Movie Mondays: On the occasional Monday, I will review a book series or novel that has been made into a movie. I will then answer the question that everyone asks: which is better, the movie or the book? Here is this edition’s offering:
Book Cover | Movie Poster
Book: Rule by Jay Crownover (2012) | Movie: Marked Men: Rule + Shaw (2025)
Which did I read/see first? the BOOK
Series: Marked Men Series
Author: Jay Crownover
# of Books: 6 (Reading Order Here)
Book Order: Connected but Chronological
Complete?: Yes
Genre: New Adult, Romance, Contemporary, Bad Boys, Drama
Heat Rating: hot
Point of View: First Person, Alternating
Publication Dates: December 2012 – April 2015
Source & Format: Public Library–eBook & Paperback
When I think of the Marked Men series, I think of it fondly and always think about the great cast of characters. It’s one of those series that reminds me that you can choose your family in life and that there is a perfect romantic match for everyone.
It’s ironic in a way because I almost didn’t pick it up Rule after reading its synopsis. I feared that the characters would be one-dimensional; like Shaw would be an airhead (she’s billed as a pre-med, good girl) and Rule would just be a bad-boy for the sake of it. (Clearly I’d been reading subpar New Adult contemporary at the time). But I was so, so wrong.
I loved the depth to these characters and the complex layers to the plot. It was suspenseful and romantic and just a great introduction to a series that I rank highly in my all-time favourite New Adult series.
A classic case of don’t judge a book by its cover (or assume things about its synopsis)!
Rating: 4/5
Series Review: Full series review here!
- Fallen too Far by Abbi Glines (Rosemary Beach Series #1)
- Keep Me by Faith Andrews (Grayson Siblings Series #1)
- Echoes of Scotland Street by Samantha Young (On Dublin Street #5)
Were My Expectations Met?
I’ve been closely following any updates about this movie via Jay Crownover’s email newsletter so my anticipation was high. I knew Jay was involved which I always think is a promising thing as a book-fan. I knew that there were some costume/make-up changes for the characters (which is fine with me) but I hoped that the heart of the novel was there.
And I’d say in some ways it was but in other ways it wasn’t…
How Close is it to the Book?
So it’s been 11 years since I read Rule and the finer details are lost on me to be honest. But one of the aspects I vividly remember was how the characters worked through the grief of the death of Rule’s brother, Remy. Remy is like this figurative ghost that hovers over Rule and Shaw’s relationship and his omnipresence adds this depth to their relationship that I feel was missing from the movie. In the books, Shaw’s relationship with Remy is what keeps Rule from taking things to the next level with Shaw but I feel like that was lost in the movie. There is another plot line that attempts to do this in the movie but I feel like it was pretty meh and it was a missed opportunity to not utilize Remy more like the books.
While that element was missing, I do think the movie showed how great Rule and Shaw are together. I had a smile on my face watching them be oddballs together and that is what I remember the most about their romance from the books.
I think the movie did a good job of emphasizing the family the Marked Men crew are to each other. Did I want more? Yes. Obviously it’s one of the defining features of the books in the series. But there is no guarantee sequels are coming and the title of the movie is Rule + Shaw so I get why we keep the focus the romance between these two.
Did I Like the Cast?
I’ve never watch any of these actors in anything else so they were all new to me. I think that they all did a good job bringing these characters to life. I know some people will be upset about the hair/make-up/costumes/etc and how they differ from the books but I do feel like the actors captured the essence of the characters despite their outward appearances.
Would I Like the Rest of the Series to be Made Into Movies?
HELL YES! I had a lot of fun watching this movie and while it didn’t have me crying like the books, I did get invested in the side characters that are the leads in the other books. I really hope the sequels happen!
If you want a story that gives you all the feels, the book is where it is at! But I think the movie did a good job bringing the essence of this book alive to a mainstream audience.
Do you agree? Leave a comment below!
Synopsis for Rule (from Goodreads):
Opposites in every way . . . except the one that matters
Shaw Landon loved Rule Archer from the moment she laid eyes on him. Rule is everything a straight-A pre-med student like Shaw shouldn’t want—and the only person she’s never tried to please. She isn’t afraid of his scary piercings and tattoos or his wild attitude. Though she knows that Rule is wrong for her, her heart just won’t listen.
To a rebel like Rule Archer, Shaw Landon is a stuck-up, perfect princess-and his dead twin brother’s girl. She lives by other people’s rules; he makes his own. He doesn’t have time for a good girl like Shaw-even if she’s the only one who can see the person he truly is.
But a short skirt, too many birthday cocktails, and spilled secrets lead to a night neither can forget. Now, Shaw and Rule have to figure out how a girl like her and a guy like him are supposed to be together without destroying their love . . . or each other.
Trailer:
I only just read the marked series, so it was fresh in my mind. I was excited when I saw this pop up on Amazon Prime. Now let me preface, I HATE when a movie goes off script from a book. I understand adaptations need to happen to fit the story into a two hour movie, but when the conflict and plot lines are completely changed, it’s a no no for me. The movie never highlighted the important relationship between Remy and Shaw and how that affected her relationship or non-relationship with Rule. The affection and dependence Rule’s mother had on Shaw was important and never established in the movie. The missed the opportunity for a dramatic scene when Shaw stands up to Rule’s parents and defends Rule. And who is Jasper? He wasn’t in the book. Jasper fall and hospitalization is not what causes conflict between Shaw and Rule. Almost the whole book was changed. As a romance author myself, I would not be happy if my story was changed this much. I loved the book. The movie was just Okay.
It had been so long for me since I read the book that I had to pause the movie to Google who Jasper was! I agree that his character was unnecessary when you have the history of Remy’s character. He is so pivotal to their relationship that it shocked me that you could have just written him out of the movie and still get the same result. It was definitely a missed opportunity!