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onlyadream223's review
4.0
3.5 stars
This is my first book by the author, Susan Amanda Kelly. Bend the rules is the second book in the Big Mike and Minnie series. This book reads as a stand alone. The characters Big Mike and Minnie appear in this novel with only a few spoilers from book one.
I found Mary hilarious. She was a finicky, ex-con with an affinity for numbers. She's very passionate about her causes and doesn't stand down easily.
Crash Coolidge is ex-military, ex-biker with that lifestyle engrained in his soul. He's a hard man that frightens everyone, everyone except Mary.
Once I got into the story, I enjoyed it. However, I felt like the beginning and some parts of the end were clumsily put together. I recommend this novel because it is fun and has a really strong female lead. She has her hangups, but she is tenacious and knows what she wants. Minnie's character, although secondary adds to Minnie's growth as a character.
Thank you to the author and Netgalley for providing me this free book.
Enjoy
This is my first book by the author, Susan Amanda Kelly. Bend the rules is the second book in the Big Mike and Minnie series. This book reads as a stand alone. The characters Big Mike and Minnie appear in this novel with only a few spoilers from book one.
I found Mary hilarious. She was a finicky, ex-con with an affinity for numbers. She's very passionate about her causes and doesn't stand down easily.
Crash Coolidge is ex-military, ex-biker with that lifestyle engrained in his soul. He's a hard man that frightens everyone, everyone except Mary.
Once I got into the story, I enjoyed it. However, I felt like the beginning and some parts of the end were clumsily put together. I recommend this novel because it is fun and has a really strong female lead. She has her hangups, but she is tenacious and knows what she wants. Minnie's character, although secondary adds to Minnie's growth as a character.
Thank you to the author and Netgalley for providing me this free book.
Enjoy
sheska_meroba's review
I received a copy of this ebook in a Goodreads giveaway.
I just wasn’t intrigued by the premise or characters.
I just wasn’t intrigued by the premise or characters.
intostarlight's review
5.0
I loved this! I was a little hesitant about reading this since it's the second in the series and I haven't read the first one. I was afraid I'll be missing out on the story. Luckily this is a standalone book and I could keep up with the story just fine.
I loved Mary and Crash. They were eachother's oposite but still perfect for eachother. Their interaction made me smile and feel all warm and fuzzy inside. The chemistry between them was sizzling. The supporting cast of characters was great, quirky and unique. I especially loved Oscar, the deaf dog.
The storyline was entertaining and action packed and kept me turning the pages. I didn't suspect who the bad guy is till the end so the mistery was satisfying. The book overall was a quick, easy and fun read. I highly recommend it.
***I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
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Reread 1.3.2021
I reared this book to refresh my memory before I start [b:On the Town|56644505|On the Town (Lethal in Love #3)|Susan Amanda Kelly|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1610437052l/56644505._SY75_.jpg|75184979], the next one in the series, and I'm glad to say it was just as good second time around as it was the first time.
I loved Mary and Crash. They were eachother's oposite but still perfect for eachother. Their interaction made me smile and feel all warm and fuzzy inside. The chemistry between them was sizzling. The supporting cast of characters was great, quirky and unique. I especially loved Oscar, the deaf dog.
The storyline was entertaining and action packed and kept me turning the pages. I didn't suspect who the bad guy is till the end so the mistery was satisfying. The book overall was a quick, easy and fun read. I highly recommend it.
***I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
----------------------------------------
Reread 1.3.2021
I reared this book to refresh my memory before I start [b:On the Town|56644505|On the Town (Lethal in Love #3)|Susan Amanda Kelly|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1610437052l/56644505._SY75_.jpg|75184979], the next one in the series, and I'm glad to say it was just as good second time around as it was the first time.
monadh's review
5.0
Outrageous, over-the-top, out there romantic suspense with satisfying dose of the feels
Disclosure: I got offered a review copy of this book, with no obligation to like the book or write a review (as per Amazon guidelines). But here is the thing: I don’t like accepting (free) books without giving some feedback. On the one hand I like discovering new-to-me authors, on the other hand I hate to read books I don’t like just because I feel obligated to write a review.
Although the blurb of the book sounded quite intriguing and right up my alley, I noticed that it was the second (full-length) book (there is also a short novella) in the Big Mike and Minnie series. And even though I realized that this book has different main protagonists than the first two, I felt compelled to start at the beginning with On the Run, which is Minerva/Minnie and Michael’s story (kind of a hilarious Beauty and the Beast romantic suspense). I devoured that one as well as Cooked Goose (where Big Mike gets to meet Minnie’s family over the holidays) and since I loved them, decided to accept Bend the Rules.
I guess theoretically Bend the Rules could be read as a standalone, but I wouldn’t recommend it, because quite a lot of the backstory for the hero of this one, Crash Coolidge (who is Minnie’s brother) is set up in the first two books. Also, there are a number of recurring characters and Minnie (with her knowledge about fashion) plays an important role in unravelling the mystery in this one and she also befriends Mary Holmes, the heroine of this book.
Mary Holmes has had quite a few turns to the worse in her life recently; I have to say that the background story of Mary stretched my suspension of disbelief, especially as we get to know her it appears somewhat out of character for her. Anyway, she gets a new chance working as an accountant with probationary status at Vetruvius Securities, vetting the financial background of companies. As she is quite good at her job she is hoping to secure a permanent position, despite her checkered past.
