⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you so much to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for letting me ARC read this—I truly appreciate the opportunity!🖤

I literally finished this book in ONE DAY. I completely devoured it. From the very beginning, I was hooked and I could not put it down!

Everything about this story was extraordinary. The writing was impeccable, the characters pulled me in completely, and the entire reading experience had me completely captivated. I loved every single minute of it. There’s just something about a book that makes you lose track of time and suddenly realize you’ve been reading for hours—and this was absolutely that book for me.

I laughed, I felt, I got completely invested, and by the time I reached the end, I was already wishing I had the next book in my hands.

This was an easy 5 star read for me, and I genuinely cannot wait to see where the story goes next. Whatever comes next, I NEED IT. Immediately. 😂🖤

Absolutely extraordinary. I loved this book!

RUIN surprised me in the best way. I’ll be honest, the beginning didn’t immediately grab me, and for a little while I wasn’t sure how invested I’d be. The author-built mystery and intrigue, but to me it was almost too much mystery and intrigue as it took me a minute to determine what was happening. But once the story settled into its rhythm, I found myself pulled in deeper with every chapter. I’m genuinely glad I stuck with it because the payoff was absolutely worth it.

One thing I appreciated right away was the author’s transparency about the trilogy structure. Knowing upfront that this book ends on a cliffhanger made a huge difference. Instead of feeling blindsided, I could enjoy the slow build and let the tension do its job.

Claire and Arik’s dynamic is dark, complicated, and there is a lot of head vs. heart going on. The dual POV works well here; getting inside both of their heads adds emotional weight and makes their connection feel more layered.

The story did seem very character focused with the storyline of Italy and what was happening taking a backseat. And while Sam clearly feels protective of Claire in a few scenes it did leave me a bit confused as we don't get much interaction with him and her as he isn't a main character. I would’ve loved more development for him.

Even with those small critiques, RUIN delivers a great reading experience. The atmosphere, the suspense, the slow‑burn romance, for me once it hit its stride, it’s incredibly engaging. By the end, I was fully invested and already looking forward to the next book.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!
RUIN swept me away with its atmospheric Italian setting and a fresh take on vampire lore! Arik defies the usual tropes, sunlight, food, wine, pure playboy charm at first, but the mystery simmering beneath kept me hooked. Claire made for a relatable lead, and her push and pull dynamic with Arik through dual POV added real emotional depth. The start took a little time to find its footing, but once it settled into rhythm, I couldn't put it down. This is very character driven, so those wanting more plot around the missing women and winery mystery may want a touch more, and Sam's protectiveness needed further development. Knowing upfront this is part of an unfinished trilogy made the cliffhanger easier to embrace.

RUIN pulled me in with its stunning Italian backdrop and a genuinely inventive twist on vampire mythology. Arik breaks every typical mold, he handles sunlight fine, eats and drinks normally, and comes across as pure charming playboy at the outset, but there's clearly something darker simmering underneath. Claire was easy to root for, and her conflicted feelings toward Arik, told through both their perspectives, gave the story real emotional texture.

It took a bit for the opening chapters to click, but once the story found its footing, I was completely absorbed. This leans heavily character-driven over plot-driven, so readers wanting more resolution around the missing women and winery mystery might come away wanting slightly more, and Sam's role felt underdeveloped.

Knowing going in that this kicks off an unfinished trilogy softened the blow of that cliffhanger ending.

A gripping, addictive opener, already eager for book two! 4 stars.

This is a slow start at the beginning and then it twist in to a amazing plot twist and mystery. I enjoyed this book.

She came to Italy for a deal. He arranged the deal to get to her.

What Claire Bailey thought was a career-saving business trip to the Calabrian coast turns out to be something far more deliberate.

Arik Medici has lived for centuries in the shadows of the region his family was cursed to protect. Charming, controlled, and dangerously patient, he has been patiently waiting for Claire's arrival.

He let her live her life. He waited. And now she's finally here..

Neither was falling in love with him.

But Arik is not a man. And love, for something like him, looks a lot like possession.

4.5 stars

Dark, seductive, and impossible to put down. RUIN takes everything you think you know about vampires and gives it a dangerously addictive new twist.

Ruin completely surprised me. I went into this expecting a dark paranormal romance, but what I got was an atmospheric, character-driven story set against the Italian coast with mystery, obsession, romance, and a genuinely interesting twist on vampire lore.

Arik was probably my favorite part. He is a fascinating twist on the traditional vampire. Sunlight isn't a problem, he eats, drinks wine, and initially comes across as this ridiculously charming playboy. But underneath all of that charm is something much darker. This is a man who has waited years for Claire, and the further into the story I got, the more that line between love, obsession, and possession started to blur.

I really enjoyed Claire as well. Her conflicting feelings toward Arik felt believable, and the dual POV gave their relationship so much more depth. Their chemistry worked for me because this isn't an instant, uncomplicated romance. There is a constant push and pull between what Claire knows she probably should do and what she actually wants.

The beginning did take me a little while to settle into. There is a lot of mystery being established, and initially I wasn't completely sure where everything was going. Once the story found its footing, though, I was hooked.

My biggest reason for holding back that final half star was that I wanted a little more from the surrounding plot. The missing women and everything happening around the winery were really intriguing, but the romance and character development ultimately took center stage. I also wanted more development around Sam, particularly because of how protective he is of Claire.

And then there's that ending.

Thankfully, the author makes it clear that Ruin is the first book in the Until the End trilogy, because this absolutely leaves you wanting book two. I finished with considerably more questions than I started with, but in this case, that's exactly why I'll be continuing the series.

Dark, atmospheric, addictive, romantic, and a refreshing spin on vampire lore. 4.5 stars. I absolutely need to know what happens next.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

This book gave me that giddy high pitched squeal in excitement kind of energy. I loved it!!

I knew I would like this book just by the way the author's personality shone through in the dedication page - warning us to hold on because there's more books to come and telling the reader 'sorry not sorry' about the cliffhanger!

The book follows Claire who visits Italy for work. While she's there, she meets a handsome stranger who is not what he seems.
I am always reluctant to give a book 5 stars unless it's an absolute masterpiece but I don't care - this gets 5 stars for vibes alone.
Sure there were parts where I wanted to scream at both the FMC and the MMC for their actions (or lack of) and there were times where I thought "surely that's not ok" but then again, who hasn't ignored a red flag or two in their time!

There are few characters but each feel unique and I felt invested in each of them in different ways. For example, I had a soft spot for Sam but then he said something to Claire and I questionned my opinion of him. The characters are so well written that they felt so human to me - flaws and all. The MMC isn't your typical morally grey man and he's written in such a way that I could feel the emotional pull of the FMC's conflict.
The writing is very descriptive, which made the setting feel atmospheric. The plot is easy to follow, the book is easy to read and the pace was just right. I am dying to read the next book!!

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys dark romance and/or fantasy romance books.
More specifically, for anyone who enjoys yearning, red flags that are only acceptable in fictional men, a beautiful setting, banter, a little bit of spice, and an MMC that says "good girl"!

Ruin took me a little while to settle into as there was a lot going on and I found myself trying to work out where the story was heading. But once everything started to come together I was hooked.
I really enjoyed Claire and Arik’s complicated relationship and the slow burn tension between them. The dual POV worked really well and gave a good insight into both characters.
I would have liked a little more from the wider storyline, particularly with Sam as his role left me wanting more. But overall the atmosphere, mystery and suspense kept me turning the pages.
The ending definitely left me wanting book two, and I’m glad I stuck with it! 📚✨

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC

Quick Summary: An in-death and in-life romance

My Review: RUIN by N.L. Brooks is book #1 in the Until the End Trilogy. It is categorized as "General Fiction (Adult) | Romance | Sci Fi & Fantasy." The first installment is scheduled for release on 9/1/26.

About the Book: "What she thought was a career-saving business trip to the Calabrian coast turns out to be something far more deliberate...

She came to Italy for a deal. He arranged the deal to get her.

...set in motion years before she ever boarded the plane...

Arik Medici...has been waiting for Claire since the night he first caught her scent seven years ago.

But Arik is not a man."


In My Own Words: Secrets. Desire. Obsession. Longing. Hunger. Fated. Star-crossed. Impossible situations. Such is the relationship between a vampire on the edge and a young woman who is discovering what can and cannot be.

About the Characters: Arik and Claire were the featured couple in the story. Their meeting was an inevitability. An obvious attraction kept drawing them back to each other again and again. Perhaps it was the blood or maybe it might have been a mate bond of some kind. Regardless of what repeatedly drew them toward one another, it was achingly sweet and incredibly charged. Their yearning was palpable.

🩸 - Arik -> Centuries old vampire turned for a reason yet to be made clear, protector yet animalistic tendencies at times, keeps secrets in an effort to shield, loves Claire with an intensity that makes him dangerous, dark predator who manipulates in order to draw his prey

🍷 - Claire -> On assignment for work, close with parents, dealing with professional and personal challenges, insecure, hungry for connection with Arik even as she is cautious where he is concerned, compassionate towards Arik despite his dark and dangerous presence

About the Supporting Cast: There were a number of interesting characters who helped bring this story to life. The loyal servant who served as a guardian, in a sense. The maker who mysteriously disappeared, only to reappear later. The female competitor who was fierce yet encouraging. The elusive gentleman who was present but also absent in plain sight. Others served as fillers to help provide glimpses into the past and present.

About the Conflict: This story was cloaked in mystery. Much of the conflict related to the evasive connection between the leads, the parental presence that seemed to be on the edge of loss, the tempestuous curse that created the internal tension and external strain between Arik, Claire, and Sam, and more.

The more this novel revealed, the more I needed to understand what was actually at hand. There was a type of push and pull action in play that kept me hungry. It was entirely captivating, even as confusion remained.

I loved the way the element of sacrifice came across. (I won't say more than that, so as to avoid spoilers.) I think that was a huge conflict point that stretched across all the lives introduced. (I cannot wait to see how the author follows up on this particular aspect.)

My Final Say: Consider me intrigued. The cliffhanger alone all but guaranteed that I will continue with this series.

This story reminded me of Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992) and Twilight but with a temporal shift. I kept thinking there was a time loop of some sort that was a part of the lovers story.

Honorable Mentions:

🥀 - I super loved the chemistry between Arik and Claire. It was kind of like the spicy heat that existed between Sookie and Bill from True Blood (before the yep).

⏳ - The mysterious 7-year timeline gap was a nice touch. It brought up some unanswered questions surrounding Arik and Claire's history...in a good way.

🌀 - I really liked the mystery on top of mystery tones in this story. It made me want to keep digging to find the romance treasure.

Other: Readers who enjoy supernatural romances, vampire + human relationships, and dark & dangerous MDK mysteries may like this novel.

This story would be incredible to hear via audiobook. It's the kind of story that needs to be revisited more than once just so nothing is missed.

*** Potential readers are advised to read any and all content warnings. ***

Rating: 4/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Status: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Level: 🖤
Series: Yes
Cover: +
Title: +

Appreciation is extended to the author/publisher and to NetGalley. Thank you for providing access to a digital ARC of this title in exchange for an honest critique. It was a pleasure to review. I look forward to reading the remaining books in this trilogy.