REVIEW: The Rules of Dating by Penelope Ward and Vi Keeland
5 SMOOCHES!
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SYNOPSIS:
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.
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REVIEW:
Both Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward are fantastic authors on their own, but their co-written works are truly something special. The effortless way their words blend together, seamlessly transitioning between their individual writing styles consistently yields an absolutely addictive story. An exceptional creative pairing, I can’t get enough of their collaborative works.
The Rules of Dating is a single-dad romance with a twist. An opposites-attract, friends-to-lovers vibe threads through Colby and Billie’s romance. I loved everything about them, from the unconventional match-up of the buttoned-down businessman and the tattoo-parlor owner to their “undates.” From their hilarious first meeting, this couple were undeniably attracted to each other, and although they tried to fight it and stay in the friend-zone, there really was no denying their feelings for each other. Colby’s adorable daughter, Saylor, was a show-stealing little sweetheart. These two were so careful with their hearts, taking the time to really get to know each other, progressing slowly, and that’s why the twist in their story, and the timing of it, was such a kick to the gut. This couple definitely had fantastic chemistry, but it was the build-up to their relationship through that easy, flirty friendship, the bonding over the hero’s daughter and the undeniable feeling that they were just meant to be that made this such an unputdownable love story for me.
The Rules of Dating was as heartwarming as it was heart-wrenching. It was addictive and consuming with a had-to-happen, inevitable feel to the romance. These characters were endearing and vulnerable, and their love story was romantic, sweet and so very sexy. This was a hard-fought love story that unfolded through storyline full of twists and turns. I laughed and swooned my way through this totally engrossing page-turner. The Rules of Dating by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward gets five smooches from me!
~Danielle Palumbo
BUY IT NOW!
