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Her Life in Ruins
Not yet published
Expected 5 Jan 27A laugh-out-loud, friends–to–lovers rom com set in Silicon Valley and the Yucatán Peninsula, about a hard–partying archaeologist, her grad school love interest, and a high–stakes heist.
Life as she knew it is ancient history.
Brilliant but a train wreck, Catherine Saunders is this close to getting her PhD in archaeology from Stanford. All she needs to do is finish her dissertation and then everything she’s endured over the past six years—summer digs in sweltering rainforests, comically disastrous hookups, and bloated student loan balances—will be worth it.
Then the subject of her dissertation, a priceless Maya artifact, is stolen. With the help of her enigmatic research partner, Yolandra, and her very attractive, very exasperating fellow grad student, Nick, Catherine traces the stolen vase to a notorious antiquities forger in Mexico. It’s only a matter of time before it disappears forever . . . along with Catherine’s entire academic career.
Unless she steals it back.
On a trip to the Yucatán littered with pampered tourists and greedy collectors, Catherine’s closest ally is Nick, whose sincerity and principles are nearly as unhelpful as her growing attraction to him. Will she risk her integrity to achieve her dreams? Or will her ambitions (and love life) end in a tank of cheap wine and bad decisions?
For fans of The Love Hypothesis and Really Good, Actually, Her Life in Ruins is a wry, propulsive novel of friends-to-lovers tension and all the reckless, overly ambitious, desperately horny glory of womanhood.
Life as she knew it is ancient history.
Brilliant but a train wreck, Catherine Saunders is this close to getting her PhD in archaeology from Stanford. All she needs to do is finish her dissertation and then everything she’s endured over the past six years—summer digs in sweltering rainforests, comically disastrous hookups, and bloated student loan balances—will be worth it.
Then the subject of her dissertation, a priceless Maya artifact, is stolen. With the help of her enigmatic research partner, Yolandra, and her very attractive, very exasperating fellow grad student, Nick, Catherine traces the stolen vase to a notorious antiquities forger in Mexico. It’s only a matter of time before it disappears forever . . . along with Catherine’s entire academic career.
Unless she steals it back.
On a trip to the Yucatán littered with pampered tourists and greedy collectors, Catherine’s closest ally is Nick, whose sincerity and principles are nearly as unhelpful as her growing attraction to him. Will she risk her integrity to achieve her dreams? Or will her ambitions (and love life) end in a tank of cheap wine and bad decisions?
For fans of The Love Hypothesis and Really Good, Actually, Her Life in Ruins is a wry, propulsive novel of friends-to-lovers tension and all the reckless, overly ambitious, desperately horny glory of womanhood.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication January 5, 2027
About the author
Cynthia W. Gentry
21 books32 followersCynthia W. Gentry didn’t set out to write about sex, although anyone who knew about the Barbie-doll nudist camps she staged as a child might disagree. When she was nine, she self-published a book of short stories full of ghost stories and tales of talking animals, like the lion cub whose mother told her that if she roared, no one would ever want to marry her. The cub roared anyway.
The author of seven nonfiction books on sex and relationships, Cynthia continues to be fascinated by the psychology of desire. Her work has been translated into French, Spanish, German, Italian, and Brazilian Portuguese.
Cynthia lives with her husband, son, and two cats in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she received her B.A. in English from Stanford University and a master’s in journalism from the University of California at Berkeley. She enjoys reading, movies, good food, and running (so she can continue to eat good food).
The author of seven nonfiction books on sex and relationships, Cynthia continues to be fascinated by the psychology of desire. Her work has been translated into French, Spanish, German, Italian, and Brazilian Portuguese.
Cynthia lives with her husband, son, and two cats in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she received her B.A. in English from Stanford University and a master’s in journalism from the University of California at Berkeley. She enjoys reading, movies, good food, and running (so she can continue to eat good food).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
April 28, 2026
No notes. This book was just perfect. I loved the adventure, the romance, the suspense, the side characters. Katherine was such a fun character that had such depth and complexity. Nick was the same, and just such a fun character. Mary stole the show, but wow this book was just so well done. The plot was strong and engaging and these characters all stood on their own. I would read 5000 books about these characters and their adventures at different sites and catching art thieves and putting colonizers in their place. Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book for my review!
May 14, 2026
2 ⭐️ thank you netgalley and Cynthia W. Gentry for the e-arc!
“Her Life in Ruins” doesn’t stray too far from the title. Catherine’s life, is indeed, in ruins. Her dissertation is being thrown aside as she parties, has meaningless hook ups and drinks to her hearts content. It’s not that she doesn’t want to write it—she is stuck on the interpretation of Mayan glyphs that could change the archeology world. This sets up an incredibly interesting plot, with meddling side characters and a rich exploration of Maya culture.
However, this book is being advertised as a “friends to lovers rom-com set in Silicon Valley and the Yucatán Peninsula, about a hard–partying archaeologist, her grad school love interest, and a high–stakes heist.” To me, that doesn’t really reflect the plot… at all. In fact, as an avid romance reader, the romantic plot line really hindered most of the other aspects of the book for me.
Catherine is very headstrong and I loved that about her. She doesn’t take shit from anyone, and is incredibly intelligent. But… she also comes off as an asshole in her relationship with Nick. And I’m not a huge fan of Nick (we genuinely do not learn enough about him for me to like him), so that says a lot. She describes him as foul-smelling, unattractive and constantly belittles him in her mind. I was shocked that he was supposed to be the love interest in this story.
This book is also incredibly predictable. I don’t want to go into the spoilers so I won’t say much more on that!
I really enjoyed all aspects of the adventure, of the heist, of the research. Those parts of the book were incredibly strong and well-researched. I could tell the author put a lot of time into them, and it was very intriguing to learn more about this history that I was completely unaware of. I think the third-act ends a little abruptly, but we honestly wouldn’t need it to go on much longer.
There are some layers that never get explored (Nick’s “criminal” ex-girlfriend), as well as some layers that felt very thrown in (Catherine’s relationship with her family). I wish we took out the romance and just focused more on these characters as individuals.
I wished I liked this more.
“Her Life in Ruins” doesn’t stray too far from the title. Catherine’s life, is indeed, in ruins. Her dissertation is being thrown aside as she parties, has meaningless hook ups and drinks to her hearts content. It’s not that she doesn’t want to write it—she is stuck on the interpretation of Mayan glyphs that could change the archeology world. This sets up an incredibly interesting plot, with meddling side characters and a rich exploration of Maya culture.
However, this book is being advertised as a “friends to lovers rom-com set in Silicon Valley and the Yucatán Peninsula, about a hard–partying archaeologist, her grad school love interest, and a high–stakes heist.” To me, that doesn’t really reflect the plot… at all. In fact, as an avid romance reader, the romantic plot line really hindered most of the other aspects of the book for me.
Catherine is very headstrong and I loved that about her. She doesn’t take shit from anyone, and is incredibly intelligent. But… she also comes off as an asshole in her relationship with Nick. And I’m not a huge fan of Nick (we genuinely do not learn enough about him for me to like him), so that says a lot. She describes him as foul-smelling, unattractive and constantly belittles him in her mind. I was shocked that he was supposed to be the love interest in this story.
This book is also incredibly predictable. I don’t want to go into the spoilers so I won’t say much more on that!
I really enjoyed all aspects of the adventure, of the heist, of the research. Those parts of the book were incredibly strong and well-researched. I could tell the author put a lot of time into them, and it was very intriguing to learn more about this history that I was completely unaware of. I think the third-act ends a little abruptly, but we honestly wouldn’t need it to go on much longer.
