In this first book of a new series, Mimi gives us a beautiful and unique story with her signature style. This one is full of all the amazing things you know and love about her other books: sizzling romance, tidbits of history, women (and their men) fighting for social change…but with something a little different in this dark academia/underworld setting. It’s scrumptious and I ate it up.

I always find it a challenge to review a book that I really love, especially without spoiling it. All my favorite parts are moments I think you need to discover for yourself. Just know that if you’ve loved Mimi’s books in the past, then I believe you will fall for this one, too. And if you haven’t read a book by Mimi yet, then you are in for a real treat with this one! 🙌🏼

Things to love:
✨Dark academia setting
✨Mystery & intrigue
✨Adorable poodle with sass and skills
✨Fierce women
✨He is only soft for her (I’m serious 💀)
✨Espionage
✨History (the details and the accuracy 🤯)
✨Effie’s strength and determination
✨Passionate kisses & oh so tender moments 🫠

This book gets *all* the stars from me and I highly recommend you discover the beauty of it as soon as possible. 🥹

Mimi Matthews’ new series, The Crinoline Academy, is off to a brilliant start with Rules for Ruin. The novel follows Euphemia (Effie) Flite, raised at an exclusive academy for female orphans, as she embarks on what is meant to be her final mission—to take down a misogynist politician who stands in the way of an important women’s rights bill before Parliament. Unfortunately for Effie, Gabriel Royce, a handsome, self-made man from the Rookery, has his own plans. He seeks not only to keep this politician in line for his own ends but also to ensure his continued power so he can support Gabriel’s improvement projects for the slums.

As Effie and Gabriel work at cross-purposes, they find themselves battling not only each other’s progress but their own growing attraction. Rules for Ruin serves up an excellent rivals-to-lovers story while exploring deeper issues in Victorian London. From championship-worthy banter to delicious meetings in unusual settings, the slow-burn romance between Effie and Gabriel is both wildly entertaining and emotionally compelling.
I especially loved the strong female characters, particularly Effie. Like the other girls at the academy, she is trained to wield knowledge as power, is schooled in self-defence and fencing, and has mastered the finest skills required to operate as an agent dismantling the patriarchy. Under the guidance of the formidable headmistress, Miss Corvus—a Miss Havisham-like figure who raises her students with a singular purpose—the academy girls take their oath seriously. While this kind of plot doesn’t generally appeal to me, Rules for Ruin is top-notch, the various plot threads serve the romance at the heart of the novel, and I loved every moment.

Effie is fierce and focused, yet not without vulnerability. Matthews skilfully uses these layers to build both character and plot in a way that is tremendously compelling. Likewise, Gabriel Royce, a dangerous man who conceals his true self behind carefully constructed armour, has his own soft spots. The way these two unravel each other leads to many butterfly-inducing moments that make their dynamic irresistible. Effie’s battle between duty and love is tenderly portrayed and results in many gut-wrenching moments for the reader.

This novel marks a departure from what we usually see in Mimi Matthews’ books—it is darker, more gothic, and passionate. Yet it works brilliantly, maintaining the beautiful writing and impeccable research we’ve come to expect from her. The author’s note at the end is well worth reading, illuminating the real history behind the events of the novel. I had a hard time putting Rules for Ruin down and cannot wait for the next instalment in The Crinoline Academy series.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rules for Ruin by Mimi Matthews
A Regency-era cozy mystery with a fierce, capable heroine and a deliciously brooding book boyfriend? Yes, please.
Effie Flite’s quest for independence and her fiery passion for women’s rights felt authentic and empowering. And Gabriel Royce? The morally gray charmer we all secretly swoon over. Their banter sparkles, the chemistry sizzles, and the “Crinoline Academy” concept adds such a fun and unique twist.
This one swept me away — I’m already looking forward to book two!

Outside London is an institution specifically created to disrupt the patriarchy. With a politician’s attack on women’s rights, Miss Euphemia Flite is chosen from the Academy's ranks to infiltrate his inner circle and bring him down. If she can do it, she will earn her freedom. That particular man plays into Gabriel Royce's plans for his underworld empire. The two battle each other in ballrooms and rookeries, and desire grows between them. Betraying the Academy shouldn't be possible, but the heart wants what it wants.

