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The Casual Rule #3

The Only Rule

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After a bad break-up, Julia wasn’t interested in another romantic relationship. Ben wasn’t interested in commitment. Unable to fight their undeniable attraction, they embarked on a purely physical friends-with-benefits affair.

The only rule was to keep things casual.

But some rules were meant to be broken.

And their casual rule was obliterated.

Now madly in love and deeply committed to each other, they’re on the road to tying the knot.

With best friends like Allie, secret friend Stuart, and a big Italian family to help smooth out a few bumps on the matrimonial highway, getting to their wedding day may be one unpredictable ride.

A little more sweet, a little more smut, a little more snark.

This is the third and last of The Casual Rule series.
Recommended for readers 18+ due to sexual references and sex scenes

461 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 26, 2017

About the author

A.C. Netzel

7 books149 followers
Smart, Steamy, Snarky... Romance.

AC Netzel fills her stories with smart, steamy, snarky romance. She writes romantic comedies and contemporary romances that transport readers into stories filled with clever banter, heartwarming moments, laughter, and sizzling chemistry.

AC is a wife and mother who has an unhealthy obsession with her grandpup, Cooper, the best boy in the world. She and her husband live at the Jersey Shore, where she uses the beach as her seasonal office and the seagulls as her nosy coworkers who steal her food.

Here's how to find me:

My Blog: http://www.acnetzel.com

Facebook (to friend me):http://tinyurl.com/ou5urcq

Facebook: Author AC Netzel(to like my author page): http://tinyurl.com/on8mzkm

Instagram: https://instagram.com/acnetzel/

Amazon store: https://www.amazon.com/author/acnetzel

Email: acnetzel@gmail.com


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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
Profile Image for Sam C.
524 reviews12 followers
January 13, 2019
“Once upon a time, my best friend Jules fell in love with a good man. A man so good he could fuck her until she screamed. And they lived fuckily ever after”

I waited a long time for this book, I remember finishing the second installment in the series and dying to get my hands on the final one but then the author posponed the release a couple of times until I wasn’t even sure it was ever going to be published. I was mad, really mad with her for doing that and the book was just forgotten and stayed in a corner of my to-read list, until late last year when I realized it had been published already, I purchased it and it was once again forgotten among the pile of books I have yet to read.

Until the beginning of this year when I found it again and decided I was finally going to finish the series, I’m not gonna lie, I had forgotten quite a lot after so many years but as I started eating up the pages everything came back to me and I was once away swept away by the magic that is the story of Ben and Julia. And if the author needed all that extra time in order to make this novel as perfect as it was, then I forgive her, because I wouldn’t have wanted anything but what I got.

“You asked for the time. And it changed my life. So, to answer your question... yes, Julia, my love. For you, I will always have the time”

I think The Only Rule was the perfect way to conclude with the story of Ben and Julia, the novel was filled with romance, steaminess, laughs and a quite a lot of heart. I am completely enamored with the author’s writing style, she is able to transmit everything our characters are feeling and to make us feel like we are living everything alongside them.

It was a true pleasure to dive right into the lives of this couple one last time and see them get their happily ever after; there’s many things that I loved about this novel like the friendship between Allie and Julia, Julia’s relationship with her family, her connection to Ben and the fact that I found myself turning the pages and not wanting the book to be over so I could hold onto that universe for a little longer.

The Only Rule was definitely worth the wait, a delightful heart warming novel that will leave you wanting to find that man that makes you feel like Christmas morning everyday.

“Today- He takes my left hand in his and kisses my wedding band -I’m the richest man in the world”
Profile Image for A.C. Netzel.
Author 7 books149 followers
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November 30, 2017
The Only Rule is the last of The Casual Rule Series. Thanks to all who love Julia, Ben and, of course, Allie.





Profile Image for Jo Ann.
1,033 reviews5 followers
October 29, 2017
A thoroughly enjoyable conclusion to the romance of Ben and Julia!! Ms Netzel describes her writing as sweet, smart, smutty and snarky - it's that, and SO much more!!

The humor in this book is exactly my kind of funny - the banter had me snorting with laughter! The supporting cast of characters - from Allie and Vince to Julia's crazy family - lends such depth, humor and heart to the story. The chemistry (and sexy times!) between Ben and Julia is smokin' hot! The author tied in so many little things from the first two books - it made all the feels that much deeper. The writing is first rate and such a joy to read. But, what really had me crying happy tears, is the amazing epilogue and bonus chapter!!

Please, please, please a book for Allie and Vince!!

