Reviewed by Valerie

TITLE:  Rules of Play

SERIES:  The Script Club #2

AUTHOR:  Lane Hayes

PUBLISHER:  Self-Published

LENGTH:  216 pages

RELEASE DATE:  July 16, 2021

BLURB:

The genius, the ex-jock, and a new playbook…

George-

My brother’s friend is hot—if you’re into flannel-wearing lumbersexual former jocks who eat donuts for dinner and still scribble to-do lists on their palms. I’m not. I’m a serious scientist in my final year of grad school. Okay, I admit I have few quirks of my own. I also have a broken truck and a boss who thinks I can help him find love. I’m in over my head. Help!

Aiden-

A few quirks? Really? George is the weirdest dude I know. He wears capes in public, brings a book everywhere he goes, and loves all things spooky. He’s also the smartest person on the planet—who somehow thinks I can help him write a How-To-Get-A-Date playbook for his boss. Yeah, that sounds suspicious. I know baseball; I don’t know anything about love. But I can’t say no. The thing is…I’ve always had a soft spot for George. But falling for my best friend’s brother is against the rules, isn’t it?

Rules of Play is an MM bisexual awakening story where opposites attract and shenanigans ensue!

REVIEW:

Rules of Play is another adorkable entry in Lane Hayes’ The Script Club series, this time featuring a friends-to-lovers theme. In fact, the book employs several popular tropes, including opposites attract and brother’s best friend. You’ll discover a cape-wearing geek destined for NASA, a former jock, straight dude, and a broken-down vehicle named Willy that is the catalyst for George and Aiden spending time together again.  

Readers first met George – the genius grad student, Simon’s nerdy little brother, and Topher’s best friend – in Following the Rules. His love interest, Aiden, is Simon’s best friend and George’s friend by association since Aiden spent much of his adolescence at their house because of his neglectful parents.   As the black sheep of his family, George stood out as the weird tag along kid whom Aiden often defended and rescued from bullies. Now, after many years of not seeing each other much, Aiden, a mechanic, once again comes to George’s rescue when Willy the SUV breaks down in L.A. rush hour traffic.  

Although Aiden has heretofore been straight, he is the epitome of a gay bear: big, burly, bearded, and bedecked in flannel. He had no passion for his job and feels like his life is standing still while his friends are getting ahead in pursuits they enjoy. He’s stalled – much like Willy – until … he’s kissed by George and likes it. He’s always been drawn to George, and now he knows why. Lo and behold, George has had a longtime crush on Aiden, too. 

Aiden agrees to repair George’s SUV in trade for help with a school project. It’s a flimsy excuse to spend time with each other – and they both know it – but George plays along. In return, George needs Aiden’s advice in writing a rules of dating playbook for George’s dorky, annoying boss. As Aiden’s bisexual experimentation continues, George grows more and more enamored with Aiden, which is exactly why he feels they need to stop. Aiden is the “only human who really seemed to get me”, George considers, and he’s reluctant to risk messing up their friendship. But he gives in night after night because the sex is the best either of them has ever had. 

As with most friends-to lovers stories, what I love most about Rules of Play is the comfortable companionship between George and Aiden. The conversation and humor both come easy. George is so grateful that Aiden accepts him so easily, quirks, cape, and all. It’s a judgement free zone. Books one and two both follow a very similar geek/jock, best friend’s brother, opposites attract premise. I would’ve enjoyed greater variety in plot development and characterization. In comparison, I enjoyed Rules of Play more because I feel George and Aiden achieve a deeper connection and take more time to develop their relationship. 

Apropos to nothing, I have to point out this line that I love so much:
George’s rental had a slightly dilapidated air. Like an old lady wearing crooked lipstick and mismatched shoes. You could tell she was beautiful once and now was a tad… eccentric.  

Rules of Play deserves your attention if you’re a fan of any of the tropes employed, and of course, if you’re a Lane Hayes follower. Although George and other characters first appeared in the previous book, this can be read as a complete standalone. 

RATING: 

BUY LINK: 

Amazon