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Rules of Arrangement
A ten-page paper on the Cold War? Three hundred dollars. Need it by tomorrow? Four hundred. Want an A? Five.
Cash-strapped college senior Adelaide Wright doesn’t give discounts—she can’t afford to. Writing papers for other students is an expulsion-worthy risk, but Adelaide thinks she might actually make it to graduation day—until Declan, her art history TA, threatens to reveal her secret.
Declan won’t turn her in to the university on one condition: she must recover his stolen paintings from a notoriously cutthroat art dealer.
Jack Nolan is older, wealthy, and exacting, a power player in a world where money, sex, and high art rule. Adelaide’s only way into his exclusive circle is through an arrangement that leaves her at Jack’s beck and call. But can she handle being his arm candy without revealing her true motives? And as the chemistry unexpectedly sparks between them, is it possible that Jack isn’t quite the villain Declan described?
As Adelaide’s relationship with Jack intensifies, so do Declan’s demands. Soon the only thing holding her in place is a delicate tangle of secrets and lies that threatens to unravel at any moment…
Cash-strapped college senior Adelaide Wright doesn’t give discounts—she can’t afford to. Writing papers for other students is an expulsion-worthy risk, but Adelaide thinks she might actually make it to graduation day—until Declan, her art history TA, threatens to reveal her secret.
Declan won’t turn her in to the university on one condition: she must recover his stolen paintings from a notoriously cutthroat art dealer.
Jack Nolan is older, wealthy, and exacting, a power player in a world where money, sex, and high art rule. Adelaide’s only way into his exclusive circle is through an arrangement that leaves her at Jack’s beck and call. But can she handle being his arm candy without revealing her true motives? And as the chemistry unexpectedly sparks between them, is it possible that Jack isn’t quite the villain Declan described?
As Adelaide’s relationship with Jack intensifies, so do Declan’s demands. Soon the only thing holding her in place is a delicate tangle of secrets and lies that threatens to unravel at any moment…
328 pages, Paperback
Published February 2, 2021
About the author
Maren Mackenzie
1 book29 followersMaren Mackenzie writes steamy contemporary romance about love, family, and transformation. She lives and works in Miami Beach. Find her on Instagram at @marenmackenziewrites or on her website, where she shares first peeks, giveaways, and exclusive excerpts.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 139 reviews
April 24, 2022
SO MUCH BETTER THAN WHAT I EXPECTED!!
Plot- 5/5
Spice- 3/5
It's got romance, spice, drama, an actually engaging plot that keeps the reader hooked and wanting for more. I honestly did not want this to be over.
The plot is pretty simple but the way it's written makes it so special. The pace is fast moving and very smooth, so you'll never get bored of it. The characters are full of personality, especially Adelaide- who's battle with her morals and struggles with money, sibling relationships are shown so well. Jack is HOT, the liking to his character totally depends on the reader. Declan is a typical douche who's battling mental health issues (but what he did to Adelaide is still inexcusable). All the three main characters have battles of their own and depth to themselves.
Adelaide and Jack's relationship is so full of chemistry. I found myself rooting for them almost immediately. If you are into age gap romance and fake dating with a bit of spice, this is the one for you. Don't hesitate to pick this one up. This does have a slight vibe similar to the Fifty Shades of Grey but it's not that extensive (there's a contract but no BDSM). You'll find yourself rooting for the couple pretty soon.
The author has written this remarkably well and I'll be looking forward to read more of her works in the future.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one and would recommend!
TW- Blackmail, suicide, sexual themes, age gap romance, mental illness, loss.
eARC provided by Netgalley for an honest review.
Plot- 5/5
Spice- 3/5
It's got romance, spice, drama, an actually engaging plot that keeps the reader hooked and wanting for more. I honestly did not want this to be over.
The plot is pretty simple but the way it's written makes it so special. The pace is fast moving and very smooth, so you'll never get bored of it. The characters are full of personality, especially Adelaide- who's battle with her morals and struggles with money, sibling relationships are shown so well. Jack is HOT, the liking to his character totally depends on the reader. Declan is a typical douche who's battling mental health issues (but what he did to Adelaide is still inexcusable). All the three main characters have battles of their own and depth to themselves.
Adelaide and Jack's relationship is so full of chemistry. I found myself rooting for them almost immediately. If you are into age gap romance and fake dating with a bit of spice, this is the one for you. Don't hesitate to pick this one up. This does have a slight vibe similar to the Fifty Shades of Grey but it's not that extensive (there's a contract but no BDSM). You'll find yourself rooting for the couple pretty soon.
The author has written this remarkably well and I'll be looking forward to read more of her works in the future.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one and would recommend!
TW- Blackmail, suicide, sexual themes, age gap romance, mental illness, loss.
eARC provided by Netgalley for an honest review.
March 18, 2022
Genre: romance, erotica, NA
Tropes: age gap, relationship based on a signed contract, blackmailing, world of artists, estranged sisters
Trigger Warning: blackmail, attempted suicide
Spice: 3/5 🌶
Rating: 4.5 ⭐
I have received an ARC through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own and left voluntarily. Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy.
This was waaaay better than I was expecting. I loved it and I couldn't put it down. It was fast-paced and catchy, with interesting characters and good plot. It kept me hooked from beginning to end.
"Jack is a huge donor, so he'll be there for it. And so will you."
"And I'm going to do what there exactly?"
"Woo him. Use your female wiles. Make him have to have you."
》》The Plot《《
Adelaide is a student who supports herself by writing papers for other students which, besides being extremely time-consuming, it also very risky because it can lead to expulsion. So when Declan, her arts TA, finds out and blackmails her, she doesn't have any other option then to accept.
Before being a TA, Declan was a promising artist who attracted Jack Nolan's attention. When everything went up in flames, Jack kept Declan's most loved paintings and now he's decided to get them back by using Adelaide. But the cold, stern and successful art dealer has secrets of his own and, in the end, no plan actually goes according to plan, right?
"Come to the gallery tomorrow afternoon. It's not open to the public. I want to show you the exhibit properly."
She had no doubt that wasn't all he planned to show her.
I loved the writing style and the way the action moved, touching more topics than just romance, art and age gaps. It dipped a bit into dysfunctional families, mental illnesses and moving on with your life after the unthinkable has happened.
》》Characters and Relationships《《
👩🏽 Adelaide Wright
"Are you here alone?"
"No. Yes."
He laughed. "A perfect answer for the most stunning woman in the room."
She was an interesting MC, even without any outstanding qualities. She was obviously smart but I think she was damaged in her own way and I felt annoyed with her at times for her tendency to push people away. I think she kind of portrays a lot of young people today, because she didn't really knew what she wanted but she was sure about what she didn't want and was strong-willed enough to take her life into her own hands, even without her part of the inheritance.
🧑🏻💼Jack Nolan
"No boy has ever looked at her like she was the only woman in the world. But perhaps that was because Jack wasn't a boy; he was a man, and she was beginning to see there was a huge difference between the two."
I was kind of annoyed and delighted with him at the same time. I can't explain why I had such conflicted feelings about him; maybe because I felt he had no reason to act the way he did, but then the ending proved me wrong.
"At that moment, Adelaide truly couldn't look at him. She'd met plenty of assholes before, but this guy was in the running to be the whole ass."
He was very hot and cold, kind of reminded me a bit of Christian Grey (without the red playroom and all the weird kinks).
👩🏽🧑🏻💼Adelaide and Jack
"Adelaide, are you here with Jack Nolan?"
"Um, why?"
"Because he's glaring at me like I just raised Satan himself."
OK so, the first thing you need to know about them is that there is an age difference. Adelaide is 22 and he's 38 and no, he doesn't know that from the beginning and I loved it when he found out because he was very shocked. Secondly, their contract based relationship had chemistry and it was super fun to follow.
"I've learned that when something beautiful speaks to me, I need to go after it. Hesitate, and it's gone. Did this not speak to you?"
"It did. It said, You can't afford me."
