Ruthless Women

Ruthless Women

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  • Type:Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date:2021-07-05 00:51:21
  • Update Date:2025-09-06
  • Status:finish
  • Author:Melanie Blake
  • ISBN:1800243049
  • Environment:PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle

Summary

Ambition can be deadly。。。 A sizzling erotic thriller set behind the scenes of a glamorous TV soap

Falcon Bay was the world's most popular soap opera, filmed on location on a tiny, idyllic island off Jersey。 But with ratings falling, a new network owner, the beautiful and malevolent Madeline Kane, arrives on the private island determined to do whatever it takes to get the show back to number one。

Writer Farrah, star Catherine and producer Amanda are the driven, ambitious women who keep the show on the road。 But Farrah is losing episodes to the network's lead male writer, Catherine is terrified of the public falling out of love with her and Amanda's evil husband Jake, vice president of the network, is plotting to get his wife kicked off the show。

In a true battle of the sexes, these women will do anything to stay on top。 But can they team up to bring down their rivals? Or will jealousy and revenge tear their friendship apart? As their story reaches its shocking climax, one thing is certain: only the most ruthless woman will survive。。。

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Reviews

Sarah Festa

Welcome to a world of sex, drugs, fierce women and Vindictive men。 This book is so juicy, it had my mouth watering, eagerly waiting for the next twist。Set on the beautiful Island of St。 Augustine on the set of Falcon Bay, a once number one Soap Opera in danger of cancellation。New Network owner Yank, Madaline Kane, a seductive powerful woman with a cold heart, willing to stop at nothing to restore the show to its former glory causes quite a stir。This book had me yelling, screaming and gasping。 Fr Welcome to a world of sex, drugs, fierce women and Vindictive men。 This book is so juicy, it had my mouth watering, eagerly waiting for the next twist。Set on the beautiful Island of St。 Augustine on the set of Falcon Bay, a once number one Soap Opera in danger of cancellation。New Network owner Yank, Madaline Kane, a seductive powerful woman with a cold heart, willing to stop at nothing to restore the show to its former glory causes quite a stir。This book had me yelling, screaming and gasping。 From witty one liners, to shocking passions, I was glued to keep turning the page to find out what could happen next。What I love most about this book is that it is not as simple as a battle of the sexes, because not all women have you routing for them and it is not always the man that puts down the women。Full of betrayals, twists and revelations。 I cannot recommend this book enough。 I rather hope there is more to come from Falcon Bay and Melanie Blake。 。。。more

Olly Boston

This was so dramatic I was obsessed!

Victoria

I found this book boring and only mildly entertaining。 For a book with a strong female cast of characters it lacked giving them any depth, in fact portraying them as any negative stereotype it was hard to feel sympathy for any of them。 As a story it was basic and bland which were I on a beach dipping in and out I might have found more enjoyment but as a escape from wfh I found it disappointing。 Obvious ‘twists’ if you could call them that on the last few chapters and an obvious ‘shock’ at the en I found this book boring and only mildly entertaining。 For a book with a strong female cast of characters it lacked giving them any depth, in fact portraying them as any negative stereotype it was hard to feel sympathy for any of them。 As a story it was basic and bland which were I on a beach dipping in and out I might have found more enjoyment but as a escape from wfh I found it disappointing。 Obvious ‘twists’ if you could call them that on the last few chapters and an obvious ‘shock’ at the end meant that my thoughts are rather lacklustre 。。。more

