I thoroughly enjoyed this entertaining and sometimes very moving fictional account of the eventful life of 90 year old Ruby M Devereaux. I had previously read and loved the author's historical fiction books set in WW2 so I was keen to read this one as it is definitely a departure from her other books in terms of both genre and style. Funny and beautifully written.

This was a sweet story, and I liked the relationship between writer and publisher depicted in it, alongside Ruby's grand life.

Ruby Devereaux has lived a life! She is a writer who made a fortune for publishers with her books all the while living a glamour and scandalous life from war time England to the date. Now at the age of 90 she has an ultimatum from publisher to write a tell all book about her life.
While h loved the premise, this book isn’t for me.

Mandy Robotham is a new author for me. I picked this book up because the description grabbed me and I was excited to read it.

Description:
Everyone knows Ruby Devereaux's books. But no one knows her story… until now.

From a teenager in wartime England to a veteran of modern-day London – via 1950's New York, the Swinging Sixties, Cold War Berlin, Venice and Vietnam – Ruby Devereaux has lived one hell of a parties, scandals and conflict zones, meeting men and adventure along the way. In a writing career spanning seven decades and more than twenty books, she's distilled everything into her work. Or has she?

Now beyond her 90th year, Ruby's energy is ebbing and her beloved typewriter put away. Until a call from her publisher presents Ruby with an ultimatum, and the impetus to embark on one last book – “warts and all”, as she says. Even in her dotage, Ruby.M Devereux has the power to surprise, because whatever this author does, she does on her own terms. Always.

Is Ruby finally about to reveal the secrets of her infamous life?

Taking the reader on a rollercoaster ride through the latter half of the 20th Century, The Scandalous Life of Ruby Devereaux is a mesmerising story of one unforgettable woman's place in an ever-changing world.

My Thoughts:
This book is about an aging author writing her autobiogrphy. It's not told like any autobiography I've ever read. Instead of talking about her life in general, it is told in a series of memories about the men in Ruby Devereaux's life - one chapter for each man. Ruby led a varied and exciting life and these chapters were filled with love and experiences with each of her relationships. It was a fun read and I enjoyed it. Ruby is portrayed as a somewhat grumpy and cantankerous author which just adds flavor to tbe book. She also hired only men to help her with typing up her book. I think anyone who enjoys reading about quirky characters would enjoy the book.

Thanks to Aria & Aries through Netgalley for an advance copy.

Ruby Devereux is 90 and her publisher wants her to write one last book
Her last literary endeavour is going to be her memoir - she’s going to go out with a bang.
Ruby is an unique character, she’s feisty, with a no-nonsense attitude
Her memoir is told by her experience with 12 different men, who shaped and influenced her life
There is heartbreak, messy break ups, scandal and adventure - it will make you laugh, it will make you cry
“It is better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all”
Loved the format of the book, being written as a memoir really immersed in the historical place and times of Ruby’s life
What a life she had - you’ll not forget Ruby in a hurry
Thanks @robothammandy @headofzeus & @netgalley for the brilliant immersive read

What a fascinating book!

It's told in the viewpoint of 90 year old author, Ruby D. Ruby's publisher is asking her for one final book and it's determined a memoir be written. Each chapter is a different man, in a different time and location. When you're reading it, it's hard to keep in mind that all 12 chapters are one person's life - each chapter is a whole story in itself. Cleverly crafted stories set all around the world and in important times. However, Ruby's health issues hamper her typing so an assistant is sent to help her craft the book - but wow, is that a twist in itself I didn't see coming until the end. Just a super interesting story!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

"The Scandalous Life of Ruby Devereaux" by Mandy Robotham is an enthralling tale that takes readers on a journey through the life of the enigmatic Ruby Devereaux. From her teenage years in wartime England to her adventures across New York, Berlin, Vietnam, and beyond, Ruby's life is filled with scandal, passion, and intrigue. As an author with a writing career spanning seven decades, Ruby's story is a captivating blend of history, romance, and personal growth.
Robotham skilfully weaves together the different stages of Ruby's life through her relationships with twelve different men, each representing a chapter in her personal history. The episodic nature of the narrative adds depth and richness to Ruby's character, giving readers a glimpse into the significant moments and relationships that have shaped her over the years.
The story moves seamlessly between different timelines and locations, offering a rich tapestry of historical events and personal experiences. Ruby's vibrant personality and zest for life shine through the pages, making her a compelling and relatable protagonist. The vivid descriptions of various cities and historical events create a vivid backdrop against which Ruby's story unfolds.
As Ruby recounts her life story with the help of Jude, her young assistant, readers are drawn into a world of glamour, intrigue, and heartbreak. The novel explores themes of love, loss, resilience, and the enduring power of storytelling. Ruby's unconventional narrative style and her refusal to conform to societal expectations make her a truly unforgettable character.

