Free spirited, artistic Poppy Calloway decides to float the idea of allowing some local teens to cover-up and then re-paint the local businesses that they tagged only to have her idea accepted on the condition that she supervise the work along with police Detective Jason de Sange. Sparks fly as the two get to know each other and the teens. Cute characters, inventive plot.

"Bending the Rules" is book two in Susan Andersen's 'Sisterhood Diaries' series about three unrelated women who have been best friends since childhood. When their wealthy benefactress dies, her will provides the impetus that eventually sees each woman finding just the right man for her.

Poppy was, and still is, the 'hippie' of the trio. Raised on a commune and the benefits of granola, she uses her talents to work with 'at risk' children. But even she isn't sure how to react when her latest project acquires an overseer...Detective de Sanges. This would be the same man who makes her girly parts not just hum, but break into full operatic arias! If only he wasn't so...by the book...frustrating...really, really HOT.

Jason comes from a family of cons and he's pretty sure the only thing keeping him from the same fate is his devotion to rules and regulations. So when his boss orders him to take part in Poppy's program for some 'good ink', he goes...but not happily. He's already had one run-in with Ms. Liberal and doesn't want another...no matter how smoking hot she is.

I like plots where the main characters are very different, yet manage to find a compromise. The electric attraction between these two almost singed my fingers and Andersen can definitely 'bring the heat' when it comes to love scenes. She also manages to focus on the problems of 'at risk' kids without preaching to the audience and that takes a fairly deft touch.

There were no real stutters or holes in Susan Andersen's latest. My biggest beef was with Jason's refusal to grow past his teen version of his character. There was a time or two when I wanted to smack him upside the head...or was praying that Poppy would! Other than that minor annoyance, it was a very fun read with a good bit of humor. ( )

3 1/2 to 4 stars
2nd in the Sisterhood Diaries.
I read this book without having read the first in the series Cutting Loose Sisterhood Diaries 1. This was not a good idea for the setup/beginning of the book. Although I had no problems liking the Poppy and Jason or understanding their relationship, there was a lot about the Wolcott Mansion and what went on in the first book with Jane. Jason and Poppy must have first met in the first book, but I wouldn't know since I didn't read it. ...more 3 1/2 to 4 stars
2nd in the Sisterhood Diaries.
I read this book without having read the first in the series Cutting Loose Sisterhood Diaries 1. This was not a good idea for the setup/beginning of the book. Although I had no problems liking the Poppy and Jason or understanding their relationship, there was a lot about the Wolcott Mansion and what went on in the first book with Jane. Jason and Poppy must have first met in the first book, but I wouldn't know since I didn't read it. Although the story itself was stand-alone, the interactions with the Sisterhood (Poppy, Jane, and Ava) were not. Plus, it is obvious that Ava's story is set up in this book (a short scene with someone from high school).
Okay, with that being said, I really did enjoy this book. It did have some cliches in it (boy doesn't think he is good enough, girl does stupid things that could get her killed, teenage attitude), but they worked. In some cases, there was some making fun of the cliches. I didn't quite care for some of the teenage lingo, but then again, I'm not really up on it to know if it was correct or not. Some of it just got a little annoying after a while.
A good book with an interesting story about troubled teenage kids and the people who help them. There are also a couple of steamy sex scenes.
I'm going to go back and read the first in the trilogy and wait for the last to be released. ( )