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Nathan Davenport’s past has taught him an important lesson that lead to his main dating rule: never date anyone you work with. He hasn’t had any problems keeping that rule. He’s the kind of guy men just want to play with for a night, but no one wants to keep forever. At least no one ever has until Alex. Alex Doyle knows one thing. Even though he’s never been in a relationship with a man before, he wants Nathan…and not just for a night. He thought getting Nathan to violate his rule about not dating co-workers would be his biggest problem. However, it’s actually the fact Nathan doesn’t believe he’s worthy of a forever-relationship that’s his greatest challenge. And Alex won’t settle for anything less than everything with Nathan.
Just as Nathan starts to think he might have finally found someone who wants him for more than sex, his past comes back to haunt him. Will they manage to find a way to make things work? Or will breaking his rules cost Nathan everything… again.

222 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 15, 2018

134 people are currently reading
196 people want to read

About the author

Jacki James

62 books643 followers

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
Profile Image for SoCalBookReviews.
602 reviews20 followers
May 7, 2019
Great book!! Two of two books in this series that I just could Not put down. I really loved these characters and the dynamic between them. I Loved that Alex took his time making sure they had a full relationship and that Natahan knew Alex was all in for Every aspect and that it wasn’t just about the sex. Getting to see all their friends lives being intertwined together during each book in this series is really fun to see as well. I just really enjoyed every part of this book and I cannot wait for the next one.
Profile Image for Lelyana's Reviews.
3,418 reviews400 followers
June 19, 2018

This is a continuation with the secondary couple from the first book. Entertaining, just a sweet fun read for my weekend. I enjoyed it, in fact.
Profile Image for Megan.
1,469 reviews29 followers
June 16, 2018
So. Dang. Good. The characters were engaging, likable, a bit flawed, and incredibly sweet. The relationship was full of tenderness, banked passion until they let it boil over, and freedom. The drama was low and even the confrontations with the exes weren't overly dramatic and drawn out to create angst. The reconciliation was almost unnecessary because they both acted quickly and thought through things with both logic and heart. Honestly, this book was just so freaking sweet that I couldn't help but love it. Yes, there was a lack of negativity in the book to create tension and something for the MC's to overcome, but I just don't care.

Ultimately what you get is two people finding the love of their lives. You get to watch Alex seeing through Nathan's Trashy Club Kid facade enough to grant true freedom to Nathan's heart and soul as well as Nathan's whole person giving Alex the love he didn't expect to find in a man and making that okay. They were a perfect match and the point was love and freedom for being accepted for all that you are and can be rather than a story about two men finding love amid coming-out drama and awful exes. Those things are there, but they are muted in the face of love and acceptance. And glitter and peach lip gloss too... =]

ARC willingly read and reviewed.
Profile Image for Cee Brown.
1,310 reviews38 followers
June 15, 2018
•*´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•`4.5 breaking the rules stars.

"Rule number one was in full force. No dating anyone where you work." ~Nate

Rules were made to be broken...or was it made to NOT be broken. Nathan had been crushing on Alex for a while. Now it was HIS time to be a rule breaker.

I knew from book one, Nate would have an awesome story, and boy did he have a story to tell. He was out there and fabulous and Alex, the big bear of a man had no choice but to fall...HARD.

Like the first book, I laughed and had a good time and I cannot wait for the rest of this series.

I voluntarily and honestly reviewed this book without bias or persuasion from the author through LesCourt.
Profile Image for Tanya.
854 reviews1 follower
June 15, 2018
This was thr first book in this stand alone connect series and I loved it. I am certainly gonna try and go back and read book 1 and will definately be keeping up with this series.

I just want to be Nathan's friend. To be around him sounds so unpredictable to the shenanigans he will no doubt be part of. Alex is perfect!!! Strong,dependable and consistent. He will be a fierce protector but also be the soft "bear" when needed
Profile Image for Earlyn.
664 reviews2 followers
July 21, 2018
Nathan and Alex

Awesome love story. These guys was attracted to each other. It just had to take a while to convince Nathan to go out with him.
Well written and swoon worthy. Just a lovely easy love story.

Profile Image for Becca.
3,222 reviews47 followers
August 8, 2018
Talk about not judging a book by its cover. You know, everyone has a mask. Most of us have several. It takes someone truly special to be able to get down to the real us. Whether friend of significant other. To be able to let our hair down and be who really are. It's an amazing feeling. And that's what I loved about this book. To find that specialness that gives us that freedom.

Nathan will tell you himself that he's no innocent. He been around a bit. He's not a total hooker/slut kind of person but he's no virgin either. He always plays up his looks. He knows he looks good and that people want to screw him all the time. If Nathan were truly honest with himself, he would know he wants more. But he refuses to even think about it. You know the saying, “Fool me once, shame on you…” Well, he got fooled. Badly. Which brings in his rule of no dating inside the workplace. But damn, that super hot bear security guard person is driving him insane. And bears aren't even his type! But something about this one. But he hasn't seen the bear in a while so he figures sayonara. When he's asked to look in on a patient, he gets the shock of his life. There's his bear! And the look he is giving Nathan doesn't look like he's all to straight. But no work romance. Little does he know, Alex is bi and he's taken with Nathan the minute he lays eyes on him. But Alex has never been in a relationship with a man before, never really had full on sex either. So will he be able to give Nathan what he needs, when Nathan is all he wants?

So everyone has masks….. When I read about Nathan in book 1, something told me there was more than meets the eye with him. Yeah, he plays off the flirty, slutty friend, and that's fine, but there's more underneath all that flirt and sass. And Alex pegged him right off the bat. The more Nathan put on a show to run him off, the more Alex dug in and I LOVED that. We all need that someone in our lives, even if it's a friend, to call bullshit on us and make us be real. But learning more about Nathan's past would make you understand why. I wish sometimes we could crawl in books. I would love to whip his ex’s ass. (Yay Linc!) What I loved about Alex, too, though, is he knew people would have to adjust to him dating a guy. For all everyone knew, he was straight. And he didn't want to hide in a closet. He was scared, yes, of what his family would think. No one wants rejected, right? But he stood up anyway, because he knew he had found someone in Nathan and that right there cinched it for me. I loved Alex no matter what. He's a special guy who had found an equally special man in Nathan. Not that there weren't problems. Life loves to give us shit. And everyone has to learn to deal or move on. It's never easy, but we have to realize what's truly important in our lives and go for it.

I loved this book. I love this series. And I can't wait to see what happens next. I've got my eye on the next two couples (hint hint! Lol). I think you guys will really enjoy it! Happy reading!

http://lovebytesreviews.com
Profile Image for Whitney.
668 reviews40 followers
November 14, 2019
THIS. This i needed.

Let get it out of the way shall we. This book is simple, sweet, and next to no angst. I can see some people saying it's unrealistic. I can even see people saying some very unkind it also very untrue things about it that I'm not going to get into here. But there is something special about this book. Something I didn't know I needed. And while I try really hard not to let personal feelings get in the way of an honest review I can't help it with this one. It's just...perfect.

This book made me so unequivocally happy. My face was literally hurting I was smiling so much. Alex is the swooniest, Patty is the best, the smut was on point, their friend group was everything, be still my anime fangirl heart there was a Yuri on Ice reference. It felt like this book was written for me. Then there's Nathan. And I knew it was written for me.

Being the extroverted flirt I am, it's not very often I relate to characters in books. But god d*mn if it didn't feel like Nathen and I were separated at birth, the man is my emotional twin. I loved everything about him. Mainly because I love me and I'm perfect haha. See, twins! He's kind and honest and so d*mn likable. I love characters who are unapologetically themselves. What you see isn't always what you get with Nathan but he is who he is and the fact that Alex embraced that and encourage it wholeheartedly was just the icing on the cake for me.

This has got to be one of the sweetest love story I have ever read. Seeing them get together and enjoy being together was so lovely. This is a soft romance of the best kind. Low angst, high heat, and minimal drama. Perfection. 10 stars.
Profile Image for Amanda.
384 reviews10 followers
June 15, 2018
I really enjoyed the first book in this series, but I just LOVED this one! Alex and Nathan are so amazing together once Alex convinces Nathan to break his number one dating rule.. well, maybe just bend it a bit. Nathan puts on a party boy act, but deep down is so much more and really wants love... he just doesn't think he deserves it thank to a jerk of an ex and a rocky coming out. Alex is the perfect complement for Nathan's dramatic (in a good way!) personality. He is strong and steady and so incredibly loving and accepting, and I love the way he loves his Sunshine. And while they are flipping adorable together, the chemistry between these two? So. Damn. HOT. *fans self*

This book is full of love, acceptance, trust, and family - both blood and chosen. Alex's family is great, and Nathan's family is so wonderful (Lincoln and the rest of the Reynolds, not his birth family - but I won't go into how stabby his parents make me feel). One of the things I love most about this series is the deep friendships that we see even more of in this book. This group of friends is constantly growing and so supportive, and I can't wait to read more about them and get their stories in the future. Especially Lincoln - I need to know what is UP with him. And I want to hug him, like, all the time. I am eager to see what Jacki James has in store for us next with this series!

Oh, and I really, really love Patty. Just saying. ;)
Profile Image for Amy Dufera - Amy's MM Romance Reviews.
2,698 reviews138 followers
June 15, 2018
Work Rules is a fantastic follow-up to Family Rules. It is set in the same world as Family Rules, and includes all the wonderful characters that I feel in love with previously.

In this book, everything is centered around Nathan and Alex.

I love Nathan. He is so damn refreshing and just so damn lovable. He just needs to look past his rule of not dating co-workers. Especially Alex, who really wants to date Nathan.

I adore the way Alex can read Nathan. I love how easily he can see that Nathan puts on an act when he is out at a bar. Alex is frustrated because he knows that Nathan is so much better than the way he is acting. Problem is, does Nathan know he's better than that?

I also find myself loving the way Nathan starts to think differently about himself because of Alex. It is beautiful to see someone want to be more real with someone special. Unfortunately, Nathan doesn't think he deserves someone special like Alex.

One huge theme is this story is the effects that abuse can have on someone. Nathan's ex did some horrific things to him. And Nathan's self-esteem took a big hit as a result.

The road for Nathan and Alex will not be easy. They have to face some obstacles along the way. But the end result will be worth it.

Work Rules is a fantastic book. It proves that Jacki James did not have a fluke with Family Rules. I am thrilled with both books and can only look forward to what else Jacki writes!
Profile Image for Beth.
2,915 reviews27 followers
May 23, 2019
Really enjoyed this second book in the series. I love the way the author has built a universe here and the chosen family she has created. These are all such great characters and I really enjoyed getting more insight into them

Nathan is a character we know from book one and Alex is introduced in book two. We knew a little about Nathan from the first book but get more detail here. We also get more detail on Lincoln who I’m guessing will be the subject of book three.

The title of his book references the infamous rules these guys have about dating and hook ups, this one about not dating anyone you work with. Alex is not to be deterred however and finds a loophole and convinces Nathan to go out with him. The whole courtship element is so sweet and wonderfully addresses Nathan’s self esteem issues caused by his horrible family and his only previous relationship. The relationship building here is so wonderfully done. Alex is a dream man and just what Nathan needs. The crisis situation is wonderfully done and will have You fist pumping and cheering.

It’s a fun, low angst read and will leave you feeling hopeful and happy.
871 reviews2 followers
June 20, 2018
This is the second book in The Breaking the Rules Series. A charming book the writing was great. There were a few grammar issues but otherwise it was good. The plot was entertaining and it was steady throughout the book. I found the story and characters wonderful. The characters were well developed and thought out. Nathan and Alex are the MC’s of this book. There was humor, a hospital, a broken shoulder, friends and family, little girls and a kitten, a cat cafe, speed dating and so much more in this book.

