Maybe not my FAVORITE Mimi Matthews book so far but still a really solid historical romance with great characters, believable conflict, and compelling historical context. She’s up there with Courtney Milan for me, and I do NOT say that lightly.

This was super fast-paced and I threw through it. The world really came alive, and it's clear that a lot of time and effort was put into this story. I loved the characters, and the plot. I don't read a ton of historically set stories, but I actually really enjoyed this. I found the secret society aspect, while a bit overdone in the genre, really interesting in this case. Overall, I really enjoyed this and I'm curious for more in this world/by this author!

I LOVED THIS. I devoured this book, and it got me out of a reading slump!! I will be thinking about this book and these characters for a long time. It had the perfect balance of plot and romance and the tension and slow burn were truly top tier!! I’m not always a fan of dual POV, but this is a book where it was done SO WELL and added to the tension and I didn’t feel like either mc outshined the other.

I loved Effie so much and the mmc reminded me of Thomas Shelby (Peaky Blinders) and John Thornton (North and South) which…😍. There was also so much depth to this book and the characters, but my peanut brain can’t let go of how fucking swoony it was!!!

tl;dr - loved it, everything I want in a historical romance, highly recommend, please scream in my DMs when you read it!!

<b>"On the outskirts of London sits a seemingly innocuous institution with a secretive aim-train young women to distract, disrupt, and discredit the patriarchy."</b>

Your heart will give a girlish flutter over Gabriel Royce. A hr must read!

✨ THINGS AND STUFF ✨
-dual pov
-London, 1864
-women’s welfare & equality
-confrontation edged with a hint of sweetness aka enemies to lovers
-oh no, you’re trapped! I’ll save you!
-I’ll find you again
-sweetheart 🤭
-franc, the indefatigable black poodle
-#IsThisAKissingBook closed door

Thank you berkley romance and Mimi Matthew’s for the free book!

4⭐️
No spice/ closed door

This book had so many good things!! There are huge themes of female empowerment/feminism and I loved the characters. Effie was strong and independent. I loved how both MCs go through some character development and there are some sweet romantic lines!

However, I think I wanted more overall from everything. We could have had way more rivals to lovers tension and mystery from the start, and just more build to the relationship overall.

Looking forward to seeing how the rest of this series goes!

♾️⭐️s!!! I’m obsessed!

Mimi Matthew’s writing is beautiful, captivating and atmospheric. It will have you swept into the story from the very first page.

I genuinely loved everything about Matthew’s writing but one of my favorite things was her ability to create interesting scenes. Whether it was romantic, thrilling or just informative, every single scene had me in a chokehold. Her descriptive writing is so on point that the words played out like a movie in my mind. The moment the match is lit while Effie is snooping in the study… so dang good!!!!!

The characters are well developed and multidimensional. Effie is intriguing, intelligent, quick witted and an FMC you can’t help but to fall in love with. Her backstory is sure to crack your heart wide open. Gabriel is a hardened businessman who was born in the slums but managed to pull himself out. He may have an icy exterior but watching him melt for Effie was the most romantic and endearing thing ever. Oh! And his dialogue was absolute perfection. Sometimes MMCs come in with these over the top proclamations of love that it’s hard to forget that they are written by women. Gabriel’s character and dialogue felt authentic to what would be expected from a man in the Victorian era. Every romantic statement from that man might have been short but packed a punch and left me swooning.

The side characters were equally just as interesting and well written. Every character was either someone to love or loathe and will leave you feeling alllll the different emotions while reading.

I went in completely blind and honestly I’m glad I did. Period pieces have never been a go to genre for me but this story had me completely captivated, heart and soul. Book 2 cannot come out soon enough.

If you are someone who has the time to sit and read a physical copy then I HIGHLY RECOMMEND reading this over audio. Turn on Tony Ann - ICARUS and allow yourself to be swept away to a different place and time. You won’t regret it.

This was such a great start to a new series! Effie is a strong character with a mysterious background. I was intrigued with her from the start. She was sent on a mission but had a personal mission as well. I love any story where a villainous nobleman gets his due at the hands of a lady and her handsome man from the wrong side of town.
Loved these two characters! They had very good chemistry and wit. Gabriel was dark and brooding and dangerous but she fell for him anyways. They both saw their shared past and hoped for a future. Still riding the high of this sweet romance.

I really enjoyed this book. I loved the back and forth between Euphemia and Gabriel. I love how they are connected in ways that they don’t realize as they each try to accomplish their individual goals. I like how they each learn to give some for those they love. I also liked how they learned to trust each other and share things with each other that they wouldn’t with anyone else. I liked seeing them fall in love and how it was a struggle for them to come together. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.

I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.

This was such a fun read! Effie was a highly entertaining and intriguing heroine!

I loved seeing things from her perspective, and watching her try to complete her assignment. And of course, her dealings with Gabriel Royce.

This is where the sparks fly! They both have an agenda, and it means they are completely on opposite sides, and determined to stop or get around the other.

But...what about those sparks?! Can they admit there might be something there?

This story has lots of action, and unexpected things going on. I was glued to the pages, and kept guessing! It was overall just a really fun read.

If you enjoy reading stories set in England back in those good ole' days, you won't want to miss this one!

Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

Set in 1864 London, this book gives enemies to lovers but make it Victorian. I adored the FMC Miss Euphemia Flite, I love a smart, strong and sassy woman. Our MMC Gabriel is also refreshing, so forward in how he values the rights of women and strives to improve the rights of the impoverished. A self made gentleman, morally gray but respectful, So swoony. Historical fiction with tension and swoon worthy kisses, this is not a spice filled novel and it's refreshing. Such a rich story with well rounded characters, I thoroughly enjoyed this adventure and will follow the series as it comes out.

Looking forward to Book 2 in the Crinoline Academy series, The Marriage Method out in November.

Thank you NetGalley, Mimi Matthews and Berkley Publishing for sending this ARC for review.

You can read all of my reviews at Nerd Girl Loves Books.

Effie was raised in a secret academy by a strong feminist that trained the girls to be strong, think for themselves, defend themselves, pick locks, etc. in order to serve the cause. She’s tasked to bring down a powerful Viscount that is intent on blocking a women’s rights bill in Parliament. Not only will this help all women, but Effie will be relieved of her debt to the academy and be given a stipend to set up her life.

Gabriel owns a betting shop & other businesses and is considered the king of the Rookery, a shrinking slum in London. Gabriel has gained wealth but doesn’t forget where he’s come from & is determined to improve everyone’s life in the slums. He needs the Viscount influence & connections to bring the project to life & also keep the government from interfering with his criminal empire. He didn’t expect his plan to be interrupted by a beautiful woman intent on destroying that same Viscount.

I loved Effie. She was strong, realistic, quick-thinking, quick-witted, & determined to accomplish her goal so she can start her life free from the academy. Despite this, I loved how vulnerable she allowed herself to be with Gabriel when she was caught up with her greatest fear – heights. Gabriel was single-minded in his quest until he met Effie. He can’t get her out of his mind & finds himself distracted when he needs to concentrate the most. Their chemistry together was fantastic. I loved their witty banter. They shared the same dry wit and realistic view of the world.

I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from NetGalley and Berkley. All opinions are my own.

This book reminded me a lot of the [book:Bringing Down the Duke|43521785] series, which is a huge compliment because I love love love that series. This books is set in 1860s London, and our protagonist is Effie Flite, an orphan who got taken in by an academy for girls with a secret mission: take down the patriarchy. Effie was trained to defend herself and fight for women's suffrage, and she's spent the last five years in Paris exploring and enjoying herself. But when her former headmaster summons her back to London and tasks her with bringing down a powerful politician who's against women's rights, Effie rises to the challenge. And of course, a man she's attracted to complicates her mission a lot.