This is the first book in the Crinoline Academy series. Effie had been all but purchased out of the poorest neighborhoods of London for the Academy's purposes, and doing this particular job will get her free of debts to Miss Corvus and able to set up a life of her own. Gabriel himself isn't the aristocrat he appears to be, either. He also has an origin of hardship, and is now working on improving the Rookery and becoming respectable. Compton, Lord Solomon, is poised to destroy the laws that might allow married women to keep their own funds, and sees no problem in funding workhouses that separate women from their children in the poorer neighborhoods and are so poorly designed that people tend to die early while working there.

Part of the fun in romance novels is seeing the push and pull of the personalities as they try to ignore each other and reach their goals. One wants to ruin Compton, one wants to use his connections. Their attraction draws them close as they circle each other's orbit, and little kindnesses show they're not the heartless people they want to be. Effie is determined to fight for women's rights in her own way and help her benefactor when she learns more about the past. Gabriel and Effie both must give up something to reach their goals, and Effie comes to realize that working alone doesn't always help. We get our happily ever after on multiple fronts, with the promise of a better future and possibly another romantic meet-cute on the horizon for book two.

This BOOK! This HERO! I enjoyed this story SO MUCH! Gabriel Royce was a dangerous, protective, passionate hero with a “touch her and die” type of endearing possessiveness that made him one of the most swoon-worthy fictional men I have ever read! Effie and Gabriel play cat-and-mouse games of epic proportion with banter and action that proves the two are best together rather than working against each other, and it makes for a great romance with plenty of sizzle! From their somewhat terrifying yet thrilling first encounter to the happily ever after of the epilogue, these two make some of the best romantic tension I have seen on page. Mimi Matthews has delivered another five star read for the historical romance lovers, with some beautifully researched insight into the Victorian Era. Feminism of the Victorian era was not the radical feminism you sometimes see today, but instead was the means of obtaining fair and equitable treatment of women within society and the justice system when women had no financial or political freedom. This is the feminism of Rules of Ruin, not a sideways interpretation one often sees nowadays. The historical insight is valuable and interesting when comparing the rights of Victorian women to modern women, and the message is perfectly balanced to add to the entertaining story without becoming a memorandum. The deeper meaning of the story and the struggle of the characters is paired with sizzling romance for a story that is both emotionally deep and swoon-inducing! I cannot recommend this one enough! Just. Go. Read. It.

I received an early copy of this book for review purposes, and a positive review was not required. My thoughts are my own and I really did love it!

Euphemia Flite has returned to London after being finished in Paris and been given a most essential task from her old headmistress: Infiltrate the house of the prominent Lord Compton and find evidence of his illicit dealings. What Effie doesn’t anticipate is the sharp and restrained Gabriel Royce to hinder her plans. Gabriel needs Lord Compton’s power and influence to help rehabilitate the Rookery. As Effie and Gabriel continue to cross paths and get in each others’ way, they begin to see through each others’ facades and an undeniable passion burns between them. But who will end up victorious? Will Lord Compton be taken down or end up impenetrable?

Once again Mimi Matthews delivers another historical romance but with a gothic twist. I cannot wait to see where this new series goes!

In this first novel in 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘈𝘤𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘮𝘺 series, RULES FOR RUIN, we are swept away to London in 1864 and into the lives of the intelligent Euphemia Flite and the dashingly handsome, devious, Gabriel as they each try to best each other with wit, words, and wisdom before attraction, temptation, and desire win out.⁣

The prose is witty and light. The characters are protective, fearless, and resourceful. And the plot is an alluring mix of loyalty, friendship, responsibilities, societal expectations, scheming behaviour, tricky situations, and steamy romance.

Overall, RULES FOR RUIN is an atmospheric, captivating, highly amusing tale by Matthews that’s a delightful indulgence and, in my opinion, a wonderful start to 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘈𝘤𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘮𝘺 series.

