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.

This book feels like a new direction for Mimi Matthews. More action and espionage here, but without giving up the eye for historical details or the emotional depth of the characters. The tension in this smouldering slow-burn romance was nicely paralleled with the machinations of both characters, and balanced with the cute humour of a poodle companion, and the parade of silly upper class side characters. An enjoyable and compelling historical romance!

Mimi Matthews has done it again. Rules for Ruin is a gorgeous tale with a hero and heroine unlike any she's written before. I adored Effie, a strong, determined heroine with a shady past who'll do anything for independence. I fell in love with Gabriel right alongside her, watching his defenses crumble and his yearning for belonging and change really work on her heart. The pacing is pitch-perfect, with a side of suspense that was reminiscent of Gentleman Jim with all the emotional connection and romantic moments you could ever want. Once again, Matthews shows that she is a master of tension, pace, and historical detail.

"Violence doesn’t offend you, but my shirtsleeves do? You fascinate me, Miss Flite.”
“What can I say? I’m a fascinating creature.”

Well, well, well if this isn’t my new favorite Mimi Matthews! And my favorite book of the year so far (yeah, it’s only February)! Matthews always delivers for me, but I swear this book and this hero were written especially for me and for that I thank her.

You see, Gabriel Royce is Kaz Brekker from Six of Crows if Kaz was a Romance Hero - a gaming shop owner not afraid to get his hands dirty or bloodied who runs the Rookery slum of London. He has zero time for anything that doesn’t move his plans along - and he certainly doesn’t have time for women or something as annoying as emotions. Currently, he has his sights set on cleaning up The Rookery and isn’t afraid of the blackmail that might be required when it comes to Viscount Compton. Reader, I loved him from the first time he was on page.

"Are you the same as he is?”
Gabriel bent his head closer to her. His lips brushed the silken shell of her ear. “Darling, I’m worse.”

me: screaming, crying, throwing up

Enter Effie - raised at an orphanage and trained in the less savory activities such as spying, thievery, and thinking for herself. All she wants in life is a future without being beholden to others where she and her little poodle, Franc, can be safe. If she has to infiltrate London Society and bring down a member of the peerage for the woman who raised her, that can be done.

”What about you, mix?” he asked. “Ruined any men lately? Broken any hearts?”
“No, not yet.” Her mouth curved. “But the night is young.”

From the moment that Effie and Gabriel meet (in Viscount Compton’s library), their chemistry is as off the charts as their goals are misaligned. In a back and forth, push and pull of wills and might, there are surprise encounters, rescues from rooftops, tails paid off, and emotions neither of them can avoid.

I couldn’t put this book down, nor did I want to. The world-building followed by the slow build of the subplot climaxes combined with Effie and Gabriel’s growing feelings for one another was like catnip for me. (Also the amount of violence Gabriel was willing to do for love. Two noses were broken in his efforts to protect Effie and I was kicking my little feet each time.)

I just…loved this. The balance of the Romance with the scheming/spying plot, the character growth, the pacing, and the romp of it all - chef’s kiss.

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the ARC!

4.5

-Dual POVs
-Rivals to more
-Orphan backstories
-A miniature poodle
-Self defense for women

An entertaining read; looking forward to the next woman's story.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley.

“A slow, distinctly predatory smile curved his lips. He kept her caged against the desk, his eyes locked with hers. ‘There you are,’ he said, with a husky scrape of triumph. ‘I see you now.’”

Hi, I am a card-carrying member of the Effie + Gabriel Forever fan club. Their chemistry is palpable when they are on page together. I just love them so much. Gabriel has huge Wife Guy energy, and Effie doesn’t take anyone’s shit. They’re perfect together.

There was a bit of world building before the romance began in earnest, but the world was rich and interesting — a feminist orphan school, a former rookery kid rising in status. I can’t wait to see more of this world in the next book.

4.5 stars overall, I thought the ending was a bit rushed, but pretty much my complaints about this book are summed up as “I want more of Effie and Gabriel.”

Thank you for Berkley and NetGalley for the ARC!!

I absolutely love this feistier version of Mimi Matthews' work! The main characters are finely drawn and so much fun to get to know. I heartily recommend this book for those looking for a feminist Victorian romance.

I enjoyed this regency romance. I enjoyed the characters and the setting. I found it fresh and was captivated by the premise

Oh my god I adored Rules for Ruin. I have read and enjoyed several of Mimi Matthews's books in the past few years and am always impressed with her storytelling, especially her characters. But this new series is a little bit different, a little darker perhaps. It almost reminds me of the feeling I get when I read Sarah MacLean's historicals, a sort of cinematic quality. Or like watching Miss Scarlet, where sure we see some polite society but we also see the underbelly. And I loved our badass heroine and learning a bit about her upbringing at the Crinoline Academy. Also, side note: I am constantly in awe of how much sexual tension Mimi can put into a book where kissing is as far as things go. Anyway, this is top tier histrom and I hope it gets all of the love it deserves.

