Let me preface this review by saying that I've never enjoyed Wuthering Heights - not the book, not any of the movies. Like Romeo and Juliet, I've always thought Heathcliff and Cathy deserved a good smacking and a lecture about getting over themselves.

So why did I read Ruthless Devotion, then? Because I've read several other of Rebecca Kenney's books and I've enjoyed them. A lot. She tells a great story, and her characters have a lot of depth and a more modern sympathy than they were given by their original writers.

And she did it again here. Heathcliff and Cathy, brought into the modern world of the American South, with added cultish religions, supernatural powers, and some fun extras in addition to the original characters - well, even Emily Bronte would be pleased with this. Also maybe slightly embarrassed, as Miss Bronte was a maiden lady and maiden ladies didn't talk about such things. Another point in the favor of modern times, because I think what was missing from Wuthering Heights was a heaping helping of spice.

If you enjoyed Wuthering Heights, read Ruthless Devotion. If you didn't, give it a try anyway, because it will make you see the original in a whole different light. Brava.

This book is feral, feverish, and unhinged in all the best ways. It’s dark magic woven with obsessive love, grief that feels like a curse, and two doomed souls who burn for each other like fire and gasoline. Plus, the Southern gothic setting adds a lush, haunting atmosphere, and the supernatural edge crackles with intensity. It’s wild, witchy, brutal, and achingly beautiful. I couldn’t put it down,

I am a huge fan of Rebecca Kenney's work. She always writes incredible books, and Ruthless Devotion is one of them. It was a fun fast paced read that really hit the spot. I loved the plot and the characters, and I loved the spice even more. There was lots of banter between the characters, that I absolutely loved.

Book: Ruthless Devotion
Series: Gilded Monsters, 3
Author: Rebecca Kenney
Completed Series: Yes
# of Books in Series: 7
Genre: Paranormal
Format: eBook ARC

Thank you #netgalley for this arc.

First Thoughts/Summary:
Okay, so I think I need to go back and read 1 & 2 even though they are stand-alone books. They are interconnected, and I am missing things.

Storyline/Plot:
I love this take on Wuthering Heights. It was a great-paced book. I found myself staying up late the first night reading it. There is so much to this book. It’s devastating as a mom to read about Cathy and Heathcliff. I want to rage for both of them. Their pasts break my heart and it made me root for them from the get-go! You wil feel all the feels in this book
Favorite Characters:
I loved Heathcliff. I love it when a MMC keeps all of his abilities close to the chest, but not because he’s trying to be sly, but because he doesn’t want to hurt people. Swoon!

Spice:
There is a lot of spice in this book. There is a lot of tension in this book. There are a lot of flavors in this book. Banshees can scream, my friends! I’ll leave you with this last tidbit, your world with shake!

Triggers:
Physical Abuse (From a young page), violence, kidnapping, estranged parent, child abuse, alcoholism, confinement, drugging, panic attacks/disorders

I received an advanced reading copy through NetGalley. I requested it because I recently read Wuthering Heights for the first time and was interested in the premise.
It's written in the first person/present tense, which I usually don't care for. I didn't care for it in this book, and the narration perpetuated a trend I've picked up on of clipped, vulgar, stream of consciousness writing, almost like the narrator is yelling their story into a walkie talkie in a helicopter. As the book went on, the prose became a little smoother and nicer. If you like this style of writing, this book may be for you.
For me, the writing style hampered my enjoyment of a somewhat interesting story. Ultimately this book was not for me, but if this is the type/genre/style you like, then I think it is well done and you will enjoy it.

Hi, there. As an ARC reader I do not post reviews less than 4 stars unless the publisher/ author asks me to proceed. With that said this book would've been a DNF for me if I'd purchased it on my own. Withering Heights is one of my all time favorite books and I was excited to see a modern day retelling. I was interested to see the updated setting, how the plot was made current, and how the characters would present in modern times. I was very disappointed. This read like a poorly interrupted fan fiction. I did not enjoy it at all and only pushed through because I appreciated being chosen for the ARC. Please let me know if you'd like me to present a formal review on Goodreads and Amazon. Again thank you for the ARC and wish the author much success.

Full disclosure I was definitely so excited by this book. I didn’t even realize it was a series when I signed up for the ARC!
All I had to know was it was a retelling of Wuthering Heights and I was in! I’m a vibes girlie and I was feeling them, what can I say! Though this book ends far more differently!

This book showcases a lot of interesting topics, and I would say the overreaching theme is the corruption within organized religions. Our FMC, Cathy, has spent her entire life as “other” because she doesn’t fit in with the religious cult she was born into. She is an outcast in her small town with no friends, her extremely abusive father and her near apathetic aunt.
They subject her to torment, ridicule, and in the end great pain over their idea of the “right thing.“
This book has parts that are extremely hard to read, especially when it comes to familial violence.

