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House Rules (Chicagoland Vampires #7)

by Chloe Neill (Goodreads Author)

4.2 of 5 stars 4.20 · rating details · 3,318 ratings · 499 reviews

In a city full of vampires, trouble never sleeps.

At the tender age of 27, Merit became a sword-wielding vampire. Since then, she’s become the protector of her House, watched Chicago nearly burn to the ground, and seen her Master fall and rise. Now she’ll see her mettle—and her metal —tested like never before.

It started with two . . . Two rogues vanishing without a trace. S...more

Paperback, 352 pages

Published February 5th 2013 by NAL Penguin

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Can't Wait Books of 2013

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2013 Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy (January - June)

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Feb 06, 2013 Wendy Darling rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: adult, pn-vampires, 2013-publication, february, penguin, pnr-urban-fantasy, 2013-favorites, heroines-butt-kicking, crush-worthy-boys, pn-shapeshifters, pn-faeries, read-2013

With most Book Sevens, I am usually checking release schedules and making all kinds of martyred noises about how series should quit while they're ahead. By that point, authors are usually stuck on rules they've set for how the relationships play out, or they're having trouble coming up with new problems without changing the nature of certain characters.

That's not the case with Chloe Neill's Chicagoland Vampires, however. This series shows no signs of slowing down or relying on tired, recycled story lines or forced conflict to move the action forward. In this particular installment, the vampires' Cadogan House is in a state of flux as its status among the other Houses is called into question. On top of that, vampires are disappearing--and a face from the past comes back to make trouble for Merit and Ethan.

The series' trademark humor, great action sequences, and complicated political intrigue are all here, in ways that feel familiar and yet still fresh. I love that Merit is such a kickass character, but who still struggles with her vulnerability. The question of doing what is honorable comes up again and again in this series, particularly in this installment as she's faced with a new allegiance she's made with the Red Guard that may threaten her standing as Sentinel and protector of her House. I love that Ethan is true to the character we've come to know, and proves again what an admirable Master he is, as well as a good match for Merit. I love that we get to see Jonah, albeit all too briefly--someday he really must get a spinoff series, I think! And I love that awkward Jeff gets some cool moments as well.

There are also some, um, pretty hot scenes in this book. Vampires eyes' get silver when they get angry or excited and let's just say there is a LOT of silvering of eyes and pouncing in this one. :D

If I had to quibble about anything, I'd say that I do wish the author didn't feel the need to use so many of her characters in every single book. While I appreciate the sprawling and memorable cast of characters, as well as how easily she works back story into the narrative, having to explain so much does slow down the momentum of the beginning of each book. And please, let's have these vampires suck a little more blood!

But those are minor points when I enjoy so much about these books--somehow the Chicagoland Vamps just work for me every single time. I'd recommend this series to: anyone who enjoys adult urban fantasies, or to mature YA readers who want to try out books with a similar feel but more adult conflicts. Chicagoland's Merit is a lot like Vampire Academy's Rose, actually. Both strong, principled characters who get into all kinds of trouble, but have a hell of a time fighting--and reasoning--their way out of it.

This review also appears on The Midnight Garden. An advance copy was provided by the publisher.

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63 likes · like · see review

May 09, 2013 Tabatha marked it as paused

Shelves: i-want-this-now, favorites, ebooks, 2013-challenge-120-books

I guess I should start with..

Helloooooo ! (:

Let's face it, we're all looking forward to reading House Rules by Chloe Neil and there's really no denying it. Difference is, although I love the storylines, I'm really, truly reading it for one thing.

That thing has a name.

*AHEM*

Wait for it..

Ethan Sullivan.

Yep, you heard me, the god-among-men-Ethan-frikin'-Sullivan. Because face it, we all love him. Even these guys:

(See? Are you feeling the love?)

I want to kiss him,

And although it may be a little...more

31 likes · like · see review

Feb 11, 2013 ♠ Sharon is an emotional book junkie ♠ rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2013

This is definitely not going to be the most objective review seeing as how I'm a total Ethan fan. As long as Ethan's in the book (and even when he's not), I've loved the book. I just love Ethan and Merit together and I've loved seeing them through all their trials and tribulations. The difference in this book was that I felt many things came together and solidified...finally.

