5 stars
Review by Jen Skewes
OMG, this book was everything. I love anything that Carina Adams writes, but this may be my new favorite. This is a love triangle, which may not be my favorite to read but this is Carina, so whatever she writes, I read. This book is so different from what she normally writes. It is so much more than a love triangle. It’s a story about friendships, love, lies, deceit and so much more. I loved every minute of it. From the moment I started I was sucked right in. The prologue alone captured me. I finished this book two days ago, and yet it as all I can think about. I want to go back and read it again, this time reading slower and savoring every moment.
Cady is in her last year of college and just lost her job. Her best friend’s girlfriend has this brilliant idea to get her a job as a Burlesque dancer at private parties. This job is something that seems to be so far out of Cady’s league, but she desperately needs the money so she has no choice but to agree. This is where it all starts. Her boss Roman is an arrogant, miserable man who she cannot stand to be around. His best friend and business Partner Reid seems to be the complete opposite. Roman can’t stand her, Reid wants her and Cady is confused as ever. She is falling for two men, one that will never want her in the same way and the other is one that she needs. But it is so much more complicated than that. How you ask? Well you will have to read this one to find out. There is so much to this story and I do not want to give anything away. Go in blind, but make sure you have time because once you start you will not want to put it down.
I completely adored Cady. She is someone who I can relate to on so many levels. She is not the type of person who you would pick out of a crowd to be a Burlesque dancer. And while she may know that she also knows how to own it. She has sass and charm and knows how to stick up for herself. She does not hold back and I just loved her. She wasn’t perfect. She has flaws just like the rest of us, and she knew it but never seemed to let that hold her back. She was the perfect heroine and I loved watching her come into her own as the story progressed.
Reid was someone that I really loved. He is a really good guy with a huge heart. He is Rome’s best friend and would do anything for him. He protects the ones he loves and is a sweet guy. He wanted Cady and had no problems letting her know, but maybe for me he was a little too much when it came to his feelings for her. And not in a bad way, but honestly it all makes sense as you read on and find out more of his past. He really is a great guy who I adored.
Rome on the other hand is a brooding, angry, miserable alpha who I LOVED!!! I didn’t care if he acted like a complete ass at times, I loved him from the moment I met him.. I love how he wanted to hate Cady but really didn’t. I loved the banter back and forth. But most of all I loved how he became someone that not everyone else saw when he was with her. He was himself and opened up to her in a way that he never expected. It took a lot to admit his feelings, denying them over and over, and trying so hard to maintain that she was nothing but a pain in the ass. I loved every part of him.
Ruffles and Beaus is a story of love and friendship, loyalty and trust, lies and deceit and it was freaking fantastic. Cady finds herself in love with two men, who are best friends. But her relationship with the both of them is very complicated. There was drama and angst and moments where my heart was in my throat. There are two particular scenes where I had a lump in my throat, tears in my eyes and my heart just broke. They also happen to be my favorite scenes.
Ms. Adams writing is flawless. She knows how to make you feel it all with these characters. It is a beautiful story that will pull at your heartstrings. It is a slow burn, but the build up and the way it all ends was worth it. If you read one book b Carina Adams, make it this one. Every emotion, every twist, every time your heart either melted, swooned or broke, it was worth it all. Completely blown away.