I knew starting this book this was going to be a 5 star read and it has far exceeded my expectations! This had such a different vibe then anything I have read from Mimi before and it was so good. Loved the dark academia feel to it. Euphemia (Effie) Flite is called back to the Crinoline Academy by her head mistress Artemisia Corvus. There she is tasked with bringing down a man who could attack women's rights in Parlaiment but also there's an event of fraud to be brought to justice by any means necessary then she can be fully free. But a Gabriel Royce who owns a betting shop rules an underground empire has his own rules and needs the same man that Effie is after to get what he wants.

I really enjoyed this rivals to lovers and meeting the other characters were also so unique. The chemistry between Effie and Gabriel was off the charts. Mimi really outdid herself with this one with the development. I can't wait for the next one!!!!!

I received this book at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Rules for Ruin by Mimi Matthews is gothic romance perfection—moody, broody, and wildly romantic in that slow-burn, secret-past, haunted-hero kind of way. If you love a love story wrapped in shadows with just the right amount of yearning and wit, this book delivers hard.

The banter crackles, the tension simmers, and the vibes? Think windswept moors, hidden pain, and stolen glances that say everything. Mimi Matthews gives us intelligent heroines, tortured men, and a romance that feels like fate with a dash of defiance.

Basically: come for the mystery, stay for the swoon.

This was a really fun read! It was a great mix of historical and magical. I liked the characters as well. I hadn't heard of Mimi Matthews but now I'm definitely interested in checking out what else she writes!

Wow! It’s going to be difficult to encapsulate just how amazing Rules for Ruin is. Mimi Matthews’ created another winning Victorian series set in the gritty rookery of St. Giles & the upper echelons of Society. Filled with intriguing mystery, a pulse-pounding rivals to more, closed door romance, cat & mouse games that kept me eagerly turning the pages, & a Great Expectations like twist, this sparkling debut of the Crinoline Academy series is an absolute must read!

Euphemia “Effie” Flite’s been summoned back to the Crinoline Academy from Paris. Her unique mission is to infiltrate high Society & bring down the powerful politician Lord Compton, who destroyed one woman’s life & threatens to thwart Parliamentary bills empowering all English women. If she succeeds, she’ll finally get the freedom & independence she’s longed for. But, standing in her way is worthy opponent Gabriel Royce, an influential betting shop owner whose own goals involve Lord Compton.

Despite the explosive chemistry between them, Gabriel’s not about to let a beautiful woman get in his way of improving the Rookery & insulating his lucrative business. Finding Effie at every turn, he does his best to keep one step ahead. But, despite their best efforts, the passion between them can’t be denied & both must choose between sacrificing their missions or joining forces.

I adored Effie & Gabriel! Their relationship from the beginning sizzles with delicious witty banter & a passionate undercurrent. I loved seeing their relationship transform from rivals to more. I loved the depth of their characters. In addition to bringing down Lord Compton, Effie’s searching for her mother & in the process discovers herself.

For all of Gabriel’s dangerous vibes, he’s got a heart of gold & I loved how he looked out for Effie. He’s pulled himself up from the depths & willing to do what he can to improve lives even if his methods are questionable.

The mystery was filled with twists & turns with many surprises along the way. I adored Franc, Effie’s small but fierce poodle, & Gabriel’s & Effie’s friends too. Can’t wait for Nell’s & Miles’ story.

Highest of recommendations! I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher with no expectation of a review. All opinions are completely my own & voluntarily provided.

1864

Euphemia (Effie) Flite has returned to Miss Corvus’s Benevolent Academy for the Betterment of Young Ladies now to be known as The Crinoline Academy. She had lived there when she was younger and has now been summoned back by Miss Corvus. Effie had come to the Academy as a very young child from the slums of St. Giles. Recently, she has been a companion to Madame Dalhousie in Paris. She returns dressed in total black and bringing her little black poodle, Franc. Effie sees that Miss Corvus appears to be quite ill and although the woman appears cold and aloof, she can’t help but worry about her. Miss Corvus is sending Effie to London to live with a lady who will sponsor her entry into society. She is to meet Lord Compton a politician who opposes a bill being considered that would allow women to keep what they earned during a marriage and it is feared that other lords will follow him in opposing it as well. Effie is to do her best to ruin the man. If Effie succeeds, she will no longer be beholden to Miss Corvus for taking her in as a child.

