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42 ratings | 30 reviews | avg rating:4.95

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currently-reading (2)
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Vex Ashbourne

Goodreads Author

Born

The United States

Website

http://www.Vexashbourne.com

Genre

Fantasy, Nonfiction, Paranormal

Member Since

February 2026

URL

https://www.goodreads.com/vexashbournewrites

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Vex Ashbourne writes dark romantasy for readers who like their heroines fierce, their love interests morally gray, and their happily-ever-afters earned through a little ruin.
Her debut novel, The Smiling Dark, was born from her own personal experiences, twisted into fantasy, with writing serving as her own form of therapy. It launches The Beautiful Ruin series on November 3, 2026, and tells a story of dragon bonds, found family, and an enemies-to-lovers romance that cuts deep. Book Two is on the way.
Before she was writing books, Vex was devouring them, and she loves connecting with her book besties on BookTok and Bookstagram. She lives in Houston, Texas, with her incredible husband and their twins, where she balances family life, a busy day ...more

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Vex Ashbourne’s books

Average rating: 4.54 · 44 ratings · 42 reviews · 1 distinct work • Similar authors

The Smiling Dark (The Beautiful Ruin, #1)

4.54 avg rating — 44 ratings — 5 editions

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Series by Vex Ashbourne

The Beautiful Ruin (1 book)
by

Vex Ashbourne (Goodreads Author)

4.54 avg rating — 44 ratings

Vex is Currently Reading

Vex Ashbourne is currently reading

The Shattered Stillness (Fragile Perfection: Tales of Tehom Book 1)

by Anderson D Maestri

bookshelves: currently-reading

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Aug 20, 2026 08:57PM

Vex Ashbourne is currently reading

Blood So Deadly Divine (The Deadly Divine, #1)

by J.M. Grosvalet (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading

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Jun 16, 2026 08:17PM

Vex’s Recent Updates

Vex Ashbourne rated a book it was amazing My Husband's Wife by Alice Feeney (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Mystery and suspense! Highly recommend if you like a twist!!
Nov 07, 2026 05:07PM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of My Husband's Wife by Alice Feeney. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — My Husband's Wife by Alice Feeney <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Vex Ashbourne rated a book it was amazing When Children Roam Free by Gillian Rose (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Incredible book! Loved the story and the twist and turns. Had me thinking about it at work. Yes there were some editing errors but I am a vibes/ emotional reader so it didn't bother. I recommend it's an awesome dystopian fantasy ...more
Nov 04, 2026 06:17PM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of When Children Roam Free by Gillian Rose. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — When Children Roam Free by Gillian Rose <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Vex Ashbourne rated a book it was amazing Carl's Doomsday Scenario (Dungeon Crawler Carl, #2) by Matt Dinniman (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Nov 04, 2026 06:06PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Carl's Doomsday Scenario by Matt Dinniman. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Carl's Doomsday Scenario by Matt Dinniman <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Vex Ashbourne rated a book it was amazing Dungeon Crawler Carl (Dungeon Crawler Carl, #1) by Matt Dinniman (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Nov 04, 2026 06:05PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Vex Ashbourne liked Brigette's review of The Smiling Dark (The Beautiful Ruin, #1): "I could not get enough of this one!! Awesomely written! Kept you entranced the entire time with giving you little nuggets so you don’t figure out what’s happening before it does! Absolutely 💯 loved this one!!"
Nov 04, 2026 02:24PM · see review
Vex Ashbourne liked Sasha Leigh's review of The Smiling Dark (The Beautiful Ruin, #1): "ARC Review: Absolutely loved this debut! Vex created a world that sucks you in from the first few pages and, just when you think you have it figured out, a new twist makes you turn the page for more. The trauma was real, and the character was so relat" Read more of this review »
Nov 04, 2026 02:24PM · see review
Vex Ashbourne liked Leigh's review of The Smiling Dark (The Beautiful Ruin, #1): "I adored this book. The FMC was a strong woman who unfortunately understood the assignment and had to make herself small in certain situations. She protected her own with a force, it was beautiful to read. The MMC was such an amazing write…this chara" Read more of this review »
Nov 04, 2026 02:24PM · see review
Vex Ashbourne has read The Smiling Dark (The Beautiful Ruin, #1) by Vex Ashbourne (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Wow! I can rate my own book! Best book of all time! Must Read!! woop woop!
Nov 02, 2026 04:53PM · like · see review
Vex Ashbourne rated a book it was amazing Crown Me Yours (Heartstring Duet, #2) by Liv Zander (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
First off yes... there are some editing issues in my copy but still an incredible story! There is literally no story like it! Absolutely captivating, deep and impactful. The editing issues didnt bother me. Highly recommend!
Oct 31, 2026 07:35PM · like · see review
Vex Ashbourne rated a book it was amazing Scars of Retribution by Taran Cross	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Highly recommend! Dark Fantasy edge of my seat must read!
Oct 28, 2026 08:15PM · like · see review