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The Three Month Rule
No strings. No expectations. No falling in love.
Monroe Canmore has been fiercely independent her entire life. She knows all too well about the excuses people who claim to love you will make, having practically raised herself while her mother chose boyfriends over her. Monroe doesn’t have much room for disappointments or relationships, and her past romantic experiences leave her with a sour taste and a desire for nothing more than casual flings.
But when the brooding, yet annoyingly charming, Alden Van Doren returns to the resort she works at for another summer, their fiery bickering unearths the years of tension between them.
***
Alden Van Doren is no stranger to keeping his walls up. Still grappling with a devastating loss from nearly two decades ago, he makes no apologies for the cold and detached way that he comes off. But the more time he spends with Monroe, the more he finds himself drawn into her orbit, struggling to resist falling for the woman who gets under his skin like no other. What happens when the one person he can’t stand starts to become someone he can’t imagine leaving behind when his vacation comes to an end?
What was meant to be a distraction turns into something neither one of them anticipates when feelings become harder and harder to ignore.
It's just one month. Three rules. What could go wrong?
Monroe Canmore has been fiercely independent her entire life. She knows all too well about the excuses people who claim to love you will make, having practically raised herself while her mother chose boyfriends over her. Monroe doesn’t have much room for disappointments or relationships, and her past romantic experiences leave her with a sour taste and a desire for nothing more than casual flings.
But when the brooding, yet annoyingly charming, Alden Van Doren returns to the resort she works at for another summer, their fiery bickering unearths the years of tension between them.
***
Alden Van Doren is no stranger to keeping his walls up. Still grappling with a devastating loss from nearly two decades ago, he makes no apologies for the cold and detached way that he comes off. But the more time he spends with Monroe, the more he finds himself drawn into her orbit, struggling to resist falling for the woman who gets under his skin like no other. What happens when the one person he can’t stand starts to become someone he can’t imagine leaving behind when his vacation comes to an end?
What was meant to be a distraction turns into something neither one of them anticipates when feelings become harder and harder to ignore.
It's just one month. Three rules. What could go wrong?
395 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 25, 2025
23 people are currently reading
338 people want to read
About the author
Carmelina Mercurio
2 books45 followersCarmelina Mercurio is a Canadian indie romance author from Southern Ontario who writes about complex characters with deep emotional scars and runs on the maximum amount of caffeine her body can handle.
When she's not writing, you can usually find her nestled in her bed rewatching her comfort shows or out and about on the hunt for the best chai tea latte. (Seriously, if you have any recs, hit me up.)
Follow Carmelina on Goodreads to stay updated on her latest releases and upcoming projects.
Instagram & TikTok: @authorcarmelinamercurio
When she's not writing, you can usually find her nestled in her bed rewatching her comfort shows or out and about on the hunt for the best chai tea latte. (Seriously, if you have any recs, hit me up.)
Follow Carmelina on Goodreads to stay updated on her latest releases and upcoming projects.
Instagram & TikTok: @authorcarmelinamercurio
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
February 15, 2025
This a great "no strings attached" (they become attached 🤭) read! Thank you so much for the ARC and congrats on your debut 🩷🩷🩷
I enjoy a good "he falls first and harder" and "enemies to lovers" romance, especially when it’s filled with amazing banter and has a good balance of plot and spice. The representation of mental health in the book was well done, addressing themes such as childhood trauma, anxiety, and panic attacks. While I found some instances of miscommunication and stubbornness frustrating, the story was overall easy to follow with amusing characters.
• Billionaire
• Enemies to lovers
• Grumpy x grumpy
• He falls first
• Mental health representation
I enjoy a good "he falls first and harder" and "enemies to lovers" romance, especially when it’s filled with amazing banter and has a good balance of plot and spice. The representation of mental health in the book was well done, addressing themes such as childhood trauma, anxiety, and panic attacks. While I found some instances of miscommunication and stubbornness frustrating, the story was overall easy to follow with amusing characters.
• Billionaire
• Enemies to lovers
• Grumpy x grumpy
• He falls first
• Mental health representation
June 10, 2025
2.5 stars
Monroe works at an upscale resort and struggles to make ends meet after living a life of maternal neglect. Alden is a billionaire who visits the resort annually and clashes each and every time with Monroe. This time, when they cross paths, sparks fly as they struggle with the realization that hate is a lot closer to other strong feelings, too.
*****
This book had potential, however the characters sat a bit too far outside of reality for me to truly enjoy it. We have an employee who runs HR throwing herself at the male lead, getting drunk on a work retreat and demanding he sleep with her, and stealing a guest's phone to try to force his hand... and nothing comes of it. No formal reprimands, no sending her home early or letting her go. This is all within the very start of the novel, and she continues to be a caricature of a human being throughout.
From there, we get the two leads constantly circling around each other and genuinely acting much younger than they are. Then, they spent the majority of the novel in a never-ending miscommunication trope that had me frustrated throughout. Any resolution seemed to fall right into another problem, and it made the pacing drag, especially with Monroe constantly going back on how she decided to feel about Alden. I did love how hard and fast he fell, but I couldn't get past the moments of stilted dialogue and repetitive language that continued to pull me out of the book.
Once you get to the halfway mark, it picks up a bit more, but honestly, it's not enough for me to truly love the book through the frustration. As an aside, the mental health representation of how a panic attack feels and what living with anxiety is like was genuinely done so well.
For a debut novel, this one was fleshed out decently. It just didn't resonate with me.
*****
Thank you to the author, Carmelina Mercurio, for the digital ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Monroe works at an upscale resort and struggles to make ends meet after living a life of maternal neglect. Alden is a billionaire who visits the resort annually and clashes each and every time with Monroe. This time, when they cross paths, sparks fly as they struggle with the realization that hate is a lot closer to other strong feelings, too.
*****
This book had potential, however the characters sat a bit too far outside of reality for me to truly enjoy it. We have an employee who runs HR throwing herself at the male lead, getting drunk on a work retreat and demanding he sleep with her, and stealing a guest's phone to try to force his hand... and nothing comes of it. No formal reprimands, no sending her home early or letting her go. This is all within the very start of the novel, and she continues to be a caricature of a human being throughout.
From there, we get the two leads constantly circling around each other and genuinely acting much younger than they are. Then, they spent the majority of the novel in a never-ending miscommunication trope that had me frustrated throughout. Any resolution seemed to fall right into another problem, and it made the pacing drag, especially with Monroe constantly going back on how she decided to feel about Alden. I did love how hard and fast he fell, but I couldn't get past the moments of stilted dialogue and repetitive language that continued to pull me out of the book.
Once you get to the halfway mark, it picks up a bit more, but honestly, it's not enough for me to truly love the book through the frustration. As an aside, the mental health representation of how a panic attack feels and what living with anxiety is like was genuinely done so well.
For a debut novel, this one was fleshed out decently. It just didn't resonate with me.
*****
Thank you to the author, Carmelina Mercurio, for the digital ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 27, 2025
3.5 ⭐
Before I begin I want to thank the author, Carmelina Mercurio, for giving me this ARC.
I enjoyed reading this don't get me wrong. I really liked the dynamics and the characters. What I did not like was the constant "yes I like you" and "no I don't". At a certain point I was just annoyed and wanted them to make up their mind so they could just stop bothering me and the people around them with their indecisive behavior. Because what do you mean one minute you say no but then close to an hour later you suddenly decided yes but the next morning it's no. I really hated that.
I know all of this sounds pretty harsh but I'm just trying to be honest.
Overall I think this book has its positives and its negatives but I did enjoy reading it.
Before I begin I want to thank the author, Carmelina Mercurio, for giving me this ARC.
I enjoyed reading this don't get me wrong. I really liked the dynamics and the characters. What I did not like was the constant "yes I like you" and "no I don't". At a certain point I was just annoyed and wanted them to make up their mind so they could just stop bothering me and the people around them with their indecisive behavior. Because what do you mean one minute you say no but then close to an hour later you suddenly decided yes but the next morning it's no. I really hated that.
I know all of this sounds pretty harsh but I'm just trying to be honest.
Overall I think this book has its positives and its negatives but I did enjoy reading it.
February 16, 2025
This was unlike the romance books I typically read, and I’m not mad about it. It was real, with real human problems and real human trauma. And all their problems weren’t solved because of each other. They solved their problems by themselves, with encouragement from each other and their friends. I also liked how they felt like their own people outside of each other. I’m very glad I was able to ARC read this book 🫶
Totally recommend, but check the trigger warnings.
Totally recommend, but check the trigger warnings.
March 3, 2025
I feel awful for the two stars I do, but the more I sat with it the more I just couldn’t give it more than that.
I finished this book 3 days ago and I’ve only now been able to dial back my snark enough to review it-and I’m not a snarky reviewer I like to think I’m fair and balanced, so that’s what I’m going to try to be here.
Firstly this is a debut novel so I wasn’t expecting perfection so this isn’t me ragging on a debut author these are just my thoughts.
There was both too much and too little in this book. There was a lot of the drama, and the heartache, and the angst but not an awful lot of the romance, and love story and the heart.
The miscommunication was repetitive, constant and could have been dialled back by about 50 pages.
The other man drama was simply unnecessary and a little cruel actually, especially when you consider the MMCs history.
This is a romance novel that ended without them actually saying I love you to each other (I’m not counting the epilogue here-in which our FMC apparently had a personality transplant) which feels undone to me.
I didn’t particularly care for either of the main characters if I’m honest, but did have empathy for the FMC and her relationship with her mother-mothers and daughter relationships can be hard and I felt for her and was willing her to stand up for herself.
Altogether though I feel like there was a great concept here I just feel the execution was missing something.
Allow me one second of snark to represent how I felt about the length of this one (it might not even be long it just felt long) the following is part of the message I sent my bestie after finishing: “I was actually disappointed there was an epilogue because I thought I was finally done” 🙈
I finished this book 3 days ago and I’ve only now been able to dial back my snark enough to review it-and I’m not a snarky reviewer I like to think I’m fair and balanced, so that’s what I’m going to try to be here.
Firstly this is a debut novel so I wasn’t expecting perfection so this isn’t me ragging on a debut author these are just my thoughts.
There was both too much and too little in this book. There was a lot of the drama, and the heartache, and the angst but not an awful lot of the romance, and love story and the heart.
The miscommunication was repetitive, constant and could have been dialled back by about 50 pages.
The other man drama was simply unnecessary and a little cruel actually, especially when you consider the MMCs history.
This is a romance novel that ended without them actually saying I love you to each other (I’m not counting the epilogue here-in which our FMC apparently had a personality transplant) which feels undone to me.
I didn’t particularly care for either of the main characters if I’m honest, but did have empathy for the FMC and her relationship with her mother-mothers and daughter relationships can be hard and I felt for her and was willing her to stand up for herself.
Altogether though I feel like there was a great concept here I just feel the execution was missing something.
Allow me one second of snark to represent how I felt about the length of this one (it might not even be long it just felt long) the following is part of the message I sent my bestie after finishing: “I was actually disappointed there was an epilogue because I thought I was finally done” 🙈
February 27, 2025
ARC review: release date February 25th 2025
This book was really cute!! I liked that both main characters were suffering from anxiety/panic attacks in different ways, it shows that it's not the same for everyone. It was nice to see that they solve their own issues on their own and don't rely on anyone else, even if it takes them a while to come around.
If you like a billionaire romance this will scratch the itch but maybe in an unexpected way! The billionaire isn't SUPER flashy or pushy which I appreciated. I felt like the characters had great chemistry and I enjoyed the banter! The spice was spicy, like I said, chem👏is👏try👏.
If you're looking for an easy read, even a palate cleanser between larger series then this is a nice one to pick up! Make sure you read trigger warnings!
This book was really cute!! I liked that both main characters were suffering from anxiety/panic attacks in different ways, it shows that it's not the same for everyone. It was nice to see that they solve their own issues on their own and don't rely on anyone else, even if it takes them a while to come around.
If you like a billionaire romance this will scratch the itch but maybe in an unexpected way! The billionaire isn't SUPER flashy or pushy which I appreciated. I felt like the characters had great chemistry and I enjoyed the banter! The spice was spicy, like I said, chem👏is👏try👏.
If you're looking for an easy read, even a palate cleanser between larger series then this is a nice one to pick up! Make sure you read trigger warnings!
March 10, 2025
4.25 ⭐️
|ARC|
⋆ billionaire romance
⋆ dislike to lovers
⋆ grumpy x grumpy
⋆ he falls first and harder
⋆ no-strings arrangement
⋆ anxiety and panic disorder rep
________________________
This book was honestly so cute and didn’t feel like a debut at all but I had an amazing time reading it. I will say it did have its moments that were hard to get through at the beginning but I love a “one time thing to get it out of our systems” moment, and From that second I was hooked. This book was an emotional, heartfelt love story full of longing and vulnerability. We follow Monroe and Alden’s story through their eyes and watch as the open up to each other, heal and slowly fall in love.
I absolutely loved both Monroe, Alden and their dynamic! Their banter was amazing and made this book so much more enjoyable. I also loved their growth. Their vulnerability with each other was so raw, so real and no matter how hard they pushed each other away they always ended back together because they understood each other on a level no one else could. They broke each other’s wall down in the best absolute way. They fought for each other but also fought for themselves and it was really inspiring.
The writing was really well done, and as someone who relates to both their struggles with anxiety I believe that it was really well represented. I will say I wish there was more fight in the end, I felt that it fell a little flat and I wished for more but other than that it was written well! ALSO the spice?? Chefs kiss. There was such a good balance between the spice and the plot.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I’m honored to be apart of the beginning of carmelina’s journey as an author! Thank you so much for the ARC and congrats on your debut carmelina, I can’t wait to read more! 🥂🌊
|ARC|
⋆ billionaire romance
⋆ dislike to lovers
⋆ grumpy x grumpy
⋆ he falls first and harder
⋆ no-strings arrangement
⋆ anxiety and panic disorder rep
________________________
This book was honestly so cute and didn’t feel like a debut at all but I had an amazing time reading it. I will say it did have its moments that were hard to get through at the beginning but I love a “one time thing to get it out of our systems” moment, and From that second I was hooked. This book was an emotional, heartfelt love story full of longing and vulnerability. We follow Monroe and Alden’s story through their eyes and watch as the open up to each other, heal and slowly fall in love.
