"Mine. The word reverberated through Gabriel's veins, even as he counseled himself not to hold her too tightly, not to be too precipitous. It was dangerous to reveal the innermost desires of one's heart."

Mimi Matthews is a genius! I absolutely loved Rules for Ruin, and had the biggest book hangover when I was finished. It's hard to find an English historical romance that doesn't have one or both of the main characters who are nobility. I enjoyed that Effie and Gabriel came from difficult backgrounds. It really added to their depth!

There was so much romantic tension and beautiful moments between the two characters. Gabriel was the perfect blend of Tommy Shelby (but less scary) and a handsome gentleman. Reading about Effie giving him a run for his money was so much fun!

Read if you enjoy:
Rivals to Lovers
A Bit of Mystery
Victorian Romance

*I received a complimentary copy from the author. All opinions expressed are my own.

I had such a fabulous time with this book! Gabriel and Effie are scrappy and determined to accomplish their goals. Their goals are conflicting so I was hooked watching them use their considerable skills against each other. If you're looking for a romance with some suspense this could be your perfect read. It is so fun to watch two very capable people using all their tricks on each other and coming to respect their rival in the process. Gabriel and Effie learned to be self-reliant very young because they didn't have loving families so it was an absolute joy to watch them find a partner who will fight tooth and nail for them. Listening to this audio in public was a bold choice because I kept making wild faces as I was gripped by the plot and cracking up at the banter. I adored how fiercely feminist this story is. In our current climate, I found it so hopeful to read about two people who saw how resistant the system was to change but were determined to strive for change anyway. If you love historicals about strong women and the men that fall hard for them grab this audio!

“There were indeed going to be fireworks this evening, she thought grimly. And not only the kind in the sky.”

Oh this was just plain fun! Such a fantastic start to Mimi Matthews newest series The Crinoline Academy. One of my favorite things about Mimi’s books are all the historical elements and this book is no exception… it’s full of Victorian history from fashion to women’s rights especially when it comes to women’s personal property & marriage. It’s full of mystery, uncovering & revealing truths & the romance is perfection with its rivals to lovers trope, witty banter and fantastic chemistry!

I love the Miss Havisham Great Expectation vibes… it’s London 1864 and Effie Flite has been called back to The Crinoline Academy, the orphanage where she was educated & raised. Her education wasn’t a normal girls education… they were taught varying subjects not normally taught to girls plus they learned how to defend themselves, pick locks & other useful tools. Effie has been tasked with bringing down the powerful Lord Compton who politically opposes the Married Women's Act. I love Effie who is smart, strong & fiercely independent but also has a softer side. And who wouldn’t fall in love with Franc her mini poodle 💗 and then we have Gabriel Royce who pulled himself out of the slums by not so honest means. He has done some questionable things but also is trying to help the poor who live in the slums & let’s not forget that he just adores Effie!

“But Gabriel cared nothing for social rules at the best of times. And now... Well. He cared only for her.”

Seriously it’s just plain fun & i don’t know how I’m going to wait for the next book in this series!

"Survival isn't the same as living."

"Your pedigrees don't define you. Nor do the actions of those who would abuse or victimize you. We forge our own identities here.“

"Knowledge is your greatest weapon," she'd told them. "And books are knowledge made manifest."

ARC Review: Rules for Ruin by Mimi Matthews
Pub Date: May 20th

Thank you to @berkleyromance for the #gifted copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I love Mimi Matthews' closed door historicals! She may be closed door but she's still high on tension and chemistry which is just a perfect combo for me. This is the first in a new series following graduates of "The Crinoline Academy", a school for girls that teaches them to take down men and advance the rights of women. Our heroin, Effie, has left the academy but in order to really get her freedom, she's tasked with one last goal - to take down an aristocrat who is going to be instrumental in striking down the Women's Property Rights Bill. Throughout her time infiltrating his inner circle, she meets betting shop owner Gabriel. Gabriel has his own interests that involve the aristocrat Effie is trying to take down. They immediately become adversaries and try to outplay each other in this game of wits.

