Member Reviews

This is a fast paced gangland thriller book. The characters were unlikeable and very well developed. This is full of twists and is very addictive.

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If there is anything I know about this author, it is that i will a gripping read from her. Her books and writing style are first class. A first class read with more twists than a big twisty thing.
I couldn't see where this book was going, I knew I had to keep reading and got through the book in no time. A quality read that will have you gripped.

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The Family Business by Alex Kane is one brilliant gritty and fast paced book. I was hooked from the beginning till the end. If you love gangland crime books this is a book for you. It has everything you need to get your fix of this gene.

I highly recommend this book and all of Alex Kane's books they are all a brilliant reads

Big thank you to Thanks to Hera Books and Netgalley for my ARC in exchange for a honest review.

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I loved this book so much. I’ve read a few of the author’s books in the past so I knew what to expect from this instalment.
The family business is an entertaining and twisted read that made me wonder what’s happening and who could do all those gritty parts of the story.
There were many times when I found myself going back and forth to make sure I’ve read and understand that as it should be and it wasn’t my imagination taking over me ahead of what I was actually reading.
Beautifully crafted, suspenseful and intriguing, a must read by a favourite author

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I have been a fan of Alex’s work for a while now. I haven’t quite caught up with everything that she has written to date but I am getting there. I read the synopsis of ‘The Family Business’ and it certainly sounded like the sort of book I have come to expect from Alex – a fast paced, gritty and at times rather scary read. ‘The Family Business’ was certainly all that and so much more. I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘The Family Business’ but more about that in a bit.
It didn’t take me long at all to get into ‘The Family Business’. In fact the synopsis grabbed my attention and the story within the book’s covers sealed the deal as it were. As soon as I started reading I knew that reading the book would become seriously addictive and that I wouldn’t be able to put the book to one side for any length of time. I was right on both counts. My Kindle wasn’t exactly glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it travelled everywhere with me. I couldn’t bear to miss a single second of the story. I had become so wrapped up in the story and in the lives of the characters that I lost all track of time and just how quickly I was getting through the story. All too quickly I got to the end of the story and I had to say goodbye to the characters. I found ‘The Family Business’ to be a tense, gripping and dramatic read, which kept me guessing and which kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.
‘The Family Business’ is superbly written but then I have to come to expect nothing less from Alex Kane. She certainly knows how to grab the reader’s attention and draw them into what proves to be one hell of a read. For me the story started with a bang, hit the ground running and maintained a fast pace throughout. The book is divided up into parts with each part focusing on a specific time period, illustrating what happened to the main characters to get them to where they are in the present day. Reading ‘The Family Business’ felt like being on a scary and unpredictable rollercoaster ride with several twists and turns along the way. The tension gradually builds throughout the story and culminates in a tense and dramatic conclusion. I love the way in which Alex makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story themselves and at the heart of the action.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘The Family Business and I would definitely recommend it to other readers. Fans of books by Kimberly Chambers, Kerry Barnes and Kerry Kaya will especially enjoy Alex’s books. I will definitely be reading more of Alex’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

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Fast paced and captivating. This is one I couldn’t put down.
Many thanks to Hera and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

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This is a gangland saga based in Glasgow that has you pulled in from the very beginning . It is a hard violent gritty read that will have you on the edge of your seat . The characters and storyline are realistic and well written and had me hating, loving and feeling sorry for some of them , A book that packs a punch and no holds barred and one I highly recommend . If you haven't read Alex Kane''s books what are you waiting for ? Start them now you won't be disappointed

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The Black family are the rulers of the Glasgow underworld with Donny Black as the head. He is charming and will do anything to increase his wealth, he has no time for his wife of 20 years Layla who although enjoys spending the money he earns gets through life by drowning herself in alcohol every day.
We learn early that Donny and his brother Seth among other things are into the sex trafficking trade. Donny with his good looks and charm will lure you girls to fall in love with him, he will wine them, dime them, treat them like princesses, and then does the dirty on them. Louise Bellshaw is one of the girls that fall for his charms.
This book oozes thrills and you will not be able to put it down once you start, there are a number of characters but they are introduced steadily so you can identify them easily. It is fast-paced and exciting.
I have loved all of Alex Kane books but this one stands out among one of the best.

Thank you, NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this exciting book. xx

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It took me a little while to get into this book, but once I did I enjoyed it. It’s a gritty, gangster genre with lots going on. Revenge is high on the list as so many people have been hurt by Donnie Black. Even those closest to him have been caught in Donnie’s need to prove he’s as hard and tough as his name sake father. If you like the gangster genre then you’ll enjoy this book.

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Hello Glasgow, meet Donnie Black - we first meet him as a young teen and quickly get the measure of his character. Skip on to him as an adult, the loss of his father and taking over the empire with his brother, making his mark on things. His wife Layla, sweet Layla had no idea back then what she was getting into and loses herself in a cloud of booze to cope with her life. Layla has no idea just how bad Donnie is and Donnie is about to get his hands even dirtier.

I do think Kane goes from strength to strength, I read her first book and have a few others on the tbrm. Gangland, turf wars, a gangster wanting to prove himself just as good as his old man and getting into darker avenues. He really is scum, he manipulates, exploits, uses people because to him they are commodities, a means to an end.

The book looks at some really dark aspects of humanity, human trafficking, violence, murder, drugs, family all of the dark and dangerous goings on and it is set in Glasgow! I love when a book takes place somewhere you know or have been, for me it adds a bit of something.

