Rules of the Heart

Hearts #1

by Emily Hayes

Can she break her own rules and take a chance on love?This is an Age Gap, Enemies to Lovers, Ice Queen, Opposites Attract Lesbian/Sapphic Romance. It is a steamy, yet loving, always with a Happy Ever After. Dr. Valerie Bush is a tough and demanding Head of Surgery. When the young and passionate surgeon Dr. Ella Ashton joins her team, Valerie is shocked by her own immediate attraction to the beautiful Ella. Ella was fired from her last hospital for breaking hospital rules and it seems like she hasn't learnt much from that. Ella makes decisions from her heart and Valerie runs her hospital by the rules- it isn't long before they clash. The chemistry between them is strong. Valerie knows she shouldn't be thinking these thoughts about someone who works under her. She knows she shouldn't be thinking these thoughts about someone so many years younger than her. Will Valerie break her own rules to discover the true desires of her heart?

Genres: Lesbian, Queer, Romance, Contemporary, Erotica

164 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 18, 2024

About the author

Librarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name

Reviews

[Vianny ¦ mexbookgirl]

DNF

Ella is so unlikable and self centered, I just couldn't deal with her not following the rules in a hospital and disrespecting her superiors thinking her way is better and should be the one to be done. She acted like a teenager and not a 30 something yo professional and respected surgeon.

And these kind of lines were very cringy
Valerie looked at Ella, she was looking at her as though she was starving and Ella was a big, juicy burger.

[Myla]

.
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The story is full of tension, and angst between the two surgeons, Valerie and Ella. In contrast, Valerie is by the book when it comes to hospital policies while Ella tends to the opposite. That's where the conflict starts between these two. This was a fast read but enjoyable.

[Jamie (TheRebelliousReader)]

2 stars. Ella and Valerie were both way too pigheaded and immature. I wouldn’t trust either of them to even check my temperature. Not Hayes’s best work that’s for sure.

[MJ]

I actually really enjoyed this! I just wish it was longer. I tandem read with the audiobook, as always, the narrator did an amazing job!
Highly recommend, hospital setting, two surgeons, steamy. Greys Anatomy fans will love this!

Written in third person with 2x POV’s. Narrated by Alexandria Wilde. Hearts Medical series Book One. Age Gap (20 years), Enemies to Lovers, Ice Queen, Opposites Attract, Workplace Romance, Forced Proximity. 5x Spicy Scenes.

[Lindsay Ottens]

Oh my gosh this was so bad!
If I could give 0 stars I would have!!
In the beginning I was determined to power through (this is like an accident you can’t look away from, a big ol’ dumpster fire.) but when we got the the sex scene in the elevator I just couldn’t do it anymore! I want to say it was the horrible dialogue or maybe it was the childish inner monologue of two women that were supposed to be these incredibly powerful doctors or maybe it was the poor pacing but alas… it was all of the above. The sex wasn’t even good (100% cringe)!

[Gina L]

A New Hearts Medical Romance Series Has Been Born!

I don’t think Emily Hayes gets enough credit with her storytelling and writing. She tackles subjects that most would not touch. Her series whether medical or hospital or emergency have such strong and engaging characters. This new series does exactly that. You have the head of surgery being forced to take a highly qualified surgeon into her folds. Valerie sees Ella for exactly what she is, a young, rule breaker who was fired from her last hospital for disobeying the heads there. Even though Ella is beautiful and sexy and alluring to her, she will not go against her rules for anyone. But Ella has decided that Valerie was hot and sexy especially when she is mad at her and was going to get under Valerie’s skin. Will Valerie lose her patience with Ella first or will their attraction cause a whole bunch of new problems. Really enjoyed this new one and looking forward to the next in the series.

[Torrence]

Like reading a porn script

Definitely a cheesy erotic novel if that's what you are looking for. I needed a light non complicated read and this worked along with some having some spiciness! If you are looking for deep character development, keep moving, this isn't for you. The whole rule breaker/rule follower shtick got really old and felt really flat; like I was watching bad actors in a movie, but with hot lesbian sex. I thought it was hilarious that the author wrote herself in the novel as one of the character's favorite author. This makes me feel like I too can write lesbian fiction. I'm sticking around to read the next one, these are fun, no brainers that are easy to read when you need to shut your mind off.

