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The Rules: The Controle Series 1.
A guilty verdict. A buried truth. A girl with two lives—and one of them is about to explode.Katherine Winters lives a double life.
By day, she’s a paralegal clawing her way through Sinclair & Associates, a cutthroat law firm where failure isn’t an option—and one man, Benjamin Sinclair, sees through her masks far too easily.
By night, she becomes bold, untouchable, and untraceable on stage.
But when a new private client shows up at the club, everything starts to unravel.
Polished. Predatory. Dangerous.
He should never be watching her dance.
Especially not when he already owns her days.
What began as a mission to clear her father’s name spirals into a dangerous enemies-to-lovers dark romance tangled in secrets, control, and obsession.
The Rules is a spicy dark romance for adults, a possessive alpha male romance with a morally gray hero who knows exactly how to make her break—and beg.
This emotionally charged story
explicit language and intense sexual contentguided scenes of erotic submission and self-touchdominant-submissive power dynamics with psychological complexitytrauma recovery, obsession, and a morally gray hero you'll hate to love
"Start at your neck," he instructed, voice low and commanding.
"Touch your nipples. Make them ache for me. Look me in the eye while you do it."
This isn’t just tension. It’s commanded surrender.Perfect for fans of Ana Huang, Navessa Allen, and popular dark romance books on Kindle Unlimited—stories where the heroine refuses to go quietly.
If you crave high-stakes obsession, forbidden desire, and a heroine who bites back, this is the spicy romance book for women you’ve been waiting for.
By day, she’s a paralegal clawing her way through Sinclair & Associates, a cutthroat law firm where failure isn’t an option—and one man, Benjamin Sinclair, sees through her masks far too easily.
By night, she becomes bold, untouchable, and untraceable on stage.
But when a new private client shows up at the club, everything starts to unravel.
Polished. Predatory. Dangerous.
He should never be watching her dance.
Especially not when he already owns her days.
What began as a mission to clear her father’s name spirals into a dangerous enemies-to-lovers dark romance tangled in secrets, control, and obsession.
The Rules is a spicy dark romance for adults, a possessive alpha male romance with a morally gray hero who knows exactly how to make her break—and beg.
This emotionally charged story
explicit language and intense sexual contentguided scenes of erotic submission and self-touchdominant-submissive power dynamics with psychological complexitytrauma recovery, obsession, and a morally gray hero you'll hate to love
"Start at your neck," he instructed, voice low and commanding.
"Touch your nipples. Make them ache for me. Look me in the eye while you do it."
This isn’t just tension. It’s commanded surrender.Perfect for fans of Ana Huang, Navessa Allen, and popular dark romance books on Kindle Unlimited—stories where the heroine refuses to go quietly.
If you crave high-stakes obsession, forbidden desire, and a heroine who bites back, this is the spicy romance book for women you’ve been waiting for.
555 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 8, 2025
12 people are currently reading
61 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
September 5, 2025
If I could give this more stars I would. This book is amazing! Everything about it is incredible- the character depth, the storyline, the twists and suspense, the spice. My god the spice. The way this author writes brings the reader so far into the story they forgot they are not one of the characters. Everything around me disappeared as I was reading. This is going to be your next favorite book without a doubt.
October 22, 2025
I didn’t know what to expect going into The Rules by Kitti Lamiere, but I got pulled in. This book sneaks up on you, like the kind of read that makes you stay up a little too late because you just need to see what happens next.
Katherine Winters, is one of those characters you can’t help but watch closely. She’s got this perfectly controlled life on the surface, but underneath there’s a lot simmering, and it’s fascinating to see how her two worlds start colliding. She’s competent, clever, and guarded, but not so untouchable that you can’t root for her. Benjamin Sinclair throws some serious curveballs her way, and the push-and-pull between them adds this quiet tension that keeps the pages turning. The supporting cast also brings life to the story, with a few side characters that feel ready to take the spotlight in later books.
The pacing hits a nice rhythm. The beginning takes a bit to let the story build and the intrigue simmer, which I appreciated, though a few early scenes didn't fully hit for me. Once the tension starts to rise though, the momentum is irresistible. Some emotional beats take a minute to fully land, but when they do, they hit hard.
Worldbuilding, I liked how the private clubs, legal circles, and shadowy corners of Katherine’s life felt lived-in but didn’t distract from the story. What I found most interesting was how the story blends control and vulnerability. I wish we got a few more small, personal moments that show how Katherine juggles these two sides of her life day to day, but the framework that’s here works really well and keeps the tension believable.
Plus, it doesn't hurt that there’s a slow burn here that’s satisfying without being frustrating, and the stakes feel real pretty early on.
Overall, The Rules is a smart start to a series. It didn’t give me every emotional experience I was hoping for, but it left me fully invested and curious about what comes next. If you’re into contemporary romance with secrets, slow burn tension, and characters who are more than they appear, this one is worth diving into.
Katherine Winters, is one of those characters you can’t help but watch closely. She’s got this perfectly controlled life on the surface, but underneath there’s a lot simmering, and it’s fascinating to see how her two worlds start colliding. She’s competent, clever, and guarded, but not so untouchable that you can’t root for her. Benjamin Sinclair throws some serious curveballs her way, and the push-and-pull between them adds this quiet tension that keeps the pages turning. The supporting cast also brings life to the story, with a few side characters that feel ready to take the spotlight in later books.
The pacing hits a nice rhythm. The beginning takes a bit to let the story build and the intrigue simmer, which I appreciated, though a few early scenes didn't fully hit for me. Once the tension starts to rise though, the momentum is irresistible. Some emotional beats take a minute to fully land, but when they do, they hit hard.
Worldbuilding, I liked how the private clubs, legal circles, and shadowy corners of Katherine’s life felt lived-in but didn’t distract from the story. What I found most interesting was how the story blends control and vulnerability. I wish we got a few more small, personal moments that show how Katherine juggles these two sides of her life day to day, but the framework that’s here works really well and keeps the tension believable.
Plus, it doesn't hurt that there’s a slow burn here that’s satisfying without being frustrating, and the stakes feel real pretty early on.
Overall, The Rules is a smart start to a series. It didn’t give me every emotional experience I was hoping for, but it left me fully invested and curious about what comes next. If you’re into contemporary romance with secrets, slow burn tension, and characters who are more than they appear, this one is worth diving into.
October 9, 2025
Oh my gosh!! Never thought I would be so invested in the love story between two lawyers but here I am mad that book 2 isn’t out yet!
Between the spice and the detail in this book I was hooooked! 🫶 amazing job!
Also note I was an ARC (advance readers copy) reader.
Between the spice and the detail in this book I was hooooked! 🫶 amazing job!
Also note I was an ARC (advance readers copy) reader.
September 30, 2025
This book was brilliant. The tension between the FMC and MMC was INTENSE! The spice was SPICING! The writing of this book was brilliant, at times i had to take a step back and realise I was actually just reading. I couldn't put this book down from the moment I picked it up! Fantastic author and I can't wait to read more from Kitti.
October 27, 2025
My opinion:
I loved this read so much, it was emotionally charged from start to finish. Packed with all the best things like tension, banter, power dynamics, and just the perfect amount of angst and desire that I just love in books. I love how the story balances darkness and vulnerability, with a strong and determined FMC and a brooding MMC who slowly unravels in the best way. With electric chemistry that is equal parts frustrating and addictive. The only small “negative” thing that I could say about this book is that I would’ve loved is just a little bit more detail on character characteristics at points while I was reading I would have a hard time picturing their faces how ever the author did say that that was by choice to give the readers a chance to give each character their own face, other than that this book was a 5 ⭐️read for me.
Since it’s your first time, let’s start with the rules:
❤️🔥No touching unless I allow it.
❤️🔥My hair, my mask? Off limits.
❤️🔥No explicit requests. We’re dancers not escorts.
❤️🔥Oh, and don’t fall in love.
This is a fast-paced, emotionally charged ride of a book with banter, angst, hate, emotional trauma, forced proximity, grief, power, desire, double life, enemies-to-lovers, dual POV, dark suspense, brooding hero, determined heroine, spice that will have you sweating and tension that will definitely have you hooked from the very first chapter.
‼️Please read content warnings.
📖 This story follows Katherine “Kath” Winters, a fiercely determined woman who is desperate to free her imprisoned father, Niel Winters; this desperation leads her to live a double life as a Lawyer by day and by night a stripper known as “Blondie”.
The tension quickly sky rockets with the introduction of Benjamin “Ben” Sinclair, a brilliant, cool, and perfectly controlled lawyer at Sinclair & Associates. I mean their very first interaction is a masterpiece of banter, angst, and magnetic hate that will leave you absolutely captivated. Ben being the ultimate perfectionist that he is, finds his control slipping as he becomes consumed and distracted by the alluring mystery of Blondie.
🔥 The raw electric tension between Kath and Ben is nothing short of deliciously good. The tension rises and becomes a little more complicated when Kath develops a quirky, cute back-and-forth chemistry with Joshua Fletcher a co-worker at the firm, bringing out a wave of jealousy from Ben that is oh so good to read.
As the story progresses Ben’s internal struggle —his obsession to figure out if the captivating stripper he has been consumed by “Blondie” and the determined lawyer Kath are the same person—is a major source of suspense that keeps the pages turning.
The climax of this push and pull arrives when Ben finally uncovers the truth. His reaction is a powerful storm of rage, betrayal, and fury, leading to a gut-wrenching confrontation where he lashes out with cutting words. The fallout is intense, but it culminates in Ben reluctantly agreeing to take on Niel Winters's case, setting a foundation of close proximity and a lot of rules that only serve to amplify their already off-the-charts chemistry. The cose proximity under tension is agonizingly, and is elevated further by the introduction of Julian Sinclair, Ben’s “bad boy” brother. Julian provides a dark edge to the book as well as some much needed comic relief constantly pushing Ben’s buttons by flirting with Kath and generally siding with her only to make Ben jealous and angry.
⚖️ The stakes rise dramatically when antagonist Samuel Crawford attempts to harm Kath, leading to a near-fatal confrontation, Ben’s nearly lethal intervention saves her and culminating in a thrilling confession. This forces Ben and Kath to embrace morally grey territory relying on his brother Julian and his not so law abiding ways. The emotional stakes are immense for Ben as he battles the abandonment of his moral high ground as a law abiding lawyer and as he works to protect Kath from the shadowy figure that is Crawford; who escalates his threats even further by attempting to kidnap Katherine’s sister, Lisa.
Trial day comes and is an absolute nail-biter. The defense’s risky reliance on fabricated evidence will have you on the edge of your seat. In the end the court rules in favor of the defense and Niel Winters is declared innocent of all charges.
The reunion among Lisa, Bianca (her mother) and Kath with their father is such a precious and heartfelt moment that will have tears streaking down your cheek.
With justice served everything seems to fall into place, with Niel receiving a hefty settlement for false imprisonment and Ben and Kath settling into a more comfortable relationship and in a beautiful moment he finally tells her he loves her. And if you thought the heat was over the book closes out in a romantic, final, and unforgettable burst of spice.
I loved this read so much, it was emotionally charged from start to finish. Packed with all the best things like tension, banter, power dynamics, and just the perfect amount of angst and desire that I just love in books. I love how the story balances darkness and vulnerability, with a strong and determined FMC and a brooding MMC who slowly unravels in the best way. With electric chemistry that is equal parts frustrating and addictive. The only small “negative” thing that I could say about this book is that I would’ve loved is just a little bit more detail on character characteristics at points while I was reading I would have a hard time picturing their faces how ever the author did say that that was by choice to give the readers a chance to give each character their own face, other than that this book was a 5 ⭐️read for me.
Since it’s your first time, let’s start with the rules:
❤️🔥No touching unless I allow it.
❤️🔥My hair, my mask? Off limits.
❤️🔥No explicit requests. We’re dancers not escorts.
❤️🔥Oh, and don’t fall in love.
This is a fast-paced, emotionally charged ride of a book with banter, angst, hate, emotional trauma, forced proximity, grief, power, desire, double life, enemies-to-lovers, dual POV, dark suspense, brooding hero, determined heroine, spice that will have you sweating and tension that will definitely have you hooked from the very first chapter.
‼️Please read content warnings.
📖 This story follows Katherine “Kath” Winters, a fiercely determined woman who is desperate to free her imprisoned father, Niel Winters; this desperation leads her to live a double life as a Lawyer by day and by night a stripper known as “Blondie”.
The tension quickly sky rockets with the introduction of Benjamin “Ben” Sinclair, a brilliant, cool, and perfectly controlled lawyer at Sinclair & Associates. I mean their very first interaction is a masterpiece of banter, angst, and magnetic hate that will leave you absolutely captivated. Ben being the ultimate perfectionist that he is, finds his control slipping as he becomes consumed and distracted by the alluring mystery of Blondie.
🔥 The raw electric tension between Kath and Ben is nothing short of deliciously good. The tension rises and becomes a little more complicated when Kath develops a quirky, cute back-and-forth chemistry with Joshua Fletcher a co-worker at the firm, bringing out a wave of jealousy from Ben that is oh so good to read.
As the story progresses Ben’s internal struggle —his obsession to figure out if the captivating stripper he has been consumed by “Blondie” and the determined lawyer Kath are the same person—is a major source of suspense that keeps the pages turning.
The climax of this push and pull arrives when Ben finally uncovers the truth. His reaction is a powerful storm of rage, betrayal, and fury, leading to a gut-wrenching confrontation where he lashes out with cutting words. The fallout is intense, but it culminates in Ben reluctantly agreeing to take on Niel Winters's case, setting a foundation of close proximity and a lot of rules that only serve to amplify their already off-the-charts chemistry. The cose proximity under tension is agonizingly, and is elevated further by the introduction of Julian Sinclair, Ben’s “bad boy” brother. Julian provides a dark edge to the book as well as some much needed comic relief constantly pushing Ben’s buttons by flirting with Kath and generally siding with her only to make Ben jealous and angry.
⚖️ The stakes rise dramatically when antagonist Samuel Crawford attempts to harm Kath, leading to a near-fatal confrontation, Ben’s nearly lethal intervention saves her and culminating in a thrilling confession. This forces Ben and Kath to embrace morally grey territory relying on his brother Julian and his not so law abiding ways. The emotional stakes are immense for Ben as he battles the abandonment of his moral high ground as a law abiding lawyer and as he works to protect Kath from the shadowy figure that is Crawford; who escalates his threats even further by attempting to kidnap Katherine’s sister, Lisa.
Trial day comes and is an absolute nail-biter. The defense’s risky reliance on fabricated evidence will have you on the edge of your seat. In the end the court rules in favor of the defense and Niel Winters is declared innocent of all charges.
The reunion among Lisa, Bianca (her mother) and Kath with their father is such a precious and heartfelt moment that will have tears streaking down your cheek.
With justice served everything seems to fall into place, with Niel receiving a hefty settlement for false imprisonment and Ben and Kath settling into a more comfortable relationship and in a beautiful moment he finally tells her he loves her. And if you thought the heat was over the book closes out in a romantic, final, and unforgettable burst of spice.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 22, 2025
"The Rules" was my very first venture into the world of dark romance. It's safe to say I was immediately intrigued by the storyline , though the pacing of it was a genuine slow burn.
For the first half of the book, the build-up is palpable, perhaps a little too much for my personal taste. However, the story shifts gears dramatically around the halfway point, where the plot thickens, and the tension intensifies in the second half — that is when I was truly hooked. From there on out, i was left craving the next chapter every time.
The story is skillfully told through a dual character point of view, allowing deep access into the minds of both leads.
Ben, the main male character, projects a powerful aura of dominance and charm that could easily be mistaken for cold arrogance. Yet, beneath this carefully constructed exterior, he is frustratingly naïve to his own emotions and utterly incapable of expressing them honestly.
Opposite him is Katherine, the main female character, who embodies a quiet, steely determination. Her singular goal is to clear her father’s name, and she will not be deterred.
The connection between these two is absolutely undeniable, radiating off the page in every interaction. But they are both terrible at expressing their emotions to one another. Their inability to communicate openly fuels the slow burn.
Overall Rating: 4/5 Stars
While I would have been tempted to give Rules a perfect five-star rating, my initial struggle with the pacing kept me from doing so. The first half was a bit too much of a slow burn for my personal liking. That said, the second half delivered everything I could possibly want in a dark romance—it was gripping, consuming, and intense. I finished the book wanting more and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a character-driven story where the tension is slowly simmered.
For the first half of the book, the build-up is palpable, perhaps a little too much for my personal taste. However, the story shifts gears dramatically around the halfway point, where the plot thickens, and the tension intensifies in the second half — that is when I was truly hooked. From there on out, i was left craving the next chapter every time.
The story is skillfully told through a dual character point of view, allowing deep access into the minds of both leads.
Ben, the main male character, projects a powerful aura of dominance and charm that could easily be mistaken for cold arrogance. Yet, beneath this carefully constructed exterior, he is frustratingly naïve to his own emotions and utterly incapable of expressing them honestly.
Opposite him is Katherine, the main female character, who embodies a quiet, steely determination. Her singular goal is to clear her father’s name, and she will not be deterred.
The connection between these two is absolutely undeniable, radiating off the page in every interaction. But they are both terrible at expressing their emotions to one another. Their inability to communicate openly fuels the slow burn.
Overall Rating: 4/5 Stars
While I would have been tempted to give Rules a perfect five-star rating, my initial struggle with the pacing kept me from doing so. The first half was a bit too much of a slow burn for my personal liking. That said, the second half delivered everything I could possibly want in a dark romance—it was gripping, consuming, and intense. I finished the book wanting more and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a character-driven story where the tension is slowly simmered.
October 7, 2025
This is by far one of the best dark romance books I have read from a debut author!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶
Kitti immerses us into a FANTASTIC story that literally sucked me into it within a couple chapters. I barely sat this book down to make sustenance or relieve myself 😅
The storyline, characters, descriptions- all fantastic. 🤩
The spice and slow burn- even better. 🥵
Meet Katherine Winters- her father was wrongfully imprisoned years ago. Since no lawyer would pick up the case to fix this mistake, she became one herself.
Now, years later, she is a lawyer in a cutthroat industry with an even more cutthroat boss, who was an intern that aided the prosecution in her fathers' trial. But to make ends meet and refill her sisters college fund, she is a burlesque dancer by night.
Meet Benjamin Sinclair- lawyer, but also her cutthroat boss. Never takes time for himself, but when he finally does, finds himself in a club recommended by his brother. They are all required to wear a mask in the club, and with her disguise they don't realize who each other are, until the second visit when she puts clues together.
She is so good at switching from her day to night life, but where do the lines blur?
Follow these two through their story, and a mystery to figure out who managed to get her father imprisoned!
You will not be disappointed when you pick up this book! I would read it all over again, and will once I get my hands on a printed copy!😍
**There are a few darker scenes that may be harder for some readers! Make sure to read the trigger warnings if anything may be difficult to read!**
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶
Kitti immerses us into a FANTASTIC story that literally sucked me into it within a couple chapters. I barely sat this book down to make sustenance or relieve myself 😅
The storyline, characters, descriptions- all fantastic. 🤩
The spice and slow burn- even better. 🥵
Meet Katherine Winters- her father was wrongfully imprisoned years ago. Since no lawyer would pick up the case to fix this mistake, she became one herself.
Now, years later, she is a lawyer in a cutthroat industry with an even more cutthroat boss, who was an intern that aided the prosecution in her fathers' trial. But to make ends meet and refill her sisters college fund, she is a burlesque dancer by night.
Meet Benjamin Sinclair- lawyer, but also her cutthroat boss. Never takes time for himself, but when he finally does, finds himself in a club recommended by his brother. They are all required to wear a mask in the club, and with her disguise they don't realize who each other are, until the second visit when she puts clues together.
She is so good at switching from her day to night life, but where do the lines blur?
Follow these two through their story, and a mystery to figure out who managed to get her father imprisoned!
You will not be disappointed when you pick up this book! I would read it all over again, and will once I get my hands on a printed copy!😍
**There are a few darker scenes that may be harder for some readers! Make sure to read the trigger warnings if anything may be difficult to read!**
October 9, 2025
I struggled to get into the book, don’t know if it was the book, or the book I read previous that stuck too much. But it was something that made me struggle.
But it took me 40-50% in to enjoy the book.
It almost felt like it missed something, but I can’t put the finger on what that could be.
Overall, it was an ok book, in the end I kind of enjoyed it, but it didn’t stuck with me.
For me, the book description really describe everything great, so do you want to know what the book is about? It has a great description.
Putting the book description below.
”A guilty verdict. A buried truth. A girl with two lives—and one of them is about to explode.
Katherine Winters lives a double life.
By day, she’s a paralegal clawing her way through Sinclair & Associates, a cutthroat law firm where failure isn’t an option—and one man, Benjamin Sinclair, sees through her masks far too easily.
By night, she becomes bold, untouchable, and untraceable on stage.
But when a new private client shows up at the club, everything starts to unravel.
Polished. Predatory. Dangerous.
He should never be watching her dance.
Especially not when he already owns her days.
What began as a mission to clear her father’s name spirals into a dangerous game of control, secrets, and desire.”
But it took me 40-50% in to enjoy the book.
It almost felt like it missed something, but I can’t put the finger on what that could be.
Overall, it was an ok book, in the end I kind of enjoyed it, but it didn’t stuck with me.
For me, the book description really describe everything great, so do you want to know what the book is about? It has a great description.
Putting the book description below.
”A guilty verdict. A buried truth. A girl with two lives—and one of them is about to explode.
Katherine Winters lives a double life.
By day, she’s a paralegal clawing her way through Sinclair & Associates, a cutthroat law firm where failure isn’t an option—and one man, Benjamin Sinclair, sees through her masks far too easily.
By night, she becomes bold, untouchable, and untraceable on stage.
But when a new private client shows up at the club, everything starts to unravel.
Polished. Predatory. Dangerous.
He should never be watching her dance.
Especially not when he already owns her days.
What began as a mission to clear her father’s name spirals into a dangerous game of control, secrets, and desire.”
October 15, 2025
First I want to say thank you so much for choosing me to be a part of your arc team and giving me this opportunity.🫶🏼
Why I gave it 3 stars? I don’t connect well with books written in 3rd person, but that’s just a me thing. I love, love, loved the idea. There was tension, spice, and mystery. The description of the book was perfectly detailed and let me know exactly what the book was about. In the beginning I struggled because I wasn’t sure on the timeline and it never specifically stated that she was a lawyer and graduated law school. We kind of had to assume that she made her way through school and graduated. I was under the assumption she needed to do this as soon as possible, but I was unsure if she graduated early or how long it actually took. I would have also liked to know how long from the time her father was sent to jail to her then quitting the diner job bc “she made it” or finally did it. Overall I liked it, but just didn’t stick with me due to the 3rd person writing, but I do think I’d pick up the next one to see the story and writing develops.
Why I gave it 3 stars? I don’t connect well with books written in 3rd person, but that’s just a me thing. I love, love, loved the idea. There was tension, spice, and mystery. The description of the book was perfectly detailed and let me know exactly what the book was about. In the beginning I struggled because I wasn’t sure on the timeline and it never specifically stated that she was a lawyer and graduated law school. We kind of had to assume that she made her way through school and graduated. I was under the assumption she needed to do this as soon as possible, but I was unsure if she graduated early or how long it actually took. I would have also liked to know how long from the time her father was sent to jail to her then quitting the diner job bc “she made it” or finally did it. Overall I liked it, but just didn’t stick with me due to the 3rd person writing, but I do think I’d pick up the next one to see the story and writing develops.
September 30, 2025
Katherine is not only stunningly beautiful but also highly intelligent. She used that intelligence to put herself through law school, driven by a single-minded goal: to put her younger sister through school and free her innocent father from prison. To make it all happen, she even worked a second job to cover the costs.
Benjamin, her boss, is equally compelling—gorgeous, controlling, cold, and a respected attorney who built his firm from the ground up. He has no room in his life for emotions, and everyone knows it.
Both Katherine and Ben carry secrets, and their story unfolds as a slow burn. Normally, I don’t enjoy long stretches of internal thoughts and struggles, but in this book, it was different. The writing made me feel their racing hearts, the held breaths, the charged silences, and the moments when they couldn’t tear their eyes away from each other. It was hot, hot, hot.
And then—enter Julian, Ben’s brother. The heat and mystery cranked up another level, and I honestly thought my Kindle was going to self-destruct.
Together, these three set out to help an innocent man and, in the process, break every rule. I couldn’t stop reading. The story had it all—intensity, passion, mystery, and a wonderfully satisfying ending where every loose end was tied up perfectly.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Five stars from me. Highly recommended!
Benjamin, her boss, is equally compelling—gorgeous, controlling, cold, and a respected attorney who built his firm from the ground up. He has no room in his life for emotions, and everyone knows it.
Both Katherine and Ben carry secrets, and their story unfolds as a slow burn. Normally, I don’t enjoy long stretches of internal thoughts and struggles, but in this book, it was different. The writing made me feel their racing hearts, the held breaths, the charged silences, and the moments when they couldn’t tear their eyes away from each other. It was hot, hot, hot.
And then—enter Julian, Ben’s brother. The heat and mystery cranked up another level, and I honestly thought my Kindle was going to self-destruct.
Together, these three set out to help an innocent man and, in the process, break every rule. I couldn’t stop reading. The story had it all—intensity, passion, mystery, and a wonderfully satisfying ending where every loose end was tied up perfectly.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Five stars from me. Highly recommended!
October 15, 2025
The Rules was a great read. It kept my attention and I read it in about 10 hours with interruptions. I should have gone to bed and finished the next day but instead stayed up until 1am to finish when I had work in the morning. The suspense that follows the FMC throughout the book alone kept me intrigued. The FMC Kath and the MMC Ben spent a good part of the book in a good slow burn that was full of secret identities, secret problems, and suspense. However, in true romance fashion the MMC comes in trying to help save the day for the FMC even before he truly knew her full identity. However, what they find out is that their demons are one in the same and the only way to bring them down is together. Kath is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to taking care of her family and Ben doesn't want to tame her as much as keep her safe and help her find her inner lion. Together when the fuse gets lit it is a master piece. I cannot wait for the next book in the series to come.
November 16, 2025
First of all, thank you so much for allowing me to be on the ARC team! It did take me a little longer to get through this one, mostly because it’s not my usual genre. That said, this is a great introduction to dark romance—though if you’re already pretty seasoned in the genre, it may feel a bit light in comparison. The writing itself is strong, but there were moments where things felt a little unclear. I found myself having to fill in the gaps at times because certain details weren’t fully explained. Since the story is written in third person, a few transitions blurred together and I occasionally had trouble keeping track of who the “focus” was in a given moment. Even so, the concept is great and the storyline is really unique. There were definitely moments that hooked me, and I didn’t want to put it down. Overall, it was an enjoyable read, and I’m glad I picked it up. I’d absolutely be interested in reading the next one!
October 7, 2025
I’m still reeling from how good this book was. From the very first chapter, it had me completely hooked. The chemistry between the main characters was off the charts—every scene between them felt electric. And the spice? Let’s just say it was perfectly done and absolutely unforgettable.
Kitti’s writing style is stunning. She has this rare ability to make you feel every emotion right alongside the characters. The plot was full of tension, twists, and depth, with just the right balance of passion and heartbreak. I was so immersed that the real world disappeared for a while, and I didn’t want to leave.
This story has everything—intensity, emotion, beautifully developed characters, and a romance that lingers long after the last page. If you’re looking for a book that will consume you completely, look no further. This one’s a masterpiece.
Kitti’s writing style is stunning. She has this rare ability to make you feel every emotion right alongside the characters. The plot was full of tension, twists, and depth, with just the right balance of passion and heartbreak. I was so immersed that the real world disappeared for a while, and I didn’t want to leave.
This story has everything—intensity, emotion, beautifully developed characters, and a romance that lingers long after the last page. If you’re looking for a book that will consume you completely, look no further. This one’s a masterpiece.
October 14, 2025
I was lucky to be given the opportunity to read this book as an arc reader. Thank you very much, Kitti, for allowing me to read your work!
I enjoyed this book, the characters were well written and there was great character development. I just didn’t feel massively connected to the characters. I think I struggled to really get into this because it’s written in third person. Especially the spicy scenes, I just didn’t feel like they read well (to me) in third person, the language as well seemed restrained and I think when writing graphic smut scenes, there is no holding back, and I didn’t feel this from The Rules.
I’ve given this read 3 stars because, although I didn’t feel connected to the characters, the storyline was well written and I like Kitti’s writing style. Maybe The Rules just wasn’t the book for me! I’m excited to see what Kitti writes next!
I enjoyed this book, the characters were well written and there was great character development. I just didn’t feel massively connected to the characters. I think I struggled to really get into this because it’s written in third person. Especially the spicy scenes, I just didn’t feel like they read well (to me) in third person, the language as well seemed restrained and I think when writing graphic smut scenes, there is no holding back, and I didn’t feel this from The Rules.
I’ve given this read 3 stars because, although I didn’t feel connected to the characters, the storyline was well written and I like Kitti’s writing style. Maybe The Rules just wasn’t the book for me! I’m excited to see what Kitti writes next!
October 14, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
This book was so freaking good! I can’t believe this was the authors debut, it was so polished!
The plot was well developed and the characters were really complex. The thriller aspect made it all that more exciting.
Kath is such a cool character, I definitely would love to be her bestie. She is so elegant and sexy yet is also dedicated, smart and driven. She is such a good match for him, challenging his control. When he loses control, damn it’s hot!
The spice in this book was top tier because the tension is built up so well between the main characters 🥵. Bens brother is also very intense and challenges Kath in a different way, kinda wanted him to get in on the action 😂
I’m so intrigued to see where the author is going to go from here.
Thank you so much for the opportunity to ARC read this. Dark romance readers you know what to do!
This book was so freaking good! I can’t believe this was the authors debut, it was so polished!
The plot was well developed and the characters were really complex. The thriller aspect made it all that more exciting.
Kath is such a cool character, I definitely would love to be her bestie. She is so elegant and sexy yet is also dedicated, smart and driven. She is such a good match for him, challenging his control. When he loses control, damn it’s hot!
The spice in this book was top tier because the tension is built up so well between the main characters 🥵. Bens brother is also very intense and challenges Kath in a different way, kinda wanted him to get in on the action 😂
I’m so intrigued to see where the author is going to go from here.
Thank you so much for the opportunity to ARC read this. Dark romance readers you know what to do!
October 21, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Rules by Kitti Lameire completely pulled me in from the start. The characters were amazing — complex, addictive, and impossible not to care about. I was invested in every single page, and it kept me up way later than I planned.
This story was the one that officially started my love for dark romance. The tension, the mystery, the danger, and the passion all blended perfectly. The push and pull between the characters had me hooked, and I loved watching the layers of control, secrets, and desire unfold.
If you love dark romance with strong characters, emotional intensity, and just the right amount of heat — The Rules is a must-read. It’s one of those stories that stays with you long after the last page.
The Rules by Kitti Lameire completely pulled me in from the start. The characters were amazing — complex, addictive, and impossible not to care about. I was invested in every single page, and it kept me up way later than I planned.
This story was the one that officially started my love for dark romance. The tension, the mystery, the danger, and the passion all blended perfectly. The push and pull between the characters had me hooked, and I loved watching the layers of control, secrets, and desire unfold.
If you love dark romance with strong characters, emotional intensity, and just the right amount of heat — The Rules is a must-read. It’s one of those stories that stays with you long after the last page.
November 8, 2025
This was a really solid dark romance thriller. The beginning was a little slow but as you get into and read more of the story and how it unfolds, it captivates you.
Katherine is a sensual, smart, strong MFC. There were times when she made some bad choices but I guess who doesn't? Seeing how her double life collides had me on the edge of my seat.
Benjamin is a masculine dominant MMC who would do anything to keep her safe and to keep her as his. He had me absolutely kicking my feet and dripping.
The spicy scenes were SPICY. Especially the club scenes. I need a man to dominate me like Mr. Sinclair lol
The ending went a little longer then I think it needed to be but other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed this book 😊
Katherine is a sensual, smart, strong MFC. There were times when she made some bad choices but I guess who doesn't? Seeing how her double life collides had me on the edge of my seat.
Benjamin is a masculine dominant MMC who would do anything to keep her safe and to keep her as his. He had me absolutely kicking my feet and dripping.
The spicy scenes were SPICY. Especially the club scenes. I need a man to dominate me like Mr. Sinclair lol
The ending went a little longer then I think it needed to be but other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed this book 😊
October 9, 2025
The book has a thrilling cat-and-mouse dynamic that runs through the whole story. Katherine leads a double life, paralegal by day and Blondie by night. When Benjamin Sinclair enters the picture, things quickly turn dangerous. I loved the power play and the chemistry between them, plus the legal twist that drives the plot forward. Nicholas, Benjamin’s brother, also plays a part, and there’s something unspoken between him and Katherine. He’s a bit cryptic at times, which makes everything even more intriguing. Get ready to cry at the end , I sure did. As for why, you’ll have to read to find out.
Thank you so much Kitti for letting me be a part of your team. ❤️🌺
Thank you so much Kitti for letting me be a part of your team. ❤️🌺
October 24, 2025
Guilty... A book I stayed up binge-reading. This was my first read by this author, and it was just a complex, woven story. From the characters, to the story, the twists and the suspense, with some spice mixed in, giving the perfect addictive concoction for a reader. I wasn't sure what to expect when reading it, but I'm sure glad I picked it up. Her storytelling really helped place the reader in the story, almost as if they were a side character in the book itself. This was a fantastic start to what I believe will be a phenomenal series. Dip your toe in, immerse yourself. Heck, dive head-on and try it, see how Kitti Lameire created something so fantastic.
November 5, 2025
I read this as an ebook and have since purchased the physical copy!
This was my first dark romance and it did not disappoint! It’s a dual POV, spicy, enemies to lovers story about a woman with a secret, and a man who has to be in control!
I LOVED Benjamin & Katherine (MC’s), although was frustrated at times and wanted to yell at them! I was not a fan of Julian (maybe one time but other than that, it’s a no from me).
Trigger warning: The book includes topics such as sexual assault, dominance, control and violence. I first read the triggers and wasn’t sure if I would enjoy or even finish the book, but it captivated me so much, and I couldn’t not finish it!
Honestly didn’t want the story to end. Was really surprised by some parts but overall enjoyed the book & the ending!
This was my first dark romance and it did not disappoint! It’s a dual POV, spicy, enemies to lovers story about a woman with a secret, and a man who has to be in control!
I LOVED Benjamin & Katherine (MC’s), although was frustrated at times and wanted to yell at them! I was not a fan of Julian (maybe one time but other than that, it’s a no from me).
Trigger warning: The book includes topics such as sexual assault, dominance, control and violence. I first read the triggers and wasn’t sure if I would enjoy or even finish the book, but it captivated me so much, and I couldn’t not finish it!
Honestly didn’t want the story to end. Was really surprised by some parts but overall enjoyed the book & the ending!
October 9, 2025
Just read this book! This book did not seem like a read I would typically pick up. I’m really a romantasy / fantasy girl but let me tell you, Kitti nailed this one ! The tension between the FMC and the MMC is deliciously defiant. I was so attached to the characters and the story I actually refused to read the last 2 chapters for too long. I did not want the story to end. I can’t wait until the next book. This story had so much development and character growth. I truly loved this story ! Absolutely worth the worth the read and the spice is top notch ! Well done!
October 16, 2025
Wow! Just wow!
This was an incredible book to read, a very gripping storyline with a healthy amount of spice!
A good strong female main character and also a strong male character, but the dynamic fits so well.
This book is written from two points of view but I found it very easy to follow, a good take on enemies to lovers.
I really enjoyed reading this, thank you!
I would definitely recommend!
This was an incredible book to read, a very gripping storyline with a healthy amount of spice!
A good strong female main character and also a strong male character, but the dynamic fits so well.
This book is written from two points of view but I found it very easy to follow, a good take on enemies to lovers.
I really enjoyed reading this, thank you!
I would definitely recommend!
October 8, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. Easy to read and engaging. Pace is just perfect, not too fast or too slow.
Of the characters, at the beginning, Blondie convinces me with her seductive and teasing nature, but in the second half of the book, Katherine wins me over. Each character in the book has an important role.
Morally grey men? Yes, please.
Touch her and ☠️? Omg yes please.
Shady connections? No problem
I can't wait next book so give it to me now. Pretty please🖤
Of the characters, at the beginning, Blondie convinces me with her seductive and teasing nature, but in the second half of the book, Katherine wins me over. Each character in the book has an important role.
Morally grey men? Yes, please.
Touch her and ☠️? Omg yes please.
Shady connections? No problem
I can't wait next book so give it to me now. Pretty please🖤
October 12, 2025
3.5 🌟 This was a good book with a lot of detail. I struggled to connect fully with the main characters, but I did really like the character Julian. My usual read is dark dark, so I think its more a preference thing, honestly I can absolutely see why people are rating this book 5🌟 It really is very good and I have recommended it to a few people I think would enjoy this already
October 19, 2025
3.5 stars
This is a work place romance with drama spilling off the page! 🤪😉
The FMC is fighting to overturn an injustice that happened to her family, she is strong and determined and will do anything to right the wrongful conviction, including leading a double life!
There is a power struggle between the 2 MC's both in and out of the office 😉
There is corruption, morally grey decisions and some spicy scenes 🔥
The story was gripping and kept me hooked! This story gave me Law and Order vibes! 🤗 👍
This is a work place romance with drama spilling off the page! 🤪😉
The FMC is fighting to overturn an injustice that happened to her family, she is strong and determined and will do anything to right the wrongful conviction, including leading a double life!
There is a power struggle between the 2 MC's both in and out of the office 😉
There is corruption, morally grey decisions and some spicy scenes 🔥
The story was gripping and kept me hooked! This story gave me Law and Order vibes! 🤗 👍
October 24, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book was absolutely brilliant! The tension between the FMC and MMC was off the charts — every scene between them was electric. The spice? SPICING in the best possible way. Kitti Lameire’s writing completely pulled me in; I had to stop a few times just to process how good it was. I couldn’t put this book down once I started, and I’m already itching to dive into more of her work.
This book was absolutely brilliant! The tension between the FMC and MMC was off the charts — every scene between them was electric. The spice? SPICING in the best possible way. Kitti Lameire’s writing completely pulled me in; I had to stop a few times just to process how good it was. I couldn’t put this book down once I started, and I’m already itching to dive into more of her work.
October 5, 2025
This book was amazing! The character depth and story building was so well done! The storyline was unique and exciting! The spice was very much spicing in all the right ways! This is the first book I’ve read from this author and now I can’t wait to read more of her work!
October 8, 2025
Depth, Desire, and Danger
⚠️ Warning: This is a dark thriller romance intended for adult readers. Please check the trigger warnings before you start reading.
Kitti’s prose has a unique rhythm that effortlessly pulls you into the story and keeps you there without you even realizing it.
From the very first pages, I was captivated by the FMC — clever, sharp, and fiercely strong — a character that’s truly unforgettable.
I loved how the story is built: tense, addictive, and impossible to put down because you need to know what happens next.
I genuinely enjoyed this book. I felt a strong connection to both the story and the characters, and the writing is outstanding. The plot unfolds at the perfect pace — never rushed, but it doesn’t drag either. It had me hooked from page one.
This isn’t just smut; it’s a beautifully crafted story with real depth and emotion.
⚠️ Warning: This is a dark thriller romance intended for adult readers. Please check the trigger warnings before you start reading.
Kitti’s prose has a unique rhythm that effortlessly pulls you into the story and keeps you there without you even realizing it.
From the very first pages, I was captivated by the FMC — clever, sharp, and fiercely strong — a character that’s truly unforgettable.
I loved how the story is built: tense, addictive, and impossible to put down because you need to know what happens next.
I genuinely enjoyed this book. I felt a strong connection to both the story and the characters, and the writing is outstanding. The plot unfolds at the perfect pace — never rushed, but it doesn’t drag either. It had me hooked from page one.
This isn’t just smut; it’s a beautifully crafted story with real depth and emotion.
October 7, 2025
This book kept me wanting to read and guessing what would be next.. the determination of this girl and the passion Ben had for Kat was steamy . The story line was amazing would have never thought this was the plot worth the read
October 12, 2025
This was absolutely amazing book. I was sucked into the story from the beggining wanting more and not beeing able to put it down. The main caracters dinamic is so good, yearning and tension are palpable and the spice is great. Already looking forward to second book 😊.
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