Effie Flite is called back to England from France, which she hopes it will be her lasr mission for The Crinoline Academy. Effie is tasked to find scandleous papers that will upend Lord Compton's seat at Parliment. With these documents the bill that would let women keep their money either by working or inheritances. Effie thinks that this task will be an easy one , all she has to do is to use her training from what she learned at the Crinoline Academy while acting as a lady. Her plans are soon thrawted when she is caught by Gabriel Royce, a bookmaker in the slums of St Giles. Gabriel needs Lord Compton's influenance to help clean up the rookeries so that the people have better living condtions. When Effie and Gabriel are together all of their conposure and armour come crashing down due to their attraction to each other. This was a quick read that was both romantic with a twist of mystery . I would like to thank both NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for letting me read an advanced copy of this novel.

Rules for Ruin is a slightly new direction for Mimi Matthews. This story was more adventurous, yet still showcased her rich writing and endearing, fully-fleshed out characters, and swoony romance. Can’t wait for the next!!

That balance point between easily accessible for the modern reader not familiar novels before the 20th C and striving for a period feel is a difficult one, as it varies from reader to reader. This novel certainly entertained me! And I appreciated the work that went into giving us a Victorian London that wasn't all Hollywood backdrop.

I am a total sucker for the outsider penetrating upper society trope, but I want my protags to be likeable, with laudable goals at least some of the time, and the author gives us two of these in hero and heroine. But have admirable goals for their desperate masquerades, but unexpectedly find one another in each other's way because of how their goals misalign.

How the author disentangles these snares while developing the wary attraction between H and H, then bringing us to a satisfying ending, was fun to watch. The villains get what they deserve, the good guys win, and there is a setup for another follow-on romance in the same setting. Just the sort of escapism I'm looking for these days!

omg I loved this!

I love anything about a secret society of women to be honest... this one was so fun and I loved effie!

of course though the best thing about this book for me was effie and gabriel! the chemistry, the banter, some good "who did this to you?" moments, the KISSING, and the genuine love between them was just SWOONWORTHY.

I already can't wait for the next book -- hoping it will be about nell and miles~

p.s. if only the evil men in power in real life were so easily taken down...

Mimi Matthews is just so good. She writes historical novels about common people instead of the upper echelon. It was a fun almost spy vs spy story where they get a happy ending. Who doesn't love someone growing and changing themself in a good way for the person they love?

Glorious! I adore the author's historical romances, and her first in the new Crinoline Academy series takes her signature slow-burn style up many sizzling notches, with dazzling characters (women's rights activist Euphemia and betting shop owner Grabriel), whose gray-area activities make them that much more intriguing. Plus, there is a charming minature black poodle! Fans loyal and new will swoon and cheer and wait excitedly for Book Two. Huzzah!

Rules for Ruin is a feminist, cat-and-mouse, rivals-to-lovers historical romance that has the heroine, Effie Flite, poised to take down the patriarchy one slimy aristocrat at a time. Her mark is a viscount who has continuously felled women's rights one vote at a time. And Lord Compton is a man who more than deserves to be taken down. The problem? Gaming shop owner, Gabriel Royce. For not only does he need the viscount's support to further his own ends, but he keeps impeding Effie's efforts at every turn, sparking first her incense then her heart when he shows he's much more than meets the eye.

This was a pleasant deviation from Mimi Matthew's usual historical romances. The slowburn tension she's known for was still there, kindling, smoldering, but I liked the edginess she explored with two characters decidedly not from the upper classes. There was a hint of danger, of cloak and dagger subterfuge, that was delicious. There was also substantial heart and vulnerability, what with Effie's longing for information about her origins and Gabriel's fight for St. Giles Rookery. It made for a rich and immersive exploration of mid-19th century English society.

3.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC in exchange for my review.

This is my first book my Mimi Matthews and it did not disappoint; this was a romance rife with sexual tension emphasis on the TENSION and had exactly the kind of high emotions and higher stakes I adore in a historical. I don't say this lightly but for a closed-door romance, Rules for Ruin was kinda BANGIN.

There's something so delicious about a hero and heroine who are not only attracted to one other right off the bat, but they recognize each other as one and the same: predator in a roomful of prey. Euphemia was a poor orphan when she was picked up and unconventionally educated by the secretive headmistress of a girl's school. To what end.... well, she's just found out: Her mission is to infiltrate high society and destroy an aristocrat because he's about to come out against a women's property rights bill. Unluckily for her, Gabriel is cultivating the same politician so he can improve the slums of St. Giles, and a ruined politician would spell the ruin of his plans.

