Initially a tad off putting and very slow to find its rhythm, Kristyn J. Miller’s debut novel Seven Rules for Breaking Hearts finishes strong as it weaves a cautionary tale of how too many rules protecting us, can also act as the weights that sink us.

Meet Margo (Go for short) of the dynamic duo Jo and Go from the Seven Rules for Breaking Hearts – a podcast by single women, for single women who want to stay that way. At least, that was the plan until Margo discovers that her partner in crime has found the love of her life and is getting married! Now Margo’s world (and financial future) has been turned upside down. Their audience is not happy, their sponsors are dropping, and Margo is fresh out of ideas. With Season Seven coming up and Jo’s impending nuptials only two weeks away, Margo decides to go nuclear. She is going to break all seven rules and prove why they are necessary for those who are now questioning the validity of the show. The problem is, Margo needs a guinea pig. Stuck on an island, her choices are limited. Solution? She sets her intentions on the groom’s best man and conveniently – her former childhood nemesis. Not only will she get the content she needs for the show, she’ll finally get a little payback for the nightmares he caused her in high school. Staying true to her commitment to being single, she isn’t worried about catching feelings or wanting a relationship. All that matters is she gets what’s needed for the show. She just has to keep telling herself that as her heart starts to get other ideas.

What I like about it: The most frustrating (and highly relatable) thing about Margo is that she over complicated everything! Whether is was content for the podcast, being honest with Jo, dealing with Declan – if it could take three steps, she made it twelve! Even the bartender Shelley called her out on it! Simple just wasn’t her forte. It was as if making a less complex decision made it easier to be blamed if things went wrong. Her attention to the rules were also her gateway drug to self-sabotage. If things don’t work out, it is not because of her, it is because of the rules and that is why they are in place.

What I love about it: I loved how many of the stories were circular. The initial phone disappearance and the ominous warning that caused it to be her undoing. The return to the hotel because of the elevator incident. Rehashing what happened in high school with her old nemesis. It took the everything old is new concept and ran with it.

What I don’t like about it: I am all for setting a good foundation; but, eight chapters in and I still didn’t feel like we were moving forward with the book. The sprinkling of cookie crumb premises just made it move too slowly initially. We got the general idea within the first few chapters: podcast potentially in trouble due to best friend getting married, high school nemesis will be at the wedding, and Margo can’t seem to let go of the past, try as she might. Too much time was spent on setting the scene (as gorgeous as it may have been) and firmly establishing the premise (again – thoroughly achieved within the first few chapters).

In terms of spiciness – this was definitely an open door romance that brought the heat! It was surprising how reserved Declan was and yet behind close doors, wow! The build up moments were just as intense but most of all, I appreciated how “in his feelings” he was about the whole thing. It wasn’t surprising as the connection between the two characters was super charged from their reunion. I simply loved how Declan and Margo played off each other so well how much that intensified every physical exchange!

Overall, the concept of self-sabotage, co-dependency, and vulnerability were front and center in this book. Margo was a mixed cocktail of past and present. Having never truly faced the demons of her past, she simply built walls to protect herself and rules so she wasn’t the victim – whether it was love, trust, or connections (friendship or otherwise). She kept everyone and everything at bay because it was the easiest way to protect herself. Declan was the only one who saw and appreciated Margo for who she was (even if she no longer knew who that was, having embodied the persona of “Go” for so long). Watching those walls crumble as she got closer to Declan was the highlight of the story. Yes, we witnessed what happened when she stopped following the rules but we also saw how pain equals growth and without that, we are stagnant.

One final note I will make is the interesting perspective of influencers or celebrities in general. In an ever changing time, influencers are becoming a dominant force in the world of social media. With that comes a peek into their privates lives and opinions of said life. The need to create content exposes more and more of who they are, making them suspectible to the onslaught of ridicule. Same with celebrities, heaven forbid an actress ages or just decides to be casual for a day, the internet becomes a stage of public disdain. For those who do not live and die by social media, we don’t realize that. To do what you love, to put yourself out there, you have to be willing to leave the gate to your personal life ajar. You no longer get to choose what is shared and what isn’t. Again, just thought this was interesting insight that Kristyn sprinkled throughout the book.

Once the author was able to step away from the scenery and hone in on the characters, Seven Rules for Breaking Hearts was a lighthearted, fun, and swoon-worthy treat.