰

Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the ARC in exchange for my review!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for a review.

Nora doesn't make sense as a person but I kinda love her for it. The fact that she doesn't make sense isn't a bad thing. It's a glaring reality that people and women aren't always going to fit into the box you decide is convenient for them. It's so hard to find female characters that truly embrace themselves and the insecurity that comes from existing in the world. I've never met a Nora but I think we'd be good friends.

Second chance romance for me is sometimes tinged by the years they missed each other, but this book focuses on all the things they needed to do separately while they still help that flame close to their chests until they run into each other again. Derek and Nora are thrust into an impossible situation and how they handle it is so fun to watch. I love all the romantic comedy tropes included in this book, and if you want to leave the spice behind Adams provides an easy guide at the beginning for how to skip it without missing the story or the heart of Nora and Derek's journey.

Synopsis:
Nora Mackenzie’s entire career lies in the hands of famous NFL tight end Derek Pender, who also happens to be her extremely hot college ex-boyfriend. Nora didn’t end things as gracefully as she could have back then, and now it has come back to haunt her. Derek is her first client as an official full-time sports agent and he’s holding a grudge.
Derek has set his sights on a little friendly revenge. If Nora Mackenzie, the first girl to ever break his heart, wants to be his agent, oh, he’ll let her be his agent. The plan is simple: make Nora’s life absolutely miserable. But if Derek knows anything about the woman he once loved—she won’t quit easily.
Instead of giving in, Nora starts a scheme of her own. But then a wild night in Vegas leads to Nora and Derek in bed the next morning married. With their rule book out the window, could this new relationship save their careers or spark the romance of a lifetime?

I think that this book had a lot going for it - a good set up, and characters that were already familiar. However, I felt that it was lacking and not fleshed out well. The conflict felt "too easy" and it didn't feel high stakes enough. The main characters sometimes lacked depth to them. It felt like the book could have used a second go-over or better editing. Overall, I felt the novel was decent, but not one that I loved or would recommend.

I devoured this book. It’s an engaging, trope-loving, feel-good romance that I simply could not look away from. The silliness, banter, and pining was so perfectly captivating. I was laughing out loud and melting all over.

Nora and Derek is a couple that I wish I knew in real life, as I think I would have an absolute blast with them. Nora is very silly and over-the-top while also being an obsessively-organized, tough female in an environment ruled by men. You can tell she’s bright and dedicated to what she loves. I want her as a bff (back off Nicole!). Derek is a multi-layered football player whose career is now in balance. I enjoyed watching him confront his fears and work towards himself. And his feelings for Nora 😩 they had me swooning 🥰

Second chance romances are not usually my thing, but I think this book is making me a believer. What tropes you can expect to find (in colored order just as Nora would prefer 🤓):

❤️sports romance (football)
🧡second chances
💛fake relationship
💚one bed
💙grumpy/sunshine
💜mutual pining
🤍banter
🖤NO third act breakup

Definitely give this book a try. I really appreciated the fact that this book is mostly all romance, not much other than their careers that gets in the way of their romantic story. It makes the story very light-hearted and such an easy read. There is some 🌶️ but not much. I am usually a spice girl and even though this didn’t have a lot, I loved the rest of their relationship too much to care that there wasn’t much. I absolute will read this one again!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the arc.

The Rule Book (along with anything Sarah Adams writes) is a great palate cleanser. This book was cute, wholesome, and had me rooting for both the FMC and MMC. I like that this booked dipped its toes into more deep topics (dyslexia, anxiety) but I honestly wish that that was a bigger part of the story.

Nora gave the energy of Jess from the show new girl, and I am here for it. I loved the relationship dynamic between Nora and Derek - who doesn’t love a “touch her and you die” type of man!! I am usually a hockey romance kind of girl but this book has me looking at football players in a whole new light!

Tropes: Football/Sports romance, Accidental Marriage / Marriage of Convenience, Second Chance Romance, ONE BED!!!

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC.

This was a cute little rom com with all of the normal elements of a Sarah Adams book. I really liked this couple together and their on page chemistry. Is it a little far fetched, yes. But it is also a really fun read. My only complaints were that Nora was almost too much (I have yet to meet someone that sunshiny in real life) and the accidental marriage trope is not my favorite. Otherwise Derek is the perfect book boyfriend and this story really is cute, with some serious issues woven in. Bonus that we got to catch up with Nate and Bree from the Cheat Sheet! This was a solid 4 star read for me. Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC.

I enjoyed this book immensely!! It was such a fun ride and I felt happy reading it.

Nora might be one of my favorite characters. Ever! She's so honest, upbeat and just plain full of joy. I can imagine her so vividly in my mind, thanks to the authors wonderfully descriptive writing.

Derek was a hoot and I love him!! He's not what you'd expect of a professional football player and that makes him even more wonderful.

Nora & Derek together are the power couple you hear about. I really hope there's a sequel to this book!!!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Every once in awhile, if you're lucky, you get to read a book that makes you kick your feet and squeal. Laugh and swoon and grin and get butterflies. These are the books that stuck with you. That burrow themselves into your heart and live in your brain forever. The Rule Book by Sarah Adams is one of those books. I swear, I did not stop smiling one single time the entire time I was reading it. It is absolute rom-com perfection.

This is the much anticipated follow up to The Cheat Sheet and follows Nora and Derek, college sweethearts who are finally getting their second chance. Nora is an absolutely perfect character and I love every single inch of her. And Dereck is a swoony delight. I just adored watching these two find each other again, love each other hard, and just basically be the sweetest, funniest, most delightful couple that there ever was. Please excuse me while I make them my entire personality for awhile.

