REVIEW: Ruined by Shiloh Walker

 
Ruined by Shiloh Walker: Sebastien seemingly leads a charmed life. He’s one of Hollywood’s leading men and has his pick of women. The only problem is that he’s in love with Marin, a fellow actor and family friend. They have known each other for as long as Sebastien can remember. Marin is a very talented actress and she has been in the business far longer than Sebastien. She enjoys a quieter life, out of the public eye.

While Marin and Sebastien are in different places in their lives, neither are immune to the attraction that positively simmers between them. Which is one reason why their on-screen chemistry is so believable. Sebastien finally asks her out only to be sorely disappointed by her refusal.

Everything changes later that night when he steps in to try to save another woman from being attacked. He is pretty injured during the fight and really struggles to live again. Fast forward one year later and he has pushed everyone away, except for Marin. Marin can get through to him when no one else can and she’s persistent.

“So I said I wasn’t going. I meant it. Yet I’m in a car with you and I don’t really want to be. I think this could count as kidnapping.” Arms crossed over his chest, he glared straight ahead. He suspected she was about to start laughing and if she did, he’d probably smile and he didn’t want to do that.

The attack and fight really change him. He fully retreats from the world, his job, family, and friends. Marin continues to push him even while she’s fighting the attraction that she now feels even more deeply. He believes he has nothing to really offer anymore since he is scarred, inside and out. But when an opportunity lands on his doorstep, he has to decide if he just might be ready to live again.

“You can’t yell at me for thinking something,” he said.
“I can’t read your mind.”
“Yeah, you go ahead and say that. I can tell by the smirk on your face you knew exactly what I was thinking.”

Ruined is an emotional and engaging combination of friends to lovers and a workplace romance. Shiloh Walker created complex characters and provided a good balance between humor, heat, and drama. Ms. Walker provided great secondary characters in Sebastien’s family and their agent and other coworkers. Ruined can be read as a standalone in the Barnes Brothers series. Fans of L.A. Fiore and Marquita Valentine will enjoy Ruined.

Book Info:

 Expected publication: July 19th 2016 | InterMix | Barnes Brothers #4

From the national bestselling author of Busted and Razed comes an unforgettable story of a love that transcends tragedy…

As one of the Barnes brothers, Sebastien has always felt blessed. Not only does he have an amazing family, but he’s become a Hollywood golden boy who has everything he’s ever wanted—with one exception. He’s had a thing for Marin since he was a kid, but when he finally summons the courage to ask her out, she turns him down. Marin is ready to settle down, she wants commitment and stability, and Sebastien is still too much of a playboy, caught up in the wild life of the spotlight.

Still reeling from the rejection, Sebastien’s luck runs out later that night when he saves a girl from an assault. The shining knight role fits him just fine, but his armor—and his perfect life—become tarnished when the near-deadly attack lands him in the hospital. Physically scarred, he gives up acting and retreats from everybody.

If anyone can pull Sebastien back from the abyss, it’s Marin. But first she has to convince him that beauty is not only skin deep…