Infidelity Rules

by Joelle Babula

QUINN DAVIS shatters the norm.

She's successful in the traditionally male-dominated wine world. She'll do anything for a hunk of swoon-worthy cheese. And she only dates married men, a practice designed to evade love and protect her battered heart. But even as a mistress, Quinn has rules. No meddling in happy marriages. No men with young kids. No falling in love. And absolutely, unequivocally, no gigantic panties on a date. She prefers her men the way she likes her food and wine - enticing, intoxicating and utterly delicious.

Enter MARCUS: Hollywood hot, absurdly charming, and determined to rock Quinn's world. He encompasses everything Quinn wants in a fling - simplicity, passion and the mind-blowing infatuation that comes with a new crush. She lusts after him more than she does the most moan-worthy food and wine pairing. When she unexpectedly falls hard for this man with a complicated past, her carefully curated world unravels. Now she must confront her romantic demons, her mistress status, and learn what it means to sacrifice for another. Faced with the punishing choice of relinquishing a love she never dreamed possible or destroying a family, Quinn must decide what's worth keeping and what she must let go. Wine and cheese? Never. A man she loves? Perhaps.

Genres: Romance, Chick Lit, Fiction

327 pages, Paperback

Published July 23, 2025

About the author

Joelle Babula is an award-winning former journalist and columnist and currently a nurse practitioner. A graduate of Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, she now lives in the Baltimore area with her husband and two ridiculous lap cats. Infidelity Rules is her debut novel. When not writing or taking care of patients, she can be found exploring Baltimore's fabulous restaurant scene, playing outside or cooking for friends and family. Often, she's traversing the Eastern Seaboard in search of her next great food moan. She and her husband enjoy traveling, outdoor adventures and all manner of ballroom, swing and disco dancing. She is currently drinking wine and working on her next novel. Or eating cheese.

Reviews

[BONNIE SMITH · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I went into this rather blind. I knew the basic story outline, but did I think I would love a book about a woman that SEEKS dates with married men? No.
And at first, the cheating trope is ick and sort of upset me, Quinn sort was hard to like and I had my doubts.

But, hear me out- this one turns and spins the trope so well. When we get our Marcus fix, the story really becomes deeper. And Quinn's reasonings for her mistress status are in some ways pretty relatable, hurt effects us all differently, right?

I loved the push and pull of Quinn's emotions when it came to Marcus and their story is quite a spin from what I thought I was getting into.
I really feel like this could make a VERY interesting book club read- oh the discussions could be lively- and of course paired with wine and cheese in honor of Quinn.

So moral of the story- stay away if cheating tropes trigger you, but...if you can understand that it's not where the story lands, its so worth the read!!

Thank you to GetRedPR for a copy of this, as always, you send the best stuff my way!

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was NOT the target audience for this book so take the following with a big ol’ grain of salt. 3 ✭ because the story flowed well, made sense and I loved Julian.

Did I not enjoy it because I’m a married woman and the FMC exclusively seeks married men to date? Probably, that was a lot of it. But, honestly it wasn’t just that.

•When one of the men is all sappy telling a story about his “why he cheats” and it’s because his wife had a miscarriage and became depressed. You’re losing me. Sir, you should be sad too, maybe go to some counseling with her? Idk, cheating on her seems like the wrong thing to do you absolute demon of a human.
•When one of the wives was pregnant and the FMC had a fleeting thought that maybe she’d have a miscarriage so she wouldn’t be breaking up a family. GIRL WHAT?! You can pray that somebody steps on a Lego every day for the rest of their life but hoping for a miscarriage is appalling behavior. I was ready to DNF at that point but tbh I was hoping for one of the wives to commit murder so I kept on keeping on.

Anyway. 3 ✭ but this was not for me, thanks.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Title: Infidelity Rules
Author(s): Joelle Babula
Publisher(s): Black Rose Writing
Publication Date: July 23, 2025
Currently Available on KU? ✅
Audiobook? 🙅🏼‍♀️

🍿 𝘍𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘐𝘮𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴: Unlike some readers, I was drawn into Infidelity Rules immediately, and I have to say, Joelle Babula really nailed a fresh take on the cheating trope. Never have I ever read from the POV of a FMC only dating married men, and there was soooo much to unpack here. Book club, anyone?

