Name: Aubrey Erskine's review of Rules We're Meant to Break by Natalie Williamson
Item: Rules We're Meant to Break
Rating: 4
Author: Aubrey Erskine

Natalie Williamson

Honest and full of heart, this clever contemporary romance debut deftly combines utterly relatable family drama with all the sweetness and uncertainy that comes with falling in love. Rule #1: Don't get attached. Amber lives by strict rules to survive her mother’s love life: Always keep your eyes on the horizon and never get close to anyone connected to Mom's boyfriends. But after they move in with Kevin, the latest of her mom's “soul mates,” the rules become increasingly difficult to follow. Kevin’s daughter, Cammie, keeps acting like Amber’s friend, even though she’s definitely not. And Jordan—star basketball player, hottest boy in school, and Cammie's best friend—keeps showing up at the most inconvenient moments. Amber has reasons for every one of her rules, and following them is the only way to protect her heart when her mom inevitably moves on. But as she spends more time with Kevin, his daughter, and especially Jordan, she starts to wonder if the rules might be worth breaking this time. Chosen by readers like you for Macmillan's young adult imprint Swoon Reads, Rules We're Meant to Break is a charming, heartachingly real story of family and young love by debut author Natalie Williamson. Praise for Rules We're Meant to Break: “The last time I devoured a book like this—I can't even remember. ... It was so openhearted and raw.” —Clarissa, reader on SwoonReads.com "It is such a true true story about a girl finding herself within her first love. I loved it!" —Forever Bookish, reader on SwoonReads.com

Rules We're Meant to Break

Aubrey Erskine

Candyce Kirk

Rules We're Meant to Break is everything you want to find in a contemporary. It's cute, there's some romance, great friends, animals, a fandom and some sweet family moments. 

Amber's childhood has been influenced by all of her mother's decisions when it came to her love life. There have been many boyfriends, her mother thinking she finally found the one and a lot of heartache. Everytime Amber starts to get settled with her life and the new people in it, her mother decides the guy she's with just isn't the one. After the latest break up, Amber decides she isn't getting hurt anymore.

Amber makes a list of rules to follow for when her mother ends up in a new relationship. I could completely understand where Amber was coming from and at the moment it was a good way for her to deal with what she was feeling at the time. Having her best friend be there with her making them helped and some of the rules were actually funny.

I loved Amber's character, because even though there was definitely some family drama, I loved that she was really determined to follow her dream. She loves her dog Buffy and the program she wants to follow in college sounded really interesting. It was nice to see a character in a book really work at what she wanted and even start researching budgets to make it happen. We need more characters like that in YA!

Things get complicated though when they move in with her mother's newest boyfriend and things aren't that awful. I loved seeing her struggle with keeping the rules going as things start going and seem to be going well. The most important moment to me though was her talking to her mother about everything (even if it happens by accident). At times I think this part of the book dragged on a bit too long and made Amber a bit dramatic at times, but all in all, still a good part of the story.

I loved Amber's best friend Hannah and their love for Buffy the Vampire Slayer. That's one of my favorite shows and I love seeing it mentioned in books. On top of great friendships, we also get some romance. I loved how the author did this one, because even though there was a connection from the start it didn't feel like insta-love. It took time to grow and I loved Jordan's character. I would've loved a few chapters from his POV.

Rules We're Meant to Break is a really fun and fast read. I loved the message in it though, because it's true family isn't always blood and things can work out. Also it shows that fighting for your dream can pay off. I wouldn't mind another book with these characters!

Becca Futrell

Thank you to Xpresso Book Tours, Netgalley & Swoon Reads for providing me with an e-ARC of Rules We're Meant to Break in exchange for an honest review!

I actually read this book fairly quick & probably could have done it in one-sitting, if I didn’t depend on naps so much. Rules We’re Meant to Break really dives into character & relationship development & that’s something I always look for in a book. I love watching how a character changes from beginning to end & Amber really does grow, in both relationships with other characters and how she reacts to certain situations.

In the beginning, Amber is pretty annoying. There, I said it. Granted, she’s been hurt time & time again when it comes to her mother’s dating life; making the reasoning behind her rules & the imaginary wall she puts up understandable. However, I wouldn’t say her attitude is acceptable, and she gets called out on this multiple times by her best friend, Hannah. 

Everyone needs a Hannah in their life. She’s such a breath of fresh air & provides constant reminders to Amber to be a good person. If you know me, it can probably go without saying that Hannah is my favorite character of Rules We’re Meant to Break. I adore sweet & precious cinnamon roll-esque characters. 

Amber’s familial dynamics definitely change from beginning to end. Amber is hesitant to get to know Kevin, her mom’s new boyfriend, and his daughter, Cammie. I mean, it does say in the rules not to get too close. Without giving out too many spoilers, things do begin to change & I really like how it doesn’t feel too rushed. Even for not being that long of a read, things develop at an appropriate speed. We also get to see changes in the relationship between Amber & her mom & this may have made me slightly emotional. 

Of course, what’s a YA Contemporary without the lovey dovey goods? Which is totally okay with me, because I’m a big ball of fluff. Jordan, deemed as the ‘hottest guy in school’ lives in Amber’s new neighborhood. But, again, those pesky rules forces her to keep him at arm’s length. Right away, it’s clear that things would work out for Jordan & Amber in the end, but I still really enjoyed watching their relationship unfold. 

Can someone please explain to me why there’s always a part in a YA Contemporary where a character storms off, because they just won’t even try to listen? Honesty & actually listening during communication truly does make the world a better place. Apparently not many YA characters know that, including those in Rules We’re Meant to Break. This isn’t a deal breaker or anything & definitely doesn’t take from the story, it’s just something that I have noticed in basically every YA book I’ve reviewed on this blog. Maybe that’s the easiest way to create character conflict? Who knows.

With all that said, the real star of Rules We’re Meant to Break is Amber’s German Shepard, Buffy (yes, BTVS fans, that’s exactly who she’s named after). Buffy is the Best girl & deserves lots of pats & snuggles. Buffy doesn’t just do those basic tricks, nope! She’s out here listening to commands like chill & hang. A True Legend. Such a Legend, that she gets her own paragraph praising her in this review. 

Admittedly, at some point the story did feel like it was getting dry. It was around the 75% mark that I found myself looking forward to the end. However, I really did enjoy Rules We’re Meant to Break & am glad how things turned out for the characters. Rules We’re Meant to Break is definitely a book that I would recommend to YA readers.

To read my full review visit my blog:http://theshelflifechronicles.home.bl...

Thank you to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for and ARC of this novel!

The Rules:
1. Always keep your eyes on the horizon
2. Children of Mom's boyfriends are roommates to be tolerated, not friends
3. Get used to introducing yourself to strangers
4. Related, get used to spending your holidays with strangers too, because that's pretty much the norm
5. Protect your plate at all large meal gatherings, holidays or otherwise
6. Never ask Mom's boyfriends for help, unless it's a legitimate emergency
7. Never get romantically involved with anyone connected to Mom's boyfriends or their families
8. Don't get involved in any "family" drama, even if it's juicy and hard to resist
9. Keep your real life separate from Mom's life with her current boyfriend
10. Remember you love your mom. I know it's hard sometimes. But do it anyways.

This story starts by introducing us to Amber on her birthday her freshman year of high school. She's super excited about her birthday dinner that night with her mom's boyfriend and his nephew that she's hardcore crushing on, only to find out that while at school there's been a breakup. While it turns out not to be the best birthday, Amber comforts herself by saving a puppy, Buffy, in front of a pet store and by creating a set of rules to keep her in check for the next men that enter her and her mom's lives. 

We then flash forward to her senior year where her mom has a new boyfriend, Kevin, whose house she is moving into. The rules are still in full effect, especially with all the ugliness surrounding the Kevins' recent divorce and drama with his daughter Cammie. The only good thing about moving is that Jordan Baugh, her freshman year crush, lives down the street from her. After discovering that he is friends with Cammie though Rule 7 goes into effect. As Amber takes on the role of tutoring Jordan though, lines are blurred and some rules might need to be broken. 

This overall was a cute little summer read. I might have to buy a finished copy of it just so I can reread it while sunbathing next to the pool this summer. It was a light read that I thoroughly enjoyed and for her debut novel I'd say Natalie Williamson did an amazing job.

Aubrey Erskine &
Rules We're Meant to Break by Natalie Williamson

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Aubrey Erskine &Rules We're Meant to Break by Natalie Williamson

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Aubrey Erskine &
Rules We're Meant to Break by Natalie Williamson