The Off Limits Rule by Sarah Adams Book Review

“I’ve had my peripherals trained on her from the moment I stepped on the. boat. Which brings me to my next problem, and actually, the worst part of it all. She’s off limits.”

(pg. 21)

About

Author: Sarah Adams

Genre: New Adult Rom-Com

Series: It Happened in Nashville book one

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Other It Happened in Nashville Book Reviews

The Temporary Roommate

Synopsis

I have found rock bottom. It’s here, moving in with my older brother because I’m too broke to afford to live on my own. It’s okay though, because we’ve always been close and I think I’m going to have fun living with him again.

That is until I meet Cooper…

Turns out, my brother has very strong opinions on the idea of me dating his best friend and is dead set against it. According to him, Cooper is everything I should stay away from: flirtatious, adventurous, non-committal, and freaking hot. (I added that last part because I feel like you need the whole picture.) My brother is right—I should stay away from Cooper James and his pretty blue eyes. He’s the opposite of what I need right now.

Nah—who am I kidding? I’m going for it.

Review

Spoilers Contained Below

To all those we wish were not off limits,

If you’re on bookstagram, Sarah Adams books certainly have been floating around for the past year. I kept seeing these beautiful pastel covers about rom-coms and I was sold. The Off Limits Rule is my first Sarah Adam’s book and it was definitely not my last. I absolutely laughed, screed, and awed at every moment and The Off Limits Rule definitely did it’s job in being a fun, lighthearted, but incredibly sweet romantic comedy that I really enjoyed.

I really liked Lucy 💜. She was a strong, resilient, spunky, and cool woman who loved her son Levi. Lucy had left home for a time to go off to another city and start over with her son. However, she moved back home to Nashville to live with her older brother Drew. Things did not work out according to plan and Lucy could not find a steady hairdressing job and be financially stable. I felt like Lucy was very hard on herself that she had to move back home because she thought it symbolized that she had failed to make it on her own. But I thought she should be proud of herself for going out and trying to make a living for her and her son. Sometimes you have to leave home and just see where it takes you, and yes, if things don’t work out, you can always go back home (hopefully). There is no shame in going back home because things did not work out; at least she tried.

I also really loved that her brother was there for her when she needed a place to go. Drew was highly protective and took older brother protectiveness to a whole new level. But I knew he protected her or was hard on Lucy out of love. Also, after her STUIPD ex, I couldn’t blame Drew for being overly protective of Lucy’s heart.

I wanted to SCREAM at Lucy’s ex because her ex was a loser douche canoe who gaslit Lucy and strung her along for years. He always kept Lucy on the back burner—-never too close and never too far away—and always gave her the hope that something more would happen and they could be a complete family. But her ex had been giving her false hope for years and I felt like Lucy should just move on from him because 1) her ex wasn’t worth jack sh** 2) her ex SUCKED and 3) she could do SOOOOO Much better than that loser 🤪. I mean, she knew that her ex sucked and that he was toxic, but I could understand why it was difficult to cut ties with her ex because he was Levi’s dad and she didn’t want Levi to think less of the dad or to not have a good relationship with Levi’s dad for Levi’s sake. But honestly, she could still respect or be amicable with Levi’s dad without having to be with him—-no one has to be with the person they have a child with by obligation if that relationship isn’t healthy or doesn’t make them happy. I don’t think Lucy should have ever felt like she should have been with Levi’s dad because he was Levi’s dad, you know.

Her ex also caused a lot of internal battles for Lucy where she was insecure about her body and she was a bit scared to be herself. She kind of shut down and became less of the outspoken, confident Lucy we were used to because her ex was so harsh and toxic that he diminished her light. He was not healthy for Lucy whatsoever and it made me sad.

Here’s a PSA for all my people out there, get you someone who doesn’t treat you like a back burner love. You should be top priority and should be treated like the queen, king, or person you are.

Because of the shizzy year Lucy had had, it was hard for her to put herself out there or get out of this funk. So Drew forced Lucy to join him back into life by going on this boat adventure with his friends. Lucy was going to fum on a beach chair and read a book the whole time, however she did not expect Drew’s former roommate to look as good as he did. I knew when Lucy was ragging on all of Drew’s friends not being attractive, that Cooper was going to be the one that surprised her. And Cooper surely a surprise. I loved loved loved Cooper, what a great guy 💜.

From the get-go, they had really palpable tension and good banter. I liked how intrigued they were by each other but they were both trying to play coy or cool. I will say the only part of their interaction that made me feel weird was when Cooper touched Lucy’s legs because Lucy talked about how afraid she was to show her hairy legs so he touched her legs. Weird, if you ask me. Honestly, that was one thing I admired about Lucy, though. How unapologetically honest she was and how she was not embarrassed about most things—-she spoke her mind freely. That is such an amazing and special quality.

