What do you think?
Rate this book
Four Simple Rules
The trouble started when my brother's best friend became the flame, keeping me warm.
At 8, he became my best friend. At 12, he promised my brother he'd look after me. At 14, he made his rules…At 18; he slipped into my bed, and then…he broke my heart.
Jesse Rutherford is the boy next door with blond hair, hazel eyes, and a body gifted by the gods. He has it all—money, fancy cars, a baseball career. His future is bright.
And me? Well, I’m nothing like him. I’m Blake Reynolds, the invisible girl—the nerd next door with glasses who loves her plants.
I’m no one.
Except with Jesse.
He's the boy who found me and brought me back to life after grief tore me down.
And I'm the girl offering him sanctuary.
After years of pinning, my dreams come true, and I give myself to him, only for my world to fall apart the next day when he utters four ugly words.
And shatters my heart.
With my past in the rearview, I run to the opposite side of the country as fast as possible, throwing myself into college and work without looking back.
Ten years have passed since I stepped foot in my hometown. I swore I’d never go back, not after what he did. It’s not until the invitations come—one, welcoming to my father’s and Jesse’s mother’s wedding.
And the other? My high school reunion.
With no choice, I pack up and face the people I left behind.
Can I survive another round with the boy who harshly bruised my heart?
Only time will tell.
For now, you’re invited…
** Four Simple Rules is a m/f contemporary romance, dealing with second chances and childhood best friends. Please read the author's note at the beginning of the book. **
At 8, he became my best friend. At 12, he promised my brother he'd look after me. At 14, he made his rules…At 18; he slipped into my bed, and then…he broke my heart.
Jesse Rutherford is the boy next door with blond hair, hazel eyes, and a body gifted by the gods. He has it all—money, fancy cars, a baseball career. His future is bright.
And me? Well, I’m nothing like him. I’m Blake Reynolds, the invisible girl—the nerd next door with glasses who loves her plants.
I’m no one.
Except with Jesse.
He's the boy who found me and brought me back to life after grief tore me down.
And I'm the girl offering him sanctuary.
After years of pinning, my dreams come true, and I give myself to him, only for my world to fall apart the next day when he utters four ugly words.
And shatters my heart.
With my past in the rearview, I run to the opposite side of the country as fast as possible, throwing myself into college and work without looking back.
Ten years have passed since I stepped foot in my hometown. I swore I’d never go back, not after what he did. It’s not until the invitations come—one, welcoming to my father’s and Jesse’s mother’s wedding.
And the other? My high school reunion.
With no choice, I pack up and face the people I left behind.
Can I survive another round with the boy who harshly bruised my heart?
Only time will tell.
For now, you’re invited…
** Four Simple Rules is a m/f contemporary romance, dealing with second chances and childhood best friends. Please read the author's note at the beginning of the book. **
259 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2023
108 people are currently reading
416 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews
January 20, 2024
1. Jesse was nothing but a hypocrite. He tried to convince Blake that he came up with the rules to protect HER but he admitted to himself that it was HIM he was trying to protect. He needed the approval of his so called “friends” to help him get his scholarship and he was more than willing to sacrifice Blake to get it.
2. The simple truth is that Jesse was a terrible person. He wasn’t just a bystander; he had a big part in bullying Olivia so badly that she had to leave town.
3. Jesse loved Blake SO much that he didn’t bother to try to contact her for TEN years. And, of course, during that time, he was out f#%king other women. The only reason that they saw each other after a decade was because they were forced to come home for the wedding reception.
4. After everything that Jesse did to her, when Blake found out about the shooting, she felt terribly guilty for not being there for him and Jesse magnanimously forgave her. And then, everything was forgiven and she jumped into bed with him the next day.
I’m not wasting my time on this crap. DNF
2. The simple truth is that Jesse was a terrible person. He wasn’t just a bystander; he had a big part in bullying Olivia so badly that she had to leave town.
3. Jesse loved Blake SO much that he didn’t bother to try to contact her for TEN years. And, of course, during that time, he was out f#%king other women. The only reason that they saw each other after a decade was because they were forced to come home for the wedding reception.
4. After everything that Jesse did to her, when Blake found out about the shooting, she felt terribly guilty for not being there for him and Jesse magnanimously forgave her. And then, everything was forgiven and she jumped into bed with him the next day.
I’m not wasting my time on this crap. DNF
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 24, 2023
This sounded so interesting but the constant slips into the past made it hard to enjoy.
The pacing was rushed and nothing felt authentic, I found myself skimming.
The first 30% of story was intriguing, but the momentum didn't last.
The pacing was rushed and nothing felt authentic, I found myself skimming.
The first 30% of story was intriguing, but the momentum didn't last.
August 1, 2023
I told Blake I’d sit back and be her friend first. That was the biggest lie I’ve ever told. I don’t want to be her fucking friend. Never have been. I want to fuck her. Love her. Make it up to her in every way possible. I want to wrap her in my arms and hold her tight, refusing to let her go.
A departure from the darker contemporary why choose romances Aly is known for, Four Simple Rules is an uplifting second chance, best-friends-to-lovers tale. Another installment in the Brighton High School Reunion shared world; this story features Blake (best friend to Olivia, who we met in Color Outside the Lines) and Jesse. I thoroughly enjoyed this story. There is some angst, but the overall feeling of the story is positive with a focus on healing.
Jesse f’ed up badly, but he and Blake are endgame, even if he must convince her of his affection. She did the right thing, walking out of his life after that final betrayal; forcing him to see how much he was hurting her with the stupid rules he’d put into place freshman year. I loved that about her - She refused to only be his friend in the background, at night when no one could see. She chose herself.
Since it is a short story, the grovel is not extensive, though Jesse makes the effort to win back Blake’s trust and love. It was easy to fall back into the feelings they shared before Blake left their school. They had been the other’s soft place to land when all was raging around them.
As in most second-chance romances (especially when one of the parties has been significantly hurt by the other), it is a medium-burn story. However, there is a good amount of spice once things work out between the lovers.
There are some darker themes contained within the story. If needed, an extensive TW/CW list is available in the book.
