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He Will Be My Ruin
A woman who almost had it all . . .
On the surface, Celine Gonzalez had everything a twenty-eight-year-old woman could want: a one-bedroom apartment on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, a job that (mostly) paid the bills, and an acceptance letter to the prestigious Hollingsworth Institute of Art, where she would finally live out her dream of becoming an antiques appraiser for a major auction house. All she had worked so hard to achieve was finally within her reach. So why would she kill herself?
A man who was supposed to be her salvation . . .
Maggie Sparkes arrives in New York City to pack up what’s left of her best friend’s belongings after a suicide that has left everyone stunned. The police have deemed the evidence conclusive: Celine got into bed, downed a lethal cocktail of pills and vodka, and never woke up. But when Maggie discovers a scandalous photograph in a lock box hidden in Celine’s apartment, she begins asking questions. Questions about the man Celine fell in love with. The man she never told anyone about, not even Maggie. The man Celine believed would change her life.
Until he became her ruin.
On the hunt for evidence that will force the police to reopen the case, Maggie uncovers more than she bargained for about Celine’s private life—and inadvertently puts herself on the radar of a killer. A killer who will stop at nothing to keep his crimes undiscovered.
On the surface, Celine Gonzalez had everything a twenty-eight-year-old woman could want: a one-bedroom apartment on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, a job that (mostly) paid the bills, and an acceptance letter to the prestigious Hollingsworth Institute of Art, where she would finally live out her dream of becoming an antiques appraiser for a major auction house. All she had worked so hard to achieve was finally within her reach. So why would she kill herself?
A man who was supposed to be her salvation . . .
Maggie Sparkes arrives in New York City to pack up what’s left of her best friend’s belongings after a suicide that has left everyone stunned. The police have deemed the evidence conclusive: Celine got into bed, downed a lethal cocktail of pills and vodka, and never woke up. But when Maggie discovers a scandalous photograph in a lock box hidden in Celine’s apartment, she begins asking questions. Questions about the man Celine fell in love with. The man she never told anyone about, not even Maggie. The man Celine believed would change her life.
Until he became her ruin.
On the hunt for evidence that will force the police to reopen the case, Maggie uncovers more than she bargained for about Celine’s private life—and inadvertently puts herself on the radar of a killer. A killer who will stop at nothing to keep his crimes undiscovered.
341 pages, Hardcover
First published February 2, 2016
About the author
K.A. Tucker
60 books19.9k followersK.A. Tucker writes captivating stories with an edge.
She is the internationally bestselling author of the Ten Tiny Breaths and Burying Water series, He Will Be My Ruin, Until It Fades, Keep Her Safe, The Simple Wild, Be the Girl, and Say You Still Love Me. Her books have been featured in national publications including USA Today, Globe & Mail, Suspense Magazine, Publisher's Weekly, Oprah Mag, and First for Women. She has been nominated for the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Romance 2013 for TEN TINY BREATHS and Best Romance 2018 for THE SIMPLE WILD. KEEP HER SAFE made Suspense Magazine's Best of 2018 list for Romantic Suspense.
K.A. Tucker currently resides in a quaint town outside of Toronto.
Join Tucker's Troop on Facebook! >>
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She is the internationally bestselling author of the Ten Tiny Breaths and Burying Water series, He Will Be My Ruin, Until It Fades, Keep Her Safe, The Simple Wild, Be the Girl, and Say You Still Love Me. Her books have been featured in national publications including USA Today, Globe & Mail, Suspense Magazine, Publisher's Weekly, Oprah Mag, and First for Women. She has been nominated for the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Romance 2013 for TEN TINY BREATHS and Best Romance 2018 for THE SIMPLE WILD. KEEP HER SAFE made Suspense Magazine's Best of 2018 list for Romantic Suspense.
K.A. Tucker currently resides in a quaint town outside of Toronto.
Join Tucker's Troop on Facebook! >>
https://www.facebook.com/groups/14685...
Signup for her newsletter >> https://www.katuckerbooks.com/newslet...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,581 reviews
February 2, 2016
::: FULL REVIEW NOW POSTED ::::
Thrilling, addictive, and filled with hidden secrets that kept me guessing the whole way through, He Will Be My Ruin kept me reading for hours without stopping. I loved it!
Technically, this is a Suspense novel, but do strongly feel like it'll appeal to fans of Romance. It's quite sexy even though it doesn't tell a love story. Maybe we can call it Sexy Suspense? That might work best.
Honestly, I'd best describe it as an incredibly solid read. By that I mean a few things. First, it's very well written. KA Tucker has several books under her belt and I've loved her writing for a long time. But this book has a clear strength to it's writing that very much impressed me. Second, the plot was clearly was very throughly thought out (meaning, there's really no fluff and everything happens for a reason as the layers of the story unfold and come together). And finally, the story is quite believable. There's no suspension of believe or leaps you have to take in order to believe what happens. It honestly feels quite like what I imagine could happen if a woman was investigating the suspicious death of her friend.
So, what's the book about? Well, the blurb actually does a great job of giving you just enough to intrigue you, but not enough to ruin any plot points, so I'll just paste that in:
The prologue is what immediately hooked me into the story. In the span of less than two pages, I was completely drawn into this woman's life-threatening plight and countless questions about why she was there, how this happened, who did it, and more coursed through my mind.
I found it fascinating to read because you begin with just this simple story about a woman naturally and yet quietly curious about the circumstances surrounding her best friend's supposed suicide and even though no one else wants to believe her, she relentlessly pursues her gut instinct. As she slowly begins to piece together and simultaneously unravel her late friend's life, she finds these little things that don't add up, or don't fit into the picture correctly... clues that lead her to believe that maybe she was right all along.
But it's such a natural progression as you read. The more she investigates, the more hidden secrets are revealed, and the clearer the picture (that no one else saw) becomes.
From a more technical standpoint, I found this book to be very well structured and paced. The chapters were just the right length. Each one revealed something new or in some way drove the story forward. And each one ended on a strong note that delivered appropriate oooomph!
Along the way, I had certain suspicions about who I thought did what. I don't want to give anything away but I'll say that I was right about some things, wrong about others, and then some things just totally took me by surprise. I actually think it was a great balance, there was enough that I was 'right' about to make me feel good about my virtual sleuthing, but enough that I was surprised with to make me impressed with the intricacy of the story.
Here's all I'll say: TRUST YOUR GUT INSTINCT!
Haha this is the fun part about reading suspense stories -- finding out whether or not you were right about your suspicions... or not?
This really was a fantastic, solid mystery suspense novel. It keeps you guessing, then makes you guess again. It has twists and turns you'll never see coming and a cohesive, believable story that'll make you wonder... who can you actually trust?
Rating: 4.5 stars. Standalone suspense novel.
__________________________
For more of my reviews, book news and updates:
✦ Main blog: Aestas Book Blog
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That must be what he does — he uncovers your secrets, your fears, your flaws — and he uses them against you.
He did it to Celine.
And now he’s doing it to me.
Thrilling, addictive, and filled with hidden secrets that kept me guessing the whole way through, He Will Be My Ruin kept me reading for hours without stopping. I loved it!
Technically, this is a Suspense novel, but do strongly feel like it'll appeal to fans of Romance. It's quite sexy even though it doesn't tell a love story. Maybe we can call it Sexy Suspense? That might work best.
Honestly, I'd best describe it as an incredibly solid read. By that I mean a few things. First, it's very well written. KA Tucker has several books under her belt and I've loved her writing for a long time. But this book has a clear strength to it's writing that very much impressed me. Second, the plot was clearly was very throughly thought out (meaning, there's really no fluff and everything happens for a reason as the layers of the story unfold and come together). And finally, the story is quite believable. There's no suspension of believe or leaps you have to take in order to believe what happens. It honestly feels quite like what I imagine could happen if a woman was investigating the suspicious death of her friend.
So, what's the book about? Well, the blurb actually does a great job of giving you just enough to intrigue you, but not enough to ruin any plot points, so I'll just paste that in:
The USA TODAY bestselling author of the Ten Tiny Breaths and Burying Water series makes her suspense debut with this sexy, heartpounding story of a young woman determined to find justice after her best friend’s death, a story pulsing with the “intense, hot, emotional” (Colleen Hoover) writing that exhilarates her legions of fans.
A woman who almost had it all . . .
On the surface, Celine Gonzalez had everything a twenty-eight-year-old woman could want: a one-bedroom apartment on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, a job that (mostly) paid the bills, and an acceptance letter to the prestigious Hollingsworth Institute of Art, where she would finally live out her dream of becoming an antiques appraiser for a major auction house. All she had worked so hard to achieve was finally within her reach. So why would she kill herself?
A man who was supposed to be her salvation . . .
Maggie Sparkes arrives in New York City to pack up what’s left of her best friend’s belongings after a suicide that has left everyone stunned. The police have deemed the evidence conclusive: Celine got into bed, downed a lethal cocktail of pills and vodka, and never woke up. But when Maggie discovers a scandalous photograph in a lock box hidden in Celine’s apartment, she begins asking questions. Questions about the man Celine fell in love with. The man she never told anyone about, not even Maggie. The man Celine believed would change her life.
Until he became her ruin.
On the hunt for evidence that will force the police to reopen the case, Maggie uncovers more than she bargained for about Celine’s private life—and inadvertently puts herself on the radar of a killer. A killer who will stop at nothing to keep his crimes undiscovered.
The prologue is what immediately hooked me into the story. In the span of less than two pages, I was completely drawn into this woman's life-threatening plight and countless questions about why she was there, how this happened, who did it, and more coursed through my mind.
I found it fascinating to read because you begin with just this simple story about a woman naturally and yet quietly curious about the circumstances surrounding her best friend's supposed suicide and even though no one else wants to believe her, she relentlessly pursues her gut instinct. As she slowly begins to piece together and simultaneously unravel her late friend's life, she finds these little things that don't add up, or don't fit into the picture correctly... clues that lead her to believe that maybe she was right all along.
But it's such a natural progression as you read. The more she investigates, the more hidden secrets are revealed, and the clearer the picture (that no one else saw) becomes.
From a more technical standpoint, I found this book to be very well structured and paced. The chapters were just the right length. Each one revealed something new or in some way drove the story forward. And each one ended on a strong note that delivered appropriate oooomph!
I gingerly unfold the paper that’s obviously been handled many times, judging by the crinkles in it.
My eyes widen.
A naked man fills one side. He’s entrancingly handsome… lying on his back, one muscular arm disappearing into the pillow beneath his head, a white sheet tangled around his legs, not quite covering the goods…
Who the hell is this guy and why didn’t I ever hear about him? And where is he now? Where were they together last?
Does he know that she’s dead?
… I slowly fold the paper back up. Celine’s cursive scrawl decorates the back side in purple ink. Words I hadn’t noticed before.
Words that make my heart stop now.
‘This man was once my salvation. Now he will be my ruin.’
Along the way, I had certain suspicions about who I thought did what. I don't want to give anything away but I'll say that I was right about some things, wrong about others, and then some things just totally took me by surprise. I actually think it was a great balance, there was enough that I was 'right' about to make me feel good about my virtual sleuthing, but enough that I was surprised with to make me impressed with the intricacy of the story.
Here's all I'll say: TRUST YOUR GUT INSTINCT!
Haha this is the fun part about reading suspense stories -- finding out whether or not you were right about your suspicions... or not?
This really was a fantastic, solid mystery suspense novel. It keeps you guessing, then makes you guess again. It has twists and turns you'll never see coming and a cohesive, believable story that'll make you wonder... who can you actually trust?
Rating: 4.5 stars. Standalone suspense novel.
__________________________
For more of my reviews, book news and updates:
✦ Main blog: Aestas Book Blog
✦ Facebook Blog Page
✦ Subscribe by email
February 1, 2016
4 stars!
OMG What did I just read?!? It took me 3 days to read this book. I have to admit, it had a bit of a slow start for me, but once it picked up, I could not put it down! I had all these theories running through my head. I thought for a minute there I was right, that my instincts were correct, then I realized, I have terrible instincts! I kind of love that in the end I wasn’t right, that it was unpredictable like that.
Maggie and Celine have been best friends since they were young children. They’re more like sisters than anything. When Celine’s body is found in her NYC apartment, and she’s said to have committed suicide, Maggie knows something isn’t right. Even though Maggie and Celine were close, Maggie grew up rich, where Celine did not. Maggie thinks she knows all there was to know about Celine, but the truth is, she didn’t know her friend as well as she thought…
No matter what Maggie finds out, she still is convinced Celine did not kill herself and she has all the money and recourses in the world to find out what really happened. She won’t give up and she won’t stop until she figures it out… no matter what the cost.
I’m not a huge fan of suspense, unless it’s romantic suspense; I can totally get down with that. Mystery and suspense without the romance is new for me. KA Tucker did a wonderful job keeping me on my toes and keeping me guessing. Her writing was impeccable as always. This is one of those times I’m glad I went out of my comfort zone and picked up a book I normally wouldn’t read!
He Will be My Ruin is not like any of Tucker’s other books, so don’t go into it with those type of expectations. If you’re looking for a thrilling and suspenseful story that will make you think, make your heart race, and keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last second, pick this one up!
OMG What did I just read?!? It took me 3 days to read this book. I have to admit, it had a bit of a slow start for me, but once it picked up, I could not put it down! I had all these theories running through my head. I thought for a minute there I was right, that my instincts were correct, then I realized, I have terrible instincts! I kind of love that in the end I wasn’t right, that it was unpredictable like that.
Maggie and Celine have been best friends since they were young children. They’re more like sisters than anything. When Celine’s body is found in her NYC apartment, and she’s said to have committed suicide, Maggie knows something isn’t right. Even though Maggie and Celine were close, Maggie grew up rich, where Celine did not. Maggie thinks she knows all there was to know about Celine, but the truth is, she didn’t know her friend as well as she thought…
No matter what Maggie finds out, she still is convinced Celine did not kill herself and she has all the money and recourses in the world to find out what really happened. She won’t give up and she won’t stop until she figures it out… no matter what the cost.
I’m not a huge fan of suspense, unless it’s romantic suspense; I can totally get down with that. Mystery and suspense without the romance is new for me. KA Tucker did a wonderful job keeping me on my toes and keeping me guessing. Her writing was impeccable as always. This is one of those times I’m glad I went out of my comfort zone and picked up a book I normally wouldn’t read!
He Will be My Ruin is not like any of Tucker’s other books, so don’t go into it with those type of expectations. If you’re looking for a thrilling and suspenseful story that will make you think, make your heart race, and keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last second, pick this one up!
February 5, 2016
4 Stars!!
First and foremost I have to say I totally love the title. Not only because is that kind of title that remains imprinted on your brain, but also because the entire time I wondered who the hell is ‘he’. “He Will Be My Ruin” is a suspense/mystery novel without any romance elements (IMO, which I loved since I’m not really a fan of romantic suspense), but with some erotic ones that made this read pretty thrilling to me. This book was awesome and yes, I was hooked from the beginning. The prologue is fantastic, very smart and I actually had the feeling I was reading the epilogue. Maybe it’s sounds strange, but after you will read it if you decide to give this book a try, you will understand why.
This was a very gripping read and the good part is that it's written is such a way that you will want desperately to know what’s really happening and what happened. So, yeah…it was a pretty addictive read. I have to say I really liked the blurb, it’s perfect for this kind of the story. You really don’t have/need to know anything else about what’s going on, so try to stay away from spoiler-ish reviews.
“He Will Be My Ruin” fallows the story of Maggie who flies to NY when she finds out that her childhood best friend, Celine , was found dead in her apartment. There are proofs that she committed suicide, but Maggie knows better – Celine wasn’t that kind of person. She is determined to find out what really happened with her no matter what. Only then she will find peace. But she never expects to discover that Celine had so many secrets. It seems Maggie knew only a part of Celine…
This story had me second-guessing from the beginning. The plot was solid, smart, very well developed and the pace of the story was simply perfect for a suspenseful read. I loved that some chapters are written from Celine’s POV. They were intriguing to say the least. If at the beginning the story seems…simple, as the story unfolds and secrets are revealed everything gets more and more complicated.
I liked Maggie a lot. She was the perfect heroine for a suspense/mystery novel – smart, strong and determined. I admired her loyalty and the fact that she cares so much about Celine even if they were not as close as they used to be in their teenage years. The supporting characters were intriguing, engaging and like Maggie, really well developed. Even Celine’s character development was fantastically done, character we practically don’t met at all. This was a suspense read, so of course I had my theories. Surprisingly I was right about some aspects of the story/secrets. But there were many events that totally blew me away. The last chapters were pretty intense and I couldn’t read fast enough and find out…what's going on.
If you are a fan of this genre or if you want a break from your usual romance novels I really recommend this one. It will keep you entertained from start to finish with all the twists and turns and you will definitely have fun guessing what really happened with Celine.
First and foremost I have to say I totally love the title. Not only because is that kind of title that remains imprinted on your brain, but also because the entire time I wondered who the hell is ‘he’. “He Will Be My Ruin” is a suspense/mystery novel without any romance elements (IMO, which I loved since I’m not really a fan of romantic suspense), but with some erotic ones that made this read pretty thrilling to me. This book was awesome and yes, I was hooked from the beginning. The prologue is fantastic, very smart and I actually had the feeling I was reading the epilogue. Maybe it’s sounds strange, but after you will read it if you decide to give this book a try, you will understand why.
This was a very gripping read and the good part is that it's written is such a way that you will want desperately to know what’s really happening and what happened. So, yeah…it was a pretty addictive read. I have to say I really liked the blurb, it’s perfect for this kind of the story. You really don’t have/need to know anything else about what’s going on, so try to stay away from spoiler-ish reviews.
“He Will Be My Ruin” fallows the story of Maggie who flies to NY when she finds out that her childhood best friend, Celine , was found dead in her apartment. There are proofs that she committed suicide, but Maggie knows better – Celine wasn’t that kind of person. She is determined to find out what really happened with her no matter what. Only then she will find peace. But she never expects to discover that Celine had so many secrets. It seems Maggie knew only a part of Celine…
This story had me second-guessing from the beginning. The plot was solid, smart, very well developed and the pace of the story was simply perfect for a suspenseful read. I loved that some chapters are written from Celine’s POV. They were intriguing to say the least. If at the beginning the story seems…simple, as the story unfolds and secrets are revealed everything gets more and more complicated.
I liked Maggie a lot. She was the perfect heroine for a suspense/mystery novel – smart, strong and determined. I admired her loyalty and the fact that she cares so much about Celine even if they were not as close as they used to be in their teenage years. The supporting characters were intriguing, engaging and like Maggie, really well developed. Even Celine’s character development was fantastically done, character we practically don’t met at all. This was a suspense read, so of course I had my theories. Surprisingly I was right about some aspects of the story/secrets. But there were many events that totally blew me away. The last chapters were pretty intense and I couldn’t read fast enough and find out…what's going on.
If you are a fan of this genre or if you want a break from your usual romance novels I really recommend this one. It will keep you entertained from start to finish with all the twists and turns and you will definitely have fun guessing what really happened with Celine.
February 24, 2016
Well, I didn't see that coming! This book was nothing that I expected, but better than I had imagined. Full of mystery and suspense, it kept me guessing right up to the end. Although this book was more of a grown up Nancy Drew story than my usual type of smutty romance, I enjoyed it immensely.
The story centers on solving the mystery of Celine's death. Ruled a suicide, Celine's best friend, Maggie, is determined to get to the bottom of her friend's untimely death. Maggie doesn't believe for a second that her beautiful, young friend killed herself.
With a seemingly limitless supply of funds and determination, Maggie begins to investigate the circumstances surrounding Celine's death. Yet, with each secret of Celine's that Maggie unearths, she comes to the realization that there was far more to her friend than she ever knew. Celine had secrets that she wanted to keep hidden. One of them might have led to her death.
Although this story did move slowly at times, I appreciated the attention to details. I slowly fell in love with Celine as her story unfolded through "flashbacks". Knowing from the start how her story would end was bittersweet.
I went through a few phases while reading this book. I was certain that I had solved the mystery early-on, only to change my mind at least two more times. In the end, I was surprised to have the truth revealed. I didn't see it playing out the way it did and it was nice to be genuinely surprised.
I would definitely recommend this mystery/suspense. I was completely absorbed in the story as Celine's darkest secrets and innermost thoughts were revealed little by little. I admired Maggie's fierce loyalty to her friend and tenacity. I was glad to see everything come to a close and even happier to have all my questions answered for a change.
The story centers on solving the mystery of Celine's death. Ruled a suicide, Celine's best friend, Maggie, is determined to get to the bottom of her friend's untimely death. Maggie doesn't believe for a second that her beautiful, young friend killed herself.
With a seemingly limitless supply of funds and determination, Maggie begins to investigate the circumstances surrounding Celine's death. Yet, with each secret of Celine's that Maggie unearths, she comes to the realization that there was far more to her friend than she ever knew. Celine had secrets that she wanted to keep hidden. One of them might have led to her death.
Although this story did move slowly at times, I appreciated the attention to details. I slowly fell in love with Celine as her story unfolded through "flashbacks". Knowing from the start how her story would end was bittersweet.
I went through a few phases while reading this book. I was certain that I had solved the mystery early-on, only to change my mind at least two more times. In the end, I was surprised to have the truth revealed. I didn't see it playing out the way it did and it was nice to be genuinely surprised.
I would definitely recommend this mystery/suspense. I was completely absorbed in the story as Celine's darkest secrets and innermost thoughts were revealed little by little. I admired Maggie's fierce loyalty to her friend and tenacity. I was glad to see everything come to a close and even happier to have all my questions answered for a change.
February 8, 2016
He Will Be My Ruin was a great, suspenseful read. When Maggie Sparkes arrives in New York City, she is prepared to pack up the belongings of her best friend, Celine Gonzalez. According to police, Celine committed suicide, something Maggie is struggling to accept. And when she discovers a photograph with an eerie message written on the back, she starts asking questions. The deeper she digs, the more things just don't add up.
With the help of a PI, Maggie uncovers things about Celine's private life, she never could have imagined. Unfortunately for Maggie, someone is not too happy about her pushing the police to reopen Celine's case, and the consequences may be deadly.
KA keep me on my toes, I never quite knew what to expect. And that last 20% or so, had my heart racing. Overall this was a solid suspense read for me, it did move a little slow at times, but I still enjoyed it.
February 6, 2016
4 STARS
Maggie Sparks leaves her work in Africa to the busy city of New York to pack up her best friend’s antiques filled apartment after she shockingly seems to have committed suicide. The two friends couldn’t be more different from one another. Maggie is from a very wealthy family while Celine was the daughter of the Sparks’ family nanny. The girls grew up together and share a love for Celine’s mother and close sister type bond.
Maggie’s hunch that her friend’s suicide could possibly be murder seems to be confirmed through her friend’s diaries and trinkets. To Maggie’s shock her friend had a whole part of her life that she had been keeping secret. With the aid of a private investigator, Maggie finds that there could be more than one motive and suspect who could have killed her friend.
”How much of what we’re conjuring is true? All of it? None of it?”
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Maggie’s hunt for the truth about Celine’s death puts her in the path of some dangerous people. The author adds to the story with some charming secondary characters as well. I did find this story to have an adequate amount of romance for me and the men it so very intriguing and a bit scary.
“How I trusted him, how I fell for his charm, how I believed his lies. How I made it so easy for him to do this to me. How Celine made it so easy for him, by letting him get close. Before he killed her. Just like he's going to kill me.”
K.A. Tucker delivers a refreshing read bathed in mystery and suspense that will keep you guessing and questioning everyone at one time or another!
Maggie Sparks leaves her work in Africa to the busy city of New York to pack up her best friend’s antiques filled apartment after she shockingly seems to have committed suicide. The two friends couldn’t be more different from one another. Maggie is from a very wealthy family while Celine was the daughter of the Sparks’ family nanny. The girls grew up together and share a love for Celine’s mother and close sister type bond.
Maggie’s hunch that her friend’s suicide could possibly be murder seems to be confirmed through her friend’s diaries and trinkets. To Maggie’s shock her friend had a whole part of her life that she had been keeping secret. With the aid of a private investigator, Maggie finds that there could be more than one motive and suspect who could have killed her friend.
”How much of what we’re conjuring is true? All of it? None of it?”
[image error]
Maggie’s hunt for the truth about Celine’s death puts her in the path of some dangerous people. The author adds to the story with some charming secondary characters as well. I did find this story to have an adequate amount of romance for me and the men it so very intriguing and a bit scary.
“How I trusted him, how I fell for his charm, how I believed his lies. How I made it so easy for him to do this to me. How Celine made it so easy for him, by letting him get close. Before he killed her. Just like he's going to kill me.”
K.A. Tucker delivers a refreshing read bathed in mystery and suspense that will keep you guessing and questioning everyone at one time or another!
February 2, 2016
5 BRILLIANT STARS
This was such a fantastic story. It was so different from K A Tucker's other books! This is definitely my favorite book from this author because it's so unique. He Will Be My Ruin is a compelling, mysterious, captivating and refreshing story! I was on the edge of my seat so many times wondering what would happen next!
I loved Maggie. She is the best heroine that a story like this could have! She was stubborn, determined, funny and strong. She would do anything to learn what really happened to her best friend!
If you like to read books with lots of twists and an awesome heroine then this is
definitely for you!
ARC provided by Atria Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was such a fantastic story. It was so different from K A Tucker's other books! This is definitely my favorite book from this author because it's so unique. He Will Be My Ruin is a compelling, mysterious, captivating and refreshing story! I was on the edge of my seat so many times wondering what would happen next!
I loved Maggie. She is the best heroine that a story like this could have! She was stubborn, determined, funny and strong. She would do anything to learn what really happened to her best friend!
If you like to read books with lots of twists and an awesome heroine then this is
definitely for you!
ARC provided by Atria Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 16, 2017
This being my first KA Tucker book, I didn't exactly know what to expect going into it. I have friends that have raved about KA Tucker's books so this seemed like the appropriate time to dive in. And I was certainly not disappointed!
There were so many twists and turns, constantly keeping me on the edge of my seat. Once I started, I couldn't put it down even if I tried! If I could give this book more than 5 stars I would! Mind = blown.
Maggie and Celine come from completely different worlds but that never stopped their sisterly bond. Maggie grew up in privilege whereas Celine did not. Best friends throughout childhood and even as their adult lives take them in different directions. They are like night and day in their personalities and each think they know all there is to know about the other. But when Maggie learns about Celine's suicide, she realizes she didn't know her quite as well as she thought she did.
As Maggie begins going through Celine's possessions, she starts to suspect that there is more to the story and isn't convinced that Celine committed suicide after all. As Maggie gets in deeper into her investigation, new light is shined on who Celine was as a person and all of her secrets are exposed. Maggie is determined to get to the bottom of what really happened to her best friend no matter what... even if it destroys her.
It's been over a month since I read HE WILL BE MY RUIN and it's still fresh in my head and it still sends my mind spinning when I think about it! Tucker did an amazing job at keeping me guessing and on my toes. As soon as I thought I had everything figured out she'd throw in a curveball and have me questioning everything I believed in, even myself! And at one point I truly did suspect everyone and I do mean EVERYONE! I have to applaud KA Tucker for her story weaving abilities and of course her writing which was flawless.
Overall, I really really loved this book. I think that's pretty apparent already lol. An excellent suspense novel and must read for anyone who loves a good whodunnit mystery. It will blow your mind and keep you thinking about the story and characters well after you've finished.
***Thank you to Netgalley and Atria books for providing me with a review copy!***
There were so many twists and turns, constantly keeping me on the edge of my seat. Once I started, I couldn't put it down even if I tried! If I could give this book more than 5 stars I would! Mind = blown.
Maggie and Celine come from completely different worlds but that never stopped their sisterly bond. Maggie grew up in privilege whereas Celine did not. Best friends throughout childhood and even as their adult lives take them in different directions. They are like night and day in their personalities and each think they know all there is to know about the other. But when Maggie learns about Celine's suicide, she realizes she didn't know her quite as well as she thought she did.
As Maggie begins going through Celine's possessions, she starts to suspect that there is more to the story and isn't convinced that Celine committed suicide after all. As Maggie gets in deeper into her investigation, new light is shined on who Celine was as a person and all of her secrets are exposed. Maggie is determined to get to the bottom of what really happened to her best friend no matter what... even if it destroys her.
It's been over a month since I read HE WILL BE MY RUIN and it's still fresh in my head and it still sends my mind spinning when I think about it! Tucker did an amazing job at keeping me guessing and on my toes. As soon as I thought I had everything figured out she'd throw in a curveball and have me questioning everything I believed in, even myself! And at one point I truly did suspect everyone and I do mean EVERYONE! I have to applaud KA Tucker for her story weaving abilities and of course her writing which was flawless.
Overall, I really really loved this book. I think that's pretty apparent already lol. An excellent suspense novel and must read for anyone who loves a good whodunnit mystery. It will blow your mind and keep you thinking about the story and characters well after you've finished.
***Thank you to Netgalley and Atria books for providing me with a review copy!***
January 29, 2016
Okay, so I have calmed down and processed my thoughts. First I have to tell you, I loved this book. It was unexpected, I mean I knew I would enjoy it because I love Tucker’s books. However, when I learned there was no romance I was scared. For some reason I thought I needed it, but I didn’t, like at all. I loved this book exactly how it is.
He Will Be My Ruin is a story about Celine, her body was just discovered, an apparent suicide. Maggie her best friend arrives in NYC and just can’t believe Celine would commit suicide. She does a little investigating and the more she looks into things the more unbelievable it is to her.
Maggie is the perfect heroine. She is smart, determined and strong willed. I loved that Maggie trusted her instincts and what she knew about her bestie. Even if time, circumstances and years had changed them, she still knew Celine at her core.
I feel like a broken record and I am not sure if it’s because I have been raving about this book to my friends and my poor husband, or if this review is just being redundant. Regardless, this book was addictive and I was completely engaged. When I first started I wasn’t sure this book was for me. The story is told from Maggie’s POV and there are so many unanswered questions. As the story continued to unfold we were able to get glimpses of Celine’s life through her POV and her diary.
The plot was unpredictable and had me doubt all my theories. I was flopping back and forth and in the end was still shocked by the outcome. I don’t read a lot of suspense books, so I am not an expert. BUT, I do read a lot. When a book stays with me and is unforgettable or when it it so engaging I can’t put it down, I have to rave and share. I have to tell people how impressive this book and how I definitely recommend it!
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
He Will Be My Ruin is a story about Celine, her body was just discovered, an apparent suicide. Maggie her best friend arrives in NYC and just can’t believe Celine would commit suicide. She does a little investigating and the more she looks into things the more unbelievable it is to her.
Maggie is the perfect heroine. She is smart, determined and strong willed. I loved that Maggie trusted her instincts and what she knew about her bestie. Even if time, circumstances and years had changed them, she still knew Celine at her core.
I feel like a broken record and I am not sure if it’s because I have been raving about this book to my friends and my poor husband, or if this review is just being redundant. Regardless, this book was addictive and I was completely engaged. When I first started I wasn’t sure this book was for me. The story is told from Maggie’s POV and there are so many unanswered questions. As the story continued to unfold we were able to get glimpses of Celine’s life through her POV and her diary.
The plot was unpredictable and had me doubt all my theories. I was flopping back and forth and in the end was still shocked by the outcome. I don’t read a lot of suspense books, so I am not an expert. BUT, I do read a lot. When a book stays with me and is unforgettable or when it it so engaging I can’t put it down, I have to rave and share. I have to tell people how impressive this book and how I definitely recommend it!
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
March 4, 2016
2.5 stars
***Unpopular opinion alert!!!***
Whelp it's safe to say mystery/suspense really ain't my genre. And in fact I remember being pissed I got denied on the arc for this book (which now I see as a blessing in disguise) because I actually do love KA Tucker. One of her book covers is on my phone! If that's not author love I don't know what is. But it looks like I love her contemporary romance books and not her mystery ones.
Anyways, He Will Be My Ruin is the story of Maggie, a wealthy girl who works for nonprofits. When she receives news that her best friend has died, she travels to NYC to go through her things and clear up the estate. While doing this, Maggie becomes more and more convinced her friend was murdered, and she begins investigating her friends final months.
So the first half of this book was a solid 4-5 star rating. But about midway through I had started to lose interest and really just wanted to smack both main characters, dead and alive. Plus every time Maggie went to the cops with her "clues" I imagined this:
Plus the more we found out about Celine's secret life the more ridiculous it became. I had a hard time believing a lot of it.
The ending was extremely unsatisfying and disappointing. I feel the author could have done a lot better with tying every thing up as it felt very rushed after hundreds of pages of build up. But then again most mystery novels are like that and it's probably why I don't care for them.
Wilcard reader out!
***Unpopular opinion alert!!!***
Whelp it's safe to say mystery/suspense really ain't my genre. And in fact I remember being pissed I got denied on the arc for this book (which now I see as a blessing in disguise) because I actually do love KA Tucker. One of her book covers is on my phone! If that's not author love I don't know what is. But it looks like I love her contemporary romance books and not her mystery ones.
Anyways, He Will Be My Ruin is the story of Maggie, a wealthy girl who works for nonprofits. When she receives news that her best friend has died, she travels to NYC to go through her things and clear up the estate. While doing this, Maggie becomes more and more convinced her friend was murdered, and she begins investigating her friends final months.
So the first half of this book was a solid 4-5 star rating. But about midway through I had started to lose interest and really just wanted to smack both main characters, dead and alive. Plus every time Maggie went to the cops with her "clues" I imagined this:
Plus the more we found out about Celine's secret life the more ridiculous it became. I had a hard time believing a lot of it.
The ending was extremely unsatisfying and disappointing. I feel the author could have done a lot better with tying every thing up as it felt very rushed after hundreds of pages of build up. But then again most mystery novels are like that and it's probably why I don't care for them.
Wilcard reader out!
March 26, 2022
4.5 stars
Holy shit, this is one of my favorite books of 2016! This book is a sexy new adult thriller and I couldn't get enough of it. It was so addicting. I've been in a reading slump for 3 weeks but I could not put this book down! If it wasn't for work and sleep I would've finished this in one sitting. The romance and suspense reminded me of Colleen Hoover's books, that's how amazing this was.
This book follows Maggie, who has to go back to New York to clean out her best friend's apartment (Celine) who recently killed herself. However, Maggie doesn't think Celine killed herself, and she starts to dig into Celine's past, trying to find the truth. While looking into Celine's past she gets caught up in a romance with Grady, the building's super, and Jace, a businessman Celine was somehow linked to. This is a love triangle done perfectly in my opinion, because I was so obsessed with the romance and Grady made me so giddy. I thought Grady was absolutely adorable and all of Maggie's scenes with him on the roof made me so happy and giddy.
I feel like this book is better going into it without knowing too much because there are so many shocking plot twists and it's so well-written and fast paced. I was guessing right up until the very end what really happened with Celine and I was still shocked when the truth was revealed. All these characters are fucked up in their own unique ways and it's so interesting and entertaining.
This isn't my first time reading a K.A. Tucker book, I read Ten Tiny Breaths but i didn't enjoy it so I haven't been in a hurry to try a new book from her, but I'm so glad I did. I actually just randomly saw this book in the library and read the synopsis and decided it sounded interesting and was worth giving a shot and I'm so glad I did. This book is one of my new favorites, I can't stop thinking about it! I love this story and these characters so much.
Holy shit, this is one of my favorite books of 2016! This book is a sexy new adult thriller and I couldn't get enough of it. It was so addicting. I've been in a reading slump for 3 weeks but I could not put this book down! If it wasn't for work and sleep I would've finished this in one sitting. The romance and suspense reminded me of Colleen Hoover's books, that's how amazing this was.
This book follows Maggie, who has to go back to New York to clean out her best friend's apartment (Celine) who recently killed herself. However, Maggie doesn't think Celine killed herself, and she starts to dig into Celine's past, trying to find the truth. While looking into Celine's past she gets caught up in a romance with Grady, the building's super, and Jace, a businessman Celine was somehow linked to. This is a love triangle done perfectly in my opinion, because I was so obsessed with the romance and Grady made me so giddy. I thought Grady was absolutely adorable and all of Maggie's scenes with him on the roof made me so happy and giddy.
I feel like this book is better going into it without knowing too much because there are so many shocking plot twists and it's so well-written and fast paced. I was guessing right up until the very end what really happened with Celine and I was still shocked when the truth was revealed. All these characters are fucked up in their own unique ways and it's so interesting and entertaining.
This isn't my first time reading a K.A. Tucker book, I read Ten Tiny Breaths but i didn't enjoy it so I haven't been in a hurry to try a new book from her, but I'm so glad I did. I actually just randomly saw this book in the library and read the synopsis and decided it sounded interesting and was worth giving a shot and I'm so glad I did. This book is one of my new favorites, I can't stop thinking about it! I love this story and these characters so much.
January 17, 2016
2.5 Stars
Maggie Sparks is stunned to find out her best friend, Celine committed suicide, and can’t bring herself to believe it’s true. As she sorts out and packs up Celine’s belongings, there are suspicious things about Celine’s life that don’t add up with her taking her life. However, the police are not sold on the idea of murder, so Maggie takes it upon herself to ferret out the truth, and the truth is not pretty.
I do love a good twisty mystery and He Will Be My Ruin was definitely that, but somehow this wasn’t a complete hit for me. I’m not sure I can even pinpoint exactly what didn’t work. I guess it is how the story made me feel. It had sort of a tragic edge to it throughout, and I was disappointed with the romance, not that there was much of one. I don’t always need a romance in the mysteries that I read, and I think it would’ve been better left out than to have had it play out as it did.
Also, I can’t ignore the fact that I had to force myself to pick it up again and again. I never really warmed up to Maggie, or really any of the characters, for that matter. It didn’t surprise me that Celine had a very different view of their friendship over the years than Maggie did. Maggie seemed so self-centered to me, pretty ironic considering that she lived for her charity work. I couldn’t get past the fact that Maggie had no clue her best friend was in such a predicament or that she was hurting so bad. Also, Maggie didn’t know what was going on with Rosa, Celine’s mother/Maggie’s nanny, who she described as her “real” mother. Maggie was too busy in her own pursuits to take time off and visit the people she “loved” so much? Or at the very least call or email?
Don’t let my review hinder you from picking up the book, though. It seems most other readers have loved this story. It was well written, and plotted. I think it just boils down to the overall feeling I had while reading and after finishing. Sad? Disappointed? See, still can't nail it down completely. I’m usually a huge fan of K.A. Tucker’s work, and I did like the mystery aspect of the story.
A copy was kindly provided by Atria Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Maggie Sparks is stunned to find out her best friend, Celine committed suicide, and can’t bring herself to believe it’s true. As she sorts out and packs up Celine’s belongings, there are suspicious things about Celine’s life that don’t add up with her taking her life. However, the police are not sold on the idea of murder, so Maggie takes it upon herself to ferret out the truth, and the truth is not pretty.
I do love a good twisty mystery and He Will Be My Ruin was definitely that, but somehow this wasn’t a complete hit for me. I’m not sure I can even pinpoint exactly what didn’t work. I guess it is how the story made me feel. It had sort of a tragic edge to it throughout, and I was disappointed with the romance, not that there was much of one. I don’t always need a romance in the mysteries that I read, and I think it would’ve been better left out than to have had it play out as it did.
Also, I can’t ignore the fact that I had to force myself to pick it up again and again. I never really warmed up to Maggie, or really any of the characters, for that matter. It didn’t surprise me that Celine had a very different view of their friendship over the years than Maggie did. Maggie seemed so self-centered to me, pretty ironic considering that she lived for her charity work. I couldn’t get past the fact that Maggie had no clue her best friend was in such a predicament or that she was hurting so bad. Also, Maggie didn’t know what was going on with Rosa, Celine’s mother/Maggie’s nanny, who she described as her “real” mother. Maggie was too busy in her own pursuits to take time off and visit the people she “loved” so much? Or at the very least call or email?
Don’t let my review hinder you from picking up the book, though. It seems most other readers have loved this story. It was well written, and plotted. I think it just boils down to the overall feeling I had while reading and after finishing. Sad? Disappointed? See, still can't nail it down completely. I’m usually a huge fan of K.A. Tucker’s work, and I did like the mystery aspect of the story.
A copy was kindly provided by Atria Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 25, 2016
5 Mind blowing Stars*****
(ARC Kindly provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review)
I've been a big fan of this author since reading Ten Tiny Breaths. Her talent with words is innate; her ability to grab on to the reader's attention and emotions is simply spectacular. With this book I wasn't sure what to expect, but I could tell you that nothing could really have prepared me for what this book was about to deliver. A story so extraordinary and unique that it proved to me once again why this author will always remain as one of my all time favorites.
Maggie grew up in a life of privilege, an heiress to an American Energy Corporation. Her parents always busy with work and their duties in the high society, were never able to provide her with the love and care any child craves from an early age. They did provide her with a sweet and caring babysitter that together with her daughter became Maggie's real family. Celine and Maggie were instant friends, even though the two girls came from totally different worlds. A very strong bond was born between them and a fierce sisterhood that remained as they both grew up.
Rosa, Maggie's babysitter, was let go after her parents decided to get a divorce and Maggie had to moved to Chicago with her mother. Rosa and her daughter Celine went to California but stayed in contact, always close to Maggie. Christmases, College, break-ups and everything in between, these two women became Maggie's support system and family.
As the book starts Maggie is in New York sorting through Celine's estate, after her shocking and premature death. The police report states that Celine died of a drug overdose and they are ruling it as a suicide. Maggie was aware of her best friend's occasional struggle with depression but she was such a lovable woman, full of ambitions and big plans for her future, that it's very hard to believe that she would hurt herself in that way. As Maggie sorts through Celine's belongings she starts to find little clues that will fuel her doubts about what really happened to her best friend even more.
With the help of a peculiar neighbor, a very expensive PI and the building's handsome super, Maggie will embark on a mission to try to find the truth about what really happened to her best friend inside her tiny New York apartment.
