I was the last of my group of friends to find “the one.” The guys would always tease me that I needed to hurry up and settle down. But I was in no rush. Until I met someone worth rushing for. Alex was one of the weekend volunteers at Ryan’s House—a charity I founded to build housing near hospitals. Little did I know she was the same person I’d been arguing with over email before the project started. At the time, I’d thought Alex was a dude. In reality? She was a smoking hot blonde who captivated me from the moment we met in person. Our chemistry was off the charts, and I fell hard pretty fast. Unfortunately, Alex insisted I was too young for her. I hated that she felt that way. Because age was just a number. Not only that, her words didn’t match the way she looked at me—like she was very interested. I lived for the weekends we’d spend out of town volunteering. Alex and I side-by-side hammering during the day, while sharing intimate dinners together at the hotel at night. Eventually, the walls she’d put up to protect her heart began to crumble. Until fate threw us a doozy that I wasn’t sure we could come back from. If I’d thought our age gap was the biggest hurdle, I didn’t know anything yet. Rule number one for dating an older woman who insists you could never be together? Don’t fall in love.
Vi Keeland is a #1 New York Times,#1 Wall Street Journal, and USA TodayBestselling author. With millions of books sold, her titles have appeared in over one hundred Bestseller lists and are currently translated in twenty-six languages. She resides in New York with her husband and their three children where she is living out her own happily ever after with the boy she met at age six.
It pains me to say it but I hated it and that’s a first time hating a book from Vi keeland. The protagonist Alex is older but we don’t know exactly her age, I guessed she’s 39 or 40 because at one point someone said she’s not even ten years older than the hero Brayden who is 31. So it blows my mind the fact that she talked like she was 80 and so couldn’t be with him. Sometimes she talked like she didn’t want kids at all and then talked like she did wanted them but couldn’t have them even though she never tried, never went to a doctor to find out if that was the case. But what I hated most about this book was the fact that Brayden kept trying and trying while she toyed with him by one minute saying “I’m attracted to you” or “I want to be with you “ and the next saying “we can’t have anything “. I hated the scene where she says to him that nothing can happen, she doesn’t even want to try but she wants to have sex to know what it would be like. I hate it more than anything because if it was the man saying this we all would have thought what a jackass he is for being so selfish and irresponsible. So it’s not acceptable for her to do the same when she knew his feelings and that he made it clear what he wanted from her.
I’ve read 300 pages of her debating being with him because he was younger and wanted kids. At the end she could be with him and could give him kids.
The irony is that Alex was married to a man seventeen older than her. Why the hell she couldn’t be with a man less than ten years younger????
Meh. I just felt the obstacles weren't really a big deal and she needed therapy. You're not good enough for a future but good enough for a fuck is so lame. Then expecting him to have tried contacting her after tossing him is unhinged. Telling caitlin to respect her decision while using her as an excuse to end the relationship is also crazy. Caitlin is old enough to know her own mind.. like shit. This lady is so cracked.
Months go by... caitlin tells her again that it's cool but she dismisses her... shows up at Brayden's says "nothing has changed but I want to be friends"... girl fuck you lol and he's like ok cool... come meet my friends...be serious 💀
Brayden Foster lives in Manhattan in the same apartment building as his best friends Colby, Holden and Owen. They have been like family for years. He’s the last of his close friend group that’s still single, and they love to pick on him about it. He’s in no hurry to find the one, and figures it will happen in its own time. Then he meets a woman that intrigues him. They are working on a project together, and there’s just something special about her he’s drawn to. He loves her company, and wants to get to know her better. He’s never experienced this kind of connection, and is determined to convince her to take a chance on him, and see where things go. She’s important to him, and he doesn’t easily give up on what he wants.
Alexandria Jones aka Alex is a woman from Connecticut who’s been through a lot the last few years. She enjoys volunteering for a charity that builds houses near hospitals. She’s been emailing with the founder of the charity, but then they finally meet. She’s quickly captivated by Brayden and his huge heart. He’s kind, gorgeous, and a shameless flirt. She keeps reminding herself he’s too young for her, and they’re at different places in their lives. She tries to pretend he doesn’t mean something to her, but soon he’s impossible to resist. Will she keep her walls up, or will love get in the way of her choices?
The Rules of Dating a Younger Man by Vi Keeland & Penelope Ward is the fourth standalone in the Law of Opposites Attract series. It’s a sexy, age gap, forced proximity, he falls first, friends to lovers romance about forbidden love and beautiful connections. It’s a story full of angst, emotion, humor and amazing chemistry that will hit you in all the feels! <333
It was okay, not great. There was just too much back-and-forth between the main characters. And the reasons for it started to sound a little silly after a while. It was like they were just going in circles. I actually started to think that
I just finished The Rules of Dating a Younger Man (The Law of Opposites Attract #4) by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward. Brayden and Alex's story might be my favorite book in this incredible series of standalones. After almost ten years of writing together, these dynamic powerhouse co-authors continue to deliver yet another unputdownable masterpiece. I don't know how they create magic every single time. The Rules of Dating a Younger Man is not just another cookie-cutter age-gap romance. The well-placed, jaw-dropping plot twist made me scream! I also cried, laughed, and wanted to hug and shake Alex at times while reading how the two navigated their rollercoaster romance. Alex and Brayden's hard-earned HEA made me want to hug my Kindle. This romance book is going on my Best of 2024 list!
Read if you like: Age-gap romance, opposites attract, slow burn, forced proximity, and second chances.
📚 This story was perfectly written and was just the right amount of everything you are looking for. Brayden Foster wasn’t rushing to settle down—until he met Alex. Volunteering at Ryan’s House, a charity building housing near hospitals, he’s shocked to discover that the fiery person he had been emailing is the captivating Alex. The chemistry between them is undeniable, but Alex insists their age difference is a deal-breaker. Can they overcome the odds, or is this one love story destined to end before it begins?
👨👧 Brayden is the charming, driven engineer who runs Ryan’s House, making prosthetics and giving back in honor of a lost friend. Alex is a widow, cautious and worried about her family’s perceptions, especially her daughter’s. Together, they face insecurities, age-gap dilemmas, and a surprising twist.
💞 Their romance is filled with sweet moments, growing intimacy, and an emotional push-and-pull dynamic. Brayden knows what he wants and is willing to be patient, but Alex’s fears hold her back. The slow burn is both frustrating and rewarding as they work through their differences.
👧 Side characters like Brayden’s supportive friend group and Alex’s energetic best friend Wells add layers to the story, offering humor, advice, and additional emotional depth.
✍️ Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward masterfully weave tension, humor, and heart into a slow-burn romance with complex characters. The pacing allows the story to unfold naturally, making the final resolution even more satisfying.
🌟 The Rules of Dating a Younger Man is a heartfelt, emotional, and sweet story about overcoming insecurities and embracing love, no matter the age gap.
📲 QOTD: Do you believe age is just a number when it comes to relationships?👇
3.5/5 ⭐️ Історія Брейдена та Алекс стала чудовим завершенням серії. Брейден, який завжди уникав серйозних стосунків, нарешті знайшов свою половинку в Алекс. Їхня хімія була миттєвою, хоча розвиток стосунків був поступовим. Брейден тонко розумів почуття Алекс, і це додало глибини їхньому роману. Протягом історії було багато злетів і падінь, а шокуючі одкровення змусили героїв переосмислити свої почуття. Поява всіх друзів серії та емоційні моменти, такі як візит на кладовище, додали історії тепла й душевності. Заключні сцени наповнені щасливими сльозами.
You know how sometimes when you read a lot of romance books they all start to sound the same? Well, this happened to me with this book.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed Brayden and Alex but it felt too formulaic and I found myself doing other things than reading and that's not always good.
However, the ending redeemed this book for me and I was happy how everything worked out.
Alexandria “Alex” Jones volunteers at Ryan’s House for some renovations which is also run by Brayden Foster. They don’t get off on the right foot when Brayden keeps getting annoying texts about the project from an Alex. He thinks it’s a guy so color him surprised when he finds out he is so wrong and someone he met before! Omg, from the very first page I was giggling and smiling. The connection is perfection. The silly moments, the sweet and of course the whole friendship group makes an appearance. Also, yay for candy corn!!! lol Such a feel good, double cinnamon roll, age gap romance. The perfect ending to this beautiful series of true friends finding their forevers! Have a tissue ready too. Told in first person and dual POV.
The Rules of Dating a Younger Man (The Laws of Opposites Attract #4) by Penelope Ward and Vi Keeland. Brayden is the last one left who hasn't found their forever woman. He runs Ryan's House in memory of their best friend Ryan, who died of cancer. If you haven't read the previous other 3 friend's book, please do. This dynamic duo, as I like to call these 2 authors, did not disappoint. They have done it again. This story is about Brayden, who is having an email disagreement with one of his volunteers for the next Ryan's house project. Brayden is surprised when he discovers that Alex from the emails is actually Alexandria. Before finding this tidbit out, he is intrigued by the gorgeous lady at the bar who seems to have a lot in common with him. As they get to know each other, they discover they have a sexual attraction. There is just one problem, Alexandria is several years older than Brayden. This made for another enjoyable story that was extremely comical as well. These authors always write stories that pull you in from the beginning to the end. When a discovery is made between Brayden and Alexandria, it throws a monkey wrench in what is already a problematic relationship. I couldn't get enough of their story. I hope there will be other books with some of the sub characters in this story. A definite 5 star read for me.
Holly crap this was so good. Angst galore my stomach was in knots the whole time. From the moment they met the chemistry was amazing. I love that they became friends first. The FMC is older but age is just a number and the authors did an amazing job not really making it the main focus. In fact I don’t think I remember exactly how old she is. Of course Alex was hesitant to let Brayden in and that was because of her age but mainly Alex is more concerns with what their future looks like. She doesn’t want Brayden to miss out on anything. I also appreciate the authors’ portray of Alex as very mature and Brayden’s maturity matched hers as well. They just make sense together. I really enjoy the banters – so freaking hilarious between those two. I also adore Wells he needs a story. Some parts are a bit emotional. The ending was Epic – the card totally melted my heart Over all, this was a wonderful read with all the feels. MUST read!!! 🙏❤️
Hate this book. Hate the main characters, the plodding plot, everything. Should have known not to try with these authors again. They are so out of touch.
If I could rate this book higher, I would! Such an amazing story! I laughed, cried and felt such joy! A difficult predicament that led to an unexpected love! Experiencing a roller coaster of emotions, an abundance of frustration and anxiety which led to an exuberant amount of euphoria!! I’m still on cloud nine! Passionate and sultry ! Awe inspiring!
As we approach the end of an era, I must tell you - what an amazing era it was and it was such honour to be a part of it as an ARC reader. Brayden and Alex’s story is in my opinion the most mature plot-wise in all of the series. It’s a story about hope, about life after loss, about never giving up for what you wish for. Of course, in Vi and Penelope’s incredible way, authors combine important life lessons with romance, spice and laughter. Highly reccommend!
“I’m done trying to live my life as if you don’t exist. I can’t erase you. I’ve tried.”
The Tropes: Friends-to-Lovers Forbidden He Falls First Cinnamon-roll Hero Forced Proximity Reverse Age Gap
I'm not sure what I'm going to do with myself now.. I've loved this series so much, and I'm going to miss the guys a lot. I've loved each book and the stories. I've laughed, I've cried sad tears, I've swooned, and I've cried happy tears.
I've always wanted to know Brayden's story. I just knew I'd love it. I wasn't wrong it was everything I wanted and so much more.
I loved it when Brayden and Alex(Alexandria) first met. He sees her sitting at the hotel bar, and after he buys himself a drink and the bartender says she ordered the same drink that makes him strike up a conversation with her. Turns out the person he's been emailing who's called Alex, and he thinks it's a man is actually the Alex(Alexandria) from the bar who's indeed a woman.
I loved Brayden and Alex's story so much. She thinks she's too old for him and he doesn't even care about the age gap. As they say.. Age is just a number.
Brayden falls first for her and Alex finds him very attractive but she can't help thinking that he could find someone his own age and why would he want to go out with someone like me who's older than him. They both flirt with each other and can't help the attraction between each other. They end up being friends and then turning into lovers... But then something happens, and it ends them not being lovers anymore.
You get to see all the other couples from the other books which I loved. Brayden and his best friend’s are just the absolute best. When they all are together, they just have a laugh with one another. I'm going to miss everyone so much that it's been amazing getting to know each of the stories.. *sighs and swoons*
Das Buch ging mir teilweise sehr ans Herz und ich musste die ein oder andere Träne wegwischen. Wenn es um Krebs (hier insbesondere bei Kindern) geht, dann brechen bei mir die Dämme, daher bitte die Triggerwarnung beachten. Mir ging die Geschichte von dem verstorbenen 5. Freund, Ryan, bereits in den ersten Bänden sehr nahe. Hier noch ein Stückchen mehr, da Brayden aufgrund der Krebserkrankung von Ryan mit/ für ihn an Prothesen gearbeitet hat und in Ryans Gedenken eine Stiftung betreibt die für die Familien Krebserkrankter Häuser baut. Bei dieser Arbeit lernt Brayden die 10 Jahre ältere Alex kennen und ist sofort hin und weg. Alex sträubt such vehement gegen die Anziehung zu Brayden.
Ich konnte Alex‘ Bedenken schon teilweise nachvollziehen, allerdings hat sie sich schon ganz schön lange bitten lassen. Da muss man den Hut ziehen vor Braydens Durchhaltevermögen. Er hat sich da wirklich ins Zeug gelegt und gefühlt jeder andere hätte aufgegeben. Da war mir Alex etwas zu stur und verkopft. Die Spannung zwischen beiden war immer sehr stark präsent und ich habe wirklich mitgefiebert wann Alex endlich Braydens Bemühungen nachgibt. Man liest das jetzt nicht so oft, dass in einer Age-Gap-Romance die Frau älter ist, mir hat das sehr gefallen. Ich hätte in dem Genre gerne mehr mit dieser Konstellation.
Insgesamt ein sehr gelungener Abschluss der Reihe und ich freue mich auf weitere Werke des Duos!
This book is insufferable. There's OW (MMC even made out with OW before backing out and some minor OM drama, and it's painful to read. Started to scan through the pages and I just lost interest. The first sexy scene was hot but not my scene. Fking in the hallway of a hotel? LMAO.
Also, all the freaking dialogues. Back and forth continuously throughout the book. So taxing to read. I started with the last installation of the series and safe to say I won't be considering the earlier books.
Meh. This read as if the author came up with the fun, finish-the-quartet title, then tried to plug in her usual formula.
Forced and not the least compelling. The FMC doth protest to the point of boring repetitiveness. Compounding that is how her every moment of struggling against dating this younger man is instantly followed by almost the same exactly worded counterargument from one of her confidantes.
Maybe this is more of a 2. I don’t know. It was so meh. The conflict was so contrived and flimsy. The FMC may have been the older one but was so wishy washy. The MMC needed to move on. Blah. Nothing new with this one.
The finale of The Law of Opposites series was perfect. The Rules of Dating a Younger man was the jewel of the crown. Brayden and Alex were great characters, and it proves that age is just numbers that love is all that matters. Off course there was a little hiccup in their relationship, but both decided that life is too short to let anththing stand in the way of their love.
I've enjoyed other books by the dynamic duo, and didn't want to delay when Book 4 released, without reading 1 - 3. Enjoyed the story, the dynamics of the relationships both couples and friends. I kept rooting for the HEA, despite all the complications they encountered. Binged the book in one night, and quickly picked up Books 1 - 3 the following nights.