Book ~ "The Ruining" (2013) Anna Collomore

From Goodreads ~ Annie Phillips is thrilled to leave her past behind and begin a shiny new life on Belvedere Island, as a nanny for the picture-perfect Cohen family. In no time at all, she falls in love with the Cohens, especially with Libby, the beautiful young matriarch of the family. Life is better than she ever imagined. She even finds romance with the boy next door.

All too soon cracks appear in Annie's seemingly perfect world. She's blamed for mistakes she doesn't remember making. Her bedroom door comes unhinged, and she feels like she's always being watched. Libby, who once felt like a big sister, is suddenly cold and unforgiving. As she struggles to keep up with the demands of her new life, Annie's fear gives way to frightening hallucinations. Is she tumbling into madness, or is something sinister at play? 

The Ruining is a complex ride through first love, chilling manipulation, and the terrifying depths of insanity.

Eighteen-year-old Annie lives in poverty with her mother and stepfather in Detroit.  She wants get away from home and go to university and never go back home.  She sees an online ad that a couple in San Fransisco is looking for a nanny ... she applies and gets hired.

The Cohen family seem to be perfect and take Annie under their wing right away.  But between the stress of going to university full-time and taking care of the Cohen's two kids, Annie starts to fall apart.  The only thing that keeps her sane is the time she spends with her neighbour, Owen ... and she eventually feels she is losing him too.

I thought the writing style was okay ... it kept me interested.  The story is written in Annie's voice so you get to see her fall into madness firsthand.  Libby Cohen is very manipulative ... she runs hot (she is Annie's best friend) and cold (she is Annie's mean employer) which leaves Annie spinning.  Most people would have left the Cohen's household after the first three weeks but Libby played on Annie's weaknesses and insecurities making her think that this was her only option.

I started figuring things out after the scene in the garage and I was interested to see how the author got us to the end.  I found the ending was a bit overplayed and drawn out.

I participated in this virtual book tour and received a copy of this book at no charge in exchange for my honest review.