Our MMC, Heathcliff, was kidnapped as a child and forced into servitude by a powerful family, all while calling him, “son and brother.”

In each other, they find acceptance, love, and hopefully escape from both families.

Since I hadn’t previously read the first two books, I can’t really speak on the side characters very well, but they are also reminiscent of other classical literary heroes and hero heroines. In this book specifically they are willing to go toe to toe for our mains, they’ve only just mean them but they are willing to die to save them.
What more could you ask of friends?

I enjoyed the book I definitely will go back and read the first two book of the series, I would enjoy it more if the author had more supernatural in it and talked more about their abilities. I enjoyed the characters acceptance of themselves

******Thank you so much to Rebecca Kenney, NetGalley, and SourceBooks for providing an E-ARC in exchange of providing an honest review! This review will contain no spoilers.******

OVERALL, QUICK REVIEW: My thoughts

Going into this I was so excited and left it for last to read (out of the ARCs I am reading right now) because I thought it would be so fun, and absolutely beautiful. What I got was a fanfiction AU from wattpad (specifically, bc even AO3 wouldn’t do this to me). I mean— the word “rizz’ was used and frankly that took me so far out of the story I would have DNF’ed immediately and never picked it back up. However, for the sake of this review, and the fact that this book has a pretty high rating, I decided why not? It cant get worse right? Well… yes and no. The writing is very pretty, not including the dialogue, but everything just felt so clunky, unfinished, rushed, and just overall disappointing. It felt like I was reading something that is going to the first round of edits instead of something ready for the printing press. If you had read from this author before, I can understand how you can like this, but this is my first impression. Furthermore, this is a standa-alone series which I didn’t feel like I was missing something (so that’s good). Overall, I’m willing to double down and read the finished product to see if it gets better. I really wanted to love this. But for now, it’s a no from me.

**REVIEW BREAKDOWN: Reflection & Analysis**

Quality of Writing: 3/5 🌟

The writing itself is actually nice if you discount the…certain word choices…used in dialogue, but the descriptive nature of Kenney’s writing is definitely their strong-suit, especially considering their story is in first-person (which can often limit the story but not here!). Kenney adopts a modern writing style against a southern, gothic backdrop which was very interesting to see and worked to their favor.

Plot Development: 2/5 🌟

The pacing was all wrong. I think the elements that I could have enjoyed would have made this amazing if certain things were changed around. This concept is incredibly strong, so it was disappointing to see it done haphazardly. I think it’s alright if they have sex in chapter two, and then get to know each other in chapter three, but here, against the setting and what the characters are meant to represent, does not work. At all. The whole purpose of it being a Wuthering Heights retelling is to be able to see the same slow-burn, forbidden budding delicious romance we had with the source material.

Characters: 2/5🌟

In Ruthless Devotions, the two main characters are thrown at us the same way they’re thrown at each other. I don’t know them yet, why am I meant to care? Why am I to hate or love this character. Cathy feels so hypocritical stuck between her magical-self and her sweet dolly, Christian persona, and also a femme-fatal. Instead of doing something with this however, it simply exists…which leads me to believe that some of these traits Cathy has is a mistake. Heathcliff is definitely the one with the most development or at least forethought and closure. Cathy’s background had so much potential but instead we had three or so pages summarizing her life before Heathcliff.

Romance: 2/5 🌟

They really honestly have such an insta-attraction or insta-love type of relationship. The relationship itself is also at the heart of the story (and I want to keep this spoiler free, so its hard to say much, BUT-) the romance could’ve absolutely stunning if this author had slowed down…taken the time, fostered the relationship, the prejudice, the brainwashing, all of it. Could’ve been great. At least the spice was good, very sexy and very steamy. A little weird but good.

Ending: 3/5 🌟

So great, that I am willing to pick up and read the finished product to see if these changes are made. Word choice and pacing is seriously (I’m serious.) a big factor (HUGE factor) as to why I did not like this book and truly I believe that both of these can also fix up the smaller issues I had throughout this book. Truly had so much potential, and the Magic storyline WAS super cool and SUPER interesting to read about, but if the book is going to have romance at it’s center, that part needs to be good, yknow?

It was a good read however I feel like it just maybe was not for me or what I am used to reading. It took me a while to get through however I did enjoy the retelling of the story and thought it brought a fresh insight to it.

Enjoyed this retelling of Wuthering Heights. Heathcliff and Cathy had great chemistry. I enjoyed the magical elements of the book. I was pulled into the book from the beginning. I am going to have go back and read the other books in the series.

