I think the blurb may have been the issue for me, at least for setting my expectations for the book. It implies that the heroine is flighty and uncaring of others, but when reading, I didn't get that impression at all. She's young, wants to have fun, and she doesn't take things very seriously. However, nothing in any of the actions I saw made her worthy of banishment to England nor did it explain why her cousin was borderline rude at time. Throughout the book we see Lily just wanting to have fun, bring laughter to others around her, but every time she does, people are just plain mean. Even her cousin, who I thought was pretty nice at first, had moments where she would treat Lily like she was stupid or unreliable. What I saw in Lily was so much more, and she really didn't get the story I felt she deserved.

The hero was intriguing at first, I tend to like broody heroes in my romance novels. I think it's something about the challenge of getting them to like the heroine that has always been my cup of tea. However, this hero...my goodness, he was just all over the place. He would seem to like her one minute, then think her as flighty and stupid as everyone else did. It was absolutely aggravating! I'm also extremely turned off when the hero actually considers marrying another woman several times throughout the book, and it especially becomes an issue when it's clear the woman has been treating Lily like crap beneath her shoe. He says horrible things to Lily throughout the book, continuously pushes her away, and he only accepts her when it's easy, not when it's hard. Love should be important even when there's barriers, but he didn't want to push past them. If it weren't for Lily trying one more time, he would have married another woman, and I couldn't get past that.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Beauty Among Ruins caught my attention because of its unique premise: a World War I book set in Scotland? The two have always seemed mutually exclusive, especially where secular publishing is concerned (if you know what I mean). I can only think of one previous book set in the same time period that had a Scottish lead (this one the heroine), and that one was also Christian fiction.

I enjoyed getting historical context for the setting, which I don’t think I ever got before, with my history education about the World Wars being so general and the specifics filled in by books. But I loved the depiction of the crumbling Scottish castle serving as a convalescence home for soldiers, and how evocative the setting was, while also simultaneously depicting the gravity of the situation.

I really liked Alec as a lead, and I think there was a great balance of broodiness due to him being wounded and other qualities, like his dedication to his crumbling estate, so that does not define him (not entirely anyway). It’s also so refreshing, given my previous lack of luck with Highlander romance due to them including things when it comes to hero characterization that just aren’t my cup of tea a lot of the time

Spirited Lily makes for a great match for him, bringing light to his life and persisting in spite of challenges. A grumpy/sunshine dynamic is not always my favorite, but Ciesielski makes it work here.

I enjoyed this book and the new perspective it provided about a setting I’m typically mixed on. If you love World War I, Scotland, and/or sweet romance, I think you’ll enjoy this book.

I actually had the audio book as well as the ebook and went back and forth between the two! This book was so good! The characters were very well developed and I loved the interaction. With all of J’nell Ciesielski’s books I’ve felt they could be turned into movies. The books come alive! This one I felt I could be in Kinclavoch and right in the middle of everything. I rooted for Lily when she went up against Matron Strom , Esther, Lady Stratham or even her own mother. I highly recommend this book!

The Audiobook: Kate Rudd is the Narrator and does an amazing job! I loved her Scottish lilt and how she changed her voice as she went from character to character. It was very entertaining and kept me captivated while listening.

I received a complimentary ARC and Audio of this book from NetGalley on behalf of the Publisher and was under no obligation to post a favorable review.

Lily is banished to England by her parents because she’s flighty and impulsive. From there her and her cousin head to Scotland to work as nurses caring for wounded in a Scottish castle. There were a few characters I wanted to reach in and choke at times. This was a nice drawn out romantic story with a bit of a mystery. I enjoyed the story Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the early copy

In a novel staring a character I didn't expect to like I found a new favorite author!

The setting for "Beauty Among Ruins" was ripe for the picking in my opinion. How could it not be with WWI, Scotland, an old castle, a gruff laird who has a sweet sister, and a misunderstood heroine?!

Yet, at the very first I didn't expect to like Lily for I thought she was just going to rebel... How wrong I was! She grew into a charming character that I needed to know what happened to.

Alec is the same kind of gruffly endearing hero that I love in historical novels, almost a beast like in Beauty and the Beast, he hid behind walls that had been built for supposed protection and stayed to the shadows for a long time.

The slight air of mystery was just what I like in a historical wartime romance, it wasn't so much a surprise to find out who was the bad guy and who wasn't but it was still fun to wonder somewhat who the bad guy or ... maybe girl was.

