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!

omg I loved this!

I love anything about a secret society of women to be honest... this one was so fun and I loved effie!

of course though the best thing about this book for me was effie and gabriel! the chemistry, the banter, some good "who did this to you?" moments, the KISSING, and the genuine love between them was just SWOONWORTHY.

I already can't wait for the next book -- hoping it will be about nell and miles~

p.s. if only the evil men in power in real life were so easily taken down...

Mimi Matthews is just so good. She writes historical novels about common people instead of the upper echelon. It was a fun almost spy vs spy story where they get a happy ending. Who doesn't love someone growing and changing themself in a good way for the person they love?

Glorious! I adore the author's historical romances, and her first in the new Crinoline Academy series takes her signature slow-burn style up many sizzling notches, with dazzling characters (women's rights activist Euphemia and betting shop owner Grabriel), whose gray-area activities make them that much more intriguing. Plus, there is a charming minature black poodle! Fans loyal and new will swoon and cheer and wait excitedly for Book Two. Huzzah!

Rules for Ruin is a feminist, cat-and-mouse, rivals-to-lovers historical romance that has the heroine, Effie Flite, poised to take down the patriarchy one slimy aristocrat at a time. Her mark is a viscount who has continuously felled women's rights one vote at a time. And Lord Compton is a man who more than deserves to be taken down. The problem? Gaming shop owner, Gabriel Royce. For not only does he need the viscount's support to further his own ends, but he keeps impeding Effie's efforts at every turn, sparking first her incense then her heart when he shows he's much more than meets the eye.

This was a pleasant deviation from Mimi Matthew's usual historical romances. The slowburn tension she's known for was still there, kindling, smoldering, but I liked the edginess she explored with two characters decidedly not from the upper classes. There was a hint of danger, of cloak and dagger subterfuge, that was delicious. There was also substantial heart and vulnerability, what with Effie's longing for information about her origins and Gabriel's fight for St. Giles Rookery. It made for a rich and immersive exploration of mid-19th century English society.

3.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC in exchange for my review.

A bit slow to start, but once it got going, the story and intrigue did not let up. Gabriel and Effie are two feral cats both circling each other the entire book, and when they finally kiss for the first time, I cheered like a madwoman. The characters were morally gray (loved how they were working for the common good, in a very ends-justify–the-means way), incredibly prickly, and quite devious. Again, slow to start, but once the kissing started, I sailed through this story.

This was an entertaining Regency romance with a mystery, which is my favorite subgenre, and I really enjoyed it. Looking forward to the next one.

What a poignant story that sparkles with history and richly engaging characters. Hidden plots, scandal and enemies to lovers - all with chemistry and depth that we’ve come to expect from Matthews. You will find yourself staying up way too late and rooting for two struggling leading characters to overcome the obstacles and find their happily ever after.

Outstanding story telling! With vivid description and beautiful imagery, reading this book is a feast for the imagination. Upon first meeting Effie, Gabriel feels an immediate connection, though he doesn't know why. Throughout their continued interactions, a delightful relationship is created and the author does a magnificent job gradually revealing the similarities between Effie and Gabriel, both in backgrounds and desires. Their passionate natures result in fiery feuds and crackling chemistry. Effie and Gabriel's face-paced story may be my all-time favorite of Mimi Matthews. Also fascinating is the historical component to the story, during a time of change and pushing boundaries. The author notes at the end of the book are enlightening and should not be missed. Every bit a fantastic read! Eagerly awaiting book two.

I received an advance copy of this story. I was not required to write a positive review.

4.5 ⭐️

This is my first historical romance book I’ve read from Mimi Matthews and I throughly enjoyed it. The concept of the academy and all it stands for is exactly what I look for when reading historical fiction. I enjoyed both Effie and Gabriel’s relationship. I mean who doesn’t love a down bad man. I also enjoyed all the history woven into the story and the authors note at the end that goes over all the events. The mystery aspect also kept me intrigued. I am looking forward to reading the next installment of this series and reading previous works from this author!

I absolutely adore Mimi and was so excited for this new one. While I don't know that I'd say I was really getting major Peaky Blinders vibes (it wasn't dark enough for that) like it's described I really enjoyed it! I did find this took me a little to get into at first and it felt a little slower than some of her others. But that could have just been my mood/life stuff going on.

But it was so cute! I absolutely adore the main characters so much! Plus the overall plot was so fun and had a little suspenseful, espionage type feel. I loved that once again Mimi writes us a very protective, alpha male but with a sweet side too. I was HERE for the damsel scenes and the "I'll hurt anyone who touches you" moments. Our main character, Effie was such a treat too! I cherished her fiery, independent spirt.

The end had me just smiling and happy! I liked that it didn't have any crazy drama either. Overall, it was such a sweet and fun book. Another great one by Mimi. Just something about it felt a little slow and drawn out at moments.