Three Year Rule

The Rule Series, Book 1

By: Kimbra Dellamano

Narrated by: Tom Johnson

When Elizabeth hired Joshua to build her mountain home deep in the Utah mountains, she couldn't resist the rugged construction owner's charm. Joshua was the complete opposite of Elizabeth's usual suitor field of CEOs and corporate attorneys, being a high school graduate used to working with his hands. This laid-back, sexy man challenged everything she believed. He threatened to ruin her three-year rule she had sold to the world that insisted everyone has a fake or pseudo-personality they displayed to their new lover that hid their inner self and sheltered their secrets. Her entire career was being shattered by a down-to-earth, modern-day mountain man.

©2014 Alaina Stanford (P)2025 Alaina Stanford

When is a mystery a mystery?

The relationship between Elizabeth and Joshua is intriguing, on the surface they seem very different and yet they seem to match each other really well. I liked that there were two romances happening but neither really had enough attention paid to them and I felt like they fell a little flat.

Amy turned out to be my favorite character, her view on how she chooses to live her life are refreshing and seemingly simple and yet I imagine it's far from simple to actually manage it.

The mystery aspect of the story was a mixed bag. The villain was pretty easy to pick out but the story did make me doubt myself briefly from time to time. The motivations of the villain however took my completely by surprise, so partially a mystery.

The narration was OK, I found the phrasing a little odd but it wasn't off enough to make it difficult to listen to. The character voices were all distinct but I didn't really like them, particularly the female voices which I had trouble believing.

I received a free copy of this book from the author and/or narrator and/or publisher in exchange for an honest review.

If you found this review helpful would you please take a moment to click yes below.

Three Year Rule

What a great story! Author Beth says the best time to wait before deciding to marry someone is 3 years because that's when they show their true colors. So what happens when she meets someone who draws her attention at first sight? This story is sweet in how it develops but the added suspense makes it amazing. Tom does an amazing job giving each character their unique style of talking, keeping you drawn in. Would definitely recommend.

Good Story

I received this audiobook free for an honest review. The story was cute. Lessons to be learned from the author. Very wise philosophies. The story was very interesting, but predictable. Nice HEA. The narrator did a good job with this story and the different characters.

OK Mystery Stalker Romance but Not Right Narrator

I was given this book through audiobook Boom in exchange for an honest review.

I really did like the story. Joshua was already hired to rehabilitate her sight unseen home when life-coach author Elizabeth settled in. Her claim to fame was a book that taught a "3 Year Rule" of getting to know the person behind countless facades.
Elizabeth soon realizes that not everyone presents a fakeness up front... much to her horror as she falls for Joshua knowing it can kill her credibility as an author.

Behind the budding relationship is a mystery stalker. Alaina did a very good job of presenting multiple possibilities.

Tom Johnson has a pleasant voice but his inflections weren't always spot-on. And for some unfathomable reason, he raises his pitch when presenting the voice of Joshua. I couldn't put a manly man behind it. Ugh. Sorry.

Palms up and scrunched shoulders for this one.

Great!

Great story and characters. Good performance from the narrator too. I received a free review copy of this audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily left this review.