Chloe thought selling everything she owned and moving across state lines would jump-start her return to the real world after hiding away for three years. A new town, a tiny apartment with murderous rooster wallpaper, and a fresh set of rules to keep her heart safe. Simple enough.
Then she literally runs into James.
One parking lot tackle, a ripped shirt, a black eye, and an unplanned pizza date later... Chloe's carefully crafted rules don't stand a chance.
James is everything she shouldn't want. He's too charming, too steady, too good at breaking down all her walls. The more she tries to keep her distance, the closer he pulls her in...
Katie King was raised in Tennessee and moved to Georgia shortly after graduating college, where she still lives with her husband, two adventurous boys, and two chaotic dogs.
She spent her childhood reading, writing, or crafting stories in her head—and not much has changed. Reading remains her favorite escape, and fiction has always been where she turns for comfort and inspiration. Now, she hopes her books can offer readers the same kind of joy and escape her favorite authors have given her over the years.
A Perfect Emotional Rollercoaster! This book was everything I didn’t know I needed. From the very first chapter, I was hooked—and before I knew it, I’d devoured the whole thing in less than 24 hours. It made me smile like an idiot, laugh out loud, and cry real tears (the best kind of emotional chaos).
The characters felt so real, I didn’t want to leave them behind. I kept telling myself to slow down, to savor it… but I just couldn’t stop flipping the pages. I needed to know what would happen next, but I also didn’t want it to end.
If you’re looking for a contemporary romance that hits you in all the right places—heart, humor, and hope—this is it. I’m still thinking about it, and honestly, I’ll read it all over again just to feel those highs and lows one more time.
I LOVED this one! I got it as an arc read and I couldn’t put it down! The banter in it had me giggling and it references friends! Count me in! And the ending has me so excited for book two and getting more about Liz and the mystery guy that shows up at the end!
This has been the summer of Rom-Coms in my reading journey, and being able to get my hands on this ARC on an indie author has been so fun. I honestly enjoyed this book so much, idk if I was partly knowing that this one of is Katie Kings's first books or what but it matches the energy of many other multi published romcom authors out there! I naturally love reading Dual POV, and I LOVED the banter that the two MC had with each other! I wasn't ready for it to end!
Add Rules for Starting Over to your Fall TBR—you’ll thank me later. 💖” Rules for Starting Over is a heartfelt, witty debut with the perfect mix of heart, humor and healing. Katie King’s writing is warm, funny, and full of heart. This is a cozy, satisfying romance novel. Thank you Katie for allowing me to be one of your ARC readers. SO excited to read what’s next!!!! 🤗 #TeamChloeAndJames 😄
Happy release day to Rules for Starting Over! 🎊 Katie knows how to write a romantic comedy! When I was reading this book I felt like I was being transported to a 90s rom com in the best way! After reading some heavier books, I was glad to reach for this ARC!
If you like authors like Megan Quinn, then you will love this book! The banter between Chloe and James was absolutely hilarious and the continuous flirting and pushing of buttons gave the characters souls. Their meet cute was perfect and I could sympathize with her clumsiness. 😆
Although there was tension, this book wasn't overly graphic, so this is a good one for my friends that want the tension, but not necessarily descriptive smut.
I had the pleasure of receiving Rules of Starting over as an ARC and let me just say that I was NOT disappointed! Such an adorable contemporary romance with the cutest FMC/MMC with amazing banter that had me literally laughing out loud. The characters are so real and relatable with no toxicity. There are some emotional moments in the book that really make this a beautifully well rounded read. If you’re looking for a contemporary romance that will make your heart feel good, pick this one up!
Super cute and fun rom com read! I instantly fell in love with James and Chloe and was fighting for them throughout the book! The twists and turns of their love story kept me guessing. The characters were relatable so it was easy to connect with them and their story. I hope to see more books from Katie King. I think we need a sequel with Liz’s story!
This is such a super cute read! I fell in love with the characters instantly. They are absolutely loveable. I loved the continuous use of similes and metaphors to add to humorous parts. You will feel all of the feels in this book-as it is said in the book, there are a "cocktail of emotions". Which means that all readers will be able to connect to at least some parts of the storyline. A few of my favorite lines stand out: -Like coming up for air after holding my breath for far too long. -"Don't sabotage something good just because your past taught you to expect the worst." -this phrase was used and had me rolling, "emotionally constipated lovebirds" -"...but this feeling, this emptiness, it is temporary, life can be good again." These were just a few of my favorite lines, but there are so many more. The story flowed so well; I can't wait to read it again!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Loved this book! It has everything I love in a contemporary romance: a relatable/smart/funny FMC, a confident love interest who has just the right amount of “she’s mine” energy, interesting side characters that you end up caring about, a few surprises that you don’t see coming, really good banter, lots of romantic tension, and the sweetest healing love story. I laughed out loud, I cried a few times, I enjoyed every chapter! Well done, Katie King! Ready for the next one! ❤️
This book was full of all the best things! An adorable meet cute, witty banter, a strong FMC with a scarred past, and tons more! Chloe and James are the perfect slow burn couple! The side characters are fantastic and help to add that perfect level of fun and light heartedness to this story. I can't wait to read more from this author soon!
Okay, so "Rules for Starting Over" by Katie King? It’s a quick and fun read; I flew through it. Chloe, the main character, is a total gem…. a seriously strong female lead, and her sass is on point. She's been through the wringer, major betrayal and loss, and you just ache for her. But don't worry, it's not all doom and gloom. King does a fantastic job of showing Chloe's healing process, thanks to her amazing family and new friends. Every girl needs a friend like Liz. She’s the kind who pushes you in the right direction when you need it most. And let's be honest, wouldn't we all love brothers who have our backs like Chloe’s? The push/pull between Chloe and James is so genuine; you feel their connection. Their dialogue is fantastic, filled with spark. Katie King does a great job of giving just enough backstory to understand their hesitation without getting bogged down in the past – it keeps the story moving forward. The whole "rules are meant to be broken" thing plays out really well, too. It's amazing to see Chloe slowly start to trust herself again, give herself some grace, and take chances; the way her confidence builds is quite satisfying. And the romance with James? So swoon-worthy you'll be rooting for them the whole time. It's a feel-good story about fresh starts, supportive relationships, and not letting go of the people who matter. Okay, so you might guess the ending within the first few pages. But who cares? The meet-cute is adorable, the banter is sparkling, and there are enough twists to keep you turning pages. If that sounds good, dive in! I recommend!
The debut novel from indie author Katie King did not disappoint! I know this is meant to be a sweet romance (and it is), but I found myself equally invested in Chloe's path to owning her past and moving forward with the new chapter of her life.
Chloe has just moved to an Atlanta suburb and is out and about in her new town when she and James have a disastrous meet-cute. After an enjoyable meal together, they go their separate ways without exchanging phone numbers. Oops! Don't worry, they bump into each other again (though not literally this time).
We follow Chloe as she makes new friends (I love Liz's character!) and settles into her new job. All the while, she's attempting to be friends with James, though they both want more. James is very respectful of her rules, though I found myself wishing they'd both push a little more for what they both clearly wanted.
While the book is lighthearted, there are some heavier topics. Cheating and sibling death are both retold in memory. I appreciate the way the author artfully wove the heavier topics into the light storyline. It made everything seem much more realistic. Let's face it–life is a mix!
*Big thank you to Katie King for the ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Rules for Starting Over is the debut novel by new author Katie King. @katiekingwrites Thank you Katie for allowing me the opportunity to read your ARC copy and be a part of your journey.
This book can be described as:
- [ ] Romantic Comedy - [ ] Strangers to Co-Workers to Lovers - [ ] Slow Burn - [ ] Closed Door Romance
Chloe, a funny, smart and charismatic woman, has a set of rules she wants to live by now that she is starting over in a new city, in a new state. She’s survived some past trauma and just cannot allow herself to be put into the same position. After a chance encounter, that will literally have you cracking up with good tears and kicking your feet in the first few chapters… she meets James, the man who “has too much charm for his own good” and they both start falling hard from the beginning. Author Katie King has a gift of adding in the perfect amount of wit and humor and really made these characters come to life. I was smiling so hard my cheeks were hurting!! As the story goes on, James works so hard to get out of the “friend zone” that Chloe is insistent on keeping them in…cue loads of pining!! This truly is a sweet, hilarious, swoon-worthy romantic comedy with charm, humor, and just enough trauma that was handled with so much care. I really enjoyed this book from start to finish. Overall, I would give this book 4 stars!
OBSESSED!! This book truly captivates you from the very beginning. I devoured it in less than 24 hours! I felt so connected to the characters, it felt wrong not continuing their story in one sitting. Chloe and James were truly brought to life right before my eyes.
The banter and comedy throughout made for a perfectly balanced contemporary romance. 100% would read again and again. Also….kinda want some rooster wallpaper now!
Such a cute book!! I loved reading the twists and turns of Chloe and James’ relationship! They are so easy to love and easy to root for! It was such a quick read because I didn’t want to put it down!! The ultimate feel good love story that makes you want more… the ending— can’t wait for more!!
Rules for Starting Over by Katie King is absolutely adorable, witty, and wonderfully relatable. From the very first chapter, it’s easy to get swept up in Chloe’s fresh-start journey and root for her every step of the way. The writing sparkles with humor and warmth, and the story captures both the awkwardness and excitement of starting over. Every character—especially Chloe and James—feels likable and real, making this a feel-good romance you’ll breeze through with a smile. Looking forward to another book by this author who is off to a great start!
I absolutely loved this book! Chloe is such a great example of a strong woman just trying to find her way again after experiencing something awful. I love the friends she makes and adventures she has along the way of discovering that sometimes it’s okay for your plan to not go exactly how you thought it would. A great romance to read for anyone!
Rules for Starting Over is a captivating, emotional, heartwarming story! I love Chloe and James story! There's lots of tension, banter, and instant attraction. This story is beautifully written! Katie has a way with words that make it feel very real! I feel like this story was definitely written from experience. Chloe tried to keep her heart guarded from her past trauma. James was the perfect guy for her to help heal her heart. This story is a five star read for me! Thank you Katie for including me as an ARC reader!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Omg—the banter was bantering, my friends! Chloe’s snarky, sarcastic, and downright hilarious jabs at James had me laughing out loud, and her inner dialogue was just as sharp and entertaining.
This book isn’t just funny (though it absolutely nails the humor)—it also delivers some really meaningful moments about loss, healing, and growth. Katie King managed to balance laugh-out-loud banter with heartfelt life lessons in such a seamless way.
Sometimes starting fresh is just what your life needs. How a new best friend and a clumsy meet cute can completely set the path and rules you made for your new life muddy. A great way to show that you never know what life has in store for you. Laughing from the start and mix in times that literally had my heart breaking. I loved how we were took through Chloe’s battles and demons from her past and could truly feel the growth as Chloe started healing. James is the ideal book boyfriend with the most patient and caring heart. Chloe and James are end game goals for everyone!
This rom-com was the perfect switch from my usual thrillers, and I absolutely adored it. From the very first chapters, I fell in love with the main characters and couldn’t get enough of their story. I laughed out loud more times than I can count, and the MFC, Chloe, felt so relatable—especially with all her Friends references (which made me love her even more!).
What makes this story shine is the way Chloe creates a list of “rules” for herself as she navigates new relationships. Watching her try to stick to them was just as entertaining as cheering for her to break every single one and finally get the love story she truly deserved.
Rules For Starting Over is charming, funny, and full of heart. It is a must-read for rom-com lovers. And let’s be honest…rules are meant to be broken.
My first arc read did not disappoint! You know it’s going to be a good book when you are 15% in and already dreading the story ending.
This book is an amazing journey with a fresh spin on some typical contemporary romance tropes, but also some unexpected twists and turns.
The depth of the characters makes them seem so real and connected with me or those I know on so many levels. I truly experienced every emotion in this book- At one point my gasp shocked my family, and I accidentally laughed loudly out loud on a plane full of people at 7am (my bad)
This book will be out on Sep 19, 2025, and if you are a romance fan, make sure to push it to the top of your TBR!
I received an advanced reader copy of this book and I'm both pleased and displeased. Pleased it was such a great book. Displeased at my lack of sleep because I needed to "just get to the end of this chapter" all the way to the end at the expense of getting any sleep!
This book is a great blend of serious themes, comedy and heart- with a happy ending, of course. The opening meet-cute was adorable- I could vividly picture being at brunch and witnessing it happening in the parking lot. Both characters grow during their love journey and watching the will they, wont they unfold was riveting. I could absolutely reread this one and I look forward to another book from this author!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Rules for Starting Over by Katie King is everything I love in a contemporary romance — heartfelt, funny, emotional, and totally unputdownable.
I was immediately hooked by the chemistry between Chloe and James. Their connection felt genuine and electric from the start, and watching their relationship unfold had me fully invested. The dual POV was a huge win for me — Katie King did such a great job capturing distinct voices. The female perspective felt tender and emotionally rich, while the male POV had a believable strength and vulnerability. It added so much depth to the story.
This book made me laugh out loud and also pulled at my heart in the saddest, most beautiful ways. I flew through it and didn’t want it to end. It’s the perfect recommendation for anyone who loves contemporary romance with lovable characters, a well-paced plot, and just a hint of spice (think very mild, but satisfying).
Highly recommend if you’re in the mood for a feel-good love story with substance. Katie King is definitely an author I’ll be reading more from! Can’t wait to read Liz’s story next!!!!
Katie King’s debut novel is definitely a must read! It’s one you don’t want to put down & makes you stay up way too late! I found myself relating to a lot of the qualities of the characters & rooting for Chloe and James to eventually find their way.
The author did an excellent job of giving just enough character backstory to follow along, without going into so much detail that you get dragged down.
It’s a fun, lighthearted romance that’s an easy read.
Hoping we see a sequel to this book down the road!
I truly loved this book and so thankful for the ARC. James’ and Chloe’s story was beautiful! The slow burn of their relationship was on point and the banter, WOW! I can’t believe this is Katie King’s first book and I will now be picking up anything she writes. I loved the ending and hope we get a book about Liz and Nate! Thank you Katie for the ARC, I will be recommending this book to everyone ❤️
Whew. This book wrecked me in the best possible way. I didn’t even realize how much I needed this story until I was neck-deep in it, flipping pages like my life depended on it. From chapter one, I was hooked—and within 3 days, I had devoured the entire thing. I laughed (out loud and often), I teared up (more than once), and I smiled like a complete fool.
The characters were written so vividly that they felt like real people—messy, lovable, raw, and unforgettable. I didn’t want to leave them. I kept trying to pace myself but failed miserably because I had to know what happened next… and yet, I didn’t want it to be over.
If you love contemporary romance that packs an emotional punch while still feeling warm and hopeful, this one checks every box. It’s full of heart, humor, healing, and second chances—and I’m already thinking about when I can reread it just to relive the emotional ride. Katie King, you nailed it. 💖
Running away and starting new where Noone knows you. we all wish that right? Chloe gets that opportunity. she sells her townhouse and all she owns and moves to a new state new apartment new job? why? (no spoilers) reading this I kind of envy her. I wish to run away at times and start brand new. she's also a bit of a klutz. lol that's how she meets James, she ran into him in front of a pizza shop. like literally. Katie draws you into this story. you don't want to put it down. the characters development is awesome has you relating to everything like they can truly be your friends or Co workers.then... the love story. the tragedy that made her run away. you get suckered into the romance then the cliff hanger lol I hate cliff hangers but this one made me laugh out loud. like it would happen like that. I loved this book and story and can't wait 4more.
Contemporary romance is not my usual read. However, I absolutely loved this book! The characters were so relatable and loveable, I could not put this book down.
You want excellent banter, sass, tension and a heartwarming journey with healing and love? You’ve found it!
Chloe is looking forward a fresh start after her life was derailed. Now she is talking to her wallpaper and making rules for herself… James is there to help her break those rules in the best possible way.
I loved Chloe and James’s story and could not get enough. Also throw in a quirky/upbeat best friend…. sign me up!