Effie attends a soiree given by Compton and his wife. Gabriel Royce came from the slums and now runs the area doing what he can to improve conditions for people living there. He has proof that Compton has committed fraud and can bring him down should he choose. He comes to the soiree uninvited and insists that Compton introduce him to his guests. When Gabriel meets Effie, he is quite taken with her cool mannerisms and wants to get to know her better.

Effie wants to find her mother who was named Grace. Going into the slums by herself to ask questions, Gabriel see her and worries that she could be accosted. He promises to help her find her mother.

As Effie’s determination to find out more about Compton takes her into tricky and scary situations, I found myself sitting on the edge of the seat. Gabriel’s plans to clean up St. Giles become more well-known, he too shows what a hero he is. This book is simply very powerful in proving how strong women are and how hard they fought for their rights. A fantastic story by a favorite author. I cannot wait to read upcoming books in this new series. This book is not to be missed. Enjoy!

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Rules for Ruin is an intriguing, empowering & fascinating historical romance set around a remarkable heroine trained at a girl’s school in tactics of self defense & subterfuge for protection & the fight of women’s rights during Victorian England.

This was an exciting & epic start to this incredible new series, which I cannot wait to keep reading.

Rules for Ruin is great for those looking to read…
🩷 Historical Romance
🩷 Feminist Rage
🩷 Morally Grey Hero
🩷 Clever & Badass Heroine
🩷 Rivals
🩷 Witty & Well Researched

I was fascinated by the author’s note about the behind the book included, which showcased the inspiration as well as the incredible research that went into this story. I love learning & this clearly demonstrates how well-researched this book was & it is evident when reading because it is enthralling & grasps your attention.

Whilst this is historical, this felt perfectly apt for the present. I highly recommend checking out Rules for Ruin.

Massive thanks to NetGalley & Berkley Publishing for the gifted copy, which I voluntarily read & reviewed.

I adored Gabriel and Effie's story! It was so much fun to watch these two together and I can't wait to see what happens in the rest of the series!

Rules for Ruin is a bold and refreshingly edgy historical romance, perfect for readers who love smart heroines, morally gray heroes, and a plot with real stakes. Effie’s mission to stop a powerful lord from crushing a women’s rights bill brings her into the orbit of Gabriel Royce—a roguish underworld figure who’s as dangerous as he is compelling. Their enemies-to-lovers dynamic had fantastic chemistry, and the emotional depth gave the story real heart. I appreciated the well-researched historical context and the feminist undertones woven throughout. An excellent start to a new series!
Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Rules for Ruin introduces readers to a new Victorian story world to love — and an epic rivals-to-lovers romance full of intrigue. Effie Flite and Gabriel Royce pleasantly defy societal and genre expectations as their story advances from a shadowed meet-cute to advantageous social connections, one swoony balcony scene, and banter-filled sparring, all with Dickensian flair. An emotional found family thread weaves through the story, as does a historical perspective of gender roles and limitations still quite relatable today.

This is the first romance of Mimi Matthews’ that wholeheartedly embraces the rivals-to-lovers trope, putting the leads at cross purposes. It allows for some fantastic tension and witty subterfuge, with all of the intricacies Matthews does well. Gabriel is a formidable, self-labeled mercenary of a hero, well-matched with the fierce and fully capable heroine. Effie employs her unconventional upbringing, which is a delight to see in the atmospheric Victorian setting. This also draws in Gabriel, who is instantly aware of and enamored with her intelligence. (And we all love a hero in love with the heroine’s mind!)

If you enjoy stories with gothic vibes, formidable heroines, darling canine companions, and heroes who only show their vulnerability to their soulmate-heroines, I recommend Rules for Ruin as your next read. Personally, I’m very excited to see what unfolds with the characters central to book two and the further depths they will reveal about the Crinoline Academy.

<i>Content note: mild, era-appropriate language; closed door (kisses only) romance.

My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the complimentary review copy. This is my honest review.</i>

If you’re craving a historical romance that feels truly authentic yet totally engaging, Rules for Ruin is it! This is my first Mimi Matthew’s read, and y'all she is great at delivering rich historical detail with page-turning plots. Can't believe this is just my first read of hers!