I absolutely loved both Monroe, Alden and their dynamic! Their banter was amazing and made this book so much more enjoyable. I also loved their growth. Their vulnerability with each other was so raw, so real and no matter how hard they pushed each other away they always ended back together because they understood each other on a level no one else could. They broke each other’s wall down in the best absolute way. They fought for each other but also fought for themselves and it was really inspiring.
The writing was really well done, and as someone who relates to both their struggles with anxiety I believe that it was really well represented. I will say I wish there was more fight in the end, I felt that it fell a little flat and I wished for more but other than that it was written well! ALSO the spice?? Chefs kiss. There was such a good balance between the spice and the plot.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I’m honored to be apart of the beginning of carmelina’s journey as an author! Thank you so much for the ARC and congrats on your debut carmelina, I can’t wait to read more! 🥂🌊
February 27, 2025
Rating: 3.8/5
Spice level: 5/5
**ARC review**
The Three Month Rule by Carmelina Mercurio was an engaging read.
The book alternates between the points of view of Monroe Carimore and Alden Van Doren, and I appreciated how their individual struggles were so vividly portrayed. Monroe's journey, especially with her mental health issues and her challenges with her mother, really stuck with me. It was eye-opening to see how easily negative thoughts can overtake your mind, and how those thoughts impact the way you see the world and others. The book also delves into panic attacks with a level of detail that made me feel like I was right there with the characters, experiencing everything they went through.
Aldens' perspective added a fresh dynamic as he slowly fell for Monroe, giving the story a "guy falling for the girl first" element that I really enjoyed. Their romance was electric and undeniable, though there were moments where I found Monroe a bit hard to connect with. It felt like I had a love-hate relationship with her, which is part of what made the book feel so real. She had her flaws, but so did Alden, and that balance made the book interesting.
I loved the dedication at the beginning of the book: “And to those who live inside their head - I see you, I am you. In those moments of darkness that threaten to consume you, remember; that we are more than our thoughts. So much more.” It was such a beautiful and powerful reminder that we are not our self-doubt, and it resonated with me throughout the story.
There were moments in the book that did feel a bit slow or boring, but I was able to push through them because of how well the characters' emotional growth was depicted. Both Monroe and Alden go through such meaningful personal developments, making it worth it. I also appreciated how the book balanced spicy scenes with character growth. The moments of passion between them were scorching, but the emotional journey was just as satisfying.
Some of my favorite phrases from the book that stuck with me:
“Sometimes, you need to stand up for what you think is right, and this is exactly that moment for me.”
“Normally, management doesn't dare to side with their employees...” (So true in the real world, especially in customer service jobs.)
“The little patronizing voice in my head reminds me. But I push back, determined not to let my darkest parts outshine the lighter ones.”
“So, I force a smile on my face. And inch it higher and higher until the feeling becomes genuine and replaces whatever melancholy I had been feeling before.”
“I want to be the only thing she has on her mind, not whoever had her attention before.”
“But beggars can't be choosers in this economy.”
“It felt almost addicting to have someone care about me, even when I didn't really care about them.”
“...ensure that my past never comes back, but sometimes, even when we try our hardest, the things that we avoid find a way of catching up to us.”
“If the relationship is causing you more pain than it's worth, maybe it isn't worth it.”
“The beauty of cellphones is that I can hang up whenever I want.”
While the focus on the romance was fun, I did wish there was a bit more action in the workplace scenes. That said, it didn't detract too much from the overall story.
Spice level: 5/5
**ARC review**
The Three Month Rule by Carmelina Mercurio was an engaging read.
The book alternates between the points of view of Monroe Carimore and Alden Van Doren, and I appreciated how their individual struggles were so vividly portrayed. Monroe's journey, especially with her mental health issues and her challenges with her mother, really stuck with me. It was eye-opening to see how easily negative thoughts can overtake your mind, and how those thoughts impact the way you see the world and others. The book also delves into panic attacks with a level of detail that made me feel like I was right there with the characters, experiencing everything they went through.
Aldens' perspective added a fresh dynamic as he slowly fell for Monroe, giving the story a "guy falling for the girl first" element that I really enjoyed. Their romance was electric and undeniable, though there were moments where I found Monroe a bit hard to connect with. It felt like I had a love-hate relationship with her, which is part of what made the book feel so real. She had her flaws, but so did Alden, and that balance made the book interesting.
I loved the dedication at the beginning of the book: “And to those who live inside their head - I see you, I am you. In those moments of darkness that threaten to consume you, remember; that we are more than our thoughts. So much more.” It was such a beautiful and powerful reminder that we are not our self-doubt, and it resonated with me throughout the story.
There were moments in the book that did feel a bit slow or boring, but I was able to push through them because of how well the characters' emotional growth was depicted. Both Monroe and Alden go through such meaningful personal developments, making it worth it. I also appreciated how the book balanced spicy scenes with character growth. The moments of passion between them were scorching, but the emotional journey was just as satisfying.
Some of my favorite phrases from the book that stuck with me:
“Sometimes, you need to stand up for what you think is right, and this is exactly that moment for me.”
“Normally, management doesn't dare to side with their employees...” (So true in the real world, especially in customer service jobs.)
“The little patronizing voice in my head reminds me. But I push back, determined not to let my darkest parts outshine the lighter ones.”
“So, I force a smile on my face. And inch it higher and higher until the feeling becomes genuine and replaces whatever melancholy I had been feeling before.”
“I want to be the only thing she has on her mind, not whoever had her attention before.”
“But beggars can't be choosers in this economy.”
“It felt almost addicting to have someone care about me, even when I didn't really care about them.”
“...ensure that my past never comes back, but sometimes, even when we try our hardest, the things that we avoid find a way of catching up to us.”
“If the relationship is causing you more pain than it's worth, maybe it isn't worth it.”
“The beauty of cellphones is that I can hang up whenever I want.”
While the focus on the romance was fun, I did wish there was a bit more action in the workplace scenes. That said, it didn't detract too much from the overall story.
February 26, 2025
ARC READER
First of all, I wanna congratulate you on being a 25-year-old published indie author. Just reading that acknowledgment is extremely motivating because I’m 25, and I’ve been thinking about possibly writing my own book, but I’ve held myself back. Reading that you’re 25 and you did it is really inspiring to me.
Now, getting into the book, you wrote panic attacks beautifully. As someone who has had them before, I know not many books can really show all aspects of a panic attack, but you did exactly that. You also captured how difficult it is to set boundaries with loved ones who’ve hurt you while still wanting a relationship with them. This book is so real and raw—it was exactly what I needed after reading some fluffy romances. Even though I love a good fluffy romance, reading this just grounded me in a sense.My only constructive criticism is that some parts of the book felt a bit flat or dragged at times. I also would have loved to see more of the prank war between the main characters—it could have been a fun way to highlight their competitive sides and the tension brewing between them. The miscommunication trope is always a hit or miss for readers, and I’ll admit I was torn. These two had me going back and forth between loving them and wanting to shake them because they just would not communicate—but that’s also a sign of great writing. If a book can make me feel that strongly, I know the author has done something right.
I really hope you continue writing because it’s clear you’re great at it. There wasn’t much to critique with this book. The spice was perfect, the characters were complex in the best way, and it felt so real. I can’t wait to read your next book!
First of all, I wanna congratulate you on being a 25-year-old published indie author. Just reading that acknowledgment is extremely motivating because I’m 25, and I’ve been thinking about possibly writing my own book, but I’ve held myself back. Reading that you’re 25 and you did it is really inspiring to me.
Now, getting into the book, you wrote panic attacks beautifully. As someone who has had them before, I know not many books can really show all aspects of a panic attack, but you did exactly that. You also captured how difficult it is to set boundaries with loved ones who’ve hurt you while still wanting a relationship with them. This book is so real and raw—it was exactly what I needed after reading some fluffy romances. Even though I love a good fluffy romance, reading this just grounded me in a sense.My only constructive criticism is that some parts of the book felt a bit flat or dragged at times. I also would have loved to see more of the prank war between the main characters—it could have been a fun way to highlight their competitive sides and the tension brewing between them. The miscommunication trope is always a hit or miss for readers, and I’ll admit I was torn. These two had me going back and forth between loving them and wanting to shake them because they just would not communicate—but that’s also a sign of great writing. If a book can make me feel that strongly, I know the author has done something right.
I really hope you continue writing because it’s clear you’re great at it. There wasn’t much to critique with this book. The spice was perfect, the characters were complex in the best way, and it felt so real. I can’t wait to read your next book!
February 25, 2025
The Three Month Rule
Author: Carmelina Mercurio
ARC Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25/5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Tropes:
- Hate to Love
- He Falls First & Hard
- It's Always Been Her
- No Strings Attached
- Billionaire Romance
- Grumpy × Grumpy
- Anxiety/Panic Attacks Rep
- Traumatic Pasts
- Happily Ever After
The Three Month Rule book is a medium paced, enemies to lovers, billionaire romance trope where our billionaire MMC is obsessed with the fiery FMC.
Monroe Canmore works in a fancy resort where she overlooks everything for guests. She loves her job and tries her best to keep things professional between herself and the guests that was until she encountered her bane of existence, Alden Van Doren.
Alden Van Doren is the billionaire and owner of the resort where she works. He's everything one can dream of. Good looking, charming and powerful but underneath all that is a different man, who is obsessed with fiesty Monroe Canmore and often indulges in verbal sparring with her.
Monroe & Alden play this game of cat and mouse which adds more fuel to their brewing hate (or should I say chemistry) and I loved every bit of it. The banter, their connection, their moments, their steamy open door scenes, everything is just perfect.
I loved the multi layered depiction of characters. How there's always something new about them, their development of feelings and the whole journey of healing and finding each other. It's beautiful. This book broke me and then fixed me in a way I cannot explain.
I felt deeply connected to the characters when their vulnerability was shown. It's like they were calling for me. Also I did shed a tear or two. I just wish I could bubble wrap them forever.
[TW: The book touches the topics of unstable, emotionally abusive parental relationship, mentions of suicide and an emotionally abusive romantic relationship.]
I would say please check the trigger warnings before you proceed.
So if you're interested in a book that's going to emotionally wreck you and then fix you, I'd say get this book!
Author: Carmelina Mercurio
ARC Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25/5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Tropes:
- Hate to Love
- He Falls First & Hard
- It's Always Been Her
- No Strings Attached
- Billionaire Romance
- Grumpy × Grumpy
- Anxiety/Panic Attacks Rep
- Traumatic Pasts
- Happily Ever After
The Three Month Rule book is a medium paced, enemies to lovers, billionaire romance trope where our billionaire MMC is obsessed with the fiery FMC.
Monroe Canmore works in a fancy resort where she overlooks everything for guests. She loves her job and tries her best to keep things professional between herself and the guests that was until she encountered her bane of existence, Alden Van Doren.
Alden Van Doren is the billionaire and owner of the resort where she works. He's everything one can dream of. Good looking, charming and powerful but underneath all that is a different man, who is obsessed with fiesty Monroe Canmore and often indulges in verbal sparring with her.
Monroe & Alden play this game of cat and mouse which adds more fuel to their brewing hate (or should I say chemistry) and I loved every bit of it. The banter, their connection, their moments, their steamy open door scenes, everything is just perfect.
I loved the multi layered depiction of characters. How there's always something new about them, their development of feelings and the whole journey of healing and finding each other. It's beautiful. This book broke me and then fixed me in a way I cannot explain.
I felt deeply connected to the characters when their vulnerability was shown. It's like they were calling for me. Also I did shed a tear or two. I just wish I could bubble wrap them forever.
[TW: The book touches the topics of unstable, emotionally abusive parental relationship, mentions of suicide and an emotionally abusive romantic relationship.]
I would say please check the trigger warnings before you proceed.
So if you're interested in a book that's going to emotionally wreck you and then fix you, I'd say get this book!
November 1, 2025
4.5⭐|3🌶|10% 🌶frequency
This book is wonderful 😍 And it's very emotional for me. Sure, I love books with happy families, but on the other hand, these books also make me sad. So, reading books with problematic parents gives me the feeling I'm not alone.
Monroe's mother is a toxic narcissist. And I absolutely know how she felt. There are still differences between her mother and mine. Mine is still married to my father, and she has worked her whole life. But still, she is a toxic narcissist, too.
And yes, I had to work very hard on myself to cut ties, even though I'm the bad one now... But I give af!
One would think Monroe and Alden are complete opposites. She's more of a lower-level, and he's a billionaire. But on the contrary. They are actually very similar. They are both broken and have mental health issues. Monroe because of her mother, and Alden because of something else 😎 I knew there was something with him. He is a wonderful person, but I just felt something deep in him isn't right 😞
I didn't have this book on my TBR, but then I saw an ARC sign-up for the author's next book. And oooh that sounds good 🤩 But a commitment for a new-to-me author is always a bit freaking for me 🙈 But then I saw she had this book already, and luckily I still had KU. So I just squeezed it in between other books. As you can see, I liked this one, so obviously I'm looking forward to reading the next one even more 😁 Just hoping I'll get an ARC 🤞🤣😎
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This book is wonderful 😍 And it's very emotional for me. Sure, I love books with happy families, but on the other hand, these books also make me sad. So, reading books with problematic parents gives me the feeling I'm not alone.
Monroe's mother is a toxic narcissist. And I absolutely know how she felt. There are still differences between her mother and mine. Mine is still married to my father, and she has worked her whole life. But still, she is a toxic narcissist, too.
And yes, I had to work very hard on myself to cut ties, even though I'm the bad one now... But I give af!
One would think Monroe and Alden are complete opposites. She's more of a lower-level, and he's a billionaire. But on the contrary. They are actually very similar. They are both broken and have mental health issues. Monroe because of her mother, and Alden because of something else 😎 I knew there was something with him. He is a wonderful person, but I just felt something deep in him isn't right 😞
I didn't have this book on my TBR, but then I saw an ARC sign-up for the author's next book. And oooh that sounds good 🤩 But a commitment for a new-to-me author is always a bit freaking for me 🙈 But then I saw she had this book already, and luckily I still had KU. So I just squeezed it in between other books. As you can see, I liked this one, so obviously I'm looking forward to reading the next one even more 😁 Just hoping I'll get an ARC 🤞🤣😎
Follow me on IG for more
https://www.instagram.com/minnie.love...
