THE RULES OF DATING
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.
The Rules of Dating is the current Vi Keeland/Penelope Ward collaboration. I do love these authors. They create the best characters I love and remember for a long time.
There is so much that I like about this story and only one part that didn’t work for me.
💗 I love the slow-burn romance that starts with a perfect meet-cute!
The Rules of Dating is Billie Holland and Colby Lennon’s story. Billie is unlucky in love. She is a veteran at picking the wrong guy. Her current disaster is Kaiden, whom she met on Tinder. Billie believes she finally got it right then one night when she needed to move Kaiden’s phone to use his charger. Billie finds out that Kaiden is still meeting other women on Tinder. Billie stays cool and plans a unique revenge that made me laugh. The only problem is that a customer showed up just as Kaiden realized what happened. Billie finds out the customer is her new landlord. Uh oh!
When they finally connect--hot, Hot, HOT!
💗 I love Saylor, Colby’s daughter!
Saylor is the cutest little four-year-old with a super big heart. She steals the show. Colby Lennon is a single dad who purchased the building that houses Billie’s tattoo business with his three childhood friends. He doesn’t date much since his daughter was dropped off on his doorstep four years ago. Saylor is his focus, but there is something about Billie that pulls Colby to her.
💗 I love the ancillary characters!
Colby’s friends Holden (the musician and maintenance man). Owen (commercial real estate broker) and Brayden (business hot-shot workaholic) are the friends everyone should have. They support one another and act as honorary uncles to the beautiful little Saylor.
Billie’s friends Deek (employee and confidante), Devon (mentor), Billie’s mother is, a character you can love to hate, and Jennifer (friend and receptionist). These ancillary characters add laughs, love, and dimension to the story.
💣 Not a fan of Raven/Maya, the mother who abandons Saylor
I’m not a fan of the mother who abandoned her child for “X number of years” and then returned. In this case, Raven dropped off a newborn infant and didn’t contact Colby for four years. I knew it was coming, but the reason for her return didn’t work for me. I’m sure it works for most people; it just rubbed me the wrong way. Also, Colby isn’t a dumb man. He is well educated with great parents and friends. You can’t convince me he didn’t prepare better for this inevitability. I can’t believe that the people who are integral to his life didn’t push him to talk to a lawyer before the evil woman returned.
😟 Oops
I must comment. When Billie showed her art at her mother’s gallery, Colby commented that the $11,500 she made for one painting was half his annual salary. That is impossible. A NYC architect can’t pay for transportation back and forth to work on $23,000 a year. There must be another zero on the painting price. $200K a year is more realistic for Colby’s position.
Overall, The Rules of Dating is an enjoyable read. I love the core story and the characters. I’m disappointed with the biological mom’s return. It didn’t feel real to me. Personally, I would like less Raven and more time on Colby and Billie’s HEA. I am crazy happy that Vi and Penelope are writing Holden’s story. I can’t wait.
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