Set during the early days of women’s suffrage, the story follows Effie, an orphan trained to challenge the rules of society. She’s clever, bold, and determined—not afraid to go toe-to-toe with Gabriel, a man shaped by hardship and driven by his own goals. Their chemistry is fun to follow as each are trying to win. Real historical events are woven seamlessly into the story, adding depth without slowing it down.

This was a page turner and look forward to book 2! Thank you to Mimi Matthews, NetGalley and Berkley for the e-ARC!

Read if you like
+ Historical drama
+ Slow-burn romance
+ Revenge, secrets & swoony heroes
+ Smart, fierce heroine

4.5 stars - This was so much fun! I've loved previous series from Mimi Matthews, and was so excited to start this one. I absolutely adored the relationship between Effie and Gabriel - the enemies to lovers vibes, the top-tier banter, and the tension and connection they had with each was beautiful.

I loved how strong willed Effie was, and watching her come to terms with her past and let go of the resentment she was living with was heartbreaking but so good to see. Gabriel falling for Effie was honestly the best; him realizing that she was so much more than he originally thought, how he changed for the better, and how he ended up fully besotted with her warmed my heart.

Overall, absolutely loved this and can't wait for more from this series! Thank you so much to Berkley Romance for the free book - all opinions are my own!

Rules for Ruin by Mimi Matthews 💚
The Crinoline Academy, Book 1
Interconnected Standalone

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Adult • Historical Romance
ARC Review
400 Pages
🗓️ May 20

💚enemies to lovers
🩷secret identity
💚secret mission
🩷slow burn
💚morally gray MMC

📌”My father says that lectures of this sort are a poison to women. He warns most strenuously against them.”
“Naturally, he does. That is how gentlemen remain in power, by making us fear the very thing that will set us free.”
“Lectures by r*dical bluestockings?”
“Knowledge. It’s ignorance that’s the poison, Miss Compton. This... well. I very much hope this will be the cure.”

📌”Say you’ll be mine. I’m already yours. I have been since the night we met.”

A thrilling, captivating, romantic piece of historical literature that had me hooked since that obscured “not so meet cute” in the enemy’s library. My goodness, this was SO GOOD. I’m obsessed with Effie, Royce, crinolines and french dogs named Franc.

I also want to ride a hot air balloon now. Joking, I really don’t. But I do want to see them take flight. I bet it’s gorgeous. What I do want is to read every single thing ever written by Mimi Matthews. And I also very much NEED Nell’s story. I screamed when I saw who the next couple would be.

There’s something special about historical romances with feminist FMCs, who fall in love with their convictions and with our MMCs.

"She'd been honing her skills, toying with the very gentlemen who sought to heartlessly toy with her. It had been no great feat. Quite the opposite, the male sex made it all too easy. They insisted on underestimating women. On believing young ladies were prey, rather than predator."

"She might have known he'd be trouble. The interesting men always were"

"All he knew was that she'd been a bright, dazzling light in his dark world. Not a remote, beautiful creature to put on a pedestal, but an equal. A second self. If he wanted her, he was going to have to win her.
And he wanted her like mad."

Gabriel and Effie were EVERYTHING. This book - it's themes, characters and dynamics - were perfection. I loved it. I loved how Mimi hit that balance of both confidence and vulnerability with them. Both Gabriel and Effie had a certain level of boldness and security in who they were, without desiring to compromise or conform to society, yet both had a deep need to be fully seen, accepted and loved - to find where they DID belong. I loved how they recognized each other, like seeing like, even as they played their games.

These characters were so delightfully grey! Street urchins who had risen above their circumstances, wolves in sheep's clothing fighting for justice, but definitely with some questionable methods. I loved their dance around each other. How their suspicions and desire unfolded into honesty, respect and tenderness. This was passionate and swoony with LOADS of tension and intrigue!

And the underlying theme of the academy was brilliant. Cast off girls, raised and equipped by a wronged woman, educated to be fierce and intelligent in order to take their power back. So many brilliant and timely themes set in a time when women had even less power. It was a fabulously unique yet believable premise laying groundwork for more stories that I cannot wait to read. There is a reason Mimi Matthews is a favorite!