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It Happened in Nashville #1
The Off-Limits Rule: It Happened in Nashville
From the New York Times bestselling author of
Practice Makes Perfect
and
The Cheat Sheet
comes an expanded edition of
The Off-Limits Rule
—a heartwarming romance about new love and fresh beginnings, with a never-before-seen chapter.
Rules are made to be broken—especially for love, right ?
Lucy Marshall has hit rock bottom. After failing to succeed as a single mom in Atlanta, she’s back home and moving in with her older brother, Drew. Reconnecting with her support system is the right thing to do, but Lucy can’t help but feel like a failure. Her four-year-old son deserves the world, and all she can give him is a spare bedroom. But Drew is the sweetest uncle, and some quality time might be exactly what they both need to start fresh. That is until she meets Cooper, her brother’s incredibly hot best friend.
When Drew senses something between the two of them, he puts his foot down on any shenanigans. According to him, Cooper is everything Lucy should stay away flirtatious, adventurous, and especially noncommittal. But Lucy has been getting the opposite impression so far; Cooper is a genuinely great guy, and she’s starting to catch real feelings.
Her whole life, Lucy has tried to do everything right, and look where that’s gotten her—so what if she were to try something wrong?
Rules are made to be broken—especially for love, right ?
Lucy Marshall has hit rock bottom. After failing to succeed as a single mom in Atlanta, she’s back home and moving in with her older brother, Drew. Reconnecting with her support system is the right thing to do, but Lucy can’t help but feel like a failure. Her four-year-old son deserves the world, and all she can give him is a spare bedroom. But Drew is the sweetest uncle, and some quality time might be exactly what they both need to start fresh. That is until she meets Cooper, her brother’s incredibly hot best friend.
When Drew senses something between the two of them, he puts his foot down on any shenanigans. According to him, Cooper is everything Lucy should stay away flirtatious, adventurous, and especially noncommittal. But Lucy has been getting the opposite impression so far; Cooper is a genuinely great guy, and she’s starting to catch real feelings.
Her whole life, Lucy has tried to do everything right, and look where that’s gotten her—so what if she were to try something wrong?
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First published December 13, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 6,928 reviews
March 3, 2022
*I died of second hand embarrassment*
IT IS SO BAD I WANNA GIVE U A ZERO, BUT THAT'S NOT POSSIBLE SO I GAVE U A ONE
IT IS SO BAD I WANNA GIVE U A ZERO, BUT THAT'S NOT POSSIBLE SO I GAVE U A ONE
January 18, 2021
At a third in, I stopped caring about this couple. Lucy was a tough sell to start. She's such a cringy whiner baby that I wanted her to just stop talking. The jury was out with Cooper, and I almost had sympathy for the guy who has been living outside his norm and is paying the price for the impression he has given of being a player when he's really not. Only then he goes into a jag about how he can't pursue Lucy before getting permission from her brother and I'm all, "is she or is she not an adult?!?" Only she's so busy shutting down his attempts to explain his reasoning that I'm all, "okay, maybe she's not one."
So I gave it a third before crashing out. It's not for me. It wasn't as slapstick as I feared it'd be from some scenes in the start. But I still don't get these emotional infants or their antics.
So I gave it a third before crashing out. It's not for me. It wasn't as slapstick as I feared it'd be from some scenes in the start. But I still don't get these emotional infants or their antics.
August 24, 2022
*sighs "here we go again"
Just before I start ranting I would like to say that this is my last Sarah Adams book. I have finally read all this books I bought because of people saying they were so good and I could not be more happy to be done with this.
Before I even start, let me remind all of you that this woman is indeed a mother and a grown adult. Yeah I know, shocking with how she acts throughout this entire book.
Lucy acted like a 5 year old that is hungry throughout the entire book. Not only was she super whiny from the start but extremely cringe worthy. I know she was supposed to be this quirky awkward girl but no. She was the opposite and just downright annoying, especially when you remember that she is again, a grown adult.
First she nicknames Cooper (the love interest) Cooper Pooper... I have some nicknames to this day for people but nothing is that weird.
Second, she blurts, randomly a her awkward trait but it is just weird. some things are for example: "I did not shave my legs", "I am wearing hideous underwear"... Why why why.
Then this is a brother's best friend book right? Okay but who are you, as a grown adult trying to tell your sister and your best friend, who are both over the age of 25 who they can date? They are both almost thirty. Calm down...
Overall these characters acted majorly immature, the so called third act confrontation scene with the brother was anticlimactic and unnecessary and let's not forget the fact that her son Levi acted more mature than the mother.
It was supposed to be funny but it felt like fingers running down a chalkboard... Why? BECAUSE OF THE AGE!!!!!
Just before I start ranting I would like to say that this is my last Sarah Adams book. I have finally read all this books I bought because of people saying they were so good and I could not be more happy to be done with this.
Before I even start, let me remind all of you that this woman is indeed a mother and a grown adult. Yeah I know, shocking with how she acts throughout this entire book.
Lucy acted like a 5 year old that is hungry throughout the entire book. Not only was she super whiny from the start but extremely cringe worthy. I know she was supposed to be this quirky awkward girl but no. She was the opposite and just downright annoying, especially when you remember that she is again, a grown adult.
First she nicknames Cooper (the love interest) Cooper Pooper... I have some nicknames to this day for people but nothing is that weird.
