The romance is classic Mimi Matthews. It's clean yet stuffed with enough tension that you don't really miss the steam. I liked Effie and Gabriel (who gives off strong Tommy Shelby vibes) and thought their relationship progressed nicely. They each have their own secrets and objectives, and it was easy to invest in their push-pull dynamic. Additionally, the trademark fashion details and references to historical reforms, events, and even gentrification are seamlessly woven into the plot.

I love that Matthews tried something different, but the spy academy backdrop was kind of weak and the middle section dragged in pace. I didn't like Miss Corvus. To be fair, there's plenty to build on in future books, so I hope it goes better next time.

Matthews is back with a new series featuring strong resourceful women overturning rules to make their lives and the lives of other women better while finding romance with worthy men. Orphaned Effie Flite was raised in a peculiar orphanage for girls where she was given an excellent education including self defense. Leaving her position as a lady's companion in Paris, she and her little poodle go to London where she is introduced to society as the ward of a friend of her hostess. Viscount Compton, who is important if legislation is to be passed to allow women to control their own finances, is the object of Effie's investigation. Gabriel Royce who came up through the slums and runs gambling in The Rookery but has earned his way into society is trying to get support to improve conditions in the slums and is courting Compton's support by having letters and documents that could expose how he ruined and stole the fortune of a young woman several years earlier. A delightful combination of 19th century women's history and romance with a lovely dash of espionage.

This was so much fun!! I really did not know what to expect with this book but I loved Mimi Matthews’ previous books—and I was NOT disappointed. A must read.

An engaging historical romance and promising start to a new series. Betting shop owner Gabriel and society lady Effie enter a cat and mouse game in which both parties have secret agendas. Although there's an attraction between them, they can't quite trust each other. But they just might need each other.

I like the setup of vigilante debutantes released into society to exact revenge on the patriarchy. This book dragged a bit in the middle, but was a fun premise.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC to review. All opinions are my own.

Mimi Matthews’ new series is a captivating story with intrigue, mystery, and well-developed, relatable characters. I couldn’t put this book down and eagerly await the next installment.

From the exotic cover to the suspenseful plot, this new series by one of my favorite authors seemed different. And loving the past Matthews works as I do, I wasn't sure different was a good thing. So you can understand why I was so happy to find that, though indeed different, this first new book has all the important qualities that I treasure in earlier Matthews books.

The writing is still as deft and the plotting as masterful. The writing is clear and compelling. And the romance is just as strong: immediate response between MCs and after a short bristly period, the MCs are committed for the long run.

While the book did feel different as I read, I quickly recognized Matthews' sure, steady hand at the helm of the narrative. I missed the "all or nothing" power of connection between the MCs (e.g. The Matrimonial Advertisement). But this book is compelling, and the new series will attract many NEW readers.

Coming out May 20 2025 - be ready!
Thanks for NetGalley and Berkley Publishers for the chance to read an advanced copy.

Thank you so much to the publisher for providing me with a digital review copy of this book via NetGalley.

I am a huge fan of Mimi Matthews's books, so I was super excited to hear about her new series. And Rules for Ruin was a lovely read! Effie was such a force of a character, and the relationship between her and Gabriel developed really nicely - a swoony, sharp, fight-for-each-other slow burn - everything you would want in a historical romance!

📣 a historical with a *sigh* working-class hero

Thanks to the publisher & Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.

📖 This book is part of the reason I’ve really been feeling historicals lately. Have any other recent historical reads I should check out??

Working-class historical leads make my heart go pitter-patter & Gabriel & Eddie are delicious ones.

Enticed by an offer of financial independence, Effie decides to help bring down a deserving man. Gabriel doesn’t like the aforementioned bad man, but he does want the bad man safe so that he can continue blackmailing him.

In Rules for Ruin, Mimi Matthews really makes me feel the attraction between Effie & Gabriel. He knows what he needs to do, but meanwhile there’s a gorgeous, mysterious figure named Effie he can’t get enough of. The chemistry between them is so good, steadily building in an intricate dance that leads beautifully to a much-desired HEA.

This one is so good, you all!

4.5 ⭐️. Out 05/20.

Please see a trusted reviewer’s list of CWs.

