The Rule Book

3.75 ⭐️

Sports romance by one of my favorite romance authors? Of course I had to pick this up this weekend during the Super Bowl!

Nora is a sports agent all set to represent her ex boyfriend, when he decides to make it extremely difficult for her. They both force each other out of their comfort zones until the wake up married in Vegas.

Dual perspective ✅
He falls first ✅
Sports romance ✅
Found family ✅

These two are too cute together and I especially loved the friends they had surrounding them. Some parts were pretty cheesy but I still liked how quirky Nora could be.

Thanks to @netgalley for this ARC, coming April 2nd!

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House for the advanced copy of The Rule Book by Sarah Adams. Nora “Mac” Mackenzie is trying to make a name for herself in the “man’s world” of sports agents. When she lands her first major client, NFL superstar tight end Derek Pender, it definitely doesn’t help that he just happens to be her college ex, the love of her life and the man whose heart she shattered into a million pieces. How do they get past this when there is quite obviously still feelings there on both sides? You definitely don’t do it by having a drunken night in Las Vegas which ends up in a trip down the aisle.. or do you? I love a sport romance and these 2 characters are adorable together. Seeing them navigate this uncomfortable situation and watching them accept each other for who they have become (alongside some fun scenes with Derek’s teammates from The Cheat Sheet) was a lot of fun to read. I would absolutely take as many more stories about the LA Sharks that Sarah Adams would like to write. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

OH MY LORD THIS BOOK IS A DREAM COME TRUE! Sports romance? Check! Second chance romance? Check! Marriage of convenience? Check! Grumpy x Sunshine? Check! Written by Sarah Adams? Check!

Mrs. Adams does it again with another romance so sickly sweet to satisfy any sweet tooth! A quirky FMC reunites with a grumpy MMC ex and makes one hell of a duo. This contemporary romance had me staying up until the early hours of the morning because I was simply obsessed with this book. As I'm writing this review, I'm struggling to find the words to express how much I recommend this book. If you loved 'The Cheat Sheet' you'll enjoy this companion novel. Perhaps you'll love Mr. Derek Pender more than Nathan? I'll be racing you all to the bookstore on April 2nd to pick up my physical copy of this book with no regrets!

In the meantime, I will continue to sit and wait for Derek Pender to come alive because damn how I wish he was real. A big thanks to both NetGalley and Penguin Random House for blessing my eyes with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Sarah Adams can do no wrong! The Rule Book was the perfect sequel to The Cheat Sheet.

Easy five star read for me ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Nora and Derek had so much incredibly chemistry right from the start. The Rule Book is a second chance romance that really pulls at your heart string’s but Sarah balances everything perfectly. Derek and Nora find their way back to one another in a way that had me giggling and also swooning.

Shoutout and a huge thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine for this ARC. I literally screamed when I saw it!

And a special thank you to Sarah Adams for always delivering the best most heartfelt romcoms. The Rule Book releases April 2nd so be sure to add it to your TBR list now!

This was such a fun and cute book. I love seeing Sarah Adams' craft improve with each new book she writes. This was adorable, steamy without being egregious, and perfectly wrapped in a happily ever after.

I’m a big fan of Sarah Adams books so I was thankful to receive an arc of THE RULE BOOK 🩵 It was just the book I needed after being in a reading slump 🙌🏻

What I loved:
-sports romance
-second chance AND one bed tropes 👏🏻
-sizzling chemistry
-the banterrrrr = chefs kiss 😘
-so many funny sayings + moments

Some parts of this were a liiiitle sappy for my liking, but I still loved it! Pick this up if you’re looking for a quick slump buster and enjoy HEA (to the max 🤪) endings for every one.

this book was everything I could ever want in a rom com and MORE! hands down Sarah Adams’ best one yet! it had a good second chance romance, workplace romance, fake marriage, and a lot of moments that made me feel seen honestly! Nora was just a real character with relatable problems and a good personality and Derek just had me swooning the entire time. you could tell from the start how much he loved her and how he would do literally anything for her 🥹❤️

5 stars! can’t wait for this one to release and for people to fall as in love with Nora and Derek as I have!

This is a SOLID 4 star read in my book. I could have easily sat down and read it in one sitting if I didn't like sleeping and that is saying something because I am pretty indifferent when it comes to sports and sports romance.