[Robin Kenna]

Emily Hayes is such a gifted writer. She has a deep understanding of minds and attitudes in the medical field that she is able to bring to life on the pages. The deep intensity of the feelings of her characters is beautiful. She is able to write sex scenes that are hot yet appropriate for the story and setting. My years working in hospitals are being brought back to life with laughter and tears evoked by her skills.

[just another sapphic]

Rules of the Heart was packed with angst, which I enjoyed at first but it started to feel a little repetitive by the end. Some of the spicy scenes came across a bit cheesy rather than believable. The ending felt rushed, losing much of the emotional impact the story had been building towards.

By the end it became a little too over-the-top. That said, I did enjoy the opposites-attract dynamic between the main characters and it was enough (just) to keep me until the end.

[Kathy]

Unbreakable chemistry!

Great introduction to a new series with head of the department rule maker heart surgeon Valerie and rule breaker neurosurgeon Ella. With very diverse opinions on rules, you could cut the tension between them with a knife. But author Emily solved this with sassy antics and smoking hot spice! This was a very enjoyable quick read!

[Kim Senesael]

Loved it! I had a very hard time putting the book down. Almost finished it in one go. It’s a beautiful love story between two surgeons and I find it crazy how well she describes the sex. I’ve never read something like that before. I gave a 4* rating because there’s a story behind it, but she’s a bit too much focused on telling the sex part. Will definitely buy other books from her.

[Diana Nigro]

Rules of the Heart was a very satisfying read.

This story was about two female surgeons that met, fell in love while dealing with all sorts of problems that people in their lives normally would have to deal with. I enjoyed this book very much and will be reading the next book in the series, next.

[Adrienne]

It was okay

It wasn’t a bad book. I did like the opposites attract theme. The spicy parts were very spicy. There were a few typos that drove me crazy. I had to reread the parts to make sure I wasn’t mistaken. This is my first book by this author. I’m willing to try one more to see how I feel about their writing style.

[Margaritas Cherena]

Someone said rules were made to be broken and Ella is a rule breaker and Valerie is a rule stickler together they make a firecracker of a couple. Enjoyed this well written story. It has comedy and drama. Recommended.

[Mc Mary]

excellent read

Excellent read. I highly recommend to anyone reading the reviews. Great character development & dialogue. The characters are not riddle with that laborious inner fluff making the story move fast like a gay greys.

[Dulaine Roode]

I liked it.

The book was a great read. But Valerie got stuck in her head too much about rules. Not being able to fight natural attraction and then ending up unhappy and tortured because of her own rules she made. Man that is being rough on yourself.

[Suzi Vilkman (Hautaniemi)]

Hot medical romance

Lighthearted medical romance is an excellent choice for summer entertainment in my opinion.

The heat levels are high and there are some exciting moments throughout the book.

[Christine Reid]

Wow fantastic storyline

Wow what a fantastic storyline I loved the main characters their chemistry was hot but their connection was exceptional with fireworks to match a must-read congratulations

[M Silver]

I enjoyed the love they both had for their careers and glad Valerie figured out she could have a career and a hot woman to go home to. Great read.

[Elinor L. Crowley]

Spicy

Really liked Valerie and Ella. The tension between them was jyst right and the angst didn't last too long. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Larissa]

I can't. I saw this on tiktok and decided to give it a try. It's sooo bad. :/

[Savanna Vance]

Kept me interested enough that I wanted to finish the story, but felt more like fan fiction story and was very rushed.

[Samantha]

Read this in a couple hours. I liked it more than I thought I would. Some parts are ridiculous, but it’s fun to get lost in something over the top.

[Doryn Damalie]

According to the reviews about it. It's a book worth the time 😜

[Serina’s Stories wolfganghollows]

I liked it, but I felt it lacked a real storyline and was more about the shock factor of the sex.

[Crystal Green]

Excellent book

[Kim Tunney]

Surgeons Romance

Omg loved this book the ups and downs trying to refrain from living and loving but failing miserably love conquers all 🌈

[Nicole]

🔥🔥🔥

[Connie Newell]

Female Surgeons, love, sex…wow!

I absolutely feel in love with the characters. The rules and rules to be broken…enjoyed the drama between the characters. Highly recommend this book!

[Cristina]

Quick and easy read