They were both trying to literally and metaphorically get a feel for each other besides the obvious physical attraction between the two. When I say jealousy works wonders, it truly does because if that girl didn’t come along, Lucy would have never got off her beach bench to jump off the rock even though she was terrified of heights.

The whole moment where Cooper went back to jump off the rock with Lucy made my heart completely melt 💜🥺! I mean, Cooper barley knew Lucy at that point and yet he went back to comfort her because he could tell how scared she was to take this leap on her own. And after the year she had with moving and having to move back and her whole dumb ex situation, I could understand why she was terrified to take this leap. But when Cooper held Lucy’s hand, the only thought that ran through my mind was how this was a metaphorical leap of faith that she took off a cliff with Cooper and how that this moment would set the tone for the rest of the book—–Lucy continuing to take a leap of faith with Cooper by her side.

The only problem was that Cooper was Drew’s best friend.

The best friends brother or BFF trope 👏🏼!!!!!!

I WAS HERE FOR THE BFB TROPE. I have never read a BFB trope before, so I was excited to get into the story because I wanted to see how they navigated their rising feelings while also skirting around Drew, who was again protective to a fault.

The way Cooper and Lucy flirted had me gushing with giggles and heart eyes. I mean, when they say if he wanted to, he would. And Cooper did 👏🏼!

Honestly, Cooper gave me major hot guy, what-a-cutie vibes 🙈.

I mean, if there was one word I could use to describe Cooper it would be suave MAN. Okay, that’s two words, but you get the. point 😂.

He just knew how to flirt and be cool and hot all at the same time, which was a huge turn-on and sooooooo great to read about.

Honestly, get you a man written by a woman 😂👏🏼!!

When he went to Lucy’s hair salon to get his hair cut, I was like CUT THAT HAIR COOPER!!!! CUT THAT FINE A** HAIR 😂!!! How SUAVE was that to spend time with Lucy by willingly and knowingly cutting his hair. Also, how freaking intimate was it that she had to run her hands through his LUSCIOUS hair, probably shower his head, and scrub his scalp. The intimacy was real 👌🏼.

Also, what a NICE, SWEET, KIND, WHOLESOME guy. We love 💜. I just really loved the fact that he was so open about wanting someone in his life and that he let Lucy walk straight into his life with open arms because he genuinely loved her.

Cooper had a very interesting and kind of open-ended backstory. He moved back home to Nashville after moving away to get away from his ex, Janine. He loved Janine a lot and was ready to start a life with her. I got the vibe that there was more about Janine than Cooper was letting on in the beginning. He later revealed how he was ready to marry Janine, and had this huge proposal set up for her, but she ultimately said no. I felt that Cooper got rejected in his proposal because I could tell that he was someone who loved with his whole heart and once he was in, he was in (in love, not whatever else you were thinking! Get your dirty mind out of the gutter 😂). So it was difficult for me to see why no one would have wanted to marry him because he was such a good guy, but maybe to Janine Cooper was a good guy but not the right guy. And that happens. However, I could still understand and feel Cooper’s heartbreak because he loved this woman and spent all these years convinced that he was going to start a life with her only for things to not work out the way he had hoped. That had to throw a tree in his path, or whatever the saying was. .

Because Cooper was still navigating this new path in life, he moved back home and roomed with Drew because his job was in Nashville. But when he was living in Nashville, he went out a lot and partied and had this party boy reputation of going out with a lot of girls. He wanted to prove to his ex that other people wanted him when the ex didn’t want him.I felt like it was difficult for Cooper to know that his ex was living this life that he always wanted for himself—-having a home, marriage, and a family. Cooper was such a sweet man because deep down I could tell that he really wanted those things—-that those were his dreams—-and it hurt that he thought he found someone he thought he could start a life with, only for it to not work out. I thought ti was very wholesome and endearing of him to have this home that he wanted to be his forever home—-a home where he could start a family with.

HIs house was very empty and barren because he didn’t want to decorate it by himself. He wanted someone to help him and put all their knick knacks or personal touches to make his house feel more like a home. Heck, he didn’t even have a couch or a TV. When he talked about his dreams for his house and his future, I could already gauge that the story was heading in the direction where Lucy would eventually move in at the end because she was going to be the one who made his house feel more homey. Lucy would bring her vibrancy and her son Levi, and they could start their own family 🥺💜.

He was a true family man.

In my mind, I keep thinking about how my heart would melt like butter on hot pancakes if my ideas came to fruition. It would just be incredibly sweet to see Coopers dreams come true and that his house wouldn’t be so desolate and not lively. I really hoped that for his future because Cooper deserved happiness.

