You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
The Rules of Dating My Best Friend’s Sister is the second book in The Laws of Opposites Attract series. I read the book as a stand-alone and had no trouble with it. It was fast-paced, well-written, and had likable characters. The series is based on three guys who lost one of their childhood friends to cancer. They are still friends with his sister, Laney, so when she needs a place to stay, they all agree to let her stay in one of their building’s apartments.
Playboy Holden Catalano has loved Laney for years but respects the promise he made to her brother to stay away from her. But that promise becomes hard to keep when she is in the apartment across from him and he sees her daily.
Laney Ellison has had a childhood crush on Holden but knows he is a player, so she has never acted on her crush. She has a nice reliable fiancé who shares her passion for science. Staying temporarily in the apartment across from Holden has brought that young girl crush back.
I always enjoy dating my best friend’s sibling storylines and this one checked all the boxes. It was entertaining and the chemistry between Holden and Laney was hot. This is a perfect book if you are looking for a low-angst and easy book to read.
I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Playboy Holden Catalano has loved Laney for years but respects the promise he made to her brother to stay away from her. But that promise becomes hard to keep when she is in the apartment across from him and he sees her daily.
Laney Ellison has had a childhood crush on Holden but knows he is a player, so she has never acted on her crush. She has a nice reliable fiancé who shares her passion for science. Staying temporarily in the apartment across from Holden has brought that young girl crush back.
I always enjoy dating my best friend’s sibling storylines and this one checked all the boxes. It was entertaining and the chemistry between Holden and Laney was hot. This is a perfect book if you are looking for a low-angst and easy book to read.
I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I adored this story so much.
Brother's best friend AND a manwhore? Yes, please!
The tension between Lala and Holden was exquisite.
Their friendly banter, their longing glances, their easy camaraderie...it was all just perfectly balanced.
I knew once they took the plunge it would be game over for Holden. How could it not be?
He worshipped the ground Laney walked on.
And the best surprise was how everything finally came together at the end.
Listening to Teddy and Andi narrate this story was no hardship at all, they did a marvellous job of bringing the story to life.
Brother's best friend AND a manwhore? Yes, please!
The tension between Lala and Holden was exquisite.
Their friendly banter, their longing glances, their easy camaraderie...it was all just perfectly balanced.
I knew once they took the plunge it would be game over for Holden. How could it not be?
He worshipped the ground Laney walked on.
And the best surprise was how everything finally came together at the end.
Listening to Teddy and Andi narrate this story was no hardship at all, they did a marvellous job of bringing the story to life.
This book had so much potential, but it fell flat for me. I was hooked on Holden and Laney's story, but it took forever for things to get interesting. The story had its moments and kept me engaged, even though it didn't fully captivate me. Despite my reservations, I can recognize the book's merits and appreciate the effort put into crafting it. It may not have been my favorite, but I can see why others might enjoy it.
Amazing best friend’s sister romance
This was an amazing best friend’s sister romance. The story was to me the perfect mix of a great storyline, fantastic steamy bits and raw emotion. I think I went through most emotions while reading this story and I did have problems sometimes reading through the tears. Holden was the biggest player but Lala was just what he needed to change. I loved their chemistry and the very unique bond between them that had formed when they were young. This was without a doubt my favorite story by these authors.
This was an amazing best friend’s sister romance. The story was to me the perfect mix of a great storyline, fantastic steamy bits and raw emotion. I think I went through most emotions while reading this story and I did have problems sometimes reading through the tears. Holden was the biggest player but Lala was just what he needed to change. I loved their chemistry and the very unique bond between them that had formed when they were young. This was without a doubt my favorite story by these authors.
Loved everything about this book!
I’m a huge sucker for “brother’s best friend” trope and this book did not disappoint. Holden and Lala were fantastic together. The issues they needed to overcome were very realistic and on point to their previous lives before they got together. Can’t wait for Owen’s story.
I’m a huge sucker for “brother’s best friend” trope and this book did not disappoint. Holden and Lala were fantastic together. The issues they needed to overcome were very realistic and on point to their previous lives before they got together. Can’t wait for Owen’s story.
This book had so much potential, but it fell flat for me. I was hooked on Holden and Laney's story, but it took forever for things to get interesting. The story had its moments and kept me engaged, even though it didn't fully captivate me. Despite my reservations, I can recognize the book's merits and appreciate the effort put into crafting it. It may not have been my favorite, but I can see why others might enjoy it.
The Rules of Dating My Best Friend's Sister is a sweet, slow burning, friends to lovers story!
While each of them held secret crushes nothing ever came of it due to Ryan, Lala's late brother. When a job opportunity puts them in the same apartment complex those feelings just can't stay down!
This author duo always tells a great tale and this book is no exception. Great read!