The Cadogan house is breaking its ties with the GP and while there's lots of uncertainly, the house vampires have really...more

22 likes · like · see review

Mar 22, 2013 psychoKiller† rated it 5 of 5 stars

It has cover!

And by the way its freaking gorgeous (thank you god)

but we do have a problem..

Are you kiddin with me chloe? FEBRUARY? WE NEED TO WAIT 6 FUCKING MONTHS TO READ THIS? WHAT. THA. FUCK GIRL?

Seriously I can't wait more long... I NEED TO READ THIS NOW. I NEED TO KNOW ETHAN'S TATTOO MEANING, WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE HOUSE, TO ETHAN, MERIT... ARGHHH

Freaking 6 months to wait for .. Fuck that

WAKE ME UP WHEN FEBRUARY STARTS BY THE WAY.

*going into hibernation state*

EDIT

IT'S COMING OH IT'S COMING...more

8 likes · like · see review

Mar 21, 2013 Keisha Fite rated it 5 of 5 stars

Merit has gone from hard student to a vampire with issues at every waken turn.
With a broken heart full of greif, a reciever whom is threating to shut down the house, a stressed out bestfriend and mayor that blames vampires for everything. What more can happen? Merit is on a mission to save both her house and Chicago.
Chicagoland is thrilling and entertaining. It's a complete page turner with no disappointment.

7 likes · like · see review

Feb 28, 2013 Steph rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: kindle-read

I have loved this series for a really long time now and Merit and Ethan have held a special place in my heart ever since. The past few books have left me feeling really frustrated with the lack of relationship development between them. Every time things just seem to be going well for them, something happens to pull them apart, or make them doubt themselves or each other. Whilst that still happened in this book, I am very happy and proud to say that they do not succumb to their old habits this t...more

10 likes · like · see review

Feb 06, 2013 Beatriz Lins rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013-release, hurry-up, feb-13

Am I the only one who didn't like the cover very much? The other covers were so unique and beautiful, and this one looks so common.
Still, I'm DYING to read House Rules <3

Edited
Sigh. Chloe Neill, why do you keep blowing me away? 5 stars all the way. Again.

7 likes · like · see review

Feb 23, 2013 Shumaila Dosani rated it 5 of 5 stars

best one so far reminds me y I fell in love with the series in the first place
realy curious about Gabrielle's premonition with green eyes like ethans but not ethans

5 likes · like · see review

Feb 06, 2013 Laura *Daddy's Deviant Little Girl* is currently reading it

Shelves: alphalicious, kick-ass-heroine, paranormal, tbr-2013, vamp, werewolf-shapeshifter, witches, book-boyfriend, buddy-read-w-susie, owned

IT HAS A COVER! Now, only if it was in my hands...

5 likes · like · see review

Jan 30, 2013 Jaime Arkin rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013, 2013-february-release, favorites, fairies, galley-arc, have-this, read-in-2013, paranormal, vampires, series, shapeshifters, on-my-real-shelves

I have to say... I finished this book last night, and I'm already biding my time for the next one. If you haven't started the Chicagoland Vampires series I highly recommend that you do. I struggle with finding goood Paranormal Romance but one thing I can count on is that Chloe Neill will always bring it.

House Rules picks up shortly after Biting Cold ends. Cadogan House is making their move and parting ways with the GP but of course it's not going to be simple. Darius is out to take everything a...more

8 likes · like · see review

Mar 03, 2013 Karla rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: awesome-alpha, character-we-love-from-the-past, determined-heroine, kick-ass-heroine, magic, paranormal, sensless-killing, mild-steam-factor, terrific-dialogue, tragic-death, vampire, shape-shifters, yummy-men, wonderful-secondary-characters, wish-it-was-longer

4 1/2 Stars!! That's what I'm talking about. A decent story, some suspense and a mystery that kept me guessing. Cadogen House and its residents are taking a new direction!! It's about time!!

