My daughter was reading this and I pulled it out of the beach bag one day when I forgot my book. This was such a good story - a great read for YA and adults. Great ghost story and great story about New Orleans.

Share/Like this Review?

A well-written ghost story. Spooky in parts and suspenseful twists in a historic New Orleans atmosphere. Likable characters. Coming of age situations young adults would relate to, but a good enough story for all ages.

Share/Like this Review?

Reviewed by Andrea for TeensReadToo.com

In RUINED by Paula Morris, Rebecca feels out of place and homesick when she is suddenly shipped off to stay with an "aunt" in New Orleans while her dad travels to China. She doesn't make friends at school, but she does make a friend in the most unexpected place- the cemetery that her aunt has forbidden her to go to.

The only catch is that her friend, Lisette, is a ghost. Once Rebecca finds out why Lisette is still haunting the city, she's determined to figure out her murder. But she soon finds out that her own past is one of secrets and that her life may be in danger.

I think my favorite part of the story was reading all about New Orleans. I loved reading some of the history of the city and of Mardi Gras. I went there last spring so it was neat to read about things I have learned.

This was a fun ghost story. There were several big twists at the end. Two of them were complete surprises and one I saw coming. I really liked the characters of Rebecca and Aurelia. I found them both believable and Aurelia seemed so cute. This is a fun paranormal read.

Share/Like this Review?

This was an awesome YA ghost story! New Orleans, a curse, past stories intertwining with the present, an old cemetary, a mardi gras parade.... I enjoyed it. Simple and easy to read. The cover art makes no sense with the ghost woman in her nightie, though. lol This story makes me want to go visit an actual New Orleans cemetery.

Share/Like this Review?

This book held my attention till the very last page.

My favorite thing about this book was the New Orleans history behind the story and the hurricane. The rituals and closeness the people still fell into even after hurricane Katrina.

Very good book and I recommend it :)

Share/Like this Review?

This was an excellent read!! It left me wanting more by the author!! I was on the edge of my seat and surprised at unexpected twists near the end! EXCELLENT read!

Share/Like this Review?

LOVED this book. New Orleans, ghosts, celebrations, finding out who you really are.... lots of classic, good stuff. Well written, I wish this one had a sequel!

Share/Like this Review?

Reviewed for www.chicklitclub.com - if you love chick lit, join the club!

Being sent to New Orleans to live with her eccentric aunt Claudia is not how Rebecca Brown wants to spend six months of her life. She's only met Claudia once and doesn't want to go live with her in New Orleans, a place so foreign to her it might as well be another country. But Rebecca's father is going to China on business, so she's enrolled at a prestigious new school, where most of the girls are unwelcoming (because you're either one of "Them" or you're not) and the only ones who talk to her do it because they are told to do so. Particularly unfriendly are Marianne Sutton and Helena Bowman, who are the descendants of some of the richest families in the city and have prestige written all over their faces. One night, Rebecca wanders into the Lafayette Cemetery across the street from her aunt's house, curious to see what a group of people from school - including Marianne and Helena - are doing there after midnight. It's dark and with Rebecca not knowing her way around, she stumbles on the way out and is shown the entrance by a black girl who is around her age. After pondering who this girl could be, Rebecca goes back to look for her again another night, only to find her sitting by the Bowman family grave. Once she starts talking to this girl, Rebecca finds out that her name is Lisette and she is a ghost who was murdered more than 150 years ago. At first Rebecca doesn't believe it but Lisette proves her ghostly presence in various ways. Neither girl knows why Rebecca is able to see Lisette while no one else can. In the process of developing a friendship with Lisette, Rebecca is also befriended by the gorgeous Anton Grey, who is one of Them - the families with money and power in New Orleans. Anton seems like he can be trusted but Rebecca isn't too sure about his true intentions. Soon enough, she learns some heart-stopping secrets about her family, her own life and Lisette that will turn her world upside down. The line between whom she can and can't trust starts to blend and Rebecca begins to wonder if it's too late to save herself and her family. With so much suspense and mystery, Ruined is a fast-paced and fun read that you won't want to put down until the very end. (AS)

Share/Like this Review?

Pretty sure this may be meant for young adults. I'm a sucker for a ghost story, so I ordered it, but the writing seems geared to young people. It's a pretty good mystery with a little supernatural thrown in, and if you are also a sucker for News Orleans lore, it's a good read.

Share/Like this Review?