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The Unwritten Rule
Sarah and Brianna have always been friends, and it's always gone like this: guys talk to Sarah in order to get closer to Brianna. So even though Sarah met Ryan first, she's not surprised that he ends up with Brianna (even though Sarah has a massive crush on him). The three of them hang out, and Sarah and Ryan's friendship grows until one night an innocent exchange between them leads to a moment that makes Sarah realize that Ryan might be interested in her after all. But if there's one unwritten rule, it's this: you don't mess around with a friend's boyfriend. So Sarah tries to resist temptation. But with the three of them thrown together more and more, tension builds between Sarah and Ryan, and when they find themselves alone together at one point, they realize they just can't fight how they feel anymore....
228 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 16, 2010
160 people are currently reading
11747 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Scott
138 books3,451 followersHey there, I'm Elizabeth. I write young adult novels. I live just outside Washington DC with my husband and dog, and am unable to pass a bookstore without stopping and going inside.
All right, and I can't leave without buying at least one book.
Usually two. (Or more!)
My website and blog are at elizabethwrites.com, and I'm also on twitter, tumblr, and facebook
All right, and I can't leave without buying at least one book.
Usually two. (Or more!)
My website and blog are at elizabethwrites.com, and I'm also on twitter, tumblr, and facebook
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 954 reviews
May 18, 2010
The Unwritten Rule is my third Elizabeth Scott book and my least favorite out of the three (the other two are Living Dead Girl and Love You Hate You Miss You which deal with sexual abuse and death respectively).
The book can be summarized very briefly: Sarah and Brianna are best friends, Brianna is dating Ryan, Sarah likes Ryan, and Ryan wants to be with Sarah too. Will the girls' friendship survive the squabble over the guy?
The main problem with this book is that it is very simplistic, there are no layers to the story, basically nothing much happens in it. 95% of the book are Sarah's thoughts on the matter that go like this: "I like Ryan so much. I've liked him since 8th grade. But he is dating my best friend Brianna. She's been my best friend since the kindergarten. But Ryan likes me more than Brianna. But Brianna loves Ryan too. But their relationship isn't working. But Brianna's parents are so horrible, I can's take Ryan from her too. But I like Ryan so much..." (not a direct quote) And it goes on and on like this in circles forever, making this short 200 page long book very boring and repetitive.
Main characters are also very hard to get attached to. They are not interesting or compelling, they lack complexity - Sarah is a goody motherly type of girl, Brianna is an outright mean girl, and Ryan is a doormat-ish stud. This assortment of cliche characters doesn't leave much room for moral dilemma, it is very easy to discount bad girl Brianna's feelings and forgive good girl Sarah's deceit.
IMO this subject has been portrayed infinitely better in E. Lockhart's Ruby Oliver books.
The book can be summarized very briefly: Sarah and Brianna are best friends, Brianna is dating Ryan, Sarah likes Ryan, and Ryan wants to be with Sarah too. Will the girls' friendship survive the squabble over the guy?
The main problem with this book is that it is very simplistic, there are no layers to the story, basically nothing much happens in it. 95% of the book are Sarah's thoughts on the matter that go like this: "I like Ryan so much. I've liked him since 8th grade. But he is dating my best friend Brianna. She's been my best friend since the kindergarten. But Ryan likes me more than Brianna. But Brianna loves Ryan too. But their relationship isn't working. But Brianna's parents are so horrible, I can's take Ryan from her too. But I like Ryan so much..." (not a direct quote) And it goes on and on like this in circles forever, making this short 200 page long book very boring and repetitive.
Main characters are also very hard to get attached to. They are not interesting or compelling, they lack complexity - Sarah is a goody motherly type of girl, Brianna is an outright mean girl, and Ryan is a doormat-ish stud. This assortment of cliche characters doesn't leave much room for moral dilemma, it is very easy to discount bad girl Brianna's feelings and forgive good girl Sarah's deceit.
IMO this subject has been portrayed infinitely better in E. Lockhart's Ruby Oliver books.
February 8, 2020
“There are a million rules for being a girl. There are a million things you have to do to get through each day. High school has things that can trip you up, ruin you, people say one thing and mean another, and you have to know all the rules, you have to know what you can and can't do.”
The Unwritten Rule by Elizabeth Scott
This was an interesting story. It's one that is pure YA..but in a good way!
As others have said, this concerns a high school girl named Sara who is secretly in love with her best friend's boyfriend. She does not want to be..but she is.
I liked this book for a number of reasons. The writer is just about flawless in getting into the minds of the characters. Even the smaller more supporting characters are fleshed out.
I also did find the story interesting. At first glance, as others have stated, the story seems very simplistic but it is not so, not really, as it contains the themes of dysfunctional and toxic friendship which interested me alot more then the love triangle.
And here is where I was let down. Sara's friendship with Brianna is toxic. Brianna is a character I LOATHED and I do not care that she has such a tough backround. The way she talks to Sara (on a good day!) is awful. And jarring.
I am sure we've all had toxic friendships. I know I have. Still Breanna is in a class by herself. I consider what she did to Sara to be emotional abuse. The constant poking, the hostile and sometimes just plain evil comments and her stealing away any guy that Sara has a remote interest in..she really had issues.
SPOILERS:
My let down came from the fact that there is no big confrontation between the girls. It is all Sara making apologies. I so badly wanted someone to tell Brianna off. I mean..she doesn't even want to be with her boyfriend because she doesn't like his car? I am trying to understand how the vehicle one drives could be a deal breaker in a relationship but you got me. I guess I am not superficial enough to understand that.
Also..It did get kind of bogged down with Sara constantly pining after Ryan. It does get tough to read 200 pages of that. Although I did like this book I think I'd have LOVED this book, had I read it while still a teenager. It is very YA.
I would give this 3.5 stars. It's a light read in a way and a quick read but I'd have liked more meat to the ending and a confrontation.
The Unwritten Rule by Elizabeth Scott
This was an interesting story. It's one that is pure YA..but in a good way!
As others have said, this concerns a high school girl named Sara who is secretly in love with her best friend's boyfriend. She does not want to be..but she is.
I liked this book for a number of reasons. The writer is just about flawless in getting into the minds of the characters. Even the smaller more supporting characters are fleshed out.
I also did find the story interesting. At first glance, as others have stated, the story seems very simplistic but it is not so, not really, as it contains the themes of dysfunctional and toxic friendship which interested me alot more then the love triangle.
And here is where I was let down. Sara's friendship with Brianna is toxic. Brianna is a character I LOATHED and I do not care that she has such a tough backround. The way she talks to Sara (on a good day!) is awful. And jarring.
I am sure we've all had toxic friendships. I know I have. Still Breanna is in a class by herself. I consider what she did to Sara to be emotional abuse. The constant poking, the hostile and sometimes just plain evil comments and her stealing away any guy that Sara has a remote interest in..she really had issues.
SPOILERS:
My let down came from the fact that there is no big confrontation between the girls. It is all Sara making apologies. I so badly wanted someone to tell Brianna off. I mean..she doesn't even want to be with her boyfriend because she doesn't like his car? I am trying to understand how the vehicle one drives could be a deal breaker in a relationship but you got me. I guess I am not superficial enough to understand that.
Also..It did get kind of bogged down with Sara constantly pining after Ryan. It does get tough to read 200 pages of that. Although I did like this book I think I'd have LOVED this book, had I read it while still a teenager. It is very YA.
I would give this 3.5 stars. It's a light read in a way and a quick read but I'd have liked more meat to the ending and a confrontation.
April 27, 2010
well, the whole behind the back kissing and sort-of flirting is not my kind of thing.
i cansee understand how sarah fell in love with ryan. but how about a little self-control? it's okay to crush on someone from afar, but not if he or she's not "single ready to mingle". sarah's not the only one at fault though!
seriously? two months? he seriously needed nearly two months time to make up his freakin' mind? ryan should have broken up his relationship with brianna a long time ago. he didn't do that, which makes him a coward. he liked sarah from the beginning and still picked brianna. sarah deserves someone who picks her first.
now that I think about it ... this read a lot like a young adult version of Something Borrowed.
BOTH books can be summarised as follows:
[maid of Honor/main character] likes her bff's [soon-to-be groom/boyfriend].
he likes her back.
boyfriend cheats on girlfriend to be with the girl he likes.
cheated [soon-to-be bride/girl] finds out.
they go separate ways.
END OF BOOK(s).
i can
seriously? two months? he seriously needed nearly two months time to make up his freakin' mind? ryan should have broken up his relationship with brianna a long time ago. he didn't do that, which makes him a coward. he liked sarah from the beginning and still picked brianna. sarah deserves someone who picks her first.
now that I think about it ... this read a lot like a young adult version of Something Borrowed.
BOTH books can be summarised as follows:
[
he likes her back.
boyfriend cheats on girlfriend to be with the girl he likes.
cheated [
they go separate ways.
