Name: House Rules
Rating: 3.75 (24 reviews)
ISBN: 9780451473226

Chloe Neill

Merit, a vampire, and Ethan Sullivan, her Master, try to find out who is causing Chicago vampires to disappear, until they discover clues that seem to point to a trusted associate.

House Rules

In a city full of vampires, trouble never sleeps. At the tender age of 27, Merit became a sword-wielding vampire. Since then, she's become the protector of her House, watched Chicago nearly burn to the ground, and seen her Master fall and rise. Now she'll see her mettle - and her metal - tested like never before. It started with two ... Two rogues vanishing without a trace. Someone is targeting Chicago's vampires, and anyone could be next. With their house in peril, Merit and her Master, the centuries old Ethan Sullivan, must race to stop the disappearances. But as they untangle a web of secret alliances and ancient evils, they realize their foe is more familiar, and more powerful, than they could have ever imagined.

A Chicagoland Vampires Novel

Annabella

Sarah Escorsa

Ok, so this instalment isn’t as action-packed or as emotionally draining as the previous ones. Admittedly, it doesn’t have that roller-coaster ride, gut-wrenching feeling that leaves you exhausted when you turn the last page. Still, it is one pretty cool instalment. The Chicagoland world is ever-expanding and things are changing, evolving, shifting. For Merit, for Ethan, for Cadogan House, for Chicago and all its inhabitants (humans and sups). I think this instalment is a transition of sorts and it feels like Chloe Neill is prepping us for bigger, more exciting things to come. She is setting everything up and taking us exactly where she wants us to be. Yes, she is devious that way.

About the plot itself: I initially thought the murder investigation wasn’t important and that part of the plot actually felt a bit weak. What with Cadogan House defecting the GP, Merit joining the RG (view spoiler)[(with the ensuing unavoidable drama with Ethan) (hide spoiler)] and McKetrick being officially hired by Mayor “Bitch” Kowalczyk, the investigation aspect of the storyline wasn't particularly exciting. It went painfully slow and I was as frustrated as Merit by the lack of action. It really felt like things were going nowhere. Nevertheless, a meaningless investigation it is not and everything comes together nicely at the end of the book. You just have to be patient and trust Chloe Neill: everything happens for a reason. It was also nice to see vamps (from different houses), shifters and sorcerers coming together again to solve the mystery. 

About Methan. Because YES! Methan! How awesome is that?! Silly yes but awesome nonetheless. We’ve been through so much to get there, we really deserved a silly couple name. But I digress. I just love where Merit and Ethan are right now. Of course there is the inevitable drama (view spoiler)[(RG-related drama and Lacey-related drama) (hide spoiler)] and I know some readers are getting tired of it. Still, I think the drama was necessary. It’s because of the drama that their relationship has evolved and become stronger. What I love most here? Their newly-found intimacy. The scenes when they get to spend time alone had me melting like a love-sick teenager. 

About Merit. She really stands her ground here, never flinches, never strays from the path she’s set for herself, both personally and as Cadogan Sentinel.. She might feel beaten, lonely, guilty, defeated and discouraged but she never gives up. She refuses to be pushed around and will always fight for the greater good and what she believes in, no matter the cost. (view spoiler)[She almost loses Ethan over it (again! He might be delicious but he can be so aggravating!) but ultimately I think this is one of the things he loves most about her (hide spoiler)]. She seriously rocks my world.

There are so many things I loved about House Rules I think it calls for a random list of pure awesomeness:
Ethan’s library fantasy (“Come here often?” - Ha! Gotta love that guy!). Lacey’s entrance dressed “à la Merit.” Ethan & Michael Donovan in the training room. Peter Cadogan & Anastacia. Merit & Ethan going for a run (love the dialogue!). Lindsey & Luc (aka Lucsey). The face-off between Merit and Lacey. Gabe stepping in to help out with the GP situation. Any scene involving Jeff and the nymphs. (view spoiler)[Merit telling Ethan about joining the RG (hide spoiler)]. Berna! Mallory becoming half-bearable. The poker game with Gabe and his brothers. (view spoiler)[Merit sleeping alone in the Master’s Suite… Heartbreaking! (hide spoiler)]. The “testosterone fest” between Ethan and Jonah. (view spoiler)[Ethan sending Lacey back to San Diego (eat your heart out you bitch!) (hide spoiler)]. Lakshmi. The nymph birthday party with Rick Astley playing in the background. Ethan’s evolving eating habits. (view spoiler)[Jeff is a freaking tiger! (hide spoiler)]. That final rescue mission(view spoiler)[ (and that jump!) (hide spoiler)]. 

Awesomeness everywhere! I might not have given this instalment 5 stars as I did the previous ones (mainly because it wasn’t as action-packed or nerve-wrecking) but it is still a pretty fantastic read. Getting my hands on Biting Bad right NOW!

Michelle Boyea

With every book, I am amazed that the storyline is able to keep progressing without getting boring or obnoxious yet. Normally I am very tired of a serious by this point, if not earlier. However, this is simply not the case with the Chicagoland Vampires series! Chloe Neill does a wonderful job telling the story of Merit, Ethan, and the rest of the characters in this series.

In this installment, Ethan finally sees Lacey for who she truly is. I was very pleased that he took Merit's side instead of simply reacting to the intel. And finally, Merit has no more secrets from Ethan. I love the balance in the book between action and relationships. While I do feel that the series could focus less on Merit and Ethan's relationship, it is not overwhelming the way that other series can be.

I think my favorite character currently is Jeff. He always has Merit's back, he never judges, he's loyal to his friends and family, he's got a great sense of humor, and he's humble but knows he is awesome. Where is a real man like that? My favorite part of this book was definitely finding out what animal Jeff changes into. Without a doubt.

This book was a good read. Parts were slow and others were quick. I felt myself getting a little bored while reading, which for me means that I need to change up series for a little while. So even though I can't wait for book 8, I'm going to switch series now. This book still gets 4/5 stars for me, only losing a little because parts were slow and I felt that the Merit and Ethan relationship could have been focused on less. Hopefully there will be more action in the next one!

House Rules

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