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The Rule Breakers #2
The Rule Maker
Things I'd love to say to Ryder Covington...
I hate you more than a hole in my favorite pair of leggings.
Your smirk makes me want to yell in all shouty caps.
You're really gorgeous...until you open your mouth.
Stop looking at me like that. You're not ripping my panties off.
Saying those things to him would be the whipped cream on top of my rocky road ice cream, but I can't, because he's my client. And I'm up for a promotion. Oh, and the little fact that my boss told me to give Mr. Covington everything he wants. But the only thing he wants is me. And he can't have that.
I hate you more than a hole in my favorite pair of leggings.
Your smirk makes me want to yell in all shouty caps.
You're really gorgeous...until you open your mouth.
Stop looking at me like that. You're not ripping my panties off.
Saying those things to him would be the whipped cream on top of my rocky road ice cream, but I can't, because he's my client. And I'm up for a promotion. Oh, and the little fact that my boss told me to give Mr. Covington everything he wants. But the only thing he wants is me. And he can't have that.
280 pages, Paperback
First published January 16, 2017
About the author
Jennifer Blackwood
13 books1,360 followersJennifer Blackwood is a USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance. She lives in Oregon with her husband, son, and poorly behaved black lab puppy. When not chasing after her toddler, you can find her binging on episodes of Gilmore Girls and Supernatural, and locking herself in her office to write.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 236 reviews
February 7, 2017
The Rule Maker is the second book in The Rule Breakers series by Jennifer Blackwood. If you are like me and haven’t read the first book, don’t worry. This can be read as a standalone without feeling like you are missing anything important.
What if one day you walked into work and found out that an important client you were assigned to handle was a previous one night stand that blew your mind and then disappeared? I would be freaking the hell out, and that’s what Zoey does when she finds out her ex-fling, Ryder, is her new client.
Ryder is a professional snowboarder that spends his life traveling all around the world. He has a rule that he never goes on a date or sleeps with a girl more than once. His lifestyle just won’t allow for any serious relationships or distractions. That was never really a problem for him, because he never wanted more than one night with a woman…until Zoey.
Jason, Ryder’s brother, was paralyzed in a snowboarding accident and is not yet ready to return to work. He asks Ryder, whose recent leg injury will keep him at home for a while, to go meet with the designer of the resort he purchased in his absence. When Ryder gets there he finds Zoey stuck and hanging out of a window with her underwear in full view. Zoey is obviously both mortified and horrified that he is the person that found her in such an embarrassing situation and that he is there instead of his brother. Then, as if that wasn’t bad enough, a snow storm traps them alone together in the lodge overnight.
At first, Zoey vows to stay far away from Ryder, but when he offers her some much needed food, she decides that maybe it wouldn’t be such a terrible idea to keep him company just for tonight. After an unexpected kiss, she excuses herself back to her room and leaves first thing in the morning without a word to Ryder.
Upon returning to work, Zoey finds out that she will be working with Ryder instead of his brother on the entire project. She decides then and there that she will do everything in her power to keep things strictly professional between the two of them. So what if he is funny, sexy, and great in bed? He was also the jerk that slept with her, and never bothered to call her again. It should be a piece of cake, right?
This was an enjoyable read for me, but my favorite thing about it had to be the characters. Zoey is smart and sassy, and Ryder is sarcastic and fun. Sparks fly and sexual tension abounds whenever these two are together. I enjoyed their playful banter, and the way they made each other crazy. Ryder was probably my favorite of the two though. The scene with Ryder and Jason riding on the sled completely melted me into a puddle on the floor. It would be hard for anyone not to swoon over Ryder. He listens to the audiobook of a romance novel he hears Zoey reading just because it’s something that interests her. Need I say more?
The Rule Maker is a light-hearted, witty romance that will keep you entertained from start to finish. The story is funny and heartwarming, the characters are endearing, and the writing is engaging. If you are looking for a fluffy romantic comedy, this one is for you!
An ARC was generously provided for an honest review.
What if one day you walked into work and found out that an important client you were assigned to handle was a previous one night stand that blew your mind and then disappeared? I would be freaking the hell out, and that’s what Zoey does when she finds out her ex-fling, Ryder, is her new client.
Ryder is a professional snowboarder that spends his life traveling all around the world. He has a rule that he never goes on a date or sleeps with a girl more than once. His lifestyle just won’t allow for any serious relationships or distractions. That was never really a problem for him, because he never wanted more than one night with a woman…until Zoey.
Jason, Ryder’s brother, was paralyzed in a snowboarding accident and is not yet ready to return to work. He asks Ryder, whose recent leg injury will keep him at home for a while, to go meet with the designer of the resort he purchased in his absence. When Ryder gets there he finds Zoey stuck and hanging out of a window with her underwear in full view. Zoey is obviously both mortified and horrified that he is the person that found her in such an embarrassing situation and that he is there instead of his brother. Then, as if that wasn’t bad enough, a snow storm traps them alone together in the lodge overnight.
At first, Zoey vows to stay far away from Ryder, but when he offers her some much needed food, she decides that maybe it wouldn’t be such a terrible idea to keep him company just for tonight. After an unexpected kiss, she excuses herself back to her room and leaves first thing in the morning without a word to Ryder.
Upon returning to work, Zoey finds out that she will be working with Ryder instead of his brother on the entire project. She decides then and there that she will do everything in her power to keep things strictly professional between the two of them. So what if he is funny, sexy, and great in bed? He was also the jerk that slept with her, and never bothered to call her again. It should be a piece of cake, right?
This was an enjoyable read for me, but my favorite thing about it had to be the characters. Zoey is smart and sassy, and Ryder is sarcastic and fun. Sparks fly and sexual tension abounds whenever these two are together. I enjoyed their playful banter, and the way they made each other crazy. Ryder was probably my favorite of the two though. The scene with Ryder and Jason riding on the sled completely melted me into a puddle on the floor. It would be hard for anyone not to swoon over Ryder. He listens to the audiobook of a romance novel he hears Zoey reading just because it’s something that interests her. Need I say more?
The Rule Maker is a light-hearted, witty romance that will keep you entertained from start to finish. The story is funny and heartwarming, the characters are endearing, and the writing is engaging. If you are looking for a fluffy romantic comedy, this one is for you!
An ARC was generously provided for an honest review.
February 7, 2017
4 stars!
Review, Excerpt, & Giveaway at Of Pens and Pages.
This Rule Maker is a fun, light-hearted second chance romance between Zoey Reynolds and her client’s brother, Ryder Covington. Unlike The Rule Book , this standalone novel was told in alternating POVs of the MCs. Plus, sexy timeeees!
Zoey and Ryder first met when Ryder’s brother, Jason, hired her for an interior decorating project. There’s spark between them, and their flirtation leads to an unforgettable romp in the sheets. Things end when Ryder leaves the day after without even saying goodbye. Zoey was hurt, but she’d forget him and move on.
Things were fine until Jason hired her again for a new project. Zoey knew she couldn’t reject it, because she knew a client such as Jason Covington would be beneficial for their firm and for her career. This time, she’ll follow the company rules: don’t sleep with the client. Especially now since an injured Ryder is representing Jason.
She has to go through this project without strangling and jumping Ryder; not an easy feat when the guy’s a smartass with a body wet dreams are made of.
I’ve fallen in love with Jennifer Blackwood’s writing style in The Rule Book, and I’m happy to have found that in this one, too. She has charming characters with amazing personalities, and the narration, dialogue, and sexual tension were on point. There’s a lot of foreplay and gradual build up between the characters that made it easy to feel attached to them. The story has a lot of laugh-out-loud moments, plus all of that sexual tension in between.
If you’re looking for a light and fun second chance romance with a smart and sassy heroine, and a hot and charming hero, you might enjoy The Rule Maker. It certainly made me a happy, happy girl.
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Review, Excerpt, & Giveaway at Of Pens and Pages.
This Rule Maker is a fun, light-hearted second chance romance between Zoey Reynolds and her client’s brother, Ryder Covington. Unlike The Rule Book , this standalone novel was told in alternating POVs of the MCs. Plus, sexy timeeees!
Zoey and Ryder first met when Ryder’s brother, Jason, hired her for an interior decorating project. There’s spark between them, and their flirtation leads to an unforgettable romp in the sheets. Things end when Ryder leaves the day after without even saying goodbye. Zoey was hurt, but she’d forget him and move on.
Things were fine until Jason hired her again for a new project. Zoey knew she couldn’t reject it, because she knew a client such as Jason Covington would be beneficial for their firm and for her career. This time, she’ll follow the company rules: don’t sleep with the client. Especially now since an injured Ryder is representing Jason.
