Rule by Jay Crownover

I received this book for free from ARC in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Opposites in every way . . . except the one that matters 

Shaw Landon loved Rule Archer from the moment she laid eyes on him. Rule is everything a straight--A pre-med student like Shaw shouldn't want--and the only person she's never tried to please. She isn't afraid of his scary piercings and tattoos or his wild attitude. Though she knows that Rule is wrong for her, her heart just won't listen.

To a rebel like Rule Archer, Shaw Landon is a stuck-up, perfect princess-and his dead twin brother's girl. She lives by other people's rules; he makes his own. He doesn't have time for a good girl like Shaw-even if she's the only one who can see the person he truly is.

But a short skirt, too many birthday cocktails, and spilled secrets lead to a night neither can forget. Now, Shaw and Rule have to figure out how a girl like her and a guy like him are supposed to be together without destroying their love . . . or each other.

The first Marked Men novel in Jay Crownover's combustible New Adult series.

Love hate relationship. It’s something we hear about all the time when it comes to our fave movies, tv show’s and books of course. But I truly had that kind of a relationship with Rule. On the one hand I loved all the raw lust and feelings in general. On the other hand I hated how those intense feeling could occasionally overshadow the bigger picture. So why did I give it four stars? What a wonderful question!

Rule is the story we’ve all read in the NA genre. Girl loves boy for forever but won’t tell him because of REASONS, but it turns out boy has some hidden feelings for girl so it’s alright. But Rule some how made it seem like more. There were actual moments of communication and realism that made me gasp and swoon all at once. I loved that Shaw (or leading lady) grew as the story progressed. I loved how she came into her own skin and started to live her own life regardless of what people thought or felt. I loved that giant set of lady balls she grew eventually, and I loved how she was a fighter, even though she grew up privileged.

Rule (or male MC) was exactly what I’ve come across within NA but, with a hint of something more. He was tattooed and pierced in places the sun dear not shine, and he had this air of “I truly don’t give a shit” but he was also loyal and caring and knew that other’s opinions about him truly did not make nor break him. And when he fucked up he owned up to it, and didn’t run with his tail between his legs! He knew and accepted that he had to work hard at something that was new to him and I appreciate a man who can look his mistakes and hardships in the face.

The plot was cool, although not exactly surprising or original. And the supporting characters all had their own traits and trials to work through and I’m excited to see how they develop within the series.