One of Vetruvius clients has asked them to look into stolen shipments that then get ransomed back to them, and Vetruvius decides to bring another expert on board, who has had some experience with schemes like this. Crash Coolidge has been ousted from the “family business” which he expected to inherit and is pretty disillusioned, but he agrees to check out the job at Vetruvius as a favor to his army buddy Mike, who also happens to be his sisters boyfriend. The unlikely pair then set off together on unravelling the mystery of stolen shipments, rival motorcycle gangs, cowboy boots, tanning salons and abandoned properties.
In a way the writing reminded me a bit of Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series: the plot is just so outrageous, whacky, over the top out there that you can’t help but role your eyes, but it is well-written, fast-paced, hilariously funny at times and very diverting. It is also balanced by endearingly unique and quirky characters and a satisfying dose of the feels. It’s the perfect feel-good romantic suspense with a funny and capable but beauty-wise ordinary girl who meets the proverbial bad boy. Despite the weaknesses I described I loved it overall, so 4 ½ stars from me.
Disclosure: I got offered a review copy of this book, with no obligation to like the book or write a review (as per Amazon guidelines). But here is the thing: I don’t like accepting (free) books without giving some feedback. On the one hand I like discovering new-to-me authors, on the other hand I hate to read books I don’t like just because I feel obligated to write a review.
Although the blurb of the book sounded quite intriguing and right up my alley, I noticed that it was the second (full-length) book (there is also a short novella) in the Big Mike and Minnie series. And even though I realized that this book has different main protagonists than the first two, I felt compelled to start at the beginning with On the Run, which is Minerva/Minnie and Michael’s story (kind of a hilarious Beauty and the Beast romantic suspense). I devoured that one as well as Cooked Goose (where Big Mike gets to meet Minnie’s family over the holidays) and since I loved them, decided to accept Bend the Rules.
I guess theoretically Bend the Rules could be read as a standalone, but I wouldn’t recommend it, because quite a lot of the backstory for the hero of this one, Crash Coolidge (who is Minnie’s brother) is set up in the first two books. Also, there are a number of recurring characters and Minnie (with her knowledge about fashion) plays an important role in unravelling the mystery in this one and she also befriends Mary Holmes, the heroine of this book.
Mary Holmes has had quite a few turns to the worse in her life recently; I have to say that the background story of Mary stretched my suspension of disbelief, especially as we get to know her it appears somewhat out of character for her. Anyway, she gets a new chance working as an accountant with probationary status at Vetruvius Securities, vetting the financial background of companies. As she is quite good at her job she is hoping to secure a permanent position, despite her checkered past.
One of Vetruvius clients has asked them to look into stolen shipments that then get ransomed back to them, and Vetruvius decides to bring another expert on board, who has had some experience with schemes like this. Crash Coolidge has been ousted from the “family business” which he expected to inherit and is pretty disillusioned, but he agrees to check out the job at Vetruvius as a favor to his army buddy Mike, who also happens to be his sisters boyfriend. The unlikely pair then set off together on unravelling the mystery of stolen shipments, rival motorcycle gangs, cowboy boots, tanning salons and abandoned properties.
In a way the writing reminded me a bit of Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series: the plot is just so outrageous, whacky, over the top out there that you can’t help but role your eyes, but it is well-written, fast-paced, hilariously funny at times and very diverting. It is also balanced by endearingly unique and quirky characters and a satisfying dose of the feels. It’s the perfect feel-good romantic suspense with a funny and capable but beauty-wise ordinary girl who meets the proverbial bad boy. Despite the weaknesses I described I loved it overall, so 4 ½ stars from me.
emjayae149's review
5.0
BEND THE RULES by Susan Amanda Kelly was an utterly delightful read. It offers a quirky mix of romance, crime and plenty of humour that kept me entertained from start to finish.
I loved the protagonists, Mary Holmes and Crash Coolidge. Mary’s quite eccentric but beneath it all, she has a soft heart and tries to think the best of people. When she crosses paths with Crash, an unabashed criminal, she’s quite disconcerted to realise she’s attracted to him.
Crash makes no apologies for his lifestyle and has no intentions of changing course. He’s happy to act on his attraction to Mary but he’s stumped by the fact she brings out feelings beyond the physical in him.
There’s a mystery to solve but as much as they work together, Crash and Mary’s preferred methodology is poles apart. Mary’s escapades, often with the help of Crash’s sister Minnie gets them into trouble. Kelly did a great job in balancing the humour of an amateur sleuth and the grimness of murder.
Alongside the mystery, there’s a lovely romance. Mary and Crash are not blind to their individual faults but the feelings between them are genuine and they’re both prepared to not only show some vulnerability but to fight for their relationship.
I am so happy this book and I crossed paths because it was such a pleasure to read. It's funny. It's romantic. It's criminal. It works!
I loved the protagonists, Mary Holmes and Crash Coolidge. Mary’s quite eccentric but beneath it all, she has a soft heart and tries to think the best of people. When she crosses paths with Crash, an unabashed criminal, she’s quite disconcerted to realise she’s attracted to him.
Crash makes no apologies for his lifestyle and has no intentions of changing course. He’s happy to act on his attraction to Mary but he’s stumped by the fact she brings out feelings beyond the physical in him.
There’s a mystery to solve but as much as they work together, Crash and Mary’s preferred methodology is poles apart. Mary’s escapades, often with the help of Crash’s sister Minnie gets them into trouble. Kelly did a great job in balancing the humour of an amateur sleuth and the grimness of murder.
Alongside the mystery, there’s a lovely romance. Mary and Crash are not blind to their individual faults but the feelings between them are genuine and they’re both prepared to not only show some vulnerability but to fight for their relationship.
I am so happy this book and I crossed paths because it was such a pleasure to read. It's funny. It's romantic. It's criminal. It works!
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