Book Review: Ruthless People by JJ McAvoy

Ruthless People (Ruthless People #1) by J.J. McAvoy

“Every last person we kill is for family. If we do not kill them, they kill us. It’s the way of the world. It is self-defense.”

Melody Giovanni and Liam Callahan are both mafia bosses.  They both are heartless, cruel, crime bosses. They do not take no for answer, tolerate disrespect, or let anyone stand in their way. If something does not work out the way they plan, it is nothing for them to kill or kill and torture those who stand in the way of the “family business.”   Ruthless People comes with a warning. Melody and Liam are cruel – ruthless – people. And it did not really bother me. But the warning is there for a reason, and there were a couple of moments throughout the book that I thought was completely heartless and upsetting. And I was not sure how realistic some of their dealings with the law/cops actually could be. 

Their fathers arrange for them to be married so that they two families can join together and become more powerful, and stop the bloodshed between them. Liam is use to women being the “face” of the family, donating to charity, spending the money, keeping the men happy, and not get involved with the dirty work. So when he sees gorgeous Melody, he cannot wait for her to be that woman. Until, he actually meets her and discovers that she is just as cold and tough as him. And that she cannot be pushed around. In fact, she was quite deadly just like him.

She looks like a sweet little lamb from afar, but when you get close, you find out she skinned and ate the damn thing just to use it as a coat. She’s a beast.

The boss in each of them battles for the supreme power, each one trying to top the last and prove that they can lead their now merged family. And they could not be told what to do. I loved how strong Melody’s character was. She did not go guy crazy, and there was no way that she was going to lay down and be a doormat.  Not only does she earn the respect of her men, but she holds her own with Liam.

Liam, soon-to-be-fucking-dead, Callahan was walking down the stairs—my fucking stairs—with his sex hair high and his green eyes sharper than razor blades. He was beautiful, and I almost regretted the fact that I would have to put a bullet in his head and then smash it through a fucking wall.

When they finally realized that they could get more done by working together instead of fighting, they slowly beginning working out things together. This book is almost broken into three parts: the pre-wedding, the actual wedding, and then post wedding. I enjoy the events leading up the wedding the most, but once they learned to start working together they become almost untouchable. Liam and Melody slowly start trusting and having feelings for each other. Much to Liam’s joy, who wants a marriage like his father and mother’s, and to Melody’s disdain. Melody does not like the idea of trusting anyone. And this is what the last part of the book focuses on more.

“I am trying! You are closer to me that anyone else Liam.”

I have not read many mafia themed books, but the characters in this book seemed to be spot on. They gave the outside world the good face while they were handling the underbelly of the city the way they wanted. And both Melody and Liam were clear that Chicago was their city. They called the shots.   Along with controlling the city, they also dealing with the Russians who are stirring up a lot of problems.

The ending ends on a bit of bitter note and a cliffhanger. However, I was overall pleased how the author closed the first chapter for these two characters.  This is one of the most unique books that I have read in a long time. It brings raw feelings, powerful heroine, and a fresh spin on romance. 

 

Thanks to NetGalley and The Writer's Coffee Shop Publishing House for providing this copy in exchange for an honest review.