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It Starts with a Touch #1
The Rules of Engagement
For Better, For Worse, For Ever?
The first look, the first touch, the first kiss… Is there anything better than the beginning of a new relationship? Not for Caitlyn March—self-confessed relationship junkie. Now she's sworn off "forever" for good. Three broken engagements make it clear that she—and her fickle heart—are not to be trusted….
Enter Dax Bainbridge—the most deliciously handsome man she has ever met! He's a man with enough oomph to make her forget her vows to steer clear of romance, but luckily his rules of engagement are simple. There's no ring on offer—all he's interested in is one unbelievably hot fling.…
The first look, the first touch, the first kiss… Is there anything better than the beginning of a new relationship? Not for Caitlyn March—self-confessed relationship junkie. Now she's sworn off "forever" for good. Three broken engagements make it clear that she—and her fickle heart—are not to be trusted….
Enter Dax Bainbridge—the most deliciously handsome man she has ever met! He's a man with enough oomph to make her forget her vows to steer clear of romance, but luckily his rules of engagement are simple. There's no ring on offer—all he's interested in is one unbelievably hot fling.…
192 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
9 people are currently reading
81 people want to read
About the author
Ally Blake
352 books224 followersAustralian romance author Ally Blake loves reading and strong coffee, porch swings and dappled sunshine, sparkly notebooks and soft, dark pencils.
She also adores writing love stories. Having sold over four million copies of her Harlequin Mills and Boon novels worldwide, she is living her dream.
Alongside one husband, three gloriously rambunctious kids, and too many animal companions to count, Ally lives and writes in the leafy western suburbs of Brisbane.
Find out more about Ally’s books at www.allyblake.com.
She also adores writing love stories. Having sold over four million copies of her Harlequin Mills and Boon novels worldwide, she is living her dream.
Alongside one husband, three gloriously rambunctious kids, and too many animal companions to count, Ally lives and writes in the leafy western suburbs of Brisbane.
Find out more about Ally’s books at www.allyblake.com.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
February 5, 2013
★★★★☆ I liked the H/h, especially that heroine was in the auto industry. Kind of a take on the Runaway Bride, but just a hint. Loved their first meeting...and their second. Interesting HP that is certainly in touch with today's mores and behavior. The whole "trying to be casual" in a relationship worked for me, when other authors can't pull this off. I almost gave this five stars; however, I'll definitely be on the look-out for more by this author.
December 1, 2012
Caitlyn: "Believe me, I'm not hearing wedding bells this time."
Franny: "But have you heard bedsprings creaking?"
From this joke at the bottom of the first page I knew I was reading the best of Ally Blake. A thoroughly modern heroine, quirky yet pained, a delicious hero, and a HECK of a lot of sizzle.
Caitlyn has left a trail of broken engagements behind her and is looking to change her approach to men: nothing serious, only casual, as she figures out where she goes wrong. Which is just fine with Dax Bainbridge, who is too busy running his family's foundation for anything else. Yet the two find that, despite their best efforts, they share more and more of themselves and find themselves falling in love.
This is a refreshing romance of our time - meeting someone in a bar, tumbling into bed despite not remembering their last name and finding it all too good for one night alone. And damn this book is hot! Not from erotic bed scenes but from their first meeting the chemistry between these characters overlays everything they do and man, there is a whole lot of chemistry going on!
Witty, charming - as one naturally expects from Ms Blake - and un-put-downable, this book is definitely one to warm up a cool night. Recommended to romance readers.
Franny: "But have you heard bedsprings creaking?"
From this joke at the bottom of the first page I knew I was reading the best of Ally Blake. A thoroughly modern heroine, quirky yet pained, a delicious hero, and a HECK of a lot of sizzle.
Caitlyn has left a trail of broken engagements behind her and is looking to change her approach to men: nothing serious, only casual, as she figures out where she goes wrong. Which is just fine with Dax Bainbridge, who is too busy running his family's foundation for anything else. Yet the two find that, despite their best efforts, they share more and more of themselves and find themselves falling in love.
This is a refreshing romance of our time - meeting someone in a bar, tumbling into bed despite not remembering their last name and finding it all too good for one night alone. And damn this book is hot! Not from erotic bed scenes but from their first meeting the chemistry between these characters overlays everything they do and man, there is a whole lot of chemistry going on!
Witty, charming - as one naturally expects from Ms Blake - and un-put-downable, this book is definitely one to warm up a cool night. Recommended to romance readers.
February 26, 2013
3.5 -4
Ally Blake's latest book is a fun light read.
The characters are well developed, the writing is sassy, the banter witty, the attraction is blazing, but the plot is missing something fundamental to be convincing.
H doesn't do commitment. h is a relationship junkie who has been engaged 3 times. Now all she is looking for is just casual. So when H wants to marry her all she feels is panic. And when H knows that she has been engaged 3 times he feels angry and kicks her out of his life. I cant find the logic behind their behavior. Overall an enjoyable read.
Ally Blake's latest book is a fun light read.
The characters are well developed, the writing is sassy, the banter witty, the attraction is blazing, but the plot is missing something fundamental to be convincing.
H doesn't do commitment. h is a relationship junkie who has been engaged 3 times. Now all she is looking for is just casual. So when H wants to marry her all she feels is panic. And when H knows that she has been engaged 3 times he feels angry and kicks her out of his life. I cant find the logic behind their behavior. Overall an enjoyable read.
October 3, 2012
Another signature sparkly, sassy category romance from Ally Blake.
Loved the interaction between Dax and Caitlyn.
The type of book to curl up with at the end of a long day...guaranteed to put a smile on your face.
Thoroughly enjoyed.
Loved the interaction between Dax and Caitlyn.
The type of book to curl up with at the end of a long day...guaranteed to put a smile on your face.
Thoroughly enjoyed.
December 1, 2012
This was truly a delightful, sweet and touching read with a really yummy hero. Highly recommended for a light, fun read that is truly romantic.
November 28, 2012
Reviewed at HarlequinJunkie.com
I REALLY enjoyed this story; it was full of wit, humor, sass and sizzling chemistry.
Caitlyn and Dax literally bump into each other one night at a club and the chemistry between the two is instantaneous.
Our girl Caitlyn has quite the ring collection; she is coming off yet another broken engagement of which now there are three. Caitlyn decides what she needs is an emotional Catharsis, some fun and frivolity as opposed to the whole love, emotion, feelings song and dance – In other “Sorbet sex” and Dax is the answer to her prayers, Dax, oh boy Dark, intense delicious Dax!
Caitlyn has made some mistakes in the past mistaking caring and affection for Love, she is afraid to make the same mistake with Dax, she knows that he is different from any other guy she has dated and is afraid to put her vulnerabilities to test where is he is concerned, so keeping it casual between them is clearly the way to go.
Neither of Caitlyn nor Dax are looking for love or commitment, but what starts out as a one night stand turns into casual dating which blossoms into a full-fledged love affair before the two even realize it…. But how will Dax react when he finds out Caitlyn has been engaged before…
I’ve been waiting the release of this book, It’s been a while almost 18 months since Ally’s last Presents release, yes I’m counting ;) and this book reminded me why I enjoy Ally’s books so much and why she is on my must read Harlequin author list.
With witty narrative and snappy dialogues and emotive love scenes The Rules of Engagement is definitely a page turner…one I would definitely recommend.
My FAV Quote and total awwwwww moment
I REALLY enjoyed this story; it was full of wit, humor, sass and sizzling chemistry.
Caitlyn and Dax literally bump into each other one night at a club and the chemistry between the two is instantaneous.
Our girl Caitlyn has quite the ring collection; she is coming off yet another broken engagement of which now there are three. Caitlyn decides what she needs is an emotional Catharsis, some fun and frivolity as opposed to the whole love, emotion, feelings song and dance – In other “Sorbet sex” and Dax is the answer to her prayers, Dax, oh boy Dark, intense delicious Dax!
‘You are a stronger woman than I,’ Franny said
witha sigh.
‘I wouldn’t have the hide to call sleeping with
that gelato sex—’‘Sorbet.’
‘Right. But sorbet’s so cold, and he’s just so
big and yummy and intense.
I’d call it...flambé sex!’
Caitlyn has made some mistakes in the past mistaking caring and affection for Love, she is afraid to make the same mistake with Dax, she knows that he is different from any other guy she has dated and is afraid to put her vulnerabilities to test where is he is concerned, so keeping it casual between them is clearly the way to go.
Neither of Caitlyn nor Dax are looking for love or commitment, but what starts out as a one night stand turns into casual dating which blossoms into a full-fledged love affair before the two even realize it…. But how will Dax react when he finds out Caitlyn has been engaged before…
I’ve been waiting the release of this book, It’s been a while almost 18 months since Ally’s last Presents release, yes I’m counting ;) and this book reminded me why I enjoy Ally’s books so much and why she is on my must read Harlequin author list.
With witty narrative and snappy dialogues and emotive love scenes The Rules of Engagement is definitely a page turner…one I would definitely recommend.
My FAV Quote and total awwwwww moment
"I have to see you every day. To
talk to you whenever I need to. To touch you
whenever I want to. To kiss you every chance
I get. To make love to you as many times a day
as humanly possible. To hold you every night
for the rest of my life. And I’m willing to do
whatever it takes to make that happen. Marry you,
not marry you. Give you a ring, give you an island.
Adopt a rescue llama, adopt Franny.
Whatever it takes.’
December 3, 2012
I was bored out of my mind reading this book. Seriously, bored out of my gourd.
The conflict, such as it is, features a commitment-phobe heroine who, after three broken engagements, decides to have "just a fling." She meets the hero, fling commences. Basically the book is all about them having "just a fling" until FINALLY in the last 30-odd pages or so he learns about her three failed engagements, which apparently upset him for reasons that I failed to grasp.
I was SO bored! Nothing happens in this book. NOTHING! No angst, no drama, no reason for me to care enough to keep flipping the pages. But for some reason, I did. I kept hoping some conflict would show up at some point, and it just never does.
The conflict, such as it is, features a commitment-phobe heroine who, after three broken engagements, decides to have "just a fling." She meets the hero, fling commences. Basically the book is all about them having "just a fling" until FINALLY in the last 30-odd pages or so he learns about her three failed engagements, which apparently upset him for reasons that I failed to grasp.
I was SO bored! Nothing happens in this book. NOTHING! No angst, no drama, no reason for me to care enough to keep flipping the pages. But for some reason, I did. I kept hoping some conflict would show up at some point, and it just never does.
April 20, 2020
Novel harlequin pertama yang aku baca. Pertama lht ini di list buku murah gudang gramedia. Takut nyesel utk beli, lht di gramedia digital, dan ada. Baca sinopsis, menarik, tema yang aku suka. Sampai pertengahan buku oke, emang fokus ke perjalanan cinta tokoh utama. Unsur pekerjaan, masa lalu, keluarga hanya dijelaskan seperlunya saja.
Bagi yang butuh cerita cinta yang manis tapi gak terlalu cheesy, gak suka penjelasan dan narasi yang panjang ini adalah pilihan cerita yang bagus. Karna biasanya kalau romance aku kurang suka yang terjemahan, indonesia is better.
Bagi yang butuh cerita cinta yang manis tapi gak terlalu cheesy, gak suka penjelasan dan narasi yang panjang ini adalah pilihan cerita yang bagus. Karna biasanya kalau romance aku kurang suka yang terjemahan, indonesia is better.
August 11, 2018
Despite the fact that the hero is a billionaire and the heroine has a glamor job, this is very much a straightforward contemporary with well-done witty banter and a realistically commitment-phobic heroine.
July 11, 2019
Kenapa ya di puncak menuju resolusi itu yang diomongkan bohong semua, nggak konsisten dengan penjelasan dan keterangan di halaman-halaman sebelumnya. Apa semua HQ begini dan aku baru menyadarinya?
Tapi buku ini cukup enak dinikmati. Lega karena aku ternyta masih bisa mengonsumsi harlequin wkwkwk
Tapi buku ini cukup enak dinikmati. Lega karena aku ternyta masih bisa mengonsumsi harlequin wkwkwk
August 24, 2019
DNF on p55 due to boredom.
February 25, 2017
I got this book from a blind book date. I was expecting this to be very visual, given its genre, but it wasn't. The romance and sex are there; it's not as detailed as the ones I've read before. I like this simple story that way. It focused on the emotional aspect more than the physical aspect of the relationship.
July 23, 2014
I gave the book three stars because it was sexy in the right places and contained a lot of humour, which I enjoy almost as much as hot sex.
I gave it three stars in spite of the fact that there was little/no conflict. The only conflict was when Dax discovers that Caitlyn had three broken engagements. It was here that I pulled a face. Why was he so upset about this? When, exactly, did he plan to start discussing formally bringing their relationship to the next (exclusive) level and be more serious about it??? When he finally makes his long term intention known - Caitlyn tells him about her track record. So what? She was under no obligation to tell him, so it was not "being dishonest by omission" or whatever. This part of the whole story was just plain stupid and made Dax look like a Dick.
Other than that - for some escapism with good doses of humour thrown in - it was a good book.
I gave it three stars in spite of the fact that there was little/no conflict. The only conflict was when Dax discovers that Caitlyn had three broken engagements. It was here that I pulled a face. Why was he so upset about this? When, exactly, did he plan to start discussing formally bringing their relationship to the next (exclusive) level and be more serious about it??? When he finally makes his long term intention known - Caitlyn tells him about her track record. So what? She was under no obligation to tell him, so it was not "being dishonest by omission" or whatever. This part of the whole story was just plain stupid and made Dax look like a Dick.
Other than that - for some escapism with good doses of humour thrown in - it was a good book.
January 20, 2013
3.5 stars -- Oh man this story had me so torn. On the one hand, I LOVED Dax and Kaitlin....their dialogue and banter seriously cracked me up. Together they were just so fabulous. So what's the other hand? I just couldn't get behind the way they got together and their issues in this book...I'm not sure why, it just didn't get my empathy vibes working. Something about the execution just didn't jibe for me....I wish I could explain it. So I guess I shall remain torn...ah well.
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December 27, 2014Miniseries: It Starts with a Touch…
Category: Classic Romance
Category: Classic Romance
Read
December 27, 2014Miniseries: It Starts with a Touch…
Category: Classic Romance
Category: Classic Romance
April 18, 2013
Totally garbage.. 188 page of boredom.. A waste of paper and ink..
September 10, 2013
I would definitely read this author again and this was a well-told story, it just wasn't my particular cup of tea at this point in time.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews