Writing the Rules (The Dating Playbook 6) by Mariah Dietz-Review tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 29, 2021.

Poppy Anderson was nailing her sophomore year at Brighton University. She liked her classes, had the greatest best friend, and was finally ready to start dating again. Or she was … until her ex, Mike, transferred to Brighton and started exchanging long stares and inside jokes that Poppy thought he’d forgotten.

Paxton Lawson was long ago labeled ‘The Golden Boy.’ Starting quarterback and team captain at Brighton University, his future was brighter than the sun until a short path of indiscretions tarnished his name and potentially his future. When he learns that his sister’s best friend, Poppy, has backed herself into a corner and is facing as many doubts and uncertainties as he is, Paxton suggests the biggest ruse of the year: a fake relationship.

Writing the rules was supposed to make things clear, defined, and definite. Only, their relationship becomes increasingly complex as the lines are blurred, days become weeks, and kisses for show begin to feel like confessions.

Can lies lead to truths? And what happens when the rules they wrote begin to expire?

One lie,
Two hearts,
And fifteen years of friendship are about to be put to the ultimate test.

•••••••

REVIEW:WRITING THE RULES is the sixth instalment in Mariah Dietz’s contemporary, new adult THE DATING PLAYBOOK romance series focusing on a group of friends at Brighton University. This is twenty-two year old senior, team captain and star quarterback Paxton Lawson, and twenty-year old Poppy Anderson’s story line. WRITING THE RULES can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Paxton and Poppy) WRITING THE RULES follows the best friend’s brother/fake relationship between twenty-two year old senior and star quarterback Paxton Lawson, and twenty-year old Poppy Anderson. Poppy Anderson was surprised when her ex-boyfriend Mike announced he was returning home to attend Brighton University but blindsided when Mike introduced her to his new girlfriend. Struggling with old feelings and emotions, Poppy kept her distance but battled between head and heart for the man she once loved. Meanwhile Brighton University quarterback, and Poppy’s best friend’s brother Paxton Lawson had finally kicked his girlfriend of three years out of his life but said girlfriend refused to take the hint. In a mutual attempt to forget about their past loves, Poppy and Paxton agreed to a fake relationship but a relationship that quickly grew into something more. What ensues is the fake but building romance and relationship between Paxton and Poppy, and the potential fall-out as secrets, lies and betrayal threaten the new found romance between our leading couple.

Paxton Lawson has a reputation at Brighton University but in fear of losing his future career, Paxton asks Poppy to keep him on the straight and narrow, never expecting to fall for his sister’s best friend but as the football season comes to a close, secrets lies and betrayal are about to expose the truth about their rules for a fake arrangement.

The relationship between Paxton and Poppy is a best friend’s brother/fake arrangement with only a few people aware of the truth. As both Paxton and Poppy’s exes continue to push for a second chance, it is Poppy’s heart that will break once the truth is revealed. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters including Lincoln Beckett and Raegan Lawson (Bending the Rules #1 / Breaking the Rules #2); Arlo and Olivia (Defining the Rules #3) ,Tyler and Chloe ( Exploring the Rules #4), Ian and Rose (Forgetting the Rules #5), Arlo, Caleb, Luis Garcia; Olivia’s father Coach Harris; Poppy’s ex Mike and his girlfriend Maddie; Paxton’s ex Candace, as well as Poppy’s parents at home.

WRITING THE RULES is a story of friendships and relationships, betrayal and trust, secrets, lies, acceptance and love. The premise is entertaining and captivating; the romance is tender and seductive; the characters are dynamic, lively and animated but at times the story line read more like YA with mean-girl persona of our hero’s ex. WRITING THE RULES is a marvellous addition to author’s THE DATING PLAYBOOK.

Previous Reviews
Defining the Rules
Forgetting the Rules

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Mariah Dietz is a USA Today Bestselling Author and self-proclaimed nerd. She lives with her husband and sons in North Carolina.

Mariah grew up in a tiny town outside of Portland, Oregon where she spent most of her time immersed in the pages of books that she both read and created.

She has a love for all things that include her family, good coffee, books, traveling, and dark chocolate. She’s also been known to laugh at her own jokes.