Ruin, is a new dark romance from Caitlyn Dare. This is a full length dark enemies-to-lovers/bully romance that also features the why choose trope. Why choose is also known as reverse harem, and it means the main character has more than one love interest. It is book one in the series, and the series needs to be read in order. This book will end in a cliffhanger!
I have been EAGERLY anticipating this book since I finished the Savage Falls Sinners series. From the very moment River was introduced, she had my attention. I knew there was more to her story. Then when things were happening with Jax, but weren't shared in Sadie's story, I was hoping that River was getting a story. Well here we are!
Before we jump into any talk about the book, I do want it to be known that there are consensual nonconsent scenes in this book, and there is also the mention of previous assault. So keep that in mind as you read in case those are triggering for you.
What can I tell you about Ruin? River is in her junior year of high school, and feels as though she's on her own. Sadie is busy with Rhett, Dane, and Wes, while Quinn is busy with Killian, and Ray has club business to attend to. Then there is everything that went down with Jax, and that practically destroyed her. River is heartbroken. Then there are things from her past that are trying to reveal themselves, and she doesn't want those secrets to be revealed. Everyone thinks she's this quiet, innocent girl, but in reality that's not her any longer. But then there's also the fact that she kissed Diesel, and he shut her down quickly. So she's licking her wounds from that one too. As for Jax, he's heartbroken too, but issues from his past are forcing him to push River away so that harm doesn't come to her. When it comes to Diesel, he doesn't want to take advantage of River, and plus she's his little sister's best friend. So that is a no go, but yet the attraction is there. Then there's Zach. He is a bit of an enigma. We know he's from the same town as River, and we know he has preconceived notions when it comes to her. Yet he is also here in Red Ridge hiding out, and from what? Will River and Jax be able to repair their relationship? Can River and Diesel just be friends? What will it take for Zach to change his tune about River? Also, what's going on with Kat (Diesel's sister/River's Best Friend)?
I enjoyed just about every moment of this story. I only had one complaint, and I'll get that out of the way now, and then we can focus on the rest of the story. River's age was my bone of contention. In this new adult romance, River is a junior in high school, and is 17 years old. So she's a minor. If this were a YA romance where the love interest is the also a minor, I wouldn't have an issue. But the fact that she is a minor, and her love interests are not, is what I struggle with. Does it affect the story itself? NO. Do I wish she were of legal age? Absolutely. This is a "me" issue though, and not a storyline issue.
Moving on...
River continues to hold my attention. From the moment we first met her in Savage, to this book here, she has come across as this sweet, quiet, little innocent being. What we are finding though is that she's had on an extremely strong mask, and that mask is starting to slip.
The picture of innocence and naïveté. That's what people think. But they don't know-they don't know what nightmares lurk beneath the surface.
Something happened to River when she was living in Colton, and I have a feeling that will be revealed sooner rather than later. I mean we did get a smidgen revealed, but full story is coming, I know it. So not only is River dealing with that, she's also dealing with the fact that Sadie has moved on leaving her behind, Jax did what he did, and then Diesel said what he said. River is going through a lot, and she feels lonely. She just wants someone in her corner. Someone she can authentic with. She's looking for a safe place to land. I will say I'm a bit worried about when Rhett finds out River's secret. I think big brother is going to go ballistic, and try to scorch the earth.
Shall we talk about her love interests?
Jax and River had been forced together, so to speak, when River first moved to town. Jax was entrusted to protect her, to keep her safe. He wasn't supposed to fall. Yet he did. Now he's pushing her away for reasons we don't fully understand. The secret he is keeping is bubbling to the surface, just waiting to pop, and I think it's going to be a doozy. I feel like that incident on his bike is related to this secret. And everything that happened with that scene has me intrigued. This thought by Jax had my heart shattering a bit.
They say if you love someone, you should set them free. Well, spread your wings River. You're too damn good to be shackled to the likes of me.
Diesel may very well be my favorite. He could be the safe place that River needs. He has that vibe of comfort. I feel he's keeping something quiet as well, but it isn't to the level of Jax or Zach. There is something under the surface though, and I look forward to that being revealed. I did want to smack him when he said what he did to River. I get it, he's trying to protect himself, as well as River's relationship with Kat (his sister). Yet at the same time, he didn't need to say it. He could have worded it way differently. But again, heat of the moment, and his brain didn't catch up. I did love when River called him out though.
"You're a coward, Diesel Walker. I know I'm in high school and I know you're my friend's big brother, but life isn't perfect. It's messy and hard, and it doesn't always fit society's norm. I might only be seventeen, but I'm not a child. I haven't been for a long time."
Lastly we have Zach. This man of mystery is a jackass. From the moment he first appeared in the club, I despised him. From the way he speaks to River, to what happened in the alleyway, to just his stalkerish tendencies, I don't trust him. Not one bit. Zach rubs me the wrong way, but I have a feeling is going to redeem himself. What is he hiding from though? Why did he leave Colton? Why is he with the Red Ridge Sinners? Part of me wonders if it is related to what Jax is hiding. I say that only because I can't imagine two huge storylines like that happening in this one series. So yeah.
There were definitely some steamy moments in this book, but it was also a pretty good slow burn. You could feel the tension building while in slow burn mode, and it was excellent.
Speaking of steamy moments, what happened on the rooftop, and what led to that cliffhanger, um WHAT? Like not the steamy part, that's whatever. But who appeared , what happened next, and how we are left not knowing the outcome, UGH! What just happened? Why did it have to happen that way? I'm speechless.
I know that was really vague, and it was completely intentional.
If you are a fan of MC romances, of RH romances, or just of Caitlyn Dare's writing, you need to go read this book now. Even more so if you read the
Savage Falls Sinners series, because you know a bit about River.
Thank you for reading my thoughts on
Ruin. Highly recommend. I gave it 4 stars on Goodreads. Honestly my issue with River's age is what held it back from a 4.5. Still though, go read it. Enjoy the ride with me.
Laura
My whole life I’ve been treated like some innocent naïve girl. Shielded from the dark and dangerous world my big brother inhabits.
But not any longer.
Now, Savage Falls is my home, the Sinners MC, my family. I’m the new club princess, a burden I neither want nor need.
Because I’m not as innocent as they all think.
Not by a long shot.
Not when I spend most of my days dreaming of them. Club prospect Jax Pitman, my best friend’s older brother Diesel Walker, and the Red Ridge Chapter’s newest bad boy Zach Stone.
One of them broke my heart.
One refuses to fix it.
And one of them is slowly bringing me back to life.
But together…
Together, they might just ruin me.
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Meet Caitlyn Dare
Caitlyn Dare is a Top 50 Amazon bestselling author of dark romance. She writes angsty, gritty stories about alphaholes you’ll love to hate and the feisty girls who bring them to their knees.
Her bestselling series include: Savage Falls Sinners MC, a dark high school reverse harem romance; and Rebels at Sterling Prep, a dark bully high school romance.
To learn more about Caitlyn Dare & her books, visit here!
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Thank you to Caitlyn Dare, and Wildfire Marketing Solutions, for providing me with an advanced review copy of Ruin.
