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 highly anticipated 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

Fun and funny!

Great writing! Storytelling was good between the two readers. Lite story to enjoy in this crazy world of today.

Fun romance!

I loved all the characters. Feel good story from start to finish. I’ll definitely check out more from Sarah Adams.

Good summer read

Overall this is another cheery and fun book from Sarah Adams. She put some 🌶️ in this book, but there’s not much. Same lovable characters from the Cheat Sheet which was amazing.

All in all, great listen. My only complaint was that the FMC was too flighty/quirky. There was a high stress scene at the end that NO professional woman in her right mind would stop and wonder about stealing her man’s hoodie in that situation. 🙄 I get that she’s quirky- but you can be quirky AND focused.

Per the usual- the MMC was wonderful and swoony. Adams always does such a great job with the men in her books, and the LA Sharks crew never disappoints.

it’s always lovely to revisit characters from a past novel and these were old friends.

I love a great dual POV

4.5 Stars! This series played into my love of football and Rom-Com’s and I’m here for it!

Derek is a professional football player preparing to return to the game after an injury, just in time to get assigned a new agent. Little does he know the new agent he’s being assigned, Mac is actually a nickname for Nora Mackenzie, Derek’s ex-college girlfriend.

Nora didn’t end their relationship well and Derek is her first officially signed client. She doesn’t want to allow her past to interfere with her career. Derek on the other hand is still mad about the break-up and wanting to get his revenge on Nora.

After a drunken incident in Vegas where they accidentally get married, they’re both forced to figure out if they still have feelings for each other.

You get enemies to lovers and a second shot at love! We also get to revisit Derek’s team mates, who I fell in love with in The Cheat Sheet! The wit and banter is hilarious - I laughed out loud while I listened (sorry random people at Target)!

The story is dual POV, which I love! Both readers are fantastic!

Romance Content: There is an open door scene (chapter 34) that can be skipped.

Great character banter!

Sarah Adams is forever a favorite author. Cheat Sheet is still my favorite, so I loved hearing about the characters from that book along with Derek and Nora.

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.

Squealing through the ending of this masterpiece

I can't get over how much I love this male friend group from the Cheat Sheet... how they rally around each other and CARE so much... and then how that group GROWS as they each grow and change through life, adding their spouses to the crowd.
Nora is the bad ass I want to be every day of my life. I feel for her and Nicole as they deal with the challenges of life as a female, not only crushing it as they go, but remaining the better humans that they are every step of the way. They are powerhouses who know what's what. ... I'm so glad we got more of Nicole in this one.
and Derek... I can relate SO MUCH to that need to prove yourself, and the strong work ethic that comes with it. He is a fantastic role model, and also the most amazing tenderhearted human.
Soo... Sarah.... you knocked out of of the park again. I loved EVERY MOMENT of living through this with Derek and Nora.

“10 out of 10”!!!

This is honestly the very best ever Romedy I have ever listened to!! The performance was perfect! The characters were darling, witty, and endearing! I laughed and cheered and swooned all the way through!! Sarah Adams, please write another one asap!