RUIN (Ruin #1) by RACHEL VAN DYKEN

Jenny:  First thought when I finished this book?  “That was absolutely beautiful”. In fact, I recall saying those words out loud.  I was in a daze. My second thought?  This needs to be made into a movie!  I was mesmerised with Ruin. What a truly heartfelt, moving, sweet, funny and truly beautiful story Ruin was. I read it in one sitting, loved it and alternated between swooning and snotty crying.

“I can tell you have a good heart…..”
“Because the minute I met you, I wanted to fight for it.”

Wes and Kiersten were delightful. That’s the first word that pops into my head because spending time with them was magical and these two beautiful souls nestled deep into my heart. Ruin is told in alternating POV’s between Kiersten and Wes, which really affords you the chance to feel every moment, to delve into each character and share every emotion with them. . Every character brought so much to Ruin and I adored them all.

“What you two have – it’s a once in a lifetime – you fight for him, sweetheart. Fight for him with every last breath.”

I adore this authors writing style. She always injects the right amount of humour and emotion into her stories, but this one knocked it out the park for me.  Yes it was funny, yes it was sweet but wow! Was it ever emotional!   I fell in love with this book. What about you Gitte?

Gitte: Umm how many pieces of tissues do you need when you read this story Jenny? Every bloody piece in your house, that’s how many! I mean, you know you’re in for an emotional beautiful ride when you read:

“How many times could people experience loss before they died too? Before they die of heartache?”

I loved Ruin, I love this Author…..her superb writing, her characters, and her stories always grab me. This time it completely grabbed my heart and just didn’t let go and one day later I am still thinking about this story unable to start another. I felt everything, yeah sure, at times the story was a tad cheesy but on the whole it was just beautiful in its simplicity and purity. Oh and it was quite funny too amidst the darkness of the sensitive subject matter. I think I cried through the last third of the book and didn’t stop for ages after. LOVED it!

I thought Kiersten and Wes were just gorgeous. Wes in particular, was such a well written male character and so unique in the current ‘over the top alpha’ regurgitated theme. Wes was all man but he was such a beautiful man too, he had sensitivity, compassion, respect and vulnerability. At no stage did these factors take anything away from his masculinity. What a man. I truly loved him. He’s seen and experienced such tragedy in his short life and now he’s battling himself as well as how he’s perceived by others. This doesn’t stop this amazing man from trying to help Kiersten overcome her demons though.

“They loved you….They would want you to live.” – Wes

Kiersten, so sweet and innocent but marked by the heartbreak of her parents’ deaths. She’s scared of life and living, stuck in a vicious circle of grief and guilt preventing her from moving on in her life. She needs Wes and to watch him help her achieve and overcome her fear was just heart-warming and beautiful.

“You can let your fears control you or you can control your fears.” – Wes

At the same time Kiersten gave Wes a reason. A reason to live. I sighed, I swooned, I laughed and I cried.

“Things just feel better with you around.” – Kiersten

The addition of great secondary characters just made it even better. Gabe was a great support to Wes’ character as well as Kiersten. He was the voice of reason on both their shoulders. He was a contradiction to begin with but he came through for Wes when he was full of doubt and self-loathing.

“Because in the end, I won’t have anything to give her that’s worth having.” – Wes

Jenny:  Yep! A man size box of tissues is required for this one G!
After suffering a tragedy, every day for Kiersten Rowe is a struggle. She has inner demons, suffers from depression – even the thought of getting out of bed is a mountainous effort for her.

“Just because you need help to cope doesn’t make you any less strong.  The truly weak people in this life are the ones who can’t admit they need help.”

Wes Michaels, the enigmatic star quarterback, school hunk and not to mention he is the son of one of the richest men around, enters Kiersten’s life – well collides would be a better term – during the start of her Freshman year. Little did she know “Mr Abs” was to become her saviour, nor would she know the effect this man would have on her life.

“Time was the most precious thing in the world to me, and I’d just given her all of it.”

Wes sees the sadness in her eyes and makes it his life mission to get Kiersten to seize the day, live life and enjoy each minute.  Something in Kiersten resonates with him and he is as drawn to her as she is to him. To Kiersten, We is the light in her darkness.

“Thank you.”
“For last night”
“For chasing the monsters away.” Kiersten

Kiersten captivated me. She was such an engaging character and as I watched her drop her walls, as I swooned over Wes pushing his way through them to show her that life was precious and not take it for granted I fell in love with her more and more and Wes completely had my heart.

“Every time you close your eyes, regardless of where I am or where you are, I want you to remember this.” Wes

Wes has his own tortured secrets and boy….did they kill me! This pragmatic, witty, beautiful soul would give over everything he had to make Kiersten happy. I loved this man with all my heart.

“The future didn’t look as bleak. Because when she pulled back…when her eyes met mine, I saw hope.”

I highlighted pretty much this whole book; such was the beauty of Rachel Van Dyken’s words.  Ruin had everything.  It made me swoon (Wes….wow, I LOVED this guy!).  it made me laugh, it made me cry and it touched me deep in my heart.

“Don’t give up yet. Sometimes when we think God has written The End, what he really means is The Beginning.”

Couldn’t have said it better myself. Seize the day. Live each moment and never miss that chance to tell those special people in your life how much you love them. Life is fleeting. It’s fickle. Every moment is a blessing. Kiersten and Wesley reiterated that and their love story made my heart swell.  Their story is one of hope, innocence, love and belief.  An absolute MUST READ!

Gitte: I actually think that in its purity this is one of the more beautifully written stories about this tough subject out there at the moment. The Author’s words just invoked such pure heart felt emotion, they set the mood, and consequently the atmosphere was palpable. Having both Kiersten and Wes’ pov’s worked so well! I felt like I got completely under the skin and into the hearts of both characters.

“That’s how you can tell when someone has a good heart….When you want to be the one to make it beat.” – Wes

 “Maybe I didn’t dream because for once in my life I was living it.” – Kiersten

I wish everyone would stick this book on their reading list. Be swept away and experience a wonderful story whilst being reminded of how beautiful life can truly be if we breathe and live each moment to its full potential. We could all learn something from Wes and Kiersten. Rachel Van Dyken I salute you for making me cry and feel with such intensity!