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Lethal in Love #2
Bend the Rules
Everyone deserves a second chance and Mary Holmes, accountant extraordinaire, is determined to make the most of hers. Sure, she’d love to get her old life back - she used to be thin, well-dressed, engaged-to-be-married, on the corporate ladder and regularly bought three kinds of lettuce. Back then, she could afford the hair products needed to keep her hair sleek. But one unused wedding cake, a regrettable public safety incident and a teensy prison record later, her life goals have shrunk to being able to afford to eat regularly. To do that, she needs to make a success of her second chance… an accounting job with Vetruvious Security.
Everything is proceeding according to Mary’s detailed, color-coded, new-life plan until Vetruvious Security hires a specialist, Crash Coolidge, to work undercover to smash a truck cargo heist ring. Crash is sexy, insolent, sexy, disheveled, sexy and scarily relaxed about the prospect of killing people. Even in a tough-guy company like Vetruvious Security, Crash is the equivalent of a Rottweiler surrounded by Chihuahuas. After Mary is assigned to his team, her life-plan rapidly derails. She is targeted by the sinister and mysterious head of the heist gang and only Crash stands between her and an undignified death.
Mary finds herself doing things that most definitely were not in her employment contract like stripping the shoes from a corpse; adopting a deaf, rank-smelling guard dog; clue-hunting with Crash’s crazy, supermodel sister and lurking in a biker bar to locate a specific tattoo artist. All because Mary ends up wanting a second chance for Crash Coolidge as much as she wants one for herself. And she must find the sinister and mysterious head of the heist gang before Crash does. Because she doesn’t want Crash to do something reckless that lands him in prison. Not when he has become a vital part of her detailed, color-coded, new new-life plan.
Everything is proceeding according to Mary’s detailed, color-coded, new-life plan until Vetruvious Security hires a specialist, Crash Coolidge, to work undercover to smash a truck cargo heist ring. Crash is sexy, insolent, sexy, disheveled, sexy and scarily relaxed about the prospect of killing people. Even in a tough-guy company like Vetruvious Security, Crash is the equivalent of a Rottweiler surrounded by Chihuahuas. After Mary is assigned to his team, her life-plan rapidly derails. She is targeted by the sinister and mysterious head of the heist gang and only Crash stands between her and an undignified death.
Mary finds herself doing things that most definitely were not in her employment contract like stripping the shoes from a corpse; adopting a deaf, rank-smelling guard dog; clue-hunting with Crash’s crazy, supermodel sister and lurking in a biker bar to locate a specific tattoo artist. All because Mary ends up wanting a second chance for Crash Coolidge as much as she wants one for herself. And she must find the sinister and mysterious head of the heist gang before Crash does. Because she doesn’t want Crash to do something reckless that lands him in prison. Not when he has become a vital part of her detailed, color-coded, new new-life plan.
383 pages, ebook
First published July 26, 2018
278 people are currently reading
999 people want to read
About the author
Susan Amanda Kelly
8 books94 followersSusan Amanda Kelly is the Amazon bestselling author of the romantic thriller series Lethal in Love. She's a sucker for an alpha hero with a heart. And the kind of heroine who tells him to go to hell but only after she's done kissing him... And dogs. And cats.
Be sure to follow her on Bookbub for the latest on sales: www.bookbub.com/authors/susan-amanda-...
Be sure to follow her on Bookbub for the latest on sales: www.bookbub.com/authors/susan-amanda-...
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September 3, 2018
RATING 4.5 STARS
Bend the Rules is book two in the Big Mike and Minnie series by Susan Amanda Kelly. Susan is a new to me author. I think one of the first words that comes to me when thinking back over this book is that it’s just delightful. The synopsis really does say it all and I don’t want to spoil anything for you. But, I hope I can say something that will convince you to give this book a try.
Since I haven’t read the first book, I didn’t know that Big Mike and Rocco own and run the Vitruvius Specialist Security Solutions. They have a client, Ivashin Freight, that has been experiencing hijackings regularly. They don’t want to involve the police so they have gone to Vitruvius for help.
Mary Holmes considers herself to be a work in progress. She was raised in high society. She was engaged to be married when her fiancé dumped her. Mary might have lost her footing for a bit in the aftermath, which might have landed her in prison. Now she is trying to start over. She is nearing the end of her probationary period at Vitruvius as their accountant and has been given the assignment of presenting all of Ivashin’s financials. Mary is determined to win a permanent place at Vitruvius with her stellar presentation. Only there was an extra person present at the conference table. Someone she hadn’t counted on, and also someone that was destined to change her future forever.
Pretty much all the way through this I pictured Charlie Hunnam as Crash.
Crash Coolidge is Minnie, Big Mike’s girlfriend’s big brother. He was raised in a motorcycle gang and thought he would take it over one day until his father chose someone else instead. Now with his future uncertain, Vitruvius has asked him to come on board to help them solve Ivashin’s hijacking problem. One look at the buttoned up, prim and proper accountant and he was hooked. And, she smells like sugar. He’ll take the job offer on one condition, that the sexy accountant can be his partner.
Crash admits that he’s a bad man, that he’s done bad things. He hasn’t slept in days. But when he’s with Mary, he feels different. She feels like home. He knows she deserves better, but he can’t help himself.
“Mary tried to right the world one small piece at a time.”
Mary had lost everything, including her self confidence. But she never gave up. Crash gave something back to her. He made her feel beautiful, petite, sexy. He seemed to love the nerdy parts of her as much as he did the wild side of her he brought out when they were in private, the parts she might have not even known were there!
“He stared into her eyes. He smiled. For her. She knew she was seeing a Crash nobody else saw.”
Mary and Crash find themselves caught up in the middle of something much more dangerous than they ever imagined. But Mary is determined to help Crash in every way. She will not be left behind. She can see the darkness in Crash battling with the new Crash that has been emerging when he is with her. She is not going to let the darkness win him back. Because when Crash has her in his arms, he feels like home.
This really was so much fun. Mary stumbled and tripped her way right into my heart, as well as into Crash’s. This was surprisingly suspenseful. I thought it would just be a rom-com but there is a lot more to it. And you won’t know who the bad guy is until the very last.
If I haven't convinced you, here is a link to my friend, Carla's review, who recommended the book to me. She says it so much better than I did. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This was a truly fun, sweet, sexy and suspenseful, enjoyable read. Crash and Mary are the types of characters you can’t help but to love. I hope you’ll give it a try.
Bend the Rules is book two in the Big Mike and Minnie series by Susan Amanda Kelly. Susan is a new to me author. I think one of the first words that comes to me when thinking back over this book is that it’s just delightful. The synopsis really does say it all and I don’t want to spoil anything for you. But, I hope I can say something that will convince you to give this book a try.
Since I haven’t read the first book, I didn’t know that Big Mike and Rocco own and run the Vitruvius Specialist Security Solutions. They have a client, Ivashin Freight, that has been experiencing hijackings regularly. They don’t want to involve the police so they have gone to Vitruvius for help.
Mary Holmes considers herself to be a work in progress. She was raised in high society. She was engaged to be married when her fiancé dumped her. Mary might have lost her footing for a bit in the aftermath, which might have landed her in prison. Now she is trying to start over. She is nearing the end of her probationary period at Vitruvius as their accountant and has been given the assignment of presenting all of Ivashin’s financials. Mary is determined to win a permanent place at Vitruvius with her stellar presentation. Only there was an extra person present at the conference table. Someone she hadn’t counted on, and also someone that was destined to change her future forever.
Pretty much all the way through this I pictured Charlie Hunnam as Crash.
Crash Coolidge is Minnie, Big Mike’s girlfriend’s big brother. He was raised in a motorcycle gang and thought he would take it over one day until his father chose someone else instead. Now with his future uncertain, Vitruvius has asked him to come on board to help them solve Ivashin’s hijacking problem. One look at the buttoned up, prim and proper accountant and he was hooked. And, she smells like sugar. He’ll take the job offer on one condition, that the sexy accountant can be his partner.
Crash admits that he’s a bad man, that he’s done bad things. He hasn’t slept in days. But when he’s with Mary, he feels different. She feels like home. He knows she deserves better, but he can’t help himself.
“Mary tried to right the world one small piece at a time.”
Mary had lost everything, including her self confidence. But she never gave up. Crash gave something back to her. He made her feel beautiful, petite, sexy. He seemed to love the nerdy parts of her as much as he did the wild side of her he brought out when they were in private, the parts she might have not even known were there!
“He stared into her eyes. He smiled. For her. She knew she was seeing a Crash nobody else saw.”
Mary and Crash find themselves caught up in the middle of something much more dangerous than they ever imagined. But Mary is determined to help Crash in every way. She will not be left behind. She can see the darkness in Crash battling with the new Crash that has been emerging when he is with her. She is not going to let the darkness win him back. Because when Crash has her in his arms, he feels like home.
This really was so much fun. Mary stumbled and tripped her way right into my heart, as well as into Crash’s. This was surprisingly suspenseful. I thought it would just be a rom-com but there is a lot more to it. And you won’t know who the bad guy is until the very last.
If I haven't convinced you, here is a link to my friend, Carla's review, who recommended the book to me. She says it so much better than I did. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This was a truly fun, sweet, sexy and suspenseful, enjoyable read. Crash and Mary are the types of characters you can’t help but to love. I hope you’ll give it a try.
August 29, 2018
What a delight this book was! The banter between the main characters is what really did it for me with this story. I was either smiling or laughing through most of this book because of these two. Even in the middle of danger they were entertaining.
It has more to do with the heroine, Mary. She's nerdy, very polite and scared of no one. The hero, Crash is big and scary and he has never had anyone treat him like he was a puppy. Her quirkiness brought out a side of Crash that made these two an adorable couple. I have a bit of a thing for the big, bad, broody men so when you pair them up with someone like Mary and I am in-love with the couple.
As much as I loved this book, you gotta give it a few chapters before you get hooked. At least that was how it was for me. I actually didn't think I was going to like Mary when I first started reading this. The more I read, the more her and Crash interacted caused me to sink deeper into the story and then I couldn't get enough of it.
This is the kind of book I love to find. It was fun, entertaining and put me in a good mood! ARC provided by NetGalley.
It has more to do with the heroine, Mary. She's nerdy, very polite and scared of no one. The hero, Crash is big and scary and he has never had anyone treat him like he was a puppy. Her quirkiness brought out a side of Crash that made these two an adorable couple. I have a bit of a thing for the big, bad, broody men so when you pair them up with someone like Mary and I am in-love with the couple.
As much as I loved this book, you gotta give it a few chapters before you get hooked. At least that was how it was for me. I actually didn't think I was going to like Mary when I first started reading this. The more I read, the more her and Crash interacted caused me to sink deeper into the story and then I couldn't get enough of it.
This is the kind of book I love to find. It was fun, entertaining and put me in a good mood! ARC provided by NetGalley.
August 25, 2018
I’ve gone totally squirrely over this book! I loved every scene, every word, every delicious, fun morsel it contained.
Mary is desperate to keep her job. With her meticulous research she will woo her employer and earn a position as a senior accountant. She is ready for this…until she walks into the meeting and sits across from Crash Coolidge. The man is rude and unkempt with dead, empty eyes.
Mary’s employer wants Crash to find and dismantle a cargo hijacking ring. Agreeing to do so, he adds one more condition. Mary must assist him. She’s smart and has obviously done a thorough job of looking into the case. And she smells like sugar. Although his initial promise is to not misplace any of her decimals, he eventually can’t help but to stir that sweet overly-curvy woman up.
I love a nerdy heroine and Mary was perfect. Able to ramble off data and details at an alarming rate, she was also prim and well mannered, if a bit clumsy. She is the neighbor who recycles and is determined to persuade everyone else to do so, as well as the one most likely to leave a pamphlet at someone’s door in order to help them along. Her ongoing attempts to correct Crash’s behavior was a source for much laughter as was his constant egging on of her just to get a reaction.
Crash was used to living a hard life filled with violence but luscious Mary makes him want to be better, although he knows that will never happen. He was a great anti-hero with strong alpha tendencies that led to him exhibiting a bit of jealousy, some possessiveness and plenty of protectiveness. I absolutely swooned over his fall as it was laced with so much teasing, lusty thoughts, and steamy actions.
This couple are definitely going on my favorite hero/heroine list. I couldn’t get enough of them! The banter between them was perfection.
"On the outside, darling Crash, I’m afraid you’re a walking, talking, masculine, cultural stereotype.”
He looked down at her pretty face and smiled. She made him smile, often. “It makes me hot when you talk dirty like that, Sugar.”
While I enjoy a lot of books, I rarely recommend them due to so many likes and dislikes, but I’m giving this one a great big shout out. I absolutely, totally, unconditionally, recommend this book!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided by NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Dual POV
Safe
Triggers
August 30, 2018
Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an fair and honest review.
Quirky, offbeat romance with mystery/suspense. I don't know why I love these types of stories, maybe because there are so few authors that can write them, but I just do. I absolutely hate a sappy romance. I absolutely abhor a serial killer mystery. I want humor and interesting characters in the romance/mystery books I read and it must have a happy ending. "Bend the Rules" does all that and it, well, bends a lot of the romance, romantic-suspense rules too. Since this is the first full length book from this author, I'm not sure where this series is headed, but I want to go along for the ride. If you enjoy Janet Evanovich, this is a book for you.
Mary Holmes is just out of prison for stalking her ex-fiancée and is determined to make her job as a senior accountant at Vitruvius Security work out. It has to, there is no other alternative. She provided background for the potential clients and is all set to deliver a stellar, magnificent presentation on a shipping company whose shipments are being hijacked when the meeting is hijacked (pun intended) by a hot hunk named Crash Coolidge.
Crash is a man searching for what comes next in his life. His father dumped him from the "family business" (wink-wink-nod-nod) and he has traveled cross country to be near the only family he has that matters, super-model sister, Minnie. The prospect of a job with Vitruvius Security is not entirely a welcome one. He and boss, Rocco have had their differences in the past, but Minnie wants him to stick around, so, what the heck. From the moment he lays eyes of ample-size Mary, he is more than intrigued, both with her and the job. He just needs to figure out how to keep this sexy body of curves close.
After Crash convinces Rocco that he needs Mary's talent for seeing patterns, she is assigned to his team, and her well ordered life rapidly derails. Mary finds herself encountering people and circumstances she never dreamed could be real outside her television. This job is proving to be hazardous to her health and Crash is proving hazardous to her heart.
Quirky, offbeat romance with mystery/suspense. I don't know why I love these types of stories, maybe because there are so few authors that can write them, but I just do. I absolutely hate a sappy romance. I absolutely abhor a serial killer mystery. I want humor and interesting characters in the romance/mystery books I read and it must have a happy ending. "Bend the Rules" does all that and it, well, bends a lot of the romance, romantic-suspense rules too. Since this is the first full length book from this author, I'm not sure where this series is headed, but I want to go along for the ride. If you enjoy Janet Evanovich, this is a book for you.
Mary Holmes is just out of prison for stalking her ex-fiancée and is determined to make her job as a senior accountant at Vitruvius Security work out. It has to, there is no other alternative. She provided background for the potential clients and is all set to deliver a stellar, magnificent presentation on a shipping company whose shipments are being hijacked when the meeting is hijacked (pun intended) by a hot hunk named Crash Coolidge.
Crash is a man searching for what comes next in his life. His father dumped him from the "family business" (wink-wink-nod-nod) and he has traveled cross country to be near the only family he has that matters, super-model sister, Minnie. The prospect of a job with Vitruvius Security is not entirely a welcome one. He and boss, Rocco have had their differences in the past, but Minnie wants him to stick around, so, what the heck. From the moment he lays eyes of ample-size Mary, he is more than intrigued, both with her and the job. He just needs to figure out how to keep this sexy body of curves close.
After Crash convinces Rocco that he needs Mary's talent for seeing patterns, she is assigned to his team, and her well ordered life rapidly derails. Mary finds herself encountering people and circumstances she never dreamed could be real outside her television. This job is proving to be hazardous to her health and Crash is proving hazardous to her heart.
August 4, 2018
Thank you NetGalley and Gomboc Worlds for this arc.
This was fun. A wonderful break from my "usual". A great cast of oddballs managing to find each other and living their happily ever after.... with Oscar. It was a perfect "reward" for a morning spent on domestic duties.
I enjoyed it so much that I downloaded the 2 previous books of this "series" (this can be read as a stand alone).
4.5 stars rounded up.
This was fun. A wonderful break from my "usual". A great cast of oddballs managing to find each other and living their happily ever after.... with Oscar. It was a perfect "reward" for a morning spent on domestic duties.
I enjoyed it so much that I downloaded the 2 previous books of this "series" (this can be read as a stand alone).
4.5 stars rounded up.
March 1, 2021
I loved this! I was a little hesitant about reading this since it's the second in the series and I haven't read the first one. I was afraid I'll be missing out on the story. Luckily this is a standalone book and I could keep up with the story just fine.
I loved Mary and Crash. They were eachother's oposite but still perfect for eachother. Their interaction made me smile and feel all warm and fuzzy inside. The chemistry between them was sizzling. The supporting cast of characters was great, quirky and unique. I especially loved Oscar, the deaf dog.
The storyline was entertaining and action packed and kept me turning the pages. I didn't suspect who the bad guy is till the end so the mistery was satisfying. The book overall was a quick, easy and fun read. I highly recommend it.
***I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
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Reread 1.3.2021
I reared this book to refresh my memory before I start On the Town, the next one in the series, and I'm glad to say it was just as good second time around as it was the first time.
I loved Mary and Crash. They were eachother's oposite but still perfect for eachother. Their interaction made me smile and feel all warm and fuzzy inside. The chemistry between them was sizzling. The supporting cast of characters was great, quirky and unique. I especially loved Oscar, the deaf dog.
The storyline was entertaining and action packed and kept me turning the pages. I didn't suspect who the bad guy is till the end so the mistery was satisfying. The book overall was a quick, easy and fun read. I highly recommend it.
***I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
----------------------------------------
Reread 1.3.2021
I reared this book to refresh my memory before I start On the Town, the next one in the series, and I'm glad to say it was just as good second time around as it was the first time.
November 10, 2021
3.75*
Another crazy romantic adventure. This one features Mary and Crash and a whole host of wacky characters. As with Minnie in the previous book I couldn’t decide if Mary was simply annoying or fabulous. I settled on fabulous. I loved all the secondary characters as well.
My favourite laugh out loud moment….
“Ronald suggested Cowboy Karaoke to cheer me up. Turns out Minnie can yodel.” Crash winced.
“Ronald does the chorus in Klingon.”
And it’s straight onto the next one now.
Another crazy romantic adventure. This one features Mary and Crash and a whole host of wacky characters. As with Minnie in the previous book I couldn’t decide if Mary was simply annoying or fabulous. I settled on fabulous. I loved all the secondary characters as well.
My favourite laugh out loud moment….
“Ronald suggested Cowboy Karaoke to cheer me up. Turns out Minnie can yodel.” Crash winced.
“Ronald does the chorus in Klingon.”
And it’s straight onto the next one now.
October 17, 2018
This was a straightforward chick-lit type of book. If you are an avid chick-lit reader, this book may well rate on the 4 - 5 star level. The writing was good, concise, easy to follow.
Basic Plot: (Senior) accountant Mary gets tangled up with Crash an ex-biker/ex-thug who is investigating truck heists. He is your standard bad boy type and Mary is a bit of a goody two shoes, although she has had some crazy behavior in her past. There is an immediate physical attraction on both sides, that later turns into more. While Crash is trying to find out who is hijacking trucks Mary acts as his bumbling sidekick.
Pros: The thing I liked most about this book was that Mary was not your standard love interest in terms of appearance. She wasn't the typical blue eyed, leggy blonde, size 2. She was described as being short, curvy, with curly dark hair. This was a nice change and Crash seemed to appreciate her curves. Also, Mary seemed quite comfortable in her size and went so far as to carry around cake, lol.
Cons: For me it was a little too typical. I am not a big chick-lit/romance reader, but when I do read books like that I prefer them to have a bit of an edge/twist. Or I'm reading it to a take a break from more serious or darker books. This book served the purpose of being a good break from my typical murder and mayhem. Lastly, I didn't care for the way Crash spoke to Mary. At times it was very condescending and chauvinistic.
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves this genre or if you need a change of pace book with solid writing.
Thank you to NetGalley and Gumboc Worlds for the opportunity to review this book.
Basic Plot: (Senior) accountant Mary gets tangled up with Crash an ex-biker/ex-thug who is investigating truck heists. He is your standard bad boy type and Mary is a bit of a goody two shoes, although she has had some crazy behavior in her past. There is an immediate physical attraction on both sides, that later turns into more. While Crash is trying to find out who is hijacking trucks Mary acts as his bumbling sidekick.
Pros: The thing I liked most about this book was that Mary was not your standard love interest in terms of appearance. She wasn't the typical blue eyed, leggy blonde, size 2. She was described as being short, curvy, with curly dark hair. This was a nice change and Crash seemed to appreciate her curves. Also, Mary seemed quite comfortable in her size and went so far as to carry around cake, lol.
Cons: For me it was a little too typical. I am not a big chick-lit/romance reader, but when I do read books like that I prefer them to have a bit of an edge/twist. Or I'm reading it to a take a break from more serious or darker books. This book served the purpose of being a good break from my typical murder and mayhem. Lastly, I didn't care for the way Crash spoke to Mary. At times it was very condescending and chauvinistic.
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves this genre or if you need a change of pace book with solid writing.
Thank you to NetGalley and Gumboc Worlds for the opportunity to review this book.
August 12, 2018
copy received for honest review
if you enjoyed Big Mike and Minnie you will enjoy Crash and Mary. More zany fun with characters who are total opposites of each other. Crash is the biker criminal with a tendency toward violence. Mary was a stickler for rules and following the law. Her one indiscretion made her even more of a law abiding citizen than the average person. The two set out on an undercover mission to find a hijacker. With help from Super model Minnie, Nerd Ronald and blind luck, Mary sends Crash's world into a sin. The story is fun and zany. A nice change from dark, angst filled romances. Along with the fun is plenty of action with a nice HEA. looking forward to more in the series.
if you enjoyed Big Mike and Minnie you will enjoy Crash and Mary. More zany fun with characters who are total opposites of each other. Crash is the biker criminal with a tendency toward violence. Mary was a stickler for rules and following the law. Her one indiscretion made her even more of a law abiding citizen than the average person. The two set out on an undercover mission to find a hijacker. With help from Super model Minnie, Nerd Ronald and blind luck, Mary sends Crash's world into a sin. The story is fun and zany. A nice change from dark, angst filled romances. Along with the fun is plenty of action with a nice HEA. looking forward to more in the series.
August 15, 2018
Outrageous, over-the-top, out there romantic suspense with satisfying dose of the feels
Disclosure: I got offered a review copy of this book, with no obligation to like the book or write a review (as per Amazon guidelines). But here is the thing: I don’t like accepting (free) books without giving some feedback. On the one hand I like discovering new-to-me authors, on the other hand I hate to read books I don’t like just because I feel obligated to write a review.
Although the blurb of the book sounded quite intriguing and right up my alley, I noticed that it was the second (full-length) book (there is also a short novella) in the Big Mike and Minnie series. And even though I realized that this book has different main protagonists than the first two, I felt compelled to start at the beginning with On the Run, which is Minerva/Minnie and Michael’s story (kind of a hilarious Beauty and the Beast romantic suspense). I devoured that one as well as Cooked Goose (where Big Mike gets to meet Minnie’s family over the holidays) and since I loved them, decided to accept Bend the Rules.
