Rules for Ruin is another masterpiece by Mimi Matthews. She constantly amazes me with her creativity and uniqueness. This book is different from her others in that the main male character is an orphan from The Rookery and isn't a born gentleman or from the gentry. Similarly, the female main character is also an orphan. Gabriel is both a rough and gruff character that I loved because he is also very tender and loving towards Effie. Effie, with her beloved poodle, is in her own right very crafty and can handle herself in some sketchy situations. She too is very tender and loving towards Gabriel. There are sparks and romantic tension throughout the novel. The storyline is one that anyone who loves history and the women's suffrage movement will enjoy. With some mystery and swoony kisses with lovable characters, this made a book that I really enjoyed. This is a clean or closed-door romance with some mild curse words.

Rules for Ruin is Mimi Matthew at her absolute best!

Effie (23) was the first student of The Academy. She doesn’t have particularly fond memories and is not happy to have been summoned back from Paris, where she has been working as a ladies companion. She is tasked with infiltrating high society and bringing down Lord Compton. Once she completes this job, Effie will be free from The Academy’s reins and will receive a small stipend to live independently. However, Gabriel (30) has a vested interest in making sure Lord Compton stays in his position of power. Gabriel has proof of something which would ruin Lord Compton’s reputation and is using it as blackmail to seek entry into society and gain support for his charitable endeavours in the Rookery. This causes a clash of interests between our two lead characters and we get to follow along as they navigate that.

I loved Gabriel as a character, I thought he was quite interesting. I like how he was convinced he wouldn’t be an acceptable suitor for Effie but when he starts to get to know her more he realises that isn’t true. I felt like he was a good, solid historical romance MMC. I’m a big fan of the self made hero and so Gabriel really worked for me!

Effie was also a great character. She experienced a lot of growth over the course of the story. Everything we learn about Miss Corvus and The Academy is from Effie’s POV so of course it will be a bit biased and it was great to follow along as she realised not everything she believed was true.

I really loved the relationship development in this book. Right from the beginning, there are a lot of parallels between Effie and Gabriel which resulted in some really good storytelling. It helped me to connect to the characters but also helped the characters to connect with each other. I also loved how Effie and Gabriel were not willing to put their goals aside for the sake of their blossoming relationship.

Like all Mimi Matthews books, Rules for Ruin is closed door. However, I felt this book was a bit more passionate than the others. The chemistry jumps off the page and I really didn’t notice the lack of an intimate scene. Mimi has a great talent for building up chemistry and tension without it taking place in the bedroom.

As always, Mimi’s writing is pure quality. You can tell every word was thoughtfully considered. Every description is vivid without being too long or clunky. Rules for Ruin has a slightly different tone to it compared to previous series. It felt a little more overtly feminist while still being rooted in historical accuracy. One thing I love about Mimi’s wider body of work is that all of her series take place in slightly different time periods so you get the see the developments in industry and fashion. The clothing descriptions in particular are amazing in this book. Mimi’s research and her general knowledge of the time period really shines through. It’s a joy to read and it’s one of the reasons why she is such a popular and talent author.

I want to say a huge thank you to Mimi and Berkley for the ARC of Rules for Ruin and for accepting me part of the launch team! 💜

I am giving this a 3 (even though I'd probably rather give it a 2), because even though I really didn't like it, I can't really pinpoint a glaring reason why I didn't like it. The characters felt "meh." Their chemistry didn't feel organic or like it grew in a natural progression. The plot was predictable and unoriginal.

And it's just a pet-peeve of mine, but when an author writes a book and very obviously bases characters off of other characters in movies or TV shows, just a gentle wink in the direction of the reader will do--if the reader is familiar with, for example, a certain Netflix series, the reader will immediately see who we are all supposed to picture as the character in the book. But I do not like to be hit over the head constantly with all of the glaringly obvious traits and characteristics and accents and facial features that our book character has that make him JUST LIKE a character that someone else has created. Fan fiction absolutely has it's place, but I don't like "hey everybody!! Guess who our male main character is supposed to be!! Can you tell? Have you guessed it yet? Let me describe him again, in even more detail!" But as I said, that's just a pet-peeve of mine. Other readers may think it's great to cookie cut characters from other works.

