In Ruins is extremely well-written and complements the new adult genre.  Danielle Pearl has captured the feeling of young love and has not shied away from delivering all of the heartache, pain, and angst that often accompanies it.  The tension and heart pounding moments are what makes this genre so irresistible, and this author has definitely nailed it.

From the beginning of the prologue to the epilogue, I was completely invested in the story.  The book is told from dual points of view and goes from the present day to the past.  The flashbacks into the past only enhanced my reading experience as it gave me the opportunity to see how the characters first interacted and when they first fell in love.  It also gave me an insight into their home lives and how their families’ decisions and lifestyles have affected their current lives.

Carleigh and Tucker’s relationship evolved from close friends to friends with benefits to an actual romantic relationship.  Their relationship always had that easy, playful, and flirtatious banter and back and forth.  When they finally admitted that they meant more to each other than just a friendly hook up every now and then, their relationship developed into something more.  They seemed to be a perfect match until secrets, lies, and betrayals shattered their dreams of a future together.

It’s devastating when a relationship comes to an end, but it’s even more difficult when you are in the same close-knit group of friends, attending the same university, and grouped together in the same class.  It’s hard to get over the heartache when you are subjected to the other person on a regular basis. 

Tucker was adamant about forgetting all things Carleigh, but his heart never got the memo.  Despite the incredible amount of hurt and betrayal that he felt, he was still in love with her – and fighting it every step of the way.  Carleigh, on the other hand, was just trying to accept the fact that Tucker was finished with her.  She was bearing the responsibility for the demise of their relationship, but that didn’t ease the pain that she felt.

Tucker and Carleigh’s relationship became more of a love/hate relationship.  Their interactions were either cold and distant, or hot and explosive.  To say that there was tension between them would be a major understatement. 

Danielle Pearl created the perfect cast of characters.  I cared about them, was completely invested in them, and wanted to see them find happiness.  Did she make their story easy?  Absolutely not!  And I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.  Just when I thought that I knew where the story was headed she added a twist that I never saw coming.  This added a whole new level to the story.

In Ruins was my first book by this author, but I can now say that her other books (which I already own on my Kindle) will be moving up on my must-read list.

*4.5 Stars

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