Cardinal Rules

by Barbara Delinsky

Refusing to repeat the patterns of her unhappy past, Corinne Fremont follows her strict personal policy of remaining on guard and unattached despite any temptation, but her will is challenged by enthusiastic businessman Corey Haraden. Reissue.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Audiobook, Contemporary

248 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published June 1, 1987

About the author

I was born and raised in suburban Boston. My mother’s death, when I was eight, was the defining event of a childhood that was otherwise ordinary. I took piano lessons and flute lessons. I took ballroom dancing lessons. I went to summer camp through my fifteenth year (in Maine, which explains the setting of so many of my stories), then spent my sixteenth summer learning to type and to drive (two skills that have served me better than all of my other high school courses combined). I earned a B.A. in Psychology at Tufts University and an M.A. in Sociology at Boston College. The motivation behind the M.A. was sheer greed. My husband was just starting law school. We needed the money.

Following graduate school, I worked as a researcher with the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, and as a photographer and reporter for the Belmont Herald. I did the newspaper work after my first son was born. Since I was heavily into taking pictures of him, I worked for the paper to support that habit. Initially, I wrote only in a secondary capacity, to provide copy for the pictures I took. In time, I realized that I was better at writing than photography. I used both skills doing volunteer work for hospital groups, and have served on the Board of Directors of the Friends of the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and on the MGH’s Women’s Cancer Advisory Board.

I became an actual writer by fluke. My twins were four when, by chance, I happened on a newspaper article profiling three female writers. Intrigued, I spent three months researching, plotting, and writing my own book - and it sold.

My niche? I write about the emotional crises that we face in our lives. Readers identify with my characters. They know them. They are them. I'm an everyday woman writing about everyday people facing not-so-everyday challenges.

My novels are character-driven studies of marriage, parenthood, sibling rivalry, and friendship, and I’ve been blessed in having readers who buy them eagerly enough to put them on the major bestseller lists. One of my latest, Sweet Salt Air, came out in 2013.  Blueprints, my second novel with St. Martin’s Press, became my 22nd New York Times bestselling novel soon after its release in June 2015.  Making Up, my work in progress, will be published in 2018.

2018? Yikes. I didn’t think I’d live that long. I thought I’d die of breast cancer back in the 1900's, like my mom. But I didn’t. I was diagnosed nearly twenty years ago, had surgery and treatment, and here I am, stronger than ever and loving having authored yet another book, this one the non-fiction Uplift: Secrets From the Sisterhood of Breast Cancer Survivors. First published in 2001, Uplift is a handbook of practical tips and upbeat anecdotes that I compiled with the help of 350 breast cancer survivors, their families and friends. These survivors just ... blew me away! They gave me the book that I wish I’d had way back when I was diagnosed. There is no medical information here, nothing frightening, simply practical advice from friends who’ve had breast cancer. The 10th Anniversary Volume of Uplift is now in print. And the money I’ve made on the book? Every cent has gone to my charitable foundation, which funds an ongoing research fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Connect with me on Facebook: facebook.com/bdelinsky
Look for my photos on Instagram: instagram.com/barbaradelinsky

Reviews

[Marianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cardinal Rules is a romance novel by American author, Barbara Delinsky. When developer Corey Haraden first sees Corinne Fremont, he is intrigued. She works for his friend Alan Drooker as a market analyst and, while she’s not his usual type, he wants to get to know her better. But Cori, as he immediately begins to call her, is cool and resistant to all his usual ploys.

This book was written in 1987 and, oh, how times have changed. These days, quite a bit of the way Corey behaves towards Corinne would have him slapped with a sexual harassment charge, if she had any backbone at all, but it seems to have dissolved when her first kisses her, if not when she set eyes on him. Calling the main characters Cori and Corey is just gimmicky. Corinne finally finds a sliver of backbone five pages from the end. A very early Delinsky novel that can be safely dropped from the “to read” list in favour of her later, better works.

[BookBuds · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of Barabara Delinsky’s old books, it’s shorter and steamier than her current beautiful stories. A very different read than her current books. Good if you love Barbara and want some more spice!

Book Buds are on YouTube with unique reviews that often include fun reenacted scenes of some awesome reads: https://youtube.com/channel/UCrj6tJF-...

Spoiler Free Review: https://youtu.be/1lKCd2sLHnw

[Thereadingbell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Corinne is an analyst who does market research and lives her personal life the same way. Her parents put her and her sister off on to their grandmother to raise so they could live in the fast lane, including an open marriage. Corinne is determined not to be like her parents and is completely satisfied with her career and the life she has chosen. Until she meets businessman Corey who is her bosses best friend. They have been both warned to not get involved as they have nothing in common and will only lead to getting hurt. Corey wants Corinne to come to Hilton Head to do market research while he researches Corinne. He obviously is attracted and wants to know what makes her tick and why she is all business all the time.

