This was such a cute book! I absolutely love Sarah Adams as an author and I couldn't get enough of these characters.

I would definitely read the Cheat Sheet first, but it isn't required.

This book follows Nora and Derek. They are ex-college sweethearts who end up having to work together in a professional capacity years after they have broken up.

As the book goes on you learn about what happened in their relationship.

The tropes in this book include second chance romance, one bed, grumpy meets sunshine and Vegas!

I loved this cast of characters so much and hope there is another book in this universe in the future!

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the E-ARC. Guys I sent my son away (okay on a playdate) so I could read and let me tell you it was worth it. I looved Nora and Derek. I loved how the story played out btw them. I low key loved Nicole more because I am her lol. I have read mostly everything by Sarah Adams and I cant wait for more

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the eARC.

This is exactly the type of sports romance I need. I love football and I love the relationship and banter Sarah Adams put in this book. So enjoyable.

My first dive into this author's work was a real page-turner! I'm itching to delve into her other books after being completely drawn in by this one. The story was a quick, fun ride that tugged at my heartstrings. Nora's journey as a sports agent, landing her ex, Derek, as her first solo client, is a mix of humor and heart-tugging moments. Their banter had me in stitches! This book ticks all the boxes for fans of second chances, Vegas weddings, and sports romances. Nora is a smart and quirky negotiator, while Derek balances strength with sensitivity, making their rekindled romance believable and heartfelt.

Thank you to the publisher and the author for allowing me to arc read this book in exchange for my honest review

Sarah Adams has become one of my favorite romance writers. She knows how to draw the readers into her characters and grow to like them. I am hoping this is not a stand alone and the sub-characters are developed into their own stories. The audiobook was well done with clear voices and dual narrators which is my favorite. I like getting two voices to represent the main characters perspective. The premise of the story is well executed and the dialogue was touching and funny at times.

Thank you for the advanced copy of the eBook.

I highly recommend this title.

Nora MacKenzie, known as Mac in the sports world, finally gets to take on an athlete to represent as their agent. It took Nora a long time to finally break into a sports role but she still doesn't have the respect of her team at work. Then it happens. She catches a break and will be taking on a pro football player. But......it's Derek. As in, Derek Pender, her ex from college and it did not end well.

Derek is feeling a big old NOPE when it comes to Nora taking him on. He's been out with an injury and training hard to get back to playing for the Sharks. Nora ensures him they can keep it professional and he sets out to make that as difficult as possible. Their first gig is going to be in Vegas as a rep for a company, so on the plane they go.

When they wake up the next morning Derek sees it. The tattoo wedding band on her finger...on his finger. OMG they got married! In an order to save her job and his reputation, they are going to stay fake-married. There's only one major problem. Derek has never gotten over her. Nora finds out the same is true for her.

Does Nora risk her career and get the divorce because it's just too painful with past hurts? Can Derek convince Nora they are good for each other? Mac is going to be getting respect at work now but Nora has to protect her heart.

Ugh this book was so good I didn't want it to end! When she sees the N (n for Nora) tattoo on his arm I literally screamed! @authorsarahadams has such a way of making you get lost in her books and I am here for it.

Thank you so much to @netgalley and @authorsarahadams for my copy to read in exchange for an honest review. This is going down as one of my favorites of 2024!

At first I was worried that this book was trying to squeeze in too many troupes, but somehow Sarah Adam's pulled it off. So I'm not mad about it. I know it's a second chance romance, but the miscommunication went on a little long for my preference. Having said that, when it was time for things to resolve I felt the characters had mature and honest conversations so that sealed the deal for me in believing these two would last. Sarah Adam's really writes great characters and excellent romance arcs. While this wasn't a perfect read for me, I was nearly perfect and I had a great time. Would recommend!

This book, written as a companion to The Cheat Sheet, offers a captivating look into the lives of Nora Mackenzie and Derek Pender. The author, Sarah, masterfully creates a quirky and goofy female lead without making her overbearing. I instantly fell in love with Nora's character for her fearless boundary-pushing nature. Derek's attentiveness and endearing behavior towards Nora were also particularly delightful. This book is the perfect comfort read that I'll certainly revisit.

I want to extend my gratitude to the Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for granting me early access to this title, in exchange for me to provide an honest review.

My favorite thing about lovely Sarah Adams is the she knows how to write tension.

The Rule Book is about Nora Mackenzie, a sports agent trying to succeed in a hostile, male dominated environment. Things seem to be looking up when she has the opportunity to represent famous NFL tight end, Derek Pender—who may or may not be her wonderful ex college sweetheart. Derek will do anything to avoid his feelings for her, even for as far as wanting her want to quit.

Even though it was a lovely book, Derek’s behavior was childish at times. While I understand his actions were a manifestation of this unwanted feeling for Nora, he was bullying her and risking her career for a ten-year-old breakup. He does redeem himself, but it left a bad taste in my mouth.

But not all is bad. Nora’s and Derek’s chemistry was through the charts. Adams has the wonderful ability to put her characters through the silliest of challenges, and as a grown woman, I eat it up everyday.

My first Sarah Adams and it was so sweet! I enjoyed this second chance, sort of enemies to lovers trope :) And a hint of sports was really fun for a sports gal like me!

