This book was just okay for me. The stakes didn’t feel high about the podcast as a conflict because the main character and partner didn’t even care about the podcast. Also the main couple was meh, im not swooning but im certainly not hating it by any means. This was just mediocre.

I received this a while ago and when i finally got to it, i enjoyed it quite a bit! It was such a sweet and engaging story. The writing was absolutely addicting, i liked how Kristyn used multiple tropes that just worked so well together. One of the things i enjoyed was the podcaster/influencer aspect which was shocking to me because normally I don't lean towards that trope but it was done right and i loved that the setting took place in Catalina Island, a place of which i've visited before. It took me a while to connect with the MFC Margo but at the end I actually enjoyed her story and how everything ended.

Writing was addicting and the characters were fun. A podcast best friend duo one of whom is getting married while the other, Margo, the maid of honor has to deal with her nemesis from high school as the best man. They resist each other while also try to work together in the pre-wedding events. Jo and Declan are the perfect opposites enemies to lovers you need in your life.

I received an ARC of this book a while ago but was unable to get into it on my first attempt. I did later reread it and enjoyed it! It’s been a while since I read it, but see my review below:

This was a fun and witty story about two friends, Jo and Margo, who host a podcast about dating without catching feelings. They have seven rules they share with their audience to be successful. When Jo breaks the rules and gets engaged, Margo must tag along for all of the prep leading up to the wedding. Margo tries to prove that the rules work, but ends up realizing she may have been holding herself back the entire time.

I loved Margo’s character growth throughout the book and how she came to realize her worth. This was a very fun, lighthearted romance that was packed full of some of the best romance tropes. If you’re looking for a quick, enjoyable read, I suggest picking this one up!

I picked up Seven Rules for Breaking Hearts looking for a fluffy, easy read, and honestly, it delivered on that front. It's the kind of book you can curl up with on a rainy afternoon and just breeze through. The main character was pretty relatable, and the whole "rules of dating" thing was a fun concept. I found myself smiling at a few of the interactions, and the romantic moments were definitely sweet.
But, and this is a big but for me, I finished the book and… well, I already feel like I'm forgetting it. It's like eating a really tasty piece of candy; you enjoy it in the moment, but it doesn't leave a lasting impression. I think I was hoping for a bit more depth, maybe a few more surprises along the way. The characters were nice, but they didn't really stick with me. I wasn't blown away by any of the plot twists either, which is a shame.
Basically, if you need a light, feel-good story to pass the time, this is a solid choice. It's cute, it's fun, and it's definitely a pleasant way to spend a few hours. Just don't expect it to be a book you'll be recommending to everyone for years to come. Three stars – it's a perfectly fine, enjoyable read, but nothing spectacular.

TBH this was a lot better than i thought it was going to be and i really liked it!! I was a little skeptical about the podcaster/influencer aspect since they can be kind of cringey if done in the wrong way, but the author did a great job of creating multi-faceted characters.

I really enjoyed this genre-bending novel! It mixed a couple of different tropes in a fresh way that made it stand out from other recent reads. I like how the FMC tries to challenge herself (and with her nemesis!). There are classic elements of romance that keep it close to what we all love to see in a novel, but it keeps you on your toes and surprises you with different elements and uses of the tropes within it.

3.5 ⭐️
2 🌶️

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC on Seven Rules for Breaking Hearts by Kristyn J. Miller. Seven Rules made me laugh out loud several times and had me riveting until the end. This was just a heartwarming romcom too. It gave me How To Break Up With a Guy in 10 Days feels. The podcast reviews were a delight to read. It is powerful how people on social media can support or cancel any topic.

Seven Rules is about Margo Anderson and best friend Jo, having a podcast about 7 rules a woman should not break in order to stay single. And plot-twist, Jo, is getting married to a man she knew from high school. The wedding is all-expense paid by one of their sponsor's in order to create content. Margo, aka "Go" has to try to come up with a plan to make the podcast survive their 7th and final season. And here comes Declan Walsh, the groom's best man, a man that Margo felt bullied her during high school but what he really had was feelings for her. Declan and Margo are in each other's orbit and Margo decides to go out with a bang on the 7th and final season of the podcast. And of course, messiness ensues.

*Seven Rules for Breaking Hearts* by Kristyn J. Miller is a fun, lighthearted romance that explores love, heartbreak, and the complexities of relationships. The protagonist, determined to follow a set of rules to avoid falling in love, is a relatable character with a strong sense of independence. Miller’s writing is engaging, and the book has a nice balance of humor and heartfelt moments.

While the concept of the "rules" is an interesting and unique twist, I found some of the romantic dynamics a bit predictable. The chemistry between the leads is sweet but doesn’t pack the emotional punch I was expecting. Some parts of the story felt a little repetitive, and the pacing could have been tighter, especially in the middle of the book.

Overall, *Seven Rules for Breaking Hearts* is an enjoyable, easy read for fans of contemporary romance, but it didn’t quite stand out or leave a lasting impression for me. It’s a charming, breezy story but lacks the depth or complexity to make it truly memorable.