I thought that this was so much fun and also a great portrayal of what community organizing looked like in the days before social media and group chats. Effie is spunky and determined, and it was fun to follow along as she navigated high society with ulterior motives in mind. The chemistry between her and Gabriel is palpable and complicated, which I always love, and the barriers impeding them acting on that chemistry felt natural and not forced. The dialogue is witty and the writing is not too verbose, and London comes to life very vividly. The next book in this series comes out in November, and I can't wait to read it!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review!

This author is so good at making me feel fully immersed in the time period. The Victorian Era, in which this story was set, provided the framework within which Gabriel and Effie were both navigating societal rules and expectations.

These two characters were a bit different than those I usually read about, as they both came from downtrodden beginnings but were navigating the fringes of polite society for different reasons. I could feel the way these two struggled with the pull that they had toward each other from their very first meeting. They both quickly learned that they were on differing sides of a situation. A powerful man was at the center of their endeavors. Effie needed his downfall and Gabriel needed his influential assistance.

Gabriel had done quite a few morally questionable things in the past which allowed him to grow into the wealth and position he held within the Rookery, yet it was eye opening to see the way Effie affected him. And, truly, it was clear that Gabriel also affected Effie similarly. These two hearts, who had both never known love ended up finding that very thing with each other. It was sweet to see how knowing that they were accepted for who they were with each other gave them the courage to face the world and hope to change things in ways they hadn’t thought possible before.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Woah, this is one that will linger in my brain. The first 20% or so really lays the groundwork for the characters and their backgrounds, but it’s totally worth it because the characters Mimi writes are so incredible and lovable.

Having read Mimi’s previous series where Gabrielle Royce was a clear villain, I was apprehensive about how I’d feel about him here. But what a dreamy fellow he turns out to be.

The tension and conflict between the main characters is well done- not over the top, not aggravating or unbelievable. The historical events woven in are accurate and added a fun element- I found myself looking some of them up afterward.

Overall, this was just a fun, satisfying read.

Content note: Mimi Matthews writes clean, closed-door romances- not Christian romances. If that distinction is important to you, just keep that in mind.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishers for the free ARC - my first one ever! I’m excited to have the opportunity to review more.

Miss Effie Flite was raised at the Crinoline Academy, a boarding school where young women learn to subvert the patriarchy. As an orphan, she needs the income she'll get from Headmistress Miss Corvus's next assignment: ruin a Viscount Lord Compton, who once ruined a young woman and continues his hypocrisy decades later. On her mission, Effie meets Gabriel Royce, a young man with the ambition to run an underground empire from the Rookery of St Giles but also to reform the slums from the inside to improve their way of life. Effie's mission and Gabriel's drive may be at odds with each other, as they both need Lord Compton, but they also find that they may need each other, too.

Mimi Matthews is the master of the closed-door historical romance. The longing and developing romance between Effie and Gabriel is palpable, and never lacking while the door is closed. Rules for Ruin has the perfect blend of romance, mystery, societal intrigue, and character development that I've come to love in Matthews's writing.

Political reform plots in historical romance can be hit or miss depending on the author, but Mimi Matthews's research and care in crafting the plot are evident. She avoids the trap of a bluestocking feeling too modern by tying Effie's personal mission to the women's property act and the real strife of women putting their lives and their money into the hands of men with the power to ruin them either carelessly or maliciously.

Dark beginnings!

Euphemia Flite is called back to London after some years in Paris, having honed her abilities to pass as a gently bred lady.
Who is she? A Rookery child brought up in a very peculiar orphanage, Miss Corvus’s Benevolent Academy for the Betterment of Young Ladies. Her mentor and headmistress is even stranger, concerned with training her girls in everything from Latin to politics, defence to lock picking, including how do act socially in a variety of situations. Effie’s given an assignment when she returns, if she accepts, will free her to go her own way. Effie is to get close to the loathsome Viscount Compton, a powerful conservative Lord, find something dark out about him that will neutralize his might. Hopefully forcing the Viscount to abandon his opposition to a bill of rights for married women being brought before the House of Lords. That bill is important. It is the cornerstone for the rights for all women. Women would no longer be possessions.
What Effie doesn’t expect to meet is a dangerous and forceful denizen of the Rookeries, Gabriel Royce, a Gambling Hall owner who for his own reasons, is working in opposition to Effie, supporting the Viscount.
In Effie, Gabriel recognizes a person as singleminded as himself. Like calls to like. The wolf recognizes another wolf albeit wrapped in silks and perfume!
Another scintillating novel from the pen of Mimi Matthews.

