What do you think?
Rate this book
Ground Rules
I was his secret. But he was mine, too.
With my senior year in the rearview, I didn’t think I would ever come face to face with the boy who fueled my rebellious streak like no other, but now we’re both attending the same college, and I refuse to let him ruin my plans. I was forced to leave Wellington Prep with my heart in jagged pieces, and Cole may have taken the blame, but we both knew it wasn’t his fault. There was someone else at play, and I knew they were still in the game. I’m here to take him down, and I won’t let Cole Johnson get in my way from getting the redemption that I deserve, even if I crave his touch above all else.
Ground Rules is a short, sexy, (and suspenseful) standalone novella that takes place at a fictional college. Please take note that this novella is intended for MATURE (18+) readers and reader discretion is advised.
With my senior year in the rearview, I didn’t think I would ever come face to face with the boy who fueled my rebellious streak like no other, but now we’re both attending the same college, and I refuse to let him ruin my plans. I was forced to leave Wellington Prep with my heart in jagged pieces, and Cole may have taken the blame, but we both knew it wasn’t his fault. There was someone else at play, and I knew they were still in the game. I’m here to take him down, and I won’t let Cole Johnson get in my way from getting the redemption that I deserve, even if I crave his touch above all else.
Ground Rules is a short, sexy, (and suspenseful) standalone novella that takes place at a fictional college. Please take note that this novella is intended for MATURE (18+) readers and reader discretion is advised.
116 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 16, 2024
41 people are currently reading
465 people want to read
About the author
S.J. Sylvis
30 books2,716 followersS.J. Sylvis is an Amazon top 50 and USA Today bestselling author who is best known for her angsty new adult romances and romantic comedies. She currently resides in North Carolina with her husband, two small kiddos, and dog. She is obsessed with coffee, becomes easily attached to fictional characters, and spends most of her evenings buried in a book.
For upcoming info on new releases, join her Facebook reading group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/21537...
Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorsjsyl...
Follow her on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sjsylvisbooks
Subscribe to her newsletter:
https://bit.ly/SJSylvis-NL
For upcoming info on new releases, join her Facebook reading group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/21537...
Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorsjsyl...
Follow her on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sjsylvisbooks
Subscribe to her newsletter:
https://bit.ly/SJSylvis-NL
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
March 4, 2022
Ahhh, this novella is EVERYTHING! It’s a perfect spin-off for my most favorite ENGLISH PREP series and guys, you’re in for a treat, y’all. Who knows a secondary character like Cole, the reformed bad boy, can be such a huge sweetheart (& cinnamon roll) through and through? Besides, I absolutely appreciate the main storyline of Mazey and Cole’s romance. Trigger warnings are needed for sure but I think you’ll love this book as much as the trilogy itself. All in all, this novella is a real cherry-on-top for this amazing series! HIGHLY, HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!
February 17, 2024
3.5
this novella was so so cute! i wanted to know a bit more about cole after english prep and i'm glad he got a little something. cole and mazey deserve the world and i'm so happy they found each other again. i jumped when i saw the chrishayley crumbs we need more content about my little english prep family!!!!
this novella was so so cute! i wanted to know a bit more about cole after english prep and i'm glad he got a little something. cole and mazey deserve the world and i'm so happy they found each other again. i jumped when i saw the chrishayley crumbs we need more content about my little english prep family!!!!
January 23, 2024
Mazy + Cole
-rich boy x poor girl
-hidden relationship
-second chance
this was a great fast & fun read & yet we still got plenty of their backstory to understand their feelings jumping so fast! i really enjoyed it!
-rich boy x poor girl
-hidden relationship
-second chance
this was a great fast & fun read & yet we still got plenty of their backstory to understand their feelings jumping so fast! i really enjoyed it!
March 3, 2022
This was a great novella. I wanted Coles story from the time he was introduced in the English Prep Series. Honestly, this could have been a full length book & I would have loved it.
Cole was seen as the villain before & we got his perspective & learned a little more about his background. I enjoyed his story & honestly felt sorry for him. He was blamed for something he didn’t do & just from this novella, you could tell he truly loved Maze.
Maze was a survivor. I was glad she went back & she was going to expose Ryan.
I did not expect the twist at the end.
The only thing I wish was different was the truth about that night. I would have liked to hear more details (not the assault part), leading up to the assault & who was all involved.
All in all I liked this Novella & it was nice to read.
Cole was seen as the villain before & we got his perspective & learned a little more about his background. I enjoyed his story & honestly felt sorry for him. He was blamed for something he didn’t do & just from this novella, you could tell he truly loved Maze.
Maze was a survivor. I was glad she went back & she was going to expose Ryan.
I did not expect the twist at the end.
The only thing I wish was different was the truth about that night. I would have liked to hear more details (not the assault part), leading up to the assault & who was all involved.
All in all I liked this Novella & it was nice to read.
July 21, 2025
What a ride
There is nothing worse than being SA'd after being dr*gged. To have your ability to consent removed, not remembering it all or not at all is traumatic. No one has the right to do this to another. This is how the story starts.
