I enjoyed this a lot, it was sweet and funny, I loved the dual points of view and there was just enough pining for a good second chance romance.

I loved that characters from The Cheat Sheet made an appearance too, and Nora's relationship with her mum.

I also loved that both characters had meaningful careers, with Nora navigating the male dominated sports agency.

It was a little too surface level though. With Derek's dyslexia and Nora likely being neurodivergent, I expected things to be a little deeper I guess? But neither of these were explored in any meaningful way, and Nora was just written as very energetic, organised, and too much for some people.

The spice was also just a little disappointing. It's nice that the author warns you when it's coming so you can choose to skip it, and honestly, it didn't bring anything to the story. Considering the second chance romance aspect, I was expecting it to be a little more intimate and hotter tbh, and not so... flowery?

Overall this was a very quick, lighthearted read, with great banter and chemistry between the characters.

Sarah Adams is one of my favorite authors, and I was really excited for Derek's story.

Gotta say, it was worth the wait.

I love the second chance trope, and I think it was executed perfectly here. And the fact that they got married drunk just made the story even better.

With the right mix of laughs and gossip, this story won my heart over.


I thought the characters had great growth throughout the story; this book really warmed my heart.

Thank you so much, the publisher and NetGalley for sending me this ARC.

Thank you so much NetGalley and Headline for this arc copy!!
I'm so glad I picked this up because there's something so comforting about Sarah Adams and how she writes love and life. I LOVED Nora, I don't know what it is about me and connecting to fictional Nora's but we will never know!!
Her amazing style, her confidence, her independence, her vulnerability and determination for change, it allowed me to see the qualities of myself I often redefine as making me too much to just being defined as just the right amount. It was so lovely for them to communicate so openly and fight through the past and their insecurities together instead of alone. Plus I love the conversations surrounding woman in male dominated fields and the sexism that resides in those spaces and how we are meant to settle for that, I loved how they overcame and overruled their scrutiny and won in the end. This couple was just like a warm hug and this book is a credit to every book Sarah has wrote because she just keeps getting better and better.
Thank you for granting this wish it was a gorgeous read!

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this book 🩷

SARAH ADAMS YOU HAVE DONE IT AGAIN!

If you loved The Cheat Sheet you will LOVE this book!!

In this book we follow the story of Nora and Derek, who were college sweethearts, meet again when Nora is now Dereks agent. We see a rocky beginning for these two as Derek is still in love with Nora so he’s doing everything in his power to distant himself from her but Nora being Nora doesn’t give up!Until one day she forces him to do an endorsement deal in Las Vegas, where two of Dereks friends ended up eloping, so what could possibly go wrong?

A drunken night after a long day of filming that’s what! After waking up confused on what happened the previous night Nora finds Derek in her bed with the same tattoo as her on her left finger. Can they work out any remaining problems and go separate ways or will their feelings keep them together?

The Rule Book, Sarah Adams
Rated - 5 / 5 ✨

I freaking loved this book so much, I was completely hooked from the first page. It was the perfect second chance romance read 🥰♥️

Nora might be my all time favourite lead, I wanted to be her best friend, spend time with her and colour coordinate everything in my life in rainbow themes.

I loved getting to know Derek, what a guy. What a dreamboat. Reading his and Nora’s story was so delightful and seeing their history and growth come together was so perfect. I was smiling endlessly and kicking my feet with happiness.

Nora’s mum is a queen, I loved everything about her. You’ll see what I mean when you read it.

Sarah Adams can do no wrong, everything she writes I absorb and will forever auto-buy all of her books. She has such a way of captivating the audience and I honestly cannot wait until she releases her next read.

Thank you so much NetGalley, Headline Eternal and Sarah Adams for this arc.

❀ second chance romance
❀ enemies to lovers
❀ one bed
❀ forced proximity
❀ right one, wrong time
❀ sports romance

#Review: *The Rule Book* - ARC - Sarah Adams
5/5✨

I can say that I enjoyed sooo much this book!💕 Thank you NetGalley and Sarah Adams for this copy🤗.

