I just have to say... In Ruins...is one of the best books I've ever read. Hands down. This book consumed me and left me craving more. I don't ever want Tuck and Carl's story to end. It's like I want weekly updates because I love them so much. And Tuck. OMG. He is now on my all time fav book boyfriend's list. He's perfection.
This story has EVERYTHING!!! In Ruins literally left me in ruins at times. I'm a sucker for those high school sweetheart romances that lead to college. College romances are one of my favorite genres. This story is filled with angst, jealousy, breakups, heartache, emotions, second chances, LOVE, and so much damn sexiness that at times it felt like these scenes just pulled me right into their moment. 
Tucker and Carleigh/Carl, aka princess *melts* , are not your typical sweethearts. They are SO MUCH MORE!!! From childhood and through high school, these two have had a connection like no other. Their friendship is something that I want to bottle up and hand out to everyone. It's rare. And it just gave me all the feels!! Tuck and Carl haven't had the best childhoods. They have both suffered loss. In different forms, but still a loss. They have both kept secrets. Some more damaging than others. They have both made mistakes. And they both hurt. They lost their way because of devastating secrets and miscommunication. And now they both are starting college, searching for a fresh start. Some things are much easier said than done. Will these two passionate souls find their way back to each other?? You're going to have to read to find. I'm so afraid of giving anything away in this epic story. There are lots of shock n awe moments. Things that I myself never saw coming. Right up to the very end!!!! I COULD NOT SWIPE MY FINGER FAST ENOUGH!! For the first time ever, I wanted to peek at then ending cause I was so anxious!!! I JUST HAD TO KNOW! My adrenaline was flowing!!! So yes, I will not rob you of those emotions!!! Just trust me when I say, READ THIS BOOK!!
This was my first Danielle Pearl book. And will definitely not be my last. Her writing is unlike anything I've ever read. I was literally up until 4:30 a.m. last night reading this. I had to force myself to stop at 90%. Just so it wouldn't end. I wanted another day with Tuck and Carl. And now I just want MORE!!! These two are my new favorite couple and In Ruins is definitely on my Top Reads' list of 2016. I have not been this captivated by a story in a very long time. And this one is going to stay with me for a very long time!! 
Do yourself a favor today, and GO 1-CLICK THIS RIGHT NOW!!! HURRY HURRY!!

In Ruins is the first book that I have read from Danielle Pearl, and it is also the first book in her Something More series. I didn't quite know what to expect when starting this story, and I have to say that after finishing I still don't know exactly how I feel. I feel like there was so much promise for this story, and yet there were quite a few things that just didn't work for me. 

Carleigh thought that college would be her freedom. But with her first campus party, she quickly realizes that it isn't quite the escape she had planned when she comes across the last person that she wanted to see, Tucker. Tucker once thought that Carleigh was everything that he wanted, only to realize that she was just like every other girl that would do whatever it took to get what she wanted. But with Carleigh back around, Tucker finds himself struggling to remember the bad things as the attraction and connection he felt to Carleigh quickly return.

I liked the characters, but I will admit that there were times I struggled with the present Tucker. He was so sweet in the past and I loved that character, but there were times in the present that he came off as a jerk. I did feel like the connection and attraction between Tuck and Carl was natural though, and I did like them for one another. 

My biggest issue though is that this story felt like it was off at times. Things would feel rushed and often times disjointed. As though the flow and pacing was off. I also felt like I had been enjoying this book even with a few of the issues I had right up until the end. Something happened that changed all that for me though, and it just seemed so unnecessary to me. It felt forced and as though it was just too over the top. As much as I felt this book had potential, I just found the execution lacking. I would still be interested in reading more from Danielle Pearl, but this wasn't exactly what I had been hoping for.

Page turner! Glued to book! Couldn't put it down! Loved this book and now have read it twice once when I first got it and a second time because for some reason I didn't have a review up for it! Love it both times!

This story hit really close to home. I lived in a small town all my life. In those types of circumstances you are always judged by what your family does. It doesn't matter that you had nothing to do with whatever went down, you are automatically thrown into the same boat as the person who committed it. 

You can tell that Carleigh is nothing like the people who "raised" her. Not only is she attending college, but she's also looking after her younger brother while her mother jet sets around the globe with her girlfriends. The one wrinkle in her life is Tucker, her ex. 

Being at the same college as your ex is one thing, but an ex who absolutely hates you is a whole nother mess in and of itself. While Carleigh tires to have at least a little college experience, she can't help but to continuously run into Tucker. 

These two navigate the past and future, learning truths and deceptions along the way. Leaving you to wonder if they were meant to be together or if they were just tow entities passing.

A tale of first love, heartbreak, and second chances, Danielle Pearl's "In Ruins" will pull at your heartstrings in all the best and worst ways.  4/5 stars.