Love is a battlefield for a quirky matchmaker and the cocky football star who hires her to find him a wife.As the owner of Perfect Pairings matchmaking service, Maddie McRae earns her living helping others fall in love. And one thing the sweet Southern belle knows for sure is that the foundation of wedded bliss is built on similarities: opposites might attract, but they don’t stay together. Enter … don’t stay together.
Enter Mason Spark.
Rude, arrogant, and notoriously allergic to monogamy, the hottest quarterback in the NFL is Maddie’s polar opposite. He’s also her new client. Her gorgeous, infuriating new client who’s paying her an outrageous sum of money to find him a wife. With his multi-million dollar contract on the line due to his behavior on and off the field, bad boy Mason is willing to pretend to settle down.
But when he starts to fall for the adorkable matchmaker who can’t stand him, the playboy finds himself in the game of his life to keep something he never thought he’d lose—his heart.
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A laugh out loud, fun, romantic read. From the very first page this book will have you laughing and enjoying the read all the way to The End. Definitely a book I will enjoy reading again and again.
Such an enjoyable read!! I laughed so much throughout the book. One of the best rom-coms I’ve read!
After two rather disappointing books from Ms. Geissinger, she knocked it out of the park with Rules of Engagement!
This rom com was hilarious, fun, sexy and so very entertaining! It’s told from multiple 1st person POV. Mostly chapters from the hero and heroine, but also a few random chapters told by the two parental figures in their lives. It was a fun addition and brought a lot of insight to both Maddie and Mason!
Now, the very first chapter, I did not like. I have a hard time with heroes who hate themselves. The first quarter of the chapter is him talking about how much he loves the f word (gag me) and then the rest is him trash talking himself. I literally thought, “oh no, am I gonna dislike this book too?” But after that chapter, it was literally the best book!
Ms. Geissinger created back stories for both hero and heroine which made their current behavior totally plausible and they each defended each other to others and themselves! It really was fantastic.
My only other complaint is that the heroine was 5 ft tall and the hero was 6’5″. I HATE RIDICULOUS HEIGHT DIFFERENCES LIKE THIS. Yeah yeah, I know it happens in real life, but the logistics of it is so ridiculous, it makes me roll my eyes everytime the two characters come in physical contact. Thankfully, their height difference wasn’t a big focus and in my head, I pictured them much more proportioned.
Other than that, the love story, the banter, the relationships with other people, etc… was all fantastic!
There was many uses of the f word. I wish there hadn’t of been so many, but the story itself was so good that I was able to look past it. There was one full and detailed sex scene and one beginning scene that faded to black.
This was okay for me. The writing flowed well for the most part, but the build up to their relationship just went on too long in my opinion. When Maddie is still fighting her attraction to Mason over 70% of the book that’s just too much slow burn for me. She was still trying to fix him up with other women at that point. I was ready to put the book down because I felt like it was drug out too long. Now the good things. I have to say, I LOVED the banter between them. I laughed out loud a couple of different times. The scene with Mason and his coach was hilarious! Even though it took Maddie WAY too long to get there, I was very happy to see them get their HEA. This was a first for me from this author, but I would definitely read her again!
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book.
Absolutely loved it!!
Oh, mercy. I loved everything about this amazing story. I loved falling in love with Mason and Madison. J.T. Geissinger did an amazing job telling this adorable, swoon-worthy story.
Madison is everything I wanted and so much more. I love how she believes in forever. I love how she loves love. She’s sweet, kind, and good. Taking on Mason makes her regret her decision, but not for long. Mason is a jerk. Let’s be honest. I want to say that he’s misunderstood, but the truth is he’s not. The longer Mason and Madison spend time together, the more Madison gets to see the man Mason really is. He has an ego, but he can. He can have the ego because he’s great at what he does.
It was great watching these two come together. It was great having a little help from a couple of friends. I loved this story. I loved watching Mason and Madison fall. I can’t wait for J.T. Geissinger’s next book.
Loved the quirkiness of this book and these characters! While Maddie believes in true love, she owns and operates a matchmaking business to try and pair people together that will spark that love. Behind her is her aunt who plays fairy godmother to her in order to help push her in the right direction. Mason is a famous athlete who really has had fame and money go to his head, and has a fairy godfather on his side who pushes him to make changes in his life. When the pair meet, they’re like oil and water and it becomes extremely comical to see them fight the feelings and chemistry they undoubtedly have for each other. With the help of their fairy godparents to push them in the right direction, another wrench is thrown into their HEA with Maddie’s ex-boyfriend, and it’s there that we see a change in Mason and his true colors start to emerge. I loved the characters and their quirkiness, especially Maddie and her love for Harry Potter! Loved this twist on a classic storyline and definitely will have to get more from this author!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Two broken hearts become one w fire & humor
Mason needs to redeem himself. His reputation is partying, bimbos, and a hair trigger temper. His agent has him working w the most annoying matchmaker. After a bunch of others ‘fired’ him as a client. A matchmaker who he can’t get out of his head.
He and Maddie rub each other the wrong way. She decides she will coach him vs matchmaking.
Neither of them realize they have been manipulated into working with each other.
Maddie has kept herself buttoned down for years. Mason undoes her completely. And Maddie sees him. Really sees him. Not for his fame, wealth, or prickly demeanour. She sees him.
Hilarious, sweet, steamy, fiery, heartwarming. A dash of drama. I loved it! All the feels!
I received a review copy. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I cannot even begin to tell you how much I loved this story. There’s just something so special in kind of broken characters finding true love. Sometimes we get these type of stories in a very angsty way, but there are others, like this one, that take you on a journey filled with smiles and laughs even as the characters try to navigate their feelings. And that’s what I loved the most about this one. It’s a unique story.
Mason and Maddie are perfect for each other, but these two can’t realize that with all the hate being thrown both ways from each other. Though dear Mason, did know from the first moment she was a keeper. Mason and his troubled past had me wanting to find a way to heal him and to make him see that he is worthy. Maddie, on the other hand, is such a good woman. She is smart, kind and just exactly what Mason needs in his life. I love how even when he’s misbehaving, she still finds it in her to forgive him and gives him a chance to reedem himself.
I just loved these two together. When I realized I was near the end of the book I nearly cried because I just couldn’t get enough of them together. In a way, they went from hate/not so hate, through a friendship filled with flirting, to finally opening their eyes and admitting their feelings for each other. I love how thoughtful they are of each other, how they see their true selves. And the chemistry? It’s so hot and it burns with every turn of the pages, even as they’re having their usual fights.
A brilliant, funny and swoony story.
Rules for dealing with a stubborn jack…of a man:
1. Don’t lose your smile.
1.A. Okay, that was next to impossible so don’t lose your kindness and understanding.
1.B. Or in the event of loss of understanding, never resort to their level.
1.C. Once all Hades has broken loose, do NOT yell or name call.
1.C.i. Unless an overgrown orangutan of a man makes it utterly impossible not to, then pray! Pray that the letter opener never actually “accio”s to your hand.
2. …At this point in getting to Mason, or Mace, it’s clear that rule 1 and its subsidiaries will never be achieved, so do what I did:
– Put on comfy clothes (i.e. pajamas)
– grab your go to beverage for decompressing
– make sure you have a napkin/papertowel handy
– get snuggled down and enjoy because this is all out war!
With several laugh out loud moments and plenty of nerdom nods, Rules of Engagement with have even the hopelessly unromantic smiling and fully appreciating auras. (Go with it, you too will appreciate it!)
Just remember not to judge a girl by her Meth Addict Barbie Pink lipstick!
Rules of Engagement is a standalone rom-com, and a book I couldn’t put down. I wasn’t always into rom-com’s I leaned more towards the darker side of romance, but after reading the blurb I knew I had to give this book a chance and I am so glad I did.
This was funny, unique, and enticing read that had me laughing my butt off.
Mason and Maddie are complete opposite, they couldn’t be more different.
Mason is rough, he’s miserable, he lives a miserable life too. You could say he’s an alcoholic, or close enough. He uses the drink and endless hookups to try and shut out any kind of emotion, he’s trying to avoid the fact his life is miserable so he numbs everything out. The thing is though, there is so much more to him. He’s smart, and I mean really smart, and he does have a soft side, but that was so buried under his drunken hazed hookups. It wasn’t until Maddie came into his life that he started to grow as a character and it was awesome to read.
Maddie is outspoken, she’s quirky, she’s feisty and witty and she didn’t put up with his bad habits and bad behavior, and everything that Mason needed but didn’t know he needed. She kept him guessing yet in a way she looked after him. She was perfect for him and the way she was able to bring this softer side out.
I am not diving into this plot but I do want to say a few things. Get ready to laugh your head off, swoon, sway and fall in love with these characters. This book is full of charm and love and passion and quirkiness… It was heartwarming and had my heart fluttering throughout the book. Just an uplifting and fun kind of read. It was truly a breath of fresh air to read and I managed to devour it in one sitting!
BUY THE BOOK!
You will not be disappointed
5 Stars
This book is freakin fantastic. I was honestly not expecting I will enjoy and love this story so much but it really took me by surprise. I binge read this story. The story was captivating, engaging and exceptionally well written. I indulged and enjoyed every bit of it. To be honest when I read the blurb I didn’t think this book would have anything different , seemed like nothing new or fresh , there are stories written on this plot . But boy was I wrong and I am so glad to be proved wrong . From the story execution to the characters everything had a fresh perspective. I loved Mason and Maddie’s characters. The banter and chemistry between these two was phenomenal. Maddie definitely was my favorite character in the book with her proper southern charm. A binge read this book in one sitting and absolutely loved it. It deserves all the f- stars . This is going in my re-read list . Definitely a must read! Would highly recommend this book.
5 TERRIFIC STARS!! What a terrific story….I could not put it down. Mason and Maddie was fun, sexy and with all the feels. This book had a smile on my face, these two were perfect. Looking for a book to put a smile on your face….here you go.
It’s no wonder that Ms Geissinger is one of my favourite writers and I read everything that she writes. Rules of Engagement shows what a brilliant and versatile writer she is, whatever she does from romantic thrillers to rockstar romances, to hot and sexy love stories to hilarious rom-coms they are all amazing.
I was drawn into this right from the first page and could not put it down, talk about opposites attracting, as angry, obnoxious, massive NFL player Mason meets feisty, petite southern girl Maddie when he signs up with her matchmaking agency and asks her to find him a wife. Not that he really wants one, he just wants to try and clean up his reputation on and off the field before he is fired. Maddie is not intimidated by him or by his foul mouth she can give as good as she gets and more and the arguing and banter between them is hysterical.
As much as Maddie is determined to find him a suitable match she starts to realize that he is becoming more to her, but he is her client and is therefore off limits. Mason has no desires to find a life partner but things change has he starts to have feelings for Maddie especially when her slimy ex appears back on the scene.
The ups and downs of their budding relationship are truly hilarious and you cannot help but lol, especially when Maddie’s Aunt Waldine and Mason’s agent Dick start scheming to get Maddie and Mason together. However it is not all frivolity as some dark secrets that explain a lot are revealed
A wonderful read that you will truly enjoy, if you need to lighten your mood this one will do it!
5 Sparky Stars
I can’t even begin to tell you how much I LOVED Mason and Maddie. JT Geissinger does such an amazing job bringing so much life to her characters.
The tension between Mason and Maddie was totally obvious from the very beginning. It was so think it was nearly tangible—practically a character on its own. The whole opposites-attract/enemies-to-lovers vibe they had through the entire story was epically funny. Their banter was the BEST! I can’t tell you how much I laughed, but it was a heckuva LOT!
Though they appeared to be nowhere near compatible it was obvious to everyone but themselves how much alike they actually were. Both traumatized to a point their personalities where the epitome of their grief. Mason was abrasive, loud and gruff. Maddie was prim, controlled and overly put together. But with a meddling agent and an eccentric auntie… they worked through the differences to accept what was right in front of them.
I immediately feel in love with these characters and enjoyed every single word of their story. Rules of Engagement was funny, sweet and inspirational.
Rules of Engagement was quirky, funny, sweet, sexy and steamy. I admit that I had a few issues with it in the beginning, I had a hard time getting into because I wasn’t really connecting with the characters among other things but when I finally got into it I was all in. I enjoyed Maddie and Mason’s journey. I definitely recommend it.
Copy provided by author
Rules of Engagement is a fabulously funny, sweet, emotional romcom that will having you falling in love with Maddie and Mason.
What happen when the match maker meets her shall we say match? Maddie is a Southern Belle that has a sharp sense of humor and sass for miles . When she is to set up her most difficult client in her career she is put to the test to find this difficult brooding man a wife.
Mason Spark is a man of means. He is a pro baller that has seen his share of tabloids and scandal. When his agent suggests a makeover in the relationship department he never thought the match maker herself would set his world off kilter !
Maddie and Mason butt heads at every turn but it soon becomes apparent that their verbal sparring his fueled with sexual tension. They have the best one liners and witty banter!! I loved it . These two also have a pasts which cause them to be the beautiful but slightly broken people that they are today but it is also what makes them exactly who they should be ! If they could break down those walls and really see each other for who they truly are then they can maybe learn to finally live!
They have such a great story to tell !!
~~Michele McMullen ~~
Maddie McRae is a matchmaker and she has taken on her toughest client yet. Quarterback Mason Spark needs to find a fake wife to improve his image otherwise he would lose his endorsement contracts and that is the only thing he cares about. Maddie has tried but when she actually meets Mason in person, she can’t help but call him on the carpet for being a jerk.
Rules of Engagement by J.T. Geissinger is one of the funniest books I have read in a while because of all of the back and forth between Maddie and Mason when they slowly realize there is something between them.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author to review for Stephanie’s Book Reports.
As the owner of Perfect Pairings matchmaking service, Maddie McRae earns her living helping others fall in love. And on thing the sweet Southern belle knows for sure is that the foundation of wedded bliss is built on similarities: opposites might attract, but they don’t stay together. Enter Mason Spark.
Rude, arrogant, and notoriously allergic to monogamy, the hottest quarterback in the NFL is Maddie’s polar opposite. He’s her new client. Her gorgeous, infuriating new client who is paying her an outrageous sum of money to find him a wife. With is multi-million dollar contact on the line due to his behavior on and off the field, bad boy Mason is willing to pretend to settle down. But when he starts to fall for the adorable matchmaker who can’t stand him, the playboy finds himself in the game of his life to keep something he never thought he’d lose-his heart.
Rules of Engagement is a rom com from J.T. Gessinger. You are going to fall so in love with Maddie and Mason. He will drive you absolutely crazy one minute and you will be swooning over him he next. Just like Maddie. They are fire and water. Lightening and thunder and it seems to me that they enjoyed annoying each other to pieces. I thought it was a sweet little story. If your in the mood for a rom com this is one you might want to try.
4.5 solid stars of belly laughs (and groans). I made the error of starting this at about 9 pm. I had a VERY late night that night. An unlikely pairing shows that sometimes love and relationships aren’t always what you expect, or think you want. Watching the relationship bloom between Maddie and Mason was not only entertaining, but heart wrenching (in a good way).
A great read for a rainy day or afternoon on the beach!