I had a hard time with this book. It never really hooked me. So It did not keep me engaged. I had it for weeks and would pick it up, read a bit and put it down. It had great dialogue and the writing was very well done. But, in the end, I think there just wasn't enough tension or concrete plot to hang the forward story on. And honestly the couple chemistry just wasn't there on page for me.

We are first introduced to Ashton, the hero, in his first person POV chapter where he is telling us his philosophy of romance/sex etc. Basically he keeps it light with no strings and he tends to like older women. He is at a bar trying to pick up one such woman when he notices the heroine Terra who is trying to fend off a rather handsy date and he heads to her rescue.

That is their meet cute and it actually moves into a rather amusing, somewhat slapticky scene where she ends up punching him (accidentally).

From there they dance around each other and have no strings sex. Of course that never works in a romance novel. In this case it is Ashton who catches feelings real fast with Terra blowing hot and cold. He'd pursue, she'd try to hold him off, they'd realize they're just so sexually attracted to each other and then they have sex. Only for the whole dance to start over. There is a scene where Ashton get to show his protectiveness of Terra which finally convinces her to take him seriously. This could have been an effective push-pull tension but it fell flat for me and I just wondered what was the hold up?

I also don't feel I got a bead on either one of them as a person. The book is told in alternating first person POV chapters However the 'voice' of Terra and Ashton was indistinguishable. I could easily forget whose chapter I was in sometimes because there was no difference in tone, thought etc. As a mater of fact, Ashton is a white, British male and there were times his inner thoughts (word choices, inflections) felt distinctly like a black woman's.

It was an ok book but it really didn't get me invested in either the characters or their relationship.

A fantastic story filled with love and life revelations. Ash and Terra are established with their own lives but will perfect timing bring them together? Can they breakdown their own barriers for a piece of happiness?

Lots of sexy time and humor made this a fun read.

This book was so much fun to read! Ashton has rules and he has a specific type of woman he goes after. Terra is not his normal, she's the one he avoids at all costs but something changes the night they meet. He finds himself breaking rules and falling for Terra. These two characters were fun and had some major chemistry in the bedroom. I really enjoyed reading this book!

Title: Breaking His Rules
Author: Aliza Mann
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept
Reviewed By: Aliza Mann
Rating: Four
Review:

"Breaking His Rules" by Aliza Mann

My Rationalization...

I loved this beautiful sweet story of Ashton and Terra with him being eleven years younger. It was really nice how this author was able to give us a story that really balanced out so very well together giving the reader one well-written storyline along with a sexy romance. I loved how with each having their own personal issues were able to at the end get it all worked out.

*I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!*

They both have rules and in Terra's case thanks to her ex she also built impenetrable walls around her heart. When these two meet it looks like destiny has something else in store. This story grabs you right from the beginning and has you in Terra's corner. I voluntarily agreed to receive an ARC of this book for an honest review.

Breaking His Rules by Aliza Mann is a story about two people determined to stay away from relationships. One loves his life just at is is now, uncomplicated. The other is tired of complications. I loved watching these two interact with each other.

Ashton Lyle was not ready for Terra Ellis. Always avoiding commitments, but Terra changes his life in ways he never expected. Terra was left leery of relationships after her divorce and definitely does not need one in her life right now. So when she meets Aston, she is determined to keep away. But their chemistry between them is undeniable!

Breaking His Rules by Aliza Mann was a fun and sexy read. This push and pull romance was fun, if at times a bit angsty, read.

Happy reading!

This book was ok. Two people that were so much alike but had lots of chemistry. Terra and Ashton weren’t looking for anything serious when they unexpectedly met each other in the strangest way. The book had an ok flow to it and at times felt stuck but it was a cute love story. They both had their issues snd Ashton sometimes assumed things that weren’t and Terra stressed things that were irrelevant. But regardless not a bad story.

This e-Advanced Readers Copy was provided by Random House Publishing Group-Loveswept and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Receiving Breaking His Rules by Aliza Mann will not affect my review or my rating.

Slow burn romances be damned because this book was hot hot hot! And I loved every tantalizing minute of it. The plot may be somewhat cliché and predictable. But it had all the aspects of a good romance that was equal parts sexual tension and an emotional rollercoaster.

The story is told from the main character’s Terra and Ashton’s point of views. Ashton the self-proclaimed player has no room for commitment and is only interested in playing the dating game by his own rules until he saves Terra from a date gone wrong. Terra has him pegged from the moment he comes to her rescue. But that doesn’t dull the instant attraction she feels for him. From that very moment we are brought along a journey of self-doubt, betrayal, fear, desire, lust, friendship, family and ultimately love.

Ashton’s character development is maybe my overall favorite part of the story. His journey from the beginning to the end is filled with contemplation, self-doubt and the desire to know what true love is. Terra's character development is also well written. I especially found it interesting that I connected so well with a character 20 or so years my senior.

As I mentioned before, the plot and sub-plots are a bit predictable but it did not take away from the story. I also really enjoyed Mann’s writing style. Breaking His Rules felt cinematic with great descriptions of the setting, and the characters. She has done a great job of showing just how difficult life gets but it takes being surrounded by the right people to make it worth living.

Overall, it was an entertaining read and I’m looking forward to reading more from Aliza Mann in the future.

This was a very well done book although I did find the story itself very predictable. The author did a good job developing the characters and their relationship as the story unfolded. The chemistry between Ashton and Terra was great. Ashton is a self proclaimed ladies man. He knows how to give them what they need without all the ugly entanglements of a relationship. Terra is a busy divorcee who has given up on love and relationships. These two seem perfect for each other. Turns out that is exactly the problem, they work too well and before long they are breaking all the rules.

