Meredith Fox has spent every summer at Martha’s Vineyard for as long as she can remember. But this summer is different—it’s the first one without her sister, and it also happens to be the week of her cousin’s wedding, meaning her entire extended family will be there. As if that isn’t overwhelming enough, her boyfriend decided to dump her a few weeks before the wedding, which is just perfect timing. Luckily, she has the ultimate distraction: her family’s annual game of Assassin. And her target this year? A very cute groomsman.
Okay, let’s get this out of the way first: “The Summer of Broken Rules” by K.L. Walther is a fantastic summer read. It has everything–sun, sand, romance and an actual game of Assassin. Why don’t more books include this game? It’s high-stakes, dramatic and in this book, a genius way to bring the whole family together. It’s also what originally pulled me in, since I am currently playing senior assassin myself. Having never read a book that features it, I was naturally hooked.
The Fox family doesn’t just play Assassin, they turn it into an all-out war. The game takes over every moment of wedding festivities. People form alliances and spend entire afternoons plotting elaborate ambushes. If you so much as leave your room at the wrong time, you risk elimination. Some players are ruthless, striking during emotional moments, while others hide in the most absurd places just to stay in the game. There’s a whole running bit about how the eliminated players record the most dramatic death scenes possible, and grudges are absolutely held. Even the younger kids get in on the action, acting as spies and double agents.
Another aspect that really makes this book shine, besides the fun and games, is the depth. This story is about grief and learning how to live again after loss. Meredith is still reeling from her sister’s death, and while she puts on a brave face, the game becomes more than just a competition. It’s a way for her to honor her sister’s memory and maybe let herself open to someone new.
Enter Stephen “Wit,” the walking green flag. This man is, quite frankly, a dream summer love interest. He’s funny and somehow always knows what Meredith needs from him whether it’s space, support or an absolutely ridiculous nickname. Their chemistry is so good and their banter is top-tier. Plus, can we take a moment to appreciate a YA romance where the couple actually communicates? No annoying miscommunication tropes here. Just two people who genuinely like each other, joke around and talk about their feelings. Shocking, I know.
The family dynamic in this book is another major highlight. I’m usually a sucker for “found family” tropes, but this book delivers something just as good: family done right. The Fox family is loud and chaotic in the best way possible. One minute they are plotting each other’s downfall in the game, and the next they are coming together to create the perfect wedding day. Their inside jokes and moments of genuine warmth give the family an authenticity that you don’t see very often in these types of books.
Beyond the romance and family drama, the setting itself is like summer magic. Martha’s Vineyard is the picturesque backdrop for this kind of story, with beach days, bonfires and an atmosphere that makes you want to move there immediately. It captures that sun-soaked feeling of a good summer day, making this book an ideal companion for your beach bag.
This book balances a swoon-worthy romance, a high-energy competition and the bittersweet beauty of moving forward. It made me laugh, it made me tear up and it made me want to make my possible elimination from my own game as theatrical as possible. Final rating: 5 stars. If you need me, I will be plotting my next move with a pair of goggles and this book for inspiration.