Norah Mackenzie is a young sports agent. She had a though time at this job and being NFL player, Derek Pender, agent makes things even harder. He is her ex college sweetheart and their relationship didn't end in very good terms. So, Derek is keen on making Norah's job a nightmare, but she is not that kind of person to give up that easily and makes her own plan regarding Derek. They decided to make a rule book where they added points which would protect them from getting closer to each other.

But only one, wild night in Vegas will chance their lifes. They woke up being married to each other and they need to fix this situation, so Norah could keep her job. And with this, every point from that list they've made is doomed to be broken 🤭.

I looved the grumpy side of Derek and the way he teased Norah. He was mean to her, but at the same time he cared so much for her, that he couldn't help being kind and caring with her. The banter was sooo good and I enjoyed each of their interactions.

Another thing I loved was the role their friends played in this story. They were fun and they rooted for this relationship between Derek and Norah. We also have a wonderful surprise appearance from 'The cheat sheet' protagonists, Nathan and Bee✨💕.

This book was sooo good, fun and relaxing! I truly recommend it if these tropes are to your taste:
🏈#EnemiesToLovers
🏈#FirstLove
🏈#SecondChanceRomance
🏈#ForcedProximity
🏈#GrumpySunshine
🏈#Rivals
🏈#MistakeMarriage
🏈#MarriageOfConvenience
🏈#Banter
🏈#OneBed

I really enjoyed The Cheat Sheet and also loved The Rule Book - Sarah Adams will definitely be an author I'll look out for again in the future. This was funny and sweet and a great second chance romance. Perfect love story to get you hooked and out of any reading slump!

"The Rule Book" by Sarah Adams is a fun and steamy romantic comedy that serves up a delightful mix of second-chance romance, sports, and humor. The novel follows Nora Mackenzie, a fledgling sports agent, who finds herself facing off against her ex-boyfriend, NFL tight end Derek Pender, as her first client.

The tension between Nora and Derek is palpable from the start, with their complicated history adding an extra layer of complexity to their professional relationship. As Derek seeks revenge for Nora breaking his heart in college, the stage is set for a battle of wills and wits between the former lovers.

Adams skillfully crafts a story filled with witty banter, sizzling chemistry, and laugh-out-loud moments as Nora and Derek navigate their newfound roles as agent and client. The author expertly captures the ups and downs of their rollercoaster relationship, from their initial animosity to the rekindling of their feelings for each other.

The plot takes an unexpected turn when a wild night in Vegas leads to Nora and Derek waking up married, throwing their carefully constructed plans out the window. As they grapple with the consequences of their impulsive actions, they must confront their unresolved feelings and decide if they're willing to take a chance on love once again.

Adams' writing is engaging and entertaining, drawing readers into the world of professional sports and the high-stakes world of agent-client relationships. The characters are well-developed and relatable, each grappling with their own insecurities and fears while also striving to achieve their goals.

Overall, "The Rule Book" is a charming and captivating romance novel that will leave readers swooning and smiling. With its lovable characters, witty dialogue, and steamy romance, it's a perfect escape for fans of contemporary romance and romantic comedies. Adams delivers a winning combination of humor, heart, and heat in this irresistible love story.

I really liked this book. It was a very fun read that made me laugh several times. I would definitely recommend it to others.
Thank you so much for the ARC!

I’ve read a few (five) Sarah Adams books, I’ve enjoyed and liked them but if I’m honest most aren’t ones I’d reread. This is not the case with The Rule Book, a story I’d happily enjoy over and over again. It feels as though this is the book I’ve been waiting for from this author (and not just because it is open door).
As an overview The Rule Book is / has:
🏈 F/M sports romance (MMC is an NFL player)
💍 Workplace romance (FMC is a sports agent)
🏈 Second chance - college exes!!!
💍 Accidental Vegas marriage
🏈 Interconnected stand-alone, you’ll recognise some characters from The Cheat Sheet.

•I loved both main characters. Sometimes a ‘quirky’ character is hard to pull off without it seeming contrived, but this was not the case with Nora. Derek is prime book boyfriend material, the man made me swoon (it’d be a long list if I listed why) and he was endearingly vulnerable.
•The book covers a lot of ground - and tropes - without them feeling laboured or shoehorned in. This makes reading it a delight for romance readers.
•I really enjoy a second chance romance - The Rule Book explores this wonderfully. The history of the characters add to their dynamic throughout the story. However, their previous relationship (and remaining issues) are not resolved instantly, instead they are explored. Combined this results in excellent tension.
•Side plots were also interesting, such as: workplace misogyny, adult friendships, career changes, dyslexia diagnosis.

A big testament to how much I enjoyed and love this book is my plans to buy it when it releases next week, as I need a copy on my shelf!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC copy of this novel for an honest review

I have enjoyed Sarah Adams’ previous novels so was very excited to be granted the opportunity to read this one.

A second chance romance, Nora and Derek discover each other again in adulthood. Both the lead characters were well developed, and overall fun and likeable.

The plot was well paced and kept my attention throughout. The developing relationship was well done.

I really enjoyed Nora as a character and her refusal to fit into a certain box.
I did find Derek’s career change at the end a bit off - it didn’t feel like that was where the story was going, given the way his career was explored throughout the novel.

Of course I‘m dropping everything for a Sarah Adams ARC!! This is the perfect frothy, fun and steamy (steamier than Sarah Adams other books I think) read for when you‘re feeling down.
I loved Nora, the FMC, so much. She is a sunshiney whirlwind of puns, quirky outfits and general adoreableness. Even if you don‘t usually like the quirky girl trope, I believe Nora being „obnoxiously cute“, as she is called by another character in the book, will wear you down.
I also enjoyed Derek, the MMC, but more so in the latter half of the book. He was being so petty in the beginning which I didn‘t love. But he was so obsessed with Nora later on and really seemed to get her as a person, so he redeemed himself for me.
Things that I also loved: the guy friend group that Derek has, Nora‘s „friendship“ with Nicole (Nicole would call it workplace acquaintances) and the storyline around Nora being a sports agent.
For my personal taste, this book was a little too low conflict and I also don‘t super enjoy second chance romances. But Sarah‘s bingeable and sugary sweet writing style makes up for the few shortcomings that I saw.
Highly recommend this book if you‘re looking for a fun, low-angst escape from daily life that will supply you with all the happy feelings,

(Thank you to NetGalley, Sarah Adams and Headline Eternal for providing me with an eARC for this book in exchange for my honest feedback. All opinions in this review are my own.)

*arc The Rule Book by Sarah Adams

🌟 4/5
🌶️ 1/5
Genre: new adult romance
POV: dual

Tropes:
✨ second chance
✨ workplace romance
✨ sports romance
✨ lovers to enemies to lovers
✨ marriage of convenience
✨ found family

Derek is a Sharks player in the NFL coming back from a potentially career ending injury, when he’s assigned to a new agent “Mac”. Little does he know, Mac is in fact Nora Mackenzie, his college ex girlfriend who he still holds a torch for.

This second chance romance explores a “right person, wrong time” theme, with discussions of putting yourself first. Whether that be to allow your career to soar, or to find fulfilling connections.

I thought the communication between Nora and Derek was mature and realistic, they were both afraid to voice their feelings but found a way to navigate it together.

Little sprinkles of appearances from Bree and Nathan from the cheat sheet were appreciated 😌 it really felt like a found family with the guys from the Sharks ❤️

I appreciated the discussions of misogyny in a male dominant workplace. Nicole was such an important character in showing that strong women exist at the top. But also Nora was so important as a rookie agent, in showing that you don’t have to approach things in a cold, hard and dominant way; You can be soft and funny and still succeed against the men trying to hold you down.