I thought the external plot and the relationship went really well together - they were well balanced and it definitely kept me reading! I loved the banter between Effie and Gabriel and really felt their chemistry. I loved how strong Effie was as a heroine. I'm excited to see where this series go and will absolutely keep reading. And again - the tension and chemistry is just so, so good!

The first in The Crinoline Academy, Rules for Ruin, is a historical romance with a bit of mystery. Matthews gives the reader a fiercely passionate heroine who wants what every women wants, their right to be equal and seen in marriage. The sexy, brooding love interest has a heart of gold even with his mysterious means to wealth.

Sparks fly when these two come together, as they try to outwit each other. A refreshing romance featuring my favorite trope, enemies to lovers.

Thank you Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley

Rules for Ruin (The Crinoline Academy #1) by Mimi Matthews, 400 pages. Berkley Publishing, 2025. $20.
Language: PG13 (32 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence; PG
BUYING ADVISORY: ADULTS - OPTIONAL
APPEALS TO: SOME
After graduating from the academy for girls, Effie was sent away to Paris to be a companion to an elderly lady. Effie hopes that her summons to return five years later will grant her freedom, but her old headmistress and guardian has one more stipulation before Effie can have her independence: Effie must ruin the reputation of Lord Compton. In this, Effie gains an unwitting enemy in Gabriel who needs Compton’s reputation to protect his own interests.
Matthews’ main characters are not above doing illegal things to achieve their goals, begging readers to determine how they are any better than the antagonist when everyone seems to believe that the ends justify the means. Curiosity of how Matthews will make both of her characters triumph in their conflicting goals as well as waiting to see how the will-they-won’t-they romance plays out act as the main propellants of the story. Overall, the story was a fun, predictable read.
The majority of characters are English and implied White, though Effie is described as having skin “somewhere between dark ivory and olive.” The mature content rating is for alcohol use, mentions of drugs and prostitution, illegal activity, kissing, partial nudity, and innuendo. The violence rating is for death, blood and gore, assault, and mentions of murder.
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

Mimi knocked it out of the park with this one! I ate up every moment! The Miss Haversham allusions, the Bronte vibes, the fashion details, and ever second of Gabriel Royce's devotion.

And can we just talk about that first kiss? Which comes EARLY in the book! And it was SO GOOD. The kissing in this books is top notch. On fire. I'm a fan.

The themes of this book were meaningful too. Know yourself. Who determines what/who we are? Circumstances? history? those who raised us? Knowing when to stand alone and when to accept help. What's really important. Loved all of it. I also enjoyed the bits of mystery, the case/job that Effie needs to accomplish. Loved the strong women and how they advocated for knowledge and the women's property/marriage rights.

Effie was so great. I really appreciated her growth and acceptance of herself. And Gabriel who opened himself back up to living and not just surviving. I could not get enough of those two. Effie gets into scrapes and Gabriel knows how to help. Every moment was delicious!

This might be a new favorite Mimi book. I plan on listening to the audio ASAP to relive it all again!

Stars: infinity
Content: kissing

If a romance has Tension with a capital T between the leads, then I am putty in the hands of the author. This was my first Mimi Matthews book and I’m kicking myself for not getting to her sooner. Rules for Ruin truly was a page turner; I found myself reading at work (oops), sitting at the dinner table, and staying up way too late just to get to the next scene.

What makes this book so good is the excellent storytelling combined with the strong-willed nature of both Effie and Gabriel. I fell in love with them both immediately for their similarities of ruthlessness, passionate beliefs, and quick-wittedness. But I stayed for the unexplainable giddiness Effie feels while falling for Gabriel, the way he makes it a point to show up for her despite his conflicted feelings, and the constant simmering desire between them. I literally fist-pumped the air with their first kiss; it’s the feeling of a man totally undone by a woman that he acts on impulse. And Gabriel is a man that implicitly trusts Effie, even if he doesn’t know the reasons why.

