The Ruin of Evangeline Jones is a delightful historical romance that with the perfect balance of whimsy and realism. While our heroine and hero, Evie and Alex, certainly have some rough edges, Julia Bennet's writing makes the risk and thrill of getting cut as irresistible to readers as they are to these characters.

This was very creative and fun. A quick read with the perfect level of intrigue, twists, romance and spice. I thoroughly enjoyed this!

I am enjoying this book so much! Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC! All opinions below are my own.

Having read Julia Bennet's prior book in this series, I was excited to see more of the world and to learn more about Helen's mysterious brother who showed up the save the day. This book was far less academic, and much more of a romance. There was also less of that discomfort with the doctor-patient relationship, and so the yearning here was well-written as always and felt less fraught with my own brain ethics in the background. A class difference, in fairness, is typical in a historical fiction. I appreciated the well-researched nature of Evangeline's work as a spiritualist, something I've come to count on in Julia Bennet's works. I'll also add that the bits of mystery behind the Captain and his nefarious plan really kept the plot in this book moving along, and I devoured it as soon as I began. I hazard a strong guess that even those who were not a fan of the first book will greatly enjoy this novel.

Listen! I enjoyed this book so much. I thought for 90% of the book that I was going to give it five stars. I think Evie and Alex are such compelling and sexy characters, and the details around the psychic performances were so lush and appropriately spooky. I appreciated the commentary on sexism and class as well as the inclusion of a queer character, who I hope to see more of in the third book.

I think that the overarching plot felt a bit thin, or rather, for Captain to have been orchestrating his revenge for decades, throwing it all away for a rash act of violence, as well as being unable to hurt any of the women, felt a bit forced to me. I also think that, while I didn't see the solution at the end coming until it was already there, the mark of a good plot twist in my opinion, it too felt a little rushed.

I think sometimes with a slow burn or a forbidden romance, the pace at the ending can be a bit of a shock to the system after the rest of the book. To say I love you and agree to marriage within essentially a page of one another felt a bit fast for my taste.

Overall, I had a lovely time with this book, and I think it was everything it needed to be which is really all you can ask of a novel. I would read another book by Julia Bennet, especially if it were to be about Mags..... pretty please!

I don't want this to feel too negative either. I want to be so clear that this book still earned its four stars. It was fun, different, well written, etc. etc. I think Bennet is extremely talented, and I can't wait to see what she writes next.

Well, well. This was a cute interesting book. Evangeline, orphaned, con artist is being targeted by Alex, Duke of Harcastle. He has a vendetta to oust charlatans and she his latest target. Unbeknownst to her and him, they are being played by a more devious villian.

A surprising book, with a lot of emotional build up, and a great final twist.

This was fine! There is some really delicious chemistry and sexy moments, but I ultimately didn't really like the romantic opposite, he put me off too severely at the beginning. The plot was also incredibly weak, which is fine for a romance, but just of note.

Thank you NetGalley for this fun ARC!

This was a great follow-up to The Madness of Miss Grey, which I also loved. Spiritualism seemed like such a vibe to live through (LMAO).

I loved the MCs & their relationship was delish. I wish Alex would have come to his senses a bit faster but c'est la vie. And I looooved revisiting my literal parents, Helen & Will!!!!!!!

I have a feeling we might get a book on Ellis & I can't wait!

