Rules Don’t Apply in Paradise

by Sophia Karlson

A brand new fake dating destination romcom to fall in love with in 2026! No one said fake dating was going to be easy…

Two weeks ago, Lexi O’Reilly had her perfect job. Today, she’s being fired for seeing something she shouldn’t have. With a social media scandal waiting to drop, all she wants is to disappear until the storm has passed.

Enter Tristan Martinelli, her brother’s best friend and oceanographer. With a deadline looming for his upcoming tv series, Tristan has run out of footage, money, and sponsorships to finish his series. All he wants is to wrap up his life’s work and meet his deadline.

When the perfect job presents itself – a three-month stint at an exclusive private island resort with some of the best-preserved reefs in the world, where Lexi will run the hotel, and Tristan the dive centre – the only snag is that they must be a couple to apply. Despite knowing how she feels about Tristan, they make a deal to fake being engaged to apply for the job. Surely pretending to be in love with the man you’re already in love with should be easy, right?

What to expect when the rules don’t apply…

Brother’s best friendFake datingForced ProximityRemote island locationSpicy

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance

382 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication January 2, 2026

About the author

I write sensual, emotional, and evocative contemporary romances about good guys and bad girls and sometimes it's the other way around. Either way, happy ever afters rule!
All my books can be read as standalone, although I tend to write about siblings.
Follow me on FB and Instagram @sophiakarlson.

Reviews

[Travelogged Blogs · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the fake dating part of the book but the characters really lacked depth and I felt like I barely knew anything about them at all. And a few parts were really confusing. The flow of the story should've been more focused on. And the communication between Lexi & Tristan wasn't great either. I really wanted to like this book because the blurb made it sound like just the light-hearted and fun read that I was looking for, but the beginning itself felt so slow that I lost interest pretty fast tbh.

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rules Don’t Apply in Paradise ticks my boxes. 👇

✦This is a standalone but I’m low-key hoping we get another for (Lexi’s brother) Evan’s story.
Lexi is the collateral damage of a scandal involving a celebrity at her high-class hotel job. She has a chance to escape before it erupts, but only with a fake engagement. 💍

Tristan is desperate to finish his documentary, a love letter to the ocean, and the island location is perfect with its untouched corals and vibrant sea life.

Can they really pull this off?

» It moves at a quick pace, and the stakes are high for both Lexi and Tristan. Throw in some meddlers (some, delightfully cheeky while others are truly awful) and great banter, and I was hooked!

✦POV: Dual, first-person
Lexi is relatable and grows through the story. I felt awful for everything she’s been through and connected with her. Tristan is deeper than I expected and once he pulled his head out and was truly honest with himself, just, wow.

» From a villain I wanted to throat punch, the hotelier who is a straight up legend, to the Ne’emba locals who Lexi and Tristan took risks to elevate; the secondary characters were perfection.

✦Spice: Open door, explicit
The tropes are like a shopping list of all the ingredients to make my breathing and heart race; A+ 👏

Gimme that second chance, brother’s best friend, childhood friends turned enemies to lovers, forced proximity with only one bed in an idyllic tropical location, and make it a slow burn. 😮‍💨🫠 Yes, please, and thank you! Delicious torture!

♡ I devoured this addictive story. It has so much heart with satisfying heat and is perfect for someone in the mood for a read that is emotional, funny, hopeful, lighthearted, and just tense enough to keep you invested and on the edge of your seat to the HEA.

❝One thing is certain. There’s going to be trouble in paradise, and it’s been a long time coming.❞

✨ Thank you to Sophia and One More Chapter (HarperCollins) for the ARC to review via NetGalley.

→ Connect with me on Instagram!

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just love fake dating stories and throw in brother's best friend set in paradise? I'm all in.
Lexi needs a new job after being involved in a scandal at the last high end hotel chain she worked at for 10 years. She finds her dream job on a remote island but there is a catch. The job listing is for a couple, so she and her brother convince his best friend to fake an engagement to her and apply for the job. Lexi had always liked Tristan but she knows he doesn't feel that way. Unknown to her, he just has never felt worthy of her. Being forced to live together in paradise, they grow closer and lines begin to blur.