Two years later, with enough investigation, discovering the culprit, hunting him down, and trying to catch him in the act, is hard. Especially when the boy you crushed on, who was torn out of your life over the incident, catches you trying to catch the true villain.
That's where Maze and Cole find themselves. She's on the hunt and he's wanting to help, despite wanting to lay out the jerk. Unbeknownst to them, the jerk figures it out and goes after them.
Catching the pair unaware, he captures Cole and lures Mazey to their location so he can kill them both.
There is nothing worse than being SA'd after being dr*gged. To have your ability to consent removed, not remembering it all or not at all is traumatic. No one has the right to do this to another. This is how the story starts.
Two years later, with enough investigation, discovering the culprit, hunting him down, and trying to catch him in the act, is hard. Especially when the boy you crushed on, who was torn out of your life over the incident, catches you trying to catch the true villain.
That's where Maze and Cole find themselves. She's on the hunt and he's wanting to help, despite wanting to lay out the jerk. Unbeknownst to them, the jerk figures it out and goes after them.
Catching the pair unaware, he captures Cole and lures Mazey to their location so he can kill them both.
March 20, 2022
What a great novella! I love a good comeback story and Cole definitely redeemed himself in this book! SK takes us on a rollercoaster in just 16 quick chapters! She lets us get to know more about Cole and his life before and after the incident with Mazey. This story gives me all the feels because it follows this couple through such a difficult time in both their lives. It shows how they both feel so strongly for one another and that no matter the circumstances, true love can bring you through to the other side! And I love how SJ gives Mazey the opportunity to grow and stand up for herself despite her past!
And of course I loved the small connection/mention of Hayley and Christian from All the Little Lies!
And of course I loved the small connection/mention of Hayley and Christian from All the Little Lies!
March 8, 2022
“I don’t even deserve to fucking touch you, and yet, I can’t push you away.”
“Then don’t.”
Insert panting face!
5 bad boy fueled stars for Ground Rules. Nothing makes me swoon more than the bad boy getting to tell his side of the story. Ground rules was quick, and filled with angsty chemistry from the very start. What is better than solid redemption for our guy?
Per usual, Sammi starts the book with mystery and intrigue. While it was a quick read, I was still itching for the answer to Cole’s question. There was no room for fluff, the scenes were pure angst and spice. You won’t regret picking up this book, and you won’t put it down till it’s done. 5 spicy stars for ground rules!
“Then don’t.”
Insert panting face!
5 bad boy fueled stars for Ground Rules. Nothing makes me swoon more than the bad boy getting to tell his side of the story. Ground rules was quick, and filled with angsty chemistry from the very start. What is better than solid redemption for our guy?
Per usual, Sammi starts the book with mystery and intrigue. While it was a quick read, I was still itching for the answer to Cole’s question. There was no room for fluff, the scenes were pure angst and spice. You won’t regret picking up this book, and you won’t put it down till it’s done. 5 spicy stars for ground rules!
January 23, 2024
This quick and dark novella was the perfect snippet of a dark college romance. I really enjoyed this story and immediately wished there was more. More of this world, more of this couple, and more of the college campus life. S.J. Sylvis does college romance so well-and doesn’t make you feel like a creep for reading it when you’re no longer of that age.
If the conversation of sexual assault is not for you, I’d recamend you steer clear.
Ground Rules largely revolves around a character being SA’d and solving the mystery of who and how two years later. I thought the topic was handled really well and authentic to the character.
If the conversation of sexual assault is not for you, I’d recamend you steer clear.
Ground Rules largely revolves around a character being SA’d and solving the mystery of who and how two years later. I thought the topic was handled really well and authentic to the character.
September 21, 2025
Honestamente esperaba más... esperaba que la autora decidiera hacer una serie con los personajes de Wellington prep y les hubiera dado la historia que merecían.
en cambio nos dio una historia corta de un personaje que realmente me intrigaba y quería saber más de él. pintaba qué era bastante oscura su personalidad y al final no fue nada.
la historia tampoco ayudó mucho que digamos porque todo pasó super rápido. lamentablemente quedé decepcionada, una pena la verdad tenía todo el potencial de ser una gran lectura si tan solo hubiera sido una novela completa.
en cambio nos dio una historia corta de un personaje que realmente me intrigaba y quería saber más de él. pintaba qué era bastante oscura su personalidad y al final no fue nada.
la historia tampoco ayudó mucho que digamos porque todo pasó super rápido. lamentablemente quedé decepcionada, una pena la verdad tenía todo el potencial de ser una gran lectura si tan solo hubiera sido una novela completa.
March 6, 2022
Rating: 4/5 🌟
It was a face paced Novella and it was really good!!!
I never thought Cole would be able to make me like him!! He was a little of an ass in the English Prep series but... Damn this entirely changed my view on him. He is what they tell, "Looks like could kill you but is a cinnamon roll"
Mazey, was a strong girl. The things she went through!!! She made sure that others would not ho through what she went through and it was just perfect.