Hold up, I loved loved loved how Cooper always hyped Lucy up as a single mom with a rocking bod 🤪. Not going to lie, him doing so was incredibly sweet and endearing. Because Lucy was a mom, she was constantly aware of the changes in her body, and she was very insecure about certain parts of herself. I could understand why she felt scared about how Cooper might view her because a woman’s body does change after being pregnant and giving birth. However, those changes DOES NOT make a woman any less beautiful and strong. I believe it makes a woman stronger and more beautiful. Nevertheless, most woman might feel hesitant or scared about how others might perceive their body afterwards. So Lucy was frightened to have this really hot guy like Cooper see her mom bod or all these changes. But Cooper never failed to make Lucy feel loved in her body and to make her feel hot.

I loved this one moment where Lucy was going to go out on a date with one of Drew’s friends, and Cooper being the nice (non-territorial) guy he was, he told Lucy to go out and enjoy her night. We all knew deep down that Cooper would have liked it more if Lucy hadn’t gone, but he couldn’t start something serious with her, and he didn’t want to hold her back. I liked how he was respectful enough to know that even if he couldn’t be with her the way he wanted to at the moment, that he still let her do her own thing because he wasn’t the boss of her. I thought that was very healthy and kind of Cooper to do. I also loved the fact that Cooper helped Lucy pick out an outfit, and how he was so in-tune to know what she needed; he knew her so well at that point to tell.

“It’s like she’s been desperately trying to hide behind a comfortable facade, but inside, she’s still a woman who wants to feel attractive and desired. She wants to feel those things but is afraid to show it.”

(pg. 144)

And this goes back to how being a mom can change one’s body and form these insecurities, understandably so. However, Cooper was really sweet about picking up how Lucy was such a fun, vibrant spirit who still wanted to feel hot and desired, but she didn’t know how to be when she was a mom. And she was scared to be this hot image when she hadn’t felt super sexy in a while. But I liked that Cooper reconnected her with a sexy version of herself because it reclaimed her confidence.

“But somewhere along the way, I forgot that I could still be a woman and Levi’s mom.”

(pg. 202)

I think someone who loves you, will empower you and show you the best parts of yourself that you might not see.

And I loved that Cooper reminded her of her worth and power as both a mom and a strong, hot, independent woman.

Freaking Cooper made me crack up because of course he had plans to ruin her “date” and watch her. I freaking laughed with how he basically sat near her and gave her the eyes the whole time, and how they were texting each other behind the menu, or in Cooper’s case behind a plant near the bathroom. I also felt terrible for Lucy’s date because he seemed like he was a decent man, but not the right man and he was so understanding of Lucy saying the calls and texts were from her nanny when it was from Cooper. I also laughed with how they were basically roasting each other’s dates because they were JEaloUS 🤪.

In their roasting, Lucy kind of roasted herself by saying she basically had saggy boobs because she breastfed, and MY HEART was gushed out of my chest and into a puddle on the ground when Cooper felt the need, the NEED to call Lucy and tell her how beautiful she was and to never talk down her mom body. I just really appreciated how he made a woman feel confident and proud of who she was. I mean, who was Cooper’s mother because she raised a good man?!! Honestly, get you a partner who appreciates you for you.

“Being a mom does not make you less applying. It makes you the whole package.”

(pg. 154)

Cooper can take my heart and melt it 🥺💜.

Cooper’s not losing his woman tonight 😂.

Cherish and respect, my friends, cherish and respect. And not just women, anyone.

Cooper was just a sweetheart and knew the value of women and I respected that. It’s hard to find someone like that these days 🙈.

And Cooper was not wrong. I genuinely loved Lucy.

The thing I really loved about Lucy was seeing her as a mom. You could tell how much adoration, love, and care she had for Levi—-how she put Levi above everything because he mattered most to her. I could understand how difficult it must be to balance being a mom, a working person, and a human being with a social and personal life—-it’s all these hats that we constantly try to don, but never feel like we have enough time to do so. I believe balancing all her roles or wearing all her hats was another reason Lucy felt insecure as a mom because she didn’t know how to do it all by herself. No one really does and no one really should do it all by themself. Being a mom is like traveling to a new country with a nothing but a backpack and a water bottle and trying to find a place where you fit or a place to go. It makes your head spin, trying to navigate where you’re going or what your’e going, it makes your heart race with fear and anticipation and excitement. And there are many days you might want to turn around and go back home or call it a quits, but you keep going because it is all worth it—-to love your baby and take care of them. I have so much love and respect for mom’s, especially single moms—-single parents in general. Doing it all by yourself is a whole other journey.

I’m glad Lucy had her family to support her or watch Levi when she needed time for herself. I also liked that she found Jessie, her boss at the salon who she could relate to and they could talk about being single moms.

There was definitely more to Jessie’s story than Jessie was letting on, and I was intrigued to learn more about Jessie because we didn’t know who the dad was or what the situation was. All we knew was that she was expecting a baby and the dad wasn’t in the picture. I was confused, but also hurt for Jessie because I could feel her fear with figuring out how to be a single parent, but also the changes going on in her body. I liked that Jessie had Lucy to talk to because Lucy also struggled with the changes in her body, which was natural and valid. If I were Jessie, I would feel the exact same because if my body changed that much, I would struggle to grapple with what is normal and what is not. But having someone to talk to about these changes would make me feel less alone and invalidated for the changes I was seeing.

