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The Rules for Disappearing #2
The Rules for Breaking
Anna Boyd almost lost her life to get what she wanted most in the world: freedom.
But just when it seems that her family has finally escaped Witness Protection, the illusion that Anna could resume a normal life comes crashing down.
The deadly man Anna knows as Thomas is still on the loose, and now he's using her as a pawn in a dangerous game with the drug cartel determined to silence her forever. When Thomas and a mysterious masked man capture not only Anna but also her fragile younger sister and her boyfriend, Anna decides it's time to break all the rules-even if it means teaming up with the lesser of two evils.
Anna will do whatever it takes to protect the people she loves and win her life back once and for all. But her true enemies are hidden in plain sight. Before long, Anna will learn that putting her trust in anyone may be the last mistake she ever makes.
But just when it seems that her family has finally escaped Witness Protection, the illusion that Anna could resume a normal life comes crashing down.
The deadly man Anna knows as Thomas is still on the loose, and now he's using her as a pawn in a dangerous game with the drug cartel determined to silence her forever. When Thomas and a mysterious masked man capture not only Anna but also her fragile younger sister and her boyfriend, Anna decides it's time to break all the rules-even if it means teaming up with the lesser of two evils.
Anna will do whatever it takes to protect the people she loves and win her life back once and for all. But her true enemies are hidden in plain sight. Before long, Anna will learn that putting her trust in anyone may be the last mistake she ever makes.
320 pages, ebook
First published May 20, 2014
423 people are currently reading
4651 people want to read
About the author
Ashley Elston
8 books7,169 followersAshley Elston worked for many years as a wedding photographer before turning her hand to writing. She lives in Louisiana with her husband and three sons. Elston has written six young adult novels. FIRST LIE WINS, her adult debut, was a number one New York Times bestseller and was selected as a Reese’s Book Club pick.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 245 reviews
May 19, 2014
To see my full review:
http://wp.me/p1jhaj-4dk
Somehow I keep missing the fact that the books I'm picking up are indeed sequels and not the first in a series. Luckily, like Elston's novel, I didn't need to read the first novel in order to understand the second from the get go. While I do wish I'd read the first, mainly because Elston does such a great job writing this intense heart-pounding story, you don't need to (though I eventually will because this one was so awesome).
Elston introduces readers to her characters and paints the entire background for readers without even letting on that she's doing it. I actually read 25% of the novel before I began to wonder if maybe it was a sequel, and that right there is a testament to Elston's sheer writing capabilities.
When Anna, Ethan, and Teensy are abducted by Thomas, a trained assassin that's been on their tale for far too long, the plot thickens immensely, and it isn't obvious who should be trusted. While a serious jerk, Thomas has qualities that make Anna question whether or not he really intends to harm them, and I have to admit, I was on his side for a while, too. Someone is not telling the truth, though, and it could be any number of people, from Thomas, to Tyler, to any of the FBI agents... someone is not to be trusted, and Elston takes readers on a ride while it all comes to a head.
I really enjoyed the characterization, and while I certainly didn't agree with half the decisions Anna makes in the novel, I have to admit that I probably would have been in the same boat had it been me. I found that all the characters reacted in a real way throughout the novel, and that really made it even more scary. Imagine being kidnapped and knowing you were most likely going to die. Yikes. I highly recommend this one to any and all YA readers out there looking for a heart-pounding adventure.
http://wp.me/p1jhaj-4dk
Somehow I keep missing the fact that the books I'm picking up are indeed sequels and not the first in a series. Luckily, like Elston's novel, I didn't need to read the first novel in order to understand the second from the get go. While I do wish I'd read the first, mainly because Elston does such a great job writing this intense heart-pounding story, you don't need to (though I eventually will because this one was so awesome).
Elston introduces readers to her characters and paints the entire background for readers without even letting on that she's doing it. I actually read 25% of the novel before I began to wonder if maybe it was a sequel, and that right there is a testament to Elston's sheer writing capabilities.
When Anna, Ethan, and Teensy are abducted by Thomas, a trained assassin that's been on their tale for far too long, the plot thickens immensely, and it isn't obvious who should be trusted. While a serious jerk, Thomas has qualities that make Anna question whether or not he really intends to harm them, and I have to admit, I was on his side for a while, too. Someone is not telling the truth, though, and it could be any number of people, from Thomas, to Tyler, to any of the FBI agents... someone is not to be trusted, and Elston takes readers on a ride while it all comes to a head.
I really enjoyed the characterization, and while I certainly didn't agree with half the decisions Anna makes in the novel, I have to admit that I probably would have been in the same boat had it been me. I found that all the characters reacted in a real way throughout the novel, and that really made it even more scary. Imagine being kidnapped and knowing you were most likely going to die. Yikes. I highly recommend this one to any and all YA readers out there looking for a heart-pounding adventure.
June 20, 2014
So I didn't know THE RULES FOR BREAKING was a sequel until after I read it, but that explains so much. I didn't feel lost reading the book, because things were explained, but I felt like it opened in an odd place. After all, that action Anna describes would be a great book in itself! Turns out it was.
I was sucked into Anna's story instantly. She's been in the Witness Protection Program since seeing her crush and his father murdered. The assassin left her alive because she knew where some information was. She's trying to build a normal life with her boyfriend Ethan, but recently Thomas - the assassin - made contact with her again. Soon enough, she, Ethan, and her little sister Teeny have been kidnapped.
Anna felt very realistic to me. She sometimes makes uninformed or shortsighted decisions, but her motivations are clear. (They're mostly to keep herself, her boyfriend, and her little sister alive.) Her relationship with her traumatized sister was sweet, despite the circumstances. Her relationship with Ethan was a bit close to too perfect, although his possessive streak helped temper it. The villains were quite chilling, particularly the one who fancied himself friendly. (I don't want to give too much away!)
THE RULES FOR BREAKING is a story with multiple twists and turns. It seems fairly predictable at first, but then things start turning inside out. I guessed a few of the twists, but not all. It's not deep, but it is fun. Anna's growth throughout the novel was well done, and her strong personality helped ground the book during the more ludicrous twists. I definitely want to pick up the first book to see what I missed!
I was sucked into Anna's story instantly. She's been in the Witness Protection Program since seeing her crush and his father murdered. The assassin left her alive because she knew where some information was. She's trying to build a normal life with her boyfriend Ethan, but recently Thomas - the assassin - made contact with her again. Soon enough, she, Ethan, and her little sister Teeny have been kidnapped.
Anna felt very realistic to me. She sometimes makes uninformed or shortsighted decisions, but her motivations are clear. (They're mostly to keep herself, her boyfriend, and her little sister alive.) Her relationship with her traumatized sister was sweet, despite the circumstances. Her relationship with Ethan was a bit close to too perfect, although his possessive streak helped temper it. The villains were quite chilling, particularly the one who fancied himself friendly. (I don't want to give too much away!)
THE RULES FOR BREAKING is a story with multiple twists and turns. It seems fairly predictable at first, but then things start turning inside out. I guessed a few of the twists, but not all. It's not deep, but it is fun. Anna's growth throughout the novel was well done, and her strong personality helped ground the book during the more ludicrous twists. I definitely want to pick up the first book to see what I missed!
March 28, 2015
3-3.5 stars
An ARC of this book was won in a giveaway hosted by Jen @ Jenuine Cupcakes. That did not influence this review in any way. Thank you, Jen!
From almost the very first page of The Rules for Breaking, the adrenaline, the fear, and the paranoia kick in, and the stakes for Anna and Ethan are higher than ever. Thomas, someone Anna believed was an agent and a person she could trust, is actually an assassin contracted by drug cartels who want Anna dead. Even though he had a chance to kill her at the end of The Rules for Disappearing, he lets her live and return to normal life. That is, until she finds her stolen journal and a mysterious note signed “T” at a party. Unfortunately for Anna, she becomes a crucial piece in Thomas’ deadly plot, and Ethan and her sister Teeny are dragged into the mess as well.
There are two things I really liked about this book. The first is the suspense. Every time I thought I had things figured out, or I could put certain characters in their places, Elston would surprise me with another twist. There were an unexpected amount of turns I didn’t see coming. Like Anna, I never knew who to trust or what to believe, and that made for some delicious tension. Whereas the first book focuses more on Anna’s memory and the secrets she has suppressed, The Rules for Breaking is much less of an internal struggle and more heavy on the action. The thrills, especially in the second half, kept me on the edge of my seat.
The other aspect I really enjoyed is – surprise, surprise – the romance. It always feel like a victory whenever a series (whether it’s a duology, a trilogy, or longer) remains love triangle free. Ethan and Anna are building on the connection they established in the first book, and while there are some struggles between them, I’m glad the major drama was contained within the plot as opposed to their relationship. They have enough to worry about without getting into arguments and distancing themselves from each other. Besides, Ethan couldn’t be a more supportive boyfriend. He is with Anna every step of the way, being her pillar of strength when necessary and always ready to protect her. I should mention that he has this country twang thing going on, which is all kinds of adorable, and he’s a very… tactile guy. There’s just the right amount of swoons between Anna and Ethan in this book.
Anna herself is an easy character to like. Although she’s not a personal favorite, her dedication to her family, Ethan, and her friends is really admirable; she will do whatever it takes to keep them safe, even if that means putting herself in the line of fire. My biggest complaint is that, though the pacing is nearly perfect with never a dull moment or a dry spell, the writing itself isn't truly engrossing. Sometimes Anna's narration felt on the young side and even choppy.
Overall, The Rules for Disappearing is a fast-paced, enjoyable series that will keep you guessing at every turn. The second installment kicks things up a notch, in both action and swoons. Mystery/thriller isn’t a genre I read a lot from, but I hope to do so more in the future. I’d love it if Ashley Elston continues to give us more of the same.
This review can also be found at Love at First Page.
An ARC of this book was won in a giveaway hosted by Jen @ Jenuine Cupcakes. That did not influence this review in any way. Thank you, Jen!
From almost the very first page of The Rules for Breaking, the adrenaline, the fear, and the paranoia kick in, and the stakes for Anna and Ethan are higher than ever. Thomas, someone Anna believed was an agent and a person she could trust, is actually an assassin contracted by drug cartels who want Anna dead. Even though he had a chance to kill her at the end of The Rules for Disappearing, he lets her live and return to normal life. That is, until she finds her stolen journal and a mysterious note signed “T” at a party. Unfortunately for Anna, she becomes a crucial piece in Thomas’ deadly plot, and Ethan and her sister Teeny are dragged into the mess as well.
There are two things I really liked about this book. The first is the suspense. Every time I thought I had things figured out, or I could put certain characters in their places, Elston would surprise me with another twist. There were an unexpected amount of turns I didn’t see coming. Like Anna, I never knew who to trust or what to believe, and that made for some delicious tension. Whereas the first book focuses more on Anna’s memory and the secrets she has suppressed, The Rules for Breaking is much less of an internal struggle and more heavy on the action. The thrills, especially in the second half, kept me on the edge of my seat.
The other aspect I really enjoyed is – surprise, surprise – the romance. It always feel like a victory whenever a series (whether it’s a duology, a trilogy, or longer) remains love triangle free. Ethan and Anna are building on the connection they established in the first book, and while there are some struggles between them, I’m glad the major drama was contained within the plot as opposed to their relationship. They have enough to worry about without getting into arguments and distancing themselves from each other. Besides, Ethan couldn’t be a more supportive boyfriend. He is with Anna every step of the way, being her pillar of strength when necessary and always ready to protect her. I should mention that he has this country twang thing going on, which is all kinds of adorable, and he’s a very… tactile guy. There’s just the right amount of swoons between Anna and Ethan in this book.
Anna herself is an easy character to like. Although she’s not a personal favorite, her dedication to her family, Ethan, and her friends is really admirable; she will do whatever it takes to keep them safe, even if that means putting herself in the line of fire. My biggest complaint is that, though the pacing is nearly perfect with never a dull moment or a dry spell, the writing itself isn't truly engrossing. Sometimes Anna's narration felt on the young side and even choppy.
Overall, The Rules for Disappearing is a fast-paced, enjoyable series that will keep you guessing at every turn. The second installment kicks things up a notch, in both action and swoons. Mystery/thriller isn’t a genre I read a lot from, but I hope to do so more in the future. I’d love it if Ashley Elston continues to give us more of the same.
This review can also be found at Love at First Page.
January 31, 2016
First of all, I have to say that this was one of my most anticipated titles in 2014 and I’m so lucky to have gotten my hands on a copy. I grabbed The Rules for Disappearing last year on a whim, not realizing that I was going to absolutely love it … and I did. I was so pleasantly surprised by how much. The plot is completely original, there aren’t many (if any at all) stories that have to do with teens and Witness Protection and the characters are just wonderfully layered and complicated.
All that said, I had very high expectations for The Rules For Breaking.
And this book met every single one.
This book picks up shortly after the end of book 1 – Anna is no longer in Witness Protection and she’s trying to make her life as normal as possible. Her mom is in rehab now, and her family is on it’s way back to some form of ordinary. But suddenly everything crashes around her. The return of her journal seeming to be the trigger, but where did it come from and how did it get in her possession?
Suddenly, her and Ethan’s families are in danger and Anna doesn’t know what to do. Thinking isolation is the key, the two families head off to some private land and that’s where the real action begins.
The game Anna has to play has become even more dangerous than it was before and now she has Ethan and her younger sister to worry about as well. Elston does an amazing job of building the suspense in this final book… like Anna, I never knew who she could trust and at times when I thought I had everything figured out, something would twist and turn and everything would change.
