“I was utterly consumed.” – R.S. Grey, USA Today Bestselling AuthorWith her heart literally in his hands, Celia will have to try and bargain with a devil.Edward Fasbender is my captor.Trapped on this island he owns everything on–including, it seems, me.He told me he would break me, but I thought he meant in the bedroom. It turns out Edward is playing a completely different game.And he won’t stop … completely different game.
And he won’t stop until he’s ruined me.
Ruin is book two of four in the dark and edgy Slay series. Rivalry should be read first.
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When we first met our heroine, Celia, in the Fixed series, I knew there was something driving her to start playing the “games” with Hudson, but I didn’t think I’d ever come around to actually liking her! In this second book in her series, as a result of making a deal with the devil, aka, our Hero, Edward, she spends a lot of time on her own on his private island. Edward’s loyal staff is there to care for the property and to meet Celia’s basic needs, but the rest is up to her. We start to see Celia transform, and through truthful heart to heart conversations with Edward when he comes to visit we are also able to witness when realizations strike Celia and Edward. Celia and Edward’s path to “romance” is rather unorthodox, but Laurelin Paige’s masterful storytelling adds so much dimension that I can’t wait to see how the rest of their saga unfolds!
I love that we are finally understanding Celia. Edward is the man. Brutal but amazing. Her journey to becoming who is she was and will be is a little heartbreaking. However we all know Celia will come out a winner because of who she and Edward are.
What a book, what a book. This was fantastic, Laurelin at her finest. Edward is my favourite alpha book boyfriend. Man he is so hot but so nasty at the same time. I lived seeing how his walls were breaking down to. Celia is bad ass, I loved her so much, it was harrowing to hear her story but I loved how Edward tried to fix everything for her.
This book is a huge 5 star. I cannot wait for book 3.
Ruin is an apt title for book two in Edward Fasbender and Celia Werner’s Slay Quartet, and from my perspective, this is round 2 of an all out battle of wills, and while readers won’t truly be able to declare a winner until the final page of the last book in Edward and Celia’s story, what’s most intriguing is that there isn’t a clear front runner, not because they both don’t plan to be the victor of this tête-à-tête, but because they have an arsenal of moves that haven’t been played yet, and when they are, the winner will be the one who manages to outplay the other, but, as of right now, it’s too soon to decide.
Edward continues to show his alpha bastard tendencies. His plan for revenge keeps him from fully giving into his attraction and desire for his wife. He wields a commanding presence, both with his words and his actions, and he seems to get off on throwing her off her own game. He is quite the manipulative sadist, but Celia also brings out other parts of Edward’s personality that have laid dormant for quite some time, and what that means for Edward’s endgame and this sham of a marriage remains unclear.
For so long, Celia has felt nothing, but now her emotions overwhelm her, forcing her to do and to say things that are definitely out of character for the Celia readers have loved to hate, but, just like in book 1, Laurelin Paige continues to show who Celia truly is and how she became the vindictive bitch readers met in Hudson and Alayna’s story, and I can’t believe I’m saying this, but my feelings for her continue to change as Paige delves deeper into Celia’s past and provides necessary insights for the person she couldn’t help but become.
Slay: Ruin alters the dynamics of Celia and Edward’s relationship in a multitude of ways. Neither imagined that their feelings for each other would be anything of substance, but with each wall that seems to be torn down, each secret that is unburdened, they are evolving as individuals as well as husband and wife. But because readers are only halfway into this quartet, there’s a significant amount of Celia and Edward’s story that remains to be told and what that means for their respective game plans as well as their fluctuating feelings for each other has yet to be revealed.
4 Poison Apples
Once again LP did not let us down I love Edward FI had a whole different image of Edward in The Fixed Series and in Chandler.
I was quite hesitant in reading about Celia but I am so glad I have
There always had to be a reason about why she was so fucked up and the way she was, and Edward was the man for the job
LP created Edward and I’m so grateful she did
He broke through Celia’s layers but also discovered himself along the way.
Together these to are going to “ Slay” and be a powerhouse in the next book of this series. I got one can’t wait. I’m a converted reader and love how LP gives us another PIV of her characters.
Time to go back and reread The Fixed Triology and Dirty Series once again but with a different look at people.
I can’t recommend Laurelin Paige enough.
“I wanted him with a fierceness that I’d never known. Wanted all of him. Wanted his cock buried inside of me. Wanted him shoving against my limp body. Wanted to make him come as savagely as he’d made me come.”
Laurelin Paige, you did it again. You freaking made me breathless. You made me swoon every single word. Every single sentence. Every single chapter. You have captured my heart. You have set my soul on fire. With your magnificent words. With your soul powering characters, Slay: Ruin is a brilliant dark tale. My heart and soul was drenched in a sensational story that tore every single morsel inside me. Wow. Laurelin Paige continues to amaze me. How is every book so good every time? How is her writing such a knockout to all my senses? Slay: Ruin will creep into your heart and destroy it. One word at a time.
Slay: Ruin is the second heartstopping continuation into the delectable Slay Quartet. Man, this book ended my life. My gosh, what a rollercoaster. What a smashing book. A book with a heart crippling storyline. A book with so much adrenaline and power coursing through the pages and into my heart, A book with addictive characters that told such beautiful and interesting stories. Emotional. Soul Ripping. Dangerously Titillating. Slay: Ruin is a darkly twisted tale with seductive romance, heart palpitating passion and shocking revelations. Secrets are revealed. Feeling are laid bare. A story of lust vs love. Laurelin Paige made me fall in love with every facet of Ruin. Ruin truly gave a jolt to my heart.
I am so shocked about Celia. In my previous review, I wrote about how much I hated her in the Fixed series. I had no love for Celia. I used to call her Lilith. Haha. Harsh. Laurelin Paige made me love her. Curse you, Laurelin Paige. I absolutely felt sorry for her. She is a broken woman. A very vulnerable lady. Every layer that Laurelin Paige was able to peel gave me a heroine that spoke a story that touched my heart. Edward is still the ruthless businessman and dangerous antihero I adore. I am in love in him lol.
Slay: Ruin truly slayyyed!!!! This series is bloody fantastic!!!!! I can’t wait for what’s in store for Edward and Celia.
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review.
After reading the first book and the way it ended, I was in dire need of book two. Just when I thought I knew what was going to happen I get proven wrong. Like all Laurelin Paige’s books she keeps us on our toes trying to figure out what is going to happen. The relationship between Celia and Edward is a rollercoaster.
There were times while reading this book I was ready to throw my kindle and just be done. I was on this emotional rollercoaster with Celia and Edward. I didn’t know if I wanted to get off or stay along for the ride. This book pulled at my emotions and had me feeling some sympathy for Celia, I thought that would never happen.
I can’t wait for the next book I need to know how this story ends for these characters.
My fav author with story lines that you just don’t get anywhere else. Loved every twisted part of it & can not wait for the rest to be released
Thrilling, terrifying and blisteringly smart, like nothing I’ve ever read. To describe Slay’s story, is to undermine it’s brilliance. Ruin is beautiful and ugly and utterly unforgettable.
A riveting tale of captivity, love and sexual suspense, you’ll rip through the pages. Trauma and trust, test the tenuous bonds of a fake marriage in the sultry atmosphere of a hidden island oasis. And Paige has us trapped there too, right where she wants.
Her second installment in the Slay series reads like a crossover between a modern, edgy Dr No and a high-end sexy season of Survivor, where Celia has to outwit and outlast Edward, her calculating, beautiful husband and his staff of cohorts. Her family, her own desires, even her future and friends exist only on the periphery.
The tension comes from Edward’s insistence they delve into Celia’s own Heart of Darkness. And the isolated setting lends itself perfectly to her over-calculating mind, her horrible past, and Edward’s rules which at first appear as benign shrugs to his wife.
But as Ruin unfolds, Edward’s true motives transform Celia and this reader. Every scene between them buzzes with piqued sensuality and metaphors of their journey. A staff’s son, a reclaimed antique desk, or shared bottle of booze, even orgasms, at just the right moment become symbols for what’s passing between them on so many levels.
Edward spends a great deal of the story on the edges of really monstrous behavior, but it’s never what you think. He deals out almost as much suspense and misdirection as Paige. And Celia wrestles with so much, naked in every way in front of her distant husband. I wept and moaned right along with her.
Like a play in four acts, Ruin is an internal story told with sharp knives, sterile gifts, and brutal honesty, it churns inside you too. It’s all so unexpected, or is it?
At one point, I had to reach out to talk to a fellow reader—it’s overwhelming in the most delicious ways—and I felt what Celia must have been thinking: What is happening to me?
It’s impossible to categorize this story. Everything I’ve said is true, and yet I’m certain I’ve done it a disservice.
A romance, a passion play, a satire on family and marriage. Even a healing tome on vulnerability. Gah! If you’re still here, buy it. There’s nothing else like it, Little Bird.
DREAMY’S REVIEW
Slay: Ruin absolutely RUINED ME. Laurelin Paige, I am so in love with your ever loving mind!
Nothing and I mean nothing could have prepared me mentally or emotionally for Celia and Edward, especially for Edward. He is definitely something else and I can totally see the appeal.
He’s dark, he’s delicious, he’s mysterious, and he’s ALL MAN! Gah, Celia is one lucky woman and I am so jealous 😉
I loved him in book one, quite possibly loathed him during most of book two, but in the end, I just couldn’t help but FALL SO DEEP FOR THESE TWO.
I wasn’t sure what to expect after what happened in book one, but in true Laurelin Paige fashion, she blew me away with her beautiful way of writing and storytelling and the characters she created!
Ruin consumed me in the best way possible! I couldn’t get enough of Celia becuase I’m telling you, no one can ever make me “love” a supposed villain like Laurelin can!
There’s a depth to Celia that I felt like we didn’t get in the Fixed books, she’s so relatable and it’s because this is HER story. I loved how we got to see this side of her, the vulnerable side. The side that she didn’t show often or even at all.
I absolutely loved and adored Celia and Edward, their relationship, the storyline, and everything else in between!
You need this Celia and Edward in your life!
Five dreamy stars:
Slay: Ruin (Slay Quartet, #2)
Wow, just Wow!!! Ruin is the continuing story of Edward and Celia. I hated Celia from the past but I’m now understanding her more and more of why she is the way she is. Edward is breaking Celia down but not the way he thought. Things are changing for the both of them, so many things are coming to light. I can’t wait for the next one. You have to read this series, you will not be disappointed.
Laurelin Paige is a QUEEN. I went into Slay: Ruin with high expectations, and she blew them right out of the water. I haven’t recovered from this read, but it just reinforces why this woman is one of my all-time favorite authors.
If you haven’t read Slay: Rivalry, make sure you do that first. Slay: Ruin brings readers right back into the thick of things with Celia and Edward, and I couldn’t turn the digital pages fast enough. Both of these characters are strong and have more going on beneath the surface, and a battle of wills ensues between them. I was riveted by Edward’s determination to break Celia down on all fronts and uncover her secrets. Celia can’t help but respond to him—I don’t blame her because the man is sexy, anti-hero goodness—but she’s also determined to hold onto said secrets. I practically choked on the sexual tension between this couple, and I promise it delivers. The dynamic between these two is layered and delicious, and I need more.
This was such a satisfying read. I’m thoroughly invested in Celia and Edward’s story, and I’m excited to see how the plot—and the characters—continue to unravel. Bring on the next, please!
Let me just start this by saying that nothing, and I mean nothing, I write will do justice for this book. Ruin is the second of 4 books in this series. In book one, I knew I would love Edward and Celia, even though you still wanted to hate them. In this book, my heart was ripped from my chest, stomped on into tiny shards, then put back together and stuffed back into my chest. This book left me a mess in the best way. I cried, screamed, and laughed (many times all in the same page). I can’t wait for books three and four. Please release them early Laurelin!!
Shel: In Slay we had a lot of action and plot and a wicked cliffhanger which had us eager for Ruin.
Shel: Ruin picked up right where Slay left off and while it had action and plot, I found it to be more character driven. We got to get into the head of Celia and get to understand more about what made her tick. The slower pace of this novel also allowed for her character development and internal struggles to be revealed in a way that felt true to the character we’d come to know. I found that rather than find her despicable and shallow, she had a lot more depth and a lot more sympathetic than I would’ve imagined. By the end of this novel, I was rooting for her and Edward and am curious and hopeful for what will happen next.
Shel: Speaking of Edward, I also found him to be less of a dick than I originally thought. He still did dickish things but as we got more insight into him, I felt like I understood him more. I still have many questions but Ruin was a book that left me with more answers than questions. Some of the holes in their backstories were filled in and I’m interested in seeing how and where the last two books in this series will take us.
Shel: I loved the direction Celia and Edward’s relationship is going and how they seem like a team now and I can’t help but wonder what craziness Laurelin will out in their path…what obstacles and challenges she’ll have them face before she gives them their HEA. Knowing we still have two books to go, I feel like this next book is going to be a doozy and I cannot wait to get my hands on it.
I am still not sure how I feel about Celia Werner, but I know I am completely intrigued with her story. And Edward Fasbender has me hooked. He destroyed me in so many ways and yet, I am completely captivated by him. This story was unexpected. Edward is domineering and always in control. While Celia was hateful and cruel in The Fixed series, we get to see a completely different side of her here.