Second, she blurts, randomly a her awkward trait but it is just weird. some things are for example: "I did not shave my legs", "I am wearing hideous underwear"... Why why why.
Then this is a brother's best friend book right? Okay but who are you, as a grown adult trying to tell your sister and your best friend, who are both over the age of 25 who they can date? They are both almost thirty. Calm down...
Overall these characters acted majorly immature, the so called third act confrontation scene with the brother was anticlimactic and unnecessary and let's not forget the fact that her son Levi acted more mature than the mother.
It was supposed to be funny but it felt like fingers running down a chalkboard... Why? BECAUSE OF THE AGE!!!!!
January 5, 2021
Cooper and Lucy's relationship explain by Joey Tribiani :
December 10, 2021
1 star. WAS THIS BOOK WRITTEN BY A TEENAGER? Because the sheer immaturity displayed by all of the characters was extremely random and off-putting. I literally could not believe how idiotic the H&h were being, and somehow they kept getting worse and worse as the story progressed.
So, this is the typical brother's best friend romance in many ways... except the heroine has a child. As per usual, the heroine's brother is VERY against the two MCs being together. He only met the hero a year before this story started, lived with the hero during that time, and saw him being a non-committal asshole with a revolving door of women. So sexy... 🤮 In some ways, the brother has a point. However, the heroine's brother is incapable of a normal conversation and never once just sits either of the two MCs down and explains himself or acknowledges that they are also adults. Instead he shuts down, and has a temper tantrum when he doesn't get his way.
The heroine is a single mother, and apparently, because of her one bad decision, she is totally hopeless when it comes to men and relationships. She is negative about everything...her body, her job, her decision making, everything. And a man like the hero COULD NEVER WANT HERRRRR. Ofc, in this fantasy book world, the hero takes one look at her and is instantly spouting lines about how she's SO DIFFERENT. I swear. I nearly barfed. What's worse, is that she at one point spouts some BS line about not needing a man. BUT the hero corrects her, and tells her that...yes, yes she does, because she has no self-esteem. 🤣😂🤣😂🤣 THERE WERE TIMES WHEN I COULDN'T BELIEVE THE SHIT IN THIS BOOK.
So, the brother tells the hero that he will not allow a relationship to happen with his sister... and the hero.... just listens. LOL. He literally just decides, "ok, I guess I'll back off". Hero has a long internal monologue about what he can tell his friend... how he can explain that his actions were out of character in the last year, etc. But instead, he decides that he's not going to make excuses and stays silent!!! 😂😂😂
One other thing that really stood out to me in this book was how random the mentions of the heroine's child were at times. He was conveniently missing from the story when necessary, there was always a babysitter available, etc. On top of that, the father of the child, who apparently was still in his son's life and was frequently referred to as a "good dad"... was weirdly missing until his portion of the storyline. The kid even goes to the hospital and the "good dad" is nowhere to be seen. However, when the heroine and hero start dating, all of the sudden, the dad is all about wanting to get with the heroine. He suddenly realized that he shouldn't have strung her along all those years and that all of the other women were just nothing in comparison to the woman he had a ONS with (and never even bothered to be nice to). This book is written like a total pie-in-the-sky fantasy for sad flabby moms everywhere. As one of the sad, flabby moms of the world, I can def. say that this book took shit too far even for me.
I SWEAR TO GOD, YA'LL... This book is just a goldmine of WTF moments. I could go on and on and on about the sheer stupidity displayed by the MCs and the side characters. I'll stop though, because whose got that kind of time, right?
Safety info: No sex at all 👎🏻👎🏻 but prob the best decision for this train-wreck of a book. The hero was a manwhore for the past year because his last g/f dumped him while he was proposing. So, he decided to just move and open his room to all who wanted some of his d. Makes sense. Ofc, the heroine, who HAD A BOYFRIEND in the city where she was living, hadn't actually had sex since that time she got pregnant. This made perfect sense to me, because as we all know, a woman always has to be nearly virginal to be worthy of the hot guy. EVEN IF she did some slutty thing in her past, she has now redeemed herself with years of celibacy. Praise Be 🙌🏻🙌🏻. Anyways, she's a born again virgin, he's a man whore. It's the match that was made in romance book heaven. Ofc, no romance book is complete without running into her ONS baby daddy, and a couple of his fuck buddies. But, there's no blatant cheating, so there's that. However, so much of the book's timeline just skipped forward, so there's no telling what the hero was actually doing. Do I have much faith in him? Na.
So, this is the typical brother's best friend romance in many ways... except the heroine has a child. As per usual, the heroine's brother is VERY against the two MCs being together. He only met the hero a year before this story started, lived with the hero during that time, and saw him being a non-committal asshole with a revolving door of women. So sexy... 🤮 In some ways, the brother has a point. However, the heroine's brother is incapable of a normal conversation and never once just sits either of the two MCs down and explains himself or acknowledges that they are also adults. Instead he shuts down, and has a temper tantrum when he doesn't get his way.
The heroine is a single mother, and apparently, because of her one bad decision, she is totally hopeless when it comes to men and relationships. She is negative about everything...her body, her job, her decision making, everything. And a man like the hero COULD NEVER WANT HERRRRR. Ofc, in this fantasy book world, the hero takes one look at her and is instantly spouting lines about how she's SO DIFFERENT. I swear. I nearly barfed. What's worse, is that she at one point spouts some BS line about not needing a man. BUT the hero corrects her, and tells her that...yes, yes she does, because she has no self-esteem. 🤣😂🤣😂🤣 THERE WERE TIMES WHEN I COULDN'T BELIEVE THE SHIT IN THIS BOOK.