If you want an easy read to pass some time, then you might like this. I wanted more, and I did not get it with this book.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5)
Steam Level: 🔥 (kissing only)

Quick Notes:
*Orphans
*Scheming
*Rivals
*Balcony Scene
*“Sweetheart”

My Thoughts:
Well, Mimi Matthews has done it again! This time, we're given some romantic suspense with a pair of rivals who eventually realize they are quite similar. Effie grew up raised to be independent and progressive with a very diverse set of skills that must now be put to use in order to ruin one man's reputation. Unfortunately, that same man's reputation is what has kept Gabriel Royce in business. The first 30% focused mainly on Effie looking for clues to bring down her target, while Gabriel attempted to thwart her plans and uncover her secrets. After that, the romance started to kick into gear more, and the push and pull between these two was delightful. Gabriel was a bit of a villain at first, but he soon revealed his protective and romantic instincts. The private moments between Effie and him were so swoony, and the terms of endearment had me melting. Yes, I was yelling at them to just get together already, but it was just the right amount of torture. There were so many memorable moments throughout the second half, and the ending was quite satisfying. I'll be eagerly anticipating book 2 in this series!

Thank you Netgalley, Berkley Publishing, and the author for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Rules for Ruin is an absolutely brilliant book. Initially it felt like a departure for Mimi Matthews, but quite honestly Effie Flite is the very character we need right now. She is a champion for those who might feel powerless. She is (mostly) fearless in the face of a challenge. She is a wizard in both the needle and martial arts. She is a Victorian era super hero, who just wants a place for she and her sweet poodle Franc to call their own.

I loved Rules for Ruin. It kept me engaged all the way to the end. My heart soared as Effie set out to right long ago wrongs and learn of her own origins. She was as fierce of a heroine and the perfect introduction to the Crinoline Academy series.

There is so much more that I loved about Rules for Ruin. Starting with the line it draws from the Women’s Property Laws to current events here in this country. These laws made wives their husbands property upon marriage. Their money or was not their own. A woman being abused by her husband would have no recourse. That education was wasted on women and girls never mind those living in poverty. It is a reminder that we have come too far to return to a time where too few held the keys to the power. This book gave me hope, something I have been lacking for months. For that I give Mimi Matthews all the high fives.

For anyone yearning for a historical romance that is truly authentic to the time period and reminiscent of the greats of yesteryear - while still being able to enjoy a rollicking good story, look no more!! Ms. Matthew’s is this generation’s master at crafting engaging stories that stay true to the time period, yet leave a reader devouring the pages.

This book is set in the era when women’s suffrage is just becoming a flash point. Not yet a full-fledged movement, but the beginnings of which will change a society. It is frustrating yet incredibly interesting to experience it through the eyes of Euphemia (Effie), an orphan raised in a school whose headmistress secretly teaches her “girls” to stand against the oppressive rules of men. Then, to watch her use her wiles to outwit and outsmart those who viciously do the oppressing. Until, of course, she butts up against a man who has, himself, lived a life of hardship and is fighting to achieve security… in is own (and often underhanded) way.

The sparks fly and the tension grows as this couple try to outfox each other to achieve their goals (which are in direct opposition to the other). As an added plus, real life historical events are woven effortlessly into the narrative and enrich the reading immensely. There are a few situations that come close to pushing this story back into the generic “every writer does it, that’s what sells” but Ms. Matthews pulls short just before disappointment hits and is able to stay far above the rest and decidedly on top with this uniquely creative and promising series starter!

Mimi Matthews is exploring new territory in this series and I LOVE IT. This has some of the hallmarks of a Matthews story - Really Bad Families everywhere you turn, enterprising women on the run, an isolated and mysterious orphanage, well-loved animal sidekicks, and a seriously cruel villain - and yet it feels so different in tone, less isolated and introspective and more intentionally adventurous, with lying and spying on all sides and a female main character undercover. It's so FUN. Also, no one writes closed-door tension and chemistry like Matthews, and this one had me sweating over an unbuttoned collar and dented crinoline. The ending was lighter than I anticipated and buttoned up almost too neatly, but honestly, that's a really small quibble for a story that I loved reading all the way through. I cannot wait for Nell's story, next!

I loved it! A riveting fast-paced story, deepened by strong characters, mystery, and historical detail.

Euphemia Flite is an educated, resourceful, strong heroine, who clashes with Gabriel Royce, a kingpin in the Rookery of St.Giles, over plans involving Lord Compton, an MP, whose favour could affect both their lives.

