The Perfect Ruin
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Sometimes the best books are the ones you haven’t seen talked about as much.

“The Perfect Ruin” by Shanora Williams is a psychological thriller that centers on Ivy Hill, a woman whose life was shattered by a traumatic event. Ivy discovers that a wealthy socialite named Lola Maxwell is connected to her past and is the cause of her pain. Determined to seek revenge, Ivy infiltrates Lola’s life, aiming to destroy her from the inside. As Ivy’s plan unfolds, she navigates a web of deceit, secrets, and lies, leading to shocking revelations and intense confrontations.

This one ROCKED MY WORLD. It STRESSED me out.
For the LONGEST time, you are being teased, not knowing what the hell this girl is so mad about, like, “What did Lola do?!?”.
Then when you think one character is the problem, you find out it goes so much deeper in another character.
My jaw dropped so many times, throughout.
There were a few scenes, though, that I had to reread the page a few times to figure out what happened. It wasn’t made clear enough at some points.
🚨 Spoiler Alert 🚨
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That Georgia is SAVAGE. 👏🏻 🙌🏻 lol

Although my opinion is based on the written version I would suggest the audio if you particularly like the domestic thriller genre.

This is a twisty unfolding story of plotting, scheming and revenge. Its an easy read with characters and storyline that is not overly complicated. The story focuses on Ivy who sets out to take revenge on the person she discovers is responsible for a horrific incident that dramatically impacted her life. What follows is Ivy's twisted obsession with Lola and the plot to befriend and infiltrate her world to enact this revenge. Don't bother trying to find any likable characters and there are mostly questionable choices throughout but in the end it delivers a worthwhile read.

Contains Spoilers:
I wanted to love this book, but I couldn't. There are a lot of unbelievable aspects all the way through...towards the end when all hell breaks loose and the swears get to flowing like the booze does (lots of alcohol here and F bombs and a couple appearances from the C word) - there's a (TW) rape scene that gets quickly downplayed and the woman that goes through the trauma quickly becomes a rape apologist, making excuses for the man at fault etc. That's where I really just had had enough but I stuck with it because I wanted to hear more from Georgia. Though she was the most likable by far (likability is in SHORT supply here) even she couldn't save the ending from all of the overblown and unbelievable twists thrown at us.
T/CWs also for: DV, miscarriages (including on page), deaths of parents, violence, lots of drinking and some painkillers abuse as well, alcoholism, infidelity etc.

This was an engrossing read! The characters were petty and savage. It was twisty and diabolical and I don’t know how to write this review without giving anything away! Don’t miss this one!

Ivy's life changed forever the night of the accident. Both of her parents were killed in a car accident and the police don't seem to be that interested in investigating it. Ivy is just a teenager and grows up without her parents' love and guidance. She has a psychologist she goes to but that's not really a substitute.

When Ivy is in her twenties, her doctor gives her additional information about the accident. The woman who was driving the other car and caused the accident was Lola Maxwell. Everyone knows who Lola is. She is super rich and a trend setter with fashion stores and tons of money. She lives in a massive estate in Miami with her plastic surgeon husband, Cory and is featured in magazines and television shows. She has a charity to support mothers.

Ivy is determined to pay back Lola for ruining her life. She starts by moving to Miami. Her next step is to have plastic surgery with Cory as her doctor. Then Ivy finds a way to get next to Lola by volunteering at the charity. Soon she is best friends with Lola and living the good life herself. She replaces Lola's former best friend, Kiki. Everything is going great. The only person who suspects anything is the housekeeper, Georgia. Will Ivy go through with her plan to ruin Lola's golden life?

This novel received lots of positive press from places like Book Riot, Publishers Marketplace and Bookbub. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader's attention and their loyalty will switch from one participant to another as situations change. Ivy thinks she is ready to ruin Lola but will she end up as the ruined one instead? This fast-paced novel is recommended for mystery readers.

What an intriguing story! It has an ending you will not see coming!

Shanora Williams makes the reader believe they know that is going on from the beginning. That assumption is oh so wrong! In what appears to be a simple story of revenge based upon concrete facts will ultimately flip everything the reader thinks to be true on its head.

A well-written thriller with great characters. It is easy to read which is good because it can’t be put down. Chante Ellison and Nola Vance bring the story to life. I have found a new favorite writer.


I received an ARC from Recorded Books through NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion or rating of this book. I am voluntarily submitting this review and am under no obligation to do so.

3.5 Stars

I was extremely excited to read this book because I’ve wanted to read Shanora Williams for a while now and when I saw she had a debut mystery, I couldn’t pass it up. I’ll definitely still get back to her romances though.

THE PERFECT RUIN is about Ivy. Our protagonist hasn’t fully emotionally healed from a traumatic experience in her past. Therapy has helped, but revenge is still on her mind. So when her therapist produces the name of the person responsible, Ivy sets out to infiltrate her life and make her pay.

I wanted to connect with this book more than I ultimately did. In some ways, I felt for Ivy. But most of the time I just found the whole lot of characters in this book either unlikable or that I just didn’t care. Maybe pacing also had something to do with that. At times I was interested in the story and then it would lose some steam.

As a debut mystery, I think it’s a good offering and I can’t wait for Ms. Williams to write more in the genre and see what other stories she has in store for us. As a avid thriller reader, maybe I was hoping for something a bit different. But when it comes to twists, I think the end of this book delivers. Even if not in the pace that could’ve had the best impact.

If you want a satisfying revenge story, check this one out.

Oh I could not put this down once I got started. It was compelling, and just the right amount of bananas.

Ivy Hill has been through a lot, and is struggling to hang on to what little life she has left. In her mind there is one person at fault...Lola Maxwell, a Miami socialite who seems to have everything. Ivy decides it's time to get her revenge and she starts to infiltrate Lola's world. Her plans start to get pretty out of hand though, will Ivy actually survive her own scheming?

You shouldn't like any of the characters in this book, not really. But Williams has created them so expertly that you can't help but marvel at the way she's done it. This one will keep you on your toes, and keep you guessing!

The audiobook was so good, and narrated by Chante Ellison and Nola Vance who were both new-to-me narrators. It comes in at 10 hours and 5 minutes. I was so emersed in the audio that I completely lost track of time!

Wow - this book lives up to the hype! I had heard a lot about this book which usually means I'm going to get let down when I finally cave and read it - or in this case, listen to excellent narrators tell it - but this book definitely fulfills everything said about it. The twists, the turns, the emotions - a definite must read!!

I am such a fan of psychological thrillers and Shanora Williams did a fantastic job on this book.  I listened to the audible and I have been walking while listening and I am sure that I walked too long a few times just so I could keep listening! 

With multiple points of view, this book was a masterpiece.  I was so addicted to it.  I always say when reading a psychological thriller that when you finish you say "did I just read that" and I ABSOLUTELY said that!  This book left many questions still in my mind so if Shanora Williams wanted to write a sequel I would forever be grateful!

An excellent, well written thriller all about the perfect revenge. Couldn’t put this book down. Great characters, superb plot, highly recommend!

Ivy Hill’s life is completely upended when she is a teenager, and now in her twenties she is still obsessed over the accident and troubled when her therapist gives her what she has been searching for all these years. The name of the woman who ruined her life, Lola Maxwell. After much research she finds Lola is a mega rich, socialite living in Miami with her plastic surgeon husband, Corey. Ivy will stop at nothing to infiltrate Lola’s life, befriend her and ruin every other relationship Lola has. But how far is too far?
I love this audiobook! The twists did not stop and I literally yelled out “What??” at one point! I could not wait to get through this one. It’s such a compelling read and listen! The narrator did a fantastic job keeping me interested!

I loved this thriller. Fantastic and not like anything I’ve ever read before. Dark and twisted with a lot of glamour and grit. Highly recommed!

Love Shanora Williams! Was recommended from tarryn fisher and I couldn't put this down. So good. Would definitely recommend

Intriguing plot line but the execution didn't always work for me. The characters' wishy washy internal dialogue was annoying. Hearing every little thought the characters had was not necessary, especially when one thought often contradicted the next. The reveal was okay but not earthshattering. I enjoyed the audio performance as the narrator brought a level of energy to the story. But over-all, just a mediocre read for me.

I received an advanced audio copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

A domestic thriller with a revenge plot! Ivy is out for revenge against Lola and is perfectly conniving in her approach. Get close, become her friend, seduce her husband. Until someone else intervenes and throws revenge into full circle.

My Thoughts:
An overall easy listen full of twists and turns! The narrators set a good pace for the book with good tones - just the right level of emotion and suspense. I recommend this to those who like an entertaining plot that slowly unfolds.

5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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I would like to thank #netgalley #rbmediarecordedbooks #shanoriawilliams for arc copy audibook for a honest review.
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Spoilers!!!!⚠️⚠️⚠️
Trigger warning ⚠️ miscarriages..
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It started it with IVY a young beautiful woman who had so much to gone through to her life. It change her life completely with one woman and that's lola maxwell . A very respected and wealthy person from Florida .. ivy wanted that and she will do anything to get that. But hang on!! There is a plot twist on the middle of the story, and that hook me up!
Story was written well. I'm looking forward to read part 2 of the book as it will leave you a tiny bit of cliffhanger . But all in all, it's was worth to read!
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🌹shaye.reads

This book is not for me!

Fantastic narrators cannot save this ridiculous and incredibly slow burn plot.

I am all for suspending your belief in the name of fiction, but too much of this book relied on the unethical behavior by multiple characters. I just don’t believe that this would, could, or ever should happen.

Ivy believes that her life has been ruined by someone who was not held accountable for a terrible event that changed her life. When her therapist comes across the name of the person responsible for Ivy’s suffering, she provides the information that she has desired for a long time. Ivy vows to take revenge on this person, Lola Maxwell, a super wealthy Florida socialite. She will make Lola pay for what she has done by taking everything she has for herself.

Honestly, if I wasn’t reviewing this book, I probably would have relegated it to the DNF shelf at about 20%. I did make it to the end, but it took me WAY too long to get there and the twist was just absurd.

The stellar narration by Chante Ellison and Nola Vance should earn five stars, but due to my inability to become invested in the plot of this book, it brought it down to a two star review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dafina publishing for the audiobook of The Perfect Ruin in exchange for an honest review.

2/5 stars

Well, this was definitely better than what I've expected! It was a wild ride at the beginning, the second part was super boring, and in the end, there was some thrill, but the ending was reeeeeeeally weak! I also hated all of the characters, ALL of them, but I guess the writer never wanted to have likable characters, so there's that.

Also, the narators were amazing! Gorgia not that much, but Ivy was👌

A huge thanks to NetGalley and RB Media for a copy of the Perfect Ruin audiobook!

Wow. This book is a roller-coaster ride, and the narrators did a spectacular job with the audio. Revenge and sabotage are at the top of the to-do lists of these characters, and they're toxic and spiteful as ever.

I flew through this one in a day and absolutely couldn't stop listening. I wanted to get to the ending so badly, while at the same time wanted it to keep going. Entertaining and truly hard to put down, one of my favorite audiobooks of the year for sure.