Break the Rules

by Lauren Jackson

Anya’s carefully planned life has spun out of control overnight. Lost, confused and desperate, she seeks refuge at her brother’s house. She is determined to leave her past heartbreak behind and take control of her life. Little does she know that the boy she’s always loved – but now despises – has also moved in.

Mason has never settled down. Due to an unstable upbringing, he has always done what he wants, when he wants – partying, disappearing for days at a time, booking flights and leaving the country without telling anyone. After it all gets too much, he decides to stay with his best friend and focus his energy on football. The last thing he needs is his best friend’s sister distracting him, especially since he’s sworn he would never lay a hand on her.

Will Anya and Mason be able to heal the wounds of their past before their undeniable chemistry takes over?

Filled with simmering tension and a shocking twist, Break the Rules is perfect for readers looking
> College football romance
> Second chance
> Brother's best friend
> Forced proximity
> Dual POV
> Australian setting
> Nicknames
> Spice

What readers are saying about Break the Rules:
'Omgomgomg I’ve just finished this book and WOW! This was my first time reading Lauren’s work and I’m obsessed.'
'I love Lauren Jackson books. And this one . . . perfect.'
'I legit am obsessed! . . . Just *chef's kiss* 100% recommended!'
'The tension was perfect.'
'It'll have you swooning.'
'This was my first sports romance and I was there for it.'
'Omg just wow! . . . I loved Anya and Mason’s story and connection. It’s just perfection.'

Genres: Sports Romance, Romance, Contemporary, College Romance, Audiobook, Academia, College

338 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 3, 2024

Reviews

[Kimberley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Written like it's for 14 year olds but with adult content. AND this was supposedly meant to be an NRL romance - LIES

[Micaela Gorman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wanted to love this and just couldn’t it was a bit all over the place

[Jade bigalla · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I deserve you, as you deserve me. Me and you, always.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

——————————————————————————————

- College Sports Romance
- Second Chance
- Brothers best friend
- Forced proximity
- Dual POV
- Australian setting

——————————————————————————————

I have not read a book by Lauren Jackson that I haven’t loved, this was no exception!! Absolutely flew through this one!!

I loved Anya and Mason so much! Their connection was everything. I couldn’t stop reading it once I started 🤌🏼 also the tension and the spice 🥵

I’m so grateful to Penguin for my copy of this book! I can’t wait for the next one, seriously hoping it’s Nora and Zagreb because I NEED THEM IN MY LIFE!!

[Kimberley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one especially as it was based in Australia. A brother’s best fried college/university sports romance. I wish we would have known what football code they played I’m guessing union or league. This was an enjoyable read and hopefully there is more in the series.

[Lou | bookswithlou · Rating 4 out of 5]

I admittedly don’t read as much Australian fiction as I should and this didn’t quite hit as much as I would’ve liked (somewhat felt very Aussie and not at the same time) - I think being sports romance and university just felt weird for Australia for me.

[BettyLovesBooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

Got a bit bored with the flashbacks and little action in present; skipped ahead.

(Edited just to correct the rating)

[Taylah Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

a bit cringey at times but all in all a pretty decent romance! also nrl? yes please. also anya and mason did piss me off a bit like just communicate ffs anyways it was a cute lil filler book for me so 3 stars!

[jessie · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I'm not typically a fan of long, slow burns, I do appreciate a solid build-up. Unfortunately, this one skipped that and jumped straight into the attraction, which made it difficult for me to connect with the characters and fully understand the tension and angst between them. The story felt heavily clichéd (something I expected) but it still left me feeling underwhelmed. Maybe I've outgrown this trope, but it just didn't have the same impact for me anymore also, her miscarriage felt really out of the blue for me. I’m not sure if that’s a positive or negative thing, but it could have been better foreshadowed or explored more thoroughly. It felt like it came out of nowhere, and I think it could have had a stronger emotional impact if it had been hinted at earlier or discussed in more depth.

[Cassie Landt · Rating 2 out of 5]

The smut was fine but the characters were annoying and the writing was just, really bad

[Ajla Obic · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one! It had me kicking my feet, especially because I LOVE the brothers best friend x forbidden trope!! i finished it quite quickly because it was both short & fast paced, but also hot & addictive🤭 I love reading books set in australia although the football aspect of this book really stumped me… maybe I’m just clueless when it comes to that sport😭 This book deals also with heavier topics gracefully. There’s a twist/shocking reveal at the end that had my jaw on the floor👀

Anya is strong but also quite hot & cold. Mason is broody yet cheeky & flirty, but also quite sensible, mature, & gentlemanly. I actually really liked him. His desire for Anya was SO obvious- I was kicking my feet like a fool! The immediate tension reeled me in, & masons constant teasing & flirting had me wanting more. There was a bit of angst, longing & yearning which I LOVE & need in a second chance. The chemistry was great & these two were so hot together!

𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞: brothers best friend, second chance romance, forced proximity, college football

[EmG ReadsDaily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dual POV, brother’s best friend, forced proximity romance. I loved the Australian setting.