What follows is plenty of push and pull, your classic battle of wills between a *dastardly* underworld hero and a sharp, clever heroine of mysterious origins who's willing to push most boundaries to achieve her ends. There's plenty of moral ambiguity despite the admirable goals both of them have, and I quite enjoyed that as opposed to your simple goody-two-shoes reformer types you sometimes get in romances of a similar ilk. It's lovely to see Effie and Gabriel, both of whom are extremely closed-off and self-reliant people, soften towards one another and open up in a way they never really have with anyone else.

Like I said earlier, this is a closed door romance and we get a few well-timed kissing scenes that are doing the most on top of the CRACKLING sexual tension between Effie and Gabriel.

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Rating: 4/5
Heat Level: 2/5
Pub Date: May 20th

A bit slow to start, but once it got going, the story and intrigue did not let up. Gabriel and Effie are two feral cats both circling each other the entire book, and when they finally kiss for the first time, I cheered like a madwoman. The characters were morally gray (loved how they were working for the common good, in a very ends-justify–the-means way), incredibly prickly, and quite devious. Again, slow to start, but once the kissing started, I sailed through this story.

This was an entertaining Regency romance with a mystery, which is my favorite subgenre, and I really enjoyed it. Looking forward to the next one.

What a poignant story that sparkles with history and richly engaging characters. Hidden plots, scandal and enemies to lovers - all with chemistry and depth that we’ve come to expect from Matthews. You will find yourself staying up way too late and rooting for two struggling leading characters to overcome the obstacles and find their happily ever after.

Outstanding story telling! With vivid description and beautiful imagery, reading this book is a feast for the imagination. Upon first meeting Effie, Gabriel feels an immediate connection, though he doesn't know why. Throughout their continued interactions, a delightful relationship is created and the author does a magnificent job gradually revealing the similarities between Effie and Gabriel, both in backgrounds and desires. Their passionate natures result in fiery feuds and crackling chemistry. Effie and Gabriel's face-paced story may be my all-time favorite of Mimi Matthews. Also fascinating is the historical component to the story, during a time of change and pushing boundaries. The author notes at the end of the book are enlightening and should not be missed. Every bit a fantastic read! Eagerly awaiting book two.

I received an advance copy of this story. I was not required to write a positive review.

4.5 ⭐️

This is my first historical romance book I’ve read from Mimi Matthews and I throughly enjoyed it. The concept of the academy and all it stands for is exactly what I look for when reading historical fiction. I enjoyed both Effie and Gabriel’s relationship. I mean who doesn’t love a down bad man. I also enjoyed all the history woven into the story and the authors note at the end that goes over all the events. The mystery aspect also kept me intrigued. I am looking forward to reading the next installment of this series and reading previous works from this author!

I absolutely adore Mimi and was so excited for this new one. While I don't know that I'd say I was really getting major Peaky Blinders vibes (it wasn't dark enough for that) like it's described I really enjoyed it! I did find this took me a little to get into at first and it felt a little slower than some of her others. But that could have just been my mood/life stuff going on.

But it was so cute! I absolutely adore the main characters so much! Plus the overall plot was so fun and had a little suspenseful, espionage type feel. I loved that once again Mimi writes us a very protective, alpha male but with a sweet side too. I was HERE for the damsel scenes and the "I'll hurt anyone who touches you" moments. Our main character, Effie was such a treat too! I cherished her fiery, independent spirt.

The end had me just smiling and happy! I liked that it didn't have any crazy drama either. Overall, it was such a sweet and fun book. Another great one by Mimi. Just something about it felt a little slow and drawn out at moments.

Mimi Matthews has done it again. Her romances are slow burns, and this one is no different. It's all about the yearning, people! This one did take a while to get going, and I thought the non romance plot did take up perhaps too much space, but the couple had sparks. It was the story of two damaged and vulnerable people doing their best to make space for themselves in a world that wasn't built for them. I love morally gray characters that really embrace that fact.

The start of a new series from Mimi Mathewes, Rules for Ruin, deviates significantly from her previous works. The book has less sweetness and more darkness and edginess, making it an exhilarating read that kept me on the edge of my seat. I could hardly put it down! The story revolves around a "rivals to lovers" trope, a historical romance with two strong, independent characters who are unaccustomed to trusting anyone. However, they soon realize they have much in common and learn to work together, ultimately finding love in the process.

The story is a whip-smart, cat-and-mouse romance featuring blunt dialogue and mystery, well-written and well-researched, filled with witty banter and off-the-chart chemistry.

Flite is summoned from Paris by the indomitable proprietress of “Miss Corvus’s Benevolent Academy For The Betterment of Young Ladies” and is offered an opportunity to not only be absolved of a debt but also gain her independence. Effie could hardly refuse. She had longed to discover her past, settle her debt to the charity school proprietress, and retire far away with Franc, her beloved poodle. However, Effie’s foolproof plans are challenged by a strikingly seductive rogue—a Rookery king, Gabriel Royce.