Effie, an orphan, was raised and taught at Mrs Corvus' Benevolent Academy for the Betterment of Young Ladies, known locally as 'The Crinoline Academy'. The wearing of crinolines is both described as wearing armour and as way that women can take up space and be noted, and this essentially sums up the aims of Mrs Corvus' education; she wants to give young ladies the skills to be her own best friend and not fall prey to men. At the end of their education, a 5 year contract is entered into by Mrs Corvus' special students, who have a choice to either remain at the Academy or leave and receive a small stipend. It's after these 5 years that Effie is called back from Paris by a sampler with ravens interwoven in the design, an unofficial symbol of the academy. She is given a mission by Mrs Corvus, that ties in with Academy aims, that of obtaining evidence against Lord Compton to destroy his reputation before he puts his weight against a bill concerning women's property rights after marriage, and to prevent other MPs, who see him as a Solomon figure, following suit. Effie, who feels both a sense of duty and resentment towards Mrs Corvus, accepts this task because whilst she also agrees with the aims of the bill, it also means her freedom. A season in London is required, and Effie needs to infiltrate Compton's home to find the necessary evidence, but in the process, she answers mysteries regarding her own background.

Effie and Gabriel's chemistry is palpable on their first meeting at Lord Compton's ball. Strong, intelligent women are his weakness, which immediately earns him brownie points with me! Gabriel is an intensely passionate man, especially regarding his plans for reforming the Rookery and making it's inhabitants' lives better, and subsequently for Effie, which is especially telling when we see how he deals with her fears and Franc her poodle. Compton is important to him as he provides the potential for contacts and money towards his endeavour, and he therefore feels the need to protect Compton from Effie to ensure his plans can bear fruit. Each recognise and see each other from the outset on an instinctive level, and are completely honest about their feelings, which I love. Both characters believe in knowing their roots, in loyalty, and in choosing their friends carefully; these beliefs and their feelings for each other determine how they resolve their story.

There were lots of beautiful quotable passages about books, knowledge and women; "Knowledge is your greatest weapon, and books are knowledge made manifest". The cover is gorgeous with slightly gothic vibes picturing the academy's gates and ravens. I also enjoyed the informative historical notes at the end, which indicates the level of research involved in writing the first of 'The Crinoline Academy' series. I can't wait to read Nel's story.



Thanks to Mini Matthews for allowing me to review this book. Thank you to NetGalley for the free copy of this book. My thoughts within this review are wholly my own.

Rules for Ruin has secret identities, love at first sight + enemies to lovers, a hot air balloon ride, found family, a heist, superbly awful villains, and stars the first graduate of a girls school founded to cultivate its students into anti patriarchy warriors, Effie Flite.

Effie meets Gabriel Royce, a proper St. Giles Bad Boy With a Heart of Gold, when their interests collide.

As Effie and Gabriel come to know each other they: become friends; share kisses on terraces; confront anxieties; have frank conversations about women’s rights, gentrification, poverty, and class; make huge confessions; force themselves apart; and get their HEA, their way.

In this book, Matthews once again exhibits her feminist, progressive, thoughtful, hot (yes closed door but still hot), and wildly romantic writing style.

I was especially drawn to Gabriel’s determination to be Effie’s support. He showed no sign of being her rescuer, rather her back up. Plus:

-subversive sewing samplers
-exquisite banter
-working class main characters
-fashion as defense and armor

The Behind the Book section is required reading and don’t skip the Teaser for book 2!




Thanks to Matthews/Berkley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book was such a fun time! The banter was witty and smart, the characters were loveable with a dark side, and the story was engaging start to finish!
This story follows Effie Flite and her attempts to take down the man who stole the fortune and ruined her benefactor. But she doesn’t expect to meet a charming man with a darker side in one Gabriel Royce.
Set slightly post regency era, there was no spice in this one but it really worked for me. I loved reading about their budding relationship and all their endeavors throughout the book! I’ll definitely be checking out the next one when it comes out!

I was a little bit sceptical at first, since a story featuring an academy feels like the lead will be young, but Effie is a strong, independent woman with a stronger sense of justice. She doesn't feel like a cookie-cutter young heroine, but rather a woman with a lot of depth to her character, and a lot of things pushing her actions. And it’s really refreshing to see a victorian romance novel where the character's main motivation isn't getting married!

The romance itself is a bit of a slow burn, enemies-to-lovers (enemies in the sense that they are on opposite sides to begin with, not that they hate each other or want to kill each other). I think our love interests compliment each other quite well - they are similar in a lot of ways but also have some key differences (which is where most of the conflict comes from). As Gabriel put it so well, "Like recognises like."

Also I won't go into too much detail here, but I really applaud the diversity in this book. Not just in opinions at the time, but also in class. Having a working class hero in a victorian novel that isn't a farmer (or a secret prince or something ridiculous) was really lovely to see, and seeing that he was a bit morally grey, but still with a clear sense of justice and doing the right thing - that was great. This isn't the first of Mimi's stories to have a diverse bunch of characters, but it is still appreciated!

