The Rule Book

A Novel

By: Sarah Adams

Narrated by: Hathaway Lee, Will Damron

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • College exes break all the rules when they reunite years later in this enemies to lovers, second-chance romance, the companion novel to the TikTok sensation The Cheat Sheet—from the New York Times bestselling author of Practice Makes Perfect.

“A really fun, chemistry-filled sports romance you don’t want to miss!”—Hannah Grace, author of Icebreaker

Nora Mackenzie’s entire career lies in the hands of famous NFL tight end Derek Pender, who also happens to be her extremely hot college ex-boyfriend. Nora didn’t end things as gracefully as she could have back then, and now it has come back to haunt her. Derek is her first client as an official full-time sports agent and he’s holding a grudge.

Derek has set his sights on a little friendly revenge. If Nora Mackenzie, the first girl to ever break his heart, wants to be his agent, oh, he’ll let her be his agent. The plan is simple: make Nora’s life absolutely miserable. But if Derek knows anything about the woman he once loved—she won’t quit easily.

Instead of giving in, Nora starts a scheme of her own. But then a wild night in Vegas leads to Nora and Derek in bed the next morning married. With their rule book out the window, could this new relationship save their careers or spark the romance of a lifetime?

Critic reviews

“The sporty second-chance romance of your dreams! So much tension! I love Nora and Derek forever and ever.”—Tessa Bailey, #1 New York Times bestselling author of It Happened One Summer

“Sarah Adams writes books with heart and soul. They speak to the people finding their way and being unapologetically themselves in the process. I love her style; this a really fun, chemistry-filled sports romance you don’t want to miss!”—Hannah Grace, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Icebreaker

“Fantastically swoony, sweet, and sexy.”—Elena Armas, New York Times bestselling author of The Spanish Love Deception

“If Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce didn’t ignite my football era, Sarah Adams sure did. She has a true gift for crafting compulsively readable, endearing characters that are so lived in, they feel like your real-life besties. The tension is achingly good, the writing sparkles, and the romance is sublime. Adams’s books are my ultimate happy place.”—Amy Lea, internationally bestselling author of Exes and O’s

“The Rule Book is the swoony, second-chance romance of my dreams. It’s slow-burn sexy, achingly tender, and with enough heart to leave you clutching your chest. I’m obsessed with Derek and Nora.”—B.K. Borison, author of Lovelight Farms

“[Sarah] Adams dazzles in her latest, a saucy second-chance rom-com.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Squealing through the ending of this masterpiece

I can't get over how much I love this male friend group from the Cheat Sheet... how they rally around each other and CARE so much... and then how that group GROWS as they each grow and change through life, adding their spouses to the crowd.
Nora is the bad ass I want to be every day of my life. I feel for her and Nicole as they deal with the challenges of life as a female, not only crushing it as they go, but remaining the better humans that they are every step of the way. They are powerhouses who know what's what. ... I'm so glad we got more of Nicole in this one.
and Derek... I can relate SO MUCH to that need to prove yourself, and the strong work ethic that comes with it. He is a fantastic role model, and also the most amazing tenderhearted human.
Soo... Sarah.... you knocked out of of the park again. I loved EVERY MOMENT of living through this with Derek and Nora.

“10 out of 10”!!!

This is honestly the very best ever Romedy I have ever listened to!! The performance was perfect! The characters were darling, witty, and endearing! I laughed and cheered and swooned all the way through!! Sarah Adams, please write another one asap!

Adorable!

Soooo cute and funny and light! The narrators weren’t my favorite for these roles, but don’t let that deter you. This book is a gem!

really cute book! 😍

At the beginning, it was hard to get into the book. After the first couple of chapters, it was worth it!!! The only thing I think would have made the book a little better, is if they would've picked someone different to voice Derek. To be honest, I think his voice sounds like a 50 year old man and that it doesn't match how they describe Derek in the book.

Fun and funny!

Great writing! Storytelling was good between the two readers. Lite story to enjoy in this crazy world of today.