I really loved the motive of spiritualism and seancés in this book as something 19th century higher social class liked to indulge in as well as the sligtly gothic vibe od the book (author could even go harder on that one).
The writing itself is good but unfortunately the book loses it’s pace somewhere in the second half and when it comes to ending, the tension just isn’t there anymore (the ending alltogether is quite rushed, like the author wished it was already over too). It looked (the second half) like the author just needed some space for them to have sex but making all the sex scenes going one after another just made all of them less exciting.
What I found quite unnecessary was the Evelyn’s half-naked photograph bit. It was not essential to the story and both Alex’s attraction and Captain’s plotting could be easily explained by means other than something looking like a plot of one of those pornografic stories that make you just a bit uncomfortable. It really just cheapened the story and made Alex a less likable character.
Despite it’s flaws it was still a fun read - 3,5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley for an Ebook ARC of this story, this is my objective review. Our MMC is Alex (Harcastle), recently made a Duke after his father's death, and half-brother to Miss Gray from the first novel. As a long-standing personal project, he frequently unmasks spiritualist charlatans and of course has his sights set on the titular Evangeline Jones. Evie (not her real name, of course) runs séances for the bereaved under the umbrella of her villainous benefactor, Captain. Of course Alex finds her tempting, but will he be too restrained by his skepticism and moral certainty to pursue his intense romantic interest in Evie? Well, I think we all know the answer to that. There are some twists and turns here in this open-door romance, but overall it's a pretty straightforward story. I did enjoy it, it's the second in a series and it works fine as a standalone, but I'd still urge you to go back and read the first book because it's very good (and also because this book references characters and events from the first in the series). I actually enjoyed the story of the first book more, but that's my personal preference and the writing is equally good for both books. I've heard rumors of an upcoming third in the series, and from the story it seems likely to be the story of Alex and Helen's cousin, Mr. Ellis. This was an engaging read with some deeper themes, presumably there will be content warnings in the published version.

One last thing, and hopefully this will be fixed before publication, but there were numerous formatting issues in the Ebook I was given to read for this review. I mention them mainly because they took me out of the story, but also because it was a persistent issue in the Kindle version of The Madness of Miss Gray (first in the series).

I really enjoyed this gothic, historical romance. It was sexy, smart, and clever. The writing was very well done and felt accurate to the time period - which made it so easy (and fun) to slip into the world that was being crafted. Alex and Evangeline should be enemies, but from the moment Alex sets out to prove Evangeline is a Spiritualist fraud, it’s clear that they have a connection.
If you love a good historical romance with great tension and spice, I’d highly recommend checking out The Ruin Of Evangeline Jones!

Thank you NetGalley for the eArc

I liked this book, Evie was an excellent character and heroine who tried to make a great life for herself despite her circumstances. I wanted to like Alex more but eventually he was just being a typical Victorian man, especially dictated by his lust. I wasn’t convinced if Evie actually fell in love with him or his constant ‘i need to bed you’ made her eventually give him because he was very interested in her?

The atmosphere of the book was great, the writer really puts you in Victorian London.

3.5 stars. This is the second Julia Bennet book I've read. Admittedly, I didn't enjoy it as much as the first in the series, but it was still an enjoyable read. The premise sounded great, but the execution was disappointing in some aspects. Yet is certainly worth noting that the book is very efficiently written, and I enjoyed the gothic vibes.

The novel tells the story of Evangeline, a spiritualist and con artist, and Alex, a duke who tries to expose her as a fake psychic. Alex, although a duke, is a man hardened by life, with a history of alcohol problems and an abusive childhood. Evie, on the other hand, lives on the edge of the law, grabbing whatever she can just to survive. Like many women in Victorian England, she is dependent on male guardians who try to take advantage of her.

The beginning of the book did a very good job of outlining the characters and starting their interaction. However, I have to admit that later on, the pace slowed down a bit, and the opportunity to build a complex relationship was somewhat missed by the author. Everything started to boil down to the familiar trope of a relationship that is impossible because of class differences. This culminated in an ending that was rather weak in my opinion, too melodramatic, and yet a bit naive for a gothic romance. It's a shame, because Evie, in particular, being a character living in abusive circumstances, deserved more plot-wise than having the solution to her problems reduced to a relationship with a rich aristocrat.

Still, it is a very quick and quite enjoyable read, and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys this kind of gothic historical romance. I am also really intrigued by what’s behind the story of Alex’s cousin, and I hope we will get a book about him.

Title: The Ruin of Evangeline Jones

Author: Julia Bennet
Genre: Romance

Rating: ★★★★

Alex Stanton, newly minted duke and passionate debunker of frauds, meets his match in the enigmatic spiritualist, Evangeline “Evie” Jones. Determined to expose her as the ultimate fake, Alex dives headfirst into a battle of wits, unaware that he’s up against a formidable opponent who’s fought her way up from the gutters to the glamorous but treacherous heights of Victorian society.