The suspense/mystery portion of the story played out well and had me guessing well into the book, as to who was committing the heinous crimes. Not until it was brought to the steps of Cadogen House itself, did I finally figure it out. I love the new direction that the series is taking and this will certainly...more

11 likes · like · see review

Feb 13, 2013 Ferdy rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: blah, blah-romance, boring, boring-main-characters, cheesy, boring-crap-hero, disappointing, fairies, growly-werewolves, martyr-heroine, mary-sue-bitch-heroine, meh, meh-heroine, shifters, shitty-parents, whiny-annoying-blah-heroine, vampires-ahoy, witchy-shit, witches

Spoilers

I'm bitterly disappointed. I adored the first few books in the series — they were fun and exciting… Unfortunately the last few were a bit of a let down. I was hoping that Neill would recapture some of the magic that was present at the start of the series but sadly, she didn't.

Random thought/notes

-Ethan and Cadogan House were preparing to separate from the GP - naturally there were complications involving an egg, a cheesy bad guy and a bunch of dumb fairies. Also, Merit decided to invest...more

30 likes · like · see review

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Miss Amby I agree, and she keeps spending more and more time recapping and checking up on every character she ever created. Before long, the new books are going...more
Apr 17, 2013 06:48pm

Ferdy Miss Amby wrote: "I agree, and she keeps spending more and more time recapping and checking up on every character she ever created. Before long, the n...more
Apr 19, 2013 06:45pm

Mar 25, 2013 Karissa rated it 3 of 5 stars

This is the seventh book in the Chicagoland Vampires series. The eighth book will be titled Biting Bad and is scheduled for an August 2013 release. This book was a bit of a transition book again and not as engaging as previous books.

Cadogan House is finally, formally breaking away from the GP. This will make them the first House to claim Rogue vampire status. Things are uncomfortable to say the least. Then a rash of vampire murders start happening and Merit is called to help figure out who is ki...more This is the seventh book in the Chicagoland Vampires series. The eighth book will be titled Biting Bad and is scheduled for an August 2013 release. This book was a bit of a transition book again and not as engaging as previous books.

Cadogan House is finally, formally breaking away from the GP. This will make them the first House to claim Rogue vampire status. Things are uncomfortable to say the least. Then a rash of vampire murders start happening and Merit is called to help figure out who is killing these vamps. To add to the complexity Merit is finally called in to formally join the Red Guard.

This was an okay installment in this series. Basically this is the book about Cadogan House breaking away from the GP. A lot of time is spent trying to find legal loop-holes and in the original contract with the GP in order to ensure that Cadogan can break away from the house cleanly. Things get complicated when Dorian tries to make a grab for the house in a power play. Additional complications arise when Ethan invites his ex, Lacey, over to smooth things out with Dorian.

I did like that Merit was finally inducted into the Red Guard. I also liked that she ended up coming clean with all her secrets to Ethan. Having Lacey there to throw Merit and Ethan’s relationship into turmoil was obnoxious and made me roll my eyes a bit. Still I was impressed with how much Ethan and Merit have grown as characters and how reasonable they were about everything.

The vampire murders added a heavy investigative bent to the story. It seemed like a very interesting plot line, but I felt the way it was all resolved felt a bit anti-climatic and contrived.

Mallory was in the story a bit, she is making progress in dealing with her addiction to black magic. Still she is far from the entertaining and bubbly person we meet early in the series. She isn’t in the story much but when she is the tone is tentatively hopeful.

While this book was an okay read, but I felt like nothing all that interesting happened. This felt like another transition novel for me and I am beginning to wonder exactly where this series is going. I feel like after the whole Mallory/Tate storylines were resolved this series lost a lot of momentum that it has yet to pick up.

Overall an okay addition to the series. The whole plot around Cadogan House leaving the GP felt like something that had to be done, but wasn’t all that interesting to read about. It was nice to see Ethan and Merit acting like mature adults, but I felt like a lot of the heat between them was missing. I did enjoy that Merit was finally and formally inducted to the Red Guard. I am curious to see what will happen to Cadogan house as it tries to stand on its own.

The last couple books in this series have been somewhat disappointing to me. I will probably read one more book in this series before I decide whether or not to stop reading it completely. I tentatively recommend this series to fans of urban fantasy featuring vampires...the first four or five books in the series are very good.(less)

3 likes · like · see review

May 05, 2013 Jimena rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: urban-fantasy

I just read the first chapter of House Rules and I can't wait for more! I think it's going to be interesting to see how the Chicagoland Vampires are going to change their ways. I hope there's going to be a lot of kick-ass action!