END OF BOOK(s).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 25, 2011
2.5 stars
Without a doubt, Elizabeth Scott has a beautifully honed voice for young adult literature. She writes both accessibly and perceptively about the teenage experience and its accompanying emotions. It’s an unembellished, authentic style that neither sensationalises nor talks down to young adult issues.
The Unwritten Rule is no exception, clearly capturing the straightforward, yet earnest voice of Sarah, in the midst of an “I like my best friend’s boyfriend” situation.
Not to mince matters, yes, this book contains a love triangle of sorts, and cheating. However, I feel it would be doing Scott a disservice to reduce this book down to merely its romantic aspects. Obviously, the feelings Sarah harbours for Ryan, her best friend’s boyfriend, take up a large part of the narration, as she navigates the dilemma of wanting what she can’t have. There is a lot of inner dialogue as Sarah examines and turns over her secret feelings, and ruminates over her guilt and pent up anger.
Beyond this, however, Scott examines the nature and effects of a toxic friendship. The dynamic between Sarah and Brianna is subtly drawn - Scott uses her light touch here effectively – and this is a much more nuanced portrayal of a destructive friendship than is often found in two-tone mean-girl storylines. The antagonism in this situation is much more veiled and complicated. Sad to say, but I found the kind of undermining behaviour exhibited by Brianna, and likewise Sarah’s passivity, to be all too familiar.
At its heart, I can’t help but feel that this is more a story about understanding the true nature of a friendship, as opposed to a love story (although that definitely features heavily). It’s a well-articulated deconstruction of the complicated relationship between two girls, the reasons for the way they treat each other, and why it’s so hard to let go.
Although I’m a fan of Scott’s writing, and her undemonstrative endings (there are no hugely shocking scenes, or dramatic twists), I found the plot in The Unwritten Rule rather too slight to be entirely taken with the book.
It’s a very genuine insight into Sarah’s conflicted thoughts, and the kind of book I would have adored in my teens, but at this stage in my life, I found it a little wanting and not wholly compelling.
Without a doubt, Elizabeth Scott has a beautifully honed voice for young adult literature. She writes both accessibly and perceptively about the teenage experience and its accompanying emotions. It’s an unembellished, authentic style that neither sensationalises nor talks down to young adult issues.
The Unwritten Rule is no exception, clearly capturing the straightforward, yet earnest voice of Sarah, in the midst of an “I like my best friend’s boyfriend” situation.
Not to mince matters, yes, this book contains a love triangle of sorts, and cheating. However, I feel it would be doing Scott a disservice to reduce this book down to merely its romantic aspects. Obviously, the feelings Sarah harbours for Ryan, her best friend’s boyfriend, take up a large part of the narration, as she navigates the dilemma of wanting what she can’t have. There is a lot of inner dialogue as Sarah examines and turns over her secret feelings, and ruminates over her guilt and pent up anger.
Beyond this, however, Scott examines the nature and effects of a toxic friendship. The dynamic between Sarah and Brianna is subtly drawn - Scott uses her light touch here effectively – and this is a much more nuanced portrayal of a destructive friendship than is often found in two-tone mean-girl storylines. The antagonism in this situation is much more veiled and complicated. Sad to say, but I found the kind of undermining behaviour exhibited by Brianna, and likewise Sarah’s passivity, to be all too familiar.
At its heart, I can’t help but feel that this is more a story about understanding the true nature of a friendship, as opposed to a love story (although that definitely features heavily). It’s a well-articulated deconstruction of the complicated relationship between two girls, the reasons for the way they treat each other, and why it’s so hard to let go.
Although I’m a fan of Scott’s writing, and her undemonstrative endings (there are no hugely shocking scenes, or dramatic twists), I found the plot in The Unwritten Rule rather too slight to be entirely taken with the book.
It’s a very genuine insight into Sarah’s conflicted thoughts, and the kind of book I would have adored in my teens, but at this stage in my life, I found it a little wanting and not wholly compelling.
June 21, 2011
2.5 stars
Elizabeth Scott has a great voice for teenagers. She seems to be able to effortlessly get right under their skin and articulate those swirly/confused/intense emotions that plague teens (in The Unwritten Rule she centres around friendship, loyalty (mostly misplaced) and having a crush.)
Her prose is easy to slip into. The style of The unwritten Rule most reminded me of Something, Maybe ~ it has the same kind of quirky, occasionally self-depreciating tone. There's a gentle humour that lifts the tone of the book (and helps dilute the ANGST ~ oh my gosh ~ this is so very angst-ridden).
I always sail through Scott's books (this is a light read) ~ I find her male leads appealing in a breezily hot way (she always has her guys blushing, etc. very cute. And there's no denying Ryan is a fantastic character to crush on ~ in that very high-school-first-crush kind of way).
Despite all the things I could admire about this book, it ultimately didn't really work for me. Beyond the actual premise, there did not seem to be any plot. There was no raising of stakes or tension. I grew a little tired of reading so much internal conflict as Sarah relentlessly tried to sort through her feelings.
The story felt dragged out by characters continually being averted from announcing their intentions/following through on their convictions. I am not really a fan of dragging out tension via staged scene interruptions.
Sarah's best friend was too villainous (LOL) which made the choices and outcomes too black and white ~ it lessened the tension and conflict by having me only rooting for Sarah ~ and also made me roll my eyes at how long it was taking for Sarah to get with the program.
It's firmly a high school kind of read, very PG (some of Scott's other books have an older YA vibe but this one's for the teens).
As much as I admire the prose, the sentiments and adolescent reminiscent aches (all portrayed with authenticity through Sarah's conflicting feelings) ~ and as much as I admire those sweet Ryan and Sarah love moments (there's some nicely done smiley kiss scenes and blush-worthy memories) this book did not really work for me as an older reader of YA.
Elizabeth Scott has a great voice for teenagers. She seems to be able to effortlessly get right under their skin and articulate those swirly/confused/intense emotions that plague teens (in The Unwritten Rule she centres around friendship, loyalty (mostly misplaced) and having a crush.)
Her prose is easy to slip into. The style of The unwritten Rule most reminded me of Something, Maybe ~ it has the same kind of quirky, occasionally self-depreciating tone. There's a gentle humour that lifts the tone of the book (and helps dilute the ANGST ~ oh my gosh ~ this is so very angst-ridden).
I always sail through Scott's books (this is a light read) ~ I find her male leads appealing in a breezily hot way (she always has her guys blushing, etc. very cute. And there's no denying Ryan is a fantastic character to crush on ~ in that very high-school-first-crush kind of way).
Despite all the things I could admire about this book, it ultimately didn't really work for me. Beyond the actual premise, there did not seem to be any plot. There was no raising of stakes or tension. I grew a little tired of reading so much internal conflict as Sarah relentlessly tried to sort through her feelings.
The story felt dragged out by characters continually being averted from announcing their intentions/following through on their convictions. I am not really a fan of dragging out tension via staged scene interruptions.
Sarah's best friend was too villainous (LOL) which made the choices and outcomes too black and white ~ it lessened the tension and conflict by having me only rooting for Sarah ~ and also made me roll my eyes at how long it was taking for Sarah to get with the program.
It's firmly a high school kind of read, very PG (some of Scott's other books have an older YA vibe but this one's for the teens).
As much as I admire the prose, the sentiments and adolescent reminiscent aches (all portrayed with authenticity through Sarah's conflicting feelings) ~ and as much as I admire those sweet Ryan and Sarah love moments (there's some nicely done smiley kiss scenes and blush-worthy memories) this book did not really work for me as an older reader of YA.
January 9, 2011
One thing right at the beginning: I’m a huge fan of Elizabeth Scott. So this rating might be influenced a tiny bit by that ;).
All in all, I really enjoyed The Unwritten Rule, but when compared to Scott’s other YA romance novels, it is probably the weakest. It was a quick read and definitely kept my attention, but it wasn’t particularly memorable when I look back at it now. I probably won’t go back to re-read it as I’ve done with Bloom, Perfect You or Something Maybe and it doesn’t have the original plot of Stealing Heaven.
What I liked: Sara’s relationship to her parents. It was nice to see a teenaged heroine who got along well with her family and whose family made up a huge aspect of her life. It was a change to see a girl who sometimes preferred to hang out at home instead of going out with her friends.
The chemistry Sara and Ryan had was great as well. Lots of swoon-worthy scenes between the two.
What I didn’t like so much: Sara’s best friend, Brianna, is too much on the mean girl side. We get glimpses of her problems and why she might have become the person she is, but in the end, she behaves terribly and I didn’t feel sorry for her – or mad at Sara – at all. I think this story would have had much more to it if Brianna had been a better friend. Then I as the reader would actually have had the possibility to sympathise with her.
**Attention, small spoiler**
What I couldn’t understand: If Ryan was so in love with Sara, why didn’t he break up with Brianna sooner? Or why did they become a couple in the first place? I mean, pity certainly can’t be the reason to be together with someone for so long.