The cover is super cute and completely on brand with the author and her books, including the vibe of this one. I just adore Nora and every decision she made especially the big one. Although, personally I think Mac is a cute nickname. The book just played out like a movie in my mind while reading. I could take or leave open door (I love them both equally) and this was Sarah Adam's first open door! She did a great job with it and if you don't like open door, it's easily skippable without compromising anything.

ARC through NetGalley

I absolutely LOVED The Rule Book. It had more of the relatable, hilarious, goofy purity that I came to know in The Cheat Sheet while still giving me a completely different dynamic - and some more spice!

Nora’s authenticity and strength are inspiring. Derek’s journey is inspiring. Together, these two are FIRE.

Sarah made this world feel real, and I’m so sad I can’t know these characters in real life.

They are still the LEAST toxic group of people ever. I love them, your honor.

This book was so good! Had me hooked from the very beginning! The characters chemistry was every thing. I’m usually not a fan of second chance romances but Sarah did a beautiful job with it!

I’m giving this a 3, maybe even a 4⭐️?

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.

Coming out 4/2/2024!
The Rule Book is a:
- Sports + Second Chance romance
- Forced proximity trope
- Dual POV!!
-(There is also a disclaimer for anyone with a closed door preference in the authors note!!)

I’ve read 2 other books by Sarah Adams, which I absolutely loved, especially because of the easy-to-understand writing, the sweet/fluffy romance, and how much chemistry there is, and The Rule Book is apart of that now!

The chemistry was so clear and so sweet. Especially with Derek and all the chapters in his POV where you get to see the soft interior to the tough front he’s putting up and wanting to put everything behind them just so he can be with her. (;
I also just loved how Nora was so career driven and hard working and kind of the normalization of putting yourself first!
Their banter was also so so good, I had to close the book for a sec to get myself together and is a reason why I loved “When In Rome” and “Practice Makes Perfect.”
I thought the writing was also really good in bringing out all the feelings from a reader especially with the overall theme of the book, longing for someone but holding back because of the past, and present differences.

What I was kind of iffy about in the book was how Derek was portrayed in the beginning. He honestly wasn’t that likable to me, along with Nora. I felt like some things could’ve been different in getting across to the readers that he was still very upset.
There was a lot of miscommunication throughout the book that did feel dragged on in certain areas that could’ve been resolved from the beginning. There were also things that Nora would say that I'm sure were meant to be interpreted to her character being quirky but were kind of cringey and sort of childish.

I would definitely recommend, especially as a summertime beach read!! Full of banter, fluffy and overall a feel good, easy to read book!!

Thank you so much to Random House Publishing Group and Netgalley for the e-copy ARC and opportunity to review for my honest review!!

Sarah Adams can do no wrong!!! I've been a fan of Sarah's work for a couple of years and I actually melted when I got the opportunity to read an ARC.

The Rule Book is a sequel to The Cheat Sheet (which, obsessed) and it was so fun being in that world again! We got multiple scenes with Nathan, Bree, and the guys. The side characters are a blast and involved in the story without becoming too much of the story.

Derek + Nora *swoon*
The tension, the banter, the second chance romance. It all was so good. Can't wait to reread again and again.

I was initially a bit disappointed when I heard she was veering away from closed-door with The Rule Book. In her other books, I have so appreciated her approach and respect surrounding intimiate scenes. BUT she maintained that same level of respect and reverence for intimacy in The Rule Book as well.

Thank you Netgalley for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Ahhh! I devoured this book! I’m officially an L.A. Sharks fan and it was so wonderful to be back in the world of The Cheat Sheet.

Nora and Derek are just the best. I want to be Nora when I grow up. I love that she’s eccentric and bright and colorful and the completely unabashed way she travels through life is perfect. Give me the quirky puns and bubbly optimism all day!

And Derek? There’s nothing that gets me more than a guy who is his girl’s number one fan and lets everyone know about it.

I can’t wait for this to be out in the world and for everyone to read it! Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for this advanced copy!

The Rule Book by Sarah Adams was such a good book. I haven't read the other book in this series, but I am headed to buy it immediately after this review.

The easy dialogue between all of the characters is terrific, and the secondary characters make me want (hope!) that they'll be more of the player's stories coming soon.

Nora is a new sports agent and her first client turns out to be her college sweetheart whose heart she broke and who is now a star NFL player coming off what could be a career ending injury. Derek is NOT pleased to see the woman who broke his heart and has ruined him for all other relationships, but reluctantly agrees to let Nora represent him.