February 26, 2025
ARC REVIEW!!!
The Three Month Rule by Carmelina Mercurio is a powerful exploration of love, trauma, and self-discovery. Monroe Canmore, a woman with a painful past, has sworn off anything serious when it comes to relationships. Enter Alden Van Doren, a man whose own emotional scars make him equally hesitant to open his heart. The two agree to a no-strings-attached arrangement, but of course, life rarely follows the rules, especially when it comes to matters of the heart.
Mercurio deftly handles complex themes like mental health and anxiety, creating characters who are deeply relatable in their struggles and growth. Monroe and Alden’s emotional journeys are nuanced and engaging, and their chemistry is undeniable, making for a story that is both tender and intense. The dynamic between the characters—the way they push each other to confront their fears and open up—is the heart of the novel, and it’s both touching and raw.
The pacing is just right, with enough twists to keep the reader invested, and the growth of the relationship feels organic rather than forced. It’s a slow burn that pays off, making their eventual connection feel earned rather than contrived.
Overall, The Three Month Rule is a well-written, heartfelt romance that not only delivers on emotional depth but also highlights the importance of healing and self-love before committing to another. It’s a great read for fans of character-driven romances with a focus on personal growth and emotional healing.
The Three Month Rule by Carmelina Mercurio is a powerful exploration of love, trauma, and self-discovery. Monroe Canmore, a woman with a painful past, has sworn off anything serious when it comes to relationships. Enter Alden Van Doren, a man whose own emotional scars make him equally hesitant to open his heart. The two agree to a no-strings-attached arrangement, but of course, life rarely follows the rules, especially when it comes to matters of the heart.
Mercurio deftly handles complex themes like mental health and anxiety, creating characters who are deeply relatable in their struggles and growth. Monroe and Alden’s emotional journeys are nuanced and engaging, and their chemistry is undeniable, making for a story that is both tender and intense. The dynamic between the characters—the way they push each other to confront their fears and open up—is the heart of the novel, and it’s both touching and raw.
The pacing is just right, with enough twists to keep the reader invested, and the growth of the relationship feels organic rather than forced. It’s a slow burn that pays off, making their eventual connection feel earned rather than contrived.
Overall, The Three Month Rule is a well-written, heartfelt romance that not only delivers on emotional depth but also highlights the importance of healing and self-love before committing to another. It’s a great read for fans of character-driven romances with a focus on personal growth and emotional healing.
February 18, 2025
The beginning of this book felt a little slow, and I found the dialogue between the FMC and her friends to be a little cheesy, but once I got 100 pages in it started getting really good. I liked the chemistry between the FMC and the MMC and I thought the mental health representation was well written. I found myself identifying a little bit with Monroe’s relationship with her mom. No complaints at all about the spice, it was just the right amount. I was really enjoying it until the miscommunication between them got to be insufferable. I understand that they both have their insecurities from their past traumas, but I found myself wanting to scream at them to just talk to each other. Just when I thought they were healing and learning to trust each other, a third act break up pops up out of nowhere and she’s blaming him for her losing her job because one of his employees ratted her out, out of spite. Then so quickly they come back together after he buys her apartment building and evicts her, she just forgives him, and he just forgives her for pushing him away and being ridiculous in the first place. I was just very disappointed with how the end was handled. I feel like it was rushed, and she turned the dialogue between them very cheesy. It wasn’t witty banter anymore. It had potential but lacked the right execution.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 22, 2025
3.5 Stars
I really like the storyline of this book. You have the grumpy/sunshine-ish trope going on, enemies to lovers (to enemies, to friendly, to enemies to lovers??), found family, as well as some fun side characters. I’d love Wendell’s book!
Alden is the grumpy billionaire CEO who has vacationed at the same Palm Beach resort for the last five years. Monroe is the spunky waitress at the resort who is just making ends meet. They’ve had a “love to hate you” banter going on for five years, in the summer only. (This is where the three month rule comes into play, although it’s never explicitly stated in the book.). Alden has a past that has traumatized him against any lasting relationships, and Monroe’s non-relationship with her mother has scarred her for ever feeling like she’ll be enough for anymore.
I took a star and a half because I feel like there’s just too much back and forth. We spend way too much time in people’s heads, there could be less inner monologue. And I feel like Alden’s light switch of feelings (on/off/on/off) is just too frequent and isn’t quite believable. That or he’s just too hotheaded, but again, not explicitly stated. I got to the point where at the end I was skimming “thoughts” to get to actual dialogue.
Good story overall, with less than stellar main characters. I was more interested in the side characters!
I really like the storyline of this book. You have the grumpy/sunshine-ish trope going on, enemies to lovers (to enemies, to friendly, to enemies to lovers??), found family, as well as some fun side characters. I’d love Wendell’s book!
Alden is the grumpy billionaire CEO who has vacationed at the same Palm Beach resort for the last five years. Monroe is the spunky waitress at the resort who is just making ends meet. They’ve had a “love to hate you” banter going on for five years, in the summer only. (This is where the three month rule comes into play, although it’s never explicitly stated in the book.). Alden has a past that has traumatized him against any lasting relationships, and Monroe’s non-relationship with her mother has scarred her for ever feeling like she’ll be enough for anymore.
I took a star and a half because I feel like there’s just too much back and forth. We spend way too much time in people’s heads, there could be less inner monologue. And I feel like Alden’s light switch of feelings (on/off/on/off) is just too frequent and isn’t quite believable. That or he’s just too hotheaded, but again, not explicitly stated. I got to the point where at the end I was skimming “thoughts” to get to actual dialogue.
Good story overall, with less than stellar main characters. I was more interested in the side characters!
February 23, 2025
Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this ARC!
The Three Month Rule's title confused me because the blurb says it consists of one month. What? Lol.
The story was cute, but the ending was odd because it's like one chapter is "let's do what's best for us and be together and happy," the next chapter is "I shouldn't have let this happen, we're breaking up, I don't want your help, go away, " and the next chapter is "Thanks for your help, I've missed you so much, let's be together forever." I feel like emotions don't sway that hard that quickly. I'm not sure if the last parts were just rushed or what, but it just seemed really out of place to me.
Also, Monroe herself was confusing. I adored her in the beginning, but by the end I was like, "What is wrong with you??" How do you go from "I love you" to "I don't want you to love me" to "I want to be with you" to "we should have never happened" back to "I love you" SO FAST???
Other than that, I loved this book! Like I said, the story was cute. I liked the banter, both from Monroe & Alden AND with Wendell & Alden. I love that Wendell knew what Alden needed even if Alden didn't yet. What a great friendship.
I also liked the representation of panic attacks. They're different for different people, and that shows here.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I would definitely read another by the author!
The Three Month Rule's title confused me because the blurb says it consists of one month. What? Lol.
The story was cute, but the ending was odd because it's like one chapter is "let's do what's best for us and be together and happy," the next chapter is "I shouldn't have let this happen, we're breaking up, I don't want your help, go away, " and the next chapter is "Thanks for your help, I've missed you so much, let's be together forever." I feel like emotions don't sway that hard that quickly. I'm not sure if the last parts were just rushed or what, but it just seemed really out of place to me.
