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A Ruined Girl
Two boys loved her. But which one killed her?
Two years ago, teenagers Rob and Paige broke into the house of Paige's school counsellor and stole only a necklace, but traumatised their victims in the process. No one knows why. And Paige hasn't been seen since that night. Having spent her life in children's homes and the foster system, no one cared enough to look for her.
Now Rob is out of prison, and probation officer Wren Reynolds has been tasked with his rehabilitation. But Wren has her own reasons for taking on Rob as a client. Convinced that Rob knows what happened to Paige, and hiding a lifetime of secrets from her heavily pregnant wife, Wren's obsession with finding a missing girl may tear her family apart...
Two years ago, teenagers Rob and Paige broke into the house of Paige's school counsellor and stole only a necklace, but traumatised their victims in the process. No one knows why. And Paige hasn't been seen since that night. Having spent her life in children's homes and the foster system, no one cared enough to look for her.
Now Rob is out of prison, and probation officer Wren Reynolds has been tasked with his rehabilitation. But Wren has her own reasons for taking on Rob as a client. Convinced that Rob knows what happened to Paige, and hiding a lifetime of secrets from her heavily pregnant wife, Wren's obsession with finding a missing girl may tear her family apart...
384 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2020
17 people are currently reading
408 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
May 14, 2020
Three years ago 18 year old Rob Ashworth and Paige Garrett committed a strange robbery at counsellor James Yardley’s house. Rob was sent to prison. Paige disappeared from the care home where she had been living and where Rob’s brother Luke was also a resident. Rob was due to be released early on a Community Atonement Programme overseen by probation officer Wren Reynolds. Wren was supposed to take Rob to visit those affected by his crime and apologise but she began to go way being her remit and delve into the past especially Paige’s disappearance. Why? The story was told in and round the time of the robbery by Luke and in the present by Wren.
I admit it took me a little while to connect with the storyline but once I did I couldn’t put it down. It’s hard to work out exactly what drew me in and absorbed my attention but I think it was the puzzle of Wren’s probing. She was not acting as she should, she was not giving her partner Suzy the attention she deserved and she crossed lines and that intrigued me. The characters although not all likeable or remotely trustworthy were very well portrayed and easily pictured. I liked Paige, despite her many issues and Luke really cared about her and that was heartwarming. As the plot developed the storytelling became more taut, the suspense grew, tension built and a very twisty psychological thriller developed. You realised the further you got into the book that there was more than one ‘ruined girl’ which I really liked. The care home was central to a lot of the plot and that was very well depicted with some staff who cared, some who just saw their job as a pay cheque and the kids doing their best to survive.
Overall, this was a well written novel with a good plot, plenty of twists and turns, some I predicted and some I most certainly didn’t.
With thanks to NetGalley and Serpents Tale/Profile Books/Viper for the ARC in return for an honest review.
I admit it took me a little while to connect with the storyline but once I did I couldn’t put it down. It’s hard to work out exactly what drew me in and absorbed my attention but I think it was the puzzle of Wren’s probing. She was not acting as she should, she was not giving her partner Suzy the attention she deserved and she crossed lines and that intrigued me. The characters although not all likeable or remotely trustworthy were very well portrayed and easily pictured. I liked Paige, despite her many issues and Luke really cared about her and that was heartwarming. As the plot developed the storytelling became more taut, the suspense grew, tension built and a very twisty psychological thriller developed. You realised the further you got into the book that there was more than one ‘ruined girl’ which I really liked. The care home was central to a lot of the plot and that was very well depicted with some staff who cared, some who just saw their job as a pay cheque and the kids doing their best to survive.
Overall, this was a well written novel with a good plot, plenty of twists and turns, some I predicted and some I most certainly didn’t.
With thanks to NetGalley and Serpents Tale/Profile Books/Viper for the ARC in return for an honest review.
October 19, 2020
Two years before a violent robbery was committed at the house of James Yardley, a charming school counsellor. A very expensive bracelet was taken and his wife left a gibbering mess. The teenagers responsible were identified as Paige and Rob, local kids, but only one was ever found. Paige has been missing ever since. With Rob being older and Paige only 15, suspicions of her whereabouts were immediately placed onto him. Paige being deemed vulnerable having spent most of her life in care homes. Rob was sentenced to time in prison for the robbery, claiming to know nothing of her whereabouts.
Later when he is due to be released, Wren Reynolds is assigned as his probation officer. She is responsible for reintroducing him to society and setting him up to live independently. However Wren has an ulterior motive. She purposely pulled strings to get this assignment and is determined to find out what happened to Paige. Risking her job, relationship and family life. Is this professional? Or personal ....
Ok, so this book completely threw me. It begins with a fairly sinister anonymous prologue that initially drew me in. Moving on and I really struggled to get into it. The chapters from before that center on life in Paige’s care home were great, but whenever we caught back up to present I lost interest. I found Wren crazy annoying and vaguely boring. I very nearly gave up but around halfway things improve significantly and the last third of the book was great. Everything began to make sense with plenty of twists and despicable characters! Worth a read if you can muddle through the first half. The ending alone earned 4 stars from me! ✨
Later when he is due to be released, Wren Reynolds is assigned as his probation officer. She is responsible for reintroducing him to society and setting him up to live independently. However Wren has an ulterior motive. She purposely pulled strings to get this assignment and is determined to find out what happened to Paige. Risking her job, relationship and family life. Is this professional? Or personal ....
Ok, so this book completely threw me. It begins with a fairly sinister anonymous prologue that initially drew me in. Moving on and I really struggled to get into it. The chapters from before that center on life in Paige’s care home were great, but whenever we caught back up to present I lost interest. I found Wren crazy annoying and vaguely boring. I very nearly gave up but around halfway things improve significantly and the last third of the book was great. Everything began to make sense with plenty of twists and despicable characters! Worth a read if you can muddle through the first half. The ending alone earned 4 stars from me! ✨
September 28, 2020
If your favoured reading material is a novel with a good sprinkling of suspense, hope, unpredictability, adversity, and a sense of foreboding, then feel at liberty to read this psychological crime thriller by Kate Simants - A Ruined Girl.
Teenagers Rob Ashworth, and Paige Garrett committed a robbery at school counsellor, James Yardley’s house, two years ago, resulting in Rob being sent to prison. That night, Paige disappeared from the care home where she was living, the same place that Rob’s brother, Luke also resided. Rob is due to be released early on a Community Atonement Programme overseen by probation professional, Wren Reynolds. Wren is meant to take Rob to visit those affected by his crime and apologise for the repercussions but, for her own reasons, she decides to delve into the past especially regarding Paige’s disappearance...
The story is told in the past, around the time of the robbery by Luke, and in the present by Wren. Kate Simants gave the reader some excellent characters, most of whom had appeal despite their flaws and I cared about them from the very beginning though of course, there was the odd less palatable one. I appreciated that Wren told part of the story as this enabled me to have more of an understanding of her and the reasons for her probing and blurring the lines professionally, risking her job. I also liked Paige, despite her problems and it was lovely that Luke cared about her and wanted to protect her.
The author released her information in such a way that I did not want to put down my kindle and wait for the next chapter. The writing really flowed and there were wonderfully crafted descriptions of the people and events. A Ruined Girl was a taut read and the author’s great talent made this a wonderful story that I thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated for the entertainment it was. The eye-popping ending was something of a surprise.
Overall, I'd say that A Ruined Girl is a little gem and it is a book that I'm so pleased to have read!
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my own request from Serpent's Tail / Profile Books/ Viper via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
Teenagers Rob Ashworth, and Paige Garrett committed a robbery at school counsellor, James Yardley’s house, two years ago, resulting in Rob being sent to prison. That night, Paige disappeared from the care home where she was living, the same place that Rob’s brother, Luke also resided. Rob is due to be released early on a Community Atonement Programme overseen by probation professional, Wren Reynolds. Wren is meant to take Rob to visit those affected by his crime and apologise for the repercussions but, for her own reasons, she decides to delve into the past especially regarding Paige’s disappearance...
