Name: Ruthless
ISBN: 9780425283578

Lexi Blake

"The Lawless siblings are bound by vengeance. Riley, Drew, Brandon, and Mia believe the CEO of StratCast orchestrated their parents' murder twenty years ago to steal their father's software program. And there's only one way Riley can find some solid evidence. Heir to the StratCast legacy, Ellie Stratton hires a new attorney to handle a delicate business matter--and she's shocked by her attraction to him. Over the course of a few weeks, Riley becomes her lover, her friend, her everything. But when her life is threatened, Ellie discovers that Riley is more obsessed with settling an old score than in the love she thought they were building"--

Ruthless

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review. Also my tags may have spoilers in them so be forewarned before checking out full review.

Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️

Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️

Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒💒

Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂

Ruthless is the first book in the "Lawless" series and this is where we have a group of siblings who barely escape their home being burned and their parents being murdered. They made it a pact no matter what happened to them as children, that they would get their revenge on what happened to their parents. They knew it was murder and would find justice for what had happened. From the moment I discovered what this series was about I knew I just had to try it out and I am so grateful that I did because this book was everything, I had so much love for it and it was such a page turner at times.

Riley Lawless sat in the chair they'd offered him, but he wasn't alone.

When Riley lost his parents, he just like his siblings was determined to get their revenge against those that murdered their parents who treated others justly and fairly. What he didn't realize that the woman he was meant to seduce and use.....would be a woman he would fall hard for and would love her deeply. Ellie Stratton, is the heir to the StratCast Legacy, she was raised to take over as CEO after her father. What she didn't know was that her father was partly responsible for the death of the Lawless family. But Ellie has more than one enemy, one worse than Riley....one who will stop at nothing to take everything from her and destroy her in the process.

Ruthless was such a brilliant story. I absolutely loved the build up of the plot, the introduction to the Lawless family, how it connects to her "Masters and Mercenaries" series, the way in which we see the story get set up for Riley and Ellie. I loved the alpha vibes in this book, the sexy feel to their relationship, the atmosphere of a business empire and it fed my love for a good billionaire office romance in so many ways. Can I just say how swoony this hero is??? I loved and adored him to pieces. Despite some of his actions early in the story, very quickly you can see him change his tune to Ellie. Ellie is one of the best heroines I have read in a long while in this setting. If only more authors would write softer kind heroines like this that have a spine of steel. Despite Ellie being CEO of a company, she has such a heart of gold. The plot turned into something I honestly didn't expect but I also loved it because it kept me at the edge of my seat from beginning to end. The swoons in this book were just to die for. It delivered all the heart I have come to expect from this author. It was different though as I have mostly read her books from the BDSM series she has done so to have a regular contemporary romance was quite refreshing and loved how well she built on this story and the ending for this only makes me yearn to jump into book 2!

Some of the pacing could be a bit slow at times, but other than that it was a brilliant story!

Ruthless was a edgy thrilling romance that digs deep into the human condition in matters of the heart and the sense of family and loss. SATISFYING FROM BEGINNING TO END!

Character Types: Billionaire/Moneybags, Alpha Male, Leading Lady

If you like these authors, I recommend This Book

Lover of Romance 

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review. Also my tags may have spoilers in them so be forewarned before checking out full review.

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨.5


First Impressions
Ruthless is the first book in the "Lawless" series and this is where we have a group of siblings who barely escape their home being burned and their parents being murdered. They made it a pact no matter what happened to them as children, that they would get their revenge on what happened to their parents. They knew it was murder and would find justice for what had happened. From the moment I discovered what this series was about I knew I just had to try it out and I am so grateful that I did because this book was everything, I had so much love for it and it was such a page turner at times.

First Line
Riley Lawless sat in the chair they'd offered him, but he wasn't alone.

The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Riley Lawless
The Heroine: Ellie Stratton

Summary
When Riley lost his parents, he just like his siblings was determined to get their revenge against those that murdered their parents who treated others justly and fairly. What he didn't realize that the woman he was meant to seduce and use.....would be a woman he would fall hard for and would love her deeply. Ellie Stratton, is the heir to the StratCast Legacy, she was raised to take over as CEO after her father. What she didn't know was that her father was partly responsible for the death of the Lawless family. But Ellie has more than one enemy, one worse than Riley....one who will stop at nothing to take everything from her and destroy her in the process.

What I Loved
Ruthless was such a brilliant story. I absolutely loved the build up of the plot, the introduction to the Lawless family, how it connects to her "Masters and Mercenaries" series, the way in which we see the story get set up for Riley and Ellie. I loved the alpha vibes in this book, the sexy feel to their relationship, the atmosphere of a business empire and it fed my love for a good billionaire office romance in so many ways. Can I just say how swoony this hero is??? I loved and adored him to pieces. Despite some of his actions early in the story, very quickly you can see him change his tune to Ellie. Ellie is one of the best heroines I have read in a long while in this setting. If only more authors would write softer kind heroines like this that have a spine of steel. Despite Ellie being CEO of a company, she has such a heart of gold. The plot turned into something I honestly didn't expect but I also loved it because it kept me at the edge of my seat from beginning to end. The swoons in this book were just to die for. It delivered all the heart I have come to expect from this author. It was different though as I have mostly read her books from the BDSM series she has done so to have a regular contemporary romance was quite refreshing and loved how well she built on this story and the ending for this only makes me yearn to jump into book 2!

What I Struggled With
Some of the pacing could be a bit slow at times, but other than that it was a brilliant story!

Overall View
Ruthless was a edgy thrilling romance that digs deep into the human condition in matters of the heart and the sense of family and loss. SATISFYING FROM BEGINNING TO END!

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Contemporary Romance
Character Types: Billionaire/Moneybags, Alpha Male, Leading Lady
Themes: Danger/Suspense, Family Saga
Tropes: Mistaken Identity, Revenge

Book Perspective
Duo POV

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
Both

If you like these authors, I recommend This Book
Skye Warren
Rebecca Zanetti
Susan Stoker

Song This Book Inspires
This City by Sam Fischer

Recommendation For Reading Order
Yes you must read this series in order apart from the sister's book which you could probably read as a standalone. Although I would say maybe read her book first if possible which is "Dominance Never Dies"

Steam/Spice Explanations

Simmering cup of tea---soft warm touches and light intimacy
Warmin' by the fire- a medium level of sexual tension, a balance of sexual and emotional intimacy, lighter on the details in the sexual moments.
Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes.
Blazing fire to the building-The prime focus is the sex scenes, scorching hot, and could burn one. Less focus on the emotional intimacy to the relationship.


The first in a sexy contemporary romance series featuring the Lawless siblings—from New York Times bestselling author Lexi Blake. The Lawless siblings are bound by vengeance. Riley, Drew, Brandon, and Mia believe the CEO of StratCast orchestrated their parents’ murder twenty years ago to steal their father’s software program. And there’s only one way Riley can find some solid evidence... Heir to the StratCast legacy, Ellie Stratton hires a new attorney to handle a delicate business matter—and she’s shocked by her attraction to him. Over the course of a few weeks, Riley becomes her lover, her friend, her everything. But when her life is threatened, Ellie discovers that Riley is more obsessed with settling an old score than in the love she thought they were building. And Riley must choose between a revenge he’s prepared for all his life and the woman he’s sure he can’t live without...