Save Me by Mona Kasten Book Review

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The publisher kindly provided me with a digital copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

The first book in the international bestselling Maxton Hall series, now in English for the first time.

They come from different worlds, and yet they are meant for each other.

Money, glamour, luxury, power—Ruby Bell couldn’t be less interested in these things if she tried. After being awarded a scholarship to one of England’s most prestigious and expensive private schools, Maxton Hall, all she wants is to keep her head down, work hard, and get accepted to Oxford. She keeps her distance from everyone, especially the arrogant, rich, and extremely handsome James Beaufort, ringleader of the school’s party boys.

When Ruby discovers a scandalous secret about the Beauforts, she is suddenly on James’s radar. It only gets worse when James is forced to work with her to plan the school’s annual gala. Yet the more time they spend together, the more they realize they share much more than they thought.

Falling for James Beaufort was never part of her plan, yet Ruby can’t help but let her feelings to sweep her away. But James must make a decision for himself: will he choose what’s expected of him, or what he feels for her?

Save Me Book Review

After watching Maxton Hall (more than once, okay, several times), I knew I would pick up the English translation of Save Me when it was released. I’m so glad I did! It’s every bit as good as the adaptation, and I loved seeing how closely the show followed the source material.

Save Me follows Ruby, a hardworking scholarship student at Maxton Hall, an elite private school, and James Beaufort, the wealthy golden boy who seems to have it all. When Ruby accidentally uncovers a secret that could upend James’s world, they’re forced into each other’s orbit.

Ruby and James are fantastic leads—both flawed in ways that make them feel real, but with character arcs that are deeply satisfying to watch unfold. Their chemistry is undeniable, and the push-and-pull dynamic kept me hooked from page one. Whirlwind drama, slow-burn tension and irresistible romance follow them, and it’s great.

I loved the drama in this book—it’s messy in all the right ways, full of tension and emotional stakes that kept me turning the pages. The adaptation nailed the vibe, but the book gives even more depth to Ruby and James’s relationship, making the highs sweeter and the lows more gut-punching.

I’m so excited to pick up the next book in the series, especially with season two of Maxton Hall coming later this year. If you haven’t read Save Me yet—or watched the show—you’re in for a treat. It’s a must for fans of dramatic, swoony romance with plenty of heart.

Rating: ★★★★☆

About Mona Kasten

Mona Kasten studied library and information management before devoting herself entirely to writing. She lives in Hamburg with her family and cats, as well as an infinite number of books, loves caffeine in any form, long walks in the woods and days when she can only write.