16/18+ for talk of past mistakes that were made by a character's father.

I voluntarily received and reviewed a complimentary e/copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Painting a portrait of a a rich over indulged American socialite Lily Durham, Ms. Ciesielski takes us on an exciting journey across the pond. Lily has been banished to spend time in England with relatives to punish her for the frequent disregard to the consequences of her actions. Always looking for fun, enjoying one moment to the next.
The Great war breaks out and Lily joins her cousin in nursing the wounded back to health in a convalescent home deep in he Scotland's Lowland in a crumbling castle. Lily is not one to obey directions or to follow the rules. Her first day at work she takes a couple of wrong turns and ends up in the private quarters of the Lair and his family. To make maters worse, she insults Alec MacGregor, Kinclavoch Castle's lair, not knowing who he was of course. Alec's father has left the family in bad straights with his drinking, gambling and womanizing. Selling off paintings and family treasures piece by piece to keep them afloat is wearing on him. Alec and Lily are thrown together trying to salve the mysteries that are happening among the castle grounds. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this latest novel by J'nell Ciesielski. Her expert writing grabs you in the first few pages and keeps you on the edgeof your seat until you turn the last page. I thank Thomas Nelson for allowing me, through NetGalley, to read this book. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I enjoyed this book. I loved the romance. I loved following the Main characters daily life. For Me the mystery was veryweak, i early on knew what would happen. And the ending was too predictable.
Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest opinion

Kinclavoch castle in Scotland, self struggling after being left with open debts by Alex McGreggor's father, has selflessly opened its doors for reconvalescence of injured soldiers of the WWI.

But some hungry individuals have wanted the castle for themself, either for the title or because out of greed.
Every effort to paying the debt off as being more difficult with time. The valuable items were less and less but before Alec would sell the Kinclavoch to greedy hands he would sacrifice everything he still has owned. It seemed like someone was sabotaging every step of the way.

Lilly Durham was sent to England to teach her more self-control and following rules. What her parents weren't expecting was that she landed as an Aide in Kinclavoch.
Although she wasn't the best at nursing she gave the soldiers so much more...her kindness and courage.

The grumpy Alex meets spirited and somewhat spoiled Lilly Durham and maybe just her good qualities were that has melted his heart. Although the existential worries were still devoted to his responsibilities the castle and his family.

When you read Alec and Lilly's story you won't want it to end. Lilly brightens all the bad at that time's world. I was cheering for the pair from the start and simply couldn't stop to read because I needed to know how their story will end. It was a beautiful book written with a heart full of emotions.
I truly enjoyed the whole ride.

3.5 rated up
I love historical books! The story was lovely but the timeline and narrative seemed to be a little scattered which naturally interrupted the flow.

Beauty Among Ruins is a beautifully set story in Scotland of 1914. It follows a young American woman named Lily Durham as she is shipped to England to stay with her relatives until she is deemed mature enough to return home. When the war hits, Lily and her cousin Bertie volunteer as nurses in a convalescent home, Kinclavoch, in the highlands of Scotland.
The picture the author paints of the beautiful landscapes of Scotland transport you.
I especially appreciated the statements made about the harsher elements of Scotland. “I appreciate the weather’s honesty here. It is what it is, and if you don’t care for it, then you don’t deserve to witness its brutal glory.”
Not only describing the elements but the people as well. I felt like I was falling in love with Scotland right along with Lily.
And if Scotland isn’t enough to fall in love with, just add the handsome Alec MacGregor. Who is the epitome of Scotland in human form. “Harsh” in that he shuts himself in his home and hides himself away, with little patience for people. But with the kind of heart that opens his home to injured soldiers, even when he is near to losing the estate from his father’s accumulated debts. He is the harshness of Scotland and the beauty of it, brought to light by Lily and her own bright positivity.
Seeing Alec and Lily fall in love brought to my mind Beauty and the Beast. They have this dynamic that is similar. He is learning to let people in and get rid of that tough exterior. And no one is better at bringing his true self to the surface more than Lily.
I truly loved their story. It’s not only a beautifully romantic story but gives us a glimpse to the history of the war and what it was like in a convalescent home. I don’t have enough words to express how much I loved this book. I strongly recommend you pick it up now, and give yourself a few days to read it, because you won’t be able to put it down.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Thank you J’nell Ciesielski, Thomas Nelson and NetGalley.