So, the brother tells the hero that he will not allow a relationship to happen with his sister... and the hero.... just listens. LOL. He literally just decides, "ok, I guess I'll back off". Hero has a long internal monologue about what he can tell his friend... how he can explain that his actions were out of character in the last year, etc. But instead, he decides that he's not going to make excuses and stays silent!!! 😂😂😂
One other thing that really stood out to me in this book was how random the mentions of the heroine's child were at times. He was conveniently missing from the story when necessary, there was always a babysitter available, etc. On top of that, the father of the child, who apparently was still in his son's life and was frequently referred to as a "good dad"... was weirdly missing until his portion of the storyline. The kid even goes to the hospital and the "good dad" is nowhere to be seen. However, when the heroine and hero start dating, all of the sudden, the dad is all about wanting to get with the heroine. He suddenly realized that he shouldn't have strung her along all those years and that all of the other women were just nothing in comparison to the woman he had a ONS with (and never even bothered to be nice to). This book is written like a total pie-in-the-sky fantasy for sad flabby moms everywhere. As one of the sad, flabby moms of the world, I can def. say that this book took shit too far even for me.
I SWEAR TO GOD, YA'LL... This book is just a goldmine of WTF moments. I could go on and on and on about the sheer stupidity displayed by the MCs and the side characters. I'll stop though, because whose got that kind of time, right?
Safety info: No sex at all 👎🏻👎🏻 but prob the best decision for this train-wreck of a book. The hero was a manwhore for the past year because his last g/f dumped him while he was proposing. So, he decided to just move and open his room to all who wanted some of his d. Makes sense. Ofc, the heroine, who HAD A BOYFRIEND in the city where she was living, hadn't actually had sex since that time she got pregnant. This made perfect sense to me, because as we all know, a woman always has to be nearly virginal to be worthy of the hot guy. EVEN IF she did some slutty thing in her past, she has now redeemed herself with years of celibacy. Praise Be 🙌🏻🙌🏻. Anyways, she's a born again virgin, he's a man whore. It's the match that was made in romance book heaven. Ofc, no romance book is complete without running into her ONS baby daddy, and a couple of his fuck buddies. But, there's no blatant cheating, so there's that. However, so much of the book's timeline just skipped forward, so there's no telling what the hero was actually doing. Do I have much faith in him? Na.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 15, 2023
ˋ°•*⁀➷ The Off Limits Rule
❤︎ stars: 3.91 ★ ★ ★
Single Mom
Brother’s Best Friend
❥ from strangers to friends to the cutest little family. This was so sweet that I need to check my glucose levels.
Everything about this was bubblegum sweet and candied kisses. You cannot help but love the characters.
❥ What I loved most about this book is that Cooper went to Drew in the beginning like a man. He didn’t want to ruin his friendship with Drew and I can respect that. Cooper approached the situation as any man would.
Drew however, was so stuck in his impression of who he knew Cooper to be and couldn’t get pass that. I hate when grown men throw tantrums unnecessarily.
❥ But overall, this was cupcake icing and sprinkles. And the whole family dynamic was very prevalent in the story. It was just so cute, adorable, charming, delightful… should I list anymore synonyms for cute?
❤︎ stars: 3.91 ★ ★ ★
Single Mom
Brother’s Best Friend
❥ from strangers to friends to the cutest little family. This was so sweet that I need to check my glucose levels.
Everything about this was bubblegum sweet and candied kisses. You cannot help but love the characters.
❥ What I loved most about this book is that Cooper went to Drew in the beginning like a man. He didn’t want to ruin his friendship with Drew and I can respect that. Cooper approached the situation as any man would.
Drew however, was so stuck in his impression of who he knew Cooper to be and couldn’t get pass that. I hate when grown men throw tantrums unnecessarily.
❥ But overall, this was cupcake icing and sprinkles. And the whole family dynamic was very prevalent in the story. It was just so cute, adorable, charming, delightful… should I list anymore synonyms for cute?
May 17, 2021
I am absolutely SHOCKED this book did not have any sex scenes in it. Shocked and appreciative bc (say it with me friends), sex in books is sooooo cringe!
This was cute enough, not remarkable, but fun. Bonus points that it was wholesome, that's probably a deal breaker for some romance fans, so you've been warned.
This was cute enough, not remarkable, but fun. Bonus points that it was wholesome, that's probably a deal breaker for some romance fans, so you've been warned.
August 20, 2024
I loved Cooper and his character. A nice rom-com. Not the best but swoon worthy to give you the fuzzies.
January 9, 2021
Would have rated this higher if the characters acted their age instead of acting more immature than the toddler in the story.
October 20, 2023
4.5⭐
Genre ~ romantic comedy
Series ~ It Happened in Nashville, #1
Others in the series ~ The Temporary Roomie
Setting ~ Nashville, TN
Publication date ~ January 4, 2021
Page Count ~ 272 (32 chapters +e)
Audio length ~ 8 hours 14 minutes
Narrators ~ Avery Caris, Tor Thom
POV ~ dual 1st
Featuring ~ characters in their late 20's/early 30's, brother's best friend, best friend's sister, off limits, forbidden, single mom, insta~ish love, no steamage
Lucy & Cooper
Lucy is a fun and honest single mom.
Cooper is a sweet former playboy.
Typical brother's best friend/best friend's sister trope with the off limits rule that's obviously going to be broken. Wasn't feeling it at their age, but I don't have a brother so I don't know how it goes.
I'm not super big on the single mom trope, but 4 year old Levi was adorable and Lucy was an awesome mom. And Cooper was great with him too.
I think that if I had to pick steamage or no steamage for the rest of my reading days I'd probably pick steamage, and even though this one was closed door I really had a good time with it.
Happy for dual POV, happy with the banter and happy it was a quick read/listen.
Narration notes:
No complaints.
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter
Genre ~ romantic comedy
Series ~ It Happened in Nashville, #1
Others in the series ~ The Temporary Roomie
Setting ~ Nashville, TN
Publication date ~ January 4, 2021
Page Count ~ 272 (32 chapters +e)
Audio length ~ 8 hours 14 minutes
Narrators ~ Avery Caris, Tor Thom
POV ~ dual 1st
Featuring ~ characters in their late 20's/early 30's, brother's best friend, best friend's sister, off limits, forbidden, single mom, insta~ish love, no steamage
Lucy & Cooper
Lucy is a fun and honest single mom.
Cooper is a sweet former playboy.
Typical brother's best friend/best friend's sister trope with the off limits rule that's obviously going to be broken. Wasn't feeling it at their age, but I don't have a brother so I don't know how it goes.
I'm not super big on the single mom trope, but 4 year old Levi was adorable and Lucy was an awesome mom. And Cooper was great with him too.
I think that if I had to pick steamage or no steamage for the rest of my reading days I'd probably pick steamage, and even though this one was closed door I really had a good time with it.
Happy for dual POV, happy with the banter and happy it was a quick read/listen.
Narration notes:
No complaints.
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter
January 1, 2025
3.75 stars
okay, before anything, seeing that confetti from completing my reading challenge (for the first time) was amazing. so glad to have completed one of my goals for once 🤭
anyway, i enjoyed this so much!!! so cute as always. this one was a little cringey at points and i felt like the conflicts resolved way too easily but other than that, this was exactly what i needed. i’ve been desperate to sit down in my cozy chair and read a good romance since school started. i miss the feeling of staying up all night and getting giddy over a book — which is exactly what i did. i can always count on sarah adams!! i can’t believe i only have 1 book left of hers until her new one comes out. i will be going to buy it asap.
okay, before anything, seeing that confetti from completing my reading challenge (for the first time) was amazing. so glad to have completed one of my goals for once 🤭
anyway, i enjoyed this so much!!! so cute as always. this one was a little cringey at points and i felt like the conflicts resolved way too easily but other than that, this was exactly what i needed. i’ve been desperate to sit down in my cozy chair and read a good romance since school started. i miss the feeling of staying up all night and getting giddy over a book — which is exactly what i did. i can always count on sarah adams!! i can’t believe i only have 1 book left of hers until her new one comes out. i will be going to buy it asap.
June 11, 2022
sooooo fucking bad. it felt like i was reading a young adult romance because the main character was not only acting like a 14-year-old, but she was also quite clearly a "pick me" girl and it was hard to ignore.
March 5, 2024
“It’s odd how you can know someone for such a short period of time and yet feel like you’ve always been there with them.”
This was a cute, funny and wholesome rom-com. This had insta-love trope with a slow-burn twist, but it was written so well because it's Sarah Adams we are talking about.
Lucy is a single mom struggling with career and motherhood and then she met Cooper her brother's best friend and fell for him because Cooper is THE guy. Lucy was funny, sweet and quirky and her struggles were so realistic. But the way she handled every situation, whether it was her kid or her unrequited infatuation with Cooper. She was paitent and respectful of Cooper's choices and took care of him when he was sick. She's amazing.
Cooper is the dream man of every girl. He is kind, selfless and super supportive. He takes care of Lucy and Levi like they are his own family. What I liked about him most was he didn't started anything with Lucy until he was sure he could give her all of himself to her and Levi. It was so sweet to see how he was so devoted to Levi and Lucy in the whole book.
Lucy and Cooper are perfect for each other and the romance was cheesy but in a good way. She is a better and confident version of herself with Cooper and he reassured her when she was insecured about her body and her personality. Lucy helped Cooper to move on from his past and that there is more to love and family. Cooper left his playboy personality to become a family man Lucy and Levi deserved. Also, Levi was a cherry on the top in this book with his cute and adorable personality.
The ending was the cutest! No third-act breakup and extra drama just a cute and wholesome happily ever after. The reason why it's only a three star for me is that I was a bit bored with their back and forth of why Cooper wants Lucy but can't be with her because of Drew's warning.
Overall, this book is a good palate cleanser if you want a cute, funny and lovable rom-com.
This was a cute, funny and wholesome rom-com. This had insta-love trope with a slow-burn twist, but it was written so well because it's Sarah Adams we are talking about.
Lucy is a single mom struggling with career and motherhood and then she met Cooper her brother's best friend and fell for him because Cooper is THE guy. Lucy was funny, sweet and quirky and her struggles were so realistic. But the way she handled every situation, whether it was her kid or her unrequited infatuation with Cooper. She was paitent and respectful of Cooper's choices and took care of him when he was sick. She's amazing.
