The Rules of Matrimony by Anneka R. Walker was a lovely conclusion to The Matchmaking Mamas series. I love a good, clean marriage of convenience and this novel gave me all the feels. It was so great! Ian has so much determination and goodness, but he doubts his ability to be faithful in marriage considering his father and grandfather's infidelity. He plans to never marry and instead dedicate himself to reforming criminal law. Amie and her mother have been passed around to different relatives ever since her father died. When she and Ian chance to meet each other they both don't think anything will come of it, but rumors are spread by her mother about their supposed engagement. They decide to get married to protect Amie's reputation, but Ian concocts a list of rules in order to keep their marriage independent. As time goes by the rules become harder and harder to live by.
I loved how good and caring Ian is without him understanding it. Amie is such a compassionate and bold woman, and she can't help but want to heal Ian's family. They are such wonderful characters and their story is so compelling. What a fantastic read!

I received an advanced ebook from NetGalley, and all opinions are my own.

Anneka walker is a favorite of mine and I’ve really enjoyed the premise for this series.

Ian’s story was my least favorite due to personal taste in literary devices. But there are plenty of moments of sweetness if you view his personal brand of self sacrifice and denial noble. There is history and humor sprinkled throughout as well.



SPOILERS
What I took issue with:
- I am not a fan of the ´mutual pining for each other but denying myself for whatever reason’ plot point. I don’t know why authors do this because I find it terribly unrealistic. It doesn’t work to draw out the suspense because there is none. We know both parties are into each other. If you’re going to do this on the basis of insecurity, at least have only one pov so their worries at least seem somewhat plausible.

- I’m also not a fan of the big misunderstanding trope. This was unique in that applied to a father-son relationship, but still. Sounded like it was based on very little, had massive ramifications, and cleared up quick and easy when it found to not be true. So naturally that removes the primary barrier with our couple and they live happily ever after. Mmmmm nope. Not for me.

I didn’t like that the revelation came about from Amie betraying a confidence that was just shared to a man that gave her no reason to trust him.

Rarely in real life would it turn out to all just be a misunderstanding. At the very least Ian would have further trust issues with his wife that he only has a delicate thread of connection with. Amie did not try to urge Ian to bring up the matter, or bring it up while he was there instead of behind his back. She didn’t try to hedge and find out information. She just laid out her husband’s private communication.

Oh, and her mother exposing a note she found in her daughter’s diary at all, let alone without talking with her first? Her contacting extended family members that didn’t treat them well, that she wouldn’t want to return to, to try to convince her daughter to plead insanity and be put in their power?! What in the world? How could that possibly be an improvement? It felt like a totally nonsensical way to push the characters back together again under threat.

I give this book 5 stars and highly recommended it !

What an excellent book! An unlikely couple thrown into an engagement decide to marry but put rules so neither one falls in love. What follows is their greatest testing and growth individually and together. And having to deal with both sides of the family. The characters were believable and I enjoyed the love that grew between them. It's part of a series but can be read as a stand-alone but be warned you'll want to go back and read the other "Rebels" stories.


I received a complimentary copy of this book and all opinions expressed are my own and freely given

What a great book! I absolutely loved the crazy yet funny way that Lord Reynold “accidentally” gets engaged to Amie. Hehe It just sets this book up for so much entertainment and fun disasters. I definitely recommend!

I have loved every book in the Matchmaking Mamas series and this one did not disappoint. The long anticipated love story of the one Rebel who refused to marry and fall in love finally got his happily ever after! This time, it only took a little meddling on his mother’s part and the excitement and maybe slight desperation of Amie’s mother to make this matchmaking happen. This is a grumpy-sunshine trope and it is done well in the Regency era.

A sweet end to the Matchmaking Mamas series. Among this group of friends Ian was the one most determined to not marry which made this the best slow burn romance. He agrees to a marriage of convenience because he believes marrying someone he doesn’t love would prove beneficial. Amie accepts the proposal to have security. They make a list of rules to follow to not fall in love. Only when they start breaking the rules defenses slip and they can’t deny the attraction. If you love marriage of convenience, determination not to fall, and a memorable meet cute you will love The Rules of Matrimony.