🤩 𝚃͏𝚑͏𝚎͏ 𝙱͏𝚎͏𝚜͏𝚝͏ 𝙱͏𝚒͏𝚝͏𝚜͏: The wine and food really stole the show here, and I loved it when a chapter would start with a food menu for Persimmon, the restaurant Quinn works at. I haven’t read much (anything?) that has a sommelier at the center of it, and my mouth was watering at some of the pairings. This definitely isn’t a book you should read hungry, and I would recommend having a charcuterie board and glass of wine or bubbly present. I also loved the strong female characters at the center of the story and that family bonds was a large presence. Oh, and did I mention it was hilarious at times while also making me cry?

💭 𝘊𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘛𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴: While I think Quinn’s moral compass was way off, I was happy that she grew as the book went on and I applaud the author for taking on such a polarizing topic for her debut. If I am honest, I didn’t understand the epilogue at all, and depending on what that was, my rating could change dramatically. If you can get past the infidelity piece of this storyline, it is a real gem, and I can’t wait to see what Babula writes next. Hopefully it’s a sequel! 🥲

T͏h͏i͏s͏ B͏o͏o͏k͏ i͏n͏ 5͏ E͏m͏o͏j͏i͏’s͏ o͏r͏ L͏e͏s͏s͏: 🍷🧀💔💍

𝙱𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫 (maybe)
𝙼𝚢 𝚂𝚙𝚒𝚌𝚎 𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: 0.5🌶️

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[kesy_books · Rating 3 out of 5]

I first want to start by thanking getredpr, the Author, Jeolle Babula and the publisher for giving me this opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

Let’s talk about the tropes,
Cheating, heartbreak, supportive friends, forbidden love, friends to lovers, love triangle, independent fmc, messy.

Quinn is a wine expert and she’s great at picking the best wine for the perfect occasion, but when it comes to relationship relationships, she always reaches for the wrong glass.

Quinn believes that the only way she can protect her battered heart is by dating married men under a set of rules that make her feel better about being a mistress, until one day, she breaks the biggest rule when she meets Marcus.
Things get messy at this point, and she learns a very hard lesson when she faced with having to make a very difficult decision and has to go through a heartbreak.
In the end, will she get her happily ever after?

[Christine M in Texas (stamperlady50) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Infidelity Rules
By: Joelle Babula
Publisher: Black Rose Writing
Pub Date: July 24, 2025

This book is not like any book I have read before. Quinn is a sommelier and is successful in everything but love. She has been hurt before so she makes it her mission to not fall in love and date only married men.
She soon finds one who is married and then in walks a man who is charming and everything she wants not married. Her heart is torn between what she has always done or does she take a chance on the gut who rocks her world?
This novel is steamy and the addition of wine, cheese and food makes ones mouth water in a very good way. I will be looking for more of this authors work.

[Hannah gandara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh wow.
So the cheating trope is very significant in the story. And if that doesn’t sit right with you, I would definitely skip this one. Personally, it doesn’t usually bother me, so I went ahead and continued reading this ARC from Get Red Pr. Which I must always give lots of gratitude to them.
Our FMC Quinn doesn’t make it easy to like her much. After going through two marriages herself, she decides that when she wants to date, it’s only gonna be with married men. She doesn’t want the possibility arising if she hooks up with single men, for it to turn into something more. Throughout this whole story, we see the repercussions of Quinn‘s actions. Of how her rule list still impacts the lives of other people. I feel like throughout the story Quinn does learn lessons. But I’m not gonna lie. The ending had me really worried. I would say if you enjoy books that involve lots of drama, messy main characters, and aren’t deterred by the cheating trope, then you may enjoy this.

[Fay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you GetRedPR, Joelle Babula, and Black Rose Writing for my #gifted copy of Infidelity Rules! #InfidelityRules #JoelleBabula #getredprbooks #GetRedPR #blackrosewriting

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐑𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐬
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: 𝐉𝐨𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐛𝐮𝐥𝐚
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟐𝟑, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 - 𝐎𝐮𝐭 𝐍𝐨𝐰!