Not to be overshadowed by the leads, there are so many fun things Matthews has woven into this story. There’s hidden identity, spying, a tightrope walker, balloon ride, feminist meetings, stolen property, coded messages, a fluffy sidekick, and a pretty amazing fight scene. I appreciated the progressive leanings and fight for justice at all costs—Effie is a strong heroine who has been taught how to make a life on her own. So it’s the icing on the cake that she should possibly find a partner to share her beliefs and love. I am thrilled to see who the next couple will be in this series. Now excuse me while I go read all of Matthews’ backlog. I received an early copy from the publisher and author, all opinions are my own.

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Steam: 🪭
Tension: 🫦🫦🫦🫦
Likelihood of reading again: 💯

Mimi Matthew’s has done it again! I can always count on her write wickedly wonderful characters that have off-the-charts chemistry and tight-rope-tight tension. Effie, Gabriel, and even little Frank were fantastic. I love the strong willed, independent heroines and the fierce, masculine heroes Mimi creates. With her vivid and sumptuously detailed descriptions of the time period, her delicious banter, and swoony kisses, Mimi is a historical romance connoisseur’s dream.

Thank you to Mimi and Berkley Romance for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

Very grateful to the publisher @berkleyromance for my #gifted copy through @netgalley , opinions are my own

Rules for Ruin is a smart, sizzling historical romance packed with tension, intrigue, and just the right amount of slow burn chemistry. I loved the enemies to lovers dynamic between Euphemia and Gabriel, who are two strong willed, determined characters on opposite sides of a political mission.
Effie is clever, bold, and trained by a secretive academy to take down powerful men.
Gabriel is a charming underworld figure with a cause of his own. Their goals clash, but their connection is undeniable.
The push and pull between them had me hooked from the start. Even without on page steamy moments, the romance felt intense. The story also touches on women’s rights, class struggles, and personal sacrifice, which added emotional depth.
If you enjoy historical romance with a dash of mystery, moral complexity, and incredible chemistry, this book is definitely worth a read

Tropes: enemies (to friends?) to lovers; working class MMC; MFC with a Big Secret
Steam level: 1

This is delightful and romantic at its core. I feel a bit awkward admitting that I've read a ton of HR's over the last several years, but haven't gotten around to many by this popular author. She's very obviously skilled and does a nice job with dialog and the flow of scenes. Pacing might be slightly slow in the beginning, as characters are established, but it's a fast read overall.

Speaking of characters, I loved MMC Gabriel. I have a soft spot for gaming-hell Rookery heroes who are a bit rough around the edges but have a heart of gold, and that describes Gabriel perfectly. The scenes between him and MFC Effie are deeply emotional without being overwrought, and I believed in their connection. When they begin to admit their feelings for each other, it's hard to not want to root for their HEA. The steam is low here, just kissing, but I think that worked well for this storyline and these characters.

What kept this from being a 5 star read for me? (No major spoilers, but f you don't like any spoilers regarding plot please skip)
--I would say it falls more in the category of "fantasy HR" than straight-ahead HR. You have a spy-ish school for girls, run by a tough bird who expects her former students to do her bidding to overthrow men in power, but how the school is run is rather vague. At the beginning I got a little "La Femme Nikita" vibe, but the bulk of the book is light and charming, complete with a cute dog named Franc. There's a scene when Gabriel punches a man bloody for being disrespectful to Effie, and Effie seems used to encountering random violence; yet, there's no indication that the school exposed her to the dark elements of society and she has no specific memories of her childhood, just a fear of heights. She's come back from being a lady's companion in Paris, and there was no excitement in that role, so Effie's actually been sheltered even with the tough training at the school. She spends much of the book walking around unescorted and seems to think she can protect herself in any situation, but Gabriel ends up coming to her aid/rescue most of the time. I would have liked her to have been more of an equal partner, more worldly, with some tough real-life encounters under her belt as an adult.
--I felt that Gabriel and Effie could have talked over their differences and worked against Compton much sooner.
--Nitpicks: there's a scene about halfway through where Gabriel notices the lock-picking devices under Effie's skirt, but he never questions her. Why not? And why do the women use samplers to communicate? It's cute, but wouldn't coded messages be faster?