[Corrie 🎀✨🎧 · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars! ✨
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for this E-ARC in exchange for a review.
This book was nothing like I expected. Going in to this I was like oh cute cover and my favorite trope(fake dating)? A win win! But it was way more than that. Having had been in a reading slump for the past 3 months, there hasn’t been much to truly reel me in, however when I started the book I couldn’t put it down. The first day I picked it up I was sucked in and there was absolutely no way to get out. Not only was the writing style easy to read and quite funny, but the banter and the depth of the characters kept me along for the ride. And talk about original plot! I mean this was definitely a first for me.
Dr. Tristian Martinelli desperate to finish his TV series and Lexi O’Reily recently laid off and in need for a getaway fake an engagement to get the job of their dreams. But when wires cross and red flags go flying, being trapped on an island is the least of their worries.
Definitely go check this one out if you like fake dating and forced proximity!

[Nat Top · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who knew a fake engagement could have so many layers! Lexi is a hardworking woman in New York working for a high end hotel. When a scandalized sex tape she mistakenly walked in on turns into some serious drama at the workplace, she has to lay low and fast. Tristan is a marine biologist who's working on ocean filming for a special series he's launching but needs time and money to complete the last of his filming. Tristan also happens to be Lexi's brother's best friend. After some meddling they land a job together on a remote island with a hotel resort and special diving locations. Oh, and they have to pretend to be engaged to get their jobs!

The drama and tension piles up in Rules Don't Apply in Paradise. Lexi landed herself into one pickle after another. I feel for her so hard and wish she didn't have so many people against her. Thankfully Tristan is in her corner throughout. She needed some wins! Tristan was so supportive of her and you could see the love he has for Lexi in every little thing he does for her. He's so smooth but also a caring guy. The extra drama on the island had my jaw dropping and I loved how things turn around with the other characters we get to know. It was hard for me to put this one down because there was always something new happening! Highly recommend if you need a spicy island escape with his and her POV and some drama inducing side characters.

thank you netgalley for an ARC to review!

[Kylie · Rating 2 out of 5]

thank you netgalley for this ARC. While i enjoyed the premise and love a fake dating/brothers best friend story. this one was somehow different but uninspiring. I found the characters lacking in depth and their backstories seemed hinted at but with no emotional follow up. Also, there are so many legal issues here that are misaddressed ….. also i’m 99% sure they used the wrong Miami University - they should be saying University of Miami since the characters live in Miami Florida - not Ohio

[Abbey Boyett · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had such a fun overall concept with the secluded island setting mixed with fake dating and a second-chance romance. I also liked the refreshing take of brother’s best friend but with a supportive brother. There were a few sections that felt unnecessary or a bit confusing, and I found myself wishing for a little more explanation in places. Those moments pulled me out of the story and lowered my rating a bit. But overall, I genuinely enjoyed the journey and ending was perfect!

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for this ARC!

I was immediately hooked and devoured this book within hours! There was drama and love and a little game of hide-the-di1do 😏

Tropes:
•Fake Engagement
•Brother’s Best Friend
•Forced Proximity
•Only one bed cause the mosquitoes will devour you
•Love letter 💌

[Rachael Stray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fake fiancé. Remote island. Brother’s best friend. What could possibly go wrong?

If you’re craving a burst of sunshine to brighten these cold, gloomy winter days, then let me point you straight toward Rules Don’t Apply in Paradise by Sophia Karlson — a fun, flirty, drama-sprinkled escape that will have you dreaming of turquoise seas and tropical cocktails.

We meet Lexi, a hardworking New Yorker who’s just trying to survive life in a high-end hotel… until she accidentally walks in on a scandalous moment that detonates her career.

Suddenly she’s in hot water, forced to step out of the spotlight and disappear fast.

Enter Tristan — marine biologist, filmmaker, and her brother’s best friend (yes, we love this trope).

He’s battling deadlines, funding issues, and the pressure to finish filming his ocean documentary series. When the opportunity arises for both of them to take a job on a remote island resort, it sounds perfect.

One catch - They need to pretend to be engaged to get the gig.

Cue delicious tension.

What I really enjoyed about this story is how layered the fake engagement becomes.

Lexi cannot catch a break — honestly, she jumps from one bizarre situation to another, and I felt for her so much.

She has more than her fair share of people working against her, but the shining light is Tristan, who is firmly in her corner.

Their dynamic is just lovely: he’s smooth, caring, quietly confident, and fiercely protective. You can feel his affection for her in every small, thoughtful gesture.

Once they land on the island, the drama cranks up even higher. There are jaw-dropping moments (one twist genuinely made me say “Wait… WHAT?!” out loud), but also unexpected character turnarounds that add heart to the story.

And let’s talk spice. This is a slow burn with a big payoff — the tension builds and builds until it finally snaps in the most satisfying way.

I also appreciated the subtle message woven through the fun: you don’t have to let your past shape your future. Both Lexi and Tristan face old wounds, complicated histories, and difficult perceptions from others, and watching them push forward felt genuinely uplifting.

This book is fast-paced, addictive, and hard to put down. You can tell Karlson has experience in the hotel and tourism world; the details feel authentic, adding richness without bogging down the pace.

Overall, Rules Don’t Apply in Paradise is a spicy, sun-soaked second-chance romance with heaps of drama, a diverse and lively cast, and two characters you find yourself rooting for from page one.

And yes… I would 100% read a follow-up about Lexi’s brother Evan.

If you need a tropical escape without leaving your sofa, pop this on your January TBR.

With thanks to NetGalley and One More Chapter for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Mags · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

Sophia Karlson starts the new year with a spicy standalone perfect for chilling on the sofa with, especially if you are somewhere cold and dreaming of a tropical getaway. As Rules Don't Apply in Paradise delivers all the heat you'll need to keep you warm!

As Lexi finds herself caught up in a celebrity scandal at the high-end hotel where she works, through no fault of her own and wanting to lay low and escape New York before a scandal erupts, Lexi decides to apply for a job at a resort on a remote island, a million miles away from her current life.

The only problem is that the resort only takes on couples.

Which is where her brother's best friend, Tristan, a marine biologist, comes in. He is desperate to finish a documentary series on the ocean. However, to do that, he needs three things: money, time and access, and Lexi can offer him all three.

If he agrees to a fake engagement.

The only problem is that neither of them realises how hard it is to escape the past and the present when they are trapped together in paradise, and a no-strings-attached fling is easier said than done. Especially when Lexi finds it hard to trust, and Tristan continues to prove what a great guy he really is. Plus, he's there for her every time something goes wrong.

And with characters that surprise, engage and entertain. Not to mention deliver the heat. Rules Don't Apply in Paradise is a romance that genuinely keeps you guessing and delivers the perfect amount of drama and tension to keep you turning the pages. Which is why I would happily recommend it to all.

My thanks to Sophia Karlson for the opportunity to read an early copy of Rules Don't Apply in Paradise. All thoughts expressed are my own. 😊

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first contemporary romance by Sophia Karlson, and it completely pulled me in. I went in expecting a fun fake dating story, but it ended up being so much more layered and emotional than I anticipated.

Lexi has just had her life flipped upside down after a workplace scandal she never asked to be part of. She needs space, a reset, and a way to get out of New York fast. When she learns about a resort job opening on a remote island that only hires couples, it feels like the one opportunity that could fix everything at once.

Tristan is Lexi’s brother’s best friend and a marine biologist who is desperate to finish filming his ocean documentary series. He needs funding, access, and time to complete the project, and the same island resort could give him exactly that. When they realize applying together as a fake engaged couple would solve both of their problems, they agree to do it, figuring it is practical and temporary. What neither of them expects is how hard it will be to separate the past from the present once they are trapped together in paradise.

I loved this premise so much. On top of pretending to be engaged, they agree it will just be an island fling with no feelings involved, which of course is easier said than done. Watching them try to stick to those rules while everything between them kept building had me fully invested. Lexi struggling to trust and Tristan quietly being there for her made their connection feel real, and that twist near the end completely caught me off guard.

If you love fake dating, forced proximity, emotional tension, and a romance that keeps you guessing, I would absolutely recommend this one. It was engaging, surprising, and had way more depth than I expected going in.

Thank you NetGalley, Sophia Karlson, and HarperCollins UK One More Chapter for the opportunity to read this book.

[☆Laura☆]

Lexi O’Reilly lo tenía todo planificado: una carrera prometedora en la exclusiva cadena hotelera St Chalamet, un futuro brillante en el mundo de la hospitalidad y una vida ordenada en Nueva York. Pero cuando un video comprometedor la involucra en un escándalo con una celebridad, su reputación y su empleo se derrumban en cuestión de días. Forzada a huir del caos y comenzar de nuevo, acepta un trabajo temporal en un resort remoto del océano Índico. Lo que no esperaba era reencontrarse con Tristan, el mejor amigo de su hermano y el chico que la marcó años atrás. Entre secretos, tensión no resuelta y la tentación de un paraíso tan hermoso como peligroso, Lexi descubrirá que las reglas y su propio control, no siempre aplican cuando el corazón decide involucrarse.


___


Debo decir que la personalidad de Lexi, es justo del tipo que en la vida real me cae mal, por lo que no fue totalmente de mi agrado. Y aunque objetivamente sé que el libro no es malo la historia está bien escrita, tiene ritmo y una buena ambientación, el carácter de Lexi y su manera de reaccionar ante todo hicieron que no lo disfrutara tanto como debería. Hay momentos en los que sentí que el drama era forzado solo para generar tensión, y eso me sacó un poco de la trama. Aun así, reconozco que la autora logra mantener el interés.


Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ This was a pretty good book. It focuses on Lexi, a hotel worker in management, and her brother’s best friend Tristan. Tristan is a marine biologist who is making a television series about ocean life. After losing her job at a hotel in New York, Lexi and Tristan agree to be fake engaged in order to secure new jobs for themselves at an island resort that only hires couples.

I was glad the brother’s best friend trope wasn’t made into a whole “don’t touch my sister” thing, as I really don’t like that in books. This was more about Lexi and Tristan’s past and how they were fighting feelings for one another in the present. I do wish they would have communicated a bit better though, as adults people should just talk to each other.

There were times when I felt the author left some information out, or didn’t fully explain things. I got the gist of those parts, but some stuff felt rushed. The third act involves conflict from an external source, as well as with each other. The external issues seemed way out of left field, and I’m no sure they were necessary. Overall I enjoyed the book and want to thank Harper Collins UK and NetGalley for the chance to read this book. I voluntarily chose to leave a review.

4/5 on the Spicy Scale

M/F

Contemporary Romance

[Shirley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lexi O’Reilly is the victim of a terrible HR department and toxic workplace. She has worked for a very upscale hotel group, the St Chalamet, where she has worked for ten years but she has just been fired. All because she was caught on video witnessing a sordid liaison between a celebrity guest and the man Lexi was having an intra-office fling with. When hackers threaten to release the camera footage, the St Chalamet fires her rather than deal with the backlash and scandal, (I’m not an employment lawyer but I feel like this would be deeply illegal). So what is a girl to do when a dream job posting comes up but it requires a couple to apply but recruit her older brother Evan’s best friend, Tristan Martinelli, a super hot oceanographer who needs to finish his passion project, a documentary about the ocean but who has unfortunately run out of funding. The job posting is looking for a hotel manager and for someone to lead guests on dives through the pristine Ne’emba Island off the coast of East Africa and Lexi and Tristan would be perfect for the positions…except they aren’t a couple. So fake relationship, forced proximity (only one mosquito net!), and brother’s best friend tropes engaged!

I really enjoyed this book. Lexi’s story is so sad, someone who has worked so hard and dedicated their life to an organization to be unrecognised and ultimately thrown away when she became inconvenient. She really tries her best to help people and be a good supervisor and friend. Her weakness is Tristan, the perfect MMC, kind, funny, sexy, and an environmentalist. I liked their history together and why they never got together before. The one bed trope has never been put to better use than this book. They are a really great team together and their friendship and support for each other is fantastic especially once they get together for real.

The third act breakup is pretty heartwrenching because they seemed like such a well suited couple. The resolution seemed a little too convenient but the grand gesture was very cute and they had a well deserved HEA. This was a fun, lighthearted rom com (that just so happened to include several HR violations).

4 out of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and One More Chapter for the ARC.

Reviewed on GoodReads.
Posted December 2, 2025

[Balthazarinblue · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

This is a cute sexy summer beach read. It's a fake dating romance that puts a new spin on a couple of tropes: it's not quite a second-chance situation but it kind of is; it isn't exactly a work place romance but it's also not not a work place romance. You'll get it when you get there.

This is my first time reading from Sophia Karlson and I really enjoyed her writing! She had me so invested in the corporate drama boiling over in the background. RULES DON'T APPLY IN PARADISE is a nicely balanced mix of spice and plot. Karlson brought her experience in the hospitality industry to the fore, too, giving this book more authenticity than I usually get from vacation romcoms. The setting was lush, contrasting brilliantly with the high stress reality of being the people who ensure guests have nothing to worry about.

I didn't 100% click with the couple. Early on, there were a few times when Tristan was a bit of a "pulling your pigtails because he likes you" douchebro which is not for me, but Lexi was into it. If that's a dynamic that works for you, then I could see you falling in love with this pair. The relationship becomes quite heartfelt and sincere as they get more comfortable with each other.

Overall, an enjoyable warm weather poolside book.

[Katherine Oswald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: Rules Don’t Apply in Paeadise
Author: Sophia Karlson
Available: January 2, 2026
Star rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️
Tropes: Brother’s best friend, Fake dating, Forced proximity, Remote island location, Tension

Review:
A childhood crush given a second chance… while working at an island resort. What could go wrong? Turns out there’s a lot in store for Lexi and her brother’s best friend, Tristan.
I quite liked this story. There was a diverse cast of characters, bizarre situations, and funny moments. But they also explore the hard experience of not letting your past define your future. The spice had a lot of buildup before it snapped. I did find the climax a bit over the top, but not unrealistic.
I finished this pretty quickly, definitely a beach read. I could tell that the author has worked in the type of profession that she writes about, some of the details are things I would never have thought of.

Thank you HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.

[Kats · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lexi finds herself embroiled in a celebrity scandal and is looking to lay low. Tristan (her brother's best friend) is out of funds to finish his ocean documentary. When the opportunity arises for a couple to run a high class island resort and diving shop it seems perfect. The only catch is, they are not a couple.

Fake engagement
Forced proximity
One bed
Slow burn
Open door spice

There are a host of characters at the resort who bring some chaos, humour and intrigue. Both Lexi and Tristan develop some great friendships along the way too, but of course it's their relationship that takes the stage as they realise the fake has become real.

I really enjoyed Rules Don't Apply in Paradise. The romance was a delicious slow burn and their each working towards their careers while supporting each other felt very genuine. There were some things from both of their pasts revealed that give an understanding of their motivations and fears and how they can overcome them together. Overall this was a really great read!

Thank you Netgalley for the advance copy.

[Jules · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engaging read. I went in expecting a light island romance, but the story has more tension and emotion than the sunny setting suggests. Lexi’s situation feels believable — she’s overwhelmed, trying to get her life back on track, and not always making perfect choices. Tristan has his own problems to sort out, and the way their paths collide makes the fake-dating setup feel natural rather than gimmicky.

Their chemistry is strong, but what really kept me reading was how their moods and motivations push and pull against each other. There’s enough conflict to keep things interesting without it turning dramatic just for the sake of it. I also liked that both characters are allowed to be messy and human.

The island backdrop is fun and atmospheric, but the story never relies on it too much. It still feels like the focus stays on the two of them and how they start to shift each other’s outlook.

Overall, an enjoyable romance with good pacing and characters who feel real.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for the ARC.

[Deveney · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5⭐

Guys...this book... I don't know where to start because I just want to talk about all of it, all at once. This book really has my heart and is definitely one of my favorite reads for 2025.
The suspense had me on the edge of my seat. I was giggling and kicking my feet the whole time. I didn't expect the plot the twists and I was shocked to say the least.

An incident at work leads Lexi to be wrongly dismissed from her perfect job. She's devastated and needs to get back on her feet again as soon as possible.
Her brother's best friend Tristan shows up at the right, as he is facing his own problems, and the solution is for both of them to go work on a remote island for 3 months. What's the catch? They have to be a couple to get the job. There happens to be a little bit of history between them that hasn't quite sorted itself out. I mean she's only been in love with him her whole life, now she has to pretend to be his fake fiance? How hard could that be? Well no one said it's going to be easy that's for sure.

[Katherine Gisleson · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ⭐️s
🌶️🌶️ - medium spice, multiple explicit scenes

LOVES:
- The beginning had me confused and reeling, but it did make me feel sympathy for Lexi. She definitely had a rough go of it throughout her life, poor girl.
- Roger and Deshni were such a sweet side story. I wanted more of a wrap up for them, honestly.

CRITIQUES:
- I was just not on board with the drama 🙄 Lexi’s scandal, the coworkers on the island, and then the final straw was when the conflict came to a head. It just felt over-the-top and unbelievable. It didn’t make sense to me and it really frustrated me. Then I got whiplash from how it was dealt with.

This book was fine for most of it. There wasn’t much I loved, but it wasn’t bad. I had trouble connecting with the characters and truly caring about them, but the writing is pretty good and there are probably people who would like this book. I just couldn’t handle that ending. This one wasn’t for me.

Thanks to NetGalley, One More Chapter, & Harper Collins UK 💝 Releases January 2nd!

[Crystal D · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cute romance read! The follows Lexi who is in a bit of a pickle when she’s forced to quit her job at a very famous hotel due to a sex tape being leaked(she’s in it but not the in sexy way a wrong place wrong time situation) she goes to stay with her brother only to be dropped the bomb that the man she has been secretly in love with since she was a teenager is staying there too. He broke her heart years ago and she hasn’t ever recovered. Now they are both in desperate need and oddly enough a job opportunity has come up for both of them the only catch… they have to be together..engaged or married. Marriage is drastic so faking an engagement can’t be so hard and just for 3 months.

This fake relationship, one bed, second first chance at love is just what you need. You’ll laugh and cry(only for good reasons..mostly) spice was a level 2.5 for me but more than what I expected for this type of romance book. Guaranteed HEA!

[Kara Daigle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Need a splash of summer to chase away those cold, gloomy winter days? 🌴✨
Then this is the book you’ll want on your January TBR!

Lexi’s ready to swap the hustle of New York for a tropical island escape… but there’s just one tiny problem — the job she wants is for a married couple. 🏝️💍 Now all she needs is a fake fiancé. Easy, right?

Cue Tristan — a swoony filmmaker with a looming deadline and little cash flow problem. A tropical island gig sounds like the perfect way to reboot his career (and maybe stir up a little trouble with a certain someone he never quite forgot). 🌺🔥

But can Lexi and Tristan put their past behind them and pull off the perfect island partnership — or will old sparks ignite into something neither expected?

This book is a fun, flirty slow burn that’ll transport you straight to the tropics — just when you need it most. ☀️ I couldn’t get enough of Lexi and Tristan’s chemistry and their hilarious, heartfelt banter! 💕

[Becca T · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really didn’t think I was going to enjoy this book with how it opens in a scandal - I was expecting the Head to be the redeemable love interest - thank goodness I was proven wrong!

The levels of joy this book brought me was exactly what I needed - the only thing that could have made it better was being on a tropical island because the descriptions made me feel like I was there, and then I realised I was bundled up in bed with the heating on 🥲🤭

I absolutely loved the evolving relationship between Tristan and Lexi, the intrigue around what happened before kept me on tender hooks, I devoured the book in one sitting because I just had to know what happened next.

The side characters were well thought out and added extra depth and emotion to the story, there are so many options that could be created into follow up stories!

This is the first book of Sophia Karlson’s I’ve read, and I’ll be waiting patiently for the next!

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

After losing her job thanks to a scandal she didn’t cause, Lexi O’Reilly heads to a dreamy island resort to start over — only catch? She needs a fake fiancé. Enter Tristan Martinelli, her brother’s best friend and marine documentarian, who’s working on a TV series about ocean symbiosis (yes, the metaphor totally fits 👏).

Their fake engagement turns into a slow-burn, genuine connection as they settle into life on Ne’emba Island — mixing work, friendship, and a spark that’s been simmering for years. There’s a dash of mystery (a nosy coworker, a false accusation 👀), a few steamy scenes (I skipped some but still followed everything just fine), and a sweet, heartfelt ending that wraps things up beautifully.

The writing flows easily, the chemistry feels natural, and it’s exactly the kind of quick, feel-good read that’s perfect for a weekend escape. 🏝️💛

Thank you NetGalley and One More Chapter (a division of HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd) for the ARC in exchange for an honest review! 📚

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lexi’s life is falling apart. She’s been working her way up at a luxury hotel for a decade, and now she’s getting the ax because she walked in on a celebrity intimate moment….with her ex. Her best friend is leaving the apartment she can’t afford, and her heart is still a little broken from the rejection she got from her brother’s best friend, Tristan.

