Rules are made to be Broken

The Rules Series #1

by Mylissa Demeyere

I’ve loved Will Henderson from the first day I laid eyes on him. But I made a solemn promise that same day. I would never, ever date Will Henderson.
For almost a decade, Charlotte Dubois has loved Will Henderson from afar, squelching her heart's silent yearnings. But no way could she date her best friend Kelsey’s brother. Their whole friendship is based on one rule: No friend of Kelsey can ever date Will. Instead, Charlotte has watched him date and break more hearts than should be legal.
Will Henderson never got over that stolen kiss he shared with Charlotte years ago—though he's tried valiantly to rid his system of his sister's best friend.
When circumstances bring the two into each other’s arms again, Will wants to convince Charlotte to break the rules and take a chance on him. But to do so, they will have to hide their relationship from the ones they love most. Can true love triumph, or will they both end up losing?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Friends To Lovers, Contemporary Romance, Forbidden Love, Fiction, Clean Romance

Unknown Binding

About the author

Mylissa Demeyere was born in Belgium, and resides in the beautiful city of Ghent. She lives in a somewhat organized home with her four beautiful children and the love of her life. If she isn't working, she's writing, running, reading, or enjoying time with her kids, who are growing up way too fast.
The Songs of You and Me is her debut novel, with a sequel already in the works.


Connect with Mylissa Demeyere online:

http://www.mylissademeyere.com
https://www.facebook.com/MylissaDemey...
https://www.instagram.com/mylissademe...
https://twitter.com/MylissaDemeyere
https://www.pinterest.com/mylissademe...

Reviews

[Aimee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wowza. This book has loads of excellent, sparking chemistry! I loved that so much. That whole forbidden love vibe really set the stage for the growing intensity between Will and Charlotte. They have known each other for so long that all those repressed feelings are just bound to explode out at some point, right? It's something you can just feel coming and the anticipation was fun!

Charlotte is trying so hard to guard herself against Will. For her, it's more than just a promise made when she was young. As her backstory unfolded, I found myself more and more sympathetic to Charlotte's plight. I was rooting for her and I wanted so badly for all the good things to swing her way.

As a reader, I am always looking for those personal connections to the characters and I want to feel emotion as I read. This book had all of those things and I had a hard time putting it down. I read late into the night to finish and it was ever so satisfying! I really loved this one. 💙

Content: kissing

- I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

This second book in the “Love Under Wraps” series was wonderful. Each book is standalone but has a theme of a forbidden love. I really enjoyed Charlotte and Will’s story and thought it had a unique take on a forbidden love.

Each chapter started by letting you know if it was Charlotte’s or Will’s perspective. Getting inside each of their heads gave me a good idea of what each was thinking and experiencing. I loved the way only Will called her “Charles”. Their romance had my toes curling in delight and there were so many swoony moments that I adored. The tension in this clean romance was through the roof.

Enter Kelsey, Will’s sister and Charlotte’s best friend. She was likeable enough, but I honestly got so frustrated with her and her “rule” to never have her friend date her brother. The more the book progressed the more I began to despise her and get frustrated with her selfishness. I was so glad for the way things resolved though- lots of things were discussed to help me better understand her perspective, which helped.

I loved Mamie, Charlotte’s grandma. She was such a fun and endearing character. This book was well done and I can’t wait to read more in this series and more by this author!

[Katie (hiding in the pages) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, my heart! I don't even know where to start with this one, because it was incredible, with the most sizzling, steamy, yet clean, romantic tension, and the best, toe-curling kisses in the world.

Will and Charlotte have had a forbidden interest in each other for 10 years and they hold each other at bay because of a promise made to Will's sister, who is also Charlotte's best friend. Their chemistry is off the charts and had me swooning like a young teen with her first crush. What I love best about Will and Charlotte is their solid foundation of friendship, but please! Give me allll the kisses. I swear those kisses could've melted the ice on my patio faster than the summer sun.

I couldn't put this one down and honestly wanted to live in this story, as it had the perfect amount of everything--romance, angst, conflict, and character growth. Mamie, Charlotte's grandmother, was a delightful added bonus.

Content: mild+ swoony, steamy (yet clean) romance (kissing/making out); mild language

*I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*

[Heidi Robbins (Heidi Reads...) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had mixed feelings about this one! The story was compelling- I love a good long-time unknown love trope, but there were some aspects that bothered me and prevented me from connecting to the characters. First, the good stuff. Charlotte and Will are both likeable yet flawed, making them realistic rather than perfect. They have great chemistry, and I enjoyed their banter for the most part. I loved the secondary characters of Charlotte's grandmother Mamie and Will's parent Kate and Robert. I thought they brought a much-needed maturity to the scenes. Now for the things that took me out of the story- there was so much ogling! I don't mind when they appreciate each other's physical beauty, but it was overdone and I missed seeing how they were friends besides their secret attraction. I think their relationship would have felt stronger if that foundation had been more established. I was irritated with Kelsey's selfishness- or perceived selfishness- that made her friendship with Charlotte more important than Will and Charlotte's potential happiness. Really, they didn't give her a chance by keeping it secret. But I think I would have liked her more if her closeness with Charlotte had been shown on a deeper level. It seemed more convenient and shallow, but I sensed it could have been written as more. Overall, this is a story about vulnerable people with fears, secrets, miscommunication, and trust issues. I was interested enough to keep reading to the end to see how the happily-ever-after would come about.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

[Kathy * Bookworm Nation · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a captivating read, once I started I couldn't put it down. Will and Charlotte have known each other for year, but they are forbidden to be anything other than friends and have tried to maintain an old promise, but Will is getting tired of hiding his true feelings. I enjoyed Will and Charlotte, they had good chemistry and were likable characters. A part of me feels bad that they have been kept apart for so long, but on the other hand it probably gave them each time to really grow individually.

I thought this was well written, the story moved a long nicely and kept me engaged. I look forward to reading more from Ms. Demeyere. I love finding new authors to follow!

Content: Clean romance, very mild swearing a couple times, no violence

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[Charissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read an ARC of this book, and it was a fun forbidden romance between two characters I couldn't help but love. Charlotte and Will have liked each other since high school. The only problem is, Charlotte made a promise to her best friend Kelsey not to EVER date her big brother or their friendship was off. She didn’t realize it then, but soon after, she learned that Will was Kelsey’s big brother. NOOOOO!!! So for over ten years, she has watched Will, the playboy, date and break hearts faster than should be allowed. After Kelsey’s wedding, when she runs into him again and he flirts with her, she battens down the hatches of her heart, determined not to be swayed by those blue eyes and charming smile. She knows his reputation and refuses to be another girl in the long line he’s tossed aside over the years. But Will is tired of ignoring his heart. He hasn’t stopped thinking about that stolen kiss in high school so many years ago with Charlotte. He’s tried to forget her, with no luck. Forget that stupid rule Kelsey made him and Charlotte make years ago. They’re adults now and should be able to explore a future together.

And so the craziness begins, with hidden rendezvous, sizzle and pop, misunderstandings, and obstacles and twists that left me dizzy (in the best of ways). A fun, yet heart-tugging romance that gave me all the feels. I adored how the characters grew and developed throughout this story, and the big smile on my face at the end was very satisfying. Great book.

[Taylor Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rules are Made to be Broken is a true-blue-feel-good story. I had the opportunity to beta read this book and see it grow into the polished version that it is today.

This is a book that will leave you cheering on two lovable characters as they navigate the rocky waters of romance. Will and Charlotte have always known they were right for each other. But they are bound by childhood promises to stay away from each other.

Remaining loyal, they hold out in favor of friendship and family for as long as they can. But soon they find their attraction for each other can no longer be denied and they delve into the realm of secret love.

This book will make you smile and laugh, maybe even shed a few tears, as Will and Charlotte conquer the crazy world of love and finally reach out and take what should have been theirs many years ago.

A sweet read that demands an all-nighter!

[Jamie Demeyere · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books that you start reading and you can’t stop! It was light, funny, and addicting. Charlotte and Will had intense chemistry from the very beginning and it pulled me into their story. This is a feel good book, one where you can leave the stress of real life behind while rooting for Will and Char to take a chance. A great read.

[Saskia Talgi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really great read. Such a sweet love story full of yearning. You really find yourself rooting for Charlotte and Will! It will steal your heart!

[Dagmar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the characters in this book. It's a fun read.

[Cheyenne Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read!

I loved this story! Will and Charlotte are wonderful characters and their story is filled with longing and sweetness. I really enjoyed some of the side characters too, especially Mamie. I definitely would recommend this book to anyone who likes sweet romance and friends-to-lovers/second chance at love/forbidden romance stories.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this one. And the grandma was such a fun added bonus character! Can’t wait to read more from this author.

[DelSheree · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun and endearing read! I loved the depth of the characters and the realistic back and forth of trying to navigate a friends-to-lovers type of relationship. There's also fallout in this type of relationship, and I appreciated the struggle the characters had to go through while attempting to balance their needs and desires with those around them. There was a lot of emotion packed into every page!