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Tropes/Features: Second chance, best-friends-to-lovers, brother’s best friend, betrayal, pining, high school reunion, coming home, small town, redemption arc
Narrator: Dual 1st Person POV
Relationship Type: MF, medium burn, spicy
Book Type/Ending: Standalone in the Brighton High School Reunion shared world, HEA
TW/CW: Available in book.
A departure from the darker contemporary why choose romances Aly is known for, Four Simple Rules is an uplifting second chance, best-friends-to-lovers tale. Another installment in the Brighton High School Reunion shared world; this story features Blake (best friend to Olivia, who we met in Color Outside the Lines) and Jesse. I thoroughly enjoyed this story. There is some angst, but the overall feeling of the story is positive with a focus on healing.
Jesse f’ed up badly, but he and Blake are endgame, even if he must convince her of his affection. She did the right thing, walking out of his life after that final betrayal; forcing him to see how much he was hurting her with the stupid rules he’d put into place freshman year. I loved that about her - She refused to only be his friend in the background, at night when no one could see. She chose herself.
Since it is a short story, the grovel is not extensive, though Jesse makes the effort to win back Blake’s trust and love. It was easy to fall back into the feelings they shared before Blake left their school. They had been the other’s soft place to land when all was raging around them.
As in most second-chance romances (especially when one of the parties has been significantly hurt by the other), it is a medium-burn story. However, there is a good amount of spice once things work out between the lovers.
There are some darker themes contained within the story. If needed, an extensive TW/CW list is available in the book.
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Tropes/Features: Second chance, best-friends-to-lovers, brother’s best friend, betrayal, pining, high school reunion, coming home, small town, redemption arc
Narrator: Dual 1st Person POV
Relationship Type: MF, medium burn, spicy
Book Type/Ending: Standalone in the Brighton High School Reunion shared world, HEA
TW/CW: Available in book.
September 19, 2023
'pretend you don't know me at school '
#selfishH #doormat #secondChances #tenYearsLater
#selfishH #doormat #secondChances #tenYearsLater
September 12, 2023
DNF at 64%.
She has 10 years of heartbreak and after 1 SINGLE DAY of being back, they get physical? Like where’s the grudge you were holding woman?
And her father! Like he was afraid that their relationship was so irrevocably damaged that even if he tried to reconcile, she wouldn’t forgive him…and then he goes and marries her best friend’s mother…without telling her…and only when she contacts Grace, she got to know that they were married.
Like how can anyone forgive this shit? Literally no one bothered with her for 10 freaking years when she moved halfway across the country. 🤯 That’s the amount of frustration I felt while reading this.
She has 10 years of heartbreak and after 1 SINGLE DAY of being back, they get physical? Like where’s the grudge you were holding woman?
And her father! Like he was afraid that their relationship was so irrevocably damaged that even if he tried to reconcile, she wouldn’t forgive him…and then he goes and marries her best friend’s mother…without telling her…and only when she contacts Grace, she got to know that they were married.
Like how can anyone forgive this shit? Literally no one bothered with her for 10 freaking years when she moved halfway across the country. 🤯 That’s the amount of frustration I felt while reading this.
July 30, 2023
"The mess. The good. The bad. Everything."
I'm not crying, you're crying! This story knocked it out of the park, and I absolutely loved it. The heartache these characters go through is heartbreaking but together, they really are perfect. The longing, the regret, the hopefulness was everything and more. I loved Jesse and Blakes story. This is my first book in the series, and I never felt lost or like I didn't know what was happening. I loved how the author went back in time and explained what happened in the past. This story was perfect, and I loved it.
Highschool Rules
1. Keep your head down
2. Avoid the baseball team
3. Pretend you don't know me at school.
4. Keep your window unlocked for me.
Conditional Friendship
Jesse and Blake were written in the stars. Growing up from a young age, her, Jesse and her twin brother Gavin were inseparable. Until they weren't. When Gavin passed from Cancer, it destroyed her family. Her mother drank and her father hid away. Soon, her mother was no more, and her father became a shell of himself not caring about anyone anymore.
Jesses's family life wasn't any better and was filled with nightly beatings and was willing to do anything to escape. So, when Blake had to go to public school, she was relieved to finally have a friend. ...Only quickly she realized how wrong she was. Jesse was a popular kid, and his "friends" were anything but nice. Her gave her four simple rules to abide by for the duration of their high school years in public.
Everything changed one night her senior year. Now hopeful that things would be different, Blake was crushed when she realized they wouldn't be; It was the last straw. She was done being a doormat and left her lonely life and took off for new beginnings.
"In private, Jesse was perfect. In public, he was a nightmare."
10 years later. -Second Chances
Coming back home for her father's wedding. She didn't even realize she would be seeing Jesse again. Only now, trying to make up for all his young and dumb adolescence. He never stopped loving her and is determined to make up for lost times.
Things heat up fast and soon four new rules are presented. But Blake doesn't know if she can ever trust Jesse with her heart again. Not only that, but 10 years has been awhile, they have their own lives and in separate places. She was willing to give everything up before, but once was enough, right?
The author delivers us with a soul-searching, deep emotional turmoil and second chance romance. I could not stop turning the pages and needed to know how this was all going to go down. Blake and Jesse are everything! I really don't think he can ever apologize enough, but he's come pretty close. Blake was a great FMC and the HEA at the end was the icing on the cake. You don't want to miss this one and need to read it asap!
*Overall 5/5
*Heat? 3/5
*Med/Slow Burn
*Dual first person POV
*Ends in HEA!
I'm not crying, you're crying! This story knocked it out of the park, and I absolutely loved it. The heartache these characters go through is heartbreaking but together, they really are perfect. The longing, the regret, the hopefulness was everything and more. I loved Jesse and Blakes story. This is my first book in the series, and I never felt lost or like I didn't know what was happening. I loved how the author went back in time and explained what happened in the past. This story was perfect, and I loved it.
Highschool Rules
1. Keep your head down
2. Avoid the baseball team
3. Pretend you don't know me at school.
4. Keep your window unlocked for me.
Conditional Friendship
Jesse and Blake were written in the stars. Growing up from a young age, her, Jesse and her twin brother Gavin were inseparable. Until they weren't. When Gavin passed from Cancer, it destroyed her family. Her mother drank and her father hid away. Soon, her mother was no more, and her father became a shell of himself not caring about anyone anymore.
