The Unwritten Rule

Everyone knows that you shouldn’t like your best friend’s boyfriend. But what if she starts dating the guy whom you liked first? That’s Sarah’s problem. Her best friend, the gorgeous but troubled Brianna, has started dating Ryan, the guy that Sarah has had a crush on for years. Ryan is the most wonderful guy Sarah has known, but Brianna deserves love in her life, and so Sarah walks quietly behind them, secretly wanting Ryan. When things turn even more complicated, though, Sarah must learn the extent—and the limitations—of love, and just which ones exactly are worth it.

Elizabeth Scott knows how to get to a wide range of readers’ hearts, and her sixth novel is no exception. THE UNWRITTEN RULE is a quick but emotional read show more that—despite some construction problems—will easily hit home.

The book could’ve easily been another telling of the ages-old girl-likes-forbidden-guy trope, but Elizabeth Scott skillfully weaves in a complex family subplot makes it a fresh story—and gets our attention. The published synopsis fails to mention that Sarah’s justified concern for Brianna’s emotional well-being and what kind of love her friend deserves is the result of Brianna’s painful relationship with her parents. As a result, we can see that the typical YA contemporary love triangle can have more depth to it than just adolescent “tru luv” feelings. THE UNWRITTEN RULE beautifully illustrates the painful complications of love, and what it means for someone to deserve—or not deserve—love, and to what extent love can be used as an excuse for hurtful behavior.

But THE UNWRITTEN RULE is also flawed in the same way as Scott’s other books. Each individual element of this story—each character, subplot, or event—works well on its own, but combined together, something feels…off. Sarah has been in love with Ryan forever, and when he talks he’s a pretty nice guy, but “nice” doesn’t equate to love: I wanted, and didn’t get, to see the reasons for her crush on him. Brianna’s parents are cruel in their behavior towards her, but their cruelty almost seems like a caricature, a placeholder for the neglectful and woefully underdeveloped parent. And Sarah’s almost feisty one-on-one conversations with Ryan border on vibrant and flirtacious, while at every other time in the book she’s so passive a snail could take advantage of her. While I thought the individual scenes were powerfully emotional, they never extracted themselves from the “staged play” feel and into an effortlessly realistic story.

Along the same lines, Sarah’s character developed infuriatingly little throughout the course of this book. I loved the progressive revelations on the different kinds of love and relationships, but she really barely changed from beginning to end. If her lack of definite personality was an attempt at making her more of a relatable everygirl, the attempt failed. I was left feeling like I had gotten a glimpse into the complex world of conditional love, but the narrator’s passivity ensured that I could never be fully invested in the book. I liked the story’s message, but the story itself was too easily forgettable.

I have no doubt that THE UNWRITTEN RULE will appeal to fans of Elizabeth Scott, because it contains the usual amount of emotional insight and angsty-but-still-lovable characters that she is famous for. However, critical readers will be bugged by these subtle yet significant weaknesses. Nevertheless, THE UNWRITTEN RULE makes for an easy and still overall enjoyable read, perfect for a day when you don’t desire human interaction but don’t want to merely lie in bed, zombie-like. Believe me, it’ll make you feel like an involved member of society without needing to leave the confines of your state of solitude. And sometimes that’s what you really need. show less

This is just the book I needed to remind me why I read YA. THE FEELINGS. I give this book a giant YES!! Unputdownable.

It's a common trope, girl is in love with boy, but boy is dating girl's best friend. The difference here is this one had FEELING. I felt every single thing that Sarah felt. I cried. My robot heart short circuited a little because Sarah was in so much pain-- and I felt that.

It helped that Brianna wasn't all that likable. She overlooks Sarah and Ryan's feelings time and time again because she's so into herself. Her redeeming quality is that she's going through some pretty horrific family stuff, so at times it's understandable that she be self-centered.

