Series: Rule #2
Genre: NA Contemporary Romance
Published: November 26, 2015
~Synopsis~
~Synopsis~
Six years ago, a positive pregnancy test destroyed Ava. Her goals, her relationship, the entire way she viewed her future.
From the rubble, a rule was created: No bad boys.
In their wake is chaos and destruction, something she could no longer risk.
Ava has been happy with this rule, until now.
The bad boy across the hall makes her want to abandon it. Those hazel eyes piercing her, as though they can read her mind. That gentle smile as he interacts with her son. Dax awakens something in her that she’s never felt before.
Will she regret opening her heart to another bad boy?
Dax is determined to earn back the respect he lost for himself years ago and create a future he can be proud of. He’s spent his life breaking rules and now he has a rigid set of rules to live by.
Ava is a distraction he doesn’t need.
Nothing like the women from his past, everything about her from her adorable son to the paint constantly covering her hands reminds him of why he needs to focus. He knows the look in her eyes, he fights the urge to give in to that look. He doesn’t deserve it, at least not yet.
Will Dax ever feel like he’s earned it, or will a call from his past cause him to push her away for good?
Rules are meant to be broken.
The No Bad Boy Rule is a standalone novel.
It is Book 2 in the Rule series.
GOODREADS
4.5 Stars
The No Bad Boy Rule follows The No Asshole Rule in the Rule series but it can be read as a standalone. The first book featured Andi and Lucas. This story features Andi’s brother, Dax, and Lucas’s sister, Ava.
On the verge of turning 21, Ava might be young but she’s had to mature fast and she’s become strong. Personally, I’m getting a little tired of the virgin heroine in romance so Ava as a teen mom was a fresh angle and done well. She’s a good mom, with her priorities straight, and a positive role model as far as fictional characters go. Ava might just be one of my favorite down to earth yet spunky heroines I’ve read in a long while.
“‘Next time I’m in a piss-pour mood, pull my hair and fuck it out of me. So much better than how I spent the day.”
Ava’s had enough bad boys in her life, having gotten pregnant at 15. But she considers making an exception for the one living across the hall from her brother. Dax is finally walking the straight and narrow as a college student after years in a gang. He’s not proud of his past and he doesn’t think he’s good enough for a girl like Ava. Neither can resist the pull they feel towards each other and decide to give it a shot.
“‘You want me to take you upstairs so you can ravish me? Well, seems a bit sudden, but how can I say no to that?’”
Told via Ava and Dax’s alternating first person POV, second chances is a predominate theme in the book. Can people change? That’s what Ava and Dax contemplate. Both are examples of how some reckless decisions of the teen years can be overcome, leading to a stronger and wiser adult self. And that’s one of the things I really liked about this story. It presents realistic struggles that fit the characters without inducing unnecessary angst that at times befalls the New Adult genre, and the situations are handled with maturity.
“‘I’m only allowing myself tonight to be sad. Tomorrow I need to be a mother, a student, a daughter, and a friend. I need to remember that I am a whole person outside of my relationship.’”
No one makes the right choices all of the time but you can learn from your mistakes. That presentation is what helped me find all the characters very likable, even Joe who defied what would often be a stereotypical role. I look forward to future books in the series to get the stories on their friends as well as see more of the couples already featured.
~Character Interview~
5 Questions with the Rule Characters
So everyone is gearing up to ring in the New Year. You guys have such a great group of friends. Tell us a little about how well you know each other and how you’ll be celebrating by filling in the blanks to these questions. Anyone and everyone is free to answer.
Q1: The party will be held at _______________ (location) and will include _________(activities).
Dax – The party will be held at Andie and Lucas’s. If we can drag Andie away from the XBox, we will play Cards Against Humanity. That way we can all have a chance at winning.
Andie – You wish . . .
Q2: There is a no __________ rule in effect.
Ava – There will be a no excuse rule in effect. Everyone has to be there, otherwise we’re hunting them down and kidnapping them. I’m looking at you Dean.
Dean – Alright, alright.
Q3: The first person to pass out will probably be ___________ and the last person standing will be ________.
Carter – The first person to pass out will probably be Jaden and the last person standing will be Kensi.
Jaden – Wanna bet?
Carter – You’re on.
Q4: The most unlikely pair kissing at midnight will be _____________________.
Lucas – The most unlikely pair kissing at midnight will be. . . Jaden and Peyton.
Kensi – Wait, you don’t think it will be—
Andie, Ava and Peyton – No.
Kensi – I’m just saying, don’t rule it out.
Q5: The first resolution to be broken will be ____________________ by ____________.
Nella – The first resolution to be broken will be going to the gym with Andie by Kensi.
Kensi – Ye of little faith.
Nella – I’ve been asking you to come with us since I moved in with you, a New Year’s Resolution won’t make you step foot in that gym.
Kensi – Andie dared me, I don’t have a choice.
Nella – Fine, then I think it will be Lucas’s resolution of beating Andie at Mario Kart.
Andie – That’s not a resolution, that’s wishful thinking.
Lucas – You’re lucky I love you. *leans over and kisses Andie by her ear, whispering something
Kensi – You guys need to cut the cute crap out, blech.
*A big thanks to Ashley Erin & the Rule characters! Happy New Year!*
~Excerpt~
Bonus Scene
Copyright Property of Ashley Erin 2015
Smiling as Noah sprinkles icing sugar onto the pancakes fresh off the skillet, I set the plate onto a tray and arrange it so it looks somewhat fancy.
“Noah, why don’t you grab the present and I will carry this?” He runs to the tree and digs out the gift we have hidden at the back.
Together, we walk down the hall and push silently into the bedroom. Ava sleeps peacefully, her lips partly open and her arm flung above her head. She’s so beautiful.
Noah looks up at me, his eyes shining with excitement, and I nod. Racing to the bed, he jumps on Ava. “Merry Christmas, Momma!”
Ava blinks sleepily, a smile lighting up her face as she sits up. She kisses Noah on the forehead, her eyes locked on mine, before seeing the tray in my hands. “Oh wow. I’m so spoiled.”
“Open our present first.” Noah thrusts the gift bag onto her lap, bouncing in place as she pulls out the tissue paper. I set the tray down on her nightstand and move to sit beside her, pulling Noah onto my lap.
Ava pulls out the canvas Noah and I made for her. Noah painted the background a mixture of greens, blues and purples, all swirling together. He’s inherited his mom’s artistic talent. Together we glued a photo of the three of us and then added some paper flowers I found at a craft store.
“This is beautiful. You made it?” Her fingers run softly over the textures, eyes locked on the photo. It’s from one of our summer drives, we found this amazing waterfall just off the highway and a tourist was nice enough to take our photo.
“We fell down the rabbit hole that is Pinterest.” Grinning as she stares at the painting, every painful moment spent on that site is worth the look in her eyes. Ava sets it aside, curling into me.
“This is the best gift I could have gotten. Thank you.” She tilts her chin up, her lips begging for mine. Kissing her gently, I wrap my arms around my family.
“You should have heard Dad cursing. Aunty Andie yelled at him.” Noah rats me out, laughing when I tickle him.
“Shh. You’re going to get me in trouble.” Laughing, I wink at Ava as she pretends to glare at me.
Handing Ava her breakfast, I watch her and Noah joke around. This is my gift, being with the two most important people in my life, my family. I couldn’t ask for more.
~Also Available~
Book Review
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Ashley Erin has a degree in Psychology and has worked in the Human Services field for five years. She loves reading romance, new adult, paranormal and fantasy novels.
She lives in Spruce Grove, Alberta with her boyfriend, two dogs and four cats. She also has a horse she loves with all her heart. When she is not working with the horses, reading and writing, you can find her on social media.
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