What a fun read! I loved the sneaking around during a school trip, twist at the end I didn’t see coming and the cute found love. The only thing I am confused about is how they’re going to pull off that HEA! But I’m glad they at least have that. The trials they went through were fun and I’m definitely interested to read more from this author.

I was looking forward to this because I loved The Library of Shadows, but unfortunately, this was not the book for me. It was overly dramatic, rushed, and just unrealistic. Teenagers digging at excavation sites, falling in love in like 48 hours, the world completely accepting a dude that was turned into stone for almost 100 years??? I can do fantasy, but not whatever this was. There were also so many cringy millennial references that I almost gagged.

⭐️ 4/5

This novel was such a fun adventure! Think of the perfect crossover between Indiana Jones, National Treasure, The Mummy, and Kate & Leopold, but make it present-day and YA!

Rather than write a serious essay for her application to go on her boarding school’s archaeological trip to Pompeii, Margot pens a bit of fanfiction based on her favorite romance novel. Her application manages to snag her a coveted spot on the trip, much to her classmates' chagrin.

Strapped with confidence, her limited knowledge of archaeology, and the journal of Van Keane, a young archaeologist from the 1930s, Margot sneaks away from her group in search of the mythical Vase of Venus Aurelia. Following the directions outlined in Van’s journal, Margot happens upon a statue that suspiciously looks exactly like the hunky explorer. Through a series of events, the statue comes to life (or back to life), and Margot finds herself working alongside Van himself in search of the famed vase.

This story is filled with heart-racing adventure, blushing banter, and backstabbing twists. What a fun introduction to this author’s work!

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for this ARC of Us in Ruins! This book is definitely a fun romantic fantasy adventure! I really enjoyed it! I think if you're a fan of something like The Mummy, you might like this book. It's an easy read, one I could actually see picking up again because it was just that kind of entertaining. It's not a story that's so unique or groundbreaking, especially when it comes to characters and tropes, but it was engaging and I appreciated that.

The archeology and history were aspects I really liked. The magic was fine and worked for the story. I liked the romance; it was kind of rom-com kind of reluctant allies to lovers kind of entertaining banter and all together it was well done. And I think I really did feel like I was on an adventure with Margot and Van. I do feel like this book delivers on exactly what anyone picking it up is expecting.

I did not like Margot much as the story began but I did think she grew a lot as a character. She's just very immature and sort of flighty I guess. I still can't say I'm a huge fan of hers, but she definitely improved as the book went on. Van is very stubborn and grumpy but their chemistry was pretty clear. You've seen this dynamic a million times, especially with Van's characterization.

Us in Ruins is 100% a YA book. If you or your child is in middle school or early high school- absolutely the target audience. I think it definitely reads young. I wouldn't say that an adult couldn't love this book, but If you're like me you are not going to be able to connect to characters like Margot or relate to her actions. Especially when it comes to the beginning of the book. If you can not focus on that though I think anyone could agree that Us in Ruins is a fun read. It's an adventure you could pick up again and again!

A fun, fast paced, Indiana Jones-esque adventure with a little magic, time travel, and archeological hijinks. Good read for folks who enjoy The Mummy and other action-adventure tales.

Such a fun romp! It was a delight to read such a lighthearted, adventurous romance. While I wanted a bit more out of the dynamic between Margot and Van, I had a great time on their journey and can't wait for more from this author.

Us in Ruin ) is a captivating YA adventure that blends romance, mystery, and a touch of fantasy. The story follows Margo, a young archaeologist who lands a gig working to excavate Pompeii, only to uncover a centuries-old mystery surrounding the mythical Vase of Venus Aurelia. When she accidentally frees Van Keane, a cursed archaeologist trapped in stone for over a century, the two are forced to team up to reassemble the vase and solve its ancient riddles.

The dynamic between Margo and Van is the highlight of the book—their grumpy/sunshine energy mixed with their reluctant allies-to-lovers arc creates plenty of tension and humor. Margo, initially a bit whiny and immature, evolves as the plot progresses, especially with Van’s more grounded presence. Their partnership is fun to watch as they navigate both the ancient challenges and their growing feelings for each other.

The book’s fast-paced adventure, set against the vibrant backdrop of Pompeii, provides an exciting, light-hearted escape. While the beginning takes a bit to warm up to Margo's character, the story picks up speed once Van enters the picture. Us in Ruin reads like a charming mix of The Mummy and The Librarians, offering a perfect balance of rom-com, mystery, and fantasy.

A breezy and enjoyable read for fans of fun, romantic adventures, Us in Ruin is ideal for those looking for a quick, engaging escape into an archaeological quest.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

A time bending romance with an archeologist trapped for over a century, set under the Pompeii sun? Say less, I'm in!
This is an entreating YA romance, easy to read and to love! The grumpy/sunshine dynamic is one of my favorites, with a hint of enemies to lovers in the beginning.

being so completely honest, i requested because of the cover and why was this NOT what i was expecting at all???? for some reason it was giving gothic to me but it was very much along the same vein of what the river knows. if you’re interested in enemies to lovers and an adventure romance, this is absolutely perfect!

i must say, it’s not my favorite trope but i enjoyed it for what it was and i believe it will find its place with the readers who resonate 🩷

Rachel Moore writes such fun, unique adventure stories, and US IN RUINS is no exception to that. I really enjoyed this one!

