Review - I Followed the Rules by Joanna Bolouri

I Followed the Rules by Joanna Bolouri
Publisher: Quercus (2nd Jul 2015)

Blurb:
Rule 1: Never ask him on a first date. Rule 2: Laugh admiringly at all his jokes. Rule 3: Always leave him wanting more.
... wtf?!

Have you heard of The Rules of Engagement? It's a book that promises to teach you to find the man of your dreams in ten easy steps. Unsurprisingly, I don't own a copy. What is it, 1892?

But I'm a journalist, and I've promised to follow it to the letter and write about the results. Never mind that my friends think I'm insane, I'm stalking men all over town and can't keep my mouth shut at the best of times.

My name is Cat Buchanan. I'm thirty-six years old and live with my daughter in Glasgow. I've been single for six years, but that's about to change. After all, I'm on a deadline.

I Followed the Rules and this is what happened.

I flipping loved Joanna Bolouri’s debut novel, The List which made me chuckle and snort uncontrollably when I was reading it. How can you blame me when reading this woman’s book is like watching an episode of Ellen, only more sweary. Don’t get me wrong, I love sweary books and I couldn’t get enough of reading I Followed the Rules which is f*cking stunning.

So what can I say about I Followed the Rules without needing the help of sweary intensifiers to make my point to express my utter enjoyment? I Followed the Rules is based on a fictional dating guide called The Rules of Engagement which sharp-witted and snarky journalist Cat Buchanan has to follow to prove the knob who wrote the book that it’s a pile of donkey dunk. I cannot, for the life of me tell you how much I adored Cat. She’s my queen, damn it!

What I loved most from The List was Joanna Bolouri’s razor-sharp wit and her writing voice is just brilliant and really addictive, as I feed off others’ sarcasm. In I Followed the Rules, it’s evident that every single line of the book is underlined with her trademark wit and I couldn’t be happier when I’ve finished the book. Joanna Bolouri has ruined me. I can’t stop quoting Cat’s lines when no one is around – I talk to myself, don’t judge. I’m sure you do that as well – and she’s my new best friend. Of course, I’m well aware that I can’t have sushi (my favourite) with her, but I reckon we’d have a splendid time bitching about people.

A romantic comedy is never complete without the leading man and once again, I just had a dream of this hero in I Followed the Rules after I’ve read the book. With a clever wit and undeniably charming personality, readers will definitely swoon for this fictional heartthrob who just oozes sex appeal. As much as I like to fanboy over that hunk, I’d let you read it to find out more about him (and his duck shower cap).

A highly anticipated novel that didn’t disappoint, I Followed the Rules definitely makes the list of my favourite books this year, possibly of all time. With her wildly addictive humour and unforgettable heroines, Joanna Bolouri has delivered a wickedly funny stunner of a book that has bite and sass. Can I have the next one, please, Joanna?

I’d like to give Quercus a massive thank you for sending me a copy of this absolute gem of a book and for inviting me to participate in the blog tour. Check out my interview with Joanna here! I Followed the Rules is out now on paperback and eBook.