Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Team for this Advanced Digital Readers Copy, I thoroughly enjoyed this book!

An elderly celebrity sits down to write the story of her life. This one felt like it was trying to emulate The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, but it didn't live up to it. It just felt a little forced and just ok, especially compared to what it seemed to be trying to live up to.

This book delivers exactly what the cover promises, it is a story of a woman recounting all the relationships she has had.

Ruby’s stories fall into two categories. Some were interesting and entertaining. A couple were a little too scandalous for my taste. I enjoyed the writing style and found it a breeze to read, but the twist in the end was a little surprising and entirely unexpected. That chapter brings the entire story a full circle and we get a complete picture of our central protagonist.

There’s not much more that I can say about the book or my experience with it since it is a straightforward premise with careful execution. I just felt like the number of men/ chapters could have been reduced and I’d have enjoyed it more.

I would recommend it to anyone who finds the blurb interesting.

I received an ARC thanks to Netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

Ruby Devereaux, now ninety, isn't one to back down from a challenge, so when her publisher asks for one last book, she’s all in. She hires an assistant who can type, brew a decent cup of tea, cook, and—most importantly—handle the wild and shocking stories Ruby is about to share. Her final project? A no-holds-barred autobiography that promises to go out with a bang. Ruby's childhood was unremarkable, overshadowed by distant parents, but her life took off when she was sent to the countryside during World War II, where she found freedom and her first crush. From her accidental debut as an author to a life of adventure that spanned New York, Venice, Vietnam, Cold War Berlin, and back to London, Ruby’s journey is a tapestry of friendship, love, messy breakups, heartbreak, scandal, adventure, war, and loss. Twelve key people left indelible marks on her life, and their influence, along with Ruby’s own fierce spirit, shaped the stories she told. Through all the highs and lows, Ruby never lost her zest for life, channeling it into her writing and living every moment with passion, ready to spill it all in her final literary endeavour.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

3.5/5.

This book features an interesting character and it is an engaging read. Will read more by this author.

I just couldn’t get into the book. Maybe I missed out on the best parts by only reading up to then2 lovers. But I was so bored. It seemed like a cheaper version of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.

I thoroughly enjoyed this entertaining and sometimes very moving fictional account of the eventful life of 90 year old Ruby M Devereaux. I had previously read and loved the author's historical fiction books set in WW2 so I was keen to read this one as it is definitely a departure from her other books in terms of both genre and style. Funny and beautifully written.

This was a sweet story, and I liked the relationship between writer and publisher depicted in it, alongside Ruby's grand life.

Ruby Devereaux has lived a life! She is a writer who made a fortune for publishers with her books all the while living a glamour and scandalous life from war time England to the date. Now at the age of 90 she has an ultimatum from publisher to write a tell all book about her life.
While h loved the premise, this book isn’t for me.

Mandy Robotham is a new author for me. I picked this book up because the description grabbed me and I was excited to read it.

Description:
Everyone knows Ruby Devereaux's books. But no one knows her story… until now.

From a teenager in wartime England to a veteran of modern-day London – via 1950's New York, the Swinging Sixties, Cold War Berlin, Venice and Vietnam – Ruby Devereaux has lived one hell of a parties, scandals and conflict zones, meeting men and adventure along the way. In a writing career spanning seven decades and more than twenty books, she's distilled everything into her work. Or has she?

Now beyond her 90th year, Ruby's energy is ebbing and her beloved typewriter put away. Until a call from her publisher presents Ruby with an ultimatum, and the impetus to embark on one last book – “warts and all”, as she says. Even in her dotage, Ruby.M Devereux has the power to surprise, because whatever this author does, she does on her own terms. Always.

Is Ruby finally about to reveal the secrets of her infamous life?

Taking the reader on a rollercoaster ride through the latter half of the 20th Century, The Scandalous Life of Ruby Devereaux is a mesmerising story of one unforgettable woman's place in an ever-changing world.

My Thoughts:
This book is about an aging author writing her autobiogrphy. It's not told like any autobiography I've ever read. Instead of talking about her life in general, it is told in a series of memories about the men in Ruby Devereaux's life - one chapter for each man. Ruby led a varied and exciting life and these chapters were filled with love and experiences with each of her relationships. It was a fun read and I enjoyed it. Ruby is portrayed as a somewhat grumpy and cantankerous author which just adds flavor to tbe book. She also hired only men to help her with typing up her book. I think anyone who enjoys reading about quirky characters would enjoy the book.

Thanks to Aria & Aries through Netgalley for an advance copy.

Ruby Devereux is 90 and her publisher wants her to write one last book
Her last literary endeavour is going to be her memoir - she’s going to go out with a bang.
Ruby is an unique character, she’s feisty, with a no-nonsense attitude
Her memoir is told by her experience with 12 different men, who shaped and influenced her life
There is heartbreak, messy break ups, scandal and adventure - it will make you laugh, it will make you cry
“It is better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all”
Loved the format of the book, being written as a memoir really immersed in the historical place and times of Ruby’s life
What a life she had - you’ll not forget Ruby in a hurry
Thanks @robothammandy @headofzeus & @netgalley for the brilliant immersive read

What a fascinating book!

It's told in the viewpoint of 90 year old author, Ruby D. Ruby's publisher is asking her for one final book and it's determined a memoir be written. Each chapter is a different man, in a different time and location. When you're reading it, it's hard to keep in mind that all 12 chapters are one person's life - each chapter is a whole story in itself. Cleverly crafted stories set all around the world and in important times. However, Ruby's health issues hamper her typing so an assistant is sent to help her craft the book - but wow, is that a twist in itself I didn't see coming until the end. Just a super interesting story!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

"The Scandalous Life of Ruby Devereaux" by Mandy Robotham is an enthralling tale that takes readers on a journey through the life of the enigmatic Ruby Devereaux. From her teenage years in wartime England to her adventures across New York, Berlin, Vietnam, and beyond, Ruby's life is filled with scandal, passion, and intrigue. As an author with a writing career spanning seven decades, Ruby's story is a captivating blend of history, romance, and personal growth.
Robotham skilfully weaves together the different stages of Ruby's life through her relationships with twelve different men, each representing a chapter in her personal history. The episodic nature of the narrative adds depth and richness to Ruby's character, giving readers a glimpse into the significant moments and relationships that have shaped her over the years.
The story moves seamlessly between different timelines and locations, offering a rich tapestry of historical events and personal experiences. Ruby's vibrant personality and zest for life shine through the pages, making her a compelling and relatable protagonist. The vivid descriptions of various cities and historical events create a vivid backdrop against which Ruby's story unfolds.
As Ruby recounts her life story with the help of Jude, her young assistant, readers are drawn into a world of glamour, intrigue, and heartbreak. The novel explores themes of love, loss, resilience, and the enduring power of storytelling. Ruby's unconventional narrative style and her refusal to conform to societal expectations make her a truly unforgettable character.

"The Scandalous Life of Ruby Devereaux" is a captivating and evocative novel that immerses readers in a world of passion, scandal, and adventure. Ruby's journey of self-discovery and personal growth is both inspiring and relatable, making this book a must-read for fans of historical fiction and compelling character-driven narratives. Mandy Robotham has crafted a story that is as entertaining as it is thought-provoking, leaving a lasting impression on readers long after they have turned the final page.

A wonderful story of a life well-lived, a charming if not entirely reliable narrator in Ruby Devereaux, and a richly woven memoir that draws you in, makes you comfortable and then throws some surprises at you. Wonderfully comforting read and what a lively spirit Ruby is!

Thank you to NetGalley and Aria for my ARC copy! This review contains my personal thoughts and opinions.

"The Scandalous Life of Ruby Devereaux" by M. J. Robotham is well-suited for historical fiction enthusiasts, but it might not fully captivate readers like myself who don't typically lean toward the genre. The premise of the book made me excited to dive into the story, but it struggled to keep me interested due to the unnecessary length of the individual stories and repetitive themes.

The two stories that captivated me the most were of Ruby's father, George, and her love affair with Enzo. To me, they were the most engaging and gave some depth to Ruby's character. Unfortunately, the rest of the romantic subplots felt lacking in comparison and left much to be desired.

Overall, I think this book may be enjoyed by those who like a collection of smaller stories within the plot of the book.

Rating: 2.5/5

Sad to say that this was a disappointment. Think it was created intentionally similar to the seven husbands of Evelyn Hugo, however the writing is rather poor, I couldn't finish it.

Thank you Netgalley for the advanced e-copy.

3.5 stars

Ruby Devereaux aged Ninety has a book to write. After writing a number of books this will be her autobiography. Her publisher has been waiting for this book. Will she commit and write it?

I enjoyed reading about Ruby and her escapades. Told in chapters of various men, and which country and year she met them.
Sometimes she travels to different countries during her shenanigans.
Ruby is a chancer in life, moving forward in the years, telling her stories and depicting topical issues that happened in that period of time.
Ruby is impulsive, spontaneous and makes an interesting read. The book is funny, witty, sad in parts.
My favourite chapter has to be Venice and Enzo.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Publisher for an advanced e-book copy. Opinions about the book are entirely my own.

DNF. If you took 'The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo' and took away much of what makes it such an iconic book - you get this. The initial set up is very interesting, but after reading the first section about the first man, I was completely turned off. It's got quite a bit of a Forrest Gump vibe in that it skims over the course of history with its character somehow getting involved in all these odd situations but never quite being interesting enough to warrant that. I felt the main character, Ruby, was underdeveloped and disliked immensely that the chapters were told through first person. How on earth am I supposed to read and care about a book that has a main character with so little to her? If I were you, I'd go read Evelyn Hugo.

Ruby's story- spanning decades- is told through her relationships with 12 men in this novel that skims the surface of history. I've been a fan of Robotham's WWII novels but this one didn't evoke the same feelings because I never had a good sense of any of the characters,,even Ruby. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. It's good to see an author shift gears but this didn't engage me.

Some people live big lives - Ruby Devereaux is one of those people.

The book starts with Ruby being forced into writing a final book. She is loathe to participate because her publisher wants a memoir. She only agrees because she is the last to have survived.

The story takes us from her as a child, to being a muse, an author, a spy, a globetrotter, a mother, a lover, a fighter, and so much more. All of this combined makes an exciting, intriguing and memorable life story.

I really enjoyed how the story was told based on Ruby's 12 men and each man represents an era of her life. But not all the men were lovers, so before you jump to comparing this story to another historical fiction book which bases a memoir on the men in her life, this is not that book.

Arguably the life and adventures of Ruby are too fantastical to be true. She was always in the right place, at the right time. But, for me, this didn't matter. I read to escape. I read to be entertained. I read to be transported into another life. This book achieved those things for me.