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The Waverlys #1
Ruin Me by Midnight
She has nothing to lose... except her heart.
Violet Waverly barely survived the worst of high society's gossip, having earned a scandalous reputation with none of the fun to go with it. When she faces marriage to a horrible man, she has one escape—ruination. Her only problem? She needs a lover to put her in a compromising position. Callum Hawthorne is just the man to play the role of her paramour... as long as they only pretend. Will a ten-day country house party be enough time to annihilate what remains of her reputation without falling for the grumpy Scot?
A man more accustomed to shipyards than champagne, Callum Hawthorne has ten days to secure enough investors to keep his family business afloat and ensure his cousin's damning secret remains hidden. He never expected a whisky-eyed beauty to demand his help in her salacious schemes, nor to find so much pleasure in her company—and her bed. Weighed down by a childhood tragedy, he will give her what she asks for, but he knows he can never give her what she truly wants—his heart.
Scandalizing society should be simple, but remembering that their affair is pretend proves much more complicated. When the party ends, they realize falling in love may be the most shocking outcome of all.
Ruin Me by Midnight is a steamy historical romance with fake dating, forced proximity, strong friendships, humor, and the occasional attack goose. Read now!
Violet Waverly barely survived the worst of high society's gossip, having earned a scandalous reputation with none of the fun to go with it. When she faces marriage to a horrible man, she has one escape—ruination. Her only problem? She needs a lover to put her in a compromising position. Callum Hawthorne is just the man to play the role of her paramour... as long as they only pretend. Will a ten-day country house party be enough time to annihilate what remains of her reputation without falling for the grumpy Scot?
A man more accustomed to shipyards than champagne, Callum Hawthorne has ten days to secure enough investors to keep his family business afloat and ensure his cousin's damning secret remains hidden. He never expected a whisky-eyed beauty to demand his help in her salacious schemes, nor to find so much pleasure in her company—and her bed. Weighed down by a childhood tragedy, he will give her what she asks for, but he knows he can never give her what she truly wants—his heart.
Scandalizing society should be simple, but remembering that their affair is pretend proves much more complicated. When the party ends, they realize falling in love may be the most shocking outcome of all.
Ruin Me by Midnight is a steamy historical romance with fake dating, forced proximity, strong friendships, humor, and the occasional attack goose. Read now!
384 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 23, 2024
About the author
Ginny B. Moore
11 books114 followersGinny was the kid who loved kissing scenes in movies and always rooted for Mulder and Scully to hook up. Her first piece of writing was a horrendous fanfic romance based on The Three Musketeers when she was thirteen that will never see the light of day.
Ginny started writing romance with purpose in 2021 to avoid doom-scrolling social media and has never stopped. To pay the bills, she is a middle school assistant principal and has been in education for fifteen years. Most of her writing is done on her phone or in the parking lot of her kids’ extracurricular activities.
When she is not writing, Ginny is a very slow long-distance runner or making a dent in her endless “to be read” list. She is the mother of three kids, two exceptionally stupid dogs, two codependent cats, and the grandmother to a hermit crab.
While she started writing during the pandemic, she has found it to be a new lifeline and form of self-care and has already planned her next five books in the series.
Ginny started writing romance with purpose in 2021 to avoid doom-scrolling social media and has never stopped. To pay the bills, she is a middle school assistant principal and has been in education for fifteen years. Most of her writing is done on her phone or in the parking lot of her kids’ extracurricular activities.
When she is not writing, Ginny is a very slow long-distance runner or making a dent in her endless “to be read” list. She is the mother of three kids, two exceptionally stupid dogs, two codependent cats, and the grandmother to a hermit crab.
While she started writing during the pandemic, she has found it to be a new lifeline and form of self-care and has already planned her next five books in the series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
May 24, 2024
This is a steamy book with a super fun concept: Violet wants to ruin her reputation so she won't be forced to marry a letch (#relatable). At first, she thinks she'll have a last fling before ruination, so she decides on the hottest man in the room. But when it turns out he's not interested for ~reasons,~ his cousin - tall, burly, dour Scot Callum - volunteers to fake ruin her. But not only do their fake ruination schemes keep getting thwarted, they also don't feel all that fake...
Both Violet and Callum have heavy trauma in their pasts, so check the content notes (list in spoiler tags following this review). It can be jarring to reconcile these major events with the relatively lighthearted "fake ruination" present. That aside, this is a seriously steamy book. Once these two get down to brass tacks, they get it on everywhere they can: carriages, natatoriums, and even beds. Ginny Moore is an author worth checking out!
CW:
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
Both Violet and Callum have heavy trauma in their pasts, so check the content notes (list in spoiler tags following this review). It can be jarring to reconcile these major events with the relatively lighthearted "fake ruination" present. That aside, this is a seriously steamy book. Once these two get down to brass tacks, they get it on everywhere they can: carriages, natatoriums, and even beds. Ginny Moore is an author worth checking out!
CW:
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
May 23, 2024
Ginny. GINNY. This was so good, I immediately want to reread it. I was sold at “super spicy historical with fake ruination that isn’t so fake after all” and ended up teary eyed a time or two (or three) because for all the banging (and whew is it good stuff) there’s some really emotional stuff these two have to unpack as they fall in love.
Violet wants to be ruined to prevent marriage to an absolute creep. Callum, grumpy, stoic Scotsman of my dreams, is down to do the ruining. Newton has a little known 4th law and its “two dum dums concocting a ruination plot at a house party will fall in love against their better judgement”. Hey, I didn’t make the law, okay? Take it up with Newton.
I love two characters that *think* their life trajectory has to go one way only to be gobsmacked by love and emotions. Even better when it’s two people with trauma and damaged hearts. And don’t let the whole “super spicy” aspect fool you. These two are on a slow emotional burn runaway train that each is powerless to stop but aren’t quite ready to leap off the station yet. I think it takes a special author to write trauma with care and have it weave beautifully (if heartbreakingly) with the romance. And really, Violet and Callum are an unavoidable inevitable. Is that a thing? It is now!
Every tryst goes slightly awry to the point where it seems like even the universe is like “okay Knucklehead McGee 1 and 2. Just love each other already??” But the slow emotional burn is so perfect for two characters reluctant to open up the emotional flood gates. The third act breakup? Hurt me in my soul. The secondary queer love story? Wanted to eat the sweetness with a spoon. The fascinating historical Panama Canal plot line? Sent me on a Google deep dive. (Truly the highest compliment from my brain).
Ginny. I adored this. Like butterflies in my stomach adored this. And chest achingly hurt for the way these characters had been hurt. Phenomenal phenomenal phenomenal.
CW: sexual assault (historic), pregnancy loss, death of a child, homophobia (not by either MC, in reference to side character), on page/open door sex scenes
Violet wants to be ruined to prevent marriage to an absolute creep. Callum, grumpy, stoic Scotsman of my dreams, is down to do the ruining. Newton has a little known 4th law and its “two dum dums concocting a ruination plot at a house party will fall in love against their better judgement”. Hey, I didn’t make the law, okay? Take it up with Newton.
I love two characters that *think* their life trajectory has to go one way only to be gobsmacked by love and emotions. Even better when it’s two people with trauma and damaged hearts. And don’t let the whole “super spicy” aspect fool you. These two are on a slow emotional burn runaway train that each is powerless to stop but aren’t quite ready to leap off the station yet. I think it takes a special author to write trauma with care and have it weave beautifully (if heartbreakingly) with the romance. And really, Violet and Callum are an unavoidable inevitable. Is that a thing? It is now!
Every tryst goes slightly awry to the point where it seems like even the universe is like “okay Knucklehead McGee 1 and 2. Just love each other already??” But the slow emotional burn is so perfect for two characters reluctant to open up the emotional flood gates. The third act breakup? Hurt me in my soul. The secondary queer love story? Wanted to eat the sweetness with a spoon. The fascinating historical Panama Canal plot line? Sent me on a Google deep dive. (Truly the highest compliment from my brain).
Ginny. I adored this. Like butterflies in my stomach adored this. And chest achingly hurt for the way these characters had been hurt. Phenomenal phenomenal phenomenal.
CW: sexual assault (historic), pregnancy loss, death of a child, homophobia (not by either MC, in reference to side character), on page/open door sex scenes
July 26, 2024
This was my first read by this author and will not be my last. It was such a pleasant surprise - it has a little bit of everything.
You think you are reading a super spicy (and it's yummy) light low-angst book - don't get me wrong, it is for the most part!
But the character development and growth is fantastic. You have two MCs who on the outside seem like they know what they want and how to go about getting it, but deep down each have some unresolved trauma to work through. And it was rather beautiful how this author found a balance between fun, spice and actual serious topics.
I need to get to her backlist.
You think you are reading a super spicy (and it's yummy) light low-angst book - don't get me wrong, it is for the most part!
But the character development and growth is fantastic. You have two MCs who on the outside seem like they know what they want and how to go about getting it, but deep down each have some unresolved trauma to work through. And it was rather beautiful how this author found a balance between fun, spice and actual serious topics.
I need to get to her backlist.
June 4, 2024
What if being ruined in the eyes of society actually freed you?
Time is running out for Violet Waverly. Pressured by her parents to marry a man she abhors in order to salvage what’s left of her tenuous reputation; Violet sets out to make herself unmarriageable with the hope that she’ll finally be able to find peace in her life. The perfect opportunity presents itself when she’s invited to her Godfather’s house party. The perfect setting for her “fake” ruination. Now to find the perfect man.
House parties are so tedious. Especially those that are “packed with Sassenach numpties” according to Callum Hawthorne. Unfortunately, he’s stuck there for the next ten days securing investors for his family’s Maritime business. And to top it off, he finds himself lured into a salacious scheme by a whisky-eyed beauty he absolutely cannot let under his skin or close to his heart. Or can he?
This should be simple. Plenty of opportunities present themselves for the two of them to be caught together. But time and time and time again their best laid plans are foiled. Each attempt becomes a little less fake and a little more real. So maybe it wouldn’t actually be so bad to be ruined in truth. One last fling for the both of them, no strings attached, before they each go their separate ways.
I absolutely adored this book! The weight of Callum and Violet’s past trauma was hard to witness, but the banter, wit and comical events lightened the overall feel. Both of them were hesitant to open up to love, which made the character-driven plot even more compelling. I felt an instant connection to the main characters, which made the book even more special.
Ginny Moore’s writing continues to excel with each new book she releases, solidifying her as a favorite author of mine. I highly recommend this emotionally charged slow burn and be prepared for some scorching hot and explicit sex scenes that might just leave you reaching for a fan.
I received an early copy from the author (Thank You!) All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Time is running out for Violet Waverly. Pressured by her parents to marry a man she abhors in order to salvage what’s left of her tenuous reputation; Violet sets out to make herself unmarriageable with the hope that she’ll finally be able to find peace in her life. The perfect opportunity presents itself when she’s invited to her Godfather’s house party. The perfect setting for her “fake” ruination. Now to find the perfect man.
House parties are so tedious. Especially those that are “packed with Sassenach numpties” according to Callum Hawthorne. Unfortunately, he’s stuck there for the next ten days securing investors for his family’s Maritime business. And to top it off, he finds himself lured into a salacious scheme by a whisky-eyed beauty he absolutely cannot let under his skin or close to his heart. Or can he?
This should be simple. Plenty of opportunities present themselves for the two of them to be caught together. But time and time and time again their best laid plans are foiled. Each attempt becomes a little less fake and a little more real. So maybe it wouldn’t actually be so bad to be ruined in truth. One last fling for the both of them, no strings attached, before they each go their separate ways.
I absolutely adored this book! The weight of Callum and Violet’s past trauma was hard to witness, but the banter, wit and comical events lightened the overall feel. Both of them were hesitant to open up to love, which made the character-driven plot even more compelling. I felt an instant connection to the main characters, which made the book even more special.
Ginny Moore’s writing continues to excel with each new book she releases, solidifying her as a favorite author of mine. I highly recommend this emotionally charged slow burn and be prepared for some scorching hot and explicit sex scenes that might just leave you reaching for a fan.
I received an early copy from the author (Thank You!) All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 4, 2024
Meh book was kind of all over the place. Violet was already ruined technically but not officially I guess? Everyone already knew her history. Anyway she wants James to ruin her so she doesn’t have to marry some guy, James won’t do it cuz he’s gay. Callum, James’ cousin agrees to “ruin” her, she wants to be caught in a compromising situation but not really do anything. Soon enough they realize they don’t want to pretend and are banging all over the estate. A few mishaps happen and they’re pretty funny. Callum is leaving soon to dig the Panama Canal so he won’t marry. They finally get caught and she won’t marry him. Callum changes his whole life trajectory to be with violet. The end. 🤷♀️
May 23, 2024
This is the best book of Ginny B. Moore so far (and I read them all).
I can‘t let it go and read it almost in one piece.
Callum is one of the best male leads in historical romances I read so far, I absolutely love him. His anxiety, his trouble with his past and his falling for Violet, wow. Although his stuborness is annoying from time to time. But all in all he is totally adorable!
I liked the setting of the house party and the dynamic between Callum and Violet, the growing tension but also the comic reliefs (goose Kevin!). I laughed and weeped during reading. What more do you want from a book?
Can’t wait for the journey of Marigold and hope we will see a glimpse of the happiness between Callum and Violet. I hoped for more in the epilogue.
I can‘t let it go and read it almost in one piece.
Callum is one of the best male leads in historical romances I read so far, I absolutely love him. His anxiety, his trouble with his past and his falling for Violet, wow. Although his stuborness is annoying from time to time. But all in all he is totally adorable!
I liked the setting of the house party and the dynamic between Callum and Violet, the growing tension but also the comic reliefs (goose Kevin!). I laughed and weeped during reading. What more do you want from a book?
Can’t wait for the journey of Marigold and hope we will see a glimpse of the happiness between Callum and Violet. I hoped for more in the epilogue.
June 26, 2024
Fake dating, grumpy [Scottish] MMC, the concept of ruination and some steamy scenes - just a few things that made this a great romance read for me. This is my first Ginny B Moore book and I'm so glad I've entered into the stories of the Flower Sisters (albeit out of order, but this read fine as a standalone). The book has great pacing, main character development, and secondary characters that help make this a fun read while grounding the story at the same time. The main characters do navigate through some unresolved personal trauma, but this allows the romance to be more realistic and tangible. I'll definitely be delving into the other Flower Sisters stories!
May 23, 2024
The fourth in the series of the Flower Sisters, this story belongs to Violet's story. An engaging one that brings forth lots of emotions due to circumstances that take place through life. Violet convinces Callum to help fool the ton which turns out to be more difficult than expected. Well written and colorful in both characters and plot. Would recommend reading the entire series to fully appreciate the entire family.
May 20, 2024
I thought this book was a fantastic read, quick and lighthearted. It kept my interest and I felt it the storyline was told perfectly, This book was the first one I have read by author and I will definitely be reading more in the future.
June 13, 2024
Review to be posted soon.
August 2, 2024
I loved this book! There were no dull moments and it was very entertaining and full of banter. Violet and Callum’s characters and love story were well developed and felt real; I went on the journey with them.
This is my first book by this author and I really enjoyed it - I highly recommend!
This is my first book by this author and I really enjoyed it - I highly recommend!
May 26, 2024
This was an entertaining and original story. It contained drama, action, humor, wit, past heartbreak, trauma, and loss, an arranged marriage, a scandalous endeavor, and an unforseen complication of emotions, and it also included the unique subject of being a homosexual in rhat era. I enjoyed the delightful characters with their complexities and charm, along with all the wonderful romance that included lovely steam. I highly recommend reading!
May 27, 2024
Wonderful
I loved Violet and Callum's story - for me this was back to Ginny's best. Poor Violet, what a time she had but her wait was worth it!
I loved Violet and Callum's story - for me this was back to Ginny's best. Poor Violet, what a time she had but her wait was worth it!
May 27, 2024
Ruin Me by Midnight is the 4th book in the Flower Sisters series by Ginny B. Moore. It is a steamy historical romance that includes fake-dating, forced proximity, friendship and good humor.
