A Ruin of Roses by bestselling author K.F. Breene is the first installment in the ever-popular Deliciously Dark Fairytales series.
At the time of publishing this guide, this story was available on Kindle Unlimited.
You can also find our full review of this novel here.
Here’s more about the book, along with our free Dirty Dozen downloadable discussion guide for your spicy book club.
Book description
I could save him, but he would ruin me.
The beast.
The creature that stalks the forbidden wood.
The dragon prince.
He has suffered a fate worse than death. We all have. A curse put upon us by the mad king.
We are a kingdom locked in time. Shifters unable to feel our animals. Stuck here by a deal between the late king and a demon who seeks our destruction.
The only one keeping this kingdom alive is Nyfain, the golden prince to a stolen throne. The last dragon shifter.
He’s our hope.
He’s my nightmare.
When he catches me trespassing in the forbidden wood, he doesn’t punish me with death, as he’s entitled.
He takes me, instead. Forces me back to the castle as his prisoner. Seeks to use me.
Apparently, I can save him. I can save the whole forgotten kingdom, locked away by the demon king’s power.
But it would mean taming the monster beneath his skin. It would mean giving myself to him.
It would mean my ruin.
A Ruin of Roses book club discussion guide
**PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THIS DISCUSSION GUIDE MIGHT INCLUDE SPOILERS**
We’ve provided the Dirty Dozen below; twelve spicy and intriguing questions to spark discussion and help you uncover the spine-tingling depths of the story.
The Dirty Dozen
Foreplay – Warm Up Questions
1. What’s the overall spice level? 1 (Not Spicy) – 10 (Spiciest Thing I’ve Ever Read)?
2. How does the spice level compare to the other books we’ve read together?
3. At the start of the book, Finley is into “hate-f*ck smut” – what’s your favorite genre or trope?
The Spicy Bits – Gettin’ Down and Dirty with the Plot
4. Finley is constantly talking back, smirking, and pushing Nyfain’s buttons—did the banter make the spice hotter for you, or did you ever want them to just shut up and get naked?
5. “Some hero. I’d slipped into full damsel, and honestly, I would not mind being saved.” Finley makes it seem like needing a rescue isn’t as good as being the hero. Do you agree or disagree?
6. What do you think of Hadriel? Do you like his character or is he too much?
7. “‘We’re never powerless,’ I muttered, a sentiment I’d always repeated to myself when I did, indeed, feel utterly powerless.” What are your thoughts on this? Is it toxic positivity? Is it an affirmation that leads to positive change? Do you think it’s helpful?
8. Finley calls him ‘Your Royal Fire-Breathing Jackass’—which insult or nickname was your favorite? And do insults make the spicy scenes spicier?
9. If you were part of this cursed kingdom, would you want to be a beast, on of the seamstresses/seamsters, or a sarcastic sidekick like Hadriel? (Bonus: what would your animal shift be?)
10. What do you think of authors using smells (and their descriptions) in their writing? Do you think Nyfain’s fragrance of “pine, lilac and a hint of honeysuckle” matches his character?
11. Which spicy scene had you blushing, bookmarking, or needing a moment alone? Asking for science.
Aftercare – Final Thoughts
12. “I wanted you to know that when I look at you, I see the beauty of your soul, and I’m in rapture.” What was your favorite quote from the book and why?
Bonus: What questions do you have for the author? If you could dog-ear a page with a question for the author, what would it be?
Please feel free to use this post as a starting point for your spicy book club discussions and use the comments below to share your thoughts and insights about the book. You can also get a free downloadable copy of the discussion guide using the button below.
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