An Education in Ruin

by Alexis Bass

From Alexis Bass, the acclaimed author of Happily and Madly, comes this lush and sophisticated tale of scandal, greed, love, and revenge, An Education in Ruin. The Mahoney brothers are the golden boys of Rutherford Institute.Collins Pruitt is going to ruin them.Theo Mahoney is well-connected and popular. He’s charming and beloved. But he’s hiding something.Jasper Mahoney is lauded for his intellect and athleticism. He’s studious and focused. But he isn’t as impenetrable as he seems.Collins will earn their trust—and then she’ll destroy them. But the closer she gets, the more she questions the reason she was sent to Rutherford in the first place…and if it’s possible to ruin the Mahoneys without also destroying herself.At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Genres: Young Adult, Dark Academia, Contemporary, Romance, Mystery, Thriller, Mystery Thriller

272 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 7, 2020

About the author

Alexis Bass grew up in Washington, went to college in Arizona, and spent her early twenties in Seattle. She currently lives in Northern California with Dylan McKay, her gorgeous and rambunctious golden retriever. She loves good fashion and good TV as much as a good book, and is a huge advocate of the three C’s: coffee, chocolate, and cheese. LOVE AND OTHER THEORIES is her first novel.

Reviews

[LW · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was SO GOOD.

Nonstop entertainment! Wow, this was even better than I expected. There's drama, twists, romance, a revenge plot--and it all takes place at a boarding school! The characters are morally gray, which makes the drama even more fun. The characters are also super unique and interesting, and everyone has secrets (even the main character keeps secrets from the audience!) so I was flying through the pages, desperate to learn what happened.

And when everything came together, I was so satisfied and impressed. Seriously, this book is like a combination of mystery and gossip, and it was just amazing. You want entertainment? Read this book. It's awesome.

[Alexa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun romantic suspense book featuring two of my favorite things: rich kids and boarding school! Collins has transferred to Rutherford, prep school for the rich & richer, with the sole purpose of "getting" to Jasper and Theo Mahoney so she can ruin them. You don't know why at first, only that Theo has a secret Collins is determined to uncover by infiltrating his friend group, and Jasper is a mark for a different reason--Collins is going to make him fall in love with her.

The build up of the book is how Collins insinuates herself with the cool kids, and some of their rich kid antics. Jasper is at first resistant to her charms, so it takes some time for the romance to really kick off, but once it did, it was my favorite part of the book, beside some stellar tech-suspense in the back half. Overall, once the characters/story got to the shareholder meeting at the exclusive ski resort, the story really took off for me. Without saying too much, Collins' revenge thread converges with Jasper's (and several other people's threads) involving Rob James, a tech genius/Yale dropout and former Rutherford student whose invented a new medical device and gotten everyone to invest. But there's a lawsuit looming and Jasper seems to have beef with Rob...

An Education in Ruin has a lot of the same things I loved in Happily and Madly, her last book--rich kids behaving badly, romantic suspense, and some big feels. It's definitely less suspense-driven than Happily & Madly, or some of the other thrillers I read, but I would recommend this one to YA romance fans who like some intrigue as conflict for their romantic pairing.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you know Alexis Bass, you know she writes unlikeable characters doing unlikeable things that you end up cheering for. An Education in Ruin is exactly that with a side of dark academia. If you love the drama of Gossip Girl, this is your book!

COVER REVEAL

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[jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love, LOVED the atmosphere and the characters. The mystery took a while to get into but I didn't mind cause I was so interested in the character dynamics. Honestly, the ending was a little messy but overall this was really good.

[Namera [The Literary Invertebrate] · Rating 1 out of 5]

ARC received in exchange for an honest review - thank you!

Mildly surprised at just how bad this was.

Some 17-year-old girl whose name I've forgotten enrols in a fancy private school to take revenge on a couple of boys. Her 'vengeance plan' is laughable, half-baked, and anyway falls to pieces instantly when she falls head-over-heels for one of her targets.

As if that's not bad enough, the writing is insanely stilted and the dialogue is unrealistic as hell.