I've read the first chapter of House Rules on Chloe Neill's website www.chloeneill.com

3 likes · like · see review

Feb 04, 2013 MISS VAIN rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc

Review shortly!

ARC provided for review by Penguin

3 likes · like · see review

Feb 07, 2013 t'irla ~The BookSlayer~ rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: EVERYONE!!! UF lovers for sure

Shelves: chloe-o-neill, fae, magic, owned, paranormal-romance, pnr, shifters, urban-fantasy, vampire, werewolves, witches, 4-star-read

Loved it, fast paced, Merit and Ethan and lots of drama..yep Chicagoland Vampires is still on a upward spiral in it's 7th outing! Must read!

Description:

In a city full of vampires, trouble never sleeps.

At the tender age of 27, Merit became a sword-wielding vampire. Since then, she’s become the protector of her House, watched Chicago nearly burn to the ground, and seen her Master fall and rise. Now she’ll see her mettle—and her metal —tested like never before.

It started with two . . . Two rogues...more

2 likes · like · see review

Feb 06, 2013 Cocktails and Books rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013-reading-challenge, paranormal

With Cadogan House on the verge of leaving the GP, vampires start vanishing. It starts with a couple rogues, but then House vampires also disappear. It's up to Merit, along with Ethan and her Red Guards partner, Jonah, to figure out who's behind the disappearances and why.

As usual, the other houses in Chicago, leave it to Merit to figure out what's happening to the vampires in Chicago. As if dealing with the GP and their threat of taking everything that Cadogan House is isn't enough stress, they...more With Cadogan House on the verge of leaving the GP, vampires start vanishing. It starts with a couple rogues, but then House vampires also disappear. It's up to Merit, along with Ethan and her Red Guards partner, Jonah, to figure out who's behind the disappearances and why.

As usual, the other houses in Chicago, leave it to Merit to figure out what's happening to the vampires in Chicago. As if dealing with the GP and their threat of taking everything that Cadogan House is isn't enough stress, they also are tasked with who or what is behind the disappearances. It's this investigation that gets us back to what I love about the Chicagoland Vampire series. It's Merit doing what she needs to in order to ensure the safety of her vampire brethren...no matter their affiliation.

But what I loved most about this book was Ethan and Merit. Since Ethan's "return" he's more human (for lack of a better word). While Ethan may have appreciated Merit before, he now expresses himself more. He's flirty, he's affection and when he needs to be he goes into full on alpha mode to make sure everyone knows that Merit is his. He makes sure Merit realizes that she is the one that he's waited centuries for. And no matter how mad he gets at her, she'll always be it for him.

Merit's grown as her relationship with Ethan becomes more settled. She's more confident in her role within the house and the vampire community at large. She's confident in her decision to join the Red Guard. And remarkably, she's making strides with her family.

I've run the gamut of emotions with the Chicagoland Vampire series, but I think with House Rules we've finally gotten to a place where things are making sense again. No weird books or split angels. Just a battle between good and evil.

I can't wait for the next installment in the series and I am now on a quest to go back through the other six CV books to find just when Gabriel talked about the vision he saw for Merit (which she mentions in the last chapter of the book). I'm on pins and needles for #8.
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1 like · like · see review

Feb 05, 2013 Shelley aka Gizmo's Reviews rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013-releases, arc-wishlist, nal-penguin

*Genre* Urban Fantasy
*Rating* 3.5-4

*Review*

Please come and read my review @ __>>

http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...?

Released: February 5th, 2013 by NAL Penguin

3 likes · like · see review

Feb 21, 2013 Kelly rated it 2 of 5 stars

Chloe Neill’s Chicagoland Vampires novels have been brain-candy reading for me for a few years now. The books are quick reads that don’t require a lot of thinking but provide action, romance, humor, and occasional pathos. But, sad to say, I think I’m breaking up with this series.

I had high hopes at the beginning of this seventh book, House Rules. Neill introduces a mystery: two rogue vampires have gone missing, last seen at one of the vampire registration offices the new mayor has set up. In the...more Chloe Neill’s Chicagoland Vampires novels have been brain-candy reading for me for a few years now. The books are quick reads that don’t require a lot of thinking but provide action, romance, humor, and occasional pathos. But, sad to say, I think I’m breaking up with this series.

