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Breaking the Rules #3.5
Love Rules
Carter worked hard for everything he had. He built his business from the ground up using common sense and logic. He believed in things that were tangible, not fanciful notions like love at first sight. At least that was the case until he walked into a new coffee shop one morning and came face to face with the man he knew was his future.
As an artist, Sean was creative to the bones, but even he knew fairy tales weren’t real, and rich businessmen didn’t fall in love with would be artist/baristas. But when Carter insists that Sean give them a chance, he gives in to the handsome man.
As they get to know each other, it becomes obvious they were meant to be. But can two intelligent men who don’t believe in fairy tales forget about the rules and find their happy ever after?
A Free Read through Insta-Freebie from August 28th to September 4th together with other authors ->
https://claims.instafreebie.com/gg/FC...
As an artist, Sean was creative to the bones, but even he knew fairy tales weren’t real, and rich businessmen didn’t fall in love with would be artist/baristas. But when Carter insists that Sean give them a chance, he gives in to the handsome man.
As they get to know each other, it becomes obvious they were meant to be. But can two intelligent men who don’t believe in fairy tales forget about the rules and find their happy ever after?
A Free Read through Insta-Freebie from August 28th to September 4th together with other authors ->
https://claims.instafreebie.com/gg/FC...
34 pages, ebook
First published August 28, 2018
4 people are currently reading
158 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
December 11, 2018
For such a short story this was a pretty good book. Carter and Sean fell for each other instantly and had a cute romance but I can't really say that it was an insta-love type of book. Mainly because the connection between them wasn't full of a ton of chemistry. Bottom line, a fun read and one I would recommend for any fan of the M/M genre.
September 30, 2021
3.5 short but sweet stars
November 25, 2018
Very short trip back into this world. Fun but thin on all of the development.
October 1, 2018
***2 Stars***
This was cheesy and felt slapped together. Zero character development and a story that zoomed from introduction to HEA without giving the reader anything to sink their teeth into.
I know short stories are difficult to write and there's lots to balance and relay in a condensed package, but when you read a good one, you're reminded that it can be done and some people can deliver a great story in mere paragraphs...while other times, you're reminded what a rushed, unsatisfying mess it can be.
This short story falls in the latter category.
September 28, 2018
Too short for any real character and relationship development so the HEA comes super quickly.
October 10, 2023
Three stars only because of the short length. I could have gone another two hundred pages. I felt it all because I had that fairy tale.
September 17, 2018
Quick, light read, but a little too short. There was really no time for character development and they move to the HEA too fast to seem remotely real. I can usually suspend my disbelief and buy into the story, but this one was too fast for me to get invested. I also didn't get a good enough feel for the author. I might read another book buy her, but I felt no need to buy the first in the series after reading this one.
April 13, 2019
Breaking the rules, the theme of this entire series, can be fun - at least for those inclined to challenge accepted wisdom and society's norms. Sean and Carter's story proves the point, and I had fun reading about their encounter and the resulting relationship. It all happened pretty quickly, but it was okay for me because there is a lot of humor as well and that made the story more entertaining than "serious".
Please find my full review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Please find my full review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
September 8, 2018
New to me author. This was a mm contemporary novella. Loved the story and Jacki’s style of writing. I will be reading more from Jacki James.
December 10, 2018
Lol Sean that little booger. He got his fairy tale. Now maybe he can quit messing with Justin lol. this was a sweet little novella that makes you believe in love at first sight and fairy tales again.
September 15, 2018
I got this as a freebie. It was cute and it's a short story but it moves pretty fast. Rich guy and poor barista/artist hook up with the usual angst about "why would a rich guy want me" kind of thing. But it's short lived and they quickly get their HEA. It's part of another series and I hadn't read them but you don't have to. There is some interactions with his friends, but on the whole it's about the two main characters.
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October 2, 2018Free read.
Short (half hour) read.
Cute 'struggling artist working in coffee shop falls for rich businessman' story.
This goes from from first flirtation to HEA in a very short space of time, which gives it an instalove feel, and doesn't leave much space for character development.