A Berkley Group ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

Thank you @berkleyromance @prhaudio for the free finished copy & audiobook. ♡

·∘⋆⊹ 𝙰 𝚗𝚘-𝚜𝚙𝚒𝚌𝚎, 𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚋𝚒𝚍𝚍𝚎𝚗 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎 𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚛𝚢 𝚋𝚎𝚝𝚠𝚎𝚎𝚗 𝚊𝚗 𝚞𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚛𝚌𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚍𝚊𝚖𝚎 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚊 𝚜𝚎𝚕𝚏-𝚖𝚊𝚍𝚎 𝚐𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚕𝚎𝚖𝚊𝚗 𝚋𝚕𝚊𝚌𝚔𝚖𝚊𝚒𝚕𝚎𝚛. ⊹⋆∘·

I love when a romance weaves in enough historical context to immerse the reader into the issues of the time period, in this case, 1800s women’s rights and slum reform.

Effie Flite infiltrates the patriarchy to undermine the viscount upholding the married women’s property law. She is independent, bright, and capable. She also happens to be half Indian (white passing).

Gabriel Royce was low born but changed his station in life, preying on the vices of men, operating in the morally grey spaces between right and wrong.

These two find themselves on opposing sides — and neither can afford the distraction of their undeniable attraction.

Pick this one up for a cheery no spice romance, fun banter, and a good amount of historical facts.

▶︎ •၊၊||၊|။||။‌‌‌‌‌|• 🎧 Narrators Elizabeth Knowelden and Will Watt brought Effie and Gabriel to life — I recommend audio for this one!

As I began to lose myself in Mimi Matthews' latest book, the first in the Crinoline Academy, I couldn’t help but think that all those declaring historical romance dead are so gravely mistaken because this book was so good for so many reasons. Matthews’ newest Victorian romance is a masterpiece of feminist resilience, gritty class issues and a wonderfully fresh love story that still manages to be everything we know and love in a historical romance.

The novel introduces us to two working class characters: Effie, a former student of the Crinoline Academy, or more accurately known as Miss Corvus’s Benevolent Academy for the Betterment of Young Ladies, is tasked with a mission by the stern and somewhat mysterious Miss Corvus herself to find evidence of a seemingly virtuous politician’s past wrongdoing towards a woman. We also have Gabriel, known everywhere in the slums of St. Giles for more or less ruling the place with his wits and shrewdness (and occasionally his fists), desperately trying to reform the Rookery and the larger St. Giles area with the money of rich and foolish aristocrats. These two characters find themselves at odds, discovering how their respective missions are directly contradictory. And oh, how bothered they are by the other!

From the very first meeting of these two characters, their chemistry sizzled off the page. Their banter was one of my favourite parts of the story, and the intense push and pull they felt every time they met was so palpable. I was cackling at how much neither of them could decide if they wanted to slap or kiss the other, and I am in awe and also deeply grateful to Matthews for demonstrating how fiery a closed-door romance can be. There was no need for on-page sex scenes for the reader to understand just how passionate they found each other, and this was just an exquisite love story from start to finish.

I also deeply appreciated how present the social commentary was in this novel. While there are a fair number of historical romances that cross class boundaries, it has been a moment since I encountered one where not only were both characters decidedly removed from the aristocracy, though both orbit the edges of that world, but also how invested they both were in their respective communities, and how rightfully angry they were at the injustices wrought by the rich and powerful. Both characters were so well matched, even and maybe especially when clashed, and it was no wonder they had an instant connection. I also enjoyed how much the importance of understanding the intersections between gender and class permeated the love story, with some key moments highlighting how difficult it can be to be a woman and financially disenfranchised, something Effie has to specifically point out to Gabriel.