Tristan feels a magnetic pull toward Lexi, but the five-year age gap stopped him from acting on it. Now he’s a famous marine biologist, documenting the ocean. But he needs funding to keep his project going.

When they both go to Lexi’s brother for support, he pushes them toward a unique opportunity- a hotel manager and dive instructor on a tiny African island. The catch? It’s for a couple.

We’ve got:
Fake dating
One bed
Forced proximity
Friends to lovers


This is fun and only a couple spicy scenes. The drama is unexpected and there’s good character growth.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the arc.

[Liv · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really cute beach read. 3.5 that I’m rounding up to a 4

Following a scandal at the hotel she works at, Lexi needs to go off the grid, and fast. She comes upon a job listing to manage a hotel on a private island, which she is perfectly qualified for. The only catch? The resort only employs couples. Her brother’s best friend, Tristan, who she’s been in love with for years, arrives at the exact right time as the perfect solution. This also proves to be beneficial for Tristan, as he’s working on a documentary series on the ocean, and the resort will provide him the perfect opportunity to finish it.

They decide to interview as a recently engaged couple and get the jobs, of course, as Lexi manages the hotel itself while Tristan manages the diving portion of the resort. Now, they have to convince everyone there that they are a legitimate couple. All the while, lines start to get blurred as the very obvious attraction between the two gets harder and harder for them to ignore.

Lexi and Tristan have scorching chemistry, and the book doesn’t shy away from the spice at all. Though it was a dual POV, I did feel like Lexi’s backstory was a lot more fleshed out than Tristan’s was. The dialogue at times also threw me off, it didn’t always feel completely cohesive. I think the book would have benefited if it was cut down a little bit.

Seems like this one is ripe for a sequel, as Lexi’s brother Evan’s storyline at the end was a bit of a tease as to what’s to come. Looking forward to reading that one next!

[Annie K · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lexi gets let go from her job at a six-star hotel after a video of a celebrity in a precarious situation is leaked. So she does the only logical thing: pretends to be engaged to her brother’s best friend to land a hotel management position on a remote island. Why him? He’s filming reefs for his underfunded TV show. Will paradise heat up with Lexi and Tristian?

Review:
I wanted to love this one, but it didn’t quite land for me. By 25% in, they’re still not on the island — I was ready for beaches, not drawn-out legal drama over a video that honestly didn’t make sense as a firing reason. The beginning dragged, and Tristian’s perspective felt a little crude too early. Too slow a start for my taste, though I can see it working for readers who enjoy a drawn-out setup.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Joanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars for me.

Lexi O’Reilly got fired,humiliated and now is hidding at her brother's place.There is no avoiding Tristan Martinelli,her brother's best friend and her crush who rejected her five years ago.Together they find themselfs faking engagement to get a dream job.Both will get something in return,and it's only for few months,what could go wrong?

This book was a cute second chance romance.The chemistry between Lexi and Tristan feelt real,and I liked the banter and spice.Author did a great job describing the island resort,I could imagine the beach,hotel and this paradise where no one wants to leave.My first book by this author and hope to read more.

If you like second chance romance with spice,I would recommend this book,perfect beach read.


Thank you netgalley and publisher for arc,my review is honest and my own.

[Tanya · Rating 3 out of 5]

I "binge-read" in Rules Don’t Apply in Paradise in one sitting. It’s feel-good escapism with good banter and a fake-dating burn angle that fortunately doesn't have too slow a burn.

I mainly devoured it as I was curious to see what was going to happen with the video, Jem's suspicious behaviour and learn more about Lexi's dad and their relationship. None of that was really resolved, and I could never understand why the incident with "The Head" took place at the same time and place that Lexi was supposed to have her rendezvous. I thought there would be a twist here, but it's another thing that felt like a gap in the storyline.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book.

[Liz Glomb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Sophia Karlson, and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC!

This book was such a fun, heartfelt escape. I loved the tone, pacing, and dual POVs. I love when both characters feel distinct and layered, and this one absolutely delivered.

As a big fan of second-chance vibes, this book hit the sweet spot. And Tristan? The MMC who doesn’t realize he’s in love until it smacks him in the face like he walked straight into a glass window? Perfection. Watching him catch up to his feelings was one of my favorite parts of the story.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would absolutely recommend it to anyone who loves destination romcoms, fake dating, and that delicious moment when the MMC’s emotional realization finally clicks.