ARC Review: Rules for Ruin by Mimi Matthews

Rules for Ruin
Author: Mimi Matthews
Series: The Crinoline Society (Book 1)
Publication: Berkley (May 20, 2025)

Description: No one betrays the Academy. But now Euphemia must decide: break the rules for her enemy, or let the rules break her heart.

On the outskirts of London sits a seemingly innocuous institution with a secretive aim—train young women to distract, disrupt, and discredit the patriarchy. Outraged by a powerful lord’s systematic attack on women’s rights in Parliament, the Academy summons its brightest—and most bitter—pupil to infiltrate the odious man’s inner circle. A deal is struck: bring down the viscount, and Miss Euphemia Flite will finally earn her freedom.

But betting shop owner Gabriel Royce has other plans. The viscount is the perfect pawn to insulate Gabriel’s underworld empire from government interference. He’s not about to let some crinoline-clad miss destroy his carefully constructed enterprise—no matter how captivating he finds her threats.

From the rookeries of St. Giles to the ballrooms of Mayfair, Euphemia and Gabriel engage in a battle of wits and wills that’s complicated by a blossoming desire. Soon Euphemia realizes it’s not the broken promises to her Academy sisters she should fear. . . . It’s the danger to her heart.

My Thoughts: RULES FOR RUIN is the first in a new historical romance series. Effie Flite was raised in a bit unconventional orphanage. The patroness was determined to raise young women who were educated and able to take care of themselves and eager to pursue social justice for women. 

Effie was the oldest of the students and has spent some time in France as a companion to a gentlewoman. Her time abroad has given her polish, and a cute French poodle named Franc. She has come to London with the intention of finding some way to ruin Lord Compton who is an influential man, a member of Parliament, and strongly opposed to women's rights. He is also a villain who began his rise to power by stealing the fortune of a young woman he had promised to marry leaving her ruined.

Gabriel Royce is a man who has built a successful life by running a betting shop in the Rookery. He is blackmailing Compton in order to have his business protected and to further his plans to improve conditions for the people who live in the Rookery. 

The two meet and recognize something in the other, but with opposing plans, there doesn't seem to be any hope for a future for them. Nonetheless, they keep running into each other while trying to further their own plans until they find a future they both can live with. 

This romance is packed with historical detail concerning the struggles of the women's rights movement and the passage of the Married Woman's Property Act. It also has details about the conditions for the poor in a very famous slum that existed right next door to some very wealthy parts of London. 

I liked this story and will be looking forward to more in the series. 

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.