stacey_is_sassy
Written on Jan 24, 2016
***This review is kind of spoilerish, especially if you haven’t read Spotless. Proceed with caution.***
He jumped out of the car, running towards Island and my heartbeat quickened. Actually…he jumped out of the car that had been chasing them through the city, seeming to be on a mission to kill them. When he reached Island my heartbeat was on a stampede already…I thought someone was going to die. Mr November would make anyone’s heartbeat speed up…in awe…in fear…in lust or in frustration.
In Beating Ruby we are back to following the crazy antics of Island Chaptal and her unfortunate luck. We start by finding out what has been happening to Island since March left her in Tokyo. Island’s working on a computer program called Ruby that will revolutionise online banking security, trying to pick up the pieces of her heart by moving on and dating a sweet and lovely guy called Alex. One day she comes to work and finds out that her boss is dead and the police are saying it was suicide and Island, the last to talk to him.
Island, not one to let sleeping dogs lie, decides to do a wee bit of investigating because she’s not convinced it was suicide. She’s got spy blood in her… she won’t get caught…no-one will catch her…she’ll just sneak in through the air ducts and check out the scene. She just didn’t count on the rat stuffing up her plans. It isn’t just a case of suicide after all and getting caught by the FBI/CIA/Police means that Island is called up to help them find out what really happened. Her computer skills come into use and her history, connections and experience end up playing a big part in solving the crime.
This book is FUNNY!!! At the beginning of every chapter, there is an excerpt from a romance novel. I’m assuming (guessing) they’re made up, but they are either super corny or over the top erotic drivel. Island’s thought processes also had me cracking up laughing and at one point and I accidentally woke my hubby up in the wee hours of the morning. When he asked what I was laughing at, I explained and for some strange reason, he didn’t think it was THAT funny. The poor man needs to read more.
I really enjoyed Beating Ruby, but, to be honest, it really only came to life for me when Mr November came on the scene. I love him. His OCD, clean obsession mixed with his killer (literally) instincts make him such an unusual character. It does have what you might call a “love-triangle”, but knowing and meeting Mr November, you soon realise there is really only one man in the race. The romance between Island and Mr November is S…L…O…W and a little bit frustrating. I’m scared to say, but I think this author might even be a (fingers to my lips, squinting and whispering) “fade to black” type of author (THE HORROR!!!). But because we’re still getting there, I’m not 100% sure. I am not normally content with reading a romance without sexy times, but in this case, the storyline is so engaging and funny I can’t help but love it. I’m hoping (fingers and toes crossed) that Ms Monk might surprise us and give us a little bit of action in the next book.
The series isn’t finished and we will be getting more from the lives of Island and her sexy man of the month. It doesn’t end with a cliffhanger, but it does leave you with a …. in our next episode, kind of feeling. If you’re looking for a funny story with action, mystery and intrigue the Spotless series are definitely worth giving a go.
I received a complimentary ARC of Beating Ruby via the author for an honest review.
To buy Beating Ruby from Amazon - http://amzn.to/1Vhj87j
I’m an Aussie chick who loves to read and review romance, drink coffee, be a Style Setter and stalk David Gandy. To see more of my reviews, fashion, food and pervathons -