A review by bribreez
The Rule Book by Sarah Adams

funny hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

4.25⭐️/ 1🌶️

Sarah Adams books are always lighthearted, funny, and entertaining so, obviously with this newest release, I was looking forward to diving into more of the lovable characters Sarah knows how to write. This story was a continuation within the team, Nathan Donelson was part of, the L.A. Sharks, but this time the story focused on his teammate and friend, Derek Pender. After suffering a big injury, Derek was ready to make his return to the football field, but when his former sports agent needed to retire due to health issues, he needed a new agent as soon as possible. Nora Mackenzie was an avid fan of fans, and when her chance came to officially become a sports agent, she was ready to tackle her newest assignment, even if it meant becoming the sports agent to her ex boyfriend/ college sweetheart, Derek. This story had second chance romance, enemies to lovers, sports romance, humor, lovable characters, and an endearing story. 

After reading, “The Cheat Sheet”, I enjoyed that book so, to see a new book set within the world of that storyline, I was really looking forward to see how Derek and Nora’s story would be. Before reading this book, I pictured Nora being a bit more cutthroat and sassy considering the field she worked in, as well as having to deal with majority of men who didn’t treat her as kindly in the work place. Despite that initial assumption, I actually liked how bright and kindhearted Nora was. Nora was likable right away and I could see just how much effort she put into everything she did, even when it came to dealing with Derek’s demands as her first client. Derek was different this time around compared to the first book. From what I remember, Derek was more of a playboy and carefree, but with his injury it seemed like he was more withdrawn from his friends and certain insecurities came up more for him. Both, Derek and Nora were in an uncomfortable situation having to work together especially after the way they ended things on a not so nice ending. 

Like most Sarah Adams, there was a lot of humor, quirkiness from her female lead, a man who falls hard, HARDER, and a bit of shenanigans. Derek and Nora found themselves working together even with their history of once being college sweethearts. I could tell that Derek was still very much affected by the breakup, and while I felt bad for him, at times I didn’t necessarily agree with him taunting Nora to quit by making her to errands or other things for him. That being said, even our little sunshine Nora decided enough was enough and took control which I loved by the way, and yet again Derek was reminded of another thing he loved about Nora, her unwillingness to back down. 

Ok, so even with the tropes of second chance romance, and this being a sports romance, I completely forgot about the fact that this also had. ACCIDENTAL MARRIAGE TROPE! OMG! Just when things started to settle between Nora and Derek, a drunken night in Las Vegas turned their lives upside when they woke up MARRIED! I love the accidental marriage trope, I feel like I haven’t really read a lot of books that have that trope, but the way Sarah Adams wrote it was great! Nora and Derek weren’t strangers, they had a past relationship and that added a bit more depth to the marriage they found themselves in. Once Derek and Nora agreed to staying married for the sake of helping each other out, I liked the way Derek started to take charge in his feelings for Nora. Even Nora who felt frazzled and a bit nervous with everything that was happening with Derek, I liked seeing her curl up with Derek, and basically seeing both of them very much still in love with one another despite the years they spent apart. 

I really enjoyed this book! I love Sarah Adams books because, they are always so lighthearted, sweet, funny, and easy to make me feel good. Compared to Sarah’s other books, this was the first time there was actual spice (only one scene) and even without the spice scene, I could see the sexual tension building more and more between Nora and Derek which was equally enticing. Nora and Derek were college sweethearts and despite the rocky start to them working together, they naturally found themselves falling into place with their romance again. The romance was steamy, sexy, loving, and heartfelt. I really enjoyed the second chance romance, and overall just seeing Nora and Derek finally getting their happy ending together! Even seeing familiar faces like, Nathan and Bree was a great part of the story! The sports element of the story highlighted each of what Derek and Nora had to deal with in their respective careers which I found interesting. The accidental marriage trope was a complete surprise for me, but OMG IT WAS GOOD! I was eagerly waiting for the iconic moment when Derek would call Nora his, “wife”, and OMG IT WAS SO SATISFYING TO READ THAT SCENE IYKYK!!! I loved getting to see a more vulnerable side to Derek compared to how he was initially introduced in the first book as being a playboy, carefree type of man. Derek wasn’t perfect and had struggles of his own he was constantly working on throughout the story. Nora was literal sunshine, she had me feeling joyful and smiling with her catchphrases and unique outlook on life. All in all, both Derek and Nora were wonderful characters, I loved their romance, the other characters were lovable (love you Nathan & Bree!), and it was a satisfying take on accidental marriage plus a second chance romance.