I had high hopes at the beginning of this seventh book, House Rules. Neill introduces a mystery: two rogue vampires have gone missing, last seen at one of the vampire registration offices the new mayor has set up. In the other main plot, Cadogan House has voted to secede from the Greenwich Presidium, and that would surely shake things up a bit.

The series, however, has fallen into the same trap that Neill’s Dark Elite series did for me. The plot often seems secondary to immature bickering among the characters. It’s not funny enough to work as comic relief; it’s just sniping. An example here is the cattiness between Merit and Ethan’s ex, Lacey Sheridan. The tension of the major conflicts gets lost in the shuffle when there’s too much of this.

Chapters 11 and 12 of House Rules were the final straws. Both Ethan and Merit come across as incredibly stupid here. (view spoiler) The answer to all these questions, of course, is that the plot required it. I hate it when characters have to be stupid for the plot to work. It makes me lose respect for them, and since it’s so out of character, it also shatters the suspension of disbelief because it’s too obviously a plot device.

I don’t want to see Merit and Ethan, who were both established as smart characters, act stupid. I don’t want to watch them continually have relationship drama even after weathering Ethan’s death and resurrection. And I don’t want to get sidetracked by characters sniping all the time. I want Merit to kick butt and solve mysteries.

I think I’ll just tell myself this series ends with Drink Deep. Ethan came back to life, and then Merit and Ethan lived happily ever after and killed lots of bad things and ate lots of deep dish pizza. The End.

www.fantasyliterature.com (less)

11 likes · like · see review

Mar 01, 2013 Lisa O. rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: adult-fiction, ebook, fantasy, swoooooon, uf-or-pnr, vampires

Alas,
of all the things that I originally liked about this series, close to nothing is left.
The amazing, witty dialogues between Merit and Mallory are long gone since she turned to the Dark side.
The boiling hot sexual tension between Ethan and Merit is gone, stifled by the daily routine and the worries of a House to run.
All is lost, swallowed in vampire stories and the reality of what this series has become.... a detective story.
Let's face it, that's exactly what this is: murder, investigatio...more

7 likes · like · see review

Feb 06, 2013 SavannahNorway rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites, favoritte-books, neill-chloe

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. SYNOPSIS:
At the tender age of 27, Merit became a sword-wielding vampire. Since then, she’s become the protector of her House, watched Chicago nearly burn to the ground, and seen her Master fall and rise. Now she’ll see her mettle—and her metal —tested like never before.

It started with two . . . Two rogues vanishing without a trace. Someone is targeting Chicago’s vampires, and anyone could be next. With their house in peril, Merit and her Master, the centuries old Ethan Sullivan, must race to sto...more SYNOPSIS:
At the tender age of 27, Merit became a sword-wielding vampire. Since then, she’s become the protector of her House, watched Chicago nearly burn to the ground, and seen her Master fall and rise. Now she’ll see her mettle—and her metal —tested like never before.

It started with two . . . Two rogues vanishing without a trace. Someone is targeting Chicago’s vampires, and anyone could be next. With their house in peril, Merit and her Master, the centuries old Ethan Sullivan, must race to stop the disappearances. But as they untangle a web of secret alliances and ancient evils, they realize their foe is more familiar, and more powerful, than they could have ever imagined.

MY THOUGHTS:
This is a solid new installment in the Chicago vampire land series if not the best book so far .It sucked me right in on the first page, it is so well written the words just flow on the pages and paint wonderful scenes in your head that come alive; you almost smell what they smell. You feel what they feel and I went through the scale of emotions like a role coaster ride during this book, from pure joy and ecstasy, anger, terror, sadness and total bliss.
It has pretty much everything and I was sitting on needles the whole book and could not put it down. If is full of the lovely snark we all love and quick witty dialog. The chemistry between Merit and everybody’s favorite vamp is wonderful and steaming hot they are getting along in their relationship, not smoothly but with bumps and some fab makeup scenes. They now have a relationship and are living together, FINALY!! The snake in the paradise is back, one master vamp Lacey Sheridan now all dressed up like a Merit lookalike. Seriously I was snickering over that. The plot was wonderful and had me on edge the whole book, it dealt with two things the GP and a murder investigation. With the GP out of the house I see a new interesting new line, maybe Amit Patel turns up, in a future book. He has stayed far away from the GP and house so maybe we get to meet him in the future.
You got some Jeff, Mallory, and Catcher in it and there are some great scenes with Lindsey and Luc too. We finally get to know what Jeff turns into, but I am not going to tell you. Merit revealed a little of what see saw in Gabriel’s eyes/prophecy. Do I see some foreshadowing there? I sure think so.
I can hardly wait to get my hands on the next book Biting Bad that is published in August 6, six more months to wait..
I just loved this book and I am giving it 5 stars.
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Feb 19, 2013 Jess rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: anyone reading the series

