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The Rules of Love #6
Rule #6: You Can't Elevate the Outcast: A Standalone Sweet High School Romance
Her gaze drifted down my face, and reality came crashing back down on me. She was staring at my scar. The physical proof of my past. I turned to the side and raised my hand to cover my face. I needed to protect myself before I broke down the wall that I’d spent so long building up.
“Get out,” I whispered.
“Colten—”
“I said leave,” I growled.
She hesitated for a moment before she turned and raced toward the door.
As soon as the door handle engaged, I pushed my hand through my hair, hating myself for acting like that. I hated that I’d treated her that way. But I knew it was the right thing.
She needed to leave me alone before I hurt her.
Pushing her from my mind, I headed into my bathroom. Once the room was full of steam, I slipped into the shower and let the water beat down on my back, on the scars that littered my body.
It was a painful reminder of my past. Of who I was now. And of who I could never be.
One thing was for sure, I could never be what Haley wanted.
I thought I knew what I was getting into when I took the dare to elevate Colten Shaw.
I thought wrong.
I'm determined to make my senior year epic. I'd finally risen up in social rank and now, I'm ready to rule the school. Everything seems perfect until I find myself standing in front of Colten.
My boyfriend's older brother and my once friend.
After he caused the car crash that killed their mother, he retreated. He became the social outcast in our community.
But he's back now and drumming up a lot of attention.
Attention from the school's evil queen.
And thus started the dare.
It was my job to "tame the beast." To bring Colten to the homecoming dance as a "functioning member of society." And as much as I want to say no, everyone wants me to say yes. So I do.
That's when I discover there is so much more to Colten. It's to the point where I can't ignore it.
I thought I had everything figured out but now?
Now I’m not sure.
And that’s a scary place to be.
Some Rules are Meant to be Broken
If you love gruff heroes with a heart of gold and kisses that will curl your toes, you'll love Rule #6: You Can't Elevate the Outcast.
“Get out,” I whispered.
“Colten—”
“I said leave,” I growled.
She hesitated for a moment before she turned and raced toward the door.
As soon as the door handle engaged, I pushed my hand through my hair, hating myself for acting like that. I hated that I’d treated her that way. But I knew it was the right thing.
She needed to leave me alone before I hurt her.
Pushing her from my mind, I headed into my bathroom. Once the room was full of steam, I slipped into the shower and let the water beat down on my back, on the scars that littered my body.
It was a painful reminder of my past. Of who I was now. And of who I could never be.
One thing was for sure, I could never be what Haley wanted.
I thought I knew what I was getting into when I took the dare to elevate Colten Shaw.
I thought wrong.
I'm determined to make my senior year epic. I'd finally risen up in social rank and now, I'm ready to rule the school. Everything seems perfect until I find myself standing in front of Colten.
My boyfriend's older brother and my once friend.
After he caused the car crash that killed their mother, he retreated. He became the social outcast in our community.
But he's back now and drumming up a lot of attention.
Attention from the school's evil queen.
And thus started the dare.
It was my job to "tame the beast." To bring Colten to the homecoming dance as a "functioning member of society." And as much as I want to say no, everyone wants me to say yes. So I do.
That's when I discover there is so much more to Colten. It's to the point where I can't ignore it.
I thought I had everything figured out but now?
Now I’m not sure.
And that’s a scary place to be.
Some Rules are Meant to be Broken
If you love gruff heroes with a heart of gold and kisses that will curl your toes, you'll love Rule #6: You Can't Elevate the Outcast.
270 pages, Paperback
First published June 29, 2021
207 people are currently reading
2469 people want to read
About the author
Anne-Marie Meyer
102 books3,590 followersAnne-Marie Meyer is a USA Today Bestselling author who lives south of the Twin Cities in MN. She spends her days with her knight in shining armor, four princes, and a baby princess.
When she's not running after her kids, she's dreaming up romantic stories. She loves to take her favorite moments in the books and movies she loves and tries to figure out a way to make them new and fresh.