[ID: Jess holds the ebook in front of floral wallpaper.]

Mimi Matthews is in a class of her own. I adored Effie and Gabriel's romance, and I continue to be so impressed by the way Victorian London effortlessly comes alive through Matthews's meticulous research. I am very much looking forward to the next book in the Crinoline Academy series!

RULES FOR RUIN by Mimi Matthews
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I had Great Expectations for this book and Mimi Matthews met them all! Like Dickens’ legendary character Miss Havisham who used her adopted daughter Estella to take her revenge on men, so does Miss Corvus. She even has the Crinoline Academy to teach young ladies to accomplish her aims. Her star pupil is Effie Flite and she tasks her to find incriminating evidence on Lord Compton who opposes the Married Women’s Act. Effie also searches for clues to her own past and that of her mother. She doesn’t plan on meeting Gabriel Royce, a slum lord who is determined to improve housing in the rookeries. Past, present, and futures collide when the pair fall in love. Another unforgettable story by Mimi Matthews. I cannot wait for the next book in the Crinoline Academy series.

4.25⭐️ | <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@jennyreadsalot">TikTok</a> |

This was a lot of fun! I enjoy historical romance on occasion but I need it to have a little “more” or something just a bit “different” and this hits the mark!

The FMC is basically a clandestine badass on a secret (very feminist) mission! The MMC is basically a gangster with a heart of gold!

This is my first Mimi Mathews book but definitely won’t be my last! I’m so curious to see where the next book takes us.

What’s to love…
- feminist themes and badass FMCs
- morally gray MCs
- grand gesture
- rivals
- no spice
- witty banter
- furry companion (dog)
- well researched and includes source material and additional information! I love when books do this!

What I didn’t love, but you might…
- I love dual POV but occasionally with dual POV we get too much information, this was one of the times where I wish we didn’t have all the facts up front. A little mystery makes it more fun!

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sending this book (eARC) for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Mimi Matthews new Crinoline Academy season starts with a strong, but unusual book. Fans of Mimi Matthews--like me; I've read them all--will certainly like this book, because Matthews is as talented a writer and researcher as ever. That said, this book has very little in common with other Matthews series. It concerns Euphemia Flite, a woman more or less coerced into seeking revenge for the founder of the orphanage where she grew up. The result is that this reads a bit more like a romantic historical spy novel than a historical romance. It has, perhaps, a bit more in common with historical mysteries I've read. I liked the evocation of the high and low sides of London. I even liked the mystery. But I did not feel that slow-burn longing that Matthews excels at. Overall, I think this will be a very enjoyable series, just perhaps not top tier for me. I do plan to recommend it to others.

The writing was great, the mystery is top notch and I love the cover. I didn't like that it was marketed as/or the description read as a historical romance in the vein of Evie Dunmore or even Sarah MacLean, but the romantic scenes were very "tame". I'm sure a lot of folks will enjoy the book a lot, but I think people who go in looking for a hot romance are going to be disappointed.

A breathtaking beginning to a series that promises to be audaciously feminist and indelibly romantic. An engrossing narrative culminates in a gratifying climax where romance soars, a poodle flies, and evil hangs his head in shame. You know that euphoric feeling when you discover a book you absolutely loved and are confident it’ll be a life-long companion? Yes, Rules for Ruin is that book for me.

“Know my surroundings. Know my opponent. Know myself.”

When Miss Euphemia Flite is summoned from Paris by the indomitable proprietress of “Miss Corvus’s Benevolent Academy For The Betterment of Young Ladies” and offered an opportunity to not only be absolved of a debt but also gain her independence, Effie could hardly refuse. After all, she had longed to discover her past, settle her debt to the charity school proprietress, and retire far away with Franc, her beloved poodle. Effie’s foolproof plans, however, overlooked a strikingly seductive rogue-–a Rookery king, Gabriel Royce.

“I see you now.”

This is a riveting tale from the first page. The vibes and atmosphere are reminiscent of one of my favorite Mimi Matthews novels, A Gentleman Jim. Effie is a breath of fresh air. She is as intrepid as she is efficient. Her only vulnerability is her crippling fear of heights. This is where Gabriel comes in. He is her perfect match. Gabriel is protective, supportive, and attentive. Together, Effie and Gabriel risk it all to combat injustice. Their chemistry crackles as they attempt to outmaneuver each other.