“You are beautiful, Lucy. Everything about you.” He gives me a slow, lingering kiss. “Sexy.” Kiss. “Feminine.” Kiss. “Strong.” Kiss. “Everything I could ever want in a woman.”
Cooper is the dream man of every girl. He is kind, selfless and super supportive. He takes care of Lucy and Levi like they are his own family. What I liked about him most was he didn't started anything with Lucy until he was sure he could give her all of himself to her and Levi. It was so sweet to see how he was so devoted to Levi and Lucy in the whole book.
“I think it's probably unhealthy, but since the day I met you, you're all I think about, and I'm helpless to do anything about it.”
Lucy and Cooper are perfect for each other and the romance was cheesy but in a good way. She is a better and confident version of herself with Cooper and he reassured her when she was insecured about her body and her personality. Lucy helped Cooper to move on from his past and that there is more to love and family. Cooper left his playboy personality to become a family man Lucy and Levi deserved. Also, Levi was a cherry on the top in this book with his cute and adorable personality.
“Talk down about yourself being a mom. I can’t take it anymore. You’re beautiful, Lucy, and you’ve got a great body that doesn’t need constant prefacing that you think it’s flawed. And you know what else?” He’s really fired up. “Being a mom doesn’t make you less appealing. It makes you the whole package.”
The ending was the cutest! No third-act breakup and extra drama just a cute and wholesome happily ever after. The reason why it's only a three star for me is that I was a bit bored with their back and forth of why Cooper wants Lucy but can't be with her because of Drew's warning.
Overall, this book is a good palate cleanser if you want a cute, funny and lovable rom-com.
January 5, 2021
“I think it’s probably unhealthy, but since the day I met you, you’re all I think about, and I’m helpless to do anything about it.”
A bit too insta-love, but it was a cute and sweet rom-com. Lucy and Cooper had great chemistry and were adorable together. I liked the single parent trope too because I'm always a sucker for kids in books. Next book with Jessie and Drew sounds interesting so I'm curious to see what will happen between those two!
March 22, 2021
The best thing about this book is it’s cover. Also I felt VERY betrayed that no where in the description did it say that main character was a single mom. Sorry I just don’t fuck w storylines with pregnancy or kids. Not for me and I woulda never considered this book if I knew that. Anyways, I actually started this book at the end of 2020 but it was so nothing that it was hard to get into. I finally just forced myself to finish it. All around blah for both the characters and the romance.
December 29, 2023
this book single-handedly made me happy about being single
and i dnf-ed even before they got together
and i dnf-ed even before they got together
January 3, 2021
Yes, I am starting this new year off right by reading Sarah Adam's new book, The Off Limits Rule. Seeing that ARC land in my inbox made me feel like one lucky girl. I absolutely adored this book- loved it, devoured it. It was so, SO good. Book hangover good. Sigh. I want to go back and read it again right now.
I am drawn to books told in the first person. Getting to know Lucy and Cooper was so fun. Emotions were all over the place but the attraction between Lucy and Cooper was the one steady thing! There were so many swoon worthy moments and so many humorous moments. I love when a book entertains me while providing those needed moments of depth and growth. And swoon. There was loads of chemistry and tension in this one, friends.
Sarah Adams is one of my favorite authors. I've loved every single one of her books. This one should definitely go on the top of everyone's list. This book might be my favorite and yes, I say that every time. Carve out some uninterrupted time and read this book.
This book is available on Kindle Unlimited if you have that!
Content: some innuendo, kissing
- I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
I am drawn to books told in the first person. Getting to know Lucy and Cooper was so fun. Emotions were all over the place but the attraction between Lucy and Cooper was the one steady thing! There were so many swoon worthy moments and so many humorous moments. I love when a book entertains me while providing those needed moments of depth and growth. And swoon. There was loads of chemistry and tension in this one, friends.
Sarah Adams is one of my favorite authors. I've loved every single one of her books. This one should definitely go on the top of everyone's list. This book might be my favorite and yes, I say that every time. Carve out some uninterrupted time and read this book.
This book is available on Kindle Unlimited if you have that!
Content: some innuendo, kissing
- I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
June 15, 2025
(1⭐️) This was embarrassing I’m sorry
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a fmc this bad and embarrassing. I already hated the cheat sheet but thought I’d give this author a second chance, (I actually hated this book for the same reasons I hated the cheat sheet). It’s as if a 13 year old wrote this. Scratch that a 13 year old can write better than this.
Lucy: the worst character ever I refuse to believe that is a 29 year old grown MOTHER she is so embarrassing and cringy I died of second hand embarrassment. I want to say she acts like a teenager but even a teenager doesn’t act like this 😭😭
Cooper: literally boring. Where’s the flavor 😟😟 and the way he kept saying sHeS sO diFfErEnT fRoM oThEr girlS. There was no connection between these two. I have nothing positive to say about this book.
The writing: the worst part. It’s what made this book so atrocious. If the writing was better my rating for this book would’ve definitely been higher. Just super cringy and embarrassing. And don’t get me started on the insta love.
In conclusion: this was a waste of my time and I promise you there’s better romcoms out there 😁 I don’t think I’ll read anything again from this author this is my second time giving her a 1 star 😭
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a fmc this bad and embarrassing. I already hated the cheat sheet but thought I’d give this author a second chance, (I actually hated this book for the same reasons I hated the cheat sheet). It’s as if a 13 year old wrote this. Scratch that a 13 year old can write better than this.
