This is my second book from this author and I loved it!I really don’t want to say too much on this story because every little thing is like a spoiler.So I'm just going to say how much I was speechless with the story line and these characters!If you love Mafia romances with a fearless heroine and a story that will keep you on the edge this is perfect for you!!

This was so fantastic and amazing that I am still astounded with how well this story is!

This was a great story with great characters. It flowed nicely without rushing the story. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to more from this author! Read it and you won't regret the time spent.

This book completely blew my mind! 

J.J. McAvoy has been one of my favourite authors since I read Ruthless People, and she definitely didn't disappoint with Children of Vice!

I have to admit that I was initially sceptical - I didn't know whether Ethan and Ivy could ever match up to the dynamic, combustible duo of Ethan's parents, Liam and Melody Callahan. Fortunately, while Liam and Melody have a special place in my heart, Ethan and Ivy manage to take another with this gem of their story.

The two characters are vividly portrayed by the author. Ethan is cold, controlled and ferocious, while Ivy is strong, lost and starved for affection. Both are gorgeous, ruthless, savage when they need to be and completely unapologetic about who they are. Moreover, they accept and understand each other wholeheartedly, never once wanting the other to change his or her ways. That, in my opinion, is what makes their relationship unforgettable.

Book 1 of the trilogy down. Can't wait for the sequel to come

Loved it! I didn't think I would be able to get into the spin off with the kids, but it was just as good!

This book was amazing. I cant wait till the next one!

The next generation of Callahans.....Ethan and his twin siblings, Donatella and Wyatt. These kids, now adults, have had a rough upbringing in that they were the children of Melody Giovanni and Liam Callahan. Two crime bosses that merged the Italians and the Irish. And not to spoil for those who haven't read The Ruthless People series, the kids had to learn to be ruthless at an early age.

Ethan, now 28 and the Ceann na Conairte of the family, has lots to deal with, especially his siblings and his new wife, Ivy O'Davoren. She has been in prison for 7 years and she's a little on the wild and crazy side. Just enough to deal with the Callahan family and her family too. 

Ethan and Ivy were quite a couple. They both gave endured hardships and while the way the got together was unconventional......it seemed like a match made in heaven. "The Belladonna and the Mani di forbice!" The beautiful poison and the duel blades. I really liked the time spent cultivating their relationship. Dealing with her family solidified their bond and created a strength that Ethan didn't know he was missing.

The dynamics of the family with Ethan in charge was quite tumultuous. Ethan  had to deal with his brother who left Chicago and his sister who had ideas of her own about what she wanted. What was sorely missing was the essence of how "Family" deals with one another. I blame their parents for the discord that these three kids experience. 

The ending was unexpected and expected. It made my heart ache that the three siblings didn't embrace one another. I can only hope that eventually the three of them come together and embrace the meaning of a true "familia". I do believe that the hardship and heartache will only escalate but I have faith that the author will being Ethan, Dona and Wyatt full circle . Looking forward to the next book and seeing how Donatella story plays out.

4.5 stars

‘The Belladonna and the Mani di forbice.’
‘The beautiful poison and the duel blades.’

We’ve read every single JJ McAvoy book, and bar one, we’ve loved and fallen in love with every single one. Her stories are compelling and an indulgence we love to partake in. This is a spin-off of the Ruthless People series featuring the children of Liam and Melody Callahan. Whilst this series can be read on it’s own, we highly recommend reading the Ruthless People Series, as not only is it one of our all-time favourite mafia/mobster series, you’ll also get much more out of this series.

‘To repent they must be sorry. To be sorry they must feel pain. So let there be pain.’

Without question, this Author excels at writing intensely intriguing and downright exciting mobster stories. She’s one of our all-time favourites. The Children of Vice series features the stories of adult siblings- Ethan, Donatella and Wyatt Callahan.

‘Fury. Wrath. Rage. Death. Ethan, at this very moment, was all of those things, personified in silence.’