She has to go through this project without strangling and jumping Ryder; not an easy feat when the guy’s a smartass with a body wet dreams are made of.
I’ve fallen in love with Jennifer Blackwood’s writing style in The Rule Book, and I’m happy to have found that in this one, too. She has charming characters with amazing personalities, and the narration, dialogue, and sexual tension were on point. There’s a lot of foreplay and gradual build up between the characters that made it easy to feel attached to them. The story has a lot of laugh-out-loud moments, plus all of that sexual tension in between.
If you’re looking for a light and fun second chance romance with a smart and sassy heroine, and a hot and charming hero, you might enjoy The Rule Maker. It certainly made me a happy, happy girl.
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February 7, 2017
3.5 Breaking Rules and Understanding it All Stars
* * * 1/2 Spoiler Free It's Live!!!
This was a hoot and second book of a series. This had smart banter, sexual tension and heart lessons. This worked on many levels.
So...there was the first encounter between the two main characters...
It was...Hot, Sexy and Oh, So Good...
Then unintentional circumstances caused Mr. Hot & Sexy to leave without saying good bye...
Our Gal got her heart dinged... and Lesson Learned..
Fast forward to seeing our gal in her natural habitat...shopping for Leggings on line...It seems this is her stress release besides the normal Ice Cream like others...This peek into her mind and ways gives us the sense of humor and determination... She is an Interior Designer/Architect with a firm that is looking to see what she can do... with promotions possible. She is gearing up to present a huge concept to a past picky client... and it could make or break her in the company and career.
She is not worried because she has worked with him before and things have gone extremely well. She has her game face on, dressed in her good luck pencil skirt and silk blouse. She is ready to make magic and opens the door only to find....
Mr. Hot & Sexy Disappearing Act...
Oh, This is not going to be good at all...
For her boss, the president of the company has a hard and fast rule...
NO SLEEPING WITH THE CLIENTS....
Mr. Hot & Sexy felt truly sorry he left without any type of warning or note...an emergency happened and it was due to his suggesting his brother go and take a risk...Now not only bogged down with guilt about his brother... but also side-lined by an injury... he is stuck recuperating, not able to live his normal Snowboarding Competition life.
This story covers the these two; forced to work together to restore a sentimental ski resort together. At first it is all banter/sharp replies/sexy flirt and remorse from our fella...Then there is the pursuit of possible more between the two of them...They take baby steps in figuring out how to do the relationship thing while hiding it from the boss...
There are a couple of outside hurdles and concerns with lessons for all to learn.
It was an entertaining read and if you haven't read the first entry to the series... your'e fine.
A gifted copy was provided by author/publisher for an honest review.
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
* * * 1/2 Spoiler Free It's Live!!!
This was a hoot and second book of a series. This had smart banter, sexual tension and heart lessons. This worked on many levels.
So...there was the first encounter between the two main characters...
It was...Hot, Sexy and Oh, So Good...
Then unintentional circumstances caused Mr. Hot & Sexy to leave without saying good bye...
Our Gal got her heart dinged... and Lesson Learned..
Fast forward to seeing our gal in her natural habitat...shopping for Leggings on line...It seems this is her stress release besides the normal Ice Cream like others...This peek into her mind and ways gives us the sense of humor and determination... She is an Interior Designer/Architect with a firm that is looking to see what she can do... with promotions possible. She is gearing up to present a huge concept to a past picky client... and it could make or break her in the company and career.
She is not worried because she has worked with him before and things have gone extremely well. She has her game face on, dressed in her good luck pencil skirt and silk blouse. She is ready to make magic and opens the door only to find....
Mr. Hot & Sexy Disappearing Act...
Oh, This is not going to be good at all...
For her boss, the president of the company has a hard and fast rule...
NO SLEEPING WITH THE CLIENTS....
Mr. Hot & Sexy felt truly sorry he left without any type of warning or note...an emergency happened and it was due to his suggesting his brother go and take a risk...Now not only bogged down with guilt about his brother... but also side-lined by an injury... he is stuck recuperating, not able to live his normal Snowboarding Competition life.
This story covers the these two; forced to work together to restore a sentimental ski resort together. At first it is all banter/sharp replies/sexy flirt and remorse from our fella...Then there is the pursuit of possible more between the two of them...They take baby steps in figuring out how to do the relationship thing while hiding it from the boss...
There are a couple of outside hurdles and concerns with lessons for all to learn.
It was an entertaining read and if you haven't read the first entry to the series... your'e fine.
A gifted copy was provided by author/publisher for an honest review.
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
January 15, 2017
Complete honesty, that's our premise at the Sisterhood, so let's have it. Ryder is what made the story for me and without him, I don't know if I could've gotten through it. He's swoony, he's sweet, he's thoughtful and persistent; all the makings of a good romance hero. My one question about him though that is never answered is, why doesn't he call Zoey back after their one night stand (not a spoiler! This happens before the beginning of the story)? You find out why he left, but you're never told why he never called her after that. It just doesn't feel like something his character would do, so it was a little confusing.
My biggest downfall with this book was ultimately the heroine. I'm sorry, but she's suppose to be in her early twenties and a professional, yet she speaks and has the inner monologues of a 15 year old with her first crush. At times, it's seriously hard to get through. I loved Lainey in the first story and yes she was similar, but even she was more mature than Zoey. I don't understand why they're both like this though? I can get one heroine in a series being kind of silly and quirky, but Zoey felt like a carbon copy of Lainey, only less mature. Some cuteness or ditziness is fine, but she just never stopped! It started out sort of charming but then it became an overload.
I understand when it's one character in a series being quirky, but Lainey and Zoey are the exact same and it's actually kind of annoying. Why were there no differences between them? If you had to pull dialogue from both stories, I don't know if I could tell you which heroine said what.
I will admit thought that there were some really clever pieces of dialogue and fun, flirty times between these two. When they could just let loose and flirt, it was fun. But I also liked how Zoey held her resolve against Ryder in the beginning. He had hurt her in the past and her job was on the line, she couldn't just jump back into bed with him.
In the previous book in the series, The Rule Book, there was a list of rules, all pertaining to certain situations that Lainey got herself in that went against Brogan's manual. Each number dealt with a different issue in a different chapter. That's sort of what I expected from The Rule Maker as well, but it wasn't the case. Everything revolved around Ryder and the fact that Zoey couldn't sleep with him... That's it. Each number didn't coincide with a particular scene or moment, it just revolved around a singular issue. This is fine, just not what I was expecting after how much fun I had discovering what all the rules meant in the first book.
I don't care if it's a knight in shining armour, but you can't convince me that someone would consider giving up their life's work or dedication for a person they've been dating for a matter of weeks. Sorry, I'm not buying this one.
I really enjoyed the conflict between characters and the emotion it held. This I did actually find believable and well done across all characters involved, and I really appreciated their reactions. I love grovelling, so that's always fun to see.
Though there were some fairly predictable moments, the ending kind of took the cake in this regards. In this sense, I'm okay with a little bit of cheesiness, but with the predictable ending came loads and loads of cheese as well. Think loaded baked potato with extra cheese.
But taking that away, it's also kind of cute and whimsical like. How awesome would it be to have your perfect guy come back and fight for you because he won't let you go? Try to woo you back and win your heart in the process? That sort of situation always melts me a little.
I love associating songs with the books that I read and as soon as I finished The Rule Maker, I already knew the perfect song for Ryder and Zoey. Say You Won't Let Go by James Arthur is absolutely it for these two! Just check out this chunk of lyrics.
If you're looking for an easy, light, fluffy RomCom, this is the perfect read for you. If you're looking for substance and character depth, maybe not what you're looking for. I liked it enough for what it was, but I honestly expected more from Zoey and not just a Lainey 2.0. Ryder and the emotion during the major conflict are what bumps this up to a 3.5 star rating for me.
*An ARC was received in exchange for an honest review.
“Pro snowboarder and a goat whisperer? Is there anything you can’t do?”
“I’m only fluent in Goat. If she were a sheep, all bets would be off.” He looked over and smiled at me. “And I am horrible at table tennis and always manage to overcook my scrambled eggs, in case you were thinking I was too perfect.” He winked.
My biggest downfall with this book was ultimately the heroine. I'm sorry, but she's suppose to be in her early twenties and a professional, yet she speaks and has the inner monologues of a 15 year old with her first crush. At times, it's seriously hard to get through. I loved Lainey in the first story and yes she was similar, but even she was more mature than Zoey. I don't understand why they're both like this though? I can get one heroine in a series being kind of silly and quirky, but Zoey felt like a carbon copy of Lainey, only less mature. Some cuteness or ditziness is fine, but she just never stopped! It started out sort of charming but then it became an overload.