Overall: this is a sweet, charming book with a great MMC in Gabriel. I think I would have enjoyed it more with fewer elements where I had to suspend disbelief, especially regarding Effie.

This was an unexpectedly fun read! I don't read many historical romances but the premise of this one seemed fun so I thought I'd give it a try.

It was a little hard to get into (because I don't often read historical) but once I found the pacing, I quite enjoyed it. I liked that is was not "spicy" like most romances recently. We definitely had romance and great kisses but the plot didn't get lost by inserting unnecessary scenes.

I'm looking forward to reading more from this author and this series.

Rated 4 stars. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC ebook.

This is my first book my Mimi Matthews and it did not disappoint; this was a romance rife with sexual tension emphasis on the TENSION and had exactly the kind of high emotions and higher stakes I adore in a historical. I don't say this lightly but for a romance with no on-page sex, Rules for Ruin was kinda BANGIN.

There's something so delicious about a hero and heroine who are not only attracted to one other right off the bat, but they recognize each other as one and the same: predator in a roomful of prey. Euphemia was a poor orphan when she was picked up and unconventionally educated by the secretive headmistress of a girl's school. To what end.... well, she's just found out: Her mission is to infiltrate high society and destroy an aristocrat because he's about to come out against a women's property rights bill. Unluckily for her, Gabriel is cultivating the same politician so he can improve the slums of St. Giles, and a ruined politician would spell the ruin of his plans.

What follows is plenty of push and pull, your classic battle of wills between a *dastardly* underworld hero and a sharp, clever heroine of mysterious origins who's willing to push most boundaries to achieve her ends. There's plenty of moral ambiguity despite the admirable goals both of them have, and I quite enjoyed that as opposed to your simple goody-two-shoes reformer types you sometimes get in romances of a similar ilk. It's lovely to see Effie and Gabriel, both of whom are extremely closed-off and self-reliant people, soften towards one another and open up in a way they never really have with anyone else.

Like I said earlier, there's no on-page sex in this book and we get a few well-timed kissing scenes that are doing the most on top of the CRACKLING sexual tension between Effie and Gabriel.

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Rating: 4/5
Heat Level: 2/5
Pub Date: May 20th

Rules for Ruin by Mimi Matthews kicks off “The Crinoline Academy” series—a smart, compelling historical romance with sharp banter, simmering suspense, and an unlikely hero.

Miss Euphemia Flite is determined to sabotage a viscount who threatens a bill advancing women's property rights—success would mean her freedom of a prior contract. Effie’s on a mission for justice. But when she crosses paths with Gabriel Royce, her mission gets complicated.

“Good God,” he uttered. “I might have known you were a blue stocking.”
The signs had all been there. Her confidence. Her singularity. The way she spoke and moved, with such uncommon sense of purpose. He felt a fool not to have recognized it before.
Strong, intelligent women had always been his weakness. —Chapter 8.
Gabriel, equally determined to protect his business interests, won’t let Effie interfere—though he can't ignore her charm or let her face danger alone. Sparks fly. Tension crackles. The chemistry? Perfection. What a swoony start!

If you like historical romance with clever heroines and dubious heroes, don’t miss this one. I’m already counting down till book two!

In London, there’s an institution exclusively for young women. They’re trained to confront patriarchy and fight for women’s rights against Parliament. Miss Euphemia Flite is unexpectedly called back to the school. She’ll utilize her skills to champion women’s rights.

Gabriel Royce, a handsome man, quickly becomes her most formidable adversary. She must navigate his quick wit and captivating appearance without getting distracted.

This beautifully crafted novel delves into a topic I’m deeply passionate about: women’s rights as equal citizens. I’ve always appreciated Mimi Matthews’ meticulous historical research in each novel.

