I really enjoyed this one. I love how much Heathcliff and Cathy are just drawn to each other, despite all of the resons they shouldn't be. They've had chemistry since the moment they met, and they're going to fight for each other no matter what.

The supernatural elements were really well done, and I couldn't put it down once I got into it. I loved how everything unfolded, and I loved watching them realize how they really feel about each other. And I loved seeing the characters from the previous books as well!

I have read a few of Rebecca's books and I do think this is one of her best written ones out of them all.

Ruthless Devotion is a dark gothic Wuthering Heights retelling and boy do you get all of those things in spades - suspense, family drama, various religious horrors, and a heaping dose of trauma (is it really Wuthering Heights without those things?)

As expected, Cathy and Heathcliff have an amazing connection and tension galore. They can't exist without one another but they also need to escape.

While this is a retelling, it is still unique and brings it's own spin to the tale so many of us have loved forever - the mythology with the gods, supernatural friends, descriptive world building, and detailed writing really bring the story to life and gives us a fresh take.

This is a fantastical re-telling of Wuthering Heights full of supernatural beings stemming from various mythologies. My cup of tea ☕️ It also dives into the heretical occult that can sometimes spawn with certain groups who think they are doing the right thing by doing dark deeds. I was shocked at how open Kenney was during certain scenes involving the church. 😬

I was so excited to read this book that I didn’t realize it was part of a series! Fear not, you don’t need to have read books 1 & 2 as this one can be read as a standalone. After my previous ARC that took a lot of brain power, I read this in a day! It’s fun, easy, entertaining, spicy and full of myths. 🤩

The 2 main characters are victims to the systems they are born in. They are stuck: no money, power, status or family (not really). They are both just trying to survive and find a way out of their small town for a better life.💪

The side characters (whom I presume are from the other 2 books) are also based off of classical stories like Jay Gatsby and Daisy. I need to go back and read their stories because they have some interesting supernatural abilities.

Thank you to @netgalley, author @rebeccafkenneybooks and Sourcebooks Casablanca publishing for the ARC.

★★★★☆ Fierce, Addictive, and Deliciously Twisted

Ruthless Devotion sinks its teeth into you from page one and doesn’t let go. Rebecca Kenney delivers an intoxicating blend of obsession, power, and passion that had me glued to every word. The dynamic between the leads? Explosive. There’s an edge of danger and devotion that keeps the tension high and the stakes even higher.

Kenney’s writing is razor-sharp—taut prose, intense emotional beats, and a plot that’s dripping with dark temptation. I loved how unapologetically intense it all was. It straddles that delicious line between devotion and destruction, and trust me, you’ll be flipping pages like your life depends on it.

So why not five stars? A few moments felt a little too fast or just brushed over when I wanted to bask in the drama or feel the fallout hit harder. But honestly? That didn’t stop me from devouring it in one sitting.

If you’re into dark romance that claws at your morals while seducing your heart, this one’s got your name all over it.

☠️ Content Warnings:
-Abuse (physical and religious)
-Alcoholism
-Gaslighting
-Violence/Blood
-Religious Bigotry

💞 Read if you enjoy:
-Classic literature-inspired
-Southern gothic vibes
-Creepy cults
-Unique supernaturals
-Irish folklore
-Forbidden romance
-Insta-connection/insta-lust
-Death can’t keep them apart
-Heavy spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

My thoughts:

I wound up enjoying this book way more than I thought I would. Almost DNFing on page 2 ->4⭐️ is a wild turnaround.

What drew me in initially were the supernatural aspects of our MMC and FMC. While we find out pretty quickly that our MMC Heathcliff is a necromancer, it takes a little while for the reader to discover what our FMC Cathy is. We know that she can feel when someone is about to die and fights the urge to loudly mourn them like she is compelled to. Her family, the Earnshaws, are staunchly against any type of supernatural powers. Cathy’s dad and aunt are part of a quasi-Christian “religion” (cult, really) dedicated to stamping out supernaturals and keeping the god buried under the town asleep in his tomb. Meanwhile, the Lockwoods, Heathcliff’s family, profit from their powers and allegedly plan to raise the god that the Earnshaws want kept down.