[Mia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[Saam ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

Loved the audiobook of this, and finally hearing an Aussie accent in an audiobook! Reccomend if you’re an Aussie after an Australian setting. There were a few moments our terminology made me laugh out loud and found this really enjoyable! Chapter 37 also made my jaw drop. I’m excited for the next book!

[Bridie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn’t sure about this one in the beginning. It jumps straight into the attraction without much of a build up. I prefer to watch that chemistry build rather than being thrown right in. It found its feet a bit more through the middle but I still felt it was lacking in a few areas, for example we don’t get a whole lot of Anya painting but then suddenly she’s in an art show.. just felt a bit disconnected in parts. I think the chemistry with Mason and Anya was good and I enjoyed it for the most part. I also enjoyed Anyas brother Zayden. Overall it was a good, easy read.

[Tierany Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[Georgie | g_loves_books · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

If you’re a sucker for forbidden love and steamy second-chance romances, Break the Rules delivers all the feels! Anya’s life is turned upside down after a betrayal by those she trusted most, and when she moves in with her brother, things take a complicated turn. Enter Mason—the brooding football star and her brother’s best friend, who just happens to have a rule against pursuing her. But rules were made to be broken, right?

Lauren Jackson crafts an emotional romance that keeps you hooked with undeniable chemistry, tension-filled moments, and a dynamic setting at Stratton University. Anya’s journey to rediscover herself while navigating her past with Mason felt real and raw.

What you’ll find in Break the Rules:
💙 Brother’s best friend
💙 Forced proximity
💙 Second-chance romance
💙 College sports romance
💙 Forbidden love
💙 Dual POV
💙 Australian setting
💙 Nicknames

The Aussie setting added a relatablity to the story for me and the banter between characters had me laughing out loud! The build-up and passion between Anya and Mason made this an addictive read!

Thank you to penguin books Australia for this gifted copy!

[bookedbyannie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omgomgomg I’ve just finished this book and WOW ! This was my first time reading Lauren’s work and I’m obsessed. The tension, the plot, the characters were all so✨chefs kiss✨ that I read this book in one sitting 🙊👏🏻

I loved following the journey of Mason and Anya in this second chance romance story 🥹💛

If this isn’t on your TBR, get it on there ASAP! It’s release is on the 3rd December - just in time for the perfect Chrissy bookish gift🎄 #treatyourself 😜

I will be scrambling to read the rest of Lauren’s work after this!! 😻😻😻

Thank you so SO much to Penguin Books Australia for the ARC - reading this was such a treat and I can’t wait for the world to be able to access ‘Break The Rules’ in a few days time! 🐧 💛✨

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun book by Lauren Jackson! Lots of college drama, parties, fun, relationship ups and downs and parent issues. There was lots happening so I was zipped through this one!

I loved Anya and Mason!! Their connection was beautiful, their history was tough, the tension was perfect and there was the right amount of spice!

I must say I was also a fan of Zayden too. He was the best big brother and a wonderful best friend too!

This is the perfect book if you’re looking for:

❤️ second chance romance
❤️ brother’s best friend
❤️ forced proximity
❤️ Dual POV
❤️ spice

Already looking forward to book 2! I hope it’s Zayden and Nora 😍

Thank you so much @penguinbooksaus for sending me this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Emma Mugglestone · Rating 5 out of 5]

A college football romance set in Australia? Yes, please! Break The Rules was my first Lauren Jackson and it won't be the last. Anya and Mason's story wove together dual timelines, some of my fave tropes (hello, brother's best friend!) with witty banter, super hot chemistry and set up so many future books that I'm going to need ASAP. Can't wait to read more!

[Chelsie Moore ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

I loved Anya and Masons story!
University Spicy Romance!
I really liked that the tension and attraction was already established between the couple and we saw them navigate study, friendship, a break up and family trouble back to each other!

Definitely give this one a read ….. I’m excited to see where this series can go 🙌🏽

[Maddi Rainbow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg just wow! I read this book in less than one day! It was absolutely addicting! I loved Anya and Mason’s story and connection. It’s just perfection.

I need Zayden and Nora’s story right this second though!

[Tiarna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a beautiful book

[Saisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve just finished break the rules and I just want to say it was immediately one of my top reads for this yr if I could rate it 6 stars I definitely would

[Sarah Sorini · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one and I always love supporting an Aussie author!!

[Paige Lesley 💐⭐️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a SLAY way to finish the year!! This book was everything omg!!!

[Jaydah Cutmore · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are after a romance with spice, then you’ll enjoy this. Personally, I wanted to enjoy it more than I did. I feel the character building was poor, I swear eye colours changed?? I also feel like the painting and the sport could have been drawn on more, especially the painting. Also feel like the feelings were chopping and changing a lot and at times I was confused cause I thought miss girl was loving it the chapter before but then she hating it and closed off… I feel like the story lines were all over the place and it was a little messy and could have been executed better. Again, I enjoyed the spice and the romance, and I did not expect the plot twist but also feel like there was a lot more potential.

[Jade · Rating 1 out of 5]

It’s giving wattpad

[Ava Ciappara · Rating 2 out of 5]

The writing. The characters. No just no

[Chloe K · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ rounding up to 4

[Chey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing work Lauren. Can't wait for the next one in this series and the further character development.