Against the Rules (Silhouette Intimate Moments, No. 22, #22)

The book was slow to start but then I couldn’t put it down.

One of LH's earlier works depicting a complicated romance between Rule Jackson and Cathryn Donahue-Ashe. Although, it started out slow, it soon picked up it's momentum with twists and turns, making this book a page turner! Enjoy the journey...

LH's earlier work, this story reminded me of how romance novels used to be written (without being too annoying, think Johanna Lindsey, Jude Deveraux, Judith McNaught, and etc). I noticed the mixed reviews here so keep in mind not everyones taste in romance novels are the same, just know that THIS book is NOT what LH's recent books are like, theres NO hardcore, killing, murders, robbery, CIA, FBI ,etc... nothing of that sort in this story. Dont be disappointed and write bad reviews expecting that... this book was written in 1983, purely fictional gooey 'romance' book. Know what you're getting into. This is a short story about an alpha male named Rule who ends up falling for the daughter of his employer. After an romantic encounter with Rule when she, Cat, was 17 yrs old, she runs away to return years later, feeling more secure, centered, mature and confident since she IS the owner of the ranch... so she thinks. What happens after this is very sweet, theres no real twists and turns to this story, not that I was complaining. The ending was very endearing, it'll make you go awwwww.... you know that warm feeling you get when you've finished reading a sweet, sweet romance novel that makes your heart ache with happiness for fictional characters you've just read about, well this is one of those feel-good books. Its only about 250pgs long, pretty straight up , never dragged on IMHO, easily read'able after work before going to bed. Its going to be one of my fav's of all time. Worth every penny you spend on it. SPOILER.. . . . . . . . I noticed someone mentioning a spanking scene in this book and wanted to remark on it. When this takes place, Cat was 15 years old, throws a fit and smacks Rule( 11yrs older then Cat ) who was at the time boss at the ranch (her father had passed away). He had just told her she was too young to date a 18 years old guy. So she smacked him, so he spanked her, only time it ever happened. It did not sound abusive to me when I read it, but thats just my opinion.

LH's earlier work, this story reminded me of how romance novels used to be written (without being too annoying, think Johanna Lindsey, Jude Deveraux, Judith McNaught, and etc). I noticed the mixed reviews here so keep in mind not everyones taste in romance novels are the same, just know that THIS book is NOT what LH's recent books are like, theres NO hardcore, killing, murders, robbery, CIA, FBI ,etc... nothing of that sort in this story. Dont be disappointed and write bad reviews expecting that... this book was written in 1983, purely fictional gooey 'romance' book. Know what you're getting into. This is a short story about an alpha male named Rule who ends up falling for the daughter of his employer. After an romantic encounter with Rule when she, Cat, was 17 yrs old, she runs away to return years later, feeling more secure, centered, mature and confident since she IS the owner of the ranch... so she thinks. What happens after this is very sweet, theres no real twists and turns to this story, not that I was complaining. The ending was very endearing, it'll make you go awwwww.... you know that warm feeling you get when you've finished reading a sweet, sweet romance novel that makes your heart ache with happiness for fictional characters you've just read about, well this is one of those feel-good books. Its only about 250pgs long, pretty straight up , never dragged on IMHO, easily read'able after work before going to bed. Its going to be one of my fav's of all time. Worth every penny you spend on it. SPOILER.. . . . . . . . I noticed someone mentioning a spanking scene in this book and wanted to remark on it. When this takes place, Cat was 15 years old, throws a fit and smacks Rule( 11yrs older than Cat ) who was at the time boss at the ranch (her father had passed away). He had just told her she was too young to date a 18 years old guy. So she smacked him, so he spanked her, only time it ever happened. It did not sound abusive to me when I read it, but thats just my opinion.

Rule Jackson may be as politically incorrect as they come, but he is a powerful and fascinating hero for this charming romance. Rule is the foreman of the ranch inherited by Cathryn Ashe when she was a teenager. Cathryn fled the ranch years earlier after she and Rule had a passionate encounter. Rule has been obsessed by the memory of their brief romance, and when Cathryn finally returns to the ranch as a young widow, he is determined to have her and won't take no for an answer. Like I said, totally politically incorrect, but Howard raises the emotional intensity to such scorching levels that all romance fans will find this a compelling read.

This book grows on you. Although Rule is very Alpha he does actually want to change for Cathryn. They affect each other in many possitive ways. This book is more complex than you may think and deserves at least a second more attentive reading. It may surprise you!