Evie Jones isn’t just a pretty face with a penchant for parlour tricks; she’s a survivor with a sharp mind and an even sharper tongue. When Alex challenges her, they strike a tantalising bargain: he has one week to prove she’s a fraud, or he must abandon his quest forever. If he succeeds, Evie will retire and reveal her secrets. What they don’t expect is the undeniable attraction that crackles between them, transforming their adversarial relationship into something far more complicated—and tender.

What I Loved:

Julia Bennet’s The Ruin of Evangeline Jones is a delicious blend of mystery, romance, and wit, set against the atmospheric backdrop of Victorian London. The chemistry between Alex and Evie is electric, fuelled by their sharp exchanges and the simmering attraction that neither can deny. Their dynamic is a captivating dance of challenge and allure, making their interactions both entertaining and intense.

Evie is a standout character, with her resilience and cunning making her a worthy adversary to Alex’s determined skepticism. Her background adds depth to her character, and her ability to turn Alex’s assumptions on their head is delightful to witness. Meanwhile, Alex’s journey from a skeptical aristocrat to a man deeply in love with a woman he initially sought to ruin is both satisfying and heartwarming.

The plot is cleverly woven, with a sinister undertone that was engaging. The mystery of who’s manipulating events behind the scenes adds an intriguing layer to the story, ensuring that there’s more at stake than just the romance.

Bennet’s writing is lush and evocative, perfectly capturing the essence of the era while bringing her characters vividly to life. The balance between romance and suspense is expertly handled, making The Ruin of Evangeline Jones a must-read for fans of historical romance with a twist.

The Ruin of Evangeline Jones is a delightful romp through Victorian London, filled with romance, intrigue, and a battle of wits that kept me hooked until the very last page.

If you love stories where enemies become lovers and where mystery intertwines seamlessly with romance, this book is definitely for you.


Thank you to The Author Julia Bennet & Netgalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.

I loved Evie as a character because she was hardworking and did not hesitate to put men in their place. Alex, on the other hand, was too much like a man. Letting his lust overpower every other thought and common sense. That didn't sit right with me and I felt a little uncomfortable the whole time. Even though, his inability to marry her was from a good place, he still felt that she would be comfortable being his mistress. And I hated him for it. He knew how much it would hurt her in the long run and it just showed he didn't love her enough to let her go.

The character development was amazing. I saw a cold, rigid woman transform into someone capable of being happy. And a traumatized duke be vocal about his feelings, his traumas. The ending was not something I had predicted and I loved the author for that.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Okay, everything drew me into this book from the jump. Gothic Victorian era vibes! Spooky spiritualism! Enemies-ish to lovers! (One of my favorite spooky romance novels is The Widow of Rose House, so I was excited for something in hopefully the same vein.)

Thankfully, this didn't disappoint. Evie and Alex, each with their own inner turmoils and traumas, were immediately interesting characters. It was easy along the way to root for both of them to figure their own messy feelings towards each other out. The love scenes were sexy without being predictable, and although their romance starts out as lust at first sight, it believably grows into something more.

Bennet's writing is also just so poetic in an understated way that made for a beautiful and immersive read. It was a quick, enjoyable story with just the right amount of sexiness and (albeit false) spookiness thrown in.

(Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review.)

Huge thanks to Netgalley for the eARC.

Oh boy, what a joy it is to find a new great historical romance author. While I have seen the medium plot utilized in other HRs before, Julia Bennet gave it its own unique spin, which I really enjoyed. Surprisingly enough, having two incredibly starchy main characters also added to the enjoyment and development of the plot. Very few HR writers are able to properly deliver a seedy/dark historical without delving into a caricature of the genre, but Julia nailed it perfectly.

This book is a captivating romance that sizzles with tension and intrigue from the very first page. The build-up of their relationship is expertly crafted, filled with sharp banter, simmering chemistry, and unexpected tenderness. The writing style is effortless enough to have transported me to the glittering world of London's aristocracy while delving into the darker motives at play. Overall, it’s a perfect blend of passion, love, mystery, and heartfelt emotion.