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booknerdxo88's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Adelaide is your run of the mill college student who has to do what she must to get by including writing papers for other for money. However, Declan, her art history TA, threatens to out her to the university if she doesn’t help him recover his stolen art pieces from cutthroat art dealer, Jack Nolan.
What a fantastic debut novel from Maren Mackenzie. Rules of Arrangement has drama, romance, spice, emotional depth, and a plot that will keep you hooked! Adelaide and Jack’s chemistry was HOT! I will say that Jack fave off Christian Grey Vibes in the beginning and I didn’t like him at first, but I warmed up to him eventually. If you aren’t into age gap romance and faking dating, you might wanna skip this one. But I ate this shit up and loved it!
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publishers for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
CW/TW: death of parent, blackmail, attempted suicide, mental illness, manipulation, medical content,
crlntm's review
2.0
Rules of Arrangement was a decent debut novel. The lovely book cover initially lured me in and the premise sounded intriguing, but I felt a bit misled by the book's description. I thought it would involve more of the art world and a bit of high society, so the overall setting felt very normal to me. The art angle could've been an opportunity to make this book stand out. There was only one part of the novel that actually involved some art critique/discussion and I thought it accompanied Adelaide and Jack's development really well, so I was disappointed by the lack of art.
Most of the characters felt pretty flat and I didn't really like or relate to any of them. Jack was mean and controlling, Declan was manipulative, Michael was a complete doormat, and Samantha was stubborn for no reason. Their motivations seemed really weak and it felt like their actions were just to further exaggerate their one-note personalities. This made the ending feel a bit forced and rushed. I liked Adelaide, but I was very frustrated for her throughout the novel because of how everyone else was treating her.
The romance wasn't anything spectacular, so I don't have much to say on that. I also don't want to say too much without knowing the author's background or intentions, but I did not like how mental health was included in the story. It felt icky for it to be used as a plot device for all the characters to get their shit together and come together for Adelaide.
This was a nice quick read, but I don't think the story was for me.
Overall rating: 2.5/5 stars
A copy of this book was provided by Marmack Books through NetGalley.
Most of the characters felt pretty flat and I didn't really like or relate to any of them. Jack was mean and controlling, Declan was manipulative, Michael was a complete doormat, and Samantha was stubborn for no reason. Their motivations seemed really weak and it felt like their actions were just to further exaggerate their one-note personalities. This made the ending feel a bit forced and rushed. I liked Adelaide, but I was very frustrated for her throughout the novel because of how everyone else was treating her.
The romance wasn't anything spectacular, so I don't have much to say on that. I also don't want to say too much without knowing the author's background or intentions, but I did not like how mental health was included in the story. It felt icky for it to be used as a plot device for all the characters to get their shit together and come together for Adelaide.
This was a nice quick read, but I don't think the story was for me.
Overall rating: 2.5/5 stars
A copy of this book was provided by Marmack Books through NetGalley.
zerosixjune's review
3.0
First of all, this story had a lot of interesting materials. The information on arts and the conflicts were entertaining. However, it felt like a lot of things happened in the story. I didn’t connect with the characters. I felt that Adelaide’s character was confusing me. First, she distanced herself from people. She didn’t want people to control her life. Then, she got swayed easily by Jack or Declan. Also, I didn’t feel the chemistry between Jack and Adelaide. Jack had been treating her coldly. And what? Suddenly he realized he liked her? I got lost in the transition from a fake relationship to real feelings.
kaythebooklover's review
4.0
If your a fan of billionaire romances this one is for you!
Adeline is busy college student, trying to get by when an opportunity is presented to her. Pretend to be his gf and find the lost art. Not so hard right?
But what happens when Jack is more then he seems.
Overall I enjoyed this one and it was well written.
Adeline is busy college student, trying to get by when an opportunity is presented to her. Pretend to be his gf and find the lost art. Not so hard right?
But what happens when Jack is more then he seems.
Overall I enjoyed this one and it was well written.
berthe33's review
4.0
Thanks to NetGalley for the digital arc.
Totally engaging read. Good character development, family dynamics. romance (of a sort !) even a mystery thrown in. An easily read story.