There are some layers that never get explored (Nick’s “criminal” ex-girlfriend), as well as some layers that felt very thrown in (Catherine’s relationship with her family). I wish we took out the romance and just focused more on these characters as individuals.
I wished I liked this more.
March 17, 2026
The banter in Her Life in Ruins by Cynthia W Gentry was absolutely hilarious! I really enjoyed the archeological aspects of this book as well since it broke up the story just enough to add to it. A really well written friends to lovers story with quite the mess to clean up, this was overall such a fun read!
Thank you NetGalley and Abram’s Books for the ARC!
Thank you NetGalley and Abram’s Books for the ARC!
April 7, 2026
Her Life in Ruins by Cynthia Gentry was an engaging read that kept me interested throughout. I enjoyed the mix of mystery and history, though some of the deeper Maya history felt a bit dense and hard to follow at times. A few plot points also felt a little far-fetched. Overall though, a solid and enjoyable read with a unique premise.
Thank you to NetGalley and akaSTORY for the opportunity to read and review this eARC!
Thank you to NetGalley and akaSTORY for the opportunity to read and review this eARC!
May 3, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Catherine is struggling to finish her PhD dissertation - translating the glyphs on a newly discovered Maya vessel - when the most devastating things possible happen: the vase is stolen from the Guatemalan museum where it’s being held and someone breaks into her apartment and deletes all of her photos and notes. She’s screwed unless she can somehow an illustrious art forger in Mexico, who is rumored to be behind the heist, to give her back the original piece in time to finish her paper and save her career. With an upcoming alumni tour of the Yucatán peninsula coming up over spring break, she may have the slimmest of chances. Accompanied by her fellow grad student, Nick, who she’s also falling fast for, she races across the lush landscape of Mexico to save herself and possibly lose her heart.
Phew, there’s a lot going on in this book, from the light mystery, which I think is pretty obvious as far as who the bad guys are, but still has some interesting twists and turns in it, at least enough to vaguely hold my interest, to the love story, which let’s be real, is the true reason we’re reading. But I think everything is written well enough and simple enough that it is easy to keep track of, which was great! I was never lost in the storyline, and there were few enough characters (even with the alumni) that I could keep everyone straight. Big plus!
I really enjoyed the story and how it took us all on this journey through the Yucatán and really immersed us in Maya culture while not bogging everything down in minute details. It was enough to be a fun getaway and backdrop for the main story, but didn’t distract from the romance, which was white-hot and just enough to keep me satiated, not overdone. Another big plus for the book!
The only thing I didn’t love was the FMC. She was a bit of a “pick me,” which made me cringe at points. She was constantly rolling her eyes at things people said or judging others for being pretentious and judgy, when she was the one being, you know, judgy. Very “I think I’m too good for this” energy. But she’s in her mid-20s, so I think she’ll probably learn and look back and cringe along with us.
Overall, I really liked this book! It had a good plot and setting, just a bit of a frustrating heroine. But aren’t we all at that age, lol?
Phew, there’s a lot going on in this book, from the light mystery, which I think is pretty obvious as far as who the bad guys are, but still has some interesting twists and turns in it, at least enough to vaguely hold my interest, to the love story, which let’s be real, is the true reason we’re reading. But I think everything is written well enough and simple enough that it is easy to keep track of, which was great! I was never lost in the storyline, and there were few enough characters (even with the alumni) that I could keep everyone straight. Big plus!
I really enjoyed the story and how it took us all on this journey through the Yucatán and really immersed us in Maya culture while not bogging everything down in minute details. It was enough to be a fun getaway and backdrop for the main story, but didn’t distract from the romance, which was white-hot and just enough to keep me satiated, not overdone. Another big plus for the book!
The only thing I didn’t love was the FMC. She was a bit of a “pick me,” which made me cringe at points. She was constantly rolling her eyes at things people said or judging others for being pretentious and judgy, when she was the one being, you know, judgy. Very “I think I’m too good for this” energy. But she’s in her mid-20s, so I think she’ll probably learn and look back and cringe along with us.
Overall, I really liked this book! It had a good plot and setting, just a bit of a frustrating heroine. But aren’t we all at that age, lol?
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Thank you to the publisher for a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This one is difficult for me and I soft DNF-ed twice before finally giving up at 66%.
The good:
History and archaeology- the author very clearly did her research on Mesoamerica and the Maya to develop this story to feel authentic and the archaeology and history was very impressive. Descriptions of ruins and the places they were visiting were beautifully written. And the desperation of a PhD student was well-done. As well as Catherine’s general love of the field.
The not so good:
The romance and culprit- I won’t spoil the culprit but it was quite obvious. That being said, perhaps there is even more of a twist later on that I didn’t get to that includes more people.
The romance really did not work for me. This was supposed to be a friends-to-lovers situation and not once did I ever feel like Catherine actually liked Nick as a friend (and especially not as anything more than that). She seemed to, at best, tolerate him. It was a lot more telling than showing, she would think in her head “he’s one of my best friends” and then there was zero showing that, she always seemed annoyed by him. And he was introduced the first time as smelling terrible which was an interesting choice? Catherine regularly thought of how she has never once been attracted to him and then suddenly takes all her clothes off. Every time anything happened between them, it was completely random and sudden which was very jarring. Something else I was not expecting from this book that talks about sex (Catherine is recently divorced and spends A LOT of time thinking about all of her sexual exploits since then, even referring to it as her Post-Divorce Period of Harlotry) was that it was closed-door. The first time they have sex, the chapter ends at kissing/getting undressed and then the next chapter is a full flashback of some other guy she went out with and slept with (but there actually IS penetration in that scene?), and then next chapter is the next day after they apparently did it all night. That just didn’t fit the vibes of this book for me. Nick is clearly in love with her and she seems to barely like him and is often not particularly nice to him either.
This one is difficult for me and I soft DNF-ed twice before finally giving up at 66%.
The good:
History and archaeology- the author very clearly did her research on Mesoamerica and the Maya to develop this story to feel authentic and the archaeology and history was very impressive. Descriptions of ruins and the places they were visiting were beautifully written. And the desperation of a PhD student was well-done. As well as Catherine’s general love of the field.
The not so good:
The romance and culprit- I won’t spoil the culprit but it was quite obvious. That being said, perhaps there is even more of a twist later on that I didn’t get to that includes more people.
The romance really did not work for me. This was supposed to be a friends-to-lovers situation and not once did I ever feel like Catherine actually liked Nick as a friend (and especially not as anything more than that). She seemed to, at best, tolerate him. It was a lot more telling than showing, she would think in her head “he’s one of my best friends” and then there was zero showing that, she always seemed annoyed by him. And he was introduced the first time as smelling terrible which was an interesting choice? Catherine regularly thought of how she has never once been attracted to him and then suddenly takes all her clothes off. Every time anything happened between them, it was completely random and sudden which was very jarring. Something else I was not expecting from this book that talks about sex (Catherine is recently divorced and spends A LOT of time thinking about all of her sexual exploits since then, even referring to it as her Post-Divorce Period of Harlotry) was that it was closed-door. The first time they have sex, the chapter ends at kissing/getting undressed and then the next chapter is a full flashback of some other guy she went out with and slept with (but there actually IS penetration in that scene?), and then next chapter is the next day after they apparently did it all night. That just didn’t fit the vibes of this book for me. Nick is clearly in love with her and she seems to barely like him and is often not particularly nice to him either.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The delicious double entendre of the title sets this book up perfectly. Catherine Saunders’ life is in ruins…she’s freshly divorced, partying a bit too hard, and struggling to complete her PhD dissertation on time…she’s also an archeologist. The female main character might currently be a mess, but she’s also incredibly intelligent, empowered, and independent, which sets this book up as a modern romantic comedy where the woman isn’t looking for love to rescue her or complete her life. Catherine is going to do that herself, and love- if she finds it- is a wonderful bonus. This fast-paced book is exceptionally smart and focused on the struggles of academia in the humanities fields. The characters’ motivations feel very true to life, and the descriptions of Catherine’s thirst to complete her academic work with integrity were powerful. I was cheering her on as she confronted looting, smuggling, and antiquities fraud! Similarly, Catherine’s ownership of her sexuality and determination to move through the world and her relationships without shame was so refreshing! The book had just a dash of spice to keep things interesting!
Her Life in Ruins is the debut novel from Cynthia W. Gentry, who is best known for her nonfiction works on sex and relationships. Her previous work clearly influenced her development of Catherine into a strong, intelligent, and sex-positive character and created a socially progressive story. That enlightened mentality is also apparent in the author’s treatment of the Maya cultural heritage featured in the book and the nuanced corrections made by the main characters to outdated, incorrect, or prejudiced language and beliefs. This book was very culturally aware and provided incredibly interesting information about a commonly misunderstood people. I not only enjoyed the story, but I also learned a lot as well! I would recommend this book to anyone who loves archeology, adventure stories, and romance!
Thank you to the publisher, Cynthia W. Gentry, and NetGalley for the advance reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. #HerLifeinRuins #NetGalley
Her Life in Ruins is the debut novel from Cynthia W. Gentry, who is best known for her nonfiction works on sex and relationships. Her previous work clearly influenced her development of Catherine into a strong, intelligent, and sex-positive character and created a socially progressive story. That enlightened mentality is also apparent in the author’s treatment of the Maya cultural heritage featured in the book and the nuanced corrections made by the main characters to outdated, incorrect, or prejudiced language and beliefs. This book was very culturally aware and provided incredibly interesting information about a commonly misunderstood people. I not only enjoyed the story, but I also learned a lot as well! I would recommend this book to anyone who loves archeology, adventure stories, and romance!
Thank you to the publisher, Cynthia W. Gentry, and NetGalley for the advance reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. #HerLifeinRuins #NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Abrams Books for providing me with an advanced copy of this text in exchange for an honest review!
This book follows Catherine, a PhD student in archaeology, who is oh so close to finishing her dissertation when the vase she's doing her dissertation on is stolen. Various high jinks ensue when she decides the only way to move forward is to try to steal it back, with the help of her friend, Nick, and her research partner, Yolandra.
This book did slowly grow on me. I was an anthropology major who did look into getting into archaeology, so the premise grabbed me right away. I enjoyed learning more about the field and some of the ethical challenges that come along with it. I enjoyed the side characters, particularly Yolandra and Mary, and there were a few moments that made me actually laugh out loud. For people who like some adventure in addition to their romance, the adventure piece is definitely there, though not as much as I expected from the book blurb.
The main thing that grated on me was Catherine herself. She improved toward the end of the book, but the first 50% or so I really couldn't stand her. For someone who goes on and on about how important getting a PhD is to her, how smart she is, how she was told to act dumber as a child to get mens' attention, etc, she certainly talks A LOT about all of the men around her and how much she is or is not into them. It felt like every time she mentioned Nick, Catherine had to think about how he was "just a friend", even before any feelings were there at all. And the number of times it was mentioned that she had a post-divorce "harlot" period was strange. I just found her very unlikeable and hard to cheer for. By the end of the book, I was cheering for her, but more for the sake of the side characters that I actually liked, rather than for Catherine.
I enjoyed the book on the whole, I really enjoyed learning about the type of archaeology Catherine was doing, and I enjoyed the side characters. If only I liked Catherine a bit more, I probably would have loved this book. I'd recommend this book to anyone who enjoys romance with a bit of adventure. Happy reading everyone!
This book follows Catherine, a PhD student in archaeology, who is oh so close to finishing her dissertation when the vase she's doing her dissertation on is stolen. Various high jinks ensue when she decides the only way to move forward is to try to steal it back, with the help of her friend, Nick, and her research partner, Yolandra.
This book did slowly grow on me. I was an anthropology major who did look into getting into archaeology, so the premise grabbed me right away. I enjoyed learning more about the field and some of the ethical challenges that come along with it. I enjoyed the side characters, particularly Yolandra and Mary, and there were a few moments that made me actually laugh out loud. For people who like some adventure in addition to their romance, the adventure piece is definitely there, though not as much as I expected from the book blurb.
The main thing that grated on me was Catherine herself. She improved toward the end of the book, but the first 50% or so I really couldn't stand her. For someone who goes on and on about how important getting a PhD is to her, how smart she is, how she was told to act dumber as a child to get mens' attention, etc, she certainly talks A LOT about all of the men around her and how much she is or is not into them. It felt like every time she mentioned Nick, Catherine had to think about how he was "just a friend", even before any feelings were there at all. And the number of times it was mentioned that she had a post-divorce "harlot" period was strange. I just found her very unlikeable and hard to cheer for. By the end of the book, I was cheering for her, but more for the sake of the side characters that I actually liked, rather than for Catherine.
I enjoyed the book on the whole, I really enjoyed learning about the type of archaeology Catherine was doing, and I enjoyed the side characters. If only I liked Catherine a bit more, I probably would have loved this book. I'd recommend this book to anyone who enjoys romance with a bit of adventure. Happy reading everyone!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-Arc in exchange for an honest review!
Maya glyphs and archaeology are so cool
Catherine was a bit too judgmental for my tastes-- the sarcasm and witty responses towards Nick veered too sharply towards just being mean. I can see why he waited to confess his love for you girl!
The opening scene of being a TA was too real-- sitting in the back of the room talking under your breath with the other TA while mildly hungover (not that I would ever do that!), good times
The research and archaeology-related parts of the book were super interesting-- clearly well-researched and had a lot of time put into them-- but the romance fell flat. Nick, outside of being a nerd (which I always appreciate) and very smiley, isn't developed, especially once he confesses his love for Catherine. His super secret criminal ex-girlfriend situation is hinted at, but never fully mentioned, and Catherine's always talking about how he smells bad and mansplains. Why do you like him then?
I did appreciate how the "fight" between the two of them wasn't easily resolved-- Catherine couldn't call the cops on Randall at the airport in order to protect herself, Yolanda, and Nick; Nick didn't know this and thought she was selling herself out. This was another point against Nick-- you're doubting her ethics and her morals while still professing that she's the most brilliant epigrapher you've ever met...like pick a side. He was too black-and-white in regards to Catherine's problems-- like, no, she can't just call up the FBI to get Randall arrested, because he'll drag her, you, Yolanda, and every single possible person he can latch onto down! Catherine realizing this and trying to assess her options doesn't make her a criminal sellout, it makes her human. Actually the more that I think about Nick the angrier I get
I did appreciate how Catherine took no shit and was a very active protagonist. She was very funny (mostly), especially when referring to the Mormons and dealing with Mary
Maya glyphs and archaeology are so cool
Catherine was a bit too judgmental for my tastes-- the sarcasm and witty responses towards Nick veered too sharply towards just being mean. I can see why he waited to confess his love for you girl!
The opening scene of being a TA was too real-- sitting in the back of the room talking under your breath with the other TA while mildly hungover (not that I would ever do that!), good times
The research and archaeology-related parts of the book were super interesting-- clearly well-researched and had a lot of time put into them-- but the romance fell flat. Nick, outside of being a nerd (which I always appreciate) and very smiley, isn't developed, especially once he confesses his love for Catherine. His super secret criminal ex-girlfriend situation is hinted at, but never fully mentioned, and Catherine's always talking about how he smells bad and mansplains. Why do you like him then?
