“I found myself practically giddy with excitement waiting to see what would happen!” ~Sammy, Just Let Me Read
Never beg. Never grovel. Nice guys wind up in the friend zone.I wrote the book on scoring with hot women – literally.Now my style empire spans the globe and my bank account is as well-endowed as I am. Then she walks in. My high school nemesis.The one who inspired the most important rule … in.
My high school nemesis.
The one who inspired the most important rule of all – Love ruins a man. Just walk away.
Will I break my own rules, or will my rules break me?
”…so hilarious that my jaw was hurting. It made my heart so full and happy. I couldn’t stop smiling and swooning. A must read of 2019.” ~PPs Bookshelf
A new laugh-out-loud romantic comedy from New York Times Bestselling author Annika Martin!
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Annika Martin writes from the heart. She creates stories full of clever wit and humor, full of deep, heartfelt emotion. Breaking the Billionaire’s Rules is an ageless enemies to lovers story.
Max and Mia are former high school rivals who have moved on to adulthood and whose lives have ended up in very different places. When they meet again for the first time in years, there’s a spark of old heat, but they’ve been burned in the past by misunderstanding and self-doubt. Their present day game of cat and mouse may not be quite what they imagine.
Man, I loved this book, loved these characters… Mia’s snarky and sassy, and full of life. She’s got a huge heart and a fierce loyalty to her friends. Max is not quite what he seems…is he the confidant player or the sensitive artist? I loved seeing how their story played out, especially with Ms Martin’s talent for richly layered storytelling. I wanted to know Max’s every secret and Mia’s every thought. This was a one sitting read…sexy, heartwarming and fun!
Friends to enemies at it’s best!
I was so excited to read this because I love, love, love this author’s writing. And Annika Martin did not disappoint with this story. She does enemies-to-lovers superbly!
In Breaking the Billionaire’s Rules, Ms. Martin gives us tons of laughs with fun characters you can’t help but fall in love with. And also plenty of feels!
This isn’t your typical billionaire romance where the hero is filthy rich and flaunts his wealth and wants/gets the poor, down & out heroine. It’s way more than that. It’s got substance. Max & Mia have a past and this book revisits that past, and then proceeds to mend it, with plenty of emotions and feeling and humor…and sexual tension.
Their second meet-cute, after not seeing each other for years, was adorably quirky and tense and funny and a little bit awkward, but OMGosh, it was the best! And I never wanted to stop reading.
The sexual tension between Max & Mia was so thick and delicious, I swear I could feel it. Taste it. They are both such smart-asses, so strong and stubborn, yet so vulnerable. I loved seeing both sides of them.
I found myself laughing out loud often, sometimes even during intense moments. Either Max or Mia would do or say something that broke the tension.
“Who ate my cheesy puffs?” ~ Max
I highly recommend this book if you’re looking for a fun read with lovable characters and all the feels. If you loved Annika’s other billionaire RomComs, you’ll definitely want to read this one!
I loved everything about this book.
Max and Mia had such great hate-love energy, combustive chemistry, and the way they showed up for each other when it really mattered was awe-inspiring.
LAUGH OUT LOUD!!!!
I am still relatively new to this author, but one thing that has become very clear is to be prepared to laugh. Out loud. Probably at inappropriate times.
Breaking the Billionaires Rules is an enemies to lovers (LOVE IT) rom-com that had me in absolute stitches. Some of the schemes the heroine, Mia, comes up with are over the top and hilarious. She’s someone I wished was part of my girl group. Actually, take that back; I wish I were part of her girl group!
My only critique is that the elaborate schemes sometimes took away from the plot of the story. Did I think it was hilarious? Yes? Do I believe that it would work in real life? Not a chance. I need a bit more depth in the storyline between the H/h. I mean, they are what we are here for, right?
I also listened to this book on Audible. Jason Clarke did a fabulous job. I’ve heard him on other audiobooks before and always enjoyed his voice.
Neva Nevarre is a new narrator for me, and I loved her! Honestly a new favorite.
Overall, the book was a fun listen that had me laughing.
This book was my absolute FAVORITE of all the billionaire books in this series. Every book has been great so far but this book stole the show for me. I was laughing out loud, swooning, on the edge of my seat in certain parts. It had EVERYTHING!!!! And the narrators!!!! They really did such a terrific job, I felt they should have gotten paid DOUBLE for how amazing of a job they did! With every book I read I am becoming more and more impressed by Annika Martin. Wow. 5 stars and MORE. Thank you again Valentine PR!
***** AUDIOBOOK REVIEW *****
I just love Annika Martin’s Breaking the Billionaire’s Rules so much more than I ever expected! Up until this book, I had only read Miss Martin’s darker books and loved them. I was all for this book! No joke, I couldn’t stop listening and it’s just what I needed to pass my days and make me smile. Mia and Max have always had a tumultuous relationship. They seem to never be on even ground together. Max is head of a billion dollar enterprise and he has a hard time trusting people with the real him. Mia is a lunch cart delivery girl and once she was hurt, she’s wary. Put the two of them face-to-face and they’re either tearing each other down of tearing each other’s clothes off… the question is which feeling will win out in the end!
The audiobook was read by Neva Nevarre and Jason Clarke. They are just what these characters called for! Nevarre sounds just like what I a expected… she upbeat and fun, a bit outlandish but she wears her heart out on her sleeve. I really enjoyed the brief beginning in the chapters from Max’s book. I could feel the anger Mia felt for herself and for her friends hearing some of the things written. Plus it was read so perfectly… with some of the cookies we all expected. Jason Clarke is an expressive male narrator. He’s able to sound utterly sweet and remorseful and minutes later he’ll be able to hit on that cocky, self-assured man that wrote a book on how to get the prettiest girl in the room.
I loved this book. It made me laugh so much I couldn’t put it down!
3.5 stars
I didn’t really get into this book as I did with the others in the series. I just didn’t get into the whole dressing like a cat and delivering food. Do they really do that in NYC?
Outside of that, I was just ok. The characters didn’t hold my interest as much as the others in her previous billionaire books. This was a friends to enemies to lovers book that ended better then it started.
I do want to see what happens in the last book of the series, so I can’t wait for that.
I read the original version of this book in January 2020 and it’s been extensively revised since then. The first version really got to me, but this version is even better.
I’ve read the first five of these Billionaire books now and as I sit here writing this I can’t choose a favorite. They’re all really, really good. Far above the average rom/com. This story is pretty special though. I’ve never really read a romance like this before. I guess it’s just because it’s more—more of everything—more comedic, more heartbreaking, more sympathetic. Ms. Martin makes us really connect with these characters.
This a second chance romance—the truly funny, yet heart-tugging story of Max and Mia, old high school friends and rivals. Like in every book in this series, the comedy is OTT, but I get it. They’re sparring with each other, and their crazy mind games are their way of flirting and doing the dance. Mia uses her outrageous personality and acting skills to put Max in his place, and Max plays along, enamored and amused by her. Mia doesn’t know that she has the upper hand. I love when a heroine can fluster a confident man and throw him off balance.
Over the course of this story we gradually learn more about their backstories and history together. When we learn why Max is so guarded and Mia is so hurt and angry, it breaks your heart. Slowly we watch their defenses break down. We take a journey with these characters and watch them evolve and their romance grow. The last chapter really brings it all together.
This series was a turning point for me. It raised my standards for rom/coms way up. It taught me that I don’t have to settle for comedy without substance, and that I don’t have to settle for mediocre writing styles. This series is now the measuring stick by which I judge all other rom/coms, and in all honesty, very few other authors have measured up.
5 stars. I would give it more if I could. (Bonus points for the foodie content 🙂
I absolutely love Annika Martin’s humor! I love escaping reality with such a great sexy rom com!!!
These characters were such a joy to spend time with. Adorable and witty. Insanely funny. Definitely want more Billionaires!
Max & Mia have a great story, chemistry, plot twists… it’s a fun rom-com that doesn’t slip into ridiculous.
The reasons they fell apart and back together are justified. They both have good character arcs. The dual point-of-view was used well.
This was a fun read.
I think this book was funny, sweet, annoying and very heart-warming. If you read Most Eligible Bachelor then you will love the three characters that make cameos. I think the ending wrapped it all up beautifully and I finished with a smile. I definitely recommend this book if you like Rom Coms. The story does get frustrating at times but it all works out in the end, and isn’t it the way a book makes you feel anything that’s important? I think you should read it and judge for yourself! Enjoy!!
I made the mistake of starting this book when I was supposed to be working. I have deadlines! Taxes to file! Books to write! A family that likes to eat! But instead I read. All day. And I loved every minute. Readers, when my next book is late, you know who to blame.
Confession: I love this author, and I love this series. If you don’t believe me, check out my review for Most Eligible Billionaire. So, it should come as a shock to absolutely no one that I loved Breaking the Billionaire’s Rules.
Here’s what I loved:
Enemies to lovers:
The old enemies to lovers trope is one of my all-time favorites. Max and Mia were arch nemesis back in their high school days at a prestigious school for performing arts. But as with most enemies to lovers stories, their hatred of each other masked deeper feelings, and the way the author revealed those feelings felt so…genuine that I couldn’t help but root for them as a couple.
Mia:
Mia is no Bella Swan or Mary Sue. She isn’t the clueless “oh, I’m so plain and simple…I have no idea why every man wants me” kind of heroine. She’s bold and talented and smart, and she’s comfortable in her own skin, which charms everyone around her. Does she have some old insecurities? Sure. Who doesn’t? But nothing keeps her down. As far as heroines go, Mia is hilarious and all kinds of inspiring at the same time. When I eventually put together a Friday “best of” list featuring heroines I wouldn’t mind going out for a drink with after work, Mia will be right there at the top.
Max:
Max isn’t your typical arrogant billionaire manwhore hero. He has a public persona that he keeps in place to protect his real self. And his real self…sigh. He’s nice guy yummy goodness through and through (With a little dirty talker yummy goodness thrown in for good measure.)
Max also has a conversation with Mia’s friends towards the end of the book that gave me ALL the feels, too. I might have even teared up a little. (And y’all know I’m NOT a crier. My heart’s a little too cold and black for that.) I won’t give anything away, but that one scene is worth more than the book costs.
And, as usual with an Annika Martin book, the sex scenes are CRAZY hot. I’m not one of those readers who think that sex scenes in romance novels are “the good parts”, but…this book has some VERY sexy good parts.
Long-story-short, this is a 5-MEOW worthy read (you’ll understand that one when you read the book) that I can’t brag on enough. It’s highly, highly 1-clickable.
And don’t forget to check out the Romance Rehab blog for more rants, raves, book lists and other fun romance-y stuff: http://www.romancerehab.com/
Max and Mia have a not so great history…which always makes for the best stories!
The chemistry between them is hawtttt. I think them having that rocky history makes them all the more lovable. This is both a funny and hot read, which Annika is brilliant at.
Pick up this story if you want to be entertained.
I loved this book. I laughed out loud. There were moments that were utterly hilarious. And steamy. Sooo steamy.
Both the hero and heroine were easy to sympathize with. You start off hating Max and pulling for Mia to get revenge. Then things take a turn, and you’re pulling for Max AND Mia. And the ending… *sigh* I won’t give it away, but it ended just as it should have.
I’m a picky reader. It’s hard for me to find a page-turner, and this was exactly that. it was soooo hard to put down.
Oh, my love of Annika Martin’s steamy rom coms grows with every release! This story in particular features a hero and heroine who have NO BUSINESS trying to be together. And, yet, it works! It works so well! Plus, so funny! (I’d mention the cheeto scene, but I can’t ruin it.) I LOVED this book and have enjoyed the entire series. HIGHLY recommend!
I LOVED this book! Sweet, laugh-out-loud, sexy, fun, amazing banter – this book was everything! Annika Martin has quickly become one of my very favorite authors! A must read and my first favorite book of 2019!!!