This story reminded me of a spin on a Cinderella story taking place in a San Francisco earthquake. The main character often bothered me with her actions. The character development could have been a little stronger, although the plot was well-written. I could tell that a lot of research went into this book because of the references on San Francisco and the devastating earthquakes. It was hard to believe that the main character could join high society just overnight. There was a surprising twist at the end. Although this story left me with many unanswered questions, it was a compelling story that I won't soon forget

**I received a free early digital edition for my honest review.

A spell-binding read set against the backdrop of San Francisco. The plot revolves around May who lives alone after the death of her mother until she is invited to live with an aunt, that she was unaware of, and her family. Made welcome the story twists and turns as May is betrayed. After encountering life in a lunatic asylum and the 1906 San Francisco earthquake May plans to take back what is hers, but does she succeed? An engrossing and captivating read with great descriptions. This well written book held my interest from the start and I couldn’t read it fast enough. Megan Chance is a new author to me but one I will be returning to. A recommended read.

This was an interesting story. I liked more of the story with the maid and the underground information there than the actual death mystery. I also really liked the MC. I loved her idea when she was young to draw rooms and decorate, such a fun and interesting detail that I don't read often in characters. The ins and outs of society weren't my favorite parts but the story was solid and the writing was good. I liked this one.

I should’ve known I would love this, considering Kristin Hannah’s rave review, but wow did I love this.
Set with the backdrop of San Francisco, this historical fiction mystery follows May as she tries to discover the secrets of her family.
Going into it I wasn’t sure what the mystery would be about, so it was fun to go into this somewhat blind and not know what was going to happen. There were many turns I didn’t see coming!
I was very much swept into this story. It whisks you away to San Francisco and makes you feel as if you attended all these high society events and felt this earthquake. The betrayals, revenge, and deceit were so real.
The ending was a tad but flat, but the journey was so fun!

Spoiler warning:

Great historical novel of turn of the century San Francisco. The writing is really good and the characters, especially the main character May, are believable and suck you into the story. My only critique is that the first section is way too long. The plot doesn’t get moving until the second section and the final section, May’s revenge, was way too short. Overall, an enjoyable read.

Good historical fiction. The main character is believable and the plot moves along quickly. The ending brings the book to a close.
I really enjoyed this book and found it hard to put it down.
The author did an amazing job at keeping my interest!

I received this from Netgalley.com.

"After her mother’s death, penniless May Kimble lives a lonely life until an aunt she didn’t know existed summons her to San Francisco."

Poor, (unbelievably) naive May. I liked reading about the time period, the earthquake and its destruction. The writing and pacing of the story was okay but the characters seemed one sided with no depth.

2.75☆

May Kimble felt the tremors of an earthquake before the blockbuster one hit San Francisco in 1906.

May's mother, Charlotte, passed away suddenly and the shock of it sent May reeling. There was so much about her mother that she didn't know. May and Charlotte lived dollar-to-dollar in a small rundown apartment in Brooklyn. Even with money scarce and refinement scarcer, Charlotte insisted that May learn manners, read the classics, and learn to speak French. May kept a sketchbook near her in which she fantasized designing upscale rooms to balance the barren surroundings she and Charlotte lived in.


But the one thing that May knew was that her father was a member of high society in New York City before he passed away. Charlotte always kept a flicker of hope that he would recognize May as his daughter. But there was nothing but silence over the years. Out of nowhere came a letter inviting May to come to San Francisco to live with Charlotte's well-to-do sister, Florence. May had no idea that Charlotte even had a sister. But with no other options or recourse, May boards a train and makes the long journey to San Francisco.

Megan Chance introduces us to the Sullivans. Coming from Brooklyn, their Nob Hill mansion left May in awe. Goldie, her new cousin, is a young woman trying to grab headlines in every gossip section in every paper. Her Uncle Jonny pursues more wealth at every turn. And Florence.......well, she's dipped in laudanum at every moment. May tries to gain information about her mother and father through the dulled Florence. Nothing makes sense. But why all the secrecy? What don't they want her to know?

A Splendid Ruin should be given more attention than some reviewers deign to give it. The plight of May and her transformation is quite entertaining. Chance presents a panoramic view of San Francisco's upper class while revealing the designated lower levels of society in Chinatown and the power of the Chinese tongs. She also gives us a walking tour of the devastation brought on by the earthquake in 1906. The characters are varied with some injected with poisonous personalities. We'll find May experiencing life firsthand at the receiving end of ruthless behaviors. Megan Chance certainly turns our heads to the underbelly of life in San Francisco at the turn of the last century.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Lake Union Publishing and to Megan Chance for the opportunity.

The first read of 2021 and it’s a five star’er! I loved this novel and Megan Chance’s May Kimble character. After moving to San Francisco and “becoming” a Sullivan, May’s story was just beginning. There were so many twists and turns that I couldn’t put this one down. From the mansion on Nob Hill to the asylum and Chinatown, this tale was a fast and exciting read that must be on your list!

This story includes all the drama -- lies, deceit, suspicion, murder, and to top it all off, an earthquake! Cinderella meets historical fiction!

May Kimble lives penniless in Brooklyn after her mother's death until a long-lost aunt brings her to San Francisco. May is welcomed into the family and their elite social group. May has cash, companions, and social standing -- nothing she had in New York.

May notices odd things -- her cousin disappears at night, and her aunt is doped up on laudanum. The maid even tells May she is in danger! She has so many questions on why her aunt wants to bother with her now, why her uncle doesn't speak to her aunt, and if her aunt knows her husband is having an affair.

San Francisco then gets hit with a horrible earthquake and accused of murder. What will May do? How will she survive? Will she share all of the secrets she has learned to save herself?

What a detailed description of San Francisco, the earthquake, and the aftermath.

Do be warned that it is written in prose.

Thank you to Net Galley for permitting me to read this book for my honest review.

Just about a year or so before the horrific earthquake hit San Francisco, May Kimble arrives at the home of her aunt, having recently lost her mother and penniless. With her mother gone, May travels from Brooklyn, NY to San Francisco to stay with her relatives. Overwhelmed and amazed at the opulence and wealth of the family, she finds it difficult to believe that she is a member of the family. Never having heard of her aunt Florence, it is even more difficult as her mother never mentioned having a sister, let alone such a wealthy one. Immediately she is taken up by her cousin Goldie Sullivan, where she learns her aunt is not a well woman, in fact, her aunt is if often in a drug induced state...laudanum. Both May and Goldie are close in age and May is taken under her wing, yet there are questions left unanswered; will they be answered, what secrets are hidden within the walls of this wealthy family and how do they affect May? There is an undercurrent of secrets, gossip in the wealthy community that all is not what it appears to be at the Sullivan household. Through it all, May in her naiveté stands along with her cousin Goldie...and Goldie knows well how to play the "game." But Goldie is not alone in this game, in this plot to take from May what truly belongs to her. In a scheme filled with betrayal, mayhem and murder, May stands to lose the most precious thing in life, her freedom.

April, 1906 an earthquake devastates the city. In the midst of a city burning down to the ground, May might be able to find the answers to the questions she seeks. However, will she seek vengeance? Will she rise like a "Phoenix" from the ashes?

The lies, the betrayal, the plot with its twists and turns made for an entertaining story. There is no doubt that San Francisco made for a good background. My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I will admit I was a little hesitant picking this one up since I am not usually one for historical fiction or family dramas. However, I am super psyched I did - this book was a surprisingly mysterious and fun read and one I will definitely be recommending! I couldn't put it down and found it to be a fresh read for the new year.

Thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing for the copy for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book. It was a great book and I highly recommend reading it.