Here is a quote from the book, “Oh, thank God you’re here,” he exclaimed. “The cat fell asleep on me so now I’m obligated to stay put and not move until she wakes up. I need sustenance which you can help me with, and to pee, which you can’t.” “Oh, but I can help with both because cat rules be …, I need some kitty cuddles.”. There is more but you will need to read the book which I can recommend this book as a good read. I voluntarily read an advance copy of this book for an honest review.
Profile Image for Jennifer Reilley.
1,143 reviews29 followers
June 15, 2018
Jacki has now become an author I will read without needing to know what the book is about. She seriously, in my opinion, created a great series

These characters are relatable, caring, sweet, protective and I can keep going on. I love revisiting the gang from the first book and love when the kids are involved.

Nathan is sassy, caring, and has a rule that he will NOT date anyone he works with. He meets Alex which happens to work for the same hospital.

I love how Jacki took time developing their relationship in them getting to know each other and not just rushing into things. They learned to trust each other and know the support will be there. These two men have really great families, ones that I wish most kids should have.

Read the book. You will fall in love with Nathan, Alex, sassy (not saying who she is), and so many more people. More so, I feel like I’m missing out on not being part of this whole group of friends. Where were they when I was younger???
1,384 reviews6 followers
June 19, 2018
I received an ARC of this from LesCourt Author Services. This is my honest opinion and review.

I enjoyed this book. Nathan is a fun character that has head some emotional pain inflicted on him in his past. He refused to date at work, but when his crush finally notices him he doesn't know how to proceed.

Alex may have only really dated females before, but when he sees Nathan, he knows that he wants to learn more about him. He does everything he can to get to know Nathan and remind him that he is worth more.

These guys are super sweet. I love how open Alex is with Nathan and that he doesn't shy away from showing how he feels. Nathan has to find himself after so many years of trying to make others happy. He isn't sure who he is anymore, but with the help of his best friend/brother and Alex, he is willing to find out.

Definitely a sweet read with great characters. You don't need to read the first book in the series, but you really should since it is good too.
Profile Image for Mandy (MP Book Reviews).
4,937 reviews45 followers
April 16, 2023
Nathan is a nurse who had been tossed out by his parents when he was 15 after he came out as gay and after his long-term boyfriend cheated on him and so one-night hookups were fine by him. Certainly, he was not going to break the rule about dating anyone from work. Then he met Alex. Alex has never been in a relationship with a man before but when he sees Nathan he sees a beautiful man who he wants for much more than one night. How can he persuade Nathan he is worthy of forever?

I enjoyed this story of the creative way that Alex thought about not dating someone from work and how he pointed out that he was but he also wasn't from there. I loved that he was doing a lowly job to start with but what actually about to start something more important. Nathan's ex certainly was a piece of work and deserved as bad things happening to him as possible. Easy to feel their emotions and read. Contains mature MM content.
Profile Image for Malissa Hilton.
627 reviews2 followers
August 5, 2024
* He Has Rules *

During Book 1 we find out Nathan has the hots for the big bear security guard. But since he’s a coworker it goes against his rules. In this book, said Big Bear ends up in the ER and nurse Nathan is sent to tend to him.When he walks in, Nathan is shocked to see his Big Bear. Alex introduces himself and Nathan is all gooey eyes. After the initial meeting Alex and Nathan again meet at a fast food place while Nathan is helping Mark prepare a baby shower. Mark lets it be known that Nathan has all these silly rules about dating coworkers. Well what do you know when Nathan’s friend Casey tells him nope technically he doesn’t work for the hospital. Read this amazing book that Jacki James has written. It’s sweet, adorable, I love Nathan and his cute little line of keep up Linc, hahaha! Another 5 star review and a must read. 💜
Profile Image for Laina Gruver.
1,260 reviews59 followers
June 19, 2018
4.25 stars

Sweet, sexy read. Nathan is a nurse who has the hots for the security guard turned Head of Emergency Services of the ER in which he works. Alex thinks Nathan is the most beautiful man he’d ever seen. But, Nathan has a rule, no dating co-workers. It takes a little bit but, finally, Alex wears him down and they date. Alex has one ‘condition’, no sex... yet. He wants to get to know Nathan and prove that he is worth more than just sex.