Totally engaging read. Good character development, family dynamics. romance (of a sort !) even a mystery thrown in. An easily read story.
belliz4's review
3.0
*I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
'Rules of Arrangement' by Maren Mackenzie is the story of Adelaide Wright, a 22 year old college senior, who is paid by fellow students to write their papers for them. When Declan, her T.A and blast from the past, finds out about her highly illegal side hustle he blackmails her into seducing Jack Nolan, a wealthy, almost 40 year old art dealer who screwed Declan over. Adelaide enters into a complicated relationship with Jack and begins to question what she's been told with what she experiences.
The book is some sort of blackmail/heist mixed in with a lot of 'Fifty Shades of Grey' vibes (contract and toxic love interest-wise, not BDSM). The novel deals with serious issues surrounding mental health, family, toxic power struggles in relationships and attempted suicide as a sub-plot which I think should have been more of a focus but what was shown was mostly (aside from the toxic power struggles) well-done.
I have mixed feelings about this book. While I enjoyed reading it, there were parts that felt very serious that were not focused on long enough and then parts that were drawn out and had me itching for the scenes to end. It was a very quick read and a good debut novel. I'm interested to see more from Mackenzie in the future and to see how she'll grow as an author.
'Rules of Arrangement' by Maren Mackenzie is the story of Adelaide Wright, a 22 year old college senior, who is paid by fellow students to write their papers for them. When Declan, her T.A and blast from the past, finds out about her highly illegal side hustle he blackmails her into seducing Jack Nolan, a wealthy, almost 40 year old art dealer who screwed Declan over. Adelaide enters into a complicated relationship with Jack and begins to question what she's been told with what she experiences.
The book is some sort of blackmail/heist mixed in with a lot of 'Fifty Shades of Grey' vibes (contract and toxic love interest-wise, not BDSM). The novel deals with serious issues surrounding mental health, family, toxic power struggles in relationships and attempted suicide as a sub-plot which I think should have been more of a focus but what was shown was mostly (aside from the toxic power struggles) well-done.
I have mixed feelings about this book. While I enjoyed reading it, there were parts that felt very serious that were not focused on long enough and then parts that were drawn out and had me itching for the scenes to end. It was a very quick read and a good debut novel. I'm interested to see more from Mackenzie in the future and to see how she'll grow as an author.
caitevacc's review
5.0
I absolutely LOVED this book! I’m bias because I actually live in Connecticut, but I love this story and the woven tale composed of thrill, romance, and mental health. Adelaide is such a lovely character, I was rooting for her from day one. I was also wildly surprised with how much I loved the family dynamic and felt it to be realistic (aside from the NFL boyfriend aspect)! Recommending this to all my friends for when it comes out.
kaitlynmayberry's review
5.0
Oh my god. Is this one of my new favorite books??? I think it may be. I haven’t slept, eaten, or done any of the things I need to get done because I have been just so sucked into this book. The writing was just so so so good. I’ll admit i don’t like 3rd person POV and books that’s arent duel POV but honestly this worked. Just everything about this was perfect for me. Something about it just felt so real? Like I wasn’t actually reading? I truly don’t know how to explain it all I know is I now have a pit in my stomach because it’s over and I loved it so much. Jack was the perfect hero and the plot was unlike one I’ve read before. Overall- READ THIS!!!
bookwormsandbiblios's review
4.0
I'm not going to lie, when I first started reading this book, I was a little worried. The plot seemed a bit muddled— it was a classic "enemies to lovers" trope, that seemingly threw in some academia and mental illness. But I was pleasantly surprised! The characters were engaging, although I felt that Jack was a little too unlikeable, Declan a little too likable, and Adelaide could have used a tad more character development. The spice was spicy with clear chemistry between Addie and Jack. The book definitely gave me Beauty and the Beast vibes, but make the Beast a grumpy art dealer, and Beauty a down on her luck college student - in that aspect, it was more like Cinderella.
There were a few things that kept me from giving this book five stars: the pacing was off with the ending feeling rushed and it may have benefited from sensitivity reader when tackling the issue of mental illness. That being said, I think the portrayal of how people speak and think about mental illness was fairly realistic. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys contemporary romance. It’s a quick read, that balances drama and romance, and has a satisfying ending.
Overall though? A good debut novel! I would definitely read other things by this author!
There were a few things that kept me from giving this book five stars: the pacing was off with the ending feeling rushed and it may have benefited from sensitivity reader when tackling the issue of mental illness. That being said, I think the portrayal of how people speak and think about mental illness was fairly realistic. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys contemporary romance. It’s a quick read, that balances drama and romance, and has a satisfying ending.
Overall though? A good debut novel! I would definitely read other things by this author!