"His lips pulled into a smile, one that deposited my undergarments straight into the panty incinerator.
Nope, panties, no time for vaporizing. You hate him, remember?
My body was a traitorous wench."
I understand when it's one character in a series being quirky, but Lainey and Zoey are the exact same and it's actually kind of annoying. Why were there no differences between them? If you had to pull dialogue from both stories, I don't know if I could tell you which heroine said what.
"A series of looks passed between her and her roommate. I wasn’t fluent in girl eye-speak, but I figured none of it was a testament to my character."
I will admit thought that there were some really clever pieces of dialogue and fun, flirty times between these two. When they could just let loose and flirt, it was fun. But I also liked how Zoey held her resolve against Ryder in the beginning. He had hurt her in the past and her job was on the line, she couldn't just jump back into bed with him.
"It was game time. Bases loaded. And I was counting on a guy who wouldn’t even attempt to hit a foul ball."
In the previous book in the series, The Rule Book, there was a list of rules, all pertaining to certain situations that Lainey got herself in that went against Brogan's manual. Each number dealt with a different issue in a different chapter. That's sort of what I expected from The Rule Maker as well, but it wasn't the case. Everything revolved around Ryder and the fact that Zoey couldn't sleep with him... That's it. Each number didn't coincide with a particular scene or moment, it just revolved around a singular issue. This is fine, just not what I was expecting after how much fun I had discovering what all the rules meant in the first book.
I don't care if it's a knight in shining armour, but you can't convince me that someone would consider giving up their life's work or dedication for a person they've been dating for a matter of weeks. Sorry, I'm not buying this one.
I really enjoyed the conflict between characters and the emotion it held. This I did actually find believable and well done across all characters involved, and I really appreciated their reactions. I love grovelling, so that's always fun to see.
"We’d danced around our attraction, using words as ammunition, and now that neither one of us was talking, we could finally hear one another."
Though there were some fairly predictable moments, the ending kind of took the cake in this regards. In this sense, I'm okay with a little bit of cheesiness, but with the predictable ending came loads and loads of cheese as well. Think loaded baked potato with extra cheese.
But taking that away, it's also kind of cute and whimsical like. How awesome would it be to have your perfect guy come back and fight for you because he won't let you go? Try to woo you back and win your heart in the process? That sort of situation always melts me a little.
"Something about her ripped open a primal part inside of me.
Want.
Need.
Must have.
It overrode my number one rule. Something told me, though, that she’d be worth breaking the rules. Screw it. I’d break five hundred rules to have her lips on mine again."
I love associating songs with the books that I read and as soon as I finished The Rule Maker, I already knew the perfect song for Ryder and Zoey. Say You Won't Let Go by James Arthur is absolutely it for these two! Just check out this chunk of lyrics.
I met you in the dark, you lit me up
You made me feel as though I was enough
We danced the night away, we drank too much
I held your hair back when
You were throwing up
Then you smiled over your shoulder
For a minute, I was stone-cold sober
I pulled you closer to my chest
And you asked me to stay over
I said, I already told ya
I think that you should get some rest
I knew I loved you then
But you'd never know
'Cause I played it cool when I was scared of letting go
I know I needed you
But I never showed
But I wanna stay with you until we're grey and old
Just say you won't let go
Just say you won't let go
If you're looking for an easy, light, fluffy RomCom, this is the perfect read for you. If you're looking for substance and character depth, maybe not what you're looking for. I liked it enough for what it was, but I honestly expected more from Zoey and not just a Lainey 2.0. Ryder and the emotion during the major conflict are what bumps this up to a 3.5 star rating for me.
*An ARC was received in exchange for an honest review.
February 7, 2017
✱3.5 STARS!✱
☾Wow that took me longer than I thought it would! The story is about Zoey, a designer who is currently working on fixing up a resort for the brother of Ryder. Ryder is a professional snowboarder who has just broken his leg due to a bad accident.
☾What's interesting about this is that Zoey and Ryder already know each other aka they hooked up and he never called her. Uh oh. This leads to a very awkward and rocky business relationship from the start.
☾Now I don't want to say I didn't enjoy this story because I did. However, it took way too long to get to the good part! I.e. Ryder and Zoey together! I mean seriously the girl was ridiculously stubborn for basically the whole book and then all of a sudden she's jumping into his arms.
☾Again, I still enjoyed it and had a lot of laughs during the book but it wasn't great. I feel like it lacked a basic plot? I know he was a professional snowboarder and they had a history but other than that there wasn't much depth other than her continuously turning him down.
☾Wow that took me longer than I thought it would! The story is about Zoey, a designer who is currently working on fixing up a resort for the brother of Ryder. Ryder is a professional snowboarder who has just broken his leg due to a bad accident.
☾What's interesting about this is that Zoey and Ryder already know each other aka they hooked up and he never called her. Uh oh. This leads to a very awkward and rocky business relationship from the start.
☾Now I don't want to say I didn't enjoy this story because I did. However, it took way too long to get to the good part! I.e. Ryder and Zoey together! I mean seriously the girl was ridiculously stubborn for basically the whole book and then all of a sudden she's jumping into his arms.
☾Again, I still enjoyed it and had a lot of laughs during the book but it wasn't great. I feel like it lacked a basic plot? I know he was a professional snowboarder and they had a history but other than that there wasn't much depth other than her continuously turning him down.
February 12, 2017
4 Stars!
New-to-me author Jennifer Blackwood really impressed me with this fresh, fun and romantic story. I didn’t know what to expect going into this book and what I found are vibrant characters, top-notch humor, witty dialogue and a great story.
Zoey Reynolds has landed a renovation project that could launch her career of designer. As it happens, the renovation of the ski resort will involve a close cooperation with the ex-man of her dreams, Ryder Covington. A pro snowboarder temporarily on crutches, he has time on his hands and has accepted to step in to help the owner of the resort, his brother Jason. But although Ryder is in charge of the project, he doesn’t want to see it through.
Ryder and Zoey’s antics were hilarious. Zoey not only dislikes Ryder for hurting her feelings in the past, but also for being a risk to her job and frustrating her to no end. Zoey is very determined, ambitious, direct and she holds no punches. She has never forgiven him for leaving her without an explanation.
Ryder was an amazing character and he definitely grew as the story unfolded. He has been going through some traumatic experiences, and wants to figure out his future life. I loved his interactions with his brother Jason, we get to see another side of him. Ryder is not a player, he regrets that his past actions caused Zoey pain. His confident, cocky and arrogant stance is only a front. The old saying suggesting that money can’t buy happiness really applies to him. But although he wants a second chance with Zoey, he remains loyal to his brother, and keeps challenging her.
I enjoyed this fun, swoony, true love conquers all story. The dual point of view was well done, giving a lot of insight into how the characters fit in each other’s lives. This book is the second installment in the Rule Breakers series, but it can be read as a standalone. If you are looking for a feel good book, with humor and emotions, then The Rule Maker is a great pick.
For more reviews & giveaways, follow me on my blog!
I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley.
New-to-me author Jennifer Blackwood really impressed me with this fresh, fun and romantic story. I didn’t know what to expect going into this book and what I found are vibrant characters, top-notch humor, witty dialogue and a great story.
Zoey Reynolds has landed a renovation project that could launch her career of designer. As it happens, the renovation of the ski resort will involve a close cooperation with the ex-man of her dreams, Ryder Covington. A pro snowboarder temporarily on crutches, he has time on his hands and has accepted to step in to help the owner of the resort, his brother Jason. But although Ryder is in charge of the project, he doesn’t want to see it through.
Ryder and Zoey’s antics were hilarious. Zoey not only dislikes Ryder for hurting her feelings in the past, but also for being a risk to her job and frustrating her to no end. Zoey is very determined, ambitious, direct and she holds no punches. She has never forgiven him for leaving her without an explanation.
Ryder was an amazing character and he definitely grew as the story unfolded. He has been going through some traumatic experiences, and wants to figure out his future life. I loved his interactions with his brother Jason, we get to see another side of him. Ryder is not a player, he regrets that his past actions caused Zoey pain. His confident, cocky and arrogant stance is only a front. The old saying suggesting that money can’t buy happiness really applies to him. But although he wants a second chance with Zoey, he remains loyal to his brother, and keeps challenging her.
I enjoyed this fun, swoony, true love conquers all story. The dual point of view was well done, giving a lot of insight into how the characters fit in each other’s lives. This book is the second installment in the Rule Breakers series, but it can be read as a standalone. If you are looking for a feel good book, with humor and emotions, then The Rule Maker is a great pick.
