A Good Debutante's Guide to Ruin (Debutante Files, #1)

by Sophie Jordan

[Angie]

I don't think that I can adequately express how happy A Good Debutante's Guide to Ruin made me. It's Regency stepbrother romance! It's kind of forbidden, but not really. It's certainly not smiled upon by polite London society, which adds a certain something extra. Basically, Declan and Rosalie haven't seen each other in ten years. She was sent away to school and he inherited a dukedom after his father passed. Then Rosalie is dropped off at his doorstep, because two years after graduation, her mother still hasn't come for her! Declan is not pleased at having his bachelor pad invaded by his little stepsister, who isn't so little anymore.

A Good Debutante's Guide to Ruin is simply amazing. There's so much tension between Rosalie and Declan! She's always had a crush on him, but knew things could never happen between them. But having her in such close proximity, Declan can't help but be by affected her. His solution? Marry her off as soon as possible! Out of sight, out of mind! Easier said than done.

What I also loved about A Good Debutante's Guide to Ruin was the change in setting! We still get the typical ballroom scenes, but there's also two instances where Rosalie visits Sodom, which is basically a sex club. She goes for the simple mission of getting her first kiss, and I bet you can guess who that ends up being! He doesn't know it's her of course, because of the mask she wears. But the entire time I'm sitting here mentally screaming at her to take it off! Let him know! Be together!

A Good Debutante's Guide to Ruin also has amazing side characters. Declan asks his aunt and cousin to stay with him to act as chaperones while Rosalie has her season and I just adored them! Of course, they can see feelings developing before Declan does and they do a bit of meddling. And I just loved cousin Aurelia to pieces! She's bookish and doesn't always hold her tongue, and needless to say, she's having trouble finding a husband. So I'm super excited that her book is next!

Then there's Rosalie's god awful mother. This woman is just...awful. Forget for a second that she left her daughter at school for two extra years without a word, but she also thinks Rosalie is jealous of her! I guess her mother is a MILF and knows it, but the way she talks down to Rosalie is awful. Then there's her subplot. That woman is insane! Like, she is either crazy or straight up evil. I can't even with what she does to Rosalie toward the end!

A Good Debutante's Guide to Ruin is an all around great read. I was super invested in the romance, and I believed the tension between Rosalie and Declan. Even though they aren't related, step-sibling relations is still a bit taboo. But you can't help who you love! The supporting characters and subplot are just as wonderful and engaging as the main romance! I seriously do not have a single complaint!

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.