Corey was not a likable character his character came across as sexual harassing Corinne. He was so obnoxious. Anyways I did not like the book it was dull and lame.

[Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, I must say that this is definitely not Ms. Delinsky's best work. However, her stories are always written well enough so that you at least want to finish the novel.

From back cover:

"Rule#1: Never Get Involved

Corinne Fremont has always lived by this rule. Determined not to become like her irresponsible and selfish parents, Corinne has never dropped her guard in her professional or personal life. She's all business-all the time. That is, until she gets an opportunity too enticing to ignore...

Rule #2: Never Resist Temptation

Maverick businessman Corey Haraden conducts his love life the same way he does business-with enthusiasm. Corinne isn't like the women he usually dates, but she intrigues him. That's why he offers her a job she can't refuse-to tempt her...

Rule #3: Rules Are Meant To Be Broken"

[Leslie Mcnenly · Rating 1 out of 5]

The only reason I finished this book is that it was a free audiobook from the library. Would not recommend.

[Kristan · Rating 1 out of 5]

A drone of a bitchy woman and a man who is trying to date her....

[Dren James · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF. My app says it was released in 2015 but my impression is that it’s the re-release of something from the 70’s. What may have been a romance novel a couple of decades ago, now reads as the deposition on a sexual harassment case. He comes across more jerk than alpha. Despite the fact that her boss knows his friend is only requesting the heroine’s help on a project because he wants to get into her pants, he forces her into the project because he feels she would be good for his friend? A grown woman scandalized by the idea of showing too much shoulder? I’m pretty much done with them all.

[Amanda · Rating 1 out of 5]

I never give one star reviews but this book is just awful. Corey is a pushy, manipulative dick. Cori is tightly wound and very protective of herself. Corey gets Cori’s boss to get her to work for him and then gets mad when she tries to set boundaries. Cori needs to get sued for sexual harassment. The book was first published in 1987, so that explains a lot of it, but honestly I hated it.

[Pamela Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of her early books and one of the first I read by her. It actually helped me fall in love with her writing. It was a steamy, summer casual read but it had an interesting dynamic between the characters. Corinne struggled with all her rules when she met the dashing Corey. I like the way Barbara tells us what Corinne is thinking. It was a good read.

[LuAnn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always enjoy reading Barbara Delinsky's books. This story was pretty much expected as far as details are concerned ... until the ending. While reading the last few pages, I wanted to jump up and say, "YES!"

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good for a quick read but disappointed in the ending

[Lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just ok.

[Kristy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short enough to finish. Corrine was a little too stiff for me but I liked Cory and his persistence.

[Bonnie Fritz · Rating 2 out of 5]

1987...Me Too movement alive and well. Wow. I'd like to think we've come a ways. I was appalled by the blatant coerision and how the appeal of male character was so acceptable. Eww.

[Jumi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok

[Linda Verhage · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pret Voor twee

[Marti]

Found in the library on the ship Noordam.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the banter and how careful the hero was with her fragility. This usually doesn't happen in current releases today. It was refreshing!

[amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Light easy read..I liked the characters and felt the character growth was easy to see. Not meant to be a "deep" book but was def a pleasant read! I enjoyed!

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a cute light read. This book was a fun read. I was a little worried in the beginning when the well experienced man began to bully the inexperienced female. However he quickly decided that it was not the way to her heart, so he started to treat her with kindness and understanding. I really enjoyed that, and wished that all men had that kind of insight.

OK so it was very realistic, but it was a cute and fun read. Nuff said.

[Coleen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't realize this was one of Barbara's earlier books, very typical cheap romance, boy sees girl. Girl doesn't like boy, he must have her, blah blah blah. I stuck with it for 5 chapters and couldn't take it anymore. No substance at all, much different from her older novels. Don't let this discourage as she is a great writer.

[Tamara Peterson]

I'm done with this author. The first couple things I read by this author were good but the last couple I've tried were pure harlequin romances, meaning the whole story is about sex described great detail. No thanks. Never mind the STUPID, unrealistic characters. I won't even bother writing anymore. This book doesn't even deserve one star.

[Brittany Burslem · Rating 1 out of 5]

I just wrote a long scathing review and Goodreads ate it. I am so mad at myself for finishing this book and then wasting more time to review it and then losing it. Suffice it to say this book was AWFUL when my rage settles I may come back and update my review.

[Lorraine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I struggled to get through this book. I found the guy to be obnoxious and unlikable. I was listening to this book on a long trip and found myself having to turn it off a few times.. Definitely not one of Batbara's best.

[Schwartz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have yet to read a book by B.Delinsky that I haven't liked.

[Judi Fennell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read! It's one of my keepers. Just an all-over, feel-good book!

[Pat Cromwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my all-time favs

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story. Fast read. Total fluff but fun.

[Wendy *Sebella Blue* Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book. This was back when Barbara wrote true romance *sigh* miss that.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good book if you want want that "takes you away" for a bit. Decently sappy :)