Also, Monroe herself was confusing. I adored her in the beginning, but by the end I was like, "What is wrong with you??" How do you go from "I love you" to "I don't want you to love me" to "I want to be with you" to "we should have never happened" back to "I love you" SO FAST???
Other than that, I loved this book! Like I said, the story was cute. I liked the banter, both from Monroe & Alden AND with Wendell & Alden. I love that Wendell knew what Alden needed even if Alden didn't yet. What a great friendship.
I also liked the representation of panic attacks. They're different for different people, and that shows here.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I would definitely read another by the author!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 23, 2025
This is a debut novel, I’ll start by congratulating the author. I always love to see a first book published.
This book follows 2 main characters, Monroe who is a waitress at a resort and struggles to make ends meet and Alden who is a billionaire and who visits this resort each year. Their chemistry was definitely obvious and their banter was comical. I thought the author had an excellent way of conveying the anxiety/panic attack issues that the characters go through and enjoyed watching their growth and how both characters seemed to work through these issues in their own. How each of the characters dealt with their mental health issues made them very relatable.
What I struggled with during the storyline was how much back and forth the two of the went through, and how frequently they had miscommunications. I felt as soon as they worked things out something else immediately happened. It was a little distracting and frustrating for me.
I do think the author did a great job with making the characters relatable and showed good character growth. I loved the side characters. I see promise in this author with books to come.
If you enjoy a billionaire, enemies to lovers romance, this would be a great debut novel to check out. 3.5/5
This book follows 2 main characters, Monroe who is a waitress at a resort and struggles to make ends meet and Alden who is a billionaire and who visits this resort each year. Their chemistry was definitely obvious and their banter was comical. I thought the author had an excellent way of conveying the anxiety/panic attack issues that the characters go through and enjoyed watching their growth and how both characters seemed to work through these issues in their own. How each of the characters dealt with their mental health issues made them very relatable.
What I struggled with during the storyline was how much back and forth the two of the went through, and how frequently they had miscommunications. I felt as soon as they worked things out something else immediately happened. It was a little distracting and frustrating for me.
I do think the author did a great job with making the characters relatable and showed good character growth. I loved the side characters. I see promise in this author with books to come.
If you enjoy a billionaire, enemies to lovers romance, this would be a great debut novel to check out. 3.5/5
February 17, 2025
Before diving into this review, I would like to congratulate Carmelina on her debut novel. It is always a privilege to support Canadians authors.
Enemies to lovers, Monroe and Alden are like oil and water. Monroe is a waitress at the hotel Alden continues to visit every year. Alden is a billionaire who happens to look forward to a verbal sparring match with Monroe during each vacation. Monroe and Alden fought hard against their inevitable HEA. In the end, however, they are finally able to figure out how they feel about each other.
All in all, it was a great debut novel. Dual POV, it had a good balance of spice and plot. What I really enjoyed was the portrayal of mental health. Each character is flawed, and both are aware of it. They also did not rely on each other to "fix" themselves.
However, the miscommunication between both Monroe and Alden was frustrating at times, and I wish we had explored the situation with Monroe's mother a bit more (as in, why doesn't Monroe kick her out?!).
I can’t wait to read more from this debut author. As always, please heed the trigger warnings before reading.
Thank you for letting me be your ARC reader Carmelina!
Enemies to lovers, Monroe and Alden are like oil and water. Monroe is a waitress at the hotel Alden continues to visit every year. Alden is a billionaire who happens to look forward to a verbal sparring match with Monroe during each vacation. Monroe and Alden fought hard against their inevitable HEA. In the end, however, they are finally able to figure out how they feel about each other.
All in all, it was a great debut novel. Dual POV, it had a good balance of spice and plot. What I really enjoyed was the portrayal of mental health. Each character is flawed, and both are aware of it. They also did not rely on each other to "fix" themselves.
However, the miscommunication between both Monroe and Alden was frustrating at times, and I wish we had explored the situation with Monroe's mother a bit more (as in, why doesn't Monroe kick her out?!).
I can’t wait to read more from this debut author. As always, please heed the trigger warnings before reading.
Thank you for letting me be your ARC reader Carmelina!
March 4, 2025
The Three Month Rule - ⭐️ 3.75/5 🌶️ 3/5
~ spoilers ahead ~
No strings attached? Enemies to lovers? Lost of banter? Someone falls first? Rich billionaire? Sign me up!!!! My first ever book by Carmelina, had the privilege to ARC read this book but life got super busy here it finally is!
Monroe, our beautiful hard working fmc. Alden, our handsome billionaire mmc. Setting takes place at the Cerulean, where Monroe works. Alden comes along each season for “work” but also to continue this flirty rivalry banter with Monroe. One night, they end up deciding to hook up once but after that night the constant tension and thoughts of one another continued to grow which resulted into them making it just about the sex. But finally Monroe put her foot down and asked the inevitable question, “What do you want from me?”. Alden starts to open up his feelings and due to a fear from the past, he was scared to let anyone in. At the end, Monroe hears the truth and ultimately the two end up together!
This was such a cute fun read! Thanks again Carmelina! ♥️😚
First book of the month. I’m trying to get back into reading more this month. Send your book recommendations ✨
~ spoilers ahead ~
No strings attached? Enemies to lovers? Lost of banter? Someone falls first? Rich billionaire? Sign me up!!!! My first ever book by Carmelina, had the privilege to ARC read this book but life got super busy here it finally is!
Monroe, our beautiful hard working fmc. Alden, our handsome billionaire mmc. Setting takes place at the Cerulean, where Monroe works. Alden comes along each season for “work” but also to continue this flirty rivalry banter with Monroe. One night, they end up deciding to hook up once but after that night the constant tension and thoughts of one another continued to grow which resulted into them making it just about the sex. But finally Monroe put her foot down and asked the inevitable question, “What do you want from me?”. Alden starts to open up his feelings and due to a fear from the past, he was scared to let anyone in. At the end, Monroe hears the truth and ultimately the two end up together!
This was such a cute fun read! Thanks again Carmelina! ♥️😚
First book of the month. I’m trying to get back into reading more this month. Send your book recommendations ✨
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 19, 2025
Thank you for allowing me to arc read this!
I've never felt more attacked and also touched by a book in my entire life. In the acknowledgments Carmelina Mercurio says "I wrote a love story about two characters who reflect the deepest parts of myself, in hopes that you, dear reader, could see yourself in them and realize you're not alone." And that perfectly describes how I felt about this book. I found bits and pieces of myself in both Monroe and Alden. And while this story and these characters did have a lot of trauma there were also moments that had me laughing. The "rematerialized dust" line made me cackle! This was such a great read and it captures mental health in such a realistic way. One of my favorite parts was right before the epilogue when Monroe states that although Alden hadn't vocally said he loves her she still felt loved. I think sometimes the best kind of love is shown and not told. This was a beautiful story and I cant wait to see more from Carmelina Mercurio!
