From Samantha Towle, the New York Times bestselling author of Wardrobe Malfunction and Breaking Hollywood, comes a dramatically powerful and passionate new contemporary romance.And the new heavyweight champion of the world is…Those are the words that Zeus Kincaid has been waiting to hear since he first put on a pair of boxing gloves. He just didn’t think they would come with a tragedy that … think they would come with a tragedy that would change how he viewed the sport forever.
Cameron Reed was in her second year at Juilliard when her childhood sweetheart, Zeus Kincaid, walked away from her. A few months later, Cam realized that she would never fulfill her dream of dancing for the New York City Ballet.
Now working as a dancer in an upscale club in Manhattan, Cam is brought face-to-face with the man she once loved. And it’s her turn to walk away from him.
After five years of missing Cam, Zeus isn’t prepared to let her go again. But when he finds himself standing on her doorstep the next morning, things don’t go quite as he expected…
‘You’ll be smitten with everything about this entertaining, steamy and feel-good romance’ USA Today’s Happy Ever After on Breaking Hollywood
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So I needed a secret baby romance for the Covenette’s January book challenge. And honestly, it’s not my favourite trope. Because obviously there is a reason that the baby is a secret and the couple isn’t together. So, I need to be in a certain mood to deal with the angst and drama.
Naturally, I spent an hour searching through GoodReads for one that tickled my fancy before I stumbled upon this one. And to be honest I couldn’t even tell you why this was the one. Except I read a handful of reviews and the little see inside prologue on Amazon and I one clicked it.
First, I have to say this worked so well for me. Cam was a strong, independent woman and I loved that she was so confident in her own ability. She had amazing support in her Aunt but she worked to make an awesome life for her and Gigi.
Zeus was great too. And although the way everything played out wasn’t entirely his fault, he still took ownership of it and worked to fix it. He gave a good grovel and he was such a genuinely nice guy.
I’m so glad I did pick this up and now I am dying to read Apollo’s book.
* A review copy was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review *
I have read many Samantha Towle books and I have to say that each book gets better than the last. I absolutely love her writing!! Her books suck you in and don’t let go until the very end. She will also take your heart and emotions on a roller coaster ride!! But this is one ride you won’t want to get off of.
Ruin is probably one of my favorites by this author because it covered so many things I love in books. It is a second chance romance, single parent story and has enough angst to keep you busy but it’s not over the top. It is her latest standalone novel and I loved the storyline and the characters. There is an adorable 4 year who totally stole my heart.
In this story we follow Zeus and Cameron (Cam). They were high school sweethearts and each others love of a lifetime. Or so Cam thought. Zeus was determined to make name for himself in the boxing world while Cam wanted to be a ballerina in New York. While in her second year at Julliard, Zeus did the unthinkable and broke Cam’s heart, but what happens a short while later really changed Cam’s life for good. Fast forward 5 years and Zeus runs into Cam at a club in New York City, and he is now determined to get back what he lost 5 years ago. But Cam isn’t having it. Can Zeus prove that he made a mistake and get Cam back?? Can she forgive Zeus for his past mistakes?? Will these two ever get the HEA they so deserve?? Read Ruin and find out.
Ruin is a complete standalone novel that is told primarily from Cam’s POV. No other book needs to be read to enjoy this story. It is a fairly quick read but nothing feels rushed or unfinished in the story. You will just get sucked in so quick that you won’t be able to put it down until you’re done.
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a story of second chances, that has a single parent background and mixes in some sport aspects to the story. This book truly has a little bit for everyone. This is definitely a 1-click when it is released….you won’t be sorry!!!
Roller coaster ride and angst-filled is how I would describe this book. Throw in a second chance love story, and you have a winner. I did get annoyed with Cam (a lot), but at times Zeus deserved everything she gave him. The story flowed. I got lots of feels while reading this book. Gigi stole the show. I would have liked to have had a dual point of view. I wanted to get inside of Zeus’ head a few times to see what he was feeling. No cliffhanger.
Ruin was amazing! I love the second chance romance between Zeus and Cam and I especially adore how Zeus is with Gigi. It was the perfect blend of angst, tension, romance and steaminess.
