Saturday 21 January 2017

Review ~ Loving Ruby (Riverstone Estate #2) by Roya Carmen


Book Description:

A sinful boss secretary romance.

I’ve heard all the rumours: He killed his wife. He’s on house arrest. He’s a vampire. Yet still, when I get a job offer from the reclusive Mr. Hyde, I jump at the chance. Yes, I know I’m crazy. 

I’m cautious at first, but then I discover a beautiful, quirky man. I also see a tortured soul who lives in darkness. I know I should run, yet I can’t tear myself away. I want to discover all his secrets. I desperately want to help him. And when he draws me deeper into his strange little world, I want to stay.

Author’s Note: Loving Ruby contains explicit sexual scenes and some coarse language. It is Book 2 of The Riverstone series but can be enjoyed as a standalone. If one wants to read the entire series, it is best to read them in chronological order to avoid spoilers.


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Our Review:

Reviewed by Donna ~ 4 stars
***ARC received for an honest review***


“It had all been an illusion…”


When I reviewed Loving Amber, book one in this series, I said “Ruby is up next. She is the total opposite to Amber and already made her appearance felt in this book so I cannot wait to see what her story entails, I bet it won’t be boring!” And boring it wasn’t.


“Despite all the speculation and gossip, one thing was never mentioned… This strange reclusive man is breathtakingly beautiful.”


Ruby was full of life, she was artistic, vivacious, carefree and a joy to be around. Her personality was infectious and you couldn’t help but love her. Ruby was currently helping her siblings run the family business but her true heart lay with children’s books and she was currently writing and illustrating her own.

August Hyde was the recluse, a man who nobody knew anything about, yet rumours were rife. Small town, small minded people all getting into each other’s business and the grittier the gossip the better. Mr Hyde apparently killed his wife and is now under house arrest, or the other rumour was that he was a vampire…the gossip was endless. Nobody had taken time to actually meet him in person to make up their own minds. He was the anti-christ as far as they were concerned.


“I’m a shattered man, resigned to a world of darkness, and she’s such a bright, vibrant woman. Dragging her into my shadows…”


In fact, August Hyde was a New York Times bestselling Erotica Author, who was suffering from agoraphobia after the death of his wife. He was a man crippled by grief and guilt even though he shouldn’t have been. His self-imposed exile into the dark was his way of punishing himself and yet underneath was a man that was so deserving of love, something he was adamant he would never feel again. In truth, August was extremely vulnerable and it is this side of him that you take into your heart and never want to let go.


“I can’t live through another heartbreak. To let myself love is to lay out the welcome mat, push the doors wide open, and yell “Come in!” to heartbreak.”


Needing an assistant, August, rather begrudgingly advertises the position. He is not one for socialising or small talk but even he must admit he cannot keep up with the work that his success now demands. There was only one candidate that really met his criteria and that was Ruby, however, at the interview he soon realises that they cannot work together, for the first time in a long time, someone has turned his head and that was Ruby.


“You see, when you have money, it’s rather easy to be a recluse.”


Needless to say, a working relationship is born, but this was so much more than boss falls for secretary. This was a beautiful story from start to finish. The sexual chemistry between these two was ever present and you could feel the sizzle underneath the words. The constant battling of minds, the constant blow of hot and cold from August as he battles his grief and his past all make for addictive reading. This was a book of understanding, taking the time to get the know the “real” person underneath the façade, making the effort no matter how herculean. This was about a woman with a heart of gold that would not take no for an answer. A woman that was determined to help and who fell in love at the same time.


“You can’t play with me, Ruby. I’m not like the young guys – chasing skirts at bars every night of the week. This is real for me. This is the real thing for me.  And I don’t know how I would take it if you broke me. I’ve been through the wringer already. You can’t just make me love you and then…”


I did feel that the ending was rushed and was a bit disappointed when it ended fairly abruptly, but the I’s had been dotted and the T’s crossed. Loving Ruby can be read as a standalone but if you intend on reading Loving Amber then I would read that one first as there are spoilers for book one in book two.


“He wants me to know him as he is, not as the illusion he portrays. He wants me to love the real him. I’m not his assistant anymore. I’m no longer just a friend. I’m his lady. I’m special to him. And he’s special to me.”

Other Books in Series:


Book Description:

Torn by tragedy. Reunited by love.

Two years ago, I lost my husband and my brother to the same tragedy. To this day, I hold only one person responsible—Aiden Rogers, the beautiful boy I’ve known forever, the misfit I’ve both loved and hated, the one who always got to me. As far as I’m concerned, he’s the only one to blame.

Now he wants to be part of my life again—when I can finally see a future for my son and myself. I’ve found the perfect man in David, someone I can start over with, a man who will be the perfect father figure for Trevor. I have a plan. At last, I see the light, and I know I can make this work. 

I will not let Aiden Rogers drag me back into the darkness.


Author's note: contains sexual scenes and some coarse language. 

This is the first book of the Riverstone Estate Series and can be enjoyed as a standalone read.

***
The Riverstone Series: A beautiful estate. Three unforgettable love stories.

Following the sudden passing of their father, Amber, Ruby, and Flynn Riverstone inherit the family estate and find themselves facing new challenges, growing closer, and discovering love along the way.

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