A review by kidisitor
The Rules of Dating My Best Friend's Sister by Penelope Ward, Vi Keeland

4.0

This is a case of 'manwhore's' past catching up to him. Holden is the drummer in a band, still on the verge of catching their big break, and being the rocker he is, has had the life filled with groupies at his disposal. Lainey, AKA Lala, is the little sister of his best friend (who had past away years before.) While the two had a connection when they were all young, nothing evolved more than that... until she's comes to town to work and needs a place to stay. He just happens to co-own an apartment complex. While the two had crushes on each other growing up, he knew her brother would kill him if he ever tried anything with her, knowing that he doesn't deserve a girl like Lala. Meanwhile, she's gotten engaged, to someone who isn't Holden. There are a few things going on in this book. First, of course, their budding relationship. Then there's her Fiancé. His band, or more precisely, their gigs, that pull him away at the worst possible times. Her Mother's health. A possible relocation. His other friends (who were also good friends with her brother, and the co-owners of the building,) who were also tasked with keeping an eye on Lala after her brother's death, and know Holden better than anyone else. Plenty of self-depreciating and general doubt about the future. There are a few chuckles throughout, but I wouldn't mark this as a Rom-Com. It is a light read, but there are a lot of internal struggles that give it some weight. There is also a couple teary eyed scenes as well. Of course there is some sexual content that might not be appropriate for the younger readers. It reads easily and smoothly, alternating between POVs.