The Rule Book by Jennifer Blackwood – a Review
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Description:
Starr Media Second-Assistant Survival Guide
1. Don’t call your hot boss the antichrist to his face.
2. Don’t stare at hot boss’s, um, package or his full sleeve of tattoos. (No. Really. Stop!)
3. Don’t get on the malicious first assistant’s bad side.
4. Don’t forget to memorize the 300-page employee manual.
5. If you value your cashmere, steer clear of boss’s dog.
6. Boss’s dimples are lust-inducing. Do. Not. Give. In.
7. “The elevator ate your clothes” is not a valid excuse for showing up to important meetings half dressed.
8. Don’t break seven of the rules within the first week of employment if you, ya know, are in dire need of money to support your sick mom.
9. Whatever you do, don’t fall for the boss. See rule eight about sick mom.
10. Never forget the rules.
Review:
I assumed that the use of “Antichrist”, as in what not to refer to your boss, when reading the Top Ten rules for how to survive at Starr Media, was offensive in the ways of the supernatural. Duh, Carmen, this is not PNR (nor the fantasy world of Darynda Jones). The moniker, nevertheless, wasn’t so farfetched, let me tell you. The Rule Book by Jennifer Blackwood traverses the minefield of workplace romance, but aggravating coworkers and a devious twist builds up the tension for a complete story. Better the devil you know…
As entertaining as this was, I believe my interpretation conflicts with the author’s intention. Brogan Starr, CEO, maintains a certain standard at work that could be construed as “exacting”. He’s quite young to be so successful, but that power comes with hard lessons and limits. Add to that ethic a gorgeous, tattooed exterior and Lainey is one smitten gal. While Brogan might be occasionally charming, he is also snappish and condescending towards Lainey, his second assistant. It’s not a one-time exchange, either. Lainey’s learning the ropes from the not so helpful “first”, yet Brogan reprimands Lainey for simple mistakes. While that’s not unusual within a boss and employee dynamic, Lainey suddenly/inexplicably voices a compliment of Brogan’s personality? I get that Ms. Blackwood was developing Brogan and Lainey’s relationship, a clearly stated, forbidden rule, but the attraction wasn’t organic. It was entangled in do’s and don’ts.
Only when the story took a personal angle, when the story demonstrated the ebbs and flow of any relationship worth saving, did I find the heart in her storytelling. Ms. Blackwood gives Brogan’s rules purpose (and Lainey a spine), but she also depicts the risks one faces when you’re unable to yield on occasion.
I enjoyed The Rule Book, but I can’t help feel it could have been more thoroughly fleshed out. Self-aggrandizing characters revealed a dark side, but it was too brief. I would have explored such nefarious plotting and presented precise restorative justice to both Brogan and Lainey. Maybe I ask for too much, lol?
Rules become ineffective when they break spirits; leniency is key to sustaining happiness. Can Brogan and Lainey run the rule book through the shredder? Pick this up for a light summer read.
Reviewed by Carmen
Copy provided by Publisher