And once again, the characters are wonderfully done. We know quite a bit about Anna from our previous books, but we get to know her even better. Her tenacity, her determination, and her love of her family and friends is apparent throughout and it makes her one of my favorite characters. Then there’s Ethan. Just as wonderful as he was in book 1, he’s there for Anna throughout and determined to get them out of the mess they are in.
But then there is Thomas… or the man we know as Thomas. He’s wonderfully evil with no conscience at all for the life he lives … which I suppose makes his job and life easier. I never was sure about him and where he actually stood, especially with the way book 1 ends, but you definitely find out his story and motivations in this book.
I can’t tell you much more about the story without ruining some of the suspense, so I’m going to leave you here and tell you that this is a must read.
Elston delivers a book filled with action and suspense, characters you will adore, a wonderfully paced story and even a few swoons along the way. If you haven’t started this series, definitely consider picking it up soon. You’ll see why I’ve placed this among my favorites!
I’ll definitely be looking forward to more from Elston in the future.
Thank you to Disney Hyperion for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest thoughts!
All that said, I had very high expectations for The Rules For Breaking.
And this book met every single one.
This book picks up shortly after the end of book 1 – Anna is no longer in Witness Protection and she’s trying to make her life as normal as possible. Her mom is in rehab now, and her family is on it’s way back to some form of ordinary. But suddenly everything crashes around her. The return of her journal seeming to be the trigger, but where did it come from and how did it get in her possession?
Suddenly, her and Ethan’s families are in danger and Anna doesn’t know what to do. Thinking isolation is the key, the two families head off to some private land and that’s where the real action begins.
The game Anna has to play has become even more dangerous than it was before and now she has Ethan and her younger sister to worry about as well. Elston does an amazing job of building the suspense in this final book… like Anna, I never knew who she could trust and at times when I thought I had everything figured out, something would twist and turn and everything would change.
And once again, the characters are wonderfully done. We know quite a bit about Anna from our previous books, but we get to know her even better. Her tenacity, her determination, and her love of her family and friends is apparent throughout and it makes her one of my favorite characters. Then there’s Ethan. Just as wonderful as he was in book 1, he’s there for Anna throughout and determined to get them out of the mess they are in.
But then there is Thomas… or the man we know as Thomas. He’s wonderfully evil with no conscience at all for the life he lives … which I suppose makes his job and life easier. I never was sure about him and where he actually stood, especially with the way book 1 ends, but you definitely find out his story and motivations in this book.
I can’t tell you much more about the story without ruining some of the suspense, so I’m going to leave you here and tell you that this is a must read.
Elston delivers a book filled with action and suspense, characters you will adore, a wonderfully paced story and even a few swoons along the way. If you haven’t started this series, definitely consider picking it up soon. You’ll see why I’ve placed this among my favorites!
I’ll definitely be looking forward to more from Elston in the future.
Thank you to Disney Hyperion for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest thoughts!
March 20, 2017
This and other reviews can be found on The Psychotic Nerd
MY THOUGHTS
I enjoyed reading The Rules for Disappearing! Though, I was surprised that there was a sequel and wasn't quite sure where it was going, this book really surprised me!
Anna and her family are now free from the Witness Protection Program, but Thomas was still out there. After a series of events that cause the agents to suspect that he knows how to get to the family and that the family's lives are at risk, they, along with Ethan's family, move to an island temporarily. It's all in vain, as Anna, Teeny, and Ethan all get kidnapped and Anna has to figure out how to escape as well as save her family.
If I thought The Rules for Disappearing was fast-paced, wow, this book exceeded that! All of the events in my little (sucky) synopsis happen at the very beginning of the book! So much more happens in the book and it's hard not to talk about it but, really, spoilers aren't fun!
This book really felt entirely different than the first book and I oddly liked that. I already mentioned how this book is much more action-packed and fast-paced, but it also had an entirely different feel. In Disappearing, Anna (Meg then) was upset by being in Witness Protection and was getting tired of it. She also was entirely clueless to pretty much everything (i.e. why they were in the program) and she was trying to create a semi-normal life. Not that she wasn't strong in that book, but she became stronger after the events in the last book. The events in this book are so much worse and so much more life threatening, but Anna is able to think things through and find out how to get out of this with her loved ones still alive. She has her breakdowns, but that makes it more realistic.
It seems like I gave this a low rating and that might seem odd because all I've said have been good things, but I did like this book. That's what the rating means. This is a great thriller and I enjoy reading thrillers, but most thrillers are just that. They don't really get me thinking and they don't really blow my mind. *shrugs*
IN CONCLUSION
Overall, I did enjoy reading this book. This is a very thrilling series and this book is even more fast-paced than the last one! This sequel is definitely worth reading!
MY THOUGHTS
I enjoyed reading The Rules for Disappearing! Though, I was surprised that there was a sequel and wasn't quite sure where it was going, this book really surprised me!
Anna and her family are now free from the Witness Protection Program, but Thomas was still out there. After a series of events that cause the agents to suspect that he knows how to get to the family and that the family's lives are at risk, they, along with Ethan's family, move to an island temporarily. It's all in vain, as Anna, Teeny, and Ethan all get kidnapped and Anna has to figure out how to escape as well as save her family.
If I thought The Rules for Disappearing was fast-paced, wow, this book exceeded that! All of the events in my little (sucky) synopsis happen at the very beginning of the book! So much more happens in the book and it's hard not to talk about it but, really, spoilers aren't fun!
This book really felt entirely different than the first book and I oddly liked that. I already mentioned how this book is much more action-packed and fast-paced, but it also had an entirely different feel. In Disappearing, Anna (Meg then) was upset by being in Witness Protection and was getting tired of it. She also was entirely clueless to pretty much everything (i.e. why they were in the program) and she was trying to create a semi-normal life. Not that she wasn't strong in that book, but she became stronger after the events in the last book. The events in this book are so much worse and so much more life threatening, but Anna is able to think things through and find out how to get out of this with her loved ones still alive. She has her breakdowns, but that makes it more realistic.
It seems like I gave this a low rating and that might seem odd because all I've said have been good things, but I did like this book. That's what the rating means. This is a great thriller and I enjoy reading thrillers, but most thrillers are just that. They don't really get me thinking and they don't really blow my mind. *shrugs*
IN CONCLUSION
Overall, I did enjoy reading this book. This is a very thrilling series and this book is even more fast-paced than the last one! This sequel is definitely worth reading!
April 21, 2014
(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to Disney Book Group and Netgalley.)
Anna is now home after her stint in witness protection, but she doesn’t stay out of trouble for long.
Who is after Anna this time? And will her new rules help her or hinder her?
This was an okay story, but I lost interest.
Anna irritated me a bit in this book. It was as if she thought she knew better than everybody else just because she’d been through witness protection and survived, and had basically decided to live her life as anti-witness-protection-like as possible!
The storyline in this bored me a bit. I didn’t really care what happened to Anna, and the fact that she had managed to get herself in trouble again was less than endearing. To be honest I just wanted this to end.
