Bending the Rules

Cape Cod Dating Rules #2

by Katie O'Sullivan

Investment analyst Dylan MacDonald has been away from Cape Cod so long it no longer feels like home, despite deep roots and a large extended family. After a routine assignment in Africa becomes life or death, the former workaholic is back home and unemployed. Getting entangled with his high school crush is definitely not in his plans… Even if she was the one woman who made him think outside the spreadsheet.

Co-owner of a successful Chatham boutique, friendly and popular Bella Costa seems to have it all… Except a real relationship. She has a rule against dating local boys, keeping her love life limited to summer flings. The only guy she truly cared about left the Cape and never looked back. Until this summer. Now he’s re-igniting all kinds of unresolved feelings.

Will the past stand in their way, or can they bend the rules to find a future together?

ebook

First published October 31, 2018

About the author

Katie O’Sullivan is an award winning author with more than a dozen books contemporary romance and young adult books to her name, available online and in stores.

A voracious reader, she loves to read and write second chance stories with strong female characters and hot alpha males. A recovering English major, she earned her degree at Colgate University and now lives on Cape Cod with her family and big dogs, drinking way too much coffee and finding new uses for all the sea glass she obsessively collects from the beach. She writes YA and romantic suspense novels, as well as working full time for a high tech company. Which explains all the coffee.


Find Katie online:
Follow her Blog – http://katieosullivan.blogspot.com
Friend her on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/kt.osullivan
Find her on Twitter - https://twitter.com/OkatieO
Check out her website at http://www.katie-osullivan.com

Reviews

[D.K. Deters · Rating 5 out of 5]

BENDING THE RULES opens with investment analyst Dylan MacDonald facing insurmountable danger when he's detained in South Sudan by a hostile militia. (That's enough to give me goosebumps.)

The author quickly introduces Bella Costa, Dylan's high school crush. Smooth flashbacks layer the couple's complicated emotions and define the moments that challenge their wishful romance.

I read this gem in a couple of hours. The pacey action kept me absorbed in the story. Written with wit and humor, Ms. O'Sullivan also shows heart and sensitivity. Love a story with second chances!

[Peggy Jaeger · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful way to spend an afternoon! I just finished BENDING THE RULES ( CAPRE COD RULE #2) by Katie O'Sullivan.
There’s nothing I like more to read than a second chances romance, and this story had everything I love about the trope and genre. Told in present time and flashbacks, the love story of Bella Costa and Dylan MacDonald was over 10 years in the making. From the time in high school when she was a sophomore and he was her senior math tutor, these two were in serious “like” with one another, but circumstances prevented them from ever telling the other their feelings.

We can all remember and relate to how horrible high school could be, especially when bullying came into play. A poplar cheerleader, Bella is the victim of jealousy and rumors that follow her through school and into her current life. And unfortunately, Dylan believed the rumors, causing him to walk away from her just when it looked like they could be together.

When they meet again a decade after she graduates high school, they still realize the attraction they have for one another, but both have let the past intrude on the their present lives and effect how they see their futures.

Dylan comes back to his hometown after a horrific incident leaves him feeling lost and vulnerable, unable to reconcile the life he’s chosen for himself. For her part, Bella has vowed never to let a man – especially a local, hometown man- get too close to her emotionally.

But the attraction is undeniable and try those he does to fight it, Dylan falls more in love with Bella than he could ever believe he could.

Will they be able to put their past thoughts and beliefs behind them to find their HEA together? It’s a good question and one Katie O’Sullivan answers in a way that made me smile and cheer.

I simply love the way Ms. O’Sullivan writes. She has an easy-to-read prose style that just makes you keep turning the pages – or in my case flipping the pages on my kindle! I started this book while I was on the treadmill and after 90 minutes realized I hadn’t stopped once- reading or walking. The story is so well told, and so carefully constructed I simply didn’t want to put it down, and didn’t. Not until I finished it.

5 very well deserved stars for a story that hit all the high points for me I like in romance novel.

[Kathleen Bradbury (Bulfon) · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I started reading this story, I could not put it down. I read the book in one day. This author is an awesome writer. I can not wait to read more of their books. Keep up the great work. You should definitely read this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Vanessa Fischer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bella was the cheerleader in school and Dylan was the nerd that tutored her in math. There's a rumor mill going around that she is easy and with sleep with anyone. He defends her at the time and goes on to college never acting on his feelings for her. When she graduates, he's there and believes the rumors that his cousin tells him. He shows up for the senior bonfire at the beach with some of his college buddies and makes out with her some, but doesn't allow it to go any further wondering about the rumors. Years later he comes back to town and things from his most recent past are really bothering him. He allows himself to fall for her again. Bella has always measured every guy to him. They chemistry and attraction are evident to everyone. It is very good reading their story, learning about their past and the current issues in their lives and how they have effected each of them. Very good read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second chance ,small town romance.
Oh,the high school gossip ... definitely can ruin everything.
Bella is a popular cheerleader and the victim of jealousy and rumours . Unfortunately this past follow her 10 years later.
She is not in relationship and doesn’t date locals.
Dylan ,the high school nerd ,he was Bella tutor. He did like her a lot but unfortunately believed the rumours.
They meet again a decade after she graduates high school, they still realize the attraction is still there. Bella always compered other guys to him.
Will they let the past interfere on the their present lives?
Very enjoyable book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

An emotional second chance romance.💞💖💞

Bella and Dylan have had deep feelings for each other since they were kids but when neither one is strong enough to say how they feel about each other, things don't work out the way they plan. Now that Dylan has come home to recover from a tragic event, he has the chance to try again with Bella. However, until they can trust each other, it's never going to work for them. Especially since Dylan doesn't know the truth about Bella like he thought he did.💗🔥💕

This book is so well written and it will take you on an emotional rollercoaster of a ride. So be sure to have tissues handy... maybe a whole box.😢❣️

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lisa H · Rating 4 out of 5]

The long road to Bella and Dylan.

We meet Dylan in present day, being held for ransom in the South Sudan.
He vows to make some changes to his life. He’s a numbers guy.

Then we meet Bella Costa running her shop in the town they grew up in with their tight knit group of friends.

Then we see twelve years ago, with Bella the pretty cheerleader and Dylan the math nerd and her tutor.

Told in past working the way to the present, it’s back and forth in time and how Bella and Dylan never got together (mainly cuz he’s an idiot and believes in rumors).
Will he ever man up?
4.5 stars



I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Back in high school Dylan was a math tutor to Bella who was a popular cheerleader and they had a crush on each other until he believed rumors about her and left their small town. After working in Africa for years and being caught up in a dangerous situation he decides it's time to go home. He sees Bella along with other friends as she now owns her own shop but she doesn't date any local men. Even as they both fall for each other again will Bella change her rule about dating local men and can Dylan move forward with his life and trust Bella.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

We are introduced to a range of characters, which is usual for the start of a series but sometimes overwhelming to the reader. It was a bit ridiculous that one kiss, over 10yrs ago, could lead to these two having unresolved feelings. Seriously Dylan believed the rumours about Belle & didn't even give her the benefit of the doubt or question her about them all thoseyears ago.
This really didn't come together for me.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jeanne Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 2nd book I've read written by Katie O’Sullivan; she has done a great job at writing a good book; I will definitely be reading more of her books.

The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.

I loved the chemistry between the characters.

I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ashleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I felt that the author had the ability to convey some depth to the personalities of the characters bringing life and likability to every person.
The writing draws you in and keeps you interested until the end.

I was very impressed with how simply and effortlessly this author told this addicting, multi-layered story with well-developed world building.

I received a free copy of this book. This review was posted voluntarily.

[poppy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another super read I had read and enjoyed the first book in the series and could not wait to read this one and it did not disappoint. It was a well-written fun read that had me hooked right until the very end. This is a really good second chance romance I really liked both Bella and Dylan and enjoyed getting to know them.

[Melissa B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Will the past stand in their way, or can they bend the rules to find a future together?
The story is written in scenes from the past and the present making it impossible not to like Bella and Dylan and what they mean for each other.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun and interesting story. I like how this story develops and goes from present to past to build what eventually happens in the end. I like Bella and Dylan and it's nice to see their journey. I think we can all relate in some way to this story. I definitely did. Very captivating story.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great second chance, small town romance read. What happens when you believe rumors?? It could ruin the best thing in your life. Bella and Dylan have such chemistry together. We will take a second chance on each other?? A recommended read!!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Karen Galloway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really Good Book

I voluntarily reviewed an arc of this book. This is a great, entertaining Romance from Katie O’Sullivan. “Bending the Rules” is a very enjoyable and well written Story. The brilliant, entertaining chemistry and interaction between the interesting characters kept me engrossed till the end. This is an Intriguing, Engaging, Must Read Book that I really enjoyed reading.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

He was living the high life until it all ended in a life or death. He is now home broke and jobless. She has everything but a relationship and she will not date local boys. He is the one she had wanted but what will happen. Can they find each other? Will it work? See if it can

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nora Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A warm, second-chance romance that feels easy to sink into. Dylan and Bella’s history added a lot of sweetness, and I loved the contrast between his shaken, post-Africa reboot and her polished, rooted life on the Cape. Their chemistry feels natural, and the question of whether they can rewrite old rules kept me turning pages. A heartfelt, summery read with real emotion.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is a good small town romance read. The story has a good story line. The characters are good, and they have good chemistry.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great romance from Ms. O'Sullivan.