4.5 / 5 stars...

You're kidding. Absolutely stunning, Sarah does it again!

I swear her writing just gets better and better. While this isn't my fav trope, I just adored this book, Derek, and Nora. If you're looking for a fun romance book, I highly recommend 💗

New book boyfriend unlocked🔓

I hate to say this isn't my favorite sarah adams book. I love her writing and I find it to be so joyful and this was no exception. i felt so much love between derek and nora and I think it was a cute follow up book but not my favorite overall. I also felt the dialogue was very cringe and cheesy. It's a cute little sweet book and I recommend for those who are looking for that. i'm looking forward to what she releases next! thank you netgalley for an arc for my honest opinion.

The Rule Book follows Derek and Nora as they reconnect years later after a failed college relationship. The book follows Nora as she becomes a successful sports agent and has to now represent her ex boyfriend Derek in the NFL. Only problem, Derek still hates her for breaking his heart.

This book was so cute! It had the enemies to lovers aspect in the beginning, with the MMC being obsessed with the FMC, and a little bit of marriage of convenience thrown in there. This book had me very entertained and I really was rooting for Derek and Nora the whole time. It didn’t fully meet up to the expectations set by The Cheat Sheet but I did really enjoy this book!

Sarah Adams did not disappoint with The Rule Book! She managed to combine all of the best tropes into one complete package.

Nora, the FMC, is the most quirky, lovable character. The banter between Nora and Derek is epic. I adored this book. Sarah Adams is always a must read author for me.

“She is sunshine parting the clouds in my miserable day, and it makes me angrier.” ❤️‍🔥
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Okay, listen. I knew Sarah Adams could write a romance, but…
HOLY 👏🏻 ice cream 👏🏻 with 👏🏻 cereal 👏🏻 on 👏🏻 top 👏🏻.

This was one of the comfiest, coziest, most feel-good romance I have read in such a long time. 🥹💕
I honestly don’t want to tell you too much about it, because I truly feel like going in *blind* is the way to go. 🤌🏻
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Nora Mackenzie’s sports agent career is just about to take off when she is given her first, official client. 🏈
Derek Pender is a famous NFL tight-end who has just recently injured his ankle, and more than likely, his career. Nora is just the kind of help he needs.
The only problem is, Nora is his ex. ❤️‍🔥🥹🤌🏻
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4.5 stars ✨ I
I absolutely adored this.


Thank you, Dell Publishers for sending me an advanced readers copy of The Rule Book by Sarah Adams. 💕

Omg I gobbled up this delicious book! I almost don't want to write this review, because then I know I really read this book and can never read it for the first time again and I have to wait even longer for my next Sarah Adams release :(

First, I'm SO GRATEFUL to the publisher, Random House / Ballantine / Dell, for early access to this ARC via NetGalley! These are my honest thoughts.

This book was like a healthy kind of crack? Like, drugs? But not in a bad way? I devoured it and picked it up at any free moment I had. When my husband interrupted me WITH TWENTY PAGES LEFT, I BIT HIS HEAD OFF. HOW DARE HE INTERRUPT NORA DECLARING HER LOVE TO DEREK. Anyways, we're not fighting anymore, because this book gave me the all the endorphins necessary to power a space ship to Mars, but still. READ THE ROOM, HONEY.

Okay, back to this book. It was amazing. I'm so glad Sarah came back to this universe. I'm so glad we got to see the friend group.

Second chance romances aren't my fave, but I loved it here. There was so much tension and longing and love between these characters. Nora is so funny and so fully herself through years of fighting to be exactly who she is and what she wants. Derek is so surly and standoff-ish, but we get to see that shell crack around Nora and his friends in the loveliest way!