Kittens purr, flowers dance, and my heart sings whenever a Mimi Matthews hero goes into rescue mode.

In Rules for Ruin, Mimi Matthews demonstrates her writing prowess as she ingeniously weaves a plot that brims with action, drama, and romance. Her attention to detail and historical research is impeccable. Through her characters, readers can vicariously experience historical events, Victorian life and fashion. Crinolines aren’t merely a fashion statement, but they can also be used to derail patriarchy.

Mimi unfailingly writes books that leave me not only emotionally nourished, but also craving for more. I can’t wait for the next book in this series.

Content note: closed door, acrophobia, sexist language, violence.

My heartfelt thanks to Mimi, Berkley, NetGalley for the e-ARC.

Matthews’ best book yet! Part game of cat and mouse and part search for belonging, plus great historical details! Excellent.

I love Mimi Matthews. Her writing is so beautiful and emotive. She really elevates the historical romance genre, and I am always excited to read her latest. I really enjoyed watching Effie and Gabriel fall in love, and I'm excited to see what the other girls of the Crinoline Academy get up to in the next installments.

A reviewer below compared Gabriel to Tommy Selby, and I'm glad I'm not the only one who immediately read Cillian Murphy in Peaky Blinders as Gabriel.

I like to thank the author again for being that amazing gem in getting Berkley to approve my requests for her arcs.

Rules for Ruin was something new for Mimi in terms of the idea of a group of women whose aim is to take down piece of shit men in society. And, her new male lead: Gabriel Royce.

Gabriel Royce and how we meet him is absolutely one of my favorite meet-cutes of any of her men. Our female lead is snooping around in a library, in the dark, and there waiting in the darkness is him. He makes himself known with a mere sentence and a light of his match, smoking a cigar. What an entrance! I got absolute devil of the unsavory bits of London from him indeed! It throws her off balance and makes her wonder if she should fold. That's how much it rattled her! He is absolutely commanding and rough, and man, I wanted her to give me more men like this. Give me men who society either turned their back on or they turned their back on society. They were my Selina Kyle and Bruce Wayne ala Batman Returns. Split, right down the middle, like calls to like, etc. etc.

Our female lead was a orphan, taken in by the headmistress of the academy in which she groomed her girls to be extensions of her thoughts and feelings about men and how to take down those who stood against them in society. Feminist, take no for an answer, getting dirty, looking pretty while being tough - in crinolines! She also has a little dog named Luc who knows how to twist a man up by its leash - on command! My heart broke at times for the two of them, relying on one another to get their freedom.

The reason I rated it down a star is that I guess I wanted more 'action' or more use of the way the girls were trained to be like Victorian spies. We saw a hint of it with lock picking, Effie hiding things under her skirt via ties, and her taking down a man in the finale of the book. I wanted more of that! I want to see the ladies use knives, their fists, their lethal ways with equipment. Mimi already showed me she could do this and I wanted it so badly. She hooked me in with this need to see her write a story with a Victorian woman who is a femme fatale.

This book opened up other avenues of the ladies, and the tease we got for the next one at the end of the book was absolutely hilariously good. I'm crossing my fingers for a Lois Lane of Victorian times.

Overall, Mimi is my girl when it comes to books. I'm so glad I found her, and I am so glad she gave me the opportunity of reading this early. I can't wait to see what this series brings.

This story is a dazzling blend of sharp wit, simmering chemistry, and bold feminist themes, all wrapped up in a richly atmospheric historical setting. Euphemia is a fierce, complex heroine, and her battle of wits with the enigmatic Gabriel is nothing short of intoxicating. The tension between duty and desire crackles on every page, with stakes that feel as high emotionally as they are politically. The writing is vibrant and clever, sweeping you from gritty backstreets to glittering ballrooms with ease. It’s thrilling, romantic, and had my heart racing and my mind spinning long after the final page. I absolutely loved reading it and would highly be recommending it.

Loved Mimi Matthews new book! Gabriel gives big Tommy Shelby vibes and Effie is a such a strong character! Love, love, love and now waiting for the second in the series!