The story is told in the past, around the time of the robbery by Luke, and in the present by Wren. Kate Simants gave the reader some excellent characters, most of whom had appeal despite their flaws and I cared about them from the very beginning though of course, there was the odd less palatable one. I appreciated that Wren told part of the story as this enabled me to have more of an understanding of her and the reasons for her probing and blurring the lines professionally, risking her job. I also liked Paige, despite her problems and it was lovely that Luke cared about her and wanted to protect her.
The author released her information in such a way that I did not want to put down my kindle and wait for the next chapter. The writing really flowed and there were wonderfully crafted descriptions of the people and events. A Ruined Girl was a taut read and the author’s great talent made this a wonderful story that I thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated for the entertainment it was. The eye-popping ending was something of a surprise.
Overall, I'd say that A Ruined Girl is a little gem and it is a book that I'm so pleased to have read!
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my own request from Serpent's Tail / Profile Books/ Viper via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
August 28, 2020
There was no way I was going to miss Kate Simants’ novel A Ruined Girl. Just reading the title gave me goosebumps. So when the blog tour invite came up, I ran, jumped, and grabbed my place on it! Call it gut feeling, but I knew I would enjoy the book.
Was I right?
Do you even need to ask???
Viper Books have quickly become one of my favorite publishers. If you are not following them, do it now.
Now on the book… I went in innocent and sweet; absolutely blind as I had not read the blurb. I find that doing this helps me dive into a story without putting pressure on the story. This time, I was rewarded with an absolutely gorgeous reading time. There are thrillers, and thrillers. A Ruined Girl gives it all – the brain food, the questions, the thrill, the chills. Kate Simants sparkles emotions on every pages. The result is a breathtaking, perfectly wrought tale of intertwined lives heavy with pain and the numbness of grey childhoods.
I have to say it: this prologue is top-notch. You’re plunged in the dark of the night and of hearts with a man, a boy, and a body. No names, no details, but neither are needed to reel you in and hook you. The enthralling writing is enough! I was mesmerized by what I was reading. Kate Simants cast a spell on me!
What’s next?
Wren Reynolds was a probation officer and is now part of a team with a new challenge – rehabilitate offenders through a carefully-laid plan. It allows them to get the ‘you’re out of jail’ card sooner but they have to visit those affected by their crimes and apologize… How do you deal with overflowing prisons? You send some guys home! The author really captured the bureaucracy ensnaring the prisons issue. Tight funds, too few workers, not enough hours in the day, the scrutiny from the population and politicians. I felt the frustration! Wren’s first case is Rob. Two years ago, Rob and another teenager, Paige, broke into Paige’s counsellor’s house. Rob was arrested but Paige was never seen again.
Why? What? How? If Wren’s job description doesn’t include answers to those questions, she is still determined to get them. I immediately felt how personally Wren was taking this case, but I couldn’t figure out her motive.
Slowly, to the rhythm of Before and Now chapters, we are invited into the lives of Rob, his brother Luke, Paige, and all the people involved around Paige’s disappearance. I felt I was running a marathon for answers. The past was catching up with the present, threatening it, and the present was hurling forward in a desperate attempt to escape the scars of the years…
Kate Simants masters the laws of dealing with difficult subjects while maintaining a high tension and strong characterization. She doesn’t use child abuse, drugs, and other atrocities faced by children in care, on top of those feelings of being aloof, apart, forgotten. She delicately and painfully knitted a web around simple needs – warmth, a family, protection, atonement from mistakes.
Wren is a fantastic character. Her partner Suzy is heavily pregnant, and part of the police force. I felt she was the safe line saving Wren from herself. Indeed, Wren goes above and beyond to understand what happened to Paige, putting her life with Suzy, and her job, at risk.
A Ruined Girl is an outstanding read – dealing with some very dark pearls allowed to shine through the author’s excellent writing. A true thriller with that little X-factor that makes it different and unforgettable!
Was I right?
Do you even need to ask???
Viper Books have quickly become one of my favorite publishers. If you are not following them, do it now.
Now on the book… I went in innocent and sweet; absolutely blind as I had not read the blurb. I find that doing this helps me dive into a story without putting pressure on the story. This time, I was rewarded with an absolutely gorgeous reading time. There are thrillers, and thrillers. A Ruined Girl gives it all – the brain food, the questions, the thrill, the chills. Kate Simants sparkles emotions on every pages. The result is a breathtaking, perfectly wrought tale of intertwined lives heavy with pain and the numbness of grey childhoods.
I have to say it: this prologue is top-notch. You’re plunged in the dark of the night and of hearts with a man, a boy, and a body. No names, no details, but neither are needed to reel you in and hook you. The enthralling writing is enough! I was mesmerized by what I was reading. Kate Simants cast a spell on me!
What’s next?
Wren Reynolds was a probation officer and is now part of a team with a new challenge – rehabilitate offenders through a carefully-laid plan. It allows them to get the ‘you’re out of jail’ card sooner but they have to visit those affected by their crimes and apologize… How do you deal with overflowing prisons? You send some guys home! The author really captured the bureaucracy ensnaring the prisons issue. Tight funds, too few workers, not enough hours in the day, the scrutiny from the population and politicians. I felt the frustration! Wren’s first case is Rob. Two years ago, Rob and another teenager, Paige, broke into Paige’s counsellor’s house. Rob was arrested but Paige was never seen again.
Why? What? How? If Wren’s job description doesn’t include answers to those questions, she is still determined to get them. I immediately felt how personally Wren was taking this case, but I couldn’t figure out her motive.
Slowly, to the rhythm of Before and Now chapters, we are invited into the lives of Rob, his brother Luke, Paige, and all the people involved around Paige’s disappearance. I felt I was running a marathon for answers. The past was catching up with the present, threatening it, and the present was hurling forward in a desperate attempt to escape the scars of the years…
Kate Simants masters the laws of dealing with difficult subjects while maintaining a high tension and strong characterization. She doesn’t use child abuse, drugs, and other atrocities faced by children in care, on top of those feelings of being aloof, apart, forgotten. She delicately and painfully knitted a web around simple needs – warmth, a family, protection, atonement from mistakes.
Wren is a fantastic character. Her partner Suzy is heavily pregnant, and part of the police force. I felt she was the safe line saving Wren from herself. Indeed, Wren goes above and beyond to understand what happened to Paige, putting her life with Suzy, and her job, at risk.
A Ruined Girl is an outstanding read – dealing with some very dark pearls allowed to shine through the author’s excellent writing. A true thriller with that little X-factor that makes it different and unforgettable!
October 30, 2020
Full of thought-provoking moments, A Ruined Girl is a psychological thriller that travels between the past and the present in order to solve the mystery of “what on earth happened to Paige?”. Paige disappeared two years ago after breaking into her school counsellor’s house with her friend, Rob. Rob has been behind bars ever since but now, a government scheme set on reducing the population of the overcrowded prisons means Rob is released early. Probation officer Wren Reynolds has been tasked with his rehabilitation. Wren is convinced Rob knows more about Paige’s disappearance.
This is a tough one to review because every single sentence I type seems to sound like a spoiler so I end up deleting everything because I really don’t want to give anything away. What I can say is that the intriguing plot pulled me in right away and I thoroughly enjoyed the back and forth between the “now” and the “before” as I tried to find the clues between the teasers in an attempt to figure it all out before it was revealed to me. Some of it I got quite easily, some of it I didn’t see coming at all.
However, I must admit there were moments in the book where my interest started to wane and I was desperately longing for something, anything, to happen and shake things up. But the latter part of the book more than made up for that when it felt as if everything was suddenly happening all at once and I feared I might end up with whiplash trying to keep up with it all.
All in all, A Ruined Girl is a cleverly plotted psychological thriller that ended up on a much deeper level than I was expecting. This was my first time reading a book by Kate Simants but it won’t be the last time. One to watch!
This is a tough one to review because every single sentence I type seems to sound like a spoiler so I end up deleting everything because I really don’t want to give anything away. What I can say is that the intriguing plot pulled me in right away and I thoroughly enjoyed the back and forth between the “now” and the “before” as I tried to find the clues between the teasers in an attempt to figure it all out before it was revealed to me. Some of it I got quite easily, some of it I didn’t see coming at all.
However, I must admit there were moments in the book where my interest started to wane and I was desperately longing for something, anything, to happen and shake things up. But the latter part of the book more than made up for that when it felt as if everything was suddenly happening all at once and I feared I might end up with whiplash trying to keep up with it all.
All in all, A Ruined Girl is a cleverly plotted psychological thriller that ended up on a much deeper level than I was expecting. This was my first time reading a book by Kate Simants but it won’t be the last time. One to watch!
April 28, 2020
A Ruined Girl is a tense and superbly plotted psychological character drama from Kate Simants, a book both of social conscience and of action and consequence.
The characters are all highly engaging, this author obviously having an intuitive sense of how to breathe life into the page. A robbery, a disappearance and an attempt to make amends is the central story here, it has all the twists of a psychological thriller and all the heart of a family saga - a real page turner that has many thought provoking scenes.
One to watch. Recommended.
The characters are all highly engaging, this author obviously having an intuitive sense of how to breathe life into the page. A robbery, a disappearance and an attempt to make amends is the central story here, it has all the twists of a psychological thriller and all the heart of a family saga - a real page turner that has many thought provoking scenes.
One to watch. Recommended.
September 29, 2020
This was a really interesting thriller but unfortunately it was not my favourite that I've ever read.
The concept of this book is very interesting. It centres around children in care, which is incredibly important to draw attention to even if it is still fictional.
I liked how the book went back and forth between the present and the past.
However, I didn't feel like I was reading a thriller at times drawing this book. The pace was kind of slow in places.
It also lacked the twists and turns throughout the book which I look for in thrillers. However, the writing was still good, I just wasn't fully engaged all the time while reading.
This book was interesting and definitely focused on an important topic but I just struggled to feel connected to the characters or engaged with the plot at times. Although, it is certainly not the worst thriller I've ever read
TW: murder, suicide, violence, sexual abuse, child abuse, pedophilia and drug abuse
The concept of this book is very interesting. It centres around children in care, which is incredibly important to draw attention to even if it is still fictional.
I liked how the book went back and forth between the present and the past.
However, I didn't feel like I was reading a thriller at times drawing this book. The pace was kind of slow in places.
It also lacked the twists and turns throughout the book which I look for in thrillers. However, the writing was still good, I just wasn't fully engaged all the time while reading.
This book was interesting and definitely focused on an important topic but I just struggled to feel connected to the characters or engaged with the plot at times. Although, it is certainly not the worst thriller I've ever read
TW: murder, suicide, violence, sexual abuse, child abuse, pedophilia and drug abuse
August 27, 2020
Wren is a probation officer and is working a new rehabilitation programme called CAP. For an offender to be released early, they have to agree to go to everybody affected by their crime and apologise.
Rob Ashworth has been picked to take part in the programme and has to apologise for the robbery he committed with Paige. Paige has not been seen since the burglary and is assumed to be dead. Wren wants to find out what happened to Paige and believes Rob knows more.
The chapters alternate between now and the past, it is in the past where we also meet Rob’s younger brother, Luke.
This story had me hooked from the start, the author sucked me in with all the characters from the present and past.
It is a well written psychological thriller and sensitively handles regarding issues in the children’s care home system. I hope to read more from this author in the future.
My thanks to NetGalley and Viper Books for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Rob Ashworth has been picked to take part in the programme and has to apologise for the robbery he committed with Paige. Paige has not been seen since the burglary and is assumed to be dead. Wren wants to find out what happened to Paige and believes Rob knows more.
The chapters alternate between now and the past, it is in the past where we also meet Rob’s younger brother, Luke.
This story had me hooked from the start, the author sucked me in with all the characters from the present and past.
It is a well written psychological thriller and sensitively handles regarding issues in the children’s care home system. I hope to read more from this author in the future.
My thanks to NetGalley and Viper Books for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 25, 2020
This is a great thriller with a lot packed in to the story.
The book begins with a body of a girl being buried but the reader is not told who it is or who is burying her.
We then move on to Wren who is a probation officer and is taking part in a new programme to rehabilitate offenders.
She’s working with Rob who was convicted of breaking into a property and stealing, and he was the last person to see Paige alive.
Wren is keen to find out what happened to Paige so works closely with Rob.
Part of the programme is to apologise to those he’s hurt by his crime so Wren goes with him to speak to these people.
She also uses this as an opportunity to find out about Paige.
Wren’s partner is about to have a baby but she’s feeling distracted by this case until Suzy and the baby’s lives are in danger.
This is a complex crime thriller but I really enjoyed it.
The final few chapters were great and hold a few surprises.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
The book begins with a body of a girl being buried but the reader is not told who it is or who is burying her.
We then move on to Wren who is a probation officer and is taking part in a new programme to rehabilitate offenders.
She’s working with Rob who was convicted of breaking into a property and stealing, and he was the last person to see Paige alive.
Wren is keen to find out what happened to Paige so works closely with Rob.
Part of the programme is to apologise to those he’s hurt by his crime so Wren goes with him to speak to these people.
She also uses this as an opportunity to find out about Paige.
Wren’s partner is about to have a baby but she’s feeling distracted by this case until Suzy and the baby’s lives are in danger.
This is a complex crime thriller but I really enjoyed it.
The final few chapters were great and hold a few surprises.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
June 30, 2020
This is a novel about a mystery and that's why I am not gonna tell a lot about its plot, because even saying that there is a twist can be a spoiler. All I can say that this novel may surprise you and I urge you to give it a chance and read it from start to finish even if it doesn't grab you from the start. It's getting better with pages.
There are a few flaws that I found about this book, but writing about them would be a spoiler also, so I'll leave it. I can recommend this book for fans of a genre and I am giving it strong 4 stars.
There are a few flaws that I found about this book, but writing about them would be a spoiler also, so I'll leave it. I can recommend this book for fans of a genre and I am giving it strong 4 stars.
March 11, 2023
Poignant
July 8, 2021
Impressively constructed, tightly plotted and characterised with a cast of flawed individuals, A Ruined Girl is a psychological suspense story with a social conscience. The story is told through a dual narrative, each told from a different perspective with one relaying the events of ‘before’ and another those ‘after’ and opens with former probation officer, Wren Reynolds, starting work on a new initiative called the Community Atonement Programme (CAP). The CAP focuses on the early release of selected prisoners with the intention of taking them to apologise to their victims and witness the repercussions of their actions. Under pressure at home with her police officer wife just weeks away from giving birth and with the media scrutiny of the scheme at a premium, Wren’s first client is Robert Ashworth who has just spent the better part of three years inside. Jailed at the age of eighteen for breaking into the home of school counsellor, James Yardley, and assaulting him and his wife with fifteen-year-old Paige Garrett, so much about the crime is still not understood including the motivation and what happened to Paige in the aftermath. Having experienced life in a care home herself, Wren’s primary interest is in finding out what caused Paige to go off the rails after years of being the golden eyed girl of West Country care homes and where exactly she is now. Robert met Paige, a girl who had spent much of her life to date in care homes, when she was housed in Beech View with his younger brother, Luke, and swears he doesn’t have a clue as to where she went after that night. Wren doesn’t believe him and in a bid to get some answers about the life of a girl who was assumes was led astray she starts to do her own digging, thereby breaching protocols, crossing the line into unprofessional territory and risking her relationship with Suzy as she becomes consumed with getting answers.
Alternating between Wren’s perspective as she does her best to give Robert the benefit of the doubt and takes him to visit those affected by his crime and a before component told from the perspective of Luke Ashworth, the reader gets to connect the dots for themselves and, as the book unfolds, see just what did happen. Simants has a real talent for nuanced characters and in the main I found the cast both believable and conceivable, thereby drawing me into their stories regardless of whether I liked them or not. In particular Robert Ashworth is skilfully portrayed, treading a fine line keeping his temper in check, trying to get his family back together and locate Luke and his mother whilst regarding Wren with obvious dislike. Wren herself is something of an enigma and the magic of this novel is that it’s not just Paige’s story but that of Wren, a woman who though tight-lipped about her background experienced life in care. What the novel does particularly well is give the reader a sense of the girl Paige was and how life in a care home affected those youngsters that were part of it and the insecurities and worries it left them with. Whilst I didn’t spot every twist before it arrived I had worked most out in advance but it didn’t diminish my enthusiasm for the story because much of the enjoyment comes from seeing the past catch up with present and filling in the gaps in our knowledge. Whilst the final twist or two admittedly do feel unlikely it is very hard to quibble with what is a hard-hitting and multilayered novel that tackles a number of complicated issues with sensitivity and compassion and doesn’t shy away from unpalatable truths.
Alternating between Wren’s perspective as she does her best to give Robert the benefit of the doubt and takes him to visit those affected by his crime and a before component told from the perspective of Luke Ashworth, the reader gets to connect the dots for themselves and, as the book unfolds, see just what did happen. Simants has a real talent for nuanced characters and in the main I found the cast both believable and conceivable, thereby drawing me into their stories regardless of whether I liked them or not. In particular Robert Ashworth is skilfully portrayed, treading a fine line keeping his temper in check, trying to get his family back together and locate Luke and his mother whilst regarding Wren with obvious dislike. Wren herself is something of an enigma and the magic of this novel is that it’s not just Paige’s story but that of Wren, a woman who though tight-lipped about her background experienced life in care. What the novel does particularly well is give the reader a sense of the girl Paige was and how life in a care home affected those youngsters that were part of it and the insecurities and worries it left them with. Whilst I didn’t spot every twist before it arrived I had worked most out in advance but it didn’t diminish my enthusiasm for the story because much of the enjoyment comes from seeing the past catch up with present and filling in the gaps in our knowledge. Whilst the final twist or two admittedly do feel unlikely it is very hard to quibble with what is a hard-hitting and multilayered novel that tackles a number of complicated issues with sensitivity and compassion and doesn’t shy away from unpalatable truths.
July 20, 2020
3.5/5
This was a solid young adult thriller. I won't lie, I wasn't very enticed to read the first 60/70%, when I was reading it I was enjoying it, but when I'd put it down, there wasn't much enticing me to pick it back up. However, the final third is what brought this book up for me.
We follow Wren, a probation officer, who has to help Rob integrate back into society after he spent 3 years in prison for aggravated burglary, interspliced with Luke's story, Rob's younger brother, leading up to the burglary.
I think the main reason I struggled to find the motivation to continue was the characters, especially Wren. She is a typical thriller protagonist who puts her work above all else, including her 8 month pregnant partner. While this is explained in the finale, I think it still made Wren quite unlikable, as for me family should come above everything else. I did like Luke, and felt bad for him, especially as he's just a kid who ended up in a bad situation because of circumstances he couldn't control.
I definitely think this was a solid read, but I can't imagine it is one that will stick with me for long after reading it.
Thank you to Netgalley and Viper for an ARC copy for review.
This was a solid young adult thriller. I won't lie, I wasn't very enticed to read the first 60/70%, when I was reading it I was enjoying it, but when I'd put it down, there wasn't much enticing me to pick it back up. However, the final third is what brought this book up for me.
We follow Wren, a probation officer, who has to help Rob integrate back into society after he spent 3 years in prison for aggravated burglary, interspliced with Luke's story, Rob's younger brother, leading up to the burglary.
I think the main reason I struggled to find the motivation to continue was the characters, especially Wren. She is a typical thriller protagonist who puts her work above all else, including her 8 month pregnant partner. While this is explained in the finale, I think it still made Wren quite unlikable, as for me family should come above everything else. I did like Luke, and felt bad for him, especially as he's just a kid who ended up in a bad situation because of circumstances he couldn't control.
I definitely think this was a solid read, but I can't imagine it is one that will stick with me for long after reading it.
Thank you to Netgalley and Viper for an ARC copy for review.
August 27, 2020
I read many books, mostly crime fiction, but The Ruined Girl was the first that I have read that concerns a children’s home and the probation services. I was both fascinated and heartbroken. It was a crime novel that really pulled on the heartstrings.
There are two narrators, Wren in the ‘now’ and Luke in ‘before’. It switches back and forth repeatedly and each worked perfectly. But it was Luke who I wanted to read about more. His story portrayed the frustration and hurt he felt perfectly. the loyalty he felt towards his mother, brother and Paige had me reading in silence, unable to put the book down. It was the type of narrative that made me think about the type of society we live in during the times I couldn’t read. How many children are there in this country who experience what the ones in this novel did. And how do they cope with adult life when they are left on their own.
There are plenty of twists, some I saw, many I didn’t but this novel wasn’t about the eventual outcome for me. Instead it was the determination of the younger characters to do the right thing, even if it wasn’t necessarily the better way. Rob wanting to protect Luke, Luke wanting to protect Paige.
It is a long time since I have felt touched by so many. Not just Luke, Rob and Paige. But also the minor characters, some who were determined to put their childhood behind them and those who couldn’t.
A Ruined Girl was the perfect book for me, it made me thing about other events outside of strange world we currently live in.
There are two narrators, Wren in the ‘now’ and Luke in ‘before’. It switches back and forth repeatedly and each worked perfectly. But it was Luke who I wanted to read about more. His story portrayed the frustration and hurt he felt perfectly. the loyalty he felt towards his mother, brother and Paige had me reading in silence, unable to put the book down. It was the type of narrative that made me think about the type of society we live in during the times I couldn’t read. How many children are there in this country who experience what the ones in this novel did. And how do they cope with adult life when they are left on their own.
There are plenty of twists, some I saw, many I didn’t but this novel wasn’t about the eventual outcome for me. Instead it was the determination of the younger characters to do the right thing, even if it wasn’t necessarily the better way. Rob wanting to protect Luke, Luke wanting to protect Paige.
It is a long time since I have felt touched by so many. Not just Luke, Rob and Paige. But also the minor characters, some who were determined to put their childhood behind them and those who couldn’t.
A Ruined Girl was the perfect book for me, it made me thing about other events outside of strange world we currently live in.
April 9, 2023
I’d give this book just over 4 stars as it was enjoyable and easy to read, full of characters and a really twisty plot. It was just very slow at times and never really picked up a dramatic pace, I wasn’t rushing to turn the pages. However, it was compelling and I wanted to keep reading to find out what happened to Paige and what would become of Wren.
Plenty of drama throughout and an excellent plot of long buried secrets and two faced characters. It wasn’t hard to figure out why Wren was so fixated on finding out what happened to Paige and the massive twist at the end, I had already figured it out too. But it was still exciting and quite thrilling.
Loved the ending, it was perfect for them all.
Plenty of drama throughout and an excellent plot of long buried secrets and two faced characters. It wasn’t hard to figure out why Wren was so fixated on finding out what happened to Paige and the massive twist at the end, I had already figured it out too. But it was still exciting and quite thrilling.
Loved the ending, it was perfect for them all.
July 1, 2020
Years ago Paige and Rob committed a burglary for which Rob went to prison but Paige disappeared. Never seen again.
Rob is out of prison and with the help of the probation officer, Wren, he sets about his rehabilitation making right the wrongs and trying to help Wren find out what happened to Paige.
This was a gripping read and I enjoyed the characters and the way in which it was written. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
Rob is out of prison and with the help of the probation officer, Wren, he sets about his rehabilitation making right the wrongs and trying to help Wren find out what happened to Paige.
This was a gripping read and I enjoyed the characters and the way in which it was written. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
July 31, 2021
This felt like an authentic portrayal of life in the 'care' system. The narrative was compelling and the characters well-rounded. Recommend this book.
September 6, 2020
This is a complex story that teased and prodded in present-day to find out what happened to a young teenager, who vanished one night two years ago. Paige lived in a care home at the time and had committed a robbery with an older boy. Paige had disappeared that night, while Rob had gone on to serve time for the offence.
To ease the overcrowded conditions of the prisons a new programme was being tried out enabling suitable prisoners’ to be released back into the community early. There was a condition though, they had to revisit the people who they had committed a crime against, listen to them stating how the incident had affected them then the offender had to apologise for what they had done. Probation Officer Wren Reynolds makes Rob her priority to get involved with.
It wasn’t long before this story became my bubble with so many of the characters seeming to have something to hide. The failings of a system to protect the most vulnerable in society feels tragically real with the people who do care having to make personal sacrifices to do a good job. I really liked Wren but obsession could be her personal downfall.
With each new chapter, the anger and frustration began to build on every page and soon it rubbed off on me. The further that I read into the book the less hope I had for a good ending to all of this. Paige’s past is complex making her look for what is missing in her life but her emotions are confusing, especially when she has never known what normal is. Is Rob the key to where she is? He was the last person to see her.
A tremendous storyline that won’t be forgotten in a long time. I wish to thank NetGalley, the publisher and Profile Books for an e-copy of this book which I have reviewed honestly.
To ease the overcrowded conditions of the prisons a new programme was being tried out enabling suitable prisoners’ to be released back into the community early. There was a condition though, they had to revisit the people who they had committed a crime against, listen to them stating how the incident had affected them then the offender had to apologise for what they had done. Probation Officer Wren Reynolds makes Rob her priority to get involved with.
It wasn’t long before this story became my bubble with so many of the characters seeming to have something to hide. The failings of a system to protect the most vulnerable in society feels tragically real with the people who do care having to make personal sacrifices to do a good job. I really liked Wren but obsession could be her personal downfall.
With each new chapter, the anger and frustration began to build on every page and soon it rubbed off on me. The further that I read into the book the less hope I had for a good ending to all of this. Paige’s past is complex making her look for what is missing in her life but her emotions are confusing, especially when she has never known what normal is. Is Rob the key to where she is? He was the last person to see her.
A tremendous storyline that won’t be forgotten in a long time. I wish to thank NetGalley, the publisher and Profile Books for an e-copy of this book which I have reviewed honestly.
July 7, 2020
This is a slow burning thriller but a very, very easy read and it didn’t take me long to get through it at all. Following a really interesting and mysterious prologue, there are 2 timelines to follow, the past from the POV of Luke (a young boy in a care home) and the present from the POV of Wren (a probation officer),
I honestly couldn’t get along with the characters, the plot kept me engaged but I just didn’t like them. I found Wren annoying and unprofessional, as with any crime thriller, the character prioritises their work over family but she was just not a good person in my opinion.
I also found Luke to me a nightmare and despite his good intentions, I didn’t like him one bit.
The plot was really engaging, kept me on my toes despite the speed. I did guess a key point very early on but there was a lot more that I didn’t guess but which in my opinion, were more minor in the storyline.
So all things considered this was a pretty good book BUT I did guess a major plot line and that’s subsequently dragged my rating down. I don’t like to be able to guess a plot line, I want it to be so woven into the story that I can’t figure it out and all my guesses are wrong. Likewise, I really like character driven novels so when I can’t connect with them, it’s harder to enjoy it.
I did think that it wrapped up really nicely and definitely enjoyed it, well worth a read and hopefully, not as easily figured out as it was for me!
Thank you to Serpents Tail/Viper Books and NetGalley for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review!
I honestly couldn’t get along with the characters, the plot kept me engaged but I just didn’t like them. I found Wren annoying and unprofessional, as with any crime thriller, the character prioritises their work over family but she was just not a good person in my opinion.
I also found Luke to me a nightmare and despite his good intentions, I didn’t like him one bit.
The plot was really engaging, kept me on my toes despite the speed. I did guess a key point very early on but there was a lot more that I didn’t guess but which in my opinion, were more minor in the storyline.
So all things considered this was a pretty good book BUT I did guess a major plot line and that’s subsequently dragged my rating down. I don’t like to be able to guess a plot line, I want it to be so woven into the story that I can’t figure it out and all my guesses are wrong. Likewise, I really like character driven novels so when I can’t connect with them, it’s harder to enjoy it.
I did think that it wrapped up really nicely and definitely enjoyed it, well worth a read and hopefully, not as easily figured out as it was for me!
Thank you to Serpents Tail/Viper Books and NetGalley for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review!
September 16, 2020
Part way through I thought I had A Ruined Girl all worked out; a few minutes from the end, I was just doing a celebratory dance around the ring when Kate Simants landed a right hook and a knockout blow that wiped the smug look off my face. A Ruined Girl is an absolute cracker of a novel; it's fast-paced and gripping with a dark and gritty storyline that grabbed me from the start and didn't let go until I had turned the final page.
The story opens with a girl being buried in the woods by a boy and a man. The boy is so tender with the body that it is clear that he has deep feelings for the girl. Of course you then wonder why he killed her, or helped to kill her. Why else would he be burying her in the woods?
Rob is a prisoner eligible for the Community Atonement Programme, whereby he meets and apologises to those affected by the crime that saw him sent to prison. Rob and Paige, a young girl from a care home who later disappeared, were seen on CCTV after breaking into a house and stealing a valuable bracelet. Rob went to prison and Paige has never been found. Wren Reynolds is Rob's probation officer and she has the unenviable job of taking Rob to meet his victims. With what happened to Paige being the big question on everyone's lips, Wren can't help digging into the past even when it puts a strain on her family life.
Switching between 'Before' and 'Now' we get glimpses into the past where Rob's brother, Luke, is in the same care home as Paige. Luke is obsessed with Paige, watching her movements and buying her gifts, and it's much more than a harmless teenage crush. It tells you in the blurb that two boys loved her and one of them killed her, but I couldn't decide between Rob and Luke. A burglary gone wrong or hormones gone crazy?
Both the before and now storylines had me absolutely gripped. I wanted to find out about events leading up to Paige's disappearance but I also wanted to put together the pieces of the puzzle with Wren. I loved Wren's character; she makes so many mistakes that I felt like slapping my forehead every time she did something stupid, I even hissed through my teeth and said 'noooooo' on one occasion. Her emotions are running high with taking on such a high profile case while her partner is about to give birth. She does seem to have bitten off more than she can chew and if she's not careful she might end up losing her job as well as her family.
Perfectly plotted, A Ruined Girl is dark, disturbing and completely compelling. Kate Simants is definitely one to watch and I can't wait to read more of her books.
I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
The story opens with a girl being buried in the woods by a boy and a man. The boy is so tender with the body that it is clear that he has deep feelings for the girl. Of course you then wonder why he killed her, or helped to kill her. Why else would he be burying her in the woods?
Rob is a prisoner eligible for the Community Atonement Programme, whereby he meets and apologises to those affected by the crime that saw him sent to prison. Rob and Paige, a young girl from a care home who later disappeared, were seen on CCTV after breaking into a house and stealing a valuable bracelet. Rob went to prison and Paige has never been found. Wren Reynolds is Rob's probation officer and she has the unenviable job of taking Rob to meet his victims. With what happened to Paige being the big question on everyone's lips, Wren can't help digging into the past even when it puts a strain on her family life.
Switching between 'Before' and 'Now' we get glimpses into the past where Rob's brother, Luke, is in the same care home as Paige. Luke is obsessed with Paige, watching her movements and buying her gifts, and it's much more than a harmless teenage crush. It tells you in the blurb that two boys loved her and one of them killed her, but I couldn't decide between Rob and Luke. A burglary gone wrong or hormones gone crazy?
Both the before and now storylines had me absolutely gripped. I wanted to find out about events leading up to Paige's disappearance but I also wanted to put together the pieces of the puzzle with Wren. I loved Wren's character; she makes so many mistakes that I felt like slapping my forehead every time she did something stupid, I even hissed through my teeth and said 'noooooo' on one occasion. Her emotions are running high with taking on such a high profile case while her partner is about to give birth. She does seem to have bitten off more than she can chew and if she's not careful she might end up losing her job as well as her family.
Perfectly plotted, A Ruined Girl is dark, disturbing and completely compelling. Kate Simants is definitely one to watch and I can't wait to read more of her books.
I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
October 26, 2020
TWO BOYS LOVED HER.
BUT WHICH ONE KILLED HER?
A Ruined Girl is a raw, dark, tense and riveting thriller. Told in dual timelines by dual narrators, we move between past and present as the story of what really happened the night two years ago the teenagers Rob and Paige broke into a house is told.
In a seemingly motivationless crime, the pair beat and terrified the occupants before taking a bracelet and leaving. Rob was captured and imprisoned for his role in the crime, but Paige hasn't been seen since that night. Now, Rob is being released, and probation officer Wren Reynolds is tasked with his rehabilitation. But she has an ulterior motive for taking on his case.
She's sure he's hiding something, and is determined to find out what it is. And, as time goes on, she becomes increasingly obsessed with finding out what happened to Paige. Whatever the cost…
Complex, layered and dripping with suspense, this was a real page-turner. On a normal day, I would have flown through this in one sitting, but even in a pain-filled haze this book held my attention and had me thinking about it when I wasn't reading. Flawlessly plotted, the author had me in her thrall from the chilling prologue to the final page.
I loved the many subplots that made up the narrative of this story. In a thriller, every little thing, however benign, becomes potentially significant, and I enjoy trying to figure out what is important or a potential clue. I was sure I had this one figured out. And that feeling was only confirmed when some of the revelations were as I predicted. I sat back, planning to just enjoy the book, safe in the knowledge that I knew what was coming, only to be completely blindsided by a jaw-dropping revelation that turned everything I thought I knew on it's head. I'm still in shock!
All of the characters in this book are richly drawn, intriguing, flawed and real. I liked Wren, for all her faults, and thought she made a great protagonist. But the character I found myself particularly drawn to was Paige. We only see Paige through the eyes of others; the rose-tinted glasses or betrayal of Luke's crush, or Wren's investigation. I understood their fascination with her, the author creating an aura of mystery and sadness surrounding her that made me want to rescue her. It seemed inevitable that there was to be no happy ending, but, like Wren, I hoped for justice.
Atmospheric, taut, twisty and utterly addictive, I highly recommend this novel. This was my first read by this author, but it won't be my last.
BUT WHICH ONE KILLED HER?
A Ruined Girl is a raw, dark, tense and riveting thriller. Told in dual timelines by dual narrators, we move between past and present as the story of what really happened the night two years ago the teenagers Rob and Paige broke into a house is told.
In a seemingly motivationless crime, the pair beat and terrified the occupants before taking a bracelet and leaving. Rob was captured and imprisoned for his role in the crime, but Paige hasn't been seen since that night. Now, Rob is being released, and probation officer Wren Reynolds is tasked with his rehabilitation. But she has an ulterior motive for taking on his case.
She's sure he's hiding something, and is determined to find out what it is. And, as time goes on, she becomes increasingly obsessed with finding out what happened to Paige. Whatever the cost…
Complex, layered and dripping with suspense, this was a real page-turner. On a normal day, I would have flown through this in one sitting, but even in a pain-filled haze this book held my attention and had me thinking about it when I wasn't reading. Flawlessly plotted, the author had me in her thrall from the chilling prologue to the final page.
I loved the many subplots that made up the narrative of this story. In a thriller, every little thing, however benign, becomes potentially significant, and I enjoy trying to figure out what is important or a potential clue. I was sure I had this one figured out. And that feeling was only confirmed when some of the revelations were as I predicted. I sat back, planning to just enjoy the book, safe in the knowledge that I knew what was coming, only to be completely blindsided by a jaw-dropping revelation that turned everything I thought I knew on it's head. I'm still in shock!
All of the characters in this book are richly drawn, intriguing, flawed and real. I liked Wren, for all her faults, and thought she made a great protagonist. But the character I found myself particularly drawn to was Paige. We only see Paige through the eyes of others; the rose-tinted glasses or betrayal of Luke's crush, or Wren's investigation. I understood their fascination with her, the author creating an aura of mystery and sadness surrounding her that made me want to rescue her. It seemed inevitable that there was to be no happy ending, but, like Wren, I hoped for justice.
Atmospheric, taut, twisty and utterly addictive, I highly recommend this novel. This was my first read by this author, but it won't be my last.
February 16, 2021
A Ruined Girl
Found this really hard to get into. The italic chapter at the start was really jarring and it took me 3 or 4 attempts to read it. When I finally managed to...found it jarring going to the next chapter as well and it took me a while to actually start enjoying the book after a bumpy start.
I did find it compulsive reading a few chapters in and liked how the story unfolded between then and now.
All the characters were really horrid though. Wren, in particular, was immensely unlikeable...though her job was very interesting and her interactions with others characters were baffling. .like she had no empathy and didn't even seem to like people....which is bizarre given her job!
Obviously she has this whole mystery going on...that we know will come out eventually but in the meantime she just comes across as an awful person....and to be honest, when the mystery does unfold ..made me hate her even more.
There was alot of forgiveness in this book...people being forgiven for things they really shouldn't have been and certain characters had transformations and opportunities they didn't deserve.
Luke's stalking of Paige was beyond creepy and I don't like how it was almost validated....he was a very scary kid.
My parents were amazing foster carers...so I struggled with the view that no one cares for kids in care and that it gives these kids a free pass to act however they want because of their bad starts....and also those people that were involved in their bad starts should have some responsibility!
With regards to Wren...I didn't understand why they put a rookie probation officer into a scheme that was so heavily scrutinised. Wouldn't they use their brightest and best first? I couldn't for the life of me figure out anything exceptional about Wren that would make her jump to the top of their list of dealing with massively high profile cases? Maybe if there had been a proper friendship between Wren and her boss or we saw her be exceptional at any point...but as it was...seemed completely out of the blue and she struggled with her job every day, which was also strange given the position she was in. This needed to be built up and explained. The development of this relationship would have really assisted the plot.
Overall the book was definitely a page turner but I needed a single character I could connect with to make it a rewarding read.
Thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Found this really hard to get into. The italic chapter at the start was really jarring and it took me 3 or 4 attempts to read it. When I finally managed to...found it jarring going to the next chapter as well and it took me a while to actually start enjoying the book after a bumpy start.
I did find it compulsive reading a few chapters in and liked how the story unfolded between then and now.
All the characters were really horrid though. Wren, in particular, was immensely unlikeable...though her job was very interesting and her interactions with others characters were baffling. .like she had no empathy and didn't even seem to like people....which is bizarre given her job!
Obviously she has this whole mystery going on...that we know will come out eventually but in the meantime she just comes across as an awful person....and to be honest, when the mystery does unfold ..made me hate her even more.
There was alot of forgiveness in this book...people being forgiven for things they really shouldn't have been and certain characters had transformations and opportunities they didn't deserve.
Luke's stalking of Paige was beyond creepy and I don't like how it was almost validated....he was a very scary kid.
My parents were amazing foster carers...so I struggled with the view that no one cares for kids in care and that it gives these kids a free pass to act however they want because of their bad starts....and also those people that were involved in their bad starts should have some responsibility!
With regards to Wren...I didn't understand why they put a rookie probation officer into a scheme that was so heavily scrutinised. Wouldn't they use their brightest and best first? I couldn't for the life of me figure out anything exceptional about Wren that would make her jump to the top of their list of dealing with massively high profile cases? Maybe if there had been a proper friendship between Wren and her boss or we saw her be exceptional at any point...but as it was...seemed completely out of the blue and she struggled with her job every day, which was also strange given the position she was in. This needed to be built up and explained. The development of this relationship would have really assisted the plot.
Overall the book was definitely a page turner but I needed a single character I could connect with to make it a rewarding read.
Thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 16, 2020
I really enjoyed this book however it is a right royal pain in the backside to review because of the dreaded spoilers, it would be impossible to fully review without spoiling the very well crafted plot so whilst I figure out how to do it justice, lets look at our setting and our main characters.
The books jumps between timelines, lets start with this part of the book. It takes us back a couple of years to the English city of Bristol, two of our main characters, teens (they are around 15) Luke and Paige live in a care home, their parents unable or unwilling to look after them. They aren’t alone in their home, they share it with many other kids but for Luke he may as well be by himself as he only has eyes for Paige. His unrequited love is plain to see but Paige thinks of him as a friend, a brother and nothing more.
Joining Luke and Paige we have Rob, Luke’s older brother who at 18 is recognised as an adult and is living by himself, he wants to take care of his brother but to do that he also needs to stay on the straight and narrow. But that is never going to happen as the three of them find themselves tangled up in a mess that ends up with one of them in prison and one of them missing.
Jumping forward in time the government have created a scheme to release offenders early back in to the community but to do it they have to visit all the people affected by the actions, Wren Reynolds is a probation officer who finds herself in a new role, she will be shepherding these offenders and her first case is Rob.
Wren is ready for a challenge, she is about to be come a mum for the first time, her heavily pregnant wife could go in to labour at any time. She is going to help rehabilitate Rob and as she starts him on his path to a new life she becomes convinced that Rob knows more about the events that landed him in prison than he is letting on, what is he hiding and why? Where is Paige and where is Luke?
A great book, it has it all and I had no idea whatsoever where it was going, I thought I did for a while but then I fell foul of some crafty twists. It is a dark book, any book that tackles children in a care home is not going to be sunshine and rainbows, A Ruined Girl doesn’t exploit these kids but it does show how vulnerable and impulsive children at this age can be.
A dark, well twisted web of a read.
Thanks to Net Galley for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
The books jumps between timelines, lets start with this part of the book. It takes us back a couple of years to the English city of Bristol, two of our main characters, teens (they are around 15) Luke and Paige live in a care home, their parents unable or unwilling to look after them. They aren’t alone in their home, they share it with many other kids but for Luke he may as well be by himself as he only has eyes for Paige. His unrequited love is plain to see but Paige thinks of him as a friend, a brother and nothing more.
Joining Luke and Paige we have Rob, Luke’s older brother who at 18 is recognised as an adult and is living by himself, he wants to take care of his brother but to do that he also needs to stay on the straight and narrow. But that is never going to happen as the three of them find themselves tangled up in a mess that ends up with one of them in prison and one of them missing.
Jumping forward in time the government have created a scheme to release offenders early back in to the community but to do it they have to visit all the people affected by the actions, Wren Reynolds is a probation officer who finds herself in a new role, she will be shepherding these offenders and her first case is Rob.
Wren is ready for a challenge, she is about to be come a mum for the first time, her heavily pregnant wife could go in to labour at any time. She is going to help rehabilitate Rob and as she starts him on his path to a new life she becomes convinced that Rob knows more about the events that landed him in prison than he is letting on, what is he hiding and why? Where is Paige and where is Luke?
A great book, it has it all and I had no idea whatsoever where it was going, I thought I did for a while but then I fell foul of some crafty twists. It is a dark book, any book that tackles children in a care home is not going to be sunshine and rainbows, A Ruined Girl doesn’t exploit these kids but it does show how vulnerable and impulsive children at this age can be.
A dark, well twisted web of a read.
Thanks to Net Galley for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 25, 2021
A Ruined Girl is a dark and gripping thriller by Kate Simants. Two years ago, a young woman, Paige, disappeared after she broke into the home of her school counsellor with her friend, Rob. But what happened to Paige after that incident? She went missing and has never been seen since. Rob was arrested for the crime and sent to prison. Now, he is out; he is about to start his rehabilitation process. Wren Reynolds is his probation officer. But it soon becomes clear that Wren has her own reasons for taking Rob on. The question that continues to haunt many people is this, what happened to Paige?
Kate Simants latest book is beautifully written. I loved her sense of place and her description in the opening paragraph, which drew me into the story. It was so chilling. I wanted to know what was going on and who the people in the scene were. It really does set the tone for the rest of the book.
Robert Ashworth is a complex character. I liked how Kate Simants delved into his psyche. As part of his rehabilitation programme, he has to meet the people affected by his crime. I can imagine this must be a very difficult thing for people to have to go through; to meet and talk to the person who inflicted this pain on them. I don’t think I would be very comfortable with doing this if I was in their position.
As we get to know Robert and Wren, it becomes clear that Wren has her own motive here for getting to know Robert. I wanted to find out more about this, and I wanted to know more about her character. She is also going through a lot in her personal life at the moment, which also makes her very interesting as well.
What I thought was fascinating and heartbreaking about this book as well is that Kate Simants looks at the dark reality of what it is like for some children growing up in the care system. She paints a vivid portrayal of what it is like for these young people who have no relatives who care and love them and how this impacts them as they grow up.
This is a very dark novel that examines how far we are prepared to go for our close friends and family. It is also very thought-provoking, and I thought that Kate Simants delivered a very satisfactory and shocking ending which I did not see coming. I love Kate Simants writing, and I’m looking forward to seeing what she comes up with next.
Kate Simants latest book is beautifully written. I loved her sense of place and her description in the opening paragraph, which drew me into the story. It was so chilling. I wanted to know what was going on and who the people in the scene were. It really does set the tone for the rest of the book.
Robert Ashworth is a complex character. I liked how Kate Simants delved into his psyche. As part of his rehabilitation programme, he has to meet the people affected by his crime. I can imagine this must be a very difficult thing for people to have to go through; to meet and talk to the person who inflicted this pain on them. I don’t think I would be very comfortable with doing this if I was in their position.
As we get to know Robert and Wren, it becomes clear that Wren has her own motive here for getting to know Robert. I wanted to find out more about this, and I wanted to know more about her character. She is also going through a lot in her personal life at the moment, which also makes her very interesting as well.
What I thought was fascinating and heartbreaking about this book as well is that Kate Simants looks at the dark reality of what it is like for some children growing up in the care system. She paints a vivid portrayal of what it is like for these young people who have no relatives who care and love them and how this impacts them as they grow up.
This is a very dark novel that examines how far we are prepared to go for our close friends and family. It is also very thought-provoking, and I thought that Kate Simants delivered a very satisfactory and shocking ending which I did not see coming. I love Kate Simants writing, and I’m looking forward to seeing what she comes up with next.
August 27, 2020
I was really intrigued by the description of this book and I’m pleased to say it totally impressed me. The story follows two narratives, Wren is a probation officer who is dealing with the recently released inmate Rob who was convicted of robbery which he committed alongside Paige, a young girl who grew up in the care system. Paige hasn’t been seen since the robbery. The other narrative jumps back and follows Luke, Rob’s younger brother who lived in the children’s home with Paige in the lead up to the robbery and Paige’s disappearance. We eventually find out how all the pieces of this puzzle fit and how the characters are all connected.
I found A Ruined Girl completely gripping. From the first page I was hooked and wanted to know the truth about what happened to Paige. It is really quite a sad read at times. It gets to the heart of how it feels to grow up in care and how these children often feel they are doomed or even ruined from the beginning and cannot get out of the cycle of being unwanted they are stuck in. My heart broke for both Paige and Luke especially. Luke is an angry boy and a damaged one but he has a overwhelming love for Paige. His obsession with her sometimes leans into possessiveness which is obviously problematic and perhaps even dangerous but the author manages to make Luke feel so real that it is hard not to have some degree of empathy for him. Paige is also such a vulnerable character and it is devastating the way she is used and treated in such a horrendous manner by people who should be protecting her. There is a lot of darkness in this story but it’s not the sort of book you finish feeling depressed. There is a measure of hope to be found in A Ruined Girl which demonstrates strength against adversity and shows that there are also genuinely good people in the world. This is a fantastic, brilliantly written book which gets more and more tense as you barrel towards the heart-stopping climax. The characters are all continuously compelling and memorable. I would highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys an addictive and thought provoking read. I’ll definitely be looking out for the next book by Kate Simants!
I found A Ruined Girl completely gripping. From the first page I was hooked and wanted to know the truth about what happened to Paige. It is really quite a sad read at times. It gets to the heart of how it feels to grow up in care and how these children often feel they are doomed or even ruined from the beginning and cannot get out of the cycle of being unwanted they are stuck in. My heart broke for both Paige and Luke especially. Luke is an angry boy and a damaged one but he has a overwhelming love for Paige. His obsession with her sometimes leans into possessiveness which is obviously problematic and perhaps even dangerous but the author manages to make Luke feel so real that it is hard not to have some degree of empathy for him. Paige is also such a vulnerable character and it is devastating the way she is used and treated in such a horrendous manner by people who should be protecting her. There is a lot of darkness in this story but it’s not the sort of book you finish feeling depressed. There is a measure of hope to be found in A Ruined Girl which demonstrates strength against adversity and shows that there are also genuinely good people in the world. This is a fantastic, brilliantly written book which gets more and more tense as you barrel towards the heart-stopping climax. The characters are all continuously compelling and memorable. I would highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys an addictive and thought provoking read. I’ll definitely be looking out for the next book by Kate Simants!
October 28, 2020
A Ruined Girl, Kate Simants.
Two boys loved her. Which one killed her? One dark night Rob & Paige break into a house, the beat and traumatise the occupants, leave, taking only a bracelet. Nobody knows why, not even Luke, Robs brother and Paige’s closest friend. Paige vanished that night and Rob ended up in prison. Now Rob is free, Wren Reynolds has been tasked with helping Rob make amends with those he wronged as part of his probation. But Wren knows something else is going on, what does Rob know about where Paige went? Why was Wren so desperate to take Rob on as a client? And with everyone keeping secrets, how many is Wren keeping?
This book is one of the few crime thrillers that is impossible to figure out, with so many threads to follow, you, like Wren will find yourself tangled very quickly.
With a flickering narrative between past and present this novel also exposes the flaws and let downs in our fostering systems. Paige and Luke are devastating characters, Wren and Rob too are brutally let down by systems designed to protect and help them and so a cycle of destruction and abuse continues. Luckily, with Wren we see a flawed but ultimately, successful character who is desperate to rebuild her life and make amends.
A well written, clever, devastating book that is well worth a read. There is much more to this story than just your average thrill.
Instagram @laurenslittlebookcase
Two boys loved her. Which one killed her? One dark night Rob & Paige break into a house, the beat and traumatise the occupants, leave, taking only a bracelet. Nobody knows why, not even Luke, Robs brother and Paige’s closest friend. Paige vanished that night and Rob ended up in prison. Now Rob is free, Wren Reynolds has been tasked with helping Rob make amends with those he wronged as part of his probation. But Wren knows something else is going on, what does Rob know about where Paige went? Why was Wren so desperate to take Rob on as a client? And with everyone keeping secrets, how many is Wren keeping?
This book is one of the few crime thrillers that is impossible to figure out, with so many threads to follow, you, like Wren will find yourself tangled very quickly.
With a flickering narrative between past and present this novel also exposes the flaws and let downs in our fostering systems. Paige and Luke are devastating characters, Wren and Rob too are brutally let down by systems designed to protect and help them and so a cycle of destruction and abuse continues. Luckily, with Wren we see a flawed but ultimately, successful character who is desperate to rebuild her life and make amends.
A well written, clever, devastating book that is well worth a read. There is much more to this story than just your average thrill.
Instagram @laurenslittlebookcase
April 28, 2020
Two years ago, Paige and Rob broke into the home of Paige's school counsellor, stole a necklace, and victimised the family. Paige hasn't been seen since, but Rob was incarcerated for his part in the crime. Now he's about to be released from prison as part of a trial program, and assigned probation officer Wren Reynolds who will oversee his participation in the program. Wren is convinced that Rob knows what happened to Paige, but Rob isn't talking. When Wren starts digging into the past, it becomes clear that Rob is not the only one keeping secrets. What really happened to Paige? And is Rob as guilty as he seems?
I loved how the story flipped back and forwards between the present and the past, so that we got to see the reported version of events and their aftermath, as well as the real story behind the characters and their relationships. I'm always interested in stories that question the accepted version of events, particularly where juvenile criminals are concerned, and I really felt for some of the characters in this story, Rob and Wren in particular - both are trying to do the best they can with what they have, both have made mistakes in the past that they're trying to overcome.
A well-plotted, well-paced, and twisty novel.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I loved how the story flipped back and forwards between the present and the past, so that we got to see the reported version of events and their aftermath, as well as the real story behind the characters and their relationships. I'm always interested in stories that question the accepted version of events, particularly where juvenile criminals are concerned, and I really felt for some of the characters in this story, Rob and Wren in particular - both are trying to do the best they can with what they have, both have made mistakes in the past that they're trying to overcome.
A well-plotted, well-paced, and twisty novel.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 19, 2021
Over two years ago, two teenagers, Rob and Paige broke into Paige's home counsellors home and stole a necklace. Rob has been arrested for the crime while Paige is still missing. No one knows where she is, and no one really cares. She's spent most of her life in care homes and it's normal for children to run away.. or die.
Now, Rob is out of prison and Wren Reynolds, his probation officer, is responsible for helping him make amends. But Wren is also interested in finding Paige for reasons unknown. She's convinced that Rob knows where she is but will she be able to handle the truth or will she ruin her own life in the process?
This book started off really slow, taking its time to build the plot. If I'm being honest, I lost interest at one point, but somewhere in the middle, it really picks up speed, and then it's just plot twist after plot twist, and the book ends so nicely! If you're starting this book, just keep going and don't give up! It's super amazing and makes it worth your while.
It also gives you a look into how children homes usually work, how little care goes in caring for them because so many other factors like money are involved. Also, gives you an insight into how girls can be abused more in care homes and tbh it's quite frightening.
A good thriller.
Now, Rob is out of prison and Wren Reynolds, his probation officer, is responsible for helping him make amends. But Wren is also interested in finding Paige for reasons unknown. She's convinced that Rob knows where she is but will she be able to handle the truth or will she ruin her own life in the process?
This book started off really slow, taking its time to build the plot. If I'm being honest, I lost interest at one point, but somewhere in the middle, it really picks up speed, and then it's just plot twist after plot twist, and the book ends so nicely! If you're starting this book, just keep going and don't give up! It's super amazing and makes it worth your while.
It also gives you a look into how children homes usually work, how little care goes in caring for them because so many other factors like money are involved. Also, gives you an insight into how girls can be abused more in care homes and tbh it's quite frightening.
A good thriller.
April 30, 2020
Rob and Paige broke into James Yardley's house. When the police were called, they ran away in different directions. And that was the last time anyone ever saw Paige...
3 years later, Rob is released from prison early, on the condition of completing a special rehabilitation program that means he has to face and apologize to everybody who was affected by his crime.
But Wren, his probation officer, has her own reason for wanting him to be assigned to her, and it has nothing to do with helping him apologize to the victims.
The story alternates between Wren's present point of view and that of Rob's brother Luke's recap of the past.
It was a good enjoyable read, but I found it difficult to get into it, which might have been caused by my inability to connect with any of the characters.
The secrets were revealed steadily and kept my interest. The story picked up towards the end, having me race through the rest of the book.
However, the twist failed to shock me as my suspicions turned out to be right, and the final conclusion was something I had a hunch would happen.
Overall, it was an entertaining read, and I recommend you give it a go.
3 years later, Rob is released from prison early, on the condition of completing a special rehabilitation program that means he has to face and apologize to everybody who was affected by his crime.
But Wren, his probation officer, has her own reason for wanting him to be assigned to her, and it has nothing to do with helping him apologize to the victims.
The story alternates between Wren's present point of view and that of Rob's brother Luke's recap of the past.
It was a good enjoyable read, but I found it difficult to get into it, which might have been caused by my inability to connect with any of the characters.
The secrets were revealed steadily and kept my interest. The story picked up towards the end, having me race through the rest of the book.
However, the twist failed to shock me as my suspicions turned out to be right, and the final conclusion was something I had a hunch would happen.
Overall, it was an entertaining read, and I recommend you give it a go.
September 3, 2020
So first of all this book did take me a while to get into which I had to lower the rating as I always do. But after I hit that point, I was so involved in the book. It goes from past to present and once it got going, it was amazing and how both connected. I really got invested in some of the characters - especially Wren and Luke. I loved Wren's personality, but it did take a while for her to unravel.
It was hard reading about the children's homes, as in the news etc you always hear about misconduct and how children have issues later in life. I did guess some of the twists however the main one (for me) I didn't see coming at all. It was brilliant and sucked me into the characters even more!! Especially the ending 😭
Really good book 👏 just wish it was slightly more fast paced for me but the ending etc definitely made up for that.
Thank you to @netgalley and Serpents Tail for allowing me to read this ARC! 😍
It was hard reading about the children's homes, as in the news etc you always hear about misconduct and how children have issues later in life. I did guess some of the twists however the main one (for me) I didn't see coming at all. It was brilliant and sucked me into the characters even more!! Especially the ending 😭
Really good book 👏 just wish it was slightly more fast paced for me but the ending etc definitely made up for that.
Thank you to @netgalley and Serpents Tail for allowing me to read this ARC! 😍
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