This book has everything I love in a romance. A sexy alpha male, a headstrong, independent mc and a wonderful family dynamic. This captured my heart and had me rooting for our pair. While the storyline itself was in no way original, I enjoyed it completely.

It was hard for Zeus Kincaid to walk away from Cameron Reed, but he did so they both could achieve their dreams. However, when Zeus finds Cameron dancing in an upscale club in Manhattan, he knows he did wrong by her. Determined to make things right with Cameron, he didn't realize how much he'd have to make up for, especially with the surprise waiting for him when he rocks up at her front door. Will Zeus be able to win Cameron back, or is what he did in the past too painful for her to give Zeus a second chance?

What a splendidly-crafted and fast-paced second chance romance Ms. Towle has penned in this first book of her Gods series, which is fabulously named because Zeus and his siblings are each named after Gods. The way this story started had me liking the story immediately, as Zeus faces a tough fight that has him wracked with guilt because of what happens. However, it was from the moment the hero and heroine come face-to-face for the first time since they went their separate ways where this story gets really interesting, as the hero is surprised by the heroine being in the place where they meet. Why is the heroine there? Did she accomplish her dreams?

As for the dialogue, it was intense due to the main characters back stories and the obstacles these two face on their journey to happy ever after, as the heroine doesn't know if she'll ever be able to trust the hero again after the way they broke up that left her devastated. However, I also liked how this story went back and forth between the past and the present, as the hero and heroine's relationship was so sweet and full of love when they were younger. Was the hero's career as a boxer so much more important than his relationship with Cameron? Why did he think going their separate ways was a good idea back then? Will Zeus be able to win Cameron back?

With the main characters, they were absolutely captivating, as the heroine is a good mom that would do anything for her daughter. Cameron is also resilient and courageous in giving Zeus a chance to get to know their daughter, even though it isn't easy for her to be around him. I also liked how close she and her aunt are. The woman is more her mom than her aunt and I liked the advice the older woman offered Cameron because it's palpable the heroine and Zeus are very much still in love with each other. Will Cameron be able to give Zeus a second chance? While Zeus, he's worked hard to have a good career as a boxer and I liked the success he's achieved, even though his success hasn't all been roses, especially with what happened to someone he now considers a friend instead of an opponent. I also liked how driven he is by his guilt to help someone that doesn't have the support he needs. Will Cameron understand why Zeus needs to continue to box to earn money? Yet, what I liked most of all about the hero was his determination to prove to the heroine that she and their daughter are the important people in his life, which he does by making past wrongs right.

Overall, Ms. Towle has penned another incredible read, which launches a brilliant start to this series and where the chemistry between Cameron and Zeus was off-the-charts; the romance full of heat and passion and showed how much the hero wants the heroine back; and the ending had me loving that the hero and heroine finally get their happy ever after, especially since the hero isn't about to let anything stand in his way of being with Cameron. I would recommend Zeus by Samantha Towle, if you enjoy the second chance romance trope or books by authors Lauren Blakely, Sandi Lynn, Adriana Locke and Katy Evans.

Surprisingly I really loved this book! You might ask why "surprisingly" it's because I tried one of her other books and I had to stop after a few chapters. I simply hated the main character "the hero", which he wasn't really, he was just horrible.
Anyway, I just couldn't stop reading this book and loved everything about it. The main characters were both lovable and their chemistry was through the roof. The writing was great and fast paced, just how I like it. So 5 stars.

Ruin is a Second Chance Romance written in Cameron Reed's POV.

Cam and Zeus met while in High School and fall for each other instantly during a ride on the ferris wheel. Their chemistry was out of this world and while both chasing their dreams they plan their future together.

Circumstances beyond there control get in the way and what was once a perfect but long distance relationship is now a no contact type of relationship. Ruin starts 5 years after the last time Zeus and Cam have spoken and everything is different. Zeus is one of the worlds greatest boxers and Cameron is a receptionist at the local police station and a part time go-go dancer.

During a night at work Cam runs into Zeus and her whole world stops. Secrets are revealed, the past was wrong and the future is now unknown.

I throughly enjoyed spending my nights with Zeus and Cameron. Ruin wasn't the story I was expecting, it had high emotions but not a ton of angst. Cameron and Zeus were very likeable characters and I was invested in finding out if there would be a happily ever after. Second Chance Romance is one of my favourite troupes. I do however wish there was a little bit more angst. There was heat and passion but not a lot of will they, won't they which i think would have added another level to this story.

There were some great secondary characters in this novel and one character who I felt didn't get what he deserved enough. After the big reveal I thought there needed to be a bit more detail surrounding it.

Ruin was a solid 3.5 star read for me. I really like Samantha Towle's writing style and hope there will be more books in this series! Zeus has some pretty hilarious siblings that I'd love to read about!

