First of all, thank you Quercus Books, NetGalley and Phoebe Wynne for allowing me to read The Ruin in exchange for an honest review.

First of all, while there is a bit of mystery, I think this is more of a coming of age story. Also be sure to read the authors note at the beginning. I don’t want to spoil the book, but be aware of childhood abuse.

August 1985 at the French Riviera. A chateau, the summer home of British aristocrats, or what’s left of that. We meet Ruby and her family. Ruby has spent all summers of her 12 years at the chateau. What great memories, what great way of escaping her strict upbringing. We meet parents who care more for image than their children.
We get to meet two other girls, not yet to be called Ruby’s friends. The adults in this story are absolutely awful. Stuck up, to say the least, and that is probably their best feature.

This was no light summery read, far away from it. It’s disturbing at times. It’s hard to believe that such parents even exist. Are allowed to exist. I am not saying this is a bad book, but at times reading was not enjoyable, which I assume it was not even supposed to be. This book wants to make you think and cringe. If you expected a thriller or mystery, it is not.

I liked the way Wynne’s fluent style of writing. She has a great way with words and I did not find myself bored.

A really, really dark read that was beautifully written. I enjoyed this book a lot. The atmosphere was very well rendered and there was a strong feeling of fear that made it impossible to stop reading. The characters were developed. The men were truly despicable, and In some cases I found it hard to read! The slow burn pace worked very well for the style of book. I would highly recommend..

An intriguing novel that explores the ramifications of abuse and neglect via the deceptively beguiling setting of a French chateau. While this book wasn't really my cup of tea, I appreciated the immersive qualities of the setting and I would recommend it to readers who enjoy historical gothic novels and dark coming-of-age stories. I also found Phoebe Wynne's writing much improved compared to her debut, Madam.

Possible spoilers.

There were several times I didn't think I was going to make it to the end of the book.

The adult characters were just awful. The neglect and harshness the the girls was one thing, turning a blind eye to abuse just another.
When they weren't being bad parents, they were squabbling like children themselves.
So very unlikeable... and that had a knock on effect of me not enjoying the story very much at all.
I got to the end , as my curiosity as to the incident was too great.
I didnt enjoy this book I'm afraid.

#TheRuins #NetGalley
Awesome.
Amidst the glamour of the French Riviera lies the crumbling façade of Chateau de Sètes, a small slice of France still held by the British aristocracy. But this long since abandoned chateau is now up for sale, and two people are desperate to get their hands on it despite its terrible history. Summer, 1985: Ruby has stayed at the chateau with her family every summer of her twelve years. It was her favourite place to be, away from the strictures of her formal childhood, but this year uninvited guests have descended, and everything is about to change... As the intense August heat cloaks the chateau, the adults within start to lose sight of themselves. Old disputes are thrown back and forth, tempers rise, morals loosen, and darkness begins to creep around them all. Ruby and her two young friends soon discover it is best not to be seen or heard as the summer spirals down to one fateful night and an incident that can never be undone...
Summer, 2010: One of the three young girls, now grown and newly widowed, returns to the chateau, and in her fight to free herself from its grip, she uncovers what truly happened that long, dark summer.
I loved it so much. Highly recommended.
Thanks to NetGalley and Quercus Books for giving me an advance copy.