Another great book from Sarah Adams! 🥰

I love this author and love every one of her books. However, this one fell short for me. I'm so bummed!

It started off great, enemies leading to a second chance romance - yes please! Nora is a bit cringey but I could overlook that. I loved the angst and the pure pain and disdain Derek had at the beginning. Would this be Nora grovelling for forgiveness from Derek? I was here for it!

Then the story took a turn. Every single trope under the sun decided to make it's way into this story. It felt messy and suffered from an identity crisis. Derek is no longer hurt or angry at Nora. We never see Nora do anything job related, we hardly see Derek do anything sports related and it just felt flat after that turning point.

Also, the more I read, the more Nora started to grate on my nerves. There is a very fine line between quirky and downright cringey and Nora was definitely veering towards the latter.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I devoured this in one day - Sarah writes the cutest romance books, I’m a huge fan! I was so excited to read this, as it’s one of my most anticipated Spring releases.

Nora is amazing, I related to her so much in terms of always feeling like you’re too much or not enough for someone, and her obsessive need for organisation. She is so unapologetically herself, and such a badass working in a field dominated by men who try to put her down. Her phrases and witty comebacks just kept me giggling.

Derek, who did behave like a jackass in the beginning, never could get over Nora, and tried to push her away at the beginning, but really just wanted to spend more time with her. I was so happy when he realised he couldn’t be without her and we got to see more of the Sharks and their whiteboard planning to get the girl.

I’m such a sucker for a second chance romance, this was so cute and perfect, and covered SO MANY of my fave tropes in one book! And I go feral for a secret tattoo!

Make sure you check if one out if you like:

💋 Second Chance
💋 Vegas Wedding
💋 Marriage of Convenience
💋 One Bed
💋 My Wife
💋 Forced Proximity
💋 Secret Tattoo
💋 Dual POV
💋 Slow Burn

I love a good second-chance romance and this one was definitely a fun one. Especially when you add accidentally getting married in Vegas, a honeymoon in Cancun, and some fun banter, it's a delightful read. I can't say I adored the characters, I found Nora a little annoying and I couldn't fully connect with Derek, but their romance was easy to root for. And the moments in which they opened up to each other and let each other in as well as offered each other comfort were very sweet. It was clear that these college sweethearts deserved their endgame and I'm glad they got it. I also really loved the Sharks dynamics and Nicole was an icon. What happened at Derek's last game with the article and his retirement felt a little out of nowhere after Derek spent the entire book saying how much he wanted to keep playing for the Sharks, but I'm glad Nora and Nicole founded their own sports agency. Go women! All in all, this was a fun romance full of banter, sizzling chemistry and plenty of swoon!

🏈 The Rule Book 🏈
- Sarah Adams

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Rule Book is the second book in the Cheat Sheet duology. We follow college sweethearts sport agent Nora and NFL player Derek. Nora is climbing the highly competitive ranks of agenting, combating the misogyny and condescension. She’s just landed her first big assignment, a prominent NFL player (can you see where I’m going with this?) Enter Derek. Shenanigans ensue.

It has dyslexia representation, especially dealing with getting a diagnosis later in life. Derek is also recovering from an injury and dealing with the loss of identity he feels at his football career coming to an end. I also liked how the focus was on Nora’s career as much as Derek’s! I appreciated the commentary on Nora being a woman in a very male dominated industry: sport, which is something I haven’t read about in that many books.

I stayed up wayyyy too late finishing this, so be warned - don’t read it late at night! It’s so addictive and fast paced, it’ll pull you in until it’s 2am 🫣 Sarah Adams packed this book full of our favourite tropes. It’s cliche, in the best possible way, with a comforting sense of familiarity and predictability.

