Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Ruby's Choice by D.F. Jones ~ Review

Title: Ruby's Choice (Ditch Lane Diaries #1)
Author: D.F. Jones
Genre: Adult, Paranormal Romance
Length: 184 pages
Publisher: Indie
Release Date: July 23, 2015
Source: Purchased
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Ditch Lane Diaries: Ruby’s Choice is the debut novel by D.F. Jones and book one of the Ditch Lane Diaries. Ruby’s Choice is a coming of age story set in the late 1970’s in Middle Tennessee with a splash of paranormal which will blossom in the second and third books of the series. Ruby’s Choice-Everglade, Tennessee, 1977 Stuck in the Middle with Two Ever since Ruby discovered an amber-encased spider web in the Campbell Ridge Cave, she has had dreams of births, deaths and glimpses into the future. Ruby’s dreams have foretold the daughter of her high school friend, Cathy, the death of her beloved Aunt Sammie, and the coming of a new love in her life. Ruby’s shift is coming to a close at Everglade General Store. As she stacks the last row of bath soap, Ruby recalls the delicious dream she had the night before. In the dream, a gorgeous guy is kissing a tickle spot, just behind her left earlobe, sending shivers up her spine. If only that dream could come true, instead of the one where a state trooper gives her a seventy-five dollar speeding ticket! Ruby snaps back to reality when she hears the store’s front door bells chime. If she didn’t know any better, she’d say the frickin’ Adonis from her sexy dream just walked through the door. Reed Jackson and Brent Brown introduce themselves to Ruby as members of the local baseball team her brother, George, manages. Brent mentions they specifically came out to the store to meet George’s hot, little sister. Ruby is slightly confused when she hears Reed murmur Tap It under his breath, but then she remembers the rumor going around campus about Reed and Brent’s dating game, where the two best friends compete to have a girl profess undying love to one of them. And Tap It is a winner takes all—all of what, though, Ruby has no clue. Ruby decides that she’ll play along, but according to her rules. She’ll suss out if either of these players is worthy of her love and respect. One thing is for sure, Ruby is no pawn. Who will be Ruby’s Choice? 


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On the surface, Ruby's Choice doesn't read like much of a paranormal romance. Many of the struggles Ruby fights against are ones that any young woman could encounter. But if you look a little deeper, you'll see the supernatural forces at work in her life. Not just in her life, but in the lives of her closest friends as well. This supernatural force becomes more and more prevalent as the story continues through Ruby's younger life. I enjoyed the nice, gradual introduction to the supernatural aspects of this world.

There is a ton of manipulation and game-playing between Ruby and her two love interests. At first, it was a little funny - typical college dating games - but after taking up most of the story, it did get a little tiresome. I was ready for everyone to grow up and move on, but it took too long to happen.

Once it did happen, things really took a great turn. Facing past mistakes, growing into a better person. and learning to live with loss. But that ending....

Overall, this was a fun read from a debut author. The ending was not my style - but for personal storyline preferences, not for any concrete wrongness about it. I just felt like I had read the whole story and it hadn't really mattered in the long run after all. The ending fit the story well, it just wasn't quite a fit for me.

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