I did appreciate how the "fight" between the two of them wasn't easily resolved-- Catherine couldn't call the cops on Randall at the airport in order to protect herself, Yolanda, and Nick; Nick didn't know this and thought she was selling herself out. This was another point against Nick-- you're doubting her ethics and her morals while still professing that she's the most brilliant epigrapher you've ever met...like pick a side. He was too black-and-white in regards to Catherine's problems-- like, no, she can't just call up the FBI to get Randall arrested, because he'll drag her, you, Yolanda, and every single possible person he can latch onto down! Catherine realizing this and trying to assess her options doesn't make her a criminal sellout, it makes her human. Actually the more that I think about Nick the angrier I get
I did appreciate how Catherine took no shit and was a very active protagonist. She was very funny (mostly), especially when referring to the Mormons and dealing with Mary
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 20, 2026
Review of advanced copy received from NetGalley
With my second ARC also being an archeological romance, I’m really putting the ARC in archaeology - am I right? *cricket noises*
Catherine Saunders is almost done with her PhD when the subject of her dissertation, an ancient Maya vase she uncovered, is stolen. She makes a plan to sneak off and steal it back on an upcoming university-sponsored trip with the reluctant help of her research partner, Yolandra, and fellow grad student, Nick.
I liked the setting and premise of this and getting to learn more about the ancient Maya people. I learned Mayan refers not to the people, but the language, and the Maya were prone to termination rituals where they would destroy inanimate objects. Not Catherine’s special vase, though! I found the first half of this to be rather slow and repetitive. I was getting exhausted of hearing how much Catherine parties and hooks up, how her marriage was a mistake, and her parents don’t support her dreams. She also mainly refers to her parents by their first names which didn’t help my character name confusion (a lot of alumni and undergrads on the Mexico trip to keep track of). Everything also kept going so wrong for poor Catherine to the point that I was like damn, has this woman ever been happy?? I thought the book could have been a little shorter since the random backstories peppered in didn’t do much for me. I would have enjoyed more info on Yolandra, and didn’t like how our literal first introduction to the male love interest, we are told he reeks of BO and cigarettes. Wow, I’m swooning! Mary, the octogenarian, was my favorite character and honestly saved this from a lower rating from me.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
With my second ARC also being an archeological romance, I’m really putting the ARC in archaeology - am I right? *cricket noises*
Catherine Saunders is almost done with her PhD when the subject of her dissertation, an ancient Maya vase she uncovered, is stolen. She makes a plan to sneak off and steal it back on an upcoming university-sponsored trip with the reluctant help of her research partner, Yolandra, and fellow grad student, Nick.
I liked the setting and premise of this and getting to learn more about the ancient Maya people. I learned Mayan refers not to the people, but the language, and the Maya were prone to termination rituals where they would destroy inanimate objects. Not Catherine’s special vase, though! I found the first half of this to be rather slow and repetitive. I was getting exhausted of hearing how much Catherine parties and hooks up, how her marriage was a mistake, and her parents don’t support her dreams. She also mainly refers to her parents by their first names which didn’t help my character name confusion (a lot of alumni and undergrads on the Mexico trip to keep track of). Everything also kept going so wrong for poor Catherine to the point that I was like damn, has this woman ever been happy?? I thought the book could have been a little shorter since the random backstories peppered in didn’t do much for me. I would have enjoyed more info on Yolandra, and didn’t like how our literal first introduction to the male love interest, we are told he reeks of BO and cigarettes. Wow, I’m swooning! Mary, the octogenarian, was my favorite character and honestly saved this from a lower rating from me.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I’m a sucker for anything involving “treasure hunting,” so as soon as I saw the archaeology angle in this book, I couldn’t wait to *dig* in….........
Overall, this was a really fun, easy read. There’s witty banter, mystery, drama, unique cultures, and what one Goodreads reviewer perfectly called a “haphazard quest (thanks, Rachel Dunn!).”
That said, there was a lot going on, and at times it felt a bit disjointed or hard to keep everything straight. Between Catherine's dissertation and all of the academic pieces, the missing vase (and its many, many various adventures...not to mention, is it real? Is it fake??), Catherine’s self-destructive tendencies, a friends-to-lovers romance, multiple timelines, and a whole cast of side characters… it was a lot to juggle and didn't always have a smooth flow.
Speaking of side characters—can we please get more Mary? Yes, she’s completely predictable as the chaotic, quirky, “what is she going to do next?” lovable older lady sidekick… but I’m absolutely here for it. #moreMary
The villain was also pretty predictable—and a little too obviously villainous at times.
As for Catherine, she was strong, confident, and relatable in some ways… but also frustrating. Her flaws felt very real, which I appreciated, but there were definitely moments where I wanted to shake her and say, “Fix yo' life, woman! And please make better choices...”
3.5 stars, but rounding up because even so, I was fully invested and flying through the pages to see what would happen next. And honestly, now I’m half tempted to go book an adventure and dig around in the dirt myself… 😉
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC copy!
Overall, this was a really fun, easy read. There’s witty banter, mystery, drama, unique cultures, and what one Goodreads reviewer perfectly called a “haphazard quest (thanks, Rachel Dunn!).”
That said, there was a lot going on, and at times it felt a bit disjointed or hard to keep everything straight. Between Catherine's dissertation and all of the academic pieces, the missing vase (and its many, many various adventures...not to mention, is it real? Is it fake??), Catherine’s self-destructive tendencies, a friends-to-lovers romance, multiple timelines, and a whole cast of side characters… it was a lot to juggle and didn't always have a smooth flow.
Speaking of side characters—can we please get more Mary? Yes, she’s completely predictable as the chaotic, quirky, “what is she going to do next?” lovable older lady sidekick… but I’m absolutely here for it. #moreMary
The villain was also pretty predictable—and a little too obviously villainous at times.
As for Catherine, she was strong, confident, and relatable in some ways… but also frustrating. Her flaws felt very real, which I appreciated, but there were definitely moments where I wanted to shake her and say, “Fix yo' life, woman! And please make better choices...”
3.5 stars, but rounding up because even so, I was fully invested and flying through the pages to see what would happen next. And honestly, now I’m half tempted to go book an adventure and dig around in the dirt myself… 😉
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC copy!
April 29, 2026
Her Life in Ruins
Cynthia W. Gentry
Publication date: January 5, 2027
Her Life in Ruins follows a recently divorced PhD student, her discovery of a Mayan artifact, her dissertation work deciphering the glyphs on this artifact and the subsequent journey retrieving this relic when it’s stolen from the research lab.
Catherine, the PhD student is working as a TA at Stanford for an archaeology class. She finds out right before an important class trip to Mexico that the vase she has been working to decipher has been stolen from the research facility. Her research partner Yolandra tells her she expects the vase to be in the hands of a notorious fraudulent antiquities dealer.
Once arriving in Mexico, Catherine devises a plan to retrieve the vase. She goes to the antiquities dealer to get it back, this plan is quite flawed and they run into many obstacles along the way. Upon recovering this artifact, she learns that this theft was more thought out and planned than it seemed on the surface.
More antics ensue and as several parties race to claim this relic, Catherine continues to fight for history’s sake as well as the PhD she’s worked so hard for.
I would give this book 3 stars. I enjoyed the ending a lot! I found the beginning and middle to be a bit slow. I thought the whole concept and plot of the book was very new and unique which I loved. I enjoyed the hint of a love story as well. I really enjoyed Catherine as a character and felt connected to her. I will say there were moments that were a bit hard to believe but overall a great read!
Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for my ARC!!!
Cynthia W. Gentry
Publication date: January 5, 2027
Her Life in Ruins follows a recently divorced PhD student, her discovery of a Mayan artifact, her dissertation work deciphering the glyphs on this artifact and the subsequent journey retrieving this relic when it’s stolen from the research lab.
Catherine, the PhD student is working as a TA at Stanford for an archaeology class. She finds out right before an important class trip to Mexico that the vase she has been working to decipher has been stolen from the research facility. Her research partner Yolandra tells her she expects the vase to be in the hands of a notorious fraudulent antiquities dealer.
Once arriving in Mexico, Catherine devises a plan to retrieve the vase. She goes to the antiquities dealer to get it back, this plan is quite flawed and they run into many obstacles along the way. Upon recovering this artifact, she learns that this theft was more thought out and planned than it seemed on the surface.
More antics ensue and as several parties race to claim this relic, Catherine continues to fight for history’s sake as well as the PhD she’s worked so hard for.
I would give this book 3 stars. I enjoyed the ending a lot! I found the beginning and middle to be a bit slow. I thought the whole concept and plot of the book was very new and unique which I loved. I enjoyed the hint of a love story as well. I really enjoyed Catherine as a character and felt connected to her. I will say there were moments that were a bit hard to believe but overall a great read!
Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for my ARC!!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is one of those stories that feels heavy in a quiet, lingering way—the kind that isn’t trying to shock you, but instead slowly unravels a life piece by piece.
Her Life in Ruins leans deeply into emotional fallout—grief, regret, the weight of past decisions—and how those things don’t just disappear with time. They settle. They reshape you. And this book really sits in that space.
What stood out most to me was how introspective it is. It’s very character-driven, very internal. You’re not flying through plot twists here—you’re walking through someone’s life as it cracks and shifts, and that pacing won’t be for everyone. At times, it can feel slow, but I don’t think it’s meant to be rushed. It’s more about reflection than momentum.
The writing itself is thoughtful and intentional. There’s a quiet sadness woven throughout, and if you’ve ever gone through loss, big life changes, or that feeling of “how did I end up here,” it’s going to hit a little deeper.
That said, I did find myself wanting a bit more pull in certain moments—something to fully anchor me emotionally or push the story forward just a little more. It kept me engaged, but not completely consumed.
I’d recommend this if you like slower, introspective reads that focus on emotional healing, identity, and starting over after everything falls apart. If you’re looking for something fast-paced or plot-heavy, this probably won’t be your book—but if you’re in a reflective mood, it might land exactly how it’s supposed to.
Her Life in Ruins leans deeply into emotional fallout—grief, regret, the weight of past decisions—and how those things don’t just disappear with time. They settle. They reshape you. And this book really sits in that space.
What stood out most to me was how introspective it is. It’s very character-driven, very internal. You’re not flying through plot twists here—you’re walking through someone’s life as it cracks and shifts, and that pacing won’t be for everyone. At times, it can feel slow, but I don’t think it’s meant to be rushed. It’s more about reflection than momentum.
The writing itself is thoughtful and intentional. There’s a quiet sadness woven throughout, and if you’ve ever gone through loss, big life changes, or that feeling of “how did I end up here,” it’s going to hit a little deeper.
That said, I did find myself wanting a bit more pull in certain moments—something to fully anchor me emotionally or push the story forward just a little more. It kept me engaged, but not completely consumed.
I’d recommend this if you like slower, introspective reads that focus on emotional healing, identity, and starting over after everything falls apart. If you’re looking for something fast-paced or plot-heavy, this probably won’t be your book—but if you’re in a reflective mood, it might land exactly how it’s supposed to.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
For Cynthia W. Gentry's first fiction novel I overall had a good time with it, even if it didn’t fully hit for me.
I really liked the friends-to-lovers slow build. It felt natural and believable, and I enjoyed watching that relationship develop over time. The archaeology elements were also a big highlight. You can tell the author really did her research, and that added a lot of depth and authenticity to the story. I also appreciated the Mexico setting, though I do wish we had gotten a bit more detail and immersion in those locations.
That said, it took me a while to get into this one. The first 60% felt pretty slow for me and was a bit harder to push through. I also ended up guessing the twist fairly early on, which made some of the later reveals feel less impactful. I would’ve loved a little more buildup and higher stakes, especially in some of the bigger moments.
The writing style didn’t fully land for me either. While I could see what the author was going for, it just didn’t completely click with me. Overall, a lot of the story felt a bit predictable, which is ultimately why I’m rounding my rating down.
Romance-wise, this leans mostly closed door, with one short flashback scene that felt a little out of place compared to the rest of the scenes.
Overall I really enjoyed the premise and the academic/adventure elements, even if the pacing and predictability held it back a bit for me.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers, and Cynthia for allowing me to have an ARC.
⭐️ 3.5 stars (rounded down to 3)
I really liked the friends-to-lovers slow build. It felt natural and believable, and I enjoyed watching that relationship develop over time. The archaeology elements were also a big highlight. You can tell the author really did her research, and that added a lot of depth and authenticity to the story. I also appreciated the Mexico setting, though I do wish we had gotten a bit more detail and immersion in those locations.
That said, it took me a while to get into this one. The first 60% felt pretty slow for me and was a bit harder to push through. I also ended up guessing the twist fairly early on, which made some of the later reveals feel less impactful. I would’ve loved a little more buildup and higher stakes, especially in some of the bigger moments.
The writing style didn’t fully land for me either. While I could see what the author was going for, it just didn’t completely click with me. Overall, a lot of the story felt a bit predictable, which is ultimately why I’m rounding my rating down.
Romance-wise, this leans mostly closed door, with one short flashback scene that felt a little out of place compared to the rest of the scenes.
Overall I really enjoyed the premise and the academic/adventure elements, even if the pacing and predictability held it back a bit for me.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers, and Cynthia for allowing me to have an ARC.
⭐️ 3.5 stars (rounded down to 3)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Cynthia W. Gentry and the team at NetGalley for the opportunity to review an e-copy of Her Life in Ruins.
Gentry delivers a hilariously unique friends-to-lovers rom-com set against the backdrop of academic archaeology in California. The story follows Catherine Saunders, an archaeological PhD candidate specializing in Mayan archaeology. Catherine has been working tirelessly on her dissertation centered on a prestigious vessel excavated from Guatemala. But when the artifact is stolen despite the team’s best efforts, Catherine takes it upon herself to track it down.
One of the highlights of this novel is how authentically Gentry portrays the world of archaeology - particularly the challenges surrounding looting and the black market trade of antiquities. As an archaeologist myself, I found many of Catherine’s experiences and frustrations surprisingly accurate. Gentry does an excellent job weaving these heavier cultural resource issues into a lighthearted, engaging romance, which felt refreshing within the genre.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. As someone who has gone through a PhD program and currently works in cultural resources, I appreciated how relatable parts of Catherine’s journey felt. At the same time, the novel remains fun, humorous, and accessible. It’s a great read for anyone curious about archaeology as a field while also looking for an entertaining and charming romance.
Gentry delivers a hilariously unique friends-to-lovers rom-com set against the backdrop of academic archaeology in California. The story follows Catherine Saunders, an archaeological PhD candidate specializing in Mayan archaeology. Catherine has been working tirelessly on her dissertation centered on a prestigious vessel excavated from Guatemala. But when the artifact is stolen despite the team’s best efforts, Catherine takes it upon herself to track it down.