Tropes & Themes:
🖤Southern Gothic
🖤Wuthering Heights Retelling
🖤Necromancer & Banshee
🖤Religious Cultism
🖤Paranormal Elements
🖤Irish Folklore

This book features a unique magic system rooted in Irish folklore, complete with a Banshee, interesting Gods, and necromancer elements. It's a loose Wuthering Heights retelling, and while I jumped in without reading previous series books (fair warning, past characters do show up if you're spoiler-averse!), it was still a great read. Overall, I loved the cultish, dark southern gothic atmosphere of the story!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

Rebecca Kenney's modern supernatural retelling of Wuthering Heights was a mixed bag for me. The premise was great and it jumped right into action. We learn how much Heathcliff and Cathy have struggled to exist. For various reasons, both of them have been cast as outsiders, both used by but never really loved by their families. As the supernatural happenings continue to escalate, Cathy and Heathcliff find themselves at the center of a storm they didn't see coming. Forced to fight for their very lives, they wonder if they will ever be able to share a real life together. If you're a fan of supernatural reads, you may appreciate this one. For me, I struggled with the interpretation of some other classic literary characters they encounter, Gatsby and Daisy, that made it hard for me to believe, even in a supernatural sense. Her writing, pacing and plot are all interesting so do yourself a favor and give it a whirl.

2.75 stars rounded up!

Although, I'm not familiar with the source material (Wuthering Heights), I only know of it, and I haven't read previous books in the gilded monsters series, I still had fun. While I prefer cutesy fairytale like stories, this one was quite darker, I still found bits that interested me.

Frankly, I didn't connect with Cathy, nor Heathcliff. Romance-wise, they had lots of great moments, though. I just didn't care. The stuff they did for each other? WOW. That's some soulmates shit. And it had quite a few spicy scenes worth of looking into.

There were a few bits that I'd call cringe, but it was nothing awful. Just little hiccups occasionally.

Near the end, main characters from the previous books of the gilded monsters showed up more, and I have to admit, I am so going to check them out too.

Thank you, #NetGalley for providing me with the ARC.

4 Tattoo Stars ⭐️
Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️/5

I had forgotten how much I love Rebecca Kenney, and this book just reminded me why she’s one of my favourite authors.

She has this incredible knack for making any story feel good while you're reading it. There’s just this energy her writing gives off. I genuinely don’t think she’s capable of writing a bad book. She’s experienced, and talented, and consistently delivers stories that feel immersive, sexy, emotional, and real. No matter what book of hers I pick up, I know it’s going to be good.

“Kiss me like I’m dying,” I whisper.”

𝙎𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨:
This is technically a Wuthering Heights retelling or at least highly inspired by it, and I know absolutely nothing about the original since I was not one of the people forced to read it in high school. I totally had to go watch a couple of YouTube videos about Wuthering Heights to help me prepare. But honestly, I don’t think it really mattered. I think. I think the main things I feel were taken from the original were the names and the family dynamics.

Cathy Earnshaw works at a boutique farmer’s market and coffee shop, where she helps with tourist displays and other day-to-day tasks. But she has a secret... she’s a banshee. Anyone she’s near who is going to die causes her to uncontrollably mourn their coming death. One of the ways she copes or burns off the feeling of the oncoming death is through hard sex. One day, she hooks up with a delivery guy dropping off cider and they end up having a deliciously spicy round of warehouse sex. That man, however, turns out to be Heathcliff Lockwood. The man she most definitely should stay far away from because he is part of the Lockwood Family, the enemies of her church and everything she’s been raised to fear. And... Heathcliff has a secret of his own... He is a necromancer and his family would kill to get their hands on someone with Cathy's powers...

𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨:
Heathcliff is the kind of man who immediately gets under Katy's skin. He is salacious and temptation in human form. Every time they interact, it’s this fiery "I don’t want you... but I really do" push and pull. They’re instantly sexually addicted to each other and can’t help themselves. SO basically if you're like me and you like the spice to hit quickly, this book delivers!

There are a lot of elements that tie into Cathy’s family, her church’s beliefs, and the way Heathcliff’s family connects to all of it. Due to this, this is one of those books where I couldn’t help but feel sorry for both main characters. Cathy and Heathcliff are stuck in systems they can’t escape. They don’t have money, status, or power. They are victims of the world they were born into, constantly knocked down and never given a real chance to win. It always feels like the universe is against them. Cathy has to hide her true self or face persecution. Heathcliff is abused by his brother and trapped in a violent legacy. They are both just trying to survive and find something better than the lives they were given.

I loved the subtle worldbuilding and the mix of supernatural elements, religion, and mythology. Now some of it I didn’t fully understand, but I just went with the flow. Rebecca Kenney has a way of just making you love a story without fully understanding it. It makes the book feel very layered and developed. Overall, I love how the elements of necromancy and the banshee magic came together. I loved how it just seemed that these two characters were the yin to each other's yang and how they seemed to complement each other both in personality and in powers.

I also loved how explosive the sex between the two of them was. Ultimately, it was a great balance of character development, plot, and spice, which is something Rebecca Kenney has a real knack for. She just knows how to pull it all together and make you feel fully invested in any book she writes.

One thing that held this back for me was entirely my own fault. I haven’t read book two in the series and I went straight from book one to this one because I was under the impression these were "interconnected standalones". Technically they are but characters from the previous books appear in this book and I was a little lost. I think knowing their stories would have made some moments more impactful. I didn’t know who they were or how they fit into the lore. Technically it didn’t pull too much away from the story, but from my side, I do recommend that if you want the full effect, it’s worth going in order and reading Book 1> Book 2>Book 3. That said, I loved seeing Daisy and Gatsby again. It was fun to check in on them after their books and see how much they’ve grown and changed since I left them at the end of book 1.

𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▶ Paranormal Romance
▶ Classic Inspired/Retelling
▶ Intricate Magic System
▶ Touch Her You Die
▶ Star Crossed Lovers (Enemy Families)
▶ Forced Proximity
▶ Burn the World For You

and 𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙧𝙤 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▷ Gods
▷ Stalking
▷ Tending to Injuries
▷ Cages Her with his Arms
▷ Banter
▷ Matching Tattoos

𝙎𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙆𝙞𝙣𝙠𝙨:
➢ Car Sex and Sex in Public Places
➢ CNC
➢ Squirting

And so I highly recommend this. I highly recommend this series. Try it out if you want to read something a little bit more paranormal and love classic books!

Thank you to SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca, Netgalley and Rebecca F. Kenney for the gifted copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own

After some internet research I found out that Rebecca Kenney's Ruthless Devotion is a, for me compelling, retelling of Wuthering Heights. The book offers paranormal elements, a cult-like community and some very hot romance.

Cathy, our female main character, is burdened with the secret of being a banshee. She can sense when people are about to die. This leads her into grief episodes. When she meets Heathcliff, who has his own secrets, their love is undeniable. When they start to unravel the community's secrets their passion becomes so hot, I had to stop reading and fan my phone, because it was about to catch fire.

This book was a little bit different than what I normally read but still I would recomment! It had me captivated from start to finish.

An addictive and truly original spicy New Adult retelling of Wuthering Heights with a magical twist...

I was gifted this ebook from Netgallery via the Author.

This was my first book in the the Gilded Monsters stand alone series. I love retellings of classic books because I loved the originals so much. I read this book so fast, I couldn't put it down. The Author's take of Wuthering Heights in a supernatural world was great! I absolutely loved the instant connection Cathy and Heathcliff had and his immediate support/care he provided her from the beginning. Their romance is swoon worthy and their supernatural gifts portrayed in modern society is really unique.

The plot is fast paced and really draws you in. I already added the first 2 books to my TBR because the characters from the pervious books are awesome and I can't wait to get to know them better.

I would definitely recommend this book and I am appreciative I got the chance to read it!

Wow, this book was so good! I didn’t realize it was part of a standalone series with overlapping characters in previous books. Despite this, I wasn’t lost at all and was fully gripped in the story from the first page. I usually go in to books blind, so all I knew is that it was a Wuthering Heights retelling, but I loved it! I loved Cathy and Cliff, and their chemistry, passion, dedication, and loyalty were such a joy to read. The plot and premise were so engaging and I wanted to know how the book ended so badly! I finished the book in one sitting and read it in 4 hours and 20 minutes. Now I want to go back to read the first two books to fully understand the characters that made cameos in this, since I also fell in love with them.

Note: I received an E-book ARC of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book is expected to be published on July 22nd, 2025!

I truly went into this book thinking that this was or may have been a standalone story within a group of novels. But I did find out that this is apart of a continuing story. I do have to note that I am not into the older romance and when I say that I mean Wuthering Heights , or Pride and Prejudice . I often thought those romances were outdated and definitely not the romance that I enjoyed.
But I thought that I would give this "rewrite" or rethought version into a modern age , and I was and do have to say that I was pleasantly surprised. Not only did I feel some sort of connection to these characters I could honestly understand . Cathy with her feeling of being an outsider , and then I just honestly adored the book boyfriend Cliff or Heathcliff whichever you prefer. Once these two find each other they realize that they are not alone in the world anyone and it all is worth it being together.
I would definitely recommend to all my spicy booklovers!

Okay so i did not like this one at all. I mean what in the self loathing, horny stuff was going on in this book?! Seriously what was that part where the male lead all of a sudden starts to explain in great detail how he was going to have sex with the fmc's sister just to make her jealous... it gave me such an ick did not feel like opening the book back again.
the only good thing are the names of the characters which is taken from classics.