Two Ruins Make a Right

Nellwyn "Nell" Whitton and Mr. James Richardson absolutely detest each other-and with good reason. A broken engagement (fine, let's be blunt: a spectacular jilting) tends to sour a romance.

Eight years later, fate-or possibly a bored deity with questionable judgment-leaves Nell stranded exactly where she'd least like to be: on James's doorstep. And because fate loves a good laugh, James happens to be hosting a house party, determined to fulfill his spirited daughter's fondest wish-finding a new mother. In short, he's bride-hunting, and Nell has inconveniently crashed the festivities.

James immediately suspects Nell of plotting revenge by sabotaging his meticulously planned event. Nell would prefer to marry a turnip and likely would have a more engaging conversation with it. But clearly, the universe delights in tormenting these two. When Nell's sister and James's cousin stroll straight into a compromising embrace, scandal becomes as inevitable as overly sweet punch at a country gathering.

Now reluctantly allied, Nell and James must confront their tangled past to safeguard their families' futures. Yet house parties being what they are-full of moonlit alcoves, whispered gossip, and impulsive decisions-one ruination inevitably leads to another.

One jilting, two scandals, plus endless romance equals a house party worth ruining, thus proving second chances taste sweetest after scandal.

Dear Reader, Two Ruins Make a Right was initially published as a novella in The Young and the Ruined anthology. I've added a prologue and several new scenes to make it a novel. I hope you enjoy this updated version.