The Rule Book by Jennifer Blackwood (The Rule Breakers #1)
Released: May 9, 2016
Contemporary Romance
Entangled

Reviewed by Mandi

Favorite Quote: “Screw the rule book. Maybe he could even smack your ass with it.”

What a cute book! Lainey Taylor is fresh out of college and starting her first job as a second-assistant to Brogan Starr, CEO of Starr Media – a company that manages social media platforms for the rich and famous. Besides the mundane errands of getting coffee and filing, she will have one up and coming client who she gets to write tweets for and try to make his social media outlets more positive. She has moved in with her best friend and is excited to be starting her life. She had to leave her mom at home who is undergoing chemotherapy treatments for cancer – and this weighs on her heavily. But this job pays well and she hopes to be able to pay her mother’s medical bills.

Lainey’s direct boss is the first-assistant named Jackson. He works her hard, takes credit for work she performs and isn’t that great of a person in general. He doesn’t expect Lainey to last long, but Lainey has balls and refuses to let him wear her down. To start her job, she has to read and memorize the employee handbook, which is a list of rules she must follow at the office. Some of the rules are very specific and she can’t believe she actually has to abide by all of them. The writer of these rules is Brogan, our hero. He is the CEO , tattooed, and elusive. When she finally meets him, she accidentally insults him (not realizing it’s him) and she learns that every time she is around him, her foot goes into her mouth. Brogan is intrigued by this though – and not only starts to pay more attention to her, but gives her more responsibility.

And then they break the biggest rule of all….kissing in the office.

Lainey is so darn cute – her inner monologue made me giggle.

There was a lot to be said for a man in a well-fitted suit. Such as yum, and I’d tap that like a friggin’ maple tree. Nothing quite got my salivary glands going like a hot guy dressed up.

My gaze inconspicuously traveled to his arms, working down to where his hands were tucked into his pockets. Which then got me thinking about the man bulge threads on Pinterest, and how Brogan should really wear his pants a little tighter.

He cleared his throat.

Warning bells blared between my ears. Abort mission.

Move your eyes up before he thinks you’re staring at his package.

She has this grand idea of what working as an adult will be like, but her reality is not quite what she expected. Jackson, her immediate boss is pretty cut throat and rude. I love that Lainey puts her head down and works, instead of whining about how unfair her boss is. Her real boss, Brogan is all yumminess. He is a perfectionist. He can be growly. He expects great things from his employees. His company is his baby and his baby comes first. Lainey’s more silly nature breaks down some of his defenses and he starts to experience conversation and eating dinner with someone else. She is super into him, but at the same time is wary about hooking up with him and still being able to be fairly judged at her job.

Lainey’s mother’s health journey is sad and weighs on Lainey. At one point Lainey goes to visit and ends up having to work, upsetting her mother – I enjoyed that their relationship isn’t perfect and the pressure Lainey feels having moved away from her sick mom is done well.

For the romance – at times we get scenes like this:

“You know what I’m thinking about in all those meetings and phone conferences? What I think about in the shower and my bed – every goddamn second of the day?” he growled. His voice vibrated through my chest, stirring up everything inside me, all the pieces aflutter like the flecks of a shaken snow globe.

“What?” My voice was barely a whisper.

“You, Lainey. All I can think about is you.” He pushed me harder against the wall. “I can’t get you off my mind.”

But I do have to say, all sex scenes fade to black. We get kisses, but then when you turn the page, it’s the next morning. *kicks dirt* I suppose I will survive this. I did think the ending was a bit rushed – and a little more groveling from the hero would have pleased me.

This author has a really nice voice – Lainey is a very well-developed character who carries this book. I enjoyed her a lot.

Grade: B

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