Ruin by Samantha Towle wasn't what I was expecting it to be. This had angst. I am not going to lie, Cam really made Zeus work for it again, you see they were each others everything's that was until he pushed her away, and to make it worse she was pregnant but he didn't know because of reasons I cant tell you. Skipped forward 5 years and they run into each other again, and that is where there story starts, it gets messy, you feel there pain, there ups and downs, I was legit at a place where I was like HURRY UP guys and get you shit together. And it was just the one person who needed to sort there selves. This is most defiantly a second chance romance, Zeus is the champion boxer, and Cam is a single mum with two jobs.... yup there is a wee girl in this book and she is the cutest. lovely story, however... yes I liked the story I just didn't love it. overall the writing is great and so are the characters. I was given an arc for an honest review.
3.85 Stars

What may Ruin you, may also make you stronger…

A friend of mine reached out to me to let me know there were Aussie review copies available for Ruin. I have never read a book by Samantha Towle but a lot of my friend have and loved her work. Being the Sassy lady that I am, without hesitation, I requested it. Blind. Yep, you read that right, I didn’t even look at the blurb before requesting it. Even when I was approved and downloaded my review copy, I was still in the dark. So, I loaded Ruin so I could start reading as soon as I got home. With a quick squiz to make sure it loaded OK, a few words caught my notice…

ZEUS
GOD and
FIGHT

HuH??? I didn’t see that coming…

Yep, you guessed it, I went to work thinking that I would be coming home to a Paranormal/Fantasy Romance. To be honest, I was a wee bit surprised, as that cover did not lead me to think of Gods at all. Obviously, I didn't look past the hot guy with guns of steel, or I may have noticed the boxing gloves around his kneck (DOH!!!). So, I spent the day talking myself up to enjoying a romance where the God’s were fighting and I’d see some clashes between the big men. Wasn't planning (or in the mood) for a paranormal but Deep breath…I CAN DO IT!!

Totally wrong, I had a bit of a chuckle as I started Ruin. Well, I wasn’t totally wrong, there were some big guys having fights. The only difference was they guys used fists instead of bolts of lightning.

Yeah, yeah, laugh it up, real funny.

Anyways, I really enjoyed my first Samantha Towle. It was an emotional story about dreams being broken, love sacrificed, and mistakes made. Young love is tricky at the best of times. In the case of Zeus (not sure about that name) and Cam, they also have the pressure of both having intense career dreams. Zeus plans to be a boxer and Cam, dreams of being a ballerina. They train and work hard to give themselves the best chance of reaching their goals. Their love for each other always took priority, until, Zeus hits the big time. What follows is surprises, heartbreak and betrayal.

Cam has no choice but move on and make a life for herself without Zeus. She’s hurt and finds it hard but luckily she has the support of her very sweet Aunt Elle. Zeus was supposed to be it, the one, for her, but you don’t always get what you want. When Zeus comes back into her life 5 years later, she’s not so excited to see him, and it’s going to take a lot of work on Zeus’s part, to fix what he broke.

Zeus thought he was making the right decision when he let Cam go. Yep, turns out he’s a numbskull who took the wrong advice and he paid for it for 5 lonely years. His first look at Cam after their time apart nearly brought him to his knees and now he will do anything to fix what he broke.

I really enjoyed this romance and accepted the highs and lows for what they were. Life, throwing a spanner in the works now and again. The storyline was a little predictable and I saw each conflict as a flicker before the flame took hold. I did rolleth my eyes a few times, but the storytelling made the predictability not so bad. There was plenty of sexual tension between the main couple and when they finally hit the wall…literally…my heart was beating fast and I was squirming in my seat. Pretty damn HOT!! I loved the additional characters and found them easy to “see”. I strongly believed in Zeus and Cam’s HEA and thought they could survive any hurdles that would come their way.

I’m glad I got the opportunity to read Ruin and I will be reading more of Samantha Towle’s books in the future.

Stacey is Sassy, received a complimentary copy of this story. The copy provided is not the final copy and may be subject to edits and changes.

Oh my Zeus!

What a sweet, sexy, adorable second chance romance is Ruin!

Zeus and Cam have a difficult history, and as I read I couldn't help but want, no need them to worth things out and get back together.

There is a little something at the beginning that is alluded to, and it was pretty predictable to work out what it was, but that didn't take away from my enjoyment.

I loved them finding their way back to each other, fighting the past that destroyed them, falling in love again 0 maybe.

I am glad that, as much as the fighting is a huge part of Zeus' life, it wasn't the be all and end all of his life. And as the story progresses we find out just how much he has more to live for.

The "surprise" part of the story (which we as the reader find out really early on in the piece) is really the glue in this tale. I don't want to spoil anything, but you will know it when you come across it.

I did find that Cam did drag things out a little bit (ok a lot at times) and it did feel a little long winded at times - but this is probably just me.

Normally when I start a new book, it takes me a bit to get into the story. That was not the case with this book, I was completely hooked by the start of chapter 1 and I didn’t put it down til I finished the entire book in one sitting!

Zeus and Cam have a long history together, and there is a lot of heartbreak to get over and the trust being gone makes it a long road for them. But the intense Chemistry is there, and it is certainly a fine line between love and hate!

I am definitely keen for more of this series!