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Rules of Engagement

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Rule No. 1: Do not enter the game unless you intend to finish. Once accepted, there is no escape.

This is a love story, one that comes with rules, expectations, and dark shadows. One where the man who challenges me the most is cloaked in deception. I had no choice but to accept the terms, nowhere to run once the clock started ticking.

Donovan Stone was a man few people dared to cross.
He was dark.
He was dominating.
He was so silent that you had to watch him closely to begin to know what he was thinking.

He was my boss, and the man I should have run from the minute I walked into his corporate office.

Like any bad decision, it took time for me to see the truth about the game I’d entered, for me to understand that it wasn’t the stalker in the shadows I should fear, but the man who pulled the strings.

I had no choice.
At least, that’s the lie I told myself to forgive my foolish actions.
And while running as fast as I could through twisted mazes and deceitful games, I understood that the Rules of Engagement were now my life.

341 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 17, 2018

35 people are currently reading
453 people want to read

About the author

Lily White

35 books2,686 followers
Lily White is a bestselling author who likes to dabble on the dark side of romance. She is most known for her Masters Series, Target This, Wishing Well, and The Five.

When she isn’t writing as Lily White you can find other books by her under M.S. Willis where she has penned the Control Series, the Estate Series, and Because of Ellison (contemporary romance).

Lily enjoys stretching her writing muscles by continuing to challenge herself with each book she publishes.

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews
Profile Image for The Sassy Bookworm.
4,092 reviews2,879 followers
January 10, 2018
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descriptionMan oh man do I LOVE this author. Every book I have read by her has been fabulous and completely different from the last and this one was no different in that regard. It was probably the tamest book I have ever read by Lily but I was sucked into this story from the first word and I skipped lunch so I could read it straight through. I was just SO SO good.


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So deets...I will be a little vague with this review. I don't want to give anything away that would spoil the plot. The writing was FANTASTIC. The pace was perfect. The plot was engaging and kept me turning the pages. The mystery aspect was well done. I am usually fantastic at sherlocking out the baddies in these type of books, but this one led me on a merry chase. I kept waffling between three people and it wasn't until very near the end I settled on one. Was I right? Well, I'll just keep that info to myself. Like I mentioned above, this was a very tame book sex wise. There isn't any, to be honest and the little bit of action we get is rather PG. Don't let that put you off though because the story was amazing even without the sexy times. I didn't find this to be very angsty and there was no OW/OM drama. It had a good cast of secondary characters. Some play bigger roles than others but all of them added some nice depth to the overall story. I wouldn't mind seeing a couple get books of their own.


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Both the main characters were likable and well developed. At first, I wasn't sure about Mia, she had a very "woe is me" attitude that made me want to smack her. But I soon came to like her character very much. I loved seeing her grow into her own and overcome her past. Donovan. Sexy, brooding and silent Donovan. What can I say? I ADORED his character. He was just an a$$ but you could just see this underneath that a$$hole facade was a decent guy who had his own past to come to grips with.

 
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Last, it was all wrapped up in a good (not great) ending. And here is where it lost a half star for me. The ending felt a little anticlimactic regarding the "stalker" plot. I am not sure what more I wanted, but it all just seemed to be wrapped up a tad bit TOO easily. In any case, even with that tiny issue this was still an amazing book, and yours truly is giving this one two HUGE thumbs up.description


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Profile Image for Selene.
933 reviews267 followers
January 19, 2018
Five years as an executive assistant with a degree in marketing earns Mia a pink slip. She spots an intriguing ad while job hunting:

Get paid to play. Starting bonus of up to five thousand dollars. Only serious applicants need apply.

Mia’s desperation and curiosity cause her to jump in headfirst and pay attention to possible regrets later.

The game is simple. You pick a fantasy. We arrange for the fantasy to occur. All of it will be available for the audience to watch. Only certain games are for participant profit.

◈ I loved the premise of this story and enjoyed the voyeurism aspect from HIS POV, but didn’t connect with Mia or Donovan. She had daddy issues and her thoughts ran on a loop:

I was never a brave person. I was a coward. I was never strong. I was a sheep waiting to be picked off by wolves. I wasn’t talented. I was a waste of space wondering why the universe created me at all.

The very end of the story is where Mia’s behavior and thought process shift. The reader only gets a small peek at her less emotionally fragile side, though.

◈ This story does not contain even a handful of intimacy scenes , but I liked the building suspense, the mystery behind the stalker’s identity, as well as the epilogue.

*ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Melanie (mells_view).
1,945 reviews393 followers
January 18, 2018
3.5 Stars

Mia just received the dreaded pink slip from her job. She is desperate for money, so she gets busy applying for every job possible. When an advertisement pops up for a unique way to get paid, she brushes it off, but it doesn’t leave her mind. Without very much interest from any of the places she applies to, she goes on an interview in a not so hot part of town. The run down building is hiding the dark and broody man inside of it. AKA her new boss, Donovan Stone. That’s when the games begin.

I can’t say too much else without being spoiler-y, so I’m going to stop now. Advise you to read the blurb, and wait for you to go on the thrill ride that is Rules of Engagement on your own.

The only thing I can say is that the author does a good job dropping clues, and making you as the reader think you’re hip to the answers even when you are not. I will say that this is described as a romance, and I didn’t really get that vibe. Yeah there was some sexual tension in there, but we are mostly told it is there. I’d consider this more of a suspense with a dash of romance added in.

All in all this is a good suspenseful read. If you’re into suspense with a dash of romance, then I would DEFINITELY check out this book.

https://instagram.com/p/BeDcMr0gGBS/
^a fan edit on Instagram!

*ARC provided by NetGalley*
Profile Image for Clumsy Storyteller .
361 reviews713 followers
February 21, 2018
i finished this book in one sitting. total page turner, so why 3 stars? well i have some issues with the last third of the book. the ending as rushed and nothing made sense. i don't want to spoil anything for anyone.... but Goddamn i have to talk to someone cause that shit pissed me off more than it should.



Meh.
Profile Image for CC.
1,265 reviews725 followers
January 17, 2018
4.5 Stars!



Mia Jennings is trying to support herself in the big city but losing her last job has created a financial crisis. Feeling desperate, she enrolls in an interactive cyber game with viewers on the dark web. Adding to her dilemma, Mia accepts a position at a company with a seriously enigmatic boss.

“But desperation has a heavy price. It’s a toxic poison that makes you do things you would never normally do.”

Donovan Stone is the owner of Stone Industries a large, multinational software company. With his prickly personality and certain needs, Donovan is resistant to hire a new assistant but there is something about Mia that keeps him intrigued and isn’t about to make it easy on her.

"I’m not rude. I’m clear about my thoughts."

As Mia learns to adapt to Donovan’s quirks, their employer-employee relationship takes shape with Mia learning much more than she anticipated and wishing she could terminate her participation in the game. With Donovan taking pleasure in Mia’s discomfort, he continues to push her until the tension becomes unbearable between them.

“This was the type of kiss that vanquished all doubts I had left inside me that, to Donovan Stone, I was a woman worth taking a chance on.”




Tension mounts as Mia realizes the impact of her vulnerability as her predator makes his constant presence known. Despite not being able to hide, Mia raises the stakes compounding the risk. As she tries to end the game, more surprises are waiting for Mia.

“Rule No. 1: Do not enter the game unless you intend to finish. Once accepted, there is no escape.”

Donovan was a standout character for me based on how he dealt with his past. While he can be abrasively honest, I was instantly intrigued and charmed by him. As for Mia, her desperation and need to please was successfully conveyed and led to her poor decision. However, I liked her overall determination and the fact she didn’t concede to Donovan’s challenges making them a good match.

From the beginning, a certain pace is set that allows for the suspense to mount. Combined with a tense dilemma and distinctive characters, the plot unfolds and lures the reader into a world where rules are meant to be broken. For those who enjoy romantic suspense with a unique plot, Rules of Engagement will keep you entertained to the very end.



*An ARC was generously provided in exchange for an honest review.*


*This was a (F)BR with Twinsie Hawkey!*



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Profile Image for warhawke.
1,569 reviews2,228 followers
January 13, 2018
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Type: Standalone
POV: First Person - Dual
Rating:




Mia Jennings was playing a dangerous game. Desperation pushed her to do something that would haunt her life. But it’s too late for her to back out and it didn't help that her new boss was determined to break her.

Donovan Stone was as hard and cold as his name suggested. When he saw something in Mia, he wanted to exploit it. His mysterious persona reeled her in but how long will it take until the truth unraveled?



I started this book blind. I had no idea what it was supposed to be about and that is definitely the best way to tackle this one.

You’d be surprised what people are willing to do in front of others. Especially when given the right incentive.


When Donovan was first introduced in the story, I thought he was such an asshole. But very quickly I found him to be quite endearing. He was an intriguing character and I like how he chose to live his life.

I wouldn’t allow myself to be intimidated or scared, not when I’d tasted what it meant to be powerful and unafraid.


I'm not exactly a fan of Mia. There were some aspects of her personality that made me want to slap her face lol! Her character did evolved by the end of the book but I just didn't find it as convincing as it should be.

The woman was frightened of the world. She was frightened of life and terrified of failure. I could use those facts to my advantage , but in the end I only wanted her frightened of one thing... Me.


I love the premise of this book. It was something different and enthralling with several characters to keep things interesting. However I did find some parts in the beginning to be a bit slow. I also love the epilogue but I wish the earlier revelation to be more impactful.



Rules of Engagement is a story of pushing oneself to get to the end goal. It would appeal to fans of romantic suspense.



🔹 ⚜ 🔹. . . (F)BR With Twinsie CC . . . 🔹 ⚜ 🔹





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Profile Image for Mirjam.
1,899 reviews114 followers
February 10, 2020


Are you all ready for this ROMANTIC SUSPENSE from Lily White?



When Mia Jennings unexpectedly finds herself in great financial trouble, she made a rash decision to participate in a dark fantasy game for the sign up bonus.

Rule №1: Do not enter the game unless you intend to finish. Once accepted, there is no escape.

Signing up for a stalker fantasy, Mia quickly realises that the money does not compare to loosing her sanity.



On top of being on edge, looking over her shoulder and afraid of her own shadow, her new boss, cold and rude Donovan Stone, proves to be of an even greater challenge.

I do not want to delve too much into the story afraid of giving away the ending.
Lily White did not disappoint, again. I just love reading her books. IMO this was not a dark book but I did had a ominous feeling throughout the story keeping me engaged.
It wasn't until the end that I realised that there was no explicit sex, but please do not let that put you off.

I highly recommend reading Rules of Engagement



ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Elle ✟ Søren's ♡ (i'm too old for this shite).
690 reviews484 followers
March 8, 2018
3* attention STARS!

Financially broke and desperate, Mia Jennings blindly signed up to a dangerous game. It was too late to stop because the game already begin. Mia also luckily landed a job as assistant to Donovan Stone. A boss who refused to talk and always push her limits. Seriously. Can I get any worse?

Honestly, I couldn't connect with both Mia and Donovan. They have a platonic relationship. Donovan is all about business; cold and calculated. Mia seems to ready to 'murder' her boss anytime. But she's such a maso to falling for Donovan. But their banter could be playful too. Weird, huh.

Finally when Donovan break his icy attitude and confessed that he likes Mia. She become strong and confidence. Also resilient with everything's Donovan throw at her. Pun intended. Again, Donovan have some problem with himself and he refused Mia to get to close with him. He closed himself again because of his past. And Mia determined to find out.

The romance between Donovan and Mia is kinda irritated me with the on-off chemistry. Also there's only ONE intimate scene and it feels like lukewarm water despite their desperation. But two thumbs up for the suspense. I really enjoyed the game with Mia's stalker. Somehow I still didn't understand with the truth because it didn't feel like it; too rushed. Overall, what should I say? the story is really engaging, not-too-dark and suspenseful. Quite enjoyable despite my own issues.
Profile Image for Laura Lee.
957 reviews174 followers
January 14, 2018
Rules of Engagement
By: Lily White
5 Thrilling Stars

Lily White is known for her dark books, written so well they question your sanity. With Rules of Engagement, we see that not only can Lily White write dark, she can also master the Thriller/Suspense book too!!!

Mia has just gotten the dreadful termination notice at her job of 5 years. Kicked to the curb like an unwanted puppy. Having exhausted her ways to come up with the rent that is due, she contacts her parents one last time to see if they will help. Their suggestion, move back home. No Way is she ever going back to the place that left her damaged.

Seeing an ad:
Get paid to play. Starting bonus of up to five thousand dollars. Only serious applicants need apply.

Desperate times lead to desperate risks. Mia needs the money. Mia applies for the job.

Dark Realities

Its happening… Rule after Rule. Make sure you play by them.

Rule No. 1: Do not enter the game unless you intend to finish. Once accepted, there is no escape.

What in the world has Mia gotten herself into besides enough money transferred immediately into her bank account to pay the bills!!!

Read this book word for word. Take in all that’s happening. That is my only suggestion. This book pulls you in and leaves you turning the pages till you are at the end. Fantastic Book!!!

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Profile Image for Dri ✰.
693 reviews239 followers
January 20, 2018
★ 4 stars!!! ★

❝ But desperation has a heavy price. It’s a toxic poison that makes you do things you would never normally do. ❞

Eu não sei ainda muito bem o que dizer sobre esse livro... ainda estou processando...
No começo achei que a Mia não encaixava nesse enredo. A personalidade dela não é uma das minhas favoritas, bem sem graça e sem sal, rs. BUT, gostei de ver seu crescimento no desenrolar da trama...

Agora com Donovan a minha opinião muda completamente. Mesmo ele sendo um grosso e frio, o personagem dele prendeu mais minha atenção do que a Mia... É o tipo de personagem que cativa e intriga, então logo se tornou meu queridinho, hahahaha.

Esse livro tem um suspense bem bacana e a cada página você fica cada vez mais curiosa e tentando juntar todas as peças pra desvendar quem está por trás desse jogo.
Apesar de eu achar que determinada situação se resolveu de forma “rápida”, o livro foi bem escrito e a leitura bem fluída e prazerosa.

Certamente lerei mais livros dela e posso dizer que está entrando na minha lista de autoras preferidas!!

Adoreiiiii!!!!
Profile Image for Carvanz.
2,396 reviews901 followers
January 19, 2018
Wow! I really enjoyed this book! It had some incredible undertones of darkness to it and the promise of evil lurking around the corner at every turn.

Mia is insecure and uncertain in everything she does in life. Her past history made her that way. When she loses her job and finds herself days away from eviction, she plunges into a game that she knows very little about except that it will benefit her financially. Donovan is the cold hard mute man who is her boss and pushes her constantly in his overbearing and rude manner. What begins as a relationship of fear and domination soon gentles into something with the promise of more.

This book moves in layers as Mia begins to grow out of the protective shell she’s hidden herself in all these years. As Donovan reaches out to her she allows herself the freedom to express her thoughts and disgruntlement. I loved watching her blossom into a woman unafraid to speak her mind even as a dangerous threat hangs over her.

I was disappointed that the ending was so rushed and felt that it would have added to the book to have it fleshed out more. The romance is progressive but the steam level is low. I would’ve preferred a bit more in that department as well. This is my first book from this author and I’m curious if this is her norm. Either way, I will definitely be checking out more from her.

This is an honest review of an advanced copy provided by NetGalley and the author.

Heroine and villain POV
Safe
Possible triggers
Profile Image for Bookgasms Book Blog.
2,863 reviews1,574 followers
January 11, 2018
Lily White honestly can do no wrong in my eyes! Her books always make you feel and allow you to escape into an amazing story. Whatever the genre she will pretty much stop your heart and consume you. That is exactly what we got with Rules of Engagement. Honestly to just call this an office romance is a crime as it was so much more!!

Without giving away ANY spoilers, we open the book to find Mia down on her luck. With no job prospects on the horizon, she decides to take part in a game where the danger is all too real. Mia and Donovan were sexy, addicting and their banter was out of control. But when a dangerous stalker sets his sights on Mia, who can she trust?

Gahh!! I loved this book. Donovan was so MEAN at times which I loved. You could tell he had so much hidden pain and his emotional detachment was his way of dealing and coping with it. Likewise, I loved that the author showed us a compelling journey of Mia's evolution in finding her own strength. And that ending OMG!!! Lily White really knows how to shock the eff out of you. Good lord was this book fantastic!

All in all, this book was another amazing hit and I cant wait for more from this author in the future!! Bravo! 4 stars! Ratula
Profile Image for Di Covey/TwistedBookReviews.
1,123 reviews215 followers
March 5, 2020
5 Stalker Stars!

I loved every suspenseful moment! It's a Lily White book, right? Yet, this was not a dark novel in comparison to her others. I went in totally blind, only saw a few teasers and such, I wanted the full experience with a blindfold on. Now that we got that outta the way.

Hex Yes. I wanted to swallow all the words. You know how you read so fast, wanting to get to the final moment of clarity, you think you might be missing a clue. Yup, I re-read parts to dissect meaning, only to come up short. Did I not taste the deliciousness because I was so fast at devouring? God, I didn't, couldn't stop reading.

A romance that slaps. It's not your ordinary story, yet, some of the moments are endearing. Closed off characters filled with intrigue. I wanted to unwrap them like Christmas morning. The thing is, I didn't know who would take the final slap. I LOVE THAT! I don't want all the answers, I don't every answer wrapped in pretty paper. I want to tear each piece of tape until it's revealed.

This book held a dark gloom of uncertainties. Something that makes you uncomfortable and anxious. It's a mystery from start to finish. The writing is phenomenal, weaving the story into a slave of conclusions. I was held with chains and loved every suspicious moment.
Profile Image for Snow.
2,323 reviews732 followers
March 13, 2018
Well damn...

I actually liked this one....very much...

And it's kinda untipical work by Lily White and yet it has that familiar creeping sense of suspenseful build up that I just couldn't escape it and it brought a special grin on my face...

(Yeah, I believe I sound a bit crerpy myself right now LOL but those are the twisty side effects I get while reading her books...so fuck it and roll with it...lol)
Profile Image for Tianna✸loves books✸.
1,084 reviews
January 12, 2018
I'm not sure how I feel about this book..

I was completely engrossed that's for sure. Donovan was one of those cold heros, who doesn't show many emotions and is rude . Mia was jobless & moneyless that she had to opt for wrong things.

If you are familiar with this author's work then you know she writes Dark stories. But believe me this was not that dark, it's more of a thriller.

After finishing the book, I realized I enjoyed this book but I did have a huge obstacle to overcome and it was that
Profile Image for Kahea.
2,273 reviews123 followers
January 10, 2018
***5 ‘The Rules’ Stars***

Having only read one other book by this author (The Director, which was all kinds of WHOA!) which I absolutely loved, I was more than ready to dive into anything she created, so when Rules of Engagement was announced I pounced and was like most where I thought it would be a dark romance, I mean read the description, not a difficult conclusion to come to, but when Ms. White set the record straight by saying that it wasn’t a dark romance, but romantic suspense I was even more intrigued and all I have to say is Ms. White did NOT disappoint in any way. From the slow burn romance between Mia and Donovan to the mystery/suspense that had my head spinning and how it all played out in the end this book was everything I wanted it to be.

The problem with a book like this is that you need to go in blind, which means I have to be vague. So, here we go. I evolved in my feelings towards Mia, and Donovan, as the book progressed. I didn’t necessarily love them in the beginning, but I found the fascinating ~ which when it comes to me is actually a good thing. I enjoyed watching them dance towards and away from each other ~ in this instance the push/pull didn’t bother me because of who they are when I first met them ~ but in the end I was more than satisfied with what happened between them.

As for the suspense aspect of the story. It had me all kinds of twisted up in my head and going sideways and after a certain point I just had to stop trying to figure it (actively, because once the brain starts spinning things around for an answer it won’t stop) and wait until all the pieces were exposed and put together in the end. But I swear if I could have done the whole nail biting thing and not ruin my lipstick I would have because even I was starting to feel anxious as things progressed and did let out a heavy breath at the end

Am I totally satisfied with how things ended up? Yes and No. There are certain things I would have liked more of simply because there are still a few things that I want to know how they worked out. But when I look at the story and what the focus of it really was, I can’t say I’m disappointed. It was intriguing and intense in the best of ways and I was kept on my toes throughout the entire book. As for the whole “Is this a dark romance?” issue, I can guarantee you that it isn’t.

So, if you like a good romantic suspense that will keep your brain spinning, then this is definitely the book for you!

~ Copy provided via The Next Step PR & voluntarily reviewed ~
Profile Image for Dirty Dayna.
2,191 reviews110 followers
April 24, 2018
341 pgs4 The Rules Stars
description

This book is harddd to rate! So going in I knew it was suspense which I am accepting that means nothing happens till the last few chapters which is fine!

Mia is suddenly fired from her longterm job and is desperate for money. Her dad is a real shit for a person and a father and tells her she sucks . Mia is desperate and while job hunting discovers a website that is very intriguing and very dark net like. She discovers she will be paid $5,000 if she allows a man to stalk her without meeting him. She gives the stranger complete access to her life and this is the story of what comes after her paycheck gets deposited in the bank
I have two spoilers for this book that leave me with a ton of confusion which I will put at the bottom of the review.
What did I love: I loved Mia’s character how she got stronger each day emotionally. I loved Donovan’s quirkiness, innuendos, and comedy portrayed by ASL or tablet. The side characters could fall off a cliffe they were more annoying than anything
I loved the true honest vibes.
I loved the imperfections.
What I didn’t love:

Profile Image for Shabby  -BookBistroBlog.
1,966 reviews995 followers
January 14, 2018
Tbh, any word written by Lily is my Auto Fave word. This book I was eager to read , cause it's #LilyLite and I wanted to know how does a toned down, unicorn & Butterflies Lily feels like. The talent is a genius at the end of the day and I was engrossed in the story which has two parallel tracks running. It spans twenty days in the office where Donovan is the Boss and Mia is the Admin assist

Twenty-one days. That’s all it took for me to conform to a life of being stalked. Twenty-one days and I had slipped into a habit of running when nobody was actually chasing me.In twenty -one days , I’d changed in ways that stripped me of the self-imposed cage, and freed me to become a force of nature.

Mia Jennings has been fired from Her job, down to her last pennies she falls prey to a Dark Realities website, opening herself to be part of a sexual fantasy. Albeit a dangerous one . Also in the picture is her new employer -Donovan stone, who is a voluntary mute. He's completely closed off, arrogant, and a stricter for time & routine, which needless to say is not Mia' strong characteristics

"That man might as well be Fort Knox for the thickness of the walls he has built around him. He has more secrets than the damn CIA, and those secrets are destroying him, Jackson. Don’t you see that?”

I loved the interaction between Mia & Donovan , his dry sense of humour, his struggles . I liked the brokenness that bound them together

We all cut ourselves off in one way or another, for short periods of time, or for extended periods. Each person is different, and whereas some are able to open their eyes to see light and learn to live again, others, like Donovan and me, become lost. But like two wanderers in the dark, we’d bumped into each other, we’d held hands and found the way out of our grief, our restrictions, our rules that made no sense to any person but us.

The story is very unique, very engaging , somewhere I felt it lacked the punch to make it a LilyStamp book. Knowhatimean ? I have certain questions and i have certain feelings
But hey ! It's Lily, so I'm her die hard stalker and will follow every word she writes.
4 21 Days stars
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Profile Image for Kira.
1,295 reviews138 followers
January 14, 2018
Find this and other reviews at Dust Off Your MacHalo

Unfortunately this wasn't as dark as I thought it would be. It involved stalking, but half of the time that part of the story was shoved in the background. Both of the MCs had tragic things in their pasts, but neither of those things were as screwed up as I thought they'd be based on each of their unusual responses to their pasts.

Mia got a pink slip. She had no resources to fall back on aside from going to her parents whom made her miserable. A website dark realities popped up on her computer. It offered to make all kinds of dark fantasies become true. Since she was in desperate need of cash, she signed up to be stalked. The stalking did get creepy at times, as expected. It irritated me that Mia seemed so shocked at what was happening to her. Obviously she didn't take the warnings on the website seriously or until that point in her life she had been seriously disillusioned as to what stalking really was like.

Donovan was the LI. He was a reclusive rich guy who was mute by choice. I never liked him. He was meant to be an asshole in the beginning, but I never warmed to him like I was clearly supposed to. Although he improved by the end, the pushy asshole side of him remained too strong for my liking. Honestly I spent half of the book wondering why she didn't tell him to fuck off.

The suspense part of the story was okay. The mystery was who was behind the stalking. It appeared to be one character for most of the book. At the same time, it seemed way too obvious. I never figured out precisely who it was, but this book only had 5 characters. One was Mia and the other her friend. Clearly it wasn't either of them, leaving only 3 possibilities. The end was okay, but I didn't love it.

Thanks to Netgalley for giving me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Kim BookJunkie ~ Editor & Proofreader.
2,143 reviews55 followers
January 16, 2018
The following is a review of the ARC which I received for free from the author in exchange for my honest review.

Lily White once again demonstrates that there are no limits to her creativity! Very different from her typically darker, more erotic books, RULES OF ENGAGEMENT is a lot tamer yet just a suspenseful and entertaining. Totally different from anything else I’ve ever read (and I read a lot), RULES OF ENGAGEMENT had me wondering what was going on from page 1!

I did not give this book 5 stars because there were numerous typos and grammatical errors. As I’ve done in the past, I made note of these errors and offered to send them to Ms. White so that she could correct these mistakes before this book officially released but unlike the past, she declined my offer. The other reason I did not give this book 5 stars is because I felt that it would’ve been even better if the sex scenes had a bit more detail. I don’t feel that graphic erotic scenes are needed for a book to be great but the sexual tension was palpable in ROE and had it been fleshed out a bit more, this book would’ve been even better.
Profile Image for  ✰  Charlie  ✰ Chisholm.
1,984 reviews22 followers
January 17, 2018



Fantastic book
This has to be one of my favourites from Lily I was on the edge of my seat while reading I could not put this book down.
Just when I thought, this story was going one way Boom! It went another, twists and turns were good. This is not Dark Book from Lily but don’t let that stop you reading if you are a fan of Lily you are going love this one.
I do not want to go into details of the story I think you should experience it for yourself.
It starts with a game, one that has rules ...

Rule No. 1: Do not enter the game unless you intend to finish. Once accepted, there is no escape.
It is a love story but with twists and turns, it comes with rules and Mia has no choice but to accept the terms.
I loved the characters, I loved the writing, and I loved the story... Such a fantastic read...

Profile Image for Literati Literature Lovers.
2,018 reviews154 followers
January 24, 2018
Rules are made to be broken, and no one breaks the rules better than Lily White. Rules of Engagement is a fast paced romantic thriller. While edgy with darker tones, it is tame for a Lily White book. Still amazing, still unapologetically Lily with fantastic twists and surprises, I think this is the perfect novel for those who want to read this author but are too afraid of her work.

Author Lily White brings us the intriguing characters of Mia Jennings and Donovan Stone,  in this cat and mouse story.  I love the sass in Mia's inner dialogue. She is smart, feisty, beautiful and desperate, with secrets of her own. Donovan is dominant, cocky, and arrogant with secrets hidden in his past. Their push / pull is intense. The sarcastic banter between them is dry and witty. I actually laughed out loud when Donovan comments on her fitness or lack thereof in one of the early scenes between them. The supporting characters add to the overall mysterious, suspenseful feel of the book.
~ Maria D

I love the writing of author Lily White. Rules of Engagement is another hit. If you're a fan, you won't be disappointed, even though this isn't as dark as many of her other books. If you're new to Lily White, this is the book to start with. She keeps you guessing till the end, taking you out of your comfort zone, making dark fantasies hot and leaving you wanting more. Definitely recommend. 4.5 Stars!
Profile Image for  Thea™.
3,791 reviews11 followers
January 30, 2018
YAY! Received an ARC! 😊 Thank you!


ARC provided by the author in exchange for my honest review.

We all know Lily White is very talented; I know she writes beautifully and eloquently and this book was no exception. The story was a little different than her other books; this was more mystery and suspense. Although I kinda knew before reading it (through discussions on the Facebook Group), I was disappointed about the absence of explicit sex scenes. The sexual tension was palpable, so why not 'finish' it?? 😊 Knowing what Lily is capable of, I wanted her to go there! IMHO this book would have been so much better with some steamy sex scenes.
Furthermore - which is what I feel about all her books - although beautifully written, it was a little too slow for me, too wordy. I know, quite an oxymoron (a.k.a. contradictio in terminis, lol!) but it's how I feel….. and I realize it's me and not Lily! 😊
So, all and all, mixed feelings about this book. It's definitely more than a 3 star read in my rating system, so 4 stars it is.
Profile Image for Jae Mod.
1,719 reviews219 followers
January 13, 2018
***ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review***

If you are craving your next thrilling, edgy, scandalously addictive all nighter, then Rules of Engagement by Lily White is a must read! Wow, this was my first experience with a book by this author, and it will surely not be my last.

Mia, who has recently lost her job is desperate to make it in the city. Her only options are to find a way to pay her bills, or move back home with her parents, which she is determined not to do. When she turns to the web in search of a job, she is enticed by an unusual ad, and wonders how far she is willing to go to make ends meet. A game to earn some money sounds simple and innocent enough, or is it?

Donovan Stone, Mia’s new boss, is a silent but mysteriously intriguing man. Mia finds herself struggling to appease her impossible to please boss, who has unrealistic expectations and ridiculous rules. As Mia struggles to keep her job, she finds her boss has some deep dark secrets that he would rather remain hidden.

Mia tries to unravel Mr. Stone’s mystery while finding herself thrown into a frightening game that may prove to have life changing consequences. The rules that ensue throw Mia’s life for a loop. What will she do to remain in the game? Will she find a way out of this nightmare that threatens to derail the life she is working so hard to assemble for herself?

This one of a kind book contained a high level of suspense that kept me on the edge of my seat and my pulse racing. It was mysterious and twisty and had me guessing up until the very end. Plus there was plenty of sexual tension to entertain those who enjoy a tiny bit of naughty. This is one of those books that you pick up and don’t put down until the last page is turned, so make sure you have your snacks and a drink on standby for this masterpiece.

