A painfully beautiful novel, breathtakingly original in structure and style, cleverly exploring serious issues within the framework of a psychological thriller. Sexy and seductive. Dark and chilling. Thought provoking and challenging.
S.A. McEwen joins the current wave of Australian writers who are rejuvenating an over-crowded genre. This is a lushly impressive, character driven plot that had me totally engrossed from the very first page. A book not to be missed.

Well researched story line about escorts and it is set in Australia. I'm rating it a 4 because the ending felt rushed. It's not about glamorizing escorting. It's about your own moral compass. Like if an escort with that kind of job is murdered. Do you blame the victim or do you find justice for that person who did it to them?

An interesting mystery with a look into cultural relations, sex workers and refugees that surprisingly goes quite well together. The story itself drew me in and the varying points of view had me trying to figure things out throughout. The bit of Sri Lankan history was unknown to me and spurned me on to research more in depth as to know more about it. Well done novel that satisfied my inner sleuth.

I saw a review that compared this to Liane Moriarty's style and I would have to agree. It's darker, more straight forward, and tougher but still a great story. I really like S.A. McEwen's style and would read more from them.

I thought this was a very well written, but quote dark and disturbing book! If you’re like me and live dark and disturbing, then I think you will love this one; but if you have triggers this book may mot be for you. Very well written, lots of good twists and turns, chilling, thrilling, and shocking! A very fast paced book I highly recommend!

Natalie is a trained lawyer and sex worker caught in the throes of her best friend and fellow sex worker's murder, family trauma, and new relationship with a man who carries a lot of secrets.

I think this book had a nice length for the plot and incorporated a lot of social issues that people might not be aware of. To me, Natalie's family and friendships were the most interesting part of the book, but these were overshadowed by the boyfriend (who didn't seem very realistic or multi-dimensional). I would have loved to get more time with Natalie's parents and brother, or have learned more about Sri Lanka.

A few plot points seemed mismatched and unfinished, for example, the pregnancy, racist neighbor, and young painter client. However, the 'twist' at the end was satisfying.

Finally, I wish the description was a little more clear about either the romance or sex aspect of the book, as both are major plot points. Romance isn't really my genre, and I prefer not to read about sex. No judgement whatsoever of sex workers or people who do like to read explicit material. Get it!! ;) It's just not for me, and I wished there had been more allusion to it in the description or listed genres.

Note: I received a free eBook copy of Ruined from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The story was about a family who survived the civil war and migrated to Australia and lived in Sydney. Being the parents who experienced a lot of hardship in life, they want nothing of it to happen to their child. So they would do everything to avoid any hardship. They thought they did a good job raising Natalie as she became successful. Little did they know their daughter was also doing everything she can to be on top and at that time being a private escort is all she knows. All things might seem are already at their place until her friend was found dead.

Thus begin the hardship for Natalie. She was overwhelmed by it and now questions a lot of things that everything seems that they are not what they are before. Who to trust and what would Natalie do to solve all of this. Grieving yet determined to escape the harsh reality. I finished it fast not because that I loved it but because the chapters were a bit short.

3-1/2 stars. When I began this book, I put it down after reading about graphic sex and violence. I prefer a clean read, and this was anything but. However, I went ahead and read it since it was a mystery thriller, and it was an ok read. There were some surprising twists that surprised me more because I didn’t pay attention at the very beginning. If you like to read about sex workers and dysfunctional families and graphic sex you will enjoy this. It wasn’t my favorite, but it was a decent read.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thanks for the copy! Loved the twists and turns would highly recommend! The writing style and the pace were pretty amazing too

Lots of dramas in this book: about sex industry, racism, abortion, bad relationships. Natalie's best friend is found dead, but because both are hookers the police is not really interested in the case. I did not enjoyed the plot.
Thank you Netgalley for this book.

Thanks to S.A. McEwan. her publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advanced copy of Ruined in exchange for my honest review. Ruined takes place in Sidney Australia and tells the story of Natalie, daughter of Sri Lankan refugees and her struggles to understand her parents secrecy and seemingly rejection of their past. Her emotional anguish and difficulties dealing with love and trust take place while the possibility of a new relationship, loss, trauma and fear are forces in her life. Natalie works in the sex industry and grapples with her own feelings. Will her parents and the new man in her life accept or reject her? Ruined is not just a suspenseful read, but an intelligent writing about the sex industry, racism and the plight of refugees, told with great sensitivity. Ruined is also a page turner, hard to put down. I am now following S.A. McEwan and will recommend this book to my friends and book club.

A violent murder, a big family secret and a boyfriend who isn’t quite who he says he is would sum this up quite nicely. Natalie struggles to be the daughter her parents want her to be. Being second generation Sri Lankan, she’s has never been able to find out her parents past, but she knows it’s dark and horrible. She doesn’t know how to trust or who she truly is.

When her best friend is murdered, she vows to find out who the killer is as the police don’t seem to care. When all clues start to point to her new boyfriend, Natalie may find too many answers to all her questions.

Welp....this book was confusing. It had a lot going on and too many unrealistic/unexplained things happening. There were certain aspects to the story that could have been left out (random pregnancy/abortion) and too many things that should have been added (more about her families past). I felt for lack of a better word it was a big cluster F. Now with that being said, I did like the main character and would definitely be interested in learning more about Sri Lankan history. If anything , it’s a good distraction and made for an interesting Saturday night.

Thank you Netgalley and Kaleido Text Media for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Natalie is a second generation Sri Lankan who has trained as a lawyer in Sydney Australia. Her parents fled Sri Lanka where unspeakable acts occurred.

Unbeknown to her parents, Natalie works as an escort. When her best friend is murdered and the police make all sorts of assumptions due to her profession, Natalie decides to take action to find her killer herself. Meanwhile she has a new boyfriend. But is he who he purports to be?

There are lots of twists and turns to keep the reader turning the pages. But guessing the killer was a bit too easy and some of the outcomes I found to be unbelievable in the context. However that is only at the very end. Otherwise it's a good escapist read.

I enjoyed this book. I don't want to give away too much describing why YOU should read this! The first page had me hooked, then a family from Sri Lanka has some secrets and the daughter has a lets just say "unique" job. Race was discussed in this book but not in a way that shoved it down the reader's throat. I think the way race was described allowed me to FEEL like the person did that was being harrassed. If you enjoy family secrets and murder then this book is for you! .