The Rules of Falling for You

Author: Mollie Rushmeyer
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 352
Release Date: September 2, 2025
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

She thought she knew the rules of love. Turns out, love makes its own.

The perfect match can't be far--certainly not at a Regency-themed singles' retreat--or so podcaster Zoe Dufour believes. After years of creating content for her relationship podcast inspired by Regency etiquette and era-appropriate rules for romance, she knows her listeners have anticipated this retreat. But she also attends with expectations of her own: finding the ideal modern-day gentleman who can meet every one of the nonnegotiables on her checklist.

Harrison Lundquist, Zoe's podcast producer and best friend's brother, reluctantly agrees to tag along on the retreat to capture footage while seeking a career-advancing promotion. He views the retreat as ridiculous. And Zoe's methods for finding her real-life Mr. Darcy? Downright absurd! But as he films her whirlwind dates, his growing feelings for her are sidelined by suitors vying for her attention. When Zoe realizes her checklist for the man of her dreams might be holding her back, she must decide if she's willing to rewrite her rules and take a chance on the person who has been there all along.

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Reviewer: Amy Smelser

This story was a fun regency inspired for modern day dating adventures that was both serious and a fun read. 

Zoe and her best friend, Eden, run a very popular podcast that deals with dating. They like to get their dating advice from the Regency period, like the author Jane Austen. Zoe has had some real doozies when it comes to her love life. And she is seriously wondering if there is anyone out in this big wide world for her as she is thirty now. I completely understood her desire for a relationship that was built on a strong foundation of love, trust, and loyalty. That she wanted someone she could rely on in all the years they would be married was not a fanciful dream. She wanted to be like her parents and their steadfast love in adversity.

Harrison, Eden’s brother, has been in the friend zone with Zoe for so long, he has just about given up on a romance with Zoe. In fact, if just staying friends was all that he could have with her, that was worth it for him. He certainly did not understand her or his sister’s fascination with fictional men of the Regency era. However, he saw that it was popular with a whole host of women.

This was a sweet, lighthearted romance that takes some modern characters and puts them in the Regency era for a brief time as a retreat. What shenanigans and mischief could possibly happen? This was a fun story from a brand-new author to me.

I was provided with a copy of this novel from Bethany House Publishers through Interviews & Reviews. I was not required to post a positive review, and all views and opinions are my own.

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Reviewer: Lori Parrish

This was such a fun rom-com. It’s a story true to its name. I simply couldn’t put this book down! I was grinning after I finished it, which was around 2am. I am still thinking about Zoe.

Even though it’s written in the here and now, something that I don’t care for, I enjoyed the storyline.

Rushmeyer has a way of making this style of writing fun! I've loved her stories since the first book came out. So she made this one work well.

Zoe and Harrison — what a couple! I enjoyed getting to know them. In my opinion, they made a great team! Sometimes I found myself shaking my head at them, though.

Keep in mind love has no bounds. Love has its own rules. It will find you where and when you least expect it.

I’m giving this one 5 stars just because it was a fun read and it left my heart feeling full and satisfied.

I received a copy of this book from Bethany House via NetGalley from Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion.

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Reviewer: Rebecca Maney

"I'm practically an old maid by Regency standards. . . . . . Even by modern measures, I'm only a handful of years and a few felines away from becoming a lonely, old cat lady."

With her thirtieth birthday looming on the horizon, podcaster Zoe Dufour's aspirations of holy matrimony are growing dim, despite broadcasting the nuances of happily-ever-after on a daily basis. When a unique opportunity to test out her thirty-by-thirty checklist for the perfect suitor presents itself, Zoe alongside her best friend and co-host Eden Lundquist decide that the Regency themed singles retreat would make an absolute perfect backdrop. Along with Harrison Lundquist, Eden's brother, as their producer, the three set off for what will indeed become the ultimate test of rules and regulations when it comes to love.

Tailor made for fans of Regency romance, this contemporary version wavers a bit from time to time in scene depth but rallies to prove that hilarity can also boast a mammoth amount of unexpected heart, especially when the story has only just begun.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book from Baker Publishing through Interviews & Reviews. 

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Reviewer: Laura J. Davis

The Rules of Falling for You is a delightful debut rom-com from author Mollie Rushmeyer. 

Zoe Dufour and her best friend, Eden Lundquist, have a podcast inspired by their love of Jane Austen’s books and all things related to the etiquette of Regency romance. Desperate to find “Mr. Right,” Zoe and Eden bring their podcast (with permission to film) to a Regency-inspired singles retreat. To help with their endeavour, they enlist the aid of Eden’s brother, Harrison, to produce and film during the retreat.

Zoe comes with a lot of baggage. Her attempts to find love have led to embarrassing and humiliating rejections. She believes it is the regency-inspired rules of courting that will help her find the man of her dreams. What she doesn’t seem to realize is that the man of her dreams has been standing in front of her all her life.

The first-person point of view of both Zoe and Harrison was perfect. To get inside their heads is exactly what the reader needs and pushes this story ahead. It is so funny, I could not put this book down (except to sleep), and I read it in two days! This is the kind of romance you want to read about, and it was so perfect that it would be wonderful to see this adapted for a movie.

While light on the faith element, it still had just enough to make it clear that trusting in God for the love of your life is more important than rules or etiquette.

If you enjoy rom-coms that take you back (sort of) to the Regency era, you will love The Rules of Falling for You.

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House Publishers through NetGalley for my honest opinion.

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Reviewer: Mindy Houng

“We’re just two imperfect people leaning into and giving back the grace and acceptance we’ve received.”

This is Mollie Rushmeyer’s debut in the rom-com genre, and it was such a fun adventure. Zoe’s list-making, perfectionist, romance-loving first person voice was delightful to get to know. Zoe felt very real with her struggles, fears, and ambitions. 

Harrison was a relatable, down-to-earth hero who was completely devoted to Zoe, though he suffered great angst from this unrequited love. His first-person voice was sarcastic, witty, and charming. Their banter, as well as the banter between Eden and Harrison, was quite enjoyable. 

I loved how all things Regency were entwined in the story and how solid Zoe and Harrison’s friendship was from the beginning. Yes, Harrison was Zoe’s best friend’s brother, but he was also a very close friend, which made the romance more realistic. Though the faith thread wasn’t heavy, it held the two main characters together. They were almost complete opposites except for their shared love of God and family.

It was really fun and special to see a Regency house party re-enacted in the 21st century. The pacing of the story lagged a bit in certain places. I know that romantic angst is the crux of all Regency (and Regency-infused) novels, but Zoe and Harrison could have ruminated a little less, especially at the retreat. That being said, if you enjoy delicious rom-coms with a hefty dose of the Regency era, you will totally love this book.

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House via Interviews & Reviews and NetGalley. I was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.

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