Review: Ruin by Samantha Towle

RUIN
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Samantha Towle
Release Date: March 6, 2018

From Samantha Towle, the New York Times bestselling author of Wardrobe Malfunction and Breaking Hollywood, comes a dramatically powerful and passionate new contemporary romance.

And the new heavyweight champion of the world is…

Those are the words that Zeus Kincaid has been waiting to hear since he first put on a pair of boxing gloves. He just didn’t think they would come with a tragedy that would change how he viewed the sport forever.

Cameron Reed was in her second year at Juilliard when her childhood sweetheart, Zeus Kincaid, walked away from her. A few months later, Cam realized that she would never fulfill her dream of dancing for the New York City Ballet.

Now working as a dancer in an upscale club in Manhattan, Cam is brought face-to-face with the man she once loved. And it’s her turn to walk away from him.

After five years of missing Cam, Zeus isn’t prepared to let her go again. But when he finds himself standing on her doorstep the next morning, things don’t go quite as he expected…

AMAZON

The man is my weakness. My downfall. My ruin. He always has been. And it seems that he always will be.


Samantha Towle brought the feels and the sizzle with this angsty second chance romance. I knew from the very first chapter that I’m going to fall in love with this story, and I definitely wasn’t wrong. It was a perfectly paced, emotional slow burn. A deliciously angsty story that tugged at every heart string.

Because, when you love someone—really love them—you fight for them. You fight hard and dirty, no matter the cost to yourself.

At first when all the details of Cameron Reed’s present came out, I thought, oh here we go, been there read that. I was afraid that the author was going to use this particular plot device to string the drama along until the end. I couldn’t have been more wrong. And I couldn’t love the way she handled this story line more. It was even more than I’d hope for.

Cam had her heart broken by Zeus and she’s not looking for a repeat when he comes blazing back into her life. But Zeus isn’t the same man that left those years ago. He’s determined to right all his wrongs, and he’s not afraid to fight dirty to prove to Cam that he deserves her heart back.

God,” I breathe.
His eyes lift to mine, his mouth glistening with me. “That’s what they say, baby.”
“Cocky bastard,” I mutter.


Zeus was not perfect, but he was perfectly endearing. He was possessive, protective, jealous and deliciously broody. God but I loved every facet of this man and he had a lot of them. Samantha Towle definitely created a multi-layered character with him that goes well beyond just a sexy undefeated heavyweight boxing champion. He never once stopped loving Cam and I couldn’t get enough of their sizzling back and forth game.

Cam never stopped loving Zeus, but she also doesn’t trust him. He shattered her when he walked away those years ago, and she refuses to go back to being that woman. I really loved Cam and her no bs attitude. She wasn’t afraid to put Zeus in his place and she took plenty of opportunity to do so.

Ruin was a page turner from beginning to finish. It was sexy and emotional and deeply satisfying. I can’t recommend it enough!

New Release & Geri’s Review: Wardrobe Malfunction by Samantha Towle

WARDROBE MALFUNCTION
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Author: Samantha Towle
Release Date: February 18, 2017

From New York Times bestselling author, Samantha Towle, comes a new standalone romantic comedy.

Vaughn West, Hollywood heartthrob, has been at the top of his game for years. He thinks he’s untouchable—until a betrayal brings him spiraling down. Now, everyone pities him, and if there’s one thing Vaughn hates, it’s pity.

After a few months of working his way through every available actress, pop star, model, and waitress in California, Vaughn needs to get his life back on track and focus on what he does best—making hit movies.

Charlotte Michaels is in love. Just not with one person.

Louis Vuitton…

Christian Dior…

Valentino…

Gucci…

And the list goes on.

Sadly, Charly’s limited bank account doesn’t allow her those luxuries, and the closest she gets are lucky finds in charity shops and working closely with some of those names in her job as a wardrobe assistant.

Now, Charly has landed the mother of all jobs—working on the new Vaughn West movie. Excited doesn’t even cut it.

Only things don’t go as planned, and it turns out that Vaughn is actually a jerk. A hot jerk, but a jerk nonetheless.

So, why do their clothes keep falling off whenever they’re around each other? And why can’t Charly keep her mind in the closet and off Vaughn?

Getting mixed up with a smart-mouthed, fashion-obsessed wardrobe assistant is the last thing Vaughn needs.

Getting mixed up with an arrogant, self-centered, obnoxious, jumped-up actor who has a lack of respect for fashion is the last thing Charly needs.

Things are about to get hot, dirty, and messy in Hollywood. Very messy. Especially if Charly’s closely guarded secret falls out of her closet.

AMAZON US | UK | AU | CA | DE

“The closest I’ll be getting to Vaughn West is when I take his inner leg measurement.”

Vaugh West is Hollywood’s golden boy. He’s at the top of his game when his life was upended by the revelation on live TV that his fiancée and best friends are having an affair. Humiliated, Vaughn’s behavior spirals out of control. Then he was offered a role by one of Hollywood’s hottest director on the condition that he cleans up his act and keeps his personal life in check.

Enter Charly Michaels, wardrobe assistant extraordinaire with a wicked designer dud obsession. Being hired to be in Vaughn West’s movie is a dream come true for Charly. Not only would it give her some serious bank for more Manolos, it would also give her a chance to work closely with Vaughn, which Charly has a little crush on. Okay, not really a little. More like gigantic crush. Although not the stalkery kind, if you get my drift.

“A normal girl might be just what he needs right now.”
I laugh, shaking my head. “Doubtful. The closest I’ll be getting to Vaughn West is when I take his inner leg measurement.”

What I really enjoyed about this book is it’s not your typical “hot actor meets normal girl” story. Charly isn’t the typical innocent heroine who doesn’t know what the hero does for a living because…you know, reasons. Charly has a crush on him and fangirled on the inside at the prospect of working for Vaughn. I loved that. It made Charly relatable.

But the initial she giddiness felt was quickly doused by reality. While Vaughn West is gorgeous and had a body to die for, he’s a bit of jerk to Charly at first, which I totally enjoyed because I love me some lovable alphahole. Don’t judge meh.

“I mean, Vaughn West wasn’t exactly my idol, more like a sexual fantasy, but whatever because, honestly, I wish I’d never met him. And he’s also a mean jerk. A handsome, super-hot, mean jerk.”

But their professional albeit adversarial relationship quickly turned personal. Vaughn can’t quite resist Charly even though it could totally mean disaster for his career. Charly on the other hand is hiding something from him.

Charly’s secret was a bit of a doozy. It should’ve been obvious to me but Samantha Towle did a great job at setting up the plot twist. I was surprised but not in a sense that there were clues throughout the book. And when you go back and read them, it’s suddenly clear as day.

There were some funny moments and quite a lot of steamy, sexy ones, too. My only issue with it was the second act lagged a bit. There was a definite lull in the middle which didn’t pick up until the plot twist. I understand it was to show Vaugn and Charly growing together in their relationship but still, I wish it kept the momentum going. Fortunately, the plot twist at the end totally made up for the saggy middle act. And then there’s the epilogue. *happy sigh*

Wardrobe Malfunction is a book I would recommend if you’re in the mood for something short, sweet and a whole lotta sexy read.

Copyright © 2015 · Dirty Girl Romance

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