Jesses's family life wasn't any better and was filled with nightly beatings and was willing to do anything to escape. So, when Blake had to go to public school, she was relieved to finally have a friend. ...Only quickly she realized how wrong she was. Jesse was a popular kid, and his "friends" were anything but nice. Her gave her four simple rules to abide by for the duration of their high school years in public.
Everything changed one night her senior year. Now hopeful that things would be different, Blake was crushed when she realized they wouldn't be; It was the last straw. She was done being a doormat and left her lonely life and took off for new beginnings.
"In private, Jesse was perfect. In public, he was a nightmare."
10 years later. -Second Chances
Coming back home for her father's wedding. She didn't even realize she would be seeing Jesse again. Only now, trying to make up for all his young and dumb adolescence. He never stopped loving her and is determined to make up for lost times.
Things heat up fast and soon four new rules are presented. But Blake doesn't know if she can ever trust Jesse with her heart again. Not only that, but 10 years has been awhile, they have their own lives and in separate places. She was willing to give everything up before, but once was enough, right?
The author delivers us with a soul-searching, deep emotional turmoil and second chance romance. I could not stop turning the pages and needed to know how this was all going to go down. Blake and Jesse are everything! I really don't think he can ever apologize enough, but he's come pretty close. Blake was a great FMC and the HEA at the end was the icing on the cake. You don't want to miss this one and need to read it asap!
*Overall 5/5
*Heat? 3/5
*Med/Slow Burn
*Dual first person POV
*Ends in HEA!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 1, 2023
Sometimes love has a way of healing hearts, and time has a way of fixing things. Tragedy struck Blake and her family twice in a row when she was a kid. Her only saving grace was her relationship with Jesse. But Jesse needed her to keep their relationship a secret, so that he could get out from under his own personal hell - or so he thought.
Jesse didn't realize at the time what his secret relationship did to an already lost teenage girl. Blake didn't fully understand why Jesse did what he did.
Ten years later, the two reunite and sparks fly. Healing, forgiveness, and new loves bloom. This is a sweet, second chance (two times around) story and I love how Blake moves forward.
This is part of the Brighton High School Reunion ARC series. This is my personal review.
Jesse didn't realize at the time what his secret relationship did to an already lost teenage girl. Blake didn't fully understand why Jesse did what he did.
Ten years later, the two reunite and sparks fly. Healing, forgiveness, and new loves bloom. This is a sweet, second chance (two times around) story and I love how Blake moves forward.
This is part of the Brighton High School Reunion ARC series. This is my personal review.
August 2, 2023
Here we are, back at the Brighton High School 10 year Reunion. Another couple’s story for us to get insight on the then and the now.
Blake had everything, a family, a sweet best friend, till it all went wrong. She lost her family, her best friend pretended he didn’t know her at school, but had no problem climbing into her window at night.
Jesse, his family life wasn’t a box of chocolates, that’s for sure. Baseball, his way out of the horror, but what would it cost him?
We go back and forth seeing the past from both their eyes, and together, we see the now, when one drunken night just might change everything.
Great book, another great story in this series. I cried at the ending, so emotional to boot. You will not regret reading this one or any of the others in this series.
Blake had everything, a family, a sweet best friend, till it all went wrong. She lost her family, her best friend pretended he didn’t know her at school, but had no problem climbing into her window at night.
Jesse, his family life wasn’t a box of chocolates, that’s for sure. Baseball, his way out of the horror, but what would it cost him?
We go back and forth seeing the past from both their eyes, and together, we see the now, when one drunken night just might change everything.
Great book, another great story in this series. I cried at the ending, so emotional to boot. You will not regret reading this one or any of the others in this series.
July 26, 2023
Man, oh man, I'm a sucker for childhood friends to lovers! And Aly knocked it out of the park!! Blake and Jesse are the best! I literally read this in 2 hours. I couldn't put it down! No matter what Aly writes she never disappoints! Brighton High world is definitely a favorite!!! 5 stars easy no question about it
August 4, 2023
Blake and Jesse were inseparable from the start growing up. Blake was homeschooled and then tragedy struck so she start her freshman year with Jesse, only he pretends not to know her at school. Jesse sneaks into Blake’s room every night seeking refuge and things change the end of senior year. Blake can’t take being bullied at school by Jesse but loving her in the dark. Will they find their way back together after 10 years?
August 12, 2023
4⭐️
The epilogue was 🩵🩵🩵
I love second chance romances with lots regret and heartbreak.
Even though it felt everything was solved quickly, it was the father-daughter story the one I enjoyed the most.
The epilogue was 🩵🩵🩵
I love second chance romances with lots regret and heartbreak.
Even though it felt everything was solved quickly, it was the father-daughter story the one I enjoyed the most.
August 15, 2023
3.25
Quick, slightly steamy, & quite good.
Definitely reading some of the other stories in this series! Just wanted a little bit more spice and get back on the B poesy!!
Quick, slightly steamy, & quite good.
Definitely reading some of the other stories in this series! Just wanted a little bit more spice and get back on the B poesy!!
July 31, 2023
Four Simple Rules by Aly Beck
✨ARC Book Review✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
❤️ Second Chance Romance
❤️ Childhood Best Friends Turned Step siblings
❤️ Friends to Lovers
❤️ Healing Family Drama
❤️ Spicy
❤️ Quick Read
❤️ Highschool Reunion
❤️ HEA
With this eighth installment of the Brighton High School Reunion Series we get to meet Blake, Olivia’s bestie! Her story is one of heartbreak and second chances.
I loved reading this book so much! I’m always a sucker for childhood best friends to lovers! And this one was absolutely amazing! I could not put it down! Highly recommend if you love childhood best friends to lovers!
Black has always followed the four rules Jesse made. But after a beautiful night together she woke up a different woman and decided to break the rules… Shit happens and she gets hurt. She then decides to put herself first and follow her dream.
Ten years later she comes back to reconnect with her dad and celebrate his new marriage. While she’s there she’s there she sees Jesse her best friend now step brother who hurt her so bad marking her leave town and never return. Old feeling resurface but she and Jesse have a lot to work through to get their happy endings. Will they be able to work it out or will they hurt each other again?