If you are looking for a twist on your typical rom-com this one is for you. The only thing you need to do is go in with an open mind. The main character, Quinn, is a Sommelier who works in a male dominated wine world. Quinn was a fun character, and I enjoyed her personality and her humor. To protect her heart, she only dates married men and refuses to fall in love, and steers clear of men in happy marriages. Then she meets Marcus, and falls for him and starts to question everything.

I don’t read many books with the cheating trope, so this one was somewhat new for me. While it’s not my typical read, I did enjoy Quinn as an overall character and her growth throughout the book. I really enjoyed the writing and thought the author did a great job with this one. It’s one of those books that really make you think, and I really appreciated that about this one. I didn’t have to agree with the choices of the main character to like the book, but I did really like the main character and I thought this book allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and read a book that was different my typical rom-com. If you like morally messy characters and books that will leave an impression on you, I encourage you to give this one a try! Grab a glass of your favorite wine and start reading!

[Lisa Albright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quinn is such an interesting character and despite not agreeing with her thoughts on dating married men, I was still fascinated by the situations she found herself in and whether or not she would ever make the right choice. There weren't very many men in her sphere that I liked, but her brother Alex and her friend Julian seemed to try and help her. Also her best friend provided some support and encouragement to find a new way to approach men and dating. I'm not sure how I felt about the ending, but the story as a whole is very entertaining.

I received a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Christy Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a page turner for me even though I had mixed emotions while reading it. I liked Quinn even though I struggled with a lot of her choices. Of course I loved that she was a sommelier and couldn’t get enough of her wine and food pairings! This would be a great read for a book club because there is a lot to unpack and a lot of food for thought and discussion.

[Jen Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Get Red PR, Joelle Babula, and Black Rose Writing for the gifted copy.

Infidelity Rules offers a unique and complex take on dating. It’s messy, honest, and definitely forbidden. Some people aren’t going to like the premise and that’s ok. I found this book to be a pleasant surprise and more than I was hoping for. I enjoyed all the characters; the process, growth, and the curveballs. It’s richly descriptive and made me keep turning the pages. Oh and I even looked forward to the mouthwatering daily specials. Joelle is a debut author but she writes like an experienced one. I look forward to what she does next.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Closed door

[RedReviews4You Susan-Dara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightfully flawed and hilariously human

I was curious going into this book because infidelity is one of my least favorite tropes. So you might be asking, “Red...ummm...why?!” Honestly, I wanted to understand how a trope I usually avoid could become the pivot point for an entire novel. I had to peek beneath the surface—and what I found was a fascinating set of rules Quinn, the FMC, has created for herself: no happy marriages, no fathers of young children, no strings, no longing looks—just lusty, momentary connections.

Then along comes Marcus, who makes her want more. Suddenly, Quinn is questioning everything—including the parts of her heart she never wanted to explore.

And surprise: Joelle Babula builds Quinn in a way I didn’t expect—in the best possible way. I found myself rooting for her and falling into a story that made me feel. It pushed me to explore motivation and vulnerability in ways I hadn’t anticipated. I am truly in my Women’s Fiction Era, and this book absolutely earns its place on that shelf.

This is a story that will make you think—and rethink what you thought you knew. It challenges you to place character above plot, then cheekily glances back and says, “You thought you knew where this was going, didn’t you?” with a gleeful laugh, because it knows you’re following right along.

Go into this book like the best kind of road trip: with an open mind, an open heart, and a general idea of where you’re headed—knowing full well you’ll end up somewhere even better than expected.

Thank you @Get Red PR Books @Black Rose Writing @joellebabulawrites For sharing this amazing book that I might have otherwise missed and what a shame that would have been.