Sarah Adams never misses!!! This book was tender, funny, sweet - Nora is one of my favourite FMC's I have ever read, she was so funny and just authentically herself. My love for sports romance knows no bounds, and this has solidly landed in my top 5 of all time (and I read a lot of books) Derek, my sweet little pining muffin - his boy is so obsessed with her it made my heart ache.

I. Loved. This. Book.


I, of course loved the cameos from previous Cheat Sheet characters - my little babies are having a baby!!!!

Sarah Adams is the master of rom-coms, and The Rule Book only further proved it! I really loved how Derek and Nora reconcile and reflect on their relationship in college - both characters acted like mature adults. All of the conflict in the book felt necessary and not just thrown in for the sake of inserting conflict. Highly highly recommend reading this book!!

Sarah Adams is an author that keeps getting better with each book she writes. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝘂𝗹𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 is my new favorite. Nora and Derek's chemistry is off-the-charts. Plus there are so many great tie-ins to 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝗵𝗲𝗲𝘁 and the LA Sharks! ​​​​​​​​
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I absolutely loved these characters, individually and together. Nora is quirky, strong-willed, quick thinker, and trying hard to make a name for herself in a male-dominated career. Derek was arguably the best tight end prior to his injury, but he's not without his own insecurities regarding his comeback and future. It's no surprise their past feelings for each other (mixed with liquid courage) lead them to a Vegas wedding and a publicity marriage. Little do they know, they are each other's biggest fans.​​​​​​​​
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If you are looking for a fun, quick, sports romance book with a steam thrown in (skip Ch 24 if you want closed door), 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝘂𝗹𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 is even better than 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝗵𝗲𝗲𝘁. Bravo, Sarah! ​​​​​​​​
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Gifted: @dellromance​​​​​​​​ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The whole idea of reuniting with someone from your past is one of my recent favorite storylines. I loved the whole fake relationship helping push them into where they were meant to me all along.

Such a cute second change romance by Sarah Adams. One of my favorites from this author. Derek and Nora were ADORABLE and I was kicking my feet and giggling with the grumpy x sunshine duo!! I am a big fan of sports romances that have the perfect mix of love, friends, and sports!

Gifted by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I didn’t love this. It was fine, just …. Forgettable.

I’m not a fan of second chance romances, so my expectations weren’t high going in since they aren’t usually the book for me. But I was willing to try since I’ve enjoyed other Sarah Adams books. The Rule Book was cute and an easy read, there just wasn’t anything overly special about it to me.

Nora Mackenzie never expected that her first official client as a sports agent would be her college ex but fate has an interesting sense of humor.
Derek Pender has no plans of making Nora’s life easy. In fact, he plans on making it so miserable that she quits and he can hire an agent that didn’t break his heart. What he doesn’t know is that Nora has a scheme of her own. She plans on wearing him down until he comes to his senses and takes her on as his agent.
But what neither of them expects is a wild night in Vegas which lead to them waking up in bed together… married. Now all their plans are derailed and they have to face the feelings they’ve been trying to ignore.

Tropes:
Marriage of convenience, second chance romance, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, sports romance, one bed.

This book has everything I love about romance. Two people who clearly love each other but have a complicated history, an MMC who is utterly obsessed with the FMC, and hilarious banter.
The chemistry between Derek and Nora was authentic and deep. Their transition from enemies to lovers felt seamless and I really enjoyed all their heartfelt conversations and confessions.
If you want a romance that will make you swoon and laugh, and main characters who grow with each other, The Rule Book is for you.

4 stars! this was my first sarah adams book and it was so stinking cute! it was so fun and fast paced while also having important conversations.

one thing about me is i’m going to eat up a second chance romance and i absolutely loved derek and nora. it was such a unique take on a second chance plot!

nora was so quirky and fun while also being a girl boss. derek was down so freaking bad and it was so perfect. the banter and tension between them was tooo good!

i especially loved the dyslexia representation in this book and i thought that conversation was so special and important 🥹 especially as a special education teacher, i was super moved by it and hearing about his struggles is something so many people face.

rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
spice: 🌶️🌶️
tropes to expect:
✨sports romance (nfl x sports agent)
✨second chance
✨marriage of convenience
✨forced proximity

I absolutely loved this book! These characters are so well written and I didn’t want this book to end. I am a huge football fan so that was just an added bonus but you don’t need to even like football as it’s so much more than that.

Nora is so relatable and real it’s like a friend you just want and wish the best for her, she is funny and Derek is amazing and such a sweetheart. Loved it!

What a super sweet story! Nora was definitely quite the character, and Derek was ever the gentleman. Both dance to the beat of their own drums carrying baggage with them. It was awesome to read a second chance romance where the miscommunication didn't cause more turmoil but instead propelled them further to where they were supposed to be together.

I think this is the first book the author has done with an open door scene. (Ch.34) For those readers who are unsure if it is for them or not, I will say Sarah wrote a very tasteful open door scene. Very sweet, respectful, and tender moment between them. Not at all raunchy like other romance novels.

Tropes:
Pro Football player MMC/ FMC Agent
Second Chance Romance
Love in your 30's
Neurodivergent inclusions
Found Family
Marriage of Convenience
One Bed
Golden Retriever vibes.