Blurb:
The trouble started when my brother's best friend became the flame, keeping me warm.
At 8, he became my best friend. At 12, he promised my brother he'd look after me. At 14, he made his rules…At 18; he slipped into my bed, and then…he broke my heart.
Jesse Rutherford is the boy next door with blond hair, hazel eyes, and a body gifted by the gods. He has it all—money, fancy cars, a baseball career. His future is bright.
And me? Well, I’m nothing like him. I’m Blake Reynolds, the invisible girl—the nerd next door with glasses who loves her plants.
I’m no one.
Except with Jesse.
He's the boy who found me and brought me back to life after grief tore me down.
And I'm the girl offering him sanctuary.
After years of pinning, my dreams come true, and I give myself to him, only for my world to fall apart the next day when he utters four ugly words.
And shatters my heart.
With my past in the rearview, I run to the opposite side of the country as fast as possible, throwing myself into college and work without looking back.
Ten years have passed since I stepped foot in my hometown. I swore I’d never go back, not after what he did. It’s not until the invitations come—one, welcoming to my father’s and Jesse’s mother’s wedding.
And the other? My high school reunion.
With no choice, I pack up and face the people I left behind.
Can I survive another round with the boy who harshly bruised my heart?
Only time will tell.
For now, you’re invited…
**Four Simple Rules is lighter M/F contemporary romance dealing with second chances and childhood best friends turned step-siblings. Please read the author's note at the beginning of the book. This book is meant for mature audiences and is recommended for 18+.
✨ARC Book Review✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
❤️ Second Chance Romance
❤️ Childhood Best Friends Turned Step siblings
❤️ Friends to Lovers
❤️ Healing Family Drama
❤️ Spicy
❤️ Quick Read
❤️ Highschool Reunion
❤️ HEA
With this eighth installment of the Brighton High School Reunion Series we get to meet Blake, Olivia’s bestie! Her story is one of heartbreak and second chances.
I loved reading this book so much! I’m always a sucker for childhood best friends to lovers! And this one was absolutely amazing! I could not put it down! Highly recommend if you love childhood best friends to lovers!
Black has always followed the four rules Jesse made. But after a beautiful night together she woke up a different woman and decided to break the rules… Shit happens and she gets hurt. She then decides to put herself first and follow her dream.
Ten years later she comes back to reconnect with her dad and celebrate his new marriage. While she’s there she’s there she sees Jesse her best friend now step brother who hurt her so bad marking her leave town and never return. Old feeling resurface but she and Jesse have a lot to work through to get their happy endings. Will they be able to work it out or will they hurt each other again?
Blurb:
The trouble started when my brother's best friend became the flame, keeping me warm.
At 8, he became my best friend. At 12, he promised my brother he'd look after me. At 14, he made his rules…At 18; he slipped into my bed, and then…he broke my heart.
Jesse Rutherford is the boy next door with blond hair, hazel eyes, and a body gifted by the gods. He has it all—money, fancy cars, a baseball career. His future is bright.
And me? Well, I’m nothing like him. I’m Blake Reynolds, the invisible girl—the nerd next door with glasses who loves her plants.
I’m no one.
Except with Jesse.
He's the boy who found me and brought me back to life after grief tore me down.
And I'm the girl offering him sanctuary.
After years of pinning, my dreams come true, and I give myself to him, only for my world to fall apart the next day when he utters four ugly words.
And shatters my heart.
With my past in the rearview, I run to the opposite side of the country as fast as possible, throwing myself into college and work without looking back.
Ten years have passed since I stepped foot in my hometown. I swore I’d never go back, not after what he did. It’s not until the invitations come—one, welcoming to my father’s and Jesse’s mother’s wedding.
And the other? My high school reunion.
With no choice, I pack up and face the people I left behind.
Can I survive another round with the boy who harshly bruised my heart?
Only time will tell.
For now, you’re invited…
**Four Simple Rules is lighter M/F contemporary romance dealing with second chances and childhood best friends turned step-siblings. Please read the author's note at the beginning of the book. This book is meant for mature audiences and is recommended for 18+.
August 1, 2023
Received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
First and foremost, have some tissues on hand because this story is going to make you cry at times. Also, please check and read about the TW before reading to make sure you are not going to be triggered.
Four Simple Rules is a beautiful but also heartbreaking story about Blake and Jesse. Blake and Jesse are childhood friends and neighbors. When Blake finally gets to go to public school for high school after being homeschooled, she thinks things will be great to be spend even more time with her best guy friend Jesse. But Jesse acts like he doesn't know Blake inside of school. He feels its his way to protect her from his friends who like to bully others, especially Olivia. (If that name sounds familiar, Olivia is the FMC of another Brighton High Reunion book - Color Outside the Lines) Olivia and Blake are best friends throughout high school until the bullies run her out. Blake stays behind, hoping things will get better between her and Jesse after graduation. But after one particular night, Blake realizes that she can't take the treatment and finally dips out and disappears as well.
The story goes back n forth from present to past, which the author did very nicely. Jesse clearly has realized how selfish he was as a teen and when he gets the chance to reconnect with Blake due to the marriage of his mom and Blake's dad along with the reunion, he makes sure to not only express but show Blake how truly sorry he was.
Blake also has matured in ways. Your heart honestly goes to her through everything in her youth but to see her to get the healing she deserves and reconnect with those who did her wrong, was truly touching. I think the father-daughter moments got me the most since I had some of my own personal struggles with my father but we are on better terms.
Beautiful story that does end with a HEA. I thoroughly enjoyed Blake and Jesse and seeing them get their very well deserved HEA :)
Rating: 5/5 ⭐️
Spice Level: 🌶
Tropes:
- Childhood best friends
- Second chances
- Brothers best friend
- Betrayal (the groveling is brief, it's a very small novella).
- M/F
- Forced Proximity
TW: there are mentions of a child's death (FMC's brother) as well as domestic violence/child abuse.
First and foremost, have some tissues on hand because this story is going to make you cry at times. Also, please check and read about the TW before reading to make sure you are not going to be triggered.