There was a bit of romance, but it just didn’t interest me, and the overall pace of the story didn’t help.
The ending was okay, but the best thing about it was that this book was finally over.
Overall; pretty dull, and Anna was annoying.
4.5 out of 10.
Anna is now home after her stint in witness protection, but she doesn’t stay out of trouble for long.
Who is after Anna this time? And will her new rules help her or hinder her?
This was an okay story, but I lost interest.
Anna irritated me a bit in this book. It was as if she thought she knew better than everybody else just because she’d been through witness protection and survived, and had basically decided to live her life as anti-witness-protection-like as possible!
The storyline in this bored me a bit. I didn’t really care what happened to Anna, and the fact that she had managed to get herself in trouble again was less than endearing. To be honest I just wanted this to end.
There was a bit of romance, but it just didn’t interest me, and the overall pace of the story didn’t help.
The ending was okay, but the best thing about it was that this book was finally over.
Overall; pretty dull, and Anna was annoying.
4.5 out of 10.
January 10, 2025
In a sequel to THE RULES FOR DISAPPEARING, Anna, out of the Witness Protection Program, is back to her real name and appearance, but not out of trouble. Fake agent Thomas kidnaps Anna, her boyfriend Ethan and little sister Teeny. She’s no longer certain whom to trust or mistrust or how to tell the good guys from the bad guys.
I didn’t enjoy THE RULES FOR BREAKING as much as the first in the series, which felt more realistic. I also was uncomfortable with the normalization of teens using guns and teaching each other how to use them.
Ashley Easton’s writing and voice are as engaging as ever. Anna is the perfect mix of badass and appropriately scared to death. More sensible than in the first book, she’s learned from her mistakes keeping adults in the dark. Teeny has toughened up too.
THE RULES FOR BREAKING is a satisfying sequel, even while it stretches the bounds of credulity.
I didn’t enjoy THE RULES FOR BREAKING as much as the first in the series, which felt more realistic. I also was uncomfortable with the normalization of teens using guns and teaching each other how to use them.
Ashley Easton’s writing and voice are as engaging as ever. Anna is the perfect mix of badass and appropriately scared to death. More sensible than in the first book, she’s learned from her mistakes keeping adults in the dark. Teeny has toughened up too.
THE RULES FOR BREAKING is a satisfying sequel, even while it stretches the bounds of credulity.
Want to read
July 8, 2013Excited for a second book; sad that it's so far away.
July 11, 2024
Book 2 ~ The Rules For Disappearing series.
This book picks up where book 1 left off. And while the author does a good job of recapping what happened in the first book, I highly recommend reading it first or you miss a lot.
I really enjoyed both of these books, the characters and all the shenanigans they got up to.
At times I found some of the events in this book a little hard to believe based on the ages of the characters. Either way I still enjoyed it and the books are quick reads.
This book picks up where book 1 left off. And while the author does a good job of recapping what happened in the first book, I highly recommend reading it first or you miss a lot.
I really enjoyed both of these books, the characters and all the shenanigans they got up to.
At times I found some of the events in this book a little hard to believe based on the ages of the characters. Either way I still enjoyed it and the books are quick reads.
October 4, 2014
Why, oh why me didn't I run away from this duo after the Rules For Disappearing?!?
NOTHING IS BELIEVABLE in The Rules For Breaking!
This book asks the reader to throw out any logical thought processes to buy into the story and the characters.
An entire chapter of "oh I don't know... What do you think?" Between Ethan , Anna, two bumfuzzled agents, and a dumbass dad about a meaningless journal. No way on earth any law enforcement officers would even consider the idea of two families running off to a remote hunting lodge with no phone and no cell reception in an SUV full of kids and guns
Even if Anna's dad is such a dumbass tool, my mind can't stretch to Ethan's parents also just willingly, if not eagerly, throwing their son, daughter, and themselves into a dangerous situation.
Ehhh.. Sociopaths are so considerate, right?!? We all know sociopath rouge hit men often coddle & show such sweet concern as their kidnapped hostages have a panic attack. Who knew?!? ... And need to shower and brush their teeth... And get their period. If I'm ever kidnapped, please let it be by these bastards.
In an effort to make Anna seem soooo Nancy Drew , she makes her a freaking idiot. For example, faking a period to get a weapon (a toilet plunger from the shower) is useless nonsense considering she has several potential weapons already in the room with her (a toilet lid, the legs off the card table, etc.) that are all equally as good as a freaking wooden toilet plunger. Oh, and not that Thomas wouldn't notice her exiting the f'ing shower with a toilet plunger ..sigh.
The reveal of the mysterious masked dude with the "familiar voice" actually made me laugh. Although, I was expecting the dead crush dude to suddenly come back to life, this was almost as bad.
The story line continues with more of the same Un-f'ing-believable.
The writing itself was so asinine, alternating between long explain actions to push the story and trite fluff to fill the pages. Grammatical errors were bad... "Tyler stops digging through the papers and looks back at Tyler."
Aside from a little handholding and a few scattered PG13 kisses, there was nada romance.
The climax of the story was like reading a tutorial on paint drying & was as believable as Sponge Bob winning a Pulitzer.
NOTHING IS BELIEVABLE in The Rules For Breaking!
This book asks the reader to throw out any logical thought processes to buy into the story and the characters.
An entire chapter of "oh I don't know... What do you think?" Between Ethan , Anna, two bumfuzzled agents, and a dumbass dad about a meaningless journal. No way on earth any law enforcement officers would even consider the idea of two families running off to a remote hunting lodge with no phone and no cell reception in an SUV full of kids and guns
Even if Anna's dad is such a dumbass tool, my mind can't stretch to Ethan's parents also just willingly, if not eagerly, throwing their son, daughter, and themselves into a dangerous situation.
Ehhh.. Sociopaths are so considerate, right?!? We all know sociopath rouge hit men often coddle & show such sweet concern as their kidnapped hostages have a panic attack. Who knew?!? ... And need to shower and brush their teeth... And get their period. If I'm ever kidnapped, please let it be by these bastards.
In an effort to make Anna seem soooo Nancy Drew , she makes her a freaking idiot. For example, faking a period to get a weapon (a toilet plunger from the shower) is useless nonsense considering she has several potential weapons already in the room with her (a toilet lid, the legs off the card table, etc.) that are all equally as good as a freaking wooden toilet plunger. Oh, and not that Thomas wouldn't notice her exiting the f'ing shower with a toilet plunger ..sigh.
The reveal of the mysterious masked dude with the "familiar voice" actually made me laugh. Although, I was expecting the dead crush dude to suddenly come back to life, this was almost as bad.
The story line continues with more of the same Un-f'ing-believable.
The writing itself was so asinine, alternating between long explain actions to push the story and trite fluff to fill the pages. Grammatical errors were bad... "Tyler stops digging through the papers and looks back at Tyler."
