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Billionaires of Manhattan #3
Breaking the Billionaire's Rules
Max Hilton is my high school nemesis turned billionaire. And tomorrow I deliver his lunch order. In a cat costume.
You know he’s going to love it. He’ll smile that smirky smile, sitting there all superior in his gleaming tower, the wealthiest and most notorious playboy in all of New York, the king of everything.
Turns out it wasn’t curiosity that killed the cat—it was mortification.
I’m almost ready to quit my lunch delivery job, but then my roommate tosses me a copy of The Max Hilton Playbook: Ten Golden Rules for Picking up the Hottest Girl in the Room.
It’s the book that catapulted him to stardom. And it’s my new bible.
I’m going to use his own techniques against him. I’ll wrap him around my little finger, bring him to his knees, and crush his steely heart. Call it payback for all the single girls who had to endure legions of losers wielding his legendary tactics.
But seeing Max every day, I’m discovering a side of him
I didn’t even know existed--he’s not the jerky guy I thought he was. He has
this smile he shows only to me, and it melts my heart. His touch sends shivers
down my spine. And those forbidden kisses are driving me wild.
Falling for him was not in my plan.
Am I breaking his rules or will his rules break me first?
You know he’s going to love it. He’ll smile that smirky smile, sitting there all superior in his gleaming tower, the wealthiest and most notorious playboy in all of New York, the king of everything.
Turns out it wasn’t curiosity that killed the cat—it was mortification.
I’m almost ready to quit my lunch delivery job, but then my roommate tosses me a copy of The Max Hilton Playbook: Ten Golden Rules for Picking up the Hottest Girl in the Room.
It’s the book that catapulted him to stardom. And it’s my new bible.
I’m going to use his own techniques against him. I’ll wrap him around my little finger, bring him to his knees, and crush his steely heart. Call it payback for all the single girls who had to endure legions of losers wielding his legendary tactics.
But seeing Max every day, I’m discovering a side of him
I didn’t even know existed--he’s not the jerky guy I thought he was. He has
this smile he shows only to me, and it melts my heart. His touch sends shivers
down my spine. And those forbidden kisses are driving me wild.
Falling for him was not in my plan.
Am I breaking his rules or will his rules break me first?
420 pages, ebook
First published February 19, 2019
1446 people are currently reading
4270 people want to read
About the author
Annika Martin
47 books3,521 followersAnnika Martin is a NYT bestselling author who loves reading, taking pictures of her cats, consuming boatloads of chocolate suckers, and helping animals. She lives in the Twin Cities with her awesome husband and adorable cats.
Website: http://annikamartinbooks.com
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Website: http://annikamartinbooks.com
Amazon books: https://amzn.to/2UIYzeA
Apple Books: https://apple.co/2PkneA7
Annika on Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/annik...
Instagram: instagram.com/annikamartinauthor
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2UH02SC
Google Play http://bit.ly/2UKJ45O
Nook: http://bit.ly/2Gt304m
Newsletter: https://geni.us/nwslettr
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 858 reviews
February 15, 2019
He wrote a book and she’s going to play him at his game. The synopsis for Breaking the Billionaire’s Rules totally won me over. I don’t read many Billionaire or office romance but I will definitely be looking at more by Annika Martin. This was beautifully executed and I love the twist to the end.
Mia is a struggling actress she works as a sandwich delivery girl. Her newest order is to old enemy Max. They went to school together. Now he’s a successful businessman who has written about getting the unattainable girl. He’s helped a lot of men get the girl they don’t deserve. Mia has to deliver his lunch but she is also going to give him a spoonful of his own medicine.
This book is funny, witty and the ending is perfect. I couldn’t put this book down. This book is for the girl power sassy chicks who stand up for what they believe in. Max isn’t what I expected he isn’t the aggressive alpha but I loved Mia playing his game. 5 stars out of 5.
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Mia is a struggling actress she works as a sandwich delivery girl. Her newest order is to old enemy Max. They went to school together. Now he’s a successful businessman who has written about getting the unattainable girl. He’s helped a lot of men get the girl they don’t deserve. Mia has to deliver his lunch but she is also going to give him a spoonful of his own medicine.
This book is funny, witty and the ending is perfect. I couldn’t put this book down. This book is for the girl power sassy chicks who stand up for what they believe in. Max isn’t what I expected he isn’t the aggressive alpha but I loved Mia playing his game. 5 stars out of 5.
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 19, 2019
on god i have stayed up all night for this book and im so tired, hungry, cranky (period) and im crying and im sooooo in love with this book and annika martin oh god i love her so much like i cant–i dont even have words. im just about to be more incoherent but this seriously soothed my soul and called to my wild enemies to friends to lovers loving heart. feel like i snorted a palm full of crack but ive never done it before so i can only assume this is how it feels lmfao & if it wasnt already clear it feels fucking great. i loved this book.
REVIEW SOON i promise! im gonna start writing better reviews and i wanna start with this golden baby. tonight hopefully after i get some much needed sleep lol. also, i love annika so much like thank you for writing such amazing stories you absolute queen
__________________________
IM SCREAMING. cant wait for this 😫😭✨give me that good good shit annika 💗👌🏾
February 18, 2019
HAHAHHAAH. This book was funtastic. freakin hilarious, laugh out loud giggles galore!!!!
Mia and Max knew each other in high school. She is an actress trying to make it on broadway, and Max has made his money and his way to stardom through a book that went on the bestsellers list sometime after high school. Mia is a Meow lunch cart girl by day, and she is set to deliver to his office everyday. Thinking he set it up himself to humiliate her, she is going to make the best, be over the top and she is going to work his methods from his book right back on him.
I laughed sooooo much at her lunch delivery antics. I'm still giggling about those moments days later....hahahahah.. Their inner thoughts of each other is LOL funny, sexy and swoony. He is so in love with her and I loved reading every word, every sentence, every detail of this book!!! I LOVED IT!!! Max and Mia are sooo adorable together, their history, their chemistry, all of it. The ending is so damn sweet. LOVED EVERYTHING about this story!
Mia and Max knew each other in high school. She is an actress trying to make it on broadway, and Max has made his money and his way to stardom through a book that went on the bestsellers list sometime after high school. Mia is a Meow lunch cart girl by day, and she is set to deliver to his office everyday. Thinking he set it up himself to humiliate her, she is going to make the best, be over the top and she is going to work his methods from his book right back on him.
I laughed sooooo much at her lunch delivery antics. I'm still giggling about those moments days later....hahahahah.. Their inner thoughts of each other is LOL funny, sexy and swoony. He is so in love with her and I loved reading every word, every sentence, every detail of this book!!! I LOVED IT!!! Max and Mia are sooo adorable together, their history, their chemistry, all of it. The ending is so damn sweet. LOVED EVERYTHING about this story!
February 15, 2019
Breaking the Billionaire's Rules is a witty, entertaining, laugh-out-loud funny romantic comedy with characters that I couldn't get enough of. Annika Martin flawlessly blends witty humor, angst, and hot romance to give her readers a great reading experience.
"Eat your heart out, Max Hilton, that's what my stance says. You have your empire but you'll never have me. I'm the queen of delivery cats."
Martin is so brilliant at writing this genre, and she excels at writing humorous, tension-filled scenes. I found myself practically giddy with excitement waiting to see what would happen during Mia's next encounter with Max. I loved how you had no idea what would come of their meetings and how things would play out between them. Their complicated past as high school adversaries left both of them with uncertain feelings, and it was great seeing those feelings come out when they came face to face again. The banter between them was hilarious and their sexual tension was something neither of them could fight.
"Energy flares between us. It's all so wrong, and I goddamn love it. I'm addicted to our dance. To her."
The characters were written well and I enjoyed learning more about who Max and Mia were in the past versus who they are today. There was so much more to Max than what the world saw, and I absolutely loved how he only showed that to Mia. The supporting characters added even more entertainment to the story. Antonio and his "backstory" had me laughing so hard I nearly fell out of my chair. I loved Mia's interactions with her friends, and the sense of family that the author created with them. The way the storyline was laid out was perfect, both with the progression of Max and Mia's relationship and the revelations that were made. I love that there was no unnecessary drama, and I think the characters stayed true to who they were. I know I sound like a broken record when it comes to Annika Martin, but she really is excellent in the rom-com genre. I look forward to reading more from her in the future.
"Eat your heart out, Max Hilton, that's what my stance says. You have your empire but you'll never have me. I'm the queen of delivery cats."
Martin is so brilliant at writing this genre, and she excels at writing humorous, tension-filled scenes. I found myself practically giddy with excitement waiting to see what would happen during Mia's next encounter with Max. I loved how you had no idea what would come of their meetings and how things would play out between them. Their complicated past as high school adversaries left both of them with uncertain feelings, and it was great seeing those feelings come out when they came face to face again. The banter between them was hilarious and their sexual tension was something neither of them could fight.
"Energy flares between us. It's all so wrong, and I goddamn love it. I'm addicted to our dance. To her."
The characters were written well and I enjoyed learning more about who Max and Mia were in the past versus who they are today. There was so much more to Max than what the world saw, and I absolutely loved how he only showed that to Mia. The supporting characters added even more entertainment to the story. Antonio and his "backstory" had me laughing so hard I nearly fell out of my chair. I loved Mia's interactions with her friends, and the sense of family that the author created with them. The way the storyline was laid out was perfect, both with the progression of Max and Mia's relationship and the revelations that were made. I love that there was no unnecessary drama, and I think the characters stayed true to who they were. I know I sound like a broken record when it comes to Annika Martin, but she really is excellent in the rom-com genre. I look forward to reading more from her in the future.
October 9, 2020
I was looking forward to liking this and so ready to laugh and enjoy the cheese and clichés that come with a billionaire story. Sadly, I didn't enjoy it. The MCs were both unlikeable, the female lead was painfully insecure and the male mc played on her insecurities by making fun of her and riling her up.
Reading about her obsession over the hero's success and her low self-esteem and humiliation because of her job was really uncomfortable and utterly irritating. And then bam, they are together confessing love and devotion. I wasn't convinced and couldn't feel the love. So, even though I was almost finished I just had zero curiosity to read further.
Reading about her obsession over the hero's success and her low self-esteem and humiliation because of her job was really uncomfortable and utterly irritating. And then bam, they are together confessing love and devotion. I wasn't convinced and couldn't feel the love. So, even though I was almost finished I just had zero curiosity to read further.
February 21, 2019
3.5 Stars
Aspiring actress Mia Corelli, 28, (Lizzie’s roommate from The Billionaire’s Wake-up-call Girll) attended performing arts school with pianist prodigy Maxfield Miller, now Max Hilton, 28, whose face graces billboards as the head of a men’s style empire. Ten years after high school, they face off again when Mia’s day job makes her his lunch cart girl.
There’s plenty of potential here and I didn’t have any safety issues, but I just struggled to get invested. I think a lot of that falls on the pacing. The first half of the book is soley Mia’s first person point of view, and Mia has more insecurities than I typically prefer in heroines or maybe it’s just they seem emphasized in this first portion since it’s more focused on her than him at that point. While it aptly captured a sense of embarrassment and humiliation, a self esteem blow when dealing with the unbalance of success between their careers, that also hampered the romcom feel for me.
It picked up a bit for me once Max’s chapters kicked in. (The Antonia charade did give me a good chuckle.) I wish their POVs would have been alternated sooner. The quotes from his playbook were so douchey, bordering on both chauvinistic attitudes and emotional manipulation techniques. Thankfully, he didn’t come off that way at all.
I enjoyed their backstories. I think that’s where I felt their connection more than in the present. A prologue of the Oklahoma summer or high school flashbacks would have gone a long way. In fact, I sort of craved their teenage selves. Those budding romance moments from the past I wanted to read more of rather than miscommunication in the present.
Even though it was just a small line, I was really disappointed in the homeschool excuse. As a homeshooling mom, I have to affirm what seasoned homeschooling families both know and get tired of hearing—the socialization myth. It’s sad and frustrating to see it perpetuated, and fiction is no exception. The scenario depicted when this is brought up could have easily been explained by simple teenage inexperience that even public school raised kids are inclined to, perhaps even more so because of peer pressure. A homeschooling background scapegoat was unnecessary.
This is a somewhat slow burn enemies-to-lovers second chance romance. It can easily be read as a standalone, although the other titles are worth checking out too.
Safety Recap:
*I volunteered to review this ARC. All reviews written by Book-Bosomed Book Blog are honest opinions. In the interest of providing unbiased book reviews and to avoid misleading other readers, it is the blog’s policy not to withhold or delay any reviews no matter the star rating.
Aspiring actress Mia Corelli, 28, (Lizzie’s roommate from The Billionaire’s Wake-up-call Girll) attended performing arts school with pianist prodigy Maxfield Miller, now Max Hilton, 28, whose face graces billboards as the head of a men’s style empire. Ten years after high school, they face off again when Mia’s day job makes her his lunch cart girl.
There’s plenty of potential here and I didn’t have any safety issues, but I just struggled to get invested. I think a lot of that falls on the pacing. The first half of the book is soley Mia’s first person point of view, and Mia has more insecurities than I typically prefer in heroines or maybe it’s just they seem emphasized in this first portion since it’s more focused on her than him at that point. While it aptly captured a sense of embarrassment and humiliation, a self esteem blow when dealing with the unbalance of success between their careers, that also hampered the romcom feel for me.
It picked up a bit for me once Max’s chapters kicked in. (The Antonia charade did give me a good chuckle.) I wish their POVs would have been alternated sooner. The quotes from his playbook were so douchey, bordering on both chauvinistic attitudes and emotional manipulation techniques. Thankfully, he didn’t come off that way at all.
I enjoyed their backstories. I think that’s where I felt their connection more than in the present. A prologue of the Oklahoma summer or high school flashbacks would have gone a long way. In fact, I sort of craved their teenage selves. Those budding romance moments from the past I wanted to read more of rather than miscommunication in the present.
Even though it was just a small line, I was really disappointed in the homeschool excuse. As a homeshooling mom, I have to affirm what seasoned homeschooling families both know and get tired of hearing—the socialization myth. It’s sad and frustrating to see it perpetuated, and fiction is no exception. The scenario depicted when this is brought up could have easily been explained by simple teenage inexperience that even public school raised kids are inclined to, perhaps even more so because of peer pressure. A homeschooling background scapegoat was unnecessary.
This is a somewhat slow burn enemies-to-lovers second chance romance. It can easily be read as a standalone, although the other titles are worth checking out too.
Safety Recap:
*I volunteered to review this ARC. All reviews written by Book-Bosomed Book Blog are honest opinions. In the interest of providing unbiased book reviews and to avoid misleading other readers, it is the blog’s policy not to withhold or delay any reviews no matter the star rating.
April 10, 2019
Enjoyable, laugh out loud fun.
First time read on this author, will definitely read her again♥️ This book was surprisingly entertaining, always nervous going into a new to me author, but I really did enjoy. Max & Mia are cute, fun, and perfect for each other.
First time read on this author, will definitely read her again♥️ This book was surprisingly entertaining, always nervous going into a new to me author, but I really did enjoy. Max & Mia are cute, fun, and perfect for each other.
fuck-no-pass
February 4, 2019The world does not need yet ANOTHER billionaire manwhore hero/ broke-ass heroine romance. Thank you, bye.
June 18, 2021
This is third in a series, but I'm not sure how they relate. I mean, it's been a while since I read the other two and I know that characters from them showed up. They just weren't very important to this one. So feel free to read out of order, though they were both better, so maybe don't start here?
This took forever to get anywhere interesting. I'm seriously unsure what kept me going, frankly. And it doesn't help that Martin drip-drip-drips the history that stands between them along the way. So we know that Max broke Mia's heart in high school and they became enemies. And he's all twisted up about her, too. But that's thin ground to build a story on, particularly when he's both a) antagonistic and b) so very much more powerful than she is. Oh, and that doesn't change, even a little bit, for something like 80% of the story.
It's the power differential that drags this down most, I think. At least for me. He's all thinking "she must have arranged this just to torment me" and that is the singularly most stupid thing he could possibly think considering he owns the business and has (and exerts) absolute control over who comes and goes where. So it's pretty much idiocy from the start.
But I liked Mia and the theme centered around his book was at least interesting. Or, interesting enough that I continued through to the finish when I didn't have much better to do.
So that sounds like three stars, right? Yeah, let's go with that.
A note about Steamy: There are a handful of explicit sex scenes putting this in the middle of my steam tolerance. Despite some acrobatics that sound improbable, I think they worked very well with the piece of the plot centered on trust and acceptance. And that was nice.
This took forever to get anywhere interesting. I'm seriously unsure what kept me going, frankly. And it doesn't help that Martin drip-drip-drips the history that stands between them along the way. So we know that Max broke Mia's heart in high school and they became enemies. And he's all twisted up about her, too. But that's thin ground to build a story on, particularly when he's both a) antagonistic and b) so very much more powerful than she is. Oh, and that doesn't change, even a little bit, for something like 80% of the story.
It's the power differential that drags this down most, I think. At least for me. He's all thinking "she must have arranged this just to torment me" and that is the singularly most stupid thing he could possibly think considering he owns the business and has (and exerts) absolute control over who comes and goes where. So it's pretty much idiocy from the start.
But I liked Mia and the theme centered around his book was at least interesting. Or, interesting enough that I continued through to the finish when I didn't have much better to do.
So that sounds like three stars, right? Yeah, let's go with that.
A note about Steamy: There are a handful of explicit sex scenes putting this in the middle of my steam tolerance. Despite some acrobatics that sound improbable, I think they worked very well with the piece of the plot centered on trust and acceptance. And that was nice.
December 22, 2020
This is something of a conundrum. I didn’t like this as much as the other books. Which makes me feel unfair for reading them so closely in time. But I also think I wouldn’t have liked this at all were it not for the good vibes from the other books.
My issues were -
The Bickering! Y’all know that’s a pet peeve of mine. And where it was cute in the other books it felt like they knew each other’s weaknesses here and took it too far.
The unreality - ok, I’m actually saying with a straight face that I found this less realistic than the book where a dog ran a billion dollar corporation.
The sweetness - or lack thereof. (Tied to “The Bickering” above) - these two remained more closed off for longer in the book. They were great when they were open, but it took too long to get there. And was slightly (unintentionally) demeaning on the way.
Don’t get me wrong - I still devoured this book in a day. I just wonder how I would have felt about it had i not read the others first.
My issues were -
The Bickering! Y’all know that’s a pet peeve of mine. And where it was cute in the other books it felt like they knew each other’s weaknesses here and took it too far.
The unreality - ok, I’m actually saying with a straight face that I found this less realistic than the book where a dog ran a billion dollar corporation.
The sweetness - or lack thereof. (Tied to “The Bickering” above) - these two remained more closed off for longer in the book. They were great when they were open, but it took too long to get there. And was slightly (unintentionally) demeaning on the way.
Don’t get me wrong - I still devoured this book in a day. I just wonder how I would have felt about it had i not read the others first.
July 19, 2020
7/19/2020: Martin rereleased this with more Max. It makes it a more well rounded book, but didn't up the enjoyment for me. I think bc I liked it plenty initially!
Original Review:
An utterly satisfying contemporary romance. Annika Martin's skill is once again on display in this sweet revenge-based second chance. I feel like this review might slightly give away some of the tension… Read at your own risk.
She gives us more laughter, some nice secondary characters, and more competence porn: this time an actress (who works at her craft!) and a fashion/men's product mogul type who can spot last season's Loubotins or a Hugo Boss suit across the street.
"Tarquin, the side boob has come back in style, and the Verona Club has Delmonico steak back on the menu. Let's grab a window table and get day drunk."
"You're not doing that to me again."
The game playing was intense in the beginning, and initially all from Mia's first person, present tense POV. It is revealed that Mia was in love with Max and humiliated by him in high school. And it looks as if Max is back to humiliating her, so she sets out to beat him at his own game, using the book that marshalled in her friends' crappy relationships that was authored by him at 20.
"I'm not going to overpromise" I say. "Max is a man surrounded by gorgeous women. He probably has mysterious assignations all over the city, like a bee going from flower to flower."
"And you'll squish him," Kelsey says.
"Well bees are endangered so..."
"Squish his overblown ego," she amends.
I've made no secret of my fondness for vulnerable heroes who don't appear so. And that's exactly what Max is. A tender, sensitive man trying to protect himself. Mia is full of humor and life, and so easy to love despite her quest, partially bc of the early set up without Max's POV. Once we do get his POV, though, he's nothing but lovely. He presents Bruce Wayne to the world, but it's quickly revealed he's not a playboy strutting about town.
My people watch me, aghast. The lunch-cart girl just smashed her fist into my sandwich. What will I do?
I bite back a smile. Pride is probably the wrong emotion here.
…
"Odd," I say in my patrician tone that drives her insane. "I don't recall ordering a panini."
Cute cute cute. Fluffy read. I'll revisit like cozy socks. Another 4 for Martin's Billionaires. (Sweet tension, weird conflict)
She so loved punching my sandwich, and I love her for it.
Original Review:
An utterly satisfying contemporary romance. Annika Martin's skill is once again on display in this sweet revenge-based second chance. I feel like this review might slightly give away some of the tension… Read at your own risk.
She gives us more laughter, some nice secondary characters, and more competence porn: this time an actress (who works at her craft!) and a fashion/men's product mogul type who can spot last season's Loubotins or a Hugo Boss suit across the street.
"Tarquin, the side boob has come back in style, and the Verona Club has Delmonico steak back on the menu. Let's grab a window table and get day drunk."
"You're not doing that to me again."
The game playing was intense in the beginning, and initially all from Mia's first person, present tense POV. It is revealed that Mia was in love with Max and humiliated by him in high school. And it looks as if Max is back to humiliating her, so she sets out to beat him at his own game, using the book that marshalled in her friends' crappy relationships that was authored by him at 20.
"I'm not going to overpromise" I say. "Max is a man surrounded by gorgeous women. He probably has mysterious assignations all over the city, like a bee going from flower to flower."
"And you'll squish him," Kelsey says.
"Well bees are endangered so..."
"Squish his overblown ego," she amends.
I've made no secret of my fondness for vulnerable heroes who don't appear so. And that's exactly what Max is. A tender, sensitive man trying to protect himself. Mia is full of humor and life, and so easy to love despite her quest, partially bc of the early set up without Max's POV. Once we do get his POV, though, he's nothing but lovely. He presents Bruce Wayne to the world, but it's quickly revealed he's not a playboy strutting about town.
My people watch me, aghast. The lunch-cart girl just smashed her fist into my sandwich. What will I do?
I bite back a smile. Pride is probably the wrong emotion here.
…
"Odd," I say in my patrician tone that drives her insane. "I don't recall ordering a panini."
Cute cute cute. Fluffy read. I'll revisit like cozy socks. Another 4 for Martin's Billionaires. (Sweet tension, weird conflict)
She so loved punching my sandwich, and I love her for it.
October 16, 2021
I was enjoying this book up until the 40% mark where it all started to go downhill.
I was looking for books similar to the iconic movie John Tucker Must Die which is basically a story about a woman pretending to fall in love with a douchebag player to get revenge by breaking his heart. It's one of my favorite early 2000s movies, and this book looked like it would have a bit of a similar vibe.
I was really let down by this one. I think the downfall of this book was that it tried to be too many things at once. There were too many conflicts, and the characters (especially Max) almost seemed like they had multiple personalities- like Annika Martin tried to throw all sorts of conflicting archetypes on her characters. It ended up being a bit of a jumbled mess.
Mia is a struggling actress who does food delivery where she dresses in a cat costume and delivers lunch to people. It's embarrassing, but it pays the bills that her acting career isn't. Meanwhile her high school rival Max is living his best life and has built a billion dollar empire. But Mia is mortified when, after not seeing him since high school, she's requested to deliver Max his lunch.
She wants to just, not do it, but Mia and her friends soon find out that Max wrote a best selling book on how to pick up women. Mia's friends realize that some of their jerk exes used Max's book to get with them, before they cheated or did all manner of crappy things. So Mia plans to get revenge on Max by using the rules in Max's book against him.
So the first part of the book is quite funny. Despite Mia being in a pretty embarrassing position, she tries to fake it 'til she makes it, and exert control over Max. And it seems to work. Max is definitely unsettled. But Mia's revenge isn't going the way she wants it to because she's also starting to feel things for Max almost instantaneously, because, well she's still not over him from high school. So this whole revenge plot is pretty lame because it's pretty clear early on that Max and Mia are into each other and any cunning that either of them have falls away because of their attraction to each other.
Max was a hella confusing character and I think it's because Annika Martin didn't know what kind of character she wanted him to be. At first we learn from his POV that he always thought that Mia was unattainable, which I thought was a fun take. Here we have this mega rich mans who seems to have the world at the palm of his hands but still feels like Mia is out of his league. But... we really don't get that. Next thing we know, Max is trying to be the cocky seducer of women, which just doesn't add up to what we had learned about him. His thoughts didn't match up with his actions.
One second he's antagonistic towards her, and the next he's randomly grabbing her hand and kissing it? It was like character whiplash, and it made me feel like I just didn't understand Max. Is he the arrogant billionaire archetype who thinks he can get any girl, or is he insecure and feels like Mia is unattainable? Max goes from flustered to perfectly in control in 5 seconds flat which just left me feeling confused.
Mia was terrible with her revenge because she was still painfully in love with Max. So any attempt at revenge or manipulation was particularly weak.
Most of the first half of the book only take place when Mia's in her cat costume delivering lunch in Max's office which stunted character development. I wish there was more variety to their interactions.
Which leads me to my next point: there were way too many conflicts in this book which ended up watering down the whole thing. Was the conflict getting over their past animosity? Teaching Max a lesson about his problematic book? Mia's inability to be with Max because of his celebrity status? Mia being a struggling actress? Max believing Mia is unattainable? Like seriously, what is going on in this book?
I ended up not caring at all about the romance. When Max and Mia get together it makes no sense and feels so random, given their animosity. Then the last 30% of the book is an attempt to tie up all of these random plot lines.
Anyway I was pretty disappointed by this one. Both the plot and characters were confused, and I get the impression that Annika Martin wanted to do way too much in this book.
I was looking for books similar to the iconic movie John Tucker Must Die which is basically a story about a woman pretending to fall in love with a douchebag player to get revenge by breaking his heart. It's one of my favorite early 2000s movies, and this book looked like it would have a bit of a similar vibe.
I was really let down by this one. I think the downfall of this book was that it tried to be too many things at once. There were too many conflicts, and the characters (especially Max) almost seemed like they had multiple personalities- like Annika Martin tried to throw all sorts of conflicting archetypes on her characters. It ended up being a bit of a jumbled mess.
Mia is a struggling actress who does food delivery where she dresses in a cat costume and delivers lunch to people. It's embarrassing, but it pays the bills that her acting career isn't. Meanwhile her high school rival Max is living his best life and has built a billion dollar empire. But Mia is mortified when, after not seeing him since high school, she's requested to deliver Max his lunch.
She wants to just, not do it, but Mia and her friends soon find out that Max wrote a best selling book on how to pick up women. Mia's friends realize that some of their jerk exes used Max's book to get with them, before they cheated or did all manner of crappy things. So Mia plans to get revenge on Max by using the rules in Max's book against him.
So the first part of the book is quite funny. Despite Mia being in a pretty embarrassing position, she tries to fake it 'til she makes it, and exert control over Max. And it seems to work. Max is definitely unsettled. But Mia's revenge isn't going the way she wants it to because she's also starting to feel things for Max almost instantaneously, because, well she's still not over him from high school. So this whole revenge plot is pretty lame because it's pretty clear early on that Max and Mia are into each other and any cunning that either of them have falls away because of their attraction to each other.
Max was a hella confusing character and I think it's because Annika Martin didn't know what kind of character she wanted him to be. At first we learn from his POV that he always thought that Mia was unattainable, which I thought was a fun take. Here we have this mega rich mans who seems to have the world at the palm of his hands but still feels like Mia is out of his league. But... we really don't get that. Next thing we know, Max is trying to be the cocky seducer of women, which just doesn't add up to what we had learned about him. His thoughts didn't match up with his actions.
One second he's antagonistic towards her, and the next he's randomly grabbing her hand and kissing it? It was like character whiplash, and it made me feel like I just didn't understand Max. Is he the arrogant billionaire archetype who thinks he can get any girl, or is he insecure and feels like Mia is unattainable? Max goes from flustered to perfectly in control in 5 seconds flat which just left me feeling confused.
Mia was terrible with her revenge because she was still painfully in love with Max. So any attempt at revenge or manipulation was particularly weak.
Most of the first half of the book only take place when Mia's in her cat costume delivering lunch in Max's office which stunted character development. I wish there was more variety to their interactions.
Which leads me to my next point: there were way too many conflicts in this book which ended up watering down the whole thing. Was the conflict getting over their past animosity? Teaching Max a lesson about his problematic book? Mia's inability to be with Max because of his celebrity status? Mia being a struggling actress? Max believing Mia is unattainable? Like seriously, what is going on in this book?
I ended up not caring at all about the romance. When Max and Mia get together it makes no sense and feels so random, given their animosity. Then the last 30% of the book is an attempt to tie up all of these random plot lines.
Anyway I was pretty disappointed by this one. Both the plot and characters were confused, and I get the impression that Annika Martin wanted to do way too much in this book.
February 17, 2019
I love a good enemies to lovers book and this one did not disappoint. Mia finds herself on the wrong side of what she believes is a set up by her nemesis Max. Max wrote a book on how to get a girl to fall for you. Mia decides to turn the tables on Max and give him a taste of his own medicine. Boy oh boy does everything backfire! This is a low angst, high comedy, fast paced book with great characters and side characters. Great read!
February 19, 2019
Oh my this book is fabulous!
Oh my this book is fabulous! I just have to say that I love everything about it. The entire premise is the perfect setup for revisiting a rivalry. That said, what really sets this book apart is the way that Annika Martin brings the unexpected to the table. I had a clear way that this was going to go down and it was perfectly enjoyable, but what I got was nothing like I expected and even more wonderful. I cant say more without spoilers so I just recommend that everyone reads this book. Mia and Max have just jumped to one of my favorite couples and Max is currently topping my best book boyfriend list, he is that incredible.
Oh my this book is fabulous! I just have to say that I love everything about it. The entire premise is the perfect setup for revisiting a rivalry. That said, what really sets this book apart is the way that Annika Martin brings the unexpected to the table. I had a clear way that this was going to go down and it was perfectly enjoyable, but what I got was nothing like I expected and even more wonderful. I cant say more without spoilers so I just recommend that everyone reads this book. Mia and Max have just jumped to one of my favorite couples and Max is currently topping my best book boyfriend list, he is that incredible.
February 15, 2019
I love breaking the rules!
This is a second chance rom-com, & I love this author’s rom-coms so this one is no exception! I laughed out loud reading the first page, & it didn’t stop there. The first part of the book is in Mia’s POV which I adored, but I was waiting on Max’s POV so when it happened I was so elated! This is also a slow burn, so when Max & Mia finally kiss I rejoiced. The book really took off for me when we find out the what, how & why of what happened in high school between Mia & Max, & why Max wrote the book. When they both showed their vulnerabilities, I loved both characters even more than I did. The end made me smile so much; the whole book left me smiling! If you love a quick, fun, romantic book with characters you care about that transports you for a few hours like I do, then read this book!
This is a second chance rom-com, & I love this author’s rom-coms so this one is no exception! I laughed out loud reading the first page, & it didn’t stop there. The first part of the book is in Mia’s POV which I adored, but I was waiting on Max’s POV so when it happened I was so elated! This is also a slow burn, so when Max & Mia finally kiss I rejoiced. The book really took off for me when we find out the what, how & why of what happened in high school between Mia & Max, & why Max wrote the book. When they both showed their vulnerabilities, I loved both characters even more than I did. The end made me smile so much; the whole book left me smiling! If you love a quick, fun, romantic book with characters you care about that transports you for a few hours like I do, then read this book!
August 20, 2024
Just finished this after enjoying the first two in the series ( book 1 was better than 2- h had a backbone- but I liked the H more in book 2) but this one was SO disappointing!
Mia became this pathetic loser making all the moves and H was a rich prick whose book was, frankly, a misogynistic piece of shit. Women are like DOGS? He wrote that! FFS. I was angry all the way through, waiting for Mia to really call him on it, but she became a weak apologist for all the stupid tips he wrote about getting the “hottest” girl.
Making her the reason he wrote it does not excuse it, and says a lot about his true view on women. Writing a guide on how to be an arsehole while scoring is not how you get over a broken heart, especially when YOU were the one that destroyed the relationship.
And the feud during high school? Ok, I will allow it when you are a teenager. But he was twenty and well out of school when he wrote the ultimate revenge-on-all-women tract.
Also, a guy who is comfortable with giant framed posters and pictures of his face surrounding him? Of ads on busses where he is ringed by several beautiful women in a way that clearly states: I am the alpha and they exist just to serve me? His company, his choices. Is this how he sees the comparative roles of men and women? How does that make him a good guy and a good partner? He is just a giant narcissist.
Forget about him rewriting the book. How about him begging her to forgive him for how he treated her in school? How about going public to declare the book was the product of a wounded ego and is sexist rubbish and then writing a retraction? How about Mia making HIM work for it instead of her crawling to him EVERY SINGLE TIME? On top of all that, I was sadly never convinced he loved her very much at all.
Billionaire romances are not my jam, as a rule. They symbolise all that is wrong with our materialistic and selfish greed is good society. But I try to keep an open mind and look for the altruistic, caring rich guy who is all about charity and philanthropy. I guess they are just not sexy enough for most writers.
Mia became this pathetic loser making all the moves and H was a rich prick whose book was, frankly, a misogynistic piece of shit. Women are like DOGS? He wrote that! FFS. I was angry all the way through, waiting for Mia to really call him on it, but she became a weak apologist for all the stupid tips he wrote about getting the “hottest” girl.
Making her the reason he wrote it does not excuse it, and says a lot about his true view on women. Writing a guide on how to be an arsehole while scoring is not how you get over a broken heart, especially when YOU were the one that destroyed the relationship.
And the feud during high school? Ok, I will allow it when you are a teenager. But he was twenty and well out of school when he wrote the ultimate revenge-on-all-women tract.
Also, a guy who is comfortable with giant framed posters and pictures of his face surrounding him? Of ads on busses where he is ringed by several beautiful women in a way that clearly states: I am the alpha and they exist just to serve me? His company, his choices. Is this how he sees the comparative roles of men and women? How does that make him a good guy and a good partner? He is just a giant narcissist.
Forget about him rewriting the book. How about him begging her to forgive him for how he treated her in school? How about going public to declare the book was the product of a wounded ego and is sexist rubbish and then writing a retraction? How about Mia making HIM work for it instead of her crawling to him EVERY SINGLE TIME? On top of all that, I was sadly never convinced he loved her very much at all.
Billionaire romances are not my jam, as a rule. They symbolise all that is wrong with our materialistic and selfish greed is good society. But I try to keep an open mind and look for the altruistic, caring rich guy who is all about charity and philanthropy. I guess they are just not sexy enough for most writers.
February 23, 2019
I really enjoyed reading The billionaire's wake-up call girl, so when I saw that this book was up for review I immediately went for it. 256 pages later I am in the horrible place to say that I didn't like the book. Most of the book is happening in Max's office where he and Mia are talking about sandwiches. It's also the first (and second) thing that pops in my mind when I think of this book. I don't feel like I know either of them. We had a handful of chapters told from Max's point of view and he and Mia never really had any kind of deep conversation. I can tell you what kind of chips we likes with his sandwich, but nothing else. At a certain point, I was starting to wonder why we were told that the chapter will be told from Mia's point of view since she was monopolizing the whole thing. Mia's plant to get revenge on Max using his own technics was great, but the execution failed. Why, you ask? Because she fell for him almost immediately and she was practically becoming a poodle every time she was with him.
Also, I would like to add that the book didn't have a single funny line for me. I didn't laugh at all and instead, I was creeped out by Max's rules. He was like 20 when he published the book and even that is not an excuse for what he said. To be fair, he was treating Mia very well and he was kind of sweet when they were in a relationship. He grew over the years and that earned him some points. I didn't really have a connection with either main character and I do feel like the book could have been better.
Also, I would like to add that the book didn't have a single funny line for me. I didn't laugh at all and instead, I was creeped out by Max's rules. He was like 20 when he published the book and even that is not an excuse for what he said. To be fair, he was treating Mia very well and he was kind of sweet when they were in a relationship. He grew over the years and that earned him some points. I didn't really have a connection with either main character and I do feel like the book could have been better.
May 11, 2021
Quick, funny, highly entertaining. I enjoyed this book a lot. I’ve been hooked on this series lately, especially in the audiobooks, narrated by the amazing Jason Clarke. This is Max and Mia’s story and is a second chance romance which I adore. I don’t think I loved this one as much as I loved the first two books but it was definitely a funny and cute story nonetheless. I love the girl Gand and the appearances by the heroines from the other books. I also think the characters are super funny and likeable. Definitely recommend.
i-tried
February 19, 2019First of all I don’t like guys who write things like guidelines or tips to get a girl. Sorry that’s just so NOT my type of guy.
Still I wanted to read this and I did but I’m sorry ......this was sooooo boring.
Couldn’t get into this. It seemed like the h has no life other than talking and gossiping about the H.
Is she jealous that he is rich???
Seem so.
Who cares..
Gotta go.
Not my type.
Still I wanted to read this and I did but I’m sorry ......this was sooooo boring.
Couldn’t get into this. It seemed like the h has no life other than talking and gossiping about the H.
Is she jealous that he is rich???
Seem so.
Who cares..
Gotta go.
Not my type.
October 9, 2023
DNF
No. This is just big no for me. Sadly Breaking Billionaire's Rules is not what I expected to be. Mia is sounds immature. Max is too cold and distance.
2 stars
No. This is just big no for me. Sadly Breaking Billionaire's Rules is not what I expected to be. Mia is sounds immature. Max is too cold and distance.
2 stars
February 11, 2021
4 meno
Piacevole e divertente,finale troppo repentino però..
Piacevole e divertente,finale troppo repentino però..
September 3, 2021
3.75 stars
Another fun book in this series and the premise is hilarious as usual. Annika Martin has an amazing talent for coming up with the most quirky set-ups and meet-cutes. But Breaking the Billionaire’s Rules didn’t shine as bright for me personally.
Mia Corelli is a Broadway actor who is side-hustling as a lunch cart delivery girl in a cat suit, in between theatre gigs. She is forced into a reunion with her childhood enemy, Max Hilton, who made his money and fame from writing a playbook for wannabe players. This reminded me of the book The Game by Neil Strauss, a non-fiction book about a society of men who develop and share techniques on how to pick up women.
There is history to Mia and Max’s relationship, going back to one memorable summer fling in high school. Something happened and the fallout irrevocably separates them for many years. Needless to say, there much secret mutual pining between them, which is always a fave of mine.
I liked the little clever ending, and thought that was a nice touch. But maybe it came a little too late for me. I liked both Mia and Max enough but didn’t feel as much of a connection to them as I did with some of the other heroes and heroines in rest of this series. Still, I found this to be a highly entertaining read! At this point, I will gladly read anything from this author!
Another fun book in this series and the premise is hilarious as usual. Annika Martin has an amazing talent for coming up with the most quirky set-ups and meet-cutes. But Breaking the Billionaire’s Rules didn’t shine as bright for me personally.
Mia Corelli is a Broadway actor who is side-hustling as a lunch cart delivery girl in a cat suit, in between theatre gigs. She is forced into a reunion with her childhood enemy, Max Hilton, who made his money and fame from writing a playbook for wannabe players. This reminded me of the book The Game by Neil Strauss, a non-fiction book about a society of men who develop and share techniques on how to pick up women.
There is history to Mia and Max’s relationship, going back to one memorable summer fling in high school. Something happened and the fallout irrevocably separates them for many years. Needless to say, there much secret mutual pining between them, which is always a fave of mine.
I liked the little clever ending, and thought that was a nice touch. But maybe it came a little too late for me. I liked both Mia and Max enough but didn’t feel as much of a connection to them as I did with some of the other heroes and heroines in rest of this series. Still, I found this to be a highly entertaining read! At this point, I will gladly read anything from this author!
February 20, 2019
This one was such a let-down. For a heroine who had always seen the hero as her nemesis one who took pleasure in humiliating her ten years back and once again, she sure forgot all her reservations about him: like his dick book, behaviour, super models etc the moment they slept together. We never get to really know the hero beyond his delicious looks and acting all high and mighty. Hell, h/H are barely a couple and they are meeting friends and saying ILU. I just wasn't buying this.
March 4, 2019
DNF 48%
Did not found it either funny or charming, just stupid.
Yes, this is the exact same review as for The Billionaire’s Wake-up-call Girl by the same author.
Did not found it either funny or charming, just stupid.
Yes, this is the exact same review as for The Billionaire’s Wake-up-call Girl by the same author.
April 6, 2021
Another light enjoyable audio book in this series. This one wasn't as funny as the prior 2 books 👎 but it wasn't as spicy either 👍
A perfect audiobook to keep me company while getting stuff done!
3.5 stars
A perfect audiobook to keep me company while getting stuff done!
3.5 stars
October 27, 2020
3,5 i libri di questa serie sono tutti un po' sopra le righe e anche l'idea di questo romanzo era strampalata ma poteva essere vincente, peccato che lo sviluppo non è stato dei migliori, non ha avuto quella verve che richiedeva. Molto meglio la seconda parte in cui fa la comparsa il pov maschile.
In generale la seria è un decrescendo.
In generale la seria è un decrescendo.
July 11, 2023
4⭐️ Mia and Max were high school nemesis that find each other almost 10 years later when she is assigned to deliver food to him every week. Max was music student turned Billionaire when a book he wrote to get women became popular. Mia and her friends want to get revenge on him because of this book and use the techniques on Max to get him to fall in love. What Mia doesn’t expect is to see this kind version of the person she thought she disliked and she starts to fall in love. This is a forced proximity, second chance (kind of), with a billionaire main character. This was a fun read with the revenge plot.
no-way-jose
September 30, 2025Note to self: skip this book, per Ursula and Michelle’s review, the two MCs partake in tons of immature pranks on each other, along with the dreaded miscommunication.
January 27, 2020
Mehr auf: https://xobooksheaven.wordpress.com/
Inhalt:
Verlieben verboten …
Dass der Durchbruch als Schauspielerin in New York kein Zuckerschlecken wird, war Mia klar. Dass es so hart werden würde, hätte sie allerdings nicht gedacht. Um über die Runden zu kommen, liefert sie jeden Tag im Katzenkostüm Lunch-Bestellungen in Manhattan aus und muss sich die anzüglichen Blicke der millionenschweren CEOs über den Dächern von New York gefallen lassen. Sie ist kurz davor ihren Job hinzuschmeißen, als ein Name auf ihrer Klientenliste auftaucht, der ihren Puls vor Wut zum Rasen bringt: Max Hilton hat in der Highschool Mias Herz für alle Zeiten gebrochen – und als er sie nicht wiedererkennt, aber auf ihre Flirtversuche eingeht, schwört sie sich, den CEO mit seinen eigenen Waffen zu schlagen. Doch je mehr Zeit sie mit Max verbringt, desto deutlicher zeigt sich eine Seite an ihm, von der Mia nicht wusste, dass sie existiert. Sein Charme ist zum Dahinschmelzen, seine verbotenen Küsse sind nie genug – und sich in ihn zu verlieben, war nicht geplant …
Quelle: luebbe.de
Meinung:
Meine Mitbewohnerin Kesley reißt von innen die Wohnungstür auf, bevor ich sie ganz aufschließen kann.
Das Cover hat mich gleich fasziniert. Die anderen Teile der Reihe sind irgendwie an mir vorbei gegangen, aber hier hab ich ein düsteres Cover mit Krawattenträger drauf gesehen und es war um mich geschehen. Es sticht nicht sehr aus der Masse hervor, aber als Leser kann man sich bereits denken, welche Art von Geschichte dies werden wird, darum habe auch ich zu dem Buch gegriffen.
Der Schreibstil der Autorin war wirklich gut zu lesen. Manchmal liest man aus Sicht von Max und manchmal aus Sicht von Mia, wodurch man beide Charaktere besser verstehen lernt. Ich finde auch, dass der Stil, wie die beiden ihre Gedanken ausdrücken ganz unterschiedlich ist. Wenn eine Autorin so etwas schafft, bin ich immer total begeistert.
Zu Beginn lernt man Mia kennen, die für einen Lieferdienst arbeitet. Als sie einen alten Schulkameraden beliefern muss, denkt sie sich einen Racheplan aus, denn er war in der Schulzeit nicht wirklich nett zu ihr.
Dieses Buch hat mich eine Woche lang in meiner Mittagspause begleitet und ich hätte kein besseres Buch dafür aussuchen können. Allein schon der Beginn verspricht eine witzige und schlagfertige Hauptfigur und konnte mich schon völlig in den Bann ziehen. Mia war mit Max zusammen in der Schule, es lief einen Sommer was zwischen den beiden, das wars dann aber auch. Nun ist er ein Milliardär und hat ein Buch geschrieben, mit welchem man Frauen klarmachen kann. Als Ausgangssituation hat mir das schon einmal gut gefallen, dass die Freunde von Mia auch immer sticheln und sie bei ihren Plänen unterstützen, hat die Sache nur noch spannender gemacht.
Mia und ihre Freunde wollen also die Regeln, die Max in dem Buch beschreibt, bei ihm anwenden. Zuerst habe ich mir wirklich Sorgen gemacht, dass das ganze Buch, oder ein Großteil, die Abarbeitung dieser Regeln sein würde. Dass Mia jeden Tag ein Sandwich zu Max bringt und ihn mit seinen eigenen Waffen schlägt, aber zum Glück war dem nicht so. Andernfalls wäre es irgendwie langweilig geworden. Einige Regeln werden aber doch angewandt und wie Max da drauf reagiert war einfach klasse. Mias Schauspielunterricht hat sich wirklich bezahlt gemacht, denn sie spielt ihre Rollen immer perfekt.
Das war ein Punkt, der mir sehr gefallen hat. Mia und Max waren auf einer Schule für bildende Kunst, doch Mia hat trotzdem keinen großen Durchbruch. Man stellt sich Schauspielerei, glaube ich, immer so einfach vor, aber sie hatte immer nur kleinere Rollen in Theaterstücken und muss nebenbei auch noch arbeiten. Max hatte viel mit Musik zu tun, hat aber auch nicht diese Branche gewhlt, da es der Wunsch seiner Eltern war. Man sieht hier richtig, dass nicht immer alles gut ist und dass die Eltern nicht immer das Beste für ihre Kinder im Sinn haben.
Max war für mich der beste Charakter in dem ganzen Buch. Zuerst denkt man sich, dass er der arrogante Mistkerl ist, für den Mia und ihre Freunde ihn halten, doch es steckt viel mehr in ihm. Je weiter man mit dem Buch kommt, desto mehr erfährt man von ihm und desto mehr mochte ich ihn. Max hat sein Leben in seine eigenen Hände genommen, hat nicht auf das gehört, was ihm andere einreden wollten und ist seinen Weg gegangen. Irgendwie bewundere ich ihn, denn man merkt immer mehr, dass er eigentlich sehr verletzlich ist und irgendwie alleine.
Gegen Ende wurde das Buch dann immer besser. Man merkt, wie sehr die beiden bei allem, was sie angenommen haben, falsch lagen und lernt sie noch einmal von einer anderen Seite kennen. Was ich besonders gut fand war, dass es hier kein allzu großes Drama gibt. Es gibt eine kleine Erschüterung in ihrer Beziehung, aber das wars dann auch schon. Ich muss sagen, dass ich mit dem Ende sehr zufrieden bin. Max hat sich sehr verändert, wenn man ihn mit dem Max vom Anfang vergleicht und auch Mia ist irgendwie besser geworden.
Fazit:
Ich wusste nicht, was mich erwarten würde, aber das Buch hat mich wirklich positiv überrascht. Nun bin ich froh, dass ich es gelesen habe. Es hat Witz, ein wenig Tiefe und zeigt, dass Menschen nicht immer so sind, wie sie sich geben. Ich gebe dem Buch 5 Sterne.
Inhalt:
Verlieben verboten …
Dass der Durchbruch als Schauspielerin in New York kein Zuckerschlecken wird, war Mia klar. Dass es so hart werden würde, hätte sie allerdings nicht gedacht. Um über die Runden zu kommen, liefert sie jeden Tag im Katzenkostüm Lunch-Bestellungen in Manhattan aus und muss sich die anzüglichen Blicke der millionenschweren CEOs über den Dächern von New York gefallen lassen. Sie ist kurz davor ihren Job hinzuschmeißen, als ein Name auf ihrer Klientenliste auftaucht, der ihren Puls vor Wut zum Rasen bringt: Max Hilton hat in der Highschool Mias Herz für alle Zeiten gebrochen – und als er sie nicht wiedererkennt, aber auf ihre Flirtversuche eingeht, schwört sie sich, den CEO mit seinen eigenen Waffen zu schlagen. Doch je mehr Zeit sie mit Max verbringt, desto deutlicher zeigt sich eine Seite an ihm, von der Mia nicht wusste, dass sie existiert. Sein Charme ist zum Dahinschmelzen, seine verbotenen Küsse sind nie genug – und sich in ihn zu verlieben, war nicht geplant …
Quelle: luebbe.de
Meinung:
Meine Mitbewohnerin Kesley reißt von innen die Wohnungstür auf, bevor ich sie ganz aufschließen kann.
Das Cover hat mich gleich fasziniert. Die anderen Teile der Reihe sind irgendwie an mir vorbei gegangen, aber hier hab ich ein düsteres Cover mit Krawattenträger drauf gesehen und es war um mich geschehen. Es sticht nicht sehr aus der Masse hervor, aber als Leser kann man sich bereits denken, welche Art von Geschichte dies werden wird, darum habe auch ich zu dem Buch gegriffen.
Der Schreibstil der Autorin war wirklich gut zu lesen. Manchmal liest man aus Sicht von Max und manchmal aus Sicht von Mia, wodurch man beide Charaktere besser verstehen lernt. Ich finde auch, dass der Stil, wie die beiden ihre Gedanken ausdrücken ganz unterschiedlich ist. Wenn eine Autorin so etwas schafft, bin ich immer total begeistert.
Zu Beginn lernt man Mia kennen, die für einen Lieferdienst arbeitet. Als sie einen alten Schulkameraden beliefern muss, denkt sie sich einen Racheplan aus, denn er war in der Schulzeit nicht wirklich nett zu ihr.
Dieses Buch hat mich eine Woche lang in meiner Mittagspause begleitet und ich hätte kein besseres Buch dafür aussuchen können. Allein schon der Beginn verspricht eine witzige und schlagfertige Hauptfigur und konnte mich schon völlig in den Bann ziehen. Mia war mit Max zusammen in der Schule, es lief einen Sommer was zwischen den beiden, das wars dann aber auch. Nun ist er ein Milliardär und hat ein Buch geschrieben, mit welchem man Frauen klarmachen kann. Als Ausgangssituation hat mir das schon einmal gut gefallen, dass die Freunde von Mia auch immer sticheln und sie bei ihren Plänen unterstützen, hat die Sache nur noch spannender gemacht.
Mia und ihre Freunde wollen also die Regeln, die Max in dem Buch beschreibt, bei ihm anwenden. Zuerst habe ich mir wirklich Sorgen gemacht, dass das ganze Buch, oder ein Großteil, die Abarbeitung dieser Regeln sein würde. Dass Mia jeden Tag ein Sandwich zu Max bringt und ihn mit seinen eigenen Waffen schlägt, aber zum Glück war dem nicht so. Andernfalls wäre es irgendwie langweilig geworden. Einige Regeln werden aber doch angewandt und wie Max da drauf reagiert war einfach klasse. Mias Schauspielunterricht hat sich wirklich bezahlt gemacht, denn sie spielt ihre Rollen immer perfekt.
Das war ein Punkt, der mir sehr gefallen hat. Mia und Max waren auf einer Schule für bildende Kunst, doch Mia hat trotzdem keinen großen Durchbruch. Man stellt sich Schauspielerei, glaube ich, immer so einfach vor, aber sie hatte immer nur kleinere Rollen in Theaterstücken und muss nebenbei auch noch arbeiten. Max hatte viel mit Musik zu tun, hat aber auch nicht diese Branche gewhlt, da es der Wunsch seiner Eltern war. Man sieht hier richtig, dass nicht immer alles gut ist und dass die Eltern nicht immer das Beste für ihre Kinder im Sinn haben.
Max war für mich der beste Charakter in dem ganzen Buch. Zuerst denkt man sich, dass er der arrogante Mistkerl ist, für den Mia und ihre Freunde ihn halten, doch es steckt viel mehr in ihm. Je weiter man mit dem Buch kommt, desto mehr erfährt man von ihm und desto mehr mochte ich ihn. Max hat sein Leben in seine eigenen Hände genommen, hat nicht auf das gehört, was ihm andere einreden wollten und ist seinen Weg gegangen. Irgendwie bewundere ich ihn, denn man merkt immer mehr, dass er eigentlich sehr verletzlich ist und irgendwie alleine.
Gegen Ende wurde das Buch dann immer besser. Man merkt, wie sehr die beiden bei allem, was sie angenommen haben, falsch lagen und lernt sie noch einmal von einer anderen Seite kennen. Was ich besonders gut fand war, dass es hier kein allzu großes Drama gibt. Es gibt eine kleine Erschüterung in ihrer Beziehung, aber das wars dann auch schon. Ich muss sagen, dass ich mit dem Ende sehr zufrieden bin. Max hat sich sehr verändert, wenn man ihn mit dem Max vom Anfang vergleicht und auch Mia ist irgendwie besser geworden.
Fazit:
Ich wusste nicht, was mich erwarten würde, aber das Buch hat mich wirklich positiv überrascht. Nun bin ich froh, dass ich es gelesen habe. Es hat Witz, ein wenig Tiefe und zeigt, dass Menschen nicht immer so sind, wie sie sich geben. Ich gebe dem Buch 5 Sterne.
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