Sara Ryan

When he reappears in her life after a four-year absence, Battle Hall Davies spends the summer before college with her brother Nick and learns a lot about Nick and herself, in the moving sequel to Empress of the World.

A Family Drama

The Rules for Hearts

Sarah Sammis

The Rules for Hearts by Sara Ryan is the sequel to Empress of the World. It's not, though, a continuation of the summer romance between Nic and Battle. Rather, this is Battle's story of reuniting with her brother.

Battle has moved to Oregon to attend college. She has moved in with her brother and his thespian roommates. As the youngest and newest house member, she is the third wheel.

Like Empress of the World, the chapters are rather episodic — one challenge after another for Battle to face as she learns how to live on her own, tries to fit in with the household and discovers her brother's dark secrets.

If there is an over reaching plot arc, it's the presentation of a play put on by the housemates, and run by Meryl. It's a rather quiet and short novel — something to linger over.

The Rules for Hearts A Family Drama

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