[Amys Bookshelf Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joelle Babula writes an intriguing story with blurred lines of infidelity

In Infidelity Rules, the reader is brought into the lives of friends, Quinn and Dezi, and their interesting conversations about dating, romance, and sometimes Love. I haven't read anything by this author before, and what a hidden gem. The story is unique as through out it, they are setting rules for dating, including dating married men. Quinn likes dating married men, whereas Dezi, prefers single men. Chapter one shares their first rule, but it is Rule 18, and a very interesting one, which captures the reader's attention. Anyone who has ever had honest talk with a best friend, no matter the subject, but especially when it comes to dating and sex, can relate to this story. Quinn's heart is guarded, and she prefers flings with married men so there is no emotional attachment. An interesting theory, if you ask me. I can picture the two women, sitting on a sofa, curled with a glass of wine, and discussing their intimate lives. Kudos for making this book feel real and almost part of the conversation, as we probably have our own rules or philosophy for dating. Enjoyed this story! I have fast become a big fan of Joelle Babula. Infidelity Rules is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I read this book to give my unbiased and honest review. Amy's Bookshelf Reviews recommends that anyone who reads this book also write a review.

[Tom Diggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful and unique take on a complicated subject! Infidelity Rules by Joelle Babula is a standout novel that's so much more than its provocative title suggests. I was completely captivated by Quinn, the successful sommelier who has her own set of rules for dating married men. Her rationale for protecting her heart is both heartbreaking and entirely relatable.

The book's portrayal of Quinn's world is so vivid—I felt like I was right there with her, tasting the gourmet food and pairing the perfect wines. The descriptions are truly delicious. But what I loved most was the emotional journey. When Marcus enters the picture, all of Quinn's carefully constructed rules are thrown into chaos, and the story becomes a beautiful, messy, and deeply honest exploration of love, sacrifice, and what it truly means to find a relationship that's worth fighting for.

Babula's writing is witty, heartfelt, and refreshingly candid. She doesn't shy away from the moral complexities of Quinn's choices, and I found myself rooting for her every step of the way. It's a fantastic, surprising, and unforgettable read that I'd highly recommend to anyone looking for a novel that breaks the mold.

In a nutshell:
Deliciously different and laugh-out-loud funny at times. Surprisingly raw and heartfelt. Don't go in hungry.

[Karen K Brees · Rating 5 out of 5]

Play with fire and you’re going to get burned. It’s an old saying, but it only covers one part of the equation. When other people are involved, there are consequences to your actions. You may think you’ve got it all figured out, but you’re just another player in life’s game.

Quinn, a sommelier with a talent for wine and who is now recovering from two ventures into love’s tempest, has now made up her own rules. She’ll only date married men whose marriages are on the rocks. No children in the picture. She’s calling all the shots. It’s a situational morality. Adultery is totally on the shoulders of her partner. She’s just an innocent come-along. Problem is, she’s only thinking about herself. What she learns as she re-enters the mating game will teach her more about herself than she wanted to know.

Babula has created a character who, while not sympathetic, is relatable. It’s a difficult trick for a writer to pull off, and Babula has done it to perfection. Her writing is flawless, and I believe we are seeing the first effort of a soon-to-be best seller in the Nora Roberts tradition. Come along for the read. You won’t be sorry. As a footnote, if you’re a foodie – and even if you’re not – you’ll find yourself dusting off those old cookbooks and tuning into the Food Channel.

Highly recommended.

[Fernanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A surprising turnaround!
I appreciate NetGalley for sending me this ARC.
Infidelity Rules was certainly an interesting read. The beginning felt a bit like a slow burn for me—Quinn explains her reasons for dating only married men over and over (and over), to the point where I felt as though I was stuck in a loop.
We get it, Quinn. We got it on the first 50 times you explained yourself.
I dreaded picking the book back up because it didn’t seem to be progressing. It felt like we were circling the same points, and I honestly struggled to stay engaged for the first 45% of the book.
However, just as I was ready to give up, preparing my 1-star rating and rehearsing my polite “it’s not you, it’s me” exit speech, the story took a surprising turn. It felt as though the author had a sudden jolt of inspiration and decided to shake things up. Around the halfway point, the pacing improved, and I found myself genuinely invested. The twists were clever, and the finale completely turned things around for me.
I’m honestly surprised my rating jumped from what I thought would be a 1-star all the way up to 4 stars.
I’m happy I didn’t give up on Quinn—she may have tested my patience, but in the end, she won me over.