I’ve read a few books with necromancers before, but I’ll admit I was stumped trying to figure out what Cathy is. That mystery was what compelled me to keep reading, so I won’t spoil in my review. I’ve read countless books about witches, vampires, fae, and werewolves, but I have never read a book with this type of supernatural. I love most of those books, of course, but it was nice to see something new and different.

Obviously, a lot of the book is dedicated to Heathcliff and Cathy’s developing relationship. Not only do their powers complement each other, but they have very similar life experiences. Both of them have lived through a lot of trauma and abuse, and they only really have each other for support. Although Heathcliff and Cathy have undeniable chemistry, I wish the emotional connection was more prevalent from the beginning, rather than starting with the physical connection and developing the emotional one later. (Literally, they have graphic sex in a storage closet right after they meet in chapter 2.)

Even though there are a lot of sex scenes—including one in the church that reminds me of Priest—there is also a strong plot that keeps the story moving. I’m very intrigued by fundamentalist Christianity and people who have escaped high-demand religions, so I was interested in the cult aspect of this book more than the romance. Thus, it was a super quick read for me; I finished this in less than 24 hours.

Finally, in case the names weren’t a dead giveaway, this book was inspired by <I>Wuthering Heights</I>. However, you don’t need to read the source material in order to enjoy this one. I’m not a fan of most classic literature, and I don’t feel like I was missing anything. There are also two earlier books in this series inspired by The Great Gatsby and The Picture of Dorian Gray. While you can read this book independently, it’s probably best to read them in published order, as the other four MCs play a large role in the end of this third book. I started with this one since I have the ARC copy, but I plan to go back and read the first two before the fourth book is released next year.

🖤💜 Ruthless Devotion ARC Review 💜🖤

Thank you so much to Rebecca Kenney and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the opportunity to read and review this book!

Ruthless Devotion is a paranormal fantasy romance and modern retelling of Wuthering Heights. Cathy has constantly been told she’s possessed by a demon and is trapped in her sheltered life among a cult-like community. She dreams of escaping and living her life on her terms. When she meets the mysterious Heathcliff, she finally feels like those dreams can become a reality

This was an interesting read. I enjoyed the world building, the unique retelling of a classic novel with a fantasy twist and religious cult-like elements were realistic in a scary way. While I enjoyed Cathy and Heathcliff in the story, I felt like there was something missing from the buildup of their relationship. I found myself wanting something more - tension, angst, drama…something - but this is a “me” issue and not a book issue.

Overall this was a solid three star read. I enjoyed this read in general but this book was third in a series and it felt like I would have gotten more out of it if I’d read the previous two. This book does contain some heavy topics, so please check triggers if you’re sensitive. This book started off quickly with the spice and kept it up throughout, so overall three flames for spice

If you’re a fan of paranormal fantasy with religious themes, instant attraction and lots of spice, then pick this one up!

The spice is spicing. I didnt read the first two books in the series and was still able to understand what was going on. This is definite reread with the other books involved.

This book was so interesting! I did not read the first 2 in the series, but I was still able to understand what was happening. Really well-written spice, and great character growth. Aside from the character names, I didn’t see much connection to Wuthering Heights, but I still enjoyed this book a lot!

Yes yes yes yes ! Absolutely YES !
🙌🏼 the steam, romance , story , characters just all the yes’s . I had to much fun reading this book !!

This was my first book by Rebecca Kenney and it won't be the last. I loved the fantasy aspects of this story. I fell in love with Heathcliff. It had some of my favorite tropes, touch her and die, forced proximity, great banter. The chemistry between the 2 characters was great and very believable. I will definitely be picking up the rest of this series.

i felt the writing style was unique from the usual standards set for fantasy books— it had the tone of sarcasm, frustraation and all other emotions the characters were feeling as it was written in first point of views. but at the same time, i had problem with getting into the flow of the book.

other than this, i appreciate the spicy scenes in the second chapter— it was perfectly written, and the themes exploring the dark side of churches/christianity was perfectly done as it's a major plot point (this theme is focused more on as in the dedication, the same is mentioned).

i felt the characters somehow lacked depth, as themes of abusive families were a major part of the book— but, the characters were like "oh, he had beaten me", there was no hurt, frustration and any other major emotions felt in the first half of the book, for me that was a major turn off.

this is my opinion and what i felt after reading the book. i won't be leaving reviews anywhere else.

I adore Wuthering Heights and I adore Rebecca's books, so I was really looking forward to this. And as expected, this book once again showcased why I say Rebecca is the queen of retellings.

Ruthless Devotion jumps right in where Charming Devil ends, so while this is a new couple, I recommend reading Beautiful Villain and Charming Devil before starting this. That said, I was immediately drawn into this story, and could not put the book down. Cathy and Heathcliff have an instant chemistry that was a pleasure to read grow into something more.

And like the other books in this series, the southern Gothic setting in the story is spot on and helps bring these classic stories into the modern age, but with its paranormal and dark twists. I am anxiously awaiting the next book in the series.

Cathy Earnshaw and Heathcliff Lockwood live in remote, deliberately unwelcoming towns, hostile to strangers and cloaked in generations of secrecy. Despite coming from historically rival families, they’re irresistibly drawn to each other. Both carry heavy secrets (some better kept than others…looking at you, Cathy), and both are outsiders in their own homes, mistreated and overlooked.

Well, I think it’s safe to say I’m in the minority here. There were parts of this book I genuinely enjoyed… and others that just didn’t work for me.

The good: the lore. I loved the mix of supernatural elements, it gave me major True Blood vibes, but with an eerie cult twist. Absolutely here for it. I really applaud the author for her originality and the creativity behind the world-building.

The not-so-good: the characters and the pacing. The characters spent a surprising amount of time reminding everyone (and themselves) that they’re adults… yet I often found myself pausing—literally pausing—at the sheer immaturity of their behavior. It made it hard for me to connect or really care about them. The pacing also threw me off at times. Some emotional beats felt rushed, leaving me more disconnected than invested.

Because of that, I have to land at two stars. It started strong, but my interest faded as it went on.

That said, I completely understand why others loved it. It just wasn’t for me. Still, I’d absolutely recommend it to anyone looking for a unique fantasy setting, particularly readers who enjoy moody, gothic supernatural drama. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book with a banshee main character before, and I love that.

Thank you to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Casablanca, and Rebecca Kenney for the privilege of this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Rebecca Kenney ventures into a fascinatingly dark and magical world with "Ruthless Devotion," the latest addition to her "Gilded Monsters" series. This modern, gothic retelling of "Wuthering Heights" infused with banshees and necromancers is a bold and often brilliant ride, offering a unique twist on a classic while delivering a potent and spicy romance.

The concept alone is compelling: Cathy, a banshee tormented by her gift, and Heathcliff, a necromancer from a reviled clan, drawn together despite the deep seated hatred between their communities. Their connection is raw, passionate, and undeniably electric from the start. Kenney excels at building the intense, all consuming bond between them, showcasing how their shared trauma and understanding create an irresistible force. The enemies to lovers dynamic, driven by societal prejudice rather than personal animosity, is cleverly handled.

The Southern Gothic atmosphere of the Lowcountry setting is beautifully rendered, adding a rich, oppressive layer to the narrative. The exploration of religious trauma and the cult like community Cathy inhabits adds significant depth and darkness, making her journey towards Heathcliff a true act of rebellion and self-preservation. The high spice level is definitely present, contributing to the intense intimacy between the protagonists.

While "Ruthless Devotion" is a strong and memorable entry, there were moments where the pacing felt a little uneven, occasionally rushing through certain emotional beats that could have benefited from more development. However, this is a minor point in an otherwise compelling and original story.

Overall, "Ruthless Devotion" is a triumph of dark romance. It's a testament to Kenney's ability to take a classic tale, inject it with powerful supernatural elements, and craft a love story that is both devastating and deeply captivating. If you're looking for a gothic, spicy, and emotionally charged read that pushes boundaries, this one is well worth your time.

Thank you to Rebecca Kenney, Sourcebooks Casablanca, and NetGalley for the eARC.