You get the "I don't do drama" attitude only to see how willing he is to get involved in the drama for you, the silent jealously that is enough to keep other men away and the hot chemistry that makes it worth it. I really liked it more than I should probably have, but don't we all want a bad boy (or ugh, man) that's good just for us? Plus, I've had book crushes on older men anyway, and don't you dare say you didn't. (Casteel, Rhysand, Rowan, The Darkling and the rest of the squad are watching)
🧑🏼 Declan Jones
"I don't care what they say about you, Declan. You're an okay guy. Well, other than the whole blackmail thing."
The fact that he was her first crush and the first guy she's ever slept with made my expectations for them higher than they should have been. Declan was difficult to understand and even more difficult to place in a labeled box, but I feel like he was a great addition to the story.
Side Characters
Samantha and Michael, her sister and brother were okay, good as side characters if you wanted more reasons to be angry at the world and I understand that the point was to show how everyone deals differently with loss and life and how, in the end, family is family, but they've annoyed the reading soul out of me. Samantha was stone cold, manipulative and incapable of understanding any opinion that did not align with hers and Michael was spineless.
》》Conclusion《《
"Because a relationship between a muse and an artist is a deep, sacred one and very tenuous. If the admiration were equal, it would ruin the entire dynamic."
Definitely give it a try. It's refreshing and different. You get romance, spice, family trouble, a bit of mystery, a bit of heartbreak and the feeling of authenticity with every page.
"Look, everyone makes it sound like love is this secret little key to unlock everything, and if you have it, things will be fine. But they're wrong. It's just step one. The rest is work. Compromise. Forgiveness."
Tropes: age gap, relationship based on a signed contract, blackmailing, world of artists, estranged sisters
Trigger Warning: blackmail, attempted suicide
Spice: 3/5 🌶
Rating: 4.5 ⭐
I have received an ARC through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own and left voluntarily. Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy.
This was waaaay better than I was expecting. I loved it and I couldn't put it down. It was fast-paced and catchy, with interesting characters and good plot. It kept me hooked from beginning to end.
"Jack is a huge donor, so he'll be there for it. And so will you."
"And I'm going to do what there exactly?"
"Woo him. Use your female wiles. Make him have to have you."
》》The Plot《《
Adelaide is a student who supports herself by writing papers for other students which, besides being extremely time-consuming, it also very risky because it can lead to expulsion. So when Declan, her arts TA, finds out and blackmails her, she doesn't have any other option then to accept.
Before being a TA, Declan was a promising artist who attracted Jack Nolan's attention. When everything went up in flames, Jack kept Declan's most loved paintings and now he's decided to get them back by using Adelaide. But the cold, stern and successful art dealer has secrets of his own and, in the end, no plan actually goes according to plan, right?
"Come to the gallery tomorrow afternoon. It's not open to the public. I want to show you the exhibit properly."
She had no doubt that wasn't all he planned to show her.
I loved the writing style and the way the action moved, touching more topics than just romance, art and age gaps. It dipped a bit into dysfunctional families, mental illnesses and moving on with your life after the unthinkable has happened.
》》Characters and Relationships《《
👩🏽 Adelaide Wright
"Are you here alone?"
"No. Yes."
He laughed. "A perfect answer for the most stunning woman in the room."
She was an interesting MC, even without any outstanding qualities. She was obviously smart but I think she was damaged in her own way and I felt annoyed with her at times for her tendency to push people away. I think she kind of portrays a lot of young people today, because she didn't really knew what she wanted but she was sure about what she didn't want and was strong-willed enough to take her life into her own hands, even without her part of the inheritance.
🧑🏻💼Jack Nolan
"No boy has ever looked at her like she was the only woman in the world. But perhaps that was because Jack wasn't a boy; he was a man, and she was beginning to see there was a huge difference between the two."
I was kind of annoyed and delighted with him at the same time. I can't explain why I had such conflicted feelings about him; maybe because I felt he had no reason to act the way he did, but then the ending proved me wrong.
"At that moment, Adelaide truly couldn't look at him. She'd met plenty of assholes before, but this guy was in the running to be the whole ass."
He was very hot and cold, kind of reminded me a bit of Christian Grey (without the red playroom and all the weird kinks).
👩🏽🧑🏻💼Adelaide and Jack
"Adelaide, are you here with Jack Nolan?"
"Um, why?"
"Because he's glaring at me like I just raised Satan himself."
OK so, the first thing you need to know about them is that there is an age difference. Adelaide is 22 and he's 38 and no, he doesn't know that from the beginning and I loved it when he found out because he was very shocked. Secondly, their contract based relationship had chemistry and it was super fun to follow.
"I've learned that when something beautiful speaks to me, I need to go after it. Hesitate, and it's gone. Did this not speak to you?"
"It did. It said, You can't afford me."
You get the "I don't do drama" attitude only to see how willing he is to get involved in the drama for you, the silent jealously that is enough to keep other men away and the hot chemistry that makes it worth it. I really liked it more than I should probably have, but don't we all want a bad boy (or ugh, man) that's good just for us? Plus, I've had book crushes on older men anyway, and don't you dare say you didn't. (Casteel, Rhysand, Rowan, The Darkling and the rest of the squad are watching)
🧑🏼 Declan Jones
"I don't care what they say about you, Declan. You're an okay guy. Well, other than the whole blackmail thing."
The fact that he was her first crush and the first guy she's ever slept with made my expectations for them higher than they should have been. Declan was difficult to understand and even more difficult to place in a labeled box, but I feel like he was a great addition to the story.
Side Characters
Samantha and Michael, her sister and brother were okay, good as side characters if you wanted more reasons to be angry at the world and I understand that the point was to show how everyone deals differently with loss and life and how, in the end, family is family, but they've annoyed the reading soul out of me. Samantha was stone cold, manipulative and incapable of understanding any opinion that did not align with hers and Michael was spineless.
》》Conclusion《《
"Because a relationship between a muse and an artist is a deep, sacred one and very tenuous. If the admiration were equal, it would ruin the entire dynamic."
Definitely give it a try. It's refreshing and different. You get romance, spice, family trouble, a bit of mystery, a bit of heartbreak and the feeling of authenticity with every page.
"Look, everyone makes it sound like love is this secret little key to unlock everything, and if you have it, things will be fine. But they're wrong. It's just step one. The rest is work. Compromise. Forgiveness."
January 31, 2022
This is the book you pick up when you need something scandalous and compelling to fall into for an afternoon. There's drama, romance with a touch of spice, a glamorous art scene juxtaposed against your average college campus, but what surprised me the most is the emotional depth that this story pulls off. I'm so glad I requested this on a whim off NetGalley. Sometimes, the best books just have a way of finding you when you need them. What a fantastic debut!
TW: attempted suicide (not graphic, on page), death of a parent, blackmail, slut shaming
spice = 2 peppers
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC
TW: attempted suicide (not graphic, on page), death of a parent, blackmail, slut shaming
spice = 2 peppers
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC
August 4, 2022
First off, the cover is absolutely stunning. It's classy and mysterious, and the sole reason I requested to read this book. Overall, this was a great book. There was an interesting storyline and a swoon worthy, older, charming male love interest. The protagonist did kind of get on my nerves now and then. At times she acted quite childish, however that may just be me being picky. I wouldn’t necessarily consider this book very spicy. There were a couple of scenes, but they weren’t particularly explicit. If there were a sequel, would I read it? Yes. Yes I would. I did devour this whole book in an afternoon so if you’re one for age gap romances then this is definitely one worth giving a shot. Thank you to the author and Marmack Books LLC for gifting me the ARC via NetGalley.
February 5, 2022
So I read the first chapter of this book and couldn't really get into it so I took a break. Then I started it again and couldn't stop myself till I was done. IT WAS ADDICTING. I was reading a very interesting book at the same time but I completely abandoned it when I started this. WHEW.
The writing style got me hooked honestly. It was flowing and easy to tag along. I usually read a book for the characters but the characters had no depth and they weren't likable. The only thing I like about Jack is his bank account and the only thing I like about Adelaide is Jack. So believe me when I say I really liked the writing style.