I've never felt more attacked and also touched by a book in my entire life. In the acknowledgments Carmelina Mercurio says "I wrote a love story about two characters who reflect the deepest parts of myself, in hopes that you, dear reader, could see yourself in them and realize you're not alone." And that perfectly describes how I felt about this book. I found bits and pieces of myself in both Monroe and Alden. And while this story and these characters did have a lot of trauma there were also moments that had me laughing. The "rematerialized dust" line made me cackle! This was such a great read and it captures mental health in such a realistic way. One of my favorite parts was right before the epilogue when Monroe states that although Alden hadn't vocally said he loves her she still felt loved. I think sometimes the best kind of love is shown and not told. This was a beautiful story and I cant wait to see more from Carmelina Mercurio!
February 21, 2025
ARC Review
Monroe and Alden are such a sweet couple. Their dedication to their work, their individuality, and the way they navigate life’s challenges really stand out. They’ve both gone through so much, but their resilience and growth was inspiring.
One of the most meaningful takeaways from this book is that it’s okay to make mistakes and face uncertainty. The key is learning from those moments and not letting the past or the future steal the happiness of the present. The book also gives an honest portrayal of anxiety and panic attacks—acknowledging the desire to run but choosing to stay and fight for love🥹❤️.
The Author Carmelina writes with so much heart and empathy. The portrayal of mental health struggles and relationship growth feels genuine and relatable. The characters’ emotional journeys linger long after the story ends. I’d rate this book 4 stars because it truly captures life’s challenges and how love and self-growth can help us overcome them.
Monroe and Alden are such a sweet couple. Their dedication to their work, their individuality, and the way they navigate life’s challenges really stand out. They’ve both gone through so much, but their resilience and growth was inspiring.
One of the most meaningful takeaways from this book is that it’s okay to make mistakes and face uncertainty. The key is learning from those moments and not letting the past or the future steal the happiness of the present. The book also gives an honest portrayal of anxiety and panic attacks—acknowledging the desire to run but choosing to stay and fight for love🥹❤️.
The Author Carmelina writes with so much heart and empathy. The portrayal of mental health struggles and relationship growth feels genuine and relatable. The characters’ emotional journeys linger long after the story ends. I’d rate this book 4 stars because it truly captures life’s challenges and how love and self-growth can help us overcome them.
February 25, 2025
HAPPY RELEASE DAY!!
ARC Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Three Month Rule is a heartfelt romance that blends emotional vulnerability with sizzling chemistry, delivering a story that feels both fresh and familiar. Carmelina Mercurio crafts characters who are deeply relatable, flawed, and incredibly easy to root for.
The book follows Poppy and Gabe, two people who are bound by the titular “three-month rule”—a commitment to keep their relationship strictly casual and time-limited. What starts as a seemingly lighthearted agreement quickly turns into something deeper as both characters grapple with past heartbreak, fear of vulnerability, and the unexpected intensity of their connection.
I’m also a sucker for banter, especially between Poppy and Gabe since it feels so natural
Overall, The Three Month Rule is a delightful, feel-good romance with just the right amount of emotional punch. Perfect for fans of contemporary romance who enjoy stories about love, vulnerability, and second chances.
ARC Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Three Month Rule is a heartfelt romance that blends emotional vulnerability with sizzling chemistry, delivering a story that feels both fresh and familiar. Carmelina Mercurio crafts characters who are deeply relatable, flawed, and incredibly easy to root for.
The book follows Poppy and Gabe, two people who are bound by the titular “three-month rule”—a commitment to keep their relationship strictly casual and time-limited. What starts as a seemingly lighthearted agreement quickly turns into something deeper as both characters grapple with past heartbreak, fear of vulnerability, and the unexpected intensity of their connection.
I’m also a sucker for banter, especially between Poppy and Gabe since it feels so natural
Overall, The Three Month Rule is a delightful, feel-good romance with just the right amount of emotional punch. Perfect for fans of contemporary romance who enjoy stories about love, vulnerability, and second chances.
March 5, 2025
For a first novel, the novel is worded nicely.
I would prefer 3.5 stars.
I'll try to write as spoiler free as possible.
The novel has a good base with its characters but more could have been done. The characters are forgetful and don't stick with me because 60% of the story was all over the place opening sub plots and leaving them hanging.
My biggest ick was the loose mention of the timeline.
Blurb says they had a month long fling, title suggests they were at the resort for 3 months.
The timeline vs the attraction make no sense. They barely had any interaction that would channel the enemies to lovers trope.
It felt like 2 individual stories forced to interact at times.
The twist at 90% is was absolutely useless cause they had zero character growth before the final HEA. The FMC's personality did a complete 180 for the HEA.
The story idea is good but the framing could have been better.
I would prefer 3.5 stars.
I'll try to write as spoiler free as possible.
The novel has a good base with its characters but more could have been done. The characters are forgetful and don't stick with me because 60% of the story was all over the place opening sub plots and leaving them hanging.
My biggest ick was the loose mention of the timeline.
Blurb says they had a month long fling, title suggests they were at the resort for 3 months.
The timeline vs the attraction make no sense. They barely had any interaction that would channel the enemies to lovers trope.
It felt like 2 individual stories forced to interact at times.
The twist at 90% is was absolutely useless cause they had zero character growth before the final HEA. The FMC's personality did a complete 180 for the HEA.
The story idea is good but the framing could have been better.
February 20, 2025
Received this as an advance review copy~
I enjoyed the plot, them being this is one time off it hilarious, we all know that years of tension isn't gonna be fixed in one go heheh. the characters were written to be relatable, and I was really more interested in how they would overcome personal issues and traumatic experiences. Before going into a relationship, i appreciated that aspect of the romance. however, i do feel like parts of the story are bland and dragging. still, worth the read, especially if you are looking for a story of slow romantic realization and realistic life choices 🫶
Keep hangging there to every Monroe, keep the hustle and the heart for the job ❤️
Also, swooning over this line: "Pick whoever you want, Monroe, because at the end of the day, the only older man you’re going to be sleeping with is me.”
I enjoyed the plot, them being this is one time off it hilarious, we all know that years of tension isn't gonna be fixed in one go heheh. the characters were written to be relatable, and I was really more interested in how they would overcome personal issues and traumatic experiences. Before going into a relationship, i appreciated that aspect of the romance. however, i do feel like parts of the story are bland and dragging. still, worth the read, especially if you are looking for a story of slow romantic realization and realistic life choices 🫶
Keep hangging there to every Monroe, keep the hustle and the heart for the job ❤️
Also, swooning over this line: "Pick whoever you want, Monroe, because at the end of the day, the only older man you’re going to be sleeping with is me.”
February 20, 2025
This is such a great (spicy!!) romance read!!
I received this book as an ARC to read before its release. I was immediately hooked - some of my favourite tropes are included (billionaire MMC, enemies to lovers, no strings attached) and there was an air of mystery to both Alden and Monroe’s stories…and you have to wait to the very end to fit all the pieces in the puzzle!! 👏🏻
I love that this book depicts real and raw representations of people and relationships. It’s messy, but satisfying; painful, but romantic; heartbreaking, but so happy!
If you’re into spicy books, this one has it in SPADES. The MMC is next-level! No closed doors here 😉
I really hope there may be a spinoff book (or 2?!) in the future with some of the secondary characters that I loved!!
