Reviewed by Cheryl Schopen for Readers' Favorite

In Breaking the Rules by Cat Lavoie, Roxy Rule’s life has just turned upside down. Her lifelong best friend, Ollie, kisses her just before he moves thousands of miles away. She can’t stop thinking about it, even though she’s engaged to someone else. Expecting to come home to an empty apartment now that Ollie is gone, she finds her sister there, who is very pregnant. Not long after that, her other sister decides to move in as well amidst a midlife crisis. On top of dealing with her sisters’ problems and her feelings for Ollie and her fiancé, she has a horrific boss that she is getting fed up with, especially since her dream of being a chef seems to be more impossible every day. With the help of her loving and sometimes pushy family and friends, can she figure out who she is and who she belongs with?

Even though I absolutely love chick-lit books, they are usually predictable, and you pretty much know what is going to happen after reading the first few chapters. That is definitely not the case in Breaking the Rules. My jaw literally dropped a few times while reading it because there were some unexpected twists and turns. It just had me on the edge of my seat, refusing to put the book down, which is a rare feeling for a chick-lit book. In addition to the fantastic, unpredictable plot, the characters really made the book for me. From her workaholic older sister to her impulsive younger sister to her friends who are each unique, crazy, and supportive in their own ways, Roxy is definitely not alone. Plus, the friendship between Roxy and Ollie was genuinely sweet and heartwarming. I was sad to see the book end. Breaking the Rules, with its surprising plot, unforgettable characters, and fabulous writing, is a must-read. I’m beyond ecstatic that I discovered Cat Lavoie, this amazingly talented author. I can’t wait to read more of her books.