It made my heart-warm how Lucy could partially heal by talking to Jessie.

“How did I hold myself back from this for so long? I was trying to force myself into a picture of who I thought I should be, and it was suffocating. Now, I’m here, I’m growing, breathing, and I might not be the exact image of what motherhood should be, but I am full of messy happiness and that’s enough for me.”

(pg. 292)

Knowing Lucy’s mindset in the beginning and how much it changed now, made my heart weep with happy tears 🥺.

Because, again, it’s difficult to be a single parent and not know exactly what you are doing. And I think people place a lot of shame and embarrassment on single parents for not knowing what they’re doing, but honestly everyone has different parenting journeys, and no one should judge them for that. So I loved that Lucy acknowledged that she was letting go of those expectations and learning and growing because she was the best mother should could be for her. And that is more than enough 💜, abso-freaking-lutely.

She was also the exact opposite of Cooper.

She had no chill 😂.

When she sent that text to Cooper, I was like, “Sis, that’s a BOLD text, but at least she was being honest.” I feel like depending on the guy, the guy would have took Lucy’s text as a reason to sprint the heck away, but I loved how Cooper loved Lucy’s honesty because that was one of the very things I loved about her too. Also, that innuendo wasn’t helping her come across as less flirty.

I also FREAKING CACKLED when Lucy literally dropped it low and hid behind her hair styling cart and then Cooper still saw her 😂. I would have done the same thing as Lucy, and I would have felt equally and even more mortified by the prospect of a very hot and sweet guy spotting me openly hiding from him. But I mean, I didn’t blame her after her text. I also loved the reason why Lucy loved hairdressing—her mom used to be a hairdresser, and it was something Lucy grew to love and be good at.

I’ve never seen a hairdresser as a career choice in a book, so it was refreshing because hairdressers have very important jobs and I feel like sometimes people take hairdressers or other significant jobs like that for granted when they don’t think about it. I have an aunt who is a hair dresser, and I always find it cool how she knows how to cut and style hair. I used to cut my Barbie’s hair, and I wouldn’t’ say it was the worst 🤪, but it sure was no Jonathan Van Ness beauty transformation 😂.

“I don’t think everyone is meant to have careers that change the world. Sometimes you’ve just gotta pay the bills and then clock out so you can get to live the life you love the most, which for me, is being with Levi.”

(pg. 58)

I really liked what Lucy said here.

Because I think most people think that their job is not important if it doesn’t make a huge impact like if you’re not a doctor, a lawyer, a teacher, a nurse, a dentist, etc. But all jobs serve a purpose and are so invaluable. When the pandemic closed everything, one of the things people realized was that they had to cut their hair at home and not many people knew how. People also grew more appreciative of grocers, mail carriers, and all these other professions that we never deemed significant before until we saw these very professions continue through adversity. So no, not every job has to save lives, but every job does have its impact and I think it’s important to remember that and never degrade our work by comparison.

I also liked Lucy’s wild side.

Her livelier side goes back to how I felt like she didn’t allow herself to be herself because she thought she had to be a mature, responsible mom. She did have to be, but being a mature, responsible person odens’t mean you can’t also let loose and do things that are fun, you know? Also, Lucy seemed like the type of person who loved taking risks but was scared to do so now because her laugh had changed so much. So I loved how Cooper brought out her livelier side again and made Lucy feel like Lucy again.

I can’t say I didn’t cackle at Lucy and Cooper sneaking into someone’s pool late at night. I freaking was in hysterics when they tried to tiptoe in the dark and be all quiet, and then we had Lucy over here slamming her car door 😂. Way to be quiet.

I also loved the fact that they did cannonballs in this pool and jumped all around. But when Cooper revealed to Lucy that they actually sneaked into his backyard, I CRIED 😂. She sure lived on the edge!!!! It was just hilarious because she was so convinced she was doing something bad and sneaky, only to find out that it wasn’t actually dangerous in the first place—-an illusion of sneakiness. I guess, it was better that they didn’t actually sneak into someone’s pool in case they got arrested, but still, I liked how he made her feel like a dangerous woman—-channeling that inner Ariana Grande.

Bro, when Cooper denied her kiss though, I WAS SCREAMING!!!!!!!!!

“But nope, nope, nope, can’t do that. Not to a best friends sister.”

(pg. 91)

Cooper really was an honorable and respectable man, but REALLY, SCREW BEING A BFB, KISS THE GIRL 🤪!!!!

SHA LA LA LA LA DYNOMITE.

Sebastian is screaming with me 🦀.

