This is an entertaining spin-off series from the absolutely spellbinding Ruthless People Mafia series and, although I didn’t enjoy this book quite as much as its predecessors, it was everything I’d hoped it would be.. even if it did have more or a melancholy feel rather than a humorous one. Nearly two decades have passed since the end of the last series and now it’s 28 yr old Ethan who is the Ceann na Conairte of the Irish Callahan/Italian Giovanni Mafia dynasty that rule Chicago.. the dynasty that Liam and Melody left behind after their bloody bitter battles were finally over and they both paid the ultimate price. The sibling dynamics are still there between Ethan, Wyatt and Donatella.. but they’ve each got very different attitudes and ambitions. You don’t HAVE to listen to Ruthless People before this.. but I hope and urge you to because a) you’ll be missing out on an awesome epic dark yet humorous series.. b) because it gives you the groundwork of the characters.. and c) it sets the pace for the continuation of the Callahan dynasty in this new series.
Ethan is cold, structured and he’s a genius at forward planning, he uses his intelligence rather than his emotions, he’s very much in charge of all things ‘family’ and now he wants a wife.. but not just any woman.. no, it’s got to be rough around the edges Ivy.. a feisty jailbird who has already served seven years of a long sentence for a murder she didn’t commit. The reasons why Ethan chose Ivy will eventually become clear.. this Boss has his heartfelt reasons.. and, when Ivy’s approached with an offer she can’t refuse, Ethan’s manoeuvring and manipulation of players across his Mafia power board will eventually end in a brutal bloodbath.. and not everyone will be left standing.
This gifted author isn’t afraid to deliver painful punches, she knocks you sideways with unseen twists, her dark scenes are chilling, the drama is thrilling and she has you gripped to every single climactic word.. but it’s Joel Froomkin who brings it all to life with his endless acting abilities that’s probably spoiled me for all time. He switches genders, dialects, ages and nationalities with ease making each exciting chapter unstoppable. He was each and every character, he played their parts beautifully and the conversations flowed easily. Although mainly told from Ethan and Ivy’s POV’s, this suspensful story was told from multiple POV’s.. which brings in the major character and shows that, even if all of their moral compasses have been broken, they bleed they feel pain.. and they love deeply.
Worth a credit? Don’t hesitate – they are.