So SWOONY!! Tbh I almost DNFed it 30% of the way in, but switched to the audiobook and was swept up in the story immediately. 

Van is such a heartthrob and the banter is 🥰🤌 Definitely can relate with Margot and there were so many lines I highlighted. 

Knocked off a quarter of a star for the slow start and something unrealistic (and honestly quite baffling) that happened at the end. But overall an AMAZING read. I think historical/archaeological fantasy might be a new favorite subgenre.

A rich, gorgeous book. A massive fan of adventure romance, and this one is espcially cool set sometime in the future

A teen girl obsessed with finding an ancient relic that the journal of a boy who went missing in 1932 was searching for leads her to heartbreak, adventure, and finding the missing boy who was turned into stone but is now very much alive. Margot has been obsessed with archeology and trying to find the mythical Vase of Venus Aurelia, based on the journal of a teen explorer Van Keane who went missing in 1932 in search of this vase. Margot has fallen for Van, the boy who went missing and is determined to complete his quest using his journal... only she actually finds him as a statue... and now coming back alive and together they must find a way to work with one another if they are to find the vase and figure out their very complicated relationship. Real life Van is nothing like the version she made in her head and Margot is beginning to realize that the real boy in front of her isn't as perfect and that he might be out only for himself. With her heart on the line, a vase to find, and a boy who is hiding so many secrets, can she get her happy ever after? This was an extremely young YA novel and I definitely went in thinking this would be a bit older, this would have worked so much better if Margot and Van were in college. Margot acts like a 14 year old girl and honestly, it kind of seemed a bit off in this book. If I knew this was going to be much younger I think it would have tempered my expectations a bit. I just found myself feeling like this was too juvenile for me and that if it were aged up a bit more it would have been just perfect. I liked the premise of the book and how it was very much "The mummy" inspired and the romance was very light and definitely felt like what a 13-14 year old girl would act and do. So if you like younger YA romances I would say absolutely go for this.

Release Date: September 3,2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and HarperCollins Children's Books | HarperCollins for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Really good YA! I appreciated Margot’s character. We see her grow, and I think her particular blend of what we are led to believe is some form of neurodivergence is relevant today. She is loud and rambunctious and also glamorous and awkward. I would have found her deeply relatable as a teen. I found Van’s character a little lacking. It feels like he takes these big jumps of change, and his interest in Margot feels forced.

"Us in Ruins" by Rachel Moore is a delightful and imaginative YA adventure-romance set against the historical backdrop of Pompeii. Margot Rhodes embarks on her school's archaeological trip with a mission: to find the mythical Vase of Venus Aurelia and piece together her broken heart. Equipped with the lost journal of Van Keane, a teenage explorer who vanished in 1932, Margot is drawn into a mystery that takes unexpected turns.

What starts as an archaeological quest quickly becomes magical when Van himself is brought to life. However, the real Van is far from the poetic figure Margot imagined, and their banter-filled dynamic brings a fresh energy to the story. Together, they must face the trials of Venus and uncover secrets that have remained buried for almost a century.

Rachel Moore expertly weaves humor, mythology, and a touch of romance into this fast-paced narrative. The chemistry between Margot and Van is playful yet heartfelt, and the book’s blend of magical elements and historical adventure adds a unique twist to the rom-com genre. Fans of books like *What the River Knows* will enjoy the witty dialogue, thrilling challenges, and emotional depth that make *Us in Ruins* a charming and unforgettable read.

Be still my Indiana Jones loving heart! I loved the Library of Shadows and was so excited to jump in to Rachel Moore’s sophomore novel! I can confirm that this book was a fun adventure.



Margot Rhodes is trying to find her place in the world. As a student at Radcliffe Prep, she discovers the travel journal in the school library of the infamous Van Keane, who went missing in Pompeii. On a whim (and without her father’s permission), she joins the school study abroad trip to Italy to follow in Van’s footsteps and find the missing vase of Venus Aurelia. A not-so-authorized trip to the excavation site has Margot finding more than just the vase; she finds Van Keane (who had turned to stone). Her touch reanimates him and the two begin their quest across Italy to find the pieces of the vase, claim the treasure, and save Van from a fate worse than death.



I will be the first to admit that I am not a big historical fantasy fan, but I very much enjoyed this book! I think I’m just a huge fan of Rachel’s writing and humor! The book was fast paced and action packed, and I loved the story within a story element (from Margot’s favorite historic fantasy).



Also, let me just say that it was so refreshing to read a YA book where the characters felt like young adults (not adults disguised as teenagers). Margot’s snarkiness was hilarious and I loved the banter between her and Van. There was definitely character development and growth, particularly with Margot, but there were also a lot of discussions about family, friendships, and love that gave the story more depth.



Overall, give this book a go if you love The Mummy, Indiana Jones, and Isabel Ibanez’s “What The River Know”.



Thank you to HarperCollins and Netgalley for the ARC!

Book Name: Us in Ruins
Author: Rachel Moore
ARC

Thank you to Netgalley and
HarperCollins Children's Books | HarperCollins for an ARC

Stars: 5
Spice: 0 YA

Standalone
Fast Paced
FMC POV
Contemporary Fantasy Adventure YA

- Thoughts.
- Fast Paced
- Theme Finding Our Place
- Hate to Love
- Rivals
- High Stakes Adventure
- Roman Holiday Vibes
- Ancient Curse
- Greek Mythology
- Percy Jackson Vibes
- Wildest Dreams Taylor Swift Vibes
- Dark Academic Light
- Perfect follow-up to Library of Shadows
- mash-up of Encino Man and the Mummy
- Cheesy Factor is There but so good
- Reads like an early 2000’s Rom-Com Movie

LOVE LOVE LOVE

Saw this book trending on TikTok and KNEW I had to read it. Often, if I see an author/publisher promoting a book on social media before it's released, I'll check NetGalley. So I was THRILLED to see this listed and even more excited to receive the ARC, so thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins.

WHAT. A. BOOK. I cannot wait to get this on our library shelves in the hands of our middle/high school readers. "Us In Ruins" has all the makings of a rom-com read that will always be on hold, just waiting for the next patron, never to see a bookshelf again. This mythological, fantasy, adventure romance is sure to appeal to all readers- especially with a main character like Margot, who's teen drama will surely resonate with middle grades and high school students.

𝘜𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘙𝘶𝘪𝘯𝘴 is perfect for fans of 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘔𝘶𝘮𝘮𝘺 and 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘙𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘒𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘴!

This charming YA standalone novel follows Margot's quest to locate an ancient vase while on her school trip to Pompeii. Using a 1932 journal penned by a missing (and handsome) archaeologist, Van, Margot stumbles upon a statue that is rather lively. So lively that her touch brings the statue to life... and she realizes the marble fixture is actually the real Van. Forced to work as a team, Margot and Van banter their way through trials and into each other's hearts.

𝘜𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘙𝘶𝘪𝘯𝘴 is Moore's sophomore book, and much like her debut, I found it to be a cute, quick, and bingeable read. It's heartwarming and emotional, magical and paranormal. While aimed at a younger audience than I typically would read, I still enjoyed the adventure.

The incessant pop culture references broke my immersion in the story, and I think it will quickly date this text. It's my only complaint, and the reason for the 4-star rating.

Thanks to the publisher for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review!

Us in Ruins is an enchanting blend of adventure, romance, and mythology that captivates from start to finish. Rachel Moore has crafted a story that is as much about the thrill of discovery as it is about the healing power of love. Margot Rhodes is a relatable and determined protagonist, whose quest to reassemble the Vase of Venus Aurelia feels both epic and personal.

The narrative shines with its unique premise—a cursed vase, a long-lost explorer brought back to life, and the ancient ruins of Pompeii as the backdrop. Moore’s writing is lush and evocative, pulling readers into the past with Van Keane’s poetic journal entries, only to jolt them back to the present with the tension between Margot and the newly resurrected Van. The dynamic between these two characters is electric, their contrasting personalities creating sparks that light up the story.

Margot’s journey is not just about finding the pieces of a vase; it’s about piecing together her own heart. The emotional depth of the story is enhanced by the historical mystery and the mythological elements that Moore weaves seamlessly into the plot. The challenges Margot and Van face are both thrilling and perilous, keeping the reader on edge as they navigate Venus’s treacherous trials.

What sets Us in Ruins apart is how it balances the whimsy of a rom-com with the intensity of a high-stakes adventure. The book is perfect for fans of What the River Knows and The Lost City, offering a narrative that is as heartwarming as it is exhilarating. While the ending might be somewhat predictable, the journey to get there is filled with surprises, making it a satisfying read.

Overall, Us in Ruins is a delightful stand-alone adventure that leaves a lasting impression, blending romance, history, and myth into a story that feels timeless.

This book is perfect for fans of The Mummy with Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz.

Margot has had trouble finding her path in life and decides to go on her school's archeology trip to live the life from her favorite book. She comes across a hidden temple and starts her journey with Van Keane, an archeologist from the 30s who is now free from his stone prison.

While there's nothing groundbreaking about this book, it was an absolutely fun read. Margot and Van are fully fleshed out, living characters, both trying to prove their worth in different ways. Some suspension of disbelief is required (of course they just happen to meet someone who knows how to get into a secret market), but there's a guy who used to be a statue. I think we can handle it for a fun read like this.

Us is Ruins is a stadalone and is touted as an "adventure rom-com perfect for fans of What the River Knows and The Lost City". With that description I was immediately interested and was not disappointed. I'm looking forward to exploring more of Rachel Moore's work.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced digital copy.

This was very cute and a light-hearted, fast-paced read! I had seen the author promoting this book as “the Lizzie McGuire movie meets the Mummy” and that was spot on. Some of the pop culture references felt forced and were disengaging for me (though that’s more just a personal reading preference!) and some of the plot points felt underdeveloped and like they were loosely explained away in the end rather than written into the story, but the action scenes were great, the magic and history aspects were intriguing, the romance was very sweet, and I loved Margot’s personal growth.

Us In Ruins follows a high school student on an archeological dig in Italy in search of a mythological vase, inspired by the journal of the boy who went missing in search of said artifact. While fun, this book felt too old and too you at times. The characters were given situations that would make more sense if they were set in college but also acted very much like teenagers which created a generally disjointed experience. Overall, an interesting premise.

The archaeological trip sucked me into the book, and I ended up liking the book, but I didn’t love it.

I wanted the intercharacter relationships and plot points were a bit more developed. I really wanted more from this story overall.

I think this will be a popular one, it just wasn’t my favorite.

I had so much fun reading Us in Ruins by @byrachelmoore. It was action-packed, the romance was angsty and sweet, and I laughed a lot. Yet, there is also a seriousness to the story, as Margot, our main character, struggles to find her place in the world.

I did a summer abroad in Italy while in law school but didn't make it to Pompeii. I need to visit again because Us in Ruins was so atmospheric, and I need to see Pompeii in person. I felt like I was eating gelato and going through the trials with them.

I would have loved to see Van struggle with the present day a bit more - if for nothing more than the laughs, but if you are looking for something fun and angsty with a bit of magic, I recommend it.

This is a light-read, archeological adventure with a little romance, which is perfect for younger YA readers.
Margot goes on an adventure to look for shards of Vase of Venue Aurelia based on a journal of a missing teenage archaeologist (Van) from the 1930s. She soon discovers a statue, which comes to life, and turns out to be the missing boy Van. Determined to prove herself, especially to her father, she allies with Van to find Vase and its treasures.
It took me a while to get into this book, while there was continuous action and the author set a good pace throughout the book, the plot was very predictable. As an adult, I had to suspend my beliefs on certain things. For example, how's the teacher allowing a high school girl to disappear all the time? I did like Margot's growth, going from someone with lots of self esteem issues to believing in herself. The romance was a slow-burn but I do wish it was developed a little bit more.
I think this is a perfect book for middle-school readers and would make a cute Disney+ series.
P.S. There are some pop culture references.

Thank you Netgalley and HarperCollins for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

"You're brave, Margot." His voice was tender, quiet. It had lost all patented snark.
"It takes courage to let people see you for who you really are."

The two things that made me want to read this so bad were 1. Italian history and 2. archaeology. And I was only able to finish this book because of those two things.

The story isn't necessarily bad, but it was just SO young adult and unbelievable that I rolled my eyes more often than anything. I really couldn't stand Margot and how the heck she was getting away with leaving the group so many times. Just too many plot holes. And I felt like there was NO chemistry between her and Van at all. I didn't really care for them.

It felt like a high schooler wrote a fan fiction. It seems like very very young YA. The Venus myth/history aspect was neat and like I said earlier, I'm obsessed with archaeology so that's what made me stick with it instead of DNF'ing. But I'm just very meh about this book. I don't think I'll recommend it. Story is way too unbelievable and not enough chemistry.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for letting me have an early epub of this book. This book was such a fun read, it definitely gave the mummy and treasure hunter vibes. I absolutely fell in love with Margot and van,I could read a whole other book just about them having treasure hunting adventures. I really related to Margot in this book and found my self in a lot of the things she struggled with. This might just be one of my top books this year.

4.5! Thank you NetGalley for the E-ARC

📚💖🪨

I am learning very quickly I will read, and love, any YA historical fantasy romance. Very specific, but What the River Knows and this were both very highly rated for me. This one was definetly more vibes than WTRK but I found myself smiling and flipping through it at a rapid pace.

The characters were lovable and the romance was very cute, and the story was very fun.

It all felt original and like a cliché all at once. I really don't have much to say but I truly loved it.

📚💖🪨