Summary

It all started when I hosted a little party for a bunch of new friends.

Though “friends” might not be the right word since the invitees were all the women I’d found out my boyfriend was talking to behind my back. When the guest of honor walked in—aka my now ex—things took a turn…

Unfortunately, a stranger witnessed the whole blowout. I was in a mood that night and ended up giving this gorgeous guy an attitude, too. As if my night could get any worse, before he stormed off, he informed me he was actually my landlord.

Colby Lennon, along with three of his friends, owned the building where my tattoo shop was located. He and I were total opposites. He wore a tie, oozed confidence that came with years of women falling at his feet, and wasn’t afraid to say what he wanted, which lately—was me.

I hated that I found myself attracted to him. Especially since I was supposed to be on a self-imposed dating hiatus. Yet the two of us couldn’t seem to stay away from each other. We started hanging out, as friends. I even went as far as making rules for what he’d dubbed our “undates.

But eventually, our explosive attraction became too much to bear, and we broke our resolve. I let my guard down and started to really fall for Colby.
Nothing could have prepared me for the ride he took me on. And I certainly wasn't prepared for where I'd wind up when the ride was over.

All good things must come to an end, right?

Except our ending was one I didn't see coming.

Review

I have complicated feelings regarding this book. Did I like Colby and Billie together? I don’t know. Let me explain. Something (most likely chemistry) was missing between them. I really appreciated how Billie was, and I understood how she was hesitant to date after what happened to her. What don’t I get is her attraction to Colby outside of physical? Some of the things he said were awkward and it would have made me run the other way. He wasn’t a sworn level romantic lead for me. Him and Billie did have some cute moments between them but most of the time, I was unassumed and bored.

I think what ultimately saved him was his relationship with his daughter—Saylor. Scratch that Saylor saved the entire book. She was adorable, and everyone rightfully loved her. Colby would do anything for his daughter and showed that multiple times throughout the book. And I especially loved how Saylor and Billie built a relationship. The one time I actually cried was between them at the end of the book. It was such a sweet moment, and I think the book earned that moment.

The book really lost me in the second half. There was a new character introduction, and I had some issues with how she was portrayed, and the outcome of that portrayal. I almost wanted to give up, because it dragged on for so long.

Final Thoughts

The Rules of Dating features an unexciting couple and an unnecessary plot twist that fails at adding entertaining/emotional angst.

Buy on Amazon | Audible | Bookshop.org