For more reviews & giveaways, follow me on my blog!
I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley.
February 7, 2017
This is an emotional romantic comedy with a strong male lead, Ryder, a hunk of an injured snowboarder with a very soft heart that he tries to hide and protect. Mind you, when you get to meet his grandparents you start to understand why! He's also a very caring brother, highly independent but also worried about his future and very attracted to Zoey. They had a one night stand some months ago but then he disappeared and never got back in touch. That's left Zoey with some fantastic memories and a whole load of pain. When they need to work together on the refurbishment of the resort that his brother, Jason, recently purchased, there's a whole lot of angst, attraction and turmoil between them. You'll just have to read it to find out what happens - and why!
I loved Ryder as a character. He seems well developed in every sense and I understand why he left Zoey on that fateful night but I still don't know why he didn't contact her again soon afterwards. Zoey understandably resents having been left without a word and is initially determined to keep their current relationship purely professional. Despite their past history, both are somewhat wary now but for different reasons. As revelations are made, things between the two seem to have more of a chance but with a hair eating goat, injuries, those grandparents, Jitters (the cat with claws) and all those feelings, things definitely won't go smoothly for this couple.
If you enjoy cute, second chance romances you'll probably love this! Thanks to the publishers for gifting me an ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest opinion after reading it.
I loved Ryder as a character. He seems well developed in every sense and I understand why he left Zoey on that fateful night but I still don't know why he didn't contact her again soon afterwards. Zoey understandably resents having been left without a word and is initially determined to keep their current relationship purely professional. Despite their past history, both are somewhat wary now but for different reasons. As revelations are made, things between the two seem to have more of a chance but with a hair eating goat, injuries, those grandparents, Jitters (the cat with claws) and all those feelings, things definitely won't go smoothly for this couple.
If you enjoy cute, second chance romances you'll probably love this! Thanks to the publishers for gifting me an ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest opinion after reading it.
January 17, 2017
4 rule breaking stars
Overall, I enjoyed this book. Like The Rule Book, the heroine was very relatable. Zoey is a very strong heroine and there were so many mannerisms and things she did that totally reminded me of myself!
And like the first book, the back and forth banter is totally what made this book for me! Zoey and Ryder have many of these scenes and I loved every second of them!
Although I must admit, I severely disliked Ryder in the beginning. I can't stand childish men. Thank goodness he changed and grew on me because I have DNF many books as a result of men like him!
This was a very entertaining read and I will definitely be reading more of this series as it comes out (fingers crossed she writes more! )
Overall, I enjoyed this book. Like The Rule Book, the heroine was very relatable. Zoey is a very strong heroine and there were so many mannerisms and things she did that totally reminded me of myself!
And like the first book, the back and forth banter is totally what made this book for me! Zoey and Ryder have many of these scenes and I loved every second of them!
Although I must admit, I severely disliked Ryder in the beginning. I can't stand childish men. Thank goodness he changed and grew on me because I have DNF many books as a result of men like him!
This was a very entertaining read and I will definitely be reading more of this series as it comes out (fingers crossed she writes more! )
April 25, 2018
The Rule Maker es el segundo libro de la saga The Rule Breakers escrita por la autora Jennifer Blackwood y narra la historia de Ryder y Zoey, personaje que conocemos brevemente en el libro anterior.
Cuando lei The Rule Book hace algunos meses no esperaba encontrar una gran historia pero es cierto que fue una lectura que me hizo disfrutar mucho mas de lo que pense en un principio, con esta segunda parte me sucedio algo similar, no fui con grandes expectativas, solo esperaba que fuera una novela agil y sencilla para pasar el rato y sinceramente, eso fue lo que consegui.
La historia de Zoey y Ryder no es perfecta o compleja, es el tipo de libro que lees para desconectar o cuando estas un poco harta de leer lo mismo una y otra vez y te apetece leer algo sencillo.
The Rule Maker me gusto, no fue increible o inolvidable pero me hizo reir bastante y soy consciente de que el ir sin muchas expectativas tambien jugo a mi favor.
En conclusion, una lectura ligera y agil, hubiera mejorado bastante si hubiera tenido un poco mas de profundidad ( tanto en la historia como en los personajes ) y tambien un cierre mas lento y no tan brusco, pero aun asi es un libro recomendable.
2.75 Estrellas!
February 8, 2017
4 stars
The Rule Maker was a sweet, funny and very entertaining read.
I enjoyed the storyline, I found myself connecting with both Zoey and Ryder.
They were likable, passionate and relatable characters, that entertained me with their banter and antics.
And the chemistry between them was smoking!
If you're looking for a well written, fun and heartwarming read I highly recommend The Rule Breakers series, https://www.goodreads.com/series/1799...
Each book can be read as a standalone.
I'm a big fan of author Jennifer Blackwood writing, I enjoy her storylines & characters and can't wait to see what she has installed for us next!
Purchase Links~
Amazon ~ http://amzn.to/2ixx4Qn
Barnes & Noble ~ http://bit.ly/2jw6WUv
iBooks ~ http://apple.co/2jK8p92
Kobo ~ http://bit.ly/2iUCsuI
*A big thank you to the publisher/author for the advance copy*
The Rule Maker was a sweet, funny and very entertaining read.
I enjoyed the storyline, I found myself connecting with both Zoey and Ryder.
They were likable, passionate and relatable characters, that entertained me with their banter and antics.
And the chemistry between them was smoking!
If you're looking for a well written, fun and heartwarming read I highly recommend The Rule Breakers series, https://www.goodreads.com/series/1799...
Each book can be read as a standalone.
I'm a big fan of author Jennifer Blackwood writing, I enjoy her storylines & characters and can't wait to see what she has installed for us next!
Purchase Links~
Amazon ~ http://amzn.to/2ixx4Qn
Barnes & Noble ~ http://bit.ly/2jw6WUv
iBooks ~ http://apple.co/2jK8p92
Kobo ~ http://bit.ly/2iUCsuI
*A big thank you to the publisher/author for the advance copy*
February 7, 2017
I adored The Rule Book last year and was excited to try another from Jennifer Blackwood. This one is just as good - maybe even better. And just to put out there - there are sex scenes this time! I know a few people who didn't read the first book due to fade to black scenes. That book had such great sexual tension it was a bit of a let down to have the door close in our face! But we get all the sweaty abs, and everything underneath this time *wink*
Zoey is an interior designer who has done work for Jason Covington in the past. But Jason is not our hero - Ryder, his brother is. Ryder is a professional snowboarder with a lot of sponsors, who has recently broken his leg. This at the time is the least of his worries. His best friend and brother, Jason, was snowboarding in a charity event, and ended up paralyzed from the waist down. Jason is the head of the family's real estate company, and is mentally not doing well since the accident. He bought a run down ski resort property his late parents enjoyed years ago, and has now hired Zoey to transform it. It's going to be a big job, as this resort is stuck in the 70's.
Zoey is all about it except for one thing - her and Ryder had a one night stand a few months ago and it didn't end well. Zoey didn't realize it was going to be a one night stand. and Ryder slipped out in the middle of the night without saying a word. #naughty. This really upset Zoey who had a great time on the date. So when the injured Jason hands over design control to the inexperienced Ryder - Zoey is thrilled (sooooo not thrilled). But she has a job to do and she is going to do it! She also falls hard for Ryder, and him for her and they have the most adorable romance ever.
Zoey is so darn cute in this book I want her to be my BFF. Her inner monologue is fabulous as she has to deal with the fact that her new client slept with her and left her in one night. But he is so sexy and charming, and her brain tells her heart all of this but her heart has its own ideas.
Ryder may be scared of picket fences and the 2.5 kid commitment, but that doesn't mean he isn't into Zoey. He is deeply attracted to her - not only her beauty but all of her.
"You still have half of your Tom Collins left." I liked the fact she turned into a fumbling mess around me.
She cocked her head. "How do you know what drink this is?"
The fact was when it came to Zoey, I remembered everything. I remembered the first words she spoke to me besides an introduction: I like your shirt. I remembered the first time I heard her laugh - she liked my joke about the Oregon Ducks; Zoey was an OSU girl after all. I remembered how soft her hair was, brushing against my chest as she fell asleep in my arms. Suffice to say, everything about her was memorable.
And for Zoey's part, her inner-monologue was so cute. From choking on a chocolate, to trying to keep her attraction to Ryder in check - she made me smile.
Brain: But he's your client. And you know exactly what will happen if you sleep with him again.
Body: I do what I want.
Brain: Seriously? Are you an idiot? The dude is a player ad this could jeopardize your job.