Overall a very enjoyable read and I'd definitely recommend it.

Loved this emotional read! Seeing the evolution of the characters was inspiring and I loved every word in it!!

I loved Ashton and Terra!

Pharmaceutical salesman Ashton Lyle is a playboy and never wanted a serious relationship after the death of his mother and his father crawling in a bottle and forgetting about him. Ashton enjoyed being with women that just wanted a good time and weren’t ready for anything else but when he noticed that some guy getting more than handsy on a blind date, he stepped in to give Terra Ellis an assist by pretending that he knew her. Terra told Ashton that she worked at Club Ivy but she didn’t tell him the truth that she owned it after her disaster of a divorce because she was still making payments to buy her ex-husband’s share of the club even though he never had anything to do with it.

Ashton and Terra had very strong walls against relationships but the walls melted when they slowly moved towards something special between them. Breaking His Rules is the first book by Aliza Mann that I’ve read but it won’t be the last.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Cute fun read. Good in depth characters with great chemistry. Would recommend for fans of contemporary romance.

Sexy, British playboy Ashton Lyle is a man used to being in control and following his set of rules - no strings attached for this stud, until he meets the unforgettable, and independent Terra Ellis, who has no time for romance after being burned by her ex-husband and no time for Ashton's games. However, when you meet the right person, sometimes the rules are made to be broken. Aliza Mann's, Breaking His Rules, is a well-written, page turning romance that kept me riveted and a little sad when the story came to an end. My favorite part of the novel is the depth of both characters. Looking forward to the next read!

I received an ARC of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own and are given voluntarily.

My greatest love of Netgalley’s ARC program is that I have discovered so many new authors that I love. This was no exception.

Predictable romance with HEA, but also hot sex and angst, lots of it. Lots of rejecting feelings on the part of both parties. Quite a bit of family issues that come to resolution or improvement on both sides adding some depth to the story, although I did feel at the end that all things that were a strain on both people were nicely wrapped up a little too perfectly.

This is not just an HEA, but lots of “perfect resolutions”. Although I do love the ultimate HEA, I also prefer maybe something left to work on with the couple or in their family ranks, to make it feel a little more realistic to me, but that is only my opinion or preference.

Definitely worth the read and a new enjoyed author for me!

Breaking His Rules by Aliza Mann is a different type of romance story. Ashton has rules for his life and emotions so he can stay single for life. He breaks those rules repeatedly once he meets Terra. He does not mean to but can’t seem to help himself. Terra is guarding her emotions and has trust issues due to a bad divorce. There were lots of hot passionate scenes throughout the book and the interplay between the two of them is entertaining as well as a bit frustrating. I have not read this author before, but enjoyed the story.

I didn’t really enjoy this book. I found myself just skimming through most of it - especially the sex scenes. They were just so generic. Granted, I did love the happy ending, but that still didn’t make up for such a generic book. There was nothing so special about it that made me go “wow” - it bored me.

This is Ashton and Terra book, Ashton is a hard working business man with a hot British accent !! Terra owns a hot night club and has a terrible ex husband! When Ashton out at his usual pick up spot he noticed a hot woman that's so not his usual type having a hard time getting away from the grabby man! He debates stepping in but eventually does and acts like a long list friend . This book was ok for me it just lacked something?! I do recommend it but it's not one of my favorite?! Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for sharing this book with me!

This romance featured two people Ashton and Terra who both had a fear of commitment. When Ashton lost his mother at age 11, he saw his father spiral downward and consequently concluded that he should always keep his relationships on the surface. As an adult, he's a bit of a playboy with a list of rules that govern his encounters with women, all designed to keep his heart safe. He's in his early 30's but sticks to older women upwards of 40 who've been burned and are now just looking for a little fun and games. One day, while out on the hunt, he meets Terra, a successful nightclub owner who recently got divorced from her deadbeat, drug addict ex. He's been after her relentlessly for money, and all she wants is peace and quiet, and to not get involved with and hurt by anyone again. Ashton is immediately bowled over by Terra. It's love, or at least lust, at first sight for him. Even as he recognizes he's breaking his own rules, he can't seem to help himself. Terra, however, is much more guarded. She can't help her attraction to him, but she's pretty determined initially to keep him at arm's length at least at an emotional level.

This was pleasant romance that flipped the usual gender roles as it's Ashton who chases Terra, and Terra who holds herself aloof emotionally, at least until a shocking incident with her ex causes her to lower her walls to Ash. I enjoyed it, but at the same time, I wasn't able to fully connect with the characters. The writing was a bit rough, especially at the beginning of the book which didn't help. Overall, 3 stars.

This is the first book that I have read by Aliza Mann. The pushing and some of the banter between these two was funny, although infuriating at times, but this is a good, sexy story.

The build-up to Ashton and Terra’s story was quite frustrating. These two certainly have issues; different to each other but, issues that make them struggle to let themselves love or be loved. Their attraction is obvious and they push each other away which made me want to strangle them.

Ashton has rules for his life. These rules keep him from any emotions and, god forbid, love! (Insert eye roll.) Men! He hadn’t bet on the multitude of feelings he’d get when he met Terra.
Terra has trust issues and a strong will to avoid a relationship so that she doesn’t get burnt again. Meeting Ashton is just what she needs. I love how independent she is; how intelligent and confident she acts too. She’s a successful woman and has an attitude to match, no messing with her.

Their lives are so alike but so different too. It’s hard to say who is most stubborn. I had a few super swoony moments and a lot of passion is felt between the pages.

Such a fun romance between an unlikely hero and heroine! Highly recommend.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my ARC. All opinions are my own.