Aside from a little handholding and a few scattered PG13 kisses, there was nada romance.
The climax of the story was like reading a tutorial on paint drying & was as believable as Sponge Bob winning a Pulitzer.
May 14, 2014
Nose Graze — Book reviews & blogging tips
I think it was a mistake to turn this into a series. The Rules for Breaking wasn't terrible, but I don't think it was a necessary book. It just didn't feel as exciting or interesting as The Rules for Disappearing.
I guess the biggest problem was that I got bored. The book was mostly a lot of being held captive, trying to figure out how to escape, running, hiding, being held captive again, etc. I didn't feel a sense of urgency, even though there was a guy trying to kill them, and another one taking them captive. Sometimes it just felt like nothing was happening. Sure, it was a scary situation—being held captive by a killer. But it didn't rile me up at all.
I also got annoyed at Anna and Ethan's relationship. Anna kept hiding things from Ethan for his own good or whatever. Then when Ethan found out, he'd get pissed off, and Anna would promise not to do it again... but then she would. It just felt stupid and petty. I wanted to smack both of them!
There were two twists in the book: one was earlier on and it was unexpected, but didn't affect me at all. I just didn't really care. Then there was a second twist at the end: that one was more interesting! I didn't expect it either, but it definitely got my attention.
Overall, this book wasn't terrible.. I just didn't think it was necessary at all. It could have been made into something really interesting and exciting, but too much time was spent in captivity, plotting to escape, running, hiding, being held captive again, etc. It was just kind of boring. There was nothing there to make me want to keep reading.
I think it was a mistake to turn this into a series. The Rules for Breaking wasn't terrible, but I don't think it was a necessary book. It just didn't feel as exciting or interesting as The Rules for Disappearing.
I guess the biggest problem was that I got bored. The book was mostly a lot of being held captive, trying to figure out how to escape, running, hiding, being held captive again, etc. I didn't feel a sense of urgency, even though there was a guy trying to kill them, and another one taking them captive. Sometimes it just felt like nothing was happening. Sure, it was a scary situation—being held captive by a killer. But it didn't rile me up at all.
I also got annoyed at Anna and Ethan's relationship. Anna kept hiding things from Ethan for his own good or whatever. Then when Ethan found out, he'd get pissed off, and Anna would promise not to do it again... but then she would. It just felt stupid and petty. I wanted to smack both of them!
There were two twists in the book: one was earlier on and it was unexpected, but didn't affect me at all. I just didn't really care. Then there was a second twist at the end: that one was more interesting! I didn't expect it either, but it definitely got my attention.
Overall, this book wasn't terrible.. I just didn't think it was necessary at all. It could have been made into something really interesting and exciting, but too much time was spent in captivity, plotting to escape, running, hiding, being held captive again, etc. It was just kind of boring. There was nothing there to make me want to keep reading.
March 27, 2014
Wow. This book was better than the first one. Lots of twists and turns and all sorts of epic reveals that I didn't see coming.
The action starts pretty much from page one and doesn't stop until the last page. Oh and there are some pretty good swoons. Ethan and Anna are an awesome team and this story was amazing.
I almost wish there would be another in the series.
**Thanks to Disney Hyperion and NetGalley for providing the arc in exchange for an honesty review**
The action starts pretty much from page one and doesn't stop until the last page. Oh and there are some pretty good swoons. Ethan and Anna are an awesome team and this story was amazing.
I almost wish there would be another in the series.
**Thanks to Disney Hyperion and NetGalley for providing the arc in exchange for an honesty review**
March 17, 2016
4.5 stars because it was super fun to read and a total page turner!!
August 3, 2024
I read the Rules for Disappearing and enjoyed it. The family was living under the rules for witness protection and they were falling apart. This is the second book of two in the series.
When the fake agent Thomas breaks into their house in Natchitoches, they have to get involved with the federal agents again. He gave Anna back her journal so no one knows what he might be looking for now. Agent Williams thinks that there has to be a mole in his team who is supplying Thomas with information.
I enjoyed the remote hunting camp that Anna, her Dad and sister Teeny, and Ethan's family went to hide. It was not hunting season so it was empty. Some of the cabins were nicer than their home, and others were simpler. They were deep into the forest with animals all around. There was no cell service or cable TV so they had to live without electronics.
Many times the sequel to a book is not as good as the first one, but this was as good or better. I rate this as 4.5 stars.
When the fake agent Thomas breaks into their house in Natchitoches, they have to get involved with the federal agents again. He gave Anna back her journal so no one knows what he might be looking for now. Agent Williams thinks that there has to be a mole in his team who is supplying Thomas with information.
I enjoyed the remote hunting camp that Anna, her Dad and sister Teeny, and Ethan's family went to hide. It was not hunting season so it was empty. Some of the cabins were nicer than their home, and others were simpler. They were deep into the forest with animals all around. There was no cell service or cable TV so they had to live without electronics.
Many times the sequel to a book is not as good as the first one, but this was as good or better. I rate this as 4.5 stars.
October 19, 2025
Twisty, fast paced conclusion to this duology. The only thing I don’t like about these are that the MC’s voice sounds so much younger than she is supposed to be when listening to the audiobook so it throws me off. 4 stars
July 15, 2017
I enjoyed this series.
October 16, 2023
this book was soooo good i really needed some closure from the first book and this book gave me just that
June 20, 2025
Didn’t like this one as much as the first. Felt kind of thrown together.
December 18, 2020
You ever find yourself saying “okay just one more chapter and I’ll go to sleep.” And then find yourself turning the last page of the book hours later? I couldn’t put this down. So many secrets. And questions. And plot twists. Never met an Ashley Elston book I didn’t love.
September 17, 2017
You can find this review and others on my blog http://www.shades0fpaper.wordpress.com
FINALLY GUYS! It was about damn time, though. I read back this year the first book The Rules for Disappearing and I really enjoyed it so I wanted to pick up the sequel ASAP to see how everything ended. And I have to say I was quite impressed. It surprised me and help me to get out of the HUGE reading slump I was, and it was a nice ending to the duology.
It was a very quick read, just exactly like the first installment was, and the mystery I think it was better than the first one, because I kinda predicted the big revelation whereas in this one there were a few things that I didn’t knew and was pretty surprised about, so extra kudos to that.
The characters were more complex, and you got to know more about their fears and back stories. Even though in TRFD there was some information regarding our main character’s past and family, I feel this one wasn’t as focused on Anna as the other one, despite the whole story being told though her perspective. This one dealt more with the aftermath of those terrible events and what was going to happen with her and her family after that, and though some things were clearly connected, I have to say I did enjoy that drama.
Something that I adored was the sister relationship and all friendships in general. It wasn’t the main focus by any means, but I can’t shup up when I see supportive and loving families who cared and protect each other, and that’s what their relationship was about. The family aspect was a bit left out behind, but the relationship between Anna and her sister was so supportive and loving I couldn’t help but notice. They care about each other so much and that was shown throughout the story when shit went down. And, of course, the friendship was adorable. I can’t talk about it more deeply because I want to keep this review spoiler free but yeah, I really enjoyed that part too!
