Deepa’s Reviews > Rules for Love: a totally cozy and heartwarming second chance fall romance for fans of opposites attract and autumn in London > Status Update

One hand I love original conflict and background. I think it’s cool our lead is a gardener and he’s trying to save his community garden. I was little uncomfortable that we’re ignoring the garden was in danger for low income housing. Like that’s actually really important. If it was for gentrifiers I would have been on their team —I have reservations.

Humility. Yes he has some soul searching to do and I am not trying throw him over the rails or be judgy but it is important. I guess the contrasting case someone actually wiling to be humbled and apologetic. I think it’s harder to have you’re kid be so unrelenting non contact. That I can understand more. Not sure how much more differently but to some degree.

The thing is I am uncomfortable by Lucas’s actions and I do judge him for that. I wish I didn’t but commitment i something I value a lot. It’s harder that he’s a nice guy. He could be nice to someone else but not his partner. I’m aware of his remorse and intentions but it’s just genuinely hard. So when Rosie says hers is the forgiveness he shouldn’t seek. I don’t I think it’s true but she’s at the least owed that

being stubborn with a parent and withholding because you’re angry or disappointed this being thing that goes on for years.

I learned the hard way that I regret it most in my life. That after real stakes you are ( in non sappy way tho I am usually am) able to see it clearly again.

It felt like something blocking my vision. So I’m all for this arc.

prediction. He drops his phone into a pond or marina cuz he lives on a boat. He wasn’t paying attention and suddenly sunk. It’s think he’s going m.i.a. Sophie is going to freak she thinks he’ s ghosting her again. Guilt factor which is inconvenient but not malicious. Lucas met Sophie and realized he didn’t like his fiance as much. Left both of them. Nothing happened. It’s something he feels shame for.

I’m really enjoying this but I also remembered that oh I am not able to enjoy uncertain flirting. I totally forgot how stressed out this would be. When you don’t know that they would take ownership of it as pursuer. Or you don’t know where it could lead with certainty. I wouldn’t feel comfortable flirting back if I didn’t have info. I feel stress for Sophie to receive the flirting. Hard to relax

I forgot I think Sophie did not know he was engaged in the past at all and I think that’s why’s avoiding talking about his past or why he’s so different now in their catchups.

(This is bringing some anxiety to me. I am avoidant person when I have fears and hurts. It’s just little to close to my neck right now. not my situation rn and not my misery today. Im just feeling behind with my to dos amid other things.)

So far my assessment I like it but I’m already kind of muggy today so the dancing around each other and past hurt feelings is just wringing my general self issues.

We will just have to see. I am loving the book so far. I am mega careful about reading new authors and new styles. I can say the writing has passed my first sentence level preference check. ( sometimes it can go really wrong. strangely needed for me. )

She does half agree to represent him. But with some caveats which are the title i.e rules. 1) no personal q. 2) I think the other one is no flirting. Lucas says he is staying away but he flirts lot with her and uncannily he’s not usually a flirt.

Soft non pointed individual flirting just the way he may banter or things. There are some other potential things in background.

What happened in the past isn’t something Lucas wants to talk about with Sophie and after her initial confrontation she doesn’t want to hear out what she thinks is potential let down. She also drops topic.