This first book is Ethan Callahan’s story- the oldest brother. Now, if you’ve read Ruthless People you know what kind of childhood this boy had and as the head of the family you know the shoes he has to fill. If not, the Author does a good job of catching the reader up. If you know us, you know we absolutely love our anti-heroes and they don’t come much more anti than this man. He is a power of reckoning, meticulous in his revenge and powerful in his planning. Nothing fazes him. You could say he is as cold as ice with no second thought to when and how as long as it plays out in favour and as he planned it, using other lives as collateral or weapons with an almost domino effect. He is incredible- he is cold in his ruthlessness. The pressure and weight on his shoulders is immense and he knows no other way nor a different life.

‘Ivy O’Davoren was mine, and now the whole world would know.’

Who in their possible right mind could be with a man like Ethan or possibly live up to the role as wife of the ultimate mastermind, the puppet master: Mani di forbice? Well, we couldn’t imagine, yet there she was; Ivy O’Davoren – the belladonna. This woman is fierce, wronged, cold and accepting of the fates. Their story was on the edge of your seat reading. Every so often our jaws dropped as the plot unfolded. Surprising twists and secrets revealed. Over the top? Absolutely! However, there is no question that sometimes over the top works as it satisfies a craving that needs to be filled.

“…the world isn’t black or white. Sometimes you need to do bad to do good and worse to do even better. The Callahan’s made themselves the worst. The money, the fame, the power was built on blood and bones. Why? Because no one else could do it.”

We couldn’t put this book down for love nor money, it was truly compelling and gripping. JJ McAvoy has such a talent for balancing darkness with humour -in the sense that- something horrific could’ve just happened yet the sarcastic wit and almost dark comedic timing immediately veils the sombre somewhat melancholy mood. Sibling relationships are hard at the best of time, however, if you’re siblings at the top of a mobster dynasty; the spotlight and responsibilities heightens and results in dire consequence. And so the series continues in the next book which is Donatella’s story and wow…..we are dying to find out what happens next!

“That is the tragedy of women born with the ambitions of men.”

So why not a 5 star? Well, Children of Vice would have been a 5 star for us if not for the editing issues as well as some timeline issues that distracted us from the story at times. We have mentioned the editing issue before which seem to have continually plagued this Author since book one. We do hope she finds a good one that can sort this continuing problem out for her because her brilliant stories deserve no less.

“They said the Callahan’s are greedy and selfish, power hungry thugs who don’t care about their own people anymore.”
“They’re right.”

4.5 stars

‘The Belladonna and the Mani di forbice.’
‘The beautiful poison and the duel blades.’

We’ve read every single JJ McAvoy book, and bar one, we’ve loved and fallen in love with every single one. Her stories are compelling and an indulgence we love to partake in. This is a spin-off of the Ruthless People series featuring the children of Liam and Melody Callahan. Whilst this series can be read on it’s own, we highly recommend reading the Ruthless People Series, as not only is it one of our all-time favourite mafia/mobster series, you’ll also get much more out of this series.

‘To repent they must be sorry. To be sorry they must feel pain. So let there be pain.’

Without question, this Author excels at writing intensely intriguing and downright exciting mobster stories. She’s one of our all-time favourites. The Children of Vice series features the stories of adult siblings- Ethan, Donatella and Wyatt Callahan.

‘Fury. Wrath. Rage. Death. Ethan, at this very moment, was all of those things, personified in silence.’

This first book is Ethan Callahan’s story- the oldest brother. Now, if you’ve read Ruthless People you know what kind of childhood this boy had and as the head of the family you know the shoes he has to fill. If not, the Author does a good job of catching the reader up. If you know us, you know we absolutely love our anti-heroes and they don’t come much more anti than this man. He is a power of reckoning, meticulous in his revenge and powerful in his planning. Nothing fazes him. You could say he is as cold as ice with no second thought to when and how as long as it plays out in favour and as he planned it, using other lives as collateral or weapons with an almost domino effect. He is incredible- he is cold in his ruthlessness. The pressure and weight on his shoulders is immense and he knows no other way nor a different life.

