We all have secrets. Some are just buried deeper than others. But they’re there – hidden deep within. Mine I bury in that little red box people call a heart. Sometimes I wonder if I have a heart at all, for if I did I surely wouldn’t do the things I’ve done.
WELL! With that beginning, how can you NOT read on?
I actually read Ruined and its companion novella, Ruining Angel, back in April. When Shelly announced that she would be doing a blog tour for the book, I was all, “Where do I get my ticket?” This is a book that is remarkably well-done that, in my opinion, hasn’t gotten enough attention.
In Ruined, we meet Bailey Michaels. Although she’s living what look likes the idyllic life, beneath it all, she’s incredibly unhappy. We find out that she’s been having a long-standing love affair with Angel. Although she’s engaged to Carron (a dreamboat in his own right), she’s not in love with him. She gave her heart away to Angel was she was young, and it’s been his ever since. However, Bailey and Angel cannot be together, instead having intense, sporadic encounters over time.
I’ve got to tell you, my emotions were all over the place while reading this book. I was confused (WHO is Angel?), frustrated (WHY can’t you be together?), angry (STOP being a selfish bitch and stringing Carron along!), sad (WHY can’t you BE together! Poor Carron!), even a little hot and bothered (Bailey and Angel are HOT together!)
With various flashbacks, we get a peek at the start of Bailey and Angel’s relationship, back when Bailey was just 15 years old. I Encylopedia Browned the SHIT outta this book, searching for clues as to exactly WHO the sexy and elusive Angel is. At a certain point, I finally figured it out. I felt very superior, knowing who he was, but also confused, because I couldn’t figure out why it was that Angel thought they couldn’t be together.
Then….AND THEN! Shelly laid the smackdown. I could not have BEEN more wrong!
Is that a Mr. Furley gif? Ya damn right it is…
Everything comes to a head, and the last 20% of this book had my heart in a VICE! I was trying to read as quickly as I could, DYING to know how everything was going to end up! Is everything wrapped up in a neat little bow? Not quite, but I was happy with how Shelly ended the book. The epilogue is sweet.
Shelly really did a great job keeping the reader guessing, drawing them in, and dealing with some slightly taboo subjects.
She then gifted us the companion novella, Ruining Angel. This book is told from Angel’s point of view, going all the way back to his troubled childhood. I absolutely ADORE his POV, and fell more in love with him in this book. Although it’s said that you could read this novella without having read Ruined, I wouldn’t really recommend it, as there are some parts that could be considered a spoiler. All in all, I would have to give this series FOUR tense, emotional, lovey-dovey stars!
[…] Ending on: 08/22/2013 Open to: United States Enter this Giveaway at The Scarlet Siren […]