I guess theoretically Bend the Rules could be read as a standalone, but I wouldn’t recommend it, because quite a lot of the backstory for the hero of this one, Crash Coolidge (who is Minnie’s brother) is set up in the first two books. Also, there are a number of recurring characters and Minnie (with her knowledge about fashion) plays an important role in unravelling the mystery in this one and she also befriends Mary Holmes, the heroine of this book.
Mary Holmes has had quite a few turns to the worse in her life recently; I have to say that the background story of Mary stretched my suspension of disbelief, especially as we get to know her it appears somewhat out of character for her. Anyway, she gets a new chance working as an accountant with probationary status at Vetruvius Securities, vetting the financial background of companies. As she is quite good at her job she is hoping to secure a permanent position, despite her checkered past.
One of Vetruvius clients has asked them to look into stolen shipments that then get ransomed back to them, and Vetruvius decides to bring another expert on board, who has had some experience with schemes like this. Crash Coolidge has been ousted from the “family business” which he expected to inherit and is pretty disillusioned, but he agrees to check out the job at Vetruvius as a favor to his army buddy Mike, who also happens to be his sisters boyfriend. The unlikely pair then set off together on unravelling the mystery of stolen shipments, rival motorcycle gangs, cowboy boots, tanning salons and abandoned properties.
In a way the writing reminded me a bit of Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series: the plot is just so outrageous, whacky, over the top out there that you can’t help but role your eyes, but it is well-written, fast-paced, hilariously funny at times and very diverting. It is also balanced by endearingly unique and quirky characters and a satisfying dose of the feels. It’s the perfect feel-good romantic suspense with a funny and capable but beauty-wise ordinary girl who meets the proverbial bad boy. Despite the weaknesses I described I loved it overall, so 4 ½ stars from me.
Disclosure: I got offered a review copy of this book, with no obligation to like the book or write a review (as per Amazon guidelines). But here is the thing: I don’t like accepting (free) books without giving some feedback. On the one hand I like discovering new-to-me authors, on the other hand I hate to read books I don’t like just because I feel obligated to write a review.
Although the blurb of the book sounded quite intriguing and right up my alley, I noticed that it was the second (full-length) book (there is also a short novella) in the Big Mike and Minnie series. And even though I realized that this book has different main protagonists than the first two, I felt compelled to start at the beginning with On the Run, which is Minerva/Minnie and Michael’s story (kind of a hilarious Beauty and the Beast romantic suspense). I devoured that one as well as Cooked Goose (where Big Mike gets to meet Minnie’s family over the holidays) and since I loved them, decided to accept Bend the Rules.
I guess theoretically Bend the Rules could be read as a standalone, but I wouldn’t recommend it, because quite a lot of the backstory for the hero of this one, Crash Coolidge (who is Minnie’s brother) is set up in the first two books. Also, there are a number of recurring characters and Minnie (with her knowledge about fashion) plays an important role in unravelling the mystery in this one and she also befriends Mary Holmes, the heroine of this book.
Mary Holmes has had quite a few turns to the worse in her life recently; I have to say that the background story of Mary stretched my suspension of disbelief, especially as we get to know her it appears somewhat out of character for her. Anyway, she gets a new chance working as an accountant with probationary status at Vetruvius Securities, vetting the financial background of companies. As she is quite good at her job she is hoping to secure a permanent position, despite her checkered past.
One of Vetruvius clients has asked them to look into stolen shipments that then get ransomed back to them, and Vetruvius decides to bring another expert on board, who has had some experience with schemes like this. Crash Coolidge has been ousted from the “family business” which he expected to inherit and is pretty disillusioned, but he agrees to check out the job at Vetruvius as a favor to his army buddy Mike, who also happens to be his sisters boyfriend. The unlikely pair then set off together on unravelling the mystery of stolen shipments, rival motorcycle gangs, cowboy boots, tanning salons and abandoned properties.
In a way the writing reminded me a bit of Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series: the plot is just so outrageous, whacky, over the top out there that you can’t help but role your eyes, but it is well-written, fast-paced, hilariously funny at times and very diverting. It is also balanced by endearingly unique and quirky characters and a satisfying dose of the feels. It’s the perfect feel-good romantic suspense with a funny and capable but beauty-wise ordinary girl who meets the proverbial bad boy. Despite the weaknesses I described I loved it overall, so 4 ½ stars from me.
August 9, 2024
4.5 stars This book was hilarious. Mary the sweet rule following accountant is paired up with Crash (Minnie's psycho brother from book 1) trying to solve some truck heists. Mary is wonderful, kind and 20 lbs overweight due to loving cake, she is orderly, obsessive and so funny. She cares about people following the rules and leaves recycling and other help pamphlets under her neighbor's doors to try to reform them from their bad habits. She lives in a rat hole apartment but still wants to see the best in everyone.
Crash is a killer, ex biker and has not seen his conscience or soul in many years. He is crazy but Mary sees the good in him and falls for him. She wants him to be a better man and not a killer, criminal, and to lose his soul.
This book was just as good as the first. The humor is often dark but funny. Minnie and Big Mike are also in the book as well as some other characters.
Crash is a killer, ex biker and has not seen his conscience or soul in many years. He is crazy but Mary sees the good in him and falls for him. She wants him to be a better man and not a killer, criminal, and to lose his soul.
This book was just as good as the first. The humor is often dark but funny. Minnie and Big Mike are also in the book as well as some other characters.
March 14, 2019
3.5 stars
This is my first book by the author, Susan Amanda Kelly. Bend the rules is the second book in the Big Mike and Minnie series. This book reads as a stand alone. The characters Big Mike and Minnie appear in this novel with only a few spoilers from book one.
I found Mary hilarious. She was a finicky, ex-con with an affinity for numbers. She's very passionate about her causes and doesn't stand down easily.
Crash Coolidge is ex-military, ex-biker with that lifestyle engrained in his soul. He's a hard man that frightens everyone, everyone except Mary.
Once I got into the story, I enjoyed it. However, I felt like the beginning and some parts of the end were clumsily put together. I recommend this novel because it is fun and has a really strong female lead. She has her hangups, but she is tenacious and knows what she wants. Minnie's character, although secondary adds to Minnie's growth as a character.
Thank you to the author and Netgalley for providing me this free book.
Enjoy
This is my first book by the author, Susan Amanda Kelly. Bend the rules is the second book in the Big Mike and Minnie series. This book reads as a stand alone. The characters Big Mike and Minnie appear in this novel with only a few spoilers from book one.
I found Mary hilarious. She was a finicky, ex-con with an affinity for numbers. She's very passionate about her causes and doesn't stand down easily.
Crash Coolidge is ex-military, ex-biker with that lifestyle engrained in his soul. He's a hard man that frightens everyone, everyone except Mary.
Once I got into the story, I enjoyed it. However, I felt like the beginning and some parts of the end were clumsily put together. I recommend this novel because it is fun and has a really strong female lead. She has her hangups, but she is tenacious and knows what she wants. Minnie's character, although secondary adds to Minnie's growth as a character.
Thank you to the author and Netgalley for providing me this free book.
Enjoy
December 17, 2022
Loved it
Talk about opposites attract: one a woman who want to make something useful and successful of herself after having served some time in jail, and a ex soldier, who was also a ex biker. Adventuresome and somewhat romantic.
Talk about opposites attract: one a woman who want to make something useful and successful of herself after having served some time in jail, and a ex soldier, who was also a ex biker. Adventuresome and somewhat romantic.
December 10, 2018
Could use a good sensitivity editor and a good proofreader.
There's a lot I could say about this, and there's a lot more I want to say about this. Unfortunately, it will result in an expletive filled rant... And no one wants that. There are referenced spoilers in this review, but for some people please take this as a trigger warning.
I'm going to be very matter of fact about why I am leaving the star level that I am.
1. This book features a lot of body shaming... On average of something derogatory about every 3 pages. There is both fat shaming and thin shaming.
2. There are several hurtful stereotypes in this... All Hispanics are in gangs. All IT people are either Star Trek or Star Wars nerds. Women are clumsy. Gay people are bad. There is also one of the most damaging tropes in this... Namely the only people that are openly gay are also killed off.
3. There is hurtful language in this... Particularly in referencing those people with mental illness. In addition, there is use of a racial slur in description not appropriate dialogue. Yes, "g*psy" is a slur. In addition, white in should not be capitalized when referring to white people. There is a New York Times article about why.
4. There are several really striking similarities to the movie "The Accountant." So striking that I started being able to predict what was going to happen because I had seen that movie several times.
5. There are several wrong words, missing periods, missing commas and other grammar errors that I know that this did not get a good proofread... Or if it did, the editor really needs to bone up on salutations, coordinating conjunctions, and tense agreement. I found so many errors, not counting the lack of the Oxford comma, that I had to take it down a star.
6. Mary herself. Her crime is presented as humorous... A punchline. As someone who has been stalked and almost killed by my stalker, seeing the same crime written off and the stalking victims blamed and the stalker refusing to apologize and say what they did as wrong was deeply triggering. I'm for second chances and redemption arcs, but the character has to acknowledge wrongdoing, make amends, and own their mistakes. That didn't happen with Mary.
7. Speaking of triggering there are several instances where the Hero kisses the heroine without permission. There are also times where the heroine asks the hero to stop what ever sexual thing he's doing and he doesn't. There is a lot of sexual harassment by both good and bad characters.
8. The characters happy ending comes too fast. There is too much lust and not mutual respect.
There is good in this work. The author writes funny dialogue and often has a good turn of phrase. I liked Mr. Blain and his character arc. I liked the dog. The mystery, what wasn't out of the accountant, was good. I was pleasantly surprised by Hector later. There is good but it was overshadowed but the bad.
Frankly this would have been better as a pure mystery not as romantic suspense merged with romantic comedy.
But for the issues listed above I can only give this:
One star
There's a lot I could say about this, and there's a lot more I want to say about this. Unfortunately, it will result in an expletive filled rant... And no one wants that. There are referenced spoilers in this review, but for some people please take this as a trigger warning.
I'm going to be very matter of fact about why I am leaving the star level that I am.
1. This book features a lot of body shaming... On average of something derogatory about every 3 pages. There is both fat shaming and thin shaming.
2. There are several hurtful stereotypes in this... All Hispanics are in gangs. All IT people are either Star Trek or Star Wars nerds. Women are clumsy. Gay people are bad. There is also one of the most damaging tropes in this... Namely the only people that are openly gay are also killed off.
3. There is hurtful language in this... Particularly in referencing those people with mental illness. In addition, there is use of a racial slur in description not appropriate dialogue. Yes, "g*psy" is a slur. In addition, white in should not be capitalized when referring to white people. There is a New York Times article about why.
4. There are several really striking similarities to the movie "The Accountant." So striking that I started being able to predict what was going to happen because I had seen that movie several times.
5. There are several wrong words, missing periods, missing commas and other grammar errors that I know that this did not get a good proofread... Or if it did, the editor really needs to bone up on salutations, coordinating conjunctions, and tense agreement. I found so many errors, not counting the lack of the Oxford comma, that I had to take it down a star.
6. Mary herself. Her crime is presented as humorous... A punchline. As someone who has been stalked and almost killed by my stalker, seeing the same crime written off and the stalking victims blamed and the stalker refusing to apologize and say what they did as wrong was deeply triggering. I'm for second chances and redemption arcs, but the character has to acknowledge wrongdoing, make amends, and own their mistakes. That didn't happen with Mary.
7. Speaking of triggering there are several instances where the Hero kisses the heroine without permission. There are also times where the heroine asks the hero to stop what ever sexual thing he's doing and he doesn't. There is a lot of sexual harassment by both good and bad characters.
8. The characters happy ending comes too fast. There is too much lust and not mutual respect.
There is good in this work. The author writes funny dialogue and often has a good turn of phrase. I liked Mr. Blain and his character arc. I liked the dog. The mystery, what wasn't out of the accountant, was good. I was pleasantly surprised by Hector later. There is good but it was overshadowed but the bad.
Frankly this would have been better as a pure mystery not as romantic suspense merged with romantic comedy.
But for the issues listed above I can only give this:
One star
August 14, 2018
This book was so much fun! I absolutely loved Mary and Crash!
Mary is a bit uptight, a rule-following accountant working for a security firm. She's also fiesty, snarky, bossy, and more than a little scary.
<<"Mary'd beat you with her pocket calculator if you misplaced a decimal," Big Mike said.>>
Crash is a tall, dark, tatted biker bad boy with a sketchy past and atrocious manners. He's also fiercely attracted to Mary, and despite his best efforts to live life on his own terms, he finds that he's swept along with her inept investigation into truck heists and suddenly protecting her is his most important job.
<>
This is a true opposites-attract romance. Mary and Crash couldn't be more different, both in appearance and background, yet they find that they have a lot more in common than they thought. The writing is brilliant, snarky, hilarious, insightful, and cuts through all the usual BS like a scalpel through butter.
<>
<<"Bikers don't so much court you as hunt you down.">>
There's plenty of meat in this romance. Crash and Mary, with the help of his sister, Minnie, and her boyfriend, Big Mike, as well as an amazing supporting cast and the odoriferous Oscar, are trying to get to the bottom of a series of truck hijackings without getting killed or killing anyone else. The warehouse scene was a true nail-biter, and the scene with Hector in Mary's apartment was so visceral, one wonders how Crash managed to work toward the resolution that Mary demanded.
The HEA at the end is everything Mary wanted, and made me fall in love with Crash even more. This is a terrific book, lots of sizzling chemistry, edge-of-your-seat suspense, laugh-out-loud moments, and memorable, heartwarming characters. I couldn't love it more. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
Mary is a bit uptight, a rule-following accountant working for a security firm. She's also fiesty, snarky, bossy, and more than a little scary.
<<"Mary'd beat you with her pocket calculator if you misplaced a decimal," Big Mike said.>>
Crash is a tall, dark, tatted biker bad boy with a sketchy past and atrocious manners. He's also fiercely attracted to Mary, and despite his best efforts to live life on his own terms, he finds that he's swept along with her inept investigation into truck heists and suddenly protecting her is his most important job.
<>
This is a true opposites-attract romance. Mary and Crash couldn't be more different, both in appearance and background, yet they find that they have a lot more in common than they thought. The writing is brilliant, snarky, hilarious, insightful, and cuts through all the usual BS like a scalpel through butter.
<>
<<"Bikers don't so much court you as hunt you down.">>
There's plenty of meat in this romance. Crash and Mary, with the help of his sister, Minnie, and her boyfriend, Big Mike, as well as an amazing supporting cast and the odoriferous Oscar, are trying to get to the bottom of a series of truck hijackings without getting killed or killing anyone else. The warehouse scene was a true nail-biter, and the scene with Hector in Mary's apartment was so visceral, one wonders how Crash managed to work toward the resolution that Mary demanded.
The HEA at the end is everything Mary wanted, and made me fall in love with Crash even more. This is a terrific book, lots of sizzling chemistry, edge-of-your-seat suspense, laugh-out-loud moments, and memorable, heartwarming characters. I couldn't love it more. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
October 14, 2018
This was the book I wanted. I love Big Mike and Minnie. But Minnie's bad boy brother Crash was my favorite from the start. Even when I wasn't supposed to like him. This book is his story. He is in New York after leaving Hell's Crew Motorcycle Club. Well more like it was taken over and he was out. Big Mike gets him a honest job with him. Crash meets the senior accountant Mary. Mary is the opposite of Crash in every way. She is good and tries to be a law abiding. Even though she has done prison time. She is stubborn and tries to see the good in everyone. She gives you her opinion whether you want it or not. She truly believes she is making the world better with her "suggestions." She knows that Crash is farthest from the man she should be wanting. But she can't help how she feels. And neither can he. She is the first woman that Crash cares about romantically. This world of an ex biker is new for Crash. And so is the good girl Mary. They get caught up in something that puts them both in danger. Crash is used to danger. Mary isn't. Slowly Mary is making sure Crash is becoming a better person and Crash is making sure his decisions aren't causing Mary her life.
