Feminist-prone RUTHLESS WOMEN (2021, Head of Zeus) by British author Melanie Blake offers a yummy premise: to save a long-running world-wide syndicated soap opera from being cancelled the Beautiful People behind Falcon Bay resolve into broadcasting a live episode which will celebrate its 40th anniversary by introducing a female antagonist à la Alexis from TVs Dynasty. But there’s more. Prior to the live broadcast, a reality TV special will air, featuring actresses vying for the pivotal role before the winner gets chosen by the TV audience. You’re taking notes, Andy Cohen?


Suffice to say, this is a fun book, and a hot one at that. There’s a bunch of great characters in it, all more wicked than the other. ‘Cause besides those reality TV contenders, the novel also highlights a slew of other wonderful strong-willed women: a leading lady, a producer, a writer-director, a super-agent, a casting director—all over 50 and still trying to break down the boys’ club doors. You’ll definitely want to get to know them and see some justice done. As expected, the novel has a Jackie Collins vibe to it but RUTHLESS WOMEN is more than just a Collins knockout. Aside from the sex, the behind-the-scene shenanigans and the fast-moving narrative, the novel winds up owning its own style. If I had to be a little bit fussy I would say that some situations have got to be taken with a grain of salt at times (the hotel room cocaine bust, for instance) but otherwise this is one great addictive trashy read.


This is Melanie Blake’s sophomore novel after 2019 THE THUNDER GIRLS. If you enjoyed that one I think you’ll dig even more RUTHLESS WOMEN. I certainly did. I look forward to reading the sequel. Last that I heard Ms. Blake is hard at work on it. This time the novel will focus on the men side as they take their own revenge on the women that have ‘wronged’ them. One word: yummy. In the meantime do pick up RUTHLESS WOMEN, will ya?



My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this captivating ARC.

Wow.... What an epic tale of power, sex, money, friendship and strength. Focused on the main people behind a world renowned soap opera the characters have as much glamour, sexiness, bitchiness and secrecy as the show itself. Imagine Dallas with the power suits and glamorous women, meets Sunset beach with it’s crazy storylines. The drama on screen is matched, and then some, by the impressive talent who create it. A group of ambitious women head the team. A powerhouse of strong, well respected, beautiful females who are not about to let the boys club take from them what they deserve. They are fighting in a mans world and aim to come out on top.

The story touches on a number of themes throughout, sex, abuse, drugs, alcoholism, and the #metoo movement, highlighting the difficulties people in this industry face and the pressures on men and women to stay at the top of their game.

At the heart of the story is the friendship between the main women. Their bonds that have stood the test of time and the strength they have when they face the world head on together.
But at the end of the day will that be enough? Even the closest of friendships can show cracks when put under the spotlight and sometimes the need for solidarity in women can be destroyed by the quest to become top dog. These ladies will do anything to succeed in this world, but at what cost?

OK, this one isn't quite within my usual genres, but I'll admit I was intrigued! A sexy, shocking, glamorous, 'unputdownable', revenge-filled thriller? I totally fell for the blurb! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

The novel is set in a beautiful location just off the coast of Jersey where a soap opera, 'Falcon's Bay', is filmed. A long-term fixture of the TV schedules, 'Falcon's Bay' has taken a tumble in the ratings and the new network head, Madeline Kane, arrives to solve the problem. She arrives onto a set already run by Queen Bees - director Farrah, Head of Casting Helen and producer Amanda. All are fighting their own battles as women with major ambitions and a lot of responsibility, as is lead actress Catherine who has carried the show for a lot of its 40 years on air. That's a lot of ruthless women...

I have no clue how to describe this novel at all - but I did enjoy it! Imagine Jackie Collins wrote about a soap opera set on the Channel Islands and you might have some clue. There is plastic surgery aplenty, libidos that are out of control, and an awful lot of breasts (blush!) Throw in some thrillery elements - especially towards the end - and you have a page-turner on your hands. There are horrible men, some #MeToo elements, a dash of feminism...and a twisty plot where everyone is out for themselves.

One thing really worth noting, I think, is that all of the female characters are older. This is not a story of starlets climbing the fame ladder - this is packed with sassy and strong older women (who have a huge amount of sex).

