What We’re Reading in April 2024

CURRENTLY READING

The Rule Book

by Sarah Adams

A quick moment of honesty: was the NFL more exciting this past year because of the high-profile romance? I may have secretly been rooting for Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift more than I cheered for any team this past season. Sarah Adams’ The Rule Book carries that energy through the off-season with this second-chance opposites attract romance. Be ready to fall-in love again and again.

Get your copy of The Rule Book (Amazon) and read with us!

What Victoria Loved

VICTORIA’S RATING: 4/5

I’ve read many sunny characters who shine bright. But Sarah Adams has written Nora Mackenzie so blindingly beautifully that I felt her sunshine energy pulse through my own veins and her optimism emboldened the colors of my reality. I was so enamored by Nora’s brilliance, I yearned for her to be real, simply because I want to be her friend.

Now one might worry that a character written to contrast Nora may come across as dull… But Derek. Oh, Derek Pender - anyone would be so lucky to have a man pine for them so furiously, so fully. Sarah carefully peels back the layers on their love story in a way that made my heart ache and convinced me that love will always find a way.  

Experience The Rule Book with this ginger snap cookie recipe from Preppy Kitchen.

What the Book Club Loved

• FIREWORKS & STEAM: 2.5/5

  Hello, ONE BED! Thank you very much. In true Sarah Adams fashion, we had some great tension build-up to be teased with her classic fade-to-black… but with the disclosure for Chapter 34, we could’ve used a smidge more steaminess.

• WRITING STYLE: 3.5/5

  We love a dual-POV, fast-paced, witty romance. We were drawn in immediately, captivated by the banter, and couldn’t put the book down — we needed to know what was happening next. We do wish there could have been just fewer relationships and side characters or at least they were written with more depth.
  

• CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT: 4.25/5

  We were pretty split in our opinions on Nora. We love that she was feminine and proud in a male-dominated field. We love her even more when she used common phrases incorrectly; it made her feel familiar. But it took awhile to warm up to her personality and her quirkiness felt a bit too over-the-top performative at times.

  On the other hand, we were quite drawn to Derek. We appreciated the backstory of his journey to a dyslexia diagnosis and his emotional intelligence. We love a love interest who can carry the emotional workload.
  

• THE LOVE STORY: 4/5

  We love their love story. We say yes to second-chances!

“I think I love romance novels now. I think I believe in love now.”

- JESS

If You Loved The Rule Book, You’ll Love These

• A GRUMPY-SUNSHINE, ENEMIES-TO-LOVERS: The Hating Game by Sally Thorne (Amazon)

  If you enjoyed this book solely for the characters and their dynamic, this is your next read. Games, tension, and jobs on the line? Lucy and Joshua may not be playing a sport, but they’ve got their own set of rules… and ultimately, you (the reader) come out victorious.

  VICTORIA’S RATING: 5/5

• ANOTHER SECOND CHANCE FOOTBALL ROMANCE: Intercepted by Alexa Martin (Amazon)

  This romance was written by an actual (retired) NFL wife! So if you’re intrigued and want a story inspired by one’s lived experience, this might give you a more realistic look into what it’s like to fall for an NFL player (and what it’s like to deal with the WAGS).

  VICTORIA’S RATING: 4/5

• THE OTHER FOOTBALL: Everything for You by Chloe Liese (Amazon)

  In our Haus, when we say “football” this is what we mean (aka soccer). If you aren’t a fan of the sport but you have seen Ted Lasso and loved it, look no further. Oh, and if you like this one, you’ll be glad to know this is #5 in the Bergman Brothers series.

  VICTORIA’S RATING: 4/5

• BY THE AUTHOR: When in Rome by Sarah Adams (Amazon)

  So you liked The Rule Book, but you’re more of a I-go-to-sporting-events-for-the-food type of person. Well my foodie friends, I chose this one for you! This has everything you loved about Sarah Adams’ writing, but with a topic that gives you home field advantage.

  VICTORIA’S RATING: 4/5

Until the next chapter!

xo, Victoria

P.S. Craving more books featuring these sub-genres, tropes, and themes? Tap the links below.