Well written, I was just kind of hoping someone would have physically injured Alex’s ex.

*****
POV... multi-first person

Standalone or series ... book 2 of a series but CAN be read as a standalone

Did it give me a hangover... slight

Would I recommend it... yes

Would I read it again... yes
Profile Image for CB.
3,196 reviews6 followers
January 9, 2020
I read this entire series in a weekend, mainly because I wanted to read #6 but felt I should start at the beginning. After reading the reviews, I wasn't expecting to be as engaged as I was but, then my natural optimism for a good fiction story kicked in and the things others did not like, did not bother me at all. I found the whole living arrangement between the ex's fascinating and wished more divorced couple would work harder to get along for the kids (maybe not sharing a backyard but close). I liked the MC's and how they continue to grow throughout the series and having all the MC's interact with each other, always my favorite kind of series. You could probably read one of the books as a stand-alone but they all have their own story/HEA.
Profile Image for UnusualChild{beppy}.
2,556 reviews59 followers
October 26, 2021
2.5 stars

Nathan has a dating rule that he doesn't date people he works with. Which makes it hard, because Alex, a hunky security guard, really makes Nathan take notice. Alex has never had a relationship with a man, but Nathan completely catches his attention. When Alex takes a new position that technically makes him an employee of the county, not the hospital, Nathan decides to take a chance.

This was very sweet, and I liked Nathan and Alex together. I think that my issue was that I didn't review the book right away, because a little distance from it made me forget basically everything about it. Reading the precis brought it all back, but the fact that it completely vanished from my consciousness brought my rating down a little. Nathan had very good reasons for his rules, and I liked the fact that Alex was slow and steady in the relationship, letting Nathan see that he wasn't going to give him up, and that he was someone to be trusted. There was a little bit of drama, but it wasn't due to lack of communication, so I was actually okay with it. I love the relationship between Lincoln and Nathan, and how Lincoln's family was Nathan's with no reservations or questions asked.
Profile Image for R.
2,119 reviews
June 15, 2018
Rule number one, no dating anyone you work with. Nathan followed his rule, until he didn't. Alex has never been so interested in a man, wanting Nathan was new territory for him.

They work their way through the beginnings of being together. Nathan very insecure. He second guesses every decision he makes. Always afraid he will be hurt again. Alex counters everyone of Nathan's fears, slowly gaining his trust. They move closer to forever, when Nathan's past tears them apart.

I liked how strong the family (real and chosen) dynamic was. Believable characters and a good story line made this a nice book.

I received an arc of this book.
3,010 reviews46 followers
June 15, 2018
Work Rules is book two in the Breaking the Rules series. Each can be read as a stand alone. Having read and loved book one, Family Rules, I was eagerly waiting for Work Rules. I wasn't disappointed!
I fell in love with Nathan and Alex. These two guys are just made for each other.
I loved the dynamics between them. Nathan is just so lovable. He has experienced such pain and is hesitant to trust. I love how Alex takes his time with Nathan. He works to show Nathan who he is. To build that trust and commitment.

Jacki James has created a world filled with family, friends and love. I know I want to keep visiting this special world. I can't wait for the next installment!
Profile Image for Angie.
982 reviews6 followers
August 19, 2018
Femme/bear m/m romance

2.5/3 stars

I wanted to like this one but I was soooo bored! It was hard to finish. I hated how bitchy and child like Nathan was. I hated how Alex bent over backwards to accommodate him.

The sort of bi for you story line was ok but I hated how Alex had to reassure Nathan. I hated how Nathan acted on their first date. It was just tacky.

Also I felt like the storyline about the woman from Alex's past kind of fizzled.

I always love a good femme MC but it was a very minor detail in his story.

I'm not sure I really enjoyed much of this story which is sad because I really wanted to like it. I'll be skipping the rest of the series.
Profile Image for Kendra T.
3,077 reviews39 followers
June 20, 2018
Jacki was a new author and I ended up loving her first book (Family Rules). She did not disappoint with this next book in the series!