I occasionally felt Nora felt slightly caricatured. I’m not a huge fan of ‘quirky’, ‘sunshine’ characters, as they don’t feel as real to me. Nora was definitely both of these, with her colourful outfits and her cheery outlook on life. This being said, she was steely and tenacious and, on the most part, I enjoyed her character. I also wasn’t a fan of how Derek really put Nora through it in the first 30%, but he mostly made it up for it later on 😊

Overall such a fun, quick and sweet read, as I would expect nothing less from Sarah Adams! My favourite is definitely still the When in Rome series, but I would recommend Sarah Adams’ books to everyone!

Thanks to NetGalley for this digital ARC!
Publication date - April 2nd

This review is for The Rule Book by Sarah Adams which releases in the UK on the 2nd April! Thanks so much to Netgalley and Headline Books/Headline Eternal for giving me an eArc copy for this book in exchange for my honest review.

I was super excited when I saw this was available to request, as I fell in love with Sarah’s writing when reading Practice Makes Perfect. This book is set in the same universe as her other book, The Cheat Sheet which I have also read last year. I had high hopes for this story as The Cheat Sheet fell a little flat for me, but this book exceeded all of those expectations. The authors writing just seems to get better and better with every book she writes and now she’s going to be an auto buy author for me.

I loved the characters in this book, especially Nora. She was unapologetically herself, quirky but with a spine of steel. I loved the banter and wittiness she had, and wish I could steal some of her confidence! I also loved the return to some of the characters from Cheat Sheet, especially Bree.

This book was well paced and super easy to read. The plot twist during the middle, and how they get married, actually suprised me I was not expecting that at all which I loved.

I did have some problems to start with, with Dereks character and the way he was acting. Even if you love someone, holding a grudge for 8 years over a relationship where they break up with you… it was a lot and he was acting like a massive dick. Thankfully though, his character arc was great and you actually see him become a better person once he realises that he needs to let the past go, and realises how terribly he was treating her.

I ended up loving this story and cannot wait to see what Sarah comes out with next. Would recommend this to any romance readers out there!

This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year and I'm still not over the fact that I got an arc of this, it's do insane and I'll never stop being grateful for Headline Eternal for approving me for an arc

I loved this book, as previously mentioned this was one of my most anticipated reads and it didn't disappoint. I love Sarah's writing, I feel like every time I read one of her books I'm snuggled up in bed and have the best time reading

I'm a huge lover of second chance romance and this book reminds me of why I love them so much. Even tho they both were hurt over the break up/past events you could see how much they meant to each other still though their words and actions

The marriage in Vegas happens later in the book than I first thought it would and I was kinda just waiting for it to happen and wanted to rush through the build up of it, however upon reflection I'm glad that it took a while to get to it as we spent time seeing the hurt and love they both had for eachother still after all this time and I loved that, it made the getting back together properly so much better and really cemented their relationship

Derek is 1000% in contention for book boyfriend of the year, the love he had for Nora was so cute and there were several plot twists from him that had me screaming

I loved Nora and how strong and badass she is but also how she could admit that she needed breaks and wanted someone to lean on (aka Derek)

I loved seeing the gang from The Cheat Sheet back together again, I kinda wish there were more scenes of Bree and Nora as I just want to see their friendship more

Overall I loved this book and highly recommend everyone to read it, even if you haven't read the cheat sheet (which I don't think you have to)

Thank you to Headline Eternal and NetGalley for the arc - all opinions are my own

- second chance
- accidental marriage in vegas
- sports romance (football)
- sports agent x client
- forced proximity
- there's only one bed

Wow!!!! What a book! It is official this is my favorite book by Sarah Adams. I love everything about this one. Nora and Derek are soooo cute together. I must say that I love Nora sooo much. She is witty and with her dad jokes... She is sooo cool. I wouldn't change absolutely anything in this book. I love the first book in this series, but this one is my fave Love the second chance romance with no 3rd act break up. I love the communication and the fanny banter. I am sooo happy, for wishing this book, I read it in a few hours. Highly recommended!