Violet Waverly has earned a scandalous reputation verging on the edge of ruination. Now, facing a forced marriage to an unacceptable man, Violet needs to deal her reputation a final blow to escape that faith. To achieve this, she needs to be compromised by a lover…and fast, but first she needs to find said lover. Callum Hawthorne is a grumpy and stoic Scot more accustomed to hard work than society gatherings. But in order to secure enough investors to save his cousin’s family business, he now needs to step out of his comfort zone. When Violet and Callum meet during a ten-day country house party, something sparks between them and Violet convinces Callum to pretend to be her fake-paramour promising him help in securing the investors he needs. However, after several failed attempts to compromise and ruin Violet, remembering that their affair is pretended, proves to be more impossible by the day. Weighed down by their past tragedies, they try to deny their growing feelings, but what will happen, when the party ends?
This book was a delight to read. The story is perfectly paced and just makes you turn page after page to see, what will happen next. I have read similar plots in the past, but this one actually stands out because of the way the author has managed to combine the lightheartedness and humor with past trauma and darkness. That being said, I really enjoyed the writing style – it is beautifully vivid, descriptive and flowing so you get pulled right into the story. Both, the hero and heroine, are interesting as characters – charming, clever, intelligent and a little out of the box. Both are reluctant to seize happiness for themselves as they have their own past tragedies to deal with before they are ready to fall in love. This gives the lighthearted fake-ruination concept a darker and more realistic undertone with some emotional depth. They have their (not exactly unhappy, but content) paths set in their mind, only to be derailed once they meet. They fit each other perfectly and most of all…they feel like real people not characters from a fairy tale. The chemistry, the dynamic and the growing tension between them mixed with funny little moments have you cheering for them in no time. Theirs is a slow-burn love story, but the book is still super-steamy and open door. What I enjoyed most was the honesty between Violet and Callum – the way they opened up to each other and helped each other to start healing. I also enjoyed the setting of a house party, which gave the story a perfect backdrop. Now, back to the plot – when you think about it – how hard can it be to cause a scandal in a world, where a word, a touch or a wrong timing can ruin you forever in the eyes of the society. Well, it seems that in this case the Murphy's law kicks in strongly and every time Violet comes up with a new plot ruin herself, it just doesn’t happen the way it is supposed to. Hence public ruination can easily be achieved only accidentally and when you don’t really want to. This was just so much fun to follow – all the clever setups and the reaction of the characters, when their plans didn’t work out the way they had planned. However, at some point start you wonder, if they get their happily ever after at all, but then again, a little help from good friends can go a long way. That being said, there are some wonderful supporting characters including great aunt Margaret, Timothy, James and the Valebrookes, who give the story and extra something.
All in all it is a great story packed with humor and banter that makes you smile, a lot of steam and spice, but also deep emotions and real romance. The book is part of a series, but it is perfectly enjoyable as a stand-alone – there is some character overlap, but you will miss nothing vitally important if you haven’t read the first books yet. I absolutely enjoyed reading this book and am waiting to see what will happen in the next one.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Violet Waverly has earned a scandalous reputation verging on the edge of ruination. Now, facing a forced marriage to an unacceptable man, Violet needs to deal her reputation a final blow to escape that faith. To achieve this, she needs to be compromised by a lover…and fast, but first she needs to find said lover. Callum Hawthorne is a grumpy and stoic Scot more accustomed to hard work than society gatherings. But in order to secure enough investors to save his cousin’s family business, he now needs to step out of his comfort zone. When Violet and Callum meet during a ten-day country house party, something sparks between them and Violet convinces Callum to pretend to be her fake-paramour promising him help in securing the investors he needs. However, after several failed attempts to compromise and ruin Violet, remembering that their affair is pretended, proves to be more impossible by the day. Weighed down by their past tragedies, they try to deny their growing feelings, but what will happen, when the party ends?
This book was a delight to read. The story is perfectly paced and just makes you turn page after page to see, what will happen next. I have read similar plots in the past, but this one actually stands out because of the way the author has managed to combine the lightheartedness and humor with past trauma and darkness. That being said, I really enjoyed the writing style – it is beautifully vivid, descriptive and flowing so you get pulled right into the story. Both, the hero and heroine, are interesting as characters – charming, clever, intelligent and a little out of the box. Both are reluctant to seize happiness for themselves as they have their own past tragedies to deal with before they are ready to fall in love. This gives the lighthearted fake-ruination concept a darker and more realistic undertone with some emotional depth. They have their (not exactly unhappy, but content) paths set in their mind, only to be derailed once they meet. They fit each other perfectly and most of all…they feel like real people not characters from a fairy tale. The chemistry, the dynamic and the growing tension between them mixed with funny little moments have you cheering for them in no time. Theirs is a slow-burn love story, but the book is still super-steamy and open door. What I enjoyed most was the honesty between Violet and Callum – the way they opened up to each other and helped each other to start healing. I also enjoyed the setting of a house party, which gave the story a perfect backdrop. Now, back to the plot – when you think about it – how hard can it be to cause a scandal in a world, where a word, a touch or a wrong timing can ruin you forever in the eyes of the society. Well, it seems that in this case the Murphy's law kicks in strongly and every time Violet comes up with a new plot ruin herself, it just doesn’t happen the way it is supposed to. Hence public ruination can easily be achieved only accidentally and when you don’t really want to. This was just so much fun to follow – all the clever setups and the reaction of the characters, when their plans didn’t work out the way they had planned. However, at some point start you wonder, if they get their happily ever after at all, but then again, a little help from good friends can go a long way. That being said, there are some wonderful supporting characters including great aunt Margaret, Timothy, James and the Valebrookes, who give the story and extra something.
All in all it is a great story packed with humor and banter that makes you smile, a lot of steam and spice, but also deep emotions and real romance. The book is part of a series, but it is perfectly enjoyable as a stand-alone – there is some character overlap, but you will miss nothing vitally important if you haven’t read the first books yet. I absolutely enjoyed reading this book and am waiting to see what will happen in the next one.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 23, 2024
I enjoyed reading this book very much. The story grabbed me right away. It is part of a series but reads well as a standalone book. The series is set in Edwardian times, a change from regency times and concentrates on a family of sisters. They are mentioned in this book but it’s not essential to have read the previous books but I’m going to read the series as I enjoyed this one so much.
The main characters Violet and Callum meet at a house party hosted by Violet’s godfather Lord Valbrooke and his rather eccentric wife Bridgit.
Violet has come to the house party with her aunt as a chaperone and her best friend Timothy, the Marquess of Trembly. Violet is under pressure from her parents to marry an older society man so she has come to the party to be thought to be ruined without actually being ruined to avoid the marriage.
Callum has come to the party with his cousin James strictly to find investors for James’s family business. Born and raised in Scotland, he was orphaned at a young age and was taken in by his rich uncle and his family, including James who he feels very indebted to. He is passionate about his cousin’s business and needs to make it successful.
When they first meet, Violet thinks Callum is a huge, hulking, grumpy brute; in fact many of the guests of the party have the same thought. Callum is attracted to Violet’s curves and pretty face.
As they get to know each other, Violet’s opinion changes and she asks him if he will help her get caught in a compromising situation. He agrees but it seems getting caught and scandalised at this party is a difficult thing to do.
I really liked that Violet was a pear shaped woman in a time when it wasn’t fashionable but she’s lusted after by Callum. I loved reading Callum’s Scottish brogue. I could almost hear his deep voice in his Scottish accent which gave me goosebumps when reading.
There were many humorous situations in this book. There are very sensual scenes between Violet and Callum. Both have scarred souls from events in their pasts that they have to overcome to find happiness and allow themselves to forgive themselves. They are both trying to make things better for the people they love. As their relationship grows they share secrets with each other that they haven’t told anyone else and they find that they have a calming influence on each other, helping each other start to heal their emotional wounds. They are meant to be together but they don’t share their feelings for each other. After the party they go their separate ways. I wondered would they ever get their happy ever after. A little help from a best friend and a cousin makes sure that Callum and Violet reunite in a surprising twist. There’s also a lovely epilogue.
There are some wonderful secondary characters including great aunt Margaret, Timothy, James and the Lord and Lady Valebrooke.
This book has everything a reader would want; humour, angst, love and a slow burn development of a couple that are struggling with their emotions on their own but together they are much stronger.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical romance with open door steamy scenes.
I received a special copy of this book from the author. I’m leaving this review voluntarily.
The main characters Violet and Callum meet at a house party hosted by Violet’s godfather Lord Valbrooke and his rather eccentric wife Bridgit.
Violet has come to the house party with her aunt as a chaperone and her best friend Timothy, the Marquess of Trembly. Violet is under pressure from her parents to marry an older society man so she has come to the party to be thought to be ruined without actually being ruined to avoid the marriage.
Callum has come to the party with his cousin James strictly to find investors for James’s family business. Born and raised in Scotland, he was orphaned at a young age and was taken in by his rich uncle and his family, including James who he feels very indebted to. He is passionate about his cousin’s business and needs to make it successful.
When they first meet, Violet thinks Callum is a huge, hulking, grumpy brute; in fact many of the guests of the party have the same thought. Callum is attracted to Violet’s curves and pretty face.
As they get to know each other, Violet’s opinion changes and she asks him if he will help her get caught in a compromising situation. He agrees but it seems getting caught and scandalised at this party is a difficult thing to do.
I really liked that Violet was a pear shaped woman in a time when it wasn’t fashionable but she’s lusted after by Callum. I loved reading Callum’s Scottish brogue. I could almost hear his deep voice in his Scottish accent which gave me goosebumps when reading.
There were many humorous situations in this book. There are very sensual scenes between Violet and Callum. Both have scarred souls from events in their pasts that they have to overcome to find happiness and allow themselves to forgive themselves. They are both trying to make things better for the people they love. As their relationship grows they share secrets with each other that they haven’t told anyone else and they find that they have a calming influence on each other, helping each other start to heal their emotional wounds. They are meant to be together but they don’t share their feelings for each other. After the party they go their separate ways. I wondered would they ever get their happy ever after. A little help from a best friend and a cousin makes sure that Callum and Violet reunite in a surprising twist. There’s also a lovely epilogue.
There are some wonderful secondary characters including great aunt Margaret, Timothy, James and the Lord and Lady Valebrooke.
This book has everything a reader would want; humour, angst, love and a slow burn development of a couple that are struggling with their emotions on their own but together they are much stronger.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical romance with open door steamy scenes.
I received a special copy of this book from the author. I’m leaving this review voluntarily.
June 3, 2025
2.5 stars rounded up. I loved the other Flower Sisters books I've read, but this one, sadly, didn’t work for me. The characters’ reasoning and the logic behind the actions that set off the plot were baffling; Violet’s character was especially frustrating in her determination to seek ruination. She arrived at the house party with a broken engagement and rumours of a love child under her belt, and was promised in marriage to a despicable toad because her options had all but disappeared, so why exactly did she need to be ruined? And more frustratingly, she had absolutely no plans for her life following her ruination; there’s a vague notion of her joining her aged spinster aunt, but it’s all so nebulous, it was frustrating. Good for Violet for not wanting a stifling arranged marriage, but a girl’s still gotta eat, and her family was basically impoverished, so how exactly did she plan to survive in the year 1902?
That’s not to say that I didn’t like Violet; I did, I thought she was a lovely, sweet woman, but her actions just didn’t make much sense. Similarly, I liked Callum, but was also annoyed by his determination to martyr himself. When the book just let them be and didn’t focus on his brooding or her inane plans, their relationship was lovely.
Ginny B. Moore is a very witty author and has a funny, slapstick-y style similar to that of Tessa Dare, but I have to say that increasingly silly attempts at being ruined, horny aunts, eccentric hostesses and mean geese were just a bit too whimsical for me, especially because that tone was often incongruous with some truly traumatic events of Violet and Callum’s past we come to learn about. Overall, Ruin Me By Midnight had some lovely moments and imagery and truly excellent steam, but it ultimately didn’t work for me as well as Ms Moore’s other books did. I look forward to reading Marigold’s book, though.
That’s not to say that I didn’t like Violet; I did, I thought she was a lovely, sweet woman, but her actions just didn’t make much sense. Similarly, I liked Callum, but was also annoyed by his determination to martyr himself. When the book just let them be and didn’t focus on his brooding or her inane plans, their relationship was lovely.
Ginny B. Moore is a very witty author and has a funny, slapstick-y style similar to that of Tessa Dare, but I have to say that increasingly silly attempts at being ruined, horny aunts, eccentric hostesses and mean geese were just a bit too whimsical for me, especially because that tone was often incongruous with some truly traumatic events of Violet and Callum’s past we come to learn about. Overall, Ruin Me By Midnight had some lovely moments and imagery and truly excellent steam, but it ultimately didn’t work for me as well as Ms Moore’s other books did. I look forward to reading Marigold’s book, though.
January 28, 2025
Fake dating at a house party, what could go wrong?
4.5/5 How hard could it possibly be to purposely stage your own ruination? For Violet it turns out to be more difficult than expected. Her simple plan becomes an example of murphy’s law. Not only does this lead to fun ways Violet and Callum fail to get caught, but their constant close proximity during the house party allows for real feelings to develop. Which only makes the situation they’ve created frustrating and more complicated.
Underneath the misadventures are two people that have been deeply affected from events in their past and afraid of letting anyone close. Violet is further along in her journey than Callum but still has moments of vulnerability. She understands her worth and won’t anything short of it. Callum is stubborn and has shouldered the responsibility of others for longer than anyone asked him to.
I found both their journeys emotional and enjoyed their love story. It was unlikely and they each fought it every step of the way but the natural pull of their attraction and compatibility wouldn’t allow them to let the other go. But I still wondered at times, how everything would still work out until almost the very end. There was enough page time dedicated to showing how much they should be together plus the epilogue and extended epilogue that it worked for me and I loved it.
Ruin Me by Midnight is the third book in The Flower Sisters series. It can be read as a standalone.
There’s four encounters plus an additional scene in the second epilogue that is available via newsletter signup.
4.5/5 How hard could it possibly be to purposely stage your own ruination? For Violet it turns out to be more difficult than expected. Her simple plan becomes an example of murphy’s law. Not only does this lead to fun ways Violet and Callum fail to get caught, but their constant close proximity during the house party allows for real feelings to develop. Which only makes the situation they’ve created frustrating and more complicated.
Underneath the misadventures are two people that have been deeply affected from events in their past and afraid of letting anyone close. Violet is further along in her journey than Callum but still has moments of vulnerability. She understands her worth and won’t anything short of it. Callum is stubborn and has shouldered the responsibility of others for longer than anyone asked him to.
I found both their journeys emotional and enjoyed their love story. It was unlikely and they each fought it every step of the way but the natural pull of their attraction and compatibility wouldn’t allow them to let the other go. But I still wondered at times, how everything would still work out until almost the very end. There was enough page time dedicated to showing how much they should be together plus the epilogue and extended epilogue that it worked for me and I loved it.
Ruin Me by Midnight is the third book in The Flower Sisters series. It can be read as a standalone.
There’s four encounters plus an additional scene in the second epilogue that is available via newsletter signup.
May 24, 2024
Ruin me by Midnight is everything a beautiful romance should be. The pacing was absolute perfection, with the characters and their complex emotions building — the devastation of their past traumas unraveling bit by bit. I felt like a marionette being danced about on my strings.
While I adored the wit and charm of this book, the humor and steam and rawness of both main characters, what sets it apart from so many books is the author’s remarkable ability to make the reader experience the visceral pain of the characters divided loyalties as if it was their own.
Callum was so entrenched in the guilt of his past that the thought of forgiving himself and breaking free from his perceived past failure was inconceivable. Nothing about his pain or the agony he experienced when life offered him alternate path away from that darkness felt the slightest bit contrived. Violet was so real and human on the page… her vulnerability and struggle to overcome the cruelty of the world so authentic that I loved her from the start.
Like all Ginny’s previous novels, the writing is wonderfully vivid and descriptive, allowing me to see every moment of the story in my head as the pages turned. None of the supporting characters felt flat or simplistic and each played a vital role showing the depth of our main characters… along with making me laugh on countless occasions.
It was the kind of story that has you closing your kindle to breathe between chapters because you are so caught up in the universe you’re reading. I’d give this ten stars if I could. An unforgettable love story.
While I adored the wit and charm of this book, the humor and steam and rawness of both main characters, what sets it apart from so many books is the author’s remarkable ability to make the reader experience the visceral pain of the characters divided loyalties as if it was their own.
Callum was so entrenched in the guilt of his past that the thought of forgiving himself and breaking free from his perceived past failure was inconceivable. Nothing about his pain or the agony he experienced when life offered him alternate path away from that darkness felt the slightest bit contrived. Violet was so real and human on the page… her vulnerability and struggle to overcome the cruelty of the world so authentic that I loved her from the start.
Like all Ginny’s previous novels, the writing is wonderfully vivid and descriptive, allowing me to see every moment of the story in my head as the pages turned. None of the supporting characters felt flat or simplistic and each played a vital role showing the depth of our main characters… along with making me laugh on countless occasions.
It was the kind of story that has you closing your kindle to breathe between chapters because you are so caught up in the universe you’re reading. I’d give this ten stars if I could. An unforgettable love story.
June 2, 2024
How to describe how I feel about this book, 🤔
The characters are masterfully drawn and their story is breathtaking and beautiful and no denying the spicy steam between them!!! The book is too short and the epilogue (this a wonderful epilogue) came much too soon!!
I fell fast and hard for Callum Hawthorne (Scottish business man and all-around honorable man) but Violet Waverly beat me to him! Okay, okay, I know these are just characters in a story but the author breathes life into them and made them come alive and walk around in my brain!! I felt their pain and their angst and their glorious love for each other and just ugh, this book made me stay up long nights and read while I’m supposed to be doing housework (darn it!). Violet and Callum have lived rent free in my head and heart for a few days now so I could put together the right words to write this review because it is VERY hard to sum up how their story made me feel!! It was a lovely story with a funny goose named Kevin, muddy children, fierce friends, a crazy, lovable aunt, a cousin who is also lovable (but not crazy) and two people who would not be denied their happily ever after no matter what!! Please do not deny yourself the pleasure of this book, it is one very memorable one!!
Brava Ginny!! Brava!! ♥️🔥🔥🔥🦢📚✨💫🌟
The characters are masterfully drawn and their story is breathtaking and beautiful and no denying the spicy steam between them!!! The book is too short and the epilogue (this a wonderful epilogue) came much too soon!!
I fell fast and hard for Callum Hawthorne (Scottish business man and all-around honorable man) but Violet Waverly beat me to him! Okay, okay, I know these are just characters in a story but the author breathes life into them and made them come alive and walk around in my brain!! I felt their pain and their angst and their glorious love for each other and just ugh, this book made me stay up long nights and read while I’m supposed to be doing housework (darn it!). Violet and Callum have lived rent free in my head and heart for a few days now so I could put together the right words to write this review because it is VERY hard to sum up how their story made me feel!! It was a lovely story with a funny goose named Kevin, muddy children, fierce friends, a crazy, lovable aunt, a cousin who is also lovable (but not crazy) and two people who would not be denied their happily ever after no matter what!! Please do not deny yourself the pleasure of this book, it is one very memorable one!!
Brava Ginny!! Brava!! ♥️🔥🔥🔥🦢📚✨💫🌟
June 13, 2024
Fake relationships are one of my favourite ‘sticky’ moments in a romance. It’s delightful to watch romance sneak up on the unsuspecting couple, as they go about their business, and then all of a sudden… bam!
Violet has had enough. She made one small mistake, with enormous consequences, and is responsible for her family’s impoverishment. She’s also had enough of guilt, whispers and being pushed into a future she doesn’t want. In a moment of inspiration, she comes up with a plan… if she were to be ruined, properly, publicly ruined, she would be left alone. She may face a future without love, but at least she would have independence.
Enter Callum. He needs contacts, and Violet can provide them. The two enter into an agreement to help one another. However, from renegade geese to food poisoning, every effort to ruin Violet ends in disaster.
Ruin me at Midnight is more than a saucy novel with fantastic attraction between two lost souls (although its got that too), it’s also a story of the complexities of self-forgiveness. It’s a hard road to traverse, and Moore does a beautiful job of taking her two troubled MCs and drawing them into the light of a future of their own choosing.
Violet has had enough. She made one small mistake, with enormous consequences, and is responsible for her family’s impoverishment. She’s also had enough of guilt, whispers and being pushed into a future she doesn’t want. In a moment of inspiration, she comes up with a plan… if she were to be ruined, properly, publicly ruined, she would be left alone. She may face a future without love, but at least she would have independence.
Enter Callum. He needs contacts, and Violet can provide them. The two enter into an agreement to help one another. However, from renegade geese to food poisoning, every effort to ruin Violet ends in disaster.
Ruin me at Midnight is more than a saucy novel with fantastic attraction between two lost souls (although its got that too), it’s also a story of the complexities of self-forgiveness. It’s a hard road to traverse, and Moore does a beautiful job of taking her two troubled MCs and drawing them into the light of a future of their own choosing.
May 24, 2024
How much do you love that moment when you know the book you're reading is going to steal your heart as well as all the time you were going to devote to the rest of your life?
Well, on page one of Ruin Me by Midnight, I knew I was going to be putting an 'out of office' automatic reply on my emails and feeding the family takeaway until I'd finished this amazing book.
Ginny Moore is an author who knows how to create characters so believable, you think you know them, and a story so engaging, you'll be squealing with delight. It's got steam (fans self), humour (snort-laughed countless times), swoon (be still my beating heart), and so many feels that I cried.
Her writing is engaging, intelligent and polished. She knows exactly what she is doing and has crafted a novel that you need to put on your TBR list RIGHT NOW!
I absolutely adored this book and cannot recommend it more highly. Get it. Read it. Love it. Then thank me profusely. The end.
Well, on page one of Ruin Me by Midnight, I knew I was going to be putting an 'out of office' automatic reply on my emails and feeding the family takeaway until I'd finished this amazing book.
Ginny Moore is an author who knows how to create characters so believable, you think you know them, and a story so engaging, you'll be squealing with delight. It's got steam (fans self), humour (snort-laughed countless times), swoon (be still my beating heart), and so many feels that I cried.
Her writing is engaging, intelligent and polished. She knows exactly what she is doing and has crafted a novel that you need to put on your TBR list RIGHT NOW!
I absolutely adored this book and cannot recommend it more highly. Get it. Read it. Love it. Then thank me profusely. The end.
May 26, 2024
Violet is trying to dodge a proposal from a man she doesn’t want to marry and thinks that a ruination will get him to ditch her. While she’s at a house party, she makes a deal with Callum for a fake ruination that will leave him the good guy and her a scandalous wanton. Except that they’re truly attracted to each other and they never seem to get caught in all the situations they put themselves in. Both Violet and Callum are deeply broken by events of their respective pasts that make them wary of any lasting connections. They’ve both got to overcome their own fears before being able to move on. I loved seeing them actually open up to each other about their pasts and also all the steamy scenes between them.
May 26, 2024
A beautiful book, with some humor, a good dose of angst and Moore’s fabulous writing! I loved the characters very much, both main and side ones.
Callum is such a big, grumpy cinnamon roll of man! So sweet and wounded. I was just slightly irritated with him because he clung to the past like no others, but I understand that childhood experiences can be impossible to let go. I loved Violet as well and I felt for her, because she was really unlucky with her men… The side love story (Violet’s cousin’s!) was the icing on the cake for me. All in all, perfection!
Callum is such a big, grumpy cinnamon roll of man! So sweet and wounded. I was just slightly irritated with him because he clung to the past like no others, but I understand that childhood experiences can be impossible to let go. I loved Violet as well and I felt for her, because she was really unlucky with her men… The side love story (Violet’s cousin’s!) was the icing on the cake for me. All in all, perfection!
June 3, 2024
What a fun ride!
This story was excellent. There was laughter, crying, angst, heartbreak, romance, passion, and redemption. My goodness! I loved the story of Callum and Violet. Both had their pasts to overcome, but they couldn’t deny they were better together. While their issues and circumstances are certainly specific, I found the characters relatable and interesting. The author also did a wonderful job of inserting laugh out loud moments all throughout the story. I also enjoyed it wasn’t the typical aristocratic story. A nice change, but still similar and familiar.
This story was excellent. There was laughter, crying, angst, heartbreak, romance, passion, and redemption. My goodness! I loved the story of Callum and Violet. Both had their pasts to overcome, but they couldn’t deny they were better together. While their issues and circumstances are certainly specific, I found the characters relatable and interesting. The author also did a wonderful job of inserting laugh out loud moments all throughout the story. I also enjoyed it wasn’t the typical aristocratic story. A nice change, but still similar and familiar.
May 25, 2024
This was a beautiful and emotional story. It has a light premise of fake dating but both Violet and Callum have really heavy, dark pasts. Well you know that they won't be able to keep it strictly on the surface and catch feelings pretty hard. They also offer so much emotional support to each other and help start to heal the past. Excellent writing. Very swoony and steamy. Highly recommend!
Thank you to the author for the ARC. Opinions are my own.
Thank you to the author for the ARC. Opinions are my own.
May 29, 2024
Trying to get ruined is harder than it looks! Callum and Violet have to contend with geese, fires, food poisoning, and broken door knobs while attempting to ruin Violet so she doesn't have to marry the gentleman her parents have picked for her.
Both the hero and heroine have difficult pasts to work through, so in addition to the humor, there is also quite a lot of depth here as well.
This book is definitely spicy, but the love between the couple feels authentic. The time spent together feels quite joyful.
I love some longing and yearning and the second half of the book definitely provides plenty of that. I do feel a bit torn about how things wrap up at the end.
Also, 100% adored the secondary couple, Timothy and James.
I really enjoyed this one, although Rose is currently still number one for me
I received an ARC. All opinions are my own.
Both the hero and heroine have difficult pasts to work through, so in addition to the humor, there is also quite a lot of depth here as well.
This book is definitely spicy, but the love between the couple feels authentic. The time spent together feels quite joyful.
I love some longing and yearning and the second half of the book definitely provides plenty of that. I do feel a bit torn about how things wrap up at the end.
Also, 100% adored the secondary couple, Timothy and James.
I really enjoyed this one, although Rose is currently still number one for me
I received an ARC. All opinions are my own.
February 6, 2025
Ruination!
This concept had my mind 'boggling'! The way this story was told was really funny,
Can you imagine a young lady needing and wanting to be ruined? I was hooked. Brilliant concept and the saga just kept on gettting better and better.
I loved it so much and the characters, well they fitted their roles so well that they made this a story to remember.
This concept had my mind 'boggling'! The way this story was told was really funny,
Can you imagine a young lady needing and wanting to be ruined? I was hooked. Brilliant concept and the saga just kept on gettting better and better.
I loved it so much and the characters, well they fitted their roles so well that they made this a story to remember.
May 23, 2024
Violet has had a lot happen in her life. Then all changes at a two week house party. When a brilliant read. You are hooked in straight away. The different layers to these characters is perfect. Oooo and the tension between these two you can almost feel the steam rise off the page!
June 3, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was my first book by this author and won't be my last. Writing is smooth, and the story is wonderful with just the right amount of steam and some humor, too. I adored the epilogue!
June 16, 2024
This was a delight! I don’t know where I heard about this one but I am going to check out the rest in the series. This does work as a standalone but I look forward to seeing other characters stories! 5⭐️
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