As always, love the historical accuracies and the opportunity to learn more about Victorian Britain.

Really enjoyed this one - if you are interested in a victorian setting that focuses on women's rights in that time, with two characters fighting to improve the lives of those they feel are downtrodden, then absolutely pick this up. SImilarly, if you enjoy reading strong female characters, then definitely give this one a try!

I really enjoyed this story! The character stories and backgrounds had me intrigued and the evolution of their relationship really worked for me!

Definitely will be reading more from Mimi Matthew’s

Thank you for the opportunity to read early!

This was a beautifully written story with wonderful characters and a chemistry to die for. I can’t wait for the sequel!

Effie grew up in an institution for young girls, raised by its founder, Miss Corvus—a fierce feminist. It was not a typical Victorian upbringing; she was taught to defend herself, pick locks, and do other unladylike things (isn’t that awesome?). Now she’s trusted with a task: to bring down a powerful lord so he can’t stop a women’s rights bill that’s about to be voted on in Parliament.

I know—we read to fall for the hero (and rest assured, you will)—but sometimes the heroine is so extraordinary that you love her just as much. Effie was, hands down, the best heroine Mimi Matthews has ever written. She was brave, independent, and very lovable.

I loved her determination, her skill, and the way she wasn’t afraid to go for what she wanted. I want to be Effie when I grow up.

And then there was Gabriel—the morally gray, self-made, crazy-about-the-heroine, and overall delicious hero.

Their dynamic was chef’s kiss; every single scene with them together was perfection. There was a huge conflict of interest, and theirs wasn’t an easy union, despite the growing attraction. It made the romance even more precious. There were secrets, but no miscommunication; there was a fight, but no unnecessary drama.

Highly recommended!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Miss Euphemia Flite, or Effie, an orphan is brought up at the Crinoline Academy by Miss Crocus to be both spy and lady. After being away for five years in Paris, she is brought back to London society with a mission. The mission is to dig up dirt on Lord Compton, an influential politician who will undoubtedly oppose the Married Women’s Property Act. Effie wants to eliminate him from politics and society.

On the other hand, Gabriel Royce, the man who runs St. Giles through the influence of his betting shop and his contributions to the neighborhood, has Lord Compton in his pocket. Gabriel needs the Lord’s cooperation to protect his assets and prop up his ideas for economic and social reform. While the two of them have opposing goals, Effie and Gabriel are brought together by their admirable goals and connection to each other.

I love a book that is unapologetically progressive addressing issues of women’s rights and class reform. It uses these ideologies to drive the plot, and I appreciate that it doesn’t explicitly teach these topics. (That gets preachy- quick, and is usually preaching to the choir.) It’s just enough to reignite the spark for passionate readers or inspire them to find out more information from other sources.

The romance between Effie and Gabriel is reviving. They are so well matched with shared histories and neither personality overshadows the other. Mimi Matthews has constructed a clever plot where both MCs get to be the good guy even though they want the opposite things in regards to Lord Compton. I was rooting for both of them to get what they want, and absolutely rooting for both of them to find their HEA with each other. Even though Matthews writes closed-door romances, there is such a perfect concoction of tension and passion, my heart is frequently jumping and fluttering.

Another fun aspect of the book was the relationships Effie and Gabriel have with the secondary characters. Effie inspires an interesting change of heart in Miss Compton, and I’m curious to see if she will have a larger role in the series. Nell was raised with Effie at the Crinoline Academy and promises an interesting future of her own. (Looking forward to the second book of the series!) It was sweet to see how Gabriel uplifted people in St. Giles, such as employing them in his own homes. His valet, Ollie, was one of my favorites.

If you have read Mimi Matthews before, you will know what a captivating storyteller she is. This series promises to be a fun and empowering showcase of her talents. If you haven’t, then you are missing out. I urge you to get started now and enjoy the fanfare that is bound to follow with each book release.

Thank you Mimi Matthews and Netgalley for the ARC. This is my honest review.

"No one betrays the Academy. But now Euphemia must decide: break the rules for her enemy, or let the rules break her heart.

On the outskirts of London sits a seemingly innocuous institution with a secretive aim - train young women to distract, disrupt, and discredit the patriarchy. Outraged by a powerful lord's systematic attack on women's rights in Parliament, the Academy summons its brightest - and most bitter - pupil to infiltrate the odious man's inner circle. A deal is struck: bring down the viscount, and Miss Euphemia Flite will finally earn her freedom.

