Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake (Love By Numbers #1)

Summary:

Lady Calpurnia Hartwell has always followed the rules, rules that have left her unmarried—and more than a little unsatisfied. And so she's vowed to break the rules and live the life of pleasure she's been missing.

But to dance every dance, to steal a midnight kiss—to do those things, Callie will need a willing partner. Someone who knows everything about rule-breaking. Someone like Gabriel St. John, the Marquess of Ralston—charming and devastatingly handsome, his wicked reputation matched only by his sinful smile.

If she's not careful, she'll break the most important rule of all—the one that says that pleasure-seekers should never fall hopelessly, desperately in love. (Summary and cover courtesy of goodreads.com)

Review:

When life is stressful and things are crazy, a good romance book is the default reading I go to for something light and fun.  MacLean creates a fun blend of some modern takes on relationships and blend them with a historical romance.  Calpurnia reminds me a bit of Alexia Tarabotti in the Parasol Protectorate, but without the paranormal aspects.  Nine Rules made me laugh even as it didn’t take itself too seriously. 

While the plot of the book was slightly predictable, there was nothing about it that made it formulaic or boring.  A perfect book for a pick-me-up and a happy ending when life is a bit too much for something heavier.

Warning: Contains sexual content.

Rating: 4 stars!

Who should read it? Romance fans that are looking for a modern twist on a historical context.

Want to read the whole series?

• Ten Ways to Be Adored When Landing a Lord (Love by Numbers #2)

• Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke’s Heart (Love by Numbers #3)