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Haverston Family Series

The Town: The Lady Who Left

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Cressida has always been judged as a walking scandal. Oh, how she tried in some rare occasions to be proper! Yet they never worked. And she's had enough. She wants to find something else The Town can never offer her: freedom and true love. And so she will find a way out of The Town, a land that lives in the past and away from modern civilization. But there is just one problem: no one has ever gotten out of The Town.

Or so they think.

With enough determination, she manages to go to a completely different place, one she has only heard in stories and read in books, with hopes of finding what her heart has always longed for. And yes, to escape an impending marriage to a man equally determined to not have her as a wife.

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Published January 25, 2015

11 people are currently reading
130 people want to read

About the author

Greenwriter

35 books272 followers
Janelle Ruiz works as a nurse in Bacolod City. She likes the rain, jazz, and freshly brewed coffee. When she's not writing, she spends her time reading inspirational, suspense, and psychological thriller books. She dreams of becoming a forensic psychologist, but as of now, being one of the most amazing criminal profilers in her dreamland is enough. Apart from dreaming, reading and watching too much suspense/thriller television series and a lot of documentaries, she is also known to most of her personal friends and family as a painter.

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5 stars
163 (54%)
4 stars
99 (33%)
3 stars
32 (10%)
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3 (1%)
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
Profile Image for Kace | The Booknerd .
1,442 reviews70 followers
June 23, 2021
It was such a good read! If you are a fan of historical romance — do not pass this one up! It does take a bit for the story to pick up, but once it does, it has the power to hold your heart for life! ♥️
Profile Image for Christie Lee.
11 reviews2 followers
January 7, 2020
Pleasantly surprised by our heroine Cressida. Her sharp tongue and brutal honesty would have rendered her unsuitable for the Town's traditional and frankly antiquated practice, but my lord it fits perfectly - especially when contrasted with Calan's adherence to rules and tendency to think of the bigger picture, to the point where he would be willing to jeopardise his own feelings.
Profile Image for Michael.
52 reviews1 follower
November 18, 2016
I love this book so much. Greenwriter is one of my favorite wattpad author. Her stories are really worth reading. I thought I have seen her in her best until "The Town series" happened. In my opinion, it is her best story so far. I am not really a fan of historical fiction but her works are just so amazing that I cannot stop reading it.

"The Lady Who Left" is a story about Cressida Belverst, a woman who has only two wishes in life -freedom and true love. But because of her bad reputation in the "town", a place underground that is far away from the modern civilization, she feels like fulfilling both will be impossible. She could only think one way in order to have both her freedom and her true love - to left the town. In order to do that, she needs the help of Calan Haverston, her soon to be husband who is equally determined not to have her as his wife.

Cressida is so easy to love. She is witty, and strong, and carefree. Her journey in the "town" and in the real world are both fun to read. She always do what she wants, no matter how hard it is to achieve. She is not afraid of the consequences of her action. she does not fear pain or heartaches. Her childishness also adds flavor in her character, it makes her cute and attractive at the same time. While her love interest, Calan Haverston is a true prince charming, tho he is hard headed and foolish (when it comes to love), his love for Cressida is cannot be denied. He is haunted by his past but at the end he found way to overcome it, all in the name of love.

"The Lady Who Left" is a mustt read.
Profile Image for Kacey Ann.
37 reviews2 followers
August 15, 2021
This is the first ever, historical fiction that I've read, and I'm so glad that it is! I never thought of getting myself indulged to this kind of genre 'cause I have a hard time on grasping one, back in the years. But THIS! This book made me want to read more romance historical fiction. I would definitely pick up the second book whenever I get the chance to grab one, for I prefer to read this kind of genre, physically.

J.D. Ruiz's writing never fails to amaze me to such extent. I will always recommend her works everytime one would ask me for one.
Profile Image for Andie Silver.
1 review
December 4, 2018
reread this and it was still as I imagined it, funny and romantic all in one.

If you were to read this series I would recommend going in order of books and not the stand alone, because they all mold together perfectly that it would feel weird not to read one after the other.
Profile Image for Just_Another_Book_Lover.
199 reviews2 followers
September 4, 2021
This was the 1st book of the series & I enjoyed it thoroughly...To me it was like a spy drama where the spy(Calan) falls in love with the unconventional rich girl(Cressida)..This review is purely a summary for those who want to read it in the future..So not giving any spoilers😉😉

Besides,I guess we kniw all that the story is based on "The Town", an underground city/town,surrounding many secrets, mysteries etc..If you don't, You can read the summary of the given book to understand the idea of "The town"....

I would say the overall book had 3parts..

In the 1st part,we see Cressida's struggle in the society,Her Dreams, Mysterious Calan, His Secret Intentions & Their Blooming romance..For me, Cressida's character is more like "Geet" from the movie called "Jab we met" (Its an Indian film)..She is bold,reckless,sweet in Heart, outspoken,knows her dreams,hilarious.Believe me when I say hilarious,it is🤣🤣🤣🤣..Whereas our hero Calan is the cold,tall,gorgeous,mysterious & a lot of burden in shoulder type guy.. This is the part where a lot of drama is happening...From hilarious scenes to steamy ones..From teasing to knowing each other.. Really liked how this part was carried out…

2nd part is where all the spy thing & realizations were happening.. Secrets were coming out..The main thing that I liked here was Calan's trying to protect Cressida's dream & her family..How he put her before anything else..This is the part, we can see Cressida is finally getting mature,realizing the dear things of life..
ps..A lot of funny moments were still happening in the background🤣🤣🤣..It was a perfect blend of deep moments & funny moments.. If you are a historical fic fan, you will never feel bored trust me😁😁

Obviously, the ending comes with confessing & all those heavy dialogues..I mean what's a confession without being heavy right😌😌??It was the perfect ending for me..It had all those elements that I wanted..Loved it ❤️❤️..& Who doesn't like a happy ending….
Profile Image for santicakeroll.
25 reviews
July 25, 2025
- unique & artistic world concept
- really interesting & tight plot 🫨
- cressy’s journey is so special, cressida belvest haverston you are so loved be me !
- rounded characters < 3
- the tension, yearners !
Profile Image for moonlightscrawls.
79 reviews13 followers
April 21, 2022
Disclaimer: This book took me so long to finish and I think that affected the way I saw this book.

First of, I think the world is fantastic - although a little bit uncomfortable to imagine and read. It is fantastic in a way because this is the first time in which I am reading a historical romance that exists below ground, like in a city of ember kind of way; it's utterly fascinating. It is also a little bit uncomfortable for my part because I just find the place they are living in cramped and dark. And I for one, cannot imagine myself living in that place.

Second, I find the writing to be astonishing, as expected of JD Ruiz. I have been a fan of her works for months now. But, I find the plot and conflict to be somewhat overused.

Lastly, although I can see the appeal of the characters, I think they are not for me. I find Cressida to be that common, rebellious lady and Cadan to be that common, cold Lord who does not believe in love because he had been hurt before. To be completely honest, I am much more interested in Mary's story.

Anyway, I still enjoyed reading this book though and I rated it three stars.
Profile Image for K.
92 reviews1 follower
June 9, 2016
This one of the most i might say THE BEST I've read this year.

The whole plot is very much refreshing. I love contemporary and historical romance and greenwriter made it in one book. I'm awed with her unique way of writing a fresh and amazing novel. I feel like I was taken back from the past and rush back to present.

I highly recommend this book rather this series. (I won't spoil you everyone. JUST FREAKING READ IT.)

Profile Image for Elle Reads.
52 reviews3 followers
December 29, 2019
Well. The Town happened.
I must say this story of hers is my favorite. My first read on her works and this made me fall in love with her story-telling. Cressida and Calan holds a special place in my heart, they're so lovable. I really admired Cressida to leave the Town, to be aboveground alone. A strong, independent woman indeed. Oh. The author made me feel all sorts of emotions every chapter is a page turner. A must read and you'll definitely read this book all over again.
Profile Image for Cj Espiritu.
5 reviews2 followers
June 26, 2016
i fall in love more in historical romance because of this book...
Profile Image for Daenerys.
31 reviews
February 3, 2023
Cressida Belverst | Calan Haverston

= 4/5 ☆
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for rae.
140 reviews
September 18, 2022
i don't know how can i express my feelings over this book. i was right to believe that filipino authors do write the best romance books.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews

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