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Ruined by Rumor  By  cover art

Ruined by Rumor

By: Alyssa Everett
Narrated by: Rosalyn Landor
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Publisher's summary

After waiting five years for her fiancé to return from the war and marry her, Roxana Langley has been jilted! She may have longed for excitement, but this was not what she had in mind....

Who could possibly throw over a woman as beautiful and vivacious as Roxana? Certainly not Alex Winslow, the Earl of Ayersley, who has spent years trying in vain to forget his unrequited love. When he learns she's been abandoned by her cad of a fiancé, he finds himself offering a shoulder for her to cry on. Comfort soon turns into a passionate kiss—and scandal when they are caught in an embrace.

Only one thing will save Roxana from certain ruination: marriage to the earl. The match may save her reputation, but responsible, tongue-tied Ayersley is a far cry from her dashing former fiancé. She's convinced Ayersley is merely doing his duty...while he's sure Roxana is still in love with another man. Are they trading one disaster for another?

©2012 Alyssa Everett (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about Ruined by Rumor

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Good Old-Fashioned Romance!


I can't remember reading or listening to author Alyssa Everett before, but what drew my interest in "Ruined By Rumor" was that Alex Winslow, the Earl of Ayersley, spent years trying in vain to forget his unrequited love for Roxana Langley (not the norm)...and the fact it's narrated by the very talented Rosalyn Landor.

Roxana yearns for excitement from her dull, predictable life and does not appreciate the serious Alex, who steps in to save her reputation when her exciting fiance, George, jilts her. The story is full of misunderstandings, which cause heartache on both sides-- each person draws their own conclusions of what is being said, instead of asking for clarification.

It is a fast paced love story of misunderstandings, shyness, love, scandal, loss, heartache, and romance.

I recommend "Ruined By Rumor" for those who enjoy a good old-fashion love story.

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

MORE ALYSSA EVERETT PLEASE!!!

I always hesitate before trying a new romance author because you never know how corny the story will be, or how bad the writing. Alyssa Everett is one of those that you come across and hope that more of her books become available, like yesterday. This is the sweetest story of unrequited love that is finally satisfied. The hero has loved the heroine his whole life and she has NO idea. I thought that it would be difficult for me to like her after reading the description, but once again Ms. Landor's voice makes the heroine sweet, and the author makes her humble. Wonderful combo! I have never run accross a romance where the hero actually wants the heroine throughout the whole book, but this is a wonderful change. He loves her, REALLY loves her, and it is nice to see an author portray a "nice guy" as the hero for a change! I HIGHLY suggeset adding this to your collection!!!

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Rosalyn Landor saves the day

I really liked Alex's character, the misunderstood hero, who puts up with a lot from Roxana who is continually comparing him to her wonderful George who is a womanising rake but she just doesn't see it. I found her character to be one of those really really annoying clueless types so I just couldn't sympathise with her character at all. It should have been a good listen but unfortunately I had no affinity with the supposed heroine of the plot so I was only routing for a happy ending for Alex's sake.

Another worthy narration by Rosalyn.

Worth my credit? No, there's better out there, but if it goes on sale then maybe it's worth the $ but not a credit.

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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A tender and passionate romance

Would you consider the audio edition of Ruined by Rumor to be better than the print version?

I haven't yet read the print version, so can't really comment. It's been on my TBR pile for a while which is why I decided to listen to the audiobook instead.

Who was your favorite character and why?

No question - Alex is gorgeous. He's a lovely beta-hero, the epitome of the strong, silent type who will take a lot of crap, but only to a point - after which he comes out fighting and God help whoever gets in his way.
He has a subtle sense of humour and watching him learn to unbend and realise he doesn't have to carry his burdens alone is just... *sigh*

What about Rosalyn Landor’s performance did you like?

Rosalyn Landor is far and away my favourite narrator - I have a serious girlcrush on those velvety tones! Her voices for the different female characters are all very distinct so there is never any confusion as to who is speaking, and the tone she employs to voice Roxana’s five-year-old brother is clearly a boy rather than a girl! George is suitably pompous-sounding, while Alex is somewhat softer – I thought she did a really good job in conveying his below-the-surface frustration at his awkwardness and his insecurities. Her narration is also beautifully nuanced – I’ve listened to some narrators who, while quite good with the characters seem rather wooden when simply telling the story, but that is never the case with Ms Landor.

Any additional comments?

Overall, I thought this was an enjoyable take on a well-used trope. The storytelling and characterisation were excellent and the central couple were both likeable and engaging.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

great book. Easy to listen to.

I loved this book. The story line was easy to follow and the length was perfect. I especially loved that the main male character was not portrayed as a rake all the women want to bed or the superior confident male. He was just a normal male in love with a woman who didnt originally return his feelings.

The narrator was excellent. She made the switch between characters easy to follow and the book flowed smoothly.

I would recommend this book to any one interested in a light hearted historical romance.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

I agree - more Alyssa Everett!

I thought I had listened to this audio, but I had this book mixed up with another. When I downloaded "Lord of Secrets" and realized I had not read "Ruined by Rumor," I began listening to "...Rumor." What a pleasant surprise! In some ways it reminds me a little of Georgette Heyer's "A Civil Contract" - misunderstandings between Roxana and Alex and what seems like a marriage of convenience to Roxana. Throw in a third party - the viper (aka the Major) and it's a page turner.

I can't wait to get to "Lord of Secrets."

Alyssa Everett has another book that I'd like to hear on audible: "A Tryst with Trouble." It's not currently available on amazon.com, and there's no "I'd like to hear this book on audio" button. There is a note that an audio CD will be available via amazon, and you can sign up to be notified when it's available - so maybe it will eventually be available on audible, too. Fingers crossed.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Rosalyn saved the book !

This book was so so bland ! Lacks excitement, good story line, and good dialogue ! The story in theory was good but the execution was done poorly. The interactions between the main characters were unsatisfactory. At the end of the book I had to pass forward as it was dragging on and on . But Rosalyn Landor had saved this book. Because of her outstanding performance I have listened and finished the book.

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    2 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Boring

Would you try another book from Alyssa Everett and/or Rosalyn Landor?

No to Alyssa Everett. Absolutely yes to Rosalyn Landor. The two main characters tried my patience to the point where I couldn't finish the book. I got half way through then threw in the towel.

Which character – as performed by Rosalyn Landor – was your favorite?

She's good at any and all narrations. I am a huge fan for her work.

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3 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Not bad, but not my favorite.

Was Ruined by Rumor worth the listening time?

I didn't feel like I wasted my time with this book, but it wasn't my favorite. The book seems to follow the romance typical recipe in book development. I enjoyed it - would even listen to it again, however it just left me feeling - Ehh.

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    2 out of 5 stars

Helpful Spoilers, a Rant, and a Little Catharsis.

I recently read Everett's A Tryst With Trouble, and I loved it -- REALLY loved it. I'm just glad this book was my second Alyssa Everett, and not my first. If I'd started with this one, I'm not sure I would have bought another. I passed disappointed at the midway point, and by the end, I was just mad. This review is the result.

THE HEROINE: Roxana, is a renowned beauty. Gorgeous, with pale blond hair, a willowy figure, lovely face, and sweet temperament -- she is universally beloved in her county. And yet, she believes she is plain. Why? Because at some point in her life, her mother warned her against becoming vain. And because, when she was little, her big brother used to tease her, and call her mop head. Huh.

Her inner musings on her plainness went on, and on -- it was a major underpinning to her character, but it made no sense at all. As written, Roxana didn't ACT like she believed she was plain. She acted, dressed and conducted herself like a beautiful woman. So what, exactly, was the point of hammering her plainness into the book? The repetitious lack of logic took me right out of the story.

THE HERO: Alex is also gorgeous, and experienced, but because he is shy and tongue tied around the beautiful Roxana, she thinks he's dull and boring. Alex has been in love with her for years, even while she was betrothed to another guy. So when that guy throws her over publicly, and she is accidentally ruined, he sees his chance to have her, and proposes. Badly.

And while Roxana clearly understands what being ruined means, she doesn't immediately see the need to do anything to save herself, or her family, from scandal. Her mother, incongruously, and unbelievably (for the time), lets Roxana ruminate on her options until a neighbor gives her the cut direct. Huh. This scene had me wishing my Kindle was made by Fischer Price, so I could throw it at a wall without cracking it. Took me out of the story. Hard.

Alex and Roxana marry, but because he lacks self esteem, he doesn't tell her how he feels, letting her believe he's in love with another girl. Over and over again, these two come together only to pull apart over one low self esteem induced misunderstanding after another. If you like that kind of plot, this book is for you. I found that the mountain of illogical misconceptions only buried the characters in stupidity.

THE WEDDING NIGHT: This scene started out pretty good, and went downhill fast. Our inexperienced heroine goes after her timid man after a false start. After he turns into a sex god, she is surprised, impressed, and turned on. But when she starts to come, she stiffens up until the feeling goes away. She actually fights her orgasms, several times -- over several weeks of marriage -- to a man she's wildly attracted to. Huh. And why? Just to keep the misconceptions coming, I guess. To me, it just made both characters look stupid. And what did he do about it? He just looked down at her face and watched her while she did it, and said nothing. Nothing. He's supposedly experienced, while she doesn't understand what's happening to her body, but he says NOTHING. Took me right out of the story. Again.

The big reveal happens close to the end, after a serious blow up over another big misunderstanding. It occurs when the slimy ex confronts them in a ballroom, creating yet another scandal. To shut him up, Alex punches him in the face, right in front of the ton. And right on cue, Roxana throws herself into Alex's arms and says, YOU DO LOVE ME!

Seriously? That made me throw up a little in my mouth. And that's the point at which I got mad.

The epilogue had the requisite infant. BIG yawn.

There is a great book in here somewhere, but it seems to me that Everett tried to be too cute for her own good. The complex machinations I loved in A Tryst With Trouble, fell apart for lack of logic here, and left me feeling frustrated. There is no doubt in my mind that Everett is a talented author who can write wonderful dialogue, great sex scenes and really complex and witty plots. She just didn't do it in this one. I am amazed at the high ratings this claptrap received, but to each her own.

The biggest problem I had with this book is that it fell 2-1/2 big stars short of great, and I can only blame the author. It kept coming close, but each time the story would start to heat up, she'd take it off the boil, hamstringing her own characters with extra helpings of, wait for it,

Stupid.

IMHO, results may vary, but for me, this one is not worth a re-read. Shame, too.

Roz Landor is great, but even she couldn't make a silk purse out of this hot mess.

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