I loved this book. It not only had the bad boy and good girl romance I love. It also was full of action and suspense. I am not going to give too much detail because this is a fun mystery that will keep the reader engaged from the first word to the last. I know I couldn't put it down. I found myself swooning over Crash the whole time. He's the outlaw bad boy we originally think. But we also see the softer side to him. The side Mary brings out.
I highly suggest this book. Especially if you are a fan of the first book and the short story that followed. And don't worry. Big Mike and Minnie are in this too. Minnie is hilarious as ever.
I loved this book. It not only had the bad boy and good girl romance I love. It also was full of action and suspense. I am not going to give too much detail because this is a fun mystery that will keep the reader engaged from the first word to the last. I know I couldn't put it down. I found myself swooning over Crash the whole time. He's the outlaw bad boy we originally think. But we also see the softer side to him. The side Mary brings out.
I highly suggest this book. Especially if you are a fan of the first book and the short story that followed. And don't worry. Big Mike and Minnie are in this too. Minnie is hilarious as ever.
September 2, 2023
BEND THE RULES by Susan Amanda Kelly was an utterly delightful read. It offers a quirky mix of romance, crime and plenty of humour that kept me entertained from start to finish.
I loved the protagonists, Mary Holmes and Crash Coolidge. Mary’s quite eccentric but beneath it all, she has a soft heart and tries to think the best of people. When she crosses paths with Crash, an unabashed criminal, she’s quite disconcerted to realise she’s attracted to him.
Crash makes no apologies for his lifestyle and has no intentions of changing course. He’s happy to act on his attraction to Mary but he’s stumped by the fact she brings out feelings beyond the physical in him.
There’s a mystery to solve but as much as they work together, Crash and Mary’s preferred methodology is poles apart. Mary’s escapades, often with the help of Crash’s sister Minnie gets them into trouble. Kelly did a great job in balancing the humour of an amateur sleuth and the grimness of murder.
Alongside the mystery, there’s a lovely romance. Mary and Crash are not blind to their individual faults but the feelings between them are genuine and they’re both prepared to not only show some vulnerability but to fight for their relationship.
I am so happy this book and I crossed paths because it was such a pleasure to read. It's funny. It's romantic. It's criminal. It works!
I loved the protagonists, Mary Holmes and Crash Coolidge. Mary’s quite eccentric but beneath it all, she has a soft heart and tries to think the best of people. When she crosses paths with Crash, an unabashed criminal, she’s quite disconcerted to realise she’s attracted to him.
Crash makes no apologies for his lifestyle and has no intentions of changing course. He’s happy to act on his attraction to Mary but he’s stumped by the fact she brings out feelings beyond the physical in him.
There’s a mystery to solve but as much as they work together, Crash and Mary’s preferred methodology is poles apart. Mary’s escapades, often with the help of Crash’s sister Minnie gets them into trouble. Kelly did a great job in balancing the humour of an amateur sleuth and the grimness of murder.
Alongside the mystery, there’s a lovely romance. Mary and Crash are not blind to their individual faults but the feelings between them are genuine and they’re both prepared to not only show some vulnerability but to fight for their relationship.
I am so happy this book and I crossed paths because it was such a pleasure to read. It's funny. It's romantic. It's criminal. It works!
October 13, 2018
I usually start my reviews with what the book is about first and then what I thought about it at the end. But this book was so freaking hilarious I have to tell about that first. It's sexy with an ex biker and a full figured accountant that talks ways too much. I had never even heard of this author before but the info on Netgalley sounded good so I requested it. I am so glad I did. I have never laughed so much while reading a book. Action, suspense,and sex. Also several secondary characters that are just as entertaining and a smelly, deaf dog.
Mary is a senior accountant for Vitruvius Specialist Security Solutions’ and barely gets by. Crash is an ex biker, ex military and is hired by Mary’s boss to find out how a trucking company is being high jacked. Crash is rough, rude, and sexy. They are partnered up together and while Crash is undercover as a truck driver, Mary gets caught while he is being high jacked. A man gets killed, now the boss of the high jackers wants Crash and Mary dead. Crash convinces him to let him work for him to keep Mary safe. But Crash is playing to take him down but they have to figure out who he is first. Can Crash get the job done and keep the girl?
Mary is a senior accountant for Vitruvius Specialist Security Solutions’ and barely gets by. Crash is an ex biker, ex military and is hired by Mary’s boss to find out how a trucking company is being high jacked. Crash is rough, rude, and sexy. They are partnered up together and while Crash is undercover as a truck driver, Mary gets caught while he is being high jacked. A man gets killed, now the boss of the high jackers wants Crash and Mary dead. Crash convinces him to let him work for him to keep Mary safe. But Crash is playing to take him down but they have to figure out who he is first. Can Crash get the job done and keep the girl?
December 27, 2022
Parts I liked, parts I really, really didn't. So, we're splitting the middle at 2 stars.
Mary (h) is a senior accountant in a security firm. She gets roped into a case while performing research on the trucking company's finances. The specialist working on the case is Crash (H), a former biker and solider who is going undercover. Crash's violent attitude covers some darker secrets, but Mary's past isn't exactly spotless. Can these two misfits sort out the criminal organization, figure out who's targeting Mary, and perhaps keep from strangling each other? Throw in a deaf and smelly rescue dog and a crotchety neighbor, and we're on our way!
Kinda formulaic and predictable, it still had the bones for a fun rom-com suspense read. I laughed out loud a couple times at the interactions between Mary and her coworkers. I loved the dog, and I enjoyed how the curmudgeonly neighbor thawed for Mary (though not quite for Crash).
Sounds like fun, right? So where did things fall short...
Mary was insufferable most of the time. I honestly had a hard time liking her. She was ridiculously condescending and snobby and just really pretty insufferable. Her ice breaker with her neighbor is a weekly nagging/pamphlet about sorting his recycling? She immediately looks down on Crash - someone obviously invited to a meeting by THE PRESIDENTS OF HER COMPANY - as not possibly knowing as much as she does because he is wearing jeans and doesn't immediately fawn over her color-coded reports? And that's just in the first chapter. It made me laugh that she was "driven to waspishness" at one point - when your default attitude is superiority and condescension, I think it doesn't take much to get to waspishness. Add to that, she was incredibly stubborn and frequently crossed into TSTL territory simply because she refused to see that someone else might know best in a given situation. It was extra frustrating because I'm usually all for a type A professional h (gee, wonder why?) but Mary regularly crossed the line from likably uptight to insufferable and superior and condescending.
Along the lines of Mary's attitude... This is a "curvy h" story, but it's a really negative one. Mary's honestly pretty negative about most female bodies, if I had to put a finger on it. There are comments about her own curves almost every other page (seriously, every time it talks about her wardrobe, it mentions her curves or her cleavage or similar). And when they find the strip club? So many negative comments about the women who work there. So, so many...And then there's Minnie. Who regularly corrects that she's not a model but a supermodel. Who does that? Someone who also regularly makes disparaging remarks about other characters' appearances, that's who. But it's not like Minnie escaped the comments either. Basically, the two female leads were really pretty down on the female form in all its varieties - both thin shaming and fat shaming were abundant here.
Mostly well edited, but some minor grammatical mistakes, referencing a character before he's been introduced, comma issues, that sort of thing. Mostly not enough to really irk me, but enough to comment on.