[Blog] - [Bookstagram]

[Hannah:) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Um wow that was messed up. but sweet ig at times? Loved their friendships

[BRNTerri · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was awful and a lot longer than it should have been, by about 100 pages. I got real impatient with the story, which was going nowhere at all, then I got bored at around page 250 with still over 100 pages to go. There are so many characters, mostly classmates, to keep up with. I thought I was going to read a suspenseful story about a nasty, conniving teenage girl who's out to 'destroy' innocent people but that's not what we got. Collins is an extremely bland character, not unlikable at all. She is out to do some dirty work that her aunt Rose put her up to while away at a boarding high school in California. She actually transferred to that school just because her aunt wanted her to. Dirty deeds are usually done to the benefit of the one doing said deeds but Collins wouldn't have benefited from them so why do them? Collins is just poorly written. Speaking of her aunt, there's a secret Collins learned about her a week before going away to school. I cannot think of one reason why that was put into the story as it did nothing at all for it other than to add filler content. And the secrets she has on people aren't anything like what I was expecting. One nasty trick she pulled on Theo, he didn't even get mad at her for doing it which was so unrealistic. I didn't really feel like I was reading about children because they mostly acted too mature. In fact, they should have been in college, not high school. And the main secrets involved >>>> spoiler warning >>>> money investments among the parents and insider trading! Who wants to read about that? Certainly not the target audience of young adult readers, which consists of middle and highschoolers.

[Anna Bright · Rating 5 out of 5]

i was intrigued from the get-go by this premise-- a girl heading to boarding school for the express purpose of ruining two brothers. i was tired when i first opened it, but by the time i closed it to sleep, i'd somehow read 30% of the book. alexis bass's prose is perfect and her plot is just as perfectly twisty. for anyone who loves boarding school intrigue or the machinations of rich kids' parents!

[PinkAmy loves books, cats and naps · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love a good boarding school book. AN EDUCATION IN RUINS is not one of those books.

The reason for the revenge plot doesn’t make a lot of sense to me, given that the woman who put Collins up to exacting revenge is unscrupulous, which Collins knows.

Trust no one.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I looked at him in that moment before he went in for a kiss, his soft expression, the way he leaned toward me, and I knew I could've taken anything from him that I wanted. Twenty dollars or a date to prom or the next five years."

I could not put this book down. I don't know what it was really, the characters were all morally grey and some downright despicable, but I just wanted to keep on reading. I think it's because I knew eventually everything was going to come crashing down and it's one of those times when things are so bad or unbelievable you just can't look away. Secrets, lies and drama abound in this highly addictive read.

[Michaela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book in less than 24 hours. I’m giving this 4 stars purely because of how entertaining it was. Was I was confused for 80% of this book? Yep. Did I love every second of unraveling the mystery and intrigue? Abolsutely. Did I get a little too attached to these insanely rich teenagers? Also yes. If you loved We Were Liars, I’d recommend giving this one a try. It definitely has the same vibes, though the writing style is a tad less sophisticated.

[m]

dnf @ 77%

all of the reviews suggested this was a mystery/thriller/suspense revenge plot but it's literally just a girl going to school and talking more about "getting revenge" than doing anything lmao

[Jill Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I sped through this book - so good!

[roo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun read!!

[Kerra]

Rich kids, boarding school, and a villain who bears a striking resemblance to Elizabeth Holmes of Theranos fame? Sign me up

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 but I rounded up

[ana · Rating 2 out of 5]

jaspercollins cute and had a lot of potential but unfortunately it’s a snoozefest overall for me

[Czytam z Kotem · Rating 2 out of 5]

2,5✯

[The Candid Cover (Olivia & Lori)]

DNF @20%

I am having a hard time getting into this book. The main character is really dislikable and the story is quite far-fetched. Also, there is no introduction to the characters or the story at the beginning of the book. It just jumps right in and leaves you trying to figure out the details. Not for me.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you net galley for the advance reader copy of this novel. Wow what a read! This was a cont contemporary YA novel regardless part romance and part sleuthing through details to figure out what was going to happen to the elite at a boarding school. Collins, Theo and jasper are all at a bordering school and the story revolves around a serious misdeed by jasper, another misdeed by his brother Theo, and a bunch of tech savvy investors that are influenced by Colllins Dad. I loved that the story pulled you through the end. I didn't like how my ebook format had the flashbacks in time set up. I also didn't like the fact that the misdeeds by Theo was mentioned in a small way and then not again as it has been built up in the novel. I really wish that the author has done an epilogue with a chunk of time past so the reader could see where ALL the characters ended up.....stewart, Theo, Anastasia, Rosie, Rob, etc. We only see a glimpse of where Collins and jasper are. Great read that keeps the pages turning.

[Hope Hunter · Rating 2 out of 5]

Collins is the only daughter of uber-weatlhy investment mogul Jacob Pruitt. As such, she has always enjoyed an easy and sheltered life. The summer before her junior year in high school her aunt speaks with her to reveal that her father is having an affair with a woman who is using him as a bail-out for her family's dire financial straits. Aunt Rosie convinces Collins to move schools to the elite Rutherford School and get close to the woman's sons in order to find damaging information to use to convince the woman to break up with her father. Only Collins didn't expect to really fall in love with the oldest son, Jasper.

I had high hopes for this book, especially since it has been compared to E. Lockhart's work. Sadly, this fell far short of the mark. I did like that Collins didn't come across as snobby rich girl who uses as the world as her playground. Instead, she was more of a poor little rich girl, and I almost felt sorry for her since it seemed like she was being used as a pawn in this adult game of high finance. Collins came across as a girl of average intelligence, and very naive, but still expected to pull an amazing con. She simply doesn't have the feminine wiles or lack of conscience needed in order to bend others to do her bidding. I kept waiting for that mind-blowing plot twist as in Lockhart's "We Were Liars," but it never came. The best adjective I can think of to describe this book is "tepid."

[Lisan (lovesbooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, it gave me strong wattpad vibes but it was actually written really well and didn't drag.
I loved the plotting aspect in the beginning, where Collins was planning how to make Jasper fall in love with her.
The flash backs got me really intrigued into the backstory, it was all very mysterious.
The flash forwards were the ones that broke my heart though, because you could see what was going to happen in the end, yet it didn't really make any sense but I really couldn't wait.
Collin's and Jasper's relationship was the cutest. but I actually really enjoyed all of the characters because they were all very unique but not all very likeable.
I loved the vibe of the fancy private school as well as all the rich people with their rich parents and vacations. I wouldn't call it dark academia because it wasn't that dark, but there was a sort of underground society and a lot of backstabbing and secrets..... soo.

If it reminds me of anything, it reminds me the most of the series Gossip girl, so if you like that series I would definitely recommend!!

[Charmaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know how this happened exactly, but this book was a complete hit until the very last chapter (epilogue? Last couple of paragraphs?). It's like watching an excellent TV show that nosedives in the final episode (looking at you, How I Met Your Mother and Sky Castle).

The mystery and the secrets were intriguing. The short snippets of future conversations were captivating. There was even a twist that I was unable to guess! Alexis Bass is a master at creating the most screwed up people ever; people who are twisted in the best, most sociopathic ways. Somehow, these same people are always unexpectedly redeemable too. I love the moral ambiguity.

I liked the romance and the glamour (although really, shouldn't Collins have been used to all the glitz already? Why did she come across as some bumpkin who got tossed in a different world?), I liked Collins's natural skepticism and drive to do the right thing (no matter how difficult), albeit without the finesse of knowing exactly how to get the outcomes she wanted. Somehow, she found her path though — and didn't even compromise her morals to get there. Every single reveal and conclusion was utterly satisfying until the final time skip, "four months later."

I agree that the ending should not have been a fairytale. I'm not sure what I was expecting exactly, but it wasn't that. I think I would've preferred some mundanity — for everything to somehow snap back to "normal," further compounding how ridiculous these people are. I do understand how one pure, sweet soul's actions were much more in character than that though. Oh, how I would've loved to live in that person's mind instead. I found it so curious to explore how people could have such different moral compasses. I appreciated how deep relationships make people willing to forgive much more than they would otherwise (mostly familial bonds, but also ones like Theo/Anastasia). But I digress. As for the unsatisfying ending, I understand the rationale for it, but I felt its open-ended nature was such a cop-out. We should've either ended with the conversation between Collins and her dad, or gone through a more thorough explanation of the fallout from people's decisions. Like, hello? Can we at least see Rob James get ruined? Oh well.

[Leah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm being quite serious: don't read this unless you're okay with delving into a world of morally gray, often loathsome wealthy people. If you don't have the energy for a real viper pit of #richpeopleproblems, pick up something else.

I understand the compulsion to compare with The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks, and at first I would have chosen that as a readalike based on the boarding school setting, the inclusion of a secret society, and a deceptive main character, but I didn't find this nearly as well-written or as compelling, the secret society barely featured, and the inexplicably named Collins (Collins Pruit - a girl named like a law firm) was a deadly combination of not particularly sympathetic/desperate, nor calculating enough for me to somehow admire her cleverness. (Her bizarre plan is initially fed to her by an obviously untrustworthy character, and later improvisations don't necessarily turn out well.) The main romance technically hit the right beats, but I found myself wondering over and over what exactly attracted the two characters to each other.

That said, despite a slow and uneven first half, and a narrator who I didn't find particularly clearly characterized or compelling, I did find myself engaged by the second half, at least enough to want to see how deep the rabbit hole went. It did get a bit twisty within the character relationships, so if you like that and a dubiously moral main character in a story, go for it (though the twistiness gets undercut by a somewhat lackluster epilogue). Otherwise, perhaps give a pass.

[Maddie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This has an interesting premise: girl starts at new school specifically to ruin the life of a stranger. Good for her! And then it fails spectacularly at living up to that.
The main character is pretty boring. She blindly follows whatever anyone tells her, and refuses to do any critical thinking. She never seemed to committed to the plan, but then followed through on the plan anyway? And the whole thing could have been avoided if she just talked to her father.
Then there's the whole "scandal" that's revealed which turns out to be literally the most boring thing ever. Because every 16 year old girl wants to stop insider trading.
The rest of the characters were pretty bland too. Did Ariel even make an appearance in the second half? Jasper is even more boring than insider trading but we're supposed to get on board with Collins falling for him (also why is she named Collins. Why doesn't anyone have a normal name)
At the beginning I was excited to read it to see what happened but since nothing really happened, it was pretty disappointing. And yet somehow, even though nothing happened at the end, there was too much going on. The camp with Theo, the parentage, the Game. And none of it mattered!!! It all could have been cut out!!
Same with the "x months later" portion at the ends of sections. Did they add anything? No! Did anyone edit this???
I resent the comparison to Karen M McManus, who actually knows how to write a book, but maybe if you like E Lockhart you'd like this, since I didn't particularly care for this either.

[Tenzin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was surprised how much I ended up loving this book! It was so interesting how it was written, with glimpses of the future sprinkled throughout the book with no context that we get to try to figure out, then watch them all piece together at the end. The many twists and turns are reminiscent of an E Lockhart novel.


the world- The backdrop of this book is A prestigious prep school in the Pacific Northwest, giving off distinctly dark academia vibes. this book also reminded me of the inheritance games, with all of the family secrets and scheming.

the characters- I ended up enjoying and admiring Collins scheming and tricks, though I do see how she may not be a very likable main character. with Collins, it was also a situation where she, as a narrator, kept things from the reader, and made for a interesting mystery to unravel while you’re reading. Jasper. I love Jasper. it was so great to watch him grow, and slowly start to be free of all the guilt from his past that was holding him down.


The romance- I love Jasper… have I already said that? I love Jasper, and I love Collins, so obviously I approve of them being together. Though it isn’t all fine and dandy between them, being that their relationship was built completely on lies and secrets.


The end- Overall, I am very happy with the ending, though I do wish there maybe was an epilogue so that we have more Collins and Jasper.


All in all i had a really fun time reading this with all of the drama, scandal, and twists making for an entertaining time. I totally recommend this book.

[Josephine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hate to give this book such a bad review because some parts were amazing, but if I'm being honest, only a third of the book was worth reading.

The first half or so of the book was pretty boring. It was well-written, but there was no plot to it, and nothing really happened. I get that the author wanted a slow introduction, but it was much too slow in my opinion.

The second half of the book was mostly good. I really enjoyed most of it, and if all of the book had been written that way, I would definitely give it five stars. There was lots of drama, great writing, and it was very emotional.

Then the ending came and I was disappointed once again. I was so looking forward to seeing how the whole situation would unravel, but I was left with an easy forgiveness and a snippet into the future. To be honest, I really hated the ending.

So while there was one part of the book that I would've given five stars, overall the book was not worth my time, and probably not worth yours too. It was an interesting read, but just not well planned out.

[sparkypink · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Can you worm your way into people's lives, get to know all sides of them, without also starting to feel close to them?"

This is the struggle of Collins Pruitt, who transfers to Rutherford Institute, a prestigious boarding school. She has a hidden agenda, and is determined to learn the truth in order to help her family. But as truth comes to light, and feelings get real, will she be able to follow through?

It took me several chapters to get into the story, but once I did, it was a fairly quick read. While I did question the plausibility of high school students being tasked in the downfall of multi-million dollar corporations, I found myself pulled in to the characters and their stories. Each character had their own agenda throughout, and there was enough mystery written into each one that you didn't know who to believe at any given time.

I received an ARC of this book thanks to the publisher and NetGalley.

[Jennifer Hill · Rating 2 out of 5]

Edelweiss DRC review:

If you enjoy unreliable narrators, then this book might be for you. I have trouble deciding if Collins is unreliable or just been lied to so much she doesn't know what's true. There are also LOTS of secrets in this book, which don't really come out until the very end, and even then you are left wondering.

Collins is headed to boarding school. Her aunt has tasked her with finding some dirt on two boys, brothers, in order to break up their married mom with her dad. Aunt Rose claims that the mom is using Collins dad for his money. As Collins tries to befriend the boys and make Jasper fall in love with her so she can break his heart, she finds out that what secrets the boys possess are not what her aunt had in mind.

The book is broken into sections by months and at the end of each section there is a hint of what happens in March. The ending seemed to end with a good closure. I would recommend this for 7th and up.