Rules for Ruin

By: Mimi Matthews

Narrated by: Elizabeth Knowelden, Will Watt

One of Kirkus's Best of Fiction 2025 · NYPL Best Books of 2025 + Top Ten Best Romances of 2026 · An NPR Books We Love Pick for 2025 · A Library Journal Best book of 2025 · BookBub's Best Romances of 2025 So Far · BookPage's Best Books of 2025 · A Marie Claire Best Romance of 2025

A Most Anticipated Romance for Paste Magazine · The Nerd Daily · Marie Claire · Book Riot · Bookish · Fangirlish

No one betrays the Academy. But now Euphemia must decide: break the rules for her enemy, or let the rules break her heart.

On the outskirts of London sits a seemingly innocuous institution with a secretive aim—train young women to distract, disrupt, and discredit the patriarchy. Outraged by a powerful lord’s systematic attack on women’s rights in Parliament, the Academy summons its brightest—and most bitter—pupil to infiltrate the odious man’s inner circle. A deal is struck: bring down the viscount, and Miss Euphemia Flite will finally earn her freedom.

But betting shop owner Gabriel Royce has other plans. The viscount is the perfect pawn to insulate Gabriel’s underworld empire from government interference. He’s not about to let some crinoline-clad miss destroy his carefully constructed enterprise—no matter how captivating he finds her threats.

From the rookeries of St. Giles to the ballrooms of Mayfair, Euphemia and Gabriel engage in a battle of wits and wills that’s complicated by a blossoming desire. Soon Euphemia realizes it’s not the broken promises to her Academy sisters she should fear. . . . It’s the danger to her heart.

Unexpected! Loved it!

I love the uniqueness of this novel. Mimi at her best. Loved it, as always!

Amazing from start to finish

This book fed my soul and brain at the same time. A rare combination with romance that felt real, difficult, and matched for both the hero and heroine. I won’t give anything away here. Bravo Mimi. Excellent narration for both narrators. I did have to up the speed to make it sound more natural to my ear, especially for the male voice. Use the credit on this one you won’t regret it. Ten stars. Can’t wait for the next one.

The Storytelling

The characters, the scenery: London, the milieau!
Colourful…”never a dull moment” as Ms Matthews guides the reader through a new and wonderfully imaginative take on Victorian Romance.
Also Ms Knowelden and Mr Watt are are bringing the characters to life in real and heartwarming ways.
I couldn’t stop listening!
Will definitely return for a second enjoyment of this story at a later stage!

Love the duel narrators!

Loved the story and Both narrators are great! Good readalike for Evie Dunmore. Enjoying early feminist romances.

Beautiful and addictive

I absolutely loved this book from beginning to end! Elizabeth Knowelden is my favorite Brit narrator!! She makes the stories come to life!