Liz Rockingham

Didn’t finish it。 It’s a bonkbuster and not for me anymore

Jemima

This book was a rollercoaster and I loved every second of it。I bought this on a whim because I thought it looked really pretty so I didn't read any of the reviews beforehand。Honestly, I'm glad I didn't because the reviews were such a mixed bag, I might have decided to skip it。On the one hand, I can see why people wouldn't like it。 If you prefer more serious or realistic stories with women being good friends to each other, having healthy relationships and meaningful conversations outside of sex a This book was a rollercoaster and I loved every second of it。I bought this on a whim because I thought it looked really pretty so I didn't read any of the reviews beforehand。Honestly, I'm glad I didn't because the reviews were such a mixed bag, I might have decided to skip it。On the one hand, I can see why people wouldn't like it。 If you prefer more serious or realistic stories with women being good friends to each other, having healthy relationships and meaningful conversations outside of sex and fashion, this isn't the book for you。 It should definitely come with trigger warnings since it contains mentions of sexual abuse, child grooming, drug use, domestic violence and abortion (just mentioned in passing but not as a part of the storyline)。On the other hand, if you're a fan of messy people, toxic relationships, betrayals, back-stabbing, plot twists taken right out of soap operas and the glamorous lives of the rich and/or famous, you'll love it。Reading this book was like watching an episode of Sex and The City meets Days of Our Lives with a dash of The Real Housewives - just a glorious mess of the worst people at their best。I couldn't put it down once I started reading - it was that addictive。 I was rooting for all the characters and I loved seeing the ends they went to, to achieve their goals (except Farrah, I found her to be rather hypocritical and just could not get on board with her character)。I found the take on feminism in the book to be very interesting。 The women were all trying to make it in a men's world which involved sometimes having to pander to men against their fellow women and friends while also getting upset at their friends for doing the same thing to them。The villain plot twist didn't really wow me for some reason but I found the villain to be rather delightful either way。 I saw mentions of the book having very detailed sex scenes but - and maybe this is the avid fanfiction reader in me - the scenes seemed quite tame to me。All in all, this was definitely a fun read and I'd recommend it if you're looking for something absolutely ridiculous but tons of fun。 。。。more

Brenda Laidlaw

Absolute diatribe! I could write better than this and that’s saying something。

Laura

I received an ARC of this book thanks to NetGalley and publisher Head of Zeus in exchange for an honest review。This was so close to being a fun, if totally ridiculous romp。 Then there was a healthy dose of transphobia and no thank you。Most of this book can be described as a bunch of women working on a soap opera, backstabbing each other and having a lot of graphic sex。 It's very ridiculous but not in an offensive way。 Almost every sexual encounter starts with the woman not wearing underwear and I received an ARC of this book thanks to NetGalley and publisher Head of Zeus in exchange for an honest review。This was so close to being a fun, if totally ridiculous romp。 Then there was a healthy dose of transphobia and no thank you。Most of this book can be described as a bunch of women working on a soap opera, backstabbing each other and having a lot of graphic sex。 It's very ridiculous but not in an offensive way。 Almost every sexual encounter starts with the woman not wearing underwear and the man noticing and then they bang。 I was fairly engaged in the story and I enjoyed it a lot for what it was。Unfortunately this book was ruined for me by a scene where someone is revealed as trans, and then the other characters proceed to threaten to out them。 Every character is morally grey so it's not entirely portrayed as a triumphant moment, but the narrative does suggest we are meant to be on the side of the people doing the blackmailing。 The trans character is what I would consider to be the most villainous presence and so it left me feeling very unhappy that in 2021, someone could write this with zero consideration for all the 'trans people are evil' tropes the media has used for years。 It was bitterly disappointing。Without that, the book could have easily gotten a 3。5 star rating from me。 I am giving it 2 stars in an attempt to be fair because it could have been worse but dear god, it's such a shame。Overall Rating: 2/5 stars 。。。more

Emily

Ruthless women, the title says it all。 These women want it all and don’t care who gets in their way。 Be careful for the knife they’ll stick in your back。 I found this book entirely unrealistic and the scenarios far fetched, there was no real story line until 200 pages in。 As a reader there was so much happening it was hard to keep up, there are so many characters in this book it can be confusing as the point of view is currently changing at multiple times in paragraphs, chapters etc。To be comple Ruthless women, the title says it all。 These women want it all and don’t care who gets in their way。 Be careful for the knife they’ll stick in your back。 I found this book entirely unrealistic and the scenarios far fetched, there was no real story line until 200 pages in。 As a reader there was so much happening it was hard to keep up, there are so many characters in this book it can be confusing as the point of view is currently changing at multiple times in paragraphs, chapters etc。To be completely honest i was underwhelmed by this story。 The characters are all unlikeable and potentially thats the authors aim, they all are sexed up,drugged up and overly ambitious (like i said watch out for the knives!) I went into this book expecting bad ass women, but they are not reflected well。 The elements of female empowerment are quickly trumped by ludicrous romance and betrayal。 There is a twist at the end but it was probably not needed。Overall i found this underwhelming and the drama gave me whiplash。 2。5/5 。。。more

KimberleeB

I loved this book。 It was a bit slow early on but the last half of the book was amazing。 So many twists and turns and lots of unexpected drama with a totally unpredictable twist at the end。 It would have 5 stars had it not been a slow start!