This is quite a long book by my usual standards but I flew through it. I can't say I really liked many of the characters or really understood the motivations, but it is a story that really goes for the jugular and doesn't let go! I'm not sure it is a thriller in the sense I would usually expect, but it is compulsive.

I'd recommend this to anyone who wants an immersive and twisty read. You might not love any of the ruthless women but you will absolutely be caught up in the glamour, the backstabbing and the gossip!

Wow! “Ruthless Women” by Melanie Blake is another version of the 80’s tv soaps, similar to Dallas and Dynasty.
The woman are strong, bitchy and you never really know who to trust. If my friends behaved like they did - I wouldn’t need enemies!
The men on the other hand were weak, simpering and pretty pathetic species!!
I took a while to get into the book as it slowly involves the reader into getting to know the characters, but once you do.... BAM!!
This would make a great TV movie and I look forward to reading more by the author. Great read. READ IT!!

Ruthless Women draws you in to the deceptively gorgeous and idyllic world of Falcon Bay from the opening paragraph. Introducing you to a cast of strong and fierce women, who love their jobs and will do whatever it takes to protect the show they love.

The Men are equally strong willed, slightly chauvinistic in some cases but they to love the show they work on and the power and prestige they get from working on it.
The books takes you head first in to what it's like to to work behind the scenes on long running soap/serial drama. It showcases deliciously the bitching and backstabbing that goes on. But also the loyalty that people have to the show.

This a book that goes so in-depth with the shenanigans behind the scenes that you know it's been written by someone who has personal and first hand experience with what she is writing about.

It's a full on fabulous roller coaster ride with a spectacular jaw dropping ending that you will not see coming. It will leave you speechless!

A deliciously seductive, feisty and ruthless read that takes you deep inside the glamourous but murky world of working in TV, that you will not be able to put down!

This is a gem of a novel. I read it on a Friday afternoon all in one sitting. The characters are ruthless just the way I like them and the plot heart palpitating. I highly recommend this.

Wow.. utterly speechless... adrenaline pumping... couldn't put this down... what an ending... more please!

Well those are a few of my initial thoughts just minutes after finishing this spectacular book. I knew from The Thunder Girls that Melanie Blake was clearly a good author, but had been a bit worried whether that was a one off or not, rest assured it wasn.t this was even better.

My only regret with this book was that I wasn't reading it somewhere hot and exotic as it epitomises everything I absolutely adore in a holiday beach read. Strong women that know what they want, as many twists and shocks as you can squeeze into the pages, a huge cast of characters, some bad boys and just absolutely no way to predict the final outcome (at least not more than a page or two before it happens).

I was taken on such a rollercoaster of a journey with these characters, I absolutely adored this behind the scenes look at the world of soap opera, and with the sort of soap that made me think more of Neighbours or possibly Home and Away (given they both feature Bays) than of the grittier British soaps, I felt right at home.

There are a group of women who are in theory friends although some of the backstabbing makes you wonder how much they really are out for themselves instead. We have the leading lady, the casting director, writer and director, one of the executives and an agent as the key players in this, all whose lives get thrown into disarray when Madeline buys the network and starts trying to call the shots with the aim of making Falcon Bay great again.

This really is my absolute favourite type of book to read, although I find not that many of these sorts of sexy thriller / blockbuster-esque books are published anymore which is a shame, It took perhaps until the end of the first chapter to full capture my attention at which point I was completely hooked.

I read it in two sittings and that is only because my eyes were getting tired at 3am, and wanted to be alert to continue reading, suspecting the last 20% or so would be explosive, and wow that was a good decision. Woke up the following morning, grabbed my kindle and didn't enter the real world again until I was finished reading.

This is addictive, compulsive reading at its very best, and I feel the book would make a wonderful blockbuster movie too. It's complex, its pure unadulterated escapist reading and I couldn't get enough of it. Even having turned the last page I am wanting more. I need more, whether it be more from Falcon Bay, or just praying that we don't have too long to wait for another gem from Melanie Blake - I'd be happy either way.

Easily one of my books of the year!

Thank you to Head of Zeus and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

I received an advance readers copy in exchange for an honest review

Just could not get into this book and could not enjoy these women. Dragged on like a tedious soap opera, hardly a thriller. Pass

A fun and twisty thriller/bonkbuster that I thoroughly enjoyed. The cut-throat world of show business was excellently portrayed, and the plot sizzled!