A super fun fantasy adventure romp through Italy. I loved Margot and Van's reluctant allies to lovers dynamic. Watching them learn how to work together as a team, and realize they have more in common than it seems, was so good. Also, as much as I love a story about a teen who knows that they're about and is really good at it, reading about a character like Margot who's tried a little bit of a lot was really refreshing as well.

This story wasn’t exactly what I was expecting but I enjoyed it nonetheless! It took me a while to get into the story, but it wraps up nicely. You have a young student trying to find what she’s passionate about and decides to give archeology a try- starting with a trip to excavate Pompeii? She goes off to find a legendary artifact and in doing so frees a century old archeologist from a curse that left him trapped in stone, and of course he’s attractive and shockingly age appropriate. This story has excess adventure and made me sad that I am not currently in Italy. While I did fine the characters to be mildly annoying, the plot was intriguing enough to keep me going.

Light and fun adventure, with a splash of romance.
This reads like the grumpy-sunshine humor of Brendan Fraser of The Mummy, mixed with the lighthearted, comedic, and adventurous fun of The Librarians tv show.
Margo has been granted a summer high school internship in archaeology in Pompeii based on a superb but fictional essay she wrote on the mythological Vase of Venus Aurelia. But Margo believes the Vase isn't merely a fiction and sets off on her own quest to find it - inadvertently waking up a cursed and long-presumed dead archaeologist Van Keane, who Margo happens to have had a crush on since she found his journal, and a piece of the mythical vase, hidden in her high school library. Each of them are convinced that finding the vase, and Venus' treasure, is the answer that they both are desperately seeking, and so together the two set off to complete Venus' challenges and reassemble the vase. What ensues is an Italian adventure B-movie, with a bit of rom-com thrown in.

For most of the first half of the book I will admit that Margo's character grated on me, she was whiny, super girly and childish - I felt like I was reading more middle grade than YA and it took me a long time to decide I was committed to reading it. I really had no sympathy for her, and felt a bit like Astrid with regards to her being in Pompeii in the first place. Once we add in Van however, I warmed up to her character a bit more, he was the buffer I needed I guess, and I flew through the last half. Really enjoyed the setting and the story.

All in all, a light and quick read - a nice breather in between my normal reading. I will be recommending to my students who liked What the River Knows.

I had such a difficult time getting into this book, and it’s my second DNF this year. I’m disappointed because I was looking forward to reading this, especially because I related to Margot and the way she felt things so deeply. But the over-the-top bullying from Astrid and the lack of adult supervision was too much for my suspension of disbelief; I could see this working better as a movie with all the physical comedy, but as a YA novel it’s extremely rough.

I’ll be linking my full review from Twin Cities Geek once it’s published

This is a great story for a younger audience who wants to step into fantasy with an exploration through ancient ruins kind of vibe. The cover alone hooked me right away but the premise was also exciting with its promise of linking modern characters to those of the past.

This is a story that has a less of a serious nature and more in the realm of light hearted rom com. When I say that it is for younger readers as an adult there was an amount of belief I had to suspend to enjoy some of the unlikely circumstances our main character got herself into. I also find the dialogue to be more of the immature variety which is not to say that it isn't perfectly suited for its audience.

The romance was sweet and easy to digest, but I would have loved just a bit more development in this area as well. There were cute themes of standing up for yourself and being brave and bold to be just as you are. All life lessons that are really important for younger teens.

Like I said, for the right audience this one is going to be a hit, but for a woman in her 30s who's just looking for a bit more complexity and depth this didn't quite work out with my expectations.

US IN RUINS was beautifully written with the perfect amount of mystery, romance, and magic. I enjoyed every second of this story.

The most beautiful book for fans of the movies Jewel of the Nile, Encino Man, and the Mummy. It had a plot with enough action to carry you throughout the book. The characters are wonderful. The plot was solid. The enemies-to-lovers trope was well executed. The only reason I didn't give it a full five stars is because of the end. There is someone who behaves totally out of character and then is dropped. You don't hear about them at all.


Thank you to NetGalley, Rachel Moore, and Harper Collins for giving me a chance to read this and share my honest thoughts and opinions with others

If you liked Moore's first book, you'll love her sophomore novel. It has many of the same key elements: a magical book, a mystery to solve, and a boy not from this time. You have enemies to lovers, Italy as the backdrop, and a fast paced adventure to look forward to.

US IN RUINS is fantastic. I loved it, read it in one sitting, and would recommend this for anyone eager to fall impossibly in love with ancient Italy.