After her family was blown apart when she was a child, Ivy had little interest in life. Then she finds the woman who destroyed her family and Ivy has one purpose – to destroy Lola Maxwell. Lola is viewed as an angel by the people of Miami, a woman who does everything for those less fortunate. Ivy won’t stop until she has ruined Lola’s life, from turning her friends against her to stealing her husband. But Ivy may find herself caught in a trap of her own making in this glitzy novel of revenge and seduction

The Perfect Ruin by Shanora Williams

A brutal tragedy ended Ivy Hill’s happy family and childhood. Now in her twenties, troubled and attending therapy sessions.

At a therapy session she is handed the name of the person responsible for destroying her life - Lola Maxwell! Revenge is all that is on Ivy’s mind.

‘Gain her trust...and then ruin her!!’

Accomplished, beautiful and charming, Lola has the best of everything. As well as a handsome husband! She doesn’t deserve any of it after what she did! Ivy is determined to take it all away...

Little by little, Ivy works her way into Lola’s elite circle. Seducing Lola’s husband, a surgeon turns into a passionate dream Ivy suddenly can’t control. And soon, someone will twist Ivy’s revenge into a nightmare of deception, secrets and betrayal that Ivy may not wake up from...

Don’t underestimate anyone...

This book had my attention right from the beginning, all the way to the end!! I couldn’t stop listening to this book! Loved it!! Great twists! Great mystery debut by the author! Look forward to others!!

Thank you Shanora Williams, RB Media, Recorded Books and NetGalley for the audio to listen to this book in return for my honest review!

3.5 rounded up

This is a fun and fast to read book.

There is plenty for anyone in this book and it's somewhat of a page turner because you do want to know what is going to happen and how things are going to unfold.

Ivy is absolutely obsessed with this person that she claims, ruined her life. So she goes out on a mission to destroy this person. So this is where the fun begins. I was sure the story goes in one direction, but I was completely wrong and then I started suspecting the ending but surprises keep showing up at every corner.
Sure, some feel farfetched, unrealistic and beyond any stretch of the imagination, but nevertheless they make it a fun read.

So what I loved: I enjoyed guessing and being wrong about a few things. I liked the story (although not so much the people), I liked the pace of the book, especially in the second part when things are moving quite quickly. I liked the feeling of anticipation and curiosity, wanting to know what happens next.

The parts that I enjoyed not so much: some characters changed completely. From being super nice and kind, they turned out to be quite mean. Everybody in the book is pretty mean and most of them are fostering feelings of jealousy and envy. None of the characters are likeable. Also, no one thinks they should work to earn money, but everyone thinks they are more than entitled to have the money and they are easily bribed. There is too much swearing for no good reason. Some parts are very, very predictable.
Another aspect that didn't sit right with me is the voice of the housekeeper. In the audiobook there is an elderly person reading that character and that is not really working out especially when she is telling the story of having a baby.

All in all a good summer read.

Thank you MacMillian Audio and NetGalley for offering me the opportunity to read this book!

A story about revanges and hate. Very dark plot. It was sad all that happened to all of the characters. I felt sorry and I was angry at the same time. Can not decide what to write positive. Yes, many turns will take you to want to finish the book. It is not boring at all. I just missed more positive notes