Set at a castle turned convalescent home for soldiers wounded in WWI, this story pulled me in and didn't let me go.

The story follows Lily as she is sent to England to visit family and grow up and grow up she does. She faces opposition in her own decisions (she just can't completely suppress her nature, which makes her endearing), the dragon-like matron, and a nurse who has her sights set on the Lord of the Manor. She also runs up against a kidnapping and mysterious happenings in the castle, threatening the ability for the Lord to maintain possession during a time when many of the old castles and manors are being sold.

Alec MacGregor is trying to save his home and finds himself selling off bit by bit. He is drawn to Lily. He could save the castle and land with a large dowry but wants to figure it out on his own.

Alec and Lily run into each other quite often and it is not love at first sight, but what happens is a glorious dance and two people finding themselves and eventually each other. The faith, the growth, the healing, and the discovery of true self is brilliantly executed in this book. The mystery is good and adds another layer to this complex story.

This is not an era I often read but this book persuades me to seek out further books in this time period.

I received a complementary copy of this story and this is my honest review.

J’nell Ciesielski has delivered an entertaining WWI era romance about an American heiress swept away to Europe - Scotland to be exact. There, she takes on the role of a nurse in a dark and dreary castle. Romance blooms while a series of mysterious events threaten the future of the estate.
I enjoyed this read. There were plenty of antagonists to keep me guessing who the real villain was. As I worked through the story, I was reminded of Beauty and the Beast although I would not call this a retelling. Character development was quite strong. There were, however, a few incidents in this story that I would have liked to see better resolution to. Overall, a good read for historical romance fans.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

#netgalley #beautyamongruins

I loved this historical romance! It was so intriguing to read about the history of the land, the mystery, the suspense and the never ending hopefulness of the cheery Lily nursing the wounded. This was a most engaging read.

If you like historical fiction, this is the story for you! This is the first book I've read by J'nell Ciesielski and it certainly won't be the last! Loved the Scotland setting and the neglected castle. The beauty within the ruins came out through the characters Lily and Alec. I also enjoyed the touch of suspense throughout.

It’s well-written and filled with vivid imagery, putting you in the middle of the Kinclavoch Castle. The author's descriptions of the Scotland setting are fabulous.

This delightful tale will keep you turning the pages until you reach the end.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I adored this book! What a great journey of growth the main characters went on! Set in the Great War, we meet Lily, an American socialite that bucks conventions enough that her parents send her to English relatives to learn some decorum. However, war breaks out and she leaves with a cousin to serve men injured in the war at a convalescent home set up in a decaying Scottish castle. There she meets the Lord of the castle, a gruff man who is trying to dig his family out from under a mountain of debt before it's too late. As mysterious and dangerous things begin to happen, they both hope to keep the other safe, along with all the men still recovering.

BEAUTY AMONG RUINS by J'NELL CIESIELSKI is a really lovely historical romance novel which takes place in Scotland during the first world war. It is beautifully written. with unforgettable characters and a good bit of humour. It is a story threaded with heartache and hope and one that really makes a person think.
There are enemies on all sides, not just the Germans who are responsible for the broken soldiers being treated at the convalescent home at Kinclavoch, but also those who would destroy everything in the way of their selfish ambitions.
The delightful Lily Durham is banished to England for a time by her parents with the hope that she will come into line with their plans for her life. They see her as cheeky and disrespectful and want to quench her friendly and optimistic spirit.
I love to see her kindness towards the Tommies in her care and also towards Viola, Lord Strathem's sister, and her gradual understanding of the grouchy Alec MacGregor, Lord Strathem.
The setting is so well described, with the ruggedness of Scotland and her wild weather playing a part in the story.
There is romance, suspense, inspiration and a feeling of restoration of that which is broken, running through the book, and I cannot recommend Beauty Among Ruins highly enough.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Thomas Nelson. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

First sentence: CREEPING THROUGH THE BACK DOOR, LILY DURHAM slipped across the black-and-white tiled kitchen and checked the hallway before scurrying up the stairs to the main floor.

Premise/plot: Lily Durham, our heroine, finds herself a nursing aid during the first world war after her parents ship her off to England for her 'rebellious' suitor-repelling attitude. Lily and her cousin Bertie are nurses--or a nurse and a nurses aide--at a convalescent home in Scotland. There are many, many, many rules for them to live by--for all the nursing staff--but one is not to enter the private quarters of the family. How many guess that Lily will 'accidentally' break that rule a few times!

Alec MacGregor, our hero, is struggling...with many things. The future of his estate is in doubt for the debts are monstrous. And he's being haggled--pestered--by a no good reporter with a grudge against his family. His mother has disconnected from life; his sister is so ill she hasn't left her room in years. The last thing he's looking for is a beautiful young woman taking an interest in his well being...in his family's well being.

My thoughts: This one definitely has vibes of Beauty and the Beast. I haven't decided if this was intentional or not. (Not that Lily is Belle with her head stuck in a book. Perhaps just the setting of a crumbling castle with a super-cranky-grumpy master. Perhaps the thawing or breaking down of wall...) I loved the setting. I loved the Scottish hero. (You pretty much have me at hello anytime there's a Scottish hero!) I loved the setting of World War I.

There were many things I enjoyed about this one. I loved the characterization of Lily and Alec. But the characterization of most if not all the other characters is on the weaker side. In particular, her parents are particularly one dimensional and just plain old MEAN without any real reason. They're just stereotypically opposed to anything that might bring their daughter happiness. I couldn't understand her mother...at all. The plot could also get a bit melodramatic in places. I could have used a little less drama. Sometimes I feel romance novels over-push it in the drama department when it comes to inventing obstacles to make it difficult to get to a happy ending. I think the war offered enough natural obstacles without so much more going on in the background.

Still all that being said, I definitely enjoyed it more than not. I really liked the romance.