Adelaide was VERY annoying. She was writing essay papers for money and she was such a drama queen about it. Like girl, you were selling papers, not contracts that could possibly start a nuclear war?! Seriously, she was writing people's HOMEWORKS but she was acting like she was selling their kidneys. She needed to calm the fuck down.
Now, this portion of my review will involve spoilers because I need to rant. Read at your own risk: Reading this book in one sitting got me through many emotions but my ANGER towards Adelaide is a whole another thing. Don't get me wrong, Jack is a dipshit and annoying and kinda misogynistic if you ask me BUT he didn't deserve THAT kind of judgment. Anyway.
No, wait, one more thing:
Now that I'm done ranting, I'd like to talk about the main reason why this book gets a 4-star rating instead of 5. Flat and unseasoned characters, is one thing. The supposedly strong woman character dropping everything because of a man is another thing. Adelaide didn't give a rat's ass about her 'best friends' or her grades after Jack came into the picture. Yes, he is rich and all that but you should never make a man the center of your universe and depend on him. You, of all people Adelaide, should know better than to be dependent on someone and be let down because your needs weren't convenient for the other party. Learn something for once.
Okay. I am calm. Go read this book. (By the way on the spicy scale, I'd give this book 2.5 out of 5, if you are wondering.)
I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The writing style got me hooked honestly. It was flowing and easy to tag along. I usually read a book for the characters but the characters had no depth and they weren't likable. The only thing I like about Jack is his bank account and the only thing I like about Adelaide is Jack. So believe me when I say I really liked the writing style.
Adelaide was VERY annoying. She was writing essay papers for money and she was such a drama queen about it. Like girl, you were selling papers, not contracts that could possibly start a nuclear war?! Seriously, she was writing people's HOMEWORKS but she was acting like she was selling their kidneys. She needed to calm the fuck down.
Now, this portion of my review will involve spoilers because I need to rant. Read at your own risk: Reading this book in one sitting got me through many emotions but my ANGER towards Adelaide is a whole another thing. Don't get me wrong, Jack is a dipshit and annoying and kinda misogynistic if you ask me BUT he didn't deserve THAT kind of judgment. Anyway.
No, wait, one more thing:
Now that I'm done ranting, I'd like to talk about the main reason why this book gets a 4-star rating instead of 5. Flat and unseasoned characters, is one thing. The supposedly strong woman character dropping everything because of a man is another thing. Adelaide didn't give a rat's ass about her 'best friends' or her grades after Jack came into the picture. Yes, he is rich and all that but you should never make a man the center of your universe and depend on him. You, of all people Adelaide, should know better than to be dependent on someone and be let down because your needs weren't convenient for the other party. Learn something for once.
Okay. I am calm. Go read this book. (By the way on the spicy scale, I'd give this book 2.5 out of 5, if you are wondering.)
I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 16, 2022
4.5 Stars
Adelaide gets paid by fellow students to write their papers for them. She’s very particular about how she operates her illegal side hustle, but she’s caught by her Art History TA who also happens to be an old flame. Rather than expose her, Declan uses the information to blackmail Adelaide into wooing Jack Nolan, Declan’s old art dealer who stole his best work. Adelaide manages to get hired by Jack to be his “professional girlfriend,” and while this allows her to get closer to him to find those paintings, it also leaves her open to getting closer to him.
This book had a great plot and great smut. I thought it would be more smutty than it was, but I thought the smut to plot ratio was perfect. The characters were all very dynamic. There were times where I loved and hated basically every character in this book.
I typically don’t enjoy age gap couples, but Adelaide and Jack are part of the exception. Jack assumed Addie to be older because of her maturity, and after learning she’s a 22-year-old college senior becomes both a little skeptic of the relationship but also understanding of her other responsibilities.
I’m knocking off the half star because Adelaide’s roommates fade so severely to the background way too early on. At a certain point in the novel it was only about Addie and Jack that even Declan disappeared and I totally forgot why Addie had become Jack’s “girlfriend” in the first place. I think the character screen time could’ve been balanced better, but overall this book surprised me with how deep it could get. I read this so quickly and I definitely recommend it!
Thank you NetGalley and Marmack Books LLC for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Adelaide gets paid by fellow students to write their papers for them. She’s very particular about how she operates her illegal side hustle, but she’s caught by her Art History TA who also happens to be an old flame. Rather than expose her, Declan uses the information to blackmail Adelaide into wooing Jack Nolan, Declan’s old art dealer who stole his best work. Adelaide manages to get hired by Jack to be his “professional girlfriend,” and while this allows her to get closer to him to find those paintings, it also leaves her open to getting closer to him.
This book had a great plot and great smut. I thought it would be more smutty than it was, but I thought the smut to plot ratio was perfect. The characters were all very dynamic. There were times where I loved and hated basically every character in this book.
I typically don’t enjoy age gap couples, but Adelaide and Jack are part of the exception. Jack assumed Addie to be older because of her maturity, and after learning she’s a 22-year-old college senior becomes both a little skeptic of the relationship but also understanding of her other responsibilities.
I’m knocking off the half star because Adelaide’s roommates fade so severely to the background way too early on. At a certain point in the novel it was only about Addie and Jack that even Declan disappeared and I totally forgot why Addie had become Jack’s “girlfriend” in the first place. I think the character screen time could’ve been balanced better, but overall this book surprised me with how deep it could get. I read this so quickly and I definitely recommend it!
Thank you NetGalley and Marmack Books LLC for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 2, 2022
This book had me engaged from start to finish.
I am a slow reader, even short books take me a couple or days or more. This book only took me an afternoon and an evening. I could *not* put it down. Maren Mackenzie's debut novel is an absolute hit. I wish I could experience it all over again for the first time. I am so happy with it! Her writing is convincing, emotional, sexy, and romantic. The whole package!
I am not used to reading books with quite the age gap this one had, but now I'm eager to discover more-- especially if they're written as compelling as this one.
I felt for our lead Adelaide so much. There was one point towards the second half of the story where I was so scared she was not going to be able to share her truth on her own terms. So many of her choices were manipulated away, leaving her with limited agency, and I was nervous for when and how the truth would come out. The fact I held my breath and my heart was racing as wildly as it did, is further evidence of how compelling the book was. Jack made me feel all things-- frustration and anger; love and exhilaration. I wanted him away from Adelaide, but also needed him to stay with her. Their relationship was one I immediately bought into. There is so much tension, chemistry, and urgency in their attraction to one another. The smut was a total steamy delight, but what I ended up caring more about was when they emotionally connected to one another. Shower sex is a total plus. but I also love scenes of vulnerability. Of soft intimacy. The urgent sex, the soft intimacy, this story balanced it out so well! There was sincere depth I so appreciated.
Some may question the feasibility of Adelaide getting away with 3 years of illegal essay writing, but for me, I think sometimes you have to suspend your disbelief. I fell easily into this story and honestly did not want to leave it. I regret how quickly I read it, if anything.
My only "complaints" are quite minor- I would have enjoyed a lengthier finish or epilogue, with a narrative that paced itself so well, I was a bit bummed with how quickly things wrapped up. On the opposite side, I think I needed more a build-up of Jack's secret. Again,I do consider these minor nitpicks that did not detract any from my overall enjoyment of this book. Like I said, for a slow reader like me-- finishing within a day means a book was freaking fantastic!
Thank you NetGalley and Marmack Books for giving me the opportunity to read this book prior to its release. I am so grateful-- the synopsis had be immediately intrigued and I felt extremely satisfied with this book.
Will 100% recommend to all! I can't wait to see what other stories Mackenzie has in store for us-- I'll definitely be a loyal and eager reader to all future works!
trigger warning: there is discussion of a past suicide attempt as well as a present day suicide attempt.
I am a slow reader, even short books take me a couple or days or more. This book only took me an afternoon and an evening. I could *not* put it down. Maren Mackenzie's debut novel is an absolute hit. I wish I could experience it all over again for the first time. I am so happy with it! Her writing is convincing, emotional, sexy, and romantic. The whole package!
I am not used to reading books with quite the age gap this one had, but now I'm eager to discover more-- especially if they're written as compelling as this one.
I felt for our lead Adelaide so much. There was one point towards the second half of the story where I was so scared she was not going to be able to share her truth on her own terms. So many of her choices were manipulated away, leaving her with limited agency, and I was nervous for when and how the truth would come out. The fact I held my breath and my heart was racing as wildly as it did, is further evidence of how compelling the book was. Jack made me feel all things-- frustration and anger; love and exhilaration. I wanted him away from Adelaide, but also needed him to stay with her. Their relationship was one I immediately bought into. There is so much tension, chemistry, and urgency in their attraction to one another. The smut was a total steamy delight, but what I ended up caring more about was when they emotionally connected to one another. Shower sex is a total plus. but I also love scenes of vulnerability. Of soft intimacy. The urgent sex, the soft intimacy, this story balanced it out so well! There was sincere depth I so appreciated.
Some may question the feasibility of Adelaide getting away with 3 years of illegal essay writing, but for me, I think sometimes you have to suspend your disbelief. I fell easily into this story and honestly did not want to leave it. I regret how quickly I read it, if anything.
My only "complaints" are quite minor- I would have enjoyed a lengthier finish or epilogue, with a narrative that paced itself so well, I was a bit bummed with how quickly things wrapped up. On the opposite side, I think I needed more a build-up of Jack's secret. Again,I do consider these minor nitpicks that did not detract any from my overall enjoyment of this book. Like I said, for a slow reader like me-- finishing within a day means a book was freaking fantastic!
Thank you NetGalley and Marmack Books for giving me the opportunity to read this book prior to its release. I am so grateful-- the synopsis had be immediately intrigued and I felt extremely satisfied with this book.
Will 100% recommend to all! I can't wait to see what other stories Mackenzie has in store for us-- I'll definitely be a loyal and eager reader to all future works!
trigger warning: there is discussion of a past suicide attempt as well as a present day suicide attempt.
February 20, 2022
4 stars!
Pros
+ A great mostly-fun read for an afternoon! I read it in pretty much one sitting during a Saturday.
+ This is basically a 50 Shades retelling, with the contract and no BDSM. Oh and some university and artist drama thrown in as a side dish.
+ romance tropes: 50 shades but a lighter shade, age gap (22f & 38m), no-strings-attached, cold/fiery
+ Adelaide (22yo): college senior who writes papers-for-pay to make ends meet
+ Jack (38yo): a famous art dealer who Adelaide signs a date-but-no-heart contract with
+ Declan: a struggling painter & Adelaide's art TA who blackmails her into spying on Jack
+ THAT COVER
Neutral
- Sometimes Jack gave me whiplash with how he'd tell Adelaide one thing then get all mad at her for doing exactly what he said. Sometimes it was hot because he was clearly jealous. And sometimes it was just annoying/infuriating because hello??? Don't be an asshole???
- Why was Jack's specific backstory necessary? It was so over the top. The main plot of the story (the contract and art world dealings) was strong enough without all of this added drama.
Cons
- I honestly think we didn't need the blackmail part at all. The author could have easily explained her acceptance of the contract because she is struggling to make ends meet anyways.
- I also didn't love the family drama part either. I didn't care about the beef with her sister. I'm here for Adelaide/Jack, not sister bickering.
- Not a fan of on-page suicide attempt scenes, for any reason.
TW: suicide attempts (off and on-page), stalking, parent death (off-page), grief, hospital, mental health deterioration
Pros
+ A great mostly-fun read for an afternoon! I read it in pretty much one sitting during a Saturday.
+ This is basically a 50 Shades retelling, with the contract and no BDSM. Oh and some university and artist drama thrown in as a side dish.
+ romance tropes: 50 shades but a lighter shade, age gap (22f & 38m), no-strings-attached, cold/fiery
+ Adelaide (22yo): college senior who writes papers-for-pay to make ends meet
+ Jack (38yo): a famous art dealer who Adelaide signs a date-but-no-heart contract with
+ Declan: a struggling painter & Adelaide's art TA who blackmails her into spying on Jack
+ THAT COVER
Neutral
- Sometimes Jack gave me whiplash with how he'd tell Adelaide one thing then get all mad at her for doing exactly what he said. Sometimes it was hot because he was clearly jealous. And sometimes it was just annoying/infuriating because hello??? Don't be an asshole???
- Why was Jack's specific backstory necessary? It was so over the top. The main plot of the story (the contract and art world dealings) was strong enough without all of this added drama.
Cons
- I honestly think we didn't need the blackmail part at all. The author could have easily explained her acceptance of the contract because she is struggling to make ends meet anyways.
- I also didn't love the family drama part either. I didn't care about the beef with her sister. I'm here for Adelaide/Jack, not sister bickering.
- Not a fan of on-page suicide attempt scenes, for any reason.
TW: suicide attempts (off and on-page), stalking, parent death (off-page), grief, hospital, mental health deterioration
May 16, 2022
Wow despite it being a debut novel, it was really good. I haven’t had a good reads in a while, so, reading this book felt so fresh and amazing. I stumbled upon it on the explore page of Instagram, the blurb sounded amazing so I added it to my tbr and it DEFINITELY didn’t disappoint, and it wouldn’t being wrong to say that it rather exceeded my expectations. It wasn’t much spicy but the smut was good, and the story was interesting. Despite it being a third person pov I didn’t felt bored, that I usually do. The chemistry between the MCs was fire. The only thing that I wished it had was an epilogue because damn reading it would have had been so fulfilling
February 20, 2022
Thank you to the author, NetGalley & the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
If you’re looking for a scandalous, drama filled, engaging read - look no further! I devoured this in a single sitting and while certain aspects of the plot were predictable, I wasn’t expecting the level of investment I felt for the characters and definitely found myself surprised at some of the twists the tale took.
I would definitely pick up more from this author in the future.
If you’re looking for a scandalous, drama filled, engaging read - look no further! I devoured this in a single sitting and while certain aspects of the plot were predictable, I wasn’t expecting the level of investment I felt for the characters and definitely found myself surprised at some of the twists the tale took.
I would definitely pick up more from this author in the future.
March 2, 2022
Listen, this book was so good! I was perusing the Netgalley catalogue when this cover and title caught my eye. Clicked on it to read the synopsis--instantly sold. One chapter in? Hooked, could not put it down, kept me engaged throughout with the drama, deceit, and darling romance.
This book features a contractural fake dating relationship, blackmail, age gap romance, and some steamy scenes. I enjoyed all the preceding as well as the juxtaposition between the unglamorous college life with the opulent art dealing world. I loved Jack's hot and cold demeanor but Adelaide's actions frustrated me many times. Miscommunication is my least favorite trope, but I surprisingly didn't feel the overwhelming urge to chuck my kindle across the room while reading because I felt invested enough to find out what happens next and to see if there was a HEA/HFN or not.
Overall, a great read! I'm excited to read whatever Mackenzie writes in the future. Thank you Netgalley and Marmack Books for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book features a contractural fake dating relationship, blackmail, age gap romance, and some steamy scenes. I enjoyed all the preceding as well as the juxtaposition between the unglamorous college life with the opulent art dealing world. I loved Jack's hot and cold demeanor but Adelaide's actions frustrated me many times. Miscommunication is my least favorite trope, but I surprisingly didn't feel the overwhelming urge to chuck my kindle across the room while reading because I felt invested enough to find out what happens next and to see if there was a HEA/HFN or not.
Overall, a great read! I'm excited to read whatever Mackenzie writes in the future. Thank you Netgalley and Marmack Books for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 12, 2022
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Rules of arrangement is a story about Adelaide, a college student, who runs an illegal business of writing papers for students around campus to finance her livelihood. Right as her business is booming, her old friend and neighbor, Declan, finds out her secret and threatens to spill everything. To save her own skin, Adelaide makes a deal with Declan to seduce the successful art dealer Jack and to retrieve back Declan's stolen paintings. But to get close to Jack, she has to enter a dubious arrangement that will cost her more than just her morals.
I absolutely loved this book. It has everything I expect a good book to have, a fast-paced plot with intrigue, a great romance and interesting characters. Right from the beginning, this book was addictive, so much that I couldn't put it down even though I had no time whatsoever to read. The story didn't get boring, it had the perfect length, and the writing style wasn't unnecessarily complicated. The chemistry between the two protagonists was just perfect, and I must say that this is for certain an impressive debut novel. I will definitely be checking out the author's next book.
Rules of arrangement is a story about Adelaide, a college student, who runs an illegal business of writing papers for students around campus to finance her livelihood. Right as her business is booming, her old friend and neighbor, Declan, finds out her secret and threatens to spill everything. To save her own skin, Adelaide makes a deal with Declan to seduce the successful art dealer Jack and to retrieve back Declan's stolen paintings. But to get close to Jack, she has to enter a dubious arrangement that will cost her more than just her morals.
I absolutely loved this book. It has everything I expect a good book to have, a fast-paced plot with intrigue, a great romance and interesting characters. Right from the beginning, this book was addictive, so much that I couldn't put it down even though I had no time whatsoever to read. The story didn't get boring, it had the perfect length, and the writing style wasn't unnecessarily complicated. The chemistry between the two protagonists was just perfect, and I must say that this is for certain an impressive debut novel. I will definitely be checking out the author's next book.
Read
April 18, 2022A captivating debut novel!
I decided to read this on a whim, and I’m so glad I did! It’s well-written and captures the feelings the story tries to convey. The book is more emotionally charged than I anticipated, which is a pleasant surprise. It expresses how complicated family relationships can be and how words and misunderstandings can shape our decisions positively or negatively. I empathize with Adelaide, who seems never to get a break. She’s far from perfect, but her actions don’t frustrate me because I can understand her actions and her indecisions. I like Jack as well, more and more as the story progresses. Do note that the story has the following:
- age gap romance (22 to his 38)
- blackmail
- talk of suicide, mental health
- death of loved ones (happened before the timeline)
Thank you, NetGalley and Marmack Books, for the e-ARC.
I decided to read this on a whim, and I’m so glad I did! It’s well-written and captures the feelings the story tries to convey. The book is more emotionally charged than I anticipated, which is a pleasant surprise. It expresses how complicated family relationships can be and how words and misunderstandings can shape our decisions positively or negatively. I empathize with Adelaide, who seems never to get a break. She’s far from perfect, but her actions don’t frustrate me because I can understand her actions and her indecisions. I like Jack as well, more and more as the story progresses. Do note that the story has the following:
- age gap romance (22 to his 38)
- blackmail
- talk of suicide, mental health
- death of loved ones (happened before the timeline)
Thank you, NetGalley and Marmack Books, for the e-ARC.
April 13, 2022
I just know all the dark/light academia girlies are gonna be all over this one. And I don’t blame them.
thank you net galley & the publishers for this arc which I received in exchange for an honest review.
Genre: Romance, New Adult
Tropes: age-gap, blackmail, estranged-sisters
Spice: 2/5
TW: blackmail, mention of deceased parents, suicide attempt, grief, mental illness
Plot: After being blackmailed by a childhood sort-of friend, Adelaide is thrust into Jack's world: art dealing and deceit. Jack is older, rich, and sophisticated while Addie is a broke college student who's in way over her head.
This is a fast paced drama-filled romance with a touch of spice.
I found myself simultaneously rooting for and suspicious of all the characters the entire time - and loved every single moment of it.
The character arc were pleasantly unexpected and I constantly questioned Jack's and Declan's intentions. That, mixed with the building dread looming over everything made me not want to put it down. So much so that I devoured it in one sitting.
I wished that there was more art-heist and scandal in the plot overall, but still enjoyed the book regardless.
thank you net galley & the publishers for this arc which I received in exchange for an honest review.
Genre: Romance, New Adult
Tropes: age-gap, blackmail, estranged-sisters
Spice: 2/5
TW: blackmail, mention of deceased parents, suicide attempt, grief, mental illness
Plot: After being blackmailed by a childhood sort-of friend, Adelaide is thrust into Jack's world: art dealing and deceit. Jack is older, rich, and sophisticated while Addie is a broke college student who's in way over her head.
This is a fast paced drama-filled romance with a touch of spice.
I found myself simultaneously rooting for and suspicious of all the characters the entire time - and loved every single moment of it.
The character arc were pleasantly unexpected and I constantly questioned Jack's and Declan's intentions. That, mixed with the building dread looming over everything made me not want to put it down. So much so that I devoured it in one sitting.
I wished that there was more art-heist and scandal in the plot overall, but still enjoyed the book regardless.
April 10, 2022
I cannot overstate how much I loved this book. I was drawn in by the summary and the gorgeous cover and I was not disappointed.
Some highlights:
- The description and emotion of the family dynamic; families are complicated, especially when dealing with trauma and grief. I thought that the author did a great job of showing three different perspectives from Adelaide, Michael, and Samantha of how humans deal with family loss.
- Balance of the relationship between Jack and Adelaide. I had so much fun seeing Adelaide challenge Jack when he's seemingly surrounded by yes-people. The chemistry was off the charts.
- The pacing and development of the story was wonderful. I was never bored and always looking forward to what the next chapter would bring. I also appreciated the element of mystery in recovering the paintings as well as Jack and Adelaide's past.
- The plot was really unique and I so appreciate a romance book that doesn't have a high degree of predictability through it. Obvi I want an HEA in any book, but this was a serious page turner because I genuinely did not know what was coming next. I was so invested in all of the characters and found myself rooting for all of them.
- Jack. Everything about Jack. Period.
tl;dr: Maren Mackenzie knocked it out of the park with this novel!!
Thanks to NetGalley and the author for a copy of this book!
Some highlights:
- The description and emotion of the family dynamic; families are complicated, especially when dealing with trauma and grief. I thought that the author did a great job of showing three different perspectives from Adelaide, Michael, and Samantha of how humans deal with family loss.
- Balance of the relationship between Jack and Adelaide. I had so much fun seeing Adelaide challenge Jack when he's seemingly surrounded by yes-people. The chemistry was off the charts.
- The pacing and development of the story was wonderful. I was never bored and always looking forward to what the next chapter would bring. I also appreciated the element of mystery in recovering the paintings as well as Jack and Adelaide's past.
- The plot was really unique and I so appreciate a romance book that doesn't have a high degree of predictability through it. Obvi I want an HEA in any book, but this was a serious page turner because I genuinely did not know what was coming next. I was so invested in all of the characters and found myself rooting for all of them.
- Jack. Everything about Jack. Period.
tl;dr: Maren Mackenzie knocked it out of the park with this novel!!
Thanks to NetGalley and the author for a copy of this book!
February 2, 2022
(3.5) It felt almost shockingly easy to slip into this book. From the first chapter, I felt quite the pull to get me to keep reading and not stop, so I did just that and devoured every page. The book is immensely compelling, and the academia vibes in the setting and its atmosphere were wonderful. Give me an ivy-covered school and a high-end art world, and I’m pretty much sold. The plot is fun and engaging, and the pacing was very well-done. I was never bored.
But… I’m not so sure how I felt about the characters. Adelaide was at times fascinating, but, at other times, she felt half-written. She’s an incredibly smart young woman who knows enough about a broad variety of topics to successfully write college papers for other students, but she’s somewhat dull in conversations and lets herself be manipulated by the men around her. I wished she had more agency. And then there were the “I’m-not-like-other-girls,” “I-don’t-know-I’m-beautiful” vibes that occasionally emanated from her. Adelaide also falls prey to the whole “hot-guy-with-nice-abs-is-interested-in-me-so-I-forget-everything-else-that’s-important-to me” trope, neglecting both her schoolwork (which she’s made her priority up until now) and her friends (who are the only people she can open up to).
At times, the romance between Adelaide and Jack — which I didn’t expect to take up so much of the story, but I’m not mad it did — was swoon-worthy and gave all the requisite butterflies. But, then, at other times, I’m not quite sure where their connection was coming from. I never really got a good sense of why Jack actually liked Adelaide. Why did they want to be together? To that end, I also felt like they weren’t given much of an ending together, and Adelaide wasn’t given one on her own; a lot is made about her future, and then the book ends rather abruptly.
I think more depth and understanding of character would have made me like this book a bit more, but I still definitely enjoyed reading it. Maren Mackenzie’s debut novel is richly interesting and well-plotted, it’s glamorous and intriguing. I’m looking forward to seeing what’s next from this author.
Special thanks to NetGalley, Marmack Books, and Maren Mackenzie for proving me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
But… I’m not so sure how I felt about the characters. Adelaide was at times fascinating, but, at other times, she felt half-written. She’s an incredibly smart young woman who knows enough about a broad variety of topics to successfully write college papers for other students, but she’s somewhat dull in conversations and lets herself be manipulated by the men around her. I wished she had more agency. And then there were the “I’m-not-like-other-girls,” “I-don’t-know-I’m-beautiful” vibes that occasionally emanated from her. Adelaide also falls prey to the whole “hot-guy-with-nice-abs-is-interested-in-me-so-I-forget-everything-else-that’s-important-to me” trope, neglecting both her schoolwork (which she’s made her priority up until now) and her friends (who are the only people she can open up to).
At times, the romance between Adelaide and Jack — which I didn’t expect to take up so much of the story, but I’m not mad it did — was swoon-worthy and gave all the requisite butterflies. But, then, at other times, I’m not quite sure where their connection was coming from. I never really got a good sense of why Jack actually liked Adelaide. Why did they want to be together? To that end, I also felt like they weren’t given much of an ending together, and Adelaide wasn’t given one on her own; a lot is made about her future, and then the book ends rather abruptly.
I think more depth and understanding of character would have made me like this book a bit more, but I still definitely enjoyed reading it. Maren Mackenzie’s debut novel is richly interesting and well-plotted, it’s glamorous and intriguing. I’m looking forward to seeing what’s next from this author.
Special thanks to NetGalley, Marmack Books, and Maren Mackenzie for proving me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
February 1, 2023
2023 REVIEW
I read this for the first time a year ago and upon rereading it, I love it even more. there’s magic in this book, I swear. I’m just so captivated, and emotionally invested and just ughhh, I love themmm. and the plot and the characters, art truly transports.
I’m forever thankful for taking a chance on this book, and ms maren mackenzie, no pressure but, please keep writing!
2022 REVIEW
I LOVED THIS OMG
5 stars.
There's so much heart to this story that I fell in love with.
First of all, we get introduced to Adelaide, who is amazingly resilient in her fierce independence. I adored her character and found her to be wildly relatable. Headstrong but uncertain she treads through life attempting to find a place to belong amongst people she feels safe with.
Fortunately for her, she finds that in the hero, Jack. Given the book is written entirely in Adelaide's pov, Jack comes across as a mysterious older figure to her 22 years. His character is layered and surprisingly sensual. Their romance is told through small give and takes as they navigate their arrangement which lends itself well to continual tension between the pair.
the minor characters are equally as interesting and well developed. And the subplots played out beautifully on top of the romance to tell such a captivating story.
I admit the start was a little slow in getting to the romance but with the easy flow of the writing and the engaging exposition of the plot and characters, it didn't feel slow. Also, the sex scenes could have been more explicit but I understand the writer's decision here.
- fake dating/arrangement
- age gap romance
- deception/blackmail
- dark pasts
- set in the art world
- TW: suicide attempt
Ms Mackenzie, give me more!
I read this for the first time a year ago and upon rereading it, I love it even more. there’s magic in this book, I swear. I’m just so captivated, and emotionally invested and just ughhh, I love themmm. and the plot and the characters, art truly transports.
I’m forever thankful for taking a chance on this book, and ms maren mackenzie, no pressure but, please keep writing!
2022 REVIEW
I LOVED THIS OMG
5 stars.
There's so much heart to this story that I fell in love with.
First of all, we get introduced to Adelaide, who is amazingly resilient in her fierce independence. I adored her character and found her to be wildly relatable. Headstrong but uncertain she treads through life attempting to find a place to belong amongst people she feels safe with.
Fortunately for her, she finds that in the hero, Jack. Given the book is written entirely in Adelaide's pov, Jack comes across as a mysterious older figure to her 22 years. His character is layered and surprisingly sensual. Their romance is told through small give and takes as they navigate their arrangement which lends itself well to continual tension between the pair.
the minor characters are equally as interesting and well developed. And the subplots played out beautifully on top of the romance to tell such a captivating story.
I admit the start was a little slow in getting to the romance but with the easy flow of the writing and the engaging exposition of the plot and characters, it didn't feel slow. Also, the sex scenes could have been more explicit but I understand the writer's decision here.
- fake dating/arrangement
- age gap romance
- deception/blackmail
- dark pasts
- set in the art world
- TW: suicide attempt
Ms Mackenzie, give me more!
June 22, 2022
Adelaide Wright finds herself in trouble when her TA (and childhood fling) find out she's selling papers at their university to pay her hefty tuition. So he decides to blackmail her into helping him get his paintings back from his ex art dealer, Jack Nolan. How will she do that? Well by agreeing to an arrangement with him that involves a contract and lucrative payment of course! Maybe Adelaide won't have to rely on writing papers to scrape by after all. But the cost of losing her heart to someone like Jack? The price may be too much to pay.
And thus begins this delicious novel that I finished in a single sitting. It's the perfect mix of scandal, drama, and smut that could cure anyone's reading slump! Jack and Adelaide's relationship was tantalizing to watch unfurl, and as they slowly open up to each other it veered from sexy to sweet in a heart warming way.
I still feel a little leery about the age difference (she's 22, he's 38), even though Adelaide is portrayed to be mature for her age. That's the only qualm I had about this novel. Otherwise, it was quick and fun read that was quite enjoyable!
*Thanks to Maren Mackenzie, Marmack Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
And thus begins this delicious novel that I finished in a single sitting. It's the perfect mix of scandal, drama, and smut that could cure anyone's reading slump! Jack and Adelaide's relationship was tantalizing to watch unfurl, and as they slowly open up to each other it veered from sexy to sweet in a heart warming way.
I still feel a little leery about the age difference (she's 22, he's 38), even though Adelaide is portrayed to be mature for her age. That's the only qualm I had about this novel. Otherwise, it was quick and fun read that was quite enjoyable!
*Thanks to Maren Mackenzie, Marmack Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
May 16, 2022
The cover for Rules of Arrangement is gorgeous and was the main reason I decided to check the book out. Look at it! It's so pretty.
Loved the dark academia aesthetic in Mackenzie's novel. This complemented the discussions on art quite well. It was also fun following the character as she travelled the world and attended fancy galas. Also, the writing in Rules of Arrangement is immaculate.
The romance felt a bit dull at times, especially near the end. It was intense at the start but kind of fizzled out as the story progressed.
Would recommend this story for the dark academia and art vibes, not so much for the romance.
Loved the dark academia aesthetic in Mackenzie's novel. This complemented the discussions on art quite well. It was also fun following the character as she travelled the world and attended fancy galas. Also, the writing in Rules of Arrangement is immaculate.
The romance felt a bit dull at times, especially near the end. It was intense at the start but kind of fizzled out as the story progressed.
Would recommend this story for the dark academia and art vibes, not so much for the romance.
September 13, 2022
I picked this book to read with the promise of a spicy "arrangement" that came with a contract between a college girl that is strapped for cash and an older, wealthy, and powerful man. While there were some hot scenes in the book, the book pleasantly surprised me because there was a lot to the story and with character development. Some of the book's surprises really threw me for a loop! I kept wanting to read this book every night until I got to the end. This book is this author's debut novel and I hope there will be a sequel! Thank you to NetGalley for this book.
June 1, 2025
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Rules of Arrangement in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
The Gist
Rules of Arrangement by Maren Mackenzie is an addictively readable debut that blends romance and emotional tension with a twist of mystery. The story follows Adelaide Wright, a college senior juggling coursework, grief, and financial pressure. Her secret side hustle—writing papers for classmates—keeps her afloat, until Declan, a former flame and her art history TA, discovers the scheme. Instead of reporting her, he ropes her into a high-stakes plan: infiltrate the world of wealthy art dealer Jack Nolan to retrieve stolen artwork.
The Details
What begins as a calculated arrangement quickly evolves into something far messier. Jack is magnetic, charming, and morally gray. Adelaide, drawn in by his world and his presence, finds herself torn between loyalty, survival, and desire. Their relationship pulses with tension and slow-burning chemistry, bringing the kind of romantic suspense that makes you keep flipping pages.
The novel excels in atmosphere and pacing. Mackenzie writes with clarity and control, keeping the story tightly focused on Adelaide’s perspective. It’s easy to root for her, even when her choices are questionable. Her emotional arc—shaped by loss, estrangement, and the need to prove herself—feels genuine and well-paced.
While the romance is a clear highlight, some side characters fall flat. Adelaide’s friendships, though mentioned, lack depth and closure. A few key relationships seem to vanish without consequence, which leaves parts of the story feeling slightly unfinished. The ending also comes faster than expected, with several threads tied up a bit too neatly.
Still, the book never loses momentum. Adelaide’s voice remains sharp and engaging, and her interactions with Jack are electric. There’s a satisfying blend of vulnerability and resolve in how she navigates her choices, making her a heroine you won’t easily forget.
The Verdict
Rules of Arrangement is a fresh, emotionally rich romance with just enough edge to keep things interesting. It doesn’t reinvent the genre, but it hits the right notes with confidence and style. For fans of romantic tension, flawed heroines, and morally complicated love interests, this one is well worth your time.
June 5, 2022
Thank you NetGalley and Marmack Books for the ARC - my sincerest apologies for the delayed read!
So, I'm going to start this review with the thing I disliked the most, because the rest of the book was honestly good so I'm not sure why it happened. Here goes:
There is a comment near the beginning that suggests Adelaide feels confident because she loses a few pounds from stress. This was fatphobic and wholly unnecessary to the plot, as her body isn't really detailed in weight-specifics other than this one moment. Why should she be more confident with less weight? Why does stress-losing a few pounds make her happy? Editors or the publisher should have caught this - it's not cute and did nothing for the protagonist, the story, or the book. I was reading an ARC copy, so I truly hope in the final draft this came out.
That one (unecessary) moment aside: this book surprised me - I am hesitant to read contemporary romance at all, because I often find it too unrealistic in a non-endearing way. I opted to read this because there is a mystery subplot that carries the story beyond just the romance.
And, I actually enjoyed this! It felt like a (less problematic) take on Fifty Shades of Grey, as this shares a lot of tropes in common (contractual romance, domineering love interest). There are some twists and turns - which I didn't actually love, so 4/5 stars - but they kept me engaged and interested enough so that for other people (with different personal reading tastes) this is probably a 5 star romance read. I was so invested I finished it in a day. I'm going to elaborate on what I didn't love below, so stop reading if you don't want the ending spoiled.
In sum: the book was a lot of fun and I'll probably read the author's next books if and when they come! For a debut, I'm impressed!
(Spoilers below!)
Things I didn't like -
1) Jack's wife being alive, but comatose (it felt crass for him to pull the plug on his wife for a 22yr old, but I'm not into age-gap reads, so I purposefully overlooked my own thoughts here - to each their own)
2) the fact that the answer to the mystery is just that Declan is suicidal. I didn't love the representation of mental illness here.
So, I'm going to start this review with the thing I disliked the most, because the rest of the book was honestly good so I'm not sure why it happened. Here goes:
There is a comment near the beginning that suggests Adelaide feels confident because she loses a few pounds from stress. This was fatphobic and wholly unnecessary to the plot, as her body isn't really detailed in weight-specifics other than this one moment. Why should she be more confident with less weight? Why does stress-losing a few pounds make her happy? Editors or the publisher should have caught this - it's not cute and did nothing for the protagonist, the story, or the book. I was reading an ARC copy, so I truly hope in the final draft this came out.
That one (unecessary) moment aside: this book surprised me - I am hesitant to read contemporary romance at all, because I often find it too unrealistic in a non-endearing way. I opted to read this because there is a mystery subplot that carries the story beyond just the romance.
And, I actually enjoyed this! It felt like a (less problematic) take on Fifty Shades of Grey, as this shares a lot of tropes in common (contractual romance, domineering love interest). There are some twists and turns - which I didn't actually love, so 4/5 stars - but they kept me engaged and interested enough so that for other people (with different personal reading tastes) this is probably a 5 star romance read. I was so invested I finished it in a day. I'm going to elaborate on what I didn't love below, so stop reading if you don't want the ending spoiled.
In sum: the book was a lot of fun and I'll probably read the author's next books if and when they come! For a debut, I'm impressed!
(Spoilers below!)
Things I didn't like -
1) Jack's wife being alive, but comatose (it felt crass for him to pull the plug on his wife for a 22yr old, but I'm not into age-gap reads, so I purposefully overlooked my own thoughts here - to each their own)
2) the fact that the answer to the mystery is just that Declan is suicidal. I didn't love the representation of mental illness here.
March 5, 2022
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an arc of this book
I applied for this arc because the cover got me really intrigued, I love when art and paintings are a part of the story.
The story is about a university student called Adelaide, she is 22 and due to financial problems decided to write essays for her fellow students in exchange for money. One day her childhood neighbor and first crush Declan hires her to write his essay and discloses later, that he is a teaching assistent and threatens her to make her business public.
He blackmails her, to help him get his stolen paintings back from a very prestige art dealer named Jack, he is hot, older and wealthy.
Against her will she decides to get in contact with Jack, but him being part of a completely different world with different rules puts her up against unknown challenges. The question is, will she be able to do what Declan wants and which price does she have to pay for it ?
I’m starting my review by saying, that I overall enjoyed the story. It is fast paced, easy to follow and FINALLY a story with plot and not just sex. I’m extremely picky with romance books that include smut and I’m happy that the author gave the reader more than steamy scenes.
The plot, while being entertaining, was predictable to a degree without ruining the reading experience. I felt like the relationship between the characters actually changed gradually over the course of the story which made it seem quite realistic and believable. Often times romance stories just tell the reader that the characters like each other but don’t show it.
I liked the inclusion of mental health in this story, it was respectfully written and I liked the inclusion at the end which gave resources for people dealing with suicidal thoughts, I didn’t find a trigger warning at the start of the book which I would have liked.
I overall recommend this book to anyone who is is intrigued by stories who center arround immoral arrangements, art and steamy scenes between a young woman and a older, wealthy man. I'm interested in reading upcoming stories by the author.
I rate this book 3.5/5
I applied for this arc because the cover got me really intrigued, I love when art and paintings are a part of the story.
The story is about a university student called Adelaide, she is 22 and due to financial problems decided to write essays for her fellow students in exchange for money. One day her childhood neighbor and first crush Declan hires her to write his essay and discloses later, that he is a teaching assistent and threatens her to make her business public.
He blackmails her, to help him get his stolen paintings back from a very prestige art dealer named Jack, he is hot, older and wealthy.
Against her will she decides to get in contact with Jack, but him being part of a completely different world with different rules puts her up against unknown challenges. The question is, will she be able to do what Declan wants and which price does she have to pay for it ?
I’m starting my review by saying, that I overall enjoyed the story. It is fast paced, easy to follow and FINALLY a story with plot and not just sex. I’m extremely picky with romance books that include smut and I’m happy that the author gave the reader more than steamy scenes.
The plot, while being entertaining, was predictable to a degree without ruining the reading experience. I felt like the relationship between the characters actually changed gradually over the course of the story which made it seem quite realistic and believable. Often times romance stories just tell the reader that the characters like each other but don’t show it.