While each of them held secret crushes nothing ever came of it due to Ryan, Lala's late brother. When a job opportunity puts them in the same apartment complex those feelings just can't stay down!
This author duo always tells a great tale and this book is no exception. Great read!
Overall Grade: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Tropes: opposites attract; brother’s best friend; brother’s little sister; forbidden; close proximity; band of brothers; series of standalones; childhood friends; contemporary romance
Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward’s The Rules of Dating My Best Friend’s Sister has two distinctions from other stories on their booklist: 1) it’s probably one of their spiciest (there is one scene in a van that will make your jaw drop, and 2) it’s a book set in a bit of a series. That last point might seem peculiar, but my experience with Keeland and Ward is they write a one-and-done story, even if they have other compelling characters in the book. That they are taking the time to gift us with stories in a connected universe is fun.
The foundation of Keeland and Ward’s The Law of Opposites Attract series is Ryan, the deceased friend of a group of guys. Each of them has been impacted by his death, and it has drawn them together. In fact, they own an apartment building together, thanks to him. The other tie thus far between The Rules of Dating and this newest book is the notion of opposites of attracting. In The Rules of Dating My Best Friend’s Sister, the heroine/FMC, Lala, is a buttoned-up scientist while Holden, its hero/MMC, is a musician and the “super” of the apartment building. Lala is interested in a structured, dependable life, while Holden lives by the “seat of his pants.” However, after reconnecting, their attraction is combustible. In fact, as they fight their chemistry, Lala comes to realize that she cannot marry her fiance because, while she wants a structured life, she also needs the attraction she feels with Holden. Once Lala calls off the engagement, she and Holden explode. From there, what felt like a slow burn at first, becomes a total inferno.
What did I like about the story?
Holden’s journey. In The Rules of Dating and The Rules of Dating My Best Friend’s Sister, it’s clear that Holden is a playboy, a f*ckboy. He doesn’t appear to be “relationship” material, hence the reason that Lala fights her feelings for him. However, as Lala and Holden develop their relationship, it becomes clear that Holden wants more with Lala. He has pined for her for a long time. His evolution from player to dedicated boyfriend adds a huge dose of emotional gravitas to this story.
Lala’s evolution also adds to the emotional depth of The Rules of Dating My Best Friend’s Sister. Through her characterization, Keeland and Ward interrogate the pre-determined, planned life. Her journey begs the question: “should one forgo attraction for safety?” As Lala struggles with this question and her feelings for Holden, while letting go of her plan with her fiance, Keeland and Ward compound the drama of their story, creating an emotional tug to the story. As Lala navigates the choices of her life, it compels the reader forward.
The band of brother relationship. I love the friends: Colby, Holden, Owen, and Brayden. Keeland and Ward have drawn them as both the humor and wizened guides of these books. When they need to break up the emotional tension of their story, they bring the guys together to add humor. The intentionality of this relationship points to the authors’ writing genius.
One of the biggest issues I found with The Rules of Dating My Best Friend’s Sister is the immaturity of the characters, specifically Holden. Thankfully, Holden matures by the end of the story, but there were several moments when I wasn’t sure that Lala should work out a relationship with Holden. I found this to undermine the impact of their coupling.
All of that said, though, I enjoyed this book just as much as I loved the first book. I’m excited about the stories for Owen and Brayden. The promise of more stories from Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward in this small world should put a smile on any romance reader’s face.
Tropes: opposites attract; brother’s best friend; brother’s little sister; forbidden; close proximity; band of brothers; series of standalones; childhood friends; contemporary romance
Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward’s The Rules of Dating My Best Friend’s Sister has two distinctions from other stories on their booklist: 1) it’s probably one of their spiciest (there is one scene in a van that will make your jaw drop, and 2) it’s a book set in a bit of a series. That last point might seem peculiar, but my experience with Keeland and Ward is they write a one-and-done story, even if they have other compelling characters in the book. That they are taking the time to gift us with stories in a connected universe is fun.
The foundation of Keeland and Ward’s The Law of Opposites Attract series is Ryan, the deceased friend of a group of guys. Each of them has been impacted by his death, and it has drawn them together. In fact, they own an apartment building together, thanks to him. The other tie thus far between The Rules of Dating and this newest book is the notion of opposites of attracting. In The Rules of Dating My Best Friend’s Sister, the heroine/FMC, Lala, is a buttoned-up scientist while Holden, its hero/MMC, is a musician and the “super” of the apartment building. Lala is interested in a structured, dependable life, while Holden lives by the “seat of his pants.” However, after reconnecting, their attraction is combustible. In fact, as they fight their chemistry, Lala comes to realize that she cannot marry her fiance because, while she wants a structured life, she also needs the attraction she feels with Holden. Once Lala calls off the engagement, she and Holden explode. From there, what felt like a slow burn at first, becomes a total inferno.
