Book Description:
She thought she knew the rules of love. Turns out, love makes its own.
The perfect match can’t be far–certainly not at a Regency-themed singles’ retreat–or so podcaster Zoe Dufour believes. After years of creating content for her relationship podcast inspired by Regency etiquette and era-appropriate rules for romance, she knows her listeners have anticipated this retreat. But she also attends with expectations of her own: finding the ideal modern-day gentleman who can meet every one of the nonnegotiables on her checklist.
Harrison Lundquist, Zoe’s podcast producer and best friend’s brother, reluctantly agrees to tag along on the retreat to capture footage while seeking a career-advancing promotion. He views the retreat as ridiculous. And Zoe’s methods for finding her real-life Mr. Darcy? Downright absurd! But as he films her whirlwind dates, his growing feelings for her are sidelined by suitors vying for her attention. When Zoe realizes her checklist for the man of her dreams might be holding her back, she must decide if she’s willing to rewrite her rules and take a chance on the person who has been there all along.
Narelle’s Thoughts:
I enjoyed reading The Rules of Falling for You, a charming regency themed romcom set in Minnesota. Zoe is a successful dating advice podcaster with a show that’s inspired by regency era etiquette. She’s single, closing in on her thirtieth birthday, and moving into spinster territory according to regency society standards because she hasn’t met her perfect gentleman. Zoe discovers a singles retreat where she can immerse herself in the regency world, film her regency dating adventures for the show, and hopefully meet her own Mr. Darcy.
Harrison has returned to Minnesota after being burned by his ex girlfriend and losing his job. He has been wrestling for many years with his unrequited love for Zoe, his younger sister’s best friend. Harrison has missed a few opportunities over the years to move his relationship with Zoe out of the friend zone. At the start of the story, their friendship is in an awkward place and Zoe is avoiding him because he witnessed her last mortifying relationship disaster.
Zoe and Harrison’s unexpected meet cute is embarrassing and hilarious. Zoe is drawn to Harrison, despite him not ticking all the boxes on her perfect gentleman list. Harrison is temporarily working as Zoe’s podcast producer with his sister and he tags along on their hilarious regency retreat.
A delightful LOL romance unfolds as Zoe and Harrison deal with their emotional baggage and consider if their friendship could become something more. The quirky side characters are amusing and the story includes trust and forgiveness themes.
I recommend The Rules of Falling for You to contemporary romance readers who like Jane Austen regency era inspired friends-to-more romcoms with the best friend’s brother trope, unrequited love, forced proximity, and relevant faith elements in the story.