Jacki

Wow。 Where do I even start with this book。 It was outlandish, over the top and sometimes downright unbelievable, but I absolutely LOVED it。Very entertaining and sexy。 I couldn't put it down。The characters were full on, but relatable。 I read it in a day。I highly recommend, just don't take it too seriously。 I'll definitely be on the lookout for more books from this author。 Wow。 Where do I even start with this book。 It was outlandish, over the top and sometimes downright unbelievable, but I absolutely LOVED it。Very entertaining and sexy。 I couldn't put it down。The characters were full on, but relatable。 I read it in a day。I highly recommend, just don't take it too seriously。 I'll definitely be on the lookout for more books from this author。 。。。more

Mummy's Naughty Corner

Well considering the amount of reviews i was expecting more from this。 I just found it annoying。 There were a lot of people and we were expected to remember who was doing who and when。 Plus these women seemed to never have their legs closed。 I just couldn't get interested in it and found that my attention was drifting through out。 Well considering the amount of reviews i was expecting more from this。 I just found it annoying。 There were a lot of people and we were expected to remember who was doing who and when。 Plus these women seemed to never have their legs closed。 I just couldn't get interested in it and found that my attention was drifting through out。 。。。more

Dominique Fredericks

Set on a beautiful private island, Falcon Bay was once the world’s most popular soap opera, but ratings have been at an all-time low。 Now a new network owner, Madeline Kane has taken over and is determined to do whatever it takes to get it back to the number one slot。 Producer Amanda, Director Farrah and leading lady Catherine who has been a star on the show for almost 40 years have been doing their best to keep thing moving。 But with the new ownership, dynamics change and the pressure is on。 Ea Set on a beautiful private island, Falcon Bay was once the world’s most popular soap opera, but ratings have been at an all-time low。 Now a new network owner, Madeline Kane has taken over and is determined to do whatever it takes to get it back to the number one slot。 Producer Amanda, Director Farrah and leading lady Catherine who has been a star on the show for almost 40 years have been doing their best to keep thing moving。 But with the new ownership, dynamics change and the pressure is on。 Each woman has to prove herself and show that they are willing to not only for themselves, but to make sure that the show goes on。 Jealousy, betrayal, revenge threaten their friendship and at the end of the day the most ruthless women will survive。 Are you a fan of drama? I am! No, not in real life, just in books。 If you do enjoy reading books lots of drama/dramatic characters then look no further!Ruthless Women is not just the book title, but it describes the female protagonists in this story to a T! Honestly, I could not put this down and needed to see what was going to happen next。Now yes, it can be a bit overly dramatic at times。 But I think this is a perfect holiday or beach read。 You would think in the male dominated industry they work in, that the women would stick together and have each other’s backs。 But unfortunately, it’s not always this way and they end up fighting for themselves。It’s not just the on-screen drama, but drama in the lives of the cast and crew that keeps you coming back for more。 The male protagonist Jake who is also Amanda’s husband, is an absolutely horrible and shocking individual and I ended up hating him from the beginning and I’m sure you will too。I would like to say that his character is overdone, but in all honesty I’ve met people who are just like him。 It feels like the characters were in a soap opera themselves even when they were not filming。Some characters you will hate straight off the bat like Jake and others will have you loving and hating them just to love them again at the end。 One other thing I must mention is that there are some very steamy scenes in this book, so it’s definitely aimed for an adult audience。If you’re looking for a fast-paced book filled with lots of drama, feisty, strong-willed and definitely Ruthless female protagonists then this one is for you!Disclaimer: I was sent this free copy for review by Jonathan Ball Publishers。 This does not influence my review or rating in any way。 All views and opinions expressed are my own。 。。。more