One of the highlights of this novel is how authentically Gentry portrays the world of archaeology - particularly the challenges surrounding looting and the black market trade of antiquities. As an archaeologist myself, I found many of Catherine’s experiences and frustrations surprisingly accurate. Gentry does an excellent job weaving these heavier cultural resource issues into a lighthearted, engaging romance, which felt refreshing within the genre.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. As someone who has gone through a PhD program and currently works in cultural resources, I appreciated how relatable parts of Catherine’s journey felt. At the same time, the novel remains fun, humorous, and accessible. It’s a great read for anyone curious about archaeology as a field while also looking for an entertaining and charming romance.
May 3, 2026
Her Life in Ruins ARC Review
ARC provided by NetGalley
If you’re a fan of rom-com, or friends to lovers, and also enjoy a little mystery thrown in, this is the book for you.
Catherine is struggling to finish her PHD dissertation, while emotionally getting over her recent divorce, when an ancient Mayan artifact she’s been working to unravel the mystery behind gets stolen.
I was a big fan of the setup for this book. I can’t stand too much description (show don’t tell!) at the beginning of many books. The author uses a lecture by one of the professors to provide us with enough backstory for this book.
For the friends to lovers part, I do wish there had been a little more chemistry between Catherine and Nick. A lot of times it seemed more that he got on her nerves rather than under her skin. What I DID really appreciate however was that Nick wasn’t trying to play hero and “save” Catherine. Instead he was trying to help her (they even have a short conversation about this). There just needs to be a bit more heat between them. The book is only mild spice, but that spice could have used something to pepper it up a bit.
I enjoyed learning about archaeology and the history behind the ruins. I wished there had been a little more development with that part of the story.
Overall a fun read. If you enjoy quick rom com kinda reads, this one will probably be right up your alley.
ARC provided by NetGalley
If you’re a fan of rom-com, or friends to lovers, and also enjoy a little mystery thrown in, this is the book for you.
Catherine is struggling to finish her PHD dissertation, while emotionally getting over her recent divorce, when an ancient Mayan artifact she’s been working to unravel the mystery behind gets stolen.
I was a big fan of the setup for this book. I can’t stand too much description (show don’t tell!) at the beginning of many books. The author uses a lecture by one of the professors to provide us with enough backstory for this book.
For the friends to lovers part, I do wish there had been a little more chemistry between Catherine and Nick. A lot of times it seemed more that he got on her nerves rather than under her skin. What I DID really appreciate however was that Nick wasn’t trying to play hero and “save” Catherine. Instead he was trying to help her (they even have a short conversation about this). There just needs to be a bit more heat between them. The book is only mild spice, but that spice could have used something to pepper it up a bit.
I enjoyed learning about archaeology and the history behind the ruins. I wished there had been a little more development with that part of the story.
Overall a fun read. If you enjoy quick rom com kinda reads, this one will probably be right up your alley.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
2.5 stars rounded up for the quality of writing and research.
I'm conflicted with this one, which bums me out a bit! I loved the premise of it -- phD student close to finishing her dissertation when the artifact at its center vanishes into thin air (from a guarded lab, no less!). Now, unable to get an extension, it's up to Catherine & Co. to get it back. Who wouldn't love that?
Gentry is a good writer, no doubt about it. I loved the amount of research and care that went into this novel, and she really captured the high tension and sometimes-absurd antics of higher academia. I never felt like I stumbled over sentence structure or word choice, either. A major plus considering how frequently I find myself having to ignore grammatical/spelling mistakes in many current books within this genre.
That being said, my biggest issue with Her Life in Ruins was with its pacing. I think you could bypass this by reading it in one sitting, but I have a full-time job which makes reading a book in a day nigh-impossible. I found that as soon as any momentum was built up, it would just...stall. No other word for it. Whenever I had to put the book down, I was reluctant to pick it back up again. Ultimately, I ended up skimming over half of it.
If you want a fun book to read on a beach, I think this could satisfy that need, but maybe don't spend too much time on it.
Thank you to NetGalley for the e-arc!
I'm conflicted with this one, which bums me out a bit! I loved the premise of it -- phD student close to finishing her dissertation when the artifact at its center vanishes into thin air (from a guarded lab, no less!). Now, unable to get an extension, it's up to Catherine & Co. to get it back. Who wouldn't love that?
Gentry is a good writer, no doubt about it. I loved the amount of research and care that went into this novel, and she really captured the high tension and sometimes-absurd antics of higher academia. I never felt like I stumbled over sentence structure or word choice, either. A major plus considering how frequently I find myself having to ignore grammatical/spelling mistakes in many current books within this genre.
That being said, my biggest issue with Her Life in Ruins was with its pacing. I think you could bypass this by reading it in one sitting, but I have a full-time job which makes reading a book in a day nigh-impossible. I found that as soon as any momentum was built up, it would just...stall. No other word for it. Whenever I had to put the book down, I was reluctant to pick it back up again. Ultimately, I ended up skimming over half of it.
If you want a fun book to read on a beach, I think this could satisfy that need, but maybe don't spend too much time on it.
Thank you to NetGalley for the e-arc!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Her Life in Ruins is a perfect quiet afternoon read. It can be read in a sitting or two as it’s quite enjoyable and a light, fun, and humorous read.
It’s an on the edge adventure for Catherine who has based her career and dissertation on an ancient Maya artifact, one which goes missing only weeks before trying to complete her work. She’s a talented archaeologist who specializes in deciphering glyphs on various historical pieces. And one in particular, an enigmatic vase she discovered on an archaeological dig, has been causing her distress in deciphering it and the secrets it holds. When the vase goes missing, a convenient already planned trip to Mexico is an opportunity she can’t pass up to try to find it and get it back, before all of her work comes crashing down.
You’ll learn a bit about the ancient Maya, how archaeologists work to translate the meaning of pieces and their historical significance, and the smuggling of these relics all over the world. The characters are great. This is a friends to lovers / slow burn, vert heartwarming light romance. Nick is a likable catch for any girl, but it takes Catherine a bit of time to figure this out with her career at the forefront of her mind.
Overall a lot of fun, well written, funny banter and characters to keep you engaged in the adventure, and is an excellent read for a little down time. Recommended for sure!
It’s an on the edge adventure for Catherine who has based her career and dissertation on an ancient Maya artifact, one which goes missing only weeks before trying to complete her work. She’s a talented archaeologist who specializes in deciphering glyphs on various historical pieces. And one in particular, an enigmatic vase she discovered on an archaeological dig, has been causing her distress in deciphering it and the secrets it holds. When the vase goes missing, a convenient already planned trip to Mexico is an opportunity she can’t pass up to try to find it and get it back, before all of her work comes crashing down.
You’ll learn a bit about the ancient Maya, how archaeologists work to translate the meaning of pieces and their historical significance, and the smuggling of these relics all over the world. The characters are great. This is a friends to lovers / slow burn, vert heartwarming light romance. Nick is a likable catch for any girl, but it takes Catherine a bit of time to figure this out with her career at the forefront of her mind.
Overall a lot of fun, well written, funny banter and characters to keep you engaged in the adventure, and is an excellent read for a little down time. Recommended for sure!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3/5
It's not that it was bad. It's the fact that it was SO predictable I'd already figured it out by like, ~15%. What's even the point of reading a mystery if you figured it out at 15%... it kills all the suspense, which is the fun of reading them. Also, some parts of it genuinely made me go "??? what the heck???"
I didn't particularly care for Catherine; she came off extremely judgmental and almost pretentious (perhaps that's not the right word, but definitely annoying - hoity toity, if you will). Nick was... he was there. Honestly, if we'd have gotten his POV too, I think I'd find him equally annoying.