[Brienna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this book in a day because I couldn't put it down!

[C.E. Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don’t you love it when days after you’ve finished a book the characters still visit your thoughts?

Charlotte and Will are a memorable pair and I enjoyed their story. The chemistry had me swooning and the dual POVs kept me entranced. Their growing emotions created a steady build of tension throughout the story.

It was easy to sympathize with Charlotte, although there were times I wanted to “shake some sense” into her. Out of love, of course. I rooted for her as she tried desperately to protect her heart and the relationship with her best friend. I understood why she didn’t want to jeopardize her friendship with Kels and tried desperately to avoid the attraction to Will. If only she hadn’t made that high school promise!

Now Will…I didn’t want to shake him. I adored him just the way he was. He had me swooning after that night on the bleachers when he comforted Charlotte. And even the nickname he gave her – Charles – made him even sweeter and more endearing.

Perhaps the dearest character of all was Charlotte’s grandmother, Mamie. She brought about a sense of nostalgia, making me think of my own grandmother. I love how Charlotte respected her, even with a bit of teasing.

Mylissa Demeyere makes her stories come to life with believable characters and life situations. Charlotte, Will & Kelsey’s relationships are dear, but their lack of communication kept me frustrated. And I mean frustrated in a good way. (I don’t want things to progress too easily in a story.) Ultimately, the story tugged at my heart and made it smile.

Source: I received a complimentary copy of this book.

[Tiffany (Bluestocking) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

The books that I’ve read with a similar premise, (In love with their best friend’s brother) the H and h are either unaware of the other’s feelings or their friendly feelings shift to romantic ones over time. I LOVED the fact that Charlotte and Will were both aware of each other’s romantic feelings. However, Will’s sister also Charlotte’s best friend, was the only reason they didn’t pursue a relationship. So reading a book coming from this angle was a bit unexpected but so exhilarating.

Will was a darling. He had his past mistakes to deal with but doesn’t everyone? Charlotte was sweet and quirky and after losing her parents as a teenager, was deathly afraid of losing anyone else she loved. I really connected with the characters in this story. I understood Will’s frustrations, Char’s hesitation, even Kelsey’s reasons for not wanting her bestie and brother to date. Which made me all the more anxious to see how everything unraveled.

I was so happy with how things played out. Their persistence and patience payed off in the end. I loved how the author made it both realistic and incredibly romantic at the same time. I really liked how Will and Charlotte’s relationship progressed and that they were both open and honest with each other. They were absolutely perfect for each other.

P.S. I absolutely adored Mamie and the role she played in this story. She was just as quirky as a teenager but her wise advice and comforting words made me connect even more with this story. Will definitely recommend.


Content: Clean, Swoon worthy kisses

[Sheila (sheilasbookreviewer) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel was a very sweet and heart-wrenching story at times. Two people meet, the attraction is there but they can only be friends. Charlotte becomes friends with Will's sister first, therefore, she can't be anything more to him. Kelsey makes Charlotte promise that she'll never date her brother. Ten years later the attraction between them is still there but Charlotte still feels she needs to keep her promise to her best friend. I was so sad for Charlotte and Will that they both were so afraid that Kelsey would never forgive them if they dated, that they almost didn't give their relationship a chance.

Mylissa has a wonderful way of writing these two main characters. You could feel the attraction they have for each other jump right off the page. Swoon-worthy romance anyone? Yes, the sparks were flying in this novel and I loved every flicker that was produced.

I have to add that I loved Charlotte's grandmother, Mamie. She is sweet, witty, and gives great advice. She's one of the best-supporting characters that I've read in a book in a long while. I loved every chapter she was in.

If you love a sweet, contemporary romance, with just a little angst, Rules are Made to be Broken, will be a delightful read for you just as it was for me.

[Vibliophile · Rating 5 out of 5]

(4.5 stars) - Forbidden love 2.0

Charlotte has lost so much in her life. It's understandable that she protects her relationships so dearly. But she's known Will as long as (actually a little longer than, lol) BFF Kelsey. And now that Kelsey's gotten married, the relationship dynamics are changing...

This is a story that is both fun and emotionally intense. It was easy to understand Charlotte's difficulty in resisting Will, who flirts like he breathes. And oh, those kisses! It just had to happen!

I loved Charlotte's surrogate family who were all so supportive, but especially funny, sweet, & wise Mamie.

I understood Kelsey's position on all that happened, and disagreed with trying to keep things a secret, but she did contribute substantially to it with her pushiness that may have been intended to be protective, but at times more resembled bullying. I would have liked for her to own up to more responsibility for her part in how things worked out.

