Review: The Unwritten Rule by Elizabeth Scott

by First Mate Keira

Title: The Unwritten Rule
Author: Elizabeth Scott
Format: Hardback
Page Count: 210
Grade Reading Level: 9^th Grade +

Summary: All girls grow up knowing the unwritten rule. That you don’t date your friend’s exes is pretty much a given… but what about wanting to be with the guy while your friend is still dating him?

Why I started this book:

Saw some hype of it in the YA blogosphere a few months or so ago, sadly I can’t remember which blog anymore as I got the book from the library only very recently.

Likes:

The protagonist’s parents had evidence of a real life. The mother was involved in cooking and culinary contests. The father was a professor. They also were good parents and were still together and happy to be that way.
Ryan had wanted to break off his relationship to the friend from practically the beginning. In fact he was unwittingly roped into the relationship and was too shy and good mannered to break it off.
Sarah’s voice was sweet and heartbreaking as she worried about her friendship, her parents, and her friend’s boyfriend.

Dislikes:

Brianna hates her mom but is exactly like her mom. She belittles Sarah under the guise of kindness. She cheats on Ryan and yet insists she loves him and wants to stay with him.
The fact that Brianna cheated does in no way excuse or really justify Sarah’s and Ryan’s behavior. Cheating is never the answer. However while I don’t condone such behavior in real life I was very much rooting for the two.

Final Thoughts: Greg and Brianna deserve each other and Elizabeth Scott does a great job exploring one of life’s social dating rules.

Buy: The Unwritten Rule

Rating: 3 Treasure Chests