I really enjoyed this book. It was super fast paced and easy to get sucked into! I enjoyed the characters and will definitely be looking out for any other books by this author!

Thank you NetGalley, publishers, and Kristyn J. Miller for gifting me a copy of Seven Rules for Breaking Hearts in return for my honest opinion.

2.5/5 stars

Love breaks all the rules.

Margo Anderson is sworn off commitment. Alongside her best friend, Jo, she runs a viral podcast featuring rules for hooking up without catching feelings. So when Jo surprises her by deciding to get married and taking up a sponsor’s offer to host an all-expenses-paid wedding trip on Catalina Island, they have the whole internet to answer to.

In a scramble for content to appease their disappointed listeners, Margo cooks up a social experiment: Break all her own dating rules, just to prove that it’s a bad idea. And she’s found the best man for the job in the groom’s best friend and her old high school nemesis, Declan Walsh. He may be easier on the eyes than Margo remembered, but he’s sure to be as smug and annoying as he was before—there is no chance Margo will ever catch feelings for him . . . until she does.

The more time they spend together through cake tastings and wedding party activities, the more Margo can’t ignore their obvious spark, and she may be enjoying getting to know Declan. But can she let go of the rules to let him in?

This had so much potential but it fell short for me. I thought with the podcast angle it would add an interesting touch but nope, it was just ehh. I didn't feel the chemistry between the characters and it took me awhile to get through.

A cute and enjoyable romance that also had a fun and unique podcast element! It was a quick read that I'm glad I picked up!

Unfortunately I was not a fan of this one. Margo was rude and immature and way too hung up on the past. It’s so hard to connect with a book when I can’t stand the MC.

Was I a little late to reading this? yes! But I am so glad I finally got around to reading it! Forced proximity - nemesis turned lover - total opposites...theres literally nothing I love more. Miller's story reeled me right in and I absolutely could not put this one down!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press/St. Martin's Griffin for the eARC of this one! These are my honest thoughts.

THIS BOOK WAS GREAT. A lovely second chance (ish) romance between former high school nemesis turned enemies/strangers to lovers. Margo and Declan are on an island for their best friends wedding, and their maid of honor/best man roles create a forced proximity situation. Where Margo is a social media starlet/podcast host, Declan has no social media presence whatsoever. They couldn't be more opposite in this opposite's attract story.

This story has everything I want in a romance. The characters are on the younger side, so with that comes some immature drama that I ate right up. Declan TOOK CARE OF THINGS in the best way. There was plot twists and drama and spice and a realistic 3rd act breakup. I loved the friend elements and the wedding shenanigans and the podcast sponsors and the family involvement. It was all just really fun, with emotions and tension that make everything better!

A really solid 4-star read.

Reading Seven Rules for Breaking Hearts by Kristyn J. Miller was like diving into the ultimate rom-com binge, complete with an irresistible enemies-to-lovers twist. From the very first page, I was hooked by Margo Anderson’s unapologetic attitude toward love—or rather, her complete and utter avoidance of it. I was all in when Margo decides to turn her dating rules upside down by attempting the impossible: proving she can break every one of her no-strings-attached commandments without catching feelings. And who else could she recruit to be her experiment partner than Declan Walsh, her high school nemesis and the groom’s best friend? Let me just say, the sparks between Margo and Declan were instantaneous and deliciously tense. Their banter had me laughing out loud, and the simmering chemistry between them was impossible to resist. I found myself rooting for them even as Margo swore up and down that there was no way she'd fall for him.

I absolutely loved how quick this book was to consume! This story felt so modern with the podcasting aspect with the enemies to lovers trope. Margo had her quirks, and Declan was a great character with depth. I loved Kristyn Miller's writing style. This book is a great beach read!

I‘m not sure if it wasn’t mentioned or if I just didn’t realize but I would usually not go for influencer centered books because I just don‘t enjoy them, especially if the characters are very focused on being influencer.
This one really wasn’t for me

Kristyn J. Miller’s Seven Rules for Breaking Hearts is a light and fluffy romance that is predictable yet enjoyable. The story revolves around Margo, a podcaster who is forced to confront her own dating rules when her co-host announces her engagement.

The book's premise is intriguing, and the characters are likable enough. However, the plot feels a bit formulaic, and the twists and turns are easy to guess. The romance between Margo and Declan is sweet but lacks the spark to make it truly memorable.

While the book is quick and easy to read, it will likely remain with you long after you finish it.

Thank you, Netgalley and St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin, for the free advanced copy for my honest review!

Seven Rules for Breaking Hearst by Kristyn J. Miller. Pub Date: May 16, 2023. Rating: 2 stars. Two podcaster female friends have a list of how to date/have relations without getting attached. They have created this influencer world around these basic rules, so when one of the friends flees the rules to marry the love of her life there is some rockiness to the plan. Now both are off to Catalina Island to get her married and in return the other female friend meets up with a male from her high school past. First off, I found the premise weird and the rules extreme and cringy. I did not think there was depth to the characters and at times they acted juvenile upon reflections to their high school days. I wanted more from growth in the characters. This might be for you if you're looking for a beach read! Thanks to #netgalley and #stmartinspress for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.