Helpful Score: 1
This book is the story of a girl who fell in love with her best friend's boyfriend, but it's also about so much more than that. It the story of best friends, and this truly unhealthy relationship they have. I did enjoy the premise of the story, and the writers voice but that's about it. Sarah has liked Ryan for years, but never says anything. When Ryan and her BFF Brianna are suddenly together, Sarah can't get Ryan out of head, or her heart. Brianna is really into Ryan, this is her first relationship that she's ever had last more than a week or two, and Sarah doesn't want to hurt her. Should she follow her heart?
As for the characters, I loved Sarah's Mom and Dad, they were a lot of fun, and just great loving parents. Brianna's Mom was horrid! She was hateful and did nothing but think of herself and drive her daughter down. I never did connect with the MC's. Sarah was so insecure and naive, she thought Brianna was being a great friend even when she was cutting her down. Brianna was just as horrid as her mother, just not as obviously so. She was always making snide remarks about how Sarah wasn't good enough, how much better she was than her, how she'd never find a boyfriend (maybe she should find a freshman who doesn't know any better...). I literally could not stand her, if I had known her in real life I would have knocked her out for treating people like that. After never being loved by her parents, she is one of those girls who want attention from guys, thinking that will take the place of the love she craves, but she always dumps them before she would chance herself getting attached and possibly hurt. I didn't connect with Ryan either, supposedly he always wanted Sarah, not Brianna, and yet it takes him 2 months to decide that he should let Brianna go?
I also felt like Sarah was always rambling on and on and on about how much she liked Ryan. It was a lot of her whining and tagging along with Brianna and Ryan and not a lot really going on in the relationships. Overall, this book just kinda feel flat for me. I had really high hopes for it and I think it had really good premise, but I really just needed at least one character that I could connect with and root for, and it just didn't happen.
As for the characters, I loved Sarah's Mom and Dad, they were a lot of fun, and just great loving parents. Brianna's Mom was horrid! She was hateful and did nothing but think of herself and drive her daughter down. I never did connect with the MC's. Sarah was so insecure and naive, she thought Brianna was being a great friend even when she was cutting her down. Brianna was just as horrid as her mother, just not as obviously so. She was always making snide remarks about how Sarah wasn't good enough, how much better she was than her, how she'd never find a boyfriend (maybe she should find a freshman who doesn't know any better...). I literally could not stand her, if I had known her in real life I would have knocked her out for treating people like that. After never being loved by her parents, she is one of those girls who want attention from guys, thinking that will take the place of the love she craves, but she always dumps them before she would chance herself getting attached and possibly hurt. I didn't connect with Ryan either, supposedly he always wanted Sarah, not Brianna, and yet it takes him 2 months to decide that he should let Brianna go?
I also felt like Sarah was always rambling on and on and on about how much she liked Ryan. It was a lot of her whining and tagging along with Brianna and Ryan and not a lot really going on in the relationships. Overall, this book just kinda feel flat for me. I had really high hopes for it and I think it had really good premise, but I really just needed at least one character that I could connect with and root for, and it just didn't happen.
Helpful Score: 1
Reviewed by Sarah Bean the Green Bean Teen Queen for TeensReadToo.com
Sarah knows she shouldn't like Ryan. Ryan is Brianna's boyfriend, and Brianna is Sarah's best friend. There's an unwritten rule in friendship - no crushes on your best friend's boy. But the attraction is there - and besides, Sarah liked him first. When Ryan and Sarah are thrown together one night, something happens. Sarah is torn apart by guilt and wanting to act on her feelings.
Elizabeth Scott is an amazing author - she can write anything and I'm always amazed at her talent. I wasn't sure if I would enjoy this one, as I hate love triangles and stealing someone's boyfriend - no way! But Ms. Scott pulls it off in a wonderful way that made me feel for the characters.
As much as I liked Sarah and Ryan, Brianna was the stand-out character for me. I would like her and hate her at the same time. I would feel sorry for her but I'd also want to yell at her for being so mean. Ms. Scott walks a very fine line with Brianna and it works; she kept me guessing about her the entire time. Was she good or bad? Someone to like or not? And could we make excuses for her? I could have an entire book discussion on just Brianna alone!
