The first 70%-ish was a snooze fest and I almost quit multiple times but after that, it was super good. I really liked the epilogue too (quite unusual for a YA book). ( )

Swoon!!! I have been impatiently awaiting Elyse’s story, in hopes that she would end up with Nash, but seeing the chemistry between her and bad boy Asher Park, and I became Team Asher all the way. Now I am longingly anticipating Nash’s story! I can’t wait to see this sweetheart get his happily ever after!

Elyse finds herself caught in a love triangle that parallels the play that the three are all in perfectly, blurring the lines between what is an act, and what is reality. Elyse and Nash have had a connection since the first novel, and it seemed like they would be falling in love in The Ruse, but Elyse never expected Asher. Nash and Asher have had a rivalry since childhood, and it seems like Elyse is the next conquest between the adversaries, but Asher is also mourning the disappearance of his girlfriend, Bailee, so there are multiple layers of theatrics that make for quite the page-turner.

I must admit, The Ruse was my favorite novel in the series so far. All the characters are easily identifiable, and I liked that Asher and Elyse’s story focused less on the physical, and more on the emotional. They truly became friends before anything physical, though when they did finally confess their true passions it was pretty steamy, surprisingly evoking memories from my own backstage shenanigans.

I have truly found a kindred spirit in Elyse. She is a fellow dreamer, one who gets lost in her daydreams, which is something I’ve been guilty of my whole life. That, plus her love of drama and music, spoke to my performing arts past, though she went much further than I ever did. I continue to stay in my dreams, while she went after what she desired, which I immensely admired.

Every novel in this series gets better and better, making me anticipate the next installment as soon as I read the last sentence. Though it can be read as a standalone I would highly recommend reading them in order, as it helps you grasp the characters, and all of their unique situations, but be forewarned: you will fall head over heels in love. ( )