I looked up the author on Goodreads, and this is apparently her debut. All I can say is you can definitely tell; it feels like it was written by someone who's never written a mystery before. Also felt like the romance aspect could've used a bit more work.
It's just... the two parts of this book are mystery and romance: the mystery aspect isn't interesting because it's so easily solved, while there's barely any romance. So then it's like a diary... there's no point.
The writing was good, though! And the topic was really interesting, I loved the whole archaeology topic.
Just fine, overall.
Thank you to netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC.
It's not that it was bad. It's the fact that it was SO predictable I'd already figured it out by like, ~15%. What's even the point of reading a mystery if you figured it out at 15%... it kills all the suspense, which is the fun of reading them. Also, some parts of it genuinely made me go "??? what the heck???"
I didn't particularly care for Catherine; she came off extremely judgmental and almost pretentious (perhaps that's not the right word, but definitely annoying - hoity toity, if you will). Nick was... he was there. Honestly, if we'd have gotten his POV too, I think I'd find him equally annoying.
I looked up the author on Goodreads, and this is apparently her debut. All I can say is you can definitely tell; it feels like it was written by someone who's never written a mystery before. Also felt like the romance aspect could've used a bit more work.
It's just... the two parts of this book are mystery and romance: the mystery aspect isn't interesting because it's so easily solved, while there's barely any romance. So then it's like a diary... there's no point.
The writing was good, though! And the topic was really interesting, I loved the whole archaeology topic.
Just fine, overall.
Thank you to netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC.
April 26, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and akaStory (an imprint of Abrams) for the ARC of “Her Life in Ruins” in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
First, the title of this is cheeky but apt. Even after reading the blurb I was not prepared for the circuitous adventure that is this book. What an enchanting ride!
The cast of characters are superbly written, and the story itself is pure delight. I was never confused by the intrigue or international locations. It was all explained thoroughly, and I couldn’t tease out if it was well researched or completely fictionalized. In the end it didn’t matter because the book was well written.
Catherine is such a boss FMC. She’s feisty and she led the cast fearlessly. Did she have moments of weakness when her ambition overcame her senses, yes, but she never went completely off the rails. I couldn’t help but cheer for her.
Nick was a pure-hearted highlight of a man. A sexy nerd? Yes, please! He was the glue that held the story, and Catherine together. The book wouldn’t have been the same without him.
The other characters all had their place and, along with the captivating plot, were instrumental in making this book as successful as it is. I would definitely read it again.
First, the title of this is cheeky but apt. Even after reading the blurb I was not prepared for the circuitous adventure that is this book. What an enchanting ride!
The cast of characters are superbly written, and the story itself is pure delight. I was never confused by the intrigue or international locations. It was all explained thoroughly, and I couldn’t tease out if it was well researched or completely fictionalized. In the end it didn’t matter because the book was well written.
Catherine is such a boss FMC. She’s feisty and she led the cast fearlessly. Did she have moments of weakness when her ambition overcame her senses, yes, but she never went completely off the rails. I couldn’t help but cheer for her.
Nick was a pure-hearted highlight of a man. A sexy nerd? Yes, please! He was the glue that held the story, and Catherine together. The book wouldn’t have been the same without him.
The other characters all had their place and, along with the captivating plot, were instrumental in making this book as successful as it is. I would definitely read it again.
May 19, 2026
I felt like this was Lara Croft Tomb Raider meets dark academia meets a gentle romance subplot.
I was so simultaneously riveted by the plot and stressed out by every character in this book. Everyone kept making such poor decisions and everything was so urgent and there were ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES (both for good and for evil). Poor Catherine just wants to complete her dissertation and not be forced to reckon with her past and all of the men around her are doing crimes either legally or emotionally or both. Also, Catherine is a textbook genius and a social disaster, love her. Girl has literally 0 impulse control to speak of and I am honestly impressed that she is still alive. She would literally have the thought “I shouldn’t do this” and before she had even completed the sentence in her brain she was in fact doing it.
Also WHAT is up with Nick’s backstory!! I NEED ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT HIS ORIGINS. He is an enigma who is ALSO a textbook genius but he is more social aware, just with poor timing. There is a heist happening and he’s like oh btw I love you. Read the room bestie you might literally be killed. Although I suppose that’s as good a reason as any to confess your love so my b go ahead.
I was so simultaneously riveted by the plot and stressed out by every character in this book. Everyone kept making such poor decisions and everything was so urgent and there were ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES (both for good and for evil). Poor Catherine just wants to complete her dissertation and not be forced to reckon with her past and all of the men around her are doing crimes either legally or emotionally or both. Also, Catherine is a textbook genius and a social disaster, love her. Girl has literally 0 impulse control to speak of and I am honestly impressed that she is still alive. She would literally have the thought “I shouldn’t do this” and before she had even completed the sentence in her brain she was in fact doing it.
Also WHAT is up with Nick’s backstory!! I NEED ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT HIS ORIGINS. He is an enigma who is ALSO a textbook genius but he is more social aware, just with poor timing. There is a heist happening and he’s like oh btw I love you. Read the room bestie you might literally be killed. Although I suppose that’s as good a reason as any to confess your love so my b go ahead.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Her Life in Ruins is a Hallmark movie-like read with history, mystery, and a touch of romance. It’s a little different from what I’ve been reading lately, but the story kept me engaged, and I enjoyed it.
The double meaning of the title certainly fits! Catherine’s life is messy; she’s navigating post-divorce romance while trying to finish her dissertation on Maya glyphs when the artifact she’s studying is stolen. The adventure she goes on to retrieve it is a wild ride and includes some great side characters, especially Mary. I’d love to know what she was up to on her own side adventure! And then there’s Nick, the best friend turned love interest. Next to Mary, he was one of my favorite characters, but I felt he was underutilized in the story. Some Nick POVs would have made me rate the book higher for sure! To consider this a romance, I would have liked to see Nick and Catherine’s friendship and banter earlier in the book and for the romance scenes to be longer.
Even though I felt the ending of the book was a little abrupt, overall it was a good read!
Thank you to Cynthia Gentry, NetGalley, and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
The double meaning of the title certainly fits! Catherine’s life is messy; she’s navigating post-divorce romance while trying to finish her dissertation on Maya glyphs when the artifact she’s studying is stolen. The adventure she goes on to retrieve it is a wild ride and includes some great side characters, especially Mary. I’d love to know what she was up to on her own side adventure! And then there’s Nick, the best friend turned love interest. Next to Mary, he was one of my favorite characters, but I felt he was underutilized in the story. Some Nick POVs would have made me rate the book higher for sure! To consider this a romance, I would have liked to see Nick and Catherine’s friendship and banter earlier in the book and for the romance scenes to be longer.
Even though I felt the ending of the book was a little abrupt, overall it was a good read!
Thank you to Cynthia Gentry, NetGalley, and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A smart, chaotic, and genuinely funny academic romance that feels like if The Love Hypothesis got dropped into an archaeological heist movie. Catherine is messy in the most entertaining way possible—overworked, impulsive, a little self-destructive, but still incredibly easy to root for. Her narration carries the whole book, balancing humor with the very real pressure of academia and burnout.
The chemistry between Catherine and Nick is great, especially because it builds naturally through all the tension, bickering, and forced teamwork. Nick’s steady, morally grounded personality plays well against Catherine’s tendency to spiral into increasingly questionable decisions. Their dynamic kept the romance feeling fun even when the stakes got serious.
The archaeology and artifact-forgery plot gives the story a unique edge, though the pacing drags a bit in the middle and some of the side characters could’ve used more depth. Still, the mix of romance, academic stress, bad decisions, and adventure made this a really enjoyable read.
Overall, a witty, slightly unhinged rom-com with heart, chemistry, and just enough chaos to keep it memorable. Easy 4 stars.
The chemistry between Catherine and Nick is great, especially because it builds naturally through all the tension, bickering, and forced teamwork. Nick’s steady, morally grounded personality plays well against Catherine’s tendency to spiral into increasingly questionable decisions. Their dynamic kept the romance feeling fun even when the stakes got serious.
The archaeology and artifact-forgery plot gives the story a unique edge, though the pacing drags a bit in the middle and some of the side characters could’ve used more depth. Still, the mix of romance, academic stress, bad decisions, and adventure made this a really enjoyable read.
Overall, a witty, slightly unhinged rom-com with heart, chemistry, and just enough chaos to keep it memorable. Easy 4 stars.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book felt very plot forward for me with the romance being the background. I liked that aspect because I felt like that fit with this story. There was mystery and intrigue and a heist to solve! I loved it. I knew next to nothing about archeology going into this so I was definitely making up words in my head when reading this because I had no idea how to pronounce some of these things 😂
The only thing I didn't love was how we were introduced to the MMC. I honestly thought he was just a friend side character at the description of him smelling like body odor and cigarettes. The FMC also seemed like she really didn't like him. Like he wasn't really a friends of hers but more like a classmate she puts up with. Her comments about his "Nick facts" also felt a little like he annoyed her.
We got to see them slowly fall for each other but I just wish the introduction of Nick was a little better. It's hard to picture relationship development and falling in love with a person who stinks lol
Aside from that, it was a solid read.
The only thing I didn't love was how we were introduced to the MMC. I honestly thought he was just a friend side character at the description of him smelling like body odor and cigarettes. The FMC also seemed like she really didn't like him. Like he wasn't really a friends of hers but more like a classmate she puts up with. Her comments about his "Nick facts" also felt a little like he annoyed her.
We got to see them slowly fall for each other but I just wish the introduction of Nick was a little better. It's hard to picture relationship development and falling in love with a person who stinks lol
Aside from that, it was a solid read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book was just so fun to read. You have Catherine, a PhD candidate desparately trying to complete her dissertation (which I cannot even imagine the stress that must entail). The book goes into quite a bit of detail about her personal life, moving back and forth to highlight periods from her childhood and early adulthood that helped shaped the person she is today, along with telling the present-day story of her work with the vase and all of the mishaps that occur along the way. Quite possibly though, my favorite character has to be Mary, she is just so much fun whenever she is present in the storyline. I won't go into the characters that I didn't like so that spoilers don't end up happening, but I will say that I guessed about halfway through the story that one particular character was very different from what they portray them self to be. This book had just the right blend of action and romance and was just really enjoyable to read.
*A HUGE thanks to Netgalley and to the author and publisher for making this book available as an ARC. It truly was a pleasure to read.*
*A HUGE thanks to Netgalley and to the author and publisher for making this book available as an ARC. It truly was a pleasure to read.*
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I would like to thank Netgalley and Abrams for allowing me to read the book before publication. Catherine's life is in ruins... literally. She is having a difficult time completing her PhD dissertation, and she is freshly divorced. Despite her life being in ruins, Catherine is a powerful, smart, and independent woman. She does not need a man to come into her life and rescue her. The chemistry between her and Nick is everything. Seriously. Cynthia W. Gentry does a great job of making the characters feel real. The pacing keeps things moving; it does not feel dragging at all. The only reason why I rate it a 4/5 is that some parts of the story felt too predictable, and that is not really my cup of tea. That being said, I enjoyed everything else about the novel. Her Life in Ruins by Cynthia W. Gentry will be out on 1/5/27. If you love romance & archaeology, then definitely give this book a try!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review the ARC of this book.
3 stars
There were parts of this book, around the middle, that were fun and enjoyable, flowed well, and made me want to keep reading.
The rest of the book was… fairly messy. There was a lot going on between anthropological and archaeological information, to background information, to traveling to Mexico, PhD dissertation, some mystery, some romance (even though it only had a handful of romance scenes, the spice level was 3 to 4), along with some potentially toxic self-destructive behavior. It was a lot. And not written particularly well. There were a lot of flashbacks that weren’t clear they were actually flashbacks; some were in the middle of a chapter or even a page. That part was confusing and a distraction.
The ending was fairly good. Overall, the story needed more Mary. I would read a whole book about her adventures.
3 stars
There were parts of this book, around the middle, that were fun and enjoyable, flowed well, and made me want to keep reading.
The rest of the book was… fairly messy. There was a lot going on between anthropological and archaeological information, to background information, to traveling to Mexico, PhD dissertation, some mystery, some romance (even though it only had a handful of romance scenes, the spice level was 3 to 4), along with some potentially toxic self-destructive behavior. It was a lot. And not written particularly well. There were a lot of flashbacks that weren’t clear they were actually flashbacks; some were in the middle of a chapter or even a page. That part was confusing and a distraction.
The ending was fairly good. Overall, the story needed more Mary. I would read a whole book about her adventures.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Abrams for this ARC. This review is my own.
Her Life in Ruins is a witty romcom with fantastic history, feminism, culture, and banter to boot. Catherine is a relatable disaster, a post-divorce PHD candidate in archeology who gets caught up in the illegal art trade when a vase, the subject of her dissertation, goes missing. She has to decide who she can trust, even herself, to come though with her dissertation, her integrity, and even her life intact.
I ate up the humor in this novel, which features some really excellent secondary characters in addition to a friends-to-lovers storyline. The plot is a little predictable, but there are definitely some tasty twists. All of the plot is layered with the history of the Maya (which I LOVE), a sincere look into the dangers of the art black market and cultural theft, a strong but lost FMC, and the realities of academia. I can’t wait to see what Gentry writes next.
Her Life in Ruins is a witty romcom with fantastic history, feminism, culture, and banter to boot. Catherine is a relatable disaster, a post-divorce PHD candidate in archeology who gets caught up in the illegal art trade when a vase, the subject of her dissertation, goes missing. She has to decide who she can trust, even herself, to come though with her dissertation, her integrity, and even her life intact.
I ate up the humor in this novel, which features some really excellent secondary characters in addition to a friends-to-lovers storyline. The plot is a little predictable, but there are definitely some tasty twists. All of the plot is layered with the history of the Maya (which I LOVE), a sincere look into the dangers of the art black market and cultural theft, a strong but lost FMC, and the realities of academia. I can’t wait to see what Gentry writes next.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was so excited for Her Life in Ruins because it appeared to be a blend of my favorite things: a mystery, a romance, and life in academia. Unfortunately, the novel left me underwhelmed. The story follows Catherine, a woman whose work on her PhD gets threatened when the vessel that is the center of her work gets stolen from the lab where it has been housed. Determined to discover who is behind the heist, Catherine and her friend (who has been in love with her since undergrad) use an alumni tour in Mexico to go in search of the vessel.
I found Catherine a frustrating character at times and the twist of who is behind the vessel theft seemed glaringly obvious from the beginning. Also, Catherine and Nick find themselves in some sticky situations that have some pretty unbelievable resolutions.
Overall, I felt like this was a promising premise that didn’t quite deliver. Thank you to Net Galley and akaStory for the ARC!
I found Catherine a frustrating character at times and the twist of who is behind the vessel theft seemed glaringly obvious from the beginning. Also, Catherine and Nick find themselves in some sticky situations that have some pretty unbelievable resolutions.
Overall, I felt like this was a promising premise that didn’t quite deliver. Thank you to Net Galley and akaStory for the ARC!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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