Earlier this year I read Paper Hearts by Brittany Taylor, and absolutely loved the book. So when I heard that she had another book being released, I knew I had to read it. Today is the day that The Rules of Heartbreak is being released, and I was fortunate enough to receive an advanced copy of the book. I kid you not, I loved this book. I could not put it down. Of course the fact that Sloan was a Minnesotan just made it all the better. The Rules of Heartbreak is full of angst, steam, and our characters moving on. These neighbors may have fallen for each other, but it wasn't with out pain and additional heartbreak.
Sloan moves from Minnesota to Austin Texas after a break up, and learning that her mother's will has given her a house. Timing could not be better, and this is the sign that she needs to start over. Away from the memories of her ex-fiancee and her best friend. The day she moves in, Liam (her brother) comments about how good looking the man across the street is, and that causes Sloan to take notice. Sloan notices, but reminds Liam of her rules, and she is not looking for a relationship or to get her heartbroken again. Yet when she looks over, she cannot take her eyes off of him. Fast forward a bit, and she trips right in front of him. Fast forward a smidgen more, and he literally runs right into her one morning. Meanwhile Dallas knows that a woman has moved into Ellie's house, but he is confused. Ellie had no family, the house never went up for sale, so who is this woman? Not that it matters, because he isn't interested. Dallas has too much going on in his life to focus on the new neighbor. That is until the new neighbor is the new employee at the restaurant that Dallas owns with his friend Colton. Oh and she's also buddied up with his sister. Everything is going okay, until the night that Sloan and Vada go out for the night. Sloan takes a picture of herself, and texts it to Liam. Except it didn't go to Liam, it went to Dallas. This changes everything. These acquaintances are about to have their title changed. But these two both have rules, and they are both insistent upon not breaking them. Is that possible? Is it possible for Dallas to fall in love with another woman? Can they be happy? When will the secrets that Dallas is holding be revealed? Also will Sloan ever learn about her mom?
Side note: Amazon says that this book is an enemies to lovers story. I'm not buying it. Hate to Love? I feel that's a little more accurate. Grumpy/Sunshine? Sure that works too. But I don't see these two as enemies. They are strangers, who became neighbors, who became "coworkers", who then became friends with benefits. No where in there was there an enemy situation. They are two people dealing with heartache who are trying to grieve what was lost, and figure out when is the right time for them to move on with their lives.
From the moment that Sloan moved into that house, and Liam commented about the man across the street, I knew things were about to get interesting. I was not expecting there to be so much pain and heartache radiating off of Dallas though. That man has been through a very rough time, and his shell has hardened quite a bit because of it. When these two literally ran into each other you could sense the attraction, the curiosity, the potential for a wonderful future. Then at the restaurant where Sloan confides in Vada about her asshole of a neighbor only to then find out that it's her brother, loved it! But of course there was more that happened at that restaurant, just on different occasions. Oh, and the scene at the bar? Hello steamy moment! And hello start of a neighbors with benefits relationship. Watching these two finally come together, only to be separated once again (by heartache and secrets), and then everything that led to their reunion, had me not wanting to put my kindle down. I had to see how everything was going to come to a resolution, and hopefully get to see a snippet of their future together.
Let's go back to the moment when Sloan sang the song that her mother wrote, and the reaction that Dallas had, I knew this was the moment. This was the moment when heartache was going to set in once again. What Dallas revealed though, I wasn't expecting. I think that made my heart shatter even more. It also allowed us to see a snippet of Sloan getting to know her mom. Speaking of getting to know her mom, when Sloan finally opened that box that was in the living room, I sobbed! I was not prepared for the message that Ellie left for Sloan. Oh my heart. The things that Ellie revealed. UGH! Then the plans that Vada, Colton, and Dallas put into action for Sloan and Dallas to reunite? And that piece of paper Dallas found? Again, I was not prepared! But what a reunion it was, and the song that Dallas sang was so fitting.
I absolutely enjoyed reading this book. I fell hard for Sloan and Dallas, and I am ready for Vada and Colton's story in The Secrets of Heartbreak.
Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts about The Rules of Heartbreak.
Laura
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| cover design: Amanda Shepard with Shepard Originals |
I never used to live my life by rules.
At least not until my fiancé betrayed me, turning my entire world upside down.
Unsure of how to move on, my luck seemed to suddenly change. My estranged mother's last gift to me before she died landed on my doorstep, giving me the opportunity to start my life over.
I snatched up the chance to leave my life behind in Minnesota, opening my arms up to the hot, sunny weather of Texas.
It was easy to start over in unfamiliar territory, my unofficial rules of heartbreak worn on my chest like a badge of honor.
But along with the house my mother left came a new neighbor. An obnoxious neighbor with dangerous glaring eyes and a set of abs that should be considered illegal. He was mysterious and full of secrets, a story hidden behind his hard exterior.
Before I knew it, Dallas Beckett was about to break all my rules.
I just didn't realize he had his own set, and I was about to put every one of them to the test.
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Meet Brittany Taylor
Her favorite things in life are her family, binge watching Netflix, and tacos.
Brittany Taylor has been obsessed with reading since kindergarten. She followed her lifelong dream in 2017 when she published her first novel, Without You. Ever since, she's been hooked and can't write the stories in her head fast enough.
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