Date published: July 15th, 2014
Publisher: The Writer's Coffee Shop
Synopsis:"Mr. & Mrs. Smith meets the Sopranos..."
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, and follows the life and marriage of Melody Giovanni and Liam Callahan—rivals by blood and leaders through fear. Their marriage, arranged by their fathers in hopes to end years of bloodshed between the Irish and the Italians.
Liam believes he’s getting a simple-minded wife, one he can control, one who bends to his every need . . . the complete opposite of Melody. She knows exactly what type of man he is, and would rather die than give up the power she has spent her life building.
The Mafia of the past has evolved, and with rival bosses gunning for them, Melody and Liam will have to learn to work as one to take down those who stand in their way.
1 Marriage x 2 Bosses = 3x the Chaos
*Warning: Due to bad language, graphic violence and sex this is for over-18's only* These are not mobsters with a heart of gold....
They do VERY bad things and will NOT change.
They are criminals...murders.
If things like that bother you Ruthless People is not for you. You've been warned ;)
What I Thought:
When I first heard of this book, I knew I wanted to read it and I knew it was going to be really good. Have you ever had those, I want it right now moments? Well I had one of those, but the book wasn't even published yet. So when it was released, I bought it right away, but life and the blog got in my way of reading it. I can't believe I've waited so long to read this book. This book is epic!
So the warnings in the synopsis are all true. Many of the events in this book are not for the faint of heart. I take that back, most of this book is that way. I've always considered myself as someone who has a good grasp on what's right and wrong, almost to the point of everything being black or white, with very little grey. I know life doesn't work that way, but usually the good guys are the cops and the bad guys are the mafioso. I think a great book is one that can take your views and opinions and manager to make you see them differently. I was completely surprised to find my allegiances distorted from what they normally are and to find out blood thirsty I can be.
Liam and Melody are the heads of their crime families. They've been warring for generations and now the time has come for the two families to be joined by their marriage. The only problem is neither can trust the other or give an inch when it comes to sharing control, making for some very interesting reading. I loved the book was told from both their points of view, as well as chapters here and there from the other Callahan and Giovanni family members. It made it so much easier to understand their motivations and get to know them. I actually felt sympathetic towards them as opposed to being horrified. There were a few moments when I was nothing but horrified and disgusted, but they were able to rationally explain the reasoning behind their cruelty.
I read this book in a single sitting. I could not stop reading. Even when my mind was telling me it was time to sleep, I couldn't do it. I had to know what Liam and Melody would do once they'd been attacked on all fronts. It was both exhilarating and terrifying. I loved seeing Melody and Liam spar and figure out their relationship beyond the confines of being mafia bosses and spouses. Those two are a match made in mafia heaven. Melody is truly "Bloody Melody" and horrifying. I was more afraid of her than I was Liam.
J.J. McAvoy writes with such aplomb, it's hard to believe this is her debut novel. She had me devouring the pages and always on edge. There is no limit to the twists this story took, and each one blew my mind. I have a feeling The Untouchables, the next book in this saga, will contain as many if not more amazing revelations. Saying I'm eager to read this would be an understatement. I may have waited months to read this book, but I won't make the same mistake twice. I'm expecting great things from J.J. McAvoy.
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About the Author
J. J. McAvoy first started working on Ruthless People during a Morality and Ethics lecture her freshman year of college. X number of years later, she is an insomniac who has changed her major three times, and is a master in the art of procrastination. If you ask her why she began writing, she will simply tell you “They wanted to get their story out.”
She is currently working on her next novel . . . so please bug her on Twitter @JJMcAvoy
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