I was excited to read this book based on the description. I was looking for a good thriller and/or murder mystery and this was supposed to be both so it was perfect. Well…saying this book is a thriller and a murder mystery is very very generous. It’s more of a sexist, trashy soap opera where all the characters care about is getting revenge..and not even a very enjoyable way to read about. The amount of back stabbing in this book was ridiculous.

With that said, I did find myself laughing at the ridiculousness here and there. There were parts that I enjoyed, but over all, it fell flat for me. This was not a poorly written book, it just wasn’t my cup of tea and I think I set my expectations too high going into it.

Audiobook provided by Dreamscape Media and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

When I read the synopsis I thought wow, this sounds fun and interesting but after listening to it about 50% I couldnt keep my attention on the book. Therefore I do not feel that this book is for me. Thank you for the copy in advance for a honest review.

Remember those doorstopper novels of the 70’s and 80’s by the likes of Barbara Taylor Bradford and Judith Krantz? Now picture one of those novels set on a beautiful, isolated island. Here is where we encounter the cast and crew of the tv show, Falcon Bay and tempers are frayed and patience is in short supply. The show has done a nose dive in ratings and now the two women in charge of rescuing the show, actress, Catherine and director, Farrah, must pull together their rag tag team of disparate players if they are to stand any chance of achieving their former glory. A lot of characters make this a little hard to follow at times, but on the whole this is an enjoyable listen that harkens back to those glorious days when getting lost in a giant tome was the most important thing you had to do

Ruthless Women by Melanie Blake was such a throwback that reminded me of Valley of the Dolls or a Jackie Collins novel, and not in a good way. I loved the premise of women trying to save a soap opera and get better ratings, by any means necessary. But everything was incredibly over the top and the characters seemed very one dimensional to me. Every single woman just wanted power and sex, showing off their plastic surgery at every turn, thrusting their breasts in every man’s face they come across. Which, really I wouldn’t have a problem with if it was one character with a reason for that, but *every* character?

I thought I was going to be reading a book with some suspense, but also have fun dramatic relationships being played out. This was listed in the genre ‘Mysteries & Thriller’ and this book just didn’t deliver on the promise at all. I finally DNF around 50% because I couldn’t handle the monotony of the characters bleeding together

Ruthless Women had a very nostalgic vibe for me - reminiscent of a Jackie Collin's novel I might have peeped when left around by my mom in the 70s. Given the subject matter, the longest running soap and the women on screen and behind the camera, it really was a time capsule for me. I grew up a latchkey kid (anyone remember that term??). TV was my friend, and the afternoon soap operas were my best friends. Along with my Grandma, I was an avid fan of General Hospital and All My Children and this read took me back to those days. I LOVED Dallas and Dynasty and those reasons alone made Ruthless Women a fun book for me.

Be prepared for a ton of characters. So many characters that the first pages of the book is an old-school introduction where name and description are listed. This is probably very helpful when reading a paperback version, but wasn't much help in the audio book I enjoyed. I imagine I would have been flipping back to the front to keep the characters straight.

In addition to a fun return to the days of continuing dramas, author Melanie Blake tackles modern day social issues such as: sexual power, drugs, ageism, cutthroat business and men vs. women in all aspects of the entertainment industry. There is a lot of sex here. Power. Deceit. More sex. And then some more sex.

This title actually was released in February 2021, but the audio book is now dropping June 21, 2022. Narrator Claire King was a perfect choice with a sultry, husky voice that brought the characters to life. Great reader and I would not hesitate to listen to more books by King.

Thank you to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for allowing me to listen in advance of release in exchange for an honest review.

Wow. Okay, I loved this audiobook! Like holy crap! It hooked me from the very beginning and kept me on the edge of my seat!