‘Ivy O’Davoren was mine, and now the whole world would know.’

Who in their possible right mind could be with a man like Ethan or possibly live up to the role as wife of the ultimate mastermind, the puppet master: Mani di forbice? Well, we couldn’t imagine, yet there she was; Ivy O’Davoren – the belladonna. This woman is fierce, wronged, cold and accepting of the fates. Their story was on the edge of your seat reading. Every so often our jaws dropped as the plot unfolded. Surprising twists and secrets revealed. Over the top? Absolutely! However, there is no question that sometimes over the top works as it satisfies a craving that needs to be filled.

“…the world isn’t black or white. Sometimes you need to do bad to do good and worse to do even better. The Callahan’s made themselves the worst. The money, the fame, the power was built on blood and bones. Why? Because no one else could do it.”

We couldn’t put this book down for love nor money, it was truly compelling and gripping. JJ McAvoy has such a talent for balancing darkness with humour -in the sense that- something horrific could’ve just happened yet the sarcastic wit and almost dark comedic timing immediately veils the sombre somewhat melancholy mood. Sibling relationships are hard at the best of time, however, if you’re siblings at the top of a mobster dynasty; the spotlight and responsibilities heightens and results in dire consequence. And so the series continues in the next book which is Donatella’s story and wow…..we are dying to find out what happens next!

“That is the tragedy of women born with the ambitions of men.”

So why not a 5 star? Well, Children of Vice would have been a 5 star for us if not for the editing issues as well as some timeline issues that distracted us from the story at times. We have mentioned the editing issue before which seem to have continually plagued this Author since book one. We do hope she finds a good one that can sort this continuing problem out for her because her brilliant stories deserve no less.

“They said the Callahan’s are greedy and selfish, power hungry thugs who don’t care about their own people anymore.”
“They’re right.”

WOW.... 

I really enjoyed JJ's Ruthless People  series and I was really excited that she was writing another one starring their children and boy she didn't disappoint. When I got my ARC I was extremely happy and loudly said something in the terms of, "FUCK YEAH" while doing a little bit of a fist pump. Scared the shit outta my mom since she was napping in her chair. LOL

Now, on to the book....

What a fantastic ride this one was. Ethan is the oldest of Melody and Liam and he is just as ruthless as his parents if not more. He comes off as robotic and unemotional. He doesn't like to be touched. He's a master planner and manipulator. He is steps ahead of everyone and uses them to get what he needs. That includes his family and even his new wife, Ivy. 
Ivy has been in prison a little over 7 years for a crime, unbeknownst to her, she didn't commit. She's also spent this time hating the Callahan's for killing her parents. Also something she comes to find out is untrue. The truth behind both tragedies comes to light and she agrees to marry Ethan so she can get her revenge. In prison she is known as Psycho Ivy. It fits her. She is a bit flighty with her emotions and a bad ass in her own right and is quite frankly the best choice for Ethan's wife and partner in crime. She is the right kind of ride and die chick that Ethan needs in his life. 
No matter how unconventional their love is or how crazy they are together, you cheer for them. You believe in their crazy and want more of it in the end. 
The lengths Ethan goes to bring his family back together and to get Ivy's revenge is impressive if not insane. But Ivy is right there by his side doing her part to make it all happen. 
I was very impressed with the story and how it all unfolded. And that damn ending! UGH! I NEED the next book! It's a deliciously cruel way to end it and to keep the reader wanting more. I can't wait to see what happens next because I know it's going to be just as epic as this story and the ones before it was.

If you haven't read Ruthless People you should. If you wanna skip them (THE HORROR!!!) and read this that's OK to. It can be read as a stand alone. But I HIGHLY recommend you read all the books. The books are all dark, fascinating, and fun reads. 

Happy reading dolls! xx

Ethan was the apple of his mafiosa mother’s eye and the perfect protege of his equally ruthless father. He couldn’t have been more perfectly groomed to step in and take over this dynamic, one of a kind, all powerful la famiglia after they were gone. 

