Riches to Ruinville~Book Report

Riches to Ruinville

Katherine Hastings

March 20, 2025

If you’re looking for a fun, entertaining read that doesn’t take itself too seriously, Riches to Ruinville might be just the book for you. I found myself laughing out loud more than once while reading this story by Katherine Hastings. It’s witty, fast-paced, and surprisingly heartfelt beneath all the humor.

The novel centers around CeCe and Diane, two women who once ruled New York’s elite social scene. For years, they lived lives filled with wealth, luxury, and status—and they were also fierce enemies. Everything between them was a competition: who hosted the better parties, who wore the most expensive clothes, and who could outshine the other in high society. Their husbands were business partners, equally wealthy and equally shady, and then one day everything collapses. The men vanish with millions of dollars, leaving their wives with absolutely nothing.

What follows is a complete reversal of fortune. The FBI sweeps in, seizing homes, assets, and even personal belongings. There’s nothing left to fight over—no money, no mansions, barely even clothes. Diane’s only lifeline is a rundown house left to her by a deceased aunt in the Louisiana bayou, along with a modest $5,000 inheritance. The house is far from glamorous: outdated, worn down, and worlds away from Manhattan luxury.

Despite their rocky past, CeCe convinces Diane to let her—and her companion Julian—come along. What begins as a reluctant arrangement slowly turns into an unexpected friendship. Together, they learn how to survive without riches, status, or servants. Watching these former socialites figure out everyday life without money is both funny and oddly satisfying.

Beyond the humor, Riches to Ruinville is really about reinvention and second chances. CeCe and Diane are forced to strip away their old identities and discover who they are without wealth defining them. Their journey from rivalry to friendship feels natural and earned, and the bayou setting adds charm and contrast to their former lives.

Overall, this book was an enjoyable, lighthearted read with meaningful moments mixed in. It’s not overly deep, but it doesn’t try to be. It’s a story about loss, resilience, and finding purpose in unexpected places—and sometimes starting over is exactly what you need.