Lucy: the worst character ever I refuse to believe that is a 29 year old grown MOTHER she is so embarrassing and cringy I died of second hand embarrassment. I want to say she acts like a teenager but even a teenager doesn’t act like this 😭😭
Cooper: literally boring. Where’s the flavor 😟😟 and the way he kept saying sHeS sO diFfErEnT fRoM oThEr girlS. There was no connection between these two. I have nothing positive to say about this book.
The writing: the worst part. It’s what made this book so atrocious. If the writing was better my rating for this book would’ve definitely been higher. Just super cringy and embarrassing. And don’t get me started on the insta love.
In conclusion: this was a waste of my time and I promise you there’s better romcoms out there 😁 I don’t think I’ll read anything again from this author this is my second time giving her a 1 star 😭
July 27, 2021
Do you ever get second hand embarrassment from a book character? That's what happened to me while reading this. Lucy kept making a fool of herself in front of Cooper and I was dying, poor woman. Luckily Copper seems endeared by Lucy and they click right away. Unluckily, Cooper is the best friend of Lucy's older brother. The two try to keep their relationship platonic, but their chemistry is strong and they keep drifting together.
The story was entertaining, if not original. We mainly read from Lucy's point of view, but occasionally get Cooper's side and I always enjoy having more than one narrator. Lucy's son is a cutie and watching Cooper bond with him was heart melting. They make an adorable family!
It seems like the ending leads us into the sequel, in which Lucy's friend Jessie needs a fake fiancé and Lucy's older brother Drew steps in to help. I'll be jumping into that one shortly.
The story was entertaining, if not original. We mainly read from Lucy's point of view, but occasionally get Cooper's side and I always enjoy having more than one narrator. Lucy's son is a cutie and watching Cooper bond with him was heart melting. They make an adorable family!
It seems like the ending leads us into the sequel, in which Lucy's friend Jessie needs a fake fiancé and Lucy's older brother Drew steps in to help. I'll be jumping into that one shortly.
April 8, 2024
Are you looking for fluffy, cute romance?
Then this is your book. It is currently on Kindle Unlimited and I read with some buddies on instagram, which has become my favourite way of reading romance books, or let’s say almost any book 😄. I figured out that I’m the social reader - sometimes, as long as I can remain introverted 😃.
Fun read. Easy to consume. 3.5 rounding up to 4 stars.
Find me on instagram
Then this is your book. It is currently on Kindle Unlimited and I read with some buddies on instagram, which has become my favourite way of reading romance books, or let’s say almost any book 😄. I figured out that I’m the social reader - sometimes, as long as I can remain introverted 😃.
Fun read. Easy to consume. 3.5 rounding up to 4 stars.
Find me on instagram
November 29, 2024
3.5 ⭐
i'm very disappointed with this rating. i love sarah adams writing, her cheesiness, how she writes stories, her plots, her characters, everything. but this book was very insta lusty + insta like which was different from her other books that i adore. i came into this expecting AT LEAST a four star read. yet, here we are.
but even though she described how hot he wasfor four paragraphs the first time they met, the pacing i still really liked besides them immediately being attracted to each other and liking the other person. like girlie you've talked to him for all of your three conversations and your already daydreaming about him 😭
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sarah adams has came to be one of my favorite authors so i hope i'll enjoy this💜
i'm very disappointed with this rating. i love sarah adams writing, her cheesiness, how she writes stories, her plots, her characters, everything. but this book was very insta lusty + insta like which was different from her other books that i adore. i came into this expecting AT LEAST a four star read. yet, here we are.
but even though she described how hot he was
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sarah adams has came to be one of my favorite authors so i hope i'll enjoy this💜
July 12, 2025
3⭑
This was a cute read but nothing special. Honestly I loved the female main character, she was so funny and had a great personality but I didn’t really care all that much about the romance.
Even though the couple first kiss at the 60% mark of the book, this still managed to feel very insta love? It wasn’t my favourite romance but it was a lighthearted and funny read.
This was a cute read but nothing special. Honestly I loved the female main character, she was so funny and had a great personality but I didn’t really care all that much about the romance.
Even though the couple first kiss at the 60% mark of the book, this still managed to feel very insta love? It wasn’t my favourite romance but it was a lighthearted and funny read.
July 14, 2024
I’m giving an extra star just for cooper🫶🏻
June 4, 2021
✨✨ 5 Adorable Stars ✨✨
Okay so there’s cute, then there’s adorable and then there’s Sarah Adam’s book.
I didn’t even realise that I was smiling throughout the book until my mum came up to me and told me this is the max she’s seen me smile in days. I’ll cry, pls. This book was so darn cute, my ovaries are dancing right now.
Also, let’s not forget how obsessed they both were with each other? Sure, I love boy obsessed trope but when both of them are crazy over each other? HELL YEAH
I loved Lucy’s character. She’s honestly such a breath of fresh air. She’s awkward but she’s not ditzy, she’s confident but not that sleek, smooth kind of way ugh she’s perfect. Not to mention the way she’s so candid with everything and how realistic she felt. I honestly thought she’s real like yes most character are real for me but she felt real because of how realistic her flaws were. Well, not exactly flaws but she did things that even I could do so yeah she’s real people.
