Against the Rules

By Linda Howard

Book Overview

"You can't just read one Linda Howard" Catherine Coulter
Cathryn Ashe is looking to make a quick trip back home to the ranch she's owned for years since her father's death before returning to her city life. When she was seventeen, she and Rule Jackson, the ranch manager, had a torrid entanglement after which she ran away. Now, eight years later, she returns, sure of herself and her newfound independence and ready to challenge him again.
But Rule had raised the stakes, and if she lost now the penalty would be high: her heart, the heart that she finally knew had always been his for the taking.
But Rule, once wild and now reformed, has never been as passionate about any woman as he is with Cathryn. However the two of them together always end up fighting and disagreeing. As she stays longer, Rule can't help but fall in love with her. Can Rule show Cathryn that they are meant to be together?

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0727884891
• ISBN13: 9780727884893
• Release Date: July 2015
• Publisher: Severn House Publishers
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.97 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.6" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

Would definitely read again

The book was slow to start but then I couldn’t put it down.

Against The Rules by Linda Howard is a must read!

One of LH's earlier works depicting a complicated romance between Rule Jackson and Cathryn Donahue-Ashe. Although, it started out slow, it soon picked up it's momentum with twists and turns, making this book a page turner! Enjoy the journey...

Charming.... easy read

LH's earlier work, this story reminded me of how romance novels used to be written (without being too annoying, think Johanna Lindsey, Jude Deveraux, Judith McNaught, and etc). I noticed the mixed reviews here so keep in mind not everyones taste in romance novels are the same, just know that THIS book is NOT what LH's recent books are like, theres NO hardcore, killing, murders, robbery, CIA, FBI ,etc... nothing of that sort in this story. Dont be disappointed and write bad reviews expecting that... this book was written in 1983, purely fictional gooey 'romance' book. Know what you're getting into. This is a short story about an alpha male named Rule who ends up falling for the daughter of his employer. After an romantic encounter with Rule when she, Cat, was 17 yrs old, she runs away to return years later, feeling more secure, centered, mature and confident since she IS the owner of the ranch... so she thinks. What happens after this is very sweet, theres no real twists and turns to this story, not that I was complaining. The ending was very endearing, it'll make you go awwwww.... you know that warm feeling you get when you've finished reading a sweet, sweet romance novel that makes your heart ache with happiness for fictional characters you've just read about, well this is one of those feel-good books. Its only about 250pgs long, pretty straight up , never dragged on IMHO, easily read'able after work before going to bed. Its going to be one of my fav's of all time. Worth every penny you spend on it. SPOILER.. . . . . . . . I noticed someone mentioning a spanking scene in this book and wanted to remark on it. When this takes place, Cat was 15 years old, throws a fit and smacks Rule( 11yrs older then Cat ) who was at the time boss at the ranch (her father had passed away). He had just told her she was too young to date a 18 years old guy. So she smacked him, so he spanked her, only time it ever happened. It did not sound abusive to me when I read it, but thats just my opinion.

Charming.... easy read

LH's earlier work, this story reminded me of how romance novels used to be written (without being too annoying, think Johanna Lindsey, Jude Deveraux, Judith McNaught, and etc). I noticed the mixed reviews here so keep in mind not everyones taste in romance novels are the same, just know that THIS book is NOT what LH's recent books are like, theres NO hardcore, killing, murders, robbery, CIA, FBI ,etc... nothing of that sort in this story. Dont be disappointed and write bad reviews expecting that... this book was written in 1983, purely fictional gooey 'romance' book. Know what you're getting into. This is a short story about an alpha male named Rule who ends up falling for the daughter of his employer. After an romantic encounter with Rule when she, Cat, was 17 yrs old, she runs away to return years later, feeling more secure, centered, mature and confident since she IS the owner of the ranch... so she thinks. What happens after this is very sweet, theres no real twists and turns to this story, not that I was complaining. The ending was very endearing, it'll make you go awwwww.... you know that warm feeling you get when you've finished reading a sweet, sweet romance novel that makes your heart ache with happiness for fictional characters you've just read about, well this is one of those feel-good books. Its only about 250pgs long, pretty straight up , never dragged on IMHO, easily read'able after work before going to bed. Its going to be one of my fav's of all time. Worth every penny you spend on it. SPOILER.. . . . . . . . I noticed someone mentioning a spanking scene in this book and wanted to remark on it. When this takes place, Cat was 15 years old, throws a fit and smacks Rule( 11yrs older than Cat ) who was at the time boss at the ranch (her father had passed away). He had just told her she was too young to date a 18 years old guy. So she smacked him, so he spanked her, only time it ever happened. It did not sound abusive to me when I read it, but thats just my opinion.

More early excellence from Linda Howard

Rule Jackson may be as politically incorrect as they come, but he is a powerful and fascinating hero for this charming romance. Rule is the foreman of the ranch inherited by Cathryn Ashe when she was a teenager. Cathryn fled the ranch years earlier after she and Rule had a passionate encounter. Rule has been obsessed by the memory of their brief romance, and when Cathryn finally returns to the ranch as a young widow, he is determined to have her and won't take no for an answer. Like I said, totally politically incorrect, but Howard raises the emotional intensity to such scorching levels that all romance fans will find this a compelling read.

More complex than it may seem

This book grows on you. Although Rule is very Alpha he does actually want to change for Cathryn. They affect each other in many possitive ways. This book is more complex than you may think and deserves at least a second more attentive reading. It may surprise you!