This is the fourth series of books I’ve read by Susie Tate, and each set of three interconnected novels has just got better and better.

As this is only the second book in the Aristocrats of London series, there is still one more to look forward to, but in this book, we are reading Poppy and Rory’s story. Poppy and Rory were introduced in the first book of the series, Law Maker, as side characters but - as is Susie Tate’s style - here they are now in their own book, which is romantic, but deals with some incredibly sensitive topics at the same time.

As a long-term Book Badger, I know a little of Susie’s personal situation and have to say that this was, for me, her most personal novel yet. While earlier books took inspiration from her medical background, to see MND, the cruel disease that her own husband has been diagnosed with, front and centre is an incredibly brave move, but one which also shines a light on the disease.

The love story really works well here and begins where so many do - with a misunderstanding. But it’s how this is resolved, and how a man learns to love all of the facets of the woman he desires, that really satisfies us readers!

With these books we usually get a snippet of an extra epilogue and, as this was a review copy, I had a small concern that I’d have to wait until November when the book is properly released to get that. No such worries! The epilogue was done, available, and a perfect end to the story. We also had a tease of the third book in the series, Trouble Maker, which I really can’t wait for!

As a fellow Poole resident, it’s great to be able to support a local author, and doubly great as Susie’s books are so compelling and reading them is time well-spent.

With thanks to the publisher for the review copy via Netgalley.

5🌟 I have read the entirety of Susie Tate’s catalogue - I love her writing style and was so excited for Deal Breaker after devouring Law Maker, and it certainly did not disappoint! It was emotionally turbulent and heart-wrenching at times, but to see Poppy and Rory’s HEA finally was 10000% worth it. I finished the book in one evening and cannot wait for Trouble Maker! Also Grayson and Letty book when? 👀

Thank you to Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for the ARC!

4.5 ✨ OBSESSED!!! I absolutely loved Poppy, she was pure sunshine and goodness and I hated how everyone treated her and underestimated her! I loved Rory when he wasn’t being a twunt! I hated how he sometimes treated Poppy because of his insecurities even though it was so obvious that he loved her! I’m so happy with the 180 that he did and how much he was then involved in Poppys work, she deserved that!! The charity rugby part of the story was so beautiful and really hit me in all the feels! I loved that by the end of the book everyone realised how wrong they were about Poppy and how amazing she was!! Also the bonus epilogue was so good, and I loved seeing Poppy as anything other than sunshiney 🤣 I cannot wait for the next book in the series!

This was an absolute 5⭐️ read that almost matched my love for Law Maker! Still so thrilled I scored an ARC for this one. While Rafe and Clara still hold a special place in my heart, Poppy and Rory came remarkably close with a top-tier grumpy x sunshine, age-gap dynamic. Rory definitely starts off as an egocentric, prideful, and ignorant **** in a sea of equally ****ish (please insert chosen expletive at the *) men, but his character development and shift in dynamics as he eventually shows up for Poppy was so satisfying. Poppy might start off quiet, but she doesn't half pack a punch and knows her worth, endlessly trying to support others and bring happiness wherever she can. What truly elevated this book, though, was the portrayal of ALS and chronic illness—it was written from such an insightful, thoughtful angle, showing how impairments can be accommodated and how people navigate difficult, deteriorating diagnoses while still trying their absolute best despite feeling betrayed by their own bodies. Emotional, empowering, and executed brilliantly!

Well, I was just going to read a chapter before bed and ended up reading the whole book and sleeping at 3 am. So 5 stars it is!

Poppy is an actual lady, interviews famous people for a living, and is an actual walking ray of sunshine. As a kid, she struggled with school due to undiagnosed dyslexia, and the person who helped her most at the time was Rory.
Rory is her older brother's (Rafe from book 1) childhood best friend and a famously grumpy rugby player who hates the media.

5 years ago they had a brief thing, after which Rory ghosted Poppy, breaking her heart. He's been mean to her ever since - until they run into each other at an event.
Rory is a bit slow, but he starts to realise that he may have messed up all those years ago and pursues Poppy until they try again. And he messes up again, on repeat. At least he learns to perfect his grovel.

Poppy was my favourite in the previous book, and I'm delighted it was her turn now. She spends her time taking care of everyone else and being the life of the party. She lives with her Granny, a true icon, and understands the value of publicity like nobody. When a group of former rugby players (including Rory) rope her into a fundraiser for MND because one of them has it, she pulls out absolutely all of the stops. (The author draws from her own life in depicting both MND and the fundraising efforts, and it's really well done.)

Rory, on the other hand, hates any sort of publicity. But he loves his friend and is absolutely all in to raise money. He is also, and i cannot stress this enough, an absolute eejit. The man should really use his brain and remember Poppy's character over believing some gossip. I like him tremendously, but for most of the book I wasn't convinced I actually wanted Poppy to give him yet another chance. Luckily, she turned out to have actual standards and he managed enough groveling and personal growth that I'm happy with their happy ending!

Like all Susie Tate's books, this is an emotional romance novel with excellent mental health rep. It addresses serious issues in a somewhat ridiculous setting with humour, and somehow it all balances out in a way that just really works for me.

Many thanks to Pan Macmillan for letting me read an ARC of this via Netgalley!

I was addicted to reading this book - ridiculously late nights and full on resentment for the demands of work and responsibilities.

Poppy is a luminous spark of joy, bright and positive and caring, I want to be her over-protective friend. Part of being her pal would involve finding a step ladder to climb so I could reach to punch Rory on his (no doubt already rugby-crooked) nose!
I spent a vast amount of time huffing and puffing and shouting ‘What the hell are you in about you gargantuan twunt!’ He is so disparaging and grouchy, to the point of being vicious towards her in places, I actively disliked the man.
This is a grumpy/sunshine trope, but in reality I felt it was an enemies to lovers between Rory and I - could the reader learn to forgive and care for him when he’d been such a prize jerk? If I’m honest I’m still not 100% certain I do, but Poppy is far more magnanimous and I will support her judgement.
I think her finding and protecting her own worth was one of my favourite aspects of the book.

Another was the kindness of a community coming together to support his best friend who is living with motor neurone disease (MND). Delicately written to be touching without being mawkish,
and so uplifting I felt I was in the crowd cheering. May many readers be compelled to donate, I know I was.

With thanks to Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for sending me this wonderful ARC 4.5⭐️

Well Susie Tate has done it again, another 5 star book. I suggest you have a box of tissues ready as you will need them for both sad and happy tears.
When we met Lady Poppy Sterling in Law Maker she was a delightful character that reminded me of Kira Barclay from previous books, who happens to be married to the Prime Minister and a friend of Poppy's.
Rory Wallace a Scotland rugby star, is Poppy's brother Rafe's best friend, who she has had a crush since childhood, even though there is an age gap. After an incident at Scotland's World cup celebrations where Rory inebriated rushed to Poppy and gave an interview he didn't know was being recorded live. After some ill advised information he ghosted Poppy and spent the next years avoiding her.
Interviewing at a sports event, Rory is extremely rude to Poppy and his model girlfriend admonishes him as does her friend Josh and interviewer. When an incident with a supposed Sterling family friend, Rory turns into protective mode, Poppy is left shaken but passes it off as nothing, not wanting to cause a scene.
When Rory finds her apparently drunk being supported by the man from the incident, Rory takes charge taking her home, not realising she had fallen and was cut. Rafe and Clara were not happy with Rory, Clara even tearing a strip off him.
When Rory needs to organise a charity event for his rugby best friend Connor who has been diagnosed with MND. Susie treats the horrors of this awful disease with empathy, not sugar-coating it. It must have been hard for her to write this due to her own husbands diagnosis. Poppy is to organise the event. Making friends with all Rory's teammates and Connor's family, Poppy's own family and Rory don't believe she can do it but she shows them. Managing to sweet talk Twickenham officials, the Guinness world record official and witnesses' into allowing the touch-rugby match to be played on the hallow ground.
When she misses a practice, Rory storm over to her house to find her in pain and nauseous from "Women's troubles" he helps her and they end up together on the couch using his body as a heat source. He shows the actions of a sweet boyfriend.
As they become close there are some hilarious moments' especially with Granny Sterling and the WI ladies. She is a strong advocate for her granddaughter and warns Rory about hurting her again.
This is a rollercoaster romance and when the paparazzi-shy Rory refuses to walk the red carpet with her to a Sterling Foundation event, there is an incident where she is pushed over as she has no security. The ex family friend is removed from the red carpet. Prime Minister Barclay gives Rory some advice that he doesn't think he can cope with.
This becomes true when he answers his door to photographer's and turns his fear of the exposure on Poppy saying some truly hurtful things. She calls Rafe's security team and leaves.
So begins a grovelling time, Susie does this so well as does Elodie Hart. Breakfast bags delivered to Granny Sterling and making friends and talking with the photographers on the doorstep. When it's that time of month he brings, painkiller's, heat pad and chocolate.
During the touch-rugby marathon she has celebrity friends do a cheer-leader type routine, when she's exhausted he makes her sleep. It's lovely how the team watches over Connor who was determined to play making alterations to the play as his left arm is not working well.
Unfortunately at the celebrations for the event with raised money for MND research, the troublemaker spikes Poppy's drink, while Rory is being interviewed. Rafe tells Rory that Poppy is drunk but he doesn't believe it, he says she is really careful after the previous incident. They find her being dragged by the entitled ex friend, Rory grabs her as the hear the man spouting ridiculous things about Poppy being promised to him from birth. Rory realises Poppy is not drunk and gets her to hospital. The police arrest the man with drugs in his pocket.
Sticking close to Poppy, Rory realises he can't live without Poppy and to show her how he can manage her world, he kisses her fully in front of the press.
This story deals with some relevant and awful situations. MND need money for research. Rob Burrows lived locally to me and we have watched his tragic story in the news. Spiking drinks is another damaging trend which young people need to be aware of. Thanks Susie for bringing this reality into a wonderful story.
Thanks Netgalley and PanMacmillan for this ARC

This book absolutely wrecked me in the best possible way. 😭❤️‍🔥

I honestly don’t think I have enough words to explain just how much I loved this book.

Poppy has been one of my favourites since book one, but she is an absolute force to be reckoned with in this story. Strong, fierce and impossible not to love—I adore her so, so much. ❤️

And then there’s Rory... who is, admittedly, a bit of a clueless dick 😂 BUT this man is completely gone for our girl. Their relationship is far from easy and comes with plenty of “complications,” as Rory would say, but they fight for each other and overcome every obstacle thrown their way. And yes, he does redeem himself, so we can forgive him. 😌❤️‍🔥

Connor’s storyline completely broke my heart. His diagnosis was devastating, but his positivity and wit made me love him even more. Watching the rugby lads rally around him and come together to help him beat the record genuinely warmed my heart. 🥹❤️

This book had me laughing, crying, swooning and feeling absolutely everything. I was completely invested from beginning to end, and if I could give it ten stars, I absolutely would.

I already cannot wait for book three and Lily’s story! 😍