Naomi's Reading Palace: Review ~ Ruin by Rachel Van Dyken

Review ~ Ruin by Rachel Van Dyken

Title: Ruin
Author: Rachel Van Dyken
Series: Ruin #1
Genre: New Adult
Published: August 11th 2013

I'm not your typical girl. I've been running away from the memories that haunt me for so long that depression has become my only comfort. I was content in the darkness...until Wes Michals offered to be my light.

I didn't know that time wasn't my ally -- that every second that ticked past was one step closer to the end of something that was beginning to mean the end of myself. He tried to warn me. He promised me all he was able to offer--each moment as it came--but it would never be enough.

Sometimes when you think it's the end, it's only the beginning. Wes thought he could save me, but in giving me everything, he ruined me. Because after one kiss, one touch, I couldn't--I wouldn't ever be the same.

And from that moment on, his heartbeat became my own.

Buy Now - Amazon

I have been slightly pressured by Itara @ My Midnight Fantasies to read this series, so I snapped it up in a 99c box set sale and I gave it a whirl. Ruin was the perfect beginning to the series, and seeing the friendship between Kiersten and Weston develop into something deeper, was really sweet.

Ruin is told from alternation POV’s between Kiersten and Weston and I loved seeing the depth to both of their stories. They each have demons in their pasts that affect how they are today, but together they have found courage to face them. I liked seeing Kiersten take matters into her own hands and created a list of things to accomplish, and Wes was eager to help her with it.

Wes’s secrets weren’t revealed straight away, but I had an inkling of what was happening with the little hints dropped throughout the story. When it was in the open, it was still heartbreaking and it affected all the characters. Wes didn’t let it get him down, and was determined more than ever to make Kiersten his girl.

The secondary characters introduced were fantastic too; cousins Lisa and Gabe were great friends for Kiersten, and in the end Weston too. They helped Kiersten when she was in a panic and looked out for her when necessary. Gabe was protective of Kiersten and confronted Weston and they grew their own friendship, which Weston desperately needed. I look forward to reading their stories in the next books.

I could tell that Ruin was a difficult book to write because it touched on personal issues that shatter lives every day. I think that Rachel Van Dyken did a fantastic job of piecing Kiersten and Weston’s story together. She builds realistic characters that will get under your skin. There are many sweet moments in this story, but no actual sex scenes, but I think this particular story didn’t need them. The character development and the emotional story line was enough for me. I’m keen to read Gabe’s story, and I hope to do so soon!!