But I can't leave Sarah out (and not just because she shares my name)! Your heart aches with her as she is wracked with guilt over wanting her best friend's boyfriend and wanting to remain loyal to Brianna. The story is slowly unraveled, and bits and pieces about the past are unveiled and the reader, like Sarah, wants so badly for Sarah and Ryan to be together.
I also love the families that Ms. Scott writes - she has the best supporting characters. I loved that Sarah was close to her parents and she's okay staying at home with them. I've always had a close relationship with my family, even as a teen, and that is a rare thing to find in YA books. Sarah's relationship with her parents was believable and they were a family I would love to visit.
This is an emotional novel and one that will stick with you. It might sound like it'll be a fluffy chick lit romance, and while there is romance, it's certainly not fluff! If you've read anything by Elizabeth Scott, you know she writes great romances and this one is no exception. It's never an easy or light romance - it's heart-wrenching and heartbreaking and real.
THE UNWRITTEN RULE doesn't take the easy, all-will-be-perfect route to this story, which I think makes the book even more realistic. This one will have you thinking about your friendships and relationships long after you read the last page.
Sarah knows she shouldn't like Ryan. Ryan is Brianna's boyfriend, and Brianna is Sarah's best friend. There's an unwritten rule in friendship - no crushes on your best friend's boy. But the attraction is there - and besides, Sarah liked him first. When Ryan and Sarah are thrown together one night, something happens. Sarah is torn apart by guilt and wanting to act on her feelings.
Elizabeth Scott is an amazing author - she can write anything and I'm always amazed at her talent. I wasn't sure if I would enjoy this one, as I hate love triangles and stealing someone's boyfriend - no way! But Ms. Scott pulls it off in a wonderful way that made me feel for the characters.
As much as I liked Sarah and Ryan, Brianna was the stand-out character for me. I would like her and hate her at the same time. I would feel sorry for her but I'd also want to yell at her for being so mean. Ms. Scott walks a very fine line with Brianna and it works; she kept me guessing about her the entire time. Was she good or bad? Someone to like or not? And could we make excuses for her? I could have an entire book discussion on just Brianna alone!
But I can't leave Sarah out (and not just because she shares my name)! Your heart aches with her as she is wracked with guilt over wanting her best friend's boyfriend and wanting to remain loyal to Brianna. The story is slowly unraveled, and bits and pieces about the past are unveiled and the reader, like Sarah, wants so badly for Sarah and Ryan to be together.
I also love the families that Ms. Scott writes - she has the best supporting characters. I loved that Sarah was close to her parents and she's okay staying at home with them. I've always had a close relationship with my family, even as a teen, and that is a rare thing to find in YA books. Sarah's relationship with her parents was believable and they were a family I would love to visit.
This is an emotional novel and one that will stick with you. It might sound like it'll be a fluffy chick lit romance, and while there is romance, it's certainly not fluff! If you've read anything by Elizabeth Scott, you know she writes great romances and this one is no exception. It's never an easy or light romance - it's heart-wrenching and heartbreaking and real.
THE UNWRITTEN RULE doesn't take the easy, all-will-be-perfect route to this story, which I think makes the book even more realistic. This one will have you thinking about your friendships and relationships long after you read the last page.
Helpful Score: 1
Okay, so I love young adult romance. I even like the author. Her books STEALING HEAVEN, PERFECT YOU, and BLOOM were really good so I thought Id give this one a
chance.
It did nothing for me. The book was very juvenile. I feel like this would be better suited for very young girls-around 10. I felt like it said the same thing over the whole length of the book and brought nothing new or interesting. I ended up setting down right in the climax with no concern of how it ended!
chance.
It did nothing for me. The book was very juvenile. I feel like this would be better suited for very young girls-around 10. I felt like it said the same thing over the whole length of the book and brought nothing new or interesting. I ended up setting down right in the climax with no concern of how it ended!
Elizabeth Scott knows how to get to a wide range of readers' hearts, and her sixth novel is no exception. THE UNWRITTEN RULE is a quick but emotional read that--despite some construction problems--will easily hit home.
The book could've easily been another telling of the ages-old girl-likes-forbidden-guy trope, but Elizabeth Scott skillfully weaves in a complex family subplot makes it a fresh story--and gets our attention. The published synopsis fails to mention that Sarah's justified concern for Brianna's emotional well-being and what kind of love her friend deserves is the result of Briannas painful relationship with her parents. THE UNWRITTEN RULE beautifully illustrates the painful complications of love, and what it means for someone to deserve--or not deserve--love, and to what extent love can be used as an excuse for hurtful behavior.
But THE UNWRITTEN RULE is also flawed in the same way as Scott's other books. Each individual element of this story--each character, subplot, or event--works well on its own, but combined together, something feels...off. For example, Sarah has been in love with Ryan forever, and when he talks he's a pretty nice guy, but "nice" doesn't equate to love: I wanted, and didn't get, to see the reasons for her crush on him. While I thought the individual scenes were powerfully emotional, they never extracted themselves from the "staged play" feel and into an effortlessly realistic story.
Along the same lines, Sarah's character developed infuriatingly little throughout the course of this book. I was left feeling like I had gotten a glimpse into the complex world of conditional love, but the narrator's passivity ensured that I could never be fully invested in the book. I liked the story's message, but the story itself was too easily forgettable.
I have no doubt that THE UNWRITTEN RULE will appeal to fans of Elizabeth Scott, because it contains the usual amount of emotional insight and angsty-but-still-lovable characters that she is famous for. However, critical readers will be bugged by these subtle yet significant weaknesses. Nevertheless, THE UNWRITTEN RULE makes for an easy and still overall enjoyable read, perfect for a day when you don't desire human interaction but don't want to merely lie in bed, zombie-like. Believe me, it'll make you feel like an involved member of society without needing to leave the confines of your state of solitude. And sometimes that's what you really need.
The book could've easily been another telling of the ages-old girl-likes-forbidden-guy trope, but Elizabeth Scott skillfully weaves in a complex family subplot makes it a fresh story--and gets our attention. The published synopsis fails to mention that Sarah's justified concern for Brianna's emotional well-being and what kind of love her friend deserves is the result of Briannas painful relationship with her parents. THE UNWRITTEN RULE beautifully illustrates the painful complications of love, and what it means for someone to deserve--or not deserve--love, and to what extent love can be used as an excuse for hurtful behavior.
But THE UNWRITTEN RULE is also flawed in the same way as Scott's other books. Each individual element of this story--each character, subplot, or event--works well on its own, but combined together, something feels...off. For example, Sarah has been in love with Ryan forever, and when he talks he's a pretty nice guy, but "nice" doesn't equate to love: I wanted, and didn't get, to see the reasons for her crush on him. While I thought the individual scenes were powerfully emotional, they never extracted themselves from the "staged play" feel and into an effortlessly realistic story.
Along the same lines, Sarah's character developed infuriatingly little throughout the course of this book. I was left feeling like I had gotten a glimpse into the complex world of conditional love, but the narrator's passivity ensured that I could never be fully invested in the book. I liked the story's message, but the story itself was too easily forgettable.
I have no doubt that THE UNWRITTEN RULE will appeal to fans of Elizabeth Scott, because it contains the usual amount of emotional insight and angsty-but-still-lovable characters that she is famous for. However, critical readers will be bugged by these subtle yet significant weaknesses. Nevertheless, THE UNWRITTEN RULE makes for an easy and still overall enjoyable read, perfect for a day when you don't desire human interaction but don't want to merely lie in bed, zombie-like. Believe me, it'll make you feel like an involved member of society without needing to leave the confines of your state of solitude. And sometimes that's what you really need.
I really enjoyed this story a lot more than I thought I would! I wasn't sure how I would be able to relate to the characters, but I became completely engrossed in the story and couldn't put the book down! I was cheering for Sarah and yelling at her best friend, Brianna, throughout the whole book! I could really feel the emotions that the characters were feeling. I was able to really relate to Sarah and how she was feeling - not wanting to betray her best friend, but really wanting to see where things go with Ryan. It was a struggle for her and I really connected to her feelings.
The character who really stood out to me was Brianna, Sarah's best friend. I alternated between feeling bad for her due to her family situation and disliking her for the way she treated Sarah, who is supposedly her best friend. She is a complex character with many dimensions. I could really feel for her; putting on a brave front and trying to be strong, but on the inside she is really hurting. I know the reader was probably supposed to dislike Brianna, but I felt bad for her more than I hated her. She is an interesting girl and I'm curious what other readers thought about her.
Overall, this is a wonderful young adult story about first loves and best friends. I really enjoyed it and highly recommend it!
http://www.crazy-for-books.com
The character who really stood out to me was Brianna, Sarah's best friend. I alternated between feeling bad for her due to her family situation and disliking her for the way she treated Sarah, who is supposedly her best friend. She is a complex character with many dimensions. I could really feel for her; putting on a brave front and trying to be strong, but on the inside she is really hurting. I know the reader was probably supposed to dislike Brianna, but I felt bad for her more than I hated her. She is an interesting girl and I'm curious what other readers thought about her.
Overall, this is a wonderful young adult story about first loves and best friends. I really enjoyed it and highly recommend it!
http://www.crazy-for-books.com
Taken from princessbookie.com
My Thoughts: I adore Elizabeth Scott's books as I have said many a time! The Unwritten Rule was no exception. I try to take my time reading her books, I like to devour each word, as if I'm actually tasting them. We are introduced to the three main characters, Sarah, Brianna, and Ryan. Ryan is dating Brianna but Sarah likes him. This book really tackles the sensitive subject of liking your friend's boyfriend. It happens to a lot of girls! You just can't choose who you fall for! Well, Sarah tries to keep her feelings at bay, she doesn't want to hurt Brianna but she also longs for Ryan. I didn't really like Brianna too much. She was selfish and didn't really care how Sarah felt about things.
Sarah learns that she needs to just go after what she wants, not sit on the sideline. Things don't always go as planned, nothing is 100% picture perfect. Ryan encourages her to just do what she wants, not what Brianna wants. She learns to grow through him. I really enjoyed this book. I love all of Elizabeth's books and this was just another great one from her. I loved it. So what happens? I love how Scott never just takes the easy way out, things don't always end up perfect and that is what makes her books so great and realistic! Does true love conquer all? Read it if you get the chance, you won't be disappointed.
Overall: Another great one!! If you haven't read Scott's books, go on a binge now and read them all!!
Cover: Its awesome! I love their jeans, and their feet touching. Its so gorgeous.
My Thoughts: I adore Elizabeth Scott's books as I have said many a time! The Unwritten Rule was no exception. I try to take my time reading her books, I like to devour each word, as if I'm actually tasting them. We are introduced to the three main characters, Sarah, Brianna, and Ryan. Ryan is dating Brianna but Sarah likes him. This book really tackles the sensitive subject of liking your friend's boyfriend. It happens to a lot of girls! You just can't choose who you fall for! Well, Sarah tries to keep her feelings at bay, she doesn't want to hurt Brianna but she also longs for Ryan. I didn't really like Brianna too much. She was selfish and didn't really care how Sarah felt about things.
Sarah learns that she needs to just go after what she wants, not sit on the sideline. Things don't always go as planned, nothing is 100% picture perfect. Ryan encourages her to just do what she wants, not what Brianna wants. She learns to grow through him. I really enjoyed this book. I love all of Elizabeth's books and this was just another great one from her. I loved it. So what happens? I love how Scott never just takes the easy way out, things don't always end up perfect and that is what makes her books so great and realistic! Does true love conquer all? Read it if you get the chance, you won't be disappointed.
Overall: Another great one!! If you haven't read Scott's books, go on a binge now and read them all!!
Cover: Its awesome! I love their jeans, and their feet touching. Its so gorgeous.