****
All in all, a cute little story, but I missed the complexity I found in Scott’s other novels. Here, we are focused completely on the Oh-my-god-I’m-in-love-with-my-best-friend’s-boyfriend-what-should-I-do storyline; other aspects of Sara’s life are almost non-existent. Still, I enjoyed the read while it lasted, therefore the three stars.
All in all, I really enjoyed The Unwritten Rule, but when compared to Scott’s other YA romance novels, it is probably the weakest. It was a quick read and definitely kept my attention, but it wasn’t particularly memorable when I look back at it now. I probably won’t go back to re-read it as I’ve done with Bloom, Perfect You or Something Maybe and it doesn’t have the original plot of Stealing Heaven.
What I liked: Sara’s relationship to her parents. It was nice to see a teenaged heroine who got along well with her family and whose family made up a huge aspect of her life. It was a change to see a girl who sometimes preferred to hang out at home instead of going out with her friends.
The chemistry Sara and Ryan had was great as well. Lots of swoon-worthy scenes between the two.
What I didn’t like so much: Sara’s best friend, Brianna, is too much on the mean girl side. We get glimpses of her problems and why she might have become the person she is, but in the end, she behaves terribly and I didn’t feel sorry for her – or mad at Sara – at all. I think this story would have had much more to it if Brianna had been a better friend. Then I as the reader would actually have had the possibility to sympathise with her.
**Attention, small spoiler**
What I couldn’t understand: If Ryan was so in love with Sara, why didn’t he break up with Brianna sooner? Or why did they become a couple in the first place? I mean, pity certainly can’t be the reason to be together with someone for so long.
****
All in all, a cute little story, but I missed the complexity I found in Scott’s other novels. Here, we are focused completely on the Oh-my-god-I’m-in-love-with-my-best-friend’s-boyfriend-what-should-I-do storyline; other aspects of Sara’s life are almost non-existent. Still, I enjoyed the read while it lasted, therefore the three stars.
June 20, 2010
Sarah liked Ryan first. But it's her best friend Brianna that's dating Ryan. Sarah should be the good friend and back off, but she just can't stop liking Ryan. Whatever shall she do?! (Yes, my tone is slightly mocking.)
The story is simple enough. In fact, too simple. It's another one of those books where it's just a love story and that's it. Nothing else happens. There's nothing deep about family or even friendship. In fact, the crazy friendship was what kept me going because it was the only dramatic parts. Otherwise, it was just a very tortured love story. Girl can't be with guy, but wants him badly, so they end up sneaking around and becoming very guilty. Lots of: no, we mustn't be together, as if they're in some kind of movie. It was boring as hell. I'm surprised I got through this.
I just really wish, for once, that Scott's protagonists would do something, anything. Take action. If Sarah likes Ryan so much, just tell Brianna. Screw Brianna, who's always been such a bitch and constantly putting down Sarah with her nonchalant comments. And Ryan, too. What, it takes him nearly two months to get the courage to tell everyone the truth about who he likes? I hate indecisive guys who can't make up their minds. All Ryan does is tell Brianna, "We gotta talk" for the last few weeks. Couldn't he have been more adamnant and persistent? That's what Scott's characters are always lacking, this drive and passion to DO something and STOP avoiding things. Seriously, it takes this couple 200 pages to finally confess? Wait, no, they didn't even tell Brianna; she walked in on them. Can you imagine how many more pages it would take for them to own up to their mistakes? Sarah would continue feeling guilty and backing out of it, out of Ryan, and this endless circle of thoughts and events will continue.
I really didn't like the story. If I wrote this, I would go in a different direction. I would actually give Sarah a life beyond Brianna. Sarah would find friendship in people outside Brianna's life (and this wouldn't happen at the very end, either), Sarah would actually stand up to B and maybe even slap her (if she'd done that, I would have certainly applauded Sarah for her guts more), and Sarah would definitely be less annoying with her "I wish things were different. I wish this, I wish that, I want this, I want that." It's all Scotts' characters ever do: wish and want and never setting out to grab those things. They're just not people I really resonate with or see role models as. Also, I absolutely abhorred Brianna, and thought it pitiful trying to give her this background story to explain to readers why she is the way she is. Just because she has all this trouble with parents doesn't mean she can be a total bitch. Stop sugarcoating people's actions like that!
Overall, just not impressed.
The story is simple enough. In fact, too simple. It's another one of those books where it's just a love story and that's it. Nothing else happens. There's nothing deep about family or even friendship. In fact, the crazy friendship was what kept me going because it was the only dramatic parts. Otherwise, it was just a very tortured love story. Girl can't be with guy, but wants him badly, so they end up sneaking around and becoming very guilty. Lots of: no, we mustn't be together, as if they're in some kind of movie. It was boring as hell. I'm surprised I got through this.
I just really wish, for once, that Scott's protagonists would do something, anything. Take action. If Sarah likes Ryan so much, just tell Brianna. Screw Brianna, who's always been such a bitch and constantly putting down Sarah with her nonchalant comments. And Ryan, too. What, it takes him nearly two months to get the courage to tell everyone the truth about who he likes? I hate indecisive guys who can't make up their minds. All Ryan does is tell Brianna, "We gotta talk" for the last few weeks. Couldn't he have been more adamnant and persistent? That's what Scott's characters are always lacking, this drive and passion to DO something and STOP avoiding things. Seriously, it takes this couple 200 pages to finally confess? Wait, no, they didn't even tell Brianna; she walked in on them. Can you imagine how many more pages it would take for them to own up to their mistakes? Sarah would continue feeling guilty and backing out of it, out of Ryan, and this endless circle of thoughts and events will continue.
I really didn't like the story. If I wrote this, I would go in a different direction. I would actually give Sarah a life beyond Brianna. Sarah would find friendship in people outside Brianna's life (and this wouldn't happen at the very end, either), Sarah would actually stand up to B and maybe even slap her (if she'd done that, I would have certainly applauded Sarah for her guts more), and Sarah would definitely be less annoying with her "I wish things were different. I wish this, I wish that, I want this, I want that." It's all Scotts' characters ever do: wish and want and never setting out to grab those things. They're just not people I really resonate with or see role models as. Also, I absolutely abhorred Brianna, and thought it pitiful trying to give her this background story to explain to readers why she is the way she is. Just because she has all this trouble with parents doesn't mean she can be a total bitch. Stop sugarcoating people's actions like that!
Overall, just not impressed.
March 29, 2010
WARNINGS: I read this book in just a few short hours. I literally couldn't stop reading. You will definitely want to read this book.
First off, it's very easy to connect with Sarah. We have probably all been in similar situations, whether we were the friend who had the crush on the spoken for boyfriend or the girl who had the boyfriend. It was, for me, also very easy to relate to Brianna. She had problems with her parents that just made her cry and wonder who loved her. But Brianna, I just didn't like towards the end. She sort of showed her true self and then again she was only trying to protect herself.
I really liked this book because it could've actually happened. It was so realistic that it could've been a story that happened to any one of us. I loved that about the book. It was realistic from beginning to end. And even though, there is that unwritten rule, you can't help but secretly and quietly yell, "YES!" when something happens in Sarahs favor and laugh evilly when something doesn't work out for Brianna.
Addict's Last Words: Great book. Great details. Great characters. A book that you need to read.
First off, it's very easy to connect with Sarah. We have probably all been in similar situations, whether we were the friend who had the crush on the spoken for boyfriend or the girl who had the boyfriend. It was, for me, also very easy to relate to Brianna. She had problems with her parents that just made her cry and wonder who loved her. But Brianna, I just didn't like towards the end. She sort of showed her true self and then again she was only trying to protect herself.
I really liked this book because it could've actually happened. It was so realistic that it could've been a story that happened to any one of us. I loved that about the book. It was realistic from beginning to end. And even though, there is that unwritten rule, you can't help but secretly and quietly yell, "YES!" when something happens in Sarahs favor and laugh evilly when something doesn't work out for Brianna.
Addict's Last Words: Great book. Great details. Great characters. A book that you need to read.
December 20, 2016
Sarah is 17 and lives in the shadow of her beautiful, shallow best frienemy Brianna. Best friends since they were five, Sarah couldn't imagine life without Brianna, but lately, Sarah has been having some decidedly un-friendly thoughts about Ryan, Brianna's current boyfriend. Sarah has wanted Ryan before Brianna was willing to acknowledge his existence, but now, Brianna's got him, or does she? And did she ever?
The Unwritten Rule makes for a cutesy love story, but more than anything, its a coming of age tale about the guises and dependency of friendship, standing your ground, and finding enough worth in yourself to be who you are.
The Unwritten Rule makes for a cutesy love story, but more than anything, its a coming of age tale about the guises and dependency of friendship, standing your ground, and finding enough worth in yourself to be who you are.