Beware of TW
It was a face paced Novella and it was really good!!!
I never thought Cole would be able to make me like him!! He was a little of an ass in the English Prep series but... Damn this entirely changed my view on him. He is what they tell, "Looks like could kill you but is a cinnamon roll"
Mazey, was a strong girl. The things she went through!!! She made sure that others would not ho through what she went through and it was just perfect.
Beware of TW
July 16, 2022
5 stars!!!
This was such a good novella!! This was Cole’s book who was a “villain” in the English Prep series. I loved getting his pov and finding out who he truly is as a character. Mazes was such and incredible character I fell in love with her as a person. The storyline was strong the spice was great. I adored the connection between the characters. Highly recommend <3!!!
This was such a good novella!! This was Cole’s book who was a “villain” in the English Prep series. I loved getting his pov and finding out who he truly is as a character. Mazes was such and incredible character I fell in love with her as a person. The storyline was strong the spice was great. I adored the connection between the characters. Highly recommend <3!!!
January 30, 2024
Fantastic and quick read! I haven’t read the English prep series but after this I’m going to. I loved their chemistry and connection. I would’ve read a full book about these two. I liked the character growth on both their ends and I love a MMC that doesn’t screw away his pain. Even in the two years apart Cole still loved her and wasn’t interested in anyone else.
March 11, 2022
This was a very well written novella. It was quick but still carried all the steam, all the angst and all the mystery. I love Maze's reason for going to that college and how she knew that it wasn't Cole and believed him without him forcing her.
November 10, 2022
If you wanna a quickly story with a:
*Second Chance
*Broken boy
*Strong FMC
*A love story wrapped in trauma
This book it’s the perfect choice.
Here we have Cole's story (we saw him in the English Prep series) and how the whole narrative and rumors about him started. I have to say: I really liked this book. The way that Cole always tried to protect Mazey and, even with all things happening, how the feelings (from both of them) still remain. It’s a quick story, with a lot of spicy moments, and I really wanted more.
*Second Chance
*Broken boy
*Strong FMC
*A love story wrapped in trauma
This book it’s the perfect choice.
Here we have Cole's story (we saw him in the English Prep series) and how the whole narrative and rumors about him started. I have to say: I really liked this book. The way that Cole always tried to protect Mazey and, even with all things happening, how the feelings (from both of them) still remain. It’s a quick story, with a lot of spicy moments, and I really wanted more.
November 20, 2023
A great read about date rape that took place in high school. Unfortunately the wrong guy got the blame. After two years, Mazey transfers colleges to get the guy who really did it. Cole and Mazey are great and so is their chemistry. A quick read packed with so much! Highly recommend.
January 31, 2024
i loved this short novella!! wanted a quick read before the end of the month and this delivered!!!
i wanted more detail of that night though, the whole lead up to it (not the assault) but just the whole night, as this would have made the book a 5 stars
i wanted more detail of that night though, the whole lead up to it (not the assault) but just the whole night, as this would have made the book a 5 stars
September 3, 2025
Hot, suspenseful, dark romance
Want a short but dangerous read!? Pick up Ground Rules Novella it will have you on the edge of your seat! It will also have you wanting to jump into the pages of this book at times.
Want a short but dangerous read!? Pick up Ground Rules Novella it will have you on the edge of your seat! It will also have you wanting to jump into the pages of this book at times.
January 17, 2026
Really enjoyed this little novella. Didn’t feel like too little like some other novellas can. It was fast paced and engaging. Good spice and great suspense, only left me with one question, who else was involved 🤔
March 3, 2022
An amazing novella! Cole and Mazey was so cute and the spice was top tier!
The only “bad” thing about this novella was that it wasn’t a full length book😉😂
The only “bad” thing about this novella was that it wasn’t a full length book😉😂
March 4, 2022
This novella is a heart thumper from the start! It’s full of suspense and passion and love and I couldn’t put it down!
March 15, 2022
3.5 stars
March 27, 2022
Perfect weekend night read!! Just a snippet of SJ’s canny ability to throw raw romance, steamy scenes, and suspense all together in one 5-star read!
April 12, 2022
𝟒.𝟕𝟓|𝟓🔥
April 13, 2022
Reformed bad boy, secret romance. This novella packs a punch. If you read the English Prep series you may remember Cole! Great quick read!
Check the triggers!
Check the triggers!
April 16, 2022
the singular bad thing about this book was how short it was. their relationship was everything and was just amazing.
April 18, 2022
I really enjoyed this short story. I loved Cole and Mazey and their story. Mazey goes through so much to get her happily ever after as does Cole. I’ll be checking out more from this author!
May 19, 2022
Literally my all time favorite book of hers. 10000%!! So amazing!!!! 🥵🤯🤤
July 2, 2022
3.5⭐️
it was good but would’ve been so much better if it was lengthy like all the little lies
it was good but would’ve been so much better if it was lengthy like all the little lies
Want to read
July 25, 2022
April 11, 2023
never thought a novella would cause me so much pain… thank u sammi
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews