“Smart, nuanced, and so, so romantic!” –Kate Clayborn, author of Love Lettering ROOMMATE WANTED to share a gorgeous sun-filled apartment in Central Harlem. Must love cats. No ex-husbands or wives need apply. Seventeen years ago, different dreams pulled Simon Mizrahi and Lana Kuo apart. But when Lana takes a position as a chef back in Manhattan, her apartment search puts her right in her … right in her ex-husband’s path. Music teacher Simon is also hunting for a new place to live, and when Lana proposes they be platonic roomies, well…it’s not the worst idea he’s ever heard.
A sunny uptown two-bedroom sounds far more appealing than the cramped, noisy space where he’s currently struggling to work. Still, Simon has seen firsthand that Lana’s a flight risk, so he agrees on a trial basis.
Three months. With strict boundaries.
Living together again feels wonderfully nostalgic, but when the ex-couple’s lingering feelings rise to the surface, the rules go out the window.
Of course, chemistry was never their problem. But while Simon’s career feels back on solid footing, Lana is still sorting out what she wants. With their trial period soon coming to an end, they’ll have to decide if their living arrangement was merely a sexy trip down memory lane or a reunion meant to last.
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I’ve loved this entire series for its realism and intensity and relatable characters, and also the fact that it’s all built around property in NYC. That feels like such a fun and original and grounded concept, one Lang plays with brilliantly. And she worked her usual magic with House Rules, which was a down-to-earth and deliciously domestic story of ex-spouses living as roommates and coming to terms with who they are, what they need, and how they can be together without the mistakes of the past.
Lang has such a knack for adult, emotionally mature development that hits me hard and leaves me thinking for at least a week afterwards. But because they’re also fun and sweet, these books work as comfort reads too. And this one was as sexy as ever. Basically, it’s ticking every box.
I love how it explored the universal things that make navigating a relationship so hard, like personal unhappiness, location, jobs, money, and dreams. I am not a huge fan of second chance romance, but this one hit the right note with me because there was so much emphasis on growth, change, and the now. It was really evident why they needed to be apart in the past, and why they will absolutely work in the future. The ending in particular was just super romantic and fabulous and perfect.
Also, Muffin was absolutely the star of the show. Chaotic Cats 4 Lyfe.
I adored this book. This is a second chance love story between two people who were married and divorced (not due to cheating, due to life things and not understanding themselves and their relationship, which felt so super real) who become roommates because NYC is expensive and it was just so GOOD. I loved watching Simon and Lana figure out who they each were now and that their feelings weren’t just nostalgia, that they were real and true and they were good together like they were now, who they’d become not who they expected they’d be. I adored the very realistic family concerns and the way the figured out how to negotiate their new dreams and build a life together felt so good and so right. I just really, really, enjoyed it and is a perfect addition to the series.
Loved this one! Ex-spouses Simon and Lana meet again 17 years after parting. They’ve both changed, but they have one thing in common: both need a place to stay, and Lana’s discovered the perfect apartment. She proposes a flat share arrangement, and Simon agrees on a temporary basis. Of course, old feelings resurface.
I enjoyed the indepth character development in this one. Forced proximity means exhausted chef Lana and uptight music teacher Simon must confront what actually went wrong the first time, and what each actually wants and needs now. Lang does this with a deft hand. The love scenes are tasty, the food scenes too, and the cat is adorable. A very satisfying read. Highly recommend!
House Rules is an adorable and sweet story about two exes who decide to room together out of necessity.
Lana and Simon divorced long ago. At that time, both were young and each had individual dreams that saw them going in opposite directions. They lost touch but miracles of crazy miracles, they somehow end up looking at the same apartment for rent. The unexpected reunion is awkward, it’s familiar, it’s … a fortuitous coincidence? Since both of them need to find a place – she has a new job at a restaurant and she can’t afford a place on her own, and he needs to leave his place that’s being converted into condos – Lana suggests that they rent together. It makes sense on paper: they’re not strangers and their work will have them keeping different hours so they won’t get in each other’s way. It’s almost perfect. Well, they’re not quite prepared for the onslaught of memories and warm feelings that resurface. They fall into an easy pattern and behave as if they’re still together, so naturally things start to get interesting and complicated between them.
It struck me towards the end that I didn’t know how much I wanted a story featuring a couple in their forties. There’s a certain wisdom that comes with experience and perspective that takes away the angst of the younger years. It was lovely seeing them get reacquainted while they also had honest and heartfelt discussions about the breakdown of their marriage. Aside from their relationship they’re also figuring out what the next step is in their careers. Lana is doing exactly what she’s always wanted to do which is working at a trendy restaurant but when she actually takes stock of her career, or what she had dreamed of, and sets it against what she’s doing in reality, she realizes that she doesn’t have the energy anymore. Maybe that’s an incorrect way of putting it. It’s more like she’s admitting to herself that she has changed and her dreams have shifted, and she wants to use her time and energy differently and in a way that feels more rewarding. That so resonated with me and that’s what I absolutely loved about House Rules – whatever future they had initially envisioned for themselves they eventually found the courage to adapt those dreams to match who they had become.
This was my first Ruby Lang book and I found it to be a pleasant read. There was no drama for the sake of drama which was nice. Instead it was simply two adults coming together after some significant time apart, getting to know each other again and appreciate the individuals they had become. I can easily go for that!
~ Bel
Source: advance e-galley provided in exchange for an honest review
The best in the series so far! I absolutely loved the characters, Lang is a master with characters each book features new and unique ones and this one is a character base few write about and well they should be featured more. I also have to say this was also the steamiest of the series too
I liked the first two books in Ruby Lang’s Uptown trilogy, but “House Rules” was by far my favorite one of the three. This story featured likeable, relatable protagonists in their 40s, which I really enjoyed because so many of the stories I read focus on characters that are much younger than that. I’m only a few years younger than Simon and Lana, so it was easy for me to relate to where they were in their lives and careers. In particular, I had to chuckle when the aches and pains of middle age were mentioned; I can already feel them starting to creep up on me, just like they were on Lana and Simon!
I really loved the way that Simon and Lana’s relationship developed over the course of the story. As former spouses, there was obviously a lot of history between them, and they had to be careful not to fall back into old patterns when they moved in together. It took time for them to get to know each other again and start to understand how they had each grown in the time they were apart. Lana found a fulfilling career and learned to ask for the things she needed to be happy, while Simon needed to learn to be more open to change and not to force his judgments on others. As more mature adults, they fit together much better than they did when they were in their 20s, and I had no problem believing that their relationship would work the second time around.
Overall, I highly recommend “House Rules” and look forward to seeing what Ms. Lang writes next.
*ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
This is the first book that I have read by this author and it was a good read. Second chance romance for Simon and Lana. The attraction was still there even after being divorced for so long. Loved watching them find their way back to each other again.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Lana Kuo and Simon Mizrahi were once a married couple who had different dreams that tore their marriage apart. Fast forward seventeen years later and now while apartment hunting, they run into each other back in Manhattan. With the skyrocketing rent, Lana has a brilliant idea of being roommates. What is the worst that could happen? How about a trial with strict boundaries? Sure that would work, until their attraction for each other resurfaces. Ooops.
I loved this series and enjoy the NYC couples and how Ruby Lang approaches these amazing romance stories. They are so creative and quite swoon worthy. I really enjoy reading about very ordinary people whose unusual circumstances bring them together for a nice HEA that I love reading about. I highly enjoyed this book and recommend for an amazing heart fluttering and sexy read.
I’m always fascinated by stories of second chance love, true love, and those that examine what it means to be soul mates and for that reason, this title intrigued me.
After leaving her husband seventeen years ago to find herself, Lana finds herself back in New York and looking for a place to live. She runs into her ex-husband while apartment hunting, stirring up all sorts of emotions and memories. When the perfect apartment becomes available, Lana gets the brilliant idea to offer the spare bedroom to her ex-husband. After some soul-searching and construction, he accepts and they begin their cohabitation.
Try as they might to keep their relationship to roommates-only, their proximity to each other is the catalyst for falling into feelings they had for each other in the past, and the return of their physical relationship is inevitable.
But both Lana and Simon need to figure out why their marriage failed seventeen years ago and to not repeat the mistakes of the past.
I did like this story. The characters are diverse and have very interesting careers that could potentially impact their future. And when circumstances change, they will have to make some really important decisions. I liked that about the story.
Overall, a nice sized story with two interesting characters who did not set out to rekindle their marriage, but yet it happens. Definitely a feel-good romance.
I had a great chance to receive this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. It’s the first time I’m giving a 5 star review to an ARC. Therefore reporting my thoughts is easy to write. First, even if I loved the first 2 books of Ruby Lang Uptown series, this one is my favorite. I have to point out that this series contains only stand-alone. They only have in common that they start in a visit to a Harlem apartment. The story is very different than the usual romance. First, the protagonists are in their early forties, but moreover, they were previously married to each other. I absolutely don’t want to spoil the story, and I will only say that you’ll follow them as they found their way back to each other. As usual in Ruby Lang’s books, Simon, the hero, is not an alpha male, just a man that could exist in real life, not only in our dreams. Probably also because of my personal history, I connected immediately with Lana. I could feel her determination, the courage to reach back to Simon while convincing herself that she should not be attracted to him. As usual with this author, the sharp point is the writing. It seems that every word, each sentence were well sorted out. For instance, I relished how the love scenes were balanced. Just what was needed to feel the passion without too much technicality. I also noticed that this Miss Lang is very skilled at describing food. I wish I could try Lana’s noodles.
This book arrived in my life at the perfect moment, I needed to believe in second chances, to see that with time, we all change and get wiser. We can see what is good for us.
I was excited to read a second chance romance with MCs in their forties, especially as it was also roommates to lovers; these are three favorite things of mine, all wrapped into one book. My expectations were high, as I generally love Ruby Lang’s romances, and especially have been enjoying this series. I adored book two so much, and this one gave it a run for it’s money.
Read my full review on my blog: https://coreysbookcorner.wordpress.com/2020/01/27/review-of-house-rules/
House Rules by Ruby Lang
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Lana Kai is back from culinary school and needs a place to settle that is convenient and near her work – a cook. She found the perfect spot, but space and rent were too much for her to shoulder alone. Lana was in a bind and needs to find a place soon to take on a great job. In comes the most unlikely person that could solve her problem – her ex-husband, Simon, who she bumped into an open house viewing.
Simon Mizrahi is a music teacher and has lived at his apartment for as long as he could remember – (maybe) too long. He is still under a rent control apartment dilapidating faster than the economy recovers from the Asian Crisis.
House Rules might sound light and easy, but it’s anything but. Coming into the book, the main characters of Simon and Lana have a lot between them. Their familiarity, past union, and knowing more about each other than anyone outside sharing space and proximity can turn out into a big revelation or disaster. Some heavy topics mentioned in the book, like fertility, self-worth, self-love, forgiveness, acceptance, etc., all rolled into sixteen chapters that may trigger some, so take this as a disclosure.
I love the internal conflicts between Lana and Simon. Their relationship kept developing even after being separated for years. They grew separately then now, maturing together as roomies. I appreciate the author showing us that second chances do not discriminate between age or culture when two people are right for each other.
Simon and Lana have tried being together early in their youth, but the relationship did not work. They got a divorce, and Lana moved worlds apart. As a result, to pursue her passion and find herself. You would think that Lana would have been happy and stayed where she was, out of the country, and find her happiness with someone else. That wasn’t it for this book. Lana and Simon have their chemistry intact and steady after many years. They met and got married early but lost themselves as a couple. They know deep down that they were each other’s “soulmates,” but the timing was off. They needed to grow separately to be perfect for each other. How they found their way back to each other is a cute and endearing story after all these years.
I am frustrated with Simon. He did not realize that he has a strained relationship with his sister, Maxine, because of his “inflexible” mindset. He is a focused individual and expects the same from the people around him. Simon, being a perfectionist with a reasonably closed mindset, has caused his relationships to suffer or strain. Unfortunately, no one told him about it until late into his 40s; else, he could have salvaged so many things.
Lana was lovely! I liked her – A LOT!
In the face of thing was imploding nearing the end, Lana’s newfound confidence and conviction enabled her to stay positive. It did not distract her into self-pity with what happened and instead made her accept that things can go wrong. She was able to set everything into perspective and stir her back to the positives.
In summary, House Rules is my most favorite book in the Uptown series by the author. I love second chance themes, but more so, if characters come back and grow and mature to prove they will be in the relationship in the long haul this time around. There has to be a “separation period” to find themselves than to lose their identity as a couple. I love how Lana found the strength to pull herself out of an unsatisfying situation, made changes for her betterment, and found a way to come back and realize the good in what she left behind (that it was undeniable and meant-to-be). She makes others around her do the same – constantly leaping to self-improvement each day.
This was wonderful!
Ruby Lang is a new-to-me author, and though this is the third in her Uptown series. it worked just fine as a standalone.
Though of course now I have to read the first two books ASAP. But I digress…
Ms Lang immediately drew me into Simon and Lana’s story. I loved that they are both in their forties, which IMO increased the possibility that their second chance romance could actually work. It’s been seventeen years since their divorce, after all–who isn’t going to change in seventeen years?–and they’re not the same people whose misunderstandings and miscommunications made them choose to be apart then.
Of course they’re going to have new misunderstandings and miscommunications now–it’s a romance novel, and we need conflict!–but now that they both now what they were missing when they were apart and how good they can be together again, they’ll work even harder to stay together…right?
You’ll have to read House Rules to find out for sure. Except spoiler alert: the publisher tells you right in the blurb that they guarantee an HEA or HFN, so yeah, this time these crazy kids are going to make it. Which means you’re going to have to read House Rules instead for the loveliness that is their second chance romance, to see the pleasure that Simon takes in his concerts and his teaching, and to witness the strength that Lana hadn’t realized she had in her, to meet Muffin the cat, and to confirm that no, smoking hot sex scenes aren’t just for the twenty- and thirty-year olds in romancelandia.
(Thank god.)
Rating: 4 stars / A
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
I am an absolute goner for second chance romances between two people who once loved each other, but it either wasn’t the right time or they couldn’t get themselves together enough to talk through their problems. Even better if it’s both! All the sweet angsty “coulda woulda shoulda” feels, and this book has that in spades. From the very first scene, when Simon catches a glimpse of his ex-wife in an apartment viewing, and all sorts of complicated feelings stir deep inside him… I was hooked, and I kept reading late into the night until I finished. Highly recommend.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, it drew me in from the very beginning, it has a great storyline and fabulous characters, with more than a few laugh out loud moments. Definitely makes you giggle and smile too. Love this story. Loved all the characters. Was sucked in from the start. Could not wait to see what would happen next. The characters make for one fun couple for you to fall in love with. There connection is off the charts. Can’t wait to read more by this author. Happy reading!!
House Rules is the third in Ruby Lang’s Uptown series, and while I haven’t read the first two, I had no problem reading this one as a standalone. The story is a fast-paced second chance romance with likable characters and witty dialogue. The angst is pretty low overall, and I like that the author doesn’t throw a lot of drama at us just for the sake of adding drama to the story. Simon and Lana do have good chemistry, and they’re an easy couple to root for. Simon is just adorable with the way he overthinks things, and Lana is still coming into her own despite her age. Fun romances are harder and harder to find when they feature characters who don’t fall into the new adult category. For those of us who are also past that new adult stage, it’s refreshing to find such a story, and this one is a fun read. So, if you’re looking for an engaging romance in a fairly quick read, this is one to check out.
House Rules by Ruby Lang
Uptown #3
Meeting the man you were once married to after seventeen years apart could put a damper on your day or perhaps a spark in your eye. Simon and Lana do meet again at an open house while looking for an apartment to rent in NY. They chat a bit, realize they won’t see one another again and go on their merry way only to end up in the same apartment as roommates. They have rules to follow, a gorgeous place to stay, their own jobs, a rescue cat and increasing difficulty not acting on those embers that that are being fanned from their past relationship. This is a second chance romance with a couple in their forties given the chance to see whether or not they might be able to get it right this time around.
What I liked:
* Both are more mature than they were seventeen years before…mostly more mature
* Muffin – the cat
* The way friends and family are supportive and play a part in the story
* The lack of major drama as they get back together
* Lana – she has made a vow to herself that she will be honest and ask for what she needs/wants – and that is what she does. Also admired her for finding what made her happy and not remaining in a situation that made her unhappy.
* Simon – a bit set in his ways and not one to embrace change easily but he does want to embrace Lana
* The communication between Lana and Simon
What I didn’t like:
* Sometimes Simon was not as open as I would have liked for him to be and perhaps a bit self centered
Thank you to NetGalley and Carina Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.
3-4 Stars
HOUSE RULES by Ruby Lang is book Three in the Uptown Series. This is the story of Simon Mizrahi and Lana Kuo. I have not yet read the previous books so for me this was a standalone book.
Simon and Lana had been married but divorced due to each other having different dreams and aspirations. There was not cheating and they still have lingering feelings but Lana moved away. Now back in their present day Simon is still in his little apartment that he can no longer stand, but plans to look for something else. Lana has moved back to Manhattan for a job and needs to find a roommate to help her with the high rented apartment. Simon and Lana end up going into an agreement to be roommates but with strict rules and to reevaluate their agreement in 3 months. This was a sweet no extra drama book about a older couple getting their second changes. Really enjoyed it as a older women.
This is a second chance love story. Simon and Lana were married and then divorced. Now, in their mid forties they meet again when they’re both looking for somewhere to live. Circumstances lead to them sharing a lovely apartment. Their lives are sufficiently different that they don’t need to see much of each other, but they can’t stop looking for each other.
There are many things I liked about this story. The characters were so relatable. I loved that they were starting to feel old. Simon was often tired, not from doing anything especially tiring, but just from the day!
Simon was very sweet, if a little self centred. He grew a lot by the end. Lana is thoughtful and independent in a way that felt hard won. I liked that she was physically strong and this was hard won too.
There were a few little observations that I especially liked – like Lana taking the fact that she wouldn’t be the only Asian woman in the neighbourhood into consideration when thinking about moving.
I usually like Ruby Lang’s books and this was no exception. A lovely read.
This book was just the perfect size for me. Sometimes I need a book that I can binge read and this one was definitely that book. This is the first book I have read by this author, but I was in love with this story. Lana and Simon had my heart.
First off, I love a couple that is around my age. I felt like I could relate to this book on so many levels and a couple in their early 40s is right up my alley. Not only that, I think my new favorite trope is reconnecting after divorce. I am in love with books that have the couple able to get past the mistakes they made when they were younger and make changes so they can be together.
When we are young, everything we do is based off emotion and we communicate with our partner so little in fear of them not liking what we have to say. As we get older, we realize what is important to us and we grow as people. This book had all of that in spades. I absolutely loved this story. The author had a more mature writing style than I am used to, but I will definitely pick up more of the books in this series.