The author did have a thing with italics, though. Like, in use with 'not English' words. Characters speak Spanish, OK, I can kinda roll with that a little. But "potpourri"? Italicized every time. And then Amish was italicized?? Apparently, it's not 'English enough' of a word. Very odd editing choices.
And another author issue. This seems to be set in the US - Miami is listed as one of the closest port cities, for example. But there were a few things that just jarred a little. The dog's lead was referred to several times. Leash was used too, but lead was a little more frequent. And personal experience, leash is the more common US term. Same with a wish for chocolate Hobnobs. I am familiar with the biscuit, but it is NOT the go-to sweet in the States - it's a very British biscuit. Just little inconsistencies that jar and make me wonder where the author herself is from.
Alternating 3rd person POV. No OW/OM drama, no love triangles, no cheating. Two leads with some serious mental health issues careening their way through an action-movie plot. There are definitely funny moments, and I really liked the dog and the neighbor, but I wasn't fond of the leads. Which is a definite downer in a romance. HFN, but rushed resolution. Apparently, there's an HEA in a subsequent book when Crash proposes.
Would I read more by this author/in this series? Maybe. This was a free Kindle find, so was worth a try, but it also didn't really check my boxes or spark enough interest to really spur me to seek out another either.
Mary (h) is a senior accountant in a security firm. She gets roped into a case while performing research on the trucking company's finances. The specialist working on the case is Crash (H), a former biker and solider who is going undercover. Crash's violent attitude covers some darker secrets, but Mary's past isn't exactly spotless. Can these two misfits sort out the criminal organization, figure out who's targeting Mary, and perhaps keep from strangling each other? Throw in a deaf and smelly rescue dog and a crotchety neighbor, and we're on our way!
Kinda formulaic and predictable, it still had the bones for a fun rom-com suspense read. I laughed out loud a couple times at the interactions between Mary and her coworkers. I loved the dog, and I enjoyed how the curmudgeonly neighbor thawed for Mary (though not quite for Crash).
Sounds like fun, right? So where did things fall short...
Mary was insufferable most of the time. I honestly had a hard time liking her. She was ridiculously condescending and snobby and just really pretty insufferable. Her ice breaker with her neighbor is a weekly nagging/pamphlet about sorting his recycling? She immediately looks down on Crash - someone obviously invited to a meeting by THE PRESIDENTS OF HER COMPANY - as not possibly knowing as much as she does because he is wearing jeans and doesn't immediately fawn over her color-coded reports? And that's just in the first chapter. It made me laugh that she was "driven to waspishness" at one point - when your default attitude is superiority and condescension, I think it doesn't take much to get to waspishness. Add to that, she was incredibly stubborn and frequently crossed into TSTL territory simply because she refused to see that someone else might know best in a given situation. It was extra frustrating because I'm usually all for a type A professional h (gee, wonder why?) but Mary regularly crossed the line from likably uptight to insufferable and superior and condescending.
Along the lines of Mary's attitude... This is a "curvy h" story, but it's a really negative one. Mary's honestly pretty negative about most female bodies, if I had to put a finger on it. There are comments about her own curves almost every other page (seriously, every time it talks about her wardrobe, it mentions her curves or her cleavage or similar). And when they find the strip club? So many negative comments about the women who work there. So, so many...And then there's Minnie. Who regularly corrects that she's not a model but a supermodel. Who does that? Someone who also regularly makes disparaging remarks about other characters' appearances, that's who. But it's not like Minnie escaped the comments either. Basically, the two female leads were really pretty down on the female form in all its varieties - both thin shaming and fat shaming were abundant here.
Mostly well edited, but some minor grammatical mistakes, referencing a character before he's been introduced, comma issues, that sort of thing. Mostly not enough to really irk me, but enough to comment on.
The author did have a thing with italics, though. Like, in use with 'not English' words. Characters speak Spanish, OK, I can kinda roll with that a little. But "potpourri"? Italicized every time. And then Amish was italicized?? Apparently, it's not 'English enough' of a word. Very odd editing choices.
And another author issue. This seems to be set in the US - Miami is listed as one of the closest port cities, for example. But there were a few things that just jarred a little. The dog's lead was referred to several times. Leash was used too, but lead was a little more frequent. And personal experience, leash is the more common US term. Same with a wish for chocolate Hobnobs. I am familiar with the biscuit, but it is NOT the go-to sweet in the States - it's a very British biscuit. Just little inconsistencies that jar and make me wonder where the author herself is from.
Alternating 3rd person POV. No OW/OM drama, no love triangles, no cheating. Two leads with some serious mental health issues careening their way through an action-movie plot. There are definitely funny moments, and I really liked the dog and the neighbor, but I wasn't fond of the leads. Which is a definite downer in a romance. HFN, but rushed resolution. Apparently, there's an HEA in a subsequent book when Crash proposes.
Would I read more by this author/in this series? Maybe. This was a free Kindle find, so was worth a try, but it also didn't really check my boxes or spark enough interest to really spur me to seek out another either.
September 27, 2018
Mary Holmes is fresh out of prison for stalking her ex-fiancée and is determined to try and secure a permanent job as an accountant at Vitruvius Security work out. She has just completed a report into a shipping company whose shipments are being hijacked when Crash Coolidge 'crashes' the meeting.
Love blossoms between Mary and Crash and they become a formidable team determined to crack the case.... There is danger, mystery and violence as the pair delve deeper into the dark depths of crime. There are plenty of laughs along the way as Mary is so girly and naive in many respects and Crash is the polar opposite and yet they work together!
I thoroughly enjoyed this arc thanks to netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Love blossoms between Mary and Crash and they become a formidable team determined to crack the case.... There is danger, mystery and violence as the pair delve deeper into the dark depths of crime. There are plenty of laughs along the way as Mary is so girly and naive in many respects and Crash is the polar opposite and yet they work together!
I thoroughly enjoyed this arc thanks to netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 26, 2018
This book plays it so much straighter that the two stories before it. Don’t get me wrong, it still has it moments of pure comedic mayhem, but the bulk of the story draws directly from romantic suspense. I loved that Crash got to be the hero in this one. And Mary, while nowhere near as squirrelly as Minnie, does justice to the position of un-trained sidekick. I especially enjoyed the cameo appearances of Big Mike and Minnie. I’m already looking forward to the next book to find out more about what Rocco’s really up to.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley.
August 14, 2018
I loved Bend the Rules!
Bend the Rules is an enjoyable, funny, exciting and romantic novel. A biker and a quirky senior accountant work undercover and come face to face with organised crime.
An amazing set of unique characters, an action packed plot, lots of humour and a sweet and steamy romance make it an ideal summer read. I'm definitely going to read the rest of the novels in the series, straight away!
Bend the Rules is an enjoyable, funny, exciting and romantic novel. A biker and a quirky senior accountant work undercover and come face to face with organised crime.
An amazing set of unique characters, an action packed plot, lots of humour and a sweet and steamy romance make it an ideal summer read. I'm definitely going to read the rest of the novels in the series, straight away!
March 19, 2021
laugh out loud hilarious
The first book was great but this second book had me laughing so hard that people were staring at me. I love crazy stalker senior accountant Mary and bad boy ex biker Crash who always talks in third person. One of my favorite scenes was when Mary ended up with a foot fettish guy when she was trying to solve the case. If you need a laugh pick up this series and this book up!
The first book was great but this second book had me laughing so hard that people were staring at me. I love crazy stalker senior accountant Mary and bad boy ex biker Crash who always talks in third person. One of my favorite scenes was when Mary ended up with a foot fettish guy when she was trying to solve the case. If you need a laugh pick up this series and this book up!
December 26, 2021
OMG, This book was Wonderful
I laughed throughout this book even more than the first one. Crash and Mary are a match for the ages. So compatible. After all, he is an ex biker and she is a Senior Accountant. I loved it and I bet you will too.
I laughed throughout this book even more than the first one. Crash and Mary are a match for the ages. So compatible. After all, he is an ex biker and she is a Senior Accountant. I loved it and I bet you will too.