The epilogue is a true happily-ever-after and the perfect "full circle" moment for the two of them

*Clean romance level: passionate kisses
*Language: a couple of h*lls & d*mns

[Marie Bourgery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charlotte fell for Will the first time she met him, but she promises his sister, her new best friend that they won't ever date. They are able to keep that promise for ten years until Will decides he's sick of all the women he dated who never measured up to Charles and he wants to pursue her. Charlotte pushes him away many times over fear of how Kelsey will react, but she finally agrees to date in secret. They really connect and it's clear that Will is head over heels, but Charlotte still holds back, thinking he will eventually move on, and she could lose her friendship with Kelsey if she found out. Kelsey was extremely difficult, had an attitude in this book, and kept pushing silly women on Will. Yes, he was a player, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have the capacity to change and become a one woman guy for the right girl. I loved Charlotte's spunky matchmaking grandmother Mamie. I don't know that I'd ever have the courage to take a risk and open my own business like Charlotte did and think I would put on a lot of weight working in a bakery with all the sampling I'd do of the recipes.

[Britney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, my heart! This was a captivating read featuring fantastic characters, steamy (yet clean) romantic chemistry, and a forbidden love story that had me feeling ALL the feels! I loved Charlotte and Will! They've both had an interest in one another since high school but are bound by a rash promise made years ago to never get involved with one another. Charlotte knows loss, and as such she fiercely protects the relationships she has. Will is sweet and attentive, but has a playboy reputation. Over the years Charlotte has watched Will break more hearts than should even be legal, and she refuses to be just another one of those girls he dates and then dumps just as quickly. But the attraction they feel for one another is ever present, and even stronger than it was 10 years ago, and it soon becomes difficult for them to ignore their feelings and be true to the promise that was made so long ago. I enjoyed seeing the characters change and progress throughout the story. This is definitely an emotional read, and I enjoyed every word! Highly recommend!

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. I love how Will was all in! So many sweet moments!

I realize that the entire plot was around Will and Charlotte wanting to be together, but not being able to because Kelsey (Will’s sister and Charlotte’s best friend) forbid it. That whole setup (it’s usually an older brother forbidding his sister from dating his friend) is one of my least favorite in books, but Will and Charlotte were so sweet and handled it well (eventually) that I didn’t mind it as much as I usually do.

Super cute!

[Kristal Harmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! And clean and fun.

Yes kissing, No sex or fade to black scenes.
Alrighty, this author did a fantastic job making the story understandable, fun and real. I was rooting for Charlotte and Will and thinking about their story throughout the day.
I enjoyed reading this book and will read more by this author.

[Cheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charlotte knows what losing someone feels like, losing her parents at age sixteen was hard on her. Having a best friend, Kelsey helped her with her loss. But the rule about not dating Kelsey's brother? That rule might be made to be broken. I loved this book, so cute!

[Alina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got an ARC copy for an honest review and I am happy to say I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters had depth and so did their situations in life. There was tension and banter, and I highly recommend it.

[Merri · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Sweet story with great characters

I enjoyed the story of Charlotte and Will from the beginning to the end. Every character added a degree of delight to the story. This is a book I’ll definitely recommend to all my clean romance, reading friends.

[Abbi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the romance. I will definitely be looking into Mylissa's other books. I loved her style, and the story.

[Mindie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rules are made to be Broken

Cute, fun, and clean romance. This is one of those books that had me from the very first page. A great read for a cold winter day.

[Eliana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Older books that are my favorites

[C. · Rating 1 out of 5]

Could not finish. I got so sick and tired of the continual juvenile drooling over each other! Could have been so much better without all that nonsense, and more actual story!

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

All of the planning had convinced me even more that I wanted to keep it simple when I planned my wedding. Not that marriage was in my immediate future. Or even far-out future. I didn’t even have a date for tonight. At twenty-six, I still had time, right?

“I’m willing to break the rules. I’m done playing by them. We’re not kids anymore, and I can’t keep pretending.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“Don’t say anything. Just think about it. I have. And I know what I want. Now it’s up to you.”

“That boy is smitten with you.”
“He is not,” I protested.
“Sure, he is. He had been for as long as I’ve known him.”

“You’re going to have to stop running at one point, Charlotte. And I’ll be there when you do.”

“But if you don’t find someone to share the highs, the lows, and most especially the in-betweens with, it will all have been for nothing.

The chemistry was off the chart with Will and Charlotte. This was a sizzling, steamy, yet clean, romantic, friends-to-lover book. Will and Charlotte have known each other for years, but they were forbidden to be anything other than friends. 4 stars.