January 14, 2011
I’ve been looking for lighter and fluffier YA books since the doom and gloom YA’s have been giving me a headache. I think it’s this sense of déjà vu with the plots since every single synopsis I’ve read about the YA’s coming out seems all the same. So when I heard pretty good reviews about The Unwritten Rule by Elizabeth Scott, I thought why not give it a chance? I’ve read the Living Dead Girl by her, and although I wasn’t too impressed with that book, The Unwritten Rule is a very different from the dark subject matter in Living Dead Girl.
I think we’ve all been there in our teens where we had a major crush on a boy but don’t know how to go about telling him, the fear that he’d never like us and we step aside for our friend who also has feelings for him.
Unfortunately, The Written Rule was a major disappointment for me. It had no real depth and the main characters annoyed me immensely. Carrie Jones has the blurb on the cover where she says this is brilliant, touching and true. I beg to differ. It’s really none of the above.
Sara has an all-consuming crush on Ryan. So much so that he’s all she can think about. Sara doesn’t think she has a chance with Ryan because she feels she’s nothing special. Sara fades into the background all because of her beautiful and vivacious best friend, Brianna. Sara is well liked by the majority of her classmates but she’s more the type that is just “there”. Sara comes from a well-rounded family, with a loving mother and father and loves wearing bright colorful sneakers to show off her lacking personality she feels she has. One day at a party, Ryan starts talking to her and they have a moment where he may kiss her. But then Brianna walks in and it’s all over for Sara. Ryan goes off with Brianna and they next thing that happens is that Ryan and Brianna are a couple. But wherever they go, Sara is there and soon something horrible happens. Ryan drives Sara home one night and they end up kissing. Sara is ashamed that she has betrayed Brianna and doesn’t know how to tell her. And then Ryan says he wants to be with Sara and will find a way to tell Brianna. Sara is torn because friends should come before boys, but she wants Ryan so much.
The Unwritten Rule has a great premise but the exposition fails big time. Elizabeth tries her best to explain why Sara is to torn up about her and Ryan kissing. The big problem I had is with Ryan, this wishy-washy character, who with one word right from the start could have solved everything. Ryan is like a ghost, a pale one-dimensional, lacking in major personality figure who if he was man enough, wouldn’t haven’t allowed things go on this far with Brianna. We never get the full story on why he decides to be with Brianna even after she kisses him as her way to manipulate him into being her boyfriend. Sara isn’t defined at all even with the book being from her point of view. She’s just as one-dimensional as Ryan, where they only reason the reader should side with her is because of all the heartache she’s going through, which I get, but seriously, Brianna’s heart isn’t really into Ryan. She claims him just because she wants to. And Brianna’s reactions to the world around her confused me the majority of the time.
I really tried to sympathize with Sara since she has unrequited love for Ryan and doesn’t want to hurt Brianna, her best friend and confidant, who is truly a heartless brat. But since Sara doesn’t really have any redeemable qualities, except for her quirk with sneakers, which I felt was put in there to show how different and special she is, The Unwritten Rule is a reading fail.
Also, at one point Brianna uses the good old “F” word, which came out of nowhere, and I guess would be justified since her reaction makes sense, but the tone of this book is more PG if anything and caters more for the under thirteen year old crowd. Inserting that word and the insults Brianna is supposed to bring forth an emotional reaction from the reader. It doesn’t and is almost insulting the reader’s intelligence.
The Unwritten Rule is one book I wouldn’t recommend to any teenager who wants to read a humorous and what should be an adorable outlook on secret love and the angst a teen goes through. The Unwritten Rule could have been so much more, but wasn’t.
This is a major pass.
I think we’ve all been there in our teens where we had a major crush on a boy but don’t know how to go about telling him, the fear that he’d never like us and we step aside for our friend who also has feelings for him.
Unfortunately, The Written Rule was a major disappointment for me. It had no real depth and the main characters annoyed me immensely. Carrie Jones has the blurb on the cover where she says this is brilliant, touching and true. I beg to differ. It’s really none of the above.
Sara has an all-consuming crush on Ryan. So much so that he’s all she can think about. Sara doesn’t think she has a chance with Ryan because she feels she’s nothing special. Sara fades into the background all because of her beautiful and vivacious best friend, Brianna. Sara is well liked by the majority of her classmates but she’s more the type that is just “there”. Sara comes from a well-rounded family, with a loving mother and father and loves wearing bright colorful sneakers to show off her lacking personality she feels she has. One day at a party, Ryan starts talking to her and they have a moment where he may kiss her. But then Brianna walks in and it’s all over for Sara. Ryan goes off with Brianna and they next thing that happens is that Ryan and Brianna are a couple. But wherever they go, Sara is there and soon something horrible happens. Ryan drives Sara home one night and they end up kissing. Sara is ashamed that she has betrayed Brianna and doesn’t know how to tell her. And then Ryan says he wants to be with Sara and will find a way to tell Brianna. Sara is torn because friends should come before boys, but she wants Ryan so much.
The Unwritten Rule has a great premise but the exposition fails big time. Elizabeth tries her best to explain why Sara is to torn up about her and Ryan kissing. The big problem I had is with Ryan, this wishy-washy character, who with one word right from the start could have solved everything. Ryan is like a ghost, a pale one-dimensional, lacking in major personality figure who if he was man enough, wouldn’t haven’t allowed things go on this far with Brianna. We never get the full story on why he decides to be with Brianna even after she kisses him as her way to manipulate him into being her boyfriend. Sara isn’t defined at all even with the book being from her point of view. She’s just as one-dimensional as Ryan, where they only reason the reader should side with her is because of all the heartache she’s going through, which I get, but seriously, Brianna’s heart isn’t really into Ryan. She claims him just because she wants to. And Brianna’s reactions to the world around her confused me the majority of the time.
I really tried to sympathize with Sara since she has unrequited love for Ryan and doesn’t want to hurt Brianna, her best friend and confidant, who is truly a heartless brat. But since Sara doesn’t really have any redeemable qualities, except for her quirk with sneakers, which I felt was put in there to show how different and special she is, The Unwritten Rule is a reading fail.
Also, at one point Brianna uses the good old “F” word, which came out of nowhere, and I guess would be justified since her reaction makes sense, but the tone of this book is more PG if anything and caters more for the under thirteen year old crowd. Inserting that word and the insults Brianna is supposed to bring forth an emotional reaction from the reader. It doesn’t and is almost insulting the reader’s intelligence.
The Unwritten Rule is one book I wouldn’t recommend to any teenager who wants to read a humorous and what should be an adorable outlook on secret love and the angst a teen goes through. The Unwritten Rule could have been so much more, but wasn’t.
This is a major pass.
September 3, 2010
The Unwritten Rule is a classic story of girl likes best friends boyfriend and he likes her.
To be honest I wasn't sure what I was expecting before I got into this one, thinking that the girl just betrayed her best friend and hooked up with her boyfriend. But as the story went on I realized that Brianna is NOT a best friend.
Okay, I know that what Sarah did wasn't right and I don't think cheating is okay, at all, but I think this was the first time I actually applauded it. I can't find myself caring about her wrong, not while having a (so called) friend like Brianna. I don't like her. At All. I understand that she has issues and can even sympathies with that, but I can't stand girls who make others feel crappy just so they can make themselves feel inferior. I don't care that she has daddy issues and doesn't feel loved, the way she talks to Sarah and how she makes her feel so teeny-tiny is really crappy. It felt like she was just keeping Sarah around just so she could feel better about the way she looks and being looked at."You should try to get a freshman, it would be good for you?" Really??? If I had a friend say that to me? I swear I'd.....(@#!*&*$&^^$&%^#%) Lets just say she wouldn't be a friend much longer! She was most likely written to be hated, so well done Elizabeth Scott, she was definitely hated.
What I did like about the story was Sarah's parents for one, they were too awesome and I also liked the awkward moments between Ryan and Sarah, they rang extremely realistic and incredibly sweet. I think maybe it dragged on a little to long though and I was constantly screaming for him to just spit it out already, but in the end I'm glad that things worked out the way they did cause Brianna didn't deserve either of them.
I was a bit annoyed at the ending when Sarah practically begged Brianna to be friends again. I mean she missed her? Really?? Why?!?! I never really understood why she even liked Brianna, they are polar-opposites and there friendship didn't make any sense to me.
Overall I like the book, the characters pissed me off and made me smile and I was entertained enough to read this in one sitting. It's a great story about that moment where you will have to ultimately choose where you want your life to go. First love and questioning true friendship.
Well done.
To be honest I wasn't sure what I was expecting before I got into this one, thinking that the girl just betrayed her best friend and hooked up with her boyfriend. But as the story went on I realized that Brianna is NOT a best friend.
Okay, I know that what Sarah did wasn't right and I don't think cheating is okay, at all, but I think this was the first time I actually applauded it. I can't find myself caring about her wrong, not while having a (so called) friend like Brianna. I don't like her. At All. I understand that she has issues and can even sympathies with that, but I can't stand girls who make others feel crappy just so they can make themselves feel inferior. I don't care that she has daddy issues and doesn't feel loved, the way she talks to Sarah and how she makes her feel so teeny-tiny is really crappy. It felt like she was just keeping Sarah around just so she could feel better about the way she looks and being looked at."You should try to get a freshman, it would be good for you?" Really??? If I had a friend say that to me? I swear I'd.....(@#!*&*$&^^$&%^#%) Lets just say she wouldn't be a friend much longer! She was most likely written to be hated, so well done Elizabeth Scott, she was definitely hated.
What I did like about the story was Sarah's parents for one, they were too awesome and I also liked the awkward moments between Ryan and Sarah, they rang extremely realistic and incredibly sweet. I think maybe it dragged on a little to long though and I was constantly screaming for him to just spit it out already, but in the end I'm glad that things worked out the way they did cause Brianna didn't deserve either of them.
I was a bit annoyed at the ending when Sarah practically begged Brianna to be friends again. I mean she missed her? Really?? Why?!?! I never really understood why she even liked Brianna, they are polar-opposites and there friendship didn't make any sense to me.
Overall I like the book, the characters pissed me off and made me smile and I was entertained enough to read this in one sitting. It's a great story about that moment where you will have to ultimately choose where you want your life to go. First love and questioning true friendship.
Well done.
June 15, 2010
Rating Clarification: 3.5 Stars
The Unwritten Rule by Elizabeth Scott is a fun and refreshing read. I was amazed at how this author could seamlessly pen a novel that is on such a different spectrum than her daunting book Living Dead Girl. The Unwritten Rule carries a pleasant tone and refreshing theme that YA romance readers can enjoy with ease.
In this book, Sarah is head over heels for Ryan and has been since the eight grade. Unfortunately,they get eaten by dinosaurs he is dating her best friend Brianna, and as the story progresses, Sarah is faced with a difficult choice that will either cause her to lose her best friend or sacrafice a chance at experiencing true love.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It did have a few events at the end that did seem a bit convenient for the storyline and contrived, but not enough to annoy melike Barney's singing. The ending was perfect IMO and I liked how Sarah grew from her experiences and learned some valuable dinosaur survival skills life lessons. I feel comfortable rec'ing this book to my fellow readers that enjoy light YA romance. Fun read!
The Unwritten Rule by Elizabeth Scott is a fun and refreshing read. I was amazed at how this author could seamlessly pen a novel that is on such a different spectrum than her daunting book Living Dead Girl. The Unwritten Rule carries a pleasant tone and refreshing theme that YA romance readers can enjoy with ease.
In this book, Sarah is head over heels for Ryan and has been since the eight grade. Unfortunately,
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It did have a few events at the end that did seem a bit convenient for the storyline and contrived, but not enough to annoy me
March 10, 2010
When I first saw this book, it looked charming. Nothing earth-shattering, of course, but charming.
This book is about Sarah, the shy best friend of the beautiful Brianna. Sarah has always done her best to be the perfect friend for Brianna, whether its being there when Brianna's parents screw up again or just making Brianna feel needed. But one thing is threatening their friendship: Sarah seriously likes Brianna's boyfriend, Ryan, and that feeling is only magnified when Ryan and her kiss. Now Sarah must make a decision. Who's more important in her life? The cute artistic guy she's liked since eighth grade?, or her demanding best friend?
I liked this book. My favorite thing about it was Sarah's parents. They were adorable, quirky, and caring. YA fiction seriouly needs more parents like these. I even liked Brianna's depth. It would be one thing if she was just a bitchy mean girl, but she's a bitchy mean girl with reasons for her bitchiness. I also liked all the little awkward moments between the characters, because they were all too realistic.
Now there were things I didn't like. Amongst them the writing style. It was a little too informal and conversational, like it was straight out of the thought-process of a teen. I wasn't too big a fan of the narrator either. She was a little too meek and her constant fretting about the kiss could get annoying. I wanted to shake her sometimes, and yell at her to stand up for herself. And I still have one question left at the end of the book. Why did Ryan go out with Brianna in the first place if he liked Sarah so much? If the answer is in there, and I missed it, please let me know. I also found the character roles a little bit of a cliche. I think I've had enough shy-girl-with-beautiful-best-friend-discovers-herself stories for a while.
I did like the ending. It surprised me.
Overall, a cute little book. It reads quickly and there is a little message wrapped up in it.
This book is about Sarah, the shy best friend of the beautiful Brianna. Sarah has always done her best to be the perfect friend for Brianna, whether its being there when Brianna's parents screw up again or just making Brianna feel needed. But one thing is threatening their friendship: Sarah seriously likes Brianna's boyfriend, Ryan, and that feeling is only magnified when Ryan and her kiss. Now Sarah must make a decision. Who's more important in her life? The cute artistic guy she's liked since eighth grade?, or her demanding best friend?
I liked this book. My favorite thing about it was Sarah's parents. They were adorable, quirky, and caring. YA fiction seriouly needs more parents like these. I even liked Brianna's depth. It would be one thing if she was just a bitchy mean girl, but she's a bitchy mean girl with reasons for her bitchiness. I also liked all the little awkward moments between the characters, because they were all too realistic.
Now there were things I didn't like. Amongst them the writing style. It was a little too informal and conversational, like it was straight out of the thought-process of a teen. I wasn't too big a fan of the narrator either. She was a little too meek and her constant fretting about the kiss could get annoying. I wanted to shake her sometimes, and yell at her to stand up for herself. And I still have one question left at the end of the book. Why did Ryan go out with Brianna in the first place if he liked Sarah so much? If the answer is in there, and I missed it, please let me know. I also found the character roles a little bit of a cliche. I think I've had enough shy-girl-with-beautiful-best-friend-discovers-herself stories for a while.
I did like the ending. It surprised me.
Overall, a cute little book. It reads quickly and there is a little message wrapped up in it.
June 1, 2010
The Unwritten Rule should be a requirement for girls all throughout high school to read. This storyline is very raw and realistic. Through the main character, Sarah, Elizabeth Scott narates the consequences of when a girl falls for the boy she's never supposed to like. The one that "belongs" to her best friend.
The toxic friendship between Sarah and Brianna is made obvious several times, especially at the times when Brianna acts as though she's really helping Sarah while putting down her physical appearance, just as Brianna's mother does to her. However, when Sarah begins to feel guilty about her crush and longing for Ryan, Brianna's current boyfriend, she tries to hide her feelings. She finds it so much more difficult than she ever thought, because it becomes palpable that Ryan feels the same way for her.
Brianna's character in this story represents the harmful results of an adolescent that has been abandoned by their family. Brianna is unable to express the type of love in a friendship that most people find comes naturally. She tries too hard to be the opposite of the mother and father she so strongly resents, and she winds up as the by-product everything she hates about them. While Sarah acts as the loyal, inferior friend to the girl she admires and, is almost in some ways, afraid of, she begins to find her own voice and being. When Ryan finds that he can no longer fool himself and try to make Brianna happy, he tells Sarah how he feels and the book follows the typical storyline of boy likes girl, girl likes boy, they get together and best friend hates them both.
This book was one that I found myself unable to put down. If the reader is able to lose themself in this story and really feel the need to hear Sarah's story, this is one book that won't take you long to read and love. :)
August 31, 2021
I think had I maybe read this book when it came out, my review might be a little higher. But unfortunately, this book just didn't do it for me.
Sarah is in love with her best friends boyfriend. A giant no-no but it happens. And of course, it appears he has feelings for her as well. Hence the plot and the drama. The entire book is Sarah pining after Ryan, Ryan showing her attention, Ryan trying to break up with Brianna, Brianna freaking out and just wanting Ryan to stay with her because she can't stand losing. It was just a mess.
One issue I had was how Ryan just never broke up with Brianna. He kept saying he wanted to talk to her and she would make excuses to always have Sarah there so he never did it. Like rip the band aid off dude and just break up with her. It was just frustrating because it happened over and over and over again.
But my biggest issue was how Brianna treated Sarah and how Sarah just took it. Brianna was horrible. I get that she comes from a tough home situation but she used that as an excuse to be downright mean. She was one of those girls who only felt good if she was putting others down and Sarah just took it. Even after everything came out, Sarah kept going on about how she missed Brianna as a friend and no one knows her sweet side and blah blah blah. I really wanted Sarah to grow in this story but she really didn't.
Overall this book just rubbed me the wrong way and I felt like it didn't really handle the situations well. Again, I feel like I'm not the age group for this book and maybe that's why I couldn't really relate.
Sarah is in love with her best friends boyfriend. A giant no-no but it happens. And of course, it appears he has feelings for her as well. Hence the plot and the drama. The entire book is Sarah pining after Ryan, Ryan showing her attention, Ryan trying to break up with Brianna, Brianna freaking out and just wanting Ryan to stay with her because she can't stand losing. It was just a mess.
One issue I had was how Ryan just never broke up with Brianna. He kept saying he wanted to talk to her and she would make excuses to always have Sarah there so he never did it. Like rip the band aid off dude and just break up with her. It was just frustrating because it happened over and over and over again.