Body: Dayummm. Did you see those forearms flex when he grabbed the elevator rail?
Their courtship is cute and sexy and everything you want in a contemporary romance. Really enjoying this author's voice.
Grade: B+
Zoey is an interior designer who has done work for Jason Covington in the past. But Jason is not our hero - Ryder, his brother is. Ryder is a professional snowboarder with a lot of sponsors, who has recently broken his leg. This at the time is the least of his worries. His best friend and brother, Jason, was snowboarding in a charity event, and ended up paralyzed from the waist down. Jason is the head of the family's real estate company, and is mentally not doing well since the accident. He bought a run down ski resort property his late parents enjoyed years ago, and has now hired Zoey to transform it. It's going to be a big job, as this resort is stuck in the 70's.
Zoey is all about it except for one thing - her and Ryder had a one night stand a few months ago and it didn't end well. Zoey didn't realize it was going to be a one night stand. and Ryder slipped out in the middle of the night without saying a word. #naughty. This really upset Zoey who had a great time on the date. So when the injured Jason hands over design control to the inexperienced Ryder - Zoey is thrilled (sooooo not thrilled). But she has a job to do and she is going to do it! She also falls hard for Ryder, and him for her and they have the most adorable romance ever.
Zoey is so darn cute in this book I want her to be my BFF. Her inner monologue is fabulous as she has to deal with the fact that her new client slept with her and left her in one night. But he is so sexy and charming, and her brain tells her heart all of this but her heart has its own ideas.
Ryder may be scared of picket fences and the 2.5 kid commitment, but that doesn't mean he isn't into Zoey. He is deeply attracted to her - not only her beauty but all of her.
"You still have half of your Tom Collins left." I liked the fact she turned into a fumbling mess around me.
She cocked her head. "How do you know what drink this is?"
The fact was when it came to Zoey, I remembered everything. I remembered the first words she spoke to me besides an introduction: I like your shirt. I remembered the first time I heard her laugh - she liked my joke about the Oregon Ducks; Zoey was an OSU girl after all. I remembered how soft her hair was, brushing against my chest as she fell asleep in my arms. Suffice to say, everything about her was memorable.
And for Zoey's part, her inner-monologue was so cute. From choking on a chocolate, to trying to keep her attraction to Ryder in check - she made me smile.
Brain: But he's your client. And you know exactly what will happen if you sleep with him again.
Body: I do what I want.
Brain: Seriously? Are you an idiot? The dude is a player ad this could jeopardize your job.
Body: Dayummm. Did you see those forearms flex when he grabbed the elevator rail?
Their courtship is cute and sexy and everything you want in a contemporary romance. Really enjoying this author's voice.
Grade: B+
Read
January 2, 2017Thank you so much for reading my book!
If you want to keep current on my releases (I have quite a few coming out in the next few months!) here are the best places to visit:
Newsletter (I promise, I only send out when I have news): http://bit.ly/1TAwPQZ
Jennifer Blackwood Facebook Group: http://bit.ly/23pZY2f
Website: http://www.jenniferblackwood.com
If you want to keep current on my releases (I have quite a few coming out in the next few months!) here are the best places to visit:
Newsletter (I promise, I only send out when I have news): http://bit.ly/1TAwPQZ
Jennifer Blackwood Facebook Group: http://bit.ly/23pZY2f
Website: http://www.jenniferblackwood.com
Shelved as 'not-interested'
January 19, 2017Immaturity. A reviewer said they are both immature. But the h in a higher level. Why I'm not surprised?!
I confess I can tolerate an immature hero ( man's nature and all LOL) but I can't stand a immature heroine.
I confess I can tolerate an immature hero ( man's nature and all LOL) but I can't stand a immature heroine.
February 6, 2017
3.5 "Breaking Rules for 2nd Chances" Stars for the story and 4.5 Stars for the narration.
In a somewhat predictable but nonetheless, entertaining and humorous romance challenging the rules against dating a client, Jennifer Blackwood brings us a 2nd chance at love trope romance. Enhancing this quick and fun title is the talented dual narration by narrator team, Kendall Harper and Ray Irwin.
First as this is the 2nd book in the Rule Breakers Series its worth noting that it is not necessary to listen to Book 1, The Rule Book, before this title, as the romance arc of this contemporary story is fully contained within the pages of this book. However, for those of you who did listen to book 1, you'll be pleased to know that Lainey and Brogan continue to make an appearance in this book (as Lainey is the friend of this book's heroine).
Zoey, an interior designer, knows that the number one rule to keeping her job is: no dating the clients! When she's assigned to a new project for the renovation of a ski resort, that presently has dubious prospects, however, her ability to follow this rule is challenged when she discovers that her client's brother--who has been tasked with overseeing her work--is none other than a former one night stand. A very hot one that she had wished would be more, but as it turns out, Ryder Covington's number 1 rule directly clashes with her wishes: no woman gets more than one night!
Ryder, however, has never forgotten their one night together--a night that features prominently in his fantasies when he's taking care of business on his own (if you know what I mean!). Moreover, his career is currently in turmoil after a leg breaking injury that has put his snow boarding career on ice, causing him to reevaluate his life's priorities overall.
There is also a secondary storyline regarding Ryder and his brother, who has been in a terrible accident. Adding in this element of having Ryder conscious and determined to help his brother layers in another level of complexity and affability to Ryder's character.
Will Zoey and Ryder be able to complete the project together without breaking their rules? Or will their undeniable attraction cause them to be rule breakers and to what outcome? Moreover, how will the side story of Ryder and his brother develop?
Kendall Harper and Ray Irwin adopt the typical dual narration style frequently employed in contemporary romances with Ms. Harper narrating the chapters from the Zoey's perspective and Mr. Irwin the chapters from Ryder's perspective. This style works well to highlight the viewpoint being shared. Moreover, I really enjoyed the voices used by each narrator. Not only did they sound like genuinely believable voices for Zoey and Ryder that were easily distinguishable from one another, but I really enjoyed how each narrator had a good flow to their rendition making listening easy and bringing the story to life.
All in all, if you're looking for a fun romance with second chance theme, and enjoy a good laugh with your romances, then this ski resort romance is sure to warm up your Winter listening and lead to some hours of entertainment!
Source: Review copy provided for review purposes.
In a somewhat predictable but nonetheless, entertaining and humorous romance challenging the rules against dating a client, Jennifer Blackwood brings us a 2nd chance at love trope romance. Enhancing this quick and fun title is the talented dual narration by narrator team, Kendall Harper and Ray Irwin.
First as this is the 2nd book in the Rule Breakers Series its worth noting that it is not necessary to listen to Book 1, The Rule Book, before this title, as the romance arc of this contemporary story is fully contained within the pages of this book. However, for those of you who did listen to book 1, you'll be pleased to know that Lainey and Brogan continue to make an appearance in this book (as Lainey is the friend of this book's heroine).
Zoey, an interior designer, knows that the number one rule to keeping her job is: no dating the clients! When she's assigned to a new project for the renovation of a ski resort, that presently has dubious prospects, however, her ability to follow this rule is challenged when she discovers that her client's brother--who has been tasked with overseeing her work--is none other than a former one night stand. A very hot one that she had wished would be more, but as it turns out, Ryder Covington's number 1 rule directly clashes with her wishes: no woman gets more than one night!
Ryder, however, has never forgotten their one night together--a night that features prominently in his fantasies when he's taking care of business on his own (if you know what I mean!). Moreover, his career is currently in turmoil after a leg breaking injury that has put his snow boarding career on ice, causing him to reevaluate his life's priorities overall.
There is also a secondary storyline regarding Ryder and his brother, who has been in a terrible accident. Adding in this element of having Ryder conscious and determined to help his brother layers in another level of complexity and affability to Ryder's character.
Will Zoey and Ryder be able to complete the project together without breaking their rules? Or will their undeniable attraction cause them to be rule breakers and to what outcome? Moreover, how will the side story of Ryder and his brother develop?
Kendall Harper and Ray Irwin adopt the typical dual narration style frequently employed in contemporary romances with Ms. Harper narrating the chapters from the Zoey's perspective and Mr. Irwin the chapters from Ryder's perspective. This style works well to highlight the viewpoint being shared. Moreover, I really enjoyed the voices used by each narrator. Not only did they sound like genuinely believable voices for Zoey and Ryder that were easily distinguishable from one another, but I really enjoyed how each narrator had a good flow to their rendition making listening easy and bringing the story to life.
All in all, if you're looking for a fun romance with second chance theme, and enjoy a good laugh with your romances, then this ski resort romance is sure to warm up your Winter listening and lead to some hours of entertainment!
