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RUBY KROSS

Who is Corbin Sterling to me? That's what people always want to know. He was my first friend. He was the love of my life. And he was my only heartbreak. The problem is that I love the big jerk, and I've refused to give up our friendship, even if it does mean it'll eventually ruin me. So, to answer the question... Corbin Fucking Sterling is the Bane of my existence; that's what he is.

CORBIN STERLING

People tell you to learn from your mistakes, but the problem isn't learning from them; it's undoing them. I wish I could go back and undo a lot of shit. Maybe then I wouldn't feel tortured every time Ruby calls me her "best friend."

This might be the last chance I have to make everything right, but she's sure as hell not going to make it easy. The games we play will either finally stop, or turn into what I've always wanted. This time I won't fuck it up. Hopefully.

334 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 27, 2015

463 people are currently reading
2352 people want to read

About the author

C.M. Owens

65 books8,912 followers
C.M. Owens only writes romance, but she's a sub-genre whore.

She has two other pen names that she writes under.
Kristy Cunning for Reverse Harem and S.T. Abby for her darker/stabby books.

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5 stars
3,175 (57%)
4 stars
1,475 (26%)
3 stars
598 (10%)
2 stars
162 (2%)
1 star
99 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 290 reviews
21 reviews133 followers
April 17, 2018
Ok so this is one of the stupidest books I've ever had the displeasure of reading.
So I literally threw this book at the wall like easily 6 times and told myself I wasn't gonna finish it but then I just couldn't seem to help myself to see if it was possible for it to get even worse, well spoiler alert it did.
So Corbin, what do I think about him? Okay so putting it frankly,I WANTED TO FUCKING NEUTER HIM! Well not personally but you get what I'm saying...
He was just such a fucking asshole, that all throughout the book all I kept thinking was that his mother should have swallowed.

And Ruby was so fucking stupid I can't even...She forgives him for fucking OW less than 24 hours after he couldn't get it up for her because he FUCKING TRIPLE DARES her to!
If he'd done that to me it would have earned him a kick to the balls.
And he just keeps on breaking her trust and she fucking forgives him, she is such a fucking doormat!

And when he dares her to break up with her boyfriend!
What does the stupid bitch do you ask? Ding ding ding. You are correct sir she dumps his ass, because that's what a normal person does right?
I can't even believe that I finished this book, that being said I did really like the other books in
this series, especially Loving war.



Profile Image for Rosalie.
583 reviews
February 13, 2016
I love her whole series ... Except this one. I'm sorry but I look for more than the author telling me "he loves her" to believe a love story. Corbin didn't love Ruby. With the other Heroes in the book, they didn't cheat, and the worst thing is, he casually triple dares her to forgive him and she does ..... I mean I'm SO sorry but is no one else sick of these books where the hero is a dick and doesn't even redeem himself? I love anti-heroes, when they're redeemable, not this crap.
And after 5 times of HIM leaving HER, she forgives him again. Okay and it ends. How does she trust that he won't leave again?
I'm actually surprised it's the same others as the other in the books. For me, I would 100% believe if Corbin meets another girl and really sees her for what she is and actually loves the other girl and doesn't let her go. He literally treats Ruby like shit and expects her to forgive him through whatever. And please, she's such a doormat I literally couldn't believe I finished the book. I swear I was just looking for parts of other couples. I hated when he dared her to break up with her boyfriend .... And she did ? I mean Jesus. My favourite book of this series and maybe of all time is Loving War. Did you see how much she stood up to Kode? And he always treated her well. I'm just:
1) not into cheating
2) not into the guy leaving the girl over and over and coming back and in one day gets her back.
3) not into the fact ruby literally can't say no to him. Whereas he leaves her over and over and sleeps with a million girls.
For me, he waited until he's slept with all the girls he actually wanted to before settling for a girl he doesn't actually love because he's always cheating and leaving her. And when a guy loves a woman, he doesn't do either.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Val ⚓️ Shameless Handmaiden ⚓️.
2,090 reviews36.1k followers
June 28, 2022
3.5 Stars

I seriously LOVE me a childhood best friends to adult lovers romance, so I was really looking forward to this installment in the series after finishing the last book. I have been trying to pace myself in finishing this series since I know my finite C.M. Owens booklist is rapidly dwindling.

I was super intrigued by Corbin and Ruby's backstory after finishing the last book and it definitely delivered. I will say that Corbin's reasoning for...certain past actions was super weak; but hey, we all do dumb shit when we are young. I guess. Anyway. I could have done with a lot more groveling, but it is what it is.

Overall, I really loved their relationship dynamic and whole triple dare backdrop. Actually, this book and the last book with Rye and Brin felt very Wild Ones with their prankster elements. I loved how possessive Corbin was and, of course, just love the Sterling friend gang.

I thought the climax moment of the book was a little weak, thus my lower rating. But all in all, an enjoyable read. And perhaps just knowing we will never get anymore Owens books makes me feel nostalgic. Either way, I have a soft spot for this series and have already finished book eight at the time of this review.
Profile Image for Kerry Fletcher.
584 reviews9 followers
October 27, 2015
The Sterling Shore series is one of my favorite series ever. These stories get better and better with every one i read. You would think there would be some kind of repeat by now but nope!! This author is so awesome she keeps dreaming up new stuff!!!

This is Corbin f^$king Sterling and Ruby Cross' story. Corbin has always been the ladies man of the Sterling boys always flitting around with different girls and doing silly stuff with his cousins and getting arrested. He's always appeared to not have a care in the world and to be honest up till now we've not really seen much of him. This is his story and you realize that anything you thought you knew was completely wrong and was only a shallow surface he hid behind. He's been friends with Ruby since they were kids. Always best friends sticking together but in all honesty he kinda always walked all over Ruby and she gave in to his every need. You would think being like this you would feel Ruby is weak. She is anything but weak believe me the only person she bows to is Corbin but trust me she gets him back plenty in their Triple Dares i'll just say Twerk and leave it at that. Once you read you'll know!

This book takes you on a massive roller-coaster of emotions. From the start there is an undercurrent to the book that slowly reveals what is under the surface. The highs are just awesome the Triple Dares had me crying laughing and of course if there are dares and pranks going on previous characters Brin and Rye have to be in them! The constant undercurrent makes you feel a little tense and really unsure that it will turn out ok in the end. I got pretty scared there for a while they would not end up together. The chemistry between them is off the charts but something or someone keeps getting in the way or Corbin screws up spectacularly. The scene after Corbin accidentally drinks her dads beer is probably one of the funniest things i have ever read. probably the most sexy too. But then come the lows. I can happily admit that i cried for the last quarter of the book. It had built and built highs and lows, lows and highs and then, then everything just explodes!! I had gone through the book in all honesty wanting to smack Corbin round the head and tell him he was an idiot and should grow up!! Then... then he breaks... something comes out that just breaks him from the inside out. I gotta say i broke there right alongside him, shattered in fact. I had also spent the book falling in love with Ruby and broke for her too. It was an amazing twist in the book and i blubbed my eyes out so much i had to keep stopping so i could see!

After being shattered into a million pieces i was put back together and made to feel whole again. The ending left me feeling very satisfied i just loved every single second of the whole book.

I can't recommend this book highly enough to anyone. It can be read as a standalone but you would so be missing out by not reading the rest of the series. Shot straight to the top of my favorite books ever!!!
61 reviews35 followers
May 19, 2017
I should have trusted my first instinct and not bothered with this book, Corbin is not a Hero, he is one of the most selfish, spoilt totally arrogant characters I have ever read about. No way in hell would Ruby have forgiven him for college, and no way would she be with him after he broke her trust FOUR times, four times he told her to trust him this was it, and he ended it with her time and again. She should have burned her box and told him where to go. He claimed to have loved her all along, but just didn't understand how much he hurt her, which is total bull and totally unbelievable. She's Such a fool for staying with him.
Profile Image for Book Theory.
121 reviews2 followers
Read
November 21, 2017
Spoilers:

Cheating is a no from me, like seriously if your writing an entire book or even a series, come up with a plot or story line, you don't need cheating. I can understand other relationships prior to anything happening between the two main characters in a book, but after? No, just no. Like... Why. And it's a shame cause I do like this series and this author but honestly I'm not even going to bother.


Update: Since I have not read this book in its entirety or towards a length I would feel comfortable leaving a rating for I decided to remove my rating.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
38 reviews1 follower
May 22, 2017
No specific spoilers. Just nonspecific ranting.


How is the rating on this book so high? No. Just no. Fuck Corbin. That behavior is unacceptable. Ruby is a dumbass doormat. He doesn't actually love her. There's no way. People don't treat people they love like this. I love the author normally. But this book is absolute s***. Maybe I just think that because my husband is so freaking amazing. But I don't think so. I think the standard of acceptable behavior has lowered as a society. It's sad. This book is a hard no. Zero stars.
Profile Image for Tessa.
881 reviews97 followers
July 9, 2024
Re-read 7/9/24- rating stays the same. I'm on a re-read kick at the moment.


Re-read 3/8/24- more like 3.5 rounded up. I still can't believe that she stayed friends with him after the shit he pulled in college. The H needed to grovel a whole lot more for the shit he pulled. With that being said, I will probably read it again just for the drama
Profile Image for MoodyJess.
430 reviews33 followers
October 31, 2015
3 Ruby Stars

The story of Corbin and Ruby was an interesting one. Ups and downs. Backs and forths. Crissing and crossing. Pasts, presents and futures. But one thing is for sure, they love each other. As crazy as they are, as many games as they played, through all the bullshit and guilt trips and the forgiveness, these two were destined for one another.

I'll admit, this book was kind of funny. It was also extremely sad and emotional. All of the other sterling shore story's were not this kind of crazy. Psycho mothers, crazy sisters, manipulation, and so much more. I felt like I was on a crappy roller coaster and I wanted off but it wouldn't stop.

This wasn't my favourite instalment. For various reasons. Bad editing, choppy transitions, and a rushed ending were just a few. I did however, really like Ruby. She's one tough chick. A little daft, but whatever. Corbin fucking sterling. You are such a douche. I want to like you you have many good qualities. You adore Ruby and you friends, but you're fatal flaw is that you care more about you than anyone else. Honestly. Ya, your hot and rich, and I feel bad because your parents are toolbags, but i would have left you hanging. Never. Forgiven. You. Ruby obviously wants to see the good in him after he bares his soul (finally) to her and gives him his fifth chance. You heard me. Fifth. Ugh. Maybe somewhere fifth times a charm?!

I hope the next book is better. And CM Owens gets a better editor. That was a bit painful.
Profile Image for Amsa.
270 reviews55 followers
May 2, 2023
How did this book get even three star rating forget about 5 stars. Giving it two stars is more than generous but I am not generous and am giving it one star. H cheated on her with many ow and all he had to do was triple dare her to forgive him, then he triple dares her to breakup with her boyfriend and this zeroine does that. What are we five or something? I know this is fictional romance but it’s not sci-fi, or para or fantasy. So I want at least a touch of reality in my books.
And the best part is he loves her so much he couldn’t even get it up for her. Yep you read it right. So romantic this is. Don’t worry all he has to do is triple dare her to be forgiven. They are just kids who make silly mistakes after all.
Profile Image for Danita.
88 reviews3 followers
October 29, 2015
Never, in the many years I've been reading, have I EVER read a book that covered Every. Single. Emotion! I laughed so hard, I cried. My heart broke so badly, I cried. I got so excited and happy, I cried! And I am far from a cry baby. Corbin is the quiet Sterling, but he's always there. Ruby's nowhere near a Sparkling Sterling, but she's perfect for him. Passion is sexy to me, and those two have it in SPADES!

Perfect writing. Amazing scenes. Gut wrenching moments that made me scream, cry, and laugh so hard it hurt. Epic book. Absolutely, epic!
Profile Image for Jessica *The Lovely Books*.
1,265 reviews650 followers
August 20, 2020
This gets three stars because as much as I love the series...I thought Corbin was too much of an idiot. Dude needed to grovel so much more😤
Profile Image for Brianna Nimo.
7 reviews1 follower
February 20, 2021
I disliked this book tbh. Ruby was a weak character and very annoying. I hated how she didn't stand up to Corbin. She had no spine when it came to him.
Corbin was well, I don't even know what to say about him. Definitely my least favourite of the Sterling boys. A complete douche! I must even admit that I skipped through a few parts because it got boring and frustrating. The funny thing is I did not even really like both characters that much. Yet another book where we have to hear about stupid pranks and childish games.
100% one of my least favourite books in this series.
Profile Image for DS Book Promotions.
559 reviews13 followers
October 29, 2015
I loved everything about this book. CM Owens is one of my favourite authors and never disappoints. This book had me from the first page! So many laugh out loud moments, the Sterling Shore Series is absolutely awesome,
Profile Image for Silvy_1309.
65 reviews8 followers
April 14, 2018
Original story! Amazing characters..strange families...and strongest feeling ever..
Love this couple
Profile Image for Marcella.
880 reviews32 followers
July 22, 2020
Honestly didnt enjoy this one.

Didnt hate it but didnt enjoy it.

Corbin is selfish and horrible.

Ruby is weak and annoying.

Rinse wash repeat, their behaviour was disgusting to read. This is not love, it's a cycle of toxic horror. Corbin is by far the worst hero out of these Sterling boys. How he has strung Ruby along for years ... all for his juvenile pride!!?? Has loved her forever but turns to other women to forget. She is easily replaceable to him. Out of sight out of mind. Screw his letters and his boxes of hidden secrets, it does not mean anything when he has walked all over her their whole lives. Playing some stupid game to tether her to him.