What I loved:

• - Dragonfly pins
• - Franc the poodle
• - Hot air balloon
• - Clean romance
• - Kisses
•
I’m eagerly anticipating this new Victorian series and highly recommend it. 4.5⭐️

Thanks, Rel and Berkeley via NetGalley

I truly enjoyed this book! The story was refreshingly unique, centering on two main characters who come from troubled, isolated beginnings and must navigate a harsh society to survive.

Gabrielle seeks to stay close to Lord Compton, not out of loyalty, but because the connection is vital for helping the impoverished community he cares about. Effie, on the other hand, is determined to destroy Lord Compton’s reputation to prevent him from passing oppressive laws against women. In doing so, she hopes to secure her freedom and escape the debt that looms over her.

Neither Gabrielle nor Effie expects to cross paths, let alone fall for someone whose goals directly conflict with their own. But the chemistry between them is electric, truly off the charts. Both are fighting for noble causes, yet only one can succeed. Someone will have to compromise, but neither of them can afford to walk away... Will love tip the scales?

Enemies to lovers is one of my favorite tropes, and when you combine that with a historical setting, suspense, and a touch of mystery, it makes for an absolutely compelling read!

I received a complimentary copy of this book, and this review reflects my honest opinion.

Ms. Matthews continues to raise the bar with the first book in what promises to be an exciting new series! I was hooked by the promotions that this would be a blend of "Great Expectations" and "Peaky Blinders". And I was not disappointed.

Set against the atmospheric backdrop of Victorian England, readers will travel between the slums of London and the glittering ballrooms of the elite. Much like Dickens, Ms. Matthews has no qualms in showing the disparity between the two worlds.

Euphemia has been called back to the Academy to receive one final task before she achieves her independence. As she infiltrates society, she finds that she is at cross purposes with the mysterious Gabriel. Both seek to right wrongs, advocating for the vulnerable. I think these are some of the most developed characters in Ms. Matthews stories. As they cross paths, sparks fly.

I loved the historical details including the high wire artists, hot air balloon escapades, and the fight for women's rights. It was easy to get lost in the Victorian world for a few hours within these pages filled with a well-paced plot, strong character arcs and a sizzling romance. Looking forward to the next installment in the series.

PG rating- mentions of abuse and mentions of the immorality of the underworld in London's slums

Clean romance, one of the best first kisses:)

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I received this book for free from Netgalley. That did not influence this review.

I’m a huge fan of Mimi Matthews, and I’m excited that she now has a new Victorian Romance series, The Crinoline Academy Novels. Book 1 is Rules for Ruin.

Effie (Euphemia Flite) is a graduate of Miss Corvu’s Benevolent Academy for the Betterment of Young Ladies, better known in the area as The Crinoline Academy. Effie doesn’t believe in the school’s benevolence. She’d been scooped up by the proprietress, Artemisia Corvu, when she was a very young street urchin, and had been denied any opportunity to learn about her past. She’d been educated, somewhat against her will, to the extent that she can now pass among the upper classes as one of them. But she’d also learned the means to take care of herself. When she was 18, after yet another infraction of the school’s rules, she’d been “cast out,” sent to Paris to be a lady’s companion. Now, five years later, she is called back to the school. Miss Corvu has a job for her. If she completes it to her benefactor’s satisfaction, her debt to the woman will be repaid with a bonus, enough for her to live independently, which is all that she thinks she wants.

Miss Corvu wants Effie to play the part of a debutante. She is to ingratiate herself with a man named Lord Compton, an influential politician, a man of (supposedly) spotless reputation. Then she is to find information that can ruin him. Lord Compton not only stands against an upcoming women’s property bill being brought before Parliament, but, years ago, he ruined a young lady and stole her fortune. It’s time to take him down.

Effie accepts the terms. Unfortunately for the plan, as she meets Lord Compton at a social event, she also meets Gabriel Royce.

