Beat the rise! Delivery fees are going up soon.

Close Notification

Your cart does not contain any items

Rules of Engagement

A Novel

Eva Manalo

$70.95   $64.07

Hardback

Forthcoming
Pre-Order now

QTY:

English
Crooked Lane Books
20 October 2026
A contemporary age-gap romance featuring forbidden attraction and the fake engagement trope with a messy, modern twist—for fans of Elsie Silver and Tessa Bailey.

Next month, Sloane Holbrook is marrying her best friend. Last night, she slept with his father.

It was an accident though—and her engagement to Rob Murphy is completely fake. The plan was to get married and keep up appearances just long enough for Rob to obtain his inheritance. Rob isn’t out to his family and Sloane needs the money to save for law school, so it’s a win-win.

Joel Murphy doesn’t know any of this. And he certainly never imagined that the woman he brought back to his hotel was going to be introduced as his son’s fiancée the next morning. But secrets this big are tough to keep, especially when tensions simmer between Joel and Sloane with every stolen glance, heated exchange, and careless slip that brings them closer to the line they’re not supposed to cross. 

While Sloane is dead-set on protecting her friend’s secret, Joel is equally determined not to jeopardize his son’s happiness. But as the wedding date draws closer, neither of them wants to admit how quickly their resolve is starting to crumble…
By:  
Imprint:   Crooked Lane Books
Country of Publication:   United States
Dimensions:   Height: 210mm,  Width: 140mm, 
Weight:   567g
ISBN:   9798892427562
Pages:   320
Publication Date:  
Audience:   General/trade ,  ELT Advanced
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Forthcoming

Eva Manalo enjoys long walks on the beach and writing even longer, steamier scenes in her stories. When she’s not doing either of those things, she’s practicing law.

Reviews for Rules of Engagement: A Novel

Praise for Rules of Engagement: ""Rules of Engagement by Eva Manalo is that rare mix of high heat and laugh-out-loud humor. Sloane is about to fake-marry her best friend for inheritance purposes only to find she's accidentally had a one night stand with the groom's father, the capable, experienced Joel. What follows is deliciously painful yearning as Sloane and Joel try (and fail) to suppress their attraction. Just when you are about to scream in delighted frustration as the tension builds, you are rewarded with the hottest scenes imaginable. This book will make you laugh, blush, and most of all, swoon. Eva Manalo is the new queen of heat!"" —Lindsay Lewis, author of It's a Business Doing Pleasure With You


See Also