"The Scandalous Life of Ruby Devereaux" is a captivating and evocative novel that immerses readers in a world of passion, scandal, and adventure. Ruby's journey of self-discovery and personal growth is both inspiring and relatable, making this book a must-read for fans of historical fiction and compelling character-driven narratives. Mandy Robotham has crafted a story that is as entertaining as it is thought-provoking, leaving a lasting impression on readers long after they have turned the final page.

A wonderful story of a life well-lived, a charming if not entirely reliable narrator in Ruby Devereaux, and a richly woven memoir that draws you in, makes you comfortable and then throws some surprises at you. Wonderfully comforting read and what a lively spirit Ruby is!

Thank you to NetGalley and Aria for my ARC copy! This review contains my personal thoughts and opinions.

"The Scandalous Life of Ruby Devereaux" by M. J. Robotham is well-suited for historical fiction enthusiasts, but it might not fully captivate readers like myself who don't typically lean toward the genre. The premise of the book made me excited to dive into the story, but it struggled to keep me interested due to the unnecessary length of the individual stories and repetitive themes.

The two stories that captivated me the most were of Ruby's father, George, and her love affair with Enzo. To me, they were the most engaging and gave some depth to Ruby's character. Unfortunately, the rest of the romantic subplots felt lacking in comparison and left much to be desired.

Overall, I think this book may be enjoyed by those who like a collection of smaller stories within the plot of the book.

Rating: 2.5/5

Sad to say that this was a disappointment. Think it was created intentionally similar to the seven husbands of Evelyn Hugo, however the writing is rather poor, I couldn't finish it.

Thank you Netgalley for the advanced e-copy.

3.5 stars

Ruby Devereaux aged Ninety has a book to write. After writing a number of books this will be her autobiography. Her publisher has been waiting for this book. Will she commit and write it?

I enjoyed reading about Ruby and her escapades. Told in chapters of various men, and which country and year she met them.
Sometimes she travels to different countries during her shenanigans.
Ruby is a chancer in life, moving forward in the years, telling her stories and depicting topical issues that happened in that period of time.
Ruby is impulsive, spontaneous and makes an interesting read. The book is funny, witty, sad in parts.
My favourite chapter has to be Venice and Enzo.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Publisher for an advanced e-book copy. Opinions about the book are entirely my own.

DNF. If you took 'The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo' and took away much of what makes it such an iconic book - you get this. The initial set up is very interesting, but after reading the first section about the first man, I was completely turned off. It's got quite a bit of a Forrest Gump vibe in that it skims over the course of history with its character somehow getting involved in all these odd situations but never quite being interesting enough to warrant that. I felt the main character, Ruby, was underdeveloped and disliked immensely that the chapters were told through first person. How on earth am I supposed to read and care about a book that has a main character with so little to her? If I were you, I'd go read Evelyn Hugo.

Ruby's story- spanning decades- is told through her relationships with 12 men in this novel that skims the surface of history. I've been a fan of Robotham's WWII novels but this one didn't evoke the same feelings because I never had a good sense of any of the characters,,even Ruby. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. It's good to see an author shift gears but this didn't engage me.

Some people live big lives - Ruby Devereaux is one of those people.

The book starts with Ruby being forced into writing a final book. She is loathe to participate because her publisher wants a memoir. She only agrees because she is the last to have survived.

The story takes us from her as a child, to being a muse, an author, a spy, a globetrotter, a mother, a lover, a fighter, and so much more. All of this combined makes an exciting, intriguing and memorable life story.

I really enjoyed how the story was told based on Ruby's 12 men and each man represents an era of her life. But not all the men were lovers, so before you jump to comparing this story to another historical fiction book which bases a memoir on the men in her life, this is not that book.

Arguably the life and adventures of Ruby are too fantastical to be true. She was always in the right place, at the right time. But, for me, this didn't matter. I read to escape. I read to be entertained. I read to be transported into another life. This book achieved those things for me.

Ruby Devereaux is in her nineties and is finally putting her incredible life down on paper, in order to fulfil a book contract. She’s enlisted the help of a young, attractive gentleman by the name of Jude, who’ll type up her memoirs now that Ruby’s arthritis-riddled fingers are no longer capable.
Ruby has lived a hell of a life – and had liaisons with many different men. It’s a thoroughly entertaining novel, with evocative descriptions of locations all around the globe, covering the big events of the last century. I found myself wondering how many of the places the author had visited (and indeed how many of the events she’d lived through!) as they were all so detailed and believable. There are times when the episodic nature of the book can detract a little from the flow – it reads almost like a series of vignettes or short stories - but Ruby is at the heart of the novel, holding it all together.
Overall I was swept up on the ride with Ruby D, thoroughly enjoying the highs and devastated by the lows, until it reached its unexpected conclusion with a final twist.
4.5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and Aria.

Overall, it was a very gripping read. The writing is flawless, the pace is satisfying. Ruby is an alluring and quite charismatic character, I enjoyed getting to know her and these twelve relationships in her long and fulfilled life. However, the very first relationship disgusted me, and another relationship was a little bit less interesting to me (the plot became a bit unrealistic) but in some other relationships, grief was explored a couple of times and I love grief in novels. The way the author dealt with grief was enthralling.

Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for a honest review.

The Scandalous Life of Ruby Devereaux
By: M.J. Robotham
Genre: Fiction


Summary:
Ruby Deveraux is a well acclaimed author. Not only is successful, but she still owes her publisher one more book. She finally agrees to give them the memoir they've been asking for, but only if it's done on her terms. So, Ruby Devereaux tells her life story- through the men who had the biggest impression on her.

Ruby Devereaux may be 90, but she is still a force to be reckoned with. So, while it's easier to give her publisher the memoir they want, she's doing it her way. What follows is the 12 men who have shaped her life and left the biggest impressions on her. She shares her firsts: love, sexual experience, heartbreak and betrayal. Beginning in the late 1940s and going to 2020, you'll journey history through her life and heart. You'll see her fall in love, get her heart broken, navigate betrayal, get married and suffer gut wrenching losses- just to name a few.

She'll tell stories of an actor, politician, artists, her Dad and others. She'll fall head over heels and, sometimes, just love the person for the moment. As she lays out her history, you'll run the gamete with her. You'll fall in love. You'll fall in lust. You'll feel her joy. You'll feel her pain. You'll see a woman embrace life in all it's emotions and experiences. Some will scar, some will enrich. And some will forever change you.

Ruby as a spy? Ruby as a wife? Ruby in love? Ruby learning the truth of someone she thought she knew. Ruby being the nurturer to a man who's own trauma threatens to take over. Ruby having the time of her life and getting arrested- at 52 years old. It's all in these pages and more.

It was fun to see her life unfold. Ruby lived so many different lives, but all those lives were the pieces that made Ruby who she was. I grew attached to her and wanted to see her happy and succeed. No matter what love brought to her, or did to her, she was the feisty woman I rooted for every time.

There's no way to escape the inevitable comparisons to The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. They are similar in many ways, but don't dismiss Ruby. Don't underestimate Ruby. You will enjoy her story, her loves, her life, her guts, her grit. Curl up and get to know a woman who lived a long, incredible life.

Excellent premise but the book itself is very disappointing. There is so little character development that it is impossible to really care about Ruby or anyone else in the book.

This was a sweeping story of the life of Ruby Devereaux set against the backdrop of the second half of the 20th century in New York, Germany, Venice and Vietnam as the main character tells her life story through the men she had relationships with. It was a fun read with an interesting premise and structure.

Kudos to Mandy Robotham for writing a fabulous novel. Ruby Deveraux is an author of many books and lived a legendary life.. Poor Marina Keeve. Her boss has ordered her to get her ninety plus year old client to write one more book - her memoir. Ruby eventually agrees.. Chapters about the men throughout her life will thrill you, maybe amuse you and break your heart. Interspersed between the chapters, readers will find themselves back in present day with Marina. I don’t mind the flip-flopping in timelines, but there are those who do. I feel this book will not pose that problem to the readers who do not care foe jumping around since the shift in times are clearly named in those chapters. An interesting read about an interesting (even though fictional) woman.