A review by nicolehitchcock
Rules of Engagement by Alex Lane

challenging emotional tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Rules of Engagement has an intriguing premise that immediately caught my attention. The setup hinted at tension, drama, and action, but unfortunately, the execution didn’t quite deliver.

The biggest issue I had with the book was its pacing. The story moved at a crawl for most of the novel, only picking up speed in the last 20 pages. By that point, it felt like too little, too late. The bulk of the book is dominated by the ongoing arguments between the two main characters, which, rather than adding depth to their relationship, became repetitive and frustrating. There was potential for meaningful character growth, but because they spent so much time bickering, it never really happened.

Additionally, while the premise had promise, it’s not exactly unique, and I’ve seen similar concepts executed more effectively in other books. If you’re someone who enjoys slow burns (with no resolution) and conflict-driven narratives, you might still find something to appreciate here. But for me, the lack of character development and sluggish pacing made this a disappointing read.

No spice.