The family business looks at how some people test loyalty, have none, destroy anything, risk everything and the good old actions and consequences. It is hard to go into without spoilers and I don't do spoilers. The book is bursting with action, shocking behaviour, redemption, emotional, abuse, violence and absolute breath holding moments, 4.5/5 for me this time. I need to bump the rest of them up my tbrm. I hope she brings us more set in the city of Glasgow!

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#TheFamilyBusiness was a mostly fun and entertaining read throughout, however it got a little tiresome towards the end. The execution was ok, but take that with a grain of salt, as this was my first go at the 'gangland' genre. There were a lot of characters to keep track of and very little description or character development. It wasn't vital at all to know who was who, so I ended up glazing over names and just read through the action of the story. The first few parts of the book are incredibly short and take place far in the past, written to set up the backstory and give some context. This was surface-level and didn't enrich the characters much in my opinion. Donnie and Steff Black are gangster brothers whose rivals are another group called the firm. Layla, Donnie's wife, is affected by her husband's involvement with gang life in adverse ways; she was by far the most interesting person to follow. There are some crazy and unexpected twists and turns that made it a wild ride, but sometimes I couldn't really believe what I was reading. Nothing deep or amazing, but a pretty fun way to pass the time. Thank you #NetGalley! Review on Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4444981951

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As soon as I see an Alex Kane book out, I need to read it as soon as I can. I have read a few of her books now, and they are all as good as each other. She always writes a brilliant gritty gangland thriller that I can really lose myself in. I am an avid reader of Kimberley Chamber and Mandasue Heller, and I personally think Alex Kane is up there with both authors.
The Family Business is set in Glasgow, and we meet the Black family. Donnie has taken over as head of the family, and he rules the Glaswegian underworld with an iron fist...no velvet gloves here, I tell you. He will stop at nothing to make even more money, and things are about to get even dirtier.
A story filled with plenty of characters, colourful or otherwise. Introduced in a way that doesn't overwhelm the reader, so we can really get to grips with everything and everyone quite easily. Layla is Donnie's wife of twenty years, and Louise is so flattered by her new boyfriend, and as these women and Donnie collide, expect repercussions of a massive type.
Alex Kane has written such a dark and twisted crime thriller with The Family Business that I read it all in one go! It was such a gripping story that grabbed me immediately. She has again managed to bring characters that I love to hate and ones that I could see had just taken a wrong turn in life.
There are brutal scenes in the book, but I wouldn't expect anything else, and it does increase the suspense and danger of the story. The issues raised are very important in todays world as well, making it a rather hard-hitting storyline. I will say this is so much an 'edge of your seat' book. I loved it.
If you love dark, twisted, and thrilling gangland crime books that aren't scared of bringing very hard-hitting storylines, I definitely recommend this book. Thanks to Hera Books and Netgalley.

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Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Wow-Alex Kane is certainly up there in the Gangland stall with Martina & Kimberley.
A well-written crime thriller full of twists and turns. A great read.

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Normally I love novels like this but for some reason I couldn’t get into it. I picked it up and put it down so many times that it left me frustrated.

The synopsis was well written and had me excited for get cracking but it was a slog to the plot twist and then once that happened I was left a little deflated. Was that really it? Just that.

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A dark, twisty and totally gripping thriller set in the heart of Glasgow gangland. This book transported me to another world… fascinating… I found it difficult to put the book down. Instantly and completely immersed me in the story.

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The family business by Alex Kane.
Blood's thicker than water... and they're not afraid to spill it
Donnie Black. Charming, successful… and utterly terrifying, he rules the Glasgow underworld with an iron fist. Nothing - or no one - will stop him and he’s not afraid to get his hands dirty to grow his fortune.
Layla Black. She’s been married to Donnie for twenty years, enjoying the lavish world he has worked hard to create. But behind the perfect image Layla is crumbling, numbing her pain with alcohol. But Layla doesn’t know the secrets Donnie keeps – and the truth will send her spiralling.
Louise Bellshaw. She’s young, beautiful and innocent. She’s charmed by Donnie’s sweet words, and believes she’s found true love. But Louise doesn’t know her dream man has plans that will turn her life into a nightmare.As the three collide, no one can predict how family ties will turn to bloodshed. Because you’ll do anything for the ones you love, won’t you?
I did enjoy this book. Great story and characters. I liked the cover too. 4*.

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Everything you’ve come to expect from an Alex Kane book show’s up right here. I devoured this in a couple of sittings and didn’t want it to end.

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The Family Business is another great read from Alex Kane. A fast paced, gritty story which will keep you hooked from start to finish. If you like gangland thrillers then you will love this. Highly recommended - I can't wait for the next book.

Thank you to Netgalley, Hera Books and the author for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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📚 BOOK REVIEW 📚

The Family Business By Alex Kane - Publication Date - 24th Feb 2022

Donnie Black become head of the Black Family Gang, supported by his brother and other gang members. Some of these gang members being friends since being teenagers. But there are trying times ahead and loyalties are severely tested! As usual, I won’t give too much storyline, absolutely detest spoilers!!

Alex Kane yet again, had me gripped as soon as I started reading!! Gangland crime is my favourite genre of books but there are few authors that have the ability to make each book feel.... like you need to know what happens next BUT not want it to end!! Each time Alex delivers!!

Thanks for allowing me to read and review the ARC

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Wow! This book was fantastic. I have never heard of this author before but she certainly could be the queen of gangland thrillers! It was a gripping and nail biting read from start to finish. Will definitely look out for more books by her in the future

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