What did I like about the story?
Holden’s journey. In The Rules of Dating and The Rules of Dating My Best Friend’s Sister, it’s clear that Holden is a playboy, a f*ckboy. He doesn’t appear to be “relationship” material, hence the reason that Lala fights her feelings for him. However, as Lala and Holden develop their relationship, it becomes clear that Holden wants more with Lala. He has pined for her for a long time. His evolution from player to dedicated boyfriend adds a huge dose of emotional gravitas to this story.
Lala’s evolution also adds to the emotional depth of The Rules of Dating My Best Friend’s Sister. Through her characterization, Keeland and Ward interrogate the pre-determined, planned life. Her journey begs the question: “should one forgo attraction for safety?” As Lala struggles with this question and her feelings for Holden, while letting go of her plan with her fiance, Keeland and Ward compound the drama of their story, creating an emotional tug to the story. As Lala navigates the choices of her life, it compels the reader forward.
The band of brother relationship. I love the friends: Colby, Holden, Owen, and Brayden. Keeland and Ward have drawn them as both the humor and wizened guides of these books. When they need to break up the emotional tension of their story, they bring the guys together to add humor. The intentionality of this relationship points to the authors’ writing genius.
One of the biggest issues I found with The Rules of Dating My Best Friend’s Sister is the immaturity of the characters, specifically Holden. Thankfully, Holden matures by the end of the story, but there were several moments when I wasn’t sure that Lala should work out a relationship with Holden. I found this to undermine the impact of their coupling.
All of that said, though, I enjoyed this book just as much as I loved the first book. I’m excited about the stories for Owen and Brayden. The promise of more stories from Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward in this small world should put a smile on any romance reader’s face.
This review was originally posted on Cocktails and Books
Cocktails and Books received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect our opinion of the book or the content of our review.Yay! More for the Colby, Holden, Owen and Brayden bunch!! This time it's Holden's turn to come to terms with his attraction to his best friend's little sister.
if you read THE RULES OF DATING, then you know there is something between Laney (Lala) and Holden from their dance at Colby and Billie's wedding. This book is their story and how Holden struggled against his promise to always look out for Ryan's sister and the attraction he's always had towards her. Lala ends up in New York for a research project and the guys offer her their Air BNB apartment, which happens to be next door to Holden. They've always been close, but Holden always stuck to his promise to Ryan. It was easy when she lived in Philly and with her fiance. But now that they were neighbors, it was harder to remember to be the good guy.
This was one of those stories where the heroine's decisions bugged me. Holden, despite being a self-professed manwhore, wore his heart on his sleeve for Lala. EVERYONE saw it, even Lala. She constantly made decisions that put them in a constant push/pull struggle against their feelings. It would have been one thing if the only fight either had was his promise to Ryan. But there was that pesky fiance that loomed over them all the time. I wanted Lala to make the right decision before she did something she was really going to regret and hurt Holden more (because he was constantly getting hurt...whether it was said out loud or not).
I loved Holden and I was happy we got his story. He has a huge heart and he needed to allow himself to share it with the one person who always owned it. I didn't like this book as much as Colby and Billie's but it was still a solid read in the series.
Owen's story is up next and I can't wait to see what happens in that one.
Cocktails and Books received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect our opinion of the book or the content of our review.Yay! More for the Colby, Holden, Owen and Brayden bunch!! This time it's Holden's turn to come to terms with his attraction to his best friend's little sister.
if you read THE RULES OF DATING, then you know there is something between Laney (Lala) and Holden from their dance at Colby and Billie's wedding. This book is their story and how Holden struggled against his promise to always look out for Ryan's sister and the attraction he's always had towards her. Lala ends up in New York for a research project and the guys offer her their Air BNB apartment, which happens to be next door to Holden. They've always been close, but Holden always stuck to his promise to Ryan. It was easy when she lived in Philly and with her fiance. But now that they were neighbors, it was harder to remember to be the good guy.
This was one of those stories where the heroine's decisions bugged me. Holden, despite being a self-professed manwhore, wore his heart on his sleeve for Lala. EVERYONE saw it, even Lala. She constantly made decisions that put them in a constant push/pull struggle against their feelings. It would have been one thing if the only fight either had was his promise to Ryan. But there was that pesky fiance that loomed over them all the time. I wanted Lala to make the right decision before she did something she was really going to regret and hurt Holden more (because he was constantly getting hurt...whether it was said out loud or not).
I loved Holden and I was happy we got his story. He has a huge heart and he needed to allow himself to share it with the one person who always owned it. I didn't like this book as much as Colby and Billie's but it was still a solid read in the series.
Owen's story is up next and I can't wait to see what happens in that one.