Things I LOVED ABOUT THIS BOOK:
- Nora-isms
- THE IOU NOTE
- Nora's word of the day
- Nora's need to color coordinate everything
- Nora fainting at the sight of blood (and Derek taking care of her to make sure she doesn't get a concussion x2)
- Derek's friends and their interventions
- Nora being awesome at her job despite the challenges of being a woman in a female dominated field!
- THE PANTS
- The marriage of convenience/fake dating trope and the ONLY ONE BED TROPE IN THE SAME BOOK FROM *SARAH FREAKING ADAMS* IS LIKE.... something I didn't even know I should dream about
- Grumpy/sunshine but with so much love and trust and pining from the first page of the book
- THE TATTOO - this reveal made my eyes well with real tears... it was so vulnerable and raw and just... freaking Derek Pender
- This is the second 2024 book I'm saying this about but... THANK YOU SARAH, FOR THE MAKING OUT. I LOVE THE KISSING. IT'S JUST AS SEXY AS THE REST OF IT. I'M HERE FOR IT.
- The protectiveness they feel towards each other. UGHHHH.
- The dates, the respect, the fun
- THE NICKNAMES
- Sarah does open door romance with true love at the foundation - it's spicy and sweet and can't wait for her to do MORE open door in the future (pls pls pls) - SHE DOES IT THE SAME WAY SHE DOES EVERYTHING, with so much thought and emotion and consideration to THE CHARACTER'S SHE'S WRITING, so it's less about the spice and more about their progression in their relationship and the trust they share -- it's lovely and done right

Quote I loved (from the first page haha)
- "Sometimes life is like a box of chocolates, and sometimes life is like a box of chocolates left out in the sun all day." <--- relatable lol

So this book is full of a ton of tension, protectiveness, respect, and a little back and forth pranking that is so fun. I loved this story from the first page and all of the waves we get to ride with Nora and Derek are pure fun. Thank you, Sarah, for writing these characters who feel like real people. Now where's my group of NFL buddies so I can have friends like these guys + Bree Cheese + Nora??

Sarah does it again!! Another great book! Loved the plot and the characters! I miss Nora and Derek already!! Highly recommend!!

this is one of the most beautiful books I’ve ever read. Sarah Adams always writes such lovely, kind, softie characters, but she really outdid herself in this newest book that is a sequel to her hit THE CHEAT SHEET

Nora is probably the best FMC I have ever read. full stop. she is such a nuanced character with so many subtleties, to her originality that I don’t think I could even begin to list all her amazing characteristics. not only is she a badass girl boss refusing to back down against the gross sexism in her profession, but she also refuses to let it harden her— she is so strong-willed, hardworking, dedicated, morally motivated, and overwhelmingly kind in every aspect of her life. the way she handles Derek’s original attitude towards her representing him makes all these traits abundantly clear

Derek freaking Pender is completely adorable in every way. he also is such a well-rounded character, and we get to see so many complex sides to him, I couldn’t begin to do his character justice through a small description. my heart broke for him so many times throughout this story, I wanted this happy ending for him so badly he deserved it so, so, so much. I loved second-half-of-the-book Derek as he gives up his self-imposed barriers to happiness and dedicates himself to winning Nora back— and boy does he ever.

I loved Derek & Nora so much from the Vegas moment onward— how soft & vulnerable & strong & completely gone for each other they are. they demonstrate such honest trust & vulnerability in order to be the best versions of themselves for any current & future relationship success. seeing them go out of their way for each other’s success, happiness, & heart is the most beautiful thing to read.

I am not going to get over this book anytime soon. it is one of the most beautiful stories with the most beautiful characters I have ever read.

thank you so much for the arc :)

Officially giving this a 3.5 ⭐️!

Second chance romance, sports romance, single bed trope 🤭🫣
I loved Nora and Derek’s chemistry, I could literally feel it in my heart how much they were obsessed with each other. I love how Nora was so authentically herself and how supportive Derek was. Loved how they both acknowledged they needed to do some growing up and now have such a strong line of communication.

Things I didn’t like: one scene was not as closed door like Sarah Adams usually is. I mean I was fully in the room watching from the couch, nothing was left to the imagination. I also did not like how many times Derek said “men of my size…” like dude you’re 6”4 you’re no shaq calm down.

I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley! So exciting!!

