Ruthless People by J.J. McAvoy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Publisher: The Writers Coffee Shop
Summary: To the outside world, they look like American Royalty, giving to charities, feeding the homeless, rebuilding the city. But behind closed doors is a constant battle for dominance between two Bosses, cultures, and hearts.
Ruthless People is a romantic crime fiction set in modern day Chicago, following the life and marriage of Melody Nicci Giovanni and Liam Callahan—rivals by blood and leaders through fear. Their marriage was arranged by their fathers in hopes to end years of bloodshed between the Irish and the Italians.
Liam, next in line to lead the Irish, believes he’s getting a simple-minded wife, one he can control, one who bends to his every need . . . the complete opposite of Melody. Bred to be a Boss, a world-class marksman, master of disguise, with no mercy and no fear. Twenty-four years later, she has achieved more than any man could even dream of, killing anyone who steps in her way. She knows exactly what type of man Liam is, and she would rather die than give up the power she has spent her whole life building. But with no other family left, she must not only learn to work with Liam, but the whole Callahan clan.
The Mafia of the past is evolving, and with rival bosses gunning for them, Melody and Liam will have to figure out how to work as one to take down those who stand in their way, all while keeping up appearances.
Power, Family, and Respect are everything.
Wow. What to say about Liam and Mel? They’re villainous, vain and vituperative singly and then they get together to unite their families. If it weren’t so over the top wild then I wouldn’t have enjoyed it but it was, so I did. I don’t need characters to be likable or redeemed, I only need them to be interesting and this gave me that. I must admit I wanted more of the push/pull, love/hate between Liam and Mel because they got to the “I’d take a bullet for you” but in what seemed like days. It wasn’t insta-love but considering they began at a point where either could have killed the other, I needed more than that. I wouldn’t want to hang out with Liam and Mel but I can’t think of a couple who deserve each other more.
I’d definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a edgy read (or any of my girlfriends who enjoyed Wolf of Wallstreet). The profanity & vulgarity abound but it’s a fun, fast read and not a bad choice to read on a weekend.
I was given a copy of this book by the publisher on Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
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