And now you may wonder: “well, then why didn’t you give it 5 stars?“. Well, let me answer that. Some parts were a bit slow for my liking and a bit unnecesary. I felt like the story was a bit lacking of some action and basically I felt like I was reading the same thing over and over again. Also, there were a few things that were quite tropey and I’ve previously read in other YA novels, and I wasn’t a fan of them.
Overall, I think it was a decent read and I definitely enjoyed it (it wasn’t my favourite, though). The mystery was well portrayed and more complex than in the first book, and the friendship was adorable, but there were some parts and tropes that I didn’t enjoy as much and it sometimes was a bit slow. But I think it was a nice ending to the duology and I’d love to read more by Ashley Elston in the future!
3.5⭐️
RULES FOR DISAPPEARING
Do not go to parties or any other non-school related activity.
NEW RULE BY ANNA BOYD
When you finally get the life you want, enjoy every moment of it, or what’s the point?
FINALLY GUYS! It was about damn time, though. I read back this year the first book The Rules for Disappearing and I really enjoyed it so I wanted to pick up the sequel ASAP to see how everything ended. And I have to say I was quite impressed. It surprised me and help me to get out of the HUGE reading slump I was, and it was a nice ending to the duology.
It was a very quick read, just exactly like the first installment was, and the mystery I think it was better than the first one, because I kinda predicted the big revelation whereas in this one there were a few things that I didn’t knew and was pretty surprised about, so extra kudos to that.
“Be smart. Get him talking. Find a weapon.
I repeat this simple list to myself over and over, hoping it will help me find the strength to handle what’s next.”
The characters were more complex, and you got to know more about their fears and back stories. Even though in TRFD there was some information regarding our main character’s past and family, I feel this one wasn’t as focused on Anna as the other one, despite the whole story being told though her perspective. This one dealt more with the aftermath of those terrible events and what was going to happen with her and her family after that, and though some things were clearly connected, I have to say I did enjoy that drama.
Something that I adored was the sister relationship and all friendships in general. It wasn’t the main focus by any means, but I can’t shup up when I see supportive and loving families who cared and protect each other, and that’s what their relationship was about. The family aspect was a bit left out behind, but the relationship between Anna and her sister was so supportive and loving I couldn’t help but notice. They care about each other so much and that was shown throughout the story when shit went down. And, of course, the friendship was adorable. I can’t talk about it more deeply because I want to keep this review spoiler free but yeah, I really enjoyed that part too!
“I know what you mean. We didn’t meet in the normal way. Hell, nothing we’ve done has been normal. But I’m not going to disappear.”
And now you may wonder: “well, then why didn’t you give it 5 stars?“. Well, let me answer that. Some parts were a bit slow for my liking and a bit unnecesary. I felt like the story was a bit lacking of some action and basically I felt like I was reading the same thing over and over again. Also, there were a few things that were quite tropey and I’ve previously read in other YA novels, and I wasn’t a fan of them.
Overall, I think it was a decent read and I definitely enjoyed it (it wasn’t my favourite, though). The mystery was well portrayed and more complex than in the first book, and the friendship was adorable, but there were some parts and tropes that I didn’t enjoy as much and it sometimes was a bit slow. But I think it was a nice ending to the duology and I’d love to read more by Ashley Elston in the future!
3.5⭐️
June 3, 2014
I want to thank Disney Hyperion for providing me with an early edition of this book to read and give an honest review. Receiving the book for free has in no way altered my opinion or review.
Blurb from Goodreads:
Anna Boyd almost lost her life to get what she wanted most in the world: freedom.
But just when it seems that her family has finally escaped Witness Protection, the illusion that Anna could resume a normal life comes crashing down.
The deadly man Anna knows as Thomas is still on the loose, and now he's using her as a pawn in a dangerous game with the drug cartel determined to silence her forever. When Thomas and a mysterious masked man capture not only Anna but also her fragile younger sister and her boyfriend, Anna decides it's time to break all the rules-even if it means teaming up with the lesser of two evils.
Anna will do whatever it takes to protect the people she loves and win her life back once and for all. But her true enemies are hidden in plain sight. Before long, Anna will learn that putting her trust in anyone may be the last mistake she ever makes.
This book picks up right where the first book left off. So if you have not read the first book, I suggest you stop here as there may be spoilers.
Anna is now out in the open to Ethan. He knows she's been in witness protection but things seem to have settled down. And then boom, things go haywire once again. People are after Anna and she doesn't know why. I'll be honest and say Anna just irritated me for the entire book. I don't feel she had any significant growth. She was fairly selfish for most of the book. Plus, I just found her ability to avoid the bad guys too easy for a teen. She was just so self serving and seemed as if she thought she knew better than anyone else during the book.
Ethan was fairly tolerant of Anna. And I have to say that I really never found him swoon worthy at all. As a matter of fact, I really can't picture him in my mind. There's nothing that stands out about him. Nothing that makes me think he's something totally special that Anna should be fighting for. And it doesn't make sense to me why he loves Anna so much since she treats him like he has no idea what's going on.
We meet some new characters in this book. And we see that characters we thought we could trust betrayed others. I can't say that I was surprised by who it was.
As with the first book, the pacing with this book was slow. I didn't feel like I was being pulled along at all. I had no trouble putting it down when need be. There was some suspense at times. And that helped me get through it but for the most part it was rather predictable. I really didn't feel the sense of urgency that I know the author wanted to show.
As for the writing, there's lots of telling but hardly any showing. I couldn't picture things in my mind, not even the French Quarter of New Orleans, which should have been easy to describe (and since I've been there I should have easily been able to see it in my mind).
Overall I really just didn't care what happened to the characters in this book. I felt it was unnecessary to have it, to be honest. Like it was tacked on to try and get more out of the first book (to make it a series but it really didn't need to be one). There wasn't much that kept me wanting to read.
Blurb from Goodreads:
Anna Boyd almost lost her life to get what she wanted most in the world: freedom.
But just when it seems that her family has finally escaped Witness Protection, the illusion that Anna could resume a normal life comes crashing down.
The deadly man Anna knows as Thomas is still on the loose, and now he's using her as a pawn in a dangerous game with the drug cartel determined to silence her forever. When Thomas and a mysterious masked man capture not only Anna but also her fragile younger sister and her boyfriend, Anna decides it's time to break all the rules-even if it means teaming up with the lesser of two evils.
Anna will do whatever it takes to protect the people she loves and win her life back once and for all. But her true enemies are hidden in plain sight. Before long, Anna will learn that putting her trust in anyone may be the last mistake she ever makes.
This book picks up right where the first book left off. So if you have not read the first book, I suggest you stop here as there may be spoilers.
