Rules for Ruin (The Crinoline Academy #1) by Mimi Matthews
Publication Date: May 20th 2025 by Berkley
Pages: 364
Source: Publisher
Rating: ★★★★★
My
Thoughts:
Euphemia “Effie” Flite is tasked by her former teacher and
guardian, Miss Corvus, to find evidence to ruin Lord Compton, a powerful political
opponent of women’s rights. Effie’s all for women’s rights and wants the
stipend promised to her, so she agrees. She hits a snag on meeting Gabriel
Royce, a man intent on keeping Compton in power.
Lord Compton keeps the law away from Gabriel Royce’s
gambling hall, but that’s not the only reason he wants Lord Compton in his
pocket. Gabriel has plans to help reform the Rookery and he needs Compton’s
connections and influence to accomplish them. Euphemia is a danger to his goals,
but his plans to thwart her are undermined by his growing respect and
attraction to her.
While this sounds like an enemies-to-lovers sort of romance,
these two were never hateful or mean. Effie and Gabriel shared similar values
and goals. Their admiration, attraction and care came through loud and clear
and they had chemistry in spades!
I loved that Effie was a force to be reckoned with, well-educated
in self-defense and strategy! Loved her adorable, spirited poodle, Franc, too!
Rules for Ruin was an utter delight! I was hooked
from page one! The writing was beautiful, the characters multilayered and likable.
I also enjoyed the author’s note detailing some of the history the story was
based on. I can’t wait for the next installment, The Marriage Method (11/25/25)
which centers on Nell and Miles!
5 Stars
Book Description:
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 politician’s systematic attack on women’s rights, 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.
Photo credit: Vickie Hahn 2021
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 a retired Andalusian dressage horse, a Sheltie, and two Siamese cats. Learn more online at www.mimimatthews.com.
