Broken Rules

by Olivia Jake

As the song goes, there are lots of pretty, pretty boys in Los Angeles. And at 37, entertainment photographer Alex Marché has shot most of them. She’s dealt with divas and dicks, but no matter the attitude, she still makes everyone look amazing, though she knows better than most just how ugly the beautiful people can really be. So when it comes to celebrities, Alex has one rule: never date an actor. Ever. Especially not a 29-year old former model, and Hollywood’s new It Guy, Marco Flores.

But after their first shoot together, Marco personally requests Alex for his next one, taking them to his home on the Galapagos Islands. Now, saying no to this charming Adonis becomes virtually impossible the more he convinces her both in words and deeds that he’s not like other actors. Still, as their relationship grows, so too do the challenges that are unique to dating an actor, reminding Alex that some rules aren’t meant to be broken.

Genres: Romance

254 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 16, 2013

About the author

Having worked in the entertainment industry for almost the last 20 years, I’ve met my fair share of characters. Some genuinely lovely people, some, shall we say, less than lovely. But mostly, I’ve met a lot of exceptionally strong women. Professionals with impressive careers in a very demanding field. Over the years, I’ve had the honor to get to know many of them. Over these same years, I’ve also become a romance junkie, turning to books for an escape from the stresses of daily life. And the more I read, the more I wondered where were the women like the ones I knew? Strong, successful women in their 30s and 40s who are in complete control in the boardroom but would happily give it up in the bedroom. Now, my escape happens not just in reading romances, but writing my own too.

I am a native Angeleno and animal lover, especially pit bulls. Some women fall for men like their fathers, I fell for one like my dogs: smart, strong, loyal, protective and unconditionally loving.

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book so much that I read it in one seating. Also really enjoyed the writing style of Olivia Jake. Very surprised that there aren't that many reviews for this yet. Also, there is NO cliffhanger and the female lead is 39 years old... How refreshing is that. Cliffhangers and 20 year olds acting and having the wisdom of a 40 year old is getting stale!!Sorry... may have to switch genres soon.

[Karla Cabcam · Rating 1 out of 5]

Me aburrió muchísimo.
El comportamiento de Alex me pareció un tanto ridículo, tomando en cuanta la madurez que ella decía tener.
Marco no tiene nada de especial. Es muy insípido a mi parecer.
No sé de donde saque fuerzas para terminarlo.

[Stella]

Finally a book with characters over the age of 20!!! YYEESS..more please!!

[Lynetta · Rating 3 out of 5]

It has been said that the wall constructed to protect not only keep others out but locks us in as well. In Broken Rules, Alexandra (Alex), a 37 year old entertainment photographer, has constructed an invisible wall around her heart. The wall is to protect against heartbreak and disappointment. Alex lives by by the self imposed rule: never date actors. She believes actors act out their emotions rather than feel them. They get what they want then move on- been there, done that, never again. After several years of avoiding relationship drama , Alex , questions her own rules of engagement and finds that her self imposed wall of protection like her self imposed rules of engagement has failed to keep her heart safe from the likes of Marco Flores, 29 year old actor. Broken Rules is one of several books written by Olivia Jake that has professional women as heroines. These women are more comfortable in their careers than in relationships. Their pets are their family. They are used to being in control, making decisions and "calling the shots" only to surprise themselves in how and where they willingly give up this control. After reading the books, In the Moment and Moments Lost and Found, I was drawn to the situations and characters presented by Ms. Jake. Since Alex was introduced in "Moments" as Sam's friend, I added Broken Rules to my collection. Though I enjoyed reading Alex and Marco's story it did not have the originality of Sam and Laurent's story in the aforementioned books. In the order I read them, Broken Rules read more like a copy cat book hence the three star rating.

[Laqua · Rating 1 out of 5]

Empezaba bien: chico menor, mujer mayor; chico hermoso, mujer quiere mantenerse profesional.
En algún momento, todo comienza a irse barranca abajo. Y el final es... ni fú ni fá. Nada.
Me dio la sensación de que la autora quería probar varias cosas juntas: la historia de amor mujer mayor-hombre menor, una historia de viajes (las Galápagos), BDSM, drama, triángulo amoroso... y del rejunte no quedó nada muy claro. Alex pierde los papeles y el rumbo: parece una colegiala de 15 años en vez de la "mujer madura". Marco, no sabemos nada más que se ve hermoso. Deja varios hilos colgando con Jesús. Es más, creo que en algún momento de la narración se olvidó de para qué introdujo al personaje para empezar (Lo del tatuaje, por ejemplo. ¿Y después? ¿Qué onda?) En particular, las escenas BDSM me parecieron muy artificiales y nada interesantes en la historia.
En fin, perdí tiempo de mi vida con esta novela.

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

good read. ive read four books by this author and three have been 4* worthy. this is one. first off, no cliffhanger. she can continue the series but you get a hea and that in and of itself makes the book worth reading. second, there was predictability and unpredictability. the unpredictability was good unpredictability. third, this book had maturity in the leading lady that i have not seen much in other books i’ve read. the fact that she is older probably helps. good book. i really enjoyed it.

[Leena · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

Was an amazing book till the epilogue. Marco was just great. I don't think there are many men who would still remain in a relationship after what Alex did. Felt like Alex got her HEA but Marco made all the sacrifices.

Little skeptical about reading another Olivia Jake book - all books feel as only the female characters get their HEA & the alpha males just give in. However liked reading about women over 35,

[CharmaineW · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the last 2 Olivia Jake books and loved this one as well. I could feel how good looking Marco is which is a sign of a good writer :-)
It was nice to see two over twenty something to read about. only one question. . would have liked to see if he got his wish in the future of a baby but other than that a very good read .x

[Esther · Rating 3 out of 5]

Me pareció un tanto fantasioso, Marco es perfecto en todo!!!! Creo que no existe un hombre como el, y Alex es una mujer tan complicada y acomplejada, creo que ella es un personaje que no quiere ser feliz
Me costo leer este libro, pero al final creo que lo inico que vale la pena de esto es Marco