Four Simple Rules is a beautiful but also heartbreaking story about Blake and Jesse. Blake and Jesse are childhood friends and neighbors. When Blake finally gets to go to public school for high school after being homeschooled, she thinks things will be great to be spend even more time with her best guy friend Jesse. But Jesse acts like he doesn't know Blake inside of school. He feels its his way to protect her from his friends who like to bully others, especially Olivia. (If that name sounds familiar, Olivia is the FMC of another Brighton High Reunion book - Color Outside the Lines) Olivia and Blake are best friends throughout high school until the bullies run her out. Blake stays behind, hoping things will get better between her and Jesse after graduation. But after one particular night, Blake realizes that she can't take the treatment and finally dips out and disappears as well.
The story goes back n forth from present to past, which the author did very nicely. Jesse clearly has realized how selfish he was as a teen and when he gets the chance to reconnect with Blake due to the marriage of his mom and Blake's dad along with the reunion, he makes sure to not only express but show Blake how truly sorry he was.
Blake also has matured in ways. Your heart honestly goes to her through everything in her youth but to see her to get the healing she deserves and reconnect with those who did her wrong, was truly touching. I think the father-daughter moments got me the most since I had some of my own personal struggles with my father but we are on better terms.
Beautiful story that does end with a HEA. I thoroughly enjoyed Blake and Jesse and seeing them get their very well deserved HEA :)
Rating: 5/5 ⭐️
Spice Level: 🌶
Tropes:
- Childhood best friends
- Second chances
- Brothers best friend
- Betrayal (the groveling is brief, it's a very small novella).
- M/F
- Forced Proximity
TW: there are mentions of a child's death (FMC's brother) as well as domestic violence/child abuse.
January 7, 2024
lido em 01/01/24 - Jesse and Blake - O Jesse e a Blake são melhores amigos desde sempre. A Blake tinha um irmão gêmeo que morreu e a mãe virou alcoolatra e a abandonou. O pai também ficou completamente ausente e ela era super sozinha. O Jesse tinha um pai abusivo que batia nele e na mãe e ele fugia para o quarto da Blake. Ela estudava em casa até que o irmão morreu então vou para a escola. lá o Jesse a ignorou e depois criou 4 regras - ela não fala com ela na escola, ela fica de cabeça baixa e deixa a janela do quarto sempre aberta. Isso durou por 4 anos. Ele simplesmente a ignorou durante todo esse tempo e ela aceitou. Ele faz parte de um grupo que faz bulling na escola, inclusive foi responsável pela melhor amiga dela ter ido embora. Até que crescem e transam e ele a ignora. Ela já poderia ter se formado mais cedo então ela vai embora e fica dez anos sem voltar para casa. O namorado dela de um ano termina com ela e ela interage com a mãe do Jesse que vai se casar com o pai dela e pede para ela voltar para o casamento. O Jesse quer ganhar ela de volta, mas ficou dez anos sem procurá-la e continuou namorando todo mundo. A interação entre a Blake e as agora mulheres que estudaram com ela é ridícula. Ele levou um tiro do pai e ficou hospitalizado e os "amigos" não foram visitá-lo, ai ele deu valor para a Blake.
Como bem expressado nessa review -
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...
1. Jesse was nothing but a hypocrite. He tried to convince Blake that he came up with the rules to protect HER but he admitted to himself that it was HIM he was trying to protect. He needed the approval of his so called “friends” to help him get his scholarship and he was more than willing to sacrifice Blake to get it.
2. The simple truth is that Jesse was a terrible person. He wasn’t just a bystander; he had a big part in bullying Olivia so badly that she had to leave town.
3. Jesse loved Blake SO much that he didn’t bother to try to contact her for TEN years. And, of course, during that time, he was out f#$king other women. The only reason that they saw each other after a decade was because they were forced to come home for the wedding reception.
4. After everything that Jesse did to her, when Blake found out about the shooting, she felt terribly guilty for not being there for him and Jesse magnanimously forgave her. And then, everything was forgiven and she jumped into bed with him the next day.
I’m not wasting my time on this crap.
E depois lendo o livro da Olivia a gente percebe o quanto o Jesse era horrível.
Péssimo.
Como bem expressado nessa review -
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...
1. Jesse was nothing but a hypocrite. He tried to convince Blake that he came up with the rules to protect HER but he admitted to himself that it was HIM he was trying to protect. He needed the approval of his so called “friends” to help him get his scholarship and he was more than willing to sacrifice Blake to get it.
2. The simple truth is that Jesse was a terrible person. He wasn’t just a bystander; he had a big part in bullying Olivia so badly that she had to leave town.
3. Jesse loved Blake SO much that he didn’t bother to try to contact her for TEN years. And, of course, during that time, he was out f#$king other women. The only reason that they saw each other after a decade was because they were forced to come home for the wedding reception.
4. After everything that Jesse did to her, when Blake found out about the shooting, she felt terribly guilty for not being there for him and Jesse magnanimously forgave her. And then, everything was forgiven and she jumped into bed with him the next day.
I’m not wasting my time on this crap.
E depois lendo o livro da Olivia a gente percebe o quanto o Jesse era horrível.
Péssimo.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 2, 2023
I found "Four Simple Rules" to be a sweet gentle read despite the sad tid bits. It's a lovers to friends to lovers again with a few bumps in the road. This is my first introduction to Aly Beck and this book made me want to read more by her. Jesse has "four simple rules" for Blake as she started high school and she lived by them and treasured the times she had with him, but everything came to a head when her friend Olivia was injured and wouldn't return back to high school. Blake had enough of Jesse's rules and his treatment of her when they were around other people. Jesse was the only thing tethering Blake to Brighton and once she finally had enough, she left. Now she's back and Jesse sees this as his chance to make things right and get the girl he always loved back. It would be wrong to classify this book as friends/lovers to enemies because the conflict between Jesse and Blake didn't run long enough to classify it as such, but given the length of the book, I can't fault it for that. The book lacked the right amount of back and forth between the two to make the book intriguing from start to finish. Though it wasn't the page-turner I had expected, the book gives much needed background to almost every character relevant to the story. It makes you sympathize with Blake's father. You understand why Blake was willing to follow Jesse's rules. You understand why Jesse created those rule as to mostly protect Blake, but also himself unknowingly causing more harm to Blake than protected her. I honestly wish the book was a few chapters longer to flesh out the conflict between Jesse and Blake and delve more into the relationship everyone had with Blake's brother and delve more into the mindset of Blake's mom. Given the run time of the book, I enjoyed it and I will be reading more by Aly Beck.
August 5, 2023
The eighth instalment of the Brighton High School Reunion series is a sweet, quick read. I have loved how characters who appear briefly in previous books get their own stories and we are able to learn exactly how much pain and drama the students were going through.
This book covers Blake (Olivia’s best friend from Color Outside The Lines) and Jesse who were best friends, with a little more, but only in secret as per Jesse’s “rules”. One day Blake has had enough of being ignored and watching friends being tormented. She leaves with no plans to return, choosing for the first time what was best for her. 10 years later she returns for her high school reunion and finds Jesse begging for a second chance.
I loved Blake who was a strong and determined woman who knew her own worth. Jesse had wonderful character growth from being a misguided teen to a man who wanted to make amends for his previous choices. A little selfishly I wish that the men in Blake’s life had grovelled more, she was (in my opinion) too forgiving. The flashbacks between the past and present were well done, adding to the story without making it drag.
Aly Beck is a new author to me and I enjoyed her writing and am looking forward to reading more of her work.
I received an arc of the book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book covers Blake (Olivia’s best friend from Color Outside The Lines) and Jesse who were best friends, with a little more, but only in secret as per Jesse’s “rules”. One day Blake has had enough of being ignored and watching friends being tormented. She leaves with no plans to return, choosing for the first time what was best for her. 10 years later she returns for her high school reunion and finds Jesse begging for a second chance.
I loved Blake who was a strong and determined woman who knew her own worth. Jesse had wonderful character growth from being a misguided teen to a man who wanted to make amends for his previous choices. A little selfishly I wish that the men in Blake’s life had grovelled more, she was (in my opinion) too forgiving. The flashbacks between the past and present were well done, adding to the story without making it drag.
Aly Beck is a new author to me and I enjoyed her writing and am looking forward to reading more of her work.
I received an arc of the book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 1, 2023
Four Simple Rules is the eighth book in the Brighton High School Reunion series by Aly Beck.
💜 shy FMC
💜 best friends to lovers
💜 high school reunion
💜 groveling
💜 🌶🌶🌶🌶 spicy spice
Blake was always homeschooled with her twin brother Gavin. They had a good childhood playing with their best friend, Jesse, who just so happened to live next door. His life wasn’t always great. His dad liked to put his hands on him and yell, so Blake would leave her window open so he could escape if he needed to. Then, one day Gavin got sick and their lives were never the same. All those changes pushed Blake to go to high school, at least she would have Jesse their to keep her company, right? Wrong. By day, she had to follow his rules, but by night he was her best friend. Until one day, she figured out her worth, graduated early, and left without a word. Now it’s ten years later, and she has to go back to Brighton. Can she face the town? Can she risk seeing her tormentors? Can she risk running into him?
This was such a great story. I gobbled it up. I loved the second chance aspect and how there was total groveling involved. I also loved seeing each of their growths and maturity from the beginning of the book. I can’t wait to read another book in this series.
💜 shy FMC
💜 best friends to lovers
💜 high school reunion
💜 groveling
💜 🌶🌶🌶🌶 spicy spice
Blake was always homeschooled with her twin brother Gavin. They had a good childhood playing with their best friend, Jesse, who just so happened to live next door. His life wasn’t always great. His dad liked to put his hands on him and yell, so Blake would leave her window open so he could escape if he needed to. Then, one day Gavin got sick and their lives were never the same. All those changes pushed Blake to go to high school, at least she would have Jesse their to keep her company, right? Wrong. By day, she had to follow his rules, but by night he was her best friend. Until one day, she figured out her worth, graduated early, and left without a word. Now it’s ten years later, and she has to go back to Brighton. Can she face the town? Can she risk seeing her tormentors? Can she risk running into him?
This was such a great story. I gobbled it up. I loved the second chance aspect and how there was total groveling involved. I also loved seeing each of their growths and maturity from the beginning of the book. I can’t wait to read another book in this series.
July 29, 2023
Each Brighton High Reunion book is a fantastic peek into what was and what is for different couples. This look into Blake & Jesse was phenomenal! Best friends, each other’s support, and much more since well before high school until Jesse makes some decisions that will change everything. Once they’ve crossed lines there’s no turning back & Jesse still hasn’t figured out how bad his decisions have been until it’s too late. Ten years later he’s still desperate to prove to Blake they belong together and prove to her how wrong he was and how much he’s changed but since she cut all ties, how can he do that? Blake has been invited to her 10 year HS reunion & there’s no way she’s going & doesn’t even want the possibility of seeing Jesse, then her boyfriend breaks up with her & the next thing she knows her dad has married Jesse’s mom and now she has to go home for their reception. What will happen when she sees Jesse again? Will he have his chance to show her how wrong he knows he was or will she continue her life without constant reminders of everything she’s been through & how invisible she’d been?
Absolutely loved these two and their soul deep connection! 5⭐️ 3🌶️
Absolutely loved these two and their soul deep connection! 5⭐️ 3🌶️
August 2, 2023
Well, it just goes to show that Aly can write it all! This wasn’t what you typically get from Aly, instead of a dark RH we have a sweet contemporary MF. I was a bit dubious as to whether I would enjoy as I like things on the darker and rawer side but I have to say this was the perfect palette cleanser.
Jesse set four simple rules of their conditional friendship to abide by during high school which she dutifully followed until one night in senior year when she realised that things would never change and she wouldn’t get what she wanted. Putting herself first she goes out to follow her dream and loses touch with Jesse. When they are reunited by her father’s marriage to his mother it’s impossible for old feelings not to resurface. But can they put the past aside and find their HEA?
I really enjoyed Blake and Jesse’s story. Two people both with their own issues trying to do their best, particularly Blake, but not understanding that sometimes closing yourself off does more harm than good. The character development achieved in such a short story was impressive and made for a very enjoyable read, especially the spicy scene!
