Book Review: “From Fame to Ruin” by Jina S. Bazzar

“From Fame to Ruin” by Jina S. Bazzar (2022)

Genre: Romantic Suspense, Fiction

Page Length: 321 pages (electronic review edition)

Synopsis:

She’s survived a murder attempt, heartbreak, and the loss of her livelihood. What comes next might finally destroy her …
Carol is having a bad year. As the last remaining Montenegro, she’s forced to leave behind her comfortable life and the dreams of a great degree, all so she can sort out the crooked lawsuit she inherited, along with a fiancé she detests. Her belief that she’s weathered the worst comes crashing the day she receives a frightening letter from an enemy she didn’t know she had. Out of options, Carol has no choice but to turn to the man she hurt years ago.
Ricardo is past the life where he spent his nights playing rock music and his days enjoying his fame. He’s conveniently forgotten the woman who played him for a fool, burying any feelings for her deep and tight. His life now consists of a tiny office in the family’s hardware store, standing in for lazy employees, and meaningless dates.
So when Carol reaches out with a wild tale, he’s not exactly inclined to help her, but finds himself moored by circumstances, half-truths, and memories of the past.
Refusal is his only shield, but can he deny the plight of the only woman he’s ever loved?

Review:

From Fame to Ruin is a high suspense Romance novel chronicling the lines of Ricardo and Carol. Told through multiple shifting points of view from the present to the past we follow their relationship and reconnection. Both high profile people, Carol and Ricardo have been caught up and many lies, drama, and even some damaging situations which adds a mystery aspect for the readers and makes it a very suspenseful read. When they reconnect after Carol’s son is kidnapped will they be able to heal from the past and mend their relationship?

This book is slow moving at first but a quarter way into the narrative it picks up was great speed. I found it a little bit hard to grasp all the constant shifts of POVs initially. The book is constantly moving between Carol and Ricardo’s perspectives from the time that they spent when they first met years ago to the current day (as well as some other characters that are thrown in). The romantic suspense aspect of the novel gives it a greater intensity. We know that danger is lurking around the corner and we aren’t sure why these things are happening. The further you get into the book the more you untangle the web of lies. Money and greed are embedded into the suspense plot as well as other characters from the past that come back and have an influence on the main character’s futures.

Once readers get to know the main character we realize how they dealt with so much pain in their past and have carried that pain into their current lives. We get to empathize with them as what brings the two together is also what pulls them apart. And the deeper the reader gets into the story we find the main characters are against the odds for bigger forces that cause their lives to be presented with so many obstacles.

There are also lots of plot twist and turns in this novel to entertain the reader while keeping them on their toes. I like the detail and lavish setting of these jet-setting characters flying to multiple destinations and locations. Bazzar’s writing really puts you in the character’s shoes and the fast pace of the story means there is never a dull moment!

If you like romantic suspense novels with action and twists and turns this is a book I’d recommend.

Final Verdict:

FTC Disclaimer: I received this book from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.