Anneka R. Walker does it again! Every time I open one of her books, I feel like I am a part of the story. I love the imagery and the way her stories come to life. The Rules of Matrimony was no different.

The finale of a beloved series, this one at it all. Dual point-of- view, a marriage of conscience, forced proximity, and so much more. I'm happy just reminiscing on favorite parts of Ian and Amie's story. The build up in their relationship to finally admitting their feelings and being done with their rules is so, so good!

This one is definitely worth a read if you've loved the Rebels and their matchmaking mamas. If you haven't met the Rebels yet, their stories are worth reading. They're all delightful!

The Rules of Matrimony may be the end of the series, but I plan on staying friends with this wonderful group by adding them to my reread list, and hopefully, I'll get to reread them soon.

Amie’s dad died leaving both her and her mom dependent on relatives, and Amie at risk of being forced to marry her horrible cousin Robert. When put on the spot, her mom announces Amie is engaged to Lord Reynolds - the name on a nearby headstone, not realizing his grandson by the same name is living in the area.

Ian’s dad has a young woman picked out for him to marry to help with political alliances, but she’s calculating and not a good fit for him. He will be cut off if doesn’t marry her, so he quickly accepts his rumored engagement and marries Amie to help them both. He plans for their marriage of convenience to be in word only, with them living separate lives, and comes up with a list of rules for their relationship to ensure that's the case.

I didn't think Ian's reasons for avoiding marriage made much sense, but I loved Amie's character - especially when she races thru a storm to get to him - because it is the reverse of the typical hero rushing to the heroine. 4.5 stars

Very well written. I didn’t realize this was a series when i first started reading, it flows easily. A very well researched and planned historical romance. It was interesting seeing how the characters develop and play off each other.

Such a fun, entertaining, easy to read story! I lost myself in this one, and read it quickly. (There's the conundrum. It's so good, you don't want to put it down, but you also don't want it to end.) Amie was a sweetheart, but strong and definitely knew her own mind. And honestly, Ian was too. My heart ached for Amie when she felt so alone and unwanted. She was a lot stronger than I think I would have been. I think I just would have left and found my own way - probably not at all easy for a woman back in those days. This story just made me happy.

This is the first Matchmaking Mamas Series by Anneka R. Walker I have read, but since reading "The Rules of Matrimony' I intend to gather the previous books. There are so many things to enjoy - from the locale, to the delightful characters, to long held misunderstandings resolved and the humor. I highly recommend this to all whole like a clean, uplifting and delightful story.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

This was my favorite in the series so far. Hearing Ian's story was worth the wait. I enjoyed watching him change and love even though he had hardened himself so much against it. Amie was such a perfect match for him. I enjoyed the setting in the countryside. Tropes: marriage of convenience, grumpy/sunshine, one bed, matchmaking mamas.

I would recommend this book to regency romance lovers. I believe you could read this book as a stand alone but it's best enjoyed if you've read the series in order.

I enjoy books that start with marriages of convenience and turn into deeper relationships, and this one had realistic circumstances to lead to just this! It is believable and heart wrenching as it describes the past Amie is coming from. It also shows the power of redemption and how important it is to continue to work at relationships that we value in our lives!

Satisfying end to an entertaining series. Good character development….your view on certain characters changed as you learned more background information about them. Fun, believable dialogue. Interesting to learn about criminal law of that time period, and the battle to change it. Good ending, love the way that Ian and Amie love each other!

It is hard to say, because they are all so good, but I think Ian and Amy are my favorite! The matchmaking mamas are at it again and it just comes to a perfectly brewed storm in this one. So many resolutions and the SWOON!!! I can’t get over it. Ian tries so hard to fight his feelings and do what he thinks is best, but Amy won’t let him and it is adorable. I couldn’t get enough of this story and was kinda sad when it was over. But now I just need to go back and reread from the start. I loved seeing all of these couples together!

I really enjoyed the conclusion to this series. I liked how they met and how their marriage came about. Ian fought loving his wife so much, and it was so fun seeing him fall. They were perfect for each other, with him being serious, and her being outgoing. A really good read!

I received a complementary copy from netgalley, all opinions are my own.

I absolutely love this 4th instalment of the series! Ian has my heart and so does Amy! The character development and slow burn is what I really love about Walker's books, the settling of the story was easy to follow and the flow from start to end makes sense. I adore the lushness of the writing and the duo perspective! Obviously there are flaws of each character but I love them more for it!!!!

Anneka R. Walker’s Matchmaking Mamas series has been such fun, and the last book, The Rules of Matrimony is charming and delightful. I’ve been waiting for Lord Ian Reynolds to meet his match, and it was certainly worth waiting for. Ian made a vow never to marry, but when circumstances force him into a marriage of convenience, he insists on some rules for their marriage. Amie Tyler agrees to the marriage and the rules, but she wants to be independent. Neither Ian nor Amie intends to develop feelings for each other, but Ian’s Rebels group and the Matchmaking Mamas have other plans.

I loved these entertaining characters and their endeavors to keep to the rules of their marriage. Their banter and interactions are amusing. I enjoyed seeing some of the characters from previous books in the series show up in this one, although it is easily read as a stand-alone tale. 4.5 stars

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

I love the Matchmaking Mamas series, and I'm sad that this is the final story, but I feel this is an amazing way to end the series. The Rules of Matrimony is a fun, heartwarming Regency romance with all the elements of a great story—reluctant love, witty banter, emotional growth, and just enough drama to keep you turning the pages. Set in 1823 London, Lord Ian Reynolds, a man completely against the idea of marriage, and Amie Tyler, a sweet and determined young woman who never expected to be caught up in high society scandals. Thanks to a well-meaning (and wildly incorrect) rumor started by Amie's mother, they find themselves in a fake engagement that turns into a real marriage—and a whole lot more.

These two! Ian and Amie are such opposites, yet they're perfect for each other. Their first meeting is hilarious; I mean laugh-out-loud funny. Ian's "Lord Grumpy" is offset by Amie's sunny outlook. She and her mother have been passed from relative to relative since her father's passing, yet she continues to be grateful for the little that they have.

Ian is the rebel determined not to marry because of his grandfather, father, and uncle's inability to stay faithful to their wives. Meanwhile, Amie doesn't know what the issue is between Ian and his father, and she wants to see them reconcile their relationship.

What you'll love about this book:
💍 Dual POV
💍 Meet cute (mint leaves anyone?)
💍 Squirrel hunting
💍 Marriage of convenience
💍 The first kiss
💍 Cameos of the other rebels

Ian's rules started to drive me crazy about two-thirds into the book because I just wanted him to admit to Amie he had feelings for her. Other than that, I loved everything about this book. This has been such a fun series, and I can't wait for more books from this author.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

The Rules of Matrimony is exactly what I want in a marriage of convenience story. Scheming mamas, proud poppas, and headstrong characters who think they are finding a new way to get what they want. In the end, it is a win-win for all, and I adored Ian and Amie’s version. From the moment these two meet, nothing is normal or expected. Ian is hero at heart, determined to help those in need, even if he does come across as grumpy. Amie seems to peg him from the get-go and despite the unusual circumstances that brought them together, she is willing to fight for a good thing. I loved the interference of The Rebels (you’ve met them before and will appreciate the updates) and how they just embrace Amie. Acceptance is the very thing Amie needs to spread her wings and while Ian is willing to offer independence, what she needs is a safe place to be herself. Watching Ian come to care for her, ok, fall in love with her, is romantically sweet and thrilling; he has exactly the squishy heart I would expect under all that rough and tough exterior. I adored the conclusion of this one when they both finally come to their senses and the grand gestures are just perfect for these two.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.