Set against the tumultuous backdrop of wars that defined the early 20th century, 'Love and Ruin' follows the indomitable Martha Gellhorn. In 1937, as a young and ambitious journalist, Martha embarks on a journey to Madrid during the Spanish Civil War to make her mark in a field overrun by men. While reporting on the harrowing conflict, Martha finds herself in a whirlwind romance with the soon-to-be legendary Ernest Hemingway. Their passionate union burns brightly but as Ernest's novel 'For Whom the Bell Tolls' propels him to fame, their relationship becomes uneven, prompting Martha to carve out her own identity and voice in both the literary world and as a war correspondent. Paula McLain paints the portrait of a pioneering woman who refuses to be confined by the era's expectations, offering a tribute to the courage it takes to follow one's path.