I’m just joking, I understood why Cooper didn’t want to kiss her. But dang, if I was Lucy and I was already feeling insecure about a nice man like Cooper reciprocating those feelings, I would have definitely felt embraced and shut down after that.

Even though Cooper didn’t kiss her back and Lucy felt mortified, I liked how they still built up such a healthy and respectable relationship. Their relationship was nothing but respectable.

I mean, to be completely honest, they both could have been with each other MUCH sooner if they weren’t concerned over how Drew would feel 🙈. Not me, calling Drew out like that! But am I wrong 🤪?

Cooper wanted to respect Drew because he was the older brother of Lucy and of course, Drew would be protective of his sister who was recently hurt and had previous sucky relationships. Also, Drew would naturally side with his sister and do anything to protect her. So basically, to me, it felt like the only thing standing in their way was Drew 😂. Cooper liked Lucy and Lucy liked him back but they were just sooooo concerned over how Drew would feel about them. But I was like, they are grown a** adults, and should be able to be in a relationship if they reciprocate those feelings in a healthy way. Who cares what the older brother thinks because it’s not his life or his relationship? And who is Drew to stand in the way of true love if Cooper was the right person for Lucy? They were literally tip-toeing around Drew like he was the bomb that was going to detonate with any wrong step. Nope, it wasn’t the parents they were sneaking around, but the brother. I get it, but still.

I felt like if they just got up the courage to freaking talk to Drew sooner, they would have avoided all this sneaking around and could have spent more time actually being together. I also felt like if they both talked to each other about this supposed “bro code,” that they would have known how they felt about each other. Because Lucy was thinking that Cooper didn’t like her in that way, and I kept shaking my head to myself because that couldn’t have been further from the truth. We all knew Cooper was obsessed with her. However, it was “bro code” that prevented him from doing anything he wanted with Lucy, which was respectable. We love that for Cooper. But I felt like he should have explained to Lucy that he liked her as more than a friend but he wanted to wait until he could ask Drew for his blessing because that could have saved her all this doubt about whether or not Cooper had feelings for her. If I was Lucy, I would have been getting all these mixed signals too.

“It’s the little things like this that he does that turn me inside out.”

(pg. 234)

Despite having to keep things causal and modest, they had some really cute moments. I just really loved how Cooper did open his home to Lucy and how Lucy felt comfortable bringing things over. When she started to bring plants or little knick knocks that were her personal touch, I felt like that was Lucy’s way of slowly sprinkling her life with his. I also loved when Cooper bought a TV just so he could watch movies with Lucy in his house. I loved when he snuggled her, hugged her legs, and rubbed her feet. I loved all the romantic gestures and physical touches because they were cute, sweet, and caring.; He wasn’t trying to feel her up in a gross way, but be near her because he genuinely loved being with her.

But when Lucy said let’s watch The Holiday, my heart was a gooey puddle because Cooper talked about how he wanted to fill his house with his future family and create memories like watching cheesy rom coms like The Holiday. The fact that he was now watching that very movie he talked about and to do so with a woman he really loved, was just so darn perfect. I mean, they were Vvibing on the same wave length! I need to watch The Holiday 🙈. But just so cute!

My romantic heart couldn’t take it.

I also loved when Cooper was so gentle and caring of Lucy when she was drunk and not feeling the best. I loved how he held Lucy’s hair back for her and then took the time to braid Lucy’s hair. It was such a simple act, but I loved that because not many people know how to braid hair, but I liked how Cooper did something for Lucy. I also liked the story behind how he knew how to braid—his cousins taught him. I also loved that he was honorable because Lucy really wanted to get it on or start something with him, but he didn’t take advantage of her or the situation. A freaking gentle man.

But you know what was better than all these snuggling and intimate stay-at-home moments?

Whenever Cooper would bond with Levi 🥺💜!!!!

You cannot sit there and tell me that Cooper bonding with Levi was’t the most wholesome thing. you’ve read in a while! You can’t.

I’m a sucker for a single parent in a book who finds a romantic partner who bonds with their child like the child is their own 🥺. Get’s me every time—-activates the tear-ducts for sure.

I freaking loved when Cooper met Levi, Cooper was all like, “What’s up, buddy?” (pg. 130). BUDDY!!!! How cute! And then Levi was so excited for Cooper to see his socks and join them to fly a kite. I also loved loved loved how Lucy could tell how much Levi liked Cooper b y the way Levi lit up and instantly let Cooper into his circle of trust instant. Kids are such a good judge of character and any body good with kids is an instant green flag for me 💜. Family man indeed. Cooper flying the kite with Levi was one of the cutest things in the world and how they bonded over loving peanut butter, or when Cooper went to go fix under the car and took off his shirt and then Levi took off his shirt like he was a big manly man too 🥺. SO CUTE—-the fact that Levi was already looking up to Cooper.

There was this one part where Lucy was fantasizing about Cooper driving a car full of groceries.

“I have no idea, but I had visions of him driving this car with no shirt on and the back seat loaded down with groceries, and I was getting so hot and bothered that I had to roll down the window.”

(pg. 130)

I didn’t blame her!!!

I feel like the older you get, the little things that someone does in a special way makes all the difference. I would have felt the same if someone I liked bonded with my child and looked like the picturesque father figure—-like that person fit right into the image or our life. I mean, that is a highly attractive thing because Lucy never had someone who stayed or who was that father figure for Levi, but now she had Cooper who clicked with Levi and who was showing her how ready he was for this life with her and Levi.

I mention this fantasy she had because towards the end when Lucy and Cooper did get together (but didn’t tell Drew yet), they had this whole grocery shopping moment where they “coincidently” saw each other at the grocery store. It was basically a grocery store booty call if you ask me, but I freaking loved how that was absolutely wholesome and domestic the scene was. Cooper and Lucy were just at the grocery store with Cooper pushing the cart and random women hitting on him. I loved when Lucy told Levi to pretend Cooper was his dad 😂. But ti truly made for such a sweet and cute moment. I think this scene just hit differently because there was such a simplicity in the beauty.

What also had me oozing like syrup on a pad of waffles was when Cooper responded to that woman who was hitting on him.

” I was just looking for my family.”

(pg. 216)

What a simple thing to say, but it packed such. heart-felt meaning.

He had been looking for his family, and he found it with Lucy and Levi. Levi and Lucy showing up at the store wasn’t a mere act, it was reality. They were his family, and I felt like Lucy also felt the double meaning of his words. She deserved happiness and love with a man who loved her for all her parts and loved Levi like his own.

I also loved the moment when Levi had to go to the bathroom and Levi was like I can go by myself. But then Levi got to the bathroom and he was scared to go in, so Cooper went to check if the stall was clean and safe for Levi—-something a father figure would definitely do. I laughed with how Cooper said he felt like a superhero coming out of that bathroom stall to deliver the safe news 😂. I felt like Cooper doing something so simple for Levi emphasized how much he cared for him, and it was also a big move for Cooper to step up for Levi.

When they kissed in the grocery store, I was really hoping that Drew didn’t see them because he was back from his trip. Gosh only knows what Drew’s reaction would have been if he saw them at that moment. But they were safe. I loved when Cooper tucked in Levi that night, making him all snug like a burrito. Cooper really has the touch with kids 💜.

“‘Did you just call him Coop?’

Levi nods, and Cooper is already rounding the bed. ‘Yeah, of course he did. All my best friends call me Coop.’

. . . ‘Then why do I call you Cooper?’ I ask with a hand on my hip.

He title his head to look at me with a sideways grin. ‘Cause I’ve never thought of you as just my friend.'”

(pg. 225-6)

That was SUCH a smooth line. I see you Cooper 😏!!!!

Sauce and smooth. He should just be a shampoo brand at this point 😂.

You know what else was a smooth move?

When Cooper played it up as Lucy’s boyfriend in front of her trashy ex, Brent 😆. Not going to lie, Cooper being her boyfriend in front of the ex was a power move if there ever was one. And I was SO HAPPY for Lucy that she could finally show her dumb ex up because he had been stringing her along for years and demeaning her that he deserved a proper knock off his high horse.

When toxic ex Brent and showing him up by kissing him his office and making Lucy feel more confident

I kind of got ahead of myself because obviously Cooper and Lucy did start something without telling Drew, which DUH, when they had that many sparks between them, they were bound to blaze. I just though it was hilarious after they talked about having boundaries one moment, they literally went to zero boundaries the next to play up this whole boyfriend thing to Brent, which I was fine with. But also, what happened to boundaries 🤪?????? They said, no boundaries and I was okay with that.

“I think we both have to agree that a relationship between us is off limits for now. Strictly friends—at least until Drew gets home and we can both talk to him together about how we’re feeling.”

(pg. 182-3)

They said, no boundaries and I was okay with that.

I freaking loved when Cooper really made a big show of being into Lucy, but then again it wasn’t an act. It just made stupid Brent uncomfortable with the fact that someone else was interested in Lucy and that he lost his chance with someone or he lost his back up person. The fact that Brent degraded Lucy to her face in front of Cooper was a whole other thing where I just wanted to punch some sense into him because how dare he talk down to Lucy like that and make her feel like she wasn’t enough for everyone. He was a walking red flag from the get go.

Even though Brent SUCKED, I liked how Sarah Adams included a character like him because I think many people have had people like Brent in their lives who they had a comfortable relationship with and they hope for more one day—-that it will work out. But I just say this in the most respectful way, that you can do so much better than holding onto someone who doesn’t want you back and who makes you feel like a second choice. You don’t deserve to be stringed along for no one just because there is history there, you deserve someone who loves you for you and will put you first. Also, love is not someone degrading you and making you feel like you are not enough. Brent never deserved Lucy or Levi for that matter because he did the absolute bare minimum as a person in Levi’s life.

I also really loved the double date thing. I cracked up with how Jessie advised Lucy to wear her most hideous underwear because it would make her less likely to do something smutty with Cooper, which, you know, makes sense 🤪. I CACKLED when Lucy got into the car and the first thing she blurted out was about her hideous underwear. But we loved how Cooper didn’t think she was weird for doing so, but even more in love with her because of Lucy’s honesty. I also loved how Cooper stood up for Lucy and preached about how lucky he was to love and know her. I mean, get you a partner who obviously values your worth👏🏼!!!! Brent was just shocked that someone could love Lucy that much because he’s a douche canoe with his head too far up his butt to appreciate anything 🙃.

I feel like Lucy needed closure with her ex to finally move on and accept that she did deserve something nice and caring with a good man. Because I felt like she didn’t think that life was for her or that she could ever find someone like Cooper who would love her for her and for Levi. But there are good men or people out there, and I’m happy she found Cooper.

I’m a sucker for when the main character lets an “I love you” slip out of their mouth without knowing it 🥺. It gets me every single time. I mean, it’s just so natural because the person loves the other person but they are scared to say it but then comes a moment when it just comes out and it feels right. And they had that special moment and I loved it. That’s how you know it’s true love—-when the love just feels right.

Their love was strong enough to make Cooper want to tell Drew. I have to say, Cooper really had some gusto that day because he really should have slowed his roll to sit Drew down and actually have a decent conversation about how much he loved his best friend’s sister. Coming out of his best friend’s sisters room shirtless was definitely not the way to break the news my dude 😅.

Cooper was also not helping himself 😂.

“‘You slept with my sister?’

‘Not in the way you’re suggesting, but I will sleep with your sister in the way you’re suggesting at some point.'”

(pg. 240)

COOPER! YOU DUMB IDIOT 😂!!!!!

That’s not how you break the news gently. But I have to say, at least he was honest about his intentions 😂.

But like I said before, I felt like Drew needed to calm down and process the news first and get his head out of his butt because this was not his life nor his relationship and I have no clue why he was so gosh darn worked up because it was none of his gosh darn business anyway 🙃.

I mean, he was being a DUMB IDIOT too. I understood why he was furious and upset at first because the news was a lot and he wanted to protect his sister, but also I didn’t feel like it was his place to be that peezed off about it to the point that he ignored Lucy for weeks. I mean, she did nothing wrong. Who FREAKING CARES if she was dating his best friend? Like, what is the big deal? Build a bridge and get over it 👏🏼😆!!!! It was just dumbbbbbbbbb.

They don’t need Drew’s approval, and frankly if he wasn’t happy for Cooper and Lucy that’s his problem. He’s a grown man.

Honestly, I don’t blame Jessie for hating Drew’s stinking guts and throwing a wad of diapers at him for being a dumb idiot for ignoring Lucy. I would have yelled him out too because someone needed to knock some sense into him.

You know what really made me FURIOUS about Drew?????!!!

It was one thing to ignore Lucy and Cooper’s relationship, but when Levi went to the hospital because he wasn’t feeling well, Drew never even answered Lucy’s calls. WHAT A MONSTER 😡. That was his nephew and he straight up IGNORED the fact that his NEPHEW was in the hospital because of a petty a** grudge because he was sooooo bothered that Lucy and Cooper were dating. What a dummy. And the dude’s a doctor, you would think he would care more about his nephew’s health 🙄.

But Cooper was there.

And Drew had the audacity to think Cooper was not good enough for Lucy. At least he was there!

“Always. I’ll be here always.”

(pg. 253)

Those words cemented their strong bond because they had been through so much together, and this moment brought them closer together. Lucy knew that Cooper truly would always be there for her and Levi and that he wasn’t going to go anywhere. After all the people who left her life or who didn’t want to stay, it meant the world to have someone who did. Cooper was also such a rock for Lucy when she was obviously shaken up and terrified for her son. I could only imagine what she was feeling because that’s absolutely scary to see your child go through something and feel helpless when you want to help. When Lucy was navigating those feelings, I loved that Cooper was there because it made me think about all the times that Lucy had to be strong for herself when she was a single mom. But now she had someone to rest her head on or who could be her strength in the storm—-it helps to have people like that in our life. It’s not easy to weather something alone. I was happy for Lucy that she didn’t have to go through this alone again.

I could tell Cooper was also petrified and didn’t know what to do or say, however, I loved that he knew that he needed to be there for Lucy. Lucy had a deeper connection to Levi because Levi was her son and they’ve been through everything together, so she would understandably be more scared. I say this part because it’s not that the male has to be strong every time, but sometimes when a person/partner shows calmness and strength it brings peace and calm to their partner as well. Cooper did that for Lucy. I also loved that 💜.

