Seven Rules for Breaking Hearts: A Novel

by Kristyn J. Miller Narrated by Karissa Vacker

Overview

Notes From Your Bookseller

How do you make someone fall in love with you? Reverse psychology, of course. Like all the best dating methodologies, it works exactly the way it should. Or shouldn’t? Double negative? Since it’s a romance … double POSITIVE, of course.

"A fresh take on modern romance." - Lauren Blakely, #1 New York Times bestselling author

Love breaks all the rules.

Margo Anderson is sworn off commitment. Alongside her best friend Jo, she runs a viral podcast featuring rules for hooking up without catching feelings. So when Jo surprises her by deciding to get married and takes up a sponsor's offer to host an all-expenses-paid wedding trip on Catalina Island, they have the whole internet to answer to.

In a scramble for content to appease their disappointed listeners, Margo cooks up a social experiment: break all her own dating rules, just to prove that it's a bad idea. And she's found the best man for the job in the groom's best friend and her old high school nemesis, Declan Walsh. He may be easier on the eyes than Margo remembered, but he's sure to be as smug and annoying as he was before. There is no chance Margo will ever catch feelings for him...until she does.

The more time they spend together through cake tastings and wedding party activities, Margo can't ignore their obvious spark, and she may actually be enjoying getting to know Declan. But can she let go of the rules to let him in?

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly

02/13/2023

Miller’s claustrophobic debut promises a weeklong vacation on Catalina Island but winds up largely taking place on its characters’ phones. Podcaster Margo “Go” Anderson struggles to enjoy a free vacation (provided by her podcast’s sponsors) because the upcoming marriage of her podcasting partner, Jo, signals the likely end of their series, which celebrates single women hooking up and disappearing fast without catching feelings. The rest of the wedding party is also in attendance, meaning Go must reunite with her high school nemesis, the best man Declan Walsh, who pulled a few too many pranks on her as a teenager. Surprisingly, engineer Declan proves easy to talk to now that he’s all grown up, making Go wonder if she ought to put her “love em and leave em” attitude on hold to explore their connection. Miller does make some use of the scenery in kayaking and hiking excursions, but the plot is driven by Go’s online life, as she worries how a relationship would affect her internet persona. This obstacle feels flimsy when Declan makes her so demonstrably happy and she’s decided to end the podcast anyway. There are some cute moments here, but readers will long for more substance. (May)

From the Publisher

"A fresh take on modern romance." - Lauren Blakely, #1 New York Times bestselling author

"Romance readers who enjoy single-point-of-view enemies-to-lovers romances will enjoy...Recommended as a read-alike to The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood." - Library Journal

"A super unique, escapist romance that will have you wishing for a trip to Catalina." - Lauren H. Mae, author of Wish Lists & Road Trips

"I absolutely loved this book . . . highly recommend this one, especially for fans of Lynn Painter." - Meredith Schorr, author of As Seen on TV

"A fun, fast-paced rom-com full of wry banter and relatable characters, delivered with sharp yet breezy prose, a spectacular destination-wedding setting, a delicious touch of steam, and a thoughtful look at the ways social media shapes our sense of self. Pack your roller bag, grab enough sunscreen to share, and pick this one up for a perfect summer beach read." - Jacqueline Firkins, author of Marlowe Banks, Redesigned

Library Journal

02/01/2023

DEBUT Margo Anderson reluctantly finds herself on a ferry to her once beloved Catalina to celebrate her best friend and co-podcaster Jo's destination wedding while possibly toasting the end of her career. It will be difficult to have a podcast about eternal singledom once your co-host is married. Making matters worse, Margo is the maid of honor, and the best man is her nemesis Declan Walsh, whom Margo will be seeing for the first time since she wrapped up her nerdy, tuba-playing high-school years. Of course, Declan has transformed, unfairly, from a hot popular kid into a spectacular adult. Besides being certifiably sexy, Declan is also a technology Luddite, which annoys the mildly famous social-media maven Margo, who has to decide if she's willing to use him for the next phase of her podcast. VERDICT Romance readers who enjoy single-point-of-view enemies-to-lovers romances will enjoy this solid if predictable debut from Miller. Recommended as a read-alike to The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood.—Elizabeth Gabriel

Product Details

BN ID:	2940176800302
Publisher:	Penguin Random House
Publication date:	05/16/2023
Edition description:	Unabridged

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