A high 4 stars for this crazy unique read by Lily White!
Profile Image for Tricia Bartley.  #AuthorStalker.
1,299 reviews103 followers
January 12, 2018
What would you do for money?? Well, Rules of Engagement is going to make you question your morality at what would you do for money when your down on your luck?

Hell yeahhh...Lily White has a new book releasing and I am all over that!!! Mystery Thriller..ummm even better!! Rules of Engagement had me wanting to smack somebody while reading!! lol

Mia has found herself down on her luck. She doesn't want to have to go back home to mommy and daddy to get help living out on her own. She has lost her job and has been surfing the web looking for job opportunities, she comes across an add:

"Get paid to play. Starting bonus of up to five thousand dollars. Only serious applicants need apply."

She is like, woahh this could be helpful, but there is a set of rules to this job opportunity. She reads over them and was thinking to herself, what the Hell, can I do this? The money is sooo good so she picks one of the choices she thinks she could live with if she took this job. Ohh lord, you just wait and see what she has gotten herself into. It will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat wanting and needing to know what is going to happen next.

To top it off, she does end up getting an interview for an administrative assistant position. Y'all this is where I wanted to hit someone..haha I will be vague, but she does take the job and ohh shit I hated her boss!!! Shaking my head back and forth this guy was such a dick!!! He would push poor Mia's buttons All Day...Every Day...but she hung in there, what else could she do, she was broke as a joke!! lol I can not wait to see what y'all think about everything she has gotten herself into. insert evil smile here

I gave Rules of Engagement 5 iScream Cones. I know I didn't really give much in my review but I want you to experience the Cray Cray'ness of this freaking book. All the sneaking around dark corners, mean bosses, this online job opportunity she signs up for as well. So much going on and such a great read as usual by Lily White. She is always a one click from me. Just lover her!!
Profile Image for Myla.
640 reviews127 followers
February 1, 2018


Rules of Engagement weren’t that dark as I expected from this author. In spite of that, I still enjoyed it. What I like about this book is the element of suspense; the thrill of not knowing what’s going to happen next. It will get you hooked to the story. Moreover, I absolutely like the transformation of Mia from a timid woman into a fierce one. Donovan, on the other hand, maybe an a$$ in the beginning but as you learn what happened to him in the past, you’ll be able to understand why he’s like that. But, he can be a charmer when he wants to be one. Overall, it’s a great book I proudly recommend to anyone if you haven’t read a book by this author. It’s worth it!!!
Profile Image for The Smutbrarians.
2,239 reviews1,745 followers
January 15, 2018
Storyline: 5
Angst: 3
Tissue: 0
Value: 5
Panty Scorching: 1
Over All Rating: 4.5 Stars
Kindle eArc provided by Author
Reviewed by Robin

When Mia loses her job she finds herself sucked into a dark reality game willing to do almost anything for money. Her new boss is a mystery and darkly intimidating. Her co-worker Jackson comes across as both accommodating and resentful. Thrown into a hostile new workplace with rules she doesn’t quite understand, Mia tries to navigate this sadistic game while trying to grasp that this was not only a game but her life.

“That’s why I was barely able to stand seeing her smiling at another man, to see her speaking with him so freely while in my vicinity. She should have known her shadow was present, she should have somehow been aware that her true predator lurked. But still, she smiled at him and talked, flirted and even allowed him to touch her.

I couldn’t allow it, so I’d found a way to remind her that I was there, that despite her safety she felt, she was never truly safe.”

4.5 Stars of Whoa! I did not want to put this book down and was "engaged" from rule number one! My mind was running all over the place with this story. Mia is a timid woman that has just lost her job and on the verge of losing her apartment/independence. When you are in a desperate situation, sometimes you are willing to do unexpected things. What a crazy, sadistic game she found herself caught up in. Many times I would catch my breath just like when you watch a horror movie and yell at Mia "don't do that!!!!" Of course, the dummy doesn't listen to me. I loved how you never quite knew who to trust and the budding attraction between her and Donovan. Everything seemed "off" about her newfound employment and the creepy incidences that kept happening to her. I felt like I was being thrown off balance just like Mia. And just like that...I was sucked into Mia's world from the first rule until rule number ten.

I’m never disappointed when I read anything by Lily White. I love how her mind works and thinks of these crazy situations. Definitely makes me think twice about who is watching me or working with me.
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