***4.5 Stars*** 
 There is never any doubt that when you make the decision to read any of the books that make up the IAD world that you'll be in for a wild ride filled with adventure, romance and characters you'll end up adoring even though you may want to throttle them at times and Sweet Ruin does not disappoint. 
 Now there were some that were disappointed that Sweet Ruin would focus on brand new characters instead of one of the supporting cast of characters we've come to get to know as the series has progressed, but I wasn't one and adored Jo from the beginning. She has no filter, is sassy and snarky and has no fear, but can back her attitude up much like most of the females that inhabit the world of IAD, and though she has an irreverent streak she protects and cares for those that are unable to. Rune is that large and in charge way too sexy for his own good alpha male who knows exactly how potent he is. He has a lot of scars and it has turned him cold, but he's not as unfeeling as he'd like to be. 
 Their courtship was just as fun and sexy as previous couples, but what I actually liked the most was how Jo kept Rune on his toes. She rarely ever reacted in the way he expected her to. Rune is so set in his ways, partially because he is old, that Jo's brazenness and honesty, at least about what she wants from him, throws him for a loop, as does the explosive sexual chemistry between them. There is a fair amount of angsty drama that happens between them due to Rune's staunch belief that he will never have a mate and Jo's belief that she's his mate, but it does serve to make things quite interesting, especially as they figure out just what she is. 
 Then we have the Accession. I didn't think things could get any crazier but it has. With the addition of the Morior the world of IAD just got another layer of chaos to deal with but in true KC fashion it actually does make sense in the big scheme of things. And of course Nucking Futs Nix gets her own shout out because she, and Bertil, simply deserve it. The game she played in this one was absolutely brilliant. 
 The writing, as always, was witty and engaging, though I do have to admit that the middle of this one dragged a bit for me, but needing to know what Nix was up to as well as how Jo and Thad would be reunited kept me turning the pages, and their first meeting after all these years was definitely explosive. 
 The Bottom Line: Sweet Ruin was a fun and sexy ride and I can't wait to see what's up next! 
 ~ ARC provided by Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review ~