This is a short story in a series. I've not read any of the other books but I didn't feel lost. I assume the books are about the other couples who are Sean's friends.
Short (half hour) read.
Cute 'struggling artist working in coffee shop falls for rich businessman' story.
This goes from from first flirtation to HEA in a very short space of time, which gives it an instalove feel, and doesn't leave much space for character development.
This is a short story in a series. I've not read any of the other books but I didn't feel lost. I assume the books are about the other couples who are Sean's friends.
September 10, 2019
Love Rules (2018) by Jacki James is a fantastic short read and introduction to the author’s Breaking the Rules series.
The book follows the love story of barista and artist Sean and businessman Carter. The story is told from both of their POVs. Carter makes the 20-minute journey to the White Rabbit where Sean works to get his coffee despite living in a building where he can get his coffee. Meanwhile Sean awaits his visits but is playing it somewhat cool and casual.
I like them as a couple. They have a very relaxed vibe with each other and actually listen to each other which is nice. I also loved their friends and was happy to see that future books included their stories too. I liked the humour in the book, the very natural dialogue and thought process of the characters. I liked how the author brought awareness to LGBTQ+ issues through Sean’s art and showed also there how creative outlets can be a great vehicle for expressing emotions you go through and the emotions other people go through.
Very likeable characters. Very real characters. Fantastic writing style. A story of romance with a great dose of friendship with the secondary characters as well. The one flaw I do have is that Sean’s and Carter’s relationship did feel slightly rushed in order to fit into the short story mould but I didn’t care because I absolutely loved it! I adored the characters.
An amazing read.
The book follows the love story of barista and artist Sean and businessman Carter. The story is told from both of their POVs. Carter makes the 20-minute journey to the White Rabbit where Sean works to get his coffee despite living in a building where he can get his coffee. Meanwhile Sean awaits his visits but is playing it somewhat cool and casual.
I like them as a couple. They have a very relaxed vibe with each other and actually listen to each other which is nice. I also loved their friends and was happy to see that future books included their stories too. I liked the humour in the book, the very natural dialogue and thought process of the characters. I liked how the author brought awareness to LGBTQ+ issues through Sean’s art and showed also there how creative outlets can be a great vehicle for expressing emotions you go through and the emotions other people go through.
Very likeable characters. Very real characters. Fantastic writing style. A story of romance with a great dose of friendship with the secondary characters as well. The one flaw I do have is that Sean’s and Carter’s relationship did feel slightly rushed in order to fit into the short story mould but I didn’t care because I absolutely loved it! I adored the characters.
An amazing read.
November 18, 2018
I had trouble getting into this and I just didn’t feel the chemistry between Sean and Carter. I really liked Carter, what little we know of him. It’s nice to have a filthy rich character who’s not hung up on himself and is socially responsible. Sean, well, I just barely liked him and it had nothing to do with his professions (I actually admire good baristas and talented artists). There was a neediness to him that was a put off, plus the fact that half the time he came across as a flaming queen.
Overall, I found the writing style to be very pedestrian, almost like a college student would submit as a class assignment. This is a new author to me but I’m not so sure I’ll be rushing to read anything else by her.
Overall, I found the writing style to be very pedestrian, almost like a college student would submit as a class assignment. This is a new author to me but I’m not so sure I’ll be rushing to read anything else by her.
February 15, 2019
2.5 stars
It's free for now as a Valentine's Day read on prolific reads.
I liked how it started off and I think if it was extended the story would be even better and less rushed. Sean and Carter are barista and patron. Sean supplies the coffee and Carter visits the cafe to see him and get coffee. On this particular day Carter comes in and the two actually flirt a little. Carter's next visit to the cafe ends up asking Sean on a date. The two have a date and hit it off.
It's really a short read and because of that it suffers by lacking any emotional development/impact on readers and we can't develop feelings for the characters. The story is rushed, the characters only have one date before they get into a forever love/you're the one kind of relationship.
It's free for now as a Valentine's Day read on prolific reads.