Ruby is no better. She is a doormat. A weak willed woman who has no backbone, no dignity, no sense. She was just as horrible because she enabled it all. Was all talk because the moment he was in her vincity she gave in.

Corbin did not grovel enough for what he did. He teased her emotions with his back and forth, he made her feel less as a woman by friendzoning her right after they were making out, broke up with her and slept with another woman the day after...and Ruby walked in on it. But all is forgiven with their stupid games. Their triple dare was honestly the most juvenile crap. It was nothing like Rye and Brin's pranks, at least with those two it was fun. With Ruby and Corbin they'd triple dare the other to forgive them, they'd triple dare to force the other to spend time with them...it was honestly a means for manipulation and a crutch to enable the toxicity to continue.

Not a 1 star because they did have a few good moments but they had more toxic moments that had me skimming through this book just wanting the torture of this "couple" to end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Rain .
211 reviews2 followers
January 10, 2021
Awful hero

Hero is a piece of crap. I have read a couple of other books in this series and they were food. This is Bod awful. They have been playing this game for years. They have gotten together 4 or 5 times and every time he breaks it off and then goes and screws other girls. The first time he later explains, when he was 15 was because he was a virgin and thought he should sleep with other girls since he was going to “marry Ruby”. So the very next day she walks in on him actually screwing another girl. She still takes him back after that and he sti breaks up to screw other girls. Why, just way? This is an awful plot line. Screw him.
Profile Image for Anusriya.
125 reviews40 followers
December 11, 2016
I liked the premise and did love some emotional parts but i feel the book could have been much better if it was handled a bit realistically..There were just too much games..And the Triple Dare thing! it got on my nerves pretty soon..otherwise, i liked the author's writing style, so i might just check out some of her other works..3 stars.
48 reviews2 followers
September 8, 2020
Hero is awful

I can’t get over how awful the “hero” is. He’s a cheater and coward who uses manipulation to get the girl. He constantly touches her and when she tries to establish boundaries he literally says no and forces her. That is not romantic. This is not sexy. It’s a giant disappointment
Profile Image for Annmarie.
1,245 reviews51 followers
March 1, 2016
He doesn't deserve her at all. What he did in college. Asshole!
Profile Image for Izzie d.
4,299 reviews362 followers
Read
July 14, 2017
This is funny if a bit childish in parts but my problem is Corbin.
How can you ever trust a man like him, after all his history. I am not keen on doormat heroines either.
Profile Image for Lauren-marie.
241 reviews2 followers
May 22, 2017
Well I needed some thing that I'd enjoy and something that wouldn't bore me and that's exactly what I got with this book. I love that I'm getting back into this seriessay because these characters always makeasy me smile.

Before writing this I thought I would check out the other reviews and unfortunately the ones I came across were 3 stars or below. Now while I can see where these people are coming from its something that didn't bother me. Were some things unrealistic? Quite possibly. Did it annoy me? No. You're reading fiction it's not supposed to be real. It's sup posed to be something you can escape in and that's what his book did for me. I was constantly picking this up when I could get a spare few minutes because I just wanted to know what was going to happen next.

Ruby and Corbin had a triple dare war going on and I loved it. It brought some fun into this book. And while it was a little like Breaking Even and Loving War, they all had slightly different relationships and different types of dares. Ruby, I have nothing bad to say about her. I really did like this character and the way she came across. Corbin was definitely a dick at time but a loveable one. You could see at times he really tried and he did love Ruby, he just didn't know how to show this all the time. If things went wrong, he bailed. This I didon't not like about him. I kept wishing he would stick by Ruby and grow some balls. (P.s this is what I was referring to with people saying it is unrealistic. His excuses were poor but he was Ruby's best friend so of course she was going to want hI'm in her life). While I kept wishing Corning would be a better person, there'd be no story of he was perfect so this imperfiction made him perfect for the book. And like I said you just can't help but love him and his triple dares.

If you've enjoyed the other books in this series, go ahead and read this one. You won't be disappointed.
Profile Image for Lucy Edwards.
Author 23 books70 followers
June 23, 2017
There was something about this one that didn't quite match up to all the others. I still really enjoyed it but compared to the others it seemed to be missing something. Still another good book in the series though
Profile Image for shms.
1,414 reviews
October 22, 2017
I haven't been particularly impressed with the books I've read from this series but something made me give it a go. Overall is was meh with a couple of high points By about 70%, I was just waiting for the end.
Profile Image for Kate.
113 reviews6 followers
June 3, 2018
I cant make my mind up on who my fave couples are anymore. Each time I read the next in the series I change my mind !
Displaying 1 - 30 of 290 reviews

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