September 5, 2018
Mary Homes, used to have it all, at least that’s what she thought. She was engaged to be married to a wealthy man, had a great job, used to dress to the nines, yep she had it all in her organized, color coded life. Then the shit hit the fan. He breaks the engagement, she tries to talk to him repeatedly, even showing up in her wedding dress at his office. Does that sound a bit crazy, apparently, since it landed her in jail with a reckless endangerment indictment. Now she’s served her tiny jail sentence and she has nothing. No clothes, no great hair products, but lands a job as an accountant for a security company, called Vitruvious Security. Then one of the heads of the company assign her to work assisting Crash Coolidge. He will be working undercover in a truck crash heist ring. This is when her life takes a turn for the worse. Not only is Crash sexy as hell, but he’s disorganized and he always looks disheveled, something she is not. All of a sudden Mary is doing things like taking shoes off a corpse, running from the bad guys who want to kill her, and falling for this tough as nails guy. Plus she adopts a deaf, smelly dog in the gated yard where they almost get killed. How has this become her life!
This was a funny, romantic, with a bit of suspense type of story. I truly enjoyed it!
I received a copy of this arc in exchange for an honest review.
This was a funny, romantic, with a bit of suspense type of story. I truly enjoyed it!
I received a copy of this arc in exchange for an honest review.
September 27, 2018
Original review can be found at https://kristineandterri.blogspot.com...
** I received a copy of this book directly from the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!**
Bend the Rules is a book that you want to read when you don't want to take life too seriously. It is the second book in a series but it can be read as a stand alone. This was the first book for me and \I was able to follow along.
It was at times over the top and there were some definite laugh out loud moments in Bend the Rules. The absolute highlight of this story was Mary. Her character was what made reading this book worthwhile. The plot itself was average at best but Mary was a joy to read. With her second hand suit and her colour coded systems, she was a fish out of water in almost every situation which made her humorous and enjoyable to follow. She really did make it for me. Without her, I'm not sure I would have enjoyed the plot at all. I was indifferent to Crash and all of the other secondary characters, but I thoroughly enjoyed Mary. Perhaps there was a bit of her that we can all relate to that made her so endearing.
This book came to me right when I needed something not so serious to get lost in. I'm now curious if this author always writes about quirky and unusual characters. I guess there is only one way to find out!
** I received a copy of this book directly from the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!**
Bend the Rules is a book that you want to read when you don't want to take life too seriously. It is the second book in a series but it can be read as a stand alone. This was the first book for me and \I was able to follow along.
It was at times over the top and there were some definite laugh out loud moments in Bend the Rules. The absolute highlight of this story was Mary. Her character was what made reading this book worthwhile. The plot itself was average at best but Mary was a joy to read. With her second hand suit and her colour coded systems, she was a fish out of water in almost every situation which made her humorous and enjoyable to follow. She really did make it for me. Without her, I'm not sure I would have enjoyed the plot at all. I was indifferent to Crash and all of the other secondary characters, but I thoroughly enjoyed Mary. Perhaps there was a bit of her that we can all relate to that made her so endearing.
This book came to me right when I needed something not so serious to get lost in. I'm now curious if this author always writes about quirky and unusual characters. I guess there is only one way to find out!
August 23, 2018
I've gotta be honest: when I first started reading this book, I wasn't sure that I would stick with it. The characters were odd, and certainly different than what I'm used to. The truth is they are just normal people, not the brave, brilliant, and/or beautiful characters that we usually escape with in our romance novels, but average, struggling people. At the same time, however, these characters have some bizarre quirks, and I found that I just couldn't give up. Something kept pulling me back to the story. So I stuck with it past what was a rocky start for me, and I'm so glad I did. This cast of whackadoos had me snickering repeatedly. I did find some of the grammatical issues distracting, but I'm easily distracted by such things, so they likely won't irritate other readers as much as they did me. Short of that, this turned out to be an enjoyable read that will stick with me simply because it's so different and fun.
The author generously providing an ARC with no expectation of a review. However, I am proud to provide one for this enjoyable book and hope other readers find it helpful.
The author generously providing an ARC with no expectation of a review. However, I am proud to provide one for this enjoyable book and hope other readers find it helpful.
October 5, 2018
This the first time I have read a book by Ms. Kelly so I didn’t know what to expect. The blurb and cover led me to believe it was a little on the rom/com/suspense so that’s how I went in.
First the characters. Crash and Mary are our H/h. Mary a buttoned up Senior Accountant with a past and Crash, well he’s just the opposite. These chemistry is steamy and Crash is a heck of a patient man. I say that because Mary could have been a great heroine if she wasn’t just so....darn....stubborn and just plain dumb not a lick of common sense sometimes. I get that people are going to react differently in different situations but she repeatedly doesn’t listen, that’s what makes me crazy.
The secondary characters didn’t add much with the exception of Minnie and I think she is a spitfire and would be interested to read her and Big Mac’s book.
As for the story, I did giggle a couple of times, I got caught up in the suspense, and yelled at Mary a few times. All in all I was entertained and try another Ms. Kelly book.
First the characters. Crash and Mary are our H/h. Mary a buttoned up Senior Accountant with a past and Crash, well he’s just the opposite. These chemistry is steamy and Crash is a heck of a patient man. I say that because Mary could have been a great heroine if she wasn’t just so....darn....stubborn and just plain dumb not a lick of common sense sometimes. I get that people are going to react differently in different situations but she repeatedly doesn’t listen, that’s what makes me crazy.
The secondary characters didn’t add much with the exception of Minnie and I think she is a spitfire and would be interested to read her and Big Mac’s book.
As for the story, I did giggle a couple of times, I got caught up in the suspense, and yelled at Mary a few times. All in all I was entertained and try another Ms. Kelly book.
August 6, 2018
Rcvd an ARC at no cost to author..(netgalley) I hope you guys read the first two books in this series you will get so much more and so much laughter. This book was about Minnie's brother Crash and I loved him. Crash is hired to investigate some kidnappings by a man he doesn't like and Big Mike his sisters fiance and also a man Crash isn't crazy about only because he is with Minnie and he is a overbearing overprotective brother, but he does admit that Big Mike takes care of her. Anyway back to the story Crash is hired to investigate these kidnappings and he requests the matronly Mary the senior accountant to assist him. These two could not be more opposite, and Mary is a stickler for rules and very opinionated but you have got to read because they are funny together and Mary's background is crazy..Loved that Minnie was involved however I was a little bummed that she was not in the story more or Big Mike that is my only criticism..Enjoy!
August 2, 2018
5 Stars
Absolutely loved this story. Crash and Mary were great characters. I hope the author does another story with these characters again..maybe a double wedding with Crash/Mary and Minnie/Big Mike . I can see the blurb now....2 ex bikers marry an Senior accountant and a Supermodel which takes them on a wild crazy ride...if they can survive will they make it to the alter on time.. This story was funny, intense, suspenseful and sexy. Crash is not just a biker he is so much more but he isn't really seen til Senior Accountant Mary looks at him. Mary sees beyond Crash's dark side, he doesn't scare her she sees his light but she will fight him every step of the way. If you have read Big Mike and Minnie's story I suggest reading that before reading Bend the Rules, both are so good. But to understand Crash you need to read book one first. Happy Reading!!!
Absolutely loved this story. Crash and Mary were great characters. I hope the author does another story with these characters again..maybe a double wedding with Crash/Mary and Minnie/Big Mike . I can see the blurb now....2 ex bikers marry an Senior accountant and a Supermodel which takes them on a wild crazy ride...if they can survive will they make it to the alter on time.. This story was funny, intense, suspenseful and sexy. Crash is not just a biker he is so much more but he isn't really seen til Senior Accountant Mary looks at him. Mary sees beyond Crash's dark side, he doesn't scare her she sees his light but she will fight him every step of the way. If you have read Big Mike and Minnie's story I suggest reading that before reading Bend the Rules, both are so good. But to understand Crash you need to read book one first. Happy Reading!!!
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