Nothing else I say can prepare you for what you'll find inside the pages of this fantastic novel. Let the mystery, the romance and the fun times take you away. I highly recommend reading this book during the weekend because once you start reading you won't be able to stop. It's that good and totally addictive.
(ARC Kindly provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review)
I've been a big fan of this author since reading Ten Tiny Breaths. Her talent with words is innate; her ability to grab on to the reader's attention and emotions is simply spectacular. With this book I wasn't sure what to expect, but I could tell you that nothing could really have prepared me for what this book was about to deliver. A story so extraordinary and unique that it proved to me once again why this author will always remain as one of my all time favorites.
Maggie grew up in a life of privilege, an heiress to an American Energy Corporation. Her parents always busy with work and their duties in the high society, were never able to provide her with the love and care any child craves from an early age. They did provide her with a sweet and caring babysitter that together with her daughter became Maggie's real family. Celine and Maggie were instant friends, even though the two girls came from totally different worlds. A very strong bond was born between them and a fierce sisterhood that remained as they both grew up.
Rosa, Maggie's babysitter, was let go after her parents decided to get a divorce and Maggie had to moved to Chicago with her mother. Rosa and her daughter Celine went to California but stayed in contact, always close to Maggie. Christmases, College, break-ups and everything in between, these two women became Maggie's support system and family.
As the book starts Maggie is in New York sorting through Celine's estate, after her shocking and premature death. The police report states that Celine died of a drug overdose and they are ruling it as a suicide. Maggie was aware of her best friend's occasional struggle with depression but she was such a lovable woman, full of ambitions and big plans for her future, that it's very hard to believe that she would hurt herself in that way. As Maggie sorts through Celine's belongings she starts to find little clues that will fuel her doubts about what really happened to her best friend even more.
With the help of a peculiar neighbor, a very expensive PI and the building's handsome super, Maggie will embark on a mission to try to find the truth about what really happened to her best friend inside her tiny New York apartment.
Nothing else I say can prepare you for what you'll find inside the pages of this fantastic novel. Let the mystery, the romance and the fun times take you away. I highly recommend reading this book during the weekend because once you start reading you won't be able to stop. It's that good and totally addictive.
December 16, 2016
Find all of my reviews at: http://52bookminimum.blogspot.com/
3.5 Stars
"This man was once my salvation. Now he will be my ruin."
Well, this was quite the delightful little surprise. I put this on my TBR because Tarryn Fisher said to one day on her Facebook page. Do you know Tarryn Fisher????
She recently got engaged which is unfortunate as it deters my plan of marrying her one day – especially when she said she decorates her Christmas tree before Thanksgiving just like me. Soulmates . . . .
But I digress.
As I said, Tarryn Fisher said to read this so I immediately went to the library to request a copy. Even the porny librarian can’t bat 1,000, however, and this selection was not available. I ended up with Ten Tiny Breaths instead and a severe case of underwhelment upon finishing. Then my book bestie came to save the day and gifted me a copy of the thing I actually wanted in the first place. In order to show my gratitude I waited several months before bothering to read it because as a wise man once said “♪♫♪I’m an asshooooooooooo-oooole♪♫♪”. . . .
He Will Be My Ruin is about Maggie, a trust fund baby turned philanthropist who is assigned the task of clearing out her bestie Celine’s apartment after Celine’s apparent suicide. But the more Maggie starts digging around Celine’s belongings, the more secrets she discovers leading her to believe maybe it wasn’t a suicide at all.
So this was a mystery with a lil’ extra summin’ summin’ . . . . .
Obviously it wasn’t believable at all. In fact,Ron 2.0 some might say it was ridiculous, but it worked just fine for me. It read fast, it wasn’t overly written and “purply,” you knew right away you were limited to one of two potential bad guys (and I would have been completely satisfied had the story gone in either direction). Really, aside from a very awkward elevator scene . . . .
(I mean, that part was just S.T.U.P.I.D. What are the chances of anyone other than myself thinking the cure to a claustrophobia induced panic attack in a stuck elevator is magic penis?????)
Other than that this was definitely a satisfactory contribution to the stabby porn collection. The author should definitely write more stuff like this. Until then I’ll just waitoutside Tarryn Fisher’s house impatiently for . . . .
3.5 Stars
"This man was once my salvation. Now he will be my ruin."
Well, this was quite the delightful little surprise. I put this on my TBR because Tarryn Fisher said to one day on her Facebook page. Do you know Tarryn Fisher????
She recently got engaged which is unfortunate as it deters my plan of marrying her one day – especially when she said she decorates her Christmas tree before Thanksgiving just like me. Soulmates . . . .
But I digress.
As I said, Tarryn Fisher said to read this so I immediately went to the library to request a copy. Even the porny librarian can’t bat 1,000, however, and this selection was not available. I ended up with Ten Tiny Breaths instead and a severe case of underwhelment upon finishing. Then my book bestie came to save the day and gifted me a copy of the thing I actually wanted in the first place. In order to show my gratitude I waited several months before bothering to read it because as a wise man once said “♪♫♪I’m an asshooooooooooo-oooole♪♫♪”. . . .
He Will Be My Ruin is about Maggie, a trust fund baby turned philanthropist who is assigned the task of clearing out her bestie Celine’s apartment after Celine’s apparent suicide. But the more Maggie starts digging around Celine’s belongings, the more secrets she discovers leading her to believe maybe it wasn’t a suicide at all.
So this was a mystery with a lil’ extra summin’ summin’ . . . . .
Obviously it wasn’t believable at all. In fact,
(I mean, that part was just S.T.U.P.I.D. What are the chances of anyone other than myself thinking the cure to a claustrophobia induced panic attack in a stuck elevator is magic penis?????)
Other than that this was definitely a satisfactory contribution to the stabby porn collection. The author should definitely write more stuff like this. Until then I’ll just wait
April 22, 2017
He Will Be My Ruin by K.A. Tucker is a 2016 Atria Books publication.
He Will Be My Ruin is a dark and shadowy psychological novel of suspense, told in a unique and original style that kept me turning pages, way past my bed time.
Maggie and Celine were best friends growing up, but were polar opposites. Maggie came from vast wealth, while Celine’s mother did domestic work for Maggie’s parents. The girls remained close well into adulthood, where their paths separated. But, now Maggie is back in New York to box up Celine’s belongings after her untimely death, which has been ruled a suicide.
In the process, Maggie discovers Celine led a double life, harbored intense resentments, and Celine was often a ball of contradictions. But, when she finds a photo of a man hidden in secret place, with an odd passage written across it, Maggie begins to wonder if Celine committed suicide or if something far more sinister happened to her.
I love it when authors drop the traditional formula most often used in novels, because the story becomes more of a challenge, forcing me to slow down and absorb those tiny details I may have glossed over otherwise.
This story is very atmospheric, with an understated quality that drew me in and held my attention from start to finish. Every character is complex, shrouded in a fog -like cloak making it impossible to penetrate the barriers surrounding them.
The story almost has a noir feel to it at times, keeping the suspense level rising, deepening the mystery, leading me down dark passageways and tunnels, not sure which way to turn.
The story is intense, but the atmosphere keeps the pace from spiraling out of control, despite those ominous warning bells you hear ringing.
I think the effort here is interesting, and certainly left me impressed with the style, the writing, and the way the threads were woven together.
Overall, this is a novel fans of psychological thrillers should try. I don’t think you will be disappointed.
4 stars
He Will Be My Ruin is a dark and shadowy psychological novel of suspense, told in a unique and original style that kept me turning pages, way past my bed time.
Maggie and Celine were best friends growing up, but were polar opposites. Maggie came from vast wealth, while Celine’s mother did domestic work for Maggie’s parents. The girls remained close well into adulthood, where their paths separated. But, now Maggie is back in New York to box up Celine’s belongings after her untimely death, which has been ruled a suicide.
In the process, Maggie discovers Celine led a double life, harbored intense resentments, and Celine was often a ball of contradictions. But, when she finds a photo of a man hidden in secret place, with an odd passage written across it, Maggie begins to wonder if Celine committed suicide or if something far more sinister happened to her.
I love it when authors drop the traditional formula most often used in novels, because the story becomes more of a challenge, forcing me to slow down and absorb those tiny details I may have glossed over otherwise.
This story is very atmospheric, with an understated quality that drew me in and held my attention from start to finish. Every character is complex, shrouded in a fog -like cloak making it impossible to penetrate the barriers surrounding them.
The story almost has a noir feel to it at times, keeping the suspense level rising, deepening the mystery, leading me down dark passageways and tunnels, not sure which way to turn.
The story is intense, but the atmosphere keeps the pace from spiraling out of control, despite those ominous warning bells you hear ringing.
I think the effort here is interesting, and certainly left me impressed with the style, the writing, and the way the threads were woven together.
Overall, this is a novel fans of psychological thrillers should try. I don’t think you will be disappointed.
4 stars
February 8, 2016
♥ ♥ ♥ 4 STARS ♥ ♥ ♥
● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
"This man was once my salvation. Now he will be my ruin."
● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Wow! This book was so incredibly intriguing. What a ride.
Maggie Sparkes comes from a very wealthy family. Her parents are knows for their company Sparkes Electric, which Maggie will one day inherit. But, money has never been important to Maggie. At least not in the way people would think. Maggie absolutely loves helping those in developing countries, and not just by handing out a check but by actually helping them face to face, to her parent's dismay. Maggie wasn't exactly raised by her busy parents, instead she was raised by her Mexican house keeper Rosa. Rosa came with her daughter to live with them when Maggie was just a little girl. Since then, Maggie and Celine have been inseparable. They know everything about each other, or at least that is what Maggie thought until she finds out Celine has committed suicide at just twenty eight years old.
Maggie arrives to Celine's New York apartment to pack up all of Celine's belongings. The police have ruled it as suicide but something doesn't add up to Maggie. Why would Celine kill herself when she was close to making her dreams come true? The Celine she knows wouldn't have done it. The police have no evidence to prove otherwise, so it is up to Maggie and her hired P.I. to find out what exactly happened that led to Celine's demise. The more they investigate, the more it seems that Maggie was right. But which of their suspects did it? Connecting all the dots proves to be hard, but Maggie will not give up until she finds out the truth.
● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
'How I trusted him, how I fell for his charm, how I believed his lies. How I made it so easy for him to do this to me.
How Celine made it so easy for him, by letting him get close.
Before he killed her.
Just like he's going to kill me.'
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I don't want to give away too much about the story because it's one you need to experience for yourself. The story is told in Maggie's P.O.V, with the exception of a few chapters where we get flashes of Celine's life a few months before her death. There is so much mystery and suspense surrounding how Celine died, even Maggie didn't know her secrets. I thought I had all figured out early on, but boy was I wrong. Just when you think they the had the person, a twist and turn comes along that changes everything. I did not see those coming at all. There was so much more to Celine's story than I ever expected--even Maggie didn't know her secrets--some of those reveals were pretty surprising.
If you are expecting this to have romance, well you won't find it here. This book was more of a suspenseful thriller with some adult content, but I wouldn't say it was a romantic suspense. I thought it might end up being one but that unfortunately didn't happen. I was so disappointed in why that was. But, that doesn't mean I needed the romance in the story because it was very good without it. I think this was a solid 4 star mystery book. I really found myself enjoying it. This was my first book by K.A. Tucker and if her romance books are as good as her suspenseful ones, then I need to check those out soon. For her first mystery story, it was not bad at all. If you enjoy this kind of book, then you definitely need to give this one a read.
November 16, 2016
"Never underestimate anyone."
By just a quick perusal of my shelf, you can see that I enjoy reading a variety of genres and works. Although my favorite type of read is certainly in the realm of romance, I am not afraid to venture out and read new and different things. When I saw that K.A. Tucker had released a new book, of course, I was excited to give it a try. Her descriptive writing style is fluid, her complex characters are unforgettable, and her romance writing is smoking hot! Although I thoroughly enjoyed certain aspects of He Will be My Ruin, I feel I must clarify at the very beginning of my review, that this is not a romance novel but instead a murder mystery. This is a story of a woman discovering the truth about her best friend and her death.
Maggie Sparks is a humanitarian who has lived her life helping others. Although she comes from a wealthy family, she has skirted her obligations of the family business and instead taken on the life that she wants to have. When her best friend Celine kills herself, Maggie travels to New York to help settle her best friends affairs. As Maggie begins to sift through the chaos that her best friend left behind, she discovers that perhaps Celine’s death wasn't a suicide at all but instead a murder.
Maggie hires a private detective and the guessing game of “who done it” begins. While Maggie seeks comfort in an elderly neighbor and the building super, it becomes evident that everything she ever felt and thought of her best friend has been a lie. When all is revealed, will Maggie be able to handle the truth?
Told in Maggie’s POV, He Will be My Ruin is an expertly written murder mystery. The plot is well constructed with several twists and turns. Maggie is a strong heroine, and yet, there were several things about her personality that made her unrelatable for me. I recognize that not every good story needs a romance element. However, I think for me it would have enhanced the experience greatly if Maggie had a counterpart to share her burden. I felt like Celine, Maggie’s best friend, died alone and Maggie was alone in her search for the killer and that isolation certainly set the right tone and mood for this read. Although it was a bit of a slow starter, the plot certainly kept me on the edge of my seat, but in the end, I was sad. Without giving anything away, I will just say I wanted so much more for Maggie in the end.
Overall, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this read to anyone looking for a well-constructed murder mystery. Just remember this is not a thriller romance but instead a mystery. So if you are looking for an intriguing read with a complex plot then He Will be My Ruin is the next read for you.
~ARC graciously provided via NETGALLEY in exchange for an honest review!
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
July 17, 2022
Maggie Speakes is in New York to pack up her best friend's apartment and settle what's left of her estate after she was found dead in her apartment two weeks prior. But when Maggie discovers some curious things amongst her belongings, she begins to question whether Celine's death was actually a suicide and uses her resources to begin investigating.
I really enjoyed the method in how this story was presented. The prologue provides the foundation for your mindset and makes you question everything you read going forward. We get pieces of Celine to help lead you along the way. I developed many credible suspects and scenarios, second guessing myself with each chapter. I'm not even sure if I got it right in the end as I kept changing my mind.
I love a mystery that doesn't preoccupy you with so much tension that you can't think straight. This is one where you have to pay attention to details and assemble the clues methodically, rexamining everything you think you know. As clever as I thought I was, there were still a few surprises for me in the end. Very nicely done.
(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)
February 5, 2016
ARC provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review
Smart. Brilliant. Chilling. Unforgettable. Heart-pounding. Intoxicating. These are a few words to describe this nail-biting suspense thriller that K.A. Tucker has masterfully written. He Will Be My Ruin is unlike any K.A. Tucker book that I have read. I applaud Ms. Tucker for taking a chance on this uncharted genre that we would not normally expect from her. I have to warn readers that this book is not a romance story. So if you expect hearts, flowers, and a knight in shining armor then I'm sorry to disappoint you because this book does not have that at all. Again, this is not a love story. But if you are looking for a story that will leave you breathless, stunned, and wickedly mesmerized and intoxicated then He Will Be My Ruin is the book for you.
K.A. Tucker will always be an author who can flawlessly deliver a book with so much depth, passion, and intensity. She continues to leave readers like myself in awe. Her words, prose, raw characters and storyline continues to captivate and capture any audience. He Will Be My Ruin will hold you hostage as layers upon layers of secrets, truths, fourberie, duplicity, suspense and mystery are beautifully unraveled. I honestly don't want to say more of what to expect in this book but I will just say be prepared to experience a whirlwind of surprises and shocking revelations. When you think you got this book figured out, Ms. Tucker will blow you away with her surprising twists of events leaving you speechless and ruined for any other books.
Did this book ruin me? Absolutely. It held me hostage as I was utterly intoxicated with K.A.'s prowess, brilliance and wicked mastermind as she held readers like myself begging for more. She literally took her readers down the proverbial rabbit hole and had us deliriously intoxicated with the mystery, grit, and suspense. I will just say that this book is a story that must be experienced. Readers must experience the unraveling of the truth from the eyes of Celine as she discovers the truth of her best friend's death. So if you are looking for a book that perfectly weaves suspense, mystery, fourberie, and duplicity then I highly recommend you to read He Will Be My Ruin.
Review can also be found on Four Chicks Flipping Pages: http://fourchicksflippingpages.weebly...K.A. Tucker
Smart. Brilliant. Chilling. Unforgettable. Heart-pounding. Intoxicating. These are a few words to describe this nail-biting suspense thriller that K.A. Tucker has masterfully written. He Will Be My Ruin is unlike any K.A. Tucker book that I have read. I applaud Ms. Tucker for taking a chance on this uncharted genre that we would not normally expect from her. I have to warn readers that this book is not a romance story. So if you expect hearts, flowers, and a knight in shining armor then I'm sorry to disappoint you because this book does not have that at all. Again, this is not a love story. But if you are looking for a story that will leave you breathless, stunned, and wickedly mesmerized and intoxicated then He Will Be My Ruin is the book for you.
K.A. Tucker will always be an author who can flawlessly deliver a book with so much depth, passion, and intensity. She continues to leave readers like myself in awe. Her words, prose, raw characters and storyline continues to captivate and capture any audience. He Will Be My Ruin will hold you hostage as layers upon layers of secrets, truths, fourberie, duplicity, suspense and mystery are beautifully unraveled. I honestly don't want to say more of what to expect in this book but I will just say be prepared to experience a whirlwind of surprises and shocking revelations. When you think you got this book figured out, Ms. Tucker will blow you away with her surprising twists of events leaving you speechless and ruined for any other books.
Did this book ruin me? Absolutely. It held me hostage as I was utterly intoxicated with K.A.'s prowess, brilliance and wicked mastermind as she held readers like myself begging for more. She literally took her readers down the proverbial rabbit hole and had us deliriously intoxicated with the mystery, grit, and suspense. I will just say that this book is a story that must be experienced. Readers must experience the unraveling of the truth from the eyes of Celine as she discovers the truth of her best friend's death. So if you are looking for a book that perfectly weaves suspense, mystery, fourberie, and duplicity then I highly recommend you to read He Will Be My Ruin.
Review can also be found on Four Chicks Flipping Pages: http://fourchicksflippingpages.weebly...K.A. Tucker
January 22, 2016
Full of twists and turns, He Will Be My Ruin kept me guessing!
K.A. Tucker needs to write more books like this! The way she crafted the story and characters was superb. The ebb and flow of the plot, coupled with the complexity of these characters made for a compelling read. The mystery was intriguing and as soon as I thought I knew what was going on, a twist was thrown in, leading me on a different path, keeping me guessing until the end.
Maggie Sparkes is a humanitarian, a very wealthy humanitarian. Raised in a family which had servants, Maggie has lived the life of luxury that only money can give. Because of her desire to help others, she uses her money to build a nonprofit organization in Africa and Asia. Living amongst the villagers so she can better understand their needs. She is inquisitive and ambitious. It is these traits that help her investigate the death of her beloved friend Celine. She has known and been best friends with Celine most of her life. Celine's mother Rosa worked as a house keeper and nanny for Maggie's family. Rosa moved in with Maggie's family when Celine was four-years-old. So when Maggie finds out that Celine has died of an apparent suicide, Maggie doesn't believe it. It is too out of character for her dear friend.
Searching for answers, Maggie uncovers more than she bargained for. Reading Celine's diaries not only provides the help needed to investigate her death, doing so also makes Maggie sad, realizing the depths of her friends financial and emotional struggles.
Even though this is told in the POV of Maggie Sparkes, Tucker provides us with glimpses into the diaries of Celine Gonzalez which lends insight into her state of mind and her life. As well, we are given Celine's POV in flashbacks. The way Tucker wrote these scenes provided for the slow unveiling of the story. I literally couldn't get the information fast enough. I was so tempted to read the end of the book just to know what really happened.
Keep in mind, even though there are steamy scenes, 'He Will Be My Ruin' is not a typical romance, it is a suspense-filled read. Which was perfect for me because I love this genre of books.
One caution: stay away from spoilers. This story is too good to not go in blind. I had only read the blurb (which is excellent by the way), so I was kept guessing the entire read.
I hope we will get more books like this from K.A. Tucker!
ARC graciously provided in exchange for honest review from Atria
K.A. Tucker needs to write more books like this! The way she crafted the story and characters was superb. The ebb and flow of the plot, coupled with the complexity of these characters made for a compelling read. The mystery was intriguing and as soon as I thought I knew what was going on, a twist was thrown in, leading me on a different path, keeping me guessing until the end.
Maggie Sparkes is a humanitarian, a very wealthy humanitarian. Raised in a family which had servants, Maggie has lived the life of luxury that only money can give. Because of her desire to help others, she uses her money to build a nonprofit organization in Africa and Asia. Living amongst the villagers so she can better understand their needs. She is inquisitive and ambitious. It is these traits that help her investigate the death of her beloved friend Celine. She has known and been best friends with Celine most of her life. Celine's mother Rosa worked as a house keeper and nanny for Maggie's family. Rosa moved in with Maggie's family when Celine was four-years-old. So when Maggie finds out that Celine has died of an apparent suicide, Maggie doesn't believe it. It is too out of character for her dear friend.
Searching for answers, Maggie uncovers more than she bargained for. Reading Celine's diaries not only provides the help needed to investigate her death, doing so also makes Maggie sad, realizing the depths of her friends financial and emotional struggles.
Even though this is told in the POV of Maggie Sparkes, Tucker provides us with glimpses into the diaries of Celine Gonzalez which lends insight into her state of mind and her life. As well, we are given Celine's POV in flashbacks. The way Tucker wrote these scenes provided for the slow unveiling of the story. I literally couldn't get the information fast enough. I was so tempted to read the end of the book just to know what really happened.
Keep in mind, even though there are steamy scenes, 'He Will Be My Ruin' is not a typical romance, it is a suspense-filled read. Which was perfect for me because I love this genre of books.
One caution: stay away from spoilers. This story is too good to not go in blind. I had only read the blurb (which is excellent by the way), so I was kept guessing the entire read.
I hope we will get more books like this from K.A. Tucker!
ARC graciously provided in exchange for honest review from Atria
July 16, 2019
This was fine. Definitely not the best thriller I've ever read, but also not anywhere near the worst. If you want to read a thriller that also has some smexy times sprinkled in, this wouldn't be a bad way to spend an afternoon!
January 10, 2017
I really enjoyed this mystery. I loved the entire world it was built in - the interesting cast of characters, and the constant guesswork that my mind went through. This was just what I needed to get me out of a book rut.
February 8, 2016
Great book! I loved it! Thanks Patricia for picking it for me to read this month! This one had me guessing throughout, and I had a difficult time putting it down! :)
January 19, 2016
4.25 Suspenseful Stars!
He Will Be My Ruin was none other than a complete roller coaster ride of epic proportions. I'd heard this is her first dapple into suspense and I'd consider this a huge success. A true murder-mystery "whodunnit" trope, I was completely befuddled the entire book.
When Maggie enters her best friend, Celine's apartment to take care of her possessions after she commits suicide, she's pretty quick to realize things may not be as they seem. Yes, she died of a lethal cocktail of medications and alcohol but Celine had so much to live for. Things just don't seem to add up. So Maggie starts to dig...
That's all you're getting for plot in this twist-and-turn tale of secrets, blackmail, and revenge. Just know everything is not as it seems and just when the plot seems to aim in one direction, we get a complete switcheroo. Everyone seems the suspect and we don't even officially know a crime has been committed. Can Maggie and her high-priced PI figure out what the police refuse to call a crime?
He Will Be My Ruin I read in essentially one sitting. Is this romantic suspense? Not really. There isn't much of a love story but I didn't miss it. I just kept flipping the pages until I got some sort of answer to the tragic death of Celine. This book is completely different from anything else I've read by K.A. Tucker and I hail it a complete success! And did I figure it out? No. I was wrong...so wrong. And I'm not happy!!!
Advanced copy received by Atria Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
This man was once my salvation. Now he will be my ruin.
He Will Be My Ruin was none other than a complete roller coaster ride of epic proportions. I'd heard this is her first dapple into suspense and I'd consider this a huge success. A true murder-mystery "whodunnit" trope, I was completely befuddled the entire book.
When Maggie enters her best friend, Celine's apartment to take care of her possessions after she commits suicide, she's pretty quick to realize things may not be as they seem. Yes, she died of a lethal cocktail of medications and alcohol but Celine had so much to live for. Things just don't seem to add up. So Maggie starts to dig...
That's all you're getting for plot in this twist-and-turn tale of secrets, blackmail, and revenge. Just know everything is not as it seems and just when the plot seems to aim in one direction, we get a complete switcheroo. Everyone seems the suspect and we don't even officially know a crime has been committed. Can Maggie and her high-priced PI figure out what the police refuse to call a crime?
He Will Be My Ruin I read in essentially one sitting. Is this romantic suspense? Not really. There isn't much of a love story but I didn't miss it. I just kept flipping the pages until I got some sort of answer to the tragic death of Celine. This book is completely different from anything else I've read by K.A. Tucker and I hail it a complete success! And did I figure it out? No. I was wrong...so wrong. And I'm not happy!!!
Advanced copy received by Atria Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
March 1, 2017
WHOA. I just-WHOA. How does one review this book?!? Okay, I will attempt to review this.
I love thrillers. I love feeling on edge and coming up with all those theories and waiting for the twist. However, I haven't read too many thrillers in my life as I'm always reading romance and fantasy. Of course, I appreciate a book that makes my jaw drop and my eyes wide and yes, this book did! I'm still so shook!
As the blurb states, Maggie, a rich humanitarian, comes back to New York after her best friend, Celine, supposedly commits suicide. Maggie doesn't believe that one bit as she knows what kind of person Celine is. She's sure she was murdered, but why? Slowly, she starts uncovering Celine's secrets and realizes her best friend has hidden a big portion of her life from her, a secret which ultimately lead to her death.
Listen, the book (for me) has two big major twists. I guessed one of them, but I still loved the twist. Sometimes the twist is so damn good, you still love it even when you've guessed it. This was the case with the twist here. The other twist, I didn't even get close to guessing it and it made my jaw drop. WELL PLAYED, K.A. TUCKER, WELL PLAYED. Second, everyone's so damn shady! I was like "?!?!?" throughout the book. I liked Maggie as a heroine. She was beyond dumb and too trusting, no doubt, but I loved her perseverance and her sassiness. My only issue with the book was it dragged a bit. At one point, I was like "when are we getting a reveal?! A small reveal?! ANYTHING."
All in all, He Will Be My Ruin was crazy. What a ride!
I love thrillers. I love feeling on edge and coming up with all those theories and waiting for the twist. However, I haven't read too many thrillers in my life as I'm always reading romance and fantasy. Of course, I appreciate a book that makes my jaw drop and my eyes wide and yes, this book did! I'm still so shook!
“This man was once my salvation. Now, he will be my ruin.”
As the blurb states, Maggie, a rich humanitarian, comes back to New York after her best friend, Celine, supposedly commits suicide. Maggie doesn't believe that one bit as she knows what kind of person Celine is. She's sure she was murdered, but why? Slowly, she starts uncovering Celine's secrets and realizes her best friend has hidden a big portion of her life from her, a secret which ultimately lead to her death.
Listen, the book (for me) has two big major twists. I guessed one of them, but I still loved the twist. Sometimes the twist is so damn good, you still love it even when you've guessed it. This was the case with the twist here. The other twist, I didn't even get close to guessing it and it made my jaw drop. WELL PLAYED, K.A. TUCKER, WELL PLAYED. Second, everyone's so damn shady! I was like "?!?!?" throughout the book. I liked Maggie as a heroine. She was beyond dumb and too trusting, no doubt, but I loved her perseverance and her sassiness. My only issue with the book was it dragged a bit. At one point, I was like "when are we getting a reveal?! A small reveal?! ANYTHING."
All in all, He Will Be My Ruin was crazy. What a ride!
March 27, 2016
This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life.
I was completely entertained by this book. I picked this book up because of all of the great reviews that I had seen floating around the internet. I felt a little left out at one point since it seemed like everyone but me was reading this book. I had never read K.A. Tucker before but I decided that this would be as good of a place to start as any so I requested the book from my local library before it was even released. My library quickly had a copy ready for me and I am happy to say that I enjoyed my first experience in reading this author.
This book was a mystery thriller that really kept me guessing. I would think that I had everything figured out and knew where things were going only to decide that I had to be wrong a chapter later. I changed my mind about what direction the story was going at least a dozen times while reading this book. I think that the fact that this book was completely unpredictable was really one of the biggest strengths of the story. It was a definite win for me.
I didn't immediately like Maggie. She is a privileged rich girl who has had things come fairly easy to her. I did like the fact that she was working and using her money to make the world a better place but she also knew how to use her money to get what she wanted. I found myself really feeling for Celine who had to work to get ahead in life only to have it end prematurely. My opinions of the characters changed with each chapter of the book. I came to understand Maggie a little better and realized that Celine wasn't exactly what she appeared to be. The secondary characters were great, especially Ruby.
This book held my interest well and I thought that it was very evenly paced. I did like the overall writing style. I did find myself really pulled into the mystery surrounding Celine's death. I was really curious about her life more than anything. I really enjoyed how Celine's journals helped to tell the story and gave her a voice even after her death.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a mystery that will keep them guessing. I really enjoyed K.A. Tucker's suspense debut and am looking forward to reading more of her work in the future.
Initial Thoughts
I liked this one. The story kept me guessing and the characters were interesting. I was never quite sure where everything was going but I enjoyed the story.
I was completely entertained by this book. I picked this book up because of all of the great reviews that I had seen floating around the internet. I felt a little left out at one point since it seemed like everyone but me was reading this book. I had never read K.A. Tucker before but I decided that this would be as good of a place to start as any so I requested the book from my local library before it was even released. My library quickly had a copy ready for me and I am happy to say that I enjoyed my first experience in reading this author.
This book was a mystery thriller that really kept me guessing. I would think that I had everything figured out and knew where things were going only to decide that I had to be wrong a chapter later. I changed my mind about what direction the story was going at least a dozen times while reading this book. I think that the fact that this book was completely unpredictable was really one of the biggest strengths of the story. It was a definite win for me.
I didn't immediately like Maggie. She is a privileged rich girl who has had things come fairly easy to her. I did like the fact that she was working and using her money to make the world a better place but she also knew how to use her money to get what she wanted. I found myself really feeling for Celine who had to work to get ahead in life only to have it end prematurely. My opinions of the characters changed with each chapter of the book. I came to understand Maggie a little better and realized that Celine wasn't exactly what she appeared to be. The secondary characters were great, especially Ruby.
This book held my interest well and I thought that it was very evenly paced. I did like the overall writing style. I did find myself really pulled into the mystery surrounding Celine's death. I was really curious about her life more than anything. I really enjoyed how Celine's journals helped to tell the story and gave her a voice even after her death.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a mystery that will keep them guessing. I really enjoyed K.A. Tucker's suspense debut and am looking forward to reading more of her work in the future.
Initial Thoughts
I liked this one. The story kept me guessing and the characters were interesting. I was never quite sure where everything was going but I enjoyed the story.
January 20, 2016
4.5 stars
The book blurb should have the following warning: “You’d better hold on tight because you’re about to embark on one hell of a suspenseful rollercoaster.” Instead, the blurb says this book is, “sexy,” and, “hot.” I think that’s misleading. This isn’t a racy romance novel with a little whodunit thrown in. Yes, there are some romantic aspects that help propel the plot, but He Will Be My Ruin is first and foremost an edgy, hardcore, emotional thriller that kept me guessing until the end.
Maggie Sparks refuses to accept that her best friend, Celine, committed suicide. She is convinced foul play is involved, and while she is packing up Celine’s apartment, she sets out to prove Celine was murdered. The more she digs, the more Maggie discovers secrets hidden by the friend she thought she knew, and the number of questions raised only increases.
Maggie is my kind of heroine: fearless but not foolish; strong yet sensitive; determined and intelligent. There are a variety of well-developed secondary characters, and no matter how much I enjoyed them, I could never completely remove them my list of suspects. There’s the laidback affable apartment super, the sexy successful governor’s son, the crotchety private investigator, the wiry tech geek, and the dismissive detective. I especially loved Celine’s nosey elderly neighbor.
This is a thinking person’s mystery, with lots of twists I didn’t see coming. As one character warned, no one can be trusted and, therefore, nobody was beyond my suspicion. I went back and forth a half dozen times trying to decide who the killer was.
I really enjoy seeing villains finally getting their due, so the fade to black climax left me somewhat unsatisfied. The epilogue, however, is enjoyably lighthearted and a much needed reprieve from an otherwise tense story. In the end, K. A. Tucker has written a well-plotted page turner that’s sure to capture the attention of any mystery lover.
Recommended for fans of:
Dogged heroines
Suspense
Mysteries
Tea parties
** ARC provided in exchange for an honest review. **
The book blurb should have the following warning: “You’d better hold on tight because you’re about to embark on one hell of a suspenseful rollercoaster.” Instead, the blurb says this book is, “sexy,” and, “hot.” I think that’s misleading. This isn’t a racy romance novel with a little whodunit thrown in. Yes, there are some romantic aspects that help propel the plot, but He Will Be My Ruin is first and foremost an edgy, hardcore, emotional thriller that kept me guessing until the end.
Maggie Sparks refuses to accept that her best friend, Celine, committed suicide. She is convinced foul play is involved, and while she is packing up Celine’s apartment, she sets out to prove Celine was murdered. The more she digs, the more Maggie discovers secrets hidden by the friend she thought she knew, and the number of questions raised only increases.
Maggie is my kind of heroine: fearless but not foolish; strong yet sensitive; determined and intelligent. There are a variety of well-developed secondary characters, and no matter how much I enjoyed them, I could never completely remove them my list of suspects. There’s the laidback affable apartment super, the sexy successful governor’s son, the crotchety private investigator, the wiry tech geek, and the dismissive detective. I especially loved Celine’s nosey elderly neighbor.
This is a thinking person’s mystery, with lots of twists I didn’t see coming. As one character warned, no one can be trusted and, therefore, nobody was beyond my suspicion. I went back and forth a half dozen times trying to decide who the killer was.
I really enjoy seeing villains finally getting their due, so the fade to black climax left me somewhat unsatisfied. The epilogue, however, is enjoyably lighthearted and a much needed reprieve from an otherwise tense story. In the end, K. A. Tucker has written a well-plotted page turner that’s sure to capture the attention of any mystery lover.
Recommended for fans of:
Dogged heroines
Suspense
Mysteries
Tea parties
** ARC provided in exchange for an honest review. **
February 10, 2016
I got an ecopy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was such a well crafted sexy thriller. I was so worried that it was going to become an erotic thriller when our main character had back to back sex scenes with 2 different people, but thank goodness it pretty much ended there.
I give this book officially a 3.75 out of 5, the rating knocked down mainly due to the beginning and our main character's life story. She was far too perfect and flawless and up her own ass from the start. I doubt the author was trying to make her seem that way, but all the charity and humanitarian boasting, coupled with how rich and beautiful she knew she was, was off putting. Especially when an author is clearly self aware enough to think "okay, I need to give my protagonist a flaw or two" but all she can come up with is..a fear...of elevators. Come on now, that's all you could come up with to try and make your MC relatable?
I don't want to give anything away, but the love triangle thriller aspect of this was incredible. The plot twists that came along with those two men completely caught me off guard.
None of the side characters were particularly interesting, but the three MAIN characters were good enough that I didn't mind too much. Also the side storylines and mini plot twists I could see coming from a mile away, but again I can forgive those because of the major one.
Overall I enjoyed this, would recommend, and will most definitely be checking out more KA Tucker in the future to see how she grows even further as an author.
This was such a well crafted sexy thriller. I was so worried that it was going to become an erotic thriller when our main character had back to back sex scenes with 2 different people, but thank goodness it pretty much ended there.
I give this book officially a 3.75 out of 5, the rating knocked down mainly due to the beginning and our main character's life story. She was far too perfect and flawless and up her own ass from the start. I doubt the author was trying to make her seem that way, but all the charity and humanitarian boasting, coupled with how rich and beautiful she knew she was, was off putting. Especially when an author is clearly self aware enough to think "okay, I need to give my protagonist a flaw or two" but all she can come up with is..a fear...of elevators. Come on now, that's all you could come up with to try and make your MC relatable?
I don't want to give anything away, but the love triangle thriller aspect of this was incredible. The plot twists that came along with those two men completely caught me off guard.
None of the side characters were particularly interesting, but the three MAIN characters were good enough that I didn't mind too much. Also the side storylines and mini plot twists I could see coming from a mile away, but again I can forgive those because of the major one.
Overall I enjoyed this, would recommend, and will most definitely be checking out more KA Tucker in the future to see how she grows even further as an author.
October 3, 2017
What the actual fuck. LOL.
To say that this book was underwhelming as it was melodramatic is a complete understatement. I think I got more than what I bargained for when it came to the heavy romance and ridiculous 'tension', with the protagonist between the two male characters in this book.
Yeah sure, it does have the thriller aspect but it is almost more romance than the actual 'mystery' itself. I wasn't too fond of the main character. She was utterly devoid of any flaws and entirely frustrating to read. Flat and two dimensional. (She also goes back and forth between the two 'attractive' men (who might or might not be involved with her best friend's murder.)
Eye rollllllll lmao.
And to top it all, I called the twist and ending of the book. So many people who've read the book really enjoyed it and felt the twist was amazingly done; they didn't even see it coming.
Well, sigh, I did and while that was the least of my problems with the book, it was the last straw. If heavy romance mystery/thriller screams at you and you get excited, sure maybe this is the one for you. But alas, it was not meant to be for me. Too much fluff and too little of what I thought was going to be: a great psychological thrilling read. HA! PSYCH YOU THOUGHT, BISHHH.
2 Flat Ass Stars
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To say that this book was underwhelming as it was melodramatic is a complete understatement. I think I got more than what I bargained for when it came to the heavy romance and ridiculous 'tension', with the protagonist between the two male characters in this book.
Yeah sure, it does have the thriller aspect but it is almost more romance than the actual 'mystery' itself. I wasn't too fond of the main character. She was utterly devoid of any flaws and entirely frustrating to read. Flat and two dimensional. (She also goes back and forth between the two 'attractive' men (who might or might not be involved with her best friend's murder.)
Eye rollllllll lmao.
And to top it all, I called the twist and ending of the book. So many people who've read the book really enjoyed it and felt the twist was amazingly done; they didn't even see it coming.
Well, sigh, I did and while that was the least of my problems with the book, it was the last straw. If heavy romance mystery/thriller screams at you and you get excited, sure maybe this is the one for you. But alas, it was not meant to be for me. Too much fluff and too little of what I thought was going to be: a great psychological thrilling read. HA! PSYCH YOU THOUGHT, BISHHH.
2 Flat Ass Stars
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February 27, 2016
Thank you Jan for recommending this book to me. It was perfect and exactly what I was looking for.
This is my first book by K.A. Tucker and I had no idea what I getting into. What a surprise!! This author has gained a fan.
The book starts off with a gripping prologue which was enough to gain my interest. As I continued reading I had no idea where the author was taking me. Maggie arrives in New York to settle her best friend, Celine's estate. Celine was found murdered in her apartment but her death is determined to be a suicide. Maggie is not convinced Celine killed herself. The two were childhood friends and grew up together. While sorting through Celine's items Maggie finds a lockbox with a hidden photo of a half nude man.
"My eyes widen. A naked man fills one side. He’s entrancingly handsome, with long lashes and golden-blond tousled hair and a shadow of peach scruff covering his hard jawline. He’s lying on his back, one muscular arm disappearing into the pillow beneath his head, a white sheet tangled around his legs, not quite covering the goods, which from what I can see, are fairly impressive. I can’t tell what color his eyes are because he’s fast asleep."
As Maggie looks deeper into the box, she finds a folded well worn piece of paper with her first clue written on it.
"This man was once my salvation. Now he will be my ruin."
From this point on, Maggie begins her relentless pursuit to get Celine's case reopened believing she is murdered. So many people and so many clues come into play. I was kept on my toes trying to guess who did it? When I thought I knew the answer, the author threw me for another loop and I was wrong.
As I got closer to the end of the book, I could actually feel my heart racing and my blood pumping like I was on a thrill ride. The ending was brilliant!!! All the clues and all the suspects came together and everything made sense.
This is an absolutely intense, brilliant and highly recommended read!!!!
This is my first book by K.A. Tucker and I had no idea what I getting into. What a surprise!! This author has gained a fan.
The book starts off with a gripping prologue which was enough to gain my interest. As I continued reading I had no idea where the author was taking me. Maggie arrives in New York to settle her best friend, Celine's estate. Celine was found murdered in her apartment but her death is determined to be a suicide. Maggie is not convinced Celine killed herself. The two were childhood friends and grew up together. While sorting through Celine's items Maggie finds a lockbox with a hidden photo of a half nude man.
"My eyes widen. A naked man fills one side. He’s entrancingly handsome, with long lashes and golden-blond tousled hair and a shadow of peach scruff covering his hard jawline. He’s lying on his back, one muscular arm disappearing into the pillow beneath his head, a white sheet tangled around his legs, not quite covering the goods, which from what I can see, are fairly impressive. I can’t tell what color his eyes are because he’s fast asleep."
As Maggie looks deeper into the box, she finds a folded well worn piece of paper with her first clue written on it.
"This man was once my salvation. Now he will be my ruin."
From this point on, Maggie begins her relentless pursuit to get Celine's case reopened believing she is murdered. So many people and so many clues come into play. I was kept on my toes trying to guess who did it? When I thought I knew the answer, the author threw me for another loop and I was wrong.
As I got closer to the end of the book, I could actually feel my heart racing and my blood pumping like I was on a thrill ride. The ending was brilliant!!! All the clues and all the suspects came together and everything made sense.
This is an absolutely intense, brilliant and highly recommended read!!!!
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