Source: Review copy provided for review purposes.
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February 6, 2017I adored the first book in this series so I was super excited to read this one when I got it. The problem I have is that due to time constraints I was forced to read it while I was in the absolutely wrong frame of mind to appreciate it.
Any other time I probably would have enjoyed this and had a few giggles in the process but since I had so much going on in my head I wasn’t able to keep my head in the story for long enough to get caught up in it.
And since I know this was a major case of it’s not you it’s me I can’t rate this book without doing it a compete injustice. So what I will say is if you have read the first book and enjoyed the style then you absolutely should grab this one. And if you haven’t read that book yet then I highly recommend you do because I did thoroughly enjoy it.
Check out my Rule Book review here
Check out my reviews here
Any other time I probably would have enjoyed this and had a few giggles in the process but since I had so much going on in my head I wasn’t able to keep my head in the story for long enough to get caught up in it.
And since I know this was a major case of it’s not you it’s me I can’t rate this book without doing it a compete injustice. So what I will say is if you have read the first book and enjoyed the style then you absolutely should grab this one. And if you haven’t read that book yet then I highly recommend you do because I did thoroughly enjoy it.
Check out my Rule Book review here
Check out my reviews here
February 4, 2017
Slick's review:
3.5 stars
The Rule Maker was the first book for me by author Jennifer Blackwood and I enjoyed it quite a bit. There was some not so great history between the hero and heroine which led to some tension as well as some pretty great banter and while I could appreciate some of the current day references in fashion, it doesn’t speak well for the longevity of this book, but it was a flirty, fun and sexy story especially in the second half.
Zoey Reynolds is a young interior designer and on the cusp of scoring another big job from a client she’s worked with in the past, but when the client’s younger brother and professional snowboarder and a guy that left her bed shortly after an intense night between them has been put in charge of the project she tries to beg off from it, but Ryder won’t hear of it and swears that his older brother Jason Covington would not be happy if she leaves. Zoey must find a way to work with the man that sent her into a tailspin after one night and departing without so much as a goodbye or risk the career she loves so much.
From the minute these two appear on the page together the reader gets the feeling that while them being together again is a bit contentious, the attraction is evident and there is no doubt whatever the author has in store for them will be a wild ride. The first part of this book moved at a snail’s pace and I’ll be honest I didn’t think a whole lot of Ryder; he was too cocky, overconfident and actually kind of an a$$hole towards Zoey. I hated that Zoey let on too easily that she was still attracted to Ryder and in my opinion he took advantage of it and it bordered on harassment which isn’t cool under any circumstances.
I enjoyed the interactions between Ryder and his brother, Jason and would have like to see them have a heart to heart talk about Jason’s accident, the aftermath, and where they are in their lives and what their plans are for the future. The scenes with their grandparents were strange and awkward and the whole situation that caused the issue between Zoey and Ryder was left with an unfinished feeling. In fact I kind of felt like the ending on this book was rushed, that some of the beginning should have been cut in order to flush out the ending a bit better.
I liked the easy, breezy writing style of this author and while I thought she captured the essence of the age of these characters with their dialog and attitudes, the responsibilities and where they were in the careers seemed like that of people at least 5 or more years older, although Ryder’s rash career decision was very typical for someone his age.
In short, author Jennifer Blackwood shows great promise in her writing and her work is fun and enjoyable, but needs a bit more polish to really make it shine.
Review copy provided with no expectations.
3.5 stars
The Rule Maker was the first book for me by author Jennifer Blackwood and I enjoyed it quite a bit. There was some not so great history between the hero and heroine which led to some tension as well as some pretty great banter and while I could appreciate some of the current day references in fashion, it doesn’t speak well for the longevity of this book, but it was a flirty, fun and sexy story especially in the second half.
Zoey Reynolds is a young interior designer and on the cusp of scoring another big job from a client she’s worked with in the past, but when the client’s younger brother and professional snowboarder and a guy that left her bed shortly after an intense night between them has been put in charge of the project she tries to beg off from it, but Ryder won’t hear of it and swears that his older brother Jason Covington would not be happy if she leaves. Zoey must find a way to work with the man that sent her into a tailspin after one night and departing without so much as a goodbye or risk the career she loves so much.
From the minute these two appear on the page together the reader gets the feeling that while them being together again is a bit contentious, the attraction is evident and there is no doubt whatever the author has in store for them will be a wild ride. The first part of this book moved at a snail’s pace and I’ll be honest I didn’t think a whole lot of Ryder; he was too cocky, overconfident and actually kind of an a$$hole towards Zoey. I hated that Zoey let on too easily that she was still attracted to Ryder and in my opinion he took advantage of it and it bordered on harassment which isn’t cool under any circumstances.
I enjoyed the interactions between Ryder and his brother, Jason and would have like to see them have a heart to heart talk about Jason’s accident, the aftermath, and where they are in their lives and what their plans are for the future. The scenes with their grandparents were strange and awkward and the whole situation that caused the issue between Zoey and Ryder was left with an unfinished feeling. In fact I kind of felt like the ending on this book was rushed, that some of the beginning should have been cut in order to flush out the ending a bit better.
I liked the easy, breezy writing style of this author and while I thought she captured the essence of the age of these characters with their dialog and attitudes, the responsibilities and where they were in the careers seemed like that of people at least 5 or more years older, although Ryder’s rash career decision was very typical for someone his age.
In short, author Jennifer Blackwood shows great promise in her writing and her work is fun and enjoyable, but needs a bit more polish to really make it shine.
Review copy provided with no expectations.
February 6, 2017
The book blurb snagged me immediately. This sounded like it was going to be a very funny book. While it did have its funny moments, it was actually more serious than I was expecting, but that's not a bad thing. The only thing that truly kept me from loving this book was that I never felt Ryder truly cared about Zoey until almost the end. They met through Ryder's brother, Jason. He hired Zoey to design a property he purchased. Ryder got to know Zoey and ended up sleeping with her. He freaked and snuck out. There was never any intention of him contacting her again. After a horrible accident that Jason was involved in, Ryder stepped up to help with his business. This was how Ryder and Zoey met again. Even working with Zoey, it took Ryder a long time to realize he wanted more with her. I giuess the romantic in me would have preferred Ryder to show he cared more. ARC provided by NetGalley.
January 20, 2017
Link to full review below! Funny and light, this is a good book to read if you need humor and low angst!See full review on The Book Disciple
February 7, 2017
I'm a lover of a good rom-com, keyword there is good. The Rule Maker had the potential to be good or even great but unfortunately for this book whore fell into the it was just okay category. I can't even say it was only one character or issue that made me just not like this one, it was the entire book.
Ryder and Zoey were both so immature at times that I just wanted to take them both to a cliff and shove them both off. I'm all for banter, I love it and if it is done properly in a book it can be what makes the book stand out, this was not the case for the Rule Maker.
I'm wondering if I just don't mesh well with this authors writing style or if it is just me but The Rule Maker missed it's mark big time and is not one I can personally recommend.
Ryder and Zoey were both so immature at times that I just wanted to take them both to a cliff and shove them both off. I'm all for banter, I love it and if it is done properly in a book it can be what makes the book stand out, this was not the case for the Rule Maker.
I'm wondering if I just don't mesh well with this authors writing style or if it is just me but The Rule Maker missed it's mark big time and is not one I can personally recommend.
February 10, 2017
An enjoyable book... Easy reading.... Plenty of fun... Especially that car ride with the pygmy goat... I had a good time.... I liked Ryder and Zoey but in the end of the day I didn't connect so much with them....
February 10, 2017
I love it when they break the rules...
The Rule Maker was one of those books that made me smile right from the start. Rules were made—then bent and broken, and left by the way-side—fast. The situations Zoey got herself in, constant warring with right and wrong in her head, her legging purchasing compulsion, and how she desperately fought her growing feelings for him—I simply loved this character.
Ryder is at a crossroads in his life both personally and professionally—he isn’t perfect, and has made mistakes in the past when it comes to her, but he is sexy, funny, and irresistible, and he wears her down. He wears her down well. LOL. And when he finally realizes what he needs, his gesture to prove it is swoon-worthy and perfect. The bantering between them is funny, and the dialogue had many LOL moments for me.
I loved this book from start to finish, and I broke one of my own rules reading it. Never start a new book just before going to bed. Bye bye sleep—because I didn’t want to put this one down.
The Rule Maker was one of those books that made me smile right from the start. Rules were made—then bent and broken, and left by the way-side—fast. The situations Zoey got herself in, constant warring with right and wrong in her head, her legging purchasing compulsion, and how she desperately fought her growing feelings for him—I simply loved this character.