In Work Rules, Nathan (Mark's best friend) has a rule that he won't date anyone from work. Alex had been in a relationship with a woman for a while and worked at the hospital, so Nathan didn't mind fantasizing about him while he thought there was no chance with him. Of course, he doesn't know that Alex is now single and that he is bi...and Alex is completely enchanted with Nathan after meeting for the first time.

I liked how Alex saw right through the exterior that Nathan tried to project to everyone and saw the person he was trying to hide. Nathan exuded a lot of confidence, but that hid a fear of relationships and getting close with anyone. He definitely had some issues to work through, but Alex was a great person for him to work on them with.

I loved watching their relationship develop, and I loved getting to revisit the characters from the first book. The premise with the rules is fun, and I like how they all tie together with this theme. I am very much looking forward to more books from this crew of friends and see how they break all the rules.

I am voluntarily reviewing an ARC received by LesCourt Author Services
2,321 reviews8 followers
June 15, 2018
Some rules were made to be broken, and Alex wants Nathan to break his rule about dating a co-worker. Nathan and Alex are both great characters who are perfect together but Nathan is very insecure and feels that he doesn't deserve love. Alex is very perceptive and understanding, he can see right through Nathan's playboy act and see the real him. It's a great story and I really enjoyed watching their relationship build up slowly and their chemistry is off the charts hot!
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
Profile Image for P Leslie.
3,207 reviews17 followers
June 24, 2018
Nathan has rules about dating anyone from work and it worked, until Mr Sexy Security Guard ended up in his ER. Will he stand by his rules or will he give into the temptation to taste Mr Sexy?

Nathan was adorable and his glittery personality made him perfect for Alex. Alex saw right through Nathan’s heavy armour and took the time to get to know the real Nathan. These two were so sweet and their chemistry was smoking hot.

Beautiful yet emotional story - I’m definitely adding this author to my favourite list.
Profile Image for Kristhia.
46 reviews1 follower
October 30, 2018
Such a beautiful story.

This is the story of Nathan and Alex. Alex is described as a bear and Nathan is the party boy, but there is so much that is below the surface for both of these gentlemen. Nathan has a crush on Alex but unfortunately, he is against the rules as it appears that he is a security guard at the same hospital that Nathan is a nurse. This is their story and how they decide to break that work rule. It is a funny and cute enjoyable story that is also sexy as well. I would totally read it again.
Profile Image for Carole-Ann.
2,740 reviews87 followers
March 21, 2023
Nathan, an all-out-there twink, has one major rule - no sex with a work colleague.
So when he falls for Alex Doyle, a bear of a security guard, he backs away.
Alex has only just found his attraction for men, as all his previous relationships have been with women, so he's just learning to accept himself as bi.
Alex hurts his shoulder, & Nathan is the one who takes care of him (not quite insta-lust, but nearly).
As an added attraction, Nathan is friends with Mark, Justin & Emma - who is kindergarden friends with Maddie, Alex's niece.
Nicely connected stuff, & a satifying outcome.
732 reviews3 followers
June 15, 2018
Alex and Nathan are absolutely perfect together. Nathan does not want to date at work. Alex must convince Nathan must first get Alex to break his number one dating rule. well. Nathan has a party boy act that he puts out for all to see, but deep down he is so much more. What he really wants is to be loved. He just doesn't think he deserves it. Will these two find a way to figure each other out as well as dating at work? Can Alex convince Nathan he is worthy of love?
Profile Image for Sallyann.
486 reviews
June 18, 2018
This was so so good!!! It was funny, sweet and super hot. Nathan and Alex made such a sweet couple. I absolutely loved the Halloween costumes that the guys picked and the scene after when they went back to Alex’s 😉. It was so refreshing to read a book with low angst where the couple actually work through their problems without the huge break up. The only thing that I didn’t like was Nathan calling Alex Lexi, it just didn’t fit for me.
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