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.

Mimi Matthews has done it again! I could not put this book down. It's very Dickensian (a little darker than some of her past works that I've read) if Miss Havisham had more nuance and Pip had more edge. What I loved about Rules for Ruin:
- strong characters who overcome tragic pasts with help, hard work, and determination
- a focus on seeking justice for the oppressed and forgotten
- friendship and found family
- impeccable writing rich with historical detail and fantastic character development (I'm not a fan of morally gray heroes, but Gabriel won me over!)
- great animals (primarily an adorable poodle named Franc)
- lots of sizzle (but no spice)

There were a few moments that felt out-of-character or a bit rushed. But overall, this novel is absolutely incredible, which will shock no one who has read anything by Mimi Matthews. If you're a fan of quality historical romance and can handle some darker, more tragic aspects in a novel, do not miss Rules for Ruin!

Thank you so much to Mimi Matthews and her team for the complimentary ARC for review purposes. I post this review with my honest opinions. This review is cross-posted to Goodreads and will be posted on Amazon and Instagram within one week of the book's publication.

This is the first book in Matthews’ new The Crinoline Academy series. When I read an early excerpt of the prologue of Rules for Ruin, I wasn’t sure I was going to like it. The setting seemed very dark and gloomy and off-putting. Once I was able to start reading the whole book, I got into it easily and had a hard time putting it down.

Matthews takes the reader on a wild ride through both the slums and the glittering ballrooms of Victorian England. The main female character Effie has learned to act like a lady, but she’s still seeking her roots, looking for family and home. She’s been tasked with exposing one of the aristocracy in order to strengthen the case for married women’s legal rights (and earn her own financial freedom if she succeeds). In the process she encounters another escapee from the slums, Gabriel, only to find herself drawn to him while he’s trying to protect that same aristocrat so he can support Gabriel’s projects.

The interactions between the various characters, the many plot twists and the breathtaking climax make for a fun read. The rules women were supposed to follow in Victorian days add to the enjoyment. I look forward to the next book in the series.

“I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own." #RulesForRuin #NetGalley.

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for this arc in exchange for an honest review!

"I love you, Effie Flite. That's what brought me back from Epsom. It's what brought me here. What's been driving me since the moment you threatened to knock me down."

This is such a great premise and an enjoyable read.

The idea of women being brought up as spies in this era is so amazing and makes for a very compelling storyline. Both of the main characters were written so well and they really complemented each other. Effie had a very strong character, she was good at what she did, and she was also very emotionally grounded and not too flat. Gabriel had a fairly dark exterior and some questionable qualities, but it was for a good cause. And any man who holds respect for outspoken and independent women in this era are 🔥🔥

As a whole, the story didn't absolutely wow me but it was a fun read.

I have enjoyed Mimi Matthews other historical romances, so I was excited when I saw that she had a new series coming out!

I love strong female characters and the thought of women being specially trained to "to distract, disrupt, and discredit the patriarchy". I think it was a very fun book, but I wish we could have seen more of the strong woman. We got a cool fight scene towards the end, which was cool though!

Thank you to #NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was... fine. I enjoy Matthews' books. And this one was her usual millieu -- a young intelligent woman using her wits & wiles to get by in London, despite less than ideal beginnings. Some mentions of women's rights, some past wrongs trying to be righted. The love interest/rival Gabriel had a similar back story. The plot mostly holds together but sometimes just didn't quite.... It had a lot of good ingredients, but I'm struggling to get excited about it -- I didn't buy too much into the romance. Effie is a bit changeable - one minute very independent, the next quite helpless. And did she really need to stitch her messages into samplers to send back to the orphanage.... I mean, who is trying to listen in? And that would be SO slow... It was alright. We met some interesting characters, and there's a nice set up for the next in the series -- Effie's friend from the orphanage and Gabriel's newspaper friend.... I may read on in the series, but am not RUSHING to put this at the top of my list.

Rules for Ruin is the next book in Mimi Matthews' latest series, The Crinoline Academy. The book will have romance readers rooting for women’s rights and savoring over Euphemia Flite and Gabriel Royce’s journey to a happily ever after.

Friends, Mimi has spiced things up in her latest historical romance. There’s more banter, more tit-for-tat, and this cat-and-mouse chase between Effie and Gabriel makes this a read worth pick up. Plus Effie isn’t some hapless lass, where she is fully capable of defending herself with words and actions. I enjoyed Effie's no nonsense attitude and it made the blooming relationship between her and Gabriel so much more fun.

Definitely make sure to add this one to your TBR!

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!