Join her newsletter at anne-mariemeyer.com
When she's not running after her kids, she's dreaming up romantic stories. She loves to take her favorite moments in the books and movies she loves and tries to figure out a way to make them new and fresh.
Join her newsletter at anne-mariemeyer.com
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
July 29, 2025
3⭐️ cute romance, the brother just pissed me off how awful he was to his brother and then in the end he was like oh i was just sad bc u stole mom and my gf i was like what?? and then the mmc forgave him?? heck no. i’ve been wanting to read a romance that started with a dare so this was perfect for it. still rlly not a fan of the covers tho
July 13, 2021
Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐
Colten and Haley were such an unexpected expected match. They were amazing together, which was expected. But Haley was dating Colten’s brother and there was a lot of past and life that was in between the two. I loved the small moments when they were together. Haley helped Colten in a way that he needed. He didn’t get over his mom’s passing in the literal sense but she was able to help him overcome the worst of it. While I didn’t like Bradley, I loved the scene where he and Colten just become better people for each other. Haley was a great heroine, a bit misguided, but a great human being.
I received a review copy and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Merged review:
Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐
Colten and Haley were such an unexpected expected match. They were amazing together, which was expected. But Haley was dating Colten’s brother and there was a lot of past and life that was in between the two. I loved the small moments when they were together. Haley helped Colten in a way that he needed. He didn’t get over his mom’s passing in the literal sense but she was able to help him overcome the worst of it. While I didn’t like Bradley, I loved the scene where he and Colten just become better people for each other. Haley was a great heroine, a bit misguided, but a great human being.
I received a review copy and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Colten and Haley were such an unexpected expected match. They were amazing together, which was expected. But Haley was dating Colten’s brother and there was a lot of past and life that was in between the two. I loved the small moments when they were together. Haley helped Colten in a way that he needed. He didn’t get over his mom’s passing in the literal sense but she was able to help him overcome the worst of it. While I didn’t like Bradley, I loved the scene where he and Colten just become better people for each other. Haley was a great heroine, a bit misguided, but a great human being.
I received a review copy and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Merged review:
Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐
Colten and Haley were such an unexpected expected match. They were amazing together, which was expected. But Haley was dating Colten’s brother and there was a lot of past and life that was in between the two. I loved the small moments when they were together. Haley helped Colten in a way that he needed. He didn’t get over his mom’s passing in the literal sense but she was able to help him overcome the worst of it. While I didn’t like Bradley, I loved the scene where he and Colten just become better people for each other. Haley was a great heroine, a bit misguided, but a great human being.
I received a review copy and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 10, 2021
*****Spoilers splash 💦 here and there***
https://ladiikeiii.wordpress.com/2021...
Okay this book was good. I can say that I felt bad for Colten because his brother and the kids from school was treating him bad and different. Not knowing he had a lot of build up anger and stuff inside of him and blaming himself for his mom death. Kids don’t see that they prefer to bully you instead of asking “are you okay”…
I was glad when he and his brother worked things out because his brother was one of the bullies too. Due to how he felt his own self when it came to their mom death and Colten leaving. I was glad they both, including their dad got into therapy to help their family out.
I felt like Bradley should’ve known that something was going to happen between Colten and Haley like come on you push your girlfriend on your brother. That right there should’ve told him. That was a idiot move. Knowing that his brother liked Haley. More so I believe Haley liked Colten too before she got to know him again and spend time with him.
But in the end Everything worked out for everybody… which I was glad. I did wanted to know what happened with the bet with Katie at the dance. But oh well!!!
https://ladiikeiii.wordpress.com/2021...
Okay this book was good. I can say that I felt bad for Colten because his brother and the kids from school was treating him bad and different. Not knowing he had a lot of build up anger and stuff inside of him and blaming himself for his mom death. Kids don’t see that they prefer to bully you instead of asking “are you okay”…
I was glad when he and his brother worked things out because his brother was one of the bullies too. Due to how he felt his own self when it came to their mom death and Colten leaving. I was glad they both, including their dad got into therapy to help their family out.