I like the concept of this book, and the writing is good. The pace was too slow for me, and the narrative just seemed scattered. It seemed like a series of vignettes rather than a cohesive story. I'm just not the target audience for this book.

American heiress meets Scottish laird during World War I

Beauty Among Ruins is a unique novel. Set in the early 1900s, the story follows Lily Durham, an American socialite from New York, after her parents ship her off to England to "learn how to act like a lady." During Lily's stay, the war intensifies, scorching through Europe with a force that calls all the men to arms and the women to care for the wounded coming off the battlefield.

Following her cousin, Birdy, to the Scottish Highlands, Lily finds herself in Kinclavoch Castle, where she is to be a nurse, though she is hardly qualified. Nevertheless, always up for a challenge, Lily plants her feet in the ground and gets to work, no matter how many lines she crosses or rules she has to break to prove her point. Quickly creating a name for herself, Lily is introduced to the castle's owner, Alec MacGregor, who seems just as cold and worn down as his home. Will Lily be able to melt Alec's cold heart, or will her American spunk bring more chaos than care? As accidents become all too frequent and Alec struggles to pay his father's debts, the future of the castle's ownership seems shaky. War and love change everyone, but will Lily and Alec learn how to speak one another's language before they too are torn apart?

I was wildly surprised by Beauty Among Ruins! This was my introduction to J'nell Ciesielski's work, and I really loved her writing style and the narrative she created, though I was a little upset at how the chapters began to skip chunks of time towards the end. J'nell's words were charming and captivating; I found myself absorbed in the storyline and couldn't stop reading in anticipation of what would happen next. This is a great book for any historical fiction lovers as it adds a new approach to the war and sparks the reader's admiration for Scotland.

However, I will say that the audiobook was atrocious. I'm sure the narrator tried hard, but her Scottish accent was so bad I could feel my ears screaming in protest. If you are going to tell such a beautiful, elegant story based in Scotland, you need to have a narrator who can do the country proud! My father, a Scot, along with my Scottish friends, were appalled at the accent. So, I implore the publishers to please add a Scotsman to this book, giving readers another reason to fall in love with Alec and dream of one day meeting a Scottish prince!

Positive content: 4⭐️
Language: 1⭐️
Sexual content: 2⭐️
Violence: 2⭐️
Age: 12+

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a pre-release copy of this book. My thoughts and opinions are entirely my own!*

I throughly enjoyed this book and enjoyed it way more than I would have thought. The whole plot of a American socialite who comes and falls/marries a titled man in Europe would have boring but the twist of all the incidents that continued happening was what kept me reading. The only “issue” I had was with some of the Scottish words, while the list at the beginning helps it did get slightly distracting. But it did not pull me entirely out of the story once I got reading. I would definitely recommend it to someone who enjoys historical fiction.

I absolutely love this book! There were many times that the action and suspense had me sitting on the edge of my seat! This story has it all! Mystery, a beautiful lady and a villain and also a handsome somewhat broken and lost Lord. A must read for those who love suspense, the Moors and a run down castle!

This is the first book I've read by this author, but you can bet I'll be looking for more! Beauty Among Ruins took me back in time to World War I, prior to the US involvement in the war. American heiress Lily Durham is banished to her aunt and uncle's home in England, when her latest embarrassing escapade proves to her parents that she needs to work on her decorum. They think she's squirreled away in an English manor house, safe from the ravages of the war that has just begun. She, however, tags along with her cousin to tend the wounded at Kinclavoch Castle, in Scotland.

Alec MacGregor, laird of Kinclavoch, offers his home as a convalescent hospital. Badly injured as a youth, the army doesn't want him, so he does what he can with what he has. His father's death left the estate in dire straits, forcing Alec to sell off anything he can to keep things going. In constant pain, he doesn't want, or need, an American beauty sticking her nose into his family affairs, but when he finds Lily conversing with his sister in the "family wing", he escorts her out. His heart, however, can't keep her out. What could Lily ever see in a broken-down, penniless aristocrat like him?