Holy amazeballs Sarah Adams has done it again!
The Rule Book is just pure perfection. Our two main characters, Derek and Nora are both relatable and hysterical. Their banter with each other and internally will have you laughing out loud over and over again. The chemistry between these two is HOT and I love that Sarah has opened the door (literally) to open door romance while also leaving it all to one chapter so if you prefer a closed door romance, you can still get that.
Sarah Adams is the Rom-Com author Queen and this book just solidifies her being a must read author for me and should be for you too!
I also would be remiss if I didn’t mention I loved reading about Nathan and Bree from The Cheat Sheet. Seeing where their lives are now is like reconnecting with some old college friends. And the connection between the Sharks teammates is unmatched. Sarah’s writing of their commentary with each other is gold. I could read a whole book about just them and how they rip on each other all day because of their love for each other.

I want to thank Sarah Adams, NetGalley and the publisher so this advanced reader copy of The Rule Book.

Thank you, NetGalley and Random House for this ARC in exchange for my honest review <3

This book was on my calendar for, "anticipated releases." However, as much as I was excited to read and review this book, it fell flat for me. I was left feeling conflicted because while there were some cute moments, there was also an equal amount of moments I did not love. If you enjoy rom-coms, you'll probably really enjoy this. However, it felt too cheesy for me.

Tropes:
- Sports (Agent & Football player)
- 2nd Chance Romance
- Dual POV
- Only One Bed
- Forced Proximity

This is an ARC review. thank you Random House, NetGalley, and Sarah Adams for this opportunity!

To say I squealed and jumped up and down when I received this ARC is an understatement. Sarah Adams can do no wrong in my eyes and this was no exception. Derek and Nora are ADORABLE! Nora is goofy AND strong and that makes her so lovable. Derek, as with all Sarah Adams MMCs, is perfect. My heart broke when he revealed what was going to happen the day Nora broke up with him in college. If you love second chance romance, enemies to friends to lovers, sports romance, and found family this is for you!

This was my first Sarah Adams book and I regret not picking her books sooner, because damn that was a book! I was hooked from the beginning and I finished it in less than a day.

I’m a sports romance girly and this book nailed it. I loved the found family of Derek and his football buddies, but I loved Nora and Derek’s relationship even more. This was a second chance romance done the right way 🙌

Nora is one of those FMCs that I would love as a best friend in real life. Her character hit close to home with her funny quirks, catch phrases, & the need to organize everything. Nora is for all the girls that were ever told they were “too much” and I love this author for giving us this character.

Read if you enjoy:
⭐️ Football Romance
⭐️ Second Chance
⭐️ One Bed
⭐️ Accidental Marriage

Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is ahhhhhh-dorable and the perfect rom com and you’re going to want to put it on your radar if you haven’t yet!

Nora is a quirky sports agent who lands her first real client. The only problem, it’s her college ex-boyfriend Derek. He isn’t happy with it at all, because he’s still hung up on her 8 years later, so he agrees but he does not have her best interest in mind. They meet up and set up a list of rules they must abide by during their business relationship.
However, after a drunken night in Vegas, they wake up with tattooed wedding bands and try to figure out what each other is thinking and how to navigate out of this mess??

Both characters are super likeable, I laughed out loud soo many times while reading this… and rooting for them the whole time! They each had their own personal struggles (dyslexia, insecurities) and both were well played out. Derek’s friend group was hilarious and I need more of them! The pacing was perfect and I devoured this book!!

Read if you like:
-cinnamon roll MMC
-quirky FMC
-lots of witty banter
-second chances
-fake marriage

Thanks so much to Netgalley and Random House for my advanced copy!!

4.5⭐️

I am kicking my feet and giggling! The Rule Book is what second chance, friends to lovers dreams are made of! I was so excited to dive into (with a book about Sharks, this pun was necessary) this story after being completely charmed by the side characters in The Cheat Sheet. Nora and Derek’s story exceeded all of my expectations and this had the swooniest moments, hilarious banter, endearing characters, and all the heat we’ve come to know and love from Sarah’s book.