I liked how it started off and I think if it was extended the story would be even better and less rushed. Sean and Carter are barista and patron. Sean supplies the coffee and Carter visits the cafe to see him and get coffee. On this particular day Carter comes in and the two actually flirt a little. Carter's next visit to the cafe ends up asking Sean on a date. The two have a date and hit it off.
It's really a short read and because of that it suffers by lacking any emotional development/impact on readers and we can't develop feelings for the characters. The story is rushed, the characters only have one date before they get into a forever love/you're the one kind of relationship.
April 16, 2023
Businessman Carter built his business up from the group and believes in things that are tangible. He did not believe in love at first sight until he walked into an ew coffee show and came face to face with Sean. Sean is an artist but knows that fairytales are not real and so works in a coffee shop to be able to do his art. When Carter insists on being given a chance he agrees. Can two intelligent men who don’t believe in fairy tales forget about the rules and find their own happily ever after?
This was a sweet short story with an instalove which paired two people together who were perfect for each other. Easy to read and understand. This is an MM story with mature content that will make you sigh when they find their own happiness.
This was a sweet short story with an instalove which paired two people together who were perfect for each other. Easy to read and understand. This is an MM story with mature content that will make you sigh when they find their own happiness.
September 8, 2018
This short was the fairy tale in real life, so though it is a very fast romance, it works in the realm of the happily ever after.
Sean and Carter are clearly side characters from the rest of this series. They both believe they could find love, but never really have. After a bit of flirting they branch out to making it something more. It was very quick, and doesn't really get into how they will actually fit together in their real life, but it has a sweet start and an easy to fall into romance.
The side characters in this story are key couples from the rest of the series and it has me curious to see their individual stories!
Sean and Carter are clearly side characters from the rest of this series. They both believe they could find love, but never really have. After a bit of flirting they branch out to making it something more. It was very quick, and doesn't really get into how they will actually fit together in their real life, but it has a sweet start and an easy to fall into romance.
The side characters in this story are key couples from the rest of the series and it has me curious to see their individual stories!
September 2, 2018
30 page short story - part of the Breaking the Rules series.
Light and fluffy, not enough pages for a back story or any depth to the characters - but as I have not read the full series, assume there is more there?
Quick insta-love read.
Light and fluffy, not enough pages for a back story or any depth to the characters - but as I have not read the full series, assume there is more there?
Quick insta-love read.
September 5, 2018
Wow, a excellent short story. If the Breaking the Rules series is all this line, they make for great books. This is a novella, but has a smoother pace then others. It moved faster than a full length but didn't speed you through it. Maybe it was the delayed sex scenes or not. Great read.
September 8, 2018
Sweet short story that I got on Instafreebie app as The MM Back to School Free Short Story Giveaway.
This author is new to me. I liked this book and will be checking our other books from this series :)
This author is new to me. I liked this book and will be checking our other books from this series :)
December 30, 2018
Really sweet. I really liked Sean and Carter. I liked that they were both good guys. Sean's art exhibit touched me. It was really powerful. I loved that his friend had commissioned a painting for Nathan. I think I need to check out this series now.
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January 22, 2019Ugh, I can't even rate this book because I didn't get the point of it. It was honestly the most insta-love story I can remember reading and there's no depth or chemistry.
It makes me a little sad because I have enjoyed this author's books but this one missed the mark for me.
It makes me a little sad because I have enjoyed this author's books but this one missed the mark for me.
August 30, 2018
This one was hella adorable! I knew I was gonna love it from page one lol.
September 2, 2018
I really enjoyed this story of opposites attract. The characters were likable and good together. I enjoyed the minor characters and settings too.
September 4, 2018
Review Coming
September 4, 2018
Cute short story. The format prevents a lot of character development. I’m guessing some of these characters appear in earlier books in this universe so readers would know more background?
September 9, 2018
Sweet, quick read. Kind of insta-love, didn't really care too much about the characters.
September 9, 2018
4.5 stars I love this!
November 14, 2018
The pacing wasn't great, and some of the writing was rather stilted. I hope that in a full length novel she does better.
December 7, 2018
2.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews