Unrequited Ruby

Love at Ruby's Garage #1

by Lola Winters

This is a love story, but it doesn't end the way most love stories do...
Quirky Ruby Ellis knows her way around a car engine, but she can’t quite understand the inner workings of the human heart. For years she’s secretly loved her best friend, standing by as he’s dated girls that were clearly wrong for him. Can she find the courage to tell him how she feels before it’s too late, or will she discover that sometimes love is more bitter than sweet?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary

159 pages, ebook

First published September 17, 2020

Reviews

[Gerrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up to 4

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dustin Brantley dared her, trying to convince Ruby Ellis to jump into the lake – especially since she had jumped into far worse things like dumpsters and mud pits – but she liked to make him work for her compliance. It was part of the fun. A dare was how they became friends in the first place. They went for pie afterward and Dustin said maybe they should “grow up” since they were 33 now. Although he then said “nah”, she worried that maybe he was outgrowing her and their long-time friendship. She wished he would kiss her or date her or whatever, but it never seemed to happen.

Ruby owned her car repair shop for 8 years now. She had an accounting degree from college, but auto repair was what she did best. She totally knows her way around a car engine, but she can’t quite figure out how to deal with her longing for Dustin. For years she’s secretly loved her best friend, and it hurt to watch him dating women who were clearly wrong for him. Now he was missing their softball game because he was out in Seattle with a girlfriend he was already bored with. Can she find the courage to tell him how she feels before he finds someone else? Can she make him see that they would be a perfect couple?

I liked this story where Ruby is a competent auto mechanic, not a role you would normally have expected. She and Dustin have been inseparable friends all through school and their adulthood. But Dustin has never made a move beyond friendship. If Ruby doesn’t come out and tell him, he will continue looking elsewhere for love that has been right in front of him forever. The characters are really great and so likable. Her garage guys are funny and they all interact so comfortably. Will Ruby find her happiness? Grab your copy and see if she builds up her courage before it’s too late!

[Elsbeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story about true love and true friendship!
I was really enjoying this, when, too soon, I finished the book.
At the beginning of the book you get a warning that the story won't end like you are used to. But it is very much a love story.
Because love, even unrequited love, is beautiful!
So, yes, I did find this a beautiful love story!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Linda C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ruby has spent 17 years in love with her best friend Dustin to no avail. Most of the book deals with every day events in their lives with Ruby's sorrow and Dustin's cluelessness. Then he meets someone who might be the one. A short bittersweet tale.

[Teejo · Rating 4 out of 5]

a great engaging quick read

The author kept me engaged with hints of suspense and anticipation. The story took just the right amount of time to unfold…any longer and it would have gotten annoying. A great quick summer read on the beach.

[C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best friends

What a brilliant story that has played out time and time again in real life over all the years that have come before. I love how this couple of friends are presented in their lives. So relatable. Great book.

[evieo17 · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an ok read. I found parts dragged on a little too long.