I liked the inclusion of mental health in this story, it was respectfully written and I liked the inclusion at the end which gave resources for people dealing with suicidal thoughts, I didn’t find a trigger warning at the start of the book which I would have liked.
I overall recommend this book to anyone who is is intrigued by stories who center arround immoral arrangements, art and steamy scenes between a young woman and a older, wealthy man. I'm interested in reading upcoming stories by the author.
I rate this book 3.5/5
January 28, 2022
4 stars
Rules of Arrangement was the pleasant surprise that I needed in the middle of this reading slump! Sometimes, it is good to judge a book by its (awesome) cover.
This book admittedly started out a bit slow for me but once we met our love interest, it hit the ground running. Romantic suspense and new adult are not genres that I have really delved into before, but this book may have just converted me. Mackenzie does an excellent job of building an actual love story out of a complicated set of circumstances and the tension that the blackmail subplot brings inserts itself enough to both allow the romance to build and add just that little bit of spice.
I think that it is one of the more successful debut novels that I have encountered recently and I look forward to reading more from Maren Mackenzie.
Thank you to NetGalley and Marmack Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review!
Rules of Arrangement was the pleasant surprise that I needed in the middle of this reading slump! Sometimes, it is good to judge a book by its (awesome) cover.
This book admittedly started out a bit slow for me but once we met our love interest, it hit the ground running. Romantic suspense and new adult are not genres that I have really delved into before, but this book may have just converted me. Mackenzie does an excellent job of building an actual love story out of a complicated set of circumstances and the tension that the blackmail subplot brings inserts itself enough to both allow the romance to build and add just that little bit of spice.
I think that it is one of the more successful debut novels that I have encountered recently and I look forward to reading more from Maren Mackenzie.
Thank you to NetGalley and Marmack Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review!
February 4, 2022
This was such an easy, enjoyable read. The characters were wonderful to get to know and I was hooked as soon as Jack was introduced.
I love me an age gap romance! Adelaide and Jack’s attraction to each other was instant, however as their relationship becomes more complicated, it’s as if their romance goes from a fast to a slow burn as we watch them figure it out.
I absolutely adore Adelaide. A college student who has experienced more than your average 22-year-old, she’s scrappy and has a bit of a chip on her shoulder. So it was really nice to see her become so vulnerable with Jack.
I really loved how many emotions I went through as I got to know Declan. One moment, I sympathized with him and the next, I hated his guts, and finally sympathized again. That’s a sign of a great story, in my opinion!
Overall, I loved this book and I couldn’t put it down. I will absolutely recommend it to everyone I know.
Thank you to NetGalley and Marmack Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I love me an age gap romance! Adelaide and Jack’s attraction to each other was instant, however as their relationship becomes more complicated, it’s as if their romance goes from a fast to a slow burn as we watch them figure it out.
I absolutely adore Adelaide. A college student who has experienced more than your average 22-year-old, she’s scrappy and has a bit of a chip on her shoulder. So it was really nice to see her become so vulnerable with Jack.
I really loved how many emotions I went through as I got to know Declan. One moment, I sympathized with him and the next, I hated his guts, and finally sympathized again. That’s a sign of a great story, in my opinion!
Overall, I loved this book and I couldn’t put it down. I will absolutely recommend it to everyone I know.
Thank you to NetGalley and Marmack Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
April 24, 2023
4.5 ⭐️
Adelaide is your run of the mill college student who has to do what she must to get by including writing papers for other for money. However, Declan, her art history TA, threatens to out her to the university if she doesn’t help him recover his stolen art pieces from cutthroat art dealer, Jack Nolan.
What a fantastic debut novel from Maren Mackenzie. Rules of Arrangement has drama, romance, spice, emotional depth, and a plot that will keep you hooked! Adelaide and Jack’s chemistry was HOT! I will say that Jack fave off Christian Grey Vibes in the beginning and I didn’t like him at first, but I warmed up to him eventually. If you aren’t into age gap romance and faking dating, you might wanna skip this one. But I ate this shit up and loved it!
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publishers for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
CW/TW: death of parent, blackmail, attempted suicide, mental illness, manipulation, medical content
Adelaide is your run of the mill college student who has to do what she must to get by including writing papers for other for money. However, Declan, her art history TA, threatens to out her to the university if she doesn’t help him recover his stolen art pieces from cutthroat art dealer, Jack Nolan.
What a fantastic debut novel from Maren Mackenzie. Rules of Arrangement has drama, romance, spice, emotional depth, and a plot that will keep you hooked! Adelaide and Jack’s chemistry was HOT! I will say that Jack fave off Christian Grey Vibes in the beginning and I didn’t like him at first, but I warmed up to him eventually. If you aren’t into age gap romance and faking dating, you might wanna skip this one. But I ate this shit up and loved it!
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publishers for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
CW/TW: death of parent, blackmail, attempted suicide, mental illness, manipulation, medical content
March 28, 2022
Rules of Arrangement
Maren Mackenzie
Adelaide Wright is hard up for money so she writes papers for other students; if she is caught, it will mean the end of her college education. If she can just make it until graduation. All looks good until her art TA, Declan, threatens to expose her unless she recovers his paintings from Jack Nolan, a mature and ruthless art dealer. There is only way Adelaide can gain entry into Jack’s world, through an agreement that leaves her at his mercy. She is eye candy on his arm, but the sparks are flying and the relationship is growing.
This book has spice, romance and is hot. I loved watching the relationship between Jack and Adelaide grow. Their characters work well together. This is a fun book. I couldn’t put it down once I started it.
Maren Mackenzie
Adelaide Wright is hard up for money so she writes papers for other students; if she is caught, it will mean the end of her college education. If she can just make it until graduation. All looks good until her art TA, Declan, threatens to expose her unless she recovers his paintings from Jack Nolan, a mature and ruthless art dealer. There is only way Adelaide can gain entry into Jack’s world, through an agreement that leaves her at his mercy. She is eye candy on his arm, but the sparks are flying and the relationship is growing.
This book has spice, romance and is hot. I loved watching the relationship between Jack and Adelaide grow. Their characters work well together. This is a fun book. I couldn’t put it down once I started it.
March 29, 2022
Thank you to the Publisher via NetGalley for this book in exchange for an honest review
Age Gap Romance
Fake Dating
This book was great. I loved it. While there was drama it did not distract from the romance or the plot.
I found myself loving these characters immediately. The chemistry and romance between Jack and Adelaide was incredible. I really became entranced by their romance and just had to keep reading.
A romance book that will have you wanting more, this book will have you turning the pages wanting more. A great romance with BDSM elements. This book is great for any romance reader.
Age Gap Romance
Fake Dating
This book was great. I loved it. While there was drama it did not distract from the romance or the plot.
I found myself loving these characters immediately. The chemistry and romance between Jack and Adelaide was incredible. I really became entranced by their romance and just had to keep reading.
A romance book that will have you wanting more, this book will have you turning the pages wanting more. A great romance with BDSM elements. This book is great for any romance reader.
January 25, 2022
**3.5
thank you netgalley for this arc which I received in exchange for an honest review.
this was SO much better than i thought it was going to be.
the romance was great. i loved addie and jack. it was interesting, steamy and entertaining throughout and overall just a fun read.
there was serious issues discussed which i didn’t expect which gave it some added depth and the characters didn’t seem at all one dimensional.
enjoyed this! would be willing to read other books by this author.
thank you netgalley for this arc which I received in exchange for an honest review.
this was SO much better than i thought it was going to be.
the romance was great. i loved addie and jack. it was interesting, steamy and entertaining throughout and overall just a fun read.
there was serious issues discussed which i didn’t expect which gave it some added depth and the characters didn’t seem at all one dimensional.
enjoyed this! would be willing to read other books by this author.
May 8, 2022
I could not put this down. Mystery, spice, complex characters, mental health, a strong female protagonist . . . It truly was *chef’s kiss* superb escapism. I will say that I had no idea what to think about some of the characters until the end—even if you are turned off by someone’s behavior (I kept texting Lynsey about a few ick factors), I recommend sticking with it for the plot! The author tied everything up nicely in the end.
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