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Cover of A Game of Romance and Ruin

A Game of Romance and Ruin

by Ruby Roe

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️explicit·Girl Games #2·✓ Series Complete
4.2 on Goodreads (4,049)

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Ending

reveal ending

Why Read This?The one-sentence sell. What do you get for showing up to this book, even when it's hard?

The angst of a second-chance sapphic romance where political betrayal and ruinous secrets make every reunion scene crackle with tension

Synopsis

In a game of power, can love be the deadliest weapon? Stirling Grey, a legendary negotiator, is on a mission: to mend her broken heart and avenge its ruin. Morrigan Lee, a hidden princess and heir to the throne, is harbouring a dark secret. For years, Stirling and Morrigan navigated the perilous games of power and politics, shared clandestine moments, and ultimately... fell in love... Until a deal with fate forced them apart. When the Queen sets a formidable challenge, Stirling and Morrigan are thrust into a treacherous labyrinth of danger. The task? Protect the kingdom from a terrifying threat or lose the crown forever. But this is not a simple mission. With the clock ticking, they're going to have to trust each other... And that's not easy when their past is filled with betrayal. It's even harder when their hearts are entangled amidst the chaos. Now, neither woman is sure if it's the throne they want to rescue or a love they want to rekindle. Two hearts, one kingdom, and a romance that could lead to their ruin… or just maybe their redemption. This is a spicy lesbian fantasy romance with second chances, ruinous secrets, found family, a masquerade ball, a long con, and a love that could either shatter a kingdom or save it.

book details below may contain spoilers. some hidden

At a Glance

A curator's note goes here with flavor that could spoil the plot.

trope onetrope twotrope threetrope four

Book Details

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal

Goodreads RatingThe crowd's verdict. Take it with salt, though. Some masterpieces are polarizing.

4.17 ★ (4k)

Page CountHow long the commitment is.

340 pages

PublishedWhen this hit shelves. Helpful for tracking vibes by era.

2023

Primary GenreWhat type of book this is. Romance? Fantasy? A 400-page therapy session disguised as a thriller?

Fantasy Romance

PairingWho's falling in love? The gender makeup of your main romance. Helps you find your specific flavor of love story.

F/F

POVWhose head are you in? First person = deep in the feels. Third = watching from above. Dual = emotional whiplash (affectionate).

Dual POV

Romance PacingHow long until they kiss? Slow burn = 300 pages of tension. Insta-love = page 12 and it's already chaos.

Slow Burn

CliffhangerEnding type: HEA = forever happy (you'll cry happy). HFN = happy for now (open to interpretation). Bittersweet = complicated feelings. Know what you're signing up for.

reveal ending

AudiobookCan you experience this book while driving? Washing dishes? Working out while emotionally destroyed? Check here.

AvailableCan you experience this book while driving? Washing dishes? Working out while emotionally destroyed? Check here.

Yes

FormatHow fancy is the audio? Standard = one narrator. Full cast = theater kids went off. GraphicAudio = a MoViE iN yOuR mInD.

Dual Narration (same Gender)

NarratorThe voice in your ears.

Islay Jacobs, Kyo Sija

TropesPlot devices and story situations that drive the romance. These are the circumstances that throw characters together or create conflict, not how they personally relate.

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal
second chancesecret heir/royaltyforbidden lovefake datingforced alliancehidden identitycompetition romance
RomanceMagicActionAngstWorld
Theme Constellation

Mood & Vibe

MoodWhat you felt reading this. Swoony? Gutted? Deliciously unhinged? The emotional fingerprint.

angstyintenseromanticdramaticmysteriousseductive

Writing StyleHow the author writes - prose style, dialogue approach, and narrative voice. This is about craft and delivery, not emotional effect.

dramaticemotionalbanter-heavyimmersivedark

Story PacingDoes the story sprint or saunter? Fast = you'll miss sleep. Slow = you'll savor every word. Medium = balanced chaos.

medium

Emotional WeightHow much are you gonna cry? Light = fun feels. Moderate = real stakes. Heavy = bring tissues. Devastating = call your therapist.

heavy

Energy RequiredCan you read this on a Tuesday after work, or do you need a full Saturday and three cups of coffee? Low/Medium/High.

medium

VibesOne perfect sentence that captures the essence. Like: 'Fae politics meets forbidden romance with zero chill.'

fae courts and politicspage turner

Characters

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal

FMC ArchetypeWho is she? The female main character's core identity/role. Assassin? Healer? General Badass?

spy/thiefmorally gray FMCambitious schemer

Relationship DynamicsThe interpersonal dynamic between the main characters. How do they relate to each other? This is about character energy and connection style, not plot situations.

enemies to loverslove/hate tensionmutual piningshe falls firstmorally gray x morally grayfound family

Spice Details 🌶️

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal
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Spice Level 5

Spice StyleNot just how much spice, but what kind. Emotional intimacy? Explicit but vanilla? Plot-driven heat? Know your flavor.

intense / passionateemotional / lovingtension / anticipation focus

Getting SteamyGentle kinks. Fun but nothing too crazy. The appetizer, so to speak.

tensionanticipationpossessive/protectivelonging glanceseye contact intensity

Bringing the HeatFor those who know exactly what they came for. This is where you find your exact brand of chaos. The good stuff.

power exchangedominancepossessive
Browse more books by spice level →
This stuff might hit different. No shame in needing to know what's coming. (2)▼
spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal
violencegraphic violence
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World & Setting

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World TypeWhat kind of world are you stepping into? High fantasy = full secondary world. Urban fantasy = magic in modern cities. Portal = starts here, goes there.

high fantasyfae realm / faerie courts

Primary SettingWhere does the story physically take place? Court intrigue = palace. Dark academia = campus. Cozy witch vibes = small town. This is about location, not world rules.

royal court / palacebig city / metropolis

Fantasy CreaturesWhat supernatural beings populate this world? Fae courts, vampire covens, dragon riders, or just regular humans doing their best.

witches/wizards/warlocksfae

RepresentationIdentity representation in the book. LGBTQ+, race/ethnicity, disability, neurodivergence, body type, age and more.

sapphicbisexual MCbisexual LI

Reading Context

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal

Emotional PayoffWhat you get for showing up. The catharsis, the growth, the 'I'm a different person now' moment. This is why the hard books are worth it.

the angst deliveredferal brain activatedbook hangover incoming

Best Time of YearSeasonal mood rings for books. Summer romance reads different than winter gothic.

anytime

When & Where to ReadContext matters. Some books are Beach Trip energy, others are 3am Bedtime spiral-reads. Trust.

rainy weekendcozy eveningvacation

Girl Games

A Game of Hearts and Heists

#1 A Game of Hearts and Heists

A Game of Romance and Ruin

#2 A Game of Romance and Ruin

A Game of Deceit and Desire

#3 A Game of Deceit and Desire

A Game of Vows and Vendettas

#4 A Game of Vows and Vendettas

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Quick Facts

Spice LevelThe heat scale. 0=wholesome, 1=kisses, 2=fade-to-black, 3=tasteful spice, 4=explicit, 5=you need a cold shower. Know thyself.🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️explicit
PagesHow long the commitment is.340
PublishedWhen this hit shelves. Helpful for tracking vibes by era.2023
GoodreadsThe crowd's verdict. Take it with salt, though. Some masterpieces are polarizing.4.17 ★ (4k)
EndingEnding type: HEA = forever happy (you'll cry happy). HFN = happy for now (open to interpretation). Bittersweet = complicated feelings. Know what you're signing up for.reveal ending

SeriesThe series this book belongs to and where it falls in the reading order.

Girl Games #2
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