A nickname of Poison Ivy kept coming to mind when I thought of Ivy, the out for revenge heroine. If you don’t touch it, it’ll leave you be. But mess with it, even just a little, and you are going to wish you hadn’t. Except, of course, when it came to Ethan. He seemed to be completely immune and gladly let her wrap her kindred spirit around his mafia don heart and soul. 

The first 70% of this storyline was pure mafioso perfection. I absolutely loved how the author set up the main couple’s arranged marriage and put this mafia themed romantic tale into motion. I didn’t even mind the occasional deviation to sub-characters, as they obviously are setting the stage for future sequels. It was intermixed seamlessly enough you didn’t feel the main romantic plot was being hijacked. Yeah, Donatella and Wyatt, I’m talking about you. Tobias, (aka Toby), listen up, as well. Here’s to hoping you go for it and set Dona (the power hungry, self-centered prima donna of the family) straight on how things are finally going to be. I have a bad feeling you are going to have to walk away/cut the ties that bind before she opens her eyes and heart to what truly will make her happy.

It is with a heavy, reluctant heart I must confess I had issues with parts of it, mainly just the last 30%. To put it bluntly, I felt that portion could have been scripted better. Too fragmented and not as well-written pretty much sums it up. Hopefully it was just the ARC version I read and the final editing version is different. I also could have done without the too common negatively portrayed Catholic priest scenario at the very beginning. Color me crazy, but that situation just wasn’t realistic on several different levels. 

Starting with their private jet pilgrimage to uphold their deal, the characters’ actions and remainder of the book wasn’t quite what I expected. Ivy’s inevitable confrontation with her “dead to me now” relatives felt more like an out of control toddler who was trapped in a grown woman’s body rampage. Despite the blood, graphic violence, and attempts of staging nail biting drama near the end, the scenes felt less cohesive. I.e., how the bizarre very public “time for justice” pow wow played out, the big reveal on how the main couple actually first met and what lead to Ivy’s parents’ demise, Wyatt’s “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” actions (especially near the end), and Ethan letting obvious slights/pranks against him go unpunished, had me thinking, “Say what?” Because, really, why did he let Ivy sit in jail so long if he had such strong feelings for her? Why hasn’t this same question popped in her mind? 

What would I have preferred? I envisioned this perfect for each other couple strolling off that lear jet, taking care of business in a single explosive, shoot-out at the OK Corral kind of way. Then nonchalantly, buttoning their power suit coat jackets while blowing the smoke off their still smoldering guns, and unremorsefully reboarding and getting back to business and life in Chicago the very next day. So, yeah, it was quite different from that, mainly more drawn out.

Well, my fellow mafia romance book-loving friends, we’ll truly get to see what kind of mafia made man Ethan really is in the next book. If he truly is anything like his father and mother, things are definitely going to get complicated, messy, and ugly. On that, we can all agree.

Title: Children of Vice, Series: Children of Vice (Book 1), Author: J.J. McAvoy, Pages: 406, part of a spin-off series, the next generation, mafia romance, disturbing graphic mafia violence, no cheating, no love triangle, no OM drama, a jealous OW situation, not for the faint of heart, stand-alone that ends with a to be continued scenario, very graphic smexy scenes, deliberate murder of a pregnant woman.

Book 1 - Children of Vice (Ethan & Ivy)
Book 2 - Children of Ambition (Donatella), releases 2017
Book 3 - Children of Redemption (Wyatt), releases 2018

(I received an advanced reader copy via NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. No compensation was provided to me, nor do I have any affiliation with the author/publisher/NetGalley. This review will be posted on Amazon, Goodreads, NetGalley, and Barnes & Noble.)

*Over-readers Anonymous Book Blog*
Amazing!! Wasn't sure how the transition from Liam and Melody in the Ruthless series to their children's stories would be, but all I can say is..I want more. Ethan is as cunning and ruthless as his parents and it was refreshing to see that he grew into his own. Having parents such as his, it would be hard to measure up, but he held his own. And not to mention a his wife Ivy, whew she has revenge down to a T. Loved how Ethan kept up the family rules and honored them. It's sad to love a character as sick as him, but this author writes words that gives you now choice. You need to love this type of story to fully enjoy it. Not for the feint of heart. This book is full of honor, family, back stabbing, brutality so be prepared for scissor hands and belladonna!!

First off let's talk about this author. JJ McAvoy writes beyond her years. Her voice is something that is missing in this saturated industry. Her characters are deep, and filled with so much richness, I am often rendered speechless. This is a spin off of her amazing Ruthless People series. The Children of Vice is Ethan's story, but really it is the beginning of what I am positive is going to be her best story telling. 
I never thought someone could take Melody's place and Ivy is not trying to, but she sure is giving Mel a run for her money. Ivy is smart and cunning, I like her and am excited to see more of her and to see her go up against, someone in the family. 
Ethan, he just makes me happy. He takes his position very seriously and I love that! He was born and raised to lead "the family." He is strong but can be brought to his knees when it comes to Ivy. He has tried his entire life to not let anyone have that sort of "power" over him. But when it comes to Ivy, the girl he has loved his entire life, he is weak. That is not good when you are head of the Irish/Italian Mob. Ethan is everything his parents would want in a son and a Ruthless leader. 
We get to catch up with most of the Callahan children and see what they are up to . I love that they are still close. We see the Dona and Wyatt are not exactly the people we thought they were. Wyatt is the outcast, choosing to help people by becoming a doctor. But was it really his choice? And Donatella, well she is dealing with "the family" the way she was taught. Always keep an eye on everything and everyone and never miss an opportunity to better one's position.   To the very last page Children of Vice is brilliant! I am more than excited to see where Ms. McAvoy takes us in the next two books. 
Bravo 5 Stars!

It takes a special mind to write mafia books. Your characters can't just be ruthless, they have to be calculating. They have to be so many steps ahead they're not even in the same place as their adversaries anymore. As I've said before, the Ruthless People series borders on OTT a lot but with this spin-off it seems to be slightly more grounded. 

Ethan is the son of the Mad Hatter and Bloody Melody and basically there was no way he was ever going to be anything resembling normal but just like his parents, he has a wonderful public persona. Ethan was raised as the first child of the Italian-Irish alliance and it's nice to see that continued. He was a bit colder than I was expecting but I found myself trusting him and his decisions pretty early on regardless. 

Ivy, Ivy, Ivy. In any series where you have to take the place of someone as insane as Melody Nicci Giovanni Callahan, you might think it would be impossible to even try. Instead Ivy is not only a great character, she's the perfect other half for Ethan as well. I found that I really loved her personality and the manner in which she dealt with things. She wasn't afraid to get her hands dirty and she wasn't afraid to let people know what she was thinking. I loved her.

Evelyn is still alive and kicking as are her sons (yes, I said sons) Neal and Declan, the uncles are more background but Evelyn really has a special bond with Ethan that was lovely to see.

We get introduced to Wyatt and Dona to see where they are at this point in their lives. It's certainly...interesting. I cannot wait for their books to see my final thoughts on them (hint: I only currently like one of them).


I didn't like how Liam was seen through the eyes of the kids, given the events of the final book I was under the impression he wouldn't have been a terrible father and yet, he really disappointed me. 

The cliffhanger though! I can't see anyway out of it that ends well for all the characters (which is why I'm not an author, let alone a crime/mafia author) but I'm still hoping beyond hope everything works out in a way that doesn't break my heart.  

Rating: 5 stars

I am a fan of J.J. McAvoy's Ruthless People series, so when I was given the opportunity to read Children of Vice, I was more than ecstatic! In this novel, we are introduced to an adult Ethan Callahan and his siblings and cousins who were just kids in the Ruthless People series. It was cute and refreshing to learn the paths their lives had taken after the death of Ethan's parents, Liam & Melody Callahan. 