I felt like Bradley should’ve known that something was going to happen between Colten and Haley like come on you push your girlfriend on your brother. That right there should’ve told him. That was a idiot move. Knowing that his brother liked Haley. More so I believe Haley liked Colten too before she got to know him again and spend time with him.
But in the end Everything worked out for everybody… which I was glad. I did wanted to know what happened with the bet with Katie at the dance. But oh well!!!
July 12, 2021
Social Outcast
-‘ For a moment, the weight that I carried around with me felt lighter. Having Haley here helped me breathe better. For a moment, I felt happy. For a moment, I was whole.-‘
Colten blames himself for his mother’s death. It has caused a rift in his family and made him a social outcast. Only one person still believes in him. Colten just can’t seem to escape the hurt and the guilt.
Colten isn’t the same person Haley has known her whole life. Everyone says he’s become a monster. Has he really changed that much? Against her better judgement, Haley agrees to help win a bet her boyfriend (Colten’s brother) has taken against a mean girl at school. Once she gets to know Colten again, the Colten she used to know, she realizes she’s made a terrible mistake and the bet will end up hurting everyone. Is it too late?
-‘ For a moment, the weight that I carried around with me felt lighter. Having Haley here helped me breathe better. For a moment, I felt happy. For a moment, I was whole.-‘
Colten blames himself for his mother’s death. It has caused a rift in his family and made him a social outcast. Only one person still believes in him. Colten just can’t seem to escape the hurt and the guilt.
Colten isn’t the same person Haley has known her whole life. Everyone says he’s become a monster. Has he really changed that much? Against her better judgement, Haley agrees to help win a bet her boyfriend (Colten’s brother) has taken against a mean girl at school. Once she gets to know Colten again, the Colten she used to know, she realizes she’s made a terrible mistake and the bet will end up hurting everyone. Is it too late?
October 26, 2022
this book reminded me so much of the summer i turned pretty but this time with a more sensible main character. honestly, my feelings towards belly conklin are eh, but at least the main character here was better 😁.
i’m still confused on how his hair is long enough to cover most of his face? like i’m genuinely curious on how that’d work…
anywho, i’m getting lowkey tired with these books cause like they’re so short and i’m like ‘okay maybe this one won’t be insta love’ but then it ends up being insta love 💀. but for real, you can’t call two people with history insta love unless it becomes cringey and convoluted? i don’t think this one was cringe, but it deserves the 2 stars. it was just nothing wow for me. none of this author’s books are, but i guess that’s just how most works are these days unfortunately ☹️.
maybe i’ll read the next?
i’m still confused on how his hair is long enough to cover most of his face? like i’m genuinely curious on how that’d work…
anywho, i’m getting lowkey tired with these books cause like they’re so short and i’m like ‘okay maybe this one won’t be insta love’ but then it ends up being insta love 💀. but for real, you can’t call two people with history insta love unless it becomes cringey and convoluted? i don’t think this one was cringe, but it deserves the 2 stars. it was just nothing wow for me. none of this author’s books are, but i guess that’s just how most works are these days unfortunately ☹️.
maybe i’ll read the next?
July 11, 2021
Only 4 stars because... (Spoiler)
I absolutely loved Colton. He's broken and lost and just needs to find his way. I just wanted to reach out and hug him. I gave this book 4 stars because I was SO DISAPPOINTED in Haley for even considering the bet and for the bet to be completed in the end. Yes, it got Bradley the car. However, it would've been so much better for Bradley to turn down the opportunity of a car for his brother. In my view it seemed like that stupid Katie lost the bet and her car, but also won in a way because her idea of turning the "beast" into a real person still played out. I just felt like it was cruel and still allowed people to only consider Colton good enough if he was who they thought would be acceptable in their group.
I absolutely loved Colton. He's broken and lost and just needs to find his way. I just wanted to reach out and hug him. I gave this book 4 stars because I was SO DISAPPOINTED in Haley for even considering the bet and for the bet to be completed in the end. Yes, it got Bradley the car. However, it would've been so much better for Bradley to turn down the opportunity of a car for his brother. In my view it seemed like that stupid Katie lost the bet and her car, but also won in a way because her idea of turning the "beast" into a real person still played out. I just felt like it was cruel and still allowed people to only consider Colton good enough if he was who they thought would be acceptable in their group.