Anna is now out in the open to Ethan. He knows she's been in witness protection but things seem to have settled down. And then boom, things go haywire once again. People are after Anna and she doesn't know why. I'll be honest and say Anna just irritated me for the entire book. I don't feel she had any significant growth. She was fairly selfish for most of the book. Plus, I just found her ability to avoid the bad guys too easy for a teen. She was just so self serving and seemed as if she thought she knew better than anyone else during the book.
Ethan was fairly tolerant of Anna. And I have to say that I really never found him swoon worthy at all. As a matter of fact, I really can't picture him in my mind. There's nothing that stands out about him. Nothing that makes me think he's something totally special that Anna should be fighting for. And it doesn't make sense to me why he loves Anna so much since she treats him like he has no idea what's going on.
We meet some new characters in this book. And we see that characters we thought we could trust betrayed others. I can't say that I was surprised by who it was.
As with the first book, the pacing with this book was slow. I didn't feel like I was being pulled along at all. I had no trouble putting it down when need be. There was some suspense at times. And that helped me get through it but for the most part it was rather predictable. I really didn't feel the sense of urgency that I know the author wanted to show.
As for the writing, there's lots of telling but hardly any showing. I couldn't picture things in my mind, not even the French Quarter of New Orleans, which should have been easy to describe (and since I've been there I should have easily been able to see it in my mind).
Overall I really just didn't care what happened to the characters in this book. I felt it was unnecessary to have it, to be honest. Like it was tacked on to try and get more out of the first book (to make it a series but it really didn't need to be one). There wasn't much that kept me wanting to read.
May 20, 2022
Amazing book. I didn't see the ending coming at all. So many plot twists, I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. Love the continues suspense. SO hard to put down
May 26, 2014
Ahhh, that's it?! This book totally made me smile. And I'll always love Ethan Landry. <3
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This review (and others) can be seen in all its proper formatting glory on my blog Beauty and the Bookshelf.
3.5 Stars!
I was a big fan of Ashley Elston's debut novel and the predecessor to The Rules for Breaking, The Rules for Disappearing. And since I read that book, oh, a year or so ago, I was extremely eager to learn more about and read its sequel. So when I got an ARC of the book late last fall, I decided to ring in the New Year with it (and write my review several months later). But what did I think of this highly anticipated sequel? WELL...
To be quite honest, I'm slightly disappointed with this one. Now, I DID like it. But not as much as The Rules for Disappearing, and it just wasn't everything I thought it would be. I was hoping for something darker, and kind of like a romantic thriller or something? That could've been a possibility, but Anna's little sister was kidnapped with her and Ethan, too. Also, there was too much unrealisticness. Books can totally be unrealistic. BUT, that unrealisticness has to be realistic, if that makes any sense. And sometimes Anna's voice/internal dialogue bugged me a wee bit, but I think that's it.
All that said, The Rules for Breaking was NOT a bad book. I just had a few issues with it. (And I've seen other people love this, so yay!) While there are some horrors going on--come on, these kids got kidnapped--this book was still pretty fun. Minus a few minor issues, Anna is a totally likeable MC. And like the first book, this one has fun headers from Anna, too. Anna has a lot happening here: she's finally settled down somewhere, the threat seems to be over, her family is doing much better, and she has a GREAT boyfriend. But of course, threats arise when Thomas (aka the bad guy) is back, and her finally-good life is turned upside down once again. Fortunately, she has Ethan Landry there by her side the entire way, so she is in GOOD HANDS. Because, you know, Ethan is the best, and I absolutely adore him.
I know this review is short--at least for me--but I don't know what else to say and I don't want to spoil it. But know that this book pretty much has it all: romance, humor, snarkiness, some darkness, swooning, blood, and maybe even murder. And despite all my issues with The Rules for Breaking, I am most definitely still a fan of Ashley Elston and her books (which I want more of, by the way!). In the meantime, please let there be another Rules book, because I love these characters and their stories!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author in exchange for an honest review, and that in no way sways my opinion of the book.
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This review (and others) can be seen in all its proper formatting glory on my blog Beauty and the Bookshelf.
3.5 Stars!
I was a big fan of Ashley Elston's debut novel and the predecessor to The Rules for Breaking, The Rules for Disappearing. And since I read that book, oh, a year or so ago, I was extremely eager to learn more about and read its sequel. So when I got an ARC of the book late last fall, I decided to ring in the New Year with it (and write my review several months later). But what did I think of this highly anticipated sequel? WELL...
To be quite honest, I'm slightly disappointed with this one. Now, I DID like it. But not as much as The Rules for Disappearing, and it just wasn't everything I thought it would be. I was hoping for something darker, and kind of like a romantic thriller or something? That could've been a possibility, but Anna's little sister was kidnapped with her and Ethan, too. Also, there was too much unrealisticness. Books can totally be unrealistic. BUT, that unrealisticness has to be realistic, if that makes any sense. And sometimes Anna's voice/internal dialogue bugged me a wee bit, but I think that's it.
All that said, The Rules for Breaking was NOT a bad book. I just had a few issues with it. (And I've seen other people love this, so yay!) While there are some horrors going on--come on, these kids got kidnapped--this book was still pretty fun. Minus a few minor issues, Anna is a totally likeable MC. And like the first book, this one has fun headers from Anna, too. Anna has a lot happening here: she's finally settled down somewhere, the threat seems to be over, her family is doing much better, and she has a GREAT boyfriend. But of course, threats arise when Thomas (aka the bad guy) is back, and her finally-good life is turned upside down once again. Fortunately, she has Ethan Landry there by her side the entire way, so she is in GOOD HANDS. Because, you know, Ethan is the best, and I absolutely adore him.
I know this review is short--at least for me--but I don't know what else to say and I don't want to spoil it. But know that this book pretty much has it all: romance, humor, snarkiness, some darkness, swooning, blood, and maybe even murder. And despite all my issues with The Rules for Breaking, I am most definitely still a fan of Ashley Elston and her books (which I want more of, by the way!). In the meantime, please let there be another Rules book, because I love these characters and their stories!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author in exchange for an honest review, and that in no way sways my opinion of the book.
October 29, 2015
The Rules for Breaking, is a book by Ashley Elton that puts a modern twist on the classic plot structure of a romance. By incorporating elements of surprise the book was thriller and love story. In this book Anna and her boyfriend Ethan, are being chased by heads of a drug cartel that wants both of them dead. The trials and tribulation that Ethan and Anna share emulate Romeo and Juliet’s forbidden love. Similar to Shakespeare’s play Ethan and Anna refuse to leave each other’s side despite the risks that they face. Throughout the book they say that the only reason they continue to fight so hard to stay alive is their love, just like Juliet agreeing to marry Paris in order to be with Romeo. While the book many stereotypical aspects of a forbidden love combining it with a thriller kept it interesting.
This book was inspiring, and enjoyable to read because of the strong female lead, Anna. The authors tone was compassionate and hopeful throughout the book; I attribute this to the strong bond that Ethan and Anna have. It was uncommon for them to lose hope and the tone was almost never sorrowful. Anna makes many mistakes while being chased but everyone with her remains supportive. I think it would be a great read for all teens because of the combination of a thriller and love story. It only took me two days to finish the book because I was always waiting for another part in the plan to unfold. I also enjoyed how the characters were dynamic; for example, Anna is an independent teenage girl with a lot of fight in her. Similarly, Ethan is strong and extremely protective. I finished the book feeling triumphant along with Anna and Ethan because all of the ups and downs throughout the book and their continuous fight to stay alive.
This book was inspiring, and enjoyable to read because of the strong female lead, Anna. The authors tone was compassionate and hopeful throughout the book; I attribute this to the strong bond that Ethan and Anna have. It was uncommon for them to lose hope and the tone was almost never sorrowful. Anna makes many mistakes while being chased but everyone with her remains supportive. I think it would be a great read for all teens because of the combination of a thriller and love story. It only took me two days to finish the book because I was always waiting for another part in the plan to unfold. I also enjoyed how the characters were dynamic; for example, Anna is an independent teenage girl with a lot of fight in her. Similarly, Ethan is strong and extremely protective. I finished the book feeling triumphant along with Anna and Ethan because all of the ups and downs throughout the book and their continuous fight to stay alive.
June 30, 2016
Ever heard lightning?
That's the sound my heart breaking after finishing this book.
From happiness.....Mostly.
This was one of the best realistic books I have ever read.
When I started the first book, I was like, "I don't really want to read it.... it's going to be sappy romantic....
I was very surprised! Action, adventure... and yes.... love.
Then came the second book. At the end of the last book, I loved it, buuuuutttttt....... they (you know who I'm talking about) were too perfect. He was understanding, they loved each other, he would do anything for her little sister too.... etc..... you know, all the perfect boyfriend stuff. But it was.... slightly unrealistic, or maybe it was realistic, but it would not last.
In the second book, they were different, and I liked it. It was more realistic now, and I actually felt like this could happen.
Also, let us say thanks that this is on of the only books where the girl doesn't fall for the psycho.
I mean seriously, mysterious is okay, but you can't redeem yourself for some things.... but thats an issue for another day.
This is my long winded way of saying..... If there was any part of my heart left from reading it would have been torn out.
Darn you pages with words!
That's the sound my heart breaking after finishing this book.
From happiness.....Mostly.
This was one of the best realistic books I have ever read.
When I started the first book, I was like, "I don't really want to read it.... it's going to be sappy romantic....
I was very surprised! Action, adventure... and yes.... love.
Then came the second book. At the end of the last book, I loved it, buuuuutttttt....... they (you know who I'm talking about) were too perfect. He was understanding, they loved each other, he would do anything for her little sister too.... etc..... you know, all the perfect boyfriend stuff. But it was.... slightly unrealistic, or maybe it was realistic, but it would not last.
In the second book, they were different, and I liked it. It was more realistic now, and I actually felt like this could happen.
Also, let us say thanks that this is on of the only books where the girl doesn't fall for the psycho.
I mean seriously, mysterious is okay, but you can't redeem yourself for some things.... but thats an issue for another day.
This is my long winded way of saying..... If there was any part of my heart left from reading it would have been torn out.
Darn you pages with words!
March 27, 2015
I loved this! This book picks up right after The Rules for Breaking and the action starts immediately. This was a fast paced intense read.
I love the portrayal of Anna, she is a normal girl who has been thrown into these crazy circumstances. She behaves like a normal girl would; she freaks out and breaks down, she's bratty at times and makes some bad choices because she just wants this all to end but through it all Anna is brave, strong and so unselfish. She has been traumatized by all of the things that she has see. Don't get me wrong I love reading about kick ass girls but it's nice to read about a girl who doesn't know what she is doing when facing down assaisins.
I love Anna and Ethan together and I was not disappointed. I only hope that Ashley Elston decides to continue the series.
I love the portrayal of Anna, she is a normal girl who has been thrown into these crazy circumstances. She behaves like a normal girl would; she freaks out and breaks down, she's bratty at times and makes some bad choices because she just wants this all to end but through it all Anna is brave, strong and so unselfish. She has been traumatized by all of the things that she has see. Don't get me wrong I love reading about kick ass girls but it's nice to read about a girl who doesn't know what she is doing when facing down assaisins.
I love Anna and Ethan together and I was not disappointed. I only hope that Ashley Elston decides to continue the series.
Read
May 23, 2014DNF at 30%. I just... can't. I wanted to like this book SO badly. Actually, last year when the first book came out I was really excited for it but never got around to reading it. FBI!!!! I looooove FBI stories! But the first book fell SO flat. The writing was really simple, the story was a bit choppy, and the characters were all so one-dimensional. I HATED their stupid nicknames and they just made everything seem even more juvenile than it should have been. The romance did NOTHING for me, and I totally saw the "twist" from the very beginning. I was hoping this book would be better, but it's just more of the same. And I ROLLED MY EYES at the head agent calling the mole 'Agent X'. srsly? Fucking srsly? I give up. Sorry.
July 29, 2022
Most books, you read book 1, you like it, you read book 2 and it’s not as good. But for this book, that was different. It was just as good as book 1.
Anna knows that people want her dead. Just not that they are as close as they seem. Anna has been in Witness Protection for what seems to be her whole life even though it’s only been a year or two. Anna knows that one of her “agents” wants her dead, Thomas. When Thomas and another masked figure capture Anna, her younger sister, and her best friend, Anna knows it’s time to stand up for herself. If it means teaming up with evil to do what’s right, so be it. Her enemies are hidden in plain sight. She’s being chased down all over Louisiana. Can Anna trust anyone? Will Anna and her family get out of this alive?
Anna knows that people want her dead. Just not that they are as close as they seem. Anna has been in Witness Protection for what seems to be her whole life even though it’s only been a year or two. Anna knows that one of her “agents” wants her dead, Thomas. When Thomas and another masked figure capture Anna, her younger sister, and her best friend, Anna knows it’s time to stand up for herself. If it means teaming up with evil to do what’s right, so be it. Her enemies are hidden in plain sight. She’s being chased down all over Louisiana. Can Anna trust anyone? Will Anna and her family get out of this alive?
August 15, 2014
Always stay one step ahead
NEW RULE BY ANNA BOYD:
Sometimes it's all you can do to stop yourself from falling behind.
wow, what an adventure. this story is fast paced and crazy with plot twists and hidden information. It's crazy what they go through and what they survive. It's gut wrenching and sad but also happy and hopeful.
I loved it!!
February 23, 2016
I felt like a large part of this book was basically filler and then the end happened really fast. I did enjoy seeing more of Anna and Ethan (and Teeny) and I mostly liked how things got resolved. There were a couple things that seemed a little open-ended enough for another book, but as far as I can tell this is the last book in the series.
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