Rebecca Kenney’s Gilded Monster’s series is everything. I loved Beautiful Villain, adored Charming Devil and absolutely consumed Ruthless Devotion. Cathy & Heathcliff are you kidding??? I swear this woman never misses.
I love when our interconnected standalones all meet up. I always find that a super fun aspect in any book, but especially in this case. The world building and magic system in this series is so enrapturing. It’s so interesting and engaging how Rebecca wrote it, definitely unique in my opinion.
A banshee & a necromancer, honestly how do you go wrong. Definitely a very religious trauma undertone, so please be mindful of triggers, but truly this book was a masterpiece for me. I am so excited to see what she comes up with next.

Even though I'm not a big fan of the Wuthering Heights I really enjoyed this book. Honestly you don't even need to read or know anything about the book, you will be fine. Loved all of the characters, plthe plot was easy to follow. I very much liked the twists, it was well done and wasn't really all over the top. I felt that everything fit well together.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

I love the Gilded Monsters series and it's getting better with each new release. Rebecca has crafted a Wuthering Heights-inspired Southern gothic which imagines Cathy as a banshee, wandering the South Carolina low country with premonitions of her neighbors' deaths, and Heathcliff as a necromancer, tasked with resurrecting his clients' souls upon their demise. Kept apart by the cult that Cathy was raised in, the stroke of fate that finally brings them together may unravel entire communities and capture the attention of an ancient, sleeping god.

In the style of many of Rebecca F Kenney's heroines, Cathy is no quiet church mouse - she speaks and acts boldly (even brashly at times), prioritizes her gifts and dreams over the expectations that her family and community place on her, and embraces sex and pleasure with open arms. These traits are what keep Heathcliff and many of Rebecca's readers coming back for more. I can't wait to see where this series takes us next!

Thank you to Rebecca Kenney, Sourcebooks and NetGalley for the ARC!

Oh my, where to start. Retelling of a classic? Check. Spice? Check. Paranormal activity? Check. Ruthless Devotion is part of the Gilded Monsters series, however I did not read the other books in the series yet and had no trouble. This can absolutely be read as a standalone. This is a Wuthering Heights retelling, our Catherine is a banshee and our Heathcliff is a necromancer. This is not a slow burn... the action begins in chapter 2, but it works for the story line, I promise. Heathcliff is just... the way he talks about Cathy. He is so beyond in love with her. They both sacrifice themselves for each other. I highlighted SO MANY quotes in this book and I never do that. They were that good. They do get their HEA which considering I was crying at about 80%, I would like to personally thank Rebecca for not ruining my life. I enjoyed this so much and I will be picking up the rest of the series. I will mention, there is a religious cult, so if that is going to trigger you, be forewarned.

You both have your secrets. Cathy doesn't know how much more she can take living in this place. She knows that she won't ever be able to leave as she has no way out. Heathcliff is making plans to escape from this place he has has enough of his brother & extended family. He is tired of being used as a punching bag. So when he meets Cathy he knows that there is something different about her. He just doesn't realise that her secret is going to change everything. Once he learns that she is also a supernatural he will stop at nothing to save her on his way out of town. Cathy has never known anyone like him and she fears that she will lose her chance at happiness with him. Her time is running out and will Heathcliff be able to save her in time? But will they be able to fight the evil together or will they need help?
A good read started off slow but it picks up the pace. Great characters even the evil ones. Good against evil but who can tell the difference.
Thank you Net galley & the publisher for the copy. This is my voluntary review.

In this modern-day fantasy retelling of Wuthering Heights, Heathcliff and Cathy must navigate their own supernatural powers and the families that seek to control them. It's not until they find each other that Heathcliff and Cathy can truly believe there is more to themselves than hiding their gifts. But can they save each other from the supernatural forces at work around them?

I have to admit that I picked up the ARC of Ruthless Devotion based solely on the cover alone. What can I say? I'm a sucker for the aesthetics.

I was instantly drawn into this dual first person POV retelling of one of my favorite Victorian Era novels. Wuthering Heights is full of supernatural elements, and Rebecca Kenney has capitalized on them to build this interpretation. The story is captivating, full of mystery, and kept me guessing.

That said, this book definitely doesn't fall into my top reads this year. The characters have the potential to be developed more, as does the magic system and the world-building. Cathy and Heathcliff's relationship falls on the side of the insta-love trope, which decreases so much of the tension and yearning that fuels good romance.

While there are several open-door scenes, the rest of the book reads very YA. The characters are fairly two-dimensional, and the world-building falls a little flat. This was a great read for something quick and fun, especially if you were the weird Victorian literature girl in high school like me. I give the story a solid 3.5/5. It was enjoyable, I'll read the rest of the series, but likely won't buy a hard copy of the books.

This story does have explicit references to domestic violence and cult behavior. Spice is 3/5 with several open-door scenes, but it's all pretty vanilla and not overly erotic.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7576103228
https://open.spotify.com/show/3zERguGN5re2rHEPcD4yJM?si=3eaSoK1ZTiqdupX7K9UN3w
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I didn’t expect to be this obsessed — but Ruthless Devotion completely consumed me from page one.

Cathy is a refreshingly strong, relatable heroine with a past she’s not ready to reveal, and the small town of Wicklow is painted so vividly, it feels like stepping into a place you’ve always known. Every character is carefully and thoughtfully crafted — you’ll find yourself connecting them to people in your own life.

Then there’s Heathcliff — brooding, magnetic, and fiercely protective, with secrets that only add to his intensity.

The plot is layered with just the right amount of mystery and emotional pull, and Rebecca Kenney’s writing has that rare magic that makes you need to keep turning the pages. I fell hard for this story and its unforgettable cast.

Rebecca didn’t just write a book — she built a world I never wanted to leave.!

Thank you to Rebecca and NetGalley for this advance copy. I am a huge fan of Rebecca’s writing.

Ruthless Devotion is a Wuthering Heights reimagining.
While this series is intended to be an interconnected standalone I do highly recommend reading this first two. That being said this one was my least favorite of the trio. I was not a fan of the current slang terms being used such as: “rizz” used at the beginning.

I read without comparing it to the classic and slang terms aside I very much enjoyed the story and look forward to the continuation.

Please note there is heavy spice. If spice isn’t for you skim over because it does not detract from the plot. If it is for you, then enjoy!

No I wait for my trophy copy on release day!

I really enjoyed reading this book. The witty banter, the characters and the fast paced made this book hard to put down. Im a sucker for a good retelling and rebecca Kenny did it beautifully

FINALLY! Wuthering Heights has the spice we were all thinking about but never saying out loud. Also necromancy, that brand of magic doesn’t get nearly enough attention and Rebecca Kenney is here to rectify that with “Ruthless Devotion”! I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, Rebecca Kenney is a QUEEN of the inspires retellings. It’s never a straight one for one retelling but a beautiful dance through Rebecca’s mind with a classic tale as the platform from which she leaps into creative depths.

Having read an advanced copy of Ruthless Devotion, I was captivated by Rebecca Kenney's ability to blend the haunting essence of Wuthering Heights with elements of Southern gothic and paranormal intrigue. The novel delves into themes of trauma, forbidden love, and the clash between personal desires and societal expectations.

Cathy Earnshaw is a compelling protagonist, her grief and isolation palpable. Kenney portrays her internal struggles with depth and sensitivity, making her journey both heartbreaking and empowering. Heathcliff, while embodying the brooding intensity of Brontë's original character, is given a unique backstory that adds layers to his persona. His connection with Cathy is electric, filled with tension and longing.

One of the standout aspects of the novel is its exploration of grief and loss. Cathy's experiences as a banshee serve as a metaphor for the overwhelming nature of sorrow and the struggle to find one's place in a world that feels alien. The relationship between Cathy and Heathcliff is intense and passionate, yet fraught with the complexities of their pasts and the societal constraints surrounding them.

Ruthless Devotion is a dark, emotionally charged tale that reimagines a classic story for a modern audience. It's a must-read for fans of gothic romance and those who appreciate stories that delve into the depths of human emotion and the supernatural. As a fan of the original Bronte novel; I was completely captivated by this book and cannot wait to own it in print.

Honestly I love these modern day retellings, I was a big fan of the Dorian Gray book and so when I saw the new one was a retelling of Wuthering Heights I was so excited to read it.

Expect from this author lots of witty banter, sexual tensions, angsty characters, fast pacing and short chapters, my favourite kind of combo honestly.

I’m not sure if there will be more books in this series but I will keep reading them as long as the author keeps publishing them!

For someone who hasn’t read any books in this series I will say you don’t have to stress so much about the order you read them in. Although there may be some references to characters in other books, the books as a rule are different storylines with its own set of plot and characters

Thank you for the advanced copy!

Publish date: July 22nd

4⭐️

First of all, thank you very much to Rebecca Kenney and NetGalley for giving me the access to the ARC.

I, literally, “devoured” this book! Every single opportunity I had to be reading it, I did! If you love a dark ambiance, a strong couple with an awesome connection (spicy relationship ahead 🌶️), hints of mythology and mythical dark creatures and pretty good descriptions…well, this is just the right book for you!
Loved the main characters, the dual pov’s, the mythology references and the perfect way it was introduced in the story and its development.
The relationship between Cathy and Heathcliff…chef’s kiss👌The way he helps her passing through her traumas and the sacrifices they both do for each other…I loved it!
Just to give you a clue about their relationship (hoping it makes you curious to read):
“Cathy: I’m going to love you after I’m dead”, I pant in his ear, my voice shaken … “Promise you’ll do the same.”
“Heathcliff: Easiest thing I’ve ever promised.”😭🖤

I loved this book very much🖤

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.✨
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the ARC. I was already intrigued by the Wuthering Heights inspiration, but what I got was something much darker, bolder, and more unhinged—in the best possible way.

Set against a Southern Gothic backdrop and laced with Irish folklore, this story blends paranormal romance, necromancy, and religious fervour into something entirely its own. Cathy is a banshee with a banshee’s burden—haunted by death, stifled by a small town that demonises her very existence. Heathcliff? A reclusive necromancer with tattoos, trauma, and a bone-deep obsession that feels carved in fate.

The chemistry is immediate, the emotional stakes are high, and the atmosphere is thick with tension. While the spice leans graphic (you’ve been warned), the emotional undercurrent kept it from feeling hollow. The mythology is rich, the writing immersive, and the romance had that dark, desperate ache I’m always chasing.

I flew through this in one and I’ll absolutely be re-reading once my physical preorder lands—annotating every breathy line and emotionally devastating moment.

A stunning addition to the Gilded Monsters series and a must-read for fans of dark romance with teeth.

The second I see anything related to Wuthering Heights I’m immediately sat. This book is basically Wuthering Heights meets Southern Gothic supernatural chaos, with a dash of cult-like religious fervor, necromancy, and the kind of romance that makes you feel like you’re stuck in a hurricane. Ruthless Devotion is a wild, unpredictable ride, and if you’re looking for a book that combines tragedy, magic, and extremely spicy scenes that will make you question your life choices, you’ve got it. This isn’t just a retelling of Wuthering Heights—it’s like someone took that classic, threw it into a cauldron, added some Irish mythology, mixed in some Southern heat, and set it on fire. And I ate it up.
For our characters— we have Cathy, a Banshee who’s been trapped in a cult-like Southern town where magic is seen as an abomination (of course it’s in the South), and Heathcliff, a necromancer with a tragic backstory who’s basically too cool for this world but can’t stay away from her. They meet in an extremely spicy way early on (Chapter 2 spicy???—yes, you read that right), and things go downhill from there—in a good way. There’s so much tension, so much magic, and so many dangerous secrets that I couldn’t put this book down, even if part of me wanted to wash my hands afterward.
Here’s what this book really is:
• Supernatural, doomed soulmates who are 100% not good for each other (but you root for them anyway).
• A cult that wants to kill anyone with supernatural powers (so, yeah, the stakes are high).
• A necromancer with emotional baggage and some extremely inconvenient tattoos.
• A Banshee who, when she screams, shatters glass windows—and, you know, breaks your heart at the same time.
• And some seriously graphic romance scenes that made me question everything I thought I knew about spicy books. I did end up skimming some of them for dialogue and plot.
Things I loved:
• The world-building is so atmospheric. The Lowcountry setting combined with the supernatural elements made for a unique backdrop that was at once eerie and beautiful.
• Cathy and Heathcliff’s chemistry? Intense in a way that almost felt too much, but in the best way. You can feel their connection, even when it's messy and irrational.
• The exploration of family, trauma, and religious fervor added depth to the story. I didn’t expect to get so emotionally invested in Cathy’s personal struggles, but here I am.
• The plot is twisty and unpredictable. This isn’t just about love and loss—there’s actual action and mystery to keep you turning the pages.
Things that didn’t work as well for me:
• The spice. Oh my god. Look, I’m not prudish, but I’m pretty sure I’ve never read the word “pussy” this many times in a single book. And while I’m all for explicit scenes, there was zero sensuality here. It’s more like: They did the thing, now let’s move on. It kind of felt pornographic at some times or like an anatomy lesson, since there wasn’t always a clear balance between physical and emotional. If you’re into raw, gritty, in-your-face sex scenes, then this is for you, but if you prefer a little more romance and build-up, it might feel too much.
• The book does deviate pretty far from the source material. Which doesn’t make it bad, and I did enjoy it. It did throw me that Heathcliff and Edgar Linton are basically nothing like their counterparts. Heathcliff didn’t feel like a Byronic hero in his characterization and Edgar had approximately zero similarities to the kind, affectionate man in the original. Not entirely sure why a new character wasn’t created for this role, and we also lost Heathcliff and Edgar being foils. At first, I was confused, but after a while, I realized: this is not the story I thought it was. And that’s fine, but it left me wanting a little more of the original magic that made me love the classic.
• Some of the world-building felt a bit crowded. There’s so much going on—necromancy, Banshees, cults, Irish mythology— I liked the elements, but at times, it felt like the story was trying to do too much. A little more focus on the supernatural system would’ve been nice; if all of these pieces are in play I want more details about how they come together.
Final Rating: 3.75 out of 5 stars.
Ruthless Devotion is a beautifully dark, emotionally charged supernatural thriller that blends magic, romance, and action in ways I didn’t expect. It’s intense, messy, and full of twists—but if you’re not prepared for the over-the-top spice and chaotic world-building, it might leave you more confused than captivated. If you can handle the graphic content and the wild ride of it all, you’ll find a compelling, fast-paced story with enough emotional depth to make you think. But yeah, you might need a cleansing ritual afterward. Just saying.

Ruthless Devotion is the 3rd book in interconnected stand-alone novels. The novel is a gothic southern take on supernatural/modern times. The FMC Cathy is strong but holding herself back from her true ferocity; she grew up with her family in a religious setting and has some trauma (religion always has trauma). She’s trusting within her faith since that’s all she’s known her whole life, until she meets Heathcliff. Heathcliff is an orphan taken in by a failing supernatural family. Turns out he has strong powers that that his family members take advantage of. He feels stuck in his life until Cathy makes him see there's more to life. Their interactions begin on a “insta-lust” interaction but grow from there, it was nice to see them begin to trust in each other and themselves. The main plot line includes old gods and goddesses, but the writing has a modern twist which was interesting. Overall I really enjoyed this book. The spice scenes were well written but I like how they weren’t the whole story line. The action packed plot with amazing world and character building was great. It makes me wish I read the previous standalones to understand the rest of the world this was built in.

Kenney did it again! This is my favorite in the series so far, but I do have a bias as Wuthering Heights is one of my favorite books.
You can feel the tension and obsessive passions between Heathcliff and Catherine.

Wow! Rebecca has done it again. Even though I have read plenty of her books she always surprises me with her stories. The twists and turns that take place and unfold. I do wish we got to know more about certain unknown parents and where they are today. I love how the story just flows and feels so natural in every step. I always feel like these books touch on things that a lot of people struggle with (like being pushed into faith) without outright saying that just some groups don’t always follow the path the teach. I loved the story and the crossing of fate, the one meeting that creates a whole new path. I love these characters I like that we got to see glimpses of gatsby and daisy and I love how these stories turn older stories into new fresh takes.

I really enjoyed this one. It was dark and gothic and super natural. The religious elements were different and I found myself enthralled by the twists of Irish lore. Loved Heathcliff and Cathy.

Ruthless Devotion is the third installment in the interconnected stand-alone novels of the Gilded Monsters series. A modern retelling of Wuthering Heights, Kenny seamlessly weaves contemporary storytelling with the rich tapestry of Irish folklore, mythology, and the supernatural. As I delved into the characters' backgrounds and explored their supernatural abilities, the evolving plot kept me thoroughly engaged.
The romance between Cathy and Heathcliff is obsessive, intense, and brimming with the hallmarks of a perfect morally grey love story. Their dynamic is as captivating as it is turbulent, making every interaction between them feel raw and electric.
Overall, I truly enjoyed this addition to the Gilded Monsters series and found it to be a compelling and unforgettable read.