July 23, 2024
Sooooo I LOVED the book, but mannnn I was pissed 😂 I did not like Haley at all. Not one second from that book. She was a bad friend because how do you call a friend who stops talking to you after a tragedy? Her friends were jerks, her boyfriend was a jerk. The only person I liked in the story was Colten and he deserved so much better than her. The fact that he apologized to her, when she was the one who took part of a bet, he had all the rights to be mad at her and nothing to apologize for. And the nerves of Haley to say Bradley’s girlfriend wasn’t the kind of girl she would’ve have chosen for him like, excuse me? 🤦🏻♀️
But the story all in itself was so good, and the writing was great and I loved being able to feel all those feeling while reading a book 🤗
But the story all in itself was so good, and the writing was great and I loved being able to feel all those feeling while reading a book 🤗
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 4, 2022
The book just seemed too short for all the information we were given. I wanted more plot and a bigger snack story and build up to the conflict. And the resolution at the end felt very anti-climatic. It was very predictable what was going to happen as it’s been done in half the rom coms out there. Wasn’t entirely bad though and would recommend as a quick read.
November 20, 2022
WOW
Wow, that was an emotional journey. I was in tears at the end. I’m not normally one to give 5 star ratings but there is just something about this book. Each of the characters were complex and the story outline was really thought through. How it all played out was enticing and it fit. It all worked out how it should.
Wow, that was an emotional journey. I was in tears at the end. I’m not normally one to give 5 star ratings but there is just something about this book. Each of the characters were complex and the story outline was really thought through. How it all played out was enticing and it fit. It all worked out how it should.
February 18, 2022
Overall a good book
I really enjoyed reading this book. It definitely benefited from having two point of views. The only thing that bothered me is that it felt rushed towards the end.
I really enjoyed reading this book. It definitely benefited from having two point of views. The only thing that bothered me is that it felt rushed towards the end.
November 20, 2024
This is my favorite of the whole series! I just love Haley and Colten. They're so sweet together. I'm very glad they finally realized they're perfect for each other. I highly recommend this one, you won't be disappointed!
December 7, 2024
2.75 ⭐
This just basically feels like a bad version of "He's all that" the whole "it's a bet" trope is not it for me at all, also the way Bradley just magically became a good person towards the end didn't seem realistic at all..
This just basically feels like a bad version of "He's all that" the whole "it's a bet" trope is not it for me at all, also the way Bradley just magically became a good person towards the end didn't seem realistic at all..
Want to read
September 1, 2021There are 2 Rule #6's...
January 25, 2022
I cried so many times, I love it!! It gets you right in the feels and it’s like your feeling their feelings. If you’re looking for a sad but happy but also sad book this is it!
August 15, 2022
i literally hate the cheating trope stuff so this was a two star for me cuz it took me forever to get through. even if its just emotional cheating i cant do it
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 14, 2022
this felt like a wattpad book in the best way possible
February 6, 2023
Amazing story
Good fast read. The story is amazing. Colton an Haley are believe characters. You feel their pain and the love they have for one another.
Good fast read. The story is amazing. Colton an Haley are believe characters. You feel their pain and the love they have for one another.
February 19, 2023
This book wrapped up very quickly.
March 19, 2023
Um romance juvenil que retrata a evolução dos sentimentos aos longo da recuperação do trauma e da dor da perda de uma mãe. Em parte um certo drama familiar que acompanha toda a evolução da história.
May 13, 2024
Blah. So boring and predictable.
June 4, 2024
This was slow and then all at once.
October 3, 2021
I haven't finished the book yet and I may change my rating once I finish, but I really don't like stories that start out like this... Hoping it gets better because I love the series. Maybe it is because the characters seem like awful people and I want to like the people I read about not hate them.
It did get better... I say 3.5 stars. The ending came too quick, but I did end up enjoying the two main characters better.
It did get better... I say 3.5 stars. The ending came too quick, but I did end up enjoying the two main characters better.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews