The Rules

Moving the Chains #3.5

by Kata Čuić

Love is a game

Amira Deep can’t lose her virginity no matter how hard she tries. With her parents pushing for an arranged marriage in just two shorts years, she’s running out of time to enjoy her freedom. As much as she hates to admit it, she needs lessons in the art of seduction. Luckily, she knows someone who could teach a master class on the subject…

Alex Fossoway has never met a woman he can’t enjoy then forget. Until his feisty tutor. She takes up way more of his headspace than he’s comfortable with. She has a problem, and he has the perfect solution for both of them.
He’ll teach her how to get what she wants, so he can forget her like all the rest.

The only thing he refuses to show her? How to fall in love.

Unknown Binding

About the author

Kata Čuić lives in Pittsburgh, PA, USA and writes romance stories with a dash of humor, a dollop of spice, and a heaping helping of heart. With a background in Linguistics and a minor in Religious Studies, her writing style marries lit fic with delicious tropes. He falls first and harder, anyone?

From angst-filled new adult series to standalone rom-coms, and even a touch of paranormal, Kata's diverse storytelling offers something for every romance reader palate. Because she gets bored writing the same things all the time, okay?

When she's not writing, Kata emotionally eats to cope with the endless news cycle, binge reads series because sleep is for the weak, and probably drinks too much whiskey.

Subscribe to Kata's newsletter for a free second-chance, HS reunion novella ➜ https://www.subscribepage.com/katacui...

Tell her to stop procrastinating at the following places:
➜ THREADS: https://www.threads.com/@authorkatacuic
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Reviews

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel like I have a vested interest in this novella. Whyyyyyy? I’ve been a Kata Cuic fan for years and have beta read quite a few of her books at this point. So, months ago, she sends me Alex’s book to alpha read and I tell her they feel disconnected and that there needs to be more backstory. Hence, The Rules was born. So, then she writes it and sends it to me and I’m all…yeah, wow. That was sooooo freaking hot and they didn’t even have sex. The backstory of Alex and Amira is perfect and completely out of character for who we “think” we know Alex to be. This novella is just a taste of what’s to come and how much Alex will surprise you. The Rules and the subsequent book, Personal Foul, can be read as stand-alone books. However, if you really want to fully fall for Alex, you’ll have to read the whole Moving the Chains series.

[Ashley Estep The Art of Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone who has read the Moving The Chains series has been waiting for Alex's book. He's been such a huge part of this series as a side character that you can't help but want him to get his happy.

At the end of Fourth & Inches Cuic sets up Alex's book perfectly. However, The Rules is not that book. The Rules is the prequel to Alex's book. We get to meet Alex and Amira back in college where everything started. These two opposites attract and the big, bad football player couldn't get the girl he wanted.

Before I continue, let's just talk about the frat party scene. I mean Alex can tell me what to do any day anytime.

While The Rules is a quick novella it's still so good. She gives us the backstory we need for their story. I need their book even more now that I have read this. Kata Cuic once again has hooked me on this series and left me needing more.

I cannot wait to see where Cuic takes Alex and Amira's story. I know for sure that she will not let them off easy. I'm feeling heartbreak and angst in our future and I CANNOT wait!

[Randa Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell in love with Alex in the first three books from the Moving the Chains series. I have been impatiently waiting for Alex's story to the point of stalking Kata on various forms of social media (Sorry, not sorry).
Alex is a beautifully complex character who has matured from the funny playboy to...well...you need to read to find out how he develops. I adore how he helps his tutor find her inner beauty and strength. Amira ...what to say about the quiet, slightly shy tutor who wants life-altering sex or at least a decent orgasm before she has to enter into an arranged marriage? I can't say too much about her without giving away spoilers, but her characterization is just--no stronger than Alex's. It's not often where a writer can develop and grow characters without losing the essence of those characters. Cuic has pulled that off without missing a beat (lol...the title of Alex's brother's book)
As a prequel, I was salivating for their full story. I ended the book with more questions than answers about each of their personal journeys and how they finally find their way back to each other.
Cuic writes these characters' emotional journeys with brilliance and reminds me why I one-click every book of hers.

[N. Nieto · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although there is a second book to this story I still feel like there was so much more that could have been added to this one . I felt almost let down as I read the epilogue and was told about what happened instead of "living it " through the characters. The writing style I liked because I like reading duel POVs and first person but with that being said I don't think I will continue with the series and read the next one. I just feel to let down by the author not letting the reader go through the things mentioned in the epilogue with the characters. It wasn't little things either. That I could of looked over. This was a big chunk of the story that I needed to know more about instead of just being told like it was something not important to the story.
I will give this book 3 out of 5stars because the writing style was good just the story telling aspect needed work in my opinion.

[Camilla Hjertø]

I was curious about this romance because I follow the author on tiktok and got tempted to check out the book. It was a short and easy read, and it had some promising moments. However, there were a couple of things that rubbed me the wrong way and I don't know how to rate the book. I'll focus on two things: Firstly, virginity is a made up construct, and I'm not a fan of making it a Thing, and so the blurb should have told me that this book probably wasn't for me. Secondly, I didnt't appreciate how a presumed queer character was treated by the main characters. These things dragged my impression down a bit, I'm afraid. I don't know how many stars to give right now, so I'll have to think about it.

[Genn Howe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great story, very well written. This is the first book of Katas that I have read, but I fell in love with the characters. I don't know the back story, but it seems like Alex is a playboy football star and his tutor Amira is a reserved, shy brainiac. She wants to lose her virginity but can't seem to. He has decided to help her, but she has to follow his rules.
I now have to go back and read the other books in this series and can't wait for the next book to come out!

[Mandi Ansbach · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in the series that I've read but I was able to jump right in. I loved the tension and anticipation that built throughout the entire novella.
Alex might just be my new book boyfriend. After that frat party scene, he can tell me what to do any night! I can't wait to read what happens next in their story.

[Ireadromancetoescape · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given this ARC on exchange for honest review.
This my first book from this author and Series. Alex Amira back story. Both these characters care complex and gave many layers I am looking forward to read the full length novel personal foul to see what happens and how everything turns out.
I enjoyed the writing author's writing style.

[Yoneidis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't wait to read more about Alex!!! In this book we see his relationship with his tutor Amira, who asks Alex for help to find someone to lose her virginity to. And is that Alex is perfect for that. Both as Evie's best friend and Amira's sexual tutor, whom he also teaches to say and do what she really wants.

[Mary Mccormack · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE THESE CHARACTERS AND STORYLINE!! I can not wait to see where the next book goes from here. It was really cool to have a book where you get more view of Alex than the “playboy” “man whore.” Amira is also a character that you can completely fall into.

[Sarah DeLong · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novella is the perfect teaser and backstory for Alex. I'm anxious to read his full length novel and get some of my questions answered lol. He and Amira are well-written and both complex characters that I need to learn more of.

[Melissa Ledet · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing read about Amira wanting to claim her life before she has to fulfill her parents wishes. Love how Alex takes her under his wing and shoes her the way. Can’t wait to what happens next in Amira’s life.

[Nid · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mixed bag. 3.5 ⭐
I like how Kata's characters have a lot of depth. Amira and Alex were both such characters. This insight to their book Personal Foul, is definitely interesting and makes the readers invested. Kata's writing (which I love) as usual is very addictive, makes one want to keep reading till the end. I liked the ending.

But there were a couple parts in the book that weren't my cup of tea.

[Bonnie Stevens]

I received a free copy of this book. It was fine, not really to my taste. But I know several people who really enjoy it.

[Lauren (Lauren_readsandreads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kata is a new author to me, but I enjoyed the writing style and story. I need to go back and read the rest of the series although I felt the time line jumps were slightly too spaced out and felt a little disjointed at times in this novella.

However I have preordered the second installment of Alex and Amira because I did enjoy their story and I'm looking forward to seeing where it leads.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. The relationship between Amira and Alex is an interesting one. It was fun to get to know them.

[Michella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been waiting for Alex’s book and this novella was fantastic! Great banter and their chemistry is on fire! I absolutely can’t wait for the next book!

[Felicia's Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG this book was good. I found Kata off tiktok and I'm glad I read this book. Amira and Alex story is just the start. Amira is trying to find something before she married and she turns to Alec. Along the journey things happen. It's a quick read but leaves you excited for the full length book.

[Reading with 2 book lovers Sarah P - · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fab novella which I devoured