Shelves: 13, fantasy, love-love-love-it

So good! Start early kids, I tried to draw this out over a week and only made it two days! All the things I want in a book from this series. Woot!

Let me start by saying four pages in Ethan flirts Merit in a library and it's book themed. Yes, please.

A list:
-Merit's her kickass woman self.
-Ethan's his lovable sexy Alpha self.
-Merit and Ethan are in a relationship! Ethan asking Merit on dates? The set up to them running? The toast? The line w/his car. When he called it their home? That Ethan physi...more So good! Start early kids, I tried to draw this out over a week and only made it two days! All the things I want in a book from this series. Woot!

Let me start by saying four pages in Ethan flirts Merit in a library and it's book themed. Yes, please.

A list:
-Merit's her kickass woman self.
-Ethan's his lovable sexy Alpha self.
-Merit and Ethan are in a relationship! Ethan asking Merit on dates? The set up to them running? The toast? The line w/his car. When he called it their home? That Ethan physically calms when he hugs Merit? Yes. Let's.
-Neill successful tackles jealousy in relationships.
-Ethan and Merit act like adults. This shouldn't be rare in books, but it is. Well done for that alone, Neill.
-Lacey's a bitch. She's such fun to hate. Ditto Darius.
-The librarian still goes by The Librarian. I like.
-The right amount of Mallory. Not quite enough Catcher.
-We learn about Jeff. Gabe's there for Kitten. Berna's funny.
-They deal with the RG & Jonah. We've been waiting for this! (view spoiler)

Folks, this is my series favorite. Neill made good decisions throughout.
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1 like · like · see review

Feb 17, 2013 kc (4saintjude) rated it 4 of 5 stars

I particularly liked:
-This installment had more of that stand-alone, UF feel again, rather than book to book cliffhangers and drama. I like a little HEA in each book, even if there are bigger baddies out on the fringe, makes the wait more tolerable.
-I really enjoyed the political mechanics with the GP (sneaky twits).
-I like the RG story arc. I hope there is a spin-off planned in there somewhere.
-The last scene in the book was poignant and elegantly written. I was inspired, and I am not even a Ca...more

3 likes · like · see review

Feb 07, 2013 Carmel (Rabid Reads) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Reviewed by: Rabid Reads

Chloe Neill and her Chicagoland Vampires are certainly firing on all cylinders in this 7th installment! And that’s saying something considering that I was all but ready to give-up on this series after the last couple of novels. House Rules is the book that keeps on giving with lightning fast pacing, a masterful web of plot lines and a steadfast heroine who refuses to give up.

To say that Merit has her hands full in this installment would be the understatement of the year....more Reviewed by: Rabid Reads

Chloe Neill and her Chicagoland Vampires are certainly firing on all cylinders in this 7th installment! And that’s saying something considering that I was all but ready to give-up on this series after the last couple of novels. House Rules is the book that keeps on giving with lightning fast pacing, a masterful web of plot lines and a steadfast heroine who refuses to give up.

To say that Merit has her hands full in this installment would be the understatement of the year. Pick your poison, take a number and get in line behind: a killer on the lose, a love sick master vampire moving in on her turf, Cadogan’s upcoming excommunication from the GP, allies turned enemies and RG secrets. The fact that all of these events unravel over the course of a mere 72 hours is extraordinary. It’s been a while since I’ve stayed up late into the night to finish a book but House Rules was simply impossible to put down.

Ethan and Merit’s relationship has been a point of contention for me since Drink Deep and when trust issues surface between them I couldn’t help but roll my eyes and think “here we go again”. With so much going on in this book I found it difficult to understand why Neill chose to go there. Again. I was really hoping for a drama free installment but this time around their relationship woes actually added to my overall enjoyment of the story. It’s sad that it’s taken them 7 books to reach their happy place but I guess even vampires aren’t perfect.

I’ve always loved Merit as a character and House Rules was her moment to shine. I’ve never witnessed a heroine stick to her guns as adamantly as she does in this book. She finds herself forced to choose between her House and the well-being of all vampire kind while at the same time trying to make Ethan understand that she’s actually picking both. The resulting argument plants doubt in Merit’s mind but despite her internal struggle she makes the right call, consequences be damned. That a girl!

My love/hate feelings towards these books have officially been put to rest thanks to House Rules. For the first time in a long time I’m actually looking forward to the next Chicagoland Vampires installment.

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Feb 05, 2013 Christen *Goldilox And The Three Weres* rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: arcs-all, favorites

4.5 stars

"I'm no James Bond," he cannily said. "I loved the Mercedes. It fit me perfectly. The Aston just...didn't."

"So you traded up?" I asked, walking toward the car and opening the door. "Do you treat your relationships the same way?"

"Yes," Ethan gravely said. "And I spent four hundred years shopping before I met you."

It was comments like that that kept me around, even when Ethan was being otherwise insufferable.

House Rules is the book in the Chicagoland Vampires series that I've been waiting...more

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Feb 21, 2013 Chanin Malley rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: wish-i-had-it

i want to read this book so bad i fell deeply in love with the series from crying to what happened with ethan to the mostly wreaked friendship that merit seems to have i absolutly love this series and would do anything to read house rules

update-2/21/13
This book was great it was everything i was hoping for and more.also i dont know about you but the end of the book had me sensing a amazing twist!!! I loved this book and would reccomend this to everyone who loves merits detective skills and ethan...more

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May 26, 2012 Ain020596 marked it as to-read

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LOVE THE COVER!

It may look similar to quite a lot of other Urban Fantasy novels, but this cover is just really sexy. And the dimensions of Merit's body don't look weird:)

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Apr 18, 2013 Yajna Ramnath rated it 4 of 5 stars

Whenever I pick up a paranormal book I look for something different. Chloe Neill's Chicagoland Vampires series is definately that "something Different" this is not the typical vampire tale, this has so many surprises and so many characters to love.

merit's kick-ass style is inspiring. i have loved watching her grow into her vampire skin from Some Girl's Bite. the vampire world in this series is extraordinary.

House Rules is my personal favourite, because for it is as if merit and ethan show us th...more

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Mar 22, 2013 Marcia rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: neill-chloe

The Chicagoland Vampire series has kept me coming back through seven books now. I have enjoyed each and every one of them, except for the major WTF moment in Book #4, Hard Bitten. That one nearly gave me apoplexy! But I forged ahead with the next one in the series, trying to convince myself that Chloe Neill could fix the damage she had wrought, and happily, she did. I've seen both rave reviews and pretty bad ones about House Rules, so I guess it's all in your perspective. For me, this is a serie...more The Chicagoland Vampire series has kept me coming back through seven books now. I have enjoyed each and every one of them, except for the major WTF moment in Book #4, Hard Bitten. That one nearly gave me apoplexy! But I forged ahead with the next one in the series, trying to convince myself that Chloe Neill could fix the damage she had wrought, and happily, she did. I've seen both rave reviews and pretty bad ones about House Rules, so I guess it's all in your perspective. For me, this is a series that doesn't get old. I love the complicated politics, and the relationships of all the various characters, though our heroine, Merit, is far more forgiving of her best friend than I would be. But--and this is how shallow and immature I am, folks--most of all, I love the Master of Cadogan House, the golden-haired, impeccably dressed vampire, Ethan Sullivan. Truly, he is one of the hottest vampity guys I've ever read about, and I would probably read a book that had nothing in it but Ethan, standing around and looking glorious for chapter after chapter. So, make of that what you will, and keep it in mind when reading this review. It's just possible it might have some influence on my thoughts about the series as a whole. Slightly. A bit. Okay, totally.

Note: Very slight hints about what is to come below. Not actual spoilers, but if you don't even want to guess about what's going to happen, you probably should quit reading now.