Thank you so much Sarah Adams and Random House for this ARC. I am so happy to have been able to read it early, and I loved every single word.

A second chance sports romance mixed with woman power! Sports Agent Nora takes over representing college ex-bf and tight end, Derek. Their past heartbreak starts the reuniting on a rough patch, but both stay true to themselves and the careers they have worked so hard for in a romance that gets a little steamy and breaks the rules.

This second book in the LA Sharks series by Sarah Adams features a couple you will absolutely love. While this is a second book in a series you could read it out of order, however there are many references to the LA Sharks friend group, so I liked reading The Cheat Sheet by Sarah Adams first. You’re going to love the LA Sharks and their romances in their awesome sports romance books.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the advanced release copy in exchange for an honest review.
Releases on April 2, 2024.

Derek needs a new agent, and his new possible agent is his ex. Once they meet, and Derek realizes who Mack is, she needs to convince him to take her seriously. He gives her a chance, but realizes it is way too hard for him to work with her. The celebrate their last night together and get drunk...in Vegas... which leads to a wedding. In order for Nora to keep her job, they need to keep up the act and go on a honeymoon together.

Wow, just wow.

This book took me through so many emotions, but the maturity they had made me so happy. This felt like it could've easily happened in real life, and I was just living in their head. I love everything Sarah writes, but this may be my favorite yet.

Read if you love:
Enemies to lovers
One bed
Marriage of convenience
Second chance love
Football MMC
Sports Agent FMC
No third act breakup

10/10. THANK YOU for this ARC!!

"No, it's not okay. Not at all, because you, Nora, are beautiful, rare magic and nothing less." -D.P.

I have soooo many conflicting thoughts, feelings, and opinions about The Rule Book. I genuinely don’t know what to give as a true rating for this one so I’m officially giving it 4⭐️.

The last half of this book was beyond magical and I enjoyed it more than I can explain.
The first half however was a struggle for me to get through. I’m a HUGE fan of sunshine main characters who refuse to change who they are to make other people more comfortable. But Nora was nearly insufferable to me for the first half of the story. She was borderline infantile and just truly obnoxious (not in a cute or fun way). Her entire personality and wardrobe was screaming quirky millennial “I’m not like other girls, I’m worse” rainbow vomit. The yellow sneakers? They were a hard no from me. With that being said, her character growth from the begging to the end of the story was wonderful.

The way Nora transformed into a child playing dress up as a career woman, into a fierce woman who smashed all expectations of her (with a glittery flare) was delightful to see. I resonated so hard with her compulsive need to color code and organize everything. The way she desperately needed to control what she could when the rest of the world was out of control and uncertain.

Derek Pender, you have my heart. From beginning to end I just adored him. He is the poster child for how all men should treat the world around them. Let me tell y’all, I was SWOONING. Giggling and kicking my feet during every one of his chapters.

Sarah’s writing style is a perfect blend of cheesy, cringey, romantic comedy mixed with complex and insightful takes on the human experience. The way she refuses to give us a third-act breakup will forever have my heart. She is truly a master when it comes to flirty and sexy banter, I genuinely laughed out loud sooo many times while reading this book.

Overall, the negative feelings I had towards The Rule Book are largely overshadowed by everything I loved about it. 7/10, would recommend!

Goodreads review posted on 2/21/24, linked below

What an absolutely PERFECT sequel to the cheat sheet. This is the definition of a second chance rom com. I am in love with Derek and Nora. their banter is absolute perfection and the way that you see their love for one another without them even saying it is truly a testament to Sarah Adams. Nora is clever and whitty with the best sense of humor. I was cackling the entire book. I also may have tucked a few of her combacks and dad jokes in my back pocket for later. Derek is the perfect mix of brooding and kind. He is loyal and loving and the way he cares for Nora is a true kind of love. He is so attentive to her and truly knows her even with all the years they have missed. He loves her even with all the qwerks she feels are her flaws. I am convinced that Sarah Adams can do no wrong and there is nothing of hers i wouldn't read.

I loved every minute of the Rule Book by Sarah Adams. College sweethearts, Nora and Derek, reunite later in their careers as Nora becomes Derek's new agent. Everything about this book was enjoyable. Nora is exactly the type of smart, funny and super quirky heroine that we have come to expect from Sarah Adams. And Derek is so sweet and ernest that you can't help but fall for him. I also loved that we get to reunite with the other characters from the Cheat Sheet, and how Adams managed to weave in a narrative about fairness in the workplace and women supporting women.

I was lucky enough to get an ARC of the Rule Book on NetGalley for my honest review.

THE RULE BOOK by Sarah Adams is the follow up to THE CHEAT SHEET, and while I already have a copy on pre-order, I am always down to read things early.

Tonally, it is very consistent with its predecessor, so if you loved that, you'll probably love this too. A quirky but competent woman is in love with a hot and sexy football player (who is also already in love with her). This time, they were college sweethearts, she dumped him, and now she gets assigned as his agent. Then they get drunk and elope, and now they have to make it look real for reputation reasons.

It was a lot of frothy fun, including the requisite growling of "that's my wife." Second chance isn't one of my go-to tropes, but I appreciate how it was right for them to break up when they were younger and the changes that made it right for them to reunite.

This is enemies to lovers, second chance romance is so much fun. Nora broke up with her college boyfriend years ago, and then the two are reunited when he becomes her first official client as a premier sports agent. It turns out they don’t hate each other quite as much as they remembered, and then there’s a drunken wedding in Vegas that changes everything. Pure candy (in the best sense).