Ryder is at a crossroads in his life both personally and professionally—he isn’t perfect, and has made mistakes in the past when it comes to her, but he is sexy, funny, and irresistible, and he wears her down. He wears her down well. LOL. And when he finally realizes what he needs, his gesture to prove it is swoon-worthy and perfect. The bantering between them is funny, and the dialogue had many LOL moments for me.
I loved this book from start to finish, and I broke one of my own rules reading it. Never start a new book just before going to bed. Bye bye sleep—because I didn’t want to put this one down.
February 7, 2017
I’m forever requesting books without realising they’re part of a series. I’ve done it here again with this one, which is the second in a series. I think you can probably read these stand alone although there might’ve been a bit of background between these two characters that probably would’ve helped if I’d read about it rather than just had it rehashed here.
Some time ago (presumably in the first book) Zoey and Ryder had a one night stand and then he disappeared without calling her. Now Zoey is again working for Ryder’s brother Jason, redesigning the interior of a ski lodge that Jason has purchased. Instead of Jason turning up to help her, to her shock it’s Ryder. The professional snowboarder is currently out injured and is helping out his brother.
As soon as Ryder sees Zoey again, the commitmentphobe realises that he wants more than his usual one night stand. And it appears that Zoey isn’t over Ryder either, despite firmly telling herself to not get involved for a myriad of reasons, two important ones being a) Ryder is her client, working as Jason’s proxy pretty much, and b) she’s already been there, done that and Ryder up and vanished without a trace. But the more time Zoey spends with Ryder, the harder it is to keep resisting him.
I really liked the premise of this but unfortunately I didn’t end up loving the execution and I think it’s solely because of Ryder. I found him very childish and immature, constantly taunting Zoey and smirking at everything and he came off as very smug and unlikable. Zoey is attempting to do a job and Ryder keeps making things difficult for her at first, thinking that Jason has made a mistake purchasing the property. He delays responding to her emails and when they are finally working, he constantly crosses a professional line. I felt like the “set up” was drawn out far too long and Zoe and Ryder had too many frustrating interactions where he pushes her buttons. I didn’t really find their banter funny and most of the time I would’ve felt sorry for Zoey, who had a job to do and who had been told that basically her position within her place of employment hinged on how well she could continue to foster the relationship with Jason’s company. However Zoey was so thick at times that it made it almost impossible to feel sorry for her. She was almost unbearable when Ryder was around, also acting immature and unprofessionally, so maybe they were a perfect match for each other.
I think that probably the last third of the book was by far the best as things got moving much better in that section after dragging out in the first two thirds. Ryder seemed to finally come to the conclusion that he’d met someone who he could have more than just one night with but he had the difficulties of his career versus his heart to contend with as if he returned to professional snowboarding he would spend large amounts of time away competing. He also began to stand up to himself with his family however I did feel like there were a few confusing moments at the end where things weren’t really explained as well as they could’ve been.
For me, the most interesting thing of this whole book was the story of Ryder’s brother Jason. It’s only mentioned briefly but I found him far more appealing as a character than Ryder and I think if there were a book that featured Jason in the future, I’d be pretty tempted to read it. He seemed like he might have depth to him, whereas I found Ryder quite shallow and uninteresting. He got better by the end of the book but unfortunately by then all his smirking and unpleasantness had made its impression.
Some time ago (presumably in the first book) Zoey and Ryder had a one night stand and then he disappeared without calling her. Now Zoey is again working for Ryder’s brother Jason, redesigning the interior of a ski lodge that Jason has purchased. Instead of Jason turning up to help her, to her shock it’s Ryder. The professional snowboarder is currently out injured and is helping out his brother.
As soon as Ryder sees Zoey again, the commitmentphobe realises that he wants more than his usual one night stand. And it appears that Zoey isn’t over Ryder either, despite firmly telling herself to not get involved for a myriad of reasons, two important ones being a) Ryder is her client, working as Jason’s proxy pretty much, and b) she’s already been there, done that and Ryder up and vanished without a trace. But the more time Zoey spends with Ryder, the harder it is to keep resisting him.
I really liked the premise of this but unfortunately I didn’t end up loving the execution and I think it’s solely because of Ryder. I found him very childish and immature, constantly taunting Zoey and smirking at everything and he came off as very smug and unlikable. Zoey is attempting to do a job and Ryder keeps making things difficult for her at first, thinking that Jason has made a mistake purchasing the property. He delays responding to her emails and when they are finally working, he constantly crosses a professional line. I felt like the “set up” was drawn out far too long and Zoe and Ryder had too many frustrating interactions where he pushes her buttons. I didn’t really find their banter funny and most of the time I would’ve felt sorry for Zoey, who had a job to do and who had been told that basically her position within her place of employment hinged on how well she could continue to foster the relationship with Jason’s company. However Zoey was so thick at times that it made it almost impossible to feel sorry for her. She was almost unbearable when Ryder was around, also acting immature and unprofessionally, so maybe they were a perfect match for each other.
I think that probably the last third of the book was by far the best as things got moving much better in that section after dragging out in the first two thirds. Ryder seemed to finally come to the conclusion that he’d met someone who he could have more than just one night with but he had the difficulties of his career versus his heart to contend with as if he returned to professional snowboarding he would spend large amounts of time away competing. He also began to stand up to himself with his family however I did feel like there were a few confusing moments at the end where things weren’t really explained as well as they could’ve been.
For me, the most interesting thing of this whole book was the story of Ryder’s brother Jason. It’s only mentioned briefly but I found him far more appealing as a character than Ryder and I think if there were a book that featured Jason in the future, I’d be pretty tempted to read it. He seemed like he might have depth to him, whereas I found Ryder quite shallow and uninteresting. He got better by the end of the book but unfortunately by then all his smirking and unpleasantness had made its impression.
February 7, 2017
3.5 “Break a leg, a wall and some rules while you're at it” Stars
ARC via NetGalley.
Thank you, Entangled (Embrace)!!
I’ll start with this: the second book in The Rule Breakers series is steamier than the first one, so hurray for that!
As I learned by reading The Rule Book, my first Jennifer Blackwood title, this author knows how to write sexual tension and chemistry extremely well. Lanny and Brogan had tons of that, and the new main characters in the series didn’t stay behind.
We met Zoey and Ryder (although I don’t remember if I knew his name then) in the first book, but we got to really care for these two characters now.
Zoey is now more than Lanny’s BFF. She’s a successful, funny and strong young woman who can’t get over the man who turned her life upside down when he slept with her. Too bad he was a jerk and left without a good-bye.
Ryder is a professional athlete who’s going through a tough time with his injury and a situation with his brother. He has no time for relationships, but he’s still thinking about Zoey, the girl he slept with and had to leave in the middle of the night.
Months later, a work project forces Zoey and Ryder to work together, and you can imagine how it goes from there, right?
Out of the two, Zoey was definitely my favorite character. Her voice was really strong and even funnier than Lanny’s. She sounded young and fresh while still showing traits of a mature woman. I liked how she cared about her job and had ambitions. In fact, young, smart and ambitious women seem to be the theme with female main characters in this series, and I LOVE that.
The fact that I loved Zoey more doesn’t mean I didn’t like Ryder. He was a good love interest. He was funny, sexy and you could really tell that he cared for his brother, which is always a plus. I only wished there’d been a little more of his personality. There was room to develop his character further, especially with all the family drama going on. His grandparents were awful people, and I thought that could’ve played a bigger part in Ryder’s story.
The romance developed nicely. It was slow burn and there was heat from the very beginning. The fact that Zoey and Ryder had slept together previously, but waited so long to do it again only made the chemistry between them stronger.
In a way, The Rule Maker had similar elements from the first book, which is perfect for a title in a series, but it still managed to be fresh and unique. Plus, it was sexier. If you liked The Rule Book, then I bet you’ll enjoy this one, too.
February 5, 2017
This is a sexy and entertaining second chance romance. Zoey, an interior designer/architect and Ryder, a professional snowboarder had a one night stand while she was working on a project for Ryder's brother Jason. It ended rather abruptly when Ryder took off before morning light without explanation. Fast forward a few months and Zoey has a chance to work with Ryder's brother Jason again. He's bought a resort that was a favorite family vacation spot, and it's in run down shape desperately in need of a makeover. It means she's going to have to see Ryder again, but this time, she's not going to be so easily charmed by him - or so she thinks.
There were a few plot niggles for me that I questioned. Being completely in charge of the design and renovation of a luxury resort seemed like a really big job for someone aged 24 who hadn't been in the business that long. Combining the responsibility of all that with an inner monologue that seemed more college aged didn't always mesh for me. But I liked Zoey's character overall.
