Book: Rules of desire by Cc Gedling
Reviewed by Your_bookish_fantasy
Rating: 5/5
๐๐ ๐ข๐๐๐๐๐๐ก๐ข
โ๏ธ๐ป๐๐ฅ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ฃ๐๐ง๐๐๐จ ๐ ๐- Rules of Desire
โ๏ธโ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐๐ค-
(out of 5 stars, my rating scale is at the end)
๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ / 5
๐ก๏ธ ๐ฆ๐ฝ๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฒ MF ๐ถ๐ถ๐ถ๐ถ / 5 -๐โ๐๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ก ๐๐ฆ ๐บ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ โ๐๐๐ฃ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐ฃ๐๐๐ค ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ก๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ก๐๐๐๐๐
Which books have I also given this same rating? (๐ ๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ฆ ๐ ๐ก๐ฆ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ก๐๐๐ ๐ก๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข๐ ๐๐ค๐)
5โญ๏ธ Fourth wing / Bound by inked flame / Anathama / The Lies of Lena / Of silver and Curses
4.5โญ๏ธ Bitten / The Female / Quicksilver / Bride / Lights Out / A Bargain so Bloody
4โญ๏ธ Spellcaster / One Dark Window / From Blood and Ash / Phantasma / Butcher & Blackbird
3โญ๏ธWe Who Will Die / The Wolf King / Daughter of No Worlds / The Ex Hex
โ๏ธ๐๐๐ช ๐๐๐๐ :
Genre- Dark Romance
๐ 358 ๐ฃ๐ฎ๐ด๐ฒ๐
๐น๐๐๐ ๐ก ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ Dual ๐ฃ๐ข๐ฉ
๐ฅ๐ฒ๐น๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ ๐ฑ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ- 26 June 2026
๐ฃ๐น๐ผ๐ or ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ driven? ๐๐ฝ๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ธ๐โฏ๐
๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฒ๐ ๐ก๐ฎ๐บ๐ฒ & ๐๐ผ๐ผ๐ธ ๐ป๐ผ- Standalone
๐๐๐ฎ๐ถ๐น๐ฎ๐ฏ๐น๐ฒ on ๐๐จ? โ ๐ดโฏ๐
๐ฃ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ฒ-๐โฏ๐น๐พ๐๐ & ๐โฏ๐๐ ๐ ๐ถ๐ธโฏ๐น ๐ปโด๐ ๐๐ฝโฏ ๐๐โด๐๐
๐ ๐ฒ๐บ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฏ๐น๐ฒ? โ ๐ดโฏ๐! ๐ฏ๐ฝ๐พ๐ ๐ทโดโด๐ ๐๐พ๐๐ ๐ถ๐๐๐ถ๐๐ ๐๐๐ถ๐ ๐๐พ๐๐ฝ ๐โฏ.
๐๐ง๐ฒ ๐๐๐ฉ๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐๐ง๐ญ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง? (Disability, plus size, mental health etc...) โ plus size body issues
โณโดโด๐น๐; ๐น๐๐๐๐๐๐๐, ๐บ๐๐๐๐๐, ๐ฌ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐, ๐ฏ๐๐๐๐๐๐, ๐ป๐๐๐๐.
๐๐พ๐น ๐พ โฏ๐๐ฟโด๐ ๐๐ฝ๐พ๐?โ
๐ฒโด๐๐๐น ๐พ ๐โฏ๐ถ๐น ๐ถ๐๐๐๐ฝ๐พ๐๐ โฏ๐๐โฏ ๐ท๐ ๐๐ฝ๐พ๐ ๐ถ๐๐๐ฝโด๐?โ
๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐? Absolutely everyone that loves a deep romantic connect, strong characters and of course- kinky smut!
