Rules for Ruin
May 2025 · The Crinoline Academy Book 1 · Penguin
5,0star
8 reviewsreport
eBook
400
Pages
family_home
Eligible
info
reportRatings and reviews aren’t verified Learn more
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.
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
Alissa Peppo
- Flag inappropriate
21 May 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!
MelissasBookshelf
- Flag inappropriate
20 May 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!
Becky Boerner
- Flag inappropriate
23 May 2025
WOW! I was drawn into Rules for Ruin and did not want to leave this amazing story! The banter, tension, and chemistry between Gabriel and Euphemia was simply incredible! Alternating POV's helped me to watch them both develop, change, and grow. Themes of redemption, identity, and found family resonated deeply with me. The historical details and time period were fascinating, and I felt like the author transported me back to Victorian England. I could not get enough of this incredible book.
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.
Rate this eBook
Tell us what you think.
Reading information
Smartphones and tablets
Install the Google Play Books app for Android and iPad/iPhone. It syncs automatically with your account and allows you to read online or offline wherever you are.
Laptops and computers
You can listen to audiobooks purchased on Google Play using your computer's web browser.
eReaders and other devices
To read on e-ink devices like Kobo eReaders, you'll need to download a file and transfer it to your device. Follow the detailed Help Centre instructions to transfer the files to supported eReaders.
