After reading "The Love Detective" (finally! finally!) I can proudly say that I have read all of Alexandra's books, and that this one is one of her best. If I am not mistaken, this is the first book in the series about Ruby and I really can't wait to see what Ms Potter has in store for us with the next books, as this one was truly enjoyable and very fresh!
Ruby Miller is a writer but she finds herself in a writing backlog right now. Well, she writes romances but after being badly treated by her boyfriend she doesn't believe in love anymore, so it's not a wonder that she usually sits for her computer and can't write a word - how, if she doesn't believe in love and men anymore? So, her agent suggests (and offer she can't refuse!) that she should take a break. following this advice, Ruby finds herself on Goa, India. She can not only charge the batteries but also try some yoga and see her younger sister Amy. And best, comes back with a head full of stories to write.
But the things complicate a little when Amy confesses that she wants to marry the yoga teacher, Shine, and in the end she elopes with him. Ruby sets off, chasing after his sister through the whole India, and here begins the true India adventure for her: through travelling by a train, being mugged, meeting a handsome stranger Jack who in the end helps her, riding on a camel and sleeping on the desert and taking part in many, many weddings... As colourful and livid as only India could be...
This book is set mostly in India, on Goa, in Mumbai and Rajahastan, and there couldn't be a better setting to it. Although I must add straight away that there were many moments that I felt the author, writing this book, took the opportunity to recount her own experiences from travelling across India (because she must have been there and done her research, right? I'm not wrong?) and it's more her travel memories than a book about Ruby. Sometimes it happens that such books feel more as travel guides than fiction but that was not the case - there was a lot travelling and sightseeing but it was written in a light, easy way and the detailed descriptions were brilliant, vivid and so realistic! No matter if of the beach on Goa or the famous Taj Mahal, and Ms Potter has wonderfully transported the beauty of this all on paper, plus she shares some very, very interesting historical facts with us!
Ruby was such a grouch at the beginning of the book! She didn't want to take risks, she felt at best at home, and, moreover, after her boyfriend cheated on her, she doesn't believe in love anymore! Awww, Ruby... How is it possible when you are an author and writes romances? This is probably the reason of her author's block, because how can you write about love if you don't believe in it? But I actually so fell for her, I think you can't not like Ruby, she's in fact funny and very prone to accident, and is something could go wrong than you can be sure that it is going to be wrong. She was also hot - blooded and I couldn't understand her obsession with "saving Amy" but altogether, she was likeable, believable, nice person and I think it might be fun to travel together with her. Ruby belongs to my favourite category of characters, namely those who are dynamic and develop and change through the story.
While I adored Ruby, I was not the biggest fan of her sister Amy. Too shallow and too egoistical for my liking, she didn't take any notice of other people, having always put herself up front and not thinking about consequences. She doesn't want to find a job? Well, let her. She wants to get married to a guy that she doesn't know too good? Well, let her. It's her life and people must also make their own misjudgements, same as we made ourselves. We must learn by our own mistakes.
As in previous Alexandra's books, there is a sparkle of magic in this one as well, but I am not so sure if it sit with me this time. As much as I enjoyed Rocky, and especially his desert - drinking accident, I still am not sure about him and his plot. There is magic and there is magic, and it was just too obvious, even for the fiction.
But altogether, I thoroughly enjoyed this journey with Ruby. It was incredibly packed with action and colourful characters, especially those that Ruby meets on her way to find Amy. It's full of fun and brilliant atmosphere and I think this is Alexandra's best book yet. She has brought the characters and the settings to life wonderfully. A great read in fact, warm and uplifting, and the best way to forget about this dull, grey world behind the window. Really can't wait for the second book in the series.