The Rule Book

A Novel

By: Sarah Adams

Narrated by: Hathaway Lee, Will Damron

Length: 10 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • College exes break all the rules when they reunite years later in this enemies to lovers, second-chance romance, the companion novel to the TikTok sensation The Cheat Sheet—from Sarah Adams, the New York Times bestselling author of Practice Makes Perfect.

“A really fun, chemistry-filled sports romance you don’t want to miss!”—Hannah Grace, author of Icebreaker

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 holding a grudge.

Derek has set his sights on a little friendly revenge. If Nora Mackenzie, the first girl to ever break his heart, wants to be his agent, oh, he’ll let her be his agent. The plan is simple: make Nora’s life absolutely miserable. But if Derek knows anything about the woman he once loved—she won’t quit easily.

Instead of giving in, Nora starts a scheme of her own. But then a wild night in Vegas leads to Nora and Derek in bed the next morning married. With their rule book out the window, could this new relationship save their careers or spark the romance of a lifetime?

©2024 Sarah Adams (P)2024 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“The sporty second-chance romance of your dreams! So much tension! I love Nora and Derek forever and ever.”—Tessa Bailey, #1 New York Times bestselling author of It Happened One Summer

“Sarah Adams writes books with heart and soul. They speak to the people finding their way and being unapologetically themselves in the process. I love her style; this a really fun, chemistry-filled sports romance you don’t want to miss!”—Hannah Grace, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Icebreaker

“Fantastically swoony, sweet, and sexy.”—Elena Armas, New York Times bestselling author of The Spanish Love Deception

Just okay

Cute enough, but the FMM was annoying and I didn’t care for the male narrator.

Sarah Adams does it again!

This book was so good! So heartfelt and lovely. The only thing I didn’t like was that the FMC had tons of super cheesy lines (especially in the beginning). That almost made me put the book down but I’m glad I didn’t.

Ultimate slow burn rom com

Love Sara Adams and her ability to make you laugh out loud while weaving in the romance. Derek and Nora are relatable characters with insecurities that have you internally cheering for them to be brave by the end. Will definitely read again and again.

What’s not to love about Nora 🫶🏻✨

This book was a solid ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 3.5 for me… I liked both of these characters… Nora was an immediate fav ☺️ and Derek grew on me. I didn’t mind this being open door because it wasn’t tacky, raunchy, or so overly sexual as other books I have read have been. And for Sarah’s first time writing this kind of scene I think it was good. I loved reading-visiting the Sharks and seeing Brie & Nathan again. I fell in love with Sarah Adam’s writing because of those two characters. But something was a miss for me with this book. While I’m not sure entirely what was off… I will say that this one didn’t evoke the same emotional connection as her other books usually do.

Regardless of my unknown “miss” at the moment for what wasn’t hitting in this book for me. I will always applaud Sarah for writing characters that you just adore and love. 🍨🥣Nora is so unashamedly quirky and I love that so much.

I recommend this read as I do all of her books.
And I can’t wait for “Beg, Borrow, or Steal” to come out in the new year! ♥️

Great rom-com

I live all Sarah Adams books and this didn’t disappoint! Great banter and romance as always!

Great performance for a touchdown book!!

This was my first time with either of these narrators and I think they both moved into my top 3! The performance was amazing. Finally a breathiness to the characters that didnt sound cringy at all but very genuine, just like every other emption portrayed. I ADORED the story!!! Been waiting since 2021 and it did not dissapoint one bit! Its fun and heartfelt and emotional and raw and witty and full of banter and love. 10/10 for story and performance

Super cute

Just a sweet fun story. I finished in 2 days . Smiled my way through the last half.

Yikes! Male Narrator

The male narrator sounds like a 70 year old dentist with bad breath. I just can’t get past it, has to stop.

Awesome banter! Amazing love story.

Whitty writing, second chance romance, powerful woman, and an excellent story about male friendship.
Writing style was fast paced, with characters that were believable. The story was a good reminder that we don't all have to be in the same box we are all allowed to step out of our box and join a new one. We all have different dreams and should be encouraged to chase those dreams.

Original story line

I thought this was a really cute book that how do unique storyline when it came to second chance love & forced proximity. The characters don’t spend too much time, ignoring their feelings, which I can also appreciate. The narrators were not my favorite, and at times I feel like they didn’t capture the characters personality.