Cooper is so?? ugh?? so?? adorable?? it was so cute watching him fall deeper and deeper for Lucy and the way he was practically obsessed with her. If my man isn’t like that, I don’t want him. The way he was with Lucy was so perfect.
The bi panic was real. That’s it.
All in all, if someone says anything negative about this book it’s purely because they hate love. That’s it.
I honestly feel so good after reading it, it’s like reading happiness and all things sweet.
Okay so there’s cute, then there’s adorable and then there’s Sarah Adam’s book.
I didn’t even realise that I was smiling throughout the book until my mum came up to me and told me this is the max she’s seen me smile in days. I’ll cry, pls. This book was so darn cute, my ovaries are dancing right now.
Also, let’s not forget how obsessed they both were with each other? Sure, I love boy obsessed trope but when both of them are crazy over each other? HELL YEAH
I loved Lucy’s character. She’s honestly such a breath of fresh air. She’s awkward but she’s not ditzy, she’s confident but not that sleek, smooth kind of way ugh she’s perfect. Not to mention the way she’s so candid with everything and how realistic she felt. I honestly thought she’s real like yes most character are real for me but she felt real because of how realistic her flaws were. Well, not exactly flaws but she did things that even I could do so yeah she’s real people.
Cooper is so?? ugh?? so?? adorable?? it was so cute watching him fall deeper and deeper for Lucy and the way he was practically obsessed with her. If my man isn’t like that, I don’t want him. The way he was with Lucy was so perfect.
The bi panic was real. That’s it.
All in all, if someone says anything negative about this book it’s purely because they hate love. That’s it.
I honestly feel so good after reading it, it’s like reading happiness and all things sweet.
June 7, 2022
3 ✨
Honestly it was fine.
That’s it.
It was slow but fast, it’s hard to explain.
Basically it felt like there was no romance at all, which made it feel slow but they were jumping the gun to I love you, I need you, let’s move in together real quick.
Also, the characters were 29-31, but acted like high schoolers personality wise.
I already started the second one and it’s basically the same thing, so I think I just don’t mesh with this authors writing.
Honestly it was fine.
That’s it.
It was slow but fast, it’s hard to explain.
Basically it felt like there was no romance at all, which made it feel slow but they were jumping the gun to I love you, I need you, let’s move in together real quick.
Also, the characters were 29-31, but acted like high schoolers personality wise.
I already started the second one and it’s basically the same thing, so I think I just don’t mesh with this authors writing.
August 18, 2025
i love her books 🥹
June 10, 2021
4.5 ⭐️
Si no fuese por mi bloqueo lector hubiese terminado este libro en un día. No solo por lo corto que es, sino porque es muy adictivo, cuando lo tomaba no podía parar.
Los personajes principales fueron sin duda alguna una joya para la historia. Hablaré de cada uno:
• Cooper: Es el hombre perfecto con el cuál estaría perfectamente en la vida real. Tiene sentido de humor, es romántico, a la antigua (pero sin caer en la mente conservadora), muy tierno, entre otras cosas. Algo que hizo la autora con este personaje fue que no era siempre seguro de sí mismo, se ponía nervioso cuando estaba con Lucy y encontré eso muy tierno porque pasa en la vida real, no todos los hombres son extremadamente seguros de lo que hacen todo el tiempo, pueden ponerse nerviosos si les gusta mucho alguien. Otra cosa que amé de él: aunque era un mujeriego no tenía problemas en aceptar que quería una relación seria con familia y todo, eso fue algo que adoré ya que siempre vemos al mujeriego que se niega a estar con alguien por miedo al compromiso.
• Lucy: me encanta que este personaje tenga inseguridades que todas tenemos en algún momento y más aún luego de dar a luz, estoy segura que más de una mujer luego de tener a su bebé no queda con el cuerpo igual que antes (en los libros siempre quedan como diosas luego del embarazo), lo cual me gustó mucho como lo llevó la autora. Es súper tierna, torpe, madura cuando debe, impulsiva y apasionada; una mujer increíble, en otras palabras. Me gusta que sea madre soltera (el padre es un hdp que no merece ser nombrado) y que no lo romanticen, ella al principio estaba segura que iba a odiar a su pequeño pero luego de conocerlo simplemente lo amó.
Bonus: Ambos protagonistas son mayores de 20 años, de echo la chica tiene unos 29 y Connor debe tener más de 30, pero nunca lo dicen.
En cuanto a la trama: Me gusta mucho el cliché de "la hermanita de mi mejor amigo", es prohibido y muy tenso cuando se encuentran en lugares solos por lo que estoy siempre esperando el momento en el colapsan dejándose llevar por sus sentimientos.
No tiene las 5 estrellas porque me faltó más de ellos como pareja, siento que el final fue muy apresurado, necesitaba los detalles de todo lo qué pasa. No pido detalles de ellos en el futuro porque vamos a verlos en el siguiente libro (el de Drew, el hermano de Lucy) así que estoy emocionada de ya verlos como una relación más seria y casados.
Si no fuese por mi bloqueo lector hubiese terminado este libro en un día. No solo por lo corto que es, sino porque es muy adictivo, cuando lo tomaba no podía parar.