My favorite part of this whole book is the reminder that sometimes toxic show more friendships exist no matter how much you love the person. I had a friendship that I loved the person like a sister, but had to let her go-- and I think about her all the time, but I can't be friends with her and it sucks. I think that's what is really at the heart of this book, and for that, I'm thankful.

I think we all need to read books that touch our hearts, and I'm so happy I found this at a time when I needed it. So many of Elizabeth Scott's books have been at the right place and the right time for me over the years (my fave is: [b:Love You Hate You Miss You|5245026|Love You Hate You Miss You|Elizabeth Scott|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1347793323s/5245026.jpg|5312326]), and I really wish she would write a new book soon!

OVERALL: Tropey, but in all the best ways. If you want to read an "I'm in love with my best friend's boyfriend" book, go no further. This book had the trope but did it in the exact right way. Plus, any book that can make me cry these days is pretty special.

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The Short of It

Love your best friend’s boyfriend? Ooops.

The Long of It

Brianna and Sarah have been best friends since elementary school. They are also polar opposites. Brianna is ostentatious, flirty, and self-absorbed; Sarah is a dedicated, a bit of a wallflower, and loyal. In fact, other than their history, the only thing they really have in common is Ryan, Brianna’s boyfriend. Sarah is torn between her feelings for Ryan and her loyalty toward Brianna. Is he worth the end of a forever friendship?

The Thoughts about It

Pretty much, “whoa!”, right? This book is SO believable. And maybe it’s not always true love as it is portrayed in The Unwritten Rule, but let’s face it, girlfriends often fight over boys. It’s a pastime that show more doesn’t change, no matter the decade. I knew what this book was about, obvs, when I picked it up. It was no shocker that there would be a triangle of sorts. Rather, I was interested in seeing how the author pulled it off. Would it be this dopey little romance without any core? Or could it really do the situation justice?

Well the jury’s out folks, Scott managed to take a topic that could have easily gone into the rose-tinted rabbit hole where it all works out in the end. And, I guess, to a certain extent, it DOES work out. It’s just more of a purple-ish shade rather than rosy red.

I have to be honest; I was not so much rooting for either of the characters. It’s not as though I grew attached to them in any emotional way. But you know, that didn’t seem to matter here much. ‘Cuz even though I didn’t grow attached, I understood what motivated each of the three. And even though I’d probably not have been friends with any of them…well, okay, maybe I would have had a crush on Ryan. BUT Brianna and Sarah? Nu uh. If I had a shot for every time I rolled my eyes at Brianna’s behavior, I’d surely be getting my stomach pumped right about now. AND Sarah? If she was my friend and she confided in me with this lurve thing going on, I’d have to lay down the law, grow a bit catty, and point out all of Brianna’s self centered qualities and then say something to the effect of: you either figure it out or shut up. And I don’t mean that in a any way that Sarah was a whiny character. ‘Cuz she’s not. It’s just, it was so in your face that Brianna had isthues (way more deep than issues) and man, she didn’t even LOVE Ryan.

Ultimately, two thumbs up for Elizabeth Scott. The ending was handled PERFECTLY and (wait for it…wait for it) REALISTICALLY. As I’ve stressed many times, don’t market yourself as realistic fiction and then do something wacky like they lived happily ever after. *snort* show less

I think it's impossible for someone not relate to something in The Unwritten Rule. Be it having a crush on your friend's (or best friend's) boyfriend or maybe being friends with someone that uses you as a stepping stool, they can't give you a compliment without sort of insulting you at the same time. There is a lot here and I know it sure gave me a lot to think about and all the while Scott is writing in her relatable and humorous voice.

I love how the book is super romantic but also very serious when it comes to friendship and family issues. It's really a very well rounded book. At first Sarah's best friend Brianna seems like the sweetest friend ever but little by little you realize she's doing things for herself that are uncomfortable show more and wrong for her friend and boyfriend but she's not doing it without reason. She has some serious family issues but the book makes you think about the fact that you can only help a person so much without getting wrapped up in their issues and messing up your own life.