But my biggest issue was how Brianna treated Sarah and how Sarah just took it. Brianna was horrible. I get that she comes from a tough home situation but she used that as an excuse to be downright mean. She was one of those girls who only felt good if she was putting others down and Sarah just took it. Even after everything came out, Sarah kept going on about how she missed Brianna as a friend and no one knows her sweet side and blah blah blah. I really wanted Sarah to grow in this story but she really didn't.
Overall this book just rubbed me the wrong way and I felt like it didn't really handle the situations well. Again, I feel like I'm not the age group for this book and maybe that's why I couldn't really relate.
February 25, 2019
i mean it was interesting i guess, and an easy read. you can finish this book in a couple of hours
i thought the protagonist was a bit wimpy and pathetic and even though her best friend was mean at times, i would have rather liked them to stay friends because i felt like her best friend had a lot of room to grow as a character. actually, i kinda felt like they deliberately made her best friend have times when she acted bitchy just so they can justify her infidelity with Ryan (her best friends boyfriend).
It was a slow read and i didnt really like the way they dealt with things but you can skip a couple pages and go through it
i thought the protagonist was a bit wimpy and pathetic and even though her best friend was mean at times, i would have rather liked them to stay friends because i felt like her best friend had a lot of room to grow as a character. actually, i kinda felt like they deliberately made her best friend have times when she acted bitchy just so they can justify her infidelity with Ryan (her best friends boyfriend).
It was a slow read and i didnt really like the way they dealt with things but you can skip a couple pages and go through it
March 16, 2011
I remember wanting to read this book so bad and finally when I got it I wasn't disappointed. It was great!
June 14, 2013
totally unexpected turn of events ...so 4.5 stars ...man this book was good ...i mean not the other cliche stuff .. people who like love traingles should definately try this ..!!
March 27, 2022
Nach Jahren mal wieder gelesen, und es gefällt mir immer noch genau so gut.
Brianna ist eine typische toxische Freundin und Sarah konnte einem am Anfang echt nur leidtun. Auch wenn die Story sejr vorhersehbar war, würde ich das Buch immer wieder lesen.
Brianna ist eine typische toxische Freundin und Sarah konnte einem am Anfang echt nur leidtun. Auch wenn die Story sejr vorhersehbar war, würde ich das Buch immer wieder lesen.
February 14, 2019
This is just the book I needed to remind me why I read YA. THE FEELINGS. I give this book a giant YES!! Unputdownable.
It's a common trope, girl is in love with boy, but boy is dating girl's best friend. The difference here is this one had FEELING. I felt every single thing that Sarah felt. I cried. My robot heart short circuited a little because Sarah was in so much pain-- and I felt that.
It helped that Brianna wasn't all that likable. She overlooks Sarah and Ryan's feelings time and time again because she's so into herself. Her redeeming quality is that she's going through some pretty horrific family stuff, so at times it's understandable that she be self-centered.
My favorite part of this whole book is the reminder that sometimes toxic friendships exist no matter how much you love the person. I had a friendship that I loved the person like a sister, but had to let her go-- and I think about her all the time, but I can't be friends with her and it sucks. I think that's what is really at the heart of this book, and for that, I'm thankful.
I think we all need to read books that touch our hearts, and I'm so happy I found this at a time when I needed it. So many of Elizabeth Scott's books have been at the right place and the right time for me over the years (my fave is: Love You Hate You Miss You), and I really wish she would write a new book soon!
OVERALL: Tropey, but in all the best ways. If you want to read an "I'm in love with my best friend's boyfriend" book, go no further. This book had the trope but did it in the exact right way. Plus, any book that can make me cry these days is pretty special.
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Pink Polka Dot Books
It's a common trope, girl is in love with boy, but boy is dating girl's best friend. The difference here is this one had FEELING. I felt every single thing that Sarah felt. I cried. My robot heart short circuited a little because Sarah was in so much pain-- and I felt that.
It helped that Brianna wasn't all that likable. She overlooks Sarah and Ryan's feelings time and time again because she's so into herself. Her redeeming quality is that she's going through some pretty horrific family stuff, so at times it's understandable that she be self-centered.
My favorite part of this whole book is the reminder that sometimes toxic friendships exist no matter how much you love the person. I had a friendship that I loved the person like a sister, but had to let her go-- and I think about her all the time, but I can't be friends with her and it sucks. I think that's what is really at the heart of this book, and for that, I'm thankful.
I think we all need to read books that touch our hearts, and I'm so happy I found this at a time when I needed it. So many of Elizabeth Scott's books have been at the right place and the right time for me over the years (my fave is: Love You Hate You Miss You), and I really wish she would write a new book soon!
OVERALL: Tropey, but in all the best ways. If you want to read an "I'm in love with my best friend's boyfriend" book, go no further. This book had the trope but did it in the exact right way. Plus, any book that can make me cry these days is pretty special.
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Pink Polka Dot Books
November 14, 2009
First reading the book description I was anticipating a love story of sorts with the best friend falling in love with the her friends boyfriend. What I found in reading this novel was so much more. The main character of Briana is a holy terror; who would even want a friend like this. She is a character that coins the phrase looks better at twenty yards than at five yards. She may appear to be beautiful and wonderful, but upon closer inspection she is rude and conceited beyond your wildest dreams. Also, I have a hard time with this book description when you soon find that Sarah has had a past with Ryan long before Brianna s relationship. Also noting that the only reason that Brianna has a relationship with him is due to her one night of breezing into a room, and taking over his attention that he had been giving to Sarah. This is a friend s worst nightmare, and this character is beyond repulsive to me. Although, I am fully aware that her past has taught her the life that she is living. I think that deep down the apple did not fall far from her Mother s tree, and she is just not a very good person. [return][return]I spent most of the time reading this book yelling at the characters. Sarah may be a wonderful person, and trying to be a true friend but she needed to stand up for herself and tell Brianna off multiple times. I find it to be courageous that she find it in yourself to apologize, and bare the brunt of guilt, after having realized that Brianna had never really been a true friend to her. I loved the ending to this book, All the things I ve thought about love are true. It s beautiful and terrible and it doesn t make things perfect. It ends things, and it bring beginnings. This is mine. (pg 210) This summed it all up short and sweet. That Sarah used this a lesson to grow, and make herself better is wonderful. I think that books such as these are good for the younger generations, not so you can steal your friends boyfriend, but to open your eyes to acknowledge what is really happening around you. Don t let the friend that seems to have it all together push you around and make you into a different person. Be who you are, but that is what God intended. [return][return]I love this story from page 1, although, I am sure this might have something to did with the love I have for this particular author. Every time, I pick up a book of hers I find myself up sprinting through the pages. I had this particular book finished within twenty fours hours. I could not put this book down. Scott is an amazing author that inevitable always takes you along for the ride. You are not never the bystander watching the story unfold; you are living it. I love this in a book, and I would recommend this book in a heartbeat. [return][return]I always like to add my notes about the covers to books. One of my favorite aspects of reading is to be able to solve the mystery of why a particular cover is chosen. I love to end my reviews noting about the cover of the book, because I am a huge Cover Girl. This book was not complicated. Being that this book was about a hidden romance between the friend and the boyfriend I believe that this cover is to represent two people hiding the affection and touching any way that they can. I love this cover to this book. It is so simple, but yet so powerful at the same time. I LOVE IT!!![return][return]
December 14, 2010
Quickie: Not a bad story, wasn't pleased with the babbly-writing though.
Full: Sarah likes Ryan. Brianna is Sarah's best friend. Ryan and Brianna are dating. Ryan likes Sarah back. Ouch.
The plot is a simple one, but it's very real and fraught with emotion and pain. Sarah has liked Ryan since the 8th grade, but somehow her best friend Brianna ended up dating him. If I had to classify Sarah and Brianna's friendship, I'd call it "The Garden" kind of friendship. Sarah is the gardner, never seen, but always there to tend and support The Rose, aka Brianna. Brianna just eats up the attention. What I loathed about their friendship though, is how Brianna is constantly slamming Sarah, and Sarah just takes it. I was pretty mad at both of them through the whole thing. I sided with Sarah, of course, because even though I sympathized with Brianna about her cold-hearted parents, it wasn't an excuse for her to treat Sarah like dirt.
And poor Sarah. She tried so hard to be there and support Brianna, even when she was desperately in love with Brianna's boyfriend. I can't even imagine it. Watching them kiss, being forced to tag along as the third wheel, the whole time wishing he was hers. Brianna treated them both horribly. She was just playing with Ryan, she obviously didn't care a bit about him.
And Ryan, what was the deal with him? He liked Sarah for forever... but went out with Brianna because it was easier? Because Brianna showed an interest? Please. That's a mega-lame excuse. "Oh, well, I've liked you since we first met, but your best friend flirted with me, so I decided to date her and make out with her instead. Sorry for not even trying." Lame!!
Brianna was a horrible, horrible friend all around. She acted like Sarah was her personal assistant, not her best friend. Yeah, I get that they've shared some good times. But telling your friend she "might get a freshman guy"to go out with her because she's not hot and no other guy would notice her- That's so uncool. Her parental situation was awful. I felt for her there and I didn't want her to lose Sarah's friendship, because clearly she really needed somebody to love her. But she went about it in the worst way possible.
Sarah was sweet and supportive and was really torn up about the whole situation. I didn't really see what she saw in Ryan, but hey. That wasn't really the point. He was nice enough, and I liked their conversations, but his weak personality didn't appeal to me at all.
My biggest beef was the rambly writing. In some places it worked, but there were a lot of spots where some clear and concise writing could have really improved it. I understand that it was an emotion-based book, but does the entire thing have to read like a run-on sentence?
I didn't not like it. But it doesn't compare to other books I've given four stars to, so I'm giving it-
3 1/2 stars out of 5.
Reviewed for http://literatisliterarylibrary.blogs...
Full: Sarah likes Ryan. Brianna is Sarah's best friend. Ryan and Brianna are dating. Ryan likes Sarah back. Ouch.
The plot is a simple one, but it's very real and fraught with emotion and pain. Sarah has liked Ryan since the 8th grade, but somehow her best friend Brianna ended up dating him. If I had to classify Sarah and Brianna's friendship, I'd call it "The Garden" kind of friendship. Sarah is the gardner, never seen, but always there to tend and support The Rose, aka Brianna. Brianna just eats up the attention. What I loathed about their friendship though, is how Brianna is constantly slamming Sarah, and Sarah just takes it. I was pretty mad at both of them through the whole thing. I sided with Sarah, of course, because even though I sympathized with Brianna about her cold-hearted parents, it wasn't an excuse for her to treat Sarah like dirt.
And poor Sarah. She tried so hard to be there and support Brianna, even when she was desperately in love with Brianna's boyfriend. I can't even imagine it. Watching them kiss, being forced to tag along as the third wheel, the whole time wishing he was hers. Brianna treated them both horribly. She was just playing with Ryan, she obviously didn't care a bit about him.
And Ryan, what was the deal with him? He liked Sarah for forever... but went out with Brianna because it was easier? Because Brianna showed an interest? Please. That's a mega-lame excuse. "Oh, well, I've liked you since we first met, but your best friend flirted with me, so I decided to date her and make out with her instead. Sorry for not even trying." Lame!!
Brianna was a horrible, horrible friend all around. She acted like Sarah was her personal assistant, not her best friend. Yeah, I get that they've shared some good times. But telling your friend she "might get a freshman guy"to go out with her because she's not hot and no other guy would notice her- That's so uncool. Her parental situation was awful. I felt for her there and I didn't want her to lose Sarah's friendship, because clearly she really needed somebody to love her. But she went about it in the worst way possible.
Sarah was sweet and supportive and was really torn up about the whole situation. I didn't really see what she saw in Ryan, but hey. That wasn't really the point. He was nice enough, and I liked their conversations, but his weak personality didn't appeal to me at all.
My biggest beef was the rambly writing. In some places it worked, but there were a lot of spots where some clear and concise writing could have really improved it. I understand that it was an emotion-based book, but does the entire thing have to read like a run-on sentence?
I didn't not like it. But it doesn't compare to other books I've given four stars to, so I'm giving it-
3 1/2 stars out of 5.
Reviewed for http://literatisliterarylibrary.blogs...
May 19, 2014
I liked him first, but it doesn't matter. I still like him. That doesn't matter either. Or at least, it's not supposed to.
What to say about The Unwritten Rule? It's a story both sour and sweet. About weighing the options and consequences when there shouldn't be an option. Because the thing is, you do not like your best friend's boyfriend. You don't have a thing for him. You don't look at him and wish he'd been with you instead. That's just the way it is, isn't it? It's in this position our MC Sarah finds herself. Her long-time crush Ryan is together with her best friend Brianna. For the time – almost eight weeks - Brianna and Ryan have been dating, Sarah's been keeping her feelings to herself. But when hints starts to fly that Ryan might feel something for her too, what can she do: betray her best friend or stay loyal?
While the story is good, there's little to it. Sarah's character is easy to sympathize with in her inner struggles when it comes to her feelings for Ryan and Brianna. However, her thoughts are repetitive throughout the entire novel, which became boring to follow after getting about 60% through. It's should I do this or that, and then the same arguments for and against. All the while she's spending time with Brianna and Ryan, getting to know the ups and downs in their relationship which makes her feelings even harder to ignore. Then we have Brianna's struggles with her divorced parents who's letting their anger out on her. With the short length of this one, there's little space to give the characters any bigger depth, and they remain a bit stereotypical. I would've loved for this novel to be longer to give every character more time to develop, and some bigger subplots to give the reader a break from Sarah's inner monologues on her situation.
Over all, it's a decent story many people will enjoy. Perhaps my enjoyment of this was dulled by how short it was, and the lack of greater character development. I did like both Sarah and Ryan though, but at the same time I also thought each of these three had their worse moment when they should just get over themselves. But on the whole, not a bad story, just not quite enough to make me fully like it.
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December 6, 2010
Reading Perfect You is sad, reading this book is sadder. I lost count on how many times my tears shed, it was really a sad read.
I understand the feeling of being in one's shadow, but at least I didn't always get reminded of that. Brianna is a b****, and I don't get why Sarah would tolerate her, yes I pitied her because her parents treated her as a 'thing', shoving her aside and not loving her, but she is doing exactly what her parents are doing to her by doing it to Sarah, only in a more 'discreet' kind of way, and I don't think both of them notices that. One thing I find in common between Perfect You and The Unwritten Rule, both of the books centered around 'sure' friendship which is broken in so many ways, they ended badly, and I don't deny, that is reality. I ache when I read about Brianna trashing Sarah, always pulling her down and concealing her in her shadows, and I ache for how Sarah deals with it all. She is kind, even though she steals her boyfriend.
To Sarah, Brianna is her best friend, the one who knows her all, but to Brianna, Sarah is the best THING that happened to her and she can't let go. She never did understand true love and we couldn't blame her for that, but is there a need to condemn everyone? I cried when I read about Brianna cursing and scolding Sarah like she's a piece of trash, it was a bit dramatic but still reduced me to tears, how Sarah never even tried to defend herself. She is not entirely in the wrong! But she won't even raise her voice! And that frustrates me so.
Sarah thought she is hideous because she wanted her boyfriend, the unwritten rule in a friendship - never want something you shouldn't have, but she is not! She didn't do it to get back at her, she didn't do it as a revenge, she couldn't help it. I wish more would be told about Sarah's and Brianna's friendship, I hope they would reconcile but also both of them would change, have a fresh start. And I am glad Ryan ended up with Sarah, he loves her, they could really talk and not like when he is with Brianna, they kissed more than they talk.
I understand the feeling of being in one's shadow, but at least I didn't always get reminded of that. Brianna is a b****, and I don't get why Sarah would tolerate her, yes I pitied her because her parents treated her as a 'thing', shoving her aside and not loving her, but she is doing exactly what her parents are doing to her by doing it to Sarah, only in a more 'discreet' kind of way, and I don't think both of them notices that. One thing I find in common between Perfect You and The Unwritten Rule, both of the books centered around 'sure' friendship which is broken in so many ways, they ended badly, and I don't deny, that is reality. I ache when I read about Brianna trashing Sarah, always pulling her down and concealing her in her shadows, and I ache for how Sarah deals with it all. She is kind, even though she steals her boyfriend.
To Sarah, Brianna is her best friend, the one who knows her all, but to Brianna, Sarah is the best THING that happened to her and she can't let go. She never did understand true love and we couldn't blame her for that, but is there a need to condemn everyone? I cried when I read about Brianna cursing and scolding Sarah like she's a piece of trash, it was a bit dramatic but still reduced me to tears, how Sarah never even tried to defend herself. She is not entirely in the wrong! But she won't even raise her voice! And that frustrates me so.
Sarah thought she is hideous because she wanted her boyfriend, the unwritten rule in a friendship - never want something you shouldn't have, but she is not! She didn't do it to get back at her, she didn't do it as a revenge, she couldn't help it. I wish more would be told about Sarah's and Brianna's friendship, I hope they would reconcile but also both of them would change, have a fresh start. And I am glad Ryan ended up with Sarah, he loves her, they could really talk and not like when he is with Brianna, they kissed more than they talk.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 28, 2010
It doesn’t matter that Sarah liked Ryan first. It doesn’t matter that she still does, because Ryan is Brianna’s girlfriend and Brianna is Sarah’s best friend. Sarah is not the type of girl to break the unspoken rule of not liking your best friend’s boyfriend. Instead, she pushes her feeling down deep and concentrates on avoiding Ryan and being a supportive friend to Brianna. But Sarah can’t suppress her emotions forever, especially when she finds herself together with Ryan—alone. What happens between them is all Sarah’s ever dreamed of, but she knows it can’t ever happen again and that Brianna can never find out. That won’t stop Sarah from wanting more, though, and it’s only a matter of time before everything falls apart.