Los personajes principales fueron sin duda alguna una joya para la historia. Hablaré de cada uno:
• Cooper: Es el hombre perfecto con el cuál estaría perfectamente en la vida real. Tiene sentido de humor, es romántico, a la antigua (pero sin caer en la mente conservadora), muy tierno, entre otras cosas. Algo que hizo la autora con este personaje fue que no era siempre seguro de sí mismo, se ponía nervioso cuando estaba con Lucy y encontré eso muy tierno porque pasa en la vida real, no todos los hombres son extremadamente seguros de lo que hacen todo el tiempo, pueden ponerse nerviosos si les gusta mucho alguien. Otra cosa que amé de él: aunque era un mujeriego no tenía problemas en aceptar que quería una relación seria con familia y todo, eso fue algo que adoré ya que siempre vemos al mujeriego que se niega a estar con alguien por miedo al compromiso.
• Lucy: me encanta que este personaje tenga inseguridades que todas tenemos en algún momento y más aún luego de dar a luz, estoy segura que más de una mujer luego de tener a su bebé no queda con el cuerpo igual que antes (en los libros siempre quedan como diosas luego del embarazo), lo cual me gustó mucho como lo llevó la autora. Es súper tierna, torpe, madura cuando debe, impulsiva y apasionada; una mujer increíble, en otras palabras. Me gusta que sea madre soltera (el padre es un hdp que no merece ser nombrado) y que no lo romanticen, ella al principio estaba segura que iba a odiar a su pequeño pero luego de conocerlo simplemente lo amó.
Bonus: Ambos protagonistas son mayores de 20 años, de echo la chica tiene unos 29 y Connor debe tener más de 30, pero nunca lo dicen.
En cuanto a la trama: Me gusta mucho el cliché de "la hermanita de mi mejor amigo", es prohibido y muy tenso cuando se encuentran en lugares solos por lo que estoy siempre esperando el momento en el colapsan dejándose llevar por sus sentimientos.
No tiene las 5 estrellas porque me faltó más de ellos como pareja, siento que el final fue muy apresurado, necesitaba los detalles de todo lo qué pasa. No pido detalles de ellos en el futuro porque vamos a verlos en el siguiente libro (el de Drew, el hermano de Lucy) así que estoy emocionada de ya verlos como una relación más seria y casados.
January 7, 2025
As a Nashville gal, I’m a fan. The universe can go ahead and send me my own Cooper. If he also happens to have a pool and an empty house for me to furnish, all the better.😜
December 28, 2020
I want to live in this story
What's better than laughing and swooning throughout an adorably cute book? Not much! Lucy is down on her luck and when her older brother rescues her and she meets his best friend, interesting sparks and chemistry ignite. When a meet cute has you squirming, cringing, and blushing, you know it's good. And honestly, this forbidden relationship had me feeling like a sneaky teen, with all the awkwardness and emotion.
Lucy is a very relatable character who is full of quirks and a big heart. Although she wallows for a time in her bad situations, she latches on to hope. Cooper is the most adorable, sweet, and perfect protagonist ever! I love the way their relationship evolved throughout the story and showcased their awesome personalities.
Adams is spot on with the swoon, banter, and humor, and I just couldn't get enough. I was plopped right smack in the middle of an ultimate escape and cherished every single page of it.
Content: mild romance
*I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*
What's better than laughing and swooning throughout an adorably cute book? Not much! Lucy is down on her luck and when her older brother rescues her and she meets his best friend, interesting sparks and chemistry ignite. When a meet cute has you squirming, cringing, and blushing, you know it's good. And honestly, this forbidden relationship had me feeling like a sneaky teen, with all the awkwardness and emotion.
Lucy is a very relatable character who is full of quirks and a big heart. Although she wallows for a time in her bad situations, she latches on to hope. Cooper is the most adorable, sweet, and perfect protagonist ever! I love the way their relationship evolved throughout the story and showcased their awesome personalities.
Adams is spot on with the swoon, banter, and humor, and I just couldn't get enough. I was plopped right smack in the middle of an ultimate escape and cherished every single page of it.
Content: mild romance
*I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*
July 17, 2022
The Off-Limits Rule was light and fluffy read. It follows the story of Lucy, a single mother who has recently returned home and is now living with her brother Drew. She meets Drew's new best friend, Cooper, who recently moved to the city from Charleston. He was also in a bad breakup and needed a fresh start and has been living the bachelor lifestyle ever since. Cooper and Lucy have an instant connection and interest in each other from the moment they meet, but they cannot pursue this because Drew disapproves of their relationship.
The Off-Limits Rule was fantastic. It was a story about a brother's best friend with a twist, and it was enjoyable. The connection between the characters was great. Unsurprisingly, Lucy and Cooper had stolen my heart. I was rooting for these two characters from the beginning because they had such chemistry. They were cute, and I always smiled no matter what they did or said. Lucy was my favorite character because she was so fiercely independent. I enjoy reading Sarah Adams' books because her writing is simple, and everything flows well together without requiring too much concentration. The over-the-top humor and fast-paced rom-com story work for me. I highly recommend this book if you're looking for a light read.
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The Off-Limits Rule was fantastic. It was a story about a brother's best friend with a twist, and it was enjoyable. The connection between the characters was great. Unsurprisingly, Lucy and Cooper had stolen my heart. I was rooting for these two characters from the beginning because they had such chemistry. They were cute, and I always smiled no matter what they did or said. Lucy was my favorite character because she was so fiercely independent. I enjoy reading Sarah Adams' books because her writing is simple, and everything flows well together without requiring too much concentration. The over-the-top humor and fast-paced rom-com story work for me. I highly recommend this book if you're looking for a light read.
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