**4.5**
Profile Image for Palo.
175 reviews
November 20, 2017
I have no words right now to put into words what I'm feeling. Ben Martin, I just want to say that I love you with all my heart and having the opportunity to meet you and to get to know you was one of the best things that could ever happen to me in my reading world.
It took me such a long time to finish reading this book because of school but I told myself that I was going to be done with it this weekend even tho I knew I was going to end up crying. And I did.. two both.
The book was everything and more. At one point of the book I wanted to kill Julia because she was acting up stupid and wasn't even thinking what she was saying. All Ben wanted was to make her happy and he did it. He did everything for her because that man is in love and just to see her smile he would move earth for her. Once they got back on track my love for her returned and everything was okay.
Ben Martin truly is the love of my life and I will be reunited with him soon. Men like him makes me have such high expectations in life that every single day I truly feel that I'm going to end up alone.
A.C., thank you for bringing this characters to life and for making me and my friend have a mid life crisis with these three books.
Profile Image for Debbie.
709 reviews
October 28, 2017
This was a great conclusion to The Casual Rule series. The story is told from Julia's pov and the writing was excellent. The story begins with Ben and Julia engaged and planning their wedding which is making her crazy trying to please everyone. I just loved their "first date". There is a little drama involving both of the ex's but it gives them the needed closure. Julia's bff Allie is great and always there for her. After a few meltdowns the wedding turns out to be everything she had envisioned thanks to Ben. There is a great epilogue set 5 years in the future with a little bonus chapter in Allie's pov. Great series available though Kindle Unlimited.
3 reviews
September 17, 2019
Loved it.....

I love, !ove, love it. So sorry it's over. More please!
Thank you for a fun, interesting read.
Well done
Profile Image for Cocktails and Books.
4,110 reviews325 followers
October 29, 2017
When I read AC Netzel's debut book, The Casual Rule, I found myself delighted by Ben, Julia and Julia's best friend Allie. I quickly devoured books 1 and 2 and have waited patiently for the final book. I was certain Julia and Ben would have their HEA, but I had this burning need to be ensured they did. AC Netzel didn't disappoint with this final installment.

Ben and Julia don't have a perfect relationship. They bicker and they fight. But they love harder than the bickering and fighting. That love pulls them through a lot, just like real life. I think it's that realistic element that has this couple as one of my favorites. Ben is a hot, sexy, filthy alpha male. Julia is a stubborn, somewhat crazy woman. But together they work, even when they aren't, and it's hard to not want them to figure everything out and get their HEA.

I'll miss these characters and foresee re-reads of the entire series in the future. This is definitely a series to pick up.
Profile Image for Johanna.
339 reviews
October 31, 2017
It's no secret that I love Ben Martin with my whole entire heart but somehow this book made me love him even more, which I didn't think was possible.
I have to be honest, it took me some time to get into it and at one point I couldn't stand Julia, which was weird because I really loved her in the previous books but they dealt with their shit and I loved her again.
Once again, Ben Martin is the love of my life and more than once I found myself feeling sad because I don't think I'll ever experience love like that. Quite frankly, real men are nothing like Ben -at least not the men I know-. Damn him and all those book boyfriends who have set high expectations and essentially ruined dating for me.
109 reviews1 follower
November 24, 2017
Loved loved loved it!! Although I was a bit upset it’s bittersweet in the end... I genuinely loved this series. It’s funny, snarky, witty, steamy and simply lovely! <3

Please a book for Allie and Vince as well!!
Profile Image for Le Ann Foster.
739 reviews6 followers
November 8, 2017
I gave this book 5 stars!!

From the beginning of this series I fell in love with Ben and Julia. I was rooting from the start they would make and now here we are in book 3 and I cant tell you how it ends but I can say it so worth to read it!!! Before I read this book I did go back and read the other two because I didn't want to miss anything and because I miss Ben and Julia. A.C. has once again brings us a book full of love, laughter, heartfelt emotions and I was glad that I was along for this journey.

Ben and Julie wasn't suppose to fall in love, they were suppose to keep it casual...that was the rule. Now that the rule was broken now they were madly in love could they make it to their Wedding Day?

A.C. gives us twist, turns, a surprises and I couldn't have ask for a better book to the ending of this series. Cant wait to see what she writes next.

💙💙I voluntary reviewed a ARC copy from the author in exchanged for honest review💙💙
Profile Image for D'Juana Manuel-Smith.
Author 2 books7 followers
January 22, 2018
You Did It Again!

I have it the 5 stars it deserved! This one rounded off the trilogy beautifully and the story came full circle. When it's meant to be, nothing will stand in the way not even yourselves. I will and have recommended this book to everyone! Great read my friend🎉
Profile Image for Sharon Rudolph.
1,908 reviews
November 12, 2023
Great book

This book was amazing! Once again, I laughed and cried with them! I know the heartache of losing a parent and I could feel Julia's loss. The storyline was wonderful and I loved the epilogues. I loved this family and Allie cracks me up! I would love to read her book!
Profile Image for Lisa Mcintire.
613 reviews8 followers
November 13, 2017
Loveddd! Well didnt enjoy the fight they had cause I didnt see any reason for her to take it that far but for the other 99% I loved it and thought it was a great ending to the series
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews

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