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Mala reputación
La reputación de Catherine Benson está manchada. Todo el mundo sabe que ha perdido su virtud, y los rumores corren por el pueblo. ¿Cómo fue? ¿Cuándo ocurrió?
Solo un hombre desesperado querría casarse con ella. Por ejemplo, Andrew Davener: un hombre cuya finca familiar está en ruinas y cuyas arcas se encuentran vacías. Sin embargo, un matrimonio con una rica heredera podría arreglar sus problemas.
Es un matrimonio de conveniencia, un trato ventajoso para los dos.
Pero, después de casarse, Catherine se siente inexplicablemente atraída por Andrew.
Y ahora, enamorarse de su marido podría destrozar su matrimonio.
En este romance de la Regencia, el deber y la pasión chocan en una historia de destinos entrelazados.
Solo un hombre desesperado querría casarse con ella. Por ejemplo, Andrew Davener: un hombre cuya finca familiar está en ruinas y cuyas arcas se encuentran vacías. Sin embargo, un matrimonio con una rica heredera podría arreglar sus problemas.
Es un matrimonio de conveniencia, un trato ventajoso para los dos.
Pero, después de casarse, Catherine se siente inexplicablemente atraída por Andrew.
Y ahora, enamorarse de su marido podría destrozar su matrimonio.
En este romance de la Regencia, el deber y la pasión chocan en una historia de destinos entrelazados.
344 pages, Paperback
First published November 28, 2023
49 people are currently reading
6776 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Vaughn
73 books155 followersSarah Vaughn is an artist, writer, over-thinker. She's penciled Sparkshooter and is currently working with Jonathan Luna on Alex + Ada for Image Comics.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 825 reviews
December 17, 2023
this graphic novel was basically like "what if Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy had a marriage of convenience" and I loved it!
January 5, 2024
Fans of Bridgerton on Netflix need to pick this up ASAP! Ruined is a fantastic historical romance graphic novel with a marriage of convenience in a world populated with people of color and queer folks. The artwork is gorgeous and incredibly effective in telling the story. It's sweet and romantic, building out a world you could easily see more being written in. I have never read something quite like this but I was such a fan! I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher, all opinions are my own.
July 20, 2023
Totally our fault, but we had no idea this was a graphic novel until we flipped past the title page. This is a totally fun and tropey book with all of the following:
*Marriage of convenience
*MMC never meant to inherit
*Fortune hunter
*"Ruined" FMC
It also seems to have been inspired by the Bridgerton Netflix series, with secondary BIPOC and LGBTQ+ characters who seem to be fully integrated into society.
Reading a regency in visual form was a brand new experience. Character development and internal motivations have to be expressed through drawings rather than inner monologues. In general, the evolution of the relationship from MOC to respect to love was easy to follow, and just as enjoyable as a written romance novel.
There are a couple of things to note: this is an open door romance, which was just a little shocking since we weren't expecting it! (Let's just say we didn't realize this graphic novel would get "graphic," if you know what we mean!) There are also three subplots apart from the MCs' central love story. We're not sure if it's because of the format or simply because of the length of the book (350 pages, the same as a traditional novel), but these secondary plots weren't as fleshed out as the primary. Perhaps if there had only been one we would have been able to get attached to the characters. With three, none of the subplots were quite detailed enough to feel earned.
In any case, we ended up having a great time with this one once we figured out what we'd gotten ourselves into! Check this out if you like historical romance and wouldn't mind some visuals to go along with it.
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the book.
*Marriage of convenience
*MMC never meant to inherit
*Fortune hunter
*"Ruined" FMC
It also seems to have been inspired by the Bridgerton Netflix series, with secondary BIPOC and LGBTQ+ characters who seem to be fully integrated into society.
Reading a regency in visual form was a brand new experience. Character development and internal motivations have to be expressed through drawings rather than inner monologues. In general, the evolution of the relationship from MOC to respect to love was easy to follow, and just as enjoyable as a written romance novel.
There are a couple of things to note: this is an open door romance, which was just a little shocking since we weren't expecting it! (Let's just say we didn't realize this graphic novel would get "graphic," if you know what we mean!) There are also three subplots apart from the MCs' central love story. We're not sure if it's because of the format or simply because of the length of the book (350 pages, the same as a traditional novel), but these secondary plots weren't as fleshed out as the primary. Perhaps if there had only been one we would have been able to get attached to the characters. With three, none of the subplots were quite detailed enough to feel earned.
In any case, we ended up having a great time with this one once we figured out what we'd gotten ourselves into! Check this out if you like historical romance and wouldn't mind some visuals to go along with it.
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the book.
March 26, 2025
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I was deceived by the pretty cover!!! Gah!! The cover might seem pretty, but let me assure you that the art style is anything but. When I saw this marriage of convenience romance comic on NetGalley, I immediately requested a copy. But ugh, this was just not...good. I didn't mind the romance. It's a very typical historical marriage of convenience. But there was so much focus on supporting characters that I did not care about. To be honest, the only character I liked was the hero LOL.
I was deceived by the pretty cover!!! Gah!! The cover might seem pretty, but let me assure you that the art style is anything but. When I saw this marriage of convenience romance comic on NetGalley, I immediately requested a copy. But ugh, this was just not...good. I didn't mind the romance. It's a very typical historical marriage of convenience. But there was so much focus on supporting characters that I did not care about. To be honest, the only character I liked was the hero LOL.
July 2, 2024
A pleasing romance about a marriage of convenience between a broke English aristocrat and a woman with a stained reputation from a rich family. They're basically good people with a lot of emotional luggage who are now stuck together in a run-down manor when they'd each rather be elsewhere.
It's all formality and manners and societal obligations, but that doesn't mean there aren't some adult sexy times.
I haven't seen the Bridgerton series or read the books, but this seems to want to be in that zone.
UPDATE, July 2, 2024:
I saw a notation on LibraryThing that this book was expanded from a story in Fresh Romance, Vol. 1 that was also printed on its own as Ruined, Volume 1. I had read Fresh Romance back in 2016, but this story from the middle of the anthology had slipped my mind. I checked it out again from the library and re-read it and have to say that the new version is much better for having moved around scenes and dialogue. Sarah Winifred Searle's art is terrific in both versions, but I'd give a slight edge to the redrawn version.
It's all formality and manners and societal obligations, but that doesn't mean there aren't some adult sexy times.
I haven't seen the Bridgerton series or read the books, but this seems to want to be in that zone.
UPDATE, July 2, 2024:
I saw a notation on LibraryThing that this book was expanded from a story in Fresh Romance, Vol. 1 that was also printed on its own as Ruined, Volume 1. I had read Fresh Romance back in 2016, but this story from the middle of the anthology had slipped my mind. I checked it out again from the library and re-read it and have to say that the new version is much better for having moved around scenes and dialogue. Sarah Winifred Searle's art is terrific in both versions, but I'd give a slight edge to the redrawn version.
October 6, 2024
2024 reads: 125/250
with her reputation ruined, only a desperate man would wed catherine benson now. enter andrew davener, who’s recently been left his family’s estate, which is desperately in need of help that catherine’s dowry could provide. despite the circumstances, catherine still wants to fall in love, but andrew isn’t so sure he can love anyone.
i’d like to start off by saying that this is an open door romance, so anyone wanting to read this should be aware of that! i think these moments were handled well. catherine has some reservations about intimacy because of how she was treated in the past, and this topic is explored with care, in my opinion.
i liked how the side characters also had their own subplots, though, of course, not as fleshed-out as our main plot. this made the story more interesting!
i recommend to anyone who enjoys regency romances and graphic novels.
with her reputation ruined, only a desperate man would wed catherine benson now. enter andrew davener, who’s recently been left his family’s estate, which is desperately in need of help that catherine’s dowry could provide. despite the circumstances, catherine still wants to fall in love, but andrew isn’t so sure he can love anyone.
i’d like to start off by saying that this is an open door romance, so anyone wanting to read this should be aware of that! i think these moments were handled well. catherine has some reservations about intimacy because of how she was treated in the past, and this topic is explored with care, in my opinion.
i liked how the side characters also had their own subplots, though, of course, not as fleshed-out as our main plot. this made the story more interesting!
i recommend to anyone who enjoys regency romances and graphic novels.
August 5, 2023
perfect for every regency-era romance fan who’s just trying to make the time before the next bridgerton season go by a little bit faster.
ruined is a cosy graphic novel to get lost in, and is sure to leave you with a smile and a longing for more books in the future about the group of characters you’ve met throughout this one.
and speaking of the characters, i enjoyed how the story as well as focusing on the romance also focuses on the side characters and gives us readers an insight into their lives; they have their own dreams, aspirations, and goals and aren’t just there to simply serve the main characters.
at times it did feel as though this was “just” any other regency romance story, as the ones i’ve been exposed to both written and on screen have had somewhat similar outlines. though that did not take too much away from my enjoyment of this graphic novel, and i still had a fun time reading it.
the publisher kindly provided this arc through netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
ruined is a cosy graphic novel to get lost in, and is sure to leave you with a smile and a longing for more books in the future about the group of characters you’ve met throughout this one.
and speaking of the characters, i enjoyed how the story as well as focusing on the romance also focuses on the side characters and gives us readers an insight into their lives; they have their own dreams, aspirations, and goals and aren’t just there to simply serve the main characters.
at times it did feel as though this was “just” any other regency romance story, as the ones i’ve been exposed to both written and on screen have had somewhat similar outlines. though that did not take too much away from my enjoyment of this graphic novel, and i still had a fun time reading it.
the publisher kindly provided this arc through netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 26, 2024
this was adorable!!! like i LIVE for books like these!! i want every book i read this year to fill me with the same amount of joy as ruined. 🥹
August 26, 2023
This was a fun and steamy historical romance graphic novel that is perfect for fans of Bridgerton and regency romance. I liked the art style a lot! The color palate felt cozy and I loved seeing the fashion from that time period. The romance was really great to follow. Marriage of convenience is one of my favorite tropes when it’s done well and this story definitely hit the mark. Even though it’s a graphic novel, it didn’t hold back on the spice, so just be aware that it does get, well, a bit graphic for lack of a better word.
This was an easy and quick read and I really enjoyed the story.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author/illustrators and the publisher for providing me an early copy in exchange for an honest review!
This was an easy and quick read and I really enjoyed the story.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author/illustrators and the publisher for providing me an early copy in exchange for an honest review!
January 10, 2024
My thanks to NetGalley and First Second Books for an eARC copy of this book to read and review.
I cut my romance reading teeth on Regency romances when I was in high school. I'm talking the older Signet and Zebra romances, when the MC H and h were portrayed on the covers of the books fully clothed, where the most heat would be a few kisses and historical accuracy re: how they would dress, speak and the mores of the time were fully integrated into the fabric of the story. I read them so much I would start to speak in the cadence and use those words in everyday speech. I had friends who read these books with me, so while I was somewhat influenced by the books, it wasn't in a bad way and we shared the passion.
So I was beyond excited to see this being offered on NetGalley. A Regency romance graphic novel?!? GIMME!!!
And then I got to 5% of the way into the book and DNF. I did flip a few more pages into it and oh my goodness NO!!!
If you want ANYthing even CLOSE to resembling historical accuracy, do NOT pick this up. My major beefs with this book, by 5% of the way in.
MC h was getting married at 27 years old due to a scandal where she was caught with her lover in the garden or some such. He abandoned her, she ended up with a poor lord who needed her dowry to fix up his estate. Her sister was PISSED she wasn't getting married for love. MC h was like, "I turned down multiple marriage offers before the scandal because they only wanted me for my money. I had to get married now to avoid the scandal that would have tainted the entire family." This sister, who was old enough to know better was still furious.
Ummm....no. First of all, at 27, she was an ape-leader, beyond any prayer of marriage until this happened. Back then, as icky as it may seem to our modern sensibilities, the well-to-do women wed in their late teens early twenties, as quickly and as well off as they could. Getting married wasn't for love, it was for money, power, a title. Or due to a scandal as is the case here, but it was done YOUNG. And her sister and family would have understood that.
At the reception after the ceremony, the MC h's parents and she were out in the open talking, anyone could have heard them. The father BRINGS UP THE TOPIC OF THE SCANDAL and his daughter says something and he says something along the lines of, "Your mother and I canoodled months before our wedding." Then the mom says to her daughter that she was lucky and married a dish of cream and that she was going to be unwrapping a great present later that night.
No. Absolutely NOT. Neither of them would have spoken to their daughter in that way and IF they would, which they wouldn't, it wouldn't have been in public where ANYone could have overheard them!!
That is the point where I just flipped pages while trying to fight the urge to fling my reading device across the room and then I came to the FULL FRONTAL NUDITY of the MC H as he and the MC h were to engage in marital activities and then she stops him and admits she had a lover and wasn't a virgin and couldn't have sex with a man she didn't love and she couldn't love a man who didn't love her. And he was completely cool with the fact that she wasn't a virgin.
blink blink blink
Excuse me, what? How is that even CLOSE to how they would have spoken and reacted in that time??! She would have laid back and thought of England while he did his duty and that would have been the end of it!!
Ironically, they weren't historically accurate AT ALL about mores, speech, etc., but they SURE did make sure they drew hair under the arms of the MC h and that they showed the genital hair of BOTH of them.
Now, none of this might bother someone who isn't into historical accuracy and yeah, I'm sure the Regencies I read weren't 100% accurate, but they were a HECK of a lot closer than this could ever hope to be. Also, some people might be into seeing pictures of a semi-decently drawn couple get busy, but I am not one of them.
This book made me very angry and I disliked it greatly. I wouldn't recommend it, but if someone wanted to read it I wouldn't stop them.
1, this has the honor of being my first one star book of 2024, star.
I cut my romance reading teeth on Regency romances when I was in high school. I'm talking the older Signet and Zebra romances, when the MC H and h were portrayed on the covers of the books fully clothed, where the most heat would be a few kisses and historical accuracy re: how they would dress, speak and the mores of the time were fully integrated into the fabric of the story. I read them so much I would start to speak in the cadence and use those words in everyday speech. I had friends who read these books with me, so while I was somewhat influenced by the books, it wasn't in a bad way and we shared the passion.
So I was beyond excited to see this being offered on NetGalley. A Regency romance graphic novel?!? GIMME!!!
And then I got to 5% of the way into the book and DNF. I did flip a few more pages into it and oh my goodness NO!!!
If you want ANYthing even CLOSE to resembling historical accuracy, do NOT pick this up. My major beefs with this book, by 5% of the way in.
MC h was getting married at 27 years old due to a scandal where she was caught with her lover in the garden or some such. He abandoned her, she ended up with a poor lord who needed her dowry to fix up his estate. Her sister was PISSED she wasn't getting married for love. MC h was like, "I turned down multiple marriage offers before the scandal because they only wanted me for my money. I had to get married now to avoid the scandal that would have tainted the entire family." This sister, who was old enough to know better was still furious.
Ummm....no. First of all, at 27, she was an ape-leader, beyond any prayer of marriage until this happened. Back then, as icky as it may seem to our modern sensibilities, the well-to-do women wed in their late teens early twenties, as quickly and as well off as they could. Getting married wasn't for love, it was for money, power, a title. Or due to a scandal as is the case here, but it was done YOUNG. And her sister and family would have understood that.
At the reception after the ceremony, the MC h's parents and she were out in the open talking, anyone could have heard them. The father BRINGS UP THE TOPIC OF THE SCANDAL and his daughter says something and he says something along the lines of, "Your mother and I canoodled months before our wedding." Then the mom says to her daughter that she was lucky and married a dish of cream and that she was going to be unwrapping a great present later that night.
No. Absolutely NOT. Neither of them would have spoken to their daughter in that way and IF they would, which they wouldn't, it wouldn't have been in public where ANYone could have overheard them!!
That is the point where I just flipped pages while trying to fight the urge to fling my reading device across the room and then I came to the FULL FRONTAL NUDITY of the MC H as he and the MC h were to engage in marital activities and then she stops him and admits she had a lover and wasn't a virgin and couldn't have sex with a man she didn't love and she couldn't love a man who didn't love her. And he was completely cool with the fact that she wasn't a virgin.
blink blink blink
Excuse me, what? How is that even CLOSE to how they would have spoken and reacted in that time??! She would have laid back and thought of England while he did his duty and that would have been the end of it!!
Ironically, they weren't historically accurate AT ALL about mores, speech, etc., but they SURE did make sure they drew hair under the arms of the MC h and that they showed the genital hair of BOTH of them.
Now, none of this might bother someone who isn't into historical accuracy and yeah, I'm sure the Regencies I read weren't 100% accurate, but they were a HECK of a lot closer than this could ever hope to be. Also, some people might be into seeing pictures of a semi-decently drawn couple get busy, but I am not one of them.
This book made me very angry and I disliked it greatly. I wouldn't recommend it, but if someone wanted to read it I wouldn't stop them.
1, this has the honor of being my first one star book of 2024, star.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 5, 2024
Leider hat mir dieses Graphic Novel gar nicht gefallen. Ich habe es zwar in sehr kurzer Zeit beendet, muss jedoch gestehen dass ich die meiste Zeit Stirnrunzelnd und Kopfschüttelnd verbracht habe.
Der Plot der Geschichte hatte unglaublich viele Lücken, der Verlauf der Geschichte hat sich sehr erzwungen gefühlt und auch die Charaktere haben einfach nicht überzeugt. Schon von Anfang an wird man in eine Szene geworfen die sich einfach absolut emotionslos angefühlt hat. Mir hat ein roter Faden gefehlt, eine richtige Backstory für die Charaktere. Es habe kein Raum für eine richtige Nebenhandlung. Selbst im laufe der Geschichte hatte man nicht das Gefühle dass sie sich näher kommen sondern das sie immer noch fremde in einem Raum sind und keine Ahnung haben was sie mit dem anderen anfangen sollen. Ich lese zwar nicht viele Regency-Geschichten und mir ist bewusst, dass man versucht hat ein einfaches Cozy Setting zu schaffen, doch das hat mit den Konflikten dieser Zeit einfach nicht für mich gepasst. Das Buch wurde außerdem als „Spicy, Regency Romance - Graphic Novel“ vermarktet… Ohne genau ins Detail zu gehen, diese Szene waren noch steifer und emotionsloser als die nicht expliziten Szenen. Meine einzige Hoffnung ist es, dass dieses Graphic Novel nicht in der Jugendbuch Abteilung landet.
Der Zeichenstil war leider auch nicht meins, hier möchte aber selbst gar nicht viel urteilen, denn ich denke das ist absolut Geschmacksache.
Ich persönlich kann das Buch leider nicht empfehlen. 🥺
Der Plot der Geschichte hatte unglaublich viele Lücken, der Verlauf der Geschichte hat sich sehr erzwungen gefühlt und auch die Charaktere haben einfach nicht überzeugt. Schon von Anfang an wird man in eine Szene geworfen die sich einfach absolut emotionslos angefühlt hat. Mir hat ein roter Faden gefehlt, eine richtige Backstory für die Charaktere. Es habe kein Raum für eine richtige Nebenhandlung. Selbst im laufe der Geschichte hatte man nicht das Gefühle dass sie sich näher kommen sondern das sie immer noch fremde in einem Raum sind und keine Ahnung haben was sie mit dem anderen anfangen sollen. Ich lese zwar nicht viele Regency-Geschichten und mir ist bewusst, dass man versucht hat ein einfaches Cozy Setting zu schaffen, doch das hat mit den Konflikten dieser Zeit einfach nicht für mich gepasst. Das Buch wurde außerdem als „Spicy, Regency Romance - Graphic Novel“ vermarktet… Ohne genau ins Detail zu gehen, diese Szene waren noch steifer und emotionsloser als die nicht expliziten Szenen. Meine einzige Hoffnung ist es, dass dieses Graphic Novel nicht in der Jugendbuch Abteilung landet.
Der Zeichenstil war leider auch nicht meins, hier möchte aber selbst gar nicht viel urteilen, denn ich denke das ist absolut Geschmacksache.
Ich persönlich kann das Buch leider nicht empfehlen. 🥺
January 10, 2024
This was a very mediocre graphic novel. The plot didn’t make sense and 50% of the time I was confused about what was going on. Their fight felt artificial and was a lazy attempt of making some sort of conflict. I didn’t really like the art style (but who the hell am I to speak, I could never draw a whole graphic novel). The body proportions felt off and the dot eyes got really sickening after seeing it for the millionth time. Sometimes their faces looked okay, other times, they looked weird.
July 30, 2024
3,5 en realidad
Si te apetece un comic con vibes a Los Bridgerton (pero ojo, la serie, no los libros), este es tu libro.
Para mi, el libro necesitaba una mayor extensión para no resultar superficial y forzado, que es lo que me ha parecido casi todo el rato. Pero sería una gran opción comics de romántica de época, creo que tendría su público, yo entre ellos.
Si te apetece un comic con vibes a Los Bridgerton (pero ojo, la serie, no los libros), este es tu libro.
Para mi, el libro necesitaba una mayor extensión para no resultar superficial y forzado, que es lo que me ha parecido casi todo el rato. Pero sería una gran opción comics de romántica de época, creo que tendría su público, yo entre ellos.
February 14, 2024
one star for the gay kiss
August 9, 2025
skimmed it. art was cute. mmc was cute.
February 8, 2024
First book of the year! 3.5 stars!!! This graphic novel was so romantic and cozy and a perfect one sitting read. I enjoyed the characters and even wished for the book to be longer. I hope Sarah Vaughn revisits this world in the future because I would love to see more. A great read for a period drama lover and anyone waiting for Bridgerton season 3 💐
January 30, 2024
Set in an alt-Regency England in which race and sexuality are of no matter. Unfortunately, rumors are quite important--and there are enough surrounding Catherine that she marries some random gentleman to end them. Luckily for her, he turns out to be a generous landlord and overall good guy. And luckily for him, she's not only rich and attractive, but quietly generous and kind herself. I really admired the way she tried to put everyone at ease when she moved into Andrew's house. The hang up is that Catherine only wants to be with someone she loves, and Andrew is sure he can't love anyone after a tumultuous relationship years before.
I liked the opportunity to read a Regency romance with pictures accompanying & supplementing the story. The characters themselves aren't a huge draw, but I liked the setting and art.
I liked the opportunity to read a Regency romance with pictures accompanying & supplementing the story. The characters themselves aren't a huge draw, but I liked the setting and art.
May 30, 2023
I did find this book quite cozy. There’s something I love about watching a couple in a marriage of convenience fall for each other, it just feels so right!
I thought the art was unique and I enjoyed it. I loved seeing the regency period brought to life through art! And I liked that it featured an ethnically diverse Regency period.
I normally eat up graphic novels but the pacing in this one was just . . . a little too slow for me. I found myself pretty bored, which is why I dropped my rating.
Thank you, Net Galley and First Second for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I thought the art was unique and I enjoyed it. I loved seeing the regency period brought to life through art! And I liked that it featured an ethnically diverse Regency period.
I normally eat up graphic novels but the pacing in this one was just . . . a little too slow for me. I found myself pretty bored, which is why I dropped my rating.
Thank you, Net Galley and First Second for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 20, 2023
This was a fun graphic novel. I think historical graphic novels are great because it really helps the reader get right into the period and so clearly understand the time through the fashion and other visual elements. The art style was great and the story was well done. I love an arranged marriage/marriage of convenience trope so that was really enjoyable. I do wish that we had more context for the story. I felt like the reader never really gets the whole picture of what is happening but overall it was a quick and enjoyable read.
*Review copy provided via NetGalley*
*Review copy provided via NetGalley*
November 29, 2023
I tore through this in one sitting. Very sweet. Queernormative. I chuckled and smiled the whole way through.
August 7, 2023
Well, it was cute and sexy. Very Bridgerton and fun. I hope there is more soon!
It is hard to get a really deep look into the characters when the story is told in graphic form, but this was also a fun read and a quick way to consume a good Regency Romance. I felt like I wanted more from some of the characters and the romance... but hopefully that means we get to see further connections with the main couple and side characters in the future.
Also, there was some nice little on page spice, if minimal.
4 stars
1 on the spice scale
It is hard to get a really deep look into the characters when the story is told in graphic form, but this was also a fun read and a quick way to consume a good Regency Romance. I felt like I wanted more from some of the characters and the romance... but hopefully that means we get to see further connections with the main couple and side characters in the future.
Also, there was some nice little on page spice, if minimal.
4 stars
1 on the spice scale
April 6, 2024
Nice and solid romance, but not actually very regency. It didn't bother me that much, but if you want more accurate etiquette and stuff, this might not be for you. I'm not talking about LGBTQ+ representation or different ethnicities, that was just great – more about the main couple's attitude towards sex and open relationship.
This novel contains some nsfw scenes, which was bit of a surprise, but those were as nicely drawn as all the other parts of the book. If you like your romances steamy and endings sweet and lovely, this might be for you.
This novel contains some nsfw scenes, which was bit of a surprise, but those were as nicely drawn as all the other parts of the book. If you like your romances steamy and endings sweet and lovely, this might be for you.
January 28, 2024
3.5⭐️ rounded up. This was a cute and quick graphic novel that also got a bit more explicit than I was expecting. My one critique was that I didn’t feel super connected to the side couples and instead would’ve preferred a little more of the main couple’s HEA at the end, since it ended a bit abruptly. But otherwise I had a great time!
July 31, 2025
This was great! Recommended by a friend and I really enjoyed it!
February 2, 2024
There is a great deal to like in this gentle, sad, sweet Jane Austenesque romantic graphic novel.
The story begins with the marriage of Catherine Benson and Andrew Davener. But this is the farthest thing from a love match. Andrew's estate is falling apart thanks to mismanagement and Catherine's virtue has been compromised by rumors that she has been "indiscrete" with another man.
Despite this rather depressing beginning, Catherine (still pining for her former lover) and Andrew (doing a great imitation of Mr. Darcy) find themselves getting on rather well together. Catherine makes herself right at home with Andrew's stern aunt and (strangely agoraphobic) younger sister and before too long their cordial interactions give way to a gentle passion. But can love bloom between two people who are only just meeting after they've already married?
I think my favorite thing about this is how real it feels. Rather than the pristine, perfectly splendid worlds of Jane Austen or other regency romance this feels like something that would actually happen and I appreciated characters responding to certain situations the way actual people might. Sex is a thing that happens in this world and while the ton might whisper behind their fans reputation isn't quite the beginning and end of the world Masterpiece Theater would have us think it is.
Unfortunately aside from Catherine and Andrew there isn't a whole lot going on here and what is feels confused and kind of half formed. Catherine has a lesbian sister who's trying to decide if she wants to quasi marry her best friend and there's the odd situation with Andrew's sister and a subplot involving Catherine's ladies maid wanting to be a clothing designer and a suggested tragic backstory with Andrew's aunt but aside from the main love story everything is kind of just hanging at the end for the supporting cast. And since the ending is more or less guaranteed there isn't exactly a load of dramatic tension. While I enjoyed the quiet, sort of meandering quality of the story sometimes it feels way too quiet.
Also, while I love representation I couldn't get a handle on what kind of world I was in. Like why is a society that seems to have no trouble with race or sexual orientation caring at all about a woman who slept with someone before marriage?
As far as the artwork, its kind of...well...odd. I don't quite know how to put this into words but everyone is drawn in a strange sort of "puffy" style. I'm also hung up on the fact that the characters are never drawn consistently. In one frame Andrew is very Darcyesque with Byronic black curls and a hard jaw, in the next finely cut cheekbones are traded in for strangely feminine features and thick soft lips. Its jarring and frankly unpleasant. Like the characters are constantly morphing into other people.
Still there's something here that kept me reading and enjoying the quiet journey of two people falling into gentle but deep love.
The story begins with the marriage of Catherine Benson and Andrew Davener. But this is the farthest thing from a love match. Andrew's estate is falling apart thanks to mismanagement and Catherine's virtue has been compromised by rumors that she has been "indiscrete" with another man.
Despite this rather depressing beginning, Catherine (still pining for her former lover) and Andrew (doing a great imitation of Mr. Darcy) find themselves getting on rather well together. Catherine makes herself right at home with Andrew's stern aunt and (strangely agoraphobic) younger sister and before too long their cordial interactions give way to a gentle passion. But can love bloom between two people who are only just meeting after they've already married?
I think my favorite thing about this is how real it feels. Rather than the pristine, perfectly splendid worlds of Jane Austen or other regency romance this feels like something that would actually happen and I appreciated characters responding to certain situations the way actual people might. Sex is a thing that happens in this world and while the ton might whisper behind their fans reputation isn't quite the beginning and end of the world Masterpiece Theater would have us think it is.
Unfortunately aside from Catherine and Andrew there isn't a whole lot going on here and what is feels confused and kind of half formed. Catherine has a lesbian sister who's trying to decide if she wants to quasi marry her best friend and there's the odd situation with Andrew's sister and a subplot involving Catherine's ladies maid wanting to be a clothing designer and a suggested tragic backstory with Andrew's aunt but aside from the main love story everything is kind of just hanging at the end for the supporting cast. And since the ending is more or less guaranteed there isn't exactly a load of dramatic tension. While I enjoyed the quiet, sort of meandering quality of the story sometimes it feels way too quiet.
Also, while I love representation I couldn't get a handle on what kind of world I was in. Like why is a society that seems to have no trouble with race or sexual orientation caring at all about a woman who slept with someone before marriage?
As far as the artwork, its kind of...well...odd. I don't quite know how to put this into words but everyone is drawn in a strange sort of "puffy" style. I'm also hung up on the fact that the characters are never drawn consistently. In one frame Andrew is very Darcyesque with Byronic black curls and a hard jaw, in the next finely cut cheekbones are traded in for strangely feminine features and thick soft lips. Its jarring and frankly unpleasant. Like the characters are constantly morphing into other people.
Still there's something here that kept me reading and enjoying the quiet journey of two people falling into gentle but deep love.
January 21, 2024
This was only just “fine” for me. I was drawn in by the art style on the cover, but was disappointed once I started reading that the art style truly doesn’t resemble that very much at all.
Ruined follows Catherine and Andrew, who are forced into a marriage of convenience after Catherine’s ruination by another man and Andrew’s financial crisis.
When I first began reading, I was pleased to see a lot of diverse representation, despite the regency era setting. From a sapphic relationship between two side characters to a myriad of the supporting cast being non-white, it was a welcome edition.
What I did not expect, however, is for this to take a very Bridgerton turn. There is spice in this graphic novel, and you see just about all of the body parts. I’ve never encountered this in a graphic novel before, so that was interesting. I still wasn’t a fan of the art style.
One critique I want to give is that this focused a bit too much on the supporting cast, which was to the detriment of the main relationship. It wasn’t given enough page space to grow authentically, and felt rushed in the end.
Overall, it was a fine read that kept my attention, but it was missing an X factor to take it to the next level. I hoped for swooning, but got a kind of shrugging indifference.
Overall Rating: 2 stars
A big thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, First Second Books, for providing me with an advanced copy of this graphic novel in exchange for an honest review!
Ruined follows Catherine and Andrew, who are forced into a marriage of convenience after Catherine’s ruination by another man and Andrew’s financial crisis.
When I first began reading, I was pleased to see a lot of diverse representation, despite the regency era setting. From a sapphic relationship between two side characters to a myriad of the supporting cast being non-white, it was a welcome edition.
What I did not expect, however, is for this to take a very Bridgerton turn. There is spice in this graphic novel, and you see just about all of the body parts. I’ve never encountered this in a graphic novel before, so that was interesting. I still wasn’t a fan of the art style.
One critique I want to give is that this focused a bit too much on the supporting cast, which was to the detriment of the main relationship. It wasn’t given enough page space to grow authentically, and felt rushed in the end.
Overall, it was a fine read that kept my attention, but it was missing an X factor to take it to the next level. I hoped for swooning, but got a kind of shrugging indifference.
Overall Rating: 2 stars
A big thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, First Second Books, for providing me with an advanced copy of this graphic novel in exchange for an honest review!