[Carmen M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and @BlackRoseWriting for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Infidelity Rules by Joelle Babula is a smart, bold, and refreshingly original story that had me hooked from the first page. Quinn Davis is a character that will stay with me for a while. Witty, successful, and emotionally complicated in the best way. Her unapologetic attitude and unique approach to love (and heartbreak) felt both unconventional and surprisingly relatable.

Joelle Babula blends humor, heat, and heart with an ease that makes the story incredibly readable. The wine and cheese metaphors were fun without being overdone, and Marcus? Let’s just say he’s as delicious as Quinn’s favorite Pinot.

While I truly enjoyed this book and raced through it, the ending left me a little confused. I would’ve loved just a bit more clarity or closure in those final pages. Still, it didn’t take away from how much I appreciated the journey.

If you’re looking for a sharp, emotionally layered rom-com with a twist on the typical love story, this is the book for you. 🍷🧀

4.25 Stars!

#NetGalley, #InfidelityRules, #JoelleBabula, #RomCom

[Susan Ballard (subakkabookstuff) · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know how we talk about favorite tropes in romance? Well, I’ll be honest, cheating typically does not even make it onto my list! But hats off to Joelle Babula, who has crafted a unique story of a woman who only dates married men, and through humor, emotion, and food, she kept me engaged until the final pages.

Quinn, a restaurant sommelier, has her reasons for only dating married men. And it usually works for her, because she does have rules. But when Marcus enters the scene, things get messy, emotional, and, dare I say, morally complicated — ok, more morally problematic.

There were only a few characters that I found likable, although some friends did seem to want to be a voice of reason for Quinn. I was held to the page by the moral quandaries and predicaments Quinn found herself in. I wanted to know how she was feeling, whether she had guilt, and whether she would finally do the right thing.

The wine, cheese, friendship, and a generous dose of humor make this an entertaining read, allowing me not to take this too seriously. It was a fun escape!

Thank you @getredprbooks @joellebabulawrites and @blackrosewriting for this #gifted copy.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Infidelity Rules by Joelle Babula is messy-romance meets food-and-wine indulgence — fun, morally complicated, and full of flavor.

Quinn Davis is a sommelier who’s been burned before, so she makes her own rules: only unhappily married men, no kids, no promises, no falling in love. When Marcus, charming and unpredictable, enters her world, her rules are tested — hard. She’s confident, witty, and guarded, but cracks start forming as attraction, guilt, and real emotions sneak in.

Here’s what really hits:
🔥 The food, wine, and cheese metaphors are mouthwatering and lush
💬 Quinn’s voice is sharp, emotionally messy, and occasionally hilarious
🧰 The moral grey area is explored rather than ignored — it’s not just hot sex, there are real consequences
⏳ Once the story settles, the pacing and chemistry pull you in

Where it kind of stumbles:
⚠️ Quinn repeating her “rules” over and over early on got a little redundant
💔 The cheating-trope is big; if that bothers you, this one tests your limits

I genuinely enjoyed Infidelity Rules — it’s not perfect, but it’s bold, steamy, and emotionally real. I recommend it if you don’t mind a heroine with flaws and a romance with messy boundaries.

[LiterallyLoriB · Rating 3 out of 5]

Infidelity Rules by Joelle Babula

This was a fun read...not groundbreaking, but enjoyable.

I know the cheating trope isn’t for everyone (understandably), but I’d still recommend giving this one a shot. It takes a fresh, slightly chaotic approach that feels more like a rom-com with messy morals than anything truly scandalous. That said, I did get a little tired of the main character constantly reminding us that she only dates married men. Like… okay girl, we get it. Maybe consider talking to a therapist, and let’s move forward? But to the book’s credit, once it found its footing, I settled in and had a good time. It’s fast-paced, lusty, and doesn’t take itself too seriously. If you're in the mood for something a little wild and a little flawed, but still fun, this might just hit the spot.

Would I recommend?
Yes, with the caveat that you need to be okay with morally messy characters and a whole lot of questionable choices.

Thank you, Black Rose Writing, GetREDPr, and NetGalley, for allowing me to read and provide my honest review.

[Lyssa Schweizer · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Rule #12: Never be the first one to bring up the wife."
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.
.
Thank you for gifting me this ARC for free! My review is my ideas and thoughts and mine alone.
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This book was like taking a nice, deep breath of fresh air. I have never read a story with this concept before and it was delightful. I loved the characters within the story and the depth that they had. I had nothing but fun while reading this book. I ate this story up like a good cheese, if wine, cheese, and drama are your thing you will love this story!
.
.
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Quinn is a wine coinsurer, a lover of good food and has a specific taste for married men. When she is not working at Persimmon, a damn good restaurant with an amazing bar she is scouting out her next man. Though she isn't a monster, she does have some rules when it comes to the married men that she dates. Her best friend Dezi, and her brother Alex try not to get involved within her life, but when a handsome married man named Marcus walks into the restaurant one day her world is flipped upside down. Can Quinn win the heart of a married man, or will the wife get in the way?

[TaleshaReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is around a 3.75-star read for me. I feel like I write from the point of view of Dezi (the main character's best friend) since I too had a messy friend like Quinn at one point in my life, and while I did not agree with her personal choices all the time, she still was my friend and I cared about her.

I enjoyed the female characters in this story because they were so independent and strong-willed in their own ways, and who doesn't want to read about that! Now Quinn is an unlikable character right from the beginning, but this is one of those stories where you get to watch her grow a little throughout the story as well. This book had me laughing, feeling sad, and sometimes angry!

The ending did feel a bit rushed to me, and I would have liked maybe one more chapter of seeing how things turned out, but overall I enjoyed the characters and the messy main character drama. Thank you GetRedPR and the author for my advanced reader copy.

[Beth]

It’s been over a week and I still can’t decide how to rate this book. The story centers around Quinn, a character whose response to heartbreak and a failed marriage is to only “date” married men. She is, thus, a complex character who is difficult to root for if you take issue with her unethical approach to dating.

That said, that same complexity that makes this a challenging read, also makes it more compelling. As the plot unfolds, Quinn somehow becomes an increasingly sympathetic unsympathetic character. Her friendships and relationships with her family are highlights, especially Julian, and they serve to make her more relatable- if to also make her choices more perplexing.

If any of this sounds intriguing to you, I’d say it’s definitely worth a read- in part to entertain, and in part to challenge your own assumptions.

Many thanks to Joelle Babula, Black Rose Writing, Get Red PR, and NetGalley for the gifted book. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this well written book that thoughtfully approached the choice Quinn makes to only date married men. Quinn has her rules and her reasons for only dating married men, she is protecting her heart. When she meets and gets to know Marcus she is ready to break all her rules. But what happens when she breaks them and her truths are revealed? Quinn is a complicated, complex character that is struggling to figure out life and how to live and let her heart feel. I like that her friends and family love her and are there for her even as they don’t support her dating habits. Quinn is a sommelier and the descriptions of wine, food, and cheese made me crave a good meal, good cheese, and good wine. The end was satisfying but I was left with questions. I recommend this if you enjoy books about people struggling to figure out life and love

Thanks to the author and Get Red PR for the gifted copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[RedReviews4You Susan-Dara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightfully flawed and hilariously human

I was curious going into this book because infidelity is one of my least favorite tropes. So you might be asking, “Red...ummm...why?!” Honestly, I wanted to understand how a trope I usually avoid could become the pivot point for an entire novel. I had to peek beneath the surface—and what I found was a fascinating set of rules Quinn, the FMC, has created for herself: no happy marriages, no fathers of young children, no strings, no longing looks—just lusty, momentary connections.

Then along comes Marcus, who makes her want more. Suddenly, Quinn is questioning everything—including the parts of her heart she never wanted to explore.

And surprise: Joelle Babula builds Quinn in a way I didn’t expect—in the best possible way. I found myself rooting for her and falling into a story that made me feel. It pushed me to explore motivation and vulnerability in ways I hadn’t anticipated. I am truly in my Women’s Fiction Era, and this book absolutely earns its place on that shelf.

