In a nutshell: Ruined is a sweet and satisfying slow-burn romance with perhaps too many attempted sub-plots.

First of all, the plus side: the main story is well thought out, perfectly paced, and beautifully drawn. I thoroughly enjoyed watching Catherine and Andrew grow to love each other during the first year of their marriage of convenience, and I adored the full inclusion of BIPOC and LGBTQ+ secondary characters in the novel's Regency setting.

But if there's a plus side, there has to be a downside, no? My biggest disappointment with this graphic novel is that it simply includes too many subplots for any of them to be fully realized. Perhaps had this been a traditional novel, I could have become attached to the secondary characters and rejoiced as they each found their way--toward love, toward success, toward wellness. Unfortunately, the fact that there were so many non-overlapping minor threads made it quite difficult for me to develop any sort of concern or connection to any of them. What a shame, since I really wanted to know so much more, particularly about Andrew's sister.

Overall, I enjoyed this open-door graphic romance and was absolutely satisfied with the MCs' well-earned HEA. I will absolutely recommend it to my comix-loving pals and to anybody looking for a quick romance fix.

As a side note: the end material, with its peek into the creative process and deleted scenes, is not to be missed. Both interesting and fun!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

Ruined is a love story of Catherine Benson and Andrew Davener set in the regency era. Andrew wanted the Dowry and Catherine's reputation was bad due to her last relationship which makes it a beneficial marriage for both of them.

Personally I am not a big fan of the romance in this book as it felt extremely rushed. I wanted the couple to spend more time together to actually understand each other more.

The art style was also not what i am used to so it felt a bit weird.

I wanted to read it because of the comparison to Bridgerton but honestly it's not that good.

Even though I finished it in one sitting still it doesn't have anything extremely special. Overall a 3 star read!!

I was deceived by the pretty cover!!! Gah!! The cover might seem pretty, but let me assure you that the art style is anything but. When I saw this marriage of convenience romance comic on NetGalley, I immediately requested a copy. But ugh, this was just not...good. I didn't mind the romance. It's a very typical historical marriage of convenience. But there was so much focus on supporting characters that I did not care about. To be honest, the only character I liked was the hero LOL.

This is also a very modern type of historical romance, just like the TV show Bridgerton. If that's your jam, then you will probably like this comic. As for me, I'm out ✌🏽

This was a fun graphic novel. I think historical graphic novels are great because it really helps the reader get right into the period and so clearly understand the time through the fashion and other visual elements. The art style was great and the story was well done. I love an arranged marriage/marriage of convenience trope so that was really enjoyable. I do wish that we had more context for the story. I felt like the reader never really gets the whole picture of what is happening but overall it was a quick and enjoyable read.

Before I get into the bulk of my review, a quick thank you to both NetGalley and the publishers at First Second for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Ruined is a graphic novel set in the regency era that follows Catherine who society has viewed as ‘ruined’ thanks to a dalliance that has rumors spreading faster than a wildfire. Only a truly desperate man would want to wed a ruined woman. And Andrew is that desperate man. His estate has been run into the ground by the family’s poor decisions and struggling financials. He needs Catherines dowry to get everything sorted out and put back to rights. But what happens when you accidentally fall for your husband? Ruined comes out on November 28th and is available for preorder now.

I wanted to enjoy this one more than I actually did. I loved the idea of falling in love with the husband you met through an arranged marriage. It gives us so many opportunities for mutual pining, longing, angst. Everything my gremlin heart desires. But the graphic novel doesn’t really give us that as the reader. We see them come to a sort of agreement that works until it doesn’t. But we never get to feel the depth of either characters’ emotions so the longing, pining, angst I’m looking for just isn’t there. You can see that they get along well, that they work together to make the household work and improve, and that they are having a good time together in multiple ways (including physically). I just never felt it. And maybe that’s the regency of it all. I’m not a fan of historical fiction really so that could explain it. I just wish we had gotten moments where we see what the characters are truly feeling.

I liked a lot of the side characters more than I thought I would. I really wish Gemma had made more of an appearance in the graphic novel. But the moments we did get were really sweet. I liked seeing the house restored and how that impacted the family unit as a whole. Also, once the couple is separated for a while, we do finally get to the longing that I was longing for. It was just too little too late by that point for me to actually get on board with the romance.

I know that there are absolutely fans for this graphic novel. I just don’t think I’m one of them. If you like regency era romances, if you like historical graphic novels, if you love Pride and Prejudice, this is going to be for you without a doubt.

This was really good!!! I loved the romance, period drama vibes. It’s very Pride and Prejudice meets Bridgerton. The relationship was so cute and to see it bloom was really nice. The style was so unique and nice to look at and the characters were >>>>

Tropes:
• arranged marriage
• forced proximity

For anyone who has ever wanted a Bridgerton graphic novel, this Regency romance is the romp that will fill that void. Catherine and Andrew's marriage of convince turned love story is not the most original plot in the world but the characters are lovable and their relationship has slow-burn swoon. (Oh and there's some very steamy scenes that surprised me. There's no fading to black here!) The secondary characters are actually more interesting than Catherine and Andrew (and include an LGBTQ romance) but unfortunately they just don't get enough time on the page and are left feeling rather unfinished. I'd happily read more stories set in this world. All in all, good fun!

Totally our fault, but we had no idea this was a graphic novel until we flipped past the title page. This is a totally fun and tropey book with all of the following:

*Marriage of convenience
*MMC never meant to inherit
*Fortune hunter
*"Ruined" FMC

It also seems to have been inspired by the Bridgerton Netflix series, with secondary BIPOC and LGBTQ+ characters who seem to be fully integrated into society.

Reading a regency in visual form was a brand new experience. Character development and internal motivations have to be expressed through drawings rather than inner monologues. In general, the evolution of the relationship from MOC to respect to love was easy to follow, and just as enjoyable as a written romance novel.

There are a couple of things to note: this is an open door romance, which was just a little shocking since we weren't expecting it! (Let's just say we didn't realize this graphic novel would get "graphic," if you know what we mean!) There are also three subplots apart from the MCs' central love story. We're not sure if it's because of the format or simply because of the length of the book (350 pages, the same as a traditional novel), but these secondary plots weren't as fleshed out as the primary. Perhaps if there had only been one we would have been able to get attached to the characters. With three, none of the subplots were quite detailed enough to feel earned.

In any case, we ended up having a great time with this one once we figured out what we'd gotten ourselves into! Check this out if you like historical romance and wouldn't mind some visuals to go along with it.

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the book.

I wanted to read this one because I do enjoy a good marriage of convenience which is definitely what we got. Catherine and Andrew are thrown together in a marriage without love due to their own personal setbacks. It was nice to see their relationship blossom into so much more than husband and wife. They learned to love and trust each other even though it was hard to do at times.

The other characters in the book also learn to take charge of their lives and do what they want even if it is a bit scary.

My least favorite thing was the artwork. It was fine and I did like some aspects of it, but for personal taste it just wasn’t a favorite.

Overall, this was good. It’s short but packs a lot of emotion.

Thank you NetGalley and First Second for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I didn't know what to expect from a graphic novel romance and this was lovely. I loved seeing the regency period brought to life through gorgeous illustrations.

The main plot covering the marriage of convenience between Catherine and Andrew was beautiful. I felt the way their relationship developed into more was written well. Both characters were damaged and it was a sweet journey to see them help each other with their pain and grow together.

I will say the side stories that were included while appreciated definitely lost steam halfway through. Overall the pacing was a little slow.

This is one of my favorite graphic novels, EVER!!! I’m a Pride & Prejudice, as well as a Bridgerton girly and this hit the spot perfectly. We love a grouchy rake and a sweetheart bride! I think it was a little odd for me how similar the characters looked and acted like my husband and I, but it was great. The art style was cute, and the story was lovely.

Wow… this book. It made me laugh, cry and feel things I’ve never felt with a book before. The characters are so well developed throughout the whole story and the whole story was so beautifully told.

The book as a whole is a very cozy read and would be great for any relaxing read.

It is without a doubt one of my favourite reads of the year, maybe ever. Sarah Vaughn has definitely gained a new avid reader of her work.

This might be my favorite new way of reading regency romance. Beautiful design, lovely story, spicy and sweet. Truly a delight of a graphic novel.
5 VERY enthusiastic stars

I liked the illustrations and thought the story was interesting, it was a bit slow at times, but I didn’t really like Catherine that much. I would have like more of her story then the side plot of Miss Lee.

Lovely! A wonderful romance done in graphic novel format!! I greatly enjoyed it, and I absolutely adored Catherine!

A lovely, cozy Regency romance. It has less of the swoony drama of Bridgerton and more of the slice-of-life society romance of a Jane Austen novel. I loved all of the characters (many of whom have their own smaller arcs), but come on, who doesn't love a brooding himbo who doesn't quite understand his own emotions? Catherine is charming, Andrew is giving off Darcy vibes left and right, and there's even a cute sapphic side romance. I'm not sure this is canon, but I also read Gemma as trans--unclear if that's accurate, and I suppose it doesn't matter either way.

I wasn't sure how I'd feel about the art style, as it can be a bit simplistic, but I really loved the characters designs, and the landscapes won me over. The story flows really well, and even though the plot of RUINED relies on that Regency classic trope, "two grown humans are torn apart by their inability to communicate about their emotions," it never felt forced. Bonus points: Andrew might sometimes have the emotional intelligence of a 2x4, but our boy is a feminist when it counts. Please note that there are some spicy pepper schmexy scenes.

I enjoyed the comic and I look forward to watching the inevitable film adaptation. :) Thank you to NetGalley and :01 for allowing me to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A short and sweet story of a man who has forgotten how to love, and a woman stubborn enough to demand it. I loved this, it was romantic and well written, modern yet classic for the time period.

Thank you to NetGalley and First Second Books for providing a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review!

This was a cute, easy and fast read. Very much Pride & Prejudice type of vibe! I was a bit sad that the transitions from one scene to the next were so abrupt, but I guess it is to be expected with a graphic novel. This is not a new story by any means, but it is very well illustrated and narrated! This was a 3.5⭐️ read to me only on the account of the story not being original!

3.5⭐️ This is a graphic novel that is a romance and it is set in the Regency era. This had a marriage of convenience which leads to forced proximity which I love. This art style was a little different than what I am used to but I enjoyed it overall and I loved seeing this time period depicted in the art style. I also liked the side characters and how we got a glimpse into their life so we got a better understanding of all the characters. I would definitely recommend to someone who loves romance and graphic novels.

I received this ARC and LOVED IT. Think Bridgerton as a graphic novel where the husband and wife get married out of convenience then fall in love. I need more!