The Rule Book by Sarah Adams: My Book Review of this Second Chance Romance

Sarah Adams dazzles in her latest romance book release, The Rule Book. Check out my book review below to see why I loved this second chance romance with the best heroine and a football hottie!

*Disclosure: This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

The Rule Book Summary:

Nora Mackenzie’s entire career lies in the hands of famous NFL tight end Derek Pender, who also happens to be her extremely hot college ex-boyfriend. Nora didn’t end things as gracefully as she could have back then, and now it has come back to haunt her.

Derek is her first client as an official full-time sports agent and he’s set on revenge, by making Nora’s life miserable. But then a wild night in Vegas leads to Nora and Derek in bed the next morning married. 

The Rule Book: My Review

Just when I think I can’t love another Sarah Adams book more than her last she gives us this!

Honestly, what’s not to love about this book? It’s a sports romance featuring a hot football player with the most adorable, quirky heroine I’ve read in the longest time with the sweetest second chance romance that hits you in all the feels.

Plus, it is has an oops Vegas wedding that keeps these two heartbroken love birds together. There’s no ridiculous third act breakup and actually is a bit spicier than I anticipated a Sarah Adam’s book to be (not that it has to be and not that it was anything graphic but oh man were those moments perfect). The scene where all she had to write is that “he grabbed the headboard with one hand for leverage as his hips pushed into mine”….I think I about melted into the floor.

This story could have been pretty predictable but Sarah made it completely her own with unique characters and a fun way to keep them connected and talking to work out their past and current issues. I was even surprised by how the ending played out, which was so refreshing that it wasn’t “typical” but something I didn’t see coming.

The main reason, however, why I enjoyed this book SO much is because of the characters.

Derek is the hot jock I hoped he would be and yet he was also this really kind and thoughtful guy who was completely ga-ga over Nora.

It didn’t matter how they broke up or how many years had passed, this man was head over heels in love with this woman, quirkiness and all.

“I’m at your feet, Nora. If you want me, I’m yours.”

But Nora…oh man goodness did I love this heroine. I seriously couldn’t flip the pages fast enough to get to her next hilarious turn of phrase or just quirky way of talking or diffusing a situation. I did not know that Sarah Adams had such comedic chops!

While people may describe Nora as obnoxiously cute or she may not “dress” the part in her sports agent office like the other power men or women, she was truly a woman who stood on her own two feet and didn’t mold herself to anyone.

That’s not to say that she didn’t struggle with feeling different or “too much” for people which is why she didn’t date much or have any girlfriends other than her amazing single mom (she rocked!).

I loved how these two were able to find their way back to one another while also being vulnerable and honest about their past and their current struggles. They are true soulmates and that was evident in every interaction.

This is one of those 5-star books that you just never want to end because you want even more of these characters that you’ve fallen for utterly and completely. It was one of my most anticipated new romance books of 2024 and is without a doubt one of the best romance books of 2024 and I cannot wait to see what Sarah Adams writes next!

More by Sarah Adams:

• Practice Makes Perfect by Sarah Adams

Related Book Lists:

• Best Football Romance Books
• Best Sports Romance Books
• Best Second Chance Romance Books
• Best Office Romance Books

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