For some reason when I first tried to read Jeanette Murray’s The Officer Breaks the Rules I didn’t make it past the first couple of pages before I decided I wasn’t in the mood.  But the second time I picked it up I absolutely couldn’t put it down.  It’s a fantastic story about a woman who isn’t afraid to go after what she wants and a man who has decide if it is more important to be true to himself or to others.  Captain Jeremy Phillips is attracted to his best friend’s sister but there are understood “guy” rules about getting involved with sisters.  Unfortunately, Madison O’Shay has other ideas and she’s going to do everything in her power to show him that he should give them a chance.

The Officer Breaks the Rules is actually the second book in the series, but that didn’t cause any issues except to make me want to run out and get the first book (The Officer Says I Do).  I’m assuming that, based on how this book is written, Madison and Jeremy’s relationship is introduced in the first (her brother Tim’s story).  In this one we get more about Tim and his wife Skye, as well as get a preview to the characters from the next story – Dwayne and Veronica will appear in The Officer and the Secret coming out in July.  These friends are a captivating group and will easily draw readers into their lives.

Madison is tough, growing up in a military family and then joining the military herself.  She’s blunt, sassy, and vivacious.  She’s the perfect foil to Jeremy’s more reserved manner.  They’ve been dancing around their attraction, mostly because Jeremy is afraid that anything more than friendship could ruin things if it goes wrong.  Madison has loved Jeremy for years and is convinced she just needs the chance to convince him that they are made for each other.

Jeremy has the added stress of trying to decide the future of his military career – he’s at the point of signing the papers necessary for three more years in the Marines but he isn’t sure that’s what he wants.  Unfortunately his former Marine father isn’t so undecided and is very vocal about his thoughts.  The struggle in the story is all on Jeremy’s side but Murray does a fantastic job giving readers a conflicted hero with a lot on his plate.

The Officer Break the Rules is a compelling tale full of power & passion, just like the men and women of the armed forces it brings to life.