The Unwritten Rule explores the complications of a relationship between the best friend and the boyfriend. I have to admit, I was a little surprised that the circumstances in this novel were so, well, ordinary since Scott usually makes them rather unique. It was a little disappointing since I’ve reader other books on this topic before, and there isn’t really anything in The Unwritten Rule that makes it stand out from that group. Aside from that, I found this novel about equal to Scott’s other teen romance novels. The story as a whole is thoughtful and sweet; it is both romantically satisfying and meaningful, especially in the questions about friendship it raises. Protagonist Sarah is likable and realistic, and readers will sympathize with her. Scott doesn’t fail to deliver an enjoyable read in The Unwritten Rule; I only wish the story had been more original.
Fans of Scott’s teen romances including Bloom, Something, Maybe, and Stealing Heaven will want to check Scott’s latest out, as will those who enjoyed One Lonely Degree by C.K. Kelly Martin.
reposted from http://thebookmuncher.blogspot.com
The Unwritten Rule explores the complications of a relationship between the best friend and the boyfriend. I have to admit, I was a little surprised that the circumstances in this novel were so, well, ordinary since Scott usually makes them rather unique. It was a little disappointing since I’ve reader other books on this topic before, and there isn’t really anything in The Unwritten Rule that makes it stand out from that group. Aside from that, I found this novel about equal to Scott’s other teen romance novels. The story as a whole is thoughtful and sweet; it is both romantically satisfying and meaningful, especially in the questions about friendship it raises. Protagonist Sarah is likable and realistic, and readers will sympathize with her. Scott doesn’t fail to deliver an enjoyable read in The Unwritten Rule; I only wish the story had been more original.
Fans of Scott’s teen romances including Bloom, Something, Maybe, and Stealing Heaven will want to check Scott’s latest out, as will those who enjoyed One Lonely Degree by C.K. Kelly Martin.
reposted from http://thebookmuncher.blogspot.com
July 9, 2011
I like The Unwritten Rule.
*****
I liked how the story started out, but halfway through I was getting riled up over Sarah and her constant inner turmoil. It has a good premise, considering the cliche of the plot, but the abrupt ending irked the little patience left in me.
Sarah and Ryan had a (kind of) history. And i really liked this part because it goes to show that Sarah didn’t just like Ryan on-the-spot, when he started going out with Brianna. It further validates Sarah’s feelings as something built on easy conversations, silent touches, and delicate friendship. Ryan is adorable, what with the tension with Sarah while being with Brianna. I wished he had the guts enough to break it off with Brianna earlier when he felt his strong feelings with Sarah. Still, Ryan is a very, very sought-after-worthy guy. Brianna is a best-friend-cum-mean-girl and that makes her dangerous. If it weren’t for Sarah’s mom pointing that out indirectly, I wouldn’t have noticed. But yes, she’s toxic in a subtle kind of way.
Those heart-thumping scenes with Ryan and Sarah are memorable and suspenseful. If it wasn’t for these moments, I would’ve slammed this book outright. Not because the rush it give, but for the conflict it gave to both Ryan and Sarah. Ooh, it is wrong, you bet they know it, but (just like Sarah said) STILL, I WANT.
To date, this by far has the most sucky ending i’ve read in a contemporary setting. I was just left hanging… without tying up all loose ends. Ugh.
*****
I know who I want to be with, and it isn’t her.
I liked how the story started out, but halfway through I was getting riled up over Sarah and her constant inner turmoil. It has a good premise, considering the cliche of the plot, but the abrupt ending irked the little patience left in me.
Sarah and Ryan had a (kind of) history. And i really liked this part because it goes to show that Sarah didn’t just like Ryan on-the-spot, when he started going out with Brianna. It further validates Sarah’s feelings as something built on easy conversations, silent touches, and delicate friendship. Ryan is adorable, what with the tension with Sarah while being with Brianna. I wished he had the guts enough to break it off with Brianna earlier when he felt his strong feelings with Sarah. Still, Ryan is a very, very sought-after-worthy guy. Brianna is a best-friend-cum-mean-girl and that makes her dangerous. If it weren’t for Sarah’s mom pointing that out indirectly, I wouldn’t have noticed. But yes, she’s toxic in a subtle kind of way.
Those heart-thumping scenes with Ryan and Sarah are memorable and suspenseful. If it wasn’t for these moments, I would’ve slammed this book outright. Not because the rush it give, but for the conflict it gave to both Ryan and Sarah. Ooh, it is wrong, you bet they know it, but (just like Sarah said) STILL, I WANT.
To date, this by far has the most sucky ending i’ve read in a contemporary setting. I was just left hanging… without tying up all loose ends. Ugh.
February 4, 2013
I really am disappointed. When I read "The Unwritten Rule," I feel like I'm watching "Something Borrowed" all over again. Still it has one humongous difference in it; that's fun. There is no fun in this book at all ... as boring as hell.
The story is like something I don't expect at all. I think I it must be fresh and fun; however, it doesn't. FYI, I really dig this type of story but not in this book. "The Unwritten Rule" is focused on love triangle between Ryan, Sarah and Brianna and in my opinion; the story isn't worth it to read.
The characters are worst. First, Sarah she is a girl who lives in her best friend's shadow on her own free will. That's pathetic. Brianna is such a selfish girl who wants to control everything (if I were Sarah, I wouldn't be friend with her). Most of all, I hate this frenermy. Ryan, well, I don't know what to talk about him. In my mind, he's not a guy who I want to live my life in his hand and I think that speaks for it.
So, one little star for "The Unwritten Rule." And if you about to start reading this book, you'd consider much harder before you decide to pick it up.
The story is like something I don't expect at all. I think I it must be fresh and fun; however, it doesn't. FYI, I really dig this type of story but not in this book. "The Unwritten Rule" is focused on love triangle between Ryan, Sarah and Brianna and in my opinion; the story isn't worth it to read.
The characters are worst. First, Sarah she is a girl who lives in her best friend's shadow on her own free will. That's pathetic. Brianna is such a selfish girl who wants to control everything (if I were Sarah, I wouldn't be friend with her). Most of all, I hate this frenermy. Ryan, well, I don't know what to talk about him. In my mind, he's not a guy who I want to live my life in his hand and I think that speaks for it.
So, one little star for "The Unwritten Rule." And if you about to start reading this book, you'd consider much harder before you decide to pick it up.
March 27, 2010
Sarah has been best friends with Brianna since they met in kindergarten and Brianna saved Sarah from the clutches of a five-year-old Mean Girl. Ever since, Sarah has been Brianna's sidekick. But there's one thing Sarah's never told Brianna - how she feels about Brianna's boyfriend Ryan. Sarah has liked Ryan since the eighth grade, but now Ryan and Brianna are together and Sarah knows that she can never tell Brianna her true feelings. Except that... Ryan and Sarah kissed. And now Sarah's falling harder than ever. There's an unwritten rule: you don't fall for your best friend's boyfriend. And Sarah's broken it.
Elizabeth Scott does it again - a dreamy romance and complex characters. I especially liked her portrayal of Brianna - she's not all good and she's not all bad. I can totally buy Sarah's conflict. Hand this one to teens who like chick lit with some substance.
Full review on my blog: http://abbylibrarian.blogspot.com/201...
Elizabeth Scott does it again - a dreamy romance and complex characters. I especially liked her portrayal of Brianna - she's not all good and she's not all bad. I can totally buy Sarah's conflict. Hand this one to teens who like chick lit with some substance.
Full review on my blog: http://abbylibrarian.blogspot.com/201...
May 1, 2010
So, as usual, I loved this book. I'll probably do a blog review of it soon. Seriously, how can one woman (Elizabeth Scott) write so many amazing books back to back to back???
I loved the voice here. Sarah was so real, and Ryan, the boy in the middle of this awkward friendship love triangle, is so desireable that you totally understand where Sarah is coming from. All the character felt real and I loved every word of this book - even when it wasn't happy.
I think I can safely say I will love everything Elizabeth Scott writes. Truefax.
I loved the voice here. Sarah was so real, and Ryan, the boy in the middle of this awkward friendship love triangle, is so desireable that you totally understand where Sarah is coming from. All the character felt real and I loved every word of this book - even when it wasn't happy.
I think I can safely say I will love everything Elizabeth Scott writes. Truefax.
April 18, 2016
A very light and fast read. I think the best word to describe this book is "cute". I was very excited to know what would happen. How Sara and Ryan will be a couple and I wanted Sara so bad to smack Brianna in the face in sometimes and I wanted Ryan to be much harder on Brianna. However, I felt bad for Brianna life and I wanted to know more about her life and I wanted to see a progression in her family life or at least show some respect and guilt for Sarah.
At the end, I liked this book.
At the end, I liked this book.
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