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16 Simple Rules: An Opposites Attract, Closed-door Romcom
Some things in life defy the perfect plan.
Cynthia Pritchard-Kennedy strives for perfection, meticulously checking off every step of Momma’s foolproof life plan. But when her best friend Tom asks a simple question about her fiancé, her precisely curated world tilts. Momma’s sudden death tips it further, spurring her to end her engagement.
When Momma’s last letter reveals an article with 16 simple rules for life, a new path appears.
To reclaim control, Cynthia signs up for a half-marathon and enlists Tom—her charming cowboy opposite—to train by her side. In return, he enlists her to pose as his girlfriend at a week-long family reunion to dodge his family’s matchmaking schemes.
But as they play pretend, Cynthia’s orderly heart craves Tom’s unpredictable spark. As the reunion ends, she must choose: cling to Momma’s rigid expectations or embrace a love that breaks every rule.
16 Simple Rules is the sparkling standalone that falls in line as the second book in the Seeking Romance series. If you love witty fake dating, opposites-attract chemistry, and heartwarming closed-door romance, this captivating rule-following romcom will steal your heart. Dive into 16 Simple Rules today!
Cynthia Pritchard-Kennedy strives for perfection, meticulously checking off every step of Momma’s foolproof life plan. But when her best friend Tom asks a simple question about her fiancé, her precisely curated world tilts. Momma’s sudden death tips it further, spurring her to end her engagement.
When Momma’s last letter reveals an article with 16 simple rules for life, a new path appears.
To reclaim control, Cynthia signs up for a half-marathon and enlists Tom—her charming cowboy opposite—to train by her side. In return, he enlists her to pose as his girlfriend at a week-long family reunion to dodge his family’s matchmaking schemes.
But as they play pretend, Cynthia’s orderly heart craves Tom’s unpredictable spark. As the reunion ends, she must choose: cling to Momma’s rigid expectations or embrace a love that breaks every rule.
16 Simple Rules is the sparkling standalone that falls in line as the second book in the Seeking Romance series. If you love witty fake dating, opposites-attract chemistry, and heartwarming closed-door romance, this captivating rule-following romcom will steal your heart. Dive into 16 Simple Rules today!
381 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 11, 2025
6 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
April 13, 2025
This clean, sweet romance was a delight to read.
I loved how devoted Tom is to Cynthia… he has loved her for a long time and Cynthia has had feelings for him, too, but she believes that they are not compatible so their chemistry would not be enough.
There are humorous moments as well as tearful. Their journey to happily ever after is well written and not rushed. I was engaged through out.
All the characters were relatable and engaging as well as realistic, as is the story.
The author describes this book as closed door but it is really a clean & wholesome book.
This is the first book I have read by Lizzie Bruce but it certainly won't be my last!
I received an advance review copy for free, courtesy of BookSirens and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I loved how devoted Tom is to Cynthia… he has loved her for a long time and Cynthia has had feelings for him, too, but she believes that they are not compatible so their chemistry would not be enough.
There are humorous moments as well as tearful. Their journey to happily ever after is well written and not rushed. I was engaged through out.
All the characters were relatable and engaging as well as realistic, as is the story.
The author describes this book as closed door but it is really a clean & wholesome book.
This is the first book I have read by Lizzie Bruce but it certainly won't be my last!
I received an advance review copy for free, courtesy of BookSirens and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 26, 2025
A charming, sweet romance. Follow one's heart, not the rules. An engaging story with a wide variety of characters. It was a delight to get to their happily ever after. Some amusing moments along the way. Thanks to BookSirens for providing a copy. My review is voluntary.
March 26, 2025
Cynthia is the classic Southern Belle, with a plan carefully designed by her Momma to make sure she gets it all: the perfect looks, the perfect career, the perfect rich husband and of course children. And nothing can get in the way of that plan. Even after momma isn’t there anymore.
16 rules from a 1960’s magazine momma left for Cynthia dictate what the Southern Lady needs to do to achieve the ultimate perfect life. And Cynthia decides to follow them to try and make sense of it all.
Tom, who is anything but perfect and does not fit into the plan, starts helping her and old feelings rekindle. Will Cynthia ditch the plan in favour of a better one, or will momma get the last word?
The book was well written and funny. Also nice to see it overlapped with the previous one so you get another pov on that one, but it does mean you shouldn’t read it as a stand-alone.
I wanted to scream at Cynthia to just burn the rules and tell Momma’s voice in Cynthia’s head to shut up.
As a modern woman, I can’t understand why she would fight her feelings and listen to the old-fashioned advise. I didn’t grow up in the South of the US though, so don’t know if this is realistic. If it is, well done, but it may put readers off or negatively affect reviews. Toning it down a bit would have been good. If this had been a real scenario, all it would have needed was an honest chat with her dad and that would have avoided a lot of self-doubt.
I did like the book, and can’t wait to read the next one.
16 rules from a 1960’s magazine momma left for Cynthia dictate what the Southern Lady needs to do to achieve the ultimate perfect life. And Cynthia decides to follow them to try and make sense of it all.
Tom, who is anything but perfect and does not fit into the plan, starts helping her and old feelings rekindle. Will Cynthia ditch the plan in favour of a better one, or will momma get the last word?
The book was well written and funny. Also nice to see it overlapped with the previous one so you get another pov on that one, but it does mean you shouldn’t read it as a stand-alone.
I wanted to scream at Cynthia to just burn the rules and tell Momma’s voice in Cynthia’s head to shut up.
As a modern woman, I can’t understand why she would fight her feelings and listen to the old-fashioned advise. I didn’t grow up in the South of the US though, so don’t know if this is realistic. If it is, well done, but it may put readers off or negatively affect reviews. Toning it down a bit would have been good. If this had been a real scenario, all it would have needed was an honest chat with her dad and that would have avoided a lot of self-doubt.
I did like the book, and can’t wait to read the next one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 11, 2025
✨16 Simple Rules by @lizzie.bruce.writes ✨
Lizzie Bruce does it again, delivering a sweet romance in which her characters must endure hardship to grow and become who they are meant to be. I loved this story so much! Cynthia is a lot like me in some ways, including being a woman with a plan and a strong desire to please the people around me, (especially my parents when I was young). Her journey through this story felt so real and raw, and yet still the sweetest romance blossoms even in difficult circumstances. The way Tom loves her and cares for her as she processes and grows is one of my favorite things about him.
Just go read it. It is so good!!!
Fun fact: my parents names are Tom and Cynthia! It only took me halfway through the story to realize lol 😂
Thank you Lizzie for the ARC, my thoughts and opinions are my own. 5⭐️!
Lizzie Bruce does it again, delivering a sweet romance in which her characters must endure hardship to grow and become who they are meant to be. I loved this story so much! Cynthia is a lot like me in some ways, including being a woman with a plan and a strong desire to please the people around me, (especially my parents when I was young). Her journey through this story felt so real and raw, and yet still the sweetest romance blossoms even in difficult circumstances. The way Tom loves her and cares for her as she processes and grows is one of my favorite things about him.
Just go read it. It is so good!!!
Fun fact: my parents names are Tom and Cynthia! It only took me halfway through the story to realize lol 😂
Thank you Lizzie for the ARC, my thoughts and opinions are my own. 5⭐️!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews