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.