It was also so enjoyable and validating to see an MMC fall in love, and boy, do I mean, stupidly in love, with a woman precisely because of her rebelliousness, resourcefulness and gumption. Effie is not one to let a challenge get in her way, nor is she one to rely on anyone for help, and Gabriel cannot help but respect her for this. There is no condescension or ill-placed male ego, just a man who cannot look away from a woman who will give just as good as she is getting. I also found it so validating to see Effie’s perspective and the way she was constantly surrounded by a system that underestimated her simply for being a woman, and how deftly she used her training to take advantage of this poor insight to further her goals. And amidst the banter and the shenanigans both characters find themselves in, there is also so much tenderness, growing devotion and vulnerability between Effie and Gabriel that made me root for them so much. It was a joy to watch them fall in love and an absolute delight to discover how the story reached its conclusion.

Infused with rich historical detail, a truly despicable villain that was so satisfying to hate, and some key locations and events that made up Victorian London, Rules for Ruins is the perfect read for returning and new readers of Mimi Matthews, and I’m confident everyone will fall just as hard for Effie and Gabriel as I have. The book is out today, so please do yourselves a favour and grab a copy as soon as possible! Congratulations to Matthews on a remarkable new book!

CWs: extreme poverty and financial precarity; toxic relationship and manipulation (in the past); parental neglect (in the past); sexism and Victorian-era notions of gender norms; one scene of a panic attack; fear of heights; classism and themes of gentrification.

CNs: This is a historical romance set during the Victorian era featuring two working-class characters. This is a closed-door romance, and there are no on-page sex scenes. Rules for Ruin is the first in a new series and can be read as a standalone. Thank you to Berkley for my ARC, and this is my voluntary review.

••I give 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

~No one betrays the Academy. But now Euphemia must decide: break the rules for her enemy, or let the rules break her heart...

-RULES FOR RUIN, is an intriguing story with such richly drawn characters and couples whose individual shortcomings become such strengths when paired together! This story will beckon your full attention and senses right from the first page till the word on the last page, drawing you as if you are a dragonfly on the wall and with your heart pounding to know more. There is Women’s suffrage, mystery, secrets, and much more that me on the edge of my seat. Add in sparkling chemistry, witty banter, adventure, suspense, and a dear love story weaved throughout the pages! Watching dear characters on a great mission for a benefactress, to wanting to find the truth of the past, to wanting to improve conditions in the Rookery had my heartstrings tied tight. But seeing characters embrace each other and true love that had my heart full. This is an unforgettable romance that is worth the intensely moving read!💯

“She knew who she was now. She knew what it was she truly wanted. Perhaps what she’d always wanted. It was. It was him. It was love. For that, she’d risk anything. Even marriage.“

•Content: scandal, stabbing of an ear with a hair pin, death from a high wife, kidnapping of a beloved pet, gambling, alcohol, handful of minor language, mention of prostitution/whores, some violence, some blood, abandonment, orphans, past child abuse, drugs, mistress/love affair of side characters; closed-door: kisses (some makeouts, very brief insinuated fade to black married couple intimate scene).

“After all these years, I thought l’d finally find the place I belonged.” “You have,” he assured her. “It’s here. Right here, with me.”

-I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

“You’re the whole world to me, Effie Flite. You do know that, don’t you?” Her eyes met his. A hint of color bloomed in her cheeks. “I didn’t know,” she said. “But I’d hoped.”

#rulesforruin
#allaboutthebestreads

I had so much fun with Rules for Ruin! The banter between Euphemia and Gabriel was a highlight—sharp, witty, and super entertaining to read. Overall, the story had a lighthearted feel, but when Euphemia’s childhood was revealed, it hit hard. It was sad, but it also added a valuable layer to understanding one of her phobias, making her character even more compelling. And I have to say—Luc, her adorable dog, totally stole the show! He was such a delightful addition to the story. The whole book had a great balance of fun and depth, making it an enjoyable read. Elizabeth Knowelden and Will Watt’s narration delivered on excellence, perfectly capturing the humor, emotion, and charm of the story.

All thoughts expressed in this review are my own.