I devoured Slay: Ruin by Laurelin Paige. We learn more about Edward ‘s plan and Celia needs and wants. My heart actually broke for her at times. I know, very unexpected, right? And yet, it did. The steamy chemistry they shared was palpable, but could they bare their souls to each other completely? I never would have believed I would be so riveted in a story involving Celia, and yet here I sit waiting for the next book!
4.5-stars. Read and reviewed for Sultry Sirens Book Blog.
Happy reading!
5 Star Review of Slay: Ruin (Slay Quartet #2) by Laurelin Paige
Edward Fasbender and Celia Werner both know how to manipulate people and circumstances to suit themselves, they know the game, they play to win and take no prisoners. The question is who will win?
Having read the first book, in which I found that I wasn’t initially drawn to either characters, I was intrigued to see where Ms. Paige took us in Ruin.
Ruin gives us a deeper insight into Edward and his actions as the relationship between Edward and Celia develops. It is an intense, emotional and gripping story that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
The chemistry between Edward and Celia was intense as the Dom/sub relationship develops. I loved how Laurelin Paige drew us in with the story she wove.
Questions will be answered and more will be raised, as Celia and Edward delve deeper into their relationship.
This book is like an onion with layers to be peeled away one by one.
A roller coaster of a read that is a fast paced story that will draw you in and keep you riveted from the first to the last chapter. Cannot wait for more.
No one is a winner!
Slay: Ruin will have you wondering who is the one truly ruined. Edward and Celia have a story to tell that will have you on the edge of your seat, hot with anticipation and in tears all in one chapter.
I didn’t realize how broken Celia was until Edward came along and completely shattered her. He’s determined to break her and have all the power in their relationship. However, as time passes, it’s hard for the devil himself to not be affected by the queen of ice. They will have to earn each other’s trust as they fight through pasts.
Laurelin Paige has created characters that have been portrayed as villains in stories past and are now depicted as people with real hardships and genuine feelings. I love when an author opens my eyes to a story that I didn’t expect to love and want more. I can’t wait for the next ones, but I am content with where this one ends. I highly recommend this Slay series.
OMG… I hate Edward, but I love Edward. The way Laurelin has taken this trope and manipulated it is beyond words. I finished RUIN weeks ago and it’s still in my thoughts. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough and then again, I didn’t want it to end. Five glowing stars for Ruin and the Slay series! Give me more!
I don’t know where to start. This book was amazing! I always hated Celia! She was not redeemable. Edward was really a jerk (I really wanted to use a stronger word) There were many times I wanted to smack both of them! There were some crazy turns in the book I didn’t expect. I am pleased with the ending of this book and can’t wait until I get my hands on book 3!
I was absorbed by the black hole of this story and I couldn’t come up for air till the end.
Really, the fear-ridden atmosphere of a captive woman with no schackles but no escape at all is powerfully built in this continuation of Slay. The female character is a villain in her own right, but I felt in my flesh her indignified frustration and her exasperation at being reduced to a mere pawn in her captor’s mind games. Celia pines for him, for winning the game and her freedom too, though all she truly wants and needs is to be meaningful to someone who cares for her. Ah, her plight!
I was amazed at the ultimatum that Edward Fasbender utters right after his chilling revelation at the end of the first book. I loved Celia’s reaction, her wit and courage and also her vulnerability. She hides too many of those and I really thought that Edward should know about them and make them better like a wound in need of comfort. However, he is relentless. I keenly wanted to be in his head and for him to be more understanding of her. Maybe, though, his heartless methods are what she needs to reconcile her past with a new beginning.
The very few scenes from his POV are priceless. The struggle is real. And her attachment to this tormented man is one thing of beauty and exasperation. He manipulates her, pleasures her, pushes her. It is mind-bending.
And emotional and raw, a psychological challenge that bares her soul while he seems to gain the upper hand. Nothing goes as expected, though. Tenderness blends with fierce pain as he peels away her secrets and she emerges like a phoenix from the renewing flames of her vices. I loved one thing he does to erase a wrong from her past, and I loved the ferocious turn of events that followed that. Only to be followed once more by an intense epiphany on both sides that to my glee came from her own inner strength. The truths that are unearthed are shattering, and had me completely devoted to this twisted relationship that is vying for a happy ending no matter how difficult it might be.
There are so many peaks in this novel that if feels like a rollercoaster. It never ends. It reaches a magnificent crescendo towards the end that is both disturbing and transcendent. This woman goes through so much trauma, and this man is a crafty devil with a deviant sense of caring.
The final note of this second book is electric with emotional energy. I am literally praying at the altar of this series. It’s mine!