4.5 (2 ratings)
Drowning in Paper Flowers
THE LIE: Ruby Powell is the epitome of perfect. She is beautiful, prominent, and wealthy. She lives in her dream home in the most affluent neighborhood in Dallas. She's a doting mother, a devoted wife, and a respected member of her community. She takes pride in being the president of both the PTA for her son's elementary school, and the Booster Club for her daughter's high school soccer team. Her kids adore her, and her husband is still her best friend after eighteen years of marriage. THE TRUTH: Ruby Powell is a full-figured, middle-aged housewife, living in a house she's grown to despise. She's a subpar mother. She detests her husband. And she's addicted to anti-anxiety pills due to a recurring nightmare. She volunteers at both of her children's schools, albeit for appearance's sake only—because what would it look like if she were a stay-at-home mom who didn't volunteer? Her teenage daughter loathes her, and her six-year-old son suffers from PTSD due to being the victim of a kidnapping when he was a toddler. What happens when Ruby is no longer able to separate the truth from the lie? A nightmare. An affair. A dead body. A lifelong secret. And the ending you never saw coming.
Reader Reviews
4.5
2 ratings
Matt D.
Aug 15, 2026
Ruby has the best life. Her husband is a high powered executive with his own company. She lives in her dream home in an affluent neighborhood with her husband, two children, and dog. She's even the PTA president. She's living the dream life. Except, the dream is all an illusion. Ruby's world is anything but picturesque. Ruby's dream world slowly become inseparable from the nightmare she endures every night. The secrets and lies in her family will rip their pristine world to shreds.
E.L. Westbury has given us a story that grabs you by the throat and holds you down until the bitter end. The story starts out by slowly working you into Ruby's world before the bottom drops out and you free-fall all the way to the end. My jaw hit the floor as soon as the first twist dropped and I'm still trying to work it back into place. To say the story is a ride is an understatement. Don't let the gentle pace of the beginning fool you. This story is out for blood. It will push you to turn the page until the dramatic ending that smacks you across the face and cuts deep into you brain.
If you are a fan of family drama with some very dark and twisted undertones, definitely visit with Ruby. Just don't bring a paper sunflower.
E.L. Westbury has given us a story that grabs you by the throat and holds you down until the bitter end. The story starts out by slowly working you into Ruby's world before the bottom drops out and you free-fall all the way to the end. My jaw hit the floor as soon as the first twist dropped and I'm still trying to work it back into place. To say the story is a ride is an understatement. Don't let the gentle pace of the beginning fool you. This story is out for blood. It will push you to turn the page until the dramatic ending that smacks you across the face and cuts deep into you brain.
If you are a fan of family drama with some very dark and twisted undertones, definitely visit with Ruby. Just don't bring a paper sunflower.
Jolene C.
Aug 15, 2026
What a fantastic read. I was completely pulled into this drama filled story from the start. It’s definitely not lighthearted, but it’s an absolute page turner.
The only reason this didn’t quite hit five stars for me is that some parts felt like they needed a little more clarity or depth, while others could have been trimmed back. I found myself wanting just a bit more in certain moments and on backgrounds.
Even with that, I flew through it. It’s gripping, dramatic, and hard to put down. I’d absolutely read more from this author. Hope she plans on writing more.
The only reason this didn’t quite hit five stars for me is that some parts felt like they needed a little more clarity or depth, while others could have been trimmed back. I found myself wanting just a bit more in certain moments and on backgrounds.
Even with that, I flew through it. It’s gripping, dramatic, and hard to put down. I’d absolutely read more from this author. Hope she plans on writing more.