What I loved most about House Rules, besides the afore-mentioned Ethan Sullivan, is that the vampires of Cadogan House have decided to break away from the Greenwich Presidium, which is like a governing body that sets the rules and practices for all the affiliated houses. If you don't belong to an affiliated house, you are considered a rogue vampire, and held in very low regard by the Presidium, and often by vampires who do have such affiliations. The GP is largely a bunch of bad actors, with the head vampire a real jerk, determined to cause all the trouble he can for Ethan and his beloved house. I have been hoping Cadogan vampires would make the break for some time, so I was happy with that entire story line. Of course, nothing goes as planned, as is always the case in these books, but that's what makes the series interesting. And Ethan, of course. Did I mention him already?

What I didn't like: Merit did something in a previous book that I hated from the moment she did it. It seemed like a total betrayal to me from the get-go, no matter how often she told herself it was really the right thing to do. When she failed to tell Ethan what she had done, I could see the trouble coming a mile away, and since they had only just gotten back together, I was not happy to think she might be blowing everything on this one ill-advised decision. The explosion I expected between them did happen, but I'm happy to say that despite my nailbiting worries, they eventually acted like grown ups and found their way through it. I do believe Chloe Neill won't make another move like she did in Book 4--at least I fervently hope not--so I was happy with the final resolution of this particular issue. Couple all that tension with a hotter than normal love scene, and the book just worked for me on pretty much all levels.

If you have been following this series and enjoying it, you won't want to miss House Rules. And I'm happy to say that the next book comes out in August, so we will see exactly what the repercussions of Cadogan House becoming a rogue house will be. Yay for not having to wait a full year to find out! If you haven't tried this series, and like a better than average vampire book now and then, I can recommend this as one that might fit the bill. Shifters, witches, and more spice up the cast, but make no mistake. Vampires rule. Especially--dare I say it one more time--Ethan Sullivan and his Sentinel, Merit. But mostly Ethan.

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Mar 18, 2013 Teri rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: urban-fantasy

Unfortunately I don't like this series as I did in the beginning. They seem to have become repetitive and since it was primarily the characters that I loved so much and lately there's nothing new to them, the last few books haven't brought me that much joy as the first ones. And the mystery/thriller side of the books seemed to have become really stupid and predictable. In this book especially the revelations at the end just proved that Merit, and everybody else for that matter, just weren't doin...more

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topics	posts	views	last activity
Do you think Merit could get pregnant?	18	86	Apr 19, 2013 09:46am
Chicagoland Vampires: * House Rules (Book #7)	29	131	Mar 13, 2013 04:14pm
Urban Fantasy: Giveaway: House Rules by Chloe Neill	1	6	Mar 07, 2013 12:05pm
Morgan, Ethan or Jonah?	11	53	Feb 23, 2013 10:16pm
Who's Your Author?: HOUSE RULES- GIVEAWAY Jan.14-29	4	21	Jan 15, 2013 11:28am
Paranormal Lovers: HOUSE RULES- GIVEAWAY Jan.14-29	7	8	Jan 15, 2013 08:15am
Fantasy and Vampi...: HOUSE RULES- GIVEAWAY Jan.14-29	1	10	Jan 14, 2013 07:50pm

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About Chloe Neill

Chloe Neill was born and raised in the South, but now makes her home in the Midwest—just close enough to Cadogan House and St. Sophia's to keep an eye on things. When not transcribing Merit’s and Lily’s adventures, she bakes, works, and scours the Internet for good recipes and great graphic design. Chloe also maintains her sanity by spending time with her boys—her husband (also her favorite landsc...more

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Books by Chloe Neill

Some Girls Bite (Chicagoland Vampires, #1)

Friday Night Bites (Chicagoland Vampires, #2)

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Quotes from House Rules

“Please stop calling me that. You’re still officially the Master.”
“Oh, I know,” Malik said. “But much like Merit, I find it amusing to irritate you.”
As Malik walked down the hallway and around the corner, Ethan turned his pointed gaze on me.
I shrugged innocently. “I can’t help it if I’m a trendsetter.” — 20 people liked it

“So you traded up?” I asked, walking toward the car and opening the door. “Do you treat your relationships in the same way?”

“Yes,” Ethan gravely said. “And I spent four hundred years shopping before I met you.” — 15 people liked it

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House Rules (Chicagoland Vampires #7)

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