Ryder's explanation for why he left Zoey without a note after their initial one night stand is understandable but doesn't explain why he couldn't have contacted her in the next few days. Instead he left it alone and then when they see each other again, isn't particularly apologetic about it. It took me a bit to warm up to him. He's dealing with a snowboarding injury that is causing him a lot of stress as he worries about sponsorships for the upcoming season. His relationship with his family is complex and there are several scenes dealing with that. I really liked his brother Jason who was paralyzed in a snowboarding accident and I'm hoping a story might be in the works for him.
Ryder and Zoey have that whole forbidden workplace affair thing going on, as she's got to be careful not to reveal to her boss that she's involved with her client's brother. There are some sexy scenes between them, and by the end I was invested in their relationship. It's an easy and enjoyable read. 3.5 stars.
Note: a copy of this story was provided by the publisher via NetGalley for review.
There were a few plot niggles for me that I questioned. Being completely in charge of the design and renovation of a luxury resort seemed like a really big job for someone aged 24 who hadn't been in the business that long. Combining the responsibility of all that with an inner monologue that seemed more college aged didn't always mesh for me. But I liked Zoey's character overall.
Ryder's explanation for why he left Zoey without a note after their initial one night stand is understandable but doesn't explain why he couldn't have contacted her in the next few days. Instead he left it alone and then when they see each other again, isn't particularly apologetic about it. It took me a bit to warm up to him. He's dealing with a snowboarding injury that is causing him a lot of stress as he worries about sponsorships for the upcoming season. His relationship with his family is complex and there are several scenes dealing with that. I really liked his brother Jason who was paralyzed in a snowboarding accident and I'm hoping a story might be in the works for him.
Ryder and Zoey have that whole forbidden workplace affair thing going on, as she's got to be careful not to reveal to her boss that she's involved with her client's brother. There are some sexy scenes between them, and by the end I was invested in their relationship. It's an easy and enjoyable read. 3.5 stars.
Note: a copy of this story was provided by the publisher via NetGalley for review.
February 7, 2017
3,5 Rule making stars!
Normally this should've been a 5 stars book for me, but something really went wrong with the story that made it a 3.5 stars.
The Rule Maker has all the ingredients that I love in a book.
An alphahole. A sassy heroine. A hate to love story and that sexy banter which tell you how much they both want each other but refuse to admit it.
But unfortunately, I couldn't hear the click that should bound me to the book. Zoey was childish and immature and Ryder gave me a hard timd to understand what he really wanted.
“That woman had been my undoing without even trying. Which was why I needed to stay away from her. Far, far away.”
I hope we'd havd the chance to read Jason's story because I know that he has a lot to say and that his story would be more than great.
Normally this should've been a 5 stars book for me, but something really went wrong with the story that made it a 3.5 stars.
The Rule Maker has all the ingredients that I love in a book.
An alphahole. A sassy heroine. A hate to love story and that sexy banter which tell you how much they both want each other but refuse to admit it.
But unfortunately, I couldn't hear the click that should bound me to the book. Zoey was childish and immature and Ryder gave me a hard timd to understand what he really wanted.
“That woman had been my undoing without even trying. Which was why I needed to stay away from her. Far, far away.”
I hope we'd havd the chance to read Jason's story because I know that he has a lot to say and that his story would be more than great.
February 4, 2017
First let me state that I am a Jennifer Blackwood fan and her quirky, witty banter really appeals to me. So I wasn't surprised that I enjoyed this contemporary romance and loved both Zoey and Rider's character's. This is the second book in her rule breaker's series but the rules here seem to be designed more by the author to tie together the books than essential or central to this story in my opinion. Maybe I am just being nit-picky here. Regardless, this was an extremely funny, romantic comedy with some laugh out loud moments that had me smiling throughout. I especially liked how Zoey got her nickname "Flash". I totally recommend reading this one and "The Rule Book" though they are both standalones so you can read in any order.
February 12, 2017
I'm SO looking for a warm, good, lovely romantic book that would make me believe in love (I'm pathetic, I know). And I somehow end up reading whatever I can find and being disappointed.
It's not that the book is bad. It's not. It's just one of a few thousands romances with two people that clearly are destined to be together, but somehow manage to screw things up every 20 pages. Seriously. Why someone would do that?..
And I have to admit I skipped a few pages. Two or three times. Or maybe like five times. It says a lot, I guess.
It's not that the book is bad. It's not. It's just one of a few thousands romances with two people that clearly are destined to be together, but somehow manage to screw things up every 20 pages. Seriously. Why someone would do that?..
And I have to admit I skipped a few pages. Two or three times. Or maybe like five times. It says a lot, I guess.
May 17, 2018
En este caso tenemos a Zoey, la amiga de la protagonista del primer libro. Por otro lado tenemos a Ryder, ya viejo conocido de cama de Zoey. Ella lo odia con toda su alma por haberla dejado en medio de la noche sin despedirse. Es verdad que el nunca la ha sacado de su error, nunca le ha confesado por qué tuvo que irse. Pero ahora que Jason, el hermano de Ryder, ha comprado un complejo en la montaña, se necesitan reformas y Ryder estará a cargo. ¿Y quien estará a cargo de las reformas? Zoey, por su puesto. El trabajar juntos hará revivir de nuevo toda su historia, pero con unos abuelos snobs por el medio la cosa no será nada fácil.
Es un libro corto y una historia fácil y ligera pero es que creo que estoy en crisis lectora porque me he quedado igual que estaba. Muy meh 🤷🏼♀️. Últimamente los libros no me llegan al corazón así que apenas disfruto de alguno. En este me pasó como con otro libro: unas páginas me tenían enganchada y otras me aburrían y que te pase en un libro tan corto, es un récord.
Lo recomiendo para leer entre lecturas extensas.
Es un libro corto y una historia fácil y ligera pero es que creo que estoy en crisis lectora porque me he quedado igual que estaba. Muy meh 🤷🏼♀️. Últimamente los libros no me llegan al corazón así que apenas disfruto de alguno. En este me pasó como con otro libro: unas páginas me tenían enganchada y otras me aburrían y que te pase en un libro tan corto, es un récord.
Lo recomiendo para leer entre lecturas extensas.
Shelved as 'on-sale-to-read'
July 13, 2017
February 7, 2017
One of my favorite Entangled Publishing authors that I have seemed to enjoy is Jennifer Blackwood. So when I saw that she had a new one out, I knew I had to read it, and I was guaranteed that I would enjoy it. If you love a bit of romantic comedy with your reads and laugh out loud moments throughout the book, then this is the one for you as it had me chuckling through the pages. The other thing that I loved was how Zoey got her nickname and her affinity for wearing superhero undies as I have a pair of Superman ones myself.
In The Rule Maker, we have Zoey and Ryder Covington. The two it seemed had an amazing night together and then just like that "poof" Ryder was gone, and they went back to their normal lives with Zoe and her interior design and Ryder with his championship Snowboarding. Months later the pair is brought together in an evil twist of fate as Ryder and his brother Jason were injured in snowboarding accidents, and Zoe has been hired to help design the new Hotel Resort that Jason has brought. With Jason taking a backburner, it is up to Ryder to help chip in and take the lead on the project even if it means that he will be spending more time with Zoe. As the book goes along, we have a romantic banter between Ryder and Zoe and have them spending some amazing nights together. Can Zoe and Ryder assume their professional statuses during work time and keep their personal lives and attitudes behind closed doors or will their personal feelings and emotions start to cloud their working lives and interfere with their careers? Find out in The Rule Maker by Jennifer Blackwood where some rules were clearly meant to be broken.
In The Rule Maker, we have Zoey and Ryder Covington. The two it seemed had an amazing night together and then just like that "poof" Ryder was gone, and they went back to their normal lives with Zoe and her interior design and Ryder with his championship Snowboarding. Months later the pair is brought together in an evil twist of fate as Ryder and his brother Jason were injured in snowboarding accidents, and Zoe has been hired to help design the new Hotel Resort that Jason has brought. With Jason taking a backburner, it is up to Ryder to help chip in and take the lead on the project even if it means that he will be spending more time with Zoe. As the book goes along, we have a romantic banter between Ryder and Zoe and have them spending some amazing nights together. Can Zoe and Ryder assume their professional statuses during work time and keep their personal lives and attitudes behind closed doors or will their personal feelings and emotions start to cloud their working lives and interfere with their careers? Find out in The Rule Maker by Jennifer Blackwood where some rules were clearly meant to be broken.
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