Ruthless Devotion is the third part in a series of standalones that follow retellings of classic couples. This story follows Heathcliff and Catherine, loosely based off of Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. Wuthering Heights is a classic gothic tale, and Ruthless Devotion is it's modern Southern Gothic twist. It's an incredibly dark story, which makes it so compelling. Catherine and Heathcliff are both misunderstood and tested individuals in their small southern town. This story has a little bit of everything that has to do with the occult, which is what I genuinely enjoyed. I thoroughly appreciated the interwoven complexities of belief systems that the author chose to implement in this story. The idea of folk beliefs versus a cult like puritanical Christian sect was what kept me continuing to read. When I thought the belief system was already fleshed out, there was more information added.

2.5🌟 I have very mixed feelings about this book. I didn't realise it was a part of a series until i started the book. I was intrigued by the plot throughout as it was very different from anything else I've read before with mythical/folklore elements however due to the amount of religious content I found myself not enjoying a lot of the book it just wasnt for me. The romance throughout was okay but nothing very special in my opinion

Thank you again, NetGalley, for sending me a copy of this book!

No, because from beginning to end, this book had every ounce of my attention! This series has been so fun to read, and there was no moment when I felt bored or disconnected from the characters.

What an absolute wild ride this book has been. I didn't want it to end! I was so connected to these characters, to the point where if something went wrong, I was anxiously waiting for everything to work out. I can't wait to see where the next book takes the next set of characters that were introduced.

This book will be stuck in my head for a while, that's for sure. Cathy and Heath are just so perfect together. With all the hardships they faced throughout their lives, I'm so happy they finally got the happy ending they so desperately deserved.

Thank you to Rebecca Kenney, Sourcebooks Casablanca, and NetGalley for the eARC

Ruthless Devotion is a fantastic original retelling of Wuthering Heights that blends the brooding intensity of the classic with fresh, imaginative elements like Irish folklore, cult dynamics, and a darkly magnetic romance.

I was hooked from the first page. Cathy and Heathcliff’s love is intense and messy in all the best ways.

The blending Irish myth, supernaturals, and a cult into the story added a we wonderfully eerie and haunting layer to the story.

This book is dark, intense, and completely addictive. If you’re into gothic romance, messy obsession, and bold retellings, Ruthless Devotion is a must-read.

ARC Review of Ruthless Devotion by Rebecca F. Kenney
* * * * *
A british classic takes a twist of the supernatural and intensifies the pull between characters, bound to suck you in to the darkness.

Heathcliff, a young man with a power and a purpose, a past filled with questions now stuck in a legacy he cannot escape.
Cathy, a woman confined in her world with her intense ability that has her body wracked and her mind filled with hopelessness.
Apart, they felt lost. Together, they find understanding. Death could tear them apart, even a God could stand in the way of what they want, but they are going to fight for one another even if it ends in their demise.

Another fantastic edition to the series of wild and dark romance. Read Wuthering Heights once years ago, and now after this read, I want to revisit. I imagine there is not much hot stuff like this read, but it's a good refresher. Definitely spicy!
Cathy's character as a banshee, a wailing woman sensing death to those around her, is faced with so many challenges. She craves release - the hard, hot and heavy kind - to help her deal with the overwhelming ability she faces every day, but beyond her power, she's stuck in a place with people she doesn't particularly want to be.
Then, Heathcliff Lockwood's apparence into her life just has to make it even more interesting...and slightly difficult especially with his connections and background. He himself is in a world he cannot escape from, force to use his own necromancer abilities in a family that does not care what he wants beyond what he can do for them.
Their connection is instant, even when they don't share names after their 'time together'. Wink, wink. It increases overtime, and we are dragged into their drama and blissful escapes, fighting the control in their world to be free.

My favourite book in the Gilded Monsters series so far! I absolutely loved the relationship between Heathcliff and Cathy, and the connection they had throughout it.

The way that this book brought in the previous two was quite enjoyable. It was nice to see those characters again and get a clearer picture of what is happening in this universe.

Looking forward to the conclusion of this story!

Thank you Rebecca for the eARC of this book for an honest review.

My review is also posted on my GoodReads account.