Jesse set four simple rules of their conditional friendship to abide by during high school which she dutifully followed until one night in senior year when she realised that things would never change and she wouldn’t get what she wanted. Putting herself first she goes out to follow her dream and loses touch with Jesse. When they are reunited by her father’s marriage to his mother it’s impossible for old feelings not to resurface. But can they put the past aside and find their HEA?
I really enjoyed Blake and Jesse’s story. Two people both with their own issues trying to do their best, particularly Blake, but not understanding that sometimes closing yourself off does more harm than good. The character development achieved in such a short story was impressive and made for a very enjoyable read, especially the spicy scene!
August 2, 2023
Four Simple Rules was a bit different than I've come to expect from Aly Beck, however I enjoyed it all the same. She has a way of really making you feel the characters emotions that I really love.
Blake was a fun FMC, her non cuss word cursing was equal parts hysterical and ridiculous. I think she was really strong and incredibly forgiving, even when she didn't have to be. Which to me takes a different kind of strength that I could never have, but really respect.
Jesse was such a little jerk. She was so sweet and he was so careless. He deserved loosing Blake and I'm glad she left. But it was also nice to see his character change and grow in the time they were apart.
One part I hadn't expected but was thrilled by, was the resolution between her and her father. It was so sad to read about him in the beginning and how he basically just checks out of her life. I appreciated him acknowledging his failures as her parent and being willing to open a new chapter on her terms.
Overall I really enjoyed this book, and I think I will be looking into the other characters stories of this shared universe as well.
Blake was a fun FMC, her non cuss word cursing was equal parts hysterical and ridiculous. I think she was really strong and incredibly forgiving, even when she didn't have to be. Which to me takes a different kind of strength that I could never have, but really respect.
Jesse was such a little jerk. She was so sweet and he was so careless. He deserved loosing Blake and I'm glad she left. But it was also nice to see his character change and grow in the time they were apart.
One part I hadn't expected but was thrilled by, was the resolution between her and her father. It was so sad to read about him in the beginning and how he basically just checks out of her life. I appreciated him acknowledging his failures as her parent and being willing to open a new chapter on her terms.
Overall I really enjoyed this book, and I think I will be looking into the other characters stories of this shared universe as well.
August 19, 2023
MY HEART
I loved this shorter novel so much. It was simply... a romance. The beginning of the book had so much hurt between the both of them. I wanted to be so mad at Jesse right away, and I was... but you knew that he had some serious sh*t he was dealing with too.
Immaturity at it's finest folks... we can't expect high school students to make the right decision all the time!!
My heart really felt for Blake when she just sort of kept getting knocked down over and over again, but she still persevered, reached for her goals, but by the time the reunion came around, you just knew she was moving toward bitter and I hated that for her!!!
I don't want to spoil this, but just the way he spoke to her when they reconnected, treated her, the little actions, and the thing he hid in the tree... my God... I fell so hard for him and wanted so much for Blake!!!
The epilogue was flipping perfect and really gave us readers exactly what we needed to feel confident that they absolutely got their HEA.
Aly Beck, I have four simple rules for you:
1) Keep being awesome
2) Take a shot
3) Always be proud of yourself - you are gifted
4) Never stop writing
I loved this shorter novel so much. It was simply... a romance. The beginning of the book had so much hurt between the both of them. I wanted to be so mad at Jesse right away, and I was... but you knew that he had some serious sh*t he was dealing with too.
Immaturity at it's finest folks... we can't expect high school students to make the right decision all the time!!
My heart really felt for Blake when she just sort of kept getting knocked down over and over again, but she still persevered, reached for her goals, but by the time the reunion came around, you just knew she was moving toward bitter and I hated that for her!!!
I don't want to spoil this, but just the way he spoke to her when they reconnected, treated her, the little actions, and the thing he hid in the tree... my God... I fell so hard for him and wanted so much for Blake!!!
The epilogue was flipping perfect and really gave us readers exactly what we needed to feel confident that they absolutely got their HEA.
Aly Beck, I have four simple rules for you:
1) Keep being awesome
2) Take a shot
3) Always be proud of yourself - you are gifted
4) Never stop writing
July 27, 2023
They were two sides of the same coin. They were best friends as kids, but when Blake came to school for the first time after Gavin was gone she thought she'd have one friend. But Jesse made it clear that they couldn't be anything to each other in public. It all started with his four simple rules. She abided by them for four years hoping that eventually he'd realize what she meant to him, but everything crumbled after that one fateful night. After taking her virtue, Jesse realized that he had made a huge mistake and dashed off before Blake woke up. Now ten years later he wants to make amends to the one person that meant anything to him at all. He was going to find a way to make her forgive him for everything he put her through. This is a friend's to enemies to lovers tale and some parts are quite painful. I felt connected to both characters and their struggles and traumas, as I have dealt with the same growing up. I absolutely loved the epilogue and how Blake's relationship with not only Jesse, but her father was reconnected.
October 13, 2023
Jesse and Blake didn't have great childhoods, but Blake has loved Jesse forever, but he firmly kept her in a hidden friends zone. Pretend we don't know each other at school, but climb through the window every night. Jesse doesn't seem like such a great guy at the start of this story and doesn't do himself any favours when he disappears after a huge moment for them both. Blake decides enough is enough and leaves for college, never looking back.
10 year later, the reunion for Brighton High is approaching and so is the wedding for Blake's dad and Jesse's mom. So Blake knows there will be no avoiding Jesse, but she's certainly going to try. Jesse is dreading seeing Blake again with the way things left off, but when they see one another again, it's like all the old feelings come rushing back.
Every story in the Brighton High series gets better and better with each book, and they all live rent-free in my mind. Fantastic series with plenty of spice and angst to keep you enthralled and rooting for the lovers to find their HEA in anyway they can.
10 year later, the reunion for Brighton High is approaching and so is the wedding for Blake's dad and Jesse's mom. So Blake knows there will be no avoiding Jesse, but she's certainly going to try. Jesse is dreading seeing Blake again with the way things left off, but when they see one another again, it's like all the old feelings come rushing back.