They find their way back to each other and we're lucky enough to be along for the ride to "watch" it happen.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I was SO excited to continue reading about the Sharks, since I am absolutely obsessed with the players banter and friendship. Reading about Derek & Nora reconnecting was so sweet and fun 🥹 I loved them both, and I especially loved all of Nora’s goofy catchphrases.

Sarah Adams NEVER disappoints. Her books are light hearted and fun, while also being serious and pulling at your heartstrings. Plus… there was no third act break up 🫶🏼 and of course getting to see glimpses of Nathan and Bree post TCS was perfection.

Stop what you’re doing. Mark your calendars for April 2. Preorder it. Request it at your library 💕

I have read 2/3 of Sarah Adams’ prior novels and loved them both. I love her fun, quirky characters and the amazing banter. I also love the way she writes characters who display egalitarian relationships. Who doesn’t love a male main character who is also a feminist??
All of that being said, The Rule Book was another hit for me. I am NOT a football fan, actually the opposite but I love the way this book addressed issues of toxic masculinity within sports and also easily showed loving, healthy masculinity and friendships. And Nora was an amazing feminine lead too. Love all her silly sayings and nicknames, awesome fashion choices and her leadership. Definitely a strong feminine lead.

The Rule Book had some of my favorite tropes:
📕second chance romance
📗forced proximity
📘grumpy to sunshine

It also has my least favorite:
📙touch her and you die…. But the author also paired that nicely with some… I can take care of myself (and you!) thank you very much.

I also LOVED that Sarah went for more of an open door romance this time. It was the perfect amount of open/closed door. And what really makes me fall for a romance novel is when the characters and their back stories have some depth in addition to some spice.
Overall, I really loved The Rule Book.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

This book was such a good read! I absolutely loved the character development in this story -- I felt like I really resonated with the quirky female main character. The storyline is definitely giving Travis/Taylor vibes. If you're a sucker for second chance love stories and a novel that has a slow burn, this book is a must read.

Again, I say, Sarah Adams can do no wrong! When I start a new book by her, I think, "This won't be better than the last one," and she proves me wrong. EVERY. TIME. Practice Makes Perfect was one of my favorite reads of 2023, so I was very excited for The Rule Book (which is set in the same universe as The Cheat Sheet).

First let me just say that there are so many tropes in this book, but they are all so well done! Second, this book had me giggling, kicking my feet, and staying up late to finish it! (I also read this with the Super Bowl on in the background, so I think that was the perfect ambience for an amazing football romance book).

I love Nora's determination and quirks, and I love Derek's protective nature and how obsessed he is with Nora.

Read if you like:
- Second Chance Romance
- Enemies to Lovers
- Sports Romance
- Marriage of Convenience
- Forced Proximity/One Bed
- Grumpy x Sunshine

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC! 💙🏈

ugh, my heart. I kicked my feet and had butterflies!!

I'll read any rom-com that my girl Sarah writes. I love that though she didn't make this a closed door book, she gave you the option to skip the spice if you wanted. We need more of that in books!! Though the spice wasn't super spicy, it was a nice addition.

I LOVE THIS MAN! Derek is the grump after breaking his ankle. As a tight end in his 30's, he isn't sure he will be able to play during the next season. He's forever heartbroken after his college sweetheart broke his heart right after he was drafted to the NFL.

Nora is thriving. She just got promoted to be a sports agent. Her fun-loving self is a big change for the toxic masculinity in her office, and they don't think she will succeed. Her coworker has to take medical leave, leaving clients to other agents. Who does Nora get as her first client? Derek. Her ex-boyfriend from college.

When Derek finds out that Nora is his agent, he doesn't take it well. He makes her run through hoops and messes with her.

Nora finds him a killer deal, but they have to go to Vegas for it. One (or many) too drinks later, they wake up hungover with wedding rings tattooed on their fingers. What will happen?!

I can't stop thinking about this book and it's giving me MAJOR T Swift and T Kelce vibes and I AM HERE FOR IT!!!!

This book made me want to reread Sarah Adam's other books immediately. I cannot wait for her next one lol

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Ballentine for the advanced copies! I was so excited to get a physical and digital ARC!

If I could give this 100 stars, I would. I kept catching myself smiling while reading this. It's so cute and warm and fuzzy and everything a romance should be...and then some! Nora will forever be one of my book besties, the interactions between the guys are so reminiscent of the Bromance series, and all of the one liners had me laughing the loudest I ever have while reading. Not only is this one of my favorite books of all time, it is my favorite romance. I will definitely reread this one a thousand times.