Ruby Island

Otago Waters #2

by Stephanie Ruth

Book 2 of the Otago Waters series: A New Zealand enemies to lovers romance.

First impressions are hard to shake...
Big-headed ex-rugby star, Daniel Dante, refuses to believe a word celebrated ceramicist Kanako Janssen says, though why her new landlord's opinion bothers her so much is anyones’s guess. She has enough to worry about, with her soon to be ex-husband refusing to sign divorce papers, Daniel’s dog appearing regularly to freak her out, and an exhibition date looming.
Kanako is everything Daniel isn’t, and nothing he’s used to. Commitment doesn't come easily to a player who's been burnt so publicly before, but if he can’t learn to trust this fresh-faced, quirky artist, he could well lose her altogether.
Like the swallows, Kanako’s only in Otago for the season. But willing or not, the self-proclaimed introvert is being slowly absorbed into small town life on the lake, and she’s in grave danger of falling in love with it.

Editor and agent's choice in the RWNZ Great Beginnings competition, and finalist in the Pacific Hearts Award, RUBY ISLAND is the second story in Stephanie Ruth's Otago Waters series, set in the beautiful South Island of Aotearoa, New Zealand. Each book stands alone, but reading them in order provides a deeper experience. Intended for readers who enjoy their feel-good romance on the steamy side, and promising a happily ever after.

Authors note: Though this story ends in an HEA, it also deals with the subject of past addiction, and a historical drowning. Please read at your own discretion.

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Genres: Romance

354 pages, ebook

Published November 12, 2021

About the author

Award winning New Zealand contemporary romance novelist and short story writer, Stephanie Ruth lives in the South Island, Te Waipounamu, with her husband, three children, and an ever expanding array of animals. If it doesn't have a happy ending in some form or other, Stephanie's not writing it.

You can find her on Facebook @stephanieruth.nz, Instagram and TikTok @stephanie_ruth_writes_nz, or on her website www.stephanie-ruth.com

Reviews

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about Daniel Dante, brother to Cam, from the first book in this series. Daniel is an ex-rugby star. I like the author included a glossary to better understand the different languages in the book for the reader.

Kanako and Daniel meet excitingly on the beach. I love the slip to her heritage in her conversation and the fact that he reciprocated as well. Kana is an artist who has taken a residency in the south of New Zealand. Her residence is with Potter Dante; Daniel Dante's mother, Kana, has a fear of dogs.

This story gets interesting as Kana finds herself living on Dante's property. They have a few uncomfortable encounters with each other. She is very hesitant near him, almost uncomfortable. He is a little broody about a misunderstanding. Things do get steamy as they have some moments together. I love getting to know Adele and Clementine, as well as more about Dante in this book. The car nicknames from his mother for him and his brother Cam are hilarious. Things do get steamy eventually.

Dante and Kanako are like magnets for a while, at least until a preconceived misconception cuts off their communication. Then this gets more emotional and more difficult to read. Dante is being a real jerk to Kanako, and despite his family's warning, he doesn't get out of his own way. Then the author surprises us, and I really hope they communicate and this works out happily.

Finally, this book reads like a real romance, and they are done with the miscommunication and games. However, their moments have been sweet, but I still feel like these characters don't know each other very well.

This book ends sweet and happy, and after getting to know Adele and the entire Dante family better, I can't wait to read more in this series.

This story was full of ups and downs and many heartbreaking scenes, but it was a truly happy romance story. I love how quirky and unique the author's characters even add foreign language and places into the account. These romance books are lovely, unique, and interesting. I've learned so much about places I would love to visit someday. The way the author incorporates the place into the story is just magical. This story is primarily filled with a big-headed sports player and, of course, the starving literal artist, but add in the family love, beautiful scenery, and a little does of humanity. You have a wonderful romance story. I love that both characters have issues; neither is perfect. There are times when your reading where you want to hate the main characters, primarily for being a bonehead. But it all works out at the end, sometimes in the very last chapter. If you enjoy a new destination with exciting people, you will love The Otago Waters Series. I can't wait to read the next book and learn about New Zealand and the Dante family.

[Jill Mccaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book pulled me in from the first page. In a way it was serendipitous. Earlier in the day that I started reading it I'd driven into Queenstown and pulled into a lakeside layby to look up an address, in nearly exactly the way Kanako does on the first page of the novel, only one mountain range away in Wanaka. No ruggedly handsome ex All Black came up to offer me directions though.

Right from the get go we got a feeling for the place and the characters. I just knew that Kanako's pretense was going to bite her in the arse. She was a master of miscommunication and there were times I wanted to shake her. But Daniel was just as guilty.

Daniel was a delightful damaged alpha male, just the sort of character I love and the fact that his mother can boss him around made him seem very real.

The secondary characters are all well drawn and the warmth and hospitality of the extended family drew me in. The best other character though is Halfback the dog. I just loved that dog. And Kanako's gradual friendship with the animal she'd initially been terrified of was heart warming.

The town of Wanaka became a character in its own right, although probably nostalgically more as it used to be 20 years ago than the tourist hot spot it is now.

Misunderstandings aside (that is the story after all) this novel shines with warmth and heart.

I enjoyed Mako Bay, but this beats it hands down and I'm really looking forward to the next book in the series.

Thank you to the author for providing this review copy.

[Amy Blythe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely adored this story! Loved the characters - their issues and misunderstandings felt real and fitting, given their circumstances - and the setting. The pottery details were fascinating. The story line through some delicious curve-balls, just when I thought I knew what was coming next. And the heat between these two - woah! They had some absolutely devastating moments, a good dose of good ol' fashioned longing, and a very satisfying ending. Tino pai, Stephanie Ruth! You did it again!

[Jacqueline Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stunning read. Stephanie Ruth is such a talented writer and this book was beautiful from start to finish. It contained amazing characters who felt so real and it was set in a stunning landscape that Stephanie brought to life in vivid detail. I highly recommend this book.

[Tantalizing Tomes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though this story is set in New Zeland it took me a little while to figure that out. I liked the fact that this book was not what I was expecting when I started, and that even though I haven't read the first book in the series I didn't feel like I was lost in what was going on. Although it took me a little while to get into the story, when I did I found myself enjoying the story. I will say that I am not a huge fan of how the two main characters interact with each other throughout the story. It is something that is hard to read at times, though I understand the background behind both characters as we get farther into the book I had a hard time with it to start. What I found fun and interesting was the fact that one of the main characters is half Japenese and that a few characters throughout the story speak mulitple languages including Dutch, Japanese, Kiwi and English. Which even though I didn't understand the words I could understand the meaning with surrounding text. Also at the end of the book there is a glossary for the Kiwi and Japanese words that are throughout the book. I would rate this book at a 3.75 out of 5 stars. This book is one that has a on and off again burn throughout the whole book with only a couple of explict scenes, making this mainly a Jalapeno Pepper with one or two scene that are Manzano Pepper caliber.

I would recommend this book to anyone that likes the Alpha-asshole lead male. 


I hope that this helps you find your next Tantalizing Tome.

[E Lowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this read. I fell in love with the characters and found myself engrossed in their journey. Ruth has a beautiful way with words that draws you into the story so that it is impossible to put the book down.
I'll definitely be looking for more books by this author.

[Mrs Moa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartwarming romance which follows a journey of learning to trust and overcome past transgressions.

I absolutely adored this romance set in Wānaka, Aotearoa, New Zealand. I didn’t want to leave. Please invite me to a Dante pizza night 💗

Peppered with language in Japanese and Māori, the multicultural mix weaved throughout this story adds depth to the characters and a sense of knowing where their roots lie and who they are.

Kanako, an artist who creates gallery worthy ceramics and pottery sculptures has recently filed for divorce from her restrictive and demeaning husband. Nearing her fourties’, she is seeking to create a life that will embrace her passions and earn back her self worth.

Daniel is a successful rugby player, well known throughout the country, he was forced into early retirement due to an on-field injury. Daniel is jaded from past relationships that sought to use his celebrity status to boost their own careers.

Kanako has gained an artist in residence sponsorship, run by Daniel’s mother Poppy, where Kanako will reside on Daniel’s farm to submerse her self in her creations. Prior to learning who Daniel is, a chance meeting leads to a misunderstanding that will plague their burgeoning relationship with mistrust.

🏉 grumpy sunshine
🏉 multicultural
🏉 self discovery
🏉 unexpected pregnancy
🏉 strong family connections
🏉 forced proximity
🏉 sports romance
🏉 age gap
🏉opposites attract
🏉 HEA

✨ gifted

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruby Island is a great read with well written characters, an interesting subject matter and set in a wonderful part of New Zealand.

I was first drawn to the book because of the title and cover, as I happen to live in the area where it is set. I don't know if the author has ever been to Ruby Island, but she describes the setting with authority, and I found myself smiling as I came across landmarks that are so familiar to me.

This is the kind of romance that stays with you. The main characters are well formed, so much so that by the end of the book, I wanted to take up pottery. But a shout out must go to the way the author paints the co-stars with such vivid colour, each one unique. Then there is Halfback, the dog. I think I fell in love with him a little and I am not a dog person.

All in all a great book.

[Lyssa Randolph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruby Island is another great love story in this series: Daniel and Kana seem an unlikely match with issues to work through, with plenty of life having been lived, arriving at a truly happy ending (no spoilers!) This book has a gorgeous setting, beautifully rendered, and the people and issues are real and believable. There is welcome crossover with the previous book in the series, which is great for being immersed in this world, though you could read this one first. I love how what Stephanie writes is sympathetic in its rich and varied cultural detail, building complex, interesting characters who really grow.

[Robyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this