But betting shop owner Gabriel Royce has other plans. The viscount is the perfect pawn to insulate Gabriel's underworld empire from government interference. He's not about to let some crinoline-clad miss destroy his carefully constructed enterprise - no matter how captivating he finds her threats.

From the rookeries of St. Giles to the ballrooms of Mayfair, Euphemia and Gabriel engage in a battle of wits and wills that's 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."

Can we get a US chapter of The Crinoline Academy going to fight the patriarchy?

Every time Mimi Matthews writes a book, the world gets a bit brighter. Rules for Ruin is topical and poignant, and of course devastatingly romantic. Gabriel and Effie captivated me from the very beginning; I stayed up way past my bedtime to read their story and it was totally worth it. This story features plenty of intrigue, danger, and even some jiujitsu, yet it is intensely relatable and heartfelt.

Also, I find it so amazing that Mimi has written stories that feature heroines who share the same first names as my sister (Effie) and I (Sylvia)! It makes me love her books that much more.

I absolutely cannot wait for more in this series. I will read and savor anything Mimi writes! 5/5 stars

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Rules For Ruin - ARC Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
.
PUB DATE: May 20th
.
FEATURES:
-Historical Romance
-2 Schemers Fall in Love
-Giving Cruel, Upper Class People a Taste of Their own Medicine
-Fighting For Lower Class and Women’s Rights
.
LOVED:
-Both Lead Characters: very well developed, unique personalities, well crafted back stories, great arcs
-Love Story: The playful rivalry of two schemers falling for each other was so fun and refreshing
-Political Critiques: The depiction of lower class and women’s struggles was very well done
.
Disliked:
-Graphic Death: I was not at all prepared for the sudden, graphic death of the tightrope walker
-Past Child Abuse: I was not prepared for the descriptions of cruel child abuse Effie’s mom inflicted on her

This is the first novel in the new series from
Mimi Matthews, The Crinoline Academy.

Euphemia Flite returns to London from Paris, and to the school responsible for helping to raise her, known on the streets as The Crinoline Academy. However, this academy is no ordinary finishing school, in fact, it encourages young women to disrupt the patriarchy at all costs.

When an upcoming women’s property act is found to be under fire, the headmistress of the academy calls in Euphemia to ensure that the act has the votes to pass. How she will do this is by taking down one of the most powerful men (and opposer of the act) in Parliament.

Betting man Gabriel Royce will not let that happen, as this particular man will also be able to help ensure that Royce’s underground betting empire remains intact.

What ensues is a battle of wits as Euphemia and Gabriel both endeavor to complete their respective missions. However, the more time they spend together leads to revelations that may jeaprodize more missions than one.

This was another great book from Mimi. I love her writing and her characters are always fantastic. Thank you so much to her and her publisher for providing me with an ARC! Can’t wait for book two.

3.5 stars
The premise of this novel really drew me in. I mean: a mysterious school, a dangerous mission, romance? Sign me up.

The first entry in the series follows Euphemia (Effie) as she returns from living abroad in Paris. Effie is an orphan and therefore the money the academy spent to raise her is now due. However, if Effie completes one last mission for the academy she will earn her freedom and then some. Of course complicating matters is betting shop owner Gabriel Royce who is working directly opposed to Effie's mission. That doesn't stop the two from being attracted to each other.

I really enjoyed Effie as a character and she's so competent and brave but also willing to accept help (and affection) when needed. We also get insight into her tragic backstory and how she ended up the the Crinoline Academy. The novel really focuses on Effie and her motivations though we do get some insight into Gabriel's past as well.

The romance between the two is sweet and pretty believable and the ending in the park was very cute.

I think my only complaint is I wanted more info on the Crinoline Academy like what exactly the girls were taught. But this is the first in a series so hopefully we'll find out more in the next book.

Overall this was a fun read and I would definitely recommend to romance novel fans.

I received a free advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to the author, publisher, and Netgalley.

WOW. That's really all I need to say. The book seemed interesting enough, to be sure, but I couldn't put it down once I had started.

The characters are delightful. The writing is phenomenal. The plot is well-done. I legitimately have no complaints.

This is the first book of Matthews' that I've read and I'm going to be reading many more of them from now on. She has me hooked.

The book is well-researched, which is to be expected given that she writes non-fiction as well as historical fiction. It grabbed me from the very beginning and did not let go. I'm so very sad to be leaving the world she created for the time being, though I anxiously await the next installment.

We are given two characters who are rivals and whose goals are at direct odds with each other and we love them both so much that we want them both to win. There's a slight hint of mystery throughout the story that keeps you putting pieces together as the reader. It's just good, okay? Read it.