Who needs Drew 🤪?

I will say, Drew did show up all apologetic at the end with a balloons and apologies. I really expected a deeper heart to heart or a better apology. All Drew did was bro hug it out with Cooper like the last few weeks never happened. I was FURIOUS FOR LUCY. I mean, bros are sooooo easy to make up and it’s so dumb. I agreed with Lucy when she said . . .

“That’s it?! After everything we’ve all gone through, y’ll are just going to do whatever that was and move on?”

(pg. 256)

Idiots.

It just felt like they never solved their problem and everything was easily forgiven without really talking through Drew’s anger or hurt and their perspective of their relationship. I didn’t think everything was okay and wold have liked that conversation. I also really wanted to know what Drew did in that time that he didn’t speak to Cooper and Lucy. I mean, was he self-reflecting or what 😂?

I enjoyed the end where Lucy did move into Cooper’s house with Levi. However, the proposal was anti-climatic as heck 🙈. I mean, they just jumped in the pool and it was reminiscent to their first “wild adventure” together, but I felt like Cooper and Lucy definitely could have done something cuter than just talk about getting married at that moment. I just felt like their whole relationship was fast and cute, and that their proposal could have been grander or had more razzle dazzle; I really wanted the whole shebang with their proposal that would make me combust my emotions out. I also felt like the end was really rushed without any real closure with Drew or more conversations about how Lucy and Cooper planned to integrate their lives and make things work, which was a conversation they should have had going into their relationship.

The epilogue set us up for The Temporary Roomie, which would be about Jessie and Drew. I didn’t get why Jessie felt the need to lie to her granddaddy about being in a fake relationship. If there’s anything I learned from all the books I’ve read, lying gets you no where and it’s better to tell the truth 😅. I mean, Jessie could have saved herself a whole lot of worry if she just told her granddad she was single and thriving. I don’t know, that’s what I was thinking.

I was excited for the next book because I really wanted to understand Drew and Jessie more. Their characters were both build up well in hit book and had enough mystery shrouding them that made them intriguing.

I enjoyed The Off Limits Rule because it made me laugh, gush, and fall in love. Also, I loved Cooper and Levi’s relationship because I’m a sucker for a love interest bonding with a child. I also loved the cute moments Cooper and Lucy had because they brought out the best in each other. Lucy was just a star and Cooper was smooth and I loved their dynamic.

Personally, I would have liked more honest conversations from Lucy about her feelings about Brent and digging deeper into that because I think more could have been said about how that effected her. I also would have liked to gone deeper with Cooper’s party boy phase to understand how he changed to be who he was now or what he was like back then. I also wondered a lot about Cooper’s family—-who was his parents, why was he so rich, and who was his other friends? I just felt like we didn’t get to know Cooper as much as we did Lucy. I understand the story was focused more on Lucy’s life, but if we also had Cooper’s POV, it would have been nice to add more depth and history to his character to develop his arc.

This next improvement suggestion sounds weird, but I would have liked more conflict 😅. I don’t mean over dramatic conflict that’s outlandish, but I felt like the story was missing conflict that made the characters fight for their love and to emphasize how much they really wanted to be together or how much they worked through their problems to be together. I don’t know. Drew was definitely a conflict but he wasn’t an internal problem that made both characters work on themselves or their relationship. No offense to Drew, but he was like gum on the bottom of a shoe—-a nuisance. Tell me I’m wrong 🤪. He was an easy problem to fix, so Drew wasn’t really the conflict. I wanted something that really tested their love and themselves so they could work together to have that grand gesture, cheesy as that may sound. But a grand gesture always means more after a couple works through something because it highlights how much they want to be together.

Not going to lie, I also wanted a bit more spice 😏.

But other than those things, I thought the book was a great time and it did make me happier than I was before. So Sarah Adams definitely achieved her goal as a heart-warming, lovable author. I am definitely a fan and will (and have now) read all her books 🥰.

Anyway, what was your favorite part of the book? Least favorite part? What did you think of the book? 

What is your favorite romance tropes? I love a friends to lovers or childhood friends to lovers, wipe-the-tear trope, late night talks trope. I have more, but I’m blanking 😅.

Let me know below in the comments as I love hearing from you all 💕

I hope you have a beautiful day whenever and wherever you might be reading this 😊.

And as always, with love,

Rating

4.68 Full Bloom Flowers

Characters: Lucy has such a spunky and positive energy that’s infectious. I also really loved Cooper because he was an honest family man and wholesome.

Plot: I loved the best friend’s brother trope and all the cute moments in-between

Writing: Sarah Adams has a witty, funny, airy, light-hearted writing style that is easy to fall into and fall in love with 🥰

Romance: I LOVE Cooper and his endless support of Lucy and Levi 💜