Nerd Girl Vixen

This was a wickedly entertaining read! From the start, you’re thrusted into the world of glamour, television, and the politics behind the scenes。 The characters! What a lively bunch they are。 Some I liked and some I wanted to strangle。 There were some scenes that had me cringing because of the behavior of said characters。 At times, I was put off by it。 No shame the lot of them and that is what made this book hard to put down。 Lots of debauchery and sinful scenes。 I had to keep going to see what This was a wickedly entertaining read! From the start, you’re thrusted into the world of glamour, television, and the politics behind the scenes。 The characters! What a lively bunch they are。 Some I liked and some I wanted to strangle。 There were some scenes that had me cringing because of the behavior of said characters。 At times, I was put off by it。 No shame the lot of them and that is what made this book hard to put down。 Lots of debauchery and sinful scenes。 I had to keep going to see what kind of drama unfolded next! Fame and fortune always come with a price。 Ruthless indeed! This book definitely kept me on my toes! That ending truly shocked me and one I didn’t see coming。 Bravo。 As a whole, this book is exciting and titillating! This is definitely a guilty pleasure read。 A perfect escape read。 I look forward to what comes next from Miss Blake。 If you love drama with some spice, this book is for you! I give it 4 stars。**Review has been done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official。 For more information regarding our reviews please visit our Fansite: www。facebook。com/NerdGirl。ng** 。。。more

MRS G

This was like a blast from the past。 I loved Jilly Cooper and Jackie Collins books in the 80's and this totally reminded me of those。Sex, sex and more sex。 😂Maybe I'm just too old, but it's 2021 and I'm sad to say, this is not my thing anymore。 This was like a blast from the past。 I loved Jilly Cooper and Jackie Collins books in the 80's and this totally reminded me of those。Sex, sex and more sex。 😂Maybe I'm just too old, but it's 2021 and I'm sad to say, this is not my thing anymore。 。。。more

Karen Mcmahon

Has anyone noticed it’s like the movie SOAPDISH? It was like a very bad soap, I’ll give it that。

Kelly

This book had it all, Glamour, Glitziness and Ruthless Women who know what they want and know exactly how to get it。 The story is a behind the scenes of a once popular soap opera (or as the book calls it, a continuing drama) and the battle to get it back up to the high ratings it once enjoyed after it was bought by a wealthy American couple。 All the women in the book have personal battles they've either fought or are still fighting, but just how far will each one go to get what they want。。。。。。I' This book had it all, Glamour, Glitziness and Ruthless Women who know what they want and know exactly how to get it。 The story is a behind the scenes of a once popular soap opera (or as the book calls it, a continuing drama) and the battle to get it back up to the high ratings it once enjoyed after it was bought by a wealthy American couple。 All the women in the book have personal battles they've either fought or are still fighting, but just how far will each one go to get what they want。。。。。。I'll admit I was first tempted to read it as I have knowledge of Jersey and was interested to see how much of Jersey was described。 In fact Jersey was only mentioned a few times as the island where Falcon Bay was shot but this didn't ruin my enjoyment of the story at all。 Jersey may have been the lure for me to buy the book but the story is what kept me reading! At the beginning I was concerned by how many people were mentioned but I thought the "meet the players" at the start was a really nice touch as early in the book I did refer to it often。 Once I was about a quarter way in I was familiar with all the characters and so didn't need to really refer to it much at all after that。 I really enjoyed this book。 In fact it was so immersive at times I expected to see Falcon Bay mentioned in the entertainment section of various real life websites。 It was definitely a page turner and I couldn't wait to find out how it ended。 I hated Madeline and adored Amanda (the sign of good writing!)。 I wasn't expecting the twist either at around three quarters way through the book。 All in all a very good read and I highly recommend it。 I was lured by Jersey but stayed for the story! 。。。more

Mrs T E Roberts

Great romp on TV setThis book was really enjoyable, a page turner。 I particularly liked the mixture of feminism and lust, and the power dynamics between all the main characters。 Jackie Collins off the south coast

Mandeep

If you like Jackie Collins novels you will love this!!! This book is an easy read (no stain on the brain)。Not sure if I could honestly recommend it。I nor liked or disliked it。 Couldn’t really get into the character’s personality therefore stops you from investing in there journey。What was brilliant and excellently presented was the actual hardback book very eye catching, it does the trick。

Daniel Lacey

Omg, this book!!! Firstly, I will say that as a 26 year old male, I don’t feel like I was probably the intended target audience for this book - a Jackie Collins-esque chick-lit full of bad ass female characters, lots of schemes, and lots of sex! But as a gay who loves nothing more than a strong, fierce, independent woman, combined with my love for soap operas, this book was right up my street!!This book tells the story of the fictional ‘Falcon Bay’ soap opera, which is struggling to bring in the Omg, this book!!! Firstly, I will say that as a 26 year old male, I don’t feel like I was probably the intended target audience for this book - a Jackie Collins-esque chick-lit full of bad ass female characters, lots of schemes, and lots of sex! But as a gay who loves nothing more than a strong, fierce, independent woman, combined with my love for soap operas, this book was right up my street!!This book tells the story of the fictional ‘Falcon Bay’ soap opera, which is struggling to bring in the millions of viewers worldwide that it once achieved。 With the 40th anniversary of the show looming, a new head of network is drafted in, and she’s hell bent on making this show the number one show again! But at what cost?!I don’t want to give any spoilers at all, so I will try to keep this brief, but if you’re looking for a book that reads super realistic and gives you vivid imagery in your head, this is the one for you! You will have perfect visions of each character, acting out the delicious scenes Melanie Blake has written! With plenty of twists and turns along the way, and lots of narrative from a wide cast of strong characters, this book is simply unforgettable!The finale, for me, was something I did sort of predict when I reached the final part of the book, but I had a different ending in mind - I was shocked when it ended up taking yet another twist! It was a genius ending, and having now finished the book, I should have seen the actual outcome coming! It’s that brilliant! But I love that I couldn’t predict it, and was kept guessing right until the final page!Melanie Blake, you have written an incredible book, and I am so sad it’s over! I hope there will be lots more to come like this, because you my dear are an outstanding storyteller, and your English teachers at high school should hang their heads in shame for ever telling you that your writing would never be read! YOU are one Ruthless Woman。 And I love ya!5/5 。。。more

Nicola C

Ahhh, god。 This book was terrible, but I think that is what made it good。 In terms of storyline and writing, it made me cringe a lot。 However, I couldn’t put it down, and that is always the mark of a good book to me。 3 stars。

Tania Roberts

This book had me gasping in shock, yelling at the characters and laughing。I really enjoyed reading this and saw myself as 'one of the girls', wanting to tell them to behave 🤣。I would recommend this book to anyone who doesn't mind reading about sex, affairs, drugs and alcohol This book had me gasping in shock, yelling at the characters and laughing。I really enjoyed reading this and saw myself as 'one of the girls', wanting to tell them to behave 🤣。I would recommend this book to anyone who doesn't mind reading about sex, affairs, drugs and alcohol 。。。more

Kathryn Gormley

Well that was something。。。

Helene Passy

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Sin rating: ❌❌Trigger warning: substance abuse, alcoholism, misogyny, homophobia, transphobia, rape (yup, this book has the whole lot)A brilliant novel from celebrity agent and author Melanie Blake, a nice discovery。As the ratings of UK’s favourite TV soap Falcon Bay are plummeting, the show’s producers decide to shake things up with a very special episode。。。 But life in show business is far from easy, especially for women。 And it’s not something Writer Farah, producer Amanda and Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Sin rating: ❌❌Trigger warning: substance abuse, alcoholism, misogyny, homophobia, transphobia, rape (yup, this book has the whole lot)A brilliant novel from celebrity agent and author Melanie Blake, a nice discovery。As the ratings of UK’s favourite TV soap Falcon Bay are plummeting, the show’s producers decide to shake things up with a very special episode。。。 But life in show business is far from easy, especially for women。 And it’s not something Writer Farah, producer Amanda and lead actor Catherine are ready to accept。Although the book had a slow start, it became very difficult to put down once the main plot started to unfold。 I did stay up until 2am to finish it yesterday so that says something。Still fascinated by the show business? Give this book a try and get slapped in the face with harsh realities: pressure to get plastic surgery, non existent family life (at the risk of loosing one’s career), substance abuse, alcoholism, ageism, misogyny, homophobia, transphobia, rape, pressure from the press and many many more horrors。There’s no decency, loyalty or trust。 Instead, you will find scandals, ruthless ambitions and LOTS of betrayals。Sadly I was slightly disappointed by some some plot twists which were a little。。。 crazy。 A little too far fetched for my taste。 I do wonder if the author spoke from experience here。Also, I never thought I’d say this, but I thought there were way too many descriptions of “perfect boobs”。Still, I really liked how the story went over interesting aspects of the industry: having a relationship with a coworker, managing work life balance with a young child or making your way up the professional ladder when you’re a woman in your fifties。Thank you @netgalley for the advanced copy! 。。。more

kelly

Written soapMore twist and turns than any real life soap completely and utterly gripped can only hope we hear more from the set of falcon bay

Stephenee

I wanted to love this book - the cover is amazing, the plot sounds fantastic and the synopsis grabbed my attention right from the very start, but sadly it was lacking in a few areas for me。 Overall, the book was a good read, but a predictable one (mostly)。 My favorite part of the entire book was that it had a built in book mark! That is a game changer!!The characters all needed a bit more work, the reader couldn't connect to any of them (at least this reader)。 The author didn't wrap up all of th I wanted to love this book - the cover is amazing, the plot sounds fantastic and the synopsis grabbed my attention right from the very start, but sadly it was lacking in a few areas for me。 Overall, the book was a good read, but a predictable one (mostly)。 My favorite part of the entire book was that it had a built in book mark! That is a game changer!!The characters all needed a bit more work, the reader couldn't connect to any of them (at least this reader)。 The author didn't wrap up all of the plot holes (Jake just left, but what about his revenge list?) (Aiden didn't cause a scene - what happened to him?) - these are just a few of the problems with the unanswered questions。。。Amanda was supposed to be the end all be all, savior to the show once Madeline made her in charge, but she just didn't do it for me - she was too soft。 The friends go through a ton of drama and it doesn't affect their relationships - cheating with spouse's, not standing up to other friends, throwing others under the bus。。。it was a filthy free for all。The plot was fast moving and the reader was able to predict most of the twists - which was both good and bad。。。the ending is wrapped up in a neat little bow, so there isn't a cliffhanger (which was good news), but the reader can't help but feel a little cheated by the things they didn't get resolved。Overall a good read, but still needs a little more。 Add this one to your TBR list - but maybe wait until it comes out in paperback, unless you are anxious for the built in book mark - because that thing is amazing!!**Review has been done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official。 For more information regarding our reviews please visit our Fansite: www。facebook。com/NerdGirl。ng** 。。。more

Linzi

Not a bad read, but not great either。

Julie Robinson

Absolutely dire。I can not believe the Sunday Times and Times recommendations。 Truly dreadful unbelievable stereotypes and a ridiculous plot。I got bored after a several chapters, but decided to see it through to the 'shocking twist ' How I wish I had gone with my original gut feeling and sent it back to the cloud。 What a waste of my time Absolutely dire。I can not believe the Sunday Times and Times recommendations。 Truly dreadful unbelievable stereotypes and a ridiculous plot。I got bored after a several chapters, but decided to see it through to the 'shocking twist ' How I wish I had gone with my original gut feeling and sent it back to the cloud。 What a waste of my time 。。。more

Daniela Warren

This is a pleasant enough read, but there is really no thrill, suspense or breathtaking ending。As for the sex scenes, they’re almost an afterthought and a bit awkward to be honest。Thank you to NetGalley and to the publishers for letting me review this book。

Lyn

This was a cracking read。 It takes the reader into the cut throat word of soapie, and what a nasty place it is。 The issues of the glass ceiling for women, drugs, alcoholism and child abuse are all up front。 It all culminates in a sizzling end。 A most entertaining read。

Melissa Zwirs

I wish that I hadn’t bought this book 😖。 I’m not saying anything else。