May 24, 2023
oh thank god
I was nervous. I very rarely find graphic novels that are romances and I had HIGH hopes for this one. I am happy to report that this did not disappoint in the slightest. This was a regency romance that was well worth its read. YOU LIKE PRIDE AND PREJUDICE? WELL HERE YOU GO
The illustrations were nice, although not my favourite of what I've seen, but listen... ANDREW? MY LIL TALL DARK AND BROODY? You'll love him. He's "not capable of loving someone new" but those are famous last words buddy.
I enjoyed every minute in this book. I want more. I can't wait to have it.
Thank you NetGalley and First Second for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I was nervous. I very rarely find graphic novels that are romances and I had HIGH hopes for this one. I am happy to report that this did not disappoint in the slightest. This was a regency romance that was well worth its read. YOU LIKE PRIDE AND PREJUDICE? WELL HERE YOU GO
The illustrations were nice, although not my favourite of what I've seen, but listen... ANDREW? MY LIL TALL DARK AND BROODY? You'll love him. He's "not capable of loving someone new" but those are famous last words buddy.
I enjoyed every minute in this book. I want more. I can't wait to have it.
Thank you NetGalley and First Second for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 2, 2023
I didn’t like our heroine. She spends way too much time wallowing over the dude that “ruined” her. Our hero is also hot and cold in no understandable way.
Then we had the big fight and it was an overreaction in my opinion.
I’m more interested in her maid and her story. Can I read that with our heroine in the background? That was the only part I liked.
I found the text hard to read which definitely impacted my enjoyment, I think it was a mix of the font and size just didn’t work.
Then we had the big fight and it was an overreaction in my opinion.
I’m more interested in her maid and her story. Can I read that with our heroine in the background? That was the only part I liked.
I found the text hard to read which definitely impacted my enjoyment, I think it was a mix of the font and size just didn’t work.
September 20, 2023
This was... meh. A typical, formulaic historical romance that lacked depth with severely underwhelming art.
A bummer; I found it forgettable.
A bummer; I found it forgettable.
February 17, 2024
Dieses Buch wollte ich lesen, weil ich es bei meinem neuen Arbeitsplatz gesehen habe. Und ja, auch an meinem Arbeitsplatz gibt es Rezensionsexemplare. Unglaublich viele sogar. Was für mich unglaublich spannend ist. Und ich habe deswegen manchmal auch die Chance, in ein noch nicht erschienenes Buch hinein zu blättern. Zum Beispiel in dieses hier. Und was ich dort gesehen habe, hat mich zumindest so weit überzeugt und mich so neugierig gemacht, dass ich das Buch beim Verlag angefragt habe. Und kurz darauf hatte ich dann das Buch auf meinem Reader. Und habe das Buch dann an einem Nachmittag durchgesuchtet. Ups.
Was mich total fasziniert hat, war wohl, dass es hier immer um Catherines Geheimnis geht, das sich erst im letzten Viertel aufklärt. Sie hat ihre Jungfräulichkeit vor ihrer Hochzeitsnacht verloren und dann noch an einen Typen, der sich direkt aus dem Staub gemacht hat, als diese Affäre in die Öffentlichkeit geraten ist. Und wie wir alle aus "Bridgerton" wissen: Das ist Klatsch, über den sich die gesamte höhere Gesellschaft den Klatsch zerreißt. Catherine braucht also ganz dringend einen Ehemann, um ihre eigene Ehre und die ihrer Familie zu retten. Andrew Davener meldet sich freiwillig - denn er braucht das Geld, das Catherine in die Ehe mitbringen wird. Nicht unbedingt also eine Liebeshochzeit und keiner der beiden ist besonders erfreut darüber. Und während dieser Hochzeit setzt diese Geschichte ein. Wie ihr euch denken könnt, sind beide Personen nicht besonders erfreut darüber, dass sie nun nicht für Liebe heiraten, sondern aus anderen, viel weniger romantischen Gründen. Doch beide möchten trotzdem dafür sorgen, dass die Ehe irgendwie funktioniert. Was bleibt ihnen auch anderes übrig? Vor allem Catherine gibt sich sofort große Mühe, das Herz ihres Mannes für sich zu gewinnen. Doch das ist gar nicht so leicht, denn Andrew ist ein recht verschlossener Mensch, Ob es ihr wohl gelingen kann, ihren Mann für sich zu gewinnen?
Auf der optischen Ebene ist das Buch meiner Meinung nach gut gemacht. Ein einfach gehaltener Zeichenstil, der aber trotzdem schön ist und erzählende Wirkung hat. Ich würde euch aber definitiv empfehlen, das Buch in gedruckter Form zu lesen. Ich habe das Graphic Novel auf meinem iPad gelesen und mir war die Schrift teilweise zu klein - was mich dazu zwang, ins Bild zu zoomen. Und das sorgt dann natürlich dafür, dass die Bildqualität schlechter wird und die Bilder teils etwas verpixelt wirkten.
Inhaltlich gefiel mir diese Geschichte sehr gut und hielt einige positive Überraschungen für mich bereit. Da wäre zum einen Catherines Schwester, die einfach nur möchte, dass Catherine glücklich ist und ihr sogar nahelegt, wegzulaufen. Sie selbst hat eine Beziehung mit einer Frau und scheint sich nicht wirklich dafür zu interessieren, was die Gesellschaft über sie denkt. Dann ist da die sexuelle Ebene, die meiner Meinung nach gut gelöst wurde. Die Trope "arranged marriage" (also arrangierte Ehe) vermeide ich meist eher, da manche Bücher da schnell sexuelle Gewalt darstellen, oder zumindest eine eher unangenehme Hochzeitsnacht - und solche Szenen sind nichts für mich. Damit fühle ich mich nicht wohl. Hier wurde das ganz anders gelöst und ich finde es super, wie das gelöst wurde (werde aber euch hier keine weiteren Infos geben, da ich keine Spoiler verbreiten möchte.)
Auch eine weitere Figur habe ich schnell ins Herz geschlossen: Andrews jüngere Schwester. Sie scheint an einer Angststörung oder so zu leiden und traut sich schon seit Jahren nicht mehr, das Haus zu verlassen. Durch Catherine und die Freundschaft zu ihr, blüht sie auf und lässt endlich wieder mal jemanden an sich heran.
Und auch sonst gibt es viele, viele tolle Figuren. Ich habe es total genossen, die alle kennenzulernen. Und ja, natürlich hoffe ich darauf, die ein oder andere Person in einem weiteren Band noch etwas näher kennenzulernen.
Generell finde ich auch den Vergleich zu Bridgerton, der im Klappentext gezogen wird, gerechtfertigt. Ich sehe diese Parallele definitiv und auch von der Qualität der Handlung kann diese Geschichte dem Vergleich durchaus standhalten.
Mein Fazit? Ein tolles Graphic Novel, das ich sehr gerne gelesen habe. Ich würde mich sehr freuen, in einem weiteren Teil nochmal in diese Welt eintauchen zu können!
Was mich total fasziniert hat, war wohl, dass es hier immer um Catherines Geheimnis geht, das sich erst im letzten Viertel aufklärt. Sie hat ihre Jungfräulichkeit vor ihrer Hochzeitsnacht verloren und dann noch an einen Typen, der sich direkt aus dem Staub gemacht hat, als diese Affäre in die Öffentlichkeit geraten ist. Und wie wir alle aus "Bridgerton" wissen: Das ist Klatsch, über den sich die gesamte höhere Gesellschaft den Klatsch zerreißt. Catherine braucht also ganz dringend einen Ehemann, um ihre eigene Ehre und die ihrer Familie zu retten. Andrew Davener meldet sich freiwillig - denn er braucht das Geld, das Catherine in die Ehe mitbringen wird. Nicht unbedingt also eine Liebeshochzeit und keiner der beiden ist besonders erfreut darüber. Und während dieser Hochzeit setzt diese Geschichte ein. Wie ihr euch denken könnt, sind beide Personen nicht besonders erfreut darüber, dass sie nun nicht für Liebe heiraten, sondern aus anderen, viel weniger romantischen Gründen. Doch beide möchten trotzdem dafür sorgen, dass die Ehe irgendwie funktioniert. Was bleibt ihnen auch anderes übrig? Vor allem Catherine gibt sich sofort große Mühe, das Herz ihres Mannes für sich zu gewinnen. Doch das ist gar nicht so leicht, denn Andrew ist ein recht verschlossener Mensch, Ob es ihr wohl gelingen kann, ihren Mann für sich zu gewinnen?
Auf der optischen Ebene ist das Buch meiner Meinung nach gut gemacht. Ein einfach gehaltener Zeichenstil, der aber trotzdem schön ist und erzählende Wirkung hat. Ich würde euch aber definitiv empfehlen, das Buch in gedruckter Form zu lesen. Ich habe das Graphic Novel auf meinem iPad gelesen und mir war die Schrift teilweise zu klein - was mich dazu zwang, ins Bild zu zoomen. Und das sorgt dann natürlich dafür, dass die Bildqualität schlechter wird und die Bilder teils etwas verpixelt wirkten.
Inhaltlich gefiel mir diese Geschichte sehr gut und hielt einige positive Überraschungen für mich bereit. Da wäre zum einen Catherines Schwester, die einfach nur möchte, dass Catherine glücklich ist und ihr sogar nahelegt, wegzulaufen. Sie selbst hat eine Beziehung mit einer Frau und scheint sich nicht wirklich dafür zu interessieren, was die Gesellschaft über sie denkt. Dann ist da die sexuelle Ebene, die meiner Meinung nach gut gelöst wurde. Die Trope "arranged marriage" (also arrangierte Ehe) vermeide ich meist eher, da manche Bücher da schnell sexuelle Gewalt darstellen, oder zumindest eine eher unangenehme Hochzeitsnacht - und solche Szenen sind nichts für mich. Damit fühle ich mich nicht wohl. Hier wurde das ganz anders gelöst und ich finde es super, wie das gelöst wurde (werde aber euch hier keine weiteren Infos geben, da ich keine Spoiler verbreiten möchte.)
Auch eine weitere Figur habe ich schnell ins Herz geschlossen: Andrews jüngere Schwester. Sie scheint an einer Angststörung oder so zu leiden und traut sich schon seit Jahren nicht mehr, das Haus zu verlassen. Durch Catherine und die Freundschaft zu ihr, blüht sie auf und lässt endlich wieder mal jemanden an sich heran.
Und auch sonst gibt es viele, viele tolle Figuren. Ich habe es total genossen, die alle kennenzulernen. Und ja, natürlich hoffe ich darauf, die ein oder andere Person in einem weiteren Band noch etwas näher kennenzulernen.
Generell finde ich auch den Vergleich zu Bridgerton, der im Klappentext gezogen wird, gerechtfertigt. Ich sehe diese Parallele definitiv und auch von der Qualität der Handlung kann diese Geschichte dem Vergleich durchaus standhalten.
Mein Fazit? Ein tolles Graphic Novel, das ich sehr gerne gelesen habe. Ich würde mich sehr freuen, in einem weiteren Teil nochmal in diese Welt eintauchen zu können!
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