And normally you'd think of a potential boyfriend stealer as someone horribly awful but Scott writes Sarah and her past with Ryan in such a way that you (at least I did) think they should be together and it's always meant to be that way. And same with Ryan, he didn't come off as the sleazy boyfriend, he was almost angelic and wanted to do what was right for his girlfriend but also himself.

I tore through The Unwritten Rule wanting to find out how this how love triangle was going to work itself out and let me tell you I loved the entire ride and outcome. Of the 3 Elizabeth Scott books I've read this is definitely my favorite! show less

Reviewed by Sarah Bean the Green Bean Teen Queen for TeensReadToo.com

Sarah knows she shouldn't like Ryan. Ryan is Brianna's boyfriend, and Brianna is Sarah's best friend. There's an unwritten rule in friendship - no crushes on your best friend's boy. But the attraction is there - and besides, Sarah liked him first. When Ryan and Sarah are thrown together one night, something happens. Sarah is torn apart by guilt and wanting to act on her feelings.

Elizabeth Scott is an amazing author - she can write anything and I'm always amazed at her talent. I wasn't sure if I would enjoy this one, as I hate love triangles and stealing someone's boyfriend - no way! But Ms. Scott pulls it off in a wonderful way that made me feel for the characters.

As show more much as I liked Sarah and Ryan, Brianna was the stand-out character for me. I would like her and hate her at the same time. I would feel sorry for her but I'd also want to yell at her for being so mean. Ms. Scott walks a very fine line with Brianna and it works; she kept me guessing about her the entire time. Was she good or bad? Someone to like or not? And could we make excuses for her? I could have an entire book discussion on just Brianna alone!

But I can't leave Sarah out (and not just because she shares my name)! Your heart aches with her as she is wracked with guilt over wanting her best friend's boyfriend and wanting to remain loyal to Brianna. The story is slowly unraveled, and bits and pieces about the past are unveiled and the reader, like Sarah, wants so badly for Sarah and Ryan to be together.

I also love the families that Ms. Scott writes - she has the best supporting characters. I loved that Sarah was close to her parents and she's okay staying at home with them. I've always had a close relationship with my family, even as a teen, and that is a rare thing to find in YA books. Sarah's relationship with her parents was believable and they were a family I would love to visit.

This is an emotional novel and one that will stick with you. It might sound like it'll be a fluffy chick lit romance, and while there is romance, it's certainly not fluff! If you've read anything by Elizabeth Scott, you know she writes great romances and this one is no exception. It's never an easy or light romance - it's heart-wrenching and heartbreaking and real.

THE UNWRITTEN RULE doesn't take the easy, all-will-be-perfect route to this story, which I think makes the book even more realistic. This one will have you thinking about your friendships and relationships long after you read the last page. show less

Elizabeth Scott still floors me with her writing! In fact, it has been so long since I read her other books that this book made me want to read them all over again.

This book is adorable, it is true, it is just brilliant on so many levels! Sarah is a main character that everyone will be able to identify with on some level. We follow her in a friendship that is so real, you will find yourself thinking about your "friend" you had like Brianna. A toxic friendship, but one also deeply filled with need. Reading Sarah's inner thoughts and guilt was always intriguing, but never overwhelming. I found myself adoring her more as she grew as a person.

The love in this story, both between friends and between couples, is also so true to life. show more Brianna's struggle with her divorced and uncaring parents, again so true. Elizabeth Scott takes all the things that her readers might have faced as young adults and addresses them in a way that only she can.

My ultimate take on this book is simply that it is true and touching. I truly believe that every young girl should read this book at some point. It might prompt them to do a little soul searching as well. show less

I guess I've grown up A LOT in the last year because when I read this book, I thought it was kinda cute and a good book. The more I think about it, the more I see how annoying it is and how wrong it is to have a YA book glorifying something like this. I may just read it again to write a more in depth review of why this book is horrible.