Gabriel was also born to the underclass, but he built a fortune for himself (in shady businesses) and adopted aristocratic manners in order to better go where the money is. He rules the Rookery, a slum, by way of a significant financial investment in a gaming house. He wants to reform the slum for the betterment of its inhabitants. In this, he is being thwarted by aristocrats who would rather take over the Rookery and push out the poor. Gabriel needs politicians on his side. So he leans on Lord Compton for introductions to persuadable men. Gabriel is able to influence Compton because he has damning evidence against him. Evidence that could destroy him.

Gabriel’s strength lies in keeping control of that evidence. Effie’s goal is to locate that evidence, though at first, she doesn’t know what it is or where it is. Gabriel and Effie are quickly attracted to one another, but soon find out they are working at cross-purposes. Effie wants to destroy Compton. Gabriel needs him to stay in power so that his own operation will be protected. So what happens when Effie learns that the evidence she needs is in Gabriel’s possession?

Mimi Matthews is a master of the closed-door romance, and Rules for Ruin is a thrilling story of intrigue, corruption, and a battle of wills. It’s a great start to a new series!

Thank you @berkleyromance @prhaudio for the books #BerkleyPartner #PRHAudioPartner #berkleyromance

Release date: May 20, 2025

Trained to dismantle the patriarchy, Miss Euphemia Flite is sent to sabotage a powerful viscount—her ticket to freedom. But Gabriel Royce has plans of his own, and neither expects their mutual schemes to spark something deeper. A sharp, swoony clash of secrets, power plays, and slow-burning desire across Victorian London.

Mimi Matthews can do no wrong. This suspenseful romance was delicious from start to finish in a way that felt fresh and thrilling. Sure, the dark academia vibes, Victorian intrigue, and espionage elements are top-tier 👏🏻—but I was here for the romantic tension. Mimi outdid herself with quippy, mischievously flirty lines that had me grinning the whole way through.

I mean…

“Blood doesn’t often you, but my shirtsleeves do? You fascinate me, Miss Elite.” “What can I say? Im a fascinating creature.”

“His fingers gently cradled her jaw, his thumbs sliding over her cheeks. ‘That’s what’s going to happen, sweetheart. I’m going to rescue you.’”

“‘I’m not finished with you,’ he informed her darkly. Effie’s heart pounded an erratic rhythms. ‘Nor I with you,’ she retorted, sounding braver than she felt. There were indeed going to be fireworks this evening, she thought grimly. And not only the kind in the sky.”

Perfect for you if you like:
Downbad, morally grey, self-made MMCs
Independent clandestine vigilante FMCs on a secret mission
Women’s rights and secret societies
Sharp romantic tension

Similar to:
The Siren of Sussex by Mimi Matthews
The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels by India Holton
The Ladies Road Guide to Utter Ruin by Alison Goodman

⛔️closed door romance
⚠️mild language, abandonment, past child abuse

OH I AM SMITTEN.

First things first. Gentleman Jim is my ALL TIME favorite Mimi Matthews book and the MMC in Rules for Ruin? Dear Gabriel Royce? HAS THE SAME VIBES. So clearly this read went well for me. Gosh I loved him.

I have read nearly all of MM’s backlist and I love that this felt like a wholly new series starter. The unique set up for the characters and future books was awesome. I loved the institution turned training ground and how that influences the story line. The distinct darker atmosphere of the story was top notch too. I loved the hidden moments, putting all of the clues together and sneaking about in the dark.

And the romance? SWOON. We love a protective MMC. Also bless the fact that this was dual POV. I loved being in both Effie and Gabriel’s headspace. The push and pull between them was delicious. The banter and moments where they leaned on each other as they learned more about themselves. The kisses were [as always] heated and utterly romantic. I am a puddle for these two.

I loved how everything came together and those who deserved their due received it. I will happily sit here waiting for book two. Mimi Matthews never misses.

Overall audience notes:

Historical romance
Language: low
Romance: kisses
Violence: mild