Rules for Ruin

· The Crinoline Academy Book 1 · Penguin
5.0
8 reviews
Ebook
400
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About this ebook

A Most Anticipated Romance for Paste Magazine · The Nerd Daily · BookBub · Marie Claire · Book Riot · Bookish · Fangirlish

No one betrays the Academy. But now Euphemia must decide: break the rules for her enemy, or let the rules break her heart.


On the outskirts of London sits a seemingly innocuous institution with a secretive aim—train young women to distract, disrupt, and discredit the patriarchy. Outraged by a powerful lord’s systematic attack on women’s rights in Parliament, the Academy summons its brightest—and most bitter—pupil to infiltrate the odious man’s inner circle. A deal is struck: bring down the viscount, and Miss Euphemia Flite will finally earn her freedom.

But betting shop owner Gabriel Royce has other plans. The viscount is the perfect pawn to insulate Gabriel’s underworld empire from government interference. He’s not about to let some crinoline-clad miss destroy his carefully constructed enterprise—no matter how captivating he finds her threats.

From the rookeries of St. Giles to the ballrooms of Mayfair, Euphemia and Gabriel engage in a battle of wits and wills that’s complicated by a blossoming desire. Soon Euphemia realizes it’s not the broken promises to her Academy sisters she should fear. . . . It’s the danger to her heart.

Ratings and reviews

5.0
8 reviews
Eleanor
May 21, 2025
Mimi Matthews has done it yet again, she has penned a thrilling, interesting romance full of multiple facets of society, intrigue, justice, and plenty of swoon. I highly recommend Rules for Ruin, and I'm excited for this new series. Effie is brave and bold, and able to hold her own against both Gabriel Royce's criminal intensity, and the true villains of the story as well. Not only is Effie brave, she is also human and vulnerable when she needs to be. Her emotional growth in the book was extremely satisfying. Gabriel showed such courage and determination. Despite his perceived rough manner, he has a truly kind and golden heart beneath his dangerous demeanour. He isn't selfish. He wants positive change for society's marginalised, and ultimately he makes good decisions to help bring about necessary changes. The world feels so real and fleshed out, as if I could step into another room and find this world really there. it was really excellent!
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MelissasBookshelf
May 20, 2025
Wow! It’s going to be difficult to encapsulate just how amazing Rules for Ruin is. Mimi Matthews’ created another winning Victorian series set in the gritty rookery of St. Giles & the upper echelons of Society. Filled with intriguing mystery, a pulse-pounding rivals to more, closed door romance, cat & mouse games that kept me eagerly turning the pages, & a Great Expectations like twist, this sparkling debut of the Crinoline Academy series is an absolute must read! Highest of recommendations!
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Alissa Peppo
May 21, 2025
This BOOK! This HERO! I enjoyed this story SO MUCH! Gabriel Royce was a dangerous, protective, passionate hero with a “touch her and die” type of endearing possessiveness that made him one of the most swoon-worthy fictional men I have ever read! Effie and Gabriel play cat-and-mouse games of epic proportion with banter and action that proves the two are best together rather than working against each other, and it makes for a great romance with plenty of sizzle!
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About the author

USA Today bestselling author Mimi Matthews writes both historical nonfiction and award-winning Victorian romances. Her novels have received starred reviews in Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, Booklist, Kirkus, and Shelf Awareness, and her articles have been featured on the Victorian Web, the Journal of Victorian Culture, and in syndication at BUST Magazine. In her other life, Mimi is an attorney. She resides in California with her family, which includes an Andalusian dressage horse, a miniature poodle, a Sheltie, and two Siamese cats.

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