Riches to Ruinville: A Laugh-Out-Loud Women’s Fiction Novel About Two Socialites, One Swamp, and Zero Survival Skills

by Katherine Hastings

From USA Today Bestselling author Katherine Hastings, whose books have won the SOVAS Award for Best Humor and been final nominees multiple times for the Best Humor Book AUDIE Awards, comes a laugh-out-loud tale of riches to rags…

Two Manhattan socialites. One Louisiana shack. Zero survival skills. What could go wrong?

For decades, CeCe and Diane ruled New York's elite—frenemies locked in a glitzy battle for social supremacy. Then the FBI showed up. Their husbands vanished with millions in stolen money, leaving the queens of couture with nothing.

No assets. No homes. Not even a yacht to fight over.

Penniless, homeless, and humiliated, the longtime rivals have no choice but to take refuge in the only place they have left—a crumbling house in Ruinville, Louisiana, inherited from Diane’s long-lost aunt.

The bayou is a far cry from Fifth Avenue. The neighbors are eccentric, the humidity is murder on their hair, and the resident alligator has zero respect for personal space. With no Plan B, CeCe, Diane, and CeCe’s ever-loyal assistant, Julian, must rebuild from scratch.

That means jobs (ugh), Walmart (gasp), and worst of all—depending on each other.

But if they can survive the bayou—and each other—they just might discover a second act they never saw coming.

Perfect for book clubs and readers who love humorous women’s fiction, unlikely friendships, and hilarious second chances, Riches to Ruinville is a feel-good novel that proves it’s never too late to start over.

444 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 20, 2025

About the author

USA Today bestselling author Katherine Hastings writes books that make readers laugh, swoon, and escape into unforgettable adventures. From hilarious women’s fiction to swoon-worthy romance and high-stakes suspense, she weaves stories filled with heart, humor, and a dash of chaos.

Her books have been AUDIE Award-nominated for Best Humor and have won the SOVAS Award for Best Humor, proving that laughter and storytelling go hand in hand.

When she’s not crafting page-turning tales, you’ll find her in Wisconsin, snuggling her husband, two Boston Terriers, and the world’s naughtiest cat. If she’s not writing indoors, she’s outside with her horses, ducks, and Sebastopol geese—because life is better with a little fur and feathers.

Her happy place? Floating in the lake with a book, a cold drink, and a plate of Fried Wisconsin Cheese Curds.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 rounded down to 3. The book was entertaining and the characters were mostly enjoyable, even though they frequently came across as college-age instead of women in their 60s.

However...if you're going to set a book in Louisiana and have characters that are Cajun or use Cajun phrases, PLEASE, for the love of god, get a Cajun editor or reader to go through your book before publishing.

These things may seem small, but for a culture that's losing its language and that is nearly always portrayed incorrectly in media, the little things really matter. Example: while you can spell the Cajun term of endearment "cher" it is not pronounced the same as in standard French, so the joke about thinking she's being called Cher, simply does not work. A lot of Cajuns usually write it as "sha" since it's closer to how it's pronounced.

Actually it just needs to be proofread in general. It's "y'all," not "ya'll," and it's "air of importance" not "heir of importance."

So if you're considering reading the book because you're Cajun or from Louisiana or anything along those lines, maybe skip this one.

[MommaP · Rating 3 out of 5]

so the beginning of the book had me laughing out loud. I actually just finished a rather suspenseful read, and my book club decided to change it up a bit. I had high hopes till the mush fest started. This could have been a 5 star read if the author had continued the path of humor described in the earlier sections and left the Harlequin romance garbage out till the very end. It all ended up as a big disappointment for me. I gave it a 3 because of the genuinely funny humor in parts, her characters, Mainly Julian and the towns people, the gator and the frenemy versions of the two female leads Diane and CeCe. The author had a good thing going. until she didnt! Just a sadly missed opportunity to be a standout comedy and uplifting book.

[Lynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the beginning I hated the character of CeCe and almost didn’t read any further. I’m glad I persevered as I really got pulled in by the rest of the story. Diane and CeCe are left penniless and homeless when their rich husbands abscond with millions of stolen dollars. Diane's aunt has recently died and she left her broken down old house in a small bayou town and a small amount of money to Diane. CeCe and her personal assistant, Julian, beg Diane for a temporary home so they all head to the sticks.