โฐOff page triggers warning
โ๏ธ๐๐ก๐๐๐ ๐ฝ๐๐๐ฅ๐ค:
๐ฆ๐๐๐๐จ๐จ ๐ค๐ข๐ง๐ค๐ฌ/ ๐๐ก๐จ๐ข๐๐๐ฌ
๐ฅต๐๐พ๐๐๐ ๐ฏ๐ถ๐๐
๐IแีTแฉ แชOแฏแด แชแแT
๐๐๐ฌ๐ฏ๐๐ฆ๐ก๐ก๐ข๐ซ ๐ฏ๐ฌ๐ช๐๐ซ๐ ๐ข
๐ก๐๐๐๐ฃ๐๐๐๐, ๐ธ๐๐๐ค๐ฅ, ๐๐๐๐ค๐๐ ๐
๐๐๐ฐ๐บ๐ถ๐ฆ๐ณ๐ช๐ด๐ฎ
๐Kink club setting
๐๐ฆ๐๐ฏ แตโฟแต/แตสณ ๐๐ผ๐บ ๐๐๐๐ฐ๐๐๐ฟ๐ฒ
โ๏ธ๐โ๐โ๐ผ๐
๐ซ๐ถ๐๐๐๐๐๐/๐ด๐๐๐๐๐๐ฆ ๐ ๐๐ก๐ก๐๐๐
๐ student x professor
๐งจ๐๐๐ค๐ค๐ช ๐ฝ๐โ
โณ๐๐๐ฆ๐ฌ๐๐ฅ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ
โ๏ธ Irish mob connections
๐ฅณPlus size FMC
๐Cliff Notes Review-
Rules of Desire completely stole my heart. This is far more than a romance, itโs a powerful story about healing, self-worth, trust, and learning to reclaim your voice after trauma. The body positivity is beautifully handled, the BDSM representation is one of the healthiest and most respectful Iโve ever read, and the emotional chemistry between Taylor and Gene is unforgettable. I especially loved the realistic happily-ever-after, proving that healing doesnโt end the moment you fall in love. This is the kind of romance that stays with you long after youโve turned the final page.
๐ ๐๐ ๐ฃ๐๐ ๐๐ฆ๐๐๐๐๐๐, ๐จ๐ฃ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ก๐๐๐๐๐:
Some books entertain you, some books make you swoon, and then there are the rare ones that leave you sitting in silence after youโve finished because they made you feel something. Rules of Desire was one of those books for me.
At its heart, this is so much more than a romance. Itโs a story about healing, reclaiming yourself after trauma, learning to trust again, and discovering that vulnerability can be one of the strongest things a person possesses. It handles these themes with such compassion and authenticity that every emotional moment felt genuine.
One of my absolute favourite aspects of this book was its body positivity. Taylorโs body isnโt treated as something that needs to be changed or apologised for. Sheโs a curvy woman who is desired, respected, loved, and seen exactly as she is. It never felt forced or tokenistic. Instead, it was woven naturally into the story in a way that felt incredibly uplifting and refreshing.
My only gripe is that I wish the person that was the main cause of Taylorโs anxiety was made to face that fact. I would have liked to watch that play out, especially with the similarities with her mother being a huge trigger. It would have been nice to read how sometimes your family doesnโt know best, and that forcing your views and expectations on people causes more harm than good because if the hospital scene was real life and that person got their way- what a different, soul destroying and harming end that would have beenโฆ all because they wouldnโt listen or respect her enough to allow her to make her own choices.
The BDSM representation deserves special recognition. As someone who has read plenty of books that mistake dominance for poor communication and unhealthy behaviour, this was a breath of fresh air. Everything was built around trust, negotiation, respect, consent, aftercare, and emotional transparency. There were no tired stereotypes or shock value. Instead, it showcased the lifestyle with the maturity and care it deserves.
One thing I particularly appreciated was the ending. Rather than wrapping everything up with a perfectly polished happily-ever-after, the author gave us something that felt far more realistic. Trauma doesnโt disappear because youโve fallen in love, and this story honours that beautifully. The ending is hopeful, satisfying, and optimistic without pretending that healing has an overnight finish line. It felt authentic to the characters and, because of that, all the more rewarding.
๐งโโ๏ธ โ๐๐๐ฃ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ฃ๐ค:
The chemistry between Taylor and Gene absolutely sizzled, but what I loved most was that the emotional tension often outshone the physical attraction. Every lingering glance, every difficult conversation, every moment of restraint carried just as much weight as the romance itself. Their history, the boundaries between them, and the feelings theyโd both tried to bury made every interaction feel layered and emotionally charged.
The FMC Taylor completely stole my heart. Watching her fight against years of self-doubt, body insecurity, and the damaging voice left behind by her past was both heartbreaking and incredibly empowering. Her internal dialogue was painfully honest at times, and I think so many readers will recognise parts of themselves in her. Her journey isnโt about someone else fixing her, itโs about slowly finding the confidence to trust her own voice again, and that made every step of her growth feel meaningful.