From the rookeries of St. Giles to the ballrooms of Mayfair, Euphemia and Gabriel engage in a battle of wits and wills, complicated by a blossoming desire. Soon, Euphemia realizes it's not the broken promises to her Academy sisters she should fear; it's the danger to her heart. The rivalry aspect, the academy setting, the subterfuge, and the secret rendezvous all add layers to the story. Gabriel, a non-aristocratic hero who pulled himself out of the slums by not-so-honest means, is rough and ready but also deeply enamored with Effie. Effie is smart and fearless but also vulnerable, particularly regarding her fear of heights and her search for her origins.

Fantastic read! I highly recommend it.

Content: - kisses only, closed-door romance.

Thank you, NetGalley and Publisher, for the eARC.

This story a bit darker that Mimi’s previous ones. It reminded me a little of Gentleman Jim.
I loved that two very different whip smart main characters meet as adversaries but then join forces to bring down a powerful corrupt politician
Effie is clever but sometimes klutzy. She carries her little black dog, Franc everywhere she goes.
Gabriel is a stern betting shop owner. He finds himself often needing to get Effie out of whatever situation she had gotten herself into.
There is a lot of fun banter between these two.
My biggest problem with this story is when these two finally fell for each other, Gabriel turned into a fawning man around Effie. I wanted to see a relationship that was equal.
The historical detail is well done as always with Mimi’s books.
I totally enjoyed it and didn't want it to end.

Thank you to Net Galley for allowing me to read this book. The opinions are entirely my own.

This was an alright book. I will occasionally like a historical romance book, emphasis on the romance, but I feel like this book just fell a little flat for me overall. The FMC was fun to follow as she's on a very secret mission. I like How the MC's were rivals and they had good banter. This book had a really good plot and felt that it could've really excelled I just couldn't quite get into the book.

This is the first in Mimi Matthews new series The Crinoline Academy and while it starts off a bit slowly, it soon hits its stride to become a fascinating look at how Victorian women, like Effie Flite, might have dealt with the many restrictions placed on women of the time. As an orphan brought up in Miss Corvus' Academy, Effie was one of the special students who were taught more than book learning. Effie uses that knowledge to uncover some of the dark secrets of Lord Compton, and in doing so meets Gabriel Royce, who also enters the orbit of Lord Compton for his own reasons. When Effie and Gabriel meet, they are in conflict about the best way to deal with Lord Compton, which leads to a number of confrontations--and allows sparks to fly and turn into unwanted attraction between them. And yet, they soon realize they have more in common than initially thought and that their goals actually align. Both are strong, independent characters, who are not used to trusting anyone other than themselves. How they learn to work together and find love in the process makes for a lovely story. In addition, the details of Gabriel's fight for the people of St. Giles Rookery and Effie's efforts for women's independence brings the issues of Victorian London in the 1860s to life.

Euphemia (Effie) Flite has no clear memory of the time before she came to the Benevolent Academy for the Betterment of Young Ladies in Epping Forest. Run by a woman known only as Miss Corvus (Latin for Raven), the Crinoline Academy, as the locals call it, supports and educates young girls of poor backgrounds, but these students learn self-defense, lock picking, and other atypical skills along with their reading, writing, and arithmetic. Its graduates need these skills because Miss Corvus expects them to undertake missions on behalf of the school, during which they communicate their successes and failures through a series of needlework samplers (a nice and original touch).

When we meet her, Effie has just returned from advanced training in France with her miniature black poodle, Franc. Miss Corvus sends her—with Franc, of course—to London to retrieve a set of letters detailing the deliberate financial ruin decades ago of a young woman (possibly Miss Corvus herself) by her brother. Effie is expected to use the correspondence against the powerful Lord Compton to promote the passage of a bill in Parliament guaranteeing the right of married women to retain control of their own property.

This hunt brings Effie into direct conflict with Gabriel Royce, a slum lad turned into slum lord who needs Lord Compton’s support for Gabriel’s own pet project: to rebuild the Rookery, the worst of London’s tenements, and guarantee its residents a better life through education and work. Naturally, sparks fly between Effie and Gabriel, leading to lots of lively dialogue and action as the two of them struggle to balance their mutual attraction against their contrasting goals.

“Rules for Ruin,” the first book in Mimi Matthews’s new Crinoline Academy series, combines the strengths of her previous novels with a richer exploration of mid-nineteenth-century British society. It's all beautifully handled, with two complex and sympathetic (but not too sympathetic) leads and a fast-moving, intriguing plot. All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable read.