This is a story that will make you think—and rethink what you thought you knew. It challenges you to place character above plot, then cheekily glances back and says, “You thought you knew where this was going, didn’t you?” with a gleeful laugh, because it knows you’re following right along.

Go into this book like the best kind of road trip: with an open mind, an open heart, and a general idea of where you’re headed—knowing full well you’ll end up somewhere even better than expected.

Thank you @Get Red PR Books @Black Rose Writing @joellebabulawrites For sharing this amazing book that I might have otherwise missed and what a shame that would have been.

[Vanessa Vicente · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s been a long time since I picked up a romance that felt this refreshing and unpredictable. Infidelity Rules by Joelle Babula kept me on my toes—I truly had no idea what direction it would take next.

Quinn’s character completely hooked me. She’s unapologetically herself—loves food, wine, and yes… men (the married kind 🫢). She’s messy, complicated, and real in a way that felt so intriguing. The more life you’ve lived, the more you can appreciate those layers of imperfection and even feel a bit of empathy for her choices.

This book is bold, unique, and just the right mix of chaos and charm. If you’re craving something different from the typical romance tropes, this one definitely delivers. 🍷📚

[Nancy]

Fidelity Rules delivers a delightful, sweet and satisfying romance with generous helping of culinary charm. Some people are turned off by the "dating married men" thing, but the book is fiction. A story and I must say, a story well told. What makes this book more than a guilty pleasure read is how the food acts as a space for genuine connection. Joelle had a way of makiing food and romance both playful and heartfelt. The description of the dinners prepared by the chef left me with a craving. and the heartfelt emotional journey was very realistic and meaningful. This is a perfect beach read. I really liked the way Joelle ended the book....I want to know what happened to her!!!! Congrats on being published...how proud you must be.

[Ruth Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

After her ill-fated marriage and the bad breakup that preceded it, Sommelier Quinn Davis is determined to protect herself from further heartbreak. Her solution is to date only married men, choosing carefully—for example, no men with young children—to make sure nobody gets hurt. Pretty much everyone except Quinn (readers included) perceives the flaw in her logic. But waiting to see if, when, and how her carefully laid plan unravels is what makes this story intriguing. If you’re a food and wine lover, the culinary delights served up by debut novelist Joelle Babula will be a bonus. Infidelity Rules is the perfect read for anyone who likes a well-written story that’s fun, sexy, and non-formulaic—a story that digs a lot deeper than the romcom tone leads us to expect.

[R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Infidelity Rules is a fun and engaging read with an original premise. It seems easy to disapprove of Quinn's preference for dating married men, but ultimately it's impossible not to root for her. That's a testament to how powerfully Babula creates a character who's complex and relatable. You'll be turning pages eagerly to see what happens next while also being edge-of-your-seat nervous about how things will turn out for Quinn. I loved the secondary characters as well and the relationships were so well drawn you'll feel like you're right there as Quinn and her best friend Dezi connect over brunch or Quinn catches up with her family at Sunday dinner. And the food! Wow. Can't wait for this author's next book.

[Tammy Snead · Rating 4 out of 5]

A messy, emotional ride full of wine, romance, and tough choices. Quinn Davis is smart, successful, and fun—but she also has a secret rulebook: she only dates married men. It’s her way of keeping her heart safe. That is, until Marcus shows up and flips her world upside down. Suddenly, Quinn is torn between protecting herself, chasing real love, and facing the fallout of her choices.

For me, I don’t like infidelity—I find it selfish and quite damaging. But I appreciated how this book explored the gray areas of love, temptation, and what it means to truly grow. It’s a thought-provoking, emotional read.

[Mirandalikestoread · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quinn, a successful sommelier, has limited her dating life to only married men after a failed engagement and a failed marriage. This book was a love story: to food and to wine and to loving yourself again. Quinn finds herself falling in love after swearing off love, but the consequences of her dating only married men slaps her in the face. The ending is ambiguous because the story is more about Quinn's journey and less about who she ends up with in the end. My favorite quote from the book was "Decide who you want to be, the one who loves the most or the one who loves the least."