Gene was everything I wanted in a dominant hero. Calm, patient, emotionally intelligent, protective without being controlling, and constantly aware of the responsibility his position placed on him. Watching a man who is known for being composed and in complete control slowly unravel for the one woman he couldn't protect years ago was delicious! Every decision he made centred around Taylorโs wellbeing, her consent, and her emotional safety. His understanding that submission is ultimately about the submissive holding all the power was beautifully portrayed and something I wish more BDSM romances represented so accurately.
Geneโs internal struggle was just as compelling. Watching him realise that Taylor is the one person heโs never truly been able to let go of was incredibly satisfying. His restraint, his patience, and the way he constantly prioritised her emotional healing over his own desires made him impossible not to fall in love with.
๐ชง๐ฝ๐๐๐๐ ๐ฅ๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐๐ฅ๐ค:
Overall, Rules of Desire is one of the most respectful, emotionally intelligent, and beautifully written BDSM romances Iโve read. Itโs sensual without losing sight of the emotional journey, deeply romantic without sacrificing realism, and filled with characters who feel wonderfully human. If youโre looking for a story that celebrates body confidence, healthy BDSM dynamics, emotional healing, and a romance built on trust rather than rescue, this is one I cannot recommend highly enough.
๐น๐๐๐๐๐ค ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ฃ๐๐๐ค๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ ๐ข๐๐๐๐ ๐ก๐๐๐๐ ;
๐๐๐๐๐ ๐
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๐๐ช โ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ ๐๐ช๐ค๐ฅ๐๐๐ค:
โญ๏ธ DNF
โญ๏ธโญ๏ธ
I managed to finish it but it was rubbish. I won't keep a physical copy and won't recommend it, but it's a shame as the plot could have made a good book in another author's hands
โญ๏ธโญ๏ธ.5
It was OK. I wish I didn't start this one as it didn't do it for me as I struggled to read it. It had an interesting premise that fell flat but I had to see what happened in the end.
โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ
I don't regret reading it, and I will read the next one, but this one did have a few flaws. [These could be repetitive writing, gaps or plot holes, better character growth or world building, areas needing more detail]
Generally, the book lacked depth and became confusing. The plot resonated with me even though it annoyed me on the whole.
โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ.5
I'm glad I read it. I enjoyed it and would recommend it to the right people, but I wanted more! Sadly, it's easily forgettable with a few issues I just couldn't overlook/get past.
โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ
Good book! I loved it, but... I needed more! Not only that, but I really did enjoy it, but it had a few parts that needed more detail or added history/background or lore. But that's because the story or characters were memorable, and the plot was strong with brilliant twists. I would re-read if I needed to catch up for the next book and would recommend.
โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ.5
Great book! I truly wish the story had been thought about more, or the author had been given more time as this book is so close to brilliance! I will likely read again and will definitely be recommending it to all!
โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ
WOW! Absolutely amazing book! Well written with great characters and a plot so memorable that it will stay with me. I will definitely read this again, I will be recommending it and sharing it with the whole world! Also- I NEED A PHYSICAL COPY!
๐ฅโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ๐ฅ
This is my God level tier. The book must be perfectly memorable. Even after reading 50+ more books, I will remember character names and emotions along with the plot. If there is a special edition, then I need to own it! If there is a conversation on books- I'm talking about this!
SPICE SCALE:
๐ถ๏ธโ segsual language and a little on-page action
๐ถ๏ธ๐ถ๏ธโ a lot of segsual language and some on-page open door action, may be occurring a couple of times
๐ถ๏ธ๐ถ๏ธ๐ถ๏ธโ a lot of explicit action and dirty talk, occurring frequently with 2/3 lurvers
๐ถ๏ธ๐ถ๏ธ๐ถ๏ธ๐ถ๏ธ โ super graphic and explicit, occurring 4 or more times, can be more grey and taboo themed.
๐ถ๏ธ๐ถ๏ธ๐ถ๏ธ๐ถ๏ธ๐ถ๏ธ โ Kinks and Fet!shism, explicit and super graphic. It is likely to be tushy play, toys, playrooms, and more dark / taboo fantasies and realities.