Every story in the Brighton High series gets better and better with each book, and they all live rent-free in my mind. Fantastic series with plenty of spice and angst to keep you enthralled and rooting for the lovers to find their HEA in anyway they can.
August 10, 2023
Ten year separation and so the need for a decent grovel has diminished. H had written notes for years but never sent them to h and this was glossed over pretty quickly. In the notes H laments on how much he misses h and how bad he feels for what he did. (H treated the h like she was nothing, a ghost, to him when in school which was the last straw for the h especially after losing her v card to H.) H did apologize in person, but only after h returns home. H knew where h was the whole time and was content to just creep on her, weak for a H who was so in love.
Also, H got the automatic forgiveness as he experienced a trauma after h left, so of course h feels horrible for not being there for him. Ugh, please. I am not a fan of the auto forgive because of trauma. It glosses over the pain and degradation the H inflicted.
Drama - light
OW drama - very light in passing
No cheating
Both H and h gave their v cards to each other
Both H and h had others in the ten year separation
Also, H got the automatic forgiveness as he experienced a trauma after h left, so of course h feels horrible for not being there for him. Ugh, please. I am not a fan of the auto forgive because of trauma. It glosses over the pain and degradation the H inflicted.
Drama - light
OW drama - very light in passing
No cheating
Both H and h gave their v cards to each other
Both H and h had others in the ten year separation
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 31, 2023
“Four Simple Rules” is a second chance small town romance that you will definitely not want to miss! I love the best friends to lovers trope, and I thought that Aly Beck really outdid herself with Jesse and Blake’s love story. Jesse and Blake both had difficult childhoods, and they were each other’s safe place - except at high school, where Jesse chose his popularity over his best friend, and as a result, lost her for good. Jesse and Blake had a very complex relationship, and there was a lot of beautifully written angst because of everything that had happened between them. Jesse made some bad decisions in high school, but I truly believe he regretted his choices and changed, becoming a better man who knew what he wanted and wasn’t afraid to say it. As for Blake, I thought she truly blossomed after high school, and I was proud of her for knowing her worth. I’d definitely recommend!!!
August 2, 2023
Plant Girl & Jock Boy
Blake has no desire to head back home for her ten year reunion. She left that life behind and the boy who broke her heart to pieces with his “four simple rules”. The story is part of the Brighton High School Reunion series. First off, the author did a fabulous job of blending her characters in with existing characters of the Brighton Universe. Second, the story’s mixture of two timelines helped the reader understand the emotional mindset of the FMC and MC. Blake was a good hearted person who let people take too much without giving anything back. She eventually realizes what her needs and wants are. Enter our MC Jesse who also realizes Blake is the only person he’ll ever wants and tries to be the man Blake deserves after being a stupid boy lol. There’s plenty of steam and lots of forgiveness.
Blake has no desire to head back home for her ten year reunion. She left that life behind and the boy who broke her heart to pieces with his “four simple rules”. The story is part of the Brighton High School Reunion series. First off, the author did a fabulous job of blending her characters in with existing characters of the Brighton Universe. Second, the story’s mixture of two timelines helped the reader understand the emotional mindset of the FMC and MC. Blake was a good hearted person who let people take too much without giving anything back. She eventually realizes what her needs and wants are. Enter our MC Jesse who also realizes Blake is the only person he’ll ever wants and tries to be the man Blake deserves after being a stupid boy lol. There’s plenty of steam and lots of forgiveness.
August 1, 2023
I really enjoyed reading Blake and Jesse’s story. I honestly think Aly Beck did an amazing job for her first ever MF book and I know that if she writes more in the future- It’ll be a one-click for me!
Though Jesse and Blake left because of some unfortunate circumstances, they ended up drifting towards each other in the end and I was really glad Jesse showed Blake how different he was from then.
The one thing I wish I could’ve seen more of is Blake and her dad reconnecting. I feel like that was a bit rushed over especially because what her dad did and after how he handled everything. He really hurt Blake and that should’ve been further discussed.
Other than that, this was such a good book and I totally recommend this if your looking for a brothers best friend and second chance romance read!
Though Jesse and Blake left because of some unfortunate circumstances, they ended up drifting towards each other in the end and I was really glad Jesse showed Blake how different he was from then.
The one thing I wish I could’ve seen more of is Blake and her dad reconnecting. I feel like that was a bit rushed over especially because what her dad did and after how he handled everything. He really hurt Blake and that should’ve been further discussed.
Other than that, this was such a good book and I totally recommend this if your looking for a brothers best friend and second chance romance read!
August 2, 2023
A series that just keeps getting better and better . Four Simple Rules is Aly Beck’s addition to the Brighton. high School Reunion Series and it absolute perfection . Not to mention the perfect blend of so many of my very favorite tropes to read in romance 💜Brothers Best friend 💜Best Friends to lovers 💜opposites Attract 💜Second Chance 💜Sports Romance . Jesse is the boy next door and Blake’s crush / first love as well as her brothers best friend . He has it all - money , popularity, and a bright future . Blake is his polar opposite- Shy , Nerdy and invisible to everyone . But one day fate steps in brings and these two together . Can Blake finally make Jesse see her as more than his best friends sister ? Four simple Rules is so beautifully written and so very emotional . It will make you smile , make you laugh, have you crying like a baby and keep you rooting so freaking hard
July 26, 2023
Another great story in the Brighton High Reunion series, love the way me meet some for the characters from other books, the way this whole series interconnects is awesome.Aly does a stunning job here with the story of Jesse and Blake who haven’t crossed paths since high school.
The trope here of friends to lovers is such a good one, Jesse and Blake both having less than ideal childhoods, made worse by their time at school.
After reading some parts of this, especially that fateful day I had tears in my eyes.
So sweet the way the two of them reconnected and Jesse made amends. I really love a story with plenty grovelling in.
Loved this short story and can’t wait for 6he next instalment in this quirky series that really makes you think.
The trope here of friends to lovers is such a good one, Jesse and Blake both having less than ideal childhoods, made worse by their time at school.
After reading some parts of this, especially that fateful day I had tears in my eyes.
So sweet the way the two of them reconnected and Jesse made amends. I really love a story with plenty grovelling in.
Loved this short story and can’t wait for 6he next instalment in this quirky series that really makes you think.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews