Rules for Ruin, Mimi Matthews (Review by Danielle Urban)

Rules for Ruin by Mimi Matthews is an unusual spin for the historical fiction genre. it features a school that trains women to disrupt, to discredit, and to distract the patriarchy. Soon, the school gets into tumbles over a particular viscount and they send one of their best girls. Euphemia is a smart yet bitter character. She goes in with all her might to win. However, there is one thing that keeps pushing and pulling at her strings…a man. Only a man could distract Euphemia from her mission. Gabriel is different from other heroes in that he is not wealthy. He came from nothing and built himself up and created his own future. The viscount is definitely in his and Euphemia’s vision. Yet, the uses they have for that viscount are on opposite sides of the scale. Mimi Matthews has created a perfect historical show for all. It has sympathy for the characters, strong lead characters that anyone can like and enjoy following, as well as an interesting twist. This writer has designed her hero almost similar to Gatsby. That’s right Gatsby as in the character from The Great Gatsby. Yes. Like Gatsby, Gabriel built his new life from unusual ways that are not exactly encouraged to follow. From darkness comes light…for Gabriel is no longer suffering and won’t allow an academy girl to destroy the life he has designed. I love the back and forth banters between these characters. They each carry a lot of weight and angst. Each has a goal to accomplish. Who will be the winner is the ultimate question that lingers as the plot quickly unfolds. Overall, I highly recommend this quirky and different twist for all fans of The Great Gatsby, Jane Austen, and rom-coms.