Ruin by Samantha Towle
Rosa’s rating: 5 of 5 stars
“The man is my weakness. My downfall. My ruin.”
I was excited to read this new sports romance by a favorite author. She won me over with a rockstar and now that I’ve met her sexy boxer it’s official, she’s achieved auto-click status with me. She’s a word wizard and is able to pull my heartstrings, incite my anger, and make me laugh out loud with her powerful pen, or whatever magical medium she uses to write. Ruin was so damn good it ruined me, leaving me sighing with satisfaction and smoking a virtual cigarette after turning the last page.
What an amazing second-chance-romance this was. I was totally invested as early as the first chapter. When the author took me on a journey into the past to meet 15 yr old Cameron when she first met Zeus I think I fell for him just as hard as she did. And when he later broke her heart, he broke mine too. I shared her love/hate feelings for him, wanting to kiss/punch him depending on which memory was currently invading her headspace. The boxing world saw him as a god, but she remembered him as the boy she fell in love with before everyone knew his name.
The Prologue is told from Zeus’ POV, and the remainder of the story I was in Cam’s head. That tiny bit at the beginning was enough for me to get a glimpse, but not enough for me to totally understand why Zeus made the choices he did. I was right there with Cameron, being upset that he walked away from her, not knowing why he chose to end their relationship so abruptly and brutally over the phone. I felt like Ricky Ricardo telling Lucy, “You’ve got some splainin’ to do.”
And though we both had questions we wanted to ask Zeus to get some closure, I couldn’t deny that her choice to walk away from him when he ran into her at the club where she worked. I was mentally cheering her on when she left him standing there, reaching out for a fist bump. But before she made it home I was concerned that she might not have another chance because neither had bothered to exchange contact info. But I need not have worried, this is fiction, and of course, they end up crossing paths again and she gets her opportunity. And it’s even better the second time she lets him have it. Did I mention that she’s my hero? Yup, I totally have a girl crush on Cam.
It only gets better and better from that point on. I got pulled into the drama and the emotions and fell in love with some of the support characters, and I might have committed a few mental crimes against another whose name shall remain unmentioned. After you read this amazing story we can compare notes and maybe throw darts at his likeness. And did I mention that Zeus has some sexy brothers who also have Greek names? Here’s hoping that the author decides to give them their own books, along with their sister who needs one too. The line forms here…
When I was looking through my TBR pile for a sport romance book to read, I came across this story. I had totally forgotten about this one and loving Samantha Towle’s stories I decided to read it and I’m glad that I did. It was just what I was looking for. A great and emotional second chance story with a HEA.
Zeus Kincaid and Cameron (Cam) Reed met when she was 15 years old and he was 17. It was instant love and they became childhood sweethearts but then 5 years later Zeus broke Cam’s heart not once but twice. Now 5 years later, Zeus and Cam meet again by accident, Cam wants nothing to do with him so she runs away but she never expected that Zeus would stand on her doorstep the next day, if she had known she wouldn’t have open the door and then Zeus would never have discovered that someone kept a secret from him 5 years ago and that he has a young daughter with Cam. Now, Cam and Zeus have to find a way to find a balance between caring for their daughter, forgive past mistakes and build a new future but most importantly trust each other again with their hearts. Can Cam forgive Zeus and can Zeus prove to Cam that he can be the man that she and their daughter need, a man who will be there for them always?
I really enjoyed this story. It was emotional but never too much. It was, for me, perfectly balanced between love, hurt, hope, sweet, steamy scenes and forgiveness. The story was told from Cam’s POV. But you got a good sense of Zeus’s emotions and determination to make everything right again. (Maybe it would have helped to understand Zeus’s reason better for why he broke Cam’s heart, if we had a chapter or so from his POV but in the end you got enough information through the story for the reason why he did it.) Cam and Zeus’s daughter Gigi was such a sweet, funny and loveable child, I really loved her!! Her character also gave this story a lighter and funnier vibe.
Zeus may be the boxer in this story but it was Cam who was the most explosive and mouthy one of the two. She was a great mother, intelligent, caring, strong, independent and confident. Zeus was also an interesting character. He’s dependable, intelligent, down to earth, caring and calm. The chemistry between them was intense and filled with much love but also pain. I was grateful that the writer really took the time for this couple to let go of their past. Because emotions are not always logical and sometimes in the end you just have to let go and trust and love the other again with whole your heart. I’m looking forward to reading the next book that is about Zeus’s brother.
An emotional, heartbreaking but also heartwarming second chance romance. Zeus and Cameron are perfectly imperfect, they had so many bumps in there road but their connection, chemistry, and undeniable love for one another keeps them moving forward. I enjoyed this story. Samantha Towle blows me away with each story.
Okay ya’ll I am going to be blunt and honest with ya I have read many, many books and have had quite a few book boyfriends but generally stay loyal to one guy (Travis Maddox) but it looks like I may have to have two main book boyfriends…..Zeus is OMG!!! Lol. I can legitimately say that Samantha Towle has ruined me with Ruin.
Ruin is a book that honestly I thought would just be another boxer book. Sexy man finds someone to save, falls in love, live happily ever after. Well… I was dead fricking wrong. Cameron is anything but a woman looking to be saved, she did that herself IMO. Zeus while strong and sexy is the one who needs to be saved (from himself – once again JMHO).
Two kids who fall in love young, think that they will always be together until Zeus’ career as a boxer starts taking off. Following advice from his manager he lets Cameron go, thinking it in her best interests. Cameron having no idea wtf is going on lets him go, mainly due to his reason for breaking up… he cheated on her. Yes girls you hear that right he says he cheated on her… I was very loudly cheering her on for being as strong as she was. But Zeus had left her one last gift when they were last together, a baby in the oven. Imagine her surprise when she tries to tell him and he has cut off all ways of contacting him. Cameron does find one way of getting a message to Zeus, his manager.
Now flash forward to present day and ish is about to hit the fan ya’ll. I so want to tell you every aspect of this book but if I do you won’t need to ruin it. And trust me this is one you need to read. Samantha Towle always delivers the goods and lord have mercy did she ever deliver. You get all the feelings in this. Anger, Passion, Sadness, and of course Happiness.
Just note one thing… Zeus is mine!! Lol.
I have always attempted to give ‘star’ ratings on my completed reads, just as a tracking method for my titles that I have completed. I have unlimited packages for audio, kindle, and utilize the local/state library.
However, I do not check the ‘I recommend this book’ unless I am willing to reread a book and or a series.
[I read about 5-15 books a month through kindle, and I listen to about 15-30 books monthly]
I have a full life as a nurse, professor, wife, daughter [daughter in law], sister, and mother. I love to read and love a thousand other lives by turning the pages in countless books.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide a review. Happy reading 🙂
You just can’t go wrong with a book by Samantha Towle. This is my tenth book by this author and yet again she has blown me away with a page-turner of a read and great characters.
When a book contains all your favorite things, a second chance romance, secret baby, an Alpha fighter and characters that attach to your heart, what more can you ask for?
“When you love someone- really love them- you fight for them. You fight hard and dirty, no matter the cost to yourself. And not once have you ever fought for me”.
Zeus and Cam were teenage sweethearts when Zeus was just an amateur boxer now a heavyweight champion and living with regret after letting Cameron go five years ago after weeks on the road and none stop training, he let her go for reasons he thought was best and cut her off to save the heartbreak, no further contact, changing his number and email but he never could move on.
Five years later and by an act of fate Zeus discovers Cam again and that he has a daughter, Zeus knows he will never move on from Cam and this time he isn’t going to let her go. this is one fight Zeus has to work hard for, Cam is hurt and still bitter over the sudden ending to their relationship only weeks before finding out she was pregnant.
“Because me against him it’s like a gazelle going up against a lion. I won’t survive. I know it. And he knows it”.
With Thirty-nine chapters and an Epilogue, the time flew by and I still didn’t want to put this book down.
Twists and turns and revelations I was gripped. Hotness in all the right places a roller-coaster of emotions within the plot and secondary characters I can’t wait to read more about this is one series I will definitely be following.
Told in first person dual pov and leads to hea.
I could not read this book fast enough. I absolutely LOVED it!!
A story of second chances with a dirty hot boxer and his lost high school love. Cam is a great character – she’s the perfect blend of feisty and vulnerable. And Zeus, well Zeus is my new favourite character from Samantha Towle. He was a dirty talking, kinda sweet, kinda mean, seriously hot bundle of deliciousness. Their history was painful and their chemistry was off the charts.
Gotta say the only thing I didn’t like about this story was that it ended. Cannot recommend this one enough.
I love a good second chance romance and bonus is that this is Samantha Towle’s book. I adore her writing and characters. This is an amazing start to a great series.
First love
Friends To Lovers
Sensual
Passionate
Angsty
Steamy
Second chance at love
Zeus and Cameron met at a fair in Coney Island when they were teenagers and fell in love. I loved their insta connection and how they were going to take things slow. Cam was dancing in Juilliard and Zeus was on his way to become one of the biggest boxers in the world. They used to be the center of each others worlds. Until they weren’t. Life got in the way and some dreams just changed direction as they did. About five years later they accidentally ran into each other again. They changed as their lives did, but one thing was the same: their feelings, connection and pull. I love the way Zeus was fighting for them and their second chance; how he wanted to prove Cam he’s worthy of them and her trust. He’s determined to right all his wrongs. They were both flawed, complex characters. Both are endearing, loveable but also vulnerable. I love how Zeus was fighting for Cam, Gigi and their family. Cam has real trust issues because Zeus broke her heart and she isn’t sure she could trust him again. There is so much inner battle for both of them: Zeus doesn’t want to pressure her and risk to lose her again and Cam wants to trust him but she isn’t sure she can do that. How protective he was. Their road to HEA isn’t easy but definitely worth it.
Ruin was a page turner, fast paced and really entertaining read. The angst, anticipation had me on the edge of my seat. It was also about family, forgiveness, letting go of past, reinventing yourself and giving love a second chance.
I could not put this down. It was a great second chance romance. It had all the feels and was well written.
There is so much to love about Ruin. This second chance romance had it all secrets, alpha male, awesome story line and fantastic writing. I do love Samatha Towle’s novels they just get you sucked in and you don’t want to put them down.
I loved Cameron, i would have been the same with Zeus if he did what he did to her she was closed off and was not only looking out for herself and the hurt and pain he could cause no wonder she tried to keep him at arms length. She was a fantastic character and was really written well.
Zeus was alpha for me and he was not going to stop until he got what he wanted and he was going to learn how to fight for Cameron. Zeus had a lot going on and tried to do the best for everyone he loved. I loved his character and his passion for his boxing, for his family and his young love. I loved the way he was committed to what was important and made him such an awesome character.
This was my type of book and it makes it so more enjoyable for me when there are characters like Gigi. She was so sweet and smart and i loved the way Samantha Towle wrote this character it was perfect, Gigi made the book for me. I also loved Aunt Elle i think she was such an important part of the story and i loved her and Cameron’s relationship.
It was so good to get Zeus family in there and see where the next books are going to go with out giving anything away. So excited for what’s next.
Loved loved loved this book and becoming a very big fan of Samantha Towle. I can’t wait to get into more of her stories.
Loved loved loved it big 5 Stars from me.
Zeus is quite the demanding man, “well, you don’t need to now. I’ll be giving you all the money you need…………. So, you can quit both jobs.” Zeus is jist so nonchalant about some things, “I’m getting that.” He widens the door, standing aside. “Would you like to come in and be mad at me or stay out there while you yell at me?” I loved this book, Zeus was all about his family, I loved this second chance romance it was so sweet.
Goodness, Ruin was quite the angst-fest which isn’t usually my thing, but I couldn’t put the book down. Why you ask? Mainly because of the super star worthy grovel Zeus, the hero, does after he figures out the magnitude of his screw up and how much it cost him.
I was drawn to both main characters. Zeus for how hard he worked to get his woman back and Cam for not immediately falling at Zeus’ feet but instead making him work for it. Zeus broke her trust in a huge way and she knew without trust, you have nothing. That being said, she did a lot of flip-flopping with Zeus that worked my last nerve. I guess without her back and forth the book wouldn’t have been near as steamy, but still…
Speaking of chemistry, despite their issues their chemistry was off the charts. There was a lot of sex in this book. This could have backfired but there were genuine feelings there driving each sexcapade, even if sometimes those feelings veered towards hate and it got pretty freaking hot.
There were some plot holes I found myself navigating through. Maybe a bit more research should have been done on some subjects because a couple of times I found myself thinking, “That’s not how that works” or “Yeah, no. That doesn’t make sense.” I also had a couple of issues with how everything wrapped up, mainly how they handled a certain publicity issue. It was just left hanging out there which didn’t sit well with me.
Overall, this was an unexpectedly emotional yet sexy read with two characters I ended up genuinely liking. I prefer low angst reads but this one worked for me despite my issues with the plot.
4 Angsty and I Liked It Star”
I’m so happy I had the opportunity to read this.
I got to spend time with a tough strong beautiful guy that fights hard in the ring and fights harder outside of it for the ones he loves. His family.
Zeus will make your heart swell and your temperature rise. He is such a charmer with not only his words but his actions. Love it!
OooomyyyGaaawd!!!! What a treat with the surprise character appearance. Brought a smile to my face and hearts to my eyes.
I took a chance on this book, not ever having read from this author, after hearing so many wonderful things about it. And I’m so glad I did! It was such a fantastic story! Such a great second-chance romance that I couldn’t get enough of.
One of the things that I liked best about the story was that Cam didn’t just immediately give into Zeus when he came back. I hate when the heroine gives in way too quickly, and I just adored Cam for taking her time to decide what she really wanted.
And Zeus…..ooh, I just loved him. Such a sweet talking, bad boy that I just wanted more of.
A sweet second chance story.
Zeus is sweet, smart, & sexy and makes a seriously boneheaded mistake that he’s never really able to get over. Cam moves on right up until she sees him again. But she’s smart & strong and holds her ground much better than I would have.
I really like that Cam has trouble identifying her confused emotions. She knows she’s in love with him, but can’t trust him… and that’s a deal breaker. Although there is seriously a LOT of talking in circles, it wasn’t out of place- they really were caught in a difficult loop. Cams desire to do right by her daughter keep her from following her heart- and that makes her a true heroine. And can I just say- Zeus as a daddy? Swooon…
Love RUIN.. what a great book.. so many emotions. you’re going to laugh, cry and want to slap Zeus a few times and kiss him too why not lol ..
Zeus a very famous Professional fighter who was so in love with the girl of his dreams, he didn’t know one day his career and someone who trusted would take her away from him.. he didn’t know he was about to become the person she hated the most and at the same time loved him the most.. he did a huge mistake that can cost him everything. but life has something in storage for him and he will have to wait to find out….
Cam had it all, the love, the career, the life. she was a very talented dancer and her dream was to become a professional ballet dancer but everything came crashing down when she got a call that throw all her dreams through the trash.. everything went wrong when he left and she find herself alone facing a life changing event..
“And that’s the reason I’ll never believe a single thing you tell me, Zeus. Because, when you love someone—really love them—you fight for them. You fight hard and dirty, no matter the cost to yourself. And not once have you ever fought for me.”
Cam had to change her life forever, she had to quit her dream and start to focus more on how to survive as she is not alone in this life anymore.. she decided to moved in with her aunt so she could get her life on track, having two jobs and a daughter .. life was not so easy but she was fine and happy.. until he came up barging in her life again with full force and fury.. the difference now is that he will fight for her, for them.. no matter the cost.. he wants then back and this time is forever..
“We’re the real fucking deal.
Our love is what most people spend a lifetime searching for.”
I love Zeus, his character was well balanced.. not only he was sexy, hot and a dirty talker.. he was also a gentleman and a great Dad.. i love how strong he is and how protective he is for his girls.. i love how he never gave up and he kept telling “he was here to fight for his girl”
Cam was a great Heroine.. she was smart, strong and funny.. she fights for whatever she believes in as well as protect what she loves the most.. love how a great mother she was.. love her relationship with Gigi, and her Aunt.. Gigi is just an amazing kid.. she is adorable.. funny.. well behaved.. i love her character so much.. she made me laugh a lot.. and i have to say she was also strong as her mother… so many great secondary characters around Cam and Zeus.. Her aunt, Lo, Artemis and Missy
Really love Ruin.. and i cant wait to read more of Zeus Siblings!! ..