Sarah’s romcoms embody charm, tenderness, and the most delightful and relatable characters, and The Rule Book has become one of my favorites from her! Drunkenly getting married in Vegas aside, I loved how Nora and Derek took their time getting to know each other as they rekindled their spark and learned about each other as adults. Even when the conversations turned uncomfortable, I appreciated how they didn’t resort to miscommunication or avoidance. I really loved how they found their way back to each other by learning from their past and forging a new path, while learning to balance the personal and professional.

I loved the relationship between Nora and her mom! Dare I say their relationship rivals (probably tops) Lorelai and Rory’s?? Their relationship as mother and daughter was also a beautiful friendship with an easy push and pull of encouragement and support. It was just the sweetest seeing Pam remind Nora there is also strength in taking a chance on and following your heart to pursue joy and personal fulfillment.

If you love Sarah Adams, stories about softies, knock knock jokes, and late night bowls of cereal, I am 1000% confident you are going to fall head over heels for Nora and Derek.

Rule book

⭐️⭐️💫 2.5 stars. Man, this one just didn’t do it for me. I had a hard time finishing it. I think it was just too predictable and formulaic. The When In Rome series is my favorite of hers, but as far as sports romances go The Cheat Sheet was much better IMO.

🌶️🌶️🌶️ Steamy. Caution to sensitive readers. Sarah Adams does share that if you prefer completely closed door romances to skip Chapter 34

Read if you like these tropes:
•Enemies to Lovers
•Second Chances
•Multiple POV

This book deserves all the stars! I could not put it down, it had all the classic Sarah Adams charm but also made me very emotional. I love how much depth there was while also holding a lot of humor as well. Nora and Derek are the definition of soulmates and it was so heartwarming to see their story play out. I loved being back in the LA Shark world and I loved everything about this book. Nobody writes heartfelt swoony romance like Sarah!

Nora thinks she can convince him that she's the best agent to work with. Maybe he doesn't even remember their relationship. After all, he's a playboy football star. His college girlfriend might be just a small blast from the past.
Oh, Nora, you couldn't be more wrong. Derek remembers every second of their relationship, and payback is a bitch!
To prove herself capable of representing him, she must endure excruciating tasks - ripping his clothes, cooking for him, delivering his dry cleaning during rush hour, filming his workout at dawn, and more. She is stubborn enough not to give up, and Derek slowly gives in because seeing his ex-love in close proximity makes him realize she's the one that got away.
But they have no clue how things heat up in the middle of commercial filming in Vegas. They find themselves drunk, with tattooed rings on their ring fingers and compromising photos shared on social media in a French kiss position.
Ta-da: they are drunkenly married. Nora can be fired at any moment, losing the career she's worked hard for, or Derek can take the lead and declare that what they have is real. They decide not to get an annulment, and Derek takes it seriously, and they end up on a honeymoon in Cancun, Mexico, where reporters cover their every move to document their love story. It's only for saving Nora's job, right? Both Derek and Nora are not still in love with each other. Right?
Grab your own copy to find out and enjoy this thoroughly entertaining ride! This couple is one of my favorite romcom couples. Both are sweet, one-of-a-kind characters with engaging qualities I can easily resonate with.

I am a long time football girly, so I was really excited to see this follow up to The Cheat Sheet. And I’m even more excited to have read it at the peak of the Taylor & Travis mania! I love this second chance romance between two people who were meant to be together!

Finally get our story about Nora and Derek. I love this little world Sarah Adams created.

- second chance romance
- sports romance
- forced proximity
- one bed
- dual POV

I loved this book. It sucked me in right away and I couldn't put it down. I read it over one day. Nora and Derek dated in college and broke up and tried and failed to get over each other for 8 years. Nora then has an opportunity to manage Derek in the NFL. The book has flash backs from college and the present day. I enjoyed the updates from Nathan and Bree. Overall 4.5 stars! 1/3 spice there is open one door romance scene.

I cannot wait to read more of Sarah Adams Books

Thank you NetGalley, random house and Sarah Adams for the ARC. This is an honest review of The Rule Book