Ruby and Sal

The Unforgettables #1

by Jane O'Brien

Ruby had a fascinating life surrounding The Great Depression and Prohibition, which she had always kept private, until shortly before her death at age 102 when she decided the time was right to tell her story to her great-granddaughter, Ivy. Ruby relates the story of the love of her life, a man Ivy had never met, and secrets she has kept for over 80 years. The fascinating tale of guns, gangsters, and magical love captures Ivy's imagination, taking her to another time and place. When Ivy meets Fox, she questions whether their relationship is moving too quickly. Does she really know who he is? Can she allow herself to fall completely and totally in love for the first time in her life? If so, will her love be as passionate as the one her beloved great-grandmother had? And more importantly can she count on him to be trustworthy and loyal, because now she, too, holds secrets of her own. The only way to find out is to give herself without reservation, just like Ruby had. As Ruby's story unwinds in the 1920s and '30s, Ivy's story is just beginning. The two narratives will be entwined in a way that seems impossible, as a thread develops that will tie the characters together forever.

362 pages, Paperback

First published February 22, 2017

About the author

Jane O'Brien discovered her love of writing at the age of ten when she wrote her first ten-chapter book in pencil on notebook paper. She passed it around to all of her friends at school and told them she wanted to be an author. And that planted the seed.
O'Brien's career life has been varied. She was a piano teacher for over 50 years, a librarian, and a professional proofreader. She is also interested in genealogy, having worked on her own family tree, as well as her husband's, for over 40 years, which helps to color most of her novels.
Today, as a grandmother, Jane is finally fulfilling her lifelong dream, after successfully having her thirty-second book published, which includes two trilogies, one six-book series, two Christmas novellas, and two Amazon best-selling time slip series. She lives in West Michigan and writes romance with a little history, mystery, and family entanglements, all set in her part of the state.
The stories she weaves are about family and the intricate connections of relatives, past and present.

Reviews

[Nicole]

I won a copy of this book from Goodreads to read and review.

The book was a hair hard to get into in the beginning but within a short while I was into it and had a hard time putting it down.

I loved the story of Ruby and Sal. I was Leary of the relationship at first but realized he really loved her. It was it was a different time back then so I suppose getting married at such a young age wasn't weird even if you didn't want to get away from an abusive father.

The quickness of Ivy and Fox's relationship did surprise me. However this book has a slight mystical feel to it so who knows, maybe Ruby and Sal were working to get them together. I won't give away spoilers about this.

Overall I really enjoyed the book and can't wait to read the second one the series

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!!!!

This book was beautifully written and made me wonder what untold stories that my own grandmothers may have had. I wish now that I would have asked more questions when I had the chance 😥 Can't wait to read the next book!

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book on Goodreads.

I loved this story. I loved the dual time lines between Ruby and her great granddaughter Ivy.

Ruby and Sal’s story takes place during the Great Depression. I loved the story.

Ivy is in current time and is writing grandma’s story. I love Ivy most of the time, sometimes she over reacts to her situations. Although most people do that at some time.

I am looking forward to reading the next books in the series.

[LisaMarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved Sal worked for Al Capone. Always love the history, romance. Couldn’t put it down. Can’t wait till Jane’s next book.

[Cari Maloof · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved!

[Debbie Stephens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another wonderful series from Jane O’Brien. I read her time travel series and instantly was hooked from book 1 and wait anxiously as she releases another book in the series. I just found this series and quickly started reading it. It did not disappoint. Her ability to pull you into the story from the start and feel something for the characters is amazing. However, I am very frustrated with Ivy and her lack of confidence and being quick to judge and make assumptions. But of course this makes the story interesting. Need to grab book 2 to continue to see how this story unfolds. Another great read and I’m sure great series by Jane O’Brien.

[Sylvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am remiss in not having read this book earlier. I look forward to reading books by this author. Her research and attention to detail provide for a robust adventure in the western Michigan setting. Having grown up there, her books provide another view of a familiar place. The story is full of fascinating characters and O’Brien is masterful at developing an intriguing story around them. Such an imagination but so carefully mixed with historical fact. Could hardly wait to open the next of the set. Wonderful way to relax and envision the past.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruby and Sal ( The Unforgettables Book 1 )

Ruby and Sal fell in love and married but Sal worked for Al Capone. I have always had an interest in Capone. Author Jane O’ Brien knows her history. Ruby’s great granddaughter Ivy tells the story of Ruby and Sal.

[Kay Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it

Another awesome read by Jane O'BRIEN.
The words jump off the page into the brain creating a visual more than fantastic!

[jo Steele Murtola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read

The story will sweep you up and make you want to find out how the characters develop in the following books.

[Phyllis Krall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the first E book of this series which I received from Goodreads in exchange for an honest review.

Ivy visits her grandmother Ruby in a nursing home before she dies at the age of 102. Ruby tells her granddaughter the story of her life , which is amazing, since she lived through prohibition and the Depression. She marries Sal who is the love of her life, and has many adventures with him when he is working for Al Capone.
When Ivy learns all of Ruby’s secrets, she decides to write about Ruby and Sal. She steps back in time to experience everything her grandmother went through. Many events are intermeshed in History and really happened. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series to see how Rubys life influences Ivy,s.

Highly recommended!

[Debbie Love · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one. It was set in Michigan, which is also where I live so it was fun to see some places that I have been actually mentioned. I also really liked the Al Capone storyline and the magical elements of the story. I do plan on reading the next one to see how the story progresses.
I won a digital copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway.

[Margaret Bender · Rating 5 out of 5]

History

The story was great. I can't wait to read the next book. The history attached to the story is wonderful. Looking forward to the love story to continue. I couldn't put the book down. It is very interesting to read about the 30s and how they ran the illegal alcohol rings. Thank you for a great read.

[Kathie Heidenthal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow ! Great story!

This story from the beginning captured my heart! Reading about Ruby and Sal was very intriguing to say the least. Then continuing with reading about Ivy and Fox completed my Interest in this story . Of course I'm excited to read ahead to see what becomes of Ivy and Fox in the next book!
Jane O'Brien doesn't disappoint the reader!

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goodreads win. Ruby and Sal is my first read by this author: it was a beautiful, intriguing, exciting romantic story.

[Candie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I thought that it started out slow but once it picked up, I could not put it down. I loved the chemistry between Ruby and Sal but hated how quickly Ivy jumped to conclusions about Fox. The book ended with a cliffhanger that left me wanting more. I look forward to the rest of the series.

[Sabrina · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had the potential to be good. The prohibition is a time that I'm not familiar with, and being a fan of historical fiction, I was really looking forward to this book. I won it through a Goodreads Giveaway. I was severely disappointed and confused where the other reviews are coming from when they say it is great. The entire dialog was horrible, middle school feel at best. The only reason I finished reading this book was so I could review it honestly since I won it through the Giveaway. I had to take so many breaks because I could not get past the beginner dialog of the book. The characters were not engaging, and only seeing each other 3 times left me super confused how the relationship was portrayed between Ivy and Fox. Only reason this book didn't get 1 star was because it at least had some information that I wasn't aware of regarding prohibition.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story for the most part - the whole life of a rum runner way station and the difference in how women were viewed in the 1920s as far as role and station in family life. My dad told me stories from this era that amazed me.

Bit of a spoiler - I did have a hard time with Ivy's reaction when she discovers Fox in her GG's house. It was kind of huge compared to how her personality had shown itself previously in the story. I also wished the ending would have wrapped up a bit more with a twist for the next one, but that's my preference.

[Melany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVED this! So deep and magical. It's amazing what all is in the memories of the elderly, that we may never know. It definitely made me ask my grandma to tell me stories and things from her past. I loved how well this book was written, the story just takes you on this beautiful and intriguing journey.

I won this book from a Goodreads giveaway. All of the statements above are my true opinions after fully reading this book.

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Soft and fluffy.

[cheri wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the characters and the story but the ending was kinda of a bummer hopefully this next book in the series carries the characters from the first book over so I can see what happens to them

[Karolyn L. Madison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruby and Sal

Jane has a unreel way of drawing you into the book with in the first few paragraphs. The characters seem real. I always learn a bit of history from her books. I am already missing the characters in Ruby and Sal. Now is the long wait until book 2

[Marianne Freitas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A love through the ages

Ruby and Sal had a great love during dangerous times. The story told to her great granddaughter has her searching to find out the truth.

[Catherine A. Manint · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another intriguing series!

Jane again does not disappoint! This first book in this series was a fun read! I could not put it down! Cannot wait to begin Book 2!

[Jena Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Guns… Gangsters…Greed

By now, many of us may have forgotten that almost 100 years ago, a significant historical event took place in America. The 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution took effect on January 17, 1920. Prohibition became the law of the land. It was illegal to manufacture, sell or transport intoxicating liquors

But Prohibition did not lead to the peace and tranquility that many in the Temperance movement wanted. Instead, Prohibition gave rise to organized crime and many legends were born. Prohibition ended in 1933.

Smuggling of alcohol was done on both coasts of America, and liquor was moved from Canada to the U.S via the Great Lakes. Al “Scarface” Capone was the most notorious gangster of his generation.  By 1927, Capone and his gang were pulling in approximately $60 million per year. He controlled the liquor supply from Canada to Florida.

In Michigan, there are many houses along the shoreline, inland, and deep in the woods with tunnels, all claiming to be part of Al Capone’s operation. The love story of Ruby and Sal erupts in one of these houses.

This book starts off pleasantly enough. We meet Ivy, a woman of thirty- five years, who was raised by her grandmother Olivia, and loved by her Great Grandmother. She was also known as GG, Ruby, age 102. Ruby and Olivia live in a nursing home in western Michigan.

Ivy takes good care of the two older ladies. Ivy knows that there are some stories in Ruby’s past and she decides to interview and record Ruby’s history.

‘GG was a flapper.’ ‘Who knew’, the family would shrug. ‘That sweet old woman sold hooch.’

After Ruby dies, Ivy’s friend convinces her to write Ruby’s story. “Maybe it would be like honoring Ruby if you could put it all down for others to read.”

Author Jane O’Brien then treats her readers to the remarkable and exciting story of how Ruby met Sal during the time of Prohibition. This part of the story is thrilling and passionate and a vivid reminder of the times.

Ruby saw Al Capone outside her father’s gas station. That is also where Ruby first saw Sal.

“From the time Sal whisked Ruby away from her miserable life, nothing was ever the same for her.” Ruby ran away and married Sal when she was 15. Ruby and Sal had a passionate love that carried them through the danger of being directly involved in Capone’s liquor smuggling operation.

“She smoothed his forehead curl back into place…as she rocked her handsome husband
Sal into the next world, dead at 23, leaving Ruby…

There are two main stories in this book. The story of Ruby and Sal has many parallels to the story of Ivy and Fox Marzetti. Ivy and Fox seem destined to have the same sensual, all-consuming relationship that Ruby and Sal did. Both Ruby and Ivy had troubled fathers, their mothers died young, and both had to be self-reliant. And then there is the story of the ruby and diamond necklace.

Readers of Jane O’Brien’s previous trilogies have grown to love her well-drawn characters and beautiful images of nature. In this new series, The Unforgettables, Author O’Brien also gives us the fire and heat of two dazzling love relationships. This book will sweep you away. The history, danger, and sensual images all create a powerful plot.

The book ends with the story of Ruby and Sal completed, and more of the story of Ivy and Fox still to come. I’m ready for the second book in the series. Highly recommend.

“He could see Ivy was dancing with him on the dock, slow and sensual, with her body pressed tightly to his.”