I loved this book! Kate Rudd's narration was wonderful. I never had a problem telling one character from another, and I could see every scene as it happened. I also fell in love with Lily and Alec, both individually, and as a couple. Lily is spoiled and a bit headstrong, but she has such a kind heart. Alec is noble and doing his best to hold his family estate together, in spite of his father's gross mismanagement. The mystery of who is behind all of the attempts to sabotage Alec's efforts is gripping enough to keep readers turning pages. I know I was surprised when the culprit was unveiled.

Readers who enjoy historical romance will enjoy Beauty Among Ruins. If they love a bit of mystery added in, so much the better. I listened to the audio for most of the book, so I know I can recommend the audio. The bit I read was well done, so I don't have a problem recommending either one.

This is my first J’nell Ciesielski book, but it won’t be my last! I really enjoyed the writing style and the storyline. It was romantic, had great characters, and I loved that it was set in Scotland, in a castle, no less!

I loved Alec and how Lily slowly broke through his gruff personality with with her always sunny disposition. I also loved how she didn’t really let things get her down. The slight mystery aspect was interesting as well as its resolution.
I will definitely be reading more of J’Nell Ciesielski’s stories.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Wonderful interaction among the characters in this novel. As the Great War rages, we watch Lily and Alec struggle to maintain and make sense of what is happening around them. There is suspense, romance, and tension galore as there are mysterious kidnappings, arson, and other suspicious events that occur. Spontaneous Lily takes on reserved Alec, encouraging him to open his heart, while he struggles to preserve his family heritage. There is plenty of suspense and intrigue to keep the reader eagerly looking ahead to what will happen next. Great read!

A lovely story of a somewhat spoiled American heiress and a brooding Scottish laird during the First World war. I had trouble liking Lily at first, but she grew on me as I continued to read. Alec is burdened with the problems of the past and the immediate financial difficulties in taking care of his estate. The story seemed a bit long, and then the ending a bit rushed, but overall a satisfying period romantic tale with a bit of mystery thrown in.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishing through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

An American Heiress is sent to England and her mother’s cousin, in hopes she will grow up and return home and marry well.
We get to meet Lilly Durham, and enjoy her vibrant personality, and her caring personality. She goes out of the way to try and help all, especially the sick and injured.
She ends up with her cousin Bertie, as a nurses aid taking care of the injured men returning from the trenches of on the Continent, during WWI, and she ends up scrubbing urinals and folding sheets, along with caring for the men.
Lilly also meets, and gets rejected by Alec MacGregor, Lord Strathem, all the while staying at a picturesque castle that has seen better days. Then strange and sometimes dangerous things begin to happen, and we are watching along with others looking for answers.
We meet some famous people, with big hearts, and we there when one of the soldiers is kidnapped on his way to the make shift hospital, and then there are leaking ceilings, sick horses, fires, along with some happy times.
We are also invited to a party, and see some sweet romance, but with all that is going on, including a war, will all of these folks even make it to the end of this book?
A sweet read reminiscent of Downton Abbey, and you will be quickly turning pages for answers.
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Thomas Nelson, and was not required to give a positive review.

American socialite Lily Durham is known for enjoying one moment to the next, with little regard for the consequences of her actions. But just as she is banished overseas to England as a “cure” for her frivolous ways, the Great War breaks out and wreaks havoc. She joins her cousin in nursing the wounded at a convalescent home deep in the wilds of Scotland at a crumbling castle where its laird is less than welcoming.

Alec MacGregor has given his entire life to preserving his home of Kinclavoch Castle, but mounting debts force him to sell off his family history bit by bit. Labeled a coward for not joining his countrymen in the trenches due to an old injury, he opens his home to the Tommies to make recompense while he keeps to the shadows. But his preference for the shadows is shattered when a new American nurse comes streaming into the castle on a burst of light.

Lily and Alec are thrown together when a series of mysterious events threatens to ruin the future of Kinclavoch. Can they put aside their differences to find the culprit before it’s too late, or will their greatest distraction be falling in love?

Lily was a spoiled rich American that gets sent to England as a way to tame her wild ways. According to her parents that is. Lily just wants to be able to live her life they way she wants. Not the way society or her mother dictates. Alec is trying to hang onto his estate after his father gambles most of the money away. Strange and dangerous things start to happen on the estate. Some of them life threatening. The only negative I found in the book was that Alec's poverty was repeatedly stated. This is the first book I've read by this author and I enjoyed it.

I was given this book by Thomas Nelson Publishers via NetGalley for an honest review. I was not compensated in any