[Deb Randolph · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good...didn't want it to end

What a great book. I was drawn in from the very beginning by the great characters, and I could not stop reading. I could not imagine having to start my life over with nothing, especially if I had been rich. But, these three head off to a tiny town and try their best to fit in. This book is full of hardships, laughter, and love, which left me with a warm, fuzzy feeling. I didn't want their story to end.

[lindi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Riches to Ruinville

This book started out so promising. It was funny. It was fun reading until it got stupid. Everything is so neatly tied up at the end of the book. It is so unrealistic and a waste of time. I outgrew syrupy romances many years ago. this really is geared to a 14 year-old teenager.

[Debra Nash · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really struggled with the first 5 chapters. Maybe I just couldn’t relate to what the characters were going through. They weren’t very likable. I almost deleted it from Kindle- but I powered through. Once the characters got to Ruinville things picked up. Made me laugh out loud a few times. Romance was there but nothing graphic. Satisfying ending.

[Charly Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book

This is the first book I have read by this author. Talk about a feel good and a nice story about overcoming and growing as a person. We see the struggles of three different people and how they evolve. I would recommend this book if you want some laughs, shed a tear and root that they learn.

[Michelle Strommen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so fun! The storyline was hilarious and I laughed so much. CeCe, Julian and Diane were crack ups and the community of Ruinville was great! Small town living at its finest. Love all her books!

[Bambi Sommers · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun read

What would you do if you lost everything? A good place to start would be following the path of these two women and their best friend, Julian. Who knew coming back from having it all (or so they thought), to being destitute could be a lesson in laughter and love.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an absolutely wonderfully entertaining book. It was funny in so many places, but I also felt there was a lot of truth to these upper class women trying to best each other. Thank you for a great read, which btw I read it in one day. Couldn't put it down.

[Jeannie Vitale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Story!

This book made me laugh out loud many times. Great characters, romance and different situations in each chapter. Easy to visualize each character and the scenes that were described. I will be sure to read other books by this author.

[Joseph Keefer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

Loved all the characters in this book, the story was great. I love all the adventures that the characters went on and how they all became their own person with their own and new adventures in life. Anyone over the age of 50 should read this book it's really good and cute

[Patty Hoefer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun story

Loved the book! A fun story that will make you laugh and bring a happy tear to your eye. Absolutely LOVED the Wilder Widows and thought this would be just as good. I was right!!

[Shelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

easy summer read

This book had me laughing so hard I had tears! Thank you for such a fun read! I really enjoyed it.

[Elizabeth D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this, a light, fun summer read. Someone needs to make it into a movie!

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Hoot!

This book was so entertaining!! I laughed out loud more than once plus had a tear or two during part of it. I would love a sequel!

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun, light read.

[kelly mcguire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read
Wild ride
Loved it all
Want more

[Betzi Hiller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was fun lighr reading. Ok for summer read.

[Lynn Stepnakowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much fun

Just the right amount of humor. I laughed, then got mad right along with the characters. I had a hard time putting it down. So glad I choose this book.

[Margaret]

I enjoyed this book very much; had a few good laughs;

[Rhonda C · Rating 4 out of 5]

feel good story!

[Juliejessup]

It's a great read. I finished it in 2 days. It gives you lots of things to think about. There are always at least two ways to interpret life. I did laugh out loud!!!

[Linda Schranz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laughs

Funny, feel good book. I really enjoyed this book and the characters.🌟 I really think that's enough of a review.

[Carol McClain · Rating 3 out of 5]

fun

I liked most of it. But near the end it rambled. Since we knew the ending, lots could be cut. The editing needed work.

[Sheila Milardo · Rating 4 out of 5]

riches to ruin like

Kept me entertained while these characters you started as enemies through their lavish life came to a abrupt halt to learning how to be real friends

[John Wadosky · Rating 3 out of 5]

fun book

Enjoyed this book. Look forward to more books like this. Characters seem believable. They changed their lives for the better.

[Rebecca Steele · Rating 5 out of 5]

From riches to rags! Laugh out loud funny. Oh how the mighty socialites fall.