Ethan was indeed ruthless! I think he was an equal blend of both his parents and in Children of Vice his biggest problem isn't just the "family's business", but the family. He wants to start his own, but he also is trying to keep him, his brother Wyatt and his sister Donna, a family. In the process, we meet the new queen of the family Ivy, with all kinds of issues and although she is truly a victim of her environment, she is a woman of action. If Ivy can do anything at all to alter her circumstances, no matter the situation, she acts. I mean they do not give her the name "Beautiful Poison" for nothing. 

This novel has so much good and bad with the world in it and is a read you will think about for days on end after you've read the last word. These character came to life and you could see their complexities and not so complex moments that seemed so lifelike. I was definitely fascinated by the Callahans before, so Children of  Vice just added an additional layer of intrigue.

I digress. I really can't think of any other rating to give this read except 5-stars. I mean sure, there were a few technical issues with a typo here and there...but gosh darn it, this was a good story! I hope J.J. keeps writing subsequent titles in this series and continue to write them with Ethan and Ivy as the main focus with the various viewpoints of the siblings. I don't think I could read an entire book about Dona... that thang! And Wyatt, although I found him interesting, nope not an entire novel about him I could read. Perhaps a novella? Who am I kidding? If she writes them I will read them! Anywho, to the author, keep going like you're going and I will just keep recommending my fellow readers to run and read Children of Vice by you, the one and only, J.J. McAvoy.

OMG! IM ADDICTED! 
I love these stories so much, Melody and Liam are a force to be reckoned with and I thought nothing could change my mind that they were the IT couple but Ethan and Ivy... WOW... 

This new series is the stories of Melodys and Liam's children: Ethan, Wyatt and Dona. 

Ethan and Ivy are the new mafia couple, and they won't let anyone get in their way. 
In this book we learn how they two of them meet, how perfectly they suit each other. Bloodthirsty, violent, powerful....
How Ethan is taking the chair of his father of being the BOSS, and how Ivy is being the new QUEEN. We see the relationships between the siblings and how they have changed since their "parents deaths". The enemies that are close to home, and the love that blooms between the two. 

Thank you for this ARC! 
Can't wait for the next one in this new series! 
P.S. Recommend to read first 'The Ruthless People' Series.

When i finished The Ruthless people series i knew that i wanted more. I wanted to know what happened with Liam and Melody childrens. And oh boy, What childrens they had. 

Ethan is The older Brothers. The head of The family. He is in his late twenties and he has an Empire to run. But to do so, he knows he needs a woman in his Side, SO he picks Ivy, a women in prison.

Ivy is in prison for a mistake she made a couple of years ago. She is by herself in that place, and knows The only Way to survive is to fight and be crazy, SO she does. 

When The Callahan family approaches her With a deal to be free she cant Say no, even when she has to Marry a man she doesnt know. 

When Ethan and Ivy met , The chemistry is explosive. They are both Ruthless, insane, bloodthirsty and crazy. They are a perfect Match, but they dont know it yet. 

I think Ethan is The perfect mix of his parents. He has The temper of his mom and The mind of his dad. He is a strong male, willing to do anything for his family and for The ones he loves. 

Ivy is a great characters. She has a temper and knows how to be in this crazy life of The Callahans. She is a perfect Match for Ethan.

We see Ethans younger brother and sister, The twins, and oh boy, What a surprise they were. Both different, both With a life we didnt expect. And they play HUGE roles in this Book. Aaand, by The Way The Book ended, they will race hell. 

We also see the rest of The family...uncles, aunts, cousins, grandmother..Everyone and it was great. We get to know what are they doing After they retired and living through all The things they lived in The original series.

Children of vice lives up to The expectations. I need to read The next Book to know what The hell Will happen.

This is my first book by J.J. McAvoy and all I can say is this book is epic! I couldn’t stop reading and just when you think you have everything figured out you realize how wrong you are. Ethan and Ivy are perfect for each other and understand the other person crazy. This book was brilliantly written and leave you with the ultimate cliffhanger that makes you crave the rest of the story and leaves you with even more questions than answers!