Review: Rule by Jay Crownover

Rule by Jay Crownover

Publisher: Self-published

Publication date: December 30th 2012

My rating:  4.5 stars 

I had loved Rule Archer since the first moment I ever laid eyes on him. He was everything I shouldn't want and the only person I went out of my way to not try and please. He only saw me as a brat, and an entitled, stuck up princess but worse than that all he saw when he looked at me was his deceased twin's girl. It broke my heart because as much as I had loved Remy Archer there was never anything romantic between us and no matter how hard I tried to convince myself that loving Rule was a terrible idea, my poor heart just wouldn't listen. We tolerated each other, barely and had forged an uneasy alliance until one night I had too much to drink and changed the way we were forever. Suddenly life long secrets were no longer hidden and the one thing I always wanted for myself seemed obtainable as long as I was willing to go through hell to hold onto it.

Shaw Landon was a class act and I had no idea what to do with her. She was tied to my family, tied to the person that was my other half so I tolerated her and her haughty attitude when I didn't have any other choice. What I didn't know was that a short skirt and too many cocktails on her birthday was going to change my outlook on her for the rest of my life. Some people thought I hid behind all my tattoos and piercings, that I tried to distance myself from my dead twin, Shaw saw through it all and wasn't scared of what was underneath. We weren't supposed to be together, weren't supposed to be anything but uncomfortable acquaintances but that all changed in the blink of an eye. Now I had to figure out just how a girl like her and a guy like me were supposed to be in love without destroying each other. Add in her custom made ex and two disapproving sets of parents and the whole situation sounded like it was more trouble then it was worth.

Rule was a story you pick up and don’t want to put down.  I’m always drawn to a story where unrequited love is finally returned, and Shaw has been in love with Rule since she was fourteen.  Adding to the excitement, is a stalker ex boyfriend who won’t take no for an answer.  

I loved Rule like it was my mission in life. I loved him like it was inevitable, like no matter how many times I was shown what an awful idea it was, what a bad match we were, what a callous asshole he could be I couldn’t shake it.

Shaw has been fixture in the Archer family since she was fourteen and Remy took her under his wing, but it’s always been Rule she’s been in love with.  When Remy’s tragic death deals the family a blow, she’s determined to keep them together.   She picks Rule up every Sunday for brunch with the family to make sure he goes. Each time she does, her heart breaks a little more having to witness the string of one night stands paraded in front of her every time. 

Rule has no idea that Shaw has loved him so long.  He always assumed that Remy and Shaw were a couple, so he never paid much attention to her.  Plus, she is the polar opposite to Rule.  He’s all tatted and pierced up and does what he wants, she’s the rich perfect princess always striving to live up to everyone’s expectations.  He’s tortured every week when she picks him up and directs looks of disgust his way.  Add to that misery is having to sit through Sunday brunch with a family that blames him for his brother’s death.  He’s always been the black sheep of the family but Remy’s death has strained their relationship to the breaking point. 

Things get interesting when Rule finally wakes up and notices Shaw.  He knows starting something with her won’t be like his string of skanks.  He knows and has a history with her, so it won’t be a one night stand, but he can’t stay away.  Shaw can’t resist Rule even realizing there’s a strong possibility their relationship will crash and burn, she still can’t help but take the chance.  She’s tired of living safe and doing what her parents expect when they’ve never paid no mind to her. 

Knowing Shaw had feelings for Rule for ages made my heart break for her. I always want unrequited love to get noticed and returned, so it was very satisfying to see this come about.  I loved the passion and intensity both Rule and Shaw showed to each other, and I liked seeing Rule figure out what he was missing all these years.  There were lots of smoking hot scenes and sizzling chemistry that were such fun to read.  Plus, there was suspense that had you clicking through the pages worrying about what would happen next.  That was one crazy ex!  

I’m so glad I picked this up because it was exactly what I was in the mood for.  Now I’m eagerly looking forward to Jet and Ayden’s story.