In a novel staring a character I didn't expect to like I found a new favorite author!

The setting for "Beauty Among Ruins" was ripe for the picking in my opinion. How could it not be with WWI, Scotland, an old castle, a gruff laird who has a sweet sister, and a misunderstood heroine?!

Yet, at the very first I didn't expect to like Lily for I thought she was just going to rebel... How wrong I was! She grew into a charming character that I needed to know what happened to.

Alec is the same kind of gruffly endearing hero that I love in historical novels, almost a beast like in Beauty and the Beast, he hid behind walls that had been built for supposed protection and stayed to the shadows for a long time.

The slight air of mystery was just what I like in a historical wartime romance, it wasn't so much a surprise to find out who was the bad guy and who wasn't but it was still fun to wonder somewhat who the bad guy or ... maybe girl was.

16/18 for talk of past mistakes that were made by a character's father.

I voluntarily received and reviewed a complimentary e/copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. ( )

This story captivated my attention from the beginning. I loved all the characters and the plot.
A great read!

Merged review:

This story captivated my attention from the beginning. I loved all the characters and the plot.
A great read! ( )

This World War I era novel is a bit Downton Abbey-esque, so fans of the show will find a lot to enjoy here. I enjoyed it myself, though I thought it would have benefited by being shorter. I can easily see it making a fun miniseries for TV, but the reading experience is a bit too strung out.

(I do have to give props for the use of Inveraray as the model for the Scottish castle... Even without paying attention to the cover, I recognized it immediately from the description! Super gratifying to a past visitor :)

An American heiress named Lily is shipped off to England because her mother hopes that some time with the Brits will mend her wild, independent ways. After a year, Lily's English cousin becomes a nurse in the war effort, and Lily goes with her as a nurse's aide to Scotland, to a manor that's been turned into a convalescent home for wounded soldiers.

Enter the rest of the characters... the stuffy matron, the conniving new-money socialite, the ice-cold dowager of the manor, the sleazy scandal-mongering newspaperman, and most importantly, the Laird... Alec, beset by his father's debts and his own sense of insecurity over not being well enough to fight in the war.

Lily comes in like a breath of fresh air and refuses to act like anyone expects her to. But not only does Alec have to decide whether to let her into his heart or not, he also has to figure out who is behind a series of suspicious circumstances that seem designed to ruin him.

The suspense or mystery of the book was not very compelling. The central characters and their relationship were the stronger part of the book.

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for this digital review copy. ( )

This is the first book I've read by this author, but not the last. I enjoyed the setting, characters, and light romance. I am thankful that though the characters kiss deeply, there's not a desire to go further. That's really the only evidence of it coming from a Christian publisher. ( )

I enjoyed this book so much. It was a great escape to spend some time in Scotland with all these likeable characters. Even the supporting cast were favorites.
In Ciesielski’s latest sweeping romance, an American heiress finds herself in Scotland amid the fallout of the Great War, and a wounded Scottish laird comes face-to-face with his past and a woman he never could have expected.
Definitely one I had a hard time putting down and definitely will recommend to anyone that loves a great historical setting with amazing characters, mystery and romance. ( )