Rules for Ruin

The Crinoline Academy, Book 1

By: Mimi Matthews

Narrated by: Elizabeth Knowelden, Will Watt

A Most Anticipated Romance for Paste Magazine · The Nerd Daily · BookBub · Marie Claire · Book Riot · Bookish · Fangirlish

No one betrays the Academy. But now Euphemia must decide: break the rules for her enemy, or let the rules break her heart.

On the outskirts of London sits a seemingly innocuous institution with a secretive aim—train young women to distract, disrupt, and discredit the patriarchy. Outraged by a powerful lord’s systematic attack on women’s rights in Parliament, the Academy summons its brightest—and most bitter—pupil to infiltrate the odious man’s inner circle. A deal is struck: bring down the viscount, and Miss Euphemia Flite will finally earn her freedom.

But betting shop owner Gabriel Royce has other plans. The viscount is the perfect pawn to insulate Gabriel’s underworld empire from government interference. He’s not about to let some crinoline-clad miss destroy his carefully constructed enterprise—no matter how captivating he finds her threats.

From the rookeries of St. Giles to the ballrooms of Mayfair, Euphemia and Gabriel engage in a battle of wits and wills that’s complicated by a blossoming desire. Soon Euphemia realizes it’s not the broken promises to her Academy sisters she should fear. . . . It’s the danger to her heart.©2025 Mimi Matthews (P)2025 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"No one writes Victoriana like Mimi Matthews!...Sparks fly between Effie and Gabriel in a thoroughly enchanting romance that promises the start of a new series—I can't wait for the next installment from the Crinoline Academy!"​—Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author

“Thrilling, poignant, and romantic, Rules for Ruin is a delight! Mimi Matthews’s evocative prose carries readers on an unforgettable adventure through London’s bustling streets and elegant drawing rooms. Euphemia and Gabriel’s romance simmers with electric chemistry, witty banter, and powerful emotion. Readers will love Rules for Ruin!"—Chanel Cleeton, New York Times bestselling author

"Rules for Ruin is the ultimate cat-and-mouse romance with witty banter, sizzling attraction, and twists of excitement—a perfect first installment to kick off Mimi Matthews’s new Crinoline Academy series. Matthews’s exemplary research brings the Victorian world to life in a visceral way that creates an immersive backdrop as Euphemia and Gabriel go tete-a-tete with one another in the most delicious way."—Madeline Martin, New York Times bestselling author of The Booklover's Library

The Storytelling

The characters, the scenery: London, the milieau!
Colourful…”never a dull moment” as Ms Matthews guides the reader through a new and wonderfully imaginative take on Victorian Romance.
Also Ms Knowelden and Mr Watt are are bringing the characters to life in real and heartwarming ways.
I couldn’t stop listening!
Will definitely return for a second enjoyment of this story at a later stage!

Unexpected! Loved it!

I love the uniqueness of this novel. Mimi at her best. Loved it, as always!

Amazing from start to finish

This book fed my soul and brain at the same time. A rare combination with romance that felt real, difficult, and matched for both the hero and heroine. I won’t give anything away here. Bravo Mimi. Excellent narration for both narrators. I did have to up the speed to make it sound more natural to my ear, especially for the male voice. Use the credit on this one you won’t regret it. Ten stars. Can’t wait for the next one.

Absolutely stellar read- and makes you appreciate how far we have come in rights for women

Mimi never disappoints and Rules for Ruin is no exception.
The angst in this book is based on a threat that isn’t imagined or fabricated. Ms Matthews adeptly demonstrates her knowledge of (and accurate adherence to) Victorian England culture and the laws of the time.
Men ruled Victoria England (even though Queen Victoria was the reigning monarch). Women were property whose property was legally surrendered to their husbands upon marriage. They owned very little ( if anything) themselves, not even their children were their own.
Men took advantage of this routinely. It was too easy, and women were discouraged and even barred from any education that could help them to either prevent or counteract the injustices.
(I read the horrifyingly true story of one lady whose husband locked her in the attic of her own home for 20 years as he squandered her money and ruined any viable reputation she had).

A woman without a male relative was extremely vulnerable. Even those with a male relative of that man wasn’t strong, or one that didn’t listen to her or had her best interests at heart were vulnerable. Pretty much all women were-because their only defense was a strong male relative.
Women were exploited without any recourse.

Thus the revolutionary concept of “the Crinoline Academy”. It’s an extremely blue stocking idea. The young girls were taught to be free thinkers and weapons against the patriarchy. But even empowered as they were they were still at society’s mercy.

Effy navigates society with ease, even though it is her first time in London and English high society. She confidently embraces being the weapon she was trained to be. Beautiful, manipulative, and fearless.
Unfortunately she is a bit naive of how cruel and powerless she still is.
Even after being physically attacked, the very act of defending herself could very likely land a woman in jail or be hanged.
Enter an intrepid villain who’s rise to power was directly through very unsavory means. No typical street rat could have attained the power Royce has. You can’t come to be the King of the Rookeries by playing nice.
He is “morally grey”- he doesn’t hesitate to enforce a debt but also uses the money (and his time) to ease a little of the retched lives of the residents of the slums surrounding him.
Mr Royce is my favorite kind of MMC. The heroes who truly believe themselves to be the “blackest of villains” -and they have done things that could earn them that title- mean, heartless things. But they don’t take advantage of the defenseless.
It’s not exactly the “cinnamon roll” hero. It’s an elite subset- the thirsty, love starved hero that believes himself the villain (with cause). Yet He is the foil to the rich/handsome/well born/smooth snakes that prey on those that cannot defend themselves.
The guys that look like the “bad guy” from almost every angle but are exactly the man who would be your champion.
The story is well paced, well plotted, with characters you can sink your teeth into.
It is closed door.
Only period swears (mild for today’s terms).
I would highly recommend.
I am Looking forward to the next story. I hope it is Nelly’s story (and I hope it includes Miles!)

Wonderful book!

Just love this author and the narrators did well also. You really can hardly go wrong with a Mimi Matthews book. Highly recommend. Clever, witty and romance to boot. Enjoy.

A riveting tale!

A breathtaking beginning to a series that promises to be audaciously feminist and indelibly romantic. In Rules for Ruin, Mimi Matthews demonstrates her writing prowess as she ingeniously weaves a plot that brims with action, drama, and romance. Her attention to detail and historical research are impeccable. Through her characters, readers can vicariously experience historical events, Victorian life and fashion. Crinolines aren’t merely a fashion statement; they can also be used to derail patriarchy. LOVED IT!!

Will Watt did a good job and Elizabeth Knowelden is currently my FAVORITE historical romance narrator!

Vivid description, deep characters, wonderful story

As usual, she does not disappoint with her vivid and accurate descriptions. Wonderful complex and deep characters. Absolutely loved this wonderful story. Female narrator was good as usual, and this was my first time hearing this male narrator, and was very impressed with his multiple accents.

Another beautiful read

Mimi Matthew is an auto-buy author for me, and this new series did not disappoint. A great novel that tackles the struggle of women’s rights in the late nineteenth century, with a dash of mystery, thriller and romance!! I loved it!

Always awesome!

I absolutely loved this story! I am amazing at the amount of work that needs to go into the authors stories! She makes the swoony and romantic journey in this book part of expanding my historical knowledge of the craziness of the Victorian era! I am here for it! Thank you!!!

Great characters!!

Oh, I just love your books!! I can’t stop listening to them! Your characters are so real and I love all the detail and research into each story. I always learn something. (Great narrating too by both!) I love how you always incorporate pets into your books too. I’m just a little sad that I have to be patient and wait until November for book 2. Thanks again!!