Congratulations on your debut novel Carmelina Mercurio - it’s a stunner! ⭐️
I received this book as an ARC to read before its release. I was immediately hooked - some of my favourite tropes are included (billionaire MMC, enemies to lovers, no strings attached) and there was an air of mystery to both Alden and Monroe’s stories…and you have to wait to the very end to fit all the pieces in the puzzle!! 👏🏻
I love that this book depicts real and raw representations of people and relationships. It’s messy, but satisfying; painful, but romantic; heartbreaking, but so happy!
If you’re into spicy books, this one has it in SPADES. The MMC is next-level! No closed doors here 😉
I really hope there may be a spinoff book (or 2?!) in the future with some of the secondary characters that I loved!!
Congratulations on your debut novel Carmelina Mercurio - it’s a stunner! ⭐️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 26, 2025
I cannot begin to describe how much I fell in love with Alden and Monroe’s story! If you’re looking for a a book where the MC’s hate each other (but don’t hate each other) with lots of laughs and banter, this is the one for you! Laryssa had me cracking up the whole time (I want a friend like her)! I thoroughly disliked Monroe’s mom like truly what a piece of work. The anxiety and panic attack rep was amazing and made me feel seen.
Favorite quotes: ““I’m not falling victim to a serial killer just because I’m horny. I’ve watched enough Dateline.”
“How about someone like Jensen Ackles? Now, that is a man.”
“When you’re anxious, you always rub your chest. But now, you’ll have something there to remind you that you’re okay. That you’re safe.”
Side note: as someone born and raised in Florida this book now holds a special place in my heart.
Favorite quotes: ““I’m not falling victim to a serial killer just because I’m horny. I’ve watched enough Dateline.”
“How about someone like Jensen Ackles? Now, that is a man.”
“When you’re anxious, you always rub your chest. But now, you’ll have something there to remind you that you’re okay. That you’re safe.”
Side note: as someone born and raised in Florida this book now holds a special place in my heart.
February 20, 2025
Review: The Three Month Rule by Carmelina Mercurio
What a delightful and heartwarming read! The Three Month Rule by Carmelina Mercurio offers a fresh take on love, heartbreak, and self-discovery. The story centers on Victoria, a woman navigating modern dating with a self-imposed “three-month rule” to avoid heartbreak. But when she meets someone who might just be worth breaking her own rules for, her carefully crafted boundaries are put to the test.
Carmelina Mercurio creates characters who feel real and relatable, especially Victoria with her mix of vulnerability and strength. The chemistry between the leads is undeniable, and the blend of humor, romance, and emotional depth makes this book hard to put down. It’s light and fun, but also thought-provoking as it explores themes of trust, growth, and the risks we take for love.
If you enjoy romantic stories with a perfect balance of humor and heart, The Three Month Rule is a wonderful pick. Highly recommend it to fans of contemporary romance!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What a delightful and heartwarming read! The Three Month Rule by Carmelina Mercurio offers a fresh take on love, heartbreak, and self-discovery. The story centers on Victoria, a woman navigating modern dating with a self-imposed “three-month rule” to avoid heartbreak. But when she meets someone who might just be worth breaking her own rules for, her carefully crafted boundaries are put to the test.
Carmelina Mercurio creates characters who feel real and relatable, especially Victoria with her mix of vulnerability and strength. The chemistry between the leads is undeniable, and the blend of humor, romance, and emotional depth makes this book hard to put down. It’s light and fun, but also thought-provoking as it explores themes of trust, growth, and the risks we take for love.
If you enjoy romantic stories with a perfect balance of humor and heart, The Three Month Rule is a wonderful pick. Highly recommend it to fans of contemporary romance!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 23, 2025
Congratulations on your debut!
All the tropes are so so so so well-developed, even the deep and fragile themes are addressed with care but honesty so they feel realistic and relatable (of course, to different extents).
I didn't expect the banter to be this great, there are minor scenes that made me a little frustrated, but nothing big. The plot is good too, not only tension and spice (that is way more than interesting), it shows us the most raw and pure emotions of the main characters that lead them to be better for themselves.
Thank you so much @bycarmelinamercurio for giving the chance of being an ARC.
#romancebooks #books #bookstagram #romancereader #bookish #romancereadersofinstagram #bookquotes #bookscenes #booklover #fyp #explore #billionaireromance #viral #reels
All the tropes are so so so so well-developed, even the deep and fragile themes are addressed with care but honesty so they feel realistic and relatable (of course, to different extents).
I didn't expect the banter to be this great, there are minor scenes that made me a little frustrated, but nothing big. The plot is good too, not only tension and spice (that is way more than interesting), it shows us the most raw and pure emotions of the main characters that lead them to be better for themselves.
Thank you so much @bycarmelinamercurio for giving the chance of being an ARC.
#romancebooks #books #bookstagram #romancereader #bookish #romancereadersofinstagram #bookquotes #bookscenes #booklover #fyp #explore #billionaireromance #viral #reels
February 24, 2025
ARC REVIEW - Be sure to read trigger warnings
Tropes
Billionaire
Enemies to Lovers
He Falls first and Harder
Favorite Quote: "Sometimes you need to stand up for what is right and this is exactly that moment for me"
For a debut novel this was very well written great job Carmelina. I really enjoyed the dual POV of Monroe and Alden's story. With each other in this "friendship" out of convenience but then through this opening up to each other and healing their past trama's along the way all while falling in love with each other. I alway love a he falls first and harder story. The banter between these two characters made it such a fun read and the characters so enjoyable to get to know.
Congrats Carmelina
Tropes
Billionaire
Enemies to Lovers
He Falls first and Harder
Favorite Quote: "Sometimes you need to stand up for what is right and this is exactly that moment for me"
For a debut novel this was very well written great job Carmelina. I really enjoyed the dual POV of Monroe and Alden's story. With each other in this "friendship" out of convenience but then through this opening up to each other and healing their past trama's along the way all while falling in love with each other. I alway love a he falls first and harder story. The banter between these two characters made it such a fun read and the characters so enjoyable to get to know.
Congrats Carmelina
February 26, 2025
Very good for a debut novel! I loved the banter between Monroe and Alden. I also loved how they both grew over the course of the story both together and on their own as well. The mental health representation in this book was very well done. I usually don't like a third-act break up but I think it fit very well for the story and showed how much Monroe and Alden had to sort out their own lives before being able to commit fully. I do think it ran on a bit at the end but otherwise a really great story.
Congratulations Carmelina on your debut! And thank you for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Congratulations Carmelina on your debut! And thank you for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
March 2, 2025
Full of angst, Monroe can’t stand the sight of Alden. Uber-rich and full of himself, Alden brings his company to the same resort, year after year, which Monroe works at. Feelings fly, hatred boils, jealous exes- gf and friend, all play an equal part in this story.
What happens when 2 people destined to hate each other finally give in? Will they make it work? Or will someone get in the way?
So much emotion and chemistry between these 2 that you will either love them both or hate them both! But in the end, their growth to find their connection is heart warming.
A great read, slow burn, full of angst, and passionate burns in their story.
What happens when 2 people destined to hate each other finally give in? Will they make it work? Or will someone get in the way?
So much emotion and chemistry between these 2 that you will either love them both or hate them both! But in the end, their growth to find their connection is heart warming.
A great read, slow burn, full of angst, and passionate burns in their story.
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