Rules for Ruin by Mimi Matthews was a solid 3.5-star read for me. Huge thanks to NetGalley and Berkeley Publishing for the ARC!

I loved Effie and Gabriel. Their chemistry had me kicking my feet and cheesing throughout their journey. Every moment between them was just so good. But I have to be honest… the book itself was a bit of a struggle for me to get through. I’m not sure if it was the period-piece style, the writing, or just me not being used to this type of historical romance, but it took a while for me to really get into it. There were some fantastic parts that completely pulled me in, but also some that felt a little slow.

The ending was cute, but it did feel a bit rushed. That said, I really appreciated the extras at the end, the book club questions and historical notes tying back to the story were such a cool touch!

Overall, I think fans of period romances will enjoy this one, even if it didn’t fully click for me. It’s definitely worth checking out if you love slow-burn historical romance with interesting character dynamics!

There was a lot to love about Mimi Matthews' latest, the start of a new series I've been eagerly anticipating! I really liked the academy setting—and would've loved to spend even more time there. I enjoyed the romance, and of course, Matthews' writing was as delightful as ever! Great banter, lots of wit, and a few twists and turns. And the cover is fantastic!

I enjoyed this so much! Could this be my fave book from Mimi ever?

It was so fast paced and exciting and so different from what Mimi Matthews usually writes and yet still had her distinctive, rich writing and impeccable research.

I loved Gabriel, a non -aristocratic hero who pulled himself out of the slums by not so honest means. He was rough and ready but also so down bad for Effie.
And Effie was so smart and strong, yet vulnerable as she worked through her fear of heights and discovered where she came from.
I usually don’t enjoy secret societies of female vigilantes in historical romance. I think it’s a trope that has been exhausted to death and always lands badly with me, but this one just worked. The feminist/suffrage storyline was so historically accurate and frankly, it’s everything I’ve been begging authors who try to insert feminism in historical, to do.
The plot itself was also so fast paced and engaging. I was gripped the entire way through.

Just so good. Now I have to wait FOREVER for the next one. 😭

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the complimentary copy.

Historical Romance is alive and well in Mimi Matthews hands. Rules for Ruin takes readers on a journey to Victorian England where an orphan, Euphemia was raised in an institution that believes in schooling girls to become strong women. Now of age, Euphemia is sent on an impossible task where she comes up against Gabriel Royce, a ruthless betting shop owner. Gabriel has his own impossible dream and is not willing to let anything, even his heart, get in the way.

I loved this story. The author draws such a clear picture of life in Victorian England. There are so many great details from the fashion to women's rights at the time. And I really fell for the characters. I was picturing Tommy Shelby from Peaky Blinders for Gabriel. He is sexy, cool and confident and Euphemia is a great match. She is strong, independent and a force to be reckoned with.

I have read and enjoyed many of the author's other books. I finished out The Belles of London and am now working my way through The Parish Orphans of Devon. The author builds on stories and characters. I love how readers get to see previous characters make cameos across the series. The author is building her own delightful universe of characters.

Thank you NetGalley, Berkley and the author for the opportunity to read this e-ARC.

I just finished it and Gabriel and Effie are everything! 💕🥹

Highly recommend for fans of Evie Dunmore — there’s so much feminism and discussion of social issues.

Then our MMC Gabriel has worked himself up from nothing in the slums, ruthless and violent but also wanting to truly help his community. He gave me strong Kaz Brekker vibes, and his chemistry with Effie is off the charts.

Effie is a fantastic FMC, with a mission to bring down a nefarious lord. Gabriel loathes the lord too, but needs his support so is determined that Effie won’t succeed. They are drawn together, both keeping secrets from the other and at opposing efforts.

It’s seriously so good, people! I’ve read most of Mimi Matthews’ books and I think this is my new favorite!

I was thrilled to see I'd recieved the arc of this one, but my excitement decreased steadily as I made my way into the world of the Crinoline Academy. This one just took ages to open up and I'm not completely sure was worth the effort.

Loved the idea of this book and was not disappointed! This was a well done historical romance with a unique storyline. Effie and Gabriel’s